CC SR 20250401 F - Housing Density in Fire Zones
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 04/01/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration of a joint Peninsula Cities letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting a
moratorium on housing legislation that creates further density in Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones (VHFHSZ)
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize the Mayor to sign the joint Peninsula Cities letter to Governor Gavin
Newsom requesting a moratorium on further housing legislation that creates
density in CalFIRE-Designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
(VHFHSZ).
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
REVIEWED BY: Same as below
APPROVED BY: Vina Ramos, Finance Director VR
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A) Draft Peninsula Cities letter to Governor Newsom
BACKGROUND
Following the recent wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, officials from the four
Peninsula cities (Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, and
Rolling Hills) began discussing the potential impact of State mandates to zone for
increased housing in CalFIRE-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
(VHFHSZ). A majority of Rancho Palos Verdes is located in VHFHSZ. However, these
mandates are often issued without consideration to a region’s vulnerabilities that range
from limited ingress/egress, emergency infrastructure, water supply, or wildfire
vulnerability.
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DISCUSSION
The attached draft letter urges Governor Newsom to place a moratorium on additional
housing legislation that requires increased housing, as cities balance previous housing
requirements with emergency preparedness efforts in the wake of the recent wildfires in
Los Angeles.
One example is the recently introduced SB 677 (Weiner) which aims to “strengthen two
of California’s landmark housing streamlining laws.” The attached letter writes “What it
doesn’t do is consider the growing risks of communities in the VHFHSZ.” Much of the
Palos Verdes Peninsula as well as communities affected by the Palisades, Eaton,
Franklin, and Mountain fires all sit within the Very High or High Fire Severity Zones.
Each of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Cities has worked closely with the State and the
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to comply with housing and
safety element requirements. This commitment has been maintained despite escalating
concerns from residents over public safety, particularly as it relates to the compounding
risks of wildfires, evacuation logistics, and inadequate infrastructure in VHFHSZ.
However, in light of the Los Angeles wildfires, staff requests City Council to consider
authorizing the Mayor to sign and send the draft letter to Governor Newsom, requesting
that his office place a moratorium on any further legislation of this type and let Palos
Verdes communities focus on reducing hazard risk and strengthening our disaster
readiness.
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April X, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Request for Moratorium on Further Legislation Aimed at Creating Housing Density
Requirements and Enforcement Mechanisms in CalFIRE-Designated Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Dear Governor Newsom,
On behalf of the residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the City Councils of Rancho Palos Verdes,
Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, and Rolling Hills respectfully request your urgent action
to halt further legislation in CalFIRE-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ)
throughout California.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula and other similar areas across the state face extreme wildfire risks. The
devastating fires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena highlight the significant dangers to human life
and property in fire-prone regions. These incidents underscore the critical need to prioritize public
safety over urban densification in these vulnerable zones.
The traffic jam on residential streets that resulted from evacuation of Palisades residents during the
Palisades Fire forced people to abandon their cars and flee the fire on foot. Firefighters had to use
bulldozers to remove vehicles blocking critical access routes. Insufficient parking and narrow
streets not only affected the timely evacuation of residents and deployment of firefighting resources
but also delayed protection for structures. This highlights the dire consequences of inadequate
infrastructure in VHFHSZ when density increases without proper planning or access.
Each of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Cities has worked closely with the State and the Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD) to comply with housing and safety element
requirements. This commitment has been maintained despite escalating concerns from residents
over public safety, particularly as it relates to the compounding risks of wildfires, evacuation
logistics, and inadequate infrastructure in VHFHSZ.
In 2020, the Legislature passed SB 182, which would have required that new housing developments
in very high fire zones include various elements to better withstand wildfires. SB 182 would have
mandated design elements such as evacuation routes, vegetation management, and fire-safe
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construction. It also would have required the regional housing needs allocation plan to further the
objective of reducing development pressure within very high fire risk areas. Unfortunately, you
vetoed that legislation.
Going forward, it is critical that future legislation will address concerns in VHFHSZ and consider the
following:
1.Narrow Streets and Limited Access: Many areas on the Peninsula and other VHFHSZ
locations are served by narrow, winding streets constructed decades ago that are already
inadequate for current traffic volumes. These streets were designed based on density at that time
and cannot accommodate increased density without creating severe risks during wildfire
evacuations.
2.Congested Evacuation Routes: With limited exit points from the Peninsula, increased
population density would create potentially fatal bottlenecks during mandatory evacuations.
Palos Verdes Boulevard is the only exit route for much of the peninsula, and Palos Verdes Drive
South is undergoing constant repair due to land movement caused by the Ancient Portuguese
Bend Landslide Complex.
3.Inadequate Emergency Infrastructure: Current infrastructure, including insufficient
parking and limited access for emergency vehicles, further exacerbates the risk to residents and
first responders in fire emergencies. As seen in the Pacific Palisades fire, delays caused by
parked vehicles blocking emergency access could be the difference between saving lives and
catastrophic loss.
4.Increased Wildfire Vulnerability: Higher-density housing developments in fire-prone areas
increase ignition sources and complicate fire suppression efforts, putting more lives and
structures at risk.
5.Strained Water Supply: The Palos Verdes Peninsula and other VHFHSZ locations rely on
limited water resources for residential, commercial, and firefighting needs. Increased housing
density would significantly strain this already limited water supply, jeopardizing the region’s
ability to respond effectively to wildfire emergencies and threatening the long-term sustainability
of these communities.
Recently, SB 677 was introduced by Senator Scott Weiner. The Bill aims to “strengthen two of
California’s landmark housing streamlining laws.” What it doesn’t do is consider the growing risks
of communities in VHFHSZ. If approved, SB 677 would place further strain on local governments
already trying to accommodate a package of previous legislation that aim to create housing
opportunities but limit local considerations.
It is difficult to comprehend the introduction and possible passing of this type of legislation as
communities are still recovering from the January fires or finding ways to work with their public safety
partners to prepare for the next firestorm.
On behalf of the over 100,000 residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and other communities in
VHFHSZ throughout the State of California, we implore you to reject and place a moratorium on any
further legislation of this type and let our communities focus on preparedness that will help avoid
the next disaster.
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Sincerely,
David L. Bradley, Mayor
Rancho Palos Verdes
Victoria A. Lozzi, Mayor
Palos Verdes Estates
Debby Stegura, Mayor
Rolling Hills Estates
Jeff Pieper, Mayor
Rolling Hills
CC: The Honorable State Senator Ben Allen
The Honorable State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Fourth District Janice Hahn
Jeff Kiernan, League of California Cities
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Palos Verdes Estates City Council
Rolling Hills Estates City Council
Rolling Hills City Council
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