{"id":13103,"date":"2025-05-09T20:26:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T20:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/?page_id=13103"},"modified":"2025-05-26T14:11:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T14:11:35","slug":"ppcc-minutes-2025-05-05","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/ppcc-minutes-2025-05-05\/","title":{"rendered":"PPCC Minutes — 2025 \/ 05 \/ 05"},"content":{"rendered":"

Return to 2025 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n

MINUTES FROM MAY 5th 2025 (Special Meeting)<\/h5>\n

Voting Members in Attendance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Beth Holden-Garland, Chris Spitz, Cindi Young, Steve Cron, Julia Nilsen, Kimberly Bloom, Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Alex Hoerner, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Eric Dugdale, Jessica Rogers, Haldis Toppel, James Alexakis, Kaye Steinsapir, Hagop Tchakerian, Janet Anderson, Richard Blumenberg<\/p>\n

Non-voting Members and Advisors: <\/strong>\u00a0Joanna Spak, Carole White, Lee Anne Sanderson, Daphne Gronich, Jan Shortz, David Card, Kevin Niles, Andy Frew, Valeria Serna, Ella Nozar<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Call to Order and Reading of Community Council\u2019s Mission.\u00a0 <\/strong>The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.\u00a0 Chris Spitz read the Mission Statement.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em>Introductions \/ Roll Call.\u00a0 <\/strong>The President introduced the members and called the roll.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 \u00a0Certification of Quorum.\u00a0 <\/strong>The President certified quorum.<\/p>\n

The President began by expressing the community\u2019s sorrow for the tragic death on May 4 of 19-year-old Palisadian Braun Levi (a Loyola High School senior and tennis star), who was hit by a suspected drunk driver as he was walking along Sepulveda Blvd. in Manhattan Beach, where his family had relocated after losing their home in the fire.\u00a0 All other announcements and reports were deferred.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 New Business.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

4.1.\u00a0 Presentation on Zone 0\/Defensible Safe Regulations <\/u>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0 David Barrett of MySafeLA.<\/p>\n

This well-attended meeting was focused entirely on discussion of the new “Zone 0” defensible space regulations, proposed by an Advisory Committee of the state Board of Forestry.\u00a0 PPCC\u2019s guest speaker \u2013 David Barrett, Executive Director of MySafeLA \u2013 gave an extensive and informative presentation and answered many questions about the proposed Zone 0 regulations, causes of wildfires, the Board of Forestry\u2019s process in terms of meeting and adopting the regulations, and the work of MySafeLA.\u00a0 He suggested that PPCC should send the proposed letter attached to the agenda, and that we may want to consider providing specific proposals for new regulations.\u00a0 He also announced that MySafeLA will hold a virtual Fire Safe Town Hall on May 15 and will provide a flyer when it becomes available.<\/p>\n

4.2.\u00a0 Motion for Board Approval of Proposed PPCC Comment Letter re Zone 0<\/u> (by Chris Spitz and Beth Holden-Garland; see attachment below).\u00a0 The motion was introduced by Chris Spitz (At-large Representative), who explained that Board approval was sought for the letter attached in the agenda, and that the deadline to submit comments was noon on May 8.\u00a0 \u00a0No additional second was necessary because the motion was made by two voting members.\u00a0 During discussion, Donna Vaccarino of the Pacific Palisades Historical Society stated that the Historical Society did not support the letter as written. \u00a0A vote was then taken.\u00a0 Result: \u00a0Motion passed (19-1-0).<\/p>\n

[A recording of the Zone 0 discussions at the special meeting can be accessed at:\u00a0 <\/em>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kq5JtbQdkR8<\/em><\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n

12.\u00a0\u00a0 Adjournment.\u00a0 <\/strong>The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.<\/p>\n

___________________<\/p>\n

ATTACHMENT \u2013 Item 4.2:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Proposed PPCC Comment Letter<\/u>:<\/p>\n

May __, 2025<\/p>\n

Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee
\nCalifornia Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
\nNatural Resources Building
\n15 P Street
\nSacramento, CA 95814 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Via email:\u00a0 <\/em>PublicComments@bof.ca.gov<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Re:\u00a0 Defensible Space Zone 0 and Trees\/Vegetation<\/u> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Committee Members:<\/p>\n

This letter offers comments on the April 7, 2025, draft of the Zone 0 regulations proposed to be established under Public Resources Code Section 4291.<\/p>\n

Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) has since 1973 been the voice of Pacific Palisades \u2013 the community that was devastated by the massive Palisades Fire.\u00a0 Our community is located in an urban wildlands area of Los Angeles, in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, and entirely within the designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ).<\/p>\n

