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PPCC Hosts Architect to Speak on Home Rebuilding, Reconstruction

Courtesy of PPCC

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor 

The Pacific Palisades Community Council board meeting on Thursday, February 27, included an informational presentation on steps ahead for residents considering or planning on rebuilding their homes.

Speaking on behalf of architectural firm Marmol-Radziner, Leo Marmol organized a presentation for attendees, covering “the path to reconstruction.”

Marmol started the presentation by acknowledging what he has heard from individuals in the community, as they navigate remaining mortgage costs and costs of reconstruction, as well as speaking to architects and builders for the first time.

“We’re here in the spirit of community, to support, to outline a basic understanding of the overall process to rebuild your home,” Marmol said.

Marmol recommended individuals collect architectural drawings, photographs, site surveys, title reports and anything else that documents their home that was lost. He said doing so will guide the conversation between an architect or building professionals and the city, to help them understand the conditions of the house before the fire.

“How do you confirm your original height? The building is no longer there,” Marmol said. “The better documentation you have of your house, the easier that conversation will go.”

Marmol explained that the Palisades—all of the coastal areas, exclusions, categorical exclusions, single and dual jurisdiction—are eligible for expedited permit processing, and with that, can increase their footprint by 10%.

“You can increase your square footage and height,” Marmol said during the presentation. “In addition to that, you can also add an ADU, an accessory dwelling unit.”

Marmol recommended individuals hire or work with a design team for additional support, and to begin looking at an overall project budget. Marmol said individuals will be looking at hard construction costs, which include the replacement cost for the house itself, as well as site costs.

“Site costs are everything beyond the current footprint of your building,” Marmol explained. “There will be what we call ‘hard scape,’ and those are patios, walkways, driveways, gates, fences—all the elements on the site. Then there are land landscape costs, planting, irrigation … And then there’s all the other site elements: swimming pools, spas, water features, whatever you have out on the property. Those will be hard costs for the site.”

Marmol explained the number that is the source of the most confusion, discrepancies and uncertainty is currently the cost per square foot to replace the house. This number typically doesn’t include aesthetic choices and details beyond what is necessary for the home.

Marmol closed his presentation by explaining that the Palisades and Altadena are going to be the only communities in the county of Los Angeles with new infrastructure, which “is incredibly valuable to the long-term value of your property.”

PPCC will host its next board meeting on Thursday evening, March 13. A link to the agenda and the Zoom are available at pacpalicc.org.

Marmol’s presentation is available at youtube.com/watch?v=vkODXKgCzdU.

‘Palisades Strong’

Photo courtesy of Chabad of Pacific Palisades

Chabad of Pacific Palisades and Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center hosted a Palisades Strong Hamentash Bake at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 5.

“It was a special pre-Purim event for families from the Palisades who have lost or been displaced from their homes,” Program Coordinator Nechama Diskin said. “It was really beautiful and healing to be together.”

That Merch Girl sponsored Palisades Strong aprons for attendees, who baked hamantaschen, made graggers (a noisemaker used during the holiday) and Purim masks, and had a “delicious dinner” from Pita Bu. Gift packages for kids were sent from the Chabad Jewish Center of S. Clemente Hebrew School.

Chabad Palisades has partnered with Beverly Hills Jewish Community Chabad to host A Royal Purim celebration on Friday, March 14, beginning at 5 p.m. at a private residence, with a Purim happy hour, Megillah reading, entertainment for kids, a “Purim feast” and Shabbat. RSVPs can be made at chabadpalisades.com/royal.

Post Seeks First Baby of 2025

The first baby of 2024
Photo courtesy of Lauren Nabi

The Palisadian-Post is now seeking the first baby born to a Palisadian family in 2025—a tradition of honoring the baby born closest to 12 a.m. on January 1 that began in the paper in 1954 and has been published since.

In past years, entries have been sought in January, with the story published at the end of January or early February. This year’s selection process and story was postponed following the Palisades fire.

In addition to a feature in the Post, the family will receive a basket of prizes from contest sponsors, including a handmade quilt from Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club, a gift certificate to Sanctuary Spa at the Palisades (temporarily closed but still standing with plans to reopen), items and a gift card to The Pump Station & Nurtury in Santa Monica, and products from Busy Benny—which were delivered before Founder Laura Gowing lost her inventory and home in the fire.

Other contest sponsors are Above Bar, The Gray Dragon and tawnya, who lost their business spaces, inventories and homes in the fire. The Post wanted to acknowledge and thank them for their willingness to sponsor the contest.

Families who had a baby in the new year are invited to email mypost@palipost.com with the date and time of the birth to be considered.    

    —SARAH SHMERLING

FEMA Application Deadline Extended

Courtesy of FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended the deadline for Los Angeles County homeowners and renters who suffered damage in the January fires to apply for assistance to Monday, March 31.

