The slow pace of reconstruction after January’s fire disaster has touched off a political tempest in Malibu, prompting the resignation of the city’s volunteer rebuilding “ambassador” and his suggestion — along with some other rebuilding activists — that Mayor Marianne Riggins “consider gracefully stepping down.”

The controversy brings to a boil a conflict that has been simmering for months over what Malibu residents say are overly onerous rebuilding requirements. Some 720 structures in the city burned down in January, but just 69 have received initial plan approval and only two have obtained building permits, allowing them to begin construction.

That painfully slow progress provided the backdrop Monday, as rebuilding ambassador Abe Roy told the City Council he was resigning. “Our work is

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