As we begin the monumental task of rebuilding Pacific Palisades, we recognize the need for sensible, science-based regulations to create a defensible space and in turn prevent the unprecedented devastation experienced in January 2025.\u00a0 We appreciate the work of the Zone Zero Regulatory Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) in proposing regulations and seeking public input.<\/p>\n

We also seek to preserve our beautiful urban forest, to the maximum extent possible and consistent with public safety.\u00a0 Many trees and other landscaping emerged intact from the Palisades Fire; based on experience, we believe much of this vegetation was critical in preventing structure destruction.\u00a0 Community members are very concerned that adoption of the current proposed regulations would effectively result in a barren landscape with little or no protection for homes.<\/p>\n

For these reasons, PPCC supports the comments set forth in the following letters submitted to the Advisory Committee:\u00a0 Letter from the Palisades Forestry Committee (PFC)[1]<\/a> dated April 29, 2025 (PFC Letter); Letter from Dr. Travis Longcore \/ The Urban Wildlands Group dated April 26, 2025 (Longcore Letter).<\/p>\n

We strongly agree with the conclusions expressed in both letters: that AB 3074 demonstrates the legislature\u2019s \u201cintent for a more flexible and balanced approach to vegetation around homes,\u201d and further, that \u201c\u2018the proposed regulations are inconsistent with that intent, threatening a negative impact \u2018with a loss of tree and shrub cover \u2026 biodiversity, temperatures, humidity, erosion, water quality, public health outcomes, and loss of personal security.\u2019\u00a0 In addition, there\u2019s the loss of the natural beauty of our neighborhood gardens and the mental\u00a0 peace they offer.\u00a0 Balance and flexibility, based on science, should be the watchwords.\u201d <\/strong>(original emphasis; PFC Letter, p. 2)<\/p>\n

Moreover, we concur with the conclusion of both the PFC and The Urban Wildlands Group that a\u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach to the regulations is inappropriate:\u00a0 \u201cAn urban area in chaparral vegetation should not be treated the same as a rural setting in a coniferous forest\u2014the strategies to reduce fire risk are not the same and the risks are inherently different.\u201d (Longcore Letter, p. 6).\u00a0 Or, as the PFC explains:\u00a0 \u201cPalisades homes are not country homes in a forest, but rather suburban tracts of houses in close proximity. Zone 0 would eliminate most or all trees and vegetation between homes.\u201d (PFC Letter, p. 2)<\/p>\n

PPCC therefore respectfully urges Advisory Committee members to reconsider the current proposed Zone 0 regulations, and in doing so take into account the scientific data that supports retention of healthy, hydrated trees and other vegetation near homes in urban wildlands areas to prevent fire damage.<\/p>\n

This letter was approved [unanimously]<\/em> by the PPCC Board after full discussion at a public special Board meeting on May 5, 2025, in accordance with PPCC\u2019s Bylaws.<\/p>\n

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.<\/p>\n

Respectfully submitted,<\/p>\n

Sue Kohl
\nPresident
\nPacific Palisades Community Council<\/p>\n

cc (via email):<\/em><\/p>\n

Hon. Ben Allen, SD 24
\nHon. Jacqui Irwin, AD 42
\nHon. Traci Park, CD 11<\/p>\n

Background<\/u>:<\/p>\n

PFC Letter:
\nhttps:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/PFC_Zone_0_letter_4-29-25.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Longcore Letter:
\nhttps:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20250426_ZoneZeroPleadCommets.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Links to the BOF\/Advisory Committee proposed regulations:
\nhttps:\/\/calfire-umb05.azurewebsites.net\/projects-and-programs\/defensible-space-zones-0-1-2\/<\/a><\/p>\n

___________<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> The PFC began as a committee of PPCC and is now a respected, independent non-profit and an organizational member of the PPCC Board.<\/p>\n

Return to 2025 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Return to 2025 Minutes MINUTES FROM MAY 5th 2025 (Special Meeting) Voting Members in Attendance:\u00a0\u00a0 Sue Kohl, Quentin Fleming, Beth Holden-Garland, Chris Spitz, Cindi Young, Steve Cron, Julia Nilsen, Kimberly Bloom, Karen Ridgley, Lorie Cudzil, Alex Hoerner, Andrew Wolfberg, John Padden, Eric Dugdale, Jessica Rogers, Haldis Toppel, James Alexakis, Kaye Steinsapir, Hagop Tchakerian, Janet Anderson, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width-page-template.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13103","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13103\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacpalicc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}