Altadena Recovery and Bungalow Courts Take Center Stage at County Planning Commission

Altadena’s historic bungalow courts and their role in community recovery will be the focus of a presentation before the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday, Dec. 17, according to the commission’s published agenda.

The item, listed as RPC Special No. RPPL2025005022, will be presented by planner Zoe Axelrod and feature the Altadena Heritage team, Beacon Housing, and Casa Nova. The agenda describes the session as a discussion of bungalow courts, a housing form closely tied to Altadena’s architectural identity and ongoing recovery efforts. Bungalow courts — clusters of small homes arranged around shared courtyards — have been a defining feature of Altadena’s neighborhoods for more than a century. Preservation advocates note that these courts represent both cultural heritage and practical solutions for affordable housing, making them central to rebuilding after recent disasters. Local groups have emphasized that restoring and re-using bungalow courts is a way to maintain Altadena’s character while addressing urgent housing needs.

Other reports on the agenda include a presentation on LA County’s eCheck initiative by the Archistar team (RPC Special No. RPPL2025005020, planner Glenn Kam) and a presentation on the Historic House Relocation Project by the Omgivning team (RPC Special No. RPPL2025005021, planner Sean Donnelly).

The commission will also consider approval of minutes from its Nov. 19 meeting and hear reports from County Counsel and the Director or Deputy Director. Public comment will be taken pursuant to Section 54954.3 of the Government Code, with written and verbal testimony subject to deadlines outlined in the agenda.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at 320 W. Temple Street in Los Angeles and will be streamed online. The commission is scheduled to adjourn to Jan. 7, 2026.

The agenda was released by Los Angeles County Planning.