The order weakens Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), which was signed into law to help address homelessness and California's housing crisis. The state bill -- which was signed into law four years ago -- would build more housing on lots that used to hold just one home. Palisades neighbors are concerned about over-density and the ability to safely evacuate.
The executive order will allow local governments to limit SB 9, specifically in high fire danger areas.
Eyewitness News spoke to some concerned residents on Tuesday, before Newsom signed the executive order.
"I want to go home. I don't want to die during the next evacuation," said Palisades resident May Sung.
The residents agree that the law has good intentions but unintended consequences for rebuilding fire-ravaged communities like the Pacific Palisades.
"The proposal is not just for a duplex. The proposal is for a two-unit project with parking and ADU, so essentially, you have three single-family homes on a lot. It needs to be looked at community by community. It can't just be enforced without consideration," said Sung.
Sung is referring to a series of applications submitted to the building and safety department over the past few weeks that would turn a destroyed single-family home lot into multiple residences, thanks to SB 9.
Sung lost two homes in the fire and still has nightmares about how difficult it was to evacuate back on January 7. Her neighborhood has narrow, windy streets, and she says it took her two hours to get out of the Palisades with Sunset Boulevard at a standstill.
"I am concerned these statues are being exploited by speculators and developers when so many thousands of property owners are struggling because of the insurance crisis and the lack of resources available to make it affordable for them to rebuild. Until we are satisfied that we have the infrastructure to support added density as well as adequate evacuation routes and access for our emergency responders, we have got to put a pause on this type of development," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park -- before the executive order was signed.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass came out against SB 9 in terms of rebuilding the Palisades, and along with Park, asked Newsom to use his executive power to exempt the Palisades from the law so developers don't take advantage of all the empty lots now on the market.
"We will continue to assist communities in rebuilding safely in ways that are responsive to local concerns. This executive order responds directly to requests from local officials and community feedback, recognizing the need for local discretion in recovery and that not all laws are designed for rebuilding entire communities destroyed by fires overnight," Newsom said in a press release.