NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN - City of Torrance

CITY OF TORRANCE 

NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 

August 2004



Acknowledgments and Special Thanks 

Project Steering Committee: 

• City of Torrance Building and Safety Department 

• City of Torrance Office of the City Manager 

• City of Torrance Disaster Council 

• City of Torrance Economic Development Department 

• City of Torrance Emergency Preparedness (E-Prep)Team 

• City of Torrance Finance Department 

• City of Torrance Fire Department 

• City of Torrance GIS 

• City of Torrance Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee 

• City of Torrance Community Development Department 

• City of Torrance Police Department 

• City of Torrance Public Works Department 

• City of Torrance Community Services 

• City of Torrance Environmental Services 

• Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management: Constance Perett, Manager 

• Office of Disaster Management: Brenda Hunemiller, Area D Coordinator 

• Office of Disaster Management: Fan Abel, Area E Coordinator 

• Office of Disaster Management: Mike Martinet, Area G Coordinator 

• South Bay Council of Governments: Jacki Bacharach, Executive Director 

• Southern California Regional Occupational Center 

• Torrance Unified School District 

Project Manager: Paul W. Besse, Deputy Chief of Police 

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Maps 

City of Torrance GIS developed many of the maps included in this plan. Contributions from GIS 

staff were essential in illustrating the extent of and potential losses associated with the natural 

hazards affecting the City. 

The information on the maps in this plan was derived from City of Torrance GIS. Care was 

taken in the creation of these maps, but they are provided "as is." The City of Torrance does 

not accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, or positional accuracy and, therefore, there 

are no warranties that accompany these products (the maps). Although information from Land 

Surveys may have been used in the creation of these products, in no way do these products 

represent or constitute a Land Survey. Users are cautioned to field-verify information on these 

products before making any decisions.



Contents 

Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................ i 

Part 1: Mitigation Action Plan 

Executive Summary................................................................................................... 1 

Section 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 19 

Section 1.2 Community Profile................................................................................ 27 

Section 1.3 Risk Assessment ................................................................................. 33 

Section 1.4 Multi-Hazard Goals and Action Items................................................... 37 

Section 1.5 Plan Maintenance ................................................................................ 43 

Part 2: City-Specific Natural Hazards 

Introduction .............................................................................................................. 47 

Section 2.1 Earthquake........................................................................................... 49 

Earthquakes.............................................................................................................................49 

History of Earthquake Events in Southern California ..............................................................50 

Causes and Characteristics.....................................................................................................51 

Earthquake-Related Hazards ..................................................................................................51 

California Earthquake Hazard Assessment.............................................................................52 

Community Earthquake Issues................................................................................................53 

Susceptibility to Earthquakes ...................................................................................................53 

Dams........................................................................................................................................53 

Buildings...................................................................................................................................53 

Infrastructure and Communication ...........................................................................................53 

Bridge Damage ........................................................................................................................53 

Damage to Lifelines..................................................................................................................54 

Disruption of Critical Services...................................................................................................54 

Individual Preparedness...........................................................................................................54 

Death and Injury .......................................................................................................................54 

Fire ...........................................................................................................................................54 

Debris.......................................................................................................................................55 

Businesses ...............................................................................................................................55 

Hospitals..................................................................................................................................55 

State Hospital Seismic Safety Policies....................................................................................56 

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California Earthquake Mitigation Legislation ...........................................................................56 

Earthquake Education .............................................................................................................57 

Risk Analysis – City of Torrance Earthquake Hazard .............................................................58 

Hazard Identification.................................................................................................................58 

Hazard Profile...........................................................................................................................59 

Assessing Vulnerability............................................................................................................59 

Identify Assets ..........................................................................................................................59 

Development Trends ................................................................................................................60 

Earthquake Mitigation Action Items.........................................................................................61 

Earthquake Resource Directory ..............................................................................................65 

Local and Regional Resources.................................................................................................65 

State Resources.......................................................................................................................65 

