Preliminary Map Shows Fault Zone Runs Under Proposed Hollywood Development
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — The California Geological Survey Wednesday issued preliminary versions of two earthquake fault zone maps for the greater Los Angeles area, one of which shows a segment of the 10-mile Hollywood Fault system (PDF) running under the proposed site of a controversial development.
The maps define zones of required site investigations around the Hollywood Fault, the Sierra Madre Fault and other faults in the Monrovia-Duarte-Azusa (PDF) area, where experts say it's unlikely residents would be forced from their current homes.
The second draft shows the Hollywood Fault system running through the site of Millennium Hollywood — a million-square-foot development — and right under the nearby Capitol Records building.
The Alquist-Priolo Act prohibits construction of structures made for human occupancy across the surface of active fault lines.
There has been recent controversy surrounding The Millennium Hollywood Project, which was approved in July 2013 and would include 39- and 35-story skyscrapers flanking the Capitol Records building along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Hollywood Boulevard.
A coalition of neighborhood groups filed a lawsuit in Aug. 2013 against the city and the developers stating city officials approved the project without informing the public of environmental impacts, including the likelihood it will sit on top of the Hollywood Fault.
Robert Silverstein, who represents the coalition, said the findings support his clients' suspicions.
"We're pleased to learn that the earthquake map released today by the State of California completely vindicates my clients, who have been fighting a David vs. Goliath battle against City Hall's big lie. The map released today should be another nail in the coffin of the Hollywood Millennium Project," he said.
The city and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce meanwhile called the findings a good thing. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler said developers will move the towers if necessary.
"There were no surprises here today. The fault zone is in the approximate area that we thought it would be in, and as far as Millennium Project, it does not change things. They always knew that would have to do additional testing. This is a 3.5-acre site, I'm sure they would be able to reconfigure it," he said.
The findings cannot become law until July 8th. At that point, it's up to the local level or to the city to enforce the law based on the state agency's findings.
L.A. City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell said in a statement officials would continue to support "restrictive regulations when it comes to building in earthquake zones".
"This information provides a clear map for development in the heart of Hollywood," he said.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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