Nearly a year after the fire, residents must wait longer as competing reconstruction plans return to a budget committee.
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday postponed a long-awaited vote on whether to waive reconstruction fees for Pacific Palisades residents
The proposed fee waivers — which could save individual homeowners tens of thousands of dollars — are seen by many as the determining factor in whether they can afford to rebuild or must leave their community.
Dozens of residents filled the council chamber for the meeting, some breaking down as members voted to send the matter back to the Budget and Finance Committee for further review.
The council is weighing two competing proposals. One would waive fees for rebuilding single-family homes up to 110% of their previous size, a plan city analysts say could cost about $86 million. A second, broader proposal would eliminate fees for rebuilding homes, apartments, and businesses, with an estimated price tag of roughly $280 million.
City officials have emphasized that while the mayor previously suspended certain fees through an emergency order, a permanent or comprehensive waiver requires council approval. With Los Angeles facing significant budget pressures, several members have raised concerns about the impact on city finances.
The issue is expected to return to the council after another round of budget discussions.