Federal and National Resources ..............................................................................................66 

Publications ..............................................................................................................................68 

Section 2.2 Landslide.............................................................................................. 69 

Threat of Landslide..................................................................................................................69 

History of Southern California Landslides ...............................................................................69 

Landslide Characteristics ........................................................................................................71 

Landslide Defined.....................................................................................................................71 

Debris Flow ..............................................................................................................................72 

Events and Impacts..................................................................................................................72 

Conditions ................................................................................................................................73 

Particularly Hazardous Landslide Area ....................................................................................73 

Excavation and Grading ...........................................................................................................74 

Drainage and Groundwater Alteration ......................................................................................74 

Landslide Damage...................................................................................................................74 

Risk Analysis – Torrance Landslide Hazard............................................................................75 

Hazard Identification................................................................................................................75 

Historical Profile of Landslide Hazard .....................................................................................75 


Identifying Assets .....................................................................................................................76 

Potential Losses .......................................................................................................................76 


Landslide Mitigation Activities..................................................................................................76 

Section 2.3 Flood.................................................................................................... 83 

Geography and Geology .........................................................................................................83 

Flood Terminology...................................................................................................................84 

100-Year Flood.........................................................................................................................84 

Floodway..................................................................................................................................84 

Development ............................................................................................................................84 

Urban Flooding.........................................................................................................................84 

Dam Failure Flooding ...............................................................................................................84 

Flood Mapping Methods and Techniques ...............................................................................85 

Water Systems ........................................................................................................................85 

Risk Analysis – Torrance Flood Hazard ..................................................................................86 

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Hazard Identification................................................................................................................86 

Flood Profile History ................................................................................................................87 


Identifying Assets .....................................................................................................................87 

Estimating Potential Losses .....................................................................................................87 


Flood Mitigation Activities ........................................................................................................89 

Flood Resource Directory........................................................................................................91 

County Resources....................................................................................................................91 

State Resources.......................................................................................................................91 

Federal Resources ...................................................................................................................92 

Other National Resources ........................................................................................................95 

Publications ..............................................................................................................................96 

Section 2.4 Multiple Hazards .................................................................................. 99 

Part 3: Maps 

Map 3.1 Base Map of City of Torrance Section 1.1 

Map 3.2 Soil Map Section 1.2 

Map 3.3 Earthquake Fault Map (Los Angeles Basin) Section 2.1 

Map 3.4 Earthquake Fault Map (Local) Section 2.1 

Map 3.5 Liquefaction Areas (State) Section 2.1 

Map 3.6 Petroleum Lines Section 2.1 

Map 3.7 City of Torrance Landslide Areas Section 2.2 

Map 3.8 Localized Flood Map Section 2.3 

Map 3.9 Dam Inundation Areas Section 2.3 

Part 4: Appendices 

Appendix 4.1 Building Regulations 

Appendix 4.2 Exxon-Mobil Risk Management Plan 

Appendix 4.3 Critical Facilities 

Appendix 4.4 Wildfire Zone Letter 

Appendix 4.5 Southern California Regional Occupation Center (SCROC) Hazard 

Mitigation Report 

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Appendix 4.6 Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) Report 

Appendix 4.7 Torrance Memorial Hospital (TMH) Seismic Retrofit Report 

Appendix 4.8 Little Company of Mary Hospital (LCMH) Seismic Retrofit Report 

Appendix 4.9 Plan Adoption 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

BACKGROUND 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that all cities 

complete a Hazard Mitigation Plan that is approved by City Council and the State of 

California. Cities, counties, and special districts are required to identify hazards that 

have occurred or may occur in each city, and to develop mitigation strategies to save 

lives and reduce destruction of property. 

