SANTA PAULA : Panel Rules House May Not Be Rebuilt
- Share via
The Ventura County Transportation Commission recommended Friday that a Santa Paula man not be allowed to rebuild his burned house adjacent to the Santa Paula Airport because the location is unsafe.
Rafael Rodriguez owned one of two houses that were destroyed by a fire resulting from the crash of a light plane near the airport last Aug. 27.
Transportation commission officials said a safety zone they approved last November recommends that no new structures be built close to the airport. Rodriguez did not testify at Friday’s meeting.
Citing the same safety rule, the commission earlier rejected a reconstruction proposal by the owner of the other burned house, Joe V. Garcia.
Garcia appealed to the Santa Paula City Council, which had the authority to override the transportation commission’s decision. But the council denied the request in a 4-1 vote in December.
Santa Paula officials said they plan to apply for state funds that would allow them to buy the Garcia and Rodriguez properties.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
