Councilmembers Spearhead Expedited Building Permits For Arsonist Victims
On the heels of the recent four-day rash of 53 arson fires in Hollywood, West Hollywood, North Hollywood, Burbank and Sunland, councilmembers are calling on the Department of Building and Safety to expedite building permit reviews for victims.
North Hollywood/Toluca Lake Patch reports that the City Council unanimously passed an emergency motion on Wednesday which will "expedite permit reviews for property owners trying to rebuild carports and buildings damaged by the series of more than 50 arson fires over the New Year weekend."
City Councilman Tom LaBonge introduced the motion; his district suffered the worst devastation from the arson attacks. LaBonge told Patch, "People were not expecting it. It's not like there was a rain storm, and mud came out of the mountains. This was an attack." LaBonge states on his website, "We want to help our residents get back to normal as quickly as possible with as little red-tape as possible in the wake of the arson-fires."
Councilman Paul Koretz seconded La Bonge's motion. Koretz's district was also impacted by the fires, as were those of Councilmen Eric Garcetti and Paul Krekorian.
The property damage total from the fires is estimated at $3 million. Luckily, no one was seriously injured in the blazes. One firefighter and one civilian suffered minor injuries.
The suspected arsonist, Harry Burkhart, was detained on Monday morning and is expected to be arraigned today. He is currently being held without bail.
