At the latest Malibu Rebuild Community Series, officials introduced the Archistar platform — an AI-powered tool designed to streamline planning and safety reviews for the 720 homes lost in the Palisades Fire
On Oct. 2, the City of Malibu hosted the latest installment of the Malibu Rebuild Community Series at City Hall. The meeting introduced design professionals and community members to the Archistar AI platform, a cutting-edge tool designed to streamline the rebuilding process for the 720 homes — 11% of the city’s building stock — destroyed in the catastrophic Palisades Fire on Jan. 7 and the subsequent mudslide on Feb. 13. Directed by Yolanda Bundy, Community Development Director, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to supporting residents and professionals through the complex journey of rebuilding.
The meeting, attended by Senior Engineer Andre Ketchedjian, Associate Planners Samantha Elias and Alex da Silva, support staff Farrah Stack from the Community Development Department, and communications team member Patricia Salazar, served as both a progress report and a call to action. With 322 beachfront parcels obliterated, septic systems and seawalls destroyed, and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) closed for nearly six months, the city has faced unprecedented challenges. Bundy noted that significant milestones have been achieved, with the Archistar platform representing a leap toward efficiency and collaboration.
The January fire, described by Bundy as “the most devastating in our city’s history,” was compounded by a severe mudslide a month later. The closure of PCH from Jan. 7 to May 23 disrupted daily life and recovery efforts, while the Army Corps of Engineers spent five to six months clearing debris. Today, only four parcels still have debris, a testament to the city’s relentless cleanup efforts, Bundy emphasized.
Bundy highlighted the establishment of the Malibu Rebuild Center on March 10 as a pivotal moment. Designed as a one-stop shop for families and design professionals, the center offers in-person and virtual consultations, ensuring access to critical resources from all relevant departments. “We hope you continue visiting us,” Bundy urged, emphasizing the center’s role as a hub for support.
To date, 156 rebuilding applications have been submitted, with 85 under planning review and 71 approved, representing 26.13% of the total loss. However, only 18 applications have reached the Building and Safety Department, a figure Bundy called “disappointing.” She issued a heartfelt plea to design professionals: “We need your help to get more applications submitted.” To facilitate this, the city plans to hold monthly meetings with professionals, up from the previous quarterly schedule, to address challenges and streamline processes.
The centerpiece of the meeting was the introduction of Archistar, a beta-phase AI platform launched on Sept. 30, designed to expedite the review process for rebuilding applications. Accessible through the city’s development portal, Archistar offers a voluntary pre-submittal tool that allows design professionals to upload architectural plans for automated zoning and building code reviews. Funded by a state grant, the platform is tailored for properties in Malibu’s fire zones, including Palisades, Franklin, and Broad Fires.
Associate Planner Elias explained that Archistar’s zoning review focuses on critical components such as total development square footage, setbacks, and height, aiming to catch minor errors before formal submission. “This reduces smaller-scale corrections, so when you submit to planning, we’re addressing major items or, ideally, approvals,” she said. For building safety, Ketchedjian noted that the platform conducts preliminary reviews of fire and life safety elements under Chapter 3 of the LA County Residential Code, including means of egress, hallway dimensions, window sizes, and detector placements. However, it does not review structural, geotechnical, or civil plans.
The platform’s user-friendly interface requires professionals to sign up with an email address and upload PDF plans (with CAD and BIM file support under consideration). Each property is eligible for two free reviews, covering zoning, building safety, or both. Results, delivered within five to 10 business days, are color-coded — green for passing, red for failing — with detailed reports highlighting areas needing correction. A live demonstration showcased how users can search properties, upload plans, and access eCheck reports, providing a clear roadmap for navigating the platform.
The interactive meeting allowed design professionals to voice concerns and offer suggestions. One architect asked about privacy, questioning whether the city would have access to submitted plans. Bundy clarified that while city staff have limited administrative access for quality control during the beta phase, the platform’s intellectual property protections prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted designs. Another professional inquired about Archistar’s ability to handle multifamily or commercial projects, to which Ketchedjian responded that it is currently limited to single-family residential reviews, reflecting its focus on fire-affected areas.
Professionals also highlighted broader challenges in the rebuilding process. One architect noted the difficulty in securing consultants, particularly geotechnical engineers, due to high regional demand. Bundy acknowledged this issue, stating that the city is working with the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Structural Engineers Association to attract more professionals to Malibu. Another suggestion was to revive a Chamber of Commerce list of local contractors and consultants to alleviate bottlenecks. However, it was noted that the Chamber’s list included only contractors who paid to be listed, not a comprehensive roster. Bundy promised to explore alternative ways to share this information.
The meeting also addressed recent policy changes, particularly the zoning policy passed on Sept. 29, which affects bulk requirements — a point of contention for some architects. Bundy assured attendees that applications submitted before this date would be reviewed under the previous standards, providing clarity for ongoing projects. Additionally, the city is developing infographics and a Rebuild Policies Guide to assist non-local architects unfamiliar with Malibu’s zoning codes.
Beyond Archistar, Salazar announced enhancements to the development portal, set to launch within weeks, allowing professionals to upload documents directly upon application, eliminating separate initiation steps. This change, driven by feedback from local architects, aims to reduce delays and streamline the submission process. The city has also added contract staff to handle intake, freeing up engineers and planners to focus on reviews.
Bundy emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping these initiatives. “All of these changes are because you spoke up and told us this is too complicated,” she said. The city plans to host a community session on Oct. 15 to update families on the new zoning policy and other resources, ensuring transparency and engagement with residents.
For design professionals, the message was that their expertise is critical to closing the gap between the 26% of applications approved in planning and the mere 3% that have reached building and safety. Bundy’s call to action was “We need you. We’re in this together for the families.”
The launch of Archistar marks a turning point in Malibu’s recovery, blending technology with collaboration to address the immense challenges of rebuilding. While the platform is not mandatory, its potential to reduce errors and expedite reviews offers hope for faster progress. As the city refines its processes, from policy updates to enhanced digital tools, its commitment to supporting residents and professionals remains unwavering. “Thank you for everything you’re doing,” Bundy concluded. “We’re here for the families, and we’re grateful you made the time to join us today.”
For more information on the Archistar platform and rebuilding resources, visit malibucity.org or contact the Malibu Rebuild Center at maliburecovers@malibucity.org or extension 400.