Council Gets Update on Wood Roof Ordinance

The City Council discussed at its Thursday study session how to best approach enforcing a 1993 ordinance that requires property owners to by July 1, 2013.

A city staff report states 215 homes currently have noncompliant roofs, 65 of which are north of Sunset Boulevard in a high-risk fire zone. The remaining majority are between Sunset and Santa Monica boulevards.

Councilman Julian Gold agreed with Councilwoman Lili Bosse that "sooner rather than later we should have a portfolio of options so that people understand what will and will not be acceptable, and what they need to do in order to be compliant with this."

Terrie Gerber, a long-time resident who lives on the 500 block of North Rexford Drive, said replacing her roof would cause her to go into debt between $50,000 and $80,000.

"I can't possibly be the only homeowner in my position, as many of the older homes with wood shingles are owned by seniors," Gerber told the council. "I can understand fully the city requiring this ordinance for new construction ... but to require seniors to go into debt to stay in their own homes seems unrealistic."

"Not everyone who lives in Beverly Hills has the resources for such a huge undertaking," she added.

Beverly Hills building official George Chavez said the majority of the 40 residents who have called regarding this issue have claimed financial hardship as an obstacle to complying with the ordinance.

"We really shouldn't be in the situation where we're forcing people on fixed incomes to pay for something that they absolutely cannot afford," Vice Mayor John Mirisch said. "On the other hand we do have to look at the risk mitigation for themselves and also for their neighbors."

Mayor William Brien requested staff collect information from other cities such as Glendale, Palos Verdes and Malibu that are in areas prone to fire risk.

"While I understand that people don't want to change their roofs and there's hardships with regard to that ... I really think we have to look at trying to create the safest environment," said Brien, who also stated his opposition to extending the compliance period.

"Either it's safe or it's not safe," he said. "Either we protect the public interest as a whole, or we're going to take risks."

City officials are considering several options regarding hardship exemptions.

"Staff is researching the possibility of utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds to provide assistance to homeowners that can demonstrate a need," according to the staff report. Another potential option is low interest loans from the Beverly Hills City Employees Credit Union and other local financial institutions.

Information about the roofing ordinance is available on the city's website or by calling the Division of Building and Safety Department, 310-285-1141, and the Fire Department, 310-281-2700. 

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