Land Movement Update

December 17 City Council Meeting

On December 17, the City Council will receive an update on the City’s efforts to slow movement in the Portuguese Bend landslide area, ongoing preparation for the rainy months, and the City’s Voluntary Property Buyout Program.

The Council will also consider extending by 90 days the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South from Wayfarers Chapel to Schooner Drive. This temporary prohibition was put in place in June 2024 to prevent injuries due to the poor condition of the roadway. Although ground movement in the area has decreased since then, the land is still moving up to 4 inches per week in certain areas along the roadway and pavement conditions remain poor. If the temporary prohibition is extended, the Council will revisit it in three months. 

Whether or not the Council extends the prohibition, bicyclists and motorcyclists should consider voluntarily avoiding this stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South out of an abundance of caution. 

Finally, the Council will consider the extending the local emergency declarations in the landslide area that were put in place to bolster the City’s response to the land movement and utility shutoffs. Both declarations must be extended every 60 days to remain in effect.

A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.

Meeting Info

The meeting will take place on December 17 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.

RPV Urges SCE to Identify Thresholds for Restoring Power in Landslide Area

Earlier this week, City Manager Ara Mihranian sent a letter (PDF) to Edison International President and CEO Steve Powell regarding indefinite power shutoffs in the landslide area. The letter noted that shutoffs not only affect residents, but the ability to power the City’s sewer system in the area as well as the operation of the City’s and the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District’s (ACLAD) dewatering wells, an undertaking which has been very costly to both agencies. The City Manager requested an in-person meeting with the Mayor before year-end to learn firsthand Southern California Edison’s (SCE) short-term and long-term efforts to restore power and to discuss the specific thresholds for restoring power immediately.

Questions?

If you have questions, please email the City at landmovement@rpvca.gov.

Media Inquiries

If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City’s communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories.