CL_AGN_220215_PC_AgendaPacket_F_A1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
This is the appropriate time for the Chair or Commissioners to approve the agenda as is or reorder.
5.BLUE FOLDER ITEMS (SUPPLEMENTAL)
Blue folder (supplemental) items are additional back up materials to administrative reports, changes to the posted
agenda packet, and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and
file.
6.PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
This section is intended to provide members of the public with the opportunity to comment on any subject that does not
2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274
(310) 377-1521
AGENDA
Regular Planning Commission
Meeting
PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
6:30 PM
Executive Order N-29-20
This meeting is held pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Newsom on
March 17, 2020. All Planning Commissioners will participate by teleconference. Public
Participation: City Hall will be closed to the public until further notice.
A live audio of the Planning Commission meeting will be available on the City's website
(https://www.rolling-hills.org/PC%20Meeting%20Zoom%20Link.pdf).
The meeting agenda is also available on the City's website
(https://www.rolling-hills.org/government/agenda/index.php).
Join Zoom Meeting via https://us02web.zoom.us/j/99343882035?
pwd=MWZXaG9ISWdud3NpajYwY3dF bllFZz09
Meeting ID: 993 4388 2035 Passcode: 647943
Members of the public may submit comments in real time by emailing the City Clerk's office at
cityclerk@cityofrh.net. Your comments will become a part of the official meeting record. You
must provide your full name but do not provide any other personal information (i.e., phone
numbers, addresses, etc) that you do not want to be published.
1
appear on this agenda for action. Each speaker will be permitted to speak only once. Written requests, if any, will be
considered first under this section.
7.CONSENT CALENDAR
Business items, except those formally noticed for public hearing, or those pulled for discussion are assigned to the
Consent Calendar. The Chair or any Commissioner may request that any Consent Calendar item(s) be removed,
discussed, and acted upon separately. Items removed from the Consent Calendar will be taken up under the "Excluded
Consent Calendar" section below. Those items remaining on the Consent Calendar will be approved in one motion. The
Chair will call on anyone wishing to address the Commission on any Consent Calendar item on the agenda, which has
not been pulled by Commission for discussion.
7.A.CONTINUATION OF REMOTE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION MEETINGS
DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2022 PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS
OF AB 361.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
7.B.MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 18, 2021, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
8.EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
9.PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
10.NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.A.SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-02 recommending adoption
of the Safety Element Update and Negative Declaration to the City Council.
11.OLD BUSINESS
12.NEW BUSINESS
13.SCHEDULE FIELD TRIPS
14.ITEMS FROM STAFF
14.A.EXPANDED LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
15.ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
16.ADJOURNMENT
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 6:30p.m. via teleconference.
CL_MIN_220118_PC_FieldTrip_F.pdf
CL_MIN_220118_PC_F.pdf
2022-02.PC RESOLUTION Safety Element-c1.pdf
Safety Element_Final_Draft.pdf
Rolling Hills IS_without_Appendices_A_B.pdf
21330 - Rolling Hills Final ND_021122.pdf
Notice:
2
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in
this meeting due to your disability, please contact the City Clerk at (310) 377-1521 at least 48 hours prior to the
meeting to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility and accommodation for
your review of this agenda and attendance at this meeting.
Documents pertaining to an agenda item received after the posting of the agenda are available for review in
the City Clerk's office or at the meeting at which the item will be considered.
All of the above resolutions and zoning case items have been determined to be categorically exempt pursuant
to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines unless otherwise stated.
3
Agenda Item No.: 7.A
Mtg. Date: 02/15/2022
TO:HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION
FROM:CHRISTIAN HORVATH, CITY CLERK / EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO
CITY MANAGER
THRU:ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT:CONTINUATION OF REMOTE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION
MEETINGS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2022 PURSUANT TO
THE REQUIREMENTS OF AB 361.
DATE:February 15, 2022
BACKGROUND:
With the Governor ’s approval of AB 361, public agencies have been granted the continuing
ability to conduct virtual meetings during declared public health emergencies under specified
circumstances until January 1, 2024. Based on the requirements of AB 361 (copy attached), in
order for the City to hold virtual meetings, the Committee on Trees and Views needs to
determine monthly that the following conditions exist:
1) There continues to be a health and safety risk due to COVID-19 as a proclaimed state of
emergency with recommended measures to promote social distancing; and
2) Meeting in person during the proclaimed state of emergency would present imminent risks
to the health and safety of attendees.
The other requirements associated with continued virtual meetings are outlined in the text of
AB 361. The recommended action is for the Committee on Trees and Views to find that the
following conditions exist and that they necessitate remote Committee meetings for the
coming month:
1) There continues to be a health and safety risk due to COVID-19 as a proclaimed state of
emergency with recommended measures to promote social distancing; and
2) Meeting in person during the proclaimed state of emergency would present imminent
risks to the health and safety of attendees. These findings will need to be made by the City
4
Council each month that the City opts to continue with remote meetings.
DISCUSSION:
None.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as presented.
ATTACHMENTS:
5
Agenda Item No.: 7.B
Mtg. Date: 02/15/2022
TO:HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION
FROM:CHRISTIAN HORVATH, CITY CLERK / EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO
CITY MANAGER
THRU:ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT:MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 18, 2021, PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING.
DATE:February 15, 2022
BACKGROUND:
None.
DISCUSSION:
None.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as presented.
ATTACHMENTS:
CL_MIN_220118_PC_FieldTrip_F.pdf
CL_MIN_220118_PC_F.pdf
6
MINUTES – PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Page 1
Minutes
Rolling Hills Planning Commission
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Field Trip Meeting 7:34 a.m.
4 Storm Hill Lane
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills met at 4 Storm Hill Lane on the above date at 7:34 a.m.
Chair Brad Chelf presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Cardenas, Cooley, Douglass, Vice Chair Kirkpatrick, Chair Chelf
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: John Signo, Planning & Community Services Director
3. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA– NONE
4. FIELD TRIPS
Presentation by Planning & Community Services Director John Signo
Public Comment: Rory Sheehan, Claudia Grzywacz
5. ADJOURNMENT : 7:39 A.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 a.m. to a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled to be
held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 beginning at 6:30 p.m. via tele-conference.
.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Christian Horvath, City Clerk
Approved,
____________________________________
Brad Chelf, Chair
7
MINUTES – PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Page 1
Minutes
Rolling Hills Planning Commission
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Regular Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Via tele-conference
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills met via teleconference on the above date at 6:30 p.m.
Chair Brad Chelf presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Cardenas, Cooley, Douglass, Vice Chair Kirkpatrick, Chair Chelf
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: John Signo, Planning & Community Services Director
Jane Abzug, City Attorney
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Planning & Community Services Director John Signo led the Pledge.
4. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS (SUPPLEMENTAL) – NONE
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.A. CONTINUATION OF REMOTE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION MEETINGS DURING THE
MONTH OF JANUARY 2022 PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF AB 361.
6.B. MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 16, 2021, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
Motion by Commissioner Cardenas seconded by Commissioner Douglass to approve. Motion carried
unanimously with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cardenas, Cooley, Douglass, Kirkpatrick, Chair Chelf
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7. FIELD TRIPS – NONE
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.A. SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE.
Presentation by Camilla Bobroff and Lexi Journey from Rincon Consultants.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
8
MINUTES – PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Page 2
9.A. ZONING CASE NO. 21-13: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A POOL,
SPA, GRADING, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS FOR A PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4 STORM
HILL LANE (GRZYWACZ)
Presentation by Planning & Community Services Director John Signo.
Public comment: Deborah Richie-Gray
Motion by Commissioner Cardenas seconded by Commissioner Cooley to adopt supplemental revised
Resolution No. 2022-01. Motion carried unanimously with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cardenas, Cooley, Douglass, Kirkpatrick, Chair Chelf
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
10. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
10.A. INITIAL STUDY AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE HOUSING AND SAFETY ELEMENTS
Presentation by Planning & Community Services Director John Signo
Motion by Commissioner Cardenas seconded by Commissioner Kirkpatrick to receive and file . Motion carried
unanimously with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cardenas, Cooley, Douglass, Kirkpatrick, Chair Chelf
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11. COMMISSIONER’S REPORT – NONE
12. ADJOURNMENT: 7:05 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. to a special meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled to be
held on Friday, February 11, 2022 beginning at 7:30 a.m. via tele-conference.
.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Christian Horvath, City Clerk
Approved,
____________________________________
Brad Chelf, Chair
9
Agenda Item No.: 10.A
Mtg. Date: 02/15/2022
TO:HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION
FROM:JOHN SIGNO, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & COMMUNITY SERVICES
THRU:ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT:SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
DATE:February 15, 2022
BACKGROUND:
The City began its efforts to update the Safety Element in mid-2020 after being awarded
funding from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The City obtained the
professional services of Rincon Consultants, Inc. to prepare the Safety Element. Once
completed, the Safety Element was sent to the California Board of Forestry and Fire
Protection for review, but no recommendations or changes were made.
On January 18, 2022, a presentation on the Safety Element was made to the Planning
Commission. The presentation provided an overview on new legislation, policies, and topics
included in the Safety Element.
DISCUSSION:
The Safety Element provides the City of Rolling Hills’ (City’s) goals, policies, and actions to
minimize the hazards to safety in and around Rolling Hills. It evaluates natural and human-
caused safety hazards that affect existing and future development and provides guidelines for
protecting the community from harm. It describes existing and potential future conditions and
sets policies for improved public safety. The goal is to reduce the risk of injury, death, property
loss, and other hardships to acceptable levels. It is required to be reviewed and updated as
necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as state responsibility areas and land
classified as very high fire hazard severity zones (Gov. Code, § 65302(g)(3)). It is required to
include:
Fire hazard severity zone maps available from the Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection.
Any historical data on wildfires available from local agencies or a reference to where the
data can be found.
Information about wildfire hazard areas that may be available from the United States
Geological Survey.
The general location and distribution of existing and planned uses of land in very high fire
10
hazard severity zones (VHFHSZs) and in state responsibility areas (SRAs), including
structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.
The location and distribution of planned uses of land shall not require defensible space
compliance measures required by state law or local ordinance to occur on publicly
owned lands or open space designations of homeowner associations.
The local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for fire protection, including
special districts and local offices of emergency services (Gov. Code, § 65302(g)(3)(A)).
Based on that information, the Safety Element shall include goals, policies, and objectives that
protect the community from the unreasonable risk of wildfire. (Gov. Code, § 65302(g)(3)(B)).
To carry out those goals, policies, and objectives, feasible implementation measures shall be
included in the Safety Element, which include but are not limited to:
Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land.
Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of high fire risk areas,
including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters,
emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying
construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located
in the SRA or VHFHSZ.
Designing adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in the SRA or
VHFHSZ, including safe access for emergency response vehicles, visible street signs,
and water supplies for structural fire suppression.
Working cooperatively with public agencies with responsibility for fire protection (Gov.
Code, § 65302(g)(3)(C)).
The Safety Element shall also attach or reference any fire safety plans or other documents
adopted by the City that fulfill the goals and objectives or contains the information required
above (Gov. Code, § 65302(g)(3)(D)). This might include Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, Unit
Fire Plans, Community Wildfire Protection Plans, or other plans.
Staff originally intended the Safety Element to be considered at the same time as the Housing
Element. However, the City cannot adopt the Housing Element until it receives and considers
comments from HCD. The City sent the Housing Element to HCD for review on January 11,
2022. HCD now has 90 days, or by April 11, 2022, to submit its comments to the City. Since
the Housing Element is not ready for adoption, staff is moving forward with the Safety Element
separately since it still must report to CalOES on the progress in order to receive funding
reimbursement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City obtained a grant from CalOES for $47,624 to update the Safety Element. Certification
of the Element provides an indirect positive fiscal impact by reducing legal risks and qualifying
the City for State planning grants.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 2022-02 recommending adoption of the Safety Element Update and
Negative Declaration to the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
2022-02.PC RESOLUTION Safety Element-c1.pdf
Safety Element_Final_Draft.pdf
Rolling Hills IS_without_Appendices_A_B.pdf
11
21330 - Rolling Hills Final ND_021122.pdf
12
Resolution No. 2022-02 -1- Safety Element
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS RECOMMENDING THAT
THE ROLLING HILLS CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE
SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE AND A NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE SAFETY ELEMENT
THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES HEREBY FIND, RESOLVE, AND ORDER
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals
A. On January 4, 1957, the City of Rolling Hills was established as a duly organized
municipal corporation of the State of California.
B. The City of Rolling Hills adopted its current General Plan on June 25, 1990. The
General Plan establishes goals, objectives, and strategies to achieve the community’s vision for its
future. A Safety Element was adopted as part of the General Plan.
C. Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code requires that the General Plan
include a Safety Element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks
associated with the effects of seismically-induced surface rupture, ground shaking, grand failure,
tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides; subsidence
and other geologic hazards; flooding, and wildland and urban fire.
D. Senate Bill 99, effective January 1, 2020, requires the City to identify residential
developments in any hazard area identified in the safety element that does not have at least two
emergency evacuation routes.
E. Cities and counties in California are required to have a Safety Element that is
consistent with all other elements of the General Plan. The City’s 5th Cycle Housing Element was
certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on July
7, 2021, and the City is currently awaiting comments from HCD on the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
The Safety Element has been prepared to be consistent with the Housing Element.
F. On January 18, 2022, the Planning Commission held a workshop to discuss the
Safety Element update.
G. Pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq. and the State CEQA Guidelines California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15000 et seq., the City prepared an initial study and determined
that there was no substantial evidence that adoption of the update to the Safety Element may have
a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a Negative Declaration was prepared and
notice of that fact was given in the manner required by law.
13
Resolution No. 2022-02 -2- Safety Element
H. On February 15, 2022, the Planning Commission held a public hearing in
accordance with law to consider making a written recommendation on the amendment of the
General Plan for purposes of the Safety Element update and on adoption of the related Negative
Declaration.
Section 2. Findings. Based upon the facts contained in this Resolution, those contained in
the staff report and other components of the legislative record, the Planning Commission finds
that:
A. All environmental impacts of the amendment to the Safety Element are either less
than significant or no impact as outlined in the Negative Declaration and the Initial Study. There
is no substantial evidence in the record supporting a fair argument that the amendment to the Safety
Element may result in any significant environmental impacts. The Negative Declaration contains
a complete, objective, and accurate reporting of the environmental impacts associated with the
amendment to the Safety Element and reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the City.
B. The Safety Element is consistent with the other elements of the General Plan,
including the Land Use Element, Circulation Element, and Open Space and Conservation Element
as set forth below:
Land Use Element Goal 3: Accommodate development that is sensitive to the natural
environment and accounts for environmental hazards.
The Safety Element is consistent with this goal in that it addresses the natural
environmental and accounts for environmental hazards.
Circulation Element Goal 2: Provide a circulation system that contributes to residents’
quality of life and minimizes impacts on the environment.
The Safety Element is consistent with this goal in that it plans for escape routes that utilize
the existing circulation system in the event of an emergency.
Open Space and Conservation Element Goal 1: Conserve and enhance the City’s natural
resources, facilitating development in a manner which reflects the characteristics,
sensitivities and constraints of these resources.
The Safety Element is consistent with this goal in that it considers safety factors and hazard
constraints in facilitating development.
C. The safety goals, objectives, and policies stated in the Safety Element are
appropriate for the City of Rolling Hills. The Safety Element will aid the City’s efforts for the
protection of the community and is in the public interest.
Section 3. The Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills hereby recommends that
the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills adopt the Safety Element, provided as Exhibit A,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and adoption of the Negative Declaration,
provided as Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
14
Resolution No. 2022-02 -3- Safety Element
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 15th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022.
_______________________________
BRAD CHELF, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
___________________________________
CHRISTIAN HORVATH, CITY CLERK
ANY ACTION CHALLENGING THE FINAL DECISION OF THE CITY MADE AS A
RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS APPLICATION MUST BE FILED WITHIN
THE TIME LIMITS SET FORTH IN SECTION 17.54.070 OF THE ROLLING HILLS
MUNICIPAL CODE AND CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 1094.6.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
I certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2022-02 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS RECOMMENDING THAT
THE ROLLING HILLS CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE
SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE AND A NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE SAFETY ELEMENT
was approved and adopted at regular meeting of the Planning Commission on February 15, 2022,
by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
15
Resolution No. 2022-02 -4- Safety Element
and in compliance with the laws of California was posted at the following:
Administrative Offices
____________________________________
CHRISTIAN HORVATH, CITY CLERK
16
ROLLING HILLS ROLLING HILLS
GENERAL PLANGENERAL PLAN
SAFETY ELEMENT
prepared by
City of Rolling Hills
Planning and Community Services
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, California 90274
prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
706 South Hill Street, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90014
November 2021
17
Table of Contents
Safety Element i
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1
City Setting ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Regulatory Setting .......................................................................................................................... 1
Critical Facilities and Infrastructure ................................................................................................ 3
Hazards of Concern................................................................................................................................. 6
Geologic Hazards ............................................................................................................................ 6
Flooding ........................................................................................................................................10
Wildland and Urban Fires .............................................................................................................14
Hazardous Materials .....................................................................................................................17
Community Communication .................................................................................................................17
Emergency Response and Evacuation ..........................................................................................17
Disease Prevention .......................................................................................................................19
Climate Change .....................................................................................................................................20
Vulnerable Populations and Assets ..............................................................................................20
Vulnerability Assessment Results .................................................................................................22
Goals, Policies, and Implementation ....................................................................................................24
Hazard Mitigation .........................................................................................................................24
Community Communication .........................................................................................................31
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience ..................................................................................39
References ............................................................................................................................................41
Tables
Table 1 Rolling Hills Climate Summary ............................................................................................ 1
Table 2 Rolling Hills Demographic Characteristics ........................................................................... 2
Table 3 Active Faults Located less than 50 Miles from Rolling Hills ................................................ 9
Figures
Figure 1 Critical Facilities Map .......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2 Landslide Hazard Zones ...................................................................................................... 7
Figure 3 Faults in the Vicinity of Rolling Hills .................................................................................... 8
Figure 4 Rolling Hills Earthquake Shaking Potential .......................................................................11
Figure 5 Rolling Hills Liquefaction Hazard Areas .............................................................................12
Figure 6 Dam Inundation Areas ......................................................................................................13
Figure 7 Fire Hazard Zones ..............................................................................................................15
Figure 8 Existing Evacuation Routes ...............................................................................................18
18
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
ii
Appendices
Appendix A Existing Conditions Report
19
Introduction
Safety Element 1
Introduction
The Safety Element provides the City of
Rolling Hills’ (City’s) goals, policies, and
actions to minimize the hazards to safety in
and around Rolling Hills. The Element
evaluates natural and human-caused safety
hazards that affect existing and future
development and provides guidelines for
protecting the community from harm. The
Element describes existing and potential
future conditions and sets policies for
improved public safety. The goal of the Safety
Element is to reduce the risk of injury, death,
property loss, and other hardships to
acceptable levels.
City Setting
Rolling Hills covers an area of approximately
three square-miles on the Palos Verdes
peninsula, approximately 18 miles south of
downtown Los Angeles. The topography of
the city and peninsula area is unique in that it
rises above the Los Angeles Basin with rolling
hills, steep slopes, and canyons. The city itself
is in the San Pedro Hills. Due to its location
near the coast, the area is generally cooler
and has fewer air quality concerns compared
to the nearby Los Angeles Basin. Table 1
summarizes the climatology of the area.
Rolling Hills City Hall
Rolling Hills is a residential community that
consists of large parcels and ranch-style
homes and has a sizable older adult1
population of about 513 (28% of the city’s
total population). Important community
demographic data for Rolling Hills is included
in Table 2. The city is also an equestrian
community, as many of residents are horse
owners or have horses on their property.
Regulatory Setting
Section 65302(g) of the California
Government Code requires that the General
Plans include a Safety Element for the
protection of the community from any
unreasonable risks associated with the effects
of seismically induced surface rupture,
ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami,
Table 1 Rolling Hills Climate Summary
Climate Character Estimate
Annual Average Observed Maximum Temperature from 1961 - 1990 (Fahrenheit) 71
Annual Average Observed Minimum Temperature from 1961 – 1990 (Fahrenheit) 50
Annual Average Observed Precipitation from 1961 – 1990 (inches) 19
Source: Cal-Adapt 2021
1 An older adult is any adult over the age of 65 years old.
20
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
2
Table 2 Rolling Hills Demographic Characteristics
Demographic Characteristics Estimate
General
Total Population 1,739
Population under 10 years 7 percent
Population over 65 years 28 percent1
Race 77 percent White, 18 percent Asian, 5 percent Hispanic/Latino
Disability (hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory) 12 percent
Housing
Total Households 6451
Average Household Size 2.76
Owner-occupied Households 96 percent
Population over 65 years living alone 15 percent of those over 65 years
Employment
Unemployment Rate 6 percent
Poverty Rate 2 percent
Median Income $ 239,000
Insurance Coverage 97 percent
Source: U.S. Census 2018
seiche, and dam failure; slope instability
leading to mudslides and landslides;
subsidence and other geologic hazards;
flooding, and wildland and urban fire. In
addition, Safety Elements are required to
address non-hazard specific issues such as
peak load water supply, evacuation routes,
and military installations.
Senate Bill 379, adopted on October 8, 2015,
requires cities to include climate change
adaptation and resilience into the general
plan process. To comply with SB 379, this
Safety Element includes a vulnerability
assessment; adaptation and resilience goals,
polices, and objectives; and feasible
implementation measures.
Senate Bill 99, adopted August 30, 2020,
requires the cities to “identify residential
developments in any hazard area identified in
the safety element that does not have at least
two emergency evacuation routes.” SB 99
does not define neighborhood and cities are
expected to define neighborhoods based on
their community.
Relationship to Other Documents
The Rolling Hills Safety Element is one of
several plans that address safety in the City.
The Safety Element must be consistent with
these other plans to ensure the City has a
unified strategy to address safety issues. The
Safety Element includes information and
policies from the following documents to
ensure consistency.
Other General Plan Elements
The Safety Element is one section of the
Rolling Hills General Plan. Other elements
include Land Use, Transportation, Housing,
21
Introduction
Safety Element 3
Conservation, Open Space and Recreation
and Noise. Policies in these other elements
may be related to safety issues. Information
and policies in the Safety Element should not
conflict with those in other elements.
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan includes
resources and information to assist the City of
Rolling Hills, its residents, and public and
private sector organizations in planning for
hazard events. The Plan provides a list of
activities that may assist the City in reducing
risk and preventing loss from future hazard
events. The action items address multi-hazard
issues, as well as activities specifically for
reducing risk and preventing losses relating to
earthquake, land movement, wildfire, and
drought.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan
The City’s Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP), adopted in July 2020, seeks to
reduce wildfire risk in Rolling Hills. The Plan
was developed collaboratively among
stakeholders including the community, the
City of Rolling Hills, the Rolling Hills
Community Association, and the Los Angeles
County Fire Department, and the Los Angeles
Sheriff’s Department. The Plan includes fire
mitigation and evacuation strategies for the
community.
Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure
Critical facilities are places that provide
emergency services or serve people who
would be impacted by an emergency.
Examples include hospitals, fire stations,
police stations, emergency services facilities,
utility facilities, and communication facilities.
Critical facilities can also include the
transportation system and schools. Due to
the size and composition of Rolling Hills,
many of the critical facilities that serve the
city are located outside of city limits. No areas
in Rolling Hills have been identified as lacking
emergency service. Critical facilities that serve
the city are shown in Figure 1 and include:
Rolling Hills City Hall: 2 Portuguese Bend
Road, Rolling Hills, CA
Rolling Hills Community Association: 1
Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, CA
Rancho Del Mar High School: 38 Crest
Road West, Rolling Hills, CA
Storm Hill Park: Agua Magna Canyon,
Rolling Hills, CA
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lomita
Station: 26123 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita,
CA
Los Angeles County Fire Station No. 56:
12 Crest Road West, Rolling Hills, CA
Los Angeles County Communications
Tower: 5741 Crestridge Road, Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA
Southern California Edison Electrical
Substation: Crestridge Road, Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA
Southern California Edison Electrical
Substation: Tarragon Road, Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA
Southern California Edison Electrical
Substation: 27873 Hawthorn Boulevard,
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: Palos
Verdes Drive North/Palos Verdes Drive
East (SW corner), Rolling Hills Estates, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: 3960
East Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: Via
Canada, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: 1 Spur
Lane, Rolling Hills, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: 60
Eastfield Drive, Rolling Hills, CA
Portuguese Bend Road
Crest Road
22
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
4
Rolling Hills Community Association
23
Introduction
Safety Element 5
Figure 1 Critical Facilities Map
24
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
6
Hazards of Concern
Geologic Hazards
Geologic processes that pose a threat to life,
health, property, or infrastructure are
considered geologic hazards. Natural geologic
hazards that have the potential to affect
Rolling Hills include seismic hazards,
landslides, liquefaction, expansive soils, and
weathering. In most cases, these natural
processes cannot be prevented; however, the
magnitude of destruction resulting from
natural geologic hazards can be reduced
through planning policies and measures.
Landslide Hazards
Landslide activity refers to a wide range of
gravity driven downslope earth movement,
including rockslides, rotational slips,
mudslides, and shallow debris flows.
Geological and geomorphological conditions
such as soil type, soil strength, slope angle,
and slope height predispose slopes for failure.
Other factors affecting the susceptibility to
slope failure include the amount of
precipitation, vegetation on the slope,
groundwater seepage, and human
modifications to the slope. Landslides often
result in damage to property and roadways
and can cause them to become unsafe due to
displacement of the subsurface.
Much of the existing development in Rolling
Hills is located on hilly terrain and have a
greater potential to experience landslide
hazards. Many of the canyons in Rolling Hills
exhibit steep slopes with little vegetation
coverage, leaving them susceptible to slope
failure. Figure 2 shows the landslide zones in
the City of Rolling Hills, as mapped by the
California Geological Survey (CGS). Landslide
activity has been well documented in the
region. Relicts of landslides and rockslides are
present throughout the City of Rolling Hills.
2 “Beginning in” is defined as the first noted event of major
rock movement
The following major landslides have occurred
in and adjacent to the city. All are in the
landslide hazards areas identified in Figure 2:
▪ Portuguese Bend Landslide: Beginning in2
1956 over approximately 270 acres in
Rancho Palos Verdes
▪ Abalone Cove Landslide: Beginning in
1974 over 80 acres in Rancho Palos
Verdes
▪ Klondike Canyon Landslide: Beginning in
1979 over to the south near the coastline
▪ Flying Triangle Landslide: Beginning in
1970s or 1980s over approximately 70
acres in the southeast area of the city
The Flying Triangle Landslide, shown in Figure
2, continues to impact the southeast portion
of the city through impacts to private roads
and above-ground utility lines. This area is
relatively unsuitable for development due to
the ongoing changes in topography.
Seismic Hazards
Rolling Hills is in a seismically active region of
southern California. The last major
earthquake in the Los Angeles area was the
5.1 magnitude La Habra earthquake in 2014.
Rolling Hills is within 50 miles of the Whittier
fault, Newport-Inglewood fault, Palos Verdes
fault, Malibu Coast fault, Cabrillo fault, Santa
Monica fault, and Redondo Canyon fault.
Analysis of seismic data from the region
indicates that the Whittier and Newport-
Inglewood faults may generate a maximum
credible earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and
7.4, respectively (SCEC 2013). Figure 3 shows
the faults in the vicinity of Rolling Hills.
Typically, seismic shaking and fault rupture
are primary hazards as they occur as a direct
result of the interaction between the seismic
wave energy and the earth’s surface.
Secondary hazards, such as liquefaction and
earthquake-induced landslides, occur as a
result of the primary earthquake hazards.
25
Hazards of Concern
Safety Element 7
Figure 2 Landslide Hazard Zones
26
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
8
Figure 3 Faults in the Vicinity of Rolling Hills
27
Hazards of Concern
Safety Element 9
Often, earthquake activity can result in other
effects such as building damage/collapse,
infrastructure failure, pipeline breakage, and
damage to transportation and
communication facilities. The size of the
earthquake and distance from the fault
rupture zone typically determine the severity
of these events.
Seismic Shaking
Seismic shaking, or ground shaking, refers to
the movement of the earth’s surface resulting
from the energy release by an earthquake.
Seismic shaking is typically the primary cause
of property damage resulting from
earthquake activity. Seismic shaking can
destroy buildings, roadways, powerlines, and
pipelines. Energy transmitted through the
ground can travel hundreds of miles and may
cause damage in many locations
simultaneously. Closer proximity to the fault
rupture area results in stronger shaking in
that location.
The amount of ground shaking that occurs in
a location depends on the magnitude of the
earthquake, the distance from the epicenter,
and local soil conditions. The intensity of
ground shaking is related to the peak ground
velocity during an earthquake. As shown in
Figure 4, the earthquake shaking potential for
Rolling Hills is low to moderate. The intensity
of seismic shaking is measured using the
Modified Mercalli scale.
According to the CGS, an active fault is one
that has experienced surface movement in
the past 11,000 years. The city is located near
a number of active faults, including the
Cabrillo Fault in city limits. Table 3 includes a
list of nearby faults, their respective distance
from the city, the maximum credible
earthquake generated from each fault, and
the likelihood of earthquake occurrence in
each case.
The San Andreas fault is located
approximately 80 miles to the east of Rolling
Hills. Although the San Andreas fault is
located at a greater distance from the city,
seismic shaking originating from earthquakes
occurring along the San Andreas fault poses a
threat to the city. Figure 3 identifies the
active and inactive faults located in the city
and vicinity.
Fault Rupture
Fault Rupture occurs when seismic movement
on a fault break through the earth’s surface.
Hazards related to fault rupture arise when
structures are built near or on top of an active
fault. While there are a number of seismically
active faults in the city and region, there are
no active faults with the potential for ground
rupture, defined by the Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Act and delineated
by CGS. Figure 3 shows the designated
Alquist-Priolo study zones, the closest of
which is the Newport-Inglewood Fault
approximately nine miles northeast of the
city.
