Council approves property acquisition for Sylmar fire station, backs ballot option to repair and build stations

The Los Angeles City Council approved the acquisition of land for a future Sylmar Fire Station and endorsed pursuing a ballot measure in 2026 to fund repairs and new fire stations across the city.

Councilmember Rodriguez described the Sylmar station as “30 years in the making” and said Sylmar sits in a high fire hazard severity zone that has been under-resourced for decades. Rodriguez said acquiring the property and pursuing a funding measure will help close gaps in response times and station conditions.

Councilmember Park framed the action as part of a broader need to modernize the city’s fire infrastructure. She told colleagues that the city has added housing and density without commensurate investment in fire stations and that climate-driven fire risk requires a “21st-century fire department.” Park urged support for a possible 2026 ballot measure to fund station repairs and construction.

The council adopted item 16 (property acquisition for Sylmar) and item 8 (adopted as amended) during the same discussion. The clerk recorded votes of 15 ayes for the items.

Why it matters: Council remarks emphasized delayed promises to Sylmar residents, local fire preparedness in high-risk zones, and the poor condition of some existing stations. The motion pairs capital acquisition for one station with a citywide funding strategy to repair aging facilities and build new ones.

Implementation and next steps: The motion includes acquisition approval and asks departments to work on future financing options; members said a bond or ballot measure would be explored for 2026 to fund station repairs and new construction.