EarthquakesNew L.A. fault map threatens Hollywood development projects
The state of California recently released new geological maps which reveal the presence of an active earthquake fault along the path of major developments in Hollywood. The maps established a zone of 500 feet on both sides of the fault, and state law will require new developments within the zone to conduct underground seismic testing to determine whether the fault runs beneath planned development sites. Building on top of faults is prohibited. Three prominent Hollywood developments — the Millennium Hollywood skyscraper project, the Blvd6200 development, and an apartment project on Yucca Street — are within the 500-foot fault zone.
The state of California recently released new geological maps which reveal the presence of an active earthquake fault along the path of major developments in Hollywood. The maps show the Hollywood fault running from Atwater Village and Los Feliz, through central Hollywood and west along the Sunset Strip.
The completion of the maps was accelerated owing to concerns that the Los Angeles City Council may have approved a skyscraper development on or near the fault (see “Site of proposed Los Angeles skyscrapers may contain active seismic fault,” HSNW, 14 August 2013)
The Los Angeles Times reports that the maps established a zone of 500 feet on both sides of the fault, and state law will require new developments within the zone to conduct underground seismic testing to determine whether the fault runs beneath planned development sites. Building on top of faults is prohibited. The new law will come into effect when the maps are finalized this summer.
The issue has raised concerns about developments in Hollywood north of Hollywood Boulevard and West Hollywood along Sunset Boulevard. A few projects approved by Los Angeles officials may be positioned on top of the Hollywood fault. Officials acknowledged that they had been using outdated maps when reviewing building proposals. Luke Zamperini, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Department of Building Safety said the agency will update its automated permitting system with the recently released map. All new projects within the fault zone will require a fault study and previously approved projects which have yet to begin construction will be reviewed independently.
TheTimes notesthat three prominent Hollywood developments — the Millennium Hollywood skyscraper project, the Blvd6200 development, and an apartment project on Yucca Street — are within the 500-foot fault zone.
State geologist John Parrish says that the Hollywood fault line runs underneath the Millenium and Blvd6200 project. “We feel very confident about where we drew that line, within maybe a 50-foot accuracy back and forth. But we’re very confident it’s there,” Parrish told reporters at a downtown Los Angeles news conference. “Surface rupture is very dangerous. In fact, it’s calamitous to structures that are built across of the surface trace of an active fault.”
Philip Aarons, one of the founders of Millennium Partners, said that the geological tests conducted on the site reveal no evidence of an active earthquake fault below the property, but a trench work, which will definitively determine whether the fault is underneath the property, can be completed should Los Angeles officials require it.
David Jordon, owner of the Yucca Street development, says that the state map is only a draft. “Safety is of paramount importance to us. There will be further fault investigations on the site. We’re working with the city of Los Angeles to determine what those studies will be,” Jordon said.
California banned developments over faults a year after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. Numerous faults were zoned throughout the state but budget cuts stalled further mapping, including that of the Hollywood fault. State geological officials will begin a 90-day public comment period along with public hearings prior to the final map being published by 8 July 2014.
