Code changes aim to help Long Beach Sandy victims

The Long Beach City Council has passed code changes designed to make it easier for residents of the Walks neighborhood to rebuild homes damaged by superstorm Sandy.

The changes state that pre-existing one- and two-family structures will be given permits to rebuild if they are built in conformance with Federal Emergency Management Agency and state building construction codes and have adequate parking. Rebuilders also must submit plans to the city’s building department for approval.

The maximum height allowed in the neighborhood also will be raised from 20 feet to 23 feet, according to documents filed at City Hall.

The Walks is a dense, six-block residential neighborhood that contains a series of narrow pathways called “walks.” The community was hit hard by superstorm Sandy, which damaged many homes there.

Similar measures previously were approved for the West End, President Streets and Canals neighborhoods.