The City of Torrance Hazard Mitigation Plan originated with the City Emergency 

Preparation Team (E-Prep Team). Work on the project began in January, 2004. The 

City E-Prep Team consists of: 

Assistant City Manager 

Community Development Director 

Fire Division Chief 

Deputy Chief of Police 

Mary Giordano 

Jeff Gibson 

Don Thompson 

Paul Besse 

The City E-Prep Team identified a Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee to 

complete staff work and make recommendations to the E-Prep Team. The Hazard 

Mitigation Advisory Committee consists of: 

Assistant to the City Manager 

Fire Battalion Chief 

Police Captain 

Transportation Planner 

Planning Associate 

Brian Sunshine 

Dave Dumais 

Kevin Kreager 

Ted Semaan 

Jill Crump 

An initial meeting was held by the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee with 

multiple City departments, which included Los Angeles County and School District 

personnel. The Deputy Chief of Police, Paul Besse, assisted in facilitating the work 

effort for the Advisory Committee and acted as a liaison with the E-Prep Team and the 

Disaster Council. 

The Hazard Mitigation Committee, working closely with Los Angeles County 

“Area G” representative, Mike Martinet, and the now-retired Terése Condon, held 

several internal meetings to determine what hazards should be included in the plan. 

Research included historical data from the records of several different City Departments 

as well as from old newspaper clippings and historical books. The Hazard Mitigation 

Committee used staff to assist in determining what hazards exist in the City of Torrance. 

1

The Hazard Mitigation Committee met with the E-Prep Team to assist in prioritizing 

hazards and discussing mitigation strategies. 

The City of Torrance Disaster Council is the public forum by which the Hazard 

Mitigation Plan is submitted to the public. The Hazard Mitigation Committee received 

input from the Disaster Council on June 23, 2004. Prior to that meeting, the Disaster 

Council was given monthly updates on the status of the project. 

ANALYSIS 

Research shows that there are three hazards that could directly affect the City of 

Torrance and cause enough damage that a Federal emergency could be declared. 

That is the standard used by the Hazard Mitigation Committee to determine if a hazard 

should be included in the plan. Earthquake is clearly the hazard that could cause the 

greatest damage to the City. Landslides have occurred in the City and are still a 

potential hazard. Flood dangers have been diminished; however, a hundred-year storm 

could cause significant damage, and the Walteria and Ben Haggott Reservoirs have the 

potential of causing significant property loss and death if they should rupture. 

Research has shown that there is no danger from wildland fire and, in fact, the 

County has determined that the City of Torrance is not in a wildland fire area. A letter 

from the County of Los Angeles stating this will be included in the final report. 

The potential danger from a tsunami is minimal. The natural cliffs and a safe 

building line, which prevent additional building in the (specify) area, cover all practical 

mitigation strategies. The Hazard Mitigation Committee considered posting signs that 

the beach is a tsunami area, but with no history of a tsunami at Torrance Beach, it was 

determined that the signs would be of little mitigation value and subject to theft. 

The distance of the City from any mountain passes makes windstorms a minimal 

hazard for this City. Records show that there has not been major windstorm damage 

since the 1970s. While a windstorm could cause damage to the City, it is highly unlikely 

that it would rise to the level of a Federally-declared disaster. Many of the building 

codes in effect (Appendix 4.1) are stringent enough to mitigate potential windstorm 

damage. 

Based on historical data and other analysis, the Hazard Mitigation Committee 

submitted preliminary recommendations to the City E-Prep Team and then to the 

Disaster Council on June 23, 2004. The following recommendations were approved: 

1. The City E-Prep Team will assume responsibility for the Hazard Mitigation Plan 

once approved by FEMA. 

2. Eliminate Wildland Fire, Tsunami, and Windstorm from the City of Torrance 

Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

3. Identify and include mitigation efforts for Earthquake, Flood and Landslide in the 

City of Torrance Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

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At the June 23, 2004 meeting, the Disaster Council took the initial mitigation 

strategies under consideration. They were again reviewed on July 28 and August 25, 

2004, and were formally approved by the Disaster Council on September 1, 2004. 

