Barger speaks with Meredith Miller, owner of Webster’s Community Pharmacy (File Photo – Diandra Jay)
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, December 2, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s motion to accelerate the recovery of small businesses in Altadena, which were severely impacted by the Eaton Fire.
By News Desk
Supervisor Barger expressed her commitment to supporting the community’s recovery, highlighting the resilience of local business owners and the urgent need for county-level assistance.
“Altadena’s business owners have shown incredible resilience in the face of unthinkable loss,” said Supervisor 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.”
The approved motion launches two key initiatives aimed at assisting local businesses in their recovery efforts. The first initiative is a Small Business Concierge Program, to be led by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity. This program will offer tailored, one-on-one assistance to business owners, helping them navigate county permitting, licensing, and financing processes, as well as connecting them to legal aid and other vital services.
The second initiative is a Streamlined Alcoholic Beverage Sales Permitting Pilot, led by the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning. This program will expedite the approval process for businesses seeking alcoholic beverage licenses by replacing lengthy Conditional Use Permit hearings with faster, staff-level approvals under standardized conditions. This model, which has already been successful in cities such as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pasadena, is expected to reduce approval times by several months.
In addition, Supervisor Barger’s motion calls for enhanced efforts to improve walkability and stimulate revitalization along Altadena’s commercial corridors. This includes connecting local businesses to county contracting opportunities to ensure they have the resources needed to sustain their operations during the recovery phase.
To maximize the impact of these initiatives, the County will collaborate with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, the Altadena Recovery Task Force, and various philanthropic partners. A 30-day implementation plan will be developed, along with a 90-day progress report to track staffing, resources, timelines, outreach strategies, and long-term recommendations for the region’s recovery.
Supervisor Barger concluded, “Altadena’s recovery is vital not only for the businesses affected but also for the entire community. I am committed to ensuring that we move swiftly and strategically to support these efforts.”
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