Table 3 Active Faults Located less than 50 Miles from Rolling Hills
Fault Name* Approximate Distance from Rolling Hills
Whittier 25 miles east
Newport-Inglewood 9 miles east
Palos Verdes <1 mile north
Malibu Coast 20 miles northwest
Cabrillo Located in the City boundaries
Santa Monica 20 miles north-northwest
*All faults listed are active. An active fault is one that has experienced surface movement in the past 11,000 years.
28
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
10
Liquefaction and Settlement
Liquefaction is a ground failure phenomenon
that occurs as a result of a seismic event.
Liquefaction increases water content in
surface soils until the soil reaches a semi-
liquid state, contributing to a reduction in
support, and ultimately resulting in shifting or
subsidence of buildings and utilities. Ground
failure typically occurs when the following
conditions exist:
▪ Loose, unconsolidated granular soils
▪ Shallow groundwater
▪ Strong seismic ground shaking
While Rolling Hills has moderate to high
seismic shaking potential, the subsurface soils
generally lack saturated alluvial deposits and
thick, granular soils. Figure 5 shows the
liquefaction hazard areas, which are in the
low-lying areas to the east and north,
generally surrounding the Los Angeles Harbor
and Harbor Lake. Liquefaction potential for
Rolling Hills is low, as shown in Figure 5.
Earthquake Induced Landslides
Ground failure or destabilization of slopes
resulting from an earthquake can also occur
following seismic activity in the form of
Earthquake-Induced Landslides. Earthquake-
induced landslides typically occur in areas
with steep slopes or unstable soil conditions.
As discussed above under Landslide Hazards,
the risk of landslide activity in Rolling Hills is
high. Much of the city overlies areas that have
been identified as landslide zones by the CGS.
Risk of landslide activity increases following
rainfall events that result in saturated soils.
Both shallow and deep seeded landslides
have historically occurred in the city.
Flooding
Rolling Hills participates in the Federal
Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA)
National Flood Insurance Program. According
to the FEMA flood maps, the city is not
located in a flood hazard area and currently
has a less than 0.2 percent annual chance to
be inundated by flood waters as a result of a
storm event (FEMA 2008). Overall, the city is
not in any immediate risk from flooding
caused by overflowing water bodies or heavy
rains. However, runoff and minor flooding
pose a risk if drainage systems fail along
canyon bottoms, where natural drainage
leads.
Dam Inundation
No water storage facilities that the State of
California identifies as dams are located in
Rolling Hills. Just outside city limits are three
water storage facilities identified as dams,
which include:
▪ Palos Verdes Reservoir. Owned by the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California and located at the southeast
corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and
Palos Verdes Drive North. According to
the California Department of Water
Resources, the reservoir can hold
approximately 1,100 gallons of water and
has an extremely high downstream
hazard.
▪ 10 MG Walteria and 18 MG Walteria.
Two reinforced concrete tanks which are
owned by the City of Torrance and
located at Crenshaw Boulevard and Crest
Road. The tanks can hold 31 and 58 acre-
feet (AF) of water, respectively.
Senate Bill 92, adopted in 2017, is a new dam
safety requirement that requires dam owners
to map the downstream inundation areas for
dams governed by the Department of Water
Resources. Figure 6 shows the inundation
areas for the nearby water storage facilities.
Due to their locations and the topography of
the area, the inundation areas do not enter or
affect any portion of the city.
29
Hazards of Concern
Safety Element 11
Figure 4 Rolling Hills Earthquake Shaking Potential
30
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
12
Figure 5 Rolling Hills Liquefaction Hazard Areas
31
Hazards of Concern
Safety Element 13
Figure 6 Dam Inundation Areas
32
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
14
Wildland and Urban Fires
The entire City of Rolling Hills is designated a
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)
by the California Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection (CalFire), as shown in Figure 7.
Rolling Hills terrain is comprised of several
large and steep canyons that limit and
challenge vegetation management and
present conditions where a fire can quickly
travels up and downslope to nearby homes.
Due to the rural nature and large residential
lots, many homes are surrounded by more
substantial vegetation and dense brush than
in more suburban settings. The bridle trails
for hikers and equestrian access also contain
dense vegetation and management
difficulties, which contributes to the fire risk
of the city. Electrical power lines pose a
hazard to starting fires in the city if lines are
not automatically de-energized when
knocked down by extreme weather or if the
surrounding vegetation is not adequately
managed.
There is a history of fires in the city and the
surrounding Palos Verdes Peninsula. Three
major fires have been documented on the
Peninsula and in the city in:
▪ 1923: an estimated 4,000 acres burned in
Palos Verdes Hills
▪ 1945: 3,000 acres burned
▪ 1973: approximately 900-925 acres
burned, 12 homes destroyed, and 10
homes damaged
▪ 2005: 212 acres burned near Del Cero
Park
▪ 2009: 230 acres burned, 6 homes
damaged, and forced 1,200 residents on
the Peninsula to evacuate
▪ 2015: 3 acres burned
Los Angeles County Fire Station No. 56
33
Hazards of Concern
Safety Element 15
Figure 7 Fire Hazard Zones
34
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
16
For many of the developed residences in the
city that are vulnerable to fires, their risk may
increase with construction techniques that
may not meet current wildfire standards.
Rolling Hills Building Code and Los Angeles
County Fire Department, under the VHFHSZ
standards, require new development to
include more stringent design and material
standards for roofing, eaves, and rafter tails
as well as exterior finishes and fire buffer
zones. While compliance with these
standards reduces the vulnerability to new
structures, existing structures that have not
complied with these standards may be
susceptible to undue fire risk.
Existing Fire Risk Reduction
Strategies
▪ Rolling Hills Municipal Code (RHMC)
Chapter 8.24 Abatement of Nuisances,
Chapter 8.30: Fire Fuel Abatement, and
Chapter 15.20 Fire Code
▪ Los Angeles County Fire Department Fuel
Modification Plans
▪ Los Angeles County Fire Code Section
4908
▪ Rolling Hills Community Wildfire
Protection Plan vegetation management
standard recommendations
▪ Rolling Hills Community Association fire
fuel management strategies
Portuguese Bend Road, south of Crest Road
35
Community Communication
Safety Element 17
Hazardous Materials
According to the Department of Toxic
Substances Control (DTSC), there are no
hazardous waste sites or facilities in Rolling
Hills (DTSC 2020). The city and surrounding
area do not contain heavy industrial uses that
would create a hazardous material risk in the
event of a spill, release, or natural disaster.
The city is not located near any major transit
routes involving transport of a substantial
quantity of hazardous material through the
city. However, the nearby oil refineries
(located along Sepulveda Boulevard
approximately six miles northeast) and Port
operations (located approximately three
miles to the east) could create air quality
impacts if wind patterns and release events
occur. Air quality impacts are discussed in the
Open Space and Conservation Element of the
Rolling Hills General Plan.
Community
Communication
Emergency Response and
Evacuation
Police Response and Crime
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
is contracted with the city to provide police
services and protection to the city. The
Lomita Station of the Sheriff’s Department
located at 26123 Narbonne Avenue serves
the city.
According to the Lomita Station crimes report
from January 1, 2020, through December 31,
2020, Rolling Hills had 7 reported crimes
(LACSD 2020). The crimes were related to
theft, burglary, and arson. Outside the city
limits and in the Lomita District, 401 crimes
were reported during this same period, 79 of
which were violent crimes (LACSD 2021). The
difference in crimes in the city and the
surrounding area is attributed to the private
nature of the city. There are three entrances
to the city, all of which are gated and staffed
24 hours a day. Visitors are required to be on
a resident’s guest list to enter city limits,
reducing crime in the city and demand on Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Fire Response
The Los Angeles County Fire Department
provides emergency operations support to
the City and participates in the California
mutual aid system. Mutual aid is emergency
assistance that is dispatched upon request
across jurisdictional boundaries. Fire Station
56, located at 12 Crest Road West, serves the
city under Battalion 14, which also serves the
remaining Palos Verdes Peninsula, Lomita,
and Avalon Canyon. Fire response constraints
in the city include ability to access certain
homes or areas due to inadequate road
widths for fire maneuvering. One of the major
topics of concern related to fire response in
the city relates to vegetation clearing along
roadways. Ten-foot clearance on each side of
the roadway, especially the limited access
roads, is important for fire response and
evacuation during a fire, according to Scott
Hale, Assistant Fire Chief.
Evacuation Strategies and Routes
Because a variety of hazards could affect city
residents, it is vital to identify critical routes
for evacuation in the event of a major event.
Senate Bill 99, adopted August 30, 2020,
requires cities to “identify residential
developments in any hazard area identified in
the safety element that does not have at least
two emergency evacuation routes.” Due to
the size of Rolling Hills and that it has four
evacuation routes, no neighborhoods have
been identified as not having two evacuation
routes. As shown on the Figure 8, the
evacuation routes also connect to major
36
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
18
Figure 8 Existing Evacuation Routes
37
Community Communication
Safety Element 19
roadways in the area that are multi-
directional such as Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos
Verdes Drive North and Palos Verdes Drive
East.
Figure 8 identifies the existing evacuation
routes in the city, which are:
▪ Main Gate at Rolling Hills Road and Palos
Verdes Drive North
▪ Crest Gate at Crest Road near Crenshaw
Blvd
▪ Eastfield Gate at Eastfield Drive and Palos
Verdes Drive East
▪ Crest Road East Gate at the end of Crest
Road East
Crest Road East Gate has been updated with a
motor and has no guards. This gate is
available as an emergency exit to the city
during emergencies. The City’s recently
adopted CWPP establishes evacuation
strategies and methodologies, including:
▪ Using the City’s Block Captains3 as
important coordinators for residents
▪ Communication goals between the City,
emergency responders, Rolling Hills
Community Association, and residents
▪ Details for residents regarding how
people get notified during an evacuation
▪ Responsibilities and operations of the
Emergency Operations Center
Disease Prevention
As evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic,
unforeseen infectious diseases can be
disastrous for communities, especially
vulnerable groups such as older adults, and
people with compromised immune systems.
The City worked diligently during the
pandemic to minimize risk to community
members. The Block Captains regularly
checked in on old adults in the community,
Fire Station Trail
3 The Rolling Hills Block Captain Program is a city-sponsored,
resident-based community program of volunteers. Their role is
to get to know neighbors, help them to prepare for an
emergency, and be a liaison between first responders and City
of Rolling Hills during an emergency.
38
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
20
finding out what residents needed, helping
run errands, and providing hand sanitizer
Additionally, the City disseminated
information regularly including where to buy
groceries at the beginning of the pandemic,
testing information, and more. Policies
regarding infectious disease can help expedite
recovery and prepare the community for
future risks.
Climate Change
Climate change is expected to affect future
occurrences of natural hazards in and around
Rolling Hills. Some hazards are projected to
become more frequent and intense in the
coming decades, and in some cases, climate
impacts have already begun.
In developing the Safety Element, the City
competed a Climate Change Vulnerability
Assessment consistent with Government
Code Section 65302(g), which assesses how
the populations and assets in Rolling Hills are
vulnerable to different climate hazards. The
full Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
can be found in Appendix A: Existing
Conditions Report. According to the
Vulnerability Assessment, the city is most
vulnerable to wildfire impacts, extreme heat,
and landslide impacts from climate change.
According to the Vulnerability Assessment
and the California’s Fourth Climate Change
Assessment, Rolling Hills can expect the
following changes to natural hazard events:
▪ Projected annual average maximum
temperature is expected to increase in
Rolling Hills between 1.8- and 6.6-degrees
Fahrenheit (°F) compared to 1990,
depending on the greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions scenario.4
4 The Vulnerability Assessment uses two GHG emissions
scenarios: Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5
and RCP 8.5. RCP 4.5 describes a scenario in which GHG
▪ Extreme heat events are also expected to
increase in Rolling Hills. The annual
number of average extreme heat days is
projected to increase from a baseline of 4
between 1950 and 2005 to 8 or 14
between 2030 and 2099, depending on
the GHG emissions scenario.
▪ Although only small changes in average
precipitation are projected, the Los
Angeles Region, which includes Rolling
Hills, is expected to experience dry and
wet precipitation extremes and higher
frequency and severity of storms.
Increasing storm intensity may
exacerbate landslide hazards in the city.
Warmer and drier conditions state-wide
could increase the prevalence of drought
conditions that could impact Rolling Hills.
▪ Wildfire is projected to increase over all
of southern California.
Vulnerable Populations
and Assets
As climate change occurs, communities will
be affected to varying degrees and impacts
depending on the hazard as well as how
sensitive the communities are to impacts.
Virtually all people and assets in a community
will be affected by climate change in some
way, but some communities may be more
sensitive. The Vulnerability Assessment
identified the following sensitivities:
Populations
▪ Children. Approximately 6.6 percent of
the total population in Rolling Hills are
ten years old or younger.
▪ Persons in Poverty. This is identified for
people living in households with an
income below the poverty limit, which is
$26,200 for a household of four people.
There are approximately 26 people in
emissions peak around 2050 and then decline. RCP 8.5 is the
scenario in which GHG emissions continue to rise through 2050
before leveling off around 2100.
39
Climate Change
Safety Element 21
Rolling Hills who live in poverty, or
approximately 1.6 percent of the total
population for whom poverty status can
be determined.
▪ Persons with Chronic Health Conditions.
These are people who have a long-term
or permanent health condition that can
create regular challenges in their day-to-
day lives. These health problems include
obesity, cancer, heart disease, and
arthritis. In addition, those with any kind
of disability, including mobility challenges,
hearing, or vision impairments,
behavioral disabilities, and challenges
living independently or taking care of
themselves. Approximately 11.5 percent
of the population have identified having a
disability.
▪ Renters. These are people who live in
homes that they (or the head of their
household) do not own. Approximately 24
housing units, or 4 percent of the housing
units in Rolling Hills, are renter-occupied.
▪ Older Adults. These are persons 65 years
or older are more at risk for climate
change impacts, especially those living
alone. 28 percent of the population of
Rolling Hills are over 65 years, and 15
percent of those over 65 years live alone.
▪ Limited English Proficiency.
Approximately three percent of
households have identified being limited
English-speaking. Of those, a majority
spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages
and Spanish.
Infrastructure
▪ Access Roads. These roadways are one of
a few, or the only, ways in and out of
some communities or neighborhoods.
The single or limited number of entry and
exit points does not make the road itself
more vulnerable than other roads, but
loss of these roadways can effectively cut
off large numbers of people from other
areas in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and
the rest of Los Angeles County.
Portuguese Bend Road and Crest Road
are the primary access roads into and out
of the city.
▪ Bridle Trails. Throughout the community
are over 25 miles of trails available to
residents and non-city residents who
obtain permits. The trails are maintained
by the Rolling Hills Community
Association and located primarily in
canyon areas.
▪ Electrical Substations. Electrical
substations are facilities that convert
electricity from one voltage to another,
making it suitable for long-distance
transmission or for use by homes,
businesses, and other electrical
customers. There are no electrical
substations located in city limits, but
three are located near the city in Rancho
Palos Verdes and owned/operated by
Southern California Edison.
▪ Electrical Utility Lines. These lines
transmit and deliver electricity from
Southern California Edison to the city. The
city has both underground and overhead
electric utility lines.
▪ Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines.
Natural gas pipelines carry large volumes
of natural gas between communities.
There are no transmission lines in the
city. One transmission line ends at the
intersection of Rolling Hills Road and
Palos Verdes Drive North, adjacent to city
limits.
▪ Water Reservoirs and System. The
system that stores and supplies drinking
water for residents. Palos Verdes Water
District of the California Water Service
supplies water to Rolling Hills. There are
two California Water Service water
reservoirs in the city limits.
Services
▪ Public Safety Response. Public safety
services are provided by law enforcement
40
City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
22
and fire agencies. These agencies include
the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire
Departments.
▪ Water Services. These services involve
treating and transporting water to be
used by customers and transporting and
treating wastewater so it can be safely
released into the environment. California
Water Service provides drinking water to
the city.
▪ Energy Delivery. Energy services in
Rolling Hills include electricity and natural
gas delivered through utility lines from
Southern California Edison and Southern
California Gas Company.
Vulnerability Assessment
Results
The Vulnerability Assessment indicates that
the city’s populations, infrastructure, and
services are most vulnerable to wildfire,
extreme heat, and extreme precipitation
events.
Populations
Vulnerable populations such as older adults,
residents with chronic health conditions, and
those with financial trouble are most at risk to
extreme heat and wildfire impacts.
28 percent of the city’s population is over 65
years. Older adults do not adjust as well as
young people to sudden changes in
temperature and are more likely to have
medical conditions that can worsen with
extreme heat (CDC 2017a). Older adults who
are living alone are even more at risk as the
actions necessary to mitigation extreme heat
are more difficult alone. Getting water,
changing clothes, showering, or turning on
the air conditioner may be more difficult for
older adults with physical disabilities and do
not have a partner to assist them. Extreme
heat can be highly dangerous to persons with
chronic health conditions, because very high
temperatures can exacerbate diabetes,
cardiovascular conditions, respiratory
ailments, and other diseases. Some of these
people have weakened immune systems
which can make them more likely to contract
illnesses and vulnerable to human health
hazards. In addition, they may be taking
medications that make the effects of extreme
heat worse (CDC 2017b). While there are not
many households in poverty in the city, those
who are have limited financial resources to
upgrade their homes to have air conditioning
to better resist extreme heat.
Older adults, residents with chronic health
conditions, and those with financial trouble
are the populations most at risk to wildfire
impacts. Older adults are almost three times
more likely to die in a fire than the overall
population (USFA 2017), and typically have
increased mobility or mental health issues.
Therefore, older adults, especially those in
the city living alone, have more difficulties
evacuating to safe areas when there is a
need. Those in Rolling Hills with limited
financial resources are more unlikely to
retrofit their homes to better resist climate-
related hazards such as wildfires. In addition
to direct impacts, indirect impacts such as
poor air quality also creates public health
hazards to the city. Recent California wildfires
in August and September 2020 had areas of
California recording the worst air quality in
the world and highlighted the hazards of
secondary impacts from wildfires, which
could impact the city from fires throughout
the State. Older adults and individuals with
chronic health conditions are likely to be
impacted most by these secondary impacts.
Also, those with limited finances or without
air conditioning would be impacted by
secondary smoke impacts that occur during
local and regional wildfires.
Infrastructure
Access roads, residential structures, and
community facilities and government
buildings are the most vulnerable
41
Climate Change
Safety Element 23
infrastructure to wildfire and extreme
precipitation impacts from climate change.
All city infrastructure is located in a VHFHSZ.
Portuguese Bend Road and Crest Road are
critical for access to and evacuation from
many areas of the city. Wildfires may not
significantly damage the infrastructure, but
they could result in closure or the inability to
travel on them during wildfire events, which
can isolate areas of the city and create severe
health and safety risks. Wildfires are unlikely
to substantially damage trails directly, but
they can force widespread trail closures
which are an important asset to the
community.
The greatest potential impact of life and well-
being would be to residential structures,
which are the primary structures in the city.
In addition, impacts to Rolling Hills
Community Association and City Hall
structures would impact community functions
and government services.
Critical infrastructure most at risk in Rolling
Hills to minor flooding impacts and landslides
from increased storms would be access roads,
bridle trails, electrical utility lines, and water
systems. Because Portuguese Bend Road and
Crest Road are critical for access to and
evacuation from the city, any damage or
closure can effectively isolate areas of the
city, potentially creating severe health and
safety risks. Bridle trails are predominantly
located in canyon areas, which would be
more susceptible to flooding and landslides.
Landslides could impact utilities, as seen in
the existing Flying Triangle Landslide area,
which has moved utility lines above ground in
certain areas due to the continuous
movement of the earth in this area. Due to
the limited accessibility of the city, there is a
medium potential for impacts to access roads
and bridle trails and a low potential impact
for the remaining vulnerable infrastructure.
Services
Energy delivery, specifically electricity
delivery, could be impacted from increased
wildfires. Direct impacts to Southern
California Edison electricity transmission
infrastructure could impact power in the city.
In addition, utility companies have begun
shutting off power to areas to avoid wildfires
during times when weather creates high
wildfire risk. Public safety services could be
strained during wildfire events, which are
expected to increase.
Overall, climate change impacts from wildfire
are projected to have the greatest potential
impact to the city.
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
24
Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Hazard Mitigation
Goal 1 Minimization of Loss of Life, Injury, and Property Damage
Resulting from Geologic Hazards
Policy 1.1 Ensure that existing structures throughout the City meet seismic safety standards
and that new facilities are developed to updated standards.
Implementation Measure 1.1.1: The City will work with Los Angeles County Building
and Safety Department and other agencies to ensuring that all proposed structures
in the city meet current seismic safety code requirements.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building and Safety Department
Funding: General Fund and permit fees
Policy 1.2 Support earthquake strengthening and provision of alternative or backup services,
such as water, sewer, electricity, and natural gas pipelines and connections,
especially in areas of high seismic or geologic high hazard or where weak segments
are identified by existing or future studies.
Implementation Measure 1.2.1: Require future development in active fault areas to
provide geotechnical studies indicating the location of the fault trace relative to
proposed improvements and identify appropriate mitigation. The City will evaluate
the seismic risk to existing infrastructure in these areas and where appropriate,
examine the feasibility of mitigating the risk over time.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building and Safety Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
Policy 1.3 Enforce seismic design provisions from the California Building Code into all
development and ensure adequate review and inspection.
Implementation Measure 1.3.1: The City will work with Los Angeles County Building
and Safety Department and other agencies to ensuring that all proposed structures
in the city meet current seismic safety code requirements.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building and Safety Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
Implementation Measure 1.3.2: Require fault investigations along traces of the
Palos Verdes and Cabrillo faults to comply with guidelines implemented by the
Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone Act. Buildings for human occupancy should be
set back a minimum of 50 feet from those faults that are shown to be active or from
fault traces where the risk cannot be determined.
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Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 25
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building and Safety Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
Policy 1.4 Require review by a structural engineer when a critical building or facility undergoes
substantial improvements.
Implementation Measure 1.4.1: City staff will review existing ordinances to ensure
that the appropriate review requirements are included in them. In addition, the
Seismic Safety Ordinance will require a structural engineer to review development
proposals in designated Special Studies Zones.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
Policy 1.5 Ensure that water supplies are not interrupted by seismic events such as surface
rupture, ground shaking or ground failure.
Implementation Measure 1.5.1: The City may conduct a seismic vulnerability
assessment of current water supply systems to address peak load water supply
requirements. If the vulnerability assessment indicates a potential interruption of
water supply due to damage from a seismic event, designate emergency sources of
water.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 1.6 Discourage development adjacent to earthquake faults and other geological
hazards.
Implementation Measure 1.6.1: All development will comply with the Seismic
Hazards Overlay Zone.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
Policy 1.7 Continue to require preliminary investigations of tract sites by State-registered
geotechnical engineers and certified engineering geologists (Chapter 70 County
Building Code) and ensure regular inspection of grading operations.
Implementation Measure 1.7.1: The City will continue to enforce the Building Code
and Safety regulations.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
26
Goal 2 Minimization of Loss of Life, Injury, and Property Damage Due to
Flood Hazards
Policy 2.1 Maintain storm drains to prevent local flooding and debris flows, and encourage
residents to assist in maintaining those drains that are the responsibility of the
homeowner.
Implementation Measure 2.1.1: The City will cooperate with the Los Angeles
County Public Works Department to maintain storm drains in the City.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 2.1.2: The City will encourage homeowner maintenance
of storm drains by developing educational materials to be added to the City website
and included in the City’s newsletter.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 2.2 Avoid construction in canyon bottoms and participate in the National Flood
Insurance Program. Require new development or expansion of existing
development adjacent to canyons to assess potential environmental impacts from
increased run-off and erosion and evaluate appropriate mitigation. Mitigation
measures should address projected impacts from climate change.
Implementation Measure 2.2.1: The City will evaluate the flood hazard potential
and address climate change impacts in future environmental review. The City will
ensure that development in areas designated as a Flood Hazard Overlay Zone
mitigates potential flood impacts.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
Implementation Measure 2.2.2: The City will require the submission of soil
engineering reports for land development permits when soil erosion problems are
suspected.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund and private developers
45
Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 27
Goal 3 Minimization of Loss of Life, Injury, and Property Damage
Resulting from Fire Hazards
Policy 3.1 Develop stringent initial site design and on-going maintenance standards
incorporating adequate mitigation measures into individual developments to
achieve an acceptable level of risk, considering the increased risk associated with
increased wildland fire hazards due to climate change.
Implementation Measure 3.1.1: The City will work with the Los Angeles County Fire
Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Rolling Hills Community
Association to review current standards for wildfire prevention and improve
standards and/or regulations where required.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 3.1.2: The City will implement recommended fire
mitigation strategies from the Community Wildfire Protection Plan including
infrastructure hardening and vegetation management for and around existing and
new development.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department/Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 3.2 Reduce potential fire ignition sources.
Implementation Measure 3.2.1: The City will continue to implement the utility
undergrounding projects described in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 3.2.2: Designate and publicize emergency access routes
with the city and sub region. Prioritize undergrounding of utilities to enhance
reliability of emergency access routes and minimize conflagration hazards from
fallen power lines.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 3.3 Develop and implement a comprehensive retrofit strategy for existing structures.
Implementation Measure 3.3.1: The City will develop and implement a
comprehensive retrofit strategy for existing structures and lifeline utilities in very
high fire risk areas to increase public safety and reduce the risk of property loss and
damage during wildfires.
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
28
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 3.3.2: Enforce existing ordinances and regulations that
apply to roofing materials. The City will enforce a Class A Roofing Ordinance for all
structure, as described in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The City will
require old roofs to be removed prior to reroofing to increase the fire-resistance of
the structure.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department/Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 3.4 Ensure that all new residential development has at least two emergency
evacuations.
Implementation Measure 3.4.1: The City will review and update emergency
response and evacuation plans and procedures annually to reflect current
conditions and community needs.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 3.4.2: Create secondary access in communities with
single access.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 3.4.3: Identify special populations and large animals,
especially horses, that may need assistance to evacuate.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 3.5 Whenever feasible, locate the following outside flood and fire hazard zones: health
care facilities, emergency shelters, fire stations, emergency command centers, and
emergency communications facilities.
Implementation Measure 3.5.1: The City will require review of new essential
facilities and, as necessary, development of measures to avoid flood and fire hazard
impacts.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund and private developers
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Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 29
Policy 3.6 Educate residents on fire hazard reduction strategies to employ on their properties,
focusing on the most vulnerable populations such as older adults and individuals
with chronic health conditions.
Implementation Measure 3.6.1: The City will promote vegetation management
strategies outlined in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (i.e., fuel
management in canyons and fire fuel management standards for individual
properties) in the City's quarterly newsletter, through the website, brochures,
videos, and block captain meetings.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 3.7 Work with the County to ensure that all fire equipment remains operable and
adequate to respond to a major disaster.
Implementation Measure 3.7.1: City staff will monitor the City's fire protection
rating and cooperate with the Fire Department in the correction of deficiencies.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 3.8 Require new development to meet or exceed hardening requirements in the most
current version of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code.
Policy 3.9 Evaluate evacuation route capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency
scenarios as part of the next update to the Rolling Hills Hazard Mitigation Plan, in
accordance with AB 747.
Policy 3.10 Update the City's development standards to be in conformance with title 14, CCR,
division 1.5, chapter 7, subchapter 2, articles 1-5 (commencing with section 1270)
(SRA Fire Safe Regulations) and title 14, CCR, division 1.5, chapter 7, subchapter 3,
article 3 (commencing with section 1299.01) (Fire Hazard Reduction Around
Buildings and Structures Regulations).
Policy 3.11 Minimize risks to existing development by identifying existing non-conforming
development to contemporary fire safe standards, in terms of road standards and
vegetative hazard, and requiring all development to meet or exceed CCR, division
1.5, chapter 7, subchapter 2, articles 1-5 requirements (SRA Fire Safe Regulations).
Policy 3.12 Require fire protection plans for all new development.
Policy 3.13 Require all properties in the city to enforce precautionary measures to create
defensible space including, but not limited to, maintaining a fire break by removing
brush and flammable vegetation located within 30 feet of the property, maintaining
any tree adjacent to or overhanging any building free of dead or dying wood, and
maintaining roofs free of leaves, needles, or other dead vegetation growth, as
described in the Rolling Hills Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
30
Policy 3.14 Evaluate the City’s capacity to adequately suppress wildfire, taking into account
water supply availability, as part of the next Rolling Hills Hazard Mitigation Plan
update.
Policy 3.15 Coordinate with Palos Verdes Water District to support the provision of adequate
water availability throughout the City and provision of adequate water storage to
meet future peak fire demand during times of peak domestic demands.
Policy 3.16 Maintain emergency roadways and improve them as necessary and appropriate to
ensure ongoing serviceability.
Policy 3.17 Establish and maintain community fire breaks and fuel modification/reduction
zones, including public and private road clearance.
Policy 3.18 Require that all homes have visible street addressing and signage.
Goal 4 Minimization of Impacts to Life and Property Associated with the
Use, Storage, or Transport of Hazardous Materials
Policy 4.1 Restrict the travel of vehicles carrying hazardous material through the city.
Implementation Measure 4.1.1: The City will ensure the Los Angeles County
Sheriff's Department enforce licensing and current laws regarding the transport of
hazardous materials through the city.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 4.2 Work to promote the safe use and disposal of household hazardous wastes.
Implementation Measure 4.2.1: The City will work with agencies responsible for the
disposal of household hazardous wastes.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
49
Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 31
Community Communication
Goal 5 Protection of the Community from Disasters and Emergencies
Policy 5.1 Designate and develop specific critical facilities as emergency centers to serve the
entire City and work with other cities to maintain existing trauma care facilities that
serve the region.
Implementation Measure 5.1.1: The City will meet with other communities in the
region to discuss the loss of trauma care centers in the region. The City will examine
the feasibility of establishing the development of a critical/trauma care unit at one
of the local clinics or hospitals in the region.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.2 Cooperate with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to ensure that law
enforcement services are ready and available to serve the city in the event of a
major disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.2.1: City staff will monitor the City's contract and
budget with the Sheriff’s Department to ensure that adequate service levels are
maintained.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.3 Develop and coordinate medical assistance procedures in the event of a major
disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.3.1: City staff will develop and update the Emergency
Operations Plan, which will be distributed to the community. The update of the
Emergency Operations Plan will include an assessment of current emergency service
and projected emergency service needs, and goals or standards for emergency
services training for City staff and volunteers.
