Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Barger’s motion to accelerate small business recovery in Altadena following the Eaton Fire.
“Altadena’s business owners have shown incredible resilience in the face of unthinkable loss,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “They deserve support from our County that moves with urgency and clears the roadblocks standing in the way of their recovery. These businesses are the backbone of Altadena’s economy and are vital to helping preserve the community’s identity. I will continue working to ensure they have hands-on support to persevere and rebuild stronger.”
Supervisor Barger’s motion launches two major initiatives to support recovery. The first, a Small Business Concierge Program led by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, will provide personalized assistance to help business owners navigate County permitting, licensing, financing, and recovery resources while connecting them to legal aid and other critical services.
The second, a Streamlined Alcoholic Beverage Sales Permitting Pilot led by the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, will cut months off the approval process by replacing Conditional Use Permit hearings with staff-level approvals under standardized conditions, modeled after successful programs in the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pasadena.
Supervisor Barger’s motion also directs County departments to improve walkability and revitalization along Altadena’s commercial corridors and to connect businesses to County contracting opportunities to sustain operations during recovery. To maximize impact, the County will collaborate with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, the Altadena Recovery Task Force, and philanthropic partners. A 30-day implementation plan and a 90-day status update detailing staffing, resources, timelines, outreach strategies, and long-term recommendations will be reported to the Board to track progress and accountability.
Media Note:
Press can access audio of Supervisor Barger’s statement here.