“FEMA assistance for individuals affected by the wildfire can cover rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance,” read a statement. “FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.”

To apply with FEMA, visit disasterassistance.gov; use the FEMA app; call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362; or visit a Disaster Recovery Center.                  

    —SARAH SHMERLING

Santa Monica Conservancy to Host ‘The Way We Were: Shared Memories of a Village Lost’

Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Conservancy

Santa Monica Conservancy will host a Santa Monica Mosaic event with “civic leaders from the Pacific Palisades” on Sunday, March 16, at 5 p.m. titled “The Way We Were: Shared Memories of a Village Lost” on Zoom.

The event, moderated by Libby Motika, will feature panelists Bill Bruns, Roberta Ross Donohue, Vanessa Pellegrini and Randy Young, who will speak on “the history of the Palisades,” as well as “the region’s rich heritage” while sharing “fond memories.” They will also cover “the devastating loss in the Palisades wildfire” and “describe their hopes for recovery.”

Santa Monica Mosaic is a livestream series, focused on “celebrating the preservation of our historic cultures.

For more information or to RSVP for a link to the Zoom, visit smconservancy.org.

 —SARAH SHMERLING

Music Guild 40th Season of Concerts to Continue

Photo courtesy of Music Guild

St. Matthew’s Music Guild will continue its 40th season of concerts with LA Philharmonic’s Principal Flute Denis Bouriakov on Friday, March 14, at 8 p.m.

“Due to the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades, this concert will take place at St. Augustine-by-the-Sea in Santa Monica,” read a statement. “The Music Guild will return to its regular home, St. Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades, when it is deemed safe to do so.”

The program will feature “Flute Concerto No. 1” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and “Introduction and Rondo Capricioso” by Camille Saint-Saëns, as well as the world premiere of “Trek of the Fantast” by Los Angeles-based composer and performer Dawn Norfleet.

St. Augustine-by-the-Sea Church is located at 1227 Fourth Street. Tickets for the concert are $45 or available as part of a Music Guild season pass. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit musicguildonline.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Residential Rebuild Cost Meeting Features ‘Builders Alliance’ Presentation

A slide from the presentation detailing the proposed Builders Alliance
Courtesy of LA Rebuilding Advisory Committee

Community Members Are Encouraged to Fill Out Survey

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

When it comes to rebuilding Pacific Palisades, the idea of forming a builders alliance to streamline “reconstruction through cost-saving collaboration” was presented during a meeting that took place at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 and virtually via Zoom on Thursday evening, March 6.

The meeting was focused on a presentation titled “LA Fires Rebuilding and Recovery Strategy,” prepared by the LA Rebuilding Advisory Committee, which is a joint effort of the Urban Land Institute, the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate and USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. It was hosted by Chief Recovery Officer for the city of Los Angeles Steve Soboroff, with Randy Johnson, Palisadian Taylor Mammen (CEO of RCLCO Fund Advisors and bishop of the Pacific Palisades Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and representatives from Brookfield Residential.

Soboroff noted of rebuilding efforts that “some people will be able to afford it,” while others will not, but he said that when decisions to rebuild or not are made, his goal is to be sure property owners have “all the options.”

The first step, the presenters explained, is having residential owners and renters fill out a questionnaire with their intentions when it comes to rebuilding in and returning to the Palisades.

“The purpose of this survey … is to listen directly to the residents and businesses impacted by the fires to ensure that elected officials, policy makers and rebuilding authorities’ response is both effective and aligns with needs and preferences,” read a description. “The survey will assess residents’ of the Palisades intentions and means relative to rebuilding their homes. The results of this comprehensive, anonymous and statistically significant survey will inform elected officials and policymakers regarding where and how to prioritize their efforts, ultimately helping to facilitate the rebuilding and recovery from the fires as quickly, as well and as cost effectively, as possible.”

The survey is available at la.uli.org/la-fires-survey. By this week, it will be expanded to include commercial property owners and tenants, and then further expanded to include the same for the Eaton fire zone.

The presentation began with a summary of the ULI/UCLA/USC LA Fires Rebuilding and Recovery Advisory Committee’s preliminary recommendations.

“This is an unprecedented disaster that requires an unprecedented approach,” Mammen said during the meeting, noting that cost-estimates of $1,000 per square foot and above is “not going to be achievable for most.” People are having to make “really big decisions” with not enough information or time.

“To facilitate the vertical rebuilding of physical commercial, residential and community facilities as well, as quickly and as effectively as possible, and the recovery of the communities devastated by the fires, we recommend setting up rebuilding authority(ies) to plan and implement the rebuilding, financing and recovery efforts, with oversight from an independent governance board but with complete operational autonomy and authority,” read an executive summary.