Timing: Ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.4 Inventory and, where necessary, acquire supplemental disaster communication
equipment and other equipment, tools, and supplies used by Block Captains during
an emergency.
Implementation Measure 5.4.1: City staff will complete an inventory of
infrastructure needed to support emergency communications and equipment
needed for use by Block Captains and the City to communicate during emergencies,
as described in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
32
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.4.2: A survey will be done by the City periodically to
establish an inventory of equipment which could be used in the event of a major
disaster.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.5 Ensure that adequate provisions are made to supply drinking water for extended
periods of time in the event of a major disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.5.1: City staff will inventory sources of potable water
that could be used in the event of an emergency and the means to distribute that
water to residents and others in the Planning Area.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.6 Develop procedures to follow in the event of wildfire, flooding, erosion, and
possible reservoir failure and investigate ways of reducing the likelihood of their
occurrence.
Implementation Measure 5.6.1: The City will update the Hazard Mitigation Plan
every five years to reduce the risk from hazards by identifying resources,
information, and strategies for risk reduction, while helping to guide and coordinate
mitigation activities throughout the city.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.6.2: City staff will develop and maintain an Emergency
Operations Plan, which will set forth an operating strategy for managing potential
emergencies (as described in the Hazard Mitigation Plan)
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.7 Ensure that City Hall maintains a current emergency supply of water, food, blankets,
and first aid to provide for all employees for a 3-day period.
Implementation Measure 5.7.1: A City staff person will be assigned the task of
compiling a list of supplies and maintaining an adequate stockpile.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.8 Encourage private businesses to develop disaster preparedness plans for their
employees.
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Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 33
Implementation Measure 5.8.1: The City will prepare and distribute a brochure
outlining recommendations for stockpiling supplies for employees.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.9 Encourage residents to attend periodic training programs on wildfire mitigation and
disaster planning, and to develop disaster preparedness and evacuation plans.
Implementation Measure 5.9.1: The City will work with the RHCA and Block
Captains to launch a communication and education program that will include a
workshop on How to Develop an Evacuation Plan for your Family, as described in
the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.9.2: The City will work with the RHCA and Block
Captains to promote training programs on wildfire mitigation and disaster planning
through the newsletter and the City website.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.10 Support the development and further implementation of a peninsula-wide disaster
plan.
Implementation Measure 5.10.1: The City will coordinate its disaster planning
efforts with neighboring jurisdictions in the region as part of Hazard Mitigation Plan
updates
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.11 Increase public awareness of City emergency response plans, evacuation routes and
shelters, and in ways to reduce risks at the home and office, focusing on the most
vulnerable populations such as older adults and individuals with chronic health
conditions.
Implementation Measure 5.11.1: The City will prepare communication materials
outlining procedures to follow in the event of a major disaster. These materials will
be distributed to every household and business in the city.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.11.2: The City will maintain the City-wide
Neighborhood Watch program.
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
34
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.11.3: The City will define refuge areas in the event of a
wildfire event to include in the Emergency Operations Plan. This effort will be led by
the Fire Department and the Sherriff’s Department.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.11.4: The City will distribute educational materials for
large animal evacuation, consistent with Community Wildfire Protection Plan
recommendations. This will include adding the information to the City website and
including it in the City’s newsletter during the fire season.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.11.5: The City will work with Block Captains to provide
emergency education and information through the City’s newsletter and website
and by providing workshops and seminars described in the Community Wildfire
Protection Plan.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.12 Maintain a Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Implementation Measure 5.12.1: The City will coordinate with the American Red
Cross and Los Angeles County Fire, Sheriff, and Public Social Services to develop
specific plans for responding to emergencies as part of Hazard Mitigation Plan
updates. The City will submit copies of its Hazard Mitigation Plan to the Los Angeles
County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments for review. The City will review similar plans
prepared by neighboring cities.
Timing: Every five years
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
53
Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 35
Policy 5.13 Ensure maximum accessibility throughout the city in the event of a disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.13.1: The City will ensure that multipurpose trails are
maintained in order to be serviceable by emergency vehicles in the event of a
disaster.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.14 Ensure the reliability of essential facilities such as communications towers, electrical
substations, water services, and first-response buildings in the event of an
emergency through promoting grid resilience and energy independence. Work to
implement on-site power generation through solar photovoltaic systems and
battery storage.
Implementation Measure 5.14.1: The City will work with telecommunication
providers to identify opportunities to improve reliability of cell service throughout
the city.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.14.2: The City will work with electricity and natural gas
providers to identify opportunities to promote grid resilience.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.14.3: The City will seek funding to enhance
telecommunication service.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.14.4: The City will provide educational materials to
residents (i.e., newsletter, webpage, brochure) to promote solar panels and battery
storage installation on existing development.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.15 Minimize the risk of spread of infectious diseases and associated economic
disruption.
Implementation Measure 5.15.1: The City will coordinate with the County of Los
Angeles Public Health Department to provide testing and contact tracing resources
to the Rolling Hills community.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
36
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.15.2: The City will maintain up-to-date public health
services on the City’s website.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.15.3: The City will explore the need for additional
marketing campaigns to promote public safety protocol among City departments.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measures 5.15.4: The City will partner with local non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide additional support and services in
the city.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measures 5.15.5: The City will partner with community groups and
neighborhood organizations to advertise what resources are available to residents.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
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Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 37
Policy 5.16 Increase access to essential resources and facilitate effective communication in the
community to accelerate recovery following such a disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.16.1: The City will connect the newly unemployed with
talent-seeking industries, such as through a job portal.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 5.16.2: The City will supplement federal relief efforts,
such as creating a resilience fund for residents to assist those in need.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.17 Provide City officials with a basis for disaster preparedness decision making and
establish a public education program for disaster preparedness.
Implementation Measure 5.17.1: The Emergency Services Coordinator will conduct
annual meetings with City personnel to ensure they are familiar with procedures
outlined in the Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.18 Establish a line of command to ensure that the decision-making process will
function satisfactorily in the event of a major disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.18.1: The City will implement the Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.19 Coordinate with citizen groups, such as Block Captains, and organizations to
establish a viable body to provide emergency assistance in the event of a natural
disaster.
Implementation Measure 5.19.1: The City Emergency Services Coordinator will
work with local equestrian groups and other organizations to establish a Rolling Hills
Search and Rescue Team.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
38
Policy 5.20 Encourage cooperation among adjacent communities to provide back-up law
enforcement assistance in emergency situations.
Implementation Measure 5.20.1: The City will submit copies of its Hazard
Mitigation Plan updates to the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments
for review. The City will review similar plans prepared by neighboring cities.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 5.21 Incorporate health threats into early warning systems.
Implementation Measures 5.21.1: Partner with the Los Angeles County Vector
Control District and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to develop
and enhance disaster and emergency early warning systems to incorporate
objective data and information for potential health threats such as heat-illness,
illnesses complicated by low air quality, precipitation events, and vector borne
diseases due to climate change hazards.
Goal 6 Maintenance of Public Safety for All Residents
Policy 6.1 Work with, and support the Sheriff’s Department in crime prevention and law
enforcement efforts, to make sure there are adequate resources to meet the needs
of the community.
Implementation Measure 6.1.1: The City will conduct an annual review of its
contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to ensure current service
standards are maintained. Alternatives will be considered if service levels are
considered inadequate.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 6.2 Cooperate with neighboring cities, Los Angeles County, California State and U.S.
Federal agencies in crime prevention and law enforcement.
Implementation Measure 6.2.1: The City will continue to regularly coordinate with
all law enforcement agencies in combating crime.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
Policy 6.3 Evaluate the incidence of crime and develop measures needed to deter crime or
apprehend the criminals.
Implementation Measure 6.3.1: The City will monitor crime statistics for the
peninsula and the city. The City will meet with Los Angeles County on a regular basis
to discuss programs, ordinances, and other measures that will be effective in
combating crime.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: City Manager
Funding: General Fund
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Goals, Policies, and Implementation
Safety Element 39
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Goal 7 Protection of the Community from the Effects of Climate Change
Policy 7.1 The City will continue to enforce updated State-mandated water conservation
regulations.
Implementation Measure 7.1.1: The City will continue to update the City’s zoning
ordinance as necessary to enforce and implement State-mandated water
conservation regulations.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 7.2 Prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change by considering climate
change vulnerability in planning decisions, including those involving new public
facilities and private development.
Implementation Measure 7.2.1: The City will:
a. Re-evaluate the City’s Climate Change Vulnerability analysis over time, as new
data becomes available
b. Update mitigation strategies and the City’s vulnerability and adaptive capacity,
as appropriate
c. Identify opportunities for new goals and policies related to climate change using
the best available data.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 7.3 Amend the local building code to account for climate change stressors.
Implementation Measure 7.3.1: The City will amend the local building code to take
into account additional stressors on buildings including, increased storm events and
intensity, flood proofing for intermittent inundation, slope/soils, subsidence risk and
erosion potential in securing foundations, building materials to reduce the impacts
of high heat days, and fireproofing in preparation for increasing fire risk.
Timing: Immediate
Agency: Planning Department and LA County Building & Safety Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 7.4 The City will engage surrounding jurisdictions in climate adaptation planning.
Implementation Measure 7.4.1: Ensure the community’s engagement strategy for
climate adaptation planning includes surrounding jurisdictions to identify synergies
and harmonization of policies.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
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City of Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills General Plan
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Policy 7.5 Partner with the South Bay Cities Council of Government to implement climate
adaptation strategies at the sub-regional level.
Implementation Measure 7.5.1: Collaborate with the South Bay Cities Council of
Governments Senior Services Working Group to ensure that service providers in and
around Rolling Hills are educated on the climate risks of the area and steps they can
take to better serve and protect vulnerable groups in Rolling Hills.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Implementation Measure 7.5.2: Implement climate adaptation strategies that can
address issues at a local and sub-regional level and issues in which coordination and
pooling of resources (i.e., emergency centers, transit agency support in an
emergency, and large animal evacuation centers) is a benefit to all participating
communities.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 7.6 Update emergency/disaster response measures to account for increased heat days.
Implementation Measure 7.6.1: As part of the Hazard Mitigation Plan and
Emergency Operations Plan, update response measures to account for an increased
number of heat days and their impacts on current and future response mechanisms
such as warning systems, emergency response and medical service coordination,
and shelters.
Timing: Every five years
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 7.7 Provide education on heat related illness.
Implementation Measure 7.7.1: Incorporate links and references on the City
website and incorporate interpretive signage at multi-use path trailheads providing
education on heat related illness and personal care steps.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
Policy 7.8 Require air conditioning alternatives.
Implementation Measure 7.8.1: Require alternatives to air conditioning such as
ceiling fans, air exchangers, increased insulation and low-solar-gain exterior
materials to reduce peak electrical demands during high heat events to ensure
reliability of the electrical grid.
Timing: Immediate and ongoing
Agency: Planning Department
Funding: General Fund
59
References
Safety Element 41
References
California Department of Toxic Substances and Control (DTSC). 2020. EnviroStor.
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?myaddress=rolling+hills%2C+ca. Accessed
August 2020.
Center for Disease Control (CDC). 2017a. Heat and Older Adults.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html. Accessed September
2020.
____. 2017b. Heat and People with Chronic Medical Conditions.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/medical.html. Accessed September 2020.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 2008. Flood Insurance Rate Map 06037C1940F.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD). 2021. Altadena Station Part I Crimes.
https://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Transparency_Crime_Arrest_Patrol-
CurrentMonth-YTD_2019v2020.pdf. Accessed December 2021.
____. 2019. Hazard Mitigation Plan. January 16, 2019.
____. 2020. Community Wildfire Protection Plan. July 2020.
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). 2013. Hazards and Threats Earthquakes List of Major
Active Surface Faults in Southern California. March.
U.S. Census Bureau. 2018. Rolling Hills, City 2018 ACS 5-Year Estimates.
https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Rolling%20Hills%20city,%20California&g=1600000U
S0662602&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP05&hidePreview=false.
Western Region Climate Center (WRCC). 2016. Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary.
https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca8973. Accessed August 2020.
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Appendix A
Existing Conditions Report
62
Rolling Hills General Plan Safety Element
Existing Conditions Report
prepared by
City of Rolling Hills
Planning and Community Services
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, California 90274
prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
706 South Hill Street, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90014
October 2020
63
Table of Contents
Existing Conditions Report i
Table of Contents
Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Key Findings .................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Hazards of Concern................................................................................................................................. 6
Geologic Hazards ............................................................................................................................ 6
Flooding .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Wildland and Urban Fires .............................................................................................................12
Hazardous Materials .....................................................................................................................16
Emergency Response and Evacuation ..........................................................................................16
Climate Change Vulnerability ...............................................................................................................19
Exposure .......................................................................................................................................20
Community Sensitivity ..................................................................................................................24
Potential Impacts ..........................................................................................................................26
Adaptive Capacity .........................................................................................................................31
Vulnerability Scoring .....................................................................................................................32
Summary of Issues and Opportunities .................................................................................................36
Hazards of Concern and Community Sensitivity ..........................................................................36
Opportunities ...............................................................................................................................36
References ............................................................................................................................................38
Tables
Table 1 Rolling Hills Climate Summary ............................................................................................ 2
Table 2 Rolling Hills Demographic Characteristics ........................................................................... 3
Table 3 Faults Located within 50 Miles of Rolling Hills .................................................................... 8
Table 4 Changes in Annual Average Precipitation .........................................................................23
Table 5 Rolling Hills Existing Adaptive Capacity.............................................................................31
Table 6 Vulnerability Score Matrix ................................................................................................33
Table 7 Vulnerability Assessment Results .....................................................................................34
Figures
Figure 1 Critical Facilities Map .......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2 Landslide Hazard Zones ...................................................................................................... 7
Figure 3 Faults in the Vicinity of Rolling Hills ..................................................................................10
Figure 4 Rolling Hills Liquefaction Hazard Areas .............................................................................11
Figure 5 Dam Inundation Areas ......................................................................................................14
Figure 6 Fire Hazard Zones ..............................................................................................................15
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Figure 7 Existing Evacuation Routes ...............................................................................................18
Figure 8 Historical and Projected Annual Average Maximum Temperature in Rolling Hills ..........21
Figure 9 Number of Extreme Heat Days by Year in Rolling Hills .....................................................22
Figure 10 Changes in Intensity of Extreme Precipitation Events in Rolling Hills...............................24
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Summary
Existing Conditions Report 1
Summary
Key Findings
The city is most at risks to impacts from wildfire, extreme heat, and landslide events, which are
all anticipated to increase as a result of climate change impacts. Vulnerable populations such as
older adults and residents with chronic health conditions are most at risk to extreme heat and
wildfire impacts. Access roads and residential structures are also the most vulnerable to wildfire
and landslide impacts from climate change.
The city has a moderate risk for shaking potential from earthquakes.
Flood risks in the city are minimal and limited to natural drainage areas in the canyons.
Vegetation clearing along roadways is a concern and major goal for improving fire response and
evacuation in the city.
Evacuation strategies and education are important to reduce risk from hazards due to the lack
of evacuation routes in the city and the remote development on private roads. The need to
further analyze evacuation routes and access is one of the most recent changes in Safety
Element requirements. A key opportunity for the Safety Element update is to address specific
evacuation needs.
The City has recently adopted a number of planning documents such as the Hazard Mitigation
Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which seek to reduce the risk of hazards in the
city. An opportunity for the Safety Element update would be to utilize existing
recommendations from the Community Wildfire Protection Plan as implementation tools for the
Safety Element.
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Introduction
Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code requires that the General Plan include a Safety
Element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks associated with the
effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and
dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides; subsidence and other geologic
hazards; flooding, wildland and urban fire, and climate change adaptation and resilience. In
addition, Safety Elements are required to address non-hazard specific issues such as peak load water
supply, evacuation routes, and military installations.
This Existing Conditions Report is a comprehensive assessment of natural and man-made hazards
for the City of Rolling Hills. The report serves as the foundation for the Safety Element and includes
detailed Geographic Information System (GIS) hazard mapping and analyses. The following City
plans were also utilized for this report along with existing local data from governmental agencies
and scientific research: Hazard Mitigation Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and the
existing Safety Element.
Setting
Rolling Hills covers an area of approximately three square-miles on the Palos Verdes peninsula,
approximately 18 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The topography of the city and peninsula
area is unique in that it rises above the Los Angeles Basin with rolling hills, steep slopes, and
canyons. The city itself is located in the San Pedro Hills. Due to its location near the coast, the area is
cooler and has fewer air quality concerns compared to the nearby Los Angeles Basin. Table 1
summarizes the climatology of the area.
Table 1 Rolling Hills Climate Summary
Climate Character Estimate
Annual Average Observed Maximum Temperature from 1961 - 1990 (Fahrenheit) 71
Annual Average Observed Minimum Temperature from 1961 – 1990 (Fahrenheit) 50
Annual Average Observed Precipitation from 1961 – 1990 (inches) 19
Source: Cal-Adapt 2021
Rolling Hills is a residential community that consists of large parcels and ranch-style homes and has
a sizable older adult 1 population of about 513 (28% of the city’s total population). The city is also an
equestrian community, as many of residents are horse owners or have horses on their property.
Important community demographic data for Rolling Hills is included in Table 2.
1 An older adult is any adult over the age of 65 years old.
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Table 2 Rolling Hills Demographic Characteristics
Demographic Characteristics Estimate
General
Total Population 1,8601
Population under 10 years 7 percent
Population over 65 years 28 percent1
Race 77 percent White, 18 percent Asian, 5 percent
Hispanic/Latino
Disability (hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory) 12 percent
Housing
Total Households 6451
Average Household Size 2.76
Owner-occupied Households 96 percent
Population over 65 years living alone 15 percent of those over 65 years
Employment
Unemployment Rate 6 percent
Poverty Rate 2 percent
Median Income $ 239,000
Insurance Coverage 97 percent
Source: U.S. Census 2018
1Information obtained from the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is includes more recent data than the U.S Census
Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Critical facilities are places that provide emergency services or serve people who would be impacted
by an emergency. Examples include hospitals, fire stations, police stations, emergency services
facilities, utility facilities, and communication facilities. Critical facilities can also include the
transportation system and schools. Due to the size and composition of Rolling Hills, most of the
critical facilities that serve the city are located outside of City limits. Critical facilities that serve the
city are shown in Figure 1 and include:
Rolling Hills City Hall: 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, CA
Rolling Hills Community Association: 1 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, CA
Rancho Del Mar High School: 38 Crest Road West, Rolling Hills, CA
Storm Hill Park: Agua Magna Canyon, Rolling Hills
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lomita Station: 26123 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA
Los Angeles County Fire Station No. 56: 12 Crest Road West, Rolling Hills, CA
Los Angeles County Communications Tower: 5741 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Southern California Edison Electrical Substation: Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Southern California Edison Electrical Substation: Tarragon Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
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Southern California Edison Electrical Substation: 27873 Hawthorn Boulevard, Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: Palos Verdes Drive North/Palos Verdes Drive East (SW
corner), Rolling Hills Estates, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: 3960 East Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: Via Canada, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: 1 Spur Lane, Rolling Hills, CA
California Water Service Reservoir: 60 Eastfield Drive, Rolling Hills, CA
Portuguese Bend Road
Crest Road
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Existing Conditions Report 5
Figure 1 Critical Facilities Map
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Hazards of Concern
Geologic Hazards
Geologic processes that pose a threat to life, health, property, or infrastructure are considered
geologic hazards. Natural geologic hazards that have the potential to affect Rolling Hills include
seismic hazards, landslides, liquefaction, expansive soils, and weathering. In most cases, these
natural processes cannot be prevented; however, the magnitude of destruction resulting from
natural geologic hazards can be reduced through planning policies and measures.
Landslide Hazards
Landslide activity refers to a wide range of gravity driven downslope earth movement, including
rockslides, rotational slips, mudslides, and shallow debris flows. Geological and geomorphological
conditions such as soil type, soil strength, slope angle, and slope height predispose slopes to failure.
Other factors affecting the susceptibility to slope failure include the amount of precipitation,
vegetation on the slope, groundwater seepage, and human modifications to the slope. Landslides
often result in damage to property and roadways and can cause them to become unsafe due to
displacement of the subsurface.
A majority of the existing development in Rolling Hills is located on hilly terrain and have a greater
potential to experience landslide hazards. Many of the canyons in Rolling Hills exhibit steep slopes
with little vegetation coverage, leaving them susceptible to slope failure. Figure 2 shows the
landslide zones within the City of Rolling Hills, as mapped by the California Geological Survey.
Landslide activity has been well documented in the region. Relicts of landslides and rockslides are
present throughout the City of Rolling Hills. The following major landslides have occurred within and
adjacent to the city. All are within the landslide hazards areas identified in Figure 2:
Portuguese Bend Landslide: Beginning in 2 1956 over approximately 270 acres in Rancho Palos
Verdes
Abalone Cove Landslide: Beginning in 1974 over 80 acres in Rancho Palos Verdes
Klondike Canyon Landslide: Beginning in 1979 over to the south near the coastline
Flying Triangle Landslide: Beginning in 1970s or 1980s over approximately 70 acres in the south
area of the city
The Flying Triangle Landslide continues to impact the southeast portion of the city through impacts
to private roads and requiring above-ground utility lines. This area is relatively unsuitable for
development due to the ongoing changes in topography.
Seismic Hazards
Rolling Hills is located in a seismically active region of southern California. The last major earthquake
in the Los Angeles area was the 5.1 magnitude La Habra earthquake in 2014. Rolling Hills is located
within 50 miles of the Whittier fault, Newport-Inglewood fault, Palos Verdes fault, Malibu Coast
2 “Beginning in” is defined as the first noted event of major rock movement
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Figure 2 Landslide Hazard Zones
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fault, Cabrillo fault, Santa Monica fault, and Redondo Canyon fault. Analysis of seismic data from the
region indicates that the Whittier and Newport-Inglewood faults may generate a maximum credible
earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.4, respectively (Southern California Earthquake Center 2013).
Figure 3 shows the faults in the vicinity of Rolling Hills.
Typically, seismic shaking and fault rupture are primary hazards as they occur as a direct result of
the interaction between the seismic wave energy and the earth’s surface. Secondary hazards, such
as liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides, occur as a result of the primary earthquake
hazards. Often, earthquake activity can result in other effects such as building damage/collapse,
infrastructure failure, pipeline breakage, and damage to transportation and communication
facilities. The size of the earthquake and distance from the fault rupture zone typically determine
the severity of these events.
Seismic Shaking
Seismic shaking, or ground shaking, refers to the movement of the earth’s surface resulting from the
energy release by an earthquake. Seismic shaking is typically the primary cause of property damage
resulting from earthquake activity. Seismic shaking has the ability to destroy buildings, roadways,
powerlines, and pipelines. Energy transmitted through the ground has the potential to travel
hundreds of miles and may cause damage in many locations simultaneously. Closer proximity to the
fault rupture area results in stronger shaking in that location.
The amount of ground shaking that occurs in a location is dependent on the magnitude of the
earthquake, the distance from the epicenter, and local soil conditions. The intensity of ground
shaking is related to the peak ground velocity during an earthquake. According to the CGS Map
Sheet 48, the earthquake shaking potential for Rolling Hills is moderate. The intensity of seismic
shaking is measured using the Modified Mercalli scale.
According to the California Geologic Survey, an active fault is one that has experienced surface
movement in the past 11,000 years. The city is located near a number of active faults, including the
Cabrillo Fault within city limits. Table 3 includes a list of nearby faults, their respective distance from
the city, the maximum credible earthquake generated from each fault, and the likelihood of
earthquake occurrence in each case.
Table 3 Faults Located within 50 Miles of Rolling Hills
Fault Name Approximate Distance from Rolling Hills
Whittier 25 miles east
Newport-Inglewood 9 miles east
Palos Verdes <1 mile north
Malibu Coast 20 miles northwest
Cabrillo Located within the City boundaries in the southwest
Santa Monica 20 miles north-northwest
The San Andreas fault is located approximately 80 miles to the east of Rolling Hills. Although the San
Andreas fault is located at a greater distance from the city, seismic shaking originating from
earthquakes occurring along the San Andreas fault poses a threat to the city. Figure 3 identifies the
active and inactive faults located within the city and vicinity.
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Fault Rupture
Fault Rupture occurs when seismic movement on a fault breaks through the earth’s surface. Hazards
related to fault rupture arise when structures are built near or on top of an active fault. While there
are a number of seismically active faults in the city and region, there are no active faults with the
potential for ground rupture, defined by the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act and
delineated by CGS. Figure 3 shows the designated Alquist-Priolo study zones, the closest of which is
the Newport-Inglewood Fault approximately nine miles northeast of the city.
Liquefaction and Settlement
Liquefaction is a ground failure phenomenon that occurs as a result of a seismic event. Liquefaction
increases water content in surface soils until the soil reaches a semi-liquid state, contributing to a
reduction in support, and ultimately resulting in shifting or subsidence of buildings and utilities.
Ground failure typically occurs when the following conditions exist:
Loose, unconsolidated granular soils
Shallow groundwater
Strong seismic ground shaking
While the Rolling Hills has moderate to high seismic shaking potential, the subsurface soils generally
lack saturated alluvial deposits and thick, granular soils. Figure 4 shows the liquefaction hazard
areas, which are located in the low-lying areas to the east and north, generally surrounding the Los
Angeles Harbor and Harbor Lake. Liquefaction potential for Rolling Hills is low, as shown in Figure 4.
Earthquake Induced Landslides
Ground failure or destabilization of slopes resulting from an earthquake can also occur following
seismic activity in the form of Earthquake-Induced Landslides. Earthquake-induced landslides
typically occur in areas with steep slopes or unstable soil conditions. As discussed above under
Landslide Hazards, the risk of landslide activity in Rolling Hills is high. Much of the city overlies areas
that have been identified as landslide zones by the California Geological Survey. Risk of landslide
activity increases following rainfall events that result in saturated soils. Both shallow and deep
seeded landslides have historically occurred in the city.
Flooding
Rolling Hills participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood
Insurance Program. According to the FEMA flood maps, the city is not located in a flood hazard area
and currently has a less than 0.2 percent annual chance to be inundated by flood waters as a result
of a storm event (FEMA 2008). Overall, the city is not in any immediate risk from flooding caused by
overflowing water bodies or heavy rains. However, runoff and minor flooding pose a risk if drainage
systems fail along canyon bottoms, where natural drainage leads to.
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Figure 3 Faults in the Vicinity of Rolling Hills
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Figure 4 Rolling Hills Liquefaction Hazard Areas
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Dam Inundation
No water storage facilities that the State of California identifies as dams are located in Rolling Hills.
Just outside city limits are three water storage facilities identified as dams, which include:
Palos Verdes Reservoir: Owned by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and
located at the southeast corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive North.
According to the California Department of Water Resources, the reservoir can hold
approximately 1,100 gallons of water and has an extremely high downstream hazard.
10 MG Walteria and 18 MG Walteria: Two reinforced concrete tanks which are owned by the
City of Torrance and located at Crenshaw Boulevard and Crest Road. The tanks can hold 31 and
58 acre-feet (AF) of water respectively.
Senate Bill 92, adopted in 2017, is a new dam safety requirement that requires dam owners to map
the downstream inundation areas for dams governed by the Department of Water Resources.
Figure 5 shows the inundation areas for the nearby water storage facilities. Due to their locations
and the topography of the area, the inundation areas do not enter or affect any portion of the city.
Wildland and Urban Fires
The entire City of Rolling Hills is designated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), as shown in Figure 6. Rolling Hills
terrain is comprised of several large and steep canyons that limit and challenge vegetation
management and present conditions where a fire can quickly travels up and downslope to nearby
homes. Due to the rural nature and large residential lots, many homes are surrounded by
substantial vegetation and dense brush than in more suburban settings. The bridle trails for hikers
and equestrian access also contain dense vegetation and management difficulties, which
contributes to the fire risk of the city. Electrical power lines pose a hazard to starting fires in the city
if lines are not automatically de-energized when knocked down by extreme weather or if the
surrounding vegetation is not adequately managed.
There is a history of fires in the city and the surrounding Palos Verdes Peninsula. Three major fires
have been documented on the Peninsula and in the city in:
1973: almost 1,000 acres burned, and 13 homes destroyed
2005: 212 acres burned near Del Cero Park
2009: 230 acres burned and forced 1,200 residents on the Peninsula to evacuate
For many of the developed residences in the city that are vulnerable to fires, their risk may increase
with the presence of construction techniques that may not meet current wildfire standards. Rolling
Hills Building Code and Los Angeles County Fire Department, under the VHFHSZ standards, require
new development to include more stringent design and material standards for roofing, eaves, and
rafter tails as well as exterior finishes and fire buffer zones. While compliance with these standards
reduces the vulnerability to new structures, existing structures that have not complied with these
standards may be susceptible to undue fire risk.
Existing Fire Risk Reduction Strategies
Rolling Hills Municipal Code (RHMC) Chapter 8.30: Fire Fuel Abatement
VHRHSZ building requirements
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Existing Conditions Report 13
Los Angeles County Fire Department property line and structure vegetation buffer requirements
Rolling Hills Community Wildfire Protection Plan vegetation management standard
recommendations
Rolling Hills Community Association
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Figure 5 Dam Inundation Areas
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Hazards of Concern
Existing Conditions Report 15
Figure 6 Fire Hazard Zones
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Hazardous Materials
According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), there are no hazardous waste
sites or facilities in Rolling Hills (DTSC 2020). The city and surrounding area do not contain heavy
industrial uses that would create a hazardous material risk in the event of a spill, release, or natural
disaster.
The city is not located near any major transit routes involving transport of a substantial quantity of
hazardous material through the city. However, the nearby oil refineries (located along Sepulveda
Boulevard approximately six miles northeast) and Port operations (located approximately three
miles to the east) could create air quality impacts if wind patterns and release events occur. Air
quality impacts are discussed in the Open Space and Conservation Element of the Rolling Hills
General Plan.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
Police Response and Crime
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is contracted with the city to provide police services
and protection to the city. The Lomita Station of the Sheriff’s Department located at 26123
Narbonne Avenue, approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the Portuguese Bend Road entrance, serves
the city.
