Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Fire-Impacted Homeowners Learn Rebuilding Essentials at Pasadena Workshop

[photo credit: LA Fire Justice]

Expert panel addresses zoning laws, permitting process and early planning strategies for post-disaster reconstruction

Fire-impacted homeowners will gather Tuesday evening at 221 E. Walnut Street in Pasadena for the second installment of a four-part Home Rebuilding Workshop Series, focusing on the critical early stages of post-disaster reconstruction planning.

The July 15  workshop, running from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with a dedicated Q-and-A session, will address zoning laws, setbacks, floor area limits and Los Angeles County’s permitting process for residents preparing to rebuild their homes.

Chris Holden, CEO of LA Fire Justice and former California State Assemblymember and Mayor of Pasadena, will deliver opening remarks to homeowners seeking guidance on navigating the complex rebuilding process.

Freddy Sayegh, Director of Alta Design Works, will moderate the panel discussion featuring three industry experts with specialized knowledge in post-disaster reconstruction and local building requirements.

Brian McGinnis, a Senior Regional Planner with the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, will bring his expertise in zoning code reform, long-range planning and economic resilience to the discussion.

McGinnis, who holds American Institute of Certified Planners credentials and serves as a California Planning Foundation Liaison, earned his Master of City & Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture from UC Davis.

Charles Bryant, Founder and Principal Architect of Masbuild, will share insights from his four decades of architectural experience, with particular emphasis on post-disaster design and inclusive community development. Bryant’s firm is recognized among the Top 100 Minority-Owned Architecture, Engineering and Construction firms. He is particularly committed to diverse professional leadership in the rebuilding sector.

The Tuskegee University architecture graduate, who also completed an Executive Master of Design Engineering Certificate at UCLA, maintains affiliations with the American Institute of Architects, National Organization of Minority Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the Altadena Rebuild Coalition.

Ji Xia, Founder and Principal of XIA Structural Engineers, Inc., will address the structural engineering aspects of home reconstruction, drawing from more than a decade of experience in residential and commercial structural systems. Xia’s Pasadena-based firm has completed over 300 projects across Southern California; it specializes in seismic retrofits, temporary shoring and cost-optimized design solutions.

The licensed structural and civil engineer, who earned his Master of Science in Structural & Earthquake Engineering from the University at Buffalo, will emphasize his firm’s expertise in local permitting and code compliance for multifamily structures and seismic upgrades.

Workshop organizers highlight the importance of integrating architects, structural engineers and planners early in the rebuilding process to prevent costly delays and design limitations that can significantly impact reconstruction timelines and budgets.

The four workshops in the series are designed specifically for fire-impacted homeowners navigating the complex process of rebuilding their homes after disaster strikes their communities. Hosted by LA Fire Justice, the workshops cover topics like where to begin, architecture and planning, budgeting, permitting, and creating a rebuild game plan.

To RSVP, visit https://www.lafirejustice.com/events.