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And just like that - you need to build a house; Now you're a homebuilder like me!​  
It's difficult, rewarding, frustrating, complicated & sometimes fun.  It's what I know...and we are figuring out how to rebuild Altadena.

Hardy Wronske Local Homebuilder

I've built 72 homes in Northeast LA since 2002

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I'm not selling anything here, I'm just carving out some time each day to connect with neighbors, offer free advice and point people to good architects and lot clearing contractors.

This is my contribution to the disaster response - applying my experience to this fast developing building problem. Eventually I'm sure I'll build some houses in Altadena, but right now I think I can be helpful sharing my career experience to get people started in the right direction. 

2/12 I spent three hours meeting in person with: EPA, Army Corps (met Sue - she worked in Lahaina), County Planning, Building & Safety, DPW, DWP-EPD, Fire, CA Dept of Insurance - here are my notes:
 

It will be beneficial for many (most-imo) to clear lots now privately and start building ! I've called my contractors and they have a plan to perform private clearing, putting you ahead of the long lines of permitting and inflation construction.

It is faster and doesn't cost anything more! (it's money from the demo endorsement on your insurance policy - the insurer would otherwise give to the County to reimburse the Feds !) You will need to have the same equipment on site to clean up prior to construction, as the Feds are not leaving the lot graded and ready to build. 

Environmental Contamination Testing NOT! - A lot of people have told me they are Opt-In because they want to rely on the Army Corps contamination testing. 2/12 I met with three departments and confirmed they are not doing anything beyond the normal AQMD Rule 1403 Asbestos (required on any demolition in SoCal):
County Health - "we are only advising on standing structures people are moving back into"
EPA - (Phase 1) - "we are only removing visible hazards like propane tanks, paint and batteries"
Army Corps - We will have mobile air quality monitors - not parcel specific. We are not testing anything further than the normal AQMD Rule 1403 Asbestos. We are removing 6" of soil within the ash footprint, 2-3' from the house.  They are removing 6" of soils from the ash footprint, 2-3' outside the foundation. This is to remove lead from the burned paint. This is not for clearing airborne toxins from upwind. 
All of the above will also be done with a proper private lot clearing permit. Paid by insurance, and faster. 
 

Track the status of the EPA Phase 1 Cleanup on your lot, here:
Link to Phase I Cleanup - with map of your property
Was your Phase I 'Deferred'?! - It's not a problem, I met with EPA and figured out what to do.

Hopefully you've already opted "IN" to Phase 2 (Sue says absolutely can perform privately later)
Link to Right of Entry Forms / Cleanup Status - ca.gov website

County Website on Phase II Cleanup
I have an asbestos consultant to perform Rule 1403 SCAQMD clearance. 
County will issue their guidance for 'Opt-Out' (self-perform) THIS WEEK, and issue permits NEXT WEEK 
County Planning has already received ~50 building permit applications and expects to plan check in 10 days. 
I wouldn't be surprised if some people are back in their homes this year. 

 

[What's up with this website? I was getting so many calls for advice on Altadena rebuilds, that I had to direct them through a Calendly app, so I built this page - and then I started putting notes on it. This is my way of contributing to the rebuild. Our industry is coming together, especially us locals - I live in Silver Lake.
My homes look a lot better than this website - this is only a side-job!]

Combining consultants and subcontractors with land and capital - that's we do as homebuilder's and that's what you need to do to Rebuild. I'm setting aside time each week to hear your experience with insurance and County to-date and share what I know, give me a call.

We all know there will be architects and contractors involved - but they need to be coordinated and managed, that's what homebuilders like myself do. We direct the disciplines to help it get done faster, cheaper and better. I'm not asking you to hire me, I just want to share my knowledge with and amongst my neighbors. 

 

The more we share, the better we rebuild. I'm sure I'll end up building a few of these houses - maybe yours - but that's down the road, right now I just want to help us all get started in the right direction, with the right people.

For those of you who don't know me -  I've been building homes in Silver Lake, Eagle Rock and Echo Park since 2002 with the company names Heyday Partnership and Everelle Build. Most of what I've built is three-story townhomes with a roof deck in a contemporary style. While these are not appropriate for Altadena, they have taught me to be a good builder; they are perhaps the most difficult single-family typology to master. I build well, I take care of my subcontractors, and we can build anything. For example, my wife and I just remodeled a 1933 synagogue and won a Preservation Award from the Los Angeles Conservancy.

Work Examples & Experience (.pdf): 
Map of ProjectsA few Projects (2010) / Early Work (2002-2007) / Buzz Court AIA Award winner , 2 , 3 / Auburn Book / Everlee Book / ArticleLEED for Homes Certificates / ​​​​​​Historic Synagogue (award winner)

More Houses I've Built: 338 Rennie #1 / 2722 Auburn / 2851 Buzz Court / 4799 Rock Row Drive / 2615 Marathon  / 3003 Peak Place 5085 N Highland View / 908 Benton / 3737 Rolle Street / 2264 W Everlee Lane / 348 N Patton StreetPlace / 3002 Peak Place 338 Rennie #2 / 338 Rennie #3 / 2726 Auburn /  5081-½ N Highland View / 4798 Rock Row Drive / 4780 Rock Row Drive / 4778 Rock Row Drive / 4776 Rock Row Drive / 6044 La Prada / 158 Douglas Street ​/ 3733 Rolle Street / 904 Benton / 906 Benton / 2617 Marathon / 2722-½ Auburn / 2724 Auburn / 2728 Auburn / 2730 Auburn / 2848 Buzz Court / 2846 Buzz Court / 2839 Buzz Court / 2841 Buzz Court 2836 Buzz Court​​ / 3004 Peak Place / 3005 Peak Place / 3000 Peak Place / 3001 Peak Place ​​​/ 2267 W Everlee Lane 2265 W Everlee Lane / 2263 W Everlee Lane / 2261 W Everlee Lane 2262 W Everlee Lane / 2260 W Everlee Lane / 5083-½ N Highland View / 5083 N Highland View / 5081 N Highland View / 5085-½ N Highland View / 4797 Rock Row Drive / 4796 Rock Row Drive / 4791 Rock Row Drive / 4790 Rock Row Drive / 4788 Rock Row Drive / 4787 Rock Row Drive / 4786 Rock Row Drive / 4785 Rock Row Drive / 4781 Rock Row Drive / 4772 Rock Row Drive​ 

Land Entitled and Sold to Builders:Ellenwood (12)/ White Knoll (13)

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