According to the Lomita Station crimes report from January 1, 2020, through June 30, 2020, Rolling
Hills had three reported crimes (LACSD 2020). The crimes were related to theft, assault, and
burglary. Outside the city limits and in the Lomita District, 433 crimes were reported during this
same period, 71 of which were violent crimes (LACSD 2020). The difference in crimes in the city and
the surrounding area is attributed to the private nature of the City. There are three entrances to the
city, all of which are gated and staffed 24 hours a day. Visitors are required to be on a resident’s
guest list in order to enter city limits. This reduces crime within the city and demand on Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Department.
Fire Response
The Los Angeles County Fire Department provides emergency operations support to the City. Fire
Station 56, located at 12 Crest Road West, serves the city under Battalion 14, which also serves the
remaining Palos Verdes Peninsula, Lomita, and Catalina Island. Fire response constraints in the city
include ability to access certain homes or areas due to inadequate road widths for fire maneuvering.
One of the major topics of concern related to fire response in the city relates to vegetation clearing
along roadways. Ten-foot clearance on each side of the roadway, especially the limited access
roads, is important for fire response and evacuation during a fire, according to Scott Hale, Assistant
Fire Chief.
Evacuation Strategies and Routes
Because a variety of hazards could affect city residents, it is vital to identify critical routes for
evacuation in the event of a major event. Figure 7 identifies the existing evacuation routes in the
city, which are limited to:
Main Gate at Rolling Hills Road and Palos Verdes Drive North
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Crest Gate at Crest Road near Crenshaw Blvd
Eastfield Gate at Eastfield Drive and Palos Verdes Drive East
Crest Road East Gate at the end of Crest Road East
Crest Road East Gate at the end of Crest Road East gate has recently been updated with a motor and
has no guards. This gate is available as an emergency exit to the city during emergencies. The
recently adopted Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the city establishes evacuation strategies
and methodologies for the city, which include:
Using the City’s Block Captains as important coordinators and managers of residents in the 24
City zones 3
Communication goals between the City, emergency responders, Rolling Hills Community
Association, and residents
Details for residents regarding how people get notified during an actual evacuation and the
responsibilities and operations of the Emergency Operations Center
Traffic control responsibilities and levels
Identification of special need residents who may need specific attention and/or assistance
3 The city is divided into 24 zones and each zone has 2-3 block captains to represent the residents within the zone.
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Figure 7 Existing Evacuation Routes
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Existing Conditions Report 19
Climate Change Vulnerability
In accordance with Senate Bill 379, this section provides a climate change vulnerability assessment
for Rolling Hills, which evaluates the potential impacts of climate change on community assets and
populations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report
defines vulnerability as “the propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected.” It adds that
vulnerability “encompasses a variety of concepts and elements including sensitivity or susceptibility
to harm and lack of capacity to cope and adapt” (IPCC, 2013). Understanding the vulnerabilities that
the city may face due to climate change provides a foundation to define future adaptation strategies
for the Safety Element update and other planning efforts in Rolling Hills and the region.
Consistent with the California Adaptation Planning Guide (Cal OES 2020) the assessment is
comprised of the following five elements:
Exposure – the nature and degree to which the community experiences a stress or hazard;
Sensitivity – the aspects of the community (i.e., people, structures, and functions) most affected
by the identified exposures;
Potential Impacts – the nature and degree to which the community is affected by a given
stressor, change, or disturbance;
Adaptive Capacity – the ability to cope with extreme events, to make changes, or to transform
to a greater extent, including the ability to moderate potential damages and to take advantage
of opportunities; and
Vulnerability Scoring – systematic scoring based on potential impacts and adaptive capacity, to
inform major climate vulnerabilities to address adaptation framework strategies.
In addition to City data, Cal-Adapt was used to complete the assessment. Cal-Adapt is an interactive,
online platform developed by the University of California and Berkeley to synthesize climate change
projections and climate impact research for California’s scientists and planners. This assessment
uses Cal-Adapt to study potential future changes in average and extreme temperatures,
precipitation, wildfire, and storms. Cal-Adapt is consistent with State guidance to use the “best
available science” for evaluating climate change vulnerability.
This assessment uses two greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions scenarios included in Cal-Adapts
analysis: Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5. RCP 4.5 describes a scenario
in which GHG emissions peak around 2050, decline over the next 30 years and then stabilize by
2100 while RCP 8.5 is the scenario in which GHG emissions continue to rise through the middle of
the century before leveling off around 2100. The climate projections used in this report are from
four models selected by California’s Climate Action Team Research Working Group and the
California Department of Water Resources. These models include:
A warm/dry simulation (HadGEM2-ES)
A cooler/wetter simulation (CNRM-CM5)
An average simulation (CanESM2)
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The model that presents a simulation most unlike these three and incorporates 10 other
models, for full representation of possible forecasts (MIROC5)4
The average of the model projections is used in this analysis.
Exposure
Climate change is a global phenomenon that has the potential to adversely affect local health,
natural resources, infrastructure, emergency response, and many other facets of society. Projected
changes to climate are dependent on location. According to Cal-Adapt, climate change could lead to
increasing temperatures, temperature extremes, and changes in precipitation patterns in Rolling
Hills. These conditions could lead to exposure associated with extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and
extreme storms in the region. The climate hazards of concern for Rolling Hills addressed in this
analysis are:
Extreme Heat
Storms and Extreme Weather
Drought
Wildfire
Extreme Heat
Figure 8 below shows observed and projected annual average maximum temperature in Rolling
Hills. As shown in Figure 8, average temperatures in the city and region have increased, which is a
trend at both the local scale and the global scale. Compared to 1990, annual average maximum
temperatures in Rolling Hills are expected to rise between 1.8°F and 6.6°F by the end of the century,
depending on the GHG emissions scenario (CEC 2020).
4 There were 10 California GCM models that were ranked from 1-10 by California’s Climate Action Team Research Working Group and the
California Department of Water Resources for different temperature and precipitation factors. The models ranged from the “warm/dry”
model which had all metrics closest to 1 to the “cool/wet” model which had all metrics closest to 10. The MIROC5 displays a pattern of
ranking that is most unlike the other 3 models and therefore, is included to represent the full spread of all 10 model simulations.
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Figure 8 Historical and Projected Annual Average Maximum Temperature in Rolling
Hills 5
Extreme heat is a period when temperatures are abnormally high relative to the normal
temperature range. There are generally three types of extreme heat events:
Extreme Heat Days: a day during which the maximum temperature surpasses 98 percent of all
historic high temperatures for the area, using the time between April and October from 1950 to
2005 as the baseline
Warm Nights: a day between April to October when the minimum temperature exceeds 98
percent of all historic minimum daytime temperatures observed between 1950 to 2005
Extreme Heat Waves: a successive series of extreme heat days and warm nights where extreme
temperatures do not abate. While no universally accepted minimum length of time for a
heatwave event exists, Cal-Adapt considers four, successive extreme heat days and warm nights
to be the minimum threshold for an extreme heatwave
Extreme heat events will feel different from region to region since different areas have different
historic high temperatures. For example, an extreme heat day on the coast will feel different than
an extreme heat day in the desert. According to Cal-Adapt, an extreme heat day in Rolling Hills
involves a temperature that exceeds 91.7 ̊F (CEC 2020).
Historically (between 1950 and 2005), Rolling Hills experienced an average four extreme heat days
per year, typically occurring between April and October. As a result of rising average temperatures
and climate change as discussed above, the city is projected to experience between 8 and 14
extreme heat days annually from 2030 to 2099 under medium and high emissions projections (CEC
5 Chart shows annual average maximum temperature for Rolling Hills (Grid Cell 33.78125, -118.34375) under RCP 8.5 (emissions continue
to rise strongly through 2050 and plateau around 2100)
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2020). As shown in Figure 9, the number of extreme heat days each year is variable, but overall they
are increasing from historic averages and would continue to increase through the century.
Figure 9 Number of Extreme Heat Days by Year in Rolling Hills 6
Extreme heat waves are defined as four or more consecutive extreme heat days. These events have
been historically infrequent in Rolling Hills, with the historical average being 0.3 heat waves
annually. The city is expected to experience a minor increase in heat wave frequency as the climate
changes. Between 2030 and 2099, the city is projected to experience between 0.4 and 1.1 heat
waves per year (CEC 2020).
Drought
Droughts are somewhat frequent in California, and currently approximately 42 percent of
California’s population are in a drought, or in an abnormally dry area (NIDIS 2020). Changes in
weather patterns resulting in increases in global average temperatures are already causing
decreases in snowpack, which provides as much as a third of California’s water supply (DWR 2019).
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Los Angeles County and Rolling Hills are not currently
experiencing drought conditions based on this mapping (National Drought Mitigation Center 2020).
Southern California is not currently considered to be in a drought condition, while other parts of the
State (northern California and the Sierra Nevada mountain range) are experiencing moderate
drought conditions due to lower than average precipitation.
The projected changes in annual precipitation for Rolling Hills are shown in Table 4. Under both the
medium and high GHG emissions scenarios, Rolling Hills is not expected to experience substantial
changes in average precipitation. However, the city would experience increased variability in
precipitation. The city’s minimum annual precipitation would decrease while the maximum annual
precipitation would increase under both emissions scenarios.
6 Chart shows the number of days in a year when daily maximum temperature is above the extreme hear threshold of 91.7 ̊F for Rolling
Hills (Grid Cell 33.78125, -118.34375) under RCP 8.5
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Table 4 Changes in Annual Average Precipitation
Scenario
Annual Precipitation
Minimum (inches) Average (inches) Maximum (inches)
Historical Average (1950-2005) 6.7 19.2 37.0
Medium Emissions Scenario (2030-2099) 6.0 21.3 48.2
High Emissions Scenario (2030-2099) 4.8 22.2 57.0
Source: CEC 2020
While overall precipitation levels are expected to change substantially in the city, a drought may
occur when conditions in areas where water sources are located experience drought conditions,
even though the local region does not. Rolling Hills obtains its water from the Palos Verdes District
of the California Water Service. Water supply from the District to this area is purchased from the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which imports its water from the
Colorado River and State Water Project from northern California.
Recent research suggests that extended drought occurrence could become more pervasive in future
decades (CEC 2020). An extended drought scenario is predicted for all of California from 2051 to
2070 under a climate model using business as usual conditions. The extended drought scenario is
based on the average annual precipitation over 20 years. This average value equates to 78 percent
of the historic median annual precipitation averaged for the North Coast and Sierra California
Climate Tracker regions. Overall precipitation levels in the city are not expected to be significantly
impacted. However, variability in precipitation and drought conditions in other areas of the state
could impact water supply.
Wildfire
Wildfire hazards to the city are widespread and discussed above under Hazards of Concern.
Wildfires in the city are influenced by a range of factors including droughts, severe winds, wildfire
fuel (i.e. dry vegetation), and previous wildfire suppression activity. Climate change is expected to
exacerbate wildfire risk by creating hotter and drier landscapes, as discussed above under Extreme
Heat, which are more susceptible to burning.
Cal-Adapt provides projections for annual mean hectares burned. This projection only accounts for
areas that could experience wildfire events. Los Angeles County wildfire occurrence is anticipated to
increase under all emissions and population scenarios from historic averages (CEC 2020). In 2020
alone, California has experienced six of the 20 largest fires in modern history and as of the date of
this report, over three million acres of land have burned. These fires arose during extreme fire
weather conditions and record-breaking heat waves across California. The observed frequency of
autumn days with extreme fire weather, which are associated with extreme autumn wildfires, has
more than doubled in California since the early 1980s (Goss et al. 2020). Due to the increases in
factors that contribute to wildfires (variability in precipitation, hotter and dryer landscapes) and
because the city is in a VHFZSZ, it is expected to see an increase in wildfire hazards due to climate
change.
Storms and Extreme Weather
A warming climate is likely to influence the frequency and intensity of storms. Both increased
temperatures and altered precipitation patterns can lead to altered seasons and intense rainstorms
in Rolling Hills. As depicted in Figure 10, there is a high degree of variability in these extreme
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precipitation event projections, with some models projecting little to no change while others project
increased intensity (CEC 2020) These projections further vary depending on the return period7
selected. Increasing intensity of rainstorms could result in more flooding, which could adversely
affect human safety in Rolling Hills. During years of intense levels of precipitation and storms, the
city could also see an increase in the number of landslides or make landslides greater than usual.
Due to the number of landslide hazard zones in the city, as shown in 2, Rolling Hills may see an
increase in landslides due to changes in precipitation from climate change.
Figure 10 Changes in Intensity of Extreme Precipitation Events in Rolling Hills8
Community Sensitivity
As climate change occurs, communities will be affected to varying degrees depending on the
exposure levels as well as how sensitive the communities are to impacts. Virtually all people and
assets in a community will be affected by climate change in some way. However, it is not usually
feasible to assess the vulnerability of every population group or every asset in the community. The
sensitivity of a community depends on the aspects of the community (i.e., specific populations and
assets) most affected by the identified exposures, and how prevalent they are in the community.
As described in the Exposure section above, the most likely primary impacts of climate change that
Rolling Hills may experience include extreme heat, increases in wildfire risk and prevalence, and
drought conditions affecting water supply. This section of the Vulnerability Analysis identifies the
7 Average time between extreme events (e.g., “1 in 100-year event”)
8 Chart shows estimated intensity (Return Level) of Extreme Precipitation events which are exceeded on average once every 20 years
(Return Period) for Rolling Hills (Grid Cell 33.78125, -118.34375) under RCP 8.5 emissions scenario. Extreme precipitation events are
described as days during a water year (Oct-Sept) with 2-day rainfall totals above an extreme threshold of 1.02 inches.
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sensitive areas of the Rolling Hills community from the demographic and community facility
information in the Introduction section above and is based on the following categories:
Populations
Infrastructure
Buildings and Facilities
Services
Populations
The vulnerability assessment considers the following population groups that may be
disproportionally harmed by the impacts of climate change in Rolling Hills.
Children: Approximately 6.6 percent of the total population in Rolling Hills are ten years old or
younger.
Persons in poverty: This is identified for people living in households with an income below the
poverty limit, which is $26,200 for a household of four people. There are approximately 26 people in
Rolling Hills who live in poverty, or approximately 1.6 percent of the total population for whom
poverty status can be determined.
Persons with chronic health conditions: These are people who have a long-term or permanent
health condition that can create regular challenges in their day-to-day lives. These health problems
include obesity, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. In addition, those with any kind of disability,
including mobility challenges, hearing, or vision impairments, behavioral disabilities, and challenges
living independently or taking care of themselves. Approximately 11.5 percent of the population
have identified having a disability.
Renters: These are people who live in homes that they (or the head of their household) do not own.
Approximately 24 housing units, or 4 percent of the housing units in Rolling Hills, are renter-
occupied.
Older adults: These are persons 65 years or older are more at risk for climate change impacts,
especially those living alone. 28 percent of the population of Rolling Hills are over 65 years, and 15
percent of those over 65 years live alone.
Limited English proficiency: Approximately three percent of households have identified being
limited English-speaking. Of those, a majority spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages and Spanish.
Infrastructure
The vulnerability assessment considers the following infrastructure in the city that was identified as
bring sensitive to climate change impacts.
Access Roads: These roadways are one of a few, or the only, ways in and out of some communities
or neighborhoods. The single or limited number of entry and exit points does not make the road
itself more vulnerable than other roads, but loss of these roadways can effectively cut off large
numbers of people from other areas in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the rest of Los Angeles
County. Portuguese Bend Road and Crest Road are the primary access roads into and out of the city.
Bridle Trails: Throughout the community are over 25 miles of trails available to city residents and
non-city residents who obtain permits. The trails are maintained by the Rolling Hills Community
Association and located primarily in canyon areas.
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Electrical Substations: Electrical substations are facilities that convert electricity from one voltage to
another, making it suitable for long-distance transmission or for use by homes, businesses, and
other electrical customers. There are no electrical substations located within city limits, but three
are located near the city in Rancho Palos Verdes and owned/operated by Southern California
Edison.
Electrical Utility Lines: These lines transmit and deliver electricity from Southern California Edison to
the city. The city has both underground and overhead electric utility lines.
Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines: Natural gas pipelines carry large volumes of natural gas
between communities. There are no transmissions lines in the city. One transmission line ends at
the intersection of Rolling Hills Road and Palos Verdes Drive, adjacent to city limits.
Water Reservoirs and System: The system that stores and supplies drinking water for residents.
Palos Verdes Water District of the California Water Service supplies water to Rolling Hills. There are
two California Water Service water reservoirs within the city limits.
Building and Facilities
Residential Structures: Residential structures in Rolling Hills consist of single-family dwellings and
are the main type of building in the city.
Community Facilities and Government Buildings: Community and government facilities are public
properties and are important to the residents as well as the operation of the city. Rolling Hills is a
private community. Therefore, community and government facilities are available only to its
residents, which are the Rolling Hills Community Association and City Hall.
Community Parks: Storm Hill is an open space area owned by the City which is utilized for
equestrian purposes. The City also has two equestrian rings and tennis courts.
Schools: Rancho Del Mar High School is the only school in the city
Public Safety Facilities: Public safety facilities include sheriff and fire buildings. Los Angeles County
Fire Station 56 is located within the city. The Lomita Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff serves
the city but is not located within the city limits.
Services
Public Safety Response: Public safety services are provided by law enforcement and fire agencies.
These agencies include the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments.
Water Services: These services involve treating and transporting water to be used by customers and
transporting and treating wastewater so it can be safely released into the environment. California
Water Service provides drinking water to the city.
Energy delivery: Energy services in Rolling Hills include electricity and natural gas delivered through
utility lines from Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company.
Potential Impacts
Impact vulnerability is the nature and degree to which the community is affected by a given
stressor, change, or disturbance. As climate change continues to progress, increased stress to
vulnerable community populations, infrastructure, building and facilities, and services are expected.
As described in the Exposure section above, the most likely primary impacts of climate change
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Rolling Hills may experience include extreme heat, wildfire, and drought conditions impacting water
supply. The vulnerability of Rolling Hills to the primary exposures of climate change is discussed
below. The vulnerability scores discussed in the Vulnerability Scoring section are based on the
potential impact analysis below. Each of the vulnerable areas in the city were given a low, medium,
or high vulnerability to the potential impacts, based off the descriptions in the Vulnerability Scoring
section.
Temperature and Extreme Heat
As describe in the Exposure section above, Rolling Hills may experience a variety of impacts from
climate change, which include an increase of average annual maximum temperature between 1.8°F
and 6.6°F by the end of the century (CEC 2020) This increase in temperature may result in changes
in seasonal patterns, an increase in heat waves, drought, and potentially increased storm frequency
and intensity. Rolling Hills is expected to experience between 8 and 14 extreme heat days annually.
Overall quality of life in the city would be impacted during extreme heat events as outdoor activities
would be limited and overall comfort reduced.
The potential direct and indirect impacts to community populations, infrastructure, building and
facilities, and services are described below.
Populations
The vulnerable populations discussed above that are most at risk to extreme heat impacts from
climate change are older adults, individuals with chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease,
diabetes, and mental illnesses, children, and those who are economically disadvantaged.
The primary vulnerable population to temperature increases and extreme heat in Rolling Hills is
older adults, as 28 percent of the city’s population is over 65 years. Older adults do not adjust as
well as young people to sudden changes in temperature and are more likely to have medical
conditions that can worsen with extreme heat (CDC 2017a). Older adults who are living along are
even more at risk as the actions necessary to mitigation extreme heat are more difficult alone.
Getting water, changing clothes, showering, or turning on the air conditioner may be more difficult
for older adults with physical disabilities and do not have a living partner to assist them. Children are
also at risk to extreme heat impacts, especially those under the age of four, due to their less-
developed physiology, immune system, and dependence on others (CDC 2019).
Extreme heat can be highly dangerous to persons with chronic health conditions, because very high
temperatures can exacerbate diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory ailments, and other
diseases. Some of these people have weakened immune systems which can make them more likely
to contract illnesses and vulnerable to human health hazards. In addition, they may be taking
medications that make the effects of extreme heat worse (CDC 2017b).
While there are not many households in poverty in the city, those who are have limited financial
resources to upgrade their homes and use air conditioning to better resist extreme heat.
Each of the vulnerable populations has a high potential impact from extreme heat.
Infrastructure
Extreme heat and temperature increase due to climate change would not directly impact
infrastructure in Rolling Hills. Indirect impacts on electrical substations and utility lines could occur
from increased use of the system from running air conditioners, leading to power outages in the
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city. In addition, indirect impacts to the water system through increased evaporation or water use
could occur. These infrastructure facilities would have a medium potential impact from extreme
heat.
Building and Facilities
Extreme heat and temperature increase due to climate change
would not directly affect buildings or facilities in Rolling Hills. Extreme heat and temperature
increases could impact the ability for residents to enjoy community park facilities. In addition,
extreme heat could create wildfire conditions which could indirectly impact all buildings and
facilities within the city. Overall, there is a low potential impact from extreme heat to City buildings
and facilities.
Services
The important services discussed above that are most at risk to extreme heat impacts from climate
change are water services and energy delivery.
High temperatures would contribute to a reduced water supply. For instance, higher temperatures
will melt the Sierra snowpack earlier and drive the snowline higher. In addition to a reduction in
precipitation falling as snow, higher temperatures would result in less snowpack to supply water to
California users (CNRA 2009). Increased temperatures could therefore result in decreased potable
water supply for the city which relies on imported water from the State Water Project and Colorado
River water (Cal Water 2016). Therefore, there is a medium potential impact for high temperatures
and drought on the city.
Long periods of intense heat may result in increased use of electricity for home cooling purposes
that could tax the overall electrical system and result in electricity restrictions or blackouts. During
extreme heat events in August 2020, California had its first rolling blackouts since 2001. Therefore,
the city will experience greater potential for power outages due to climate change and has a
medium potential impact.
Storms/Extreme Weather and Drought
As mentioned in the Exposure section above, the storm and extreme weather projections for Rolling
Hills show variability, with some models projecting little to no change while others project increased
intensity. This could result in impacts to community populations, infrastructure, building and
facilities, and services, particularly related to temporary flooding and landslides which can be
triggered from intense rainfall events. The city currently has a less than 0.2 percent annual chance
to be inundated by flood waters as a result of a storm event (FEMA 2008). Increases in intense
precipitation could result in slope failures in landslide prone areas shown in Figure 2, including the
existing Flying Triangle Landslide area.
As discussed in the Exposure section above, Rolling Hills is not expected to experience substantial
changes in average precipitation. However, the city receives its water from the Colorado River and
State Water Project from northern California, and extended drought scenario is predicted for these
areas, which equates to 78 percent of the historic median annual precipitation. Therefore, areas
that supply water to Rolling Hills and other jurisdictions are expected to see a 22 percent reduction
of their water supply, which could reduce the amount of potable water available for delivery to the
city.
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Populations
The city’s older adults and those with chronic health conditions are the populations in Rolling Hills
that are more at risk of injury and or death resulting from minor floods or fallen trees created by
more intense storms induced by climate change. Indirect impacts to these populations from impacts
to the transportation system could include reduced access to emergency response and health
centers for those who need consistent medical care. There is a medium potential for impacts to
these vulnerable populations.
Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure most at risk in Rolling Hills to minor flooding impacts and landslides from
increased storms would be access roads, bridle trails, electrical utility lines, and water systems.
Because Portuguese Bend Road and Crest Road are critical for access to and evacuation from the
city, any damage or closure can effectively isolate areas of the city, potentially creating severe
health and safety risks. Bridle trails are predominantly located in canyon areas, which would be
more susceptible to flooding and landslides. Landslides could impact utilities, as seen in the existing
Flying Triangle Landslide area, which has moved utility lines above ground in certain areas due to
the continuous movement of the earth in this area. Due to the limited accessibility of the city, there
is a medium potential impact for access roads and bridle trails and a low potential impact for the
remaining vulnerable infrastructure.
Building and Facilities
Buildings and facilities most at risk from impacts of more intense storms would be residential
structures and community parks. The proper functioning residential septic systems could be
impacted by more intense rainfall and minor flooding. In addition, landslides could be triggered as
indirect impacts from more intense storms and rainfall. Residential structures located in landslide
hazard areas shown in Figure 2 could be impacted. In addition, the Storm Hill open space area is an
important facility in the city and is also located in a landslide area. Due to the variability in weather
projections, there is a low potential impact for buildings and facilities.
Services
Increased storm intensity and drought conditions from climate change could impact public safety
response, energy delivery and water services in the city. Emergency response systems could be
impacted from flooding or landslides within or outside of city limits, which could restrict the ability
for emergency response to access the city and impact response times.
More intense storms could adversely affect electricity delivery from Southern California Edison from
power outages caused by downed electrical utility lines from wind of landslide events. In addition,
water service from the California Water Service Palos Verdes District could be affected by increased
drought conditions throughout the state. There is a medium potential impact for buildings and
facilities.
Wildfire
Wildfires in Los Angeles County are projected to increase under all emissions and population
scenarios. As discussed in the Exposure section above, wildfire hazards to the city are widespread
and wildfire conditions are expected to be exacerbated by a range of factors including droughts,
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more severe winds, wildfire fuel (i.e., dry vegetation), and hotter and drier landscapes from
increased temperatures and extreme heat.
Populations
The vulnerable populations discussed above that are most at risk to increases in wildfire from
climate change are older adults, persons in poverty, and persons with chronic health conditions.
Older adults are almost three times more likely to die in a fire than the overall population (USFA
2017), and typically have increased mobility issues or mental health. Therefore, older adults,
especially those in the city living alone, have more difficulties evacuating to safe areas when there is
a need. Those in Rolling Hills with limited financial resources are more unlikely to retrofit their
homes to better resist climate-related hazards such as wildfires.
In addition to direct impacts, indirect impacts such as poor air quality also creates public health
hazards to the city. Recent California wildfires in August and September 2020 had areas of California
recording the worst air quality in the world and highlighted the hazards of secondary impacts from
wildfires, which could impact the city from fires throughout the State. Older adults and individuals
with chronic health conditions are likely to be impacted most by these secondary impacts. Also,
those with limited finances or without air conditioning would be impacted by secondary smoke
impacts that occur during local and regional wildfires. There is a high potential for wildfire impacts
on the vulnerable populations.
Infrastructure
All city infrastructure is located in a VHFHSZ. The critical infrastructure most at risk to increased
wildfire impacts would be access roads, bridle trails, above ground electrical utility lines, and water
systems. Portuguese Bend Road and Crest Road are critical for access to and evacuation from many
areas of the city. Wildfires may not significantly damage the infrastructure, but they could result in
closure or the inability to travel on them during wildfire events, which can isolate areas of the city
and create severe health and safety risks. There is a high potential for impacts to access roads from
wildfires.
Wildfires are unlikely to substantially damage trails directly, but they can force widespread trail
closures which are an important asset to the community. Above ground electrical lines are also at
risk from wildfires and could impact electricity services to residents in Rolling Hills. Water systems
could be directly affected by wildfires in addition to indirect impacts from water use from
firefighting activities and peak load water supply in remote portions of the city. There is a medium
potential for impact to these infrastructures.
Building and Facilities
As discussed under Hazards of Concern section, all of Rolling Hills is designated a VHFHSZ.
Therefore, all buildings and facilities within the city are at risk of increased wildfires caused by
climate change. The greatest potential impact of life and well-being would be to residential
structures, which are the primary structures in the city. In addition, impacts to Rolling Hills
Community Association and City Hall structures would impact community functions and government
services. There is a high potential for impact to buildings and facilities from wildfire.
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Services
Energy delivery, specifically electricity delivery, could be impacted from increased wildfires. Direct
impacts to Southern California Edison electricity transmission infrastructure could impact power in
the city. In addition, utility companies have begun shutting off power to areas to avoid wildfires
during times when weather creates high wildfire risk. In addition, public safety services could be
strained during wildfire events, which are expected to increase. There is a medium potential for
impacts to services in the city from wildfire.
Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity is the current ability to cope with climate change impacts to community
populations and assets (Cal OES 2020). Specifically, adaptative capacity is the ability to mitigate the
potential impacts and damages or take advantage of the opportunities from climate change. Many
communities have adaptive capacity in the form of policies, plans, programs, or institutions. Rolling
Hills has actively taken steps to increase the city’s adaptive capacity, which include preparing a
community wildfire protection plan, hazard mitigation plan, undergrounding utility lines, and
adopting strict new building standards. Table 5 lists various guiding documents, projects, plans, and
policies that have an underlying emphasis on adaptive capacity in the city.
Table 5 Rolling Hills Existing Adaptive Capacity
Project, Policy, or Plan Year Established Climate Change Impact
City of Rolling Hill Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2020 Wildfire
City of Rolling Hills Safety Element 2003 Wildfire, Storms
California Water Service Palos Verdes Water District Urban
Water Management Plan
2016 Drought
Utility Undergrounding Requirement n/a Wildfire
Fire Prevention Power Line Undergrounding 2020 Wildfire
RHMC Chapter 8.30: Fire Fuel Abatement n/a Wildfire
Hazard Mitigation Plan 2019 Wildfire, Drought, Storm-
induced Landslides
Emergency Operations Plan 2020 Wildfire, Storm, Extreme
Heat
Emergency Notification and Notify Me n/a Wildfire, Storms
VHFHSZ Building Requirements n/a Wildfire
Rolling Hills Municipal Code Requirements for lot slope and
lot stability
n/a Storm-Induced Landslides
Rolling Hills has a number of plans and policies specific to wildfire hazards. The city’s recently
adopted the Community Wildfire Protection Plan that includes fire mitigation strategies and
evacuations strategies specific for the city. In addition, the Hazard Mitigation Plan provides an
analysis of historical hazards, a local hazard assessment, hazard impacts on the community, and
recommended mitigation strategies. The City requires the undergrounding of utility lines with
specific home upgrades and has a reimbursement program for utility pole replacement. In addition,
building code requirements for development within VHFHSZ, such as Class A roofing, would help
reduce wildfire impacts to structures in the city.
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The Rolling Hills Building and Zoning Codes include controls on development on steep slopes and
canyon bottoms. In addition, development requires proof of stability of the property through
geotechnical reports and only a percentage of each lot can be disturbed.