The overarching objective, according to the presentation, is to “build back better and quickly,” with a focus on rebuilding and recovering efficiently and cost effectively, to help “minimize population loss” and to “avoid a recurring cycle of repopulation and construction activity,” while preserving and enhancing the “character of the communities and the ‘way of life.’”

The presentation noted that “rebuilding through business-as-usual channels and in a piece-meal fashion is impractical,” which will “overburden the already overcapacity city and county services and departments.” It can “take years longer” and “will be much more expensive.”

“The big idea,” according to the presentation is to establish the rebuilding authority(ies) to operate a financing center, financial assistance center, insurance center, community rebuilding resource center, and dedicated planning approval, permitting, inspection and certification center.

Depending on community interest, Mammen explained, they are considering launching a Builders Alliance Program to “offer turn-key rebuilding solutions to property owners who prefer not to hire an architect, find a contractor and undertake the rebuilding on their own.”

The Builders Alliance would be a “collaborative of contractors and builders, including custom builders, semi-custom builders and production builders, who are committed to help build back better, and do it as quickly, as well and as cost-effectively as possible.”

As proposed, it would include things like architecture and structural engineering, permitting, project management, general contractor, landscape design and installation, financing and insurance solutions, and assistance with insurance claims, property tax resolution, and mortgage arrangements.

The presenters explained that through this avenue, property owners would retain ownership of their lot, but would enter into a construction contract, giving “access to cost-effective, high-quality and timely rebuilding solutions through innovative technology, strategic partnerships and a streamlined approach to construction.”

“Pass on to property owners the cost saving, operational efficiencies, shorter timeframes and quality improvement achieved through economies of scale, purchasing power and the ability to manage a more efficient supply chain and labor pool,” read the presentation. “Members of the Builders Alliance will work together to arrive at a cost structure that is lower than the standard targets for design and build services.”

Some of the homebuilders who are being considered to participate in what they are calling “volume production” include Brookfield Residential, Landsea Homes, Lennar and Toll Brothers. Each of the homebuilders would have several pre-approved floor plan options available that could be customized to the property owner’s specifications.

Depending on the specifications of the lot, property owners would be able to use a portal to view and select floor plans and elevations, explore and select wildfire resilience options, explore and select personalization options, and use a calculator to estimate all-in costs.

An “aggressive” timeline has the survey completed by March 23, with set up processes for the alliance and approved  developers taking place between then and May 1, when doors to the center and portal could open.

Presenters took a series of questions from meeting attendees in person as well as online. Kimberly Bloom, who represents Area 5, including the Alphabet Streets, on Pacific Palisades Community Council, suggested that they make a follow-up presentation via 1Pali, which is facilitated by Anthony Marguleas.

One attendee asked if the ideas being proposed could apply to hillside lots that require fully custom builds, to which a representative from Brookfield Residential responded that while the program would not entirely apply, custom builders could still use some of the facets, which could cut costs around 5 or 10%, he estimated.

Following the meeting, the survey went live and is currently open to responses.

‘Jimmy Dunne Says’

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Dunne

The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”


Louis, Our Talking Dog

Dearest Palisadians, with everything we’re all going through, here’s a story that’s a little “recess … ”

———–

I’m kind of embarrassed to say it, but it’s true.

Our dog, Louis—he’s about a foot long—sleeps on the bed with us. He moves around the whole night, setting up camp in lots of different spots.

Sometimes, he likes to put his head right between the two of us. To kind of be one of us.

Puts his head on a pillow, lies on his back with his arms and legs sticking straight up.

When he’s doing this, you can’t tell if he’s just happy or dead.

In the middle of the night, the noises that come out of that one-foot thing are unimaginable.

From both ends of his body.

But, from the top end, he makes these moans, murmurs, mumbles and groans that I could swear he’s about an inch away from talking.

He’s dreaming about something, and he’s trying to talk—but he just can’t seem to get it out.

———–

Our morning routine is Catherine’s eyes open at about 5:15 a.m., and she pops out of bed like the Energizer Bunny.

She gets more accomplished in the next 15 minutes than I do all day. She pours her first of 17 cups of coffee, sets her chocolate croissant in the toaster and takes Louis out for a brisk walk to powder his nose.

In the family room, she sets up croissant camp and turns on the early morning news, happy as a clam.

Louis comes back in with me, and I lie there thinking about stuff until he steps on me enough that I have to get up.

This morning, he was walking on top of me, and I said to Louis, as I always do, “Louis, let’s go see Catherine.”

He looked at me right in the eyes and said, “Okay.”

Stunned, I said, “Louis, did you just talk? Can you talk?”

He said, “Little bit.”

“Louis, what’s your name?”

He looked at me like I was an idiot, thinking to himself, “You just said my name.”

“Louis.”

Excited, I said, “So, give me … the big picture. You happy? Do you like us as parents?”