The Palos Verdes Water District’s Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) provides water supply
and demand projections and includes a climate change analysis. The 2015 UWMP projected that
water supply reductions to the District due to climate change would be small for through the end of
the century. In addition, the UWMP includes a water shortage contingency plan and demand
reduction measures in the event water supply to the District is impacts from drought due to climate
change.
In addition, the city’s population has a high degree of adaptive capacity due to the high levels of
home ownership, low poverty levels, and high average income levels. These characteristics improve
resident’s ability to upgrade their homes and come back from potential impacts to their property
from wildfire and extreme storm events.
Vulnerability Scoring
Vulnerability scores are based on the combination of potential impacts from climate hazards and
adaptive capacity in order to identify the climate vulnerabilities in the city to address with additional
adaptation strategies. A vulnerability score was determined for each sensitivity area based on the
potential impacts and adaptive capacity from climate change in the city. Vulnerability was accessed
on a scale from 1 to 5:
V-1: Minimal Vulnerability
V-2: Low Vulnerability
V-3: Moderate Vulnerability
V-4: High
V-5: Severe
Cal OES recommended the following scoring rubric to determine the vulnerability score for the
potential impacts and adaptive capacity.
Low Potential Impact: Impact is unlikely based on projected exposure; would
result in minor consequences to public health, safety, and/or other metrics of concern
Medium Potential Impact: Impact is somewhat likely based on projected exposure; would
result in some consequences to public health, safety, and/or other metrics of concern
High Potential Impact: Impact is highly likely based on projected exposure; would result in
substantial consequences to public health, safety, and/or other metrics of concern
Low Adaptive Capacity: The population or asset lacks capacity to manage climate impact; major
changes would be required
Medium Adaptive Capacity: The population or asset has some capacity to manage climate
impact; some changes would be required
High Adaptive Capacity: The population or asset has high capacity to manage climate impact;
minimal to no changes are required
Table 6 shows how the final vulnerability score was determined. To summarize, potential impacts
from climate change that are highly likely to occur in the city based on projected exposure would
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create a high vulnerability score. However, if the city has a high adaptive capacity to manage the
impact, then the overall vulnerability score would be reduced.
Table 6 Vulnerability Score Matrix Potential Impacts High V-3 V-4 V-5
Medium V-2 V-3 V-4
Low V-1 V-2 V-3
High Medium Low
Adaptive Capacity
The vulnerability scoring for the identified population and assets for each climate impact is included
below in Table 7 and based on Cal OES California Adaptation Planning Guide. For those populations
and assets that are not anticipated to be impacted directly or indirectly from the identified climate
impacts, no vulnerabilty score or color is provided. For example, drought impacts on children were
determined to not be a threat in Rolling Hills.
For the purposes of this vulnerability assessment, a score of V-4 or V-5 is considered significant.
Populations and assets that score at least a V-4 for one or more exposures are considered
substantially vulnerable. As shown in Table 7, the potential impacts from climate change the city’s
population and assets are most vulnerable to are wildfire, extreme heat, and landslides. Vulnerable
populations such as older adults, residents with chronic health conditions, and those with financial
trouble are most at risk to extreme heat and wildfire impacts and are substantially vulnerable to
climate change impacts in the city. Access roads and residential structures are also the most
vulnerable to wildfire and landslide impacts from climate change. Overall, climate change impacts
on wildfire are the greatest potential impact to the city. While the City has adopted a significant
number of adaptation strategies related to wildfire impacts, because they were recently adopted
and some of the strategies were included as recommendations, it will be important to determine
and monitor if implementation is occurring and which recommendations should be included in the
Safety Element update.
This vulnerability assessment and the results in Table 7 will be used to identify specific policies and
implementable strategies for adapting to climate change in the Safety Element, thus making the
Rolling Hills community more resilient.
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Table 7 Vulnerability Assessment Results
Community Sensitivity Storms/Extreme Weather Extreme Heat Wildfire Landslides
Population
Children V-3 V-2 V-2
Persons with Chronic Health
Conditions
V-2 V-4 V-4 V-2
Persons in Poverty V-2 V-3 V-4 V-2
Renters V-3 V-2 V-2
Older Adults V-2 V-4 V-4 V-2
Limited English Speaking V-2 V-2
Infrastructure
Access Roads V-2 V-4 V-3
Bridle Trails V-2 V-3 V-2
Electrical Substations V-1 V-2 V-3
Electrical Utility Lines V-2 V-1 V-3 V-2
Natural Gas Transmission
Pipelines
V-2 V-2
Water Reservoirs and Systems V-1 V-2 V-3 V-3
Buildings and Facilities
Residential Structures V-1 V-5 V-3
Community Facilities and
Government Buildings
V-1 V-4 V-1
Community Parks V-1 V-1 V-3 V-3
Schools V-1 V-3 V-1
Public Safety Facilities V-1 V-3 V-1
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Existing Conditions Report 35
Community Sensitivity Storms/Extreme Weather Extreme Heat Wildfire Landslides
Services
Public Safety Response V-2 V-3 V-1
Water Services V-2 V-2 V-3 V-2
Energy Delivery V-2 V-3 V-4 V-2
Notes: Drought was not included in this table because the city’s vulnerability to drought is primarily low. White boxes indicate very low to now vulnerability.
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Summary of Issues and Opportunities
Existing hazards of concern in the city that should be a major focus of the Safety Element update
include landslide and wildfire hazards. In addition, emergency response and evacuation should be a
focus due to the city’s accessibility issues. Climate change is expected to increase potential hazards
the city experiences. From the vulnerability analysis, the city is most vulnerable to wildfire impacts,
extreme heat, and landslides impacts from climate change.
Hazards of Concern and Community Sensitivity
While there are a number of hazards that could impacts the city, the following are hazards of
concern that pose the greatest challenge to the city.
Wildfire
The greatest hazard of concern for the city is wildfire as the entire city limits are within a VHFHSZ
and the city contains many remote areas and limited evacuation routes. Some existing residential
and accessory structures are not built to current standards that apply to VHFHSZ and as a result
many of these structures may require mitigation and retrofit to reduce this potential threat. The
area’s most vulnerable to wildfire impacts include older adults, persons with chronic health
conditions, residential structures, government and community buildings, and access roads.
Landslides
Landslides are also a major concern for the city, whether they are earthquake induced, induced
from high precipitation events, or occur due to the underlying soil conditions. Existing landslides are
impacting the southern portion of the city. Climate change has the potential to create more
landslide events if Rolling Hills experiences more intense storms and precipitation events. The area’s
most vulnerable to landslide impacts include access roads, residential structures, and community
parks.
Extreme Heat
The city is expected to see increases in the number and length of extreme heat days and events due
to climate change, which could impact vulnerable people in the city and lead to increased wildfire
risks. The area’s most vulnerable to extreme heat impacts from climate change include older adults,
persons with chronic health conditions, and the energy system.
Opportunities
The need to further analyze evacuation routes and access is one of the most recent changes in
Safety Element requirements. These new requirements focus on the identification of areas where
routes are lacking or inadequate. A key opportunity for the Safety Element update is address
specific evacuation needs.
The City has recently adopted a number of planning documents, such as the Hazard Mitigation Plan
and Community Wildfire Protection Plan, that seek to reduce the risk of hazards in the city. Many of
the strategies included in these documents are recommendations and are used for educational
purposes. An opportunity for the Safety Element update would be to include the recommendations
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Existing Conditions Report 37
as implementation tools for the Safety Element and to conduct outreach with the community to
determine if community preparedness is occurring.
The California Legislature recently adopted Senate Bill 182 (SB 182) and is awaiting Governor
approval. SB 182 would require the Safety Element to include a comprehensive retrofit strategy as
necessary to reduce the risk of property loss and damage during wildfires. Additionally, in order to
reduce development pressures in the VHFHSZ through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation
process, SB 182 requires a lower proportion of state housing allocation to jurisdictions that meet
specified conditions. The City should monitor and incorporate these elements as necessary.
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References
California Department of Toxic Substances and Control (DTSC). 2020. Envirostor.
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?myaddress=rolling+hills%2C+ca. Accessed
August 2020.
California Department of Water Resources (DWR). 2019. Climate Change Basics. Available at
https://water.ca.gov/Water-Basics/Climate-Change-Basics. Accessed September 2020.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). 2020. California Adaptation Planning
Guide. June 2020.
California Water Service (Cal Water). 2016. 2015 Urban Water Management Plan: Palos Verdes
District. June 2016.
Center for Disease Control (CDC). 2017a. Heat and Older Adults.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html. Accessed September
2020.
____. 2017b. Heat and People with Chronic Medical Conditions.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/medical.html. Accessed September 2020.
____. 2019. Heat and Infants and Children.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/children.html. Accessed September 2020.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 2008. Flood Insurance Rate Map 06037C1940F.
Goss, Michael et al. 2020. Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme autumn wildfire
conditions across California. Environmental Research Letters 15.094016
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2013. IPCC Fifth Assessment Report: Climate
Change 2013. Working Group I: The Physical Science Basis. Accessible at:
http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD). 2020. Lomita Station Part I Crimes.
http://shq.lasdnews.net/CrimeStats/CAASS/Patrol-CurrentMonth-YTD.PDF. Accessed
August 2020.
National Drought Mitigation Center. 2020. U.S. Drought Monitor: California. September 15, 2020.
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA. Accessed
September 2020.
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). 2020. Drought in California.
https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/california. Accessed October 2020.
Rolling Hills, City of. 1990. General Plan Safety Element. June 25, 1990.
____. 2019. Hazard Mitigation Plan. January 16, 2019.
____. 2020. Community Wildfire Protection Plan. July 2020.
Southern California Earthquake Center. 2013. Hazards and Threats Earthquakes List of Major Active
Surface Faults in Southern California. March.
University of California, Berkeley and California Energy Commission (CEC). 2020. Cal-Adapt.
https://cal-adapt.org/. Accessed August 2020.
103
References
Existing Conditions Report 39
U.S. Census Bureau. 2018. Rolling Hills, City 2018 ACS 5-Year Estimates.
https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Rolling%20Hills%20city,%20California&g=1600000U
S0662602&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP05&hidePreview=false.
Western Region Climate Center (WRCC). 2016. Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary.
https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca8973. Accessed August 2020.
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DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
UPDATE AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
Prepared for:
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Contact: John F. Signo, AICP
(310) 377-1521
Prepared by:
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
500 West Broadway #250
Glendale, CA 91204
(213) 623-1859
January 2022
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1.0 – PROJECT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................ 1
SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SETTING .............................................................................. 2
2.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Housing Element Update ............................................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Safety Element Update ................................................................................................ 2
2.2 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE .................................................................................................... 4
2.2.1 Background ................................................................................................................. 4
2.2.2 Housing Element Overview .......................................................................................... 4
2.2.3 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) .................................................................. 5
2.2.4 Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA ............................................................................... 5
2.2.5 2021-2029 Goals and Policies ...................................................................................... 6
2.3 SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE ....................................................................................................... 6
2.3.1 Background ................................................................................................................. 6
2.3.2 Safety Element Overview ............................................................................................. 6
2.3.3 Goals and Policies ........................................................................................................ 7
SECTION 3.0 – ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION ................................................................................ 8
3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: .............................................................. 8
3.2 DETERMINATION ..................................................................................................................... 8
SECTION 4.0 – EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .................................................................. 9
SECTION 5.0 – CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.......................................................................... 1
5.1 AESTHETICS ............................................................................................................................. 1
5.1.1 Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................ 1
5.2 AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY RESOURCES................................................................................... 2
5.2.1 Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................ 3
5.3 AIR QUALITY ............................................................................................................................ 3
5.3.1 Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................ 4
5.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................................... 5
5.4.1 Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................ 6
5.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................ 7
5.5.1 Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................ 8
5.6 ENERGY ................................................................................................................................... 8
5.6.1 Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................ 8
5.7 GEOLOGY AND SOILS ............................................................................................................... 9
5.7.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 10
5.8 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ............................................................................................... 12
5.8.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 13
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5.9 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ................................................................................ 13
5.9.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 14
5.10 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ........................................................................................ 16
5.10.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 17
5.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING ..................................................................................................... 19
5.11.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 19
5.12 MINERAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................ 19
5.12.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 19
5.13 NOISE .................................................................................................................................... 20
5.13.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 20
5.14 POPULATION AND HOUSING .................................................................................................. 21
5.14.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 21
5.15 PUBLIC SERVICES ................................................................................................................... 22
5.15.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 22
5.16 RECREATION .......................................................................................................................... 24
5.16.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 24
5.17 TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................................. 24
5.17.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 25
5.18 TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................... 26
5.18.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 26
5.19 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS ........................................................................................... 27
5.19.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 28
5.20 WILDFIRE ............................................................................................................................... 29
5.20.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 30
5.21 MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE ............................................................................. 31
5.21.1 Impact Analysis .......................................................................................................... 32
SECTION 6.0 – REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 33
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A –Housing Element Update
APPENDIX B – Safety Element Update
APPENDIX C – Tribal Consultation Responses
APPENDIX A AND B ARE PROVIDED ON THE
CITY'S WEBSITE: WWW.ROLLING-HILLS.ORG
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LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 2.2-1: Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA........................................................................................ 6
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 2.1-1: Project Location .................................................................................................................. 3
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SECTION 1.0 – PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project Title: City of Rolling Hills 2021-2029 Housing Element Update and Safety Element Update
Project Location: Citywide. Rolling Hills is located in Los Angeles County, on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
(See Figure 2.1-1: Project Location.)
Lead agency name and address:
City of Rolling Hills
No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Contact person and phone number:
John F. Signo, AICP, Director of Planning and Community Services
phone: (310) 377-1521
email: jsigno@cityofrh.net
Project sponsor’s name and address:
City of Rolling Hills
No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
General Plan Description: Citywide
Zoning: Citywide; No proposed zoning changes
Approvals Required: Pursuant to State law, the California Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD) is empowered to review the housing element of each community to ensure its
compliance with the provisions of the Government Code related to facilitating the improvement and
development of housing in order to make adequate provisions for the housing needs of all economic
segments of the community. HCD has review but not approval authority.
Prior to adoption of the Safety Element, coordination and feedback from Los Angeles County Fire
Department, Rolling Hills Community Association, and the Los Angeles County She riff’s Department is
required.
The City Council will need to adopt the Negative Declaration for the Housing Element and Safety Element
Updates. No other approvals will be required.
Project Description Summary: The Project is the Sixth Cycle, 2021-2029 Housing Element Update of the
City of Rolling Hills General Plan and an update to the City’s Safety Element to address various natural and
human-caused hazards the City has dealt with, including earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, and land
movement. The Housing Element and Safety Element Updates are policy updates only, and no specific
development is proposed at this time. See further discussion under Section 2.0, “Project Description and
Setting.”
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SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SETTING
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Rolling Hills (City) is a rural, equestrian residential community, consisting entirely of large lot
residential parcels of one acre or more. The community encompasses 2.99 square miles of land
(approximately 1,910 acres) on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the County of Los Angeles (Figure 2.1-1:
Project Location). The City’s General Plan was drafted and adopted in 1990. The City is proposing updates
to both the Housing Element and Safety Element of the General Plan, two of the six elements. A
description of each of the updates is provided below.
2.1.1 Housing Element Update
The 2020 Census indicates a citywide population of 1,739 residents, making the City the fifth smallest of
the 88 cities in Los Angeles County. The City is proposing to adopt the Housing Element for the Sixth Cycle
planning period from 2021 to 2029. The proposed Housing Element Update (HEU) is attached hereto as
Appendix A. The Housing Element, which is part of the City’s General Plan, is a policy document designed
to provide the City a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe,
decent, and affordable housing within the community. California Government Code Section 65580 states
the following regarding the importance of creating housing elements:
The availability of housing is of vital statewide importance, and the early attainment of decent
housing and a suitable living environment for every Californian, including farmworkers, is a priority
of the highest order.
Per State law, the housing element has two main purposes:
1. To provide an assessment of both current and future housing needs and constraints in meeting
these needs; and
2. To provide a strategy that establishes housing goals, policies, and programs.
2.1.2 Safety Element Update
The Safety Element Update (SEU), (Appendix B) provides the City’s goals, policies, and actions to minimize
the hazards to safety in and around the City. The SEU evaluates natural and human-caused safety hazards
that affect existing and future development and provides guidelines for protecting the community from
harm. The SEU describes existing and potential future conditions and sets policies for improved public
safety. The goal of the SEU is to reduce the risk of injury, death, property loss, and other hardships to
acceptable levels.
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Housing and Safety Element Updates
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2.2 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
2.2.1 Background
The City’s Housing Element serves as an integrated part of the General Plan and is subject to detailed
statutory requirements, including a requirement to be updated every eight years and mandatory review
by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This action includes the
adoption of the HEU, which is a policy document; no actual development or rezoning of parcels is included
as part of the HEU. The proposed HEU is an eight-year plan for the 2021-2029 period.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583, a housing element is required to consist of an identification
and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified
objectives, financial resources, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and
development of housing. Specifically, a housing element is required to contain the following:
An assessment of housing needs and an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to
meeting those needs (Government Code Section 65583[a])
A statement of the community’s goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the
maintenance, preservation, improvement, and development of housing (Government Code
Section 65583[a])
A program that sets forth a schedule of actions during the planning period, each with a timeline
for implementation of the policies and to achieve the goals and objectives of the housing element
(Government Code Section 65583[c])
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) began the Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA) process for the Sixth Cycle in Fall 2019, exploring different methodologies for allocating the
regional need to individual cities and counties. As other cities began work on their Sixth Cycle Elements,
the City was required to first amend its Fifth Cycle Element to accommodate both the current (Fifth) cycle
and the prior (Fourth) cycle RHNA allocations due to its noncompliant status. The combined RHNA for the
two cycles was 28 units. Accommodating this need meant that City was also required to amend its General
Plan and zoning to create additional housing capacity.
The Fifth Cycle Housing Element was adopted June 14, 2021. The Fifth Cycle Housing Element was
submitted to HCD and found to be in compliance on July 7, 2021. As a result of the compliance
determination, the City does not have to carry over its prior allocation and may plan only for the 45 units
identified in the Sixth Cycle RHNA.
2.2.2 Housing Element Overview
The City’s HEU consists of the following major components:
A review of the prior housing element and goals that were accomplished (Section 2, Evaluation of
Prior Housing Element)
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An assessment of housing needs in the City including profile and analysis of the City’s
demographics, housing characteristics, and existing and future housing needs (Section 3, Housing
Needs Assessment)
An assessment of resources available to meet the City’s objectives regarding housing production
and preservation. Resources include land available for new construction and redevelopment, as
well as financial and administrative resources available (Section 4, Housing Sites)
A review of the constraints to housing production and preservation. Constraints include potential
market, governmental policy, and environmental limitations to meeting the City’s identified
housing needs (Section 5, Constraints to Housing Production)
A statement of the housing plan to address the City’s identified housing needs, including housing
goals, policies, and programs (Section 6, Housing Goals, Policies, Objectives, and Programs)
2.2.3 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
State housing element law requires housing elements to be updated regularly to reflect a comm unity’s
changing housing needs, including preparation of a RHNA plan [Government Code Section 65584(a)]. A
critical measure of compliance is the ability of a jurisdiction to accommodate its share of the regional
housing needs based on a RHNA prepared by HCD for each Council of Governments in the state that
identifies projected housing units needed for all economic segments based on Department of Finance
population estimates. The SCAG is responsible for allocating this total to each of the six counties and 191
cities in the SCAG area. This process is known as the RHNA and occurs every eight years.
SCAG calculates each city and county’s “fair share” of the regional need using a computer model that
weighs factors such as existing population and employment, growth potential, proximity to transit, and
social equity. For each jurisdiction, SCAG distributes the RHNA among four different income groups. This
ensures that each city or county is planning for housing that meet the needs of all economic segments of
the community, including lower income households.
For the City, the RHNA for 2021-2029 is 45 units (SCAG 2020). This includes 20 very low income units, 9
low income units, 11 moderate income units, and 5 above moderate income units. The 2021-2029 Housing
Element demonstrates that the City has the capacity to accommodate this assignment.
2.2.4 Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA
As shown in Table 2.2-1 below, the combination of recently approved housing units (expected to be
occupied in 2022), future affordable units on the Rancho Del Mar site 1, and new accessory dwelling units
(ADUs) can accommodate the RHNA allocation in all income categories. The table illustrates a surplus
capacity of seven lower income units based on projected ADU production over the planning period.
1 In March 2021, the City adopted an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone on the 31-acre Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School
District (PVPUSD) property located at 38 Crest Road (Rancho Del Mar site). Although the site is technically non-vacant, roughly
three-quarters of the property (23 acres) is open space. The remaining areas are underutilized and could be repurposed. Consistent
with the General Plan and Zoning amendments completed in 2021, the site is viable for 16 units of low/very low income housing.
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Table 2.2-1: Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA
Income Category Total
Extremely Low/
Very Low Low Moderate Above
Moderate
Approved Development - 2 3 7* 12
Vacant Residential Lots - - - 20 20
Rancho Del Mar Site 8 8 - - 16
Accessory Dwelling Units 12 6 8 14 40
TOTALS 20 16 11 41 88
RHNA 20 9 11 5 45
Surplus/Deficit 0 +7 0 +36 +43
Adequate Sites? YES YES YES YES YES
Notes: Includes 3 new homes and 4 ADU’s
2.2.5 2021-2029 Goals and Policies
As previously mentioned, based on the City’s ability to meet RHNA allocation as described above, the HEU
is a policy document; no actual development nor rezoning of parcels is included as part of the approval.
The housing goals, policies, objectives, and programs which can be found in Chapter 6 of the HEU reflect
the City’s continued commitment to actively support residential development and plan for the City’s fair
share of regional housing needs.
2.3 SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
2.3.1 Background
Throughout its history as a city, the City has dealt with various natural hazards, including earthquakes,
wildfires, droughts, and land movement. Developments in high landslide areas have occurred, and the
City has been identified as being located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). As a result,
the City has amended its building and safety codes to include special requirements such as fire-rated
materials for new construction and a requirement for geotechnical studies in active fault zones.
2.3.2 Safety Element Overview
The City’s SEU addresses hazards of concern relevant to the City and provides goals, policies, and
implementation measures to minimize these hazards. Figures 2 through 6 of the SEU show exact locations
of these hazards, which are described in the following paragraphs.
Landslide Hazards
Much of the existing development in the City is located on hilly terrain and has a greater potential to
experience landslide hazards. Many of the canyons in the City exhibit steep slopes with little vegetation
coverage, leaving them susceptible to slope failure.
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Seismic Hazards
The City is in a seismically active region of southern California. The last major earthquake in the Los
Angeles area was the 5.1 magnitude La Habra earthquake in 2014. The City is within 50 miles of the
Whittier fault, Newport-Inglewood fault, Palos Verdes fault, Malibu Coast fault, Cabrillo fault, Santa
Monica fault, and Redondo Canyon fault. Analysis of seismic data from the region indicates that the
Whittier and Newport-Inglewood faults may generate a maximum credible earthquake of magnitude 7.2
and 7.4, respectively. The earthquake shaking potential for the City is moderate. A number of seismically
active faults are present in the City and region; however, none are active faults with the potential for
ground rupture, defined by the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act and delineated by California
Geological Survey. The City has a low potential for liquefaction, as the subsurface soils generally lack
saturated alluvial deposits and thick, granular soils.
Flooding
The City is not in any immediate risk from flooding caused by overflowing water bodies or heavy rains.
However, runoff and minor flooding pose a risk if drainage systems fail along canyon bottoms, where
natural drainage leads. Due to dam locations and the topography of the area, the inundation areas do not
enter or affect any portion of the City.
Wildland and Urban Fires
The entire City is designated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by the California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE 2011). The terrain in the City is composed of several large and
steep canyons that limit and challenge vegetation management and present conditions where a fire can
quickly travels up and downslope to nearby homes. Due to the rural nature and large residential lots,
many homes are surrounded by more substantial vegetation and dense brush than in more suburban
settings.
Hazardous Materials
According to the Department of Substances Control (DTSC 2021), no hazardous waste sites or facilities are
present in the City. The City and surrounding area do not contain heavy industrial uses that would create
a hazardous material risk in the event of a spill, release, or natural disaster.
2.3.3 Goals and Policies
Similar to the HEU, the SEU is a policy document; no actual development or rezoning of parcels is included
as part of the approval. In addition to goals and policies, the SEU includes implementation measures for
action items for the City. The goals, policies, and implementation for hazard mitigation, community
communication, and climate change adaptation and resilience are listed at the end of the SEU.
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SECTION 3.0 – ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked below would potentially be affected by this project, involving at least
one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact," as indicated by the checklists on the following pages.
For each of the potentially affected factors, mitigation measures are recommended that would reduce the
impacts to less than significant levels.
Aesthetics Agriculture and Forestry Resources Air Quality
Biological Resources Cultural Resources Energy
Geology /Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous Materials
Hydrology /Water Quality Land Use / Planning Mineral Resources
Noise Population / Housing Public Services
Recreation Transportation Tribal Cultural Resources
Utilities /Service Systems Wildfire Mandatory Findings of Significance
3.2 DETERMINATION
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
1. I find that the project could not have a significant effect on the environment, and a
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
2. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the
project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
3. I find the proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
4. I find that the proposed project may have a “potentially significant impact” or
“potentially significant unless mitigated impact” on the environment, but at least one
effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable
legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier
analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is
required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
5. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed
adequately in an earlier EIR or Negative Declaration pursuant to applicable standards,
and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or Negative
Declaration, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the
proposed project, nothing further is required.
January 10, 2022
Signature Date
John F. Signo, AICP Director of Planning and Community Services
Name Title
Signatatatatatatatatature
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SECTION 4.0 – EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
1. A brief explanation is required for all answers except “No Impact” answers that are adequately
supported by the information sources a lead agency cites. A “No Impact” answer is adequately
supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to
projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A “No Impact”
answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards
(e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific
screening analysis).
2. All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including offsite as well as onsite,
cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational
impacts.
3. Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist
answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with
mitigation, or less than significant. “Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate if substantial
evidence exists that an effect may be significant. If one or more “Potentially Significant Impact” entries
are marked when the determination is made, an EIR is required.
4. “Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated” applies where the
incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from “Potentially Significant Impact” to a
“Less Than Significant Impact.” The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures and briefly
explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from earlier
analyses may be cross-referenced).
5. Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief
discussion should identify the following:
a. Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review.
b. Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the
scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards,
and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier
analysis.
c. Mitigation Measures. For effects that are “Less than Signi ficant with Mitigation Measures
Incorporated,” describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the
earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.
6. Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for
potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or
outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the
statement is substantiated.
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7. Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or
individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion.
8. The explanation of each issue should identify:
a. the significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and
b. the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significant.
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SECTION 5.0 – CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
5.1 AESTHETICS
1.
AESTHETICS.
Except as provided in Public Resources Code
Section 21099, would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
(b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but
not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a state scenic highway?
(c) In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the
existing visual character or quality of public views of
the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those
that are experienced from publicly accessible
vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area,
would the project conflict with applicable zoning and
other regulations governing scenic quality?
(d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare
which would adversely affect day or nighttime views
in the area?
5.1.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
b) Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are both policy documents and do not include any changes to land use
designations, zoning, building heights and intensities, or residential densities. Further, the Housing
Element and Safety Element include policies intended to continue to make the City a safe and
desirable place to work and live. All future development in the City would require project-specific
environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts to scenic vistas. Additionally,
no officially designated State scenic highway is located in the City (Caltrans 2021). Potential aesthetic-
related impacts are unique to a project’s location and cannot be meaningfully determined until a
project site has been defined. Any future development would be subject to the City’s zoning
requirements, and any potentially significant impacts identified would be addressed through
mitigation measures specific to the impact. The Project would result in no impacts to scenic vistas or
scenic resources within a State scenic highway.
c) Would the project, in non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the existing visual character or
quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced
from publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict
with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality?
No Impact. As previously mentioned, the Project would implement policies intended to continue to
make the City a safe and desirable place to work and live including efforts such as development and
landscaping policies, among others. The City’s current Zoning Code contains standards intended to
preserve the natural beauty of the City and to maintain visual orderliness, including provisions related
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to building standards (height, setbacks, intensities), screening of utilities in development, and outdoor
improvements. All future development in the City would be required to comply with the provisions of
the City’s Zoning Code and undergo project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine
any potential impacts. The Project would result in no impacts to the visual character or quality of
public views or conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality.
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views
in the area?
No Impact. Sources of light present throughout the City include residential uses of both interior and
exterior lighting and vehicular traffic, while sources of glare include highly finished building materials
such as glass, and roadway traffic. The Project consists of two policy documents and would not directly
enable construction or development. Nevertheless, all future residential development enabled by the
City’s General Plan is anticipated to introduce light and glare sources typical of development; and all
future development in the City would be subject to the City’s zoning requirements. The City’s current
Zoning Code contains lighting requirements intended to maintain public health, safety, and welfare
from noxious or offensive illumination, glare, or similar effects. All future development in the City
would be required to comply with the provisions of the City’s Zoning Code and undergo project-
specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts. The Project would
result in no impact to the creation of light or glare that would adversely affect views.
5.2 AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY RESOURCES
2.
AGRICULTURE & FOREST RESOURCES.
(In determining whether impacts to agricultural
resources are significant environmental effects,
lead agencies may refer to the California
Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment
Model (1997) prepared by the California
Department of Conservation as an optional model
to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and
farmland. In determining whether impacts to
forest resources, including timberland, are
significant environmental effects, lead agencies
may refer to information compiled by the
California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection regarding the state’s inventory of forest
land, including the Forest and Range Assessment
Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project;
and forest carbon measurement methodology
provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the
California Air Resources Board. Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural
use?
(b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a
Williamson Act contract?
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(c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of,
forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code
section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public
Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by Government
Code section 51104(g))?
(d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of
forest land to non-forest use?
(e) Involve other changes in the existing environment
which, due to their location or nature, could result in
conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or
the conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
5.2.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b) Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c) Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in
Public Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section
4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section
51104(g))?
d) Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
e) Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or the conversion of forest land
to non-forest use?
No Impact. The City does not contain any Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of
Statewide Importance (DOC 2021a). Additionally, no land within the City is under a Williamson Act
contract (DOC 2017). The Project involves updates to the City’s Housing Element and Safety Element,
with no proposed changes to land use designations or zoning of parcels within the City. The City is a
residential community, and no provisions contained in the Housing Element Update or the Safety
Element Update would convert Prime Farmland or any farmland of unique or Statewide importance.
Further, no development is proposed on forestland or timber property zoned Timberland Production.
Any future development proposals would not conflict with an existing Williamson Act contract; that
would result in the conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide
Importance to nonagricultural use or result in conversion or loss of forest land. Any future
development on properties zoned agricultural would be analyzed in a future site-specific
environmental document. Therefore, no impacts to agricultural or forestry resources would occur.
5.3 AIR QUALITY
3.
AIR QUALITY.
Where available, the significance criteria
established by the applicable air quality
management district or air pollution control
district may be relied upon to make the following
determinations. Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?
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(b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of
any criteria pollutant for which the project region is
non-attainment under an applicable federal or state
ambient air quality standard?
(c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations?
(d) Result in other emissions (such as those leading to
odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of
people?
5.3.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?
b) Would the project result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard?
No Impact. The City is located within the South Coast Air Basin, which is currently designated
nonattainment for ozone and fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5)
(SCAQMD 1999). The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) prepared an air quality
management plan (AQMP) for both pollutants in 2016 and is currently working on the 2022 AQMP
(SCAQMD 2021). The Project would not directly result in construction or development activity, nor
would it enable development beyond that which is currently provided for in the City’s General Plan.
The number of residential units that could be developed under the HEU is consistent with the City’s
current General Plan and zoning designations. Potential air quality-related impacts are location-
specific and cannot be assessed in a meaningful way until the location of a project site is known. At
such time that a development proposal is considered, that project will be subject to adopted
development air quality standards; and any impacts identified with the development project will be
addressed through mitigation measures specific to the impact. Short-term air quality impacts resulting
from construction activities, such as dust generated by clearing and grading activities, exhaust
emissions from gas- and diesel-powered construction equipment, and vehicular emissions associated
with the commuting of construction workers, will be subject to SCAQMD air quality management
plans identified above and all other relevant SCAQMD rules and regulations.
Thus, the Project would result in no impacts related to implementation of any applicable air quality
plan, nor would it result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the Project region is nonattainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard.
c) Would the project expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?
No Impact. As mentioned, the HEU and SEU are both policy documents and do not include any
changes to land use designations or zoning. Moreover, the Project does not directly enable
construction or development activities. Potential air quality-related impacts are location-specific and
cannot be assessed in a meaningful way until the location of a project site is known. The City’s General
Plan and Municipal Code contain policies and measures related to maintaining air quality in residential
neighborhoods, including protecting neighborhoods from air pollution-generating activities through
site-specific environmental review and appropriate development buffers. At the time that a
development proposal is considered, that project will be subject to the development review process,
and any potentially significant impacts identified would be addressed through mitigation measures
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specific to the impact. Thus, the Project would result in no impacts related to the exposure of sensitive
receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations.
d) Would the project result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a
substantial number of people?
No Impact. Impacts would be considered potentially significant if the Project were to result in the
creation of objectionable odors with the potential to affect substantial numbers of people, or if
construction or operation of the Project would result in the creation of nuisance odors that would be
noxious to a substantial number of people. The City’s General Plan and Municipal Code contain
policies and measures related to maintaining air quality in residential neighborhoods, including
protecting neighborhoods from odor-generating activities through site-specific environmental review
and appropriate development buffers.
Residential development, such as that described in the HEU, is not a land use typically associated with
odor complaints or noxious emissions. Moreover, the SEU contains policies to prevent health threats
due to air quality impacts such as those associated with wildfire. The Project would not directly enable
construction or development activities upon implementation. At the time that a development
proposal is considered, that project will be subject to the development review process; and any
potentially significant impacts identified would be addressed through mitigation measures specific to
the impact. The Project would therefore not result in impacts related to emissions adversely affecting
a substantial number of people.
5.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status
species in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by the California Department of Fish
and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
(b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian
habitat or other sensitive natural community
identified in local or regional plans, policies,
regulations or by the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
(c) Have a substantial adverse effect on state or
federally protected wetlands (including, but not
limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through
direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or
other means?
(d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or
with established native resident or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife
nursery sites?
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4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
(f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state
habitat conservation plan?
5.4.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modification,
on any species identified as candidate, sensitive or special status species in local or regional plans,
policies or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service?
No Impact. The City’s environs have the capacity to house a range of plant and wildlife species,
including State and federally listed species. To protect candidate, sensitive, or special status species
all future development in the City would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order
to determine any potential impacts. Potential impacts related to biological resources are unique to a
project’s location and cannot be meaningfully determined until a project site has been defined. Any
future development would be subject to federal, State, regional, and local regulatory requirements
related to biological resources.
Further, the HEU and SEU include policies intended to lessen impacts to biological resources, including
policies to minimize housing construction in environmentally sensitive areas and policies for climate
change adaptation and resiliency. Additionally, future projects would be evaluated by the City for their
compliance with goals, policies, and measures contained in the City’s General Plan intended to
mitigate potential impacts to natural and biological resources, including those contained in the Open
Space and Conservation Element. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from
future development would be addressed through project specific mitigation measures identified at
the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Therefore, the Project would have
no impacts on any candidate, sensitive, or special status species.
b) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans, policies or regulations, or by the California Department
of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including
but not limited to marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption, or other means?
No Impact. A substantial amount of land in the City is constrained from development due to steep
hillsides and canyons, many of which contain intermittently flooded riparian and wetland habitat
(USFWS 2021). However, the HEU and SEU are both policy documents and would not directly enable
construction or development activity. Potential impacts related to sensitive natural communities,
such as riparian or wetland habitats, are unique to a project’s location and cannot be meaningfully
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determined until a project site has been defined. Thus, all future development in the City would
require project-specific environmental evaluation. Any potentially significant environmental impacts
identified from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures
identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Therefore, the Project
would have no impacts on any riparian habitat, other sensitive natural communities, or on State or
federally protected wetlands.
d) Would the project Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish
or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use
of native wildlife nursery sites?
No Impact. The City is a heavily landscaped residential community interspersed with undeveloped
steep hillsides and canyons (City 1990). Within these undeveloped areas, the potential exists for
nesting birds and other species to occur. Nonetheless, the HEU and SEU are policy documents
consistent with the City’s General Plan and do not propose any land use or zoning changes. Further,
future development will require site-specific environmental analysis. Potential environmental impacts
identified from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures
identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Therefore, the Project
would have no impacts to the movement of native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species,
corridors, or nursery sites.
e) Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such
as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
f) Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Conservancy Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
No Impact. The County of Los Angeles’s Significant Ecological Area (SEA) Program was originally
established as a part of the 1980 County General Plan, to help conserve the genetic and physical
diversity in the County. The SEA Ordinance, which codified the SEA Program, establishes the
permitting, design standards and review process for development within SEAs. The City contains
portions of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Coastline SEA; however, only areas within unincorporated
Los Angeles County are subject to this ordinance. Further, policies and programs of the HEU promote
infill housing including ADUs. Any development that occurs pursuant to HEU or SEU policies will occur
in already disturbed areas of the community and will be reviewed and processed in accordance with
City planning policies. Therefore, the Project would not conflict with any local policies, ordinances, or
plans protecting biological resources; and no impacts would occur.
5.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES
5. CULTURAL RESOURCES.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
(b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource pursuant
to §15064.5?
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c) Disturb any human remains, including those interred
outside of formal cemeteries?
5.5.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
b) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
c) Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
No Impact. The Project involves adoption of two policy documents, the HEU and SEU, which do not
directly propose any ground disturbance. Potential impacts related to cultural resources are unique
to a project’s location and cannot be meaningfully determined until a project site has been defined.
Thus, all future development in the City would require project-specific environmental evaluation in
order to determine any potential impacts. Future development would be subject to federal, State,
and local regulatory requirements related to the discovery and proper handling of cultural and historic
resources, including Public Resource Code (PRC) Section 211083.2, which requires avoidance and
other measures in the event of discovery. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified
from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified
at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Therefore, no impacts to cultural
resources would occur with implementation of the Project.
5.6 ENERGY
6. ENERGY
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Result in potentially significant environmental
impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary
consumption of energy resources, during project
construction or operation?
(b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan
for renewable energy or energy efficiency?
5.6.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project result in potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or
unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are consistent with the City’s General Plan and contain policies to
conserve energy resources. However, potential impacts related to energy resources are unique to a
project and cannot be meaningfully determined until a project has been defined. The HEU also seeks
to conserve energy through public education on the reduction of residential energy use. Any future
development would also be subject to individual review for compliance with federal, State, and local
regulatory requirements related to energy efficiency. Future development projects would incorporate
site-specific infrastructure improvements, as necessary, and would be reviewed by relevant energy
providers to identify necessary energy facility and service connections. Additionally, future projects
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would be evaluated by the City for their compliance with goals, policies, and measures contained in
the City’s General Plan intended to mitigate potential impacts to energy resources. Any potentially
significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through
project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. Thus, no impacts would occur.
b) Would the project conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy
efficiency?
No Impact. Any future development in the City would be subject to federal, State, and local regulatory
requirements related to energy efficiency. Additionally, goals, policies, and programs related to
reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (as discussed in Section 5.8: Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
are closely related to reducing energy consumption through the use of alternative forms of energy or
sustainable design features.
Future projects would be evaluated by the City for their compliance with goals, policies, and measures
contained in the City’s General Plan intended to mitigate potential impacts to energy resources. Any
potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be
addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development
project is considered by the City. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
5.7 GEOLOGY AND SOILS
7. GEOLOGY AND SOILS.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Directly or indirectly cause potential substantial
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or
death involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State
Geologist for the area or based on other
substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and Geology Special
Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
iv) Landslides?
(b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil?
(c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable,
or that would become unstable as a result of the
project, and potentially result in on- or off-site
landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction
or collapse?
(d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-
1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating
substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property?
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7. GEOLOGY AND SOILS.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or alternative waste water
disposal systems where sewers are not available for
the disposal of waste water?
(f) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique geological
feature?
5.7.1 Impact Analysis
a) i) Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the
most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area
or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology
Special Publication 42.
ii) Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving strong seismic ground shaking?
iii) Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction?
iv) Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving landslides?
No Impact. Rolling Hills is in a seismically active region of southern California, with the Whittier fault,
Newport-Inglewood fault, Palos Verdes fault, Malibu Coast fault, Cabrillo fault, Santa Monica fault,
and Redondo Canyon fault all within 50 miles of the City. The closest active fault to the City is the
Palos Verdes Fault, located within the City boundaries. While there are a number of seismically active
faults in the City and region, there are no active faults with the potential for ground rupture, defined
by the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act. The closest Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone is the
Newport-Inglewood Fault approximately nine miles northeast of the City (City 1990).
Regarding other geologic hazards, much of the existing development in Rolling Hills is located on hilly
terrain highly susceptible to landslide risks. However, the potential for liquefaction, lateral spreading,
and seismically induced dynamic settlement is low (City 1990).
The SEU addresses the protection of the existing and future population and development from both
natural and man-made hazards through a number of goals, policies, implementation programs,
principles, and standards. Among these is Goal 1 of the SEU, which aims for “minimization of loss of
life, injury, and property damage resulting from geologic hazards”. Additionally, the Project includes
implementation of two policy documents and no development is proposed at this time. All future
development in the City would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to
determine that any potential impacts are less than significant. Any future development would be
subject to federal, State, and local regulatory requirements related to building design and
construction. Any potentially significant impacts identified would be addressed through mitigation
measures specific to the impact. Therefore, the Project would result in no impacts related to the direct
or indirect cause of potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death,
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involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, and seismic-related
ground failure, including liquefaction or landslides.
b) Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?
No Impact. The Project consists of two policy documents and would not directly enable construction
or development activities. Any future development in the City would be subject to State, regional, and
local requirements related to the prevention of erosion of onsite soils, as well as discharge of other
construction-related pollutants, through the preparation and implementation of a Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Best Management Practices (BMPs). Additionally, future
projects would be evaluated by the City for their compliance with goals, policies, and measures
contained in the SEU intended to protect lives and property. Any potentially significant environmental
impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation
measures identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Therefore,
the Project would have no impacts related to soil erosion or the loss of topsoil.
c) Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable
as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
No Impact. As previously discussed, much of the existing development in Rolling Hills is located on
hilly terrain; and many of the City’s canyons exhibit steep slopes with little vegetation coverage. These
areas are highly susceptible to landslide risks. However, the City generally lacks the thick, loose, sandy
soils which lead to liquefaction and ground failure hazards. Thus, the potential for liquefaction, lateral
spreading, and seismically induced dynamic settlement is low (City 1990).
The HEU and SEU are policy documents; thus, the Project does not directly propose physical changes
in the environment and does not, in and of itself, enable future development. To account for any
potential instability, all future development projects would be evaluated on a site-specific basis and
would be subject to federal, State, and local regulatory requirements related to building design and
construction. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development
would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific
development project is considered by the City. Thus, the Project would have no impacts related to
location on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable or that would become unstable as a result of the
Project and potentially result in on or offsite landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or
collapse.
d) Would the project be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property?
No Impact. Expansive soils are characterized as fine-grained, such as silts and clays or soils with
variable amounts of expansive clay minerals that can change in volume due to changes in water
content. According to the General Plan, soil types within the City consist predominantly of fertile clays
with some loams and shales (City 1990). Nevertheless, the HEU and SEU are policy documents; thus,
the Project does not directly propose physical changes in the environment and does not, in and of
itself, enable future development. Future development would be evaluated in separate, site-specific
CEQA documents and would be subject to federal, State, and local regulatory requirements related to
building design and construction. Potential environmental impacts from future development would
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be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a development
project is considered by the City.
e) Would the project have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative
waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water?
No Impact. With the exception of a Palos Verdes Unified School District site and 13 residences that
have individually or collectively (through the creation of a small sewer district) connected to an
adjacent jurisdiction’s sewer systems, no sanitary sewer system exists in Rolling Hills. Residences are
served by individual septic tanks and seepage pits. These systems are designed to serve single-family
residences and are not conducive to multi-family housing; particularly given the geologic, slope, and
soil constraints in Rolling Hills. However, the HEU and SEU are policy documents consistent with the
City’s General Plan and do not propose any land use or zoning changes. Moreover, all future
development would be evaluated on a site-specific basis and subject to federal, State, and local
regulatory requirements related to building design and construction. Any potentially significant
environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-
specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is considered by
the City. The Project would have no impacts related to soils incapable of adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems.
f) Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique
geological feature?
No Impact. All future development in the City would require project-specific environmental
evaluation in order to determine that any potential impacts are less than significant. Potential impacts
related to paleontological and geologic resources are unique to a project and site and cannot be
meaningfully determined until a project has been defined. In the event that paleontological resources
are discovered during future development projects, applicants will be required to comply with
regulatory standards enumerated under in PRC Section 5097.574, which sets the protocol for proper
handling. Any potentially significant environmental impacts from future development would be
analyzed in a separate CEQA document and addressed through project-specific mitigation measures
identified at the time a development project is considered by the City. Therefore, the Project would
have no impacts related to the direct or indirect destruction of a unique paleontological resource or
site or unique geologic feature.
5.8 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
8. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly
or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on
the environment?
(b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation
adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of
greenhouse gases?
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5.8.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the environment?
b) Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of
reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are policy documents consistent with the City’s General Plan. The Project
does not directly propose physical changes in the environment and does not, in and of itself, enable
future development. Any future development in the City would be required to comply with the latest
California Building Code, including the CALGreen code, which helps reduce GHG emissions through
sustainable design and renewable energy considerations. Any potentially significant environmental
impacts would be analyzed in a project-specific environmental document and addressed through
project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. The Project would have no impacts related to the generation of GHG emissions
or conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the
emission of GHGs.
5.9 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
9. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials?
(b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset
and accident conditions involving the release of
hazardous materials into the environment?
Error!
Bookmar
k not
defined.
(c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste
within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed
school?
(d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment?
Error!
Bookmar
k not
defined.
(e) For a project located within an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within
2 miles of a public airport or public use airport, would
the project result in a safety hazard or excessive
noise for people residing or working in the project
area?
(f) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with
an adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan?
(g) Expose people or structures, either directly or
indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death
involving wildland fires?
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5.9.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are policy documents consistent with the City’s General Plan. The Project
does not directly propose physical changes in the environment and does not, in and of itself, enable
future development. Moreover, the SEU addresses the protection of the existing and future
population and development from both natural and man-made hazards through a number of goals,
policies, implementation programs, principles, and standards. Among these are measures to mitigate
the risk from hazardous materials.
Construction activities associated with future individual development projects would likely involve the
temporary transportation, management, and use of oils, fuels and other potentially flammable
substances, such as paints, solvents, and cleaners. Hazardous materials that may be present during
operation of future individual projects are usually associated with landscaping and building
maintenance. Nevertheless, any future development in the City would be subject to federal, State,
and local regulatory requirements related to the transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials.
All potential environmental impacts resulting from future development would be analyzed in a
separate environmental document and addressed through project-specific mitigation measures
identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City.
b) Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
No Impact. Residential uses enabled by the City’s HEU are generally not characterized as substantial
generators of hazardous materials, nor are they anticipated to result in upset or accident conditions
involving the release thereof. Further, the SEU addresses the protection of the existing and future
population and development from both natural and man-made hazards, including hazardous
materials. Regardless, the Project involves two policy documents and would not directly result in
physical changes in the environment. Any future development would be subject to all applicable
regulatory requirements concerning the proper handling, treatment, and disposal of hazardous
materials. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development
would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific
development project is considered by the City.
c) Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?
No Impact. The City only has one school in its boundary: Rancho Del Mar High School located in the
western portion of the City. Potential hazardous material-related impacts are location-specific and
cannot be assessed in a meaningful way until the location of a project site is known. At such time that
a development proposal is considered, that project will be subject to the development review process;
and any potentially significant impacts would be addressed through mitigation measures specific to
the impact. Since the current Project involves two policy documents and does not directly propose
physical changes in the environment, no impacts related to the emission or handling of hazardous or
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acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed
school would occur.
d) Would the project be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to
the public or the environment?
No Impact. According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), no potential hazardous
waste sites are under evaluation in Rolling Hills (DTSC 2021; SWRCB 2021). The City and surrounding
area do not contain heavy industrial uses that would create a hazardous material risk in the event of
a spill, release, or natural disaster. Additionally, the City is not located near any major transit routes
involving transport of a substantial quantity of hazardous material through the City (City 1990).
The Project involves two policy documents and does not directly propose physical changes in the
environment. Any future development would be subject to all applicable regulatory requirements
concerning the proper handling, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials. Any potentially
significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through
project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. The Project would result in no impacts related to location on a site which is
included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5.
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted,
within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or
excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are policy documents that analyze housing and safety needs in the City.
The City is within 2 miles of the Torrance Airport, which is approximately 1.4 miles from the northern
boundary of the City. However, the City is not located within the airport or airfield safety hazard zone
(ALUC 2003). Any development that occurs pursuant to Housing Element or Safety Element policies
will be subject to State and local regulations regarding the transport, use, and disposal of hazardous
materials and to City planning, engineering, and building requirements. No impacts relative to noise
hazards are expected to occur as a result of the Project.
f) Would the project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
No Impact. The City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) identifies the potential evacuation
routes listed below, which include options for rapid egress from areas within the City if threatened by
a wildfire.
Main Gate at Rolling Hills Road and Palos Verdes Drive North
Crest Gate at Crest Road near Crenshaw Boulevard
Eastfield Gate at Eastfield Drive and Palos Verdes Drive East
Crest Road East (emergency access only)
The SEU addresses the protection of the existing and future population and development from both
natural and man-made hazards through a number of goals, policies, implementation programs,
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principles, and standards. Among these are measures to provide and maintain an emergency response
system for the City. Moreover, future development in the City would be required to comply with the
provisions of the City’s General Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan during construction and operation.
Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be
addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development
project is considered by the City. Thus, the Project would result in no impacts related to the
impairment of or physical interference with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan.
g) Would the project expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss,
injury or death involving wildland fires?
No Impact. The entire City is designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE
(2011). The SEU and HEU address the protection of the existing and future population and
development from both natural and man-made hazards through a number of goals, policies,
implementation programs, principles, and standards. Among these are measures to mitigate the risk
from the hazards of fire and ensure the protection of people and wildlife from hazardous materials in
the community.
Further, future development in the City would be required to comply with the provisions of the City’s
General Plan and CWPP during construction and operation. Any potentially significant environmental
impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation
measures identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Thus, the
Project would not expose people or structures to loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires; and no
impacts would result.
5.10 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
10. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements or otherwise substantially
degrade surface or ground water quality?
(b) Substantially decrease groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater recharge
such that the project may impede sustainable
groundwater management of the basin?
(c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of
the site or area, including through the alteration of
the course of a stream or river or through the
addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which
would:
i) Result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-
site;
ii) Substantially increase the rate or amount of
surface runoff in a manner which would result in
flood on- or off-site;
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10. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
iii) Create or contribute runoff water which would
exceed the capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial
additional sources of polluted runoff; or
iv) Impede or redirect flood flows?
(d) In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release
of pollutants due to project inundation?
(e) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water
quality control plan or sustainable groundwater
management plan?
5.10.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements, or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or ground water quality?
No Impact. The Project involves two policy documents which are consistent with the City’s General
Plan and do not directly propose physical changes to the environment. Future development in the
City would be required to follow State, regional, and local regulations regarding onsite stormwater
retention, so that surface waters and the groundwater aquifer are not contaminated with Project-
related pollutants. To comply with federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
requirements and maintain its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, the City is
required to screen and monitor its runoff to avoid compromising downstream water quality
standards. It is also required to implement a number of programs, such as an Illicit Discharge
Elimination Program. The City requires BMPs for construction in order to avoid erosion, pollution,
sedimentation, and runoff that would degrade water quality. Any potentially significant
environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-
specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is considered by
the City. Thus, the Project would have no impact related to violation of any water quality standards
or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or groundwater quality.
b) Would the project substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of
the basin?
No Impact. The City’s water infrastructure is owned, maintained, and operated by California Water
Service Palos Verdes District (District). According to the District’s 2020 Urban Water Management
Plan (UWMP), the current water supply for the customers of the District is purchased imported water
and groundwater is not being used as a source of supply (CalWater 2021). Further, all future
development in the City would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to
determine any potentially significant impacts to groundwater and required project-specific mitigation
measures. Any future development would also be subject to all applicable State, regional, and local
regulatory requirements concerning the efficient use and conservation of water resources, including
measures identified in the City’s General Plan. Therefore, the Project would result in no impacts
related to groundwater supplies or groundwater recharge.
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c) Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces,
in a manner which would:
i) result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site;
ii) substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in
flooding on- or off-site;
iii) create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources or polluted runoff; or
iv) impede or redirect flood flows?
No Impact. The Project involves two policy documents which are consistent with the City’s
General Plan and do not directly propose physical changes to the environment. The City’s SEU
also contains principles and standards intended to minimize risk from flooding or erosion.
Nonetheless, potential impacts related to drainage are unique to a project and cannot be
meaningfully determined until a project site has been defined. Future development in the City
would be required to follow State, regional, and local regulations regarding drainage, erosion, and
runoff. As mentioned, the City is required to screen and monitor its runoff to avoid compromising
downstream water quality standards to comply with federal NPDES requirements and maintain
its MS4 permit. The City also requires BMPs for construction in order to avoid erosion, pollution,
sedimentation, and runoff that would degrade water quality. Any potentially significant
environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-
specific mitigation measures identified at the time a s pecific development project is considered
by the City. Thus, the Project would have no impacts.
d) Would the project in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project
inundation?
No Impact. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM) panels 06037C2026G, 06037C2027G, and 06037C1940F, the City is not located in a flood hazard
area and currently has a less than 0.2 percent annual chance to be inundated by flood waters as a
result of a storm event (FEMA 2021). Additionally, the City is not located within a tsunami or seiche
zone (DOC 2021b; DWR 2021). Regardless, all future development in the City would require project-
specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts. Future development
would be subject to all applicable federal, State, and local regulatory requirements concerning flood
hazards, including measures identified in the City’s General Plan intended to minimize impacts. Any
potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed
through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. Therefore, the Project would result in no impact related to risking release of
pollutants due to Project inundation in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones.
e) Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or
sustainable groundwater management plan?
No Impact. The Project involves updating two policy documents and does not propose any zoning or
land use changes, or authorize any physical development. Any future development that occurs
pursuant to the HEU or SEU will be subject to State and local regulations regarding water quality, run-
off, and hydrology and to City planning, engineering and building requirements. The Project would
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not conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan; thus, no impacts would occur.
5.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
11. LAND USE/PLANNING
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Physically divide an established community?
(b) Cause a significant environmental impact due to a
conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
5.11.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project physically divide an established community?
b) Would the project cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan,
policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect?
No Impact. The City has prepared its HEU and SEU in accordance with Section 65580 and Section
65302(g) of the Government Code, respectively. The updates have also been prepared consistent with
the City General Plan and the community’s vision of its housing and safety needs and objectives.
Accordingly, the HEU examines the City’s housing needs as they exist today and projects future
housing needs based on RHNA allocation. No change to the land use plan or zoning map is proposed
as part of the HEU. The SEU identifies and offers goals, policies, and actions to minimize the City’s
hazards which pose a risk of injury, death, property loss, and other hardships. Any subsequent
discretionary actions or development that occur pursuant to HEU policies will be reviewed and
processed in accordance with City planning policies. The HEU and SEU have been prepared in full
compliance with the State law, and no potential adverse impacts relative to land use would occur.
5.12 MINERAL RESOURCES
12. MINERAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral
resource that would be of value to the region and the
residents of the state?
(b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important
mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local
general plan, specific plan or other land use plan?
5.12.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value
to the region and the residents of the state?
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b) Would the project result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan?
No Impact. The City is not designated as having any known mineral resources. Although mineral
resources exist in the area, they are outside the City limits and outside the boundaries of the General
Plan (City 1990). Additionally, the Project proposes implementation of the HEU and SEU, which are
policy documents consistent with the General Plan. No land use or zoning changes are proposed, and
the Project would not result in direct physical changes to the environment. All future development
would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potentially
significant impacts and would integrate project-specific mitigation measures if needed. Therefore, the
Project would have no impacts on the availability of any known resources or locally important mineral
resource recovery sites.
5.13 NOISE
13. NOISE
Would the project result in:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Generation of a substantial temporary or permanent
increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the
project in excess of standards established in the local
general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
(b) Generation of excessive groundborne vibration or
groundborne noise levels?
(c) For a project located within the vicinity of a private
airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a
plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a
public airport or public use airport, would the project
expose people residing or working in the project area
to excessive noise levels?
5.13.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project result in generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or
noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
b) Would the project result in generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise
levels?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are both policy documents and would not result in direct physical
changes in the environment. Thus, implementation of the Project would not generate a temporary or
substantial increase in ambient noise levels. All future development would require project-specific
environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential noise impacts. Further, future
development would be required to adhere to the policies, principles, standards, and mitigation as
outlined in the General Plan Noise Element and the City’s Municipal Code. Therefore, the Project
would result in no impacts associated with an increase in temporary or ambient noise levels or
groundborne vibration/noise levels.
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c) For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such
a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public us airport, would the project
expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
No Impact. The City is within 2 miles of the Torrance Airport but is not within the airport or airfield
safety hazard zone. Moreover, the HEU and SEU are policy documents; thus, future development
would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential noise
impacts. Further, future development would be required to adhere to the policies, principles,
standards, and mitigation as outlined in the General Plan Noise Element and the City’s Municipal
Code. Therefore, the Project would have no impacts related to noise levels associated with
development within 2 miles of an airport.
5.14 POPULATION AND HOUSING
14. POPULATION AND HOUSING.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Induce substantial unplanned population growth in
an area, either directly (for example, by proposing
new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for
example, through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
(b) Displace substantial numbers of existing people or
housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
5.14.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for
example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of
roads or other infrastructure)?
b) Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
No Impact. As the regional planning agency for the Los Angeles region, SCAG is responsible for
preparing jurisdiction-level forecasts for each city and county in the region. The latest forecasts were
adopted in September 2020 and describe conditions in a base year (2016) and forecast year (2045).
SCAG forecasts indicate that City growth will be flat through 2045, with the latest published forecasts
showing 700 households in 2016 and 700 households in 2045. Population in the City over the
equivalent period is shown as increasing from 1,900 to 2,000, a growth rate of about 5 percent over
29 years (SCAG 2020).
The 2021-2029 RHNA allocation for the City is 45 units, including 20 very low income units, 9 low
income units, 11 moderate income units, and 5 above moderate income units. As previously shown in
Table 2.2-1, the combination of recently approved housing units (expected to be occupied in 2022),
future affordable units on the Rancho Del Mar site, and new ADUs, which have been made easier to
develop under a series of recently passed legislation, can accommodate the RHNA allocation in all
income categories. The table illustrates a surplus capacity of seven lower income units based on
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projected ADU production over the planning period. Any subsequent development accomplished
pursuant to the HEU or SEU will be consistent with State and regional growth mandates. The Project
will not displace housing or people but, conversely, is intended to promote affordability and increase
housing supply, which can support retention of households in all income categories. No impacts
relative to population or housing would occur as a result of the Project.
5.15 PUBLIC SERVICES
15. PUBLIC SERVICES.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Would the project result in substantial adverse
physical impacts associated with the provision of
new or physically altered governmental facilities,
need for new or physically altered governmental
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to
maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or
other performance objectives for any of the public
services:
i) Fire Protection?
ii) Police Protection?
iii) Schools?
iv) Parks?
v) Other public facilities?
5.15.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities,
the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for fire protection?
No Impact. The Los Angeles County Fire Department provides fire protection services to the City. Fire
Station 56, located at 12 Crest Road West, serves the City under Battalion 14. The Project, which
involves the SEU and HEU, would implement policies to promote maintenance of acceptable service
ratios, response times, and other performance objectives for fire protection. Additionally, since the
City is within the CAL FIRE VHFHSZ, the SEU includes policies to enforce VHFHSZ-specific standards
during development. Compliance with these standards reduces the fire vulnerability of new structures
built in the City. The HEU and SEU are only policy documents, and all future development would
require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts to fire
protection. Further, future development would be required to adhere to State and local regulations
as well as the policies, principles, standards, and mitigation as outlined in other sections of the General
Plan. Therefore, the Project would have no impact on fire protection services.
b) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities,
the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for police protection?
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No Impact. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is contracted with the City to provide police
services and protection. The Lomita Station of the Sheriff’s Department is located at 26123 Narbonne
Avenue. The Project, which involves the SEU and HEU, would implement policies to promote
maintenance of acceptable service ratios, response times, and other performance objectives for
police protection. The HEU and SEU are only policy documents, and all future development would
require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts to
police protection. Further, future development would be required to adhere to State and local
regulations as well as the policies, principles, standards, and mitigation as outlined in other sections
of the General Plan. Therefore, the Project would have no impact on police protection services.
c) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities,
the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for schools?
No Impact. The Palos Verdes Unified School District serves the City. School-related impacts depend
upon the location and intensity of a project, students generated per household, and the capacity of
facilities in a given attendance area. The HEU and SEU are only policy documents and do not authorize
future development. All future development would require project-specific environmental evaluation
in order to determine any potential impacts to schools. Further, future development would be
required to adhere to State and local regulations as well as the policies, principles, standards, and
mitigation outlined in other sections of the General Plan. Therefore, the Project would have no impact
on schools.
d) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities,
the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for parks?
No Impact. Park-related impacts depend upon the location and intensity of a project. There is one
public park, numerous trails, open space areas, three tennis courts, and two equestrian facilities that
will not be impacted by the Project. The HEU and SEU are policy documents and do not authorize
future development. All future development would require project-specific environmental evaluation
in order to determine any potential impacts to parks. Further, future development would be required
to adhere to State and local regulations as well as the policies, principles, standards, and mitigation
as outlined in other sections of the General Plan. Therefore, the Project would have no impact on
parks.
e) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities,
the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for other public facilities?
No Impact. The HEU and SEU are policy documents and do not authorize future development. All
future development would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine
any potential impacts to other public facilities. Further, future development would be required to
adhere to State and local regulations as well as the policies, principles, standards, and mitigation
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outlined in other sections of the General Plan. Therefore, the Project would have no impact on other
public facilities.
5.16 RECREATION
16. RECREATION.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated?
(b) Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse physical effect
on the environment?
5.16.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
No Impact. Impacts to recreational facilities depend upon the location and intensity of a project.
There is one public park, numerous trails, open space areas, three tennis courts, and two equestrian
facilities that will not be impacted by the Project. The HEU and SEU are policy documents and do not
authorize future development. All future development would require project-specific environmental
evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts to recreational facilities. Further, future
development would be required to adhere to State and local regulations as well as the policies,
principles, standards, and mitigation outlined in other sections of the General Plan. Therefore, the
Project would have no impact on existing recreational facilities.
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
No Impact. The Project proposes adoption of the HEU and SEU, both of which are policy documents
that would not result in direct development or construction. Therefore, the Project would not
construct any recreational facilities or require the expansion of any recreational facilities. No impacts
would occur to or from recreational facilities.
5.17 TRANSPORTATION
17. TRANSPORTATION.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy
addressing the circulation system, including transit,
roadways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
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17. TRANSPORTATION.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(b) Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines
section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
(c) Substantially increase hazards due to a geometric
design feature (e. g., sharp curves or dangerous
intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm
equipment)?
(d) Result in inadequate emergency access?
5.17.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system,
including transit, roadways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
b) Would the project Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
c) Would the project substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves
or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g. farm equipment)?
No Impact. Rolling Hills has no public roads or streets; thus the City's circulation infrastructure is not
conducive to uses generating high trip volumes (City 2014). Nonetheless, the HEU and SEU are policy
documents consistent with the General Plan. The updates do not include any changes to land use
designations, zoning, building heights and intensities, or residential densities. Any future development
would be required to adhere to all programs, ordinances, and policies that address circulation,
including those in the General Plan Circulation Element and the City’s Municipal Code. Any potentially
significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through
project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. Thus, no circulation-related impacts would result from the Project.
d) Would the project result in inadequate emergency access?
No Impact. Many streets in the community are “dead ends” without emergency vehicle access
alternatives in the event that ingress and egress is blocked (City 2014). However, the SEU addresses
the protection of the existing and future population and development from both natural and man-
made hazards through a number of goals, policies, implementation programs, principles, and
standards. To ensure adequate emergency access, future development in the City would be required
to undergo environmental analysis and comply with the provisions of the Municipal Code during
construction and operation. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future
development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time
a specific development project is considered by the City. Thus, the Project would result in no impacts
related to emergency access.
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5.18 TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
18.
TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES.
Would the project cause a substantial adverse
change in the significance of a tribal cultural
resource, defined in Public Resources Code section
21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural
landscape that is geographically defined in terms
of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred
place, or object with cultural value to a California
Native American tribe, and that is:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register
of Historical Resources, or in a local register of
historical resources as defined in Public Resources
Code section 5020.1(k), or
(b) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its
discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to
be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section
5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section
5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the
significance of the resource to a California Native
American tribe.
5.18.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource,
defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that
is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with
cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is Listed or eligible for listing in the
California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in
Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k)?
b) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource,
defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that
is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with
cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is a resource determined by the lead
agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria
set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance
of the resource to a California Native American tribe?
According to the California PRC Section 21084, a project may have a significant effect on the
environment if the project “may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical
resource.” Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) specifies that a project with the potential for adverse effects on
tribal cultural resources may be considered a significant effect on the environment. Additionally,
Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) requires a government-to-government consultation process initiated by the local
governmental agency prior to adoption or amendment of a General or Specific Plan.
The City, as the Lead Agency pursuant to CEQA and as required by AB 52 and SB 18, has consulted
with the local Native American Tribes in the Project Area. Tribes that are located regionally include:
Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation, Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission
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Indians, Gabrielino /Tongva Nation, Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California, Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe,
Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, and Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians. Letters were sent to these
Tribes on December 13, 2021. Tribes were requested to respond to AB 52 by January 12, 2022, and
SB 18 by January 27, 2022.
As of the release of this document, the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation responded
with two separate letters on December 21, 2021 noting that they had no comments or concerns and
no additional information to provide regarding the HEU or SEU, but requesting consultation for any
and all future projects with ground disturbance as shown in Appendix C: Tribal Consultation Response.
Additionally, the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California responded noting that the City is a highly
culturally sensitive area and expressed interest in finding out more information regarding the project,
however, after review of the project, they submitted a follow up email stating that they have no
concerns, but requested notification on future projects.
The HEU and SEU are policy documents that would not result in direct development or construction.
As noted, to date, two Tribes responded during the consultation process and did not have any
comments or concerns. Similar to the Project, future projects would be required comply with AB 52
and SB 18, which require consultation with any Tribes that request consultation. The Project would
not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a Tribal Cultural Resource listed or eligible
for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources or in the local register of historical resources
as defined in PRC Section 5020.1(k). Thus, no impacts to Tribal Cultural Resources would occur.
5.19 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
19. UTILITIES/SERVICE SYSTEMS.
Would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Require or result in the relocation or construction of
new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or
storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the construction or
relocation of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
(b) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the
project and reasonably foreseeable future
development during normal, dry and multiple dry
years?
(c) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project’s projected demand in addition to the
provider’s existing commitments?
(d) Generate solid waste in excess of State or local
standards, or in excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of
solid waste reduction goals?
(e) Comply with federal, state, and local management
and reduction statutes and regulations related to
solid wastes?
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5.19.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water,
wastewater treatment or stormwater drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications
facilities, the construction or expansion of which could cause significant environmental effects?
No Impact. The Project is for the adoption of the City’s HEU and SEU, which are policy documents that
would not result in direct development or construction. The HEU identifies approved housing
developments and the construction of ADUs within the City to meet RHNA allocation. According to
the HEU, the principal site improvements required upon development of a vacant property in the City
are the undergrounding of electrical lines to the structure, installation of a septic system, and
conformance to the City’s outdoor lighting standards.
All future development in the City would require project-specific environmental evaluation and would
be subject to all applicable State, regional, and local regulatory requirements concerning the
installation of utilities. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future
development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time
a specific development project is considered by the City. The HEU and SEU are policy documents that
would not result in direct development or construction. Therefore, the Project would have no impacts
regarding the construction or expansion of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or
stormwater drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities.
b) Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably
foreseeable future development during normal dry and multiple dry years?
No Impact. According to the 2020 UWMP, the District’s only source of water supply is imported,
purchased water from the West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD) (CalWater 2021). The
WBMWD Draft 2020 UWMP states that it will be able to serve 100 percent of projected demands in
normal, single-dry and multiple-dry years. As such, the District expects that, under all hydrologic
conditions, purchased water supplies (in combination with the future recycled supplies) will fully serve
future potable demands (CalWater 2021).
Further, all future development in the City would require project-specific environmental evaluation
in order to determine any potential impacts to groundwater. Any future development would also be
subject to all applicable State, regional, and local regulatory requirements concerning the efficient
use and conservation of water resources, including measures identified in the City’s General Plan. Any
potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be
addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development
project is considered by the City. Therefore, the Project would result in no impacts related to water
supply availability.
c) Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or
may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition
to the provider’s existing commitments?
No Impact. Wastewater treatment in the City generally occurs through private septic tanks, as only
several parcels on the western periphery of the City have access to sanitary sewer. For these several
parcels, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) owns, operates, and maintains the sewer
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system consisting of gravity sewers, pumping stations, and force mains to collect wastewater from
the Palos Verdes District service area (Sanitation District #5). The LACSD’s Joint Water Pollution
Control Plant (JWPCP) provides the wastewater service for the District service area. It provides
advanced primary and partial secondary treatment for 400 million gallons per day (MGD) of
wastewater and serves a population of approximately 4.8 million people (LACSD 2021). This plant
currently processes 260 MGD; thus, the system has adequate capacity for the Project (CalWater 2021).
Since the Project proposes adoption of two policy documents, all future development in the City
would require project-specific environmental evaluation in order to determine any potential impacts
related to wastewater. Any future development would also be subject to all applicable State, regional,
and local regulatory requirements concerning the efficient use and conservation of water resources,
including measures identified in the City’s General Plan. Any potentially significant environmental
impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation
measures identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Therefore,
the Project would result in no impacts related to wastewater treatment.
d) Generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals?
e) Would the project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
No Impact. The closest landfill to the City is the Savage Canyon Landfill in Whittier, California. This
landfill has a remaining capacity of 9,510,833 tons and is not expected to close until 2055 (CalRecycle
2021). Since the Project proposes adoption of two policy documents, all future development projects
would require an environmental analysis to ensure compliance with the State and local standards and
the federal, State, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid
waste. Therefore, the Project would have no impact in regard to an increase in solid waste generation
or complying with applicable regulations related to solid waste.
5.20 WILDFIRE
20.
WILDFIRE.
If located in or near state responsibility areas or
lands classified as very high fire hazard severity
zones, would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Substantially impair an adopted emergency response
plan or emergency evacuation plan?
(b) Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors,
exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project
occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a
wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
(c) Require the installation or maintenance of
associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks,
emergency water sources, power lines or other
utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may
result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the
environment?
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20.
WILDFIRE.
If located in or near state responsibility areas or
lands classified as very high fire hazard severity
zones, would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(d) Expose people or structures to significant risks,
including downslope or downstream flooding or
landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage changes?
5.20.1 Impact Analysis
a) Would the project impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
No Impact. The entire City is designated as a VHFHSZ by CAL FIRE (CAL FIRE 2011). As mentioned in
Section 5.9, the City’s CWPP identifies the potential evacuation routes described below, which include
options for rapid egress from areas within the City if threatened by a wildfire.
Main Gate at Rolling Hills Road and Palos Verdes Drive North
Crest Gate at Crest Road near Crenshaw Boulevard
Eastfield Gate at Eastfield Drive and Palos Verdes Drive East
Crest Road East (emergency access only)
The SEU and HEU address the protection of the existing and future population and development from
both natural and man-made hazards through a number of goals, policies, implementation programs,
principles, and standards. Among these are measures to mitigate the risk from the hazards of fire.
Regardless, potential impacts related to emergency response and evacuation are unique to a project
and cannot be meaningfully determined until a project has been defined. Therefore, future
development in the City would require individual environmental analysis to ensure compliance with
the provisions of the City’s General Plan and CWPP during construction and operation. Any potentially
significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be addressed through
project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. Thus, the Project would result in no impacts related to the impairment of or
physical interference with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
b) Would the project, due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and
thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled
spread of a wildfire?
No Impact. As mentioned above, the entire City is designated a VHFHSZ by CAL FIRE, and a substantial
amount of land in the City is steep hillsides and canyons (CAL FIRE 2011). Although the SEU and HEU
include measures to mitigate the risk of fire hazards, potential impacts related to fire exacerbation
are unique to a project and cannot be meaningfully determined until a project has been defined. Thus,
future development in the City would require separate environmental analysis to ensure compliance
with the provisions of the City’s General Plan and CWPP during construction and operation. Any
potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be
addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development
project is considered by the City. Thus, the Project would result in no impacts related to wildfire
exacerbation.
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c) Would the project require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads,
fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines, or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or
that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
No Impact. Principal site improvements required upon development of a vacant property in the City
are the undergrounding of electrical lines to the structure, installation of a septic system, and
conformance to the City’s outdoor lighting standards. The entire City is designated a VHFHSZ by CAL
FIRE; however, the SEU includes measures to mitigate the risk of fire hazards. Although not anticipated
under the HEU or the SEU, potential impacts related to utility installation and fire exacerbation are
unique to a project and cannot be meaningfully determined until a project has been defined. Thus,
future development in the City would require separate environmental analysis to ensure compliance
with the provisions of the City’s General Plan and CWPP during construction and operation. Any
potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development would be
addressed through project-specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development
project is considered by the City. Thus, the Project would result in no impacts related to wildfire
exacerbation.
d) Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream
flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability or drainage changes?
No Impact. As mentioned above, the entire City is designated a VHFHSZ by CAL FIRE, and a substantial
amount of land in the City is steep hillsides and canyons highly susceptible to landslide risks (CAL FIRE
2011). Although the SEU includes measures to mitigate the risk of fire hazards, potential impacts
related to post-fire instability and drainage changes are unique to a project and cannot be
meaningfully determined until a project has been defined. Thus, future development in the City would
require separate environmental analysis to ensure compliance with the provisions of the City’s
General Plan and CWPP during construction and operation. Any potentially significant environmental
impacts identified from future development would be addressed through project-specific mitigation
measures identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. Thus, the
Project would result in no impacts related to post-fire slope instability or drainage changes.
5.21 MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
21. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Does the project have the potential to substantially
degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife
species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop
below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a
plant or animal community, substantially reduce the
number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered
plant or animal or eliminate important examples of
the major periods of California history or prehistory?
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21. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(b) Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable” means that the
incremental effects of a project are considerable
when viewed in connection with the effects of past
projects, the effects of other current projects, and
the effects of probable future projects?)
(c) Does the project have environmental effects which
will cause substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
5.21.1 Impact Analysis
a) Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop
below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce
the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important
examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when
viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the
effects of probable future projects?)
c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
No Impact. As demonstrated throughout this document, the Project would have no impacts to
Aesthetics, Agricultural Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy,
Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and
Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population and Housing, Public
Services, Recreation, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities and Service Systems, or
Wildfires. Implementation of the City’s HEU and SEU will not create any significant or adverse impacts
and would therefore not contribute to any cumulatively considerable impacts. Potential site-specific
impacts that cannot be known at this time would be addressed in conjunction with any development
proposal submitted for the individual project sites. The Project involves adoption of two policy
documents consistent with the General Plan and does not include any changes to land use
designations, zoning, building heights and intensities, or residential densities. Therefore, the Project
would have no impacts or cumulatively considerable impacts on the environment or human beings.
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SECTION 6.0 – REFERENCES
California Department of Conservation (DOC)
2017 State of California Williamson Act Contract Land. Available online at:
https://planning.lacity.org/eir/HollywoodCenter/Deir/ELDP/(E)%20Initial%20Study/Initi
al%20Study/Attachment%20B%20References/California%20Department%20of%20Cons
ervation%20Williamson%20Map%202016.pdf.
2021a California Important Farmland Finder. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/ciff/.
2021b Tsunami Hazard Area Map. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/informationwarehouse/ts_evacuation/?extent=-
13249590.3641%2C3986280.7635%2C-
13132183.0887%2C4038410.8168%2C102100&utm_source=cgs+active&utm_content=l
osangeles.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
2011 Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA: Rolling Hills. Available online at:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/5840/rolling_hills.pdf.
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
2021 SWIS Facility/Site Activity Details: Savage Canyon Landfill (19-AH-0001). Accessed
December 2021. Available online at:
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/SiteActivity/Details/3494?siteID=1399.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
2021 EnviroStor. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?myaddress=rolling+hills%2C+CA.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
2021 California State Scenic Highway System Map. Accessed December 2021. Available online
at:
https://caltrans.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=465dfd3d807c46c
c8e8057116f1aacaa.
California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
2021 California Dam Breach Inundation Map Web Publisher. Accessed December 2021.
Available online at: https://fmds.water.ca.gov/webgis/?appid=dam_prototype_v2.
California Water Service (CalWater)
2021 2020 Urban Water Management Plan: Palos Verdes District. Available online at:
https://www.calwater.com/docs/uwmp2020/PV_2020_UWMP_FINAL.pdf. June.
City of Rolling Hills (City)
1990 City of Rolling Hills General Plan. Available online at: https://www.rolling-
hills.org/government/planning_and_community_services/index.php.
152
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2014 2014-2021 Update of the Housing Element of the General Plan. Available online at:
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/rollinghillsca/Goverment/Planning%20And%20Commun
ity%20Services/Housing%20Element%202014%20_201402111636398968.pdf.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
2021 National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://hazards-
fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8b0adb51996444d4879338
b5529aa9cd.
Los Angeles County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC)
2003 Torrance Airport. Available online at:
https://planning.lacounty.gov/assets/upl/project/aluc_airport-torrance.pdf.
Los Angeles County Sanitation District (LACSD)
2021 Wastewater Treatment Process at JWPCP. Accessed on December 23, 2021, at:
https://www.lacsd.org/services/wastewater-sewage/facilities/joint-water-pollution-
control-plant/wastewater-treatment-process-at-jwpcp.
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
1999 Map of Jurisdiction. Available online at: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-
source/default-document-library/map-of-jurisdiction.pdf.
2021 2022 AQMP. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
http://www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/clean-air-plans/air-quality-mgt-plan#.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
2020 The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy of the
Southern California Association Of Governments: Connect SoCal. Available online at:
https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/0903fconnectsocal-
plan_0.pdf?1606001176.
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
2021 GeoTracker. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/?CMD=runreport&myaddress=rolling+hills
%2C+CA.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
2021 National Wetlands Inventory. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Mapper.html.
153
APPENDIX C – TRIBAL CONSULTATION RESPONSES APPENDIX A AND B ARE PROVIDED ON THE
CITY'S WEBSITE: WWW.ROLLING-HILLS.ORG
154
Andrew Salas, Chairman Nadine Salas, Vice-Chairman Dr. Christina Swindall Martinez, secretary
Albert Perez, treasurer I Martha Gonzalez Lemos, treasurer II Richard Gradias, Chairman of the council of Elders
PO Box 393 Covina, CA 91723 www.gabrielenoindians.org admin@gabrielenoindians.org
GABRIELENO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS - KIZH NATION
Historically known as The Gabrielino Tribal Council - San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
recognized by the State of California as the aboriginal tribe of the Los Angeles basin
December 21,2021
Project Name: The City of Rolling Hills Housing and Safety Element
Updates Project
Dear John F. Signo,
Thank you for your email dated December 13,2021. Regarding the
project above. This is to concur that we are in agreement with the Housing
Element Update. However, our Tribal government would like to request
consultation for any and all future projects within this location.
Sincerely,
155
Andrew Salas, Chairman Nadine Salas, Vice-Chairman Dr. Christina Swindall Martinez, secretary
Albert Perez, treasurer I Martha Gonzalez Lemos, treasurer II Richard Gradias, Chairman of the council of Elders
PO Box 393 Covina, CA 91723 www.gabrielenoindians.org admin@gabrielenoindians.org
GABRIELENO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS - KIZH NATION
Historically known as The Gabrielino Tribal Council - San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
recognized by the State of California as the aboriginal tribe of the Los Angeles basin
December 21,2021
Project Name: The City of Rolling Hills Safety Element
Thank you for your letter regarding the project above. This is to
concur that we are in agreement with the Safety Element. However, our Tribal
government would like to request consultation for any and all future projects
when ground disturbance will be occurring within this location.
Sincerely,
Andrew Salas, Chairman
Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians – Kizh Nation
1(844)390-0787
156
1
From: CHRISTINA CONLEY-HADDOCK <christina.marsden@alumni.usc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, January 6, 2022 1:17 PM
To: Richard Shultz <rshultz@chambersgroupinc.com>
Cc: Robert Dorame <gtongva@icloud.com>
Subject: Re: Follow-up re: 21330 City of Rolling Hills Housing & Safety Element Project SB 18/AB 52 Consult Request
Good afternoon Richard,
Apologies for the delay - I have been out on the field.
At this time, as there are no specific developments planned, we have no concerned.
any future projects in the city of Rolling Hills as aforementioned, it is a sensitive area for our tribe.
Take good care,
Christina
tehoovet taamet
C H R I S T I N A C O N L E Y
Native American Monitor - Caretaker of our Ancestral Land
Cultural Resource Administrator Under Tribal Chair, Robert Dorame (MLD)
HAZWOPER Certified
626.407.8761
__________________________________________________________
G A B R I E L I N O T O N G V A I N D I A N S O F C A L I F O R N I A
On Jan 3, 2022, at 12:56 PM, Richard Shultz <rshultz@chambersgroupinc.com> wrote:
Good afternoon and happy new year Christina.
I am following up on your recent letter (below). Chambers Group is assisting the City of Rolling
Hills with their requirement to conduct SB 18 and AB 52 consultations related to the proposed
Housing and Safety Element Updates to the General Plan and policies.
As noted in the attached consultation request letter there are no specific developments planned
at this time, and the consultation is being requested for comments or concerns with the
proposed Element Updates. Chambers Group and the City of Rolling Hills greatly appreciate the
concerns of the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council and wish to allay any
apprehensions that the resources listed, and not listed, below would be affected by the
proposed Element Updates.
157
2
From: CHRISTINA CONLEY-HADDOCK <christina.marsden@alumni.usc.edu>
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2021 10:27 AM
To: Kellie Kandybowicz <kkandybowicz@chambersgroupinc.com>
Cc: Richard Shultz <rshultz@chambersgroupinc.com>; Robert Dorame <gtongva@icloud.com>
Subject: Re: Follow-up re: 21330 City of Rolling Hills Housing & Safety Element Project SB 18/AB 52
Consult Request
Good morning John,
If the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council wish to consult under SB 18 or AB 52
concerning these proposed Element Updates please contact John Signo, AICP, at the City of
Rolling Hills (jsigno@cityofrh.net - City Of Rolling Hills – City Hall 2; Portuguese Bend Road,
Rolling Hills CA 90274; O: 310.377.1521 | F: 310.377.7288). Alternatively, feel free to contact
either Kellie or myself and we will coordinate with the City.
Please let Kellie or me know if you have any questions or concerns, and we will be happy to
help.
Thank you,
Richard
We are in receipt of your 21330 City of Rolling Hills Housing & Safety Element Project SB 18/AB 52
Consult Request. Thank you for reaching out.
After conferring with Tribal Chair Dorame (the Most Likely Descendent), this property is highly culturally
sensitive to the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California (GTIOC) as it resides near one of our villages. The
Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California request an AB52 and SB18 consultation for this project.
There are a minimum of 7 identified sties near the project area; LAN 110, LAN 191, LAN 276, LAN277,
LAN278, LAN 279, LAN 280 (LAN 275 borders your project area).
The concern with all of these sites is that they are significant evidence of the existence of a village site
and the area may still yield evidence of buried deposits. Artifacts unearthed in previous projects
included obsidian projectiles, sandstone bowls, cog stones and more importantly, human remains.
The Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California tribe is deeply concerned with any ground disturbances in
your project area and this project will need a monitor from the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California
for only ground disturbances.
Attached are our treatment plans for your project site.
Please let us know what your next steps are and how we may assist you.
Take good care and happy new year,
Christina
158
3
tehoovet taamet
C H R I S T I N A C O N L E Y
Native American Monitor - Caretaker of our Ancestral Land
Cultural Resource Administrator Under Tribal Chair, Robert Dorame (Most Likely Descendent)
HAZWOPER Certified
626.407.8761
__________________________________________________________
G A B R I E L I N O T O N G V A I N D I A N S O F C A L I F O R N I A
<image001.png>
<image002.png>
From: Kellie Kandybowicz
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 9:28 AM
To: 'christina.marsden@alumni.isc.edu' <christina.marsden@alumni.isc.edu>
Cc: Richard Shultz <rshultz@chambersgroupinc.com>
Subject: 21330 City of Rolling Hills Housing & Safety Element Project SB 18/AB 52
Consult Request
Dear Christina Conley,
The City of Rolling Hills (City) is commencing its Senate Bill (SB) 18 and
Assembly Bill (AB) 52 consultation processes for the Housing and Safety Element
Updates Project (Project). Pursuant to Government Codes §65352.3 and §65352.4
SB 18 require local governments to consult with California Native American
tribes identified by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) for the
purpose of avoiding, protecting, and/or mitigating impacts to cultural places
when creating or amending General Plans, Specific Plans and Community Plans.
Additionally, AB 52 (Public Resources Codes §21080.3.1 and §21080.3.2) requires
public agencies to consult with California Native American tribes identified by
the NAHC for the purpose of avoiding, protecting, and/or mitigating impacts to
tribal cultural resources (TCRs) as defined, for California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) projects. This letter is being provided to you because your Tribe, the
Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council, was listed on the NAHC
directory as an individual or group who may have additional knowledge
pertaining to tribal cultural resources within this geographic area.
The Project consists of a Housing Element Update of the City of Rolling Hills
General Plan and an update to the City’s Safety Element to address various
natural and human-caused hazards the City has dealt with including
earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, and land movement.
159
4
The Housing Element and Safety Element Updates are policy updates only, and
no specific developments are proposed at this time. A description of each of the
updates is provided below.
Housing Element Update
The City’s Housing Element serves as an integrated part of the General Plan, and
is subject to detailed statutory requirements, including a requirement to be
updated every eight years, and mandatory review by the California Department
of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The City is currently adopting
their 6thcycle Housing Element Update (HEU). The City’s Regional Housing
Needs Allocation (RHNA) for this 6th cycle, is 45 units which the City determined
can be met with existing approved developments, the underutilized Rancho Del
Mar school site, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Therefore, the HEU, is a
policy document; no actual development nor rezoning of parcels is included as
part of the approval.
Safety Element Update
The Safety Element Update (SEU) provides the City goals, policies, and actions to
minimize the hazards to safety in and around the City. The SEU evaluates
natural and human-caused safety hazards that affect existing and future
development and provides guidelines for protecting the community from harm.
The SEU describes existing and potential future conditions and sets policies for
improved public safety. The goal of the SEU is to reduce the risk of injury, death,
property loss, and other hardships to acceptable levels.
As part of the proposed updates the City has requested a Sacred Lands File (SLF)
search by the NAHC. The result of the SLF search conducted through the NAHC
was negative for the Project site. The City of Rolling Hills is a rural, equestrian
residential community, consisting entirely of large lot residential parcels of one
acre or more (Figure 1). The community encompasses 2.99 square miles of land
(approximately 1,910 acres) on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the County of Los
Angeles.
Please consider this letter notification and preliminary Project information as the
initiation of the SB 18 and AB 52 requests for consultation. Pursuant to PRC
21080.3.1(d), the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council have 30
days upon receipt of this letter to provide a request for AB 52 consultation on the
Project. Pursuant to GC 65352.3, the Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California
Tribal Council have 90 days upon receipt of this letter to provide a request for SB
18 consultation. Due to the abbreviated timeline regarding funding opportunities
for this affordable housing Project, we respectfully ask that requests for SB 18
consultation also be provided within 45 days, if practicable.
160
5
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6
<image006.jpg> City of Rolling Hills – City Hall
2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills CA 90274
O: 310.377.1521 | F: 310.377.7288
jsigno@cityofrh.net
Attachments – Project Location Map
Kellie Kandybowicz | Cultural Resources Specialist
<image002.png>
t | 858.541.2800 : x7140 f | 866.261.3100 m | 760.521.9005
kkandybowicz@chambersgroupinc.com www.chambersgroupinc.com
<21330_CityofRollingHillsHousing&SafetyElementProject_20211215_Conley.pdf><2133
0 PLAN Fig 1 Project Location_small.pdf>
<SB18-AB52 Letter Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council.pdf>
161
FINAL NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS 2021‐2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
UPDATE AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
Prepared for:
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Contact: John F. Signo, AICP
(310) 377‐1521
Prepared by:
CHAMBERS GROUP, INC.