“What are you talking about?” he said. “You two are the greatest.”

He had this raspy, mumbly, kind of Elvis accent kind of thing going on.

“Louis, what’s your favorite thing to do?”

“Walks,” he said without blinking. “Especially when you take me to the woods. There are like a zillion animals up there. It’s a smorgasbord. I don’t even know what I’m smelling.

“It’s the Galápagos Islands for dogs.”

He was just on the bed chatting away—like it was nothing.

Now I know how Wilbur Post must have felt in that barn with Mr. Ed.

“So what’s after this, Louis?” I asked. “Do you think there’s a doggy heaven?”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” he said. “I just figure every day, I’m the luckiest dog in the world. Maybe that’s why I like cuddling up at night. Because I never know how long I got.

“And, I figure, if I go, it would be nice to go kind of cuddled up against both of you.”

“That’s nice,” I said. “Every day, you follow us around everywhere we go. Got any advice?”

“Since you’re asking, I’d put your phones down. Stop worrying so much. Just enjoy the ride.”

“That’s a good thought, Louis.”

I asked him if there was anything he needed to get off his chest.

He paused for a moment. “Well, I’m getting over it, but I’ve still got a lot of issues I’m sorting out with you, you know, neutering me.

“One day, I go into that room with the guy in the white coat, and I wake up, and my manlies are missing. I can’t imagine you’d do that to me.”

I looked away from him like he does to me when he knows he did something bad.

He was on a roll.

“And did you ever stop to think maybe I’d like to try a little of that wine at night? Get a little ‘happy’ on before I hop in the bed?”

I just looked at him. “No, I’m not giving you any wine.”

Catherine bounced in the room on coffee cup number seven.

“Catherine, watch this. Louis, say something.”

Louis barked at both of us, hoping for a lovely little morning scratch.

Louis never talked again.

———–

Well, Catherine thinks I’m nuts. I’m sure you do, too.

But Louis and I—we know what’s going on in there.

After Catherine left to go juice up on another cup, I looked right at Louis.

“Louis, I know you can hear me.”

He nodded.

“You’re not the lucky one, Louis. We are. We’ve got you in our lives.”


Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.

Chamber Music Palisades Concert to Feature New Hollywood String Quartet

Courtesy of Chamber Music Palisades

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Chamber Music Palisades will continue its season of concerts on Wednesday, March 19, at First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica with a program that starts at 8 p.m. that features the New Hollywood String Quartet.

“Due to the Palisades fire, Chamber Music Palisades has a temporary new home,” read information shared by CMP. “All concerts remaining in our Wednesday season series will be held at First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica.”

The program will feature three pieces: Joaquin Turina’s “String Quartet in d minor,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Quartet in D Major for flute and string quartet,” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “String Quartet No. 1 in D major.”

KUSC host—and longtime CMP associate—Alan Chapman will provide his “informative in-person program notes” during the concert.

The quartet that will perform on March 19 is comprised of Tereza Stanislav (violin), Rafael Rishik (violin), Robert Brophy (viola) and Andrew Shulman (cello). Chamber Music Palisades Artistic Director and Co-Founder Susan Greenberg—“former flutist with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and presently first flute with Santa Monica Symphony”—will join the quartet on flute.

“Tereza Stanislav, currently assistant concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls,” according to information shared by CMP. “Composer and violinist Rafael Rishik spent several years performing with the Camerata Pacifica and is a founding member of the New Hollywood String Quartet.

“Robert Brophy, a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera and many West Coast chamber music series. Andrew Shulman, a globally celebrated English cellist and conductor, has been principal cellist of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 2008.”

Tickets for the concert are available for $35 online at cmpalisades.org or at the door. First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica is located at 1008 11th Street in Santa Monica. Free parking is available across the street under the building.

“CMP offers free admission for full-time students with an ID,” read the statement. “The concert is sponsored by the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust.”

Your Two Cents’ Worth

Delivery

If Amazon & FedEx can get to Pacific Palisades, then why not Uber & GrubHub/DoorDash?


Archives

Palisadian-Post could share archive photos for survivors to access! Sports, parades, etc.

(Editor’s note: We love this idea. If there is a specific request for an article or photo, please email mypost@palipost.com.)


Help

Would like to see some organized help/grants for rebuilding for the middle class.


Signs

When driving through the Palisades, it’s nice to see all of the encouraging signs. There are many positive messages out there, despite the destruction. I appreciate everyone who take the time to put one up.


Casa Nostra Response

Love the idea of supporting Casa Nostra in Westlake Village. And now love that we have reopened spots to support in town too.


Grief

Thank you to Susan Whitmore for an important article about the collective grief we are experiencing, whether or not we lost our homes.


Got something to say? Call 310-454-1321 or email 2cents@palipost.com and get those kudos or concerns off your chest. Names will not be used.