600 West Broadway #250
Glendale, CA 91204
(213) 623‐1859
February 2022
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1.0 – INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
1.1 DRAFT INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION ........................................................................ 1
1.2 AVAILABILITY OF THE NOI AND IS/MND ....................................................................................... 1
SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SETTING ............................................................................ 2
2.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 2
2.1.1 Housing Element Update ................................................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Safety Element Update .................................................................................................... 2
2.2 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE ........................................................................................................ 2
2.2.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 2
2.2.2 Housing Element Overview .............................................................................................. 3
2.2.3 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) .................................................................... 4
2.2.4 Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA .................................................................................. 4
2.2.5 2021‐2029 Goals and Policies .......................................................................................... 5
2.3 SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE ............................................................................................................ 5
2.3.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.2 Safety Element Overview ................................................................................................. 5
2.3.3 Goals and Policies ............................................................................................................ 6
2.4 APPROVALS REQUIRED ................................................................................................................. 6
SECTION 3.0 – FINDINGS ...................................................................................................................... 7
SECTION 4.0 – CIRCULATION ................................................................................................................ 8
SECTION 5.0 – RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ............................................................................................ 9
5.1 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO COMMENTS ............................................................................ 9
SECTION 6.0 – REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION .................................................... 46
SECTION 7.0 – NEGATIVE DECLARATION ............................................................................................ 47
SECTION 8.0 – REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 48
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.2‐1: Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA ........................................................................................... 4
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SECTION 1.0 – INTRODUCTION
1.1 DRAFT INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
On January 13, 2022, the City of Rolling Hills distributed the Draft Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
(IS/ND) for the City of Rolling Hills 2021‐2029 Housing Element Update and Safety Element Update Project
to public agencies and the general public. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Section 21091 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15073, a 30‐day public review period for the
Draft IS/ND was provided from January 13, 2022 to February 11, 2022.
1.2 AVAILABILITY OF THE NOI AND IS/MND
The NOI and the IS/ND were available for review at the following locations:
City of Rolling Hills City Hall
Planning and Community Services Department
No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
The city’s website at:
https://www.rolling‐hills.org/21330%20‐%20Rolling%20Hills%20IS_011022.pdf
Additionally the NOI was posted in the Daily Breeze on January 13, 2022. Agencies and members of the
public were invited to reach out to the City's Director of Planning and Community Services, John F. Signo,
AICP, with any comments or questions regarding the Project.
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SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SETTING
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Rolling Hills (City) is a rural, equestrian residential community, consisting entirely of large lot
residential parcels of one acre or more. The community encompasses 2.99 square miles of land
(approximately 1,910 acres) on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the County of Los Angeles. The City’s General
Plan was drafted and adopted in 1990. The City is proposing updates to both the Housing Element and
Safety Element of the General Plan, two of the six elements. A description of each of the updates is
provided below.
2.1.1 Housing Element Update
The 2020 Census indicates a citywide population of 1,739 residents, making the City the fifth smallest of
the 88 cities in Los Angeles County. The City is proposing to adopt the Housing Element for the Sixth Cycle
planning period from 2021 to 2029. The Housing Element, which is part of the City’s General Plan, is a
policy document designed to provide the City a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting
the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing within the community. California Government
Code Section 65580 states the following regarding the importance of creating housing elements:
The availability of housing is of vital statewide importance, and the early attainment of decent
housing and a suitable living environment for every Californian, including farmworkers, is a priority
of the highest order.
Per State law, the housing element has two main purposes:
1. To provide an assessment of both current and future housing needs and constraints in meeting
these needs; and
2. To provide a strategy that establishes housing goals, policies, and programs.
2.1.2 Safety Element Update
The Safety Element Update (SEU), provides the City’s goals, policies, and actions to minimize the hazards
to safety in and around the City. The SEU evaluates natural and human‐caused safety hazards that affect
existing and future development and provides guidelines for protecting the community from harm. The
SEU describes existing and potential future conditions and sets policies for improved public safety. The
goal of the SEU is to reduce the risk of injury, death, property loss, and other hardships to acceptable
levels.
2.2 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
2.2.1 Background
The City’s Housing Element serves as an integrated part of the General Plan and is subject to detailed
statutory requirements, including a requirement to be updated every eight years and mandatory review
by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This action includes the
adoption of the HEU, which is a policy document; no actual development or rezoning of parcels is included
as part of the HEU. The proposed HEU is an eight‐year plan for the 2021‐2029 period.
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Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583, a housing element is required to consist of an identification
and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified
objectives, financial resources, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and
development of housing. Specifically, a housing element is required to contain the following:
An assessment of housing needs and an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to
meeting those needs (Government Code Section 65583[a])
A statement of the community’s goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the
maintenance, preservation, improvement, and development of housing (Government Code
Section 65583[a])
A program that sets forth a schedule of actions during the planning period, each with a timeline
for implementation of the policies and to achieve the goals and objectives of the housing element
(Government Code Section 65583[c])
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) began the Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA) process for the Sixth Cycle in Fall 2019, exploring different methodologies for allocating the
regional need to individual cities and counties. As other cities began work on their Sixth Cycle Elements,
the City was required to first amend its Fifth Cycle Element to accommodate both the current (Fifth) cycle
and the prior (Fourth) cycle RHNA allocations due to its noncompliant status. The combined RHNA for the
two cycles was 28 units. Accommodating this need meant that City was also required to amend its General
Plan and zoning to create additional housing capacity.
The Fifth Cycle Housing Element was adopted June 14, 2021. The Fifth Cycle Housing Element was
submitted to HCD and found to be in compliance on July 7, 2021. As a result of the compliance
determination, the City does not have to carry over its prior allocation and may plan only for the 45 units
identified in the Sixth Cycle RHNA.
2.2.2 Housing Element Overview
The City’s HEU consists of the following major components:
A review of the prior housing element and goals that were accomplished (Section 2, Evaluation of
Prior Housing Element)
An assessment of housing needs in the City including profile and analysis of the City’s
demographics, housing characteristics, and existing and future housing needs (Section 3, Housing
Needs Assessment)
An assessment of resources available to meet the City’s objectives regarding housing production
and preservation. Resources include land available for new construction and redevelopment, as
well as financial and administrative resources available (Section 4, Housing Sites)
A review of the constraints to housing production and preservation. Constraints include potential
market, governmental policy, and environmental limitations to meeting the City’s identified
housing needs (Section 5, Constraints to Housing Production)
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A statement of the housing plan to address the City’s identified housing needs, including housing
goals, policies, and programs (Section 6, Housing Goals, Policies, Objectives, and Programs)
2.2.3 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
State housing element law requires housing elements to be updated regularly to reflect a community’s
changing housing needs, including preparation of a RHNA plan [Government Code Section 65584(a)]. A
critical measure of compliance is the ability of a jurisdiction to accommodate its share of the regional
housing needs based on a RHNA prepared by HCD for each Council of Governments in the state that
identifies projected housing units needed for all economic segments based on Department of Finance
population estimates. The SCAG is responsible for allocating this total to each of the six counties and 191
cities in the SCAG area. This process is known as the RHNA and occurs every eight years.
SCAG calculates each city and county’s “fair share” of the regional need using a computer model that
weighs factors such as existing population and employment, growth potential, proximity to transit, and
social equity. For each jurisdiction, SCAG distributes the RHNA among four different income groups. This
ensures that each city or county is planning for housing that meet the needs of all economic segments of
the community, including lower income households.
For the City, the RHNA for 2021‐2029 is 45 units (SCAG 2020). This includes 20 very low income units, 9
low income units, 11 moderate income units, and 5 above moderate income units. The 2021‐2029 Housing
Element demonstrates that the City has the capacity to accommodate this assignment.
2.2.4 Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA
As shown in Error! Reference source not found. below, the combination of recently approved housing
units (expected to be occupied in 2022), future affordable units on the Rancho Del Mar site1, and new
accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can accommodate the RHNA allocation in all income categories. The table
illustrates a surplus capacity of seven lower income units based on projected ADU production over the
planning period.
Table 2.2‐1: Summary of Ability to Meet RHNA
Income Category Total
Extremely Low/
Very Low Low Moderate Above
Moderate
Approved Development ‐ 2 3 7* 12
Vacant Residential Lots ‐ ‐ ‐ 20 20
Rancho Del Mar Site 8 8 ‐ ‐ 16
Accessory Dwelling Units 12 6 8 14 40
TOTALS 20 16 11 41 88
RHNA 20 9 11 5 45
1 In March 2021, the City adopted an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone on the 31-acre Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School
District (PVPUSD) property located at 38 Crest Road (Rancho Del Mar site). Although the site is technically non-vacant, roughly
three-quarters of the property (23 acres) is open space. The remaining areas are underutilized and could be repurposed. Consistent
with the General Plan and Zoning amendments completed in 2021, the site is viable for 16 units of low/very low income housing.
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Surplus/Deficit 0 +7 0 +36 +43
Adequate Sites? YES YES YES YES YES
Notes: Includes 3 new homes and 4 ADU’s
2.2.5 2021‐2029 Goals and Policies
As previously mentioned, based on the City’s ability to meet RHNA allocation as described above, the HEU
is a policy document; no actual development nor rezoning of parcels is included as part of the approval.
The housing goals, policies, objectives, and programs which can be found in Chapter 6 of the HEU reflect
the City’s continued commitment to actively support residential development and plan for the City’s fair
share of regional housing needs.
2.3 SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
2.3.1 Background
Throughout its history as a city, the City has dealt with various natural hazards, including earthquakes,
wildfires, droughts, and land movement. Developments in high landslide areas have occurred, and the
City has been identified as being located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). As a result,
the City has amended its building and safety codes to include special requirements such as fire‐rated
materials for new construction and a requirement for geotechnical studies in active fault zones.
2.3.2 Safety Element Overview
The City’s SEU addresses hazards of concern relevant to the City and provides goals, policies, and
implementation measures to minimize these hazards. Figures 2 through 6 of the SEU show exact locations
of these hazards, which are described in the following paragraphs.
Landslide Hazards
Much of the existing development in the City is located on hilly terrain and has a greater potential to
experience landslide hazards. Many of the canyons in the City exhibit steep slopes with little vegetation
coverage, leaving them susceptible to slope failure.
Seismic Hazards
The City is in a seismically active region of southern California. The last major earthquake in the Los
Angeles area was the 5.1 magnitude La Habra earthquake in 2014. The City is within 50 miles of the
Whittier fault, Newport‐Inglewood fault, Palos Verdes fault, Malibu Coast fault, Cabrillo fault, Santa
Monica fault, and Redondo Canyon fault. Analysis of seismic data from the region indicates that the
Whittier and Newport‐Inglewood faults may generate a maximum credible earthquake of magnitude 7.2
and 7.4, respectively. The earthquake shaking potential for the City is moderate. A number of seismically
active faults are present in the City and region; however, none are active faults with the potential for
ground rupture, defined by the Alquist‐Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act and delineated by California
Geological Survey. The City has a low potential for liquefaction, as the subsurface soils generally lack
saturated alluvial deposits and thick, granular soils.
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Flooding
The City is not in any immediate risk from flooding caused by overflowing water bodies or heavy rains.
However, runoff and minor flooding pose a risk if drainage systems fail along canyon bottoms, where
natural drainage leads. Due to dam locations and the topography of the area, the inundation areas do not
enter or affect any portion of the City.
Wildland and Urban Fires
The entire City is designated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by the California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE 2011). The terrain in the City is composed of several large and
steep canyons that limit and challenge vegetation management and present conditions where a fire can
quickly travels up and downslope to nearby homes. Due to the rural nature and large residential lots,
many homes are surrounded by more substantial vegetation and dense brush than in more suburban
settings.
Hazardous Materials
According to the Department of Substances Control (DTSC 2021), no hazardous waste sites or facilities are
present in the City. The City and surrounding area do not contain heavy industrial uses that would create
a hazardous material risk in the event of a spill, release, or natural disaster.
2.3.3 Goals and Policies
Similar to the HEU, the SEU is a policy document; no actual development or rezoning of parcels is included
as part of the approval. In addition to goals and policies, the SEU includes implementation measures for
action items for the City. The goals, policies, and implementation for hazard mitigation, community
communication, and climate change adaptation and resilience are listed at the end of the SEU.
2.4 APPROVALS REQUIRED
Pursuant to State law, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is
empowered to review the housing element of each community to ensure its compliance with the
provisions of the Government Code related to facilitating the improvement and development of housing
in order to make adequate provisions for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community.
HCD has review but not approval authority.
Prior to adoption of the Safety Element, coordination and feedback from Los Angeles County Fire
Department, Rolling Hills Community Association, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is
required.
The City Council will need to adopt the Negative Declaration for the Housing Element and Safety Element
Updates. No other approvals will be required.
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SECTION 3.0 – FINDINGS
An IS / ND was prepared to assess the Proposed Project's potential impacts on the environment and the
significance of those impacts. Based on this IS / ND, it was determined that the Proposed Project would
not have any significant impacts on the environment. This conclusion is supported by the following
findings:
No potential was found for adverse impacts on Aesthetics, Agriculture, Air Quality, Biological
Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gases, Hazards and
Hazardous Materials, Hydrology, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population
and Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Transportation, Utilities and Service Systems, Tribal
Cultural Resources, and Wildfire associated with the Proposed Project.
The proposed Project will not have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self‐sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare or
threatened species or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or
prehistory with the implementation of the recommended mitigation.
The proposed Project will not have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable.
The proposed Project will not have environmental effects which will cause substantially adverse
effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly
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SECTION 4.0 – CIRCULATION
On January 13, 2022, the City of Rolling Hills circulated a NOI to Adopt an IS / ND to public agencies. In
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 21091 and State CEQA
Guidelines Section 15073, a 30‐day public review period for the Draft IS/ND was provided from January
13, 2022 to February 11, 2022. Copies of the IS / ND and supporting materials were made available for
review at the City of Rolling Hills City Hall No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, CA 90274, and online
at https://www.rolling‐hills.org/government/planning_and_community_services/index.php.
The City will review the Final IS / ND for adoption on February 15, 2022, at its regularly scheduled City
Council meeting located at No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, CA 90274.
During the 30‐day comment period, the following comments were received from the following agencies.
Comment Letter No. Commenting Agency Date of Comment
1 California Department of Transportation January 27, 2022
2 California Department of Fish and Wildlife February 4, 2022
3 Los Angeles County Sanitation District February 7, 2022
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SECTION 5.0 – RESPONSE TO COMMENTS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15204 (b) outlines parameters for submitting comments and reminds persons
and public agencies that the focus of review and comment of negative declarations should be, “on the
proposed finding that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment. If persons and
public agencies believe that the project may have a significant effect, they should: (1) Identify the specific
effect; (2) Explain why they believe the effect would occur, and; (3) Explain why they believe the effect
would be significant.”
CEQA Guidelines Section 15204 (c) further advises, “Reviewers should explain the basis for their
comments, and should submit data or references offering facts, reasonable assumptions based on facts,
or expert opinion supported by facts in support of the comments. Pursuant to Section 15064, an effect
shall not be considered significant in the absence of substantial evidence.” Section 15204 (d) also states,
“Each responsible agency and trustee agency shall focus its comments on environmental information
germane to that agency’s statutory responsibility.” Section 15204 (e) states, “This section shall not be
used to restrict the ability of reviewers to comment on the general adequacy of a document or of the lead
agency to reject comments not focused as recommended by this section.”
In accordance with Public Resources Code 21092.5 (b) of the CEQA Guidelines, the lead agency shall notify
any public agency which comments on a negative declaration of the public hearing or hearings, if any, on
the project for which the negative declaration was prepared. If notice to the commenting public agency
is provided pursuant to Section 21092, the notice shall satisfy the requirement of this subdivision.
5.1 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO COMMENTS
Written comments on the Draft IS / ND are reproduced on the following pages, along with responses to
those comments. To assist in referencing comments and responses, the letters are coded using numbers
(e.g., Comment Letter 1) and each issue raised in the comment letter is assigned a number that correlates
with the letter (e.g. 1‐1, 1‐2, 1‐3, etc.).
Comment‐initiated text revisions to the Draft ND and minor staff‐initiated changes are compiled in their
entirety and are demarcated with revision marks in Section 6.0, Revisions to the Draft Negative
Declaration, of this Final IS/ ND.
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RESPONSE TO COMMENT LETTER 1
Commenter: Miya Edmonson, IGR/CEQA Branch Chief, California Department of Transportation
Date of Letter: January 27, 2022
Response to Comment 1‐1: The commenter acknowledges receipt of the environmental document,
and accurately discusses the Project components. and the comment also provides population and
housing information regarding the City of Rolling Hills. No response is required.
Response to Comment 1‐2: The commenter discusses the shift in transportation analysis as a result
of Senate Bill 743 which utilizes VMT as the analysis metric as required for CEQA projects and notes the
challenges that the region faces in identifying viable solutions to alleviating congestion on state and local
facilities. The commenter suggests use of road diets, complete streets, and use of pedestrian safety
measures to increase road safety and notes the environmental report should ensure all modes are
served well by planning and development activities. This comment is noted and no further response
is required.
Response to Comment 1‐3: The commenter encourages the lead agency to use Transportation
Demand Management strategies for future specific projects to support transit and pedestrian services,
while providing reference manuals for these strategies. This comment is noted and no further response
is required.
Response to Comment 1‐4: The commenter acknowledges the lack of public roads or streets in the
City and notes the City’s circulation infrastructure does not support high volume trips. The commenter
also notes impacts associated with future development would require project specific mitigation
measures. Any potentially significant environmental impacts identified from future development, would
be addressed through project specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development
project is considered by the City.
Response to Comment 1‐5: The commenter concludes the letter and provides contact information
for questions related to the letter. This comment is noted and no further response is required.
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RESPONSE TO COMMENT LETTER 2
Commenter: Erinn Wilson‐Olgin, Environmental Program Manager I, South Coast Region, California
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Date of Letter: February 4, 2022
Response to Comment 2‐1: The commenter notes that California Department of Fish and Wildlife
(CDFW) has reviewed the proposed Project and Negative Declaration. The commenter accurately notes
that they are a Trustee Agency per CEQA Guidelines Section 15386 subdivision (a). The commenter also
notes that they are submitting comments as a Responsible Agency, however per CEQA Guidelines
Section 15381, a responsible agency is a public agency with discretionary approval authority over a
portion of a CEQA project (e.g., required permits). The commenter also notes that CDFW’s regulatory
authority is derived from the potential need for a lake and streambed alteration agreement or take
permit; however, neither will be required for the Project. As the proposed Project requires no permits,
there are no responsible agencies.
Response to Comment 2‐2: The commenter accurately provides a description of the Project. No
response is required.
Response to Comment 2‐3: The commenter introduces their comments and provides
recommendations regarding perceived impacts tied to future development. The commenter also
proposes potential mitigation measures for protection of biological resources including wildlife and
plant species that exist within the City.
The City is proposing updates to both the Housing Element and Safety Element of the General Plan, two
of the six General Plan elements that cover long‐range planning for the community’s growth and
development. Specifically, the Housing Element is concerned with policies and programs to meet the
housing needs of current and future Rolling Hills residents. This means identifying housing needs,
barriers to housing development, identifying development sites, and adopting programs to facilitate
housing that is affordable to all segments of the community. Therefore, the Housing Element is a policy
document and not an application for development of any particular parcel or site in the City.
As part of updating the Housing Element, the City must prepare an inventory of land suitable for
residential development. This inventory may include vacant land and sites having the “potential” for
redevelopment. The California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department has assigned
the City of Rolling Hills its fair share of future housing needs through the Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) process. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) began the Regional
Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process for the Sixth Cycle in Fall 2019, exploring different
methodologies for allocating the regional need to individual cities and counties. As other cities began
work on their Sixth Cycle Elements, the City was required to first amend its Fifth Cycle Element to
accommodate both the current (Fifth) cycle and the prior (Fourth) cycle RHNA allocations due to its
noncompliant status. The combined RHNA for the two cycles was 28 units. Accommodating this need
meant that the City was also required to amend its General Plan and zoning as part of the Fifth Cycle, to
create additional housing capacity.
The Fifth Cycle Housing Element was adopted June 14, 2021. The Fifth Cycle Housing Element was
submitted to HCD and found to be in compliance on July 7, 2021. As a result of the compliance
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determination, the City does not have to carry over its prior allocation and may plan only for the 45
units identified in the Sixth Cycle RHNA.
The City’s RHNA represents a “planning target” and is not a building quota or proposed housing
development application(s). Per the Housing Element law, the City must develop a list of sites where
housing development during the planning cycle (2021‐2029) is realistic. The City identified 20 sites for
which future development could occur. These sites currently are all zoned for residential uses. The
Housing Element Update does not propose any additional sites not currently zoned for residential uses,
nor does it propose intensifying with zoning, any existing residentially zoned land.
CEQA Guidelines Section 153878 defines a “project” as an action, which has a potential for resulting in
either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect change. The
Guidelines further state that a project can be an “enactment and amendment of zoning ordinances, and
amendment of local General Plans or elements thereof pursuant to Government Code Sections 65100‐
65700”. The Guidelines also state that the project can be a development proposal which will be subject
to several governmental approvals. The Housing Element falls within the former definition. As such,
implementation of the Housing Element will not result in adoption of housing development proposals or
result in construction outside of what is already able to occur with the existing zoning; no actual
development is proposed as part of the Project. Any potentially significant environmental impacts
identified from future development, including development on the 20 sites, would be addressed
through project‐specific mitigation measures identified at the time a specific development project is
considered by the City. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4, notes that mitigation measures
are not required for effects which are not found to be significant. Since the Project is the adoption of a
policy document and not an application for development of any particular parcel or site in the City or
change in zoning, no impacts to biological resources were identified and no mitigation is required.
Response to Comment 2‐4: The commenter raised concern regarding potential impacts to the coastal
California Gnatcatcher and noted that 14 of the 20 identified sites overlap with habitat for the species.
The commenter also provided suggested mitigation measures to reduce perceived impacts.
Implementation of the Housing Element will not result in adoption of housing development proposals or
result in construction outside of what is already able to occur with the existing zoning; no actual
development is proposed as part of the Project. All future projects would be treated as individual
projects and may be subject to specific environmental analysis including potential impacts to the coastal
California gnatcatcher. All future projects, especially the 14 sites identified with habitat for the species,
would be required address any potential impacts to the species. As necessary, future projects will
analyze direct, indirect, and cumulative biological impacts and will include specific mitigation or
avoidance measures as suggested to offset impacts. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4,
notes that mitigation measures are not required for effects which are not found to be significant. Since
the Project is the adoption of a policy document and not an application for development of any
particular parcel or site in the City or change in zoning, no impacts to the coastal California gnatcatcher
were identified and no mitigation is required.
Response to Comment 2‐5: Comments were provided regarding impacts on streams and associated
natural communities. The commenter notes that the City consists of canyons of the San Pedro Hills, and
within these canyons are streams, whether ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial. The commenter also
provides suggested mitigation measures and recommendations regarding perceived impacts to these
noted streams.
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As previously discussed, there is no actual development proposed as part of the Housing Element. The
City is proposing updates to both the Housing Element and Safety Element of the General Plan, two of
the six General Plan elements that cover long‐range planning for the community’s growth and
development. Specifically, the Housing Element is concerned with policies and programs to meet the
housing needs of current and future Rolling Hills residents.
Implementation of the Housing Element will not result in adoption of housing development proposals or
result in construction outside of what is already able to occur with the existing zoning; no actual
development is proposed as part of the Project. All future projects would be treated as individual
projects and may be subject to specific environmental analysis including potential impacts on streams.
All future projects, especially those in areas with streams (ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial) would
be required to prepare hydrology reports and / or obtain appropriate permits in order to evaluate
potential impacts on these watercourses and permit any potential impacts. As necessary, future projects
will analyze direct, indirect and cumulative biological impacts and will include specific mitigation or
avoidance measures as suggested to offset impacts. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4,
notes that mitigation measures are not required for effects which are not found to be significant. Since
the Project is the adoption of a policy document and not an application for development of any
particular parcel or site in the City or change in zoning, no impacts to streams were identified and no
mitigation is required.
Response to Comment 2‐6: The commenter raises concerns regarding potential impacts to nesting
birds and noted that all 20 of the sites identified for potential development contain vegetation suitable
habitat for nesting birds and raptors. The commenter also provided suggested mitigation measures for
perceived impacts to nesting birds.
Implementation of the Housing Element will not result in adoption of housing development proposals or
result in construction outside of what is already able to occur with the existing zoning; no actual
development is proposed as part of the Project. All future projects would be treated as individual
projects and may be subject to specific environmental analysis including potential impacts to nesting
birds and / or raptors. All future projects, especially those removing potential habitat for bird and raptor
species, would be required address any potential impacts. As necessary, future projects will analyze
direct, indirect and cumulative biological impacts and will include specific mitigation or avoidance
measures as suggested to offset impacts. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4, notes that
mitigation measures are not required for effects which are not found to be significant. Since the Project
is the adoption of a policy document and not an application for development of any particular parcel or
site in the City or change in zoning, no impacts to bats were identified and no mitigation is required.
Response to Comment 2‐7: The commenter raises concern regarding potential impacts to the bats
and noted that all 20 of the sites identified for potential development contain vegetation suitable
roosting habitat for bats. The commenter also provided suggested mitigation measures for perceived
impacts to bat species.
Implementation of the Housing Element will not result in adoption of housing development proposals or
result in construction outside of what is already able to occur with the existing zoning; no actual
development is proposed as part of the Project. All future projects would be treated as individual
projects and may be subject to specific environmental analysis including potential impacts to bats. All
future projects, especially those removing potential roosting habitat for bats, would be required address
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any potential impacts to the species. As necessary, future projects will analyze direct, indirect and
cumulative biological impacts and will include specific mitigation or avoidance measures as suggested to
offset impacts. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4, notes that mitigation measures are not
required for effects which are not found to be significant. Since the Project is the adoption of a policy
document and not an application for development of any particular parcel or site in the City or change in
zoning, no impacts to bats were identified and no mitigation is required. Response to Comment 2‐8:
The commenter provides further recommendations that information developed in CEQA
documents be included in databases (i.e., CNDDB) for use in future CEQA documents. Additionally, the
commenter recommends that the City include the mitigation measures mentioned in the comment
letter and provide a MMRP.
Implementation of the Housing Element will not result in adoption of housing development proposals or
result in construction outside of what is already able to occur with the existing zoning; no actual
development is proposed as part of the Project. Any future development would provide information to
appropriate databases as necessary. Additionally, any potentially significant environmental impacts
identified from future development would be addressed through project specific mitigation measures
identified at the time a specific development project is considered by the City. As previously noted,
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4, notes that mitigation measures are not required for effects which are
not found to be significant. Since the Project is the adoption of a policy document and not an application
for development of any particular parcel or site in the City or change in zoning, no impacts were
identified and no mitigation is required.
Response to Comment 2‐9: The commenter notes that the Proposed Project is required to pay the
CDFW filing fees. No development projects are proposed at this time or with implementation of the
Project. The Project is the adoption of the City of Rolling Hills 2021‐2029 Housing Element Update and
Safety Element Update. As previously discussed, the Housing Element is concerned with policies and
programs to meet the housing needs of current and future Rolling Hills residents. This means identifying
housing needs, barriers to housing development, identifying development sites, and adopting programs
to facilitate housing that is affordable to all segments of the community. The HEU and SEU are both
policy documents and do not include any changes to land use designations, zoning, building heights and
intensities, or residential densities. Therefore, the Project is the adoption of a policy document and not
an application for development of any particular parcel or site in the City. Nevertheless, as directed by
the CDWF, filing fees will be submitted at the time the Notice of Determination is filed.
Response to Comment 2‐10: The commenter concludes the comment letter and provides references
and attachments associated with the comment letter. The attachments have been reviewed as part of
the responses to comments as above, and no further response is required.
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RESPONSE TO COMMENT LETTER 3
Commenter: Mandy Huffman, Environmental Planner, Facilities Planning Department, Los Angeles
County Sanitation Districts
Date of Letter: February 7, 2022
Response to Comment 3‐1: The commenter acknowledges receipt of the environmental document,
and provides details regarding the wastewater conveyance system in the area. However, the
commenter notes that, since local collectors and/or lateral sewer lines are the responsibility of the
jurisdiction, the Districts cannot provide information on deficiencies in the area. This comment is noted
and no response is required.
Response to Comment 3‐2: The commenter states that the Districts should review projects within
the City to ensure sufficient capacity. Future Projects will be evaluated as necessary to determine
available sewer capacity. This comment is noted and no further response is required.
Response to Comment 3‐3: The commenter provides the full and average available capacity of the
Joint Water Pollution Control Plant, with information on how to estimate wastewater produced by a
project. The commenter also notes there would be a connection fee for future projects. Future Projects
will be required to pay any necessary connection fees. This comment is noted and no further response is
required.
Response to Comment 3‐4: The commenter discusses compliance with the Clean Air Act, and notes
that facility capacities are based on SCAG growth forecasts. The commenter notes that this letter does
not constitute a guarantee of wastewater service, but provides advice for future developers. This
comment is noted and no further response is required.
Response to Comment 3‐5: The commenter states that use of septic systems would have no effect
on wastewater facilities and provides contact information for questions related to the letter. This
comment is noted and no further response is required.
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SECTION 6.0 – REVISIONS TO THE DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION
There are no revisions, clarifications, and/or corrections to the Draft Negative Declaration.
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SECTION 7.0 – NEGATIVE DECLARATION
This document, along with the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration; and the Notice of Determination,
constitute the Final Negative Declaration for the City of Rolling Hills 2021‐2029 Housing Element Update
and Safety Element Update Project in the City of Rolling Hills.
Pursuant to Section 21082.1 of the California Environmental Quality Act, the City of Rolling Hills has
independently reviewed and analyzed the Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the Proposed Project
and finds that these documents reflect the independent judgment of the City of Rolling Hills.
February 11, 2022
Signature Date
John F. Signo, AICP Director of Planning and Community Services
Printed Name Title
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SECTION 8.0 – REFERENCES
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
2011 Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA: Rolling Hills. Available online at:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/5840/rolling_hills.pdf.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
2021 EnviroStor. Accessed December 2021. Available online at:
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?myaddress=rolling+hills%2C+CA.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
2020 The 2020‐2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy of the
Southern California Association Of Governments: Connect SoCal. Available online at:
https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file‐attachments/0903fconnectsocal‐
plan_0.pdf?1606001176.
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Agenda Item No.: 14.A
Mtg. Date: 02/15/2022
TO:HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION
FROM:JOHN SIGNO, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & COMMUNITY SERVICES
THRU:ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT:EXPANDED LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
DATE:February 15, 2022
BACKGROUND:
None.
DISCUSSION:
None.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file.
ATTACHMENTS:
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