Plan Mission 

The mission of the City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is to promote 

sound public policy designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure, private 

property, and the environment from natural hazards. This can be achieved by 

increasing public awareness, documenting the resources for risk reduction and lossprevention, 

and identifying activities to guide the City toward building a safer, more 

sustainable community. 

Plan Goals 

The plan goals describe the overall direction that City of Torrance Departments, 

organizations, and citizens can take to work toward mitigating risk from natural hazards. 

The goals are: 

Protect Life and Property 

‣ Implement activities that assist in protecting lives by making homes, 

businesses, infrastructure, critical facilities, and other property more resistant 

to losses from natural hazards. 

‣ Reduce losses and repetitive damages for chronic hazard events. 

‣ Improve hazard assessment information encouraging preventative measures 

for existing development in areas vulnerable to natural hazards. 

Increase Public Awareness 

‣ Continue education and outreach programs to increase public awareness of 

the risks associated with natural hazards. 

‣ Provide information on tools; partnership opportunities, and funding resources 

to assist in implementing mitigation activities. 

Build Partnerships for Implementation 

‣ Strengthen communication and coordinate participation among and within 

public agencies, citizens, non-profit organizations, business, and industry to 

gain a vested interest in implementation. 

‣ Encourage leadership within public and private sector organizations to 

prioritize and implement local and regional hazard mitigation activities. 

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Coordinate Emergency Services 

‣ Establish policy to ensure mitigation projects for critical facilities, services, 

and infrastructure. 

‣ Strengthen emergency operations by increasing collaboration and 

coordination among public agencies, non-profit organizations, business, and 

industry. 

‣ Coordinate and integrate natural hazard mitigation activities, where 

appropriate, with emergency operations plans and procedures. 

Mitigation Activities 

For the purposes of this report, hazard mitigation activities are identified as 

“action items.” The action items are lists of activities in which City agencies and citizens 

can be engaged to reduce risk. Each action item includes an estimate of the timeline 

for implementation. Short-term action items are activities that City agencies may 

implement with existing resources and authorities within one to two years. Long-term 

action items may require new or additional resources or authorities, and may take 

between one and five years, or longer, to implement. 

Action items are organized within the following matrix, which lists all of the multihazard 

and hazard-specific action items included in the mitigation plan: 

Coordinating Organization: The coordinating organization is the public agency 

with regulatory responsibility to address natural hazards, or that is willing and 

able to organize resources, find appropriate funding, or oversee activity 

implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Coordinating organizations may 

include local, county, or regional agencies. 

Timeline: Action items include both short- and long-term activities. Each action 

item includes an estimate of the time required for implementation. 

Ideas for Implementation: Each action item includes ideas for implementation. 

Plan Goals Addressed: The plan goals addressed by each action item are 

included as a way to monitor and evaluate how well the mitigation plan is 

achieving its goals once implementation begins. Plan goals are organized into 

the following five areas: 

‣ Protect Life and Property 

‣ Public Awareness 

‣ Natural Systems 

‣ Partnerships and Implementation 

‣ Emergency Services 

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Constraints: Constraints on implementation of an action item may include a lack of 

City staff, lack of funds, or vested property rights, which might expose the City to 

legal action as a result of adverse impact on private property. 

Plan Adoption 

FEMA requires that a local jurisdiction’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan be 

adopted by its governing body. Once the plan is completed, and prior to submission to 

the State and Federal Government, the Torrance City Council is responsible for 

adopting the City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The local agency 

governing body has the responsibility and authority to promote sound public policy 

regarding natural hazards. The City Council will periodically need to re-adopt the plan, 

as it is revised, to meet changes in the natural hazard risks and exposures in the 

community. The approved Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will be significant in the 

future growth and development of the community. 

Coordinating Body 

The City of Torrance Emergency Preparation Team (E-Prep) is responsible for 

coordinating implementation of Plan action items and undertaking the formal review 

process. The E-Prep Team will assign representatives from City Departments 

including, but not limited to, the current Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee 

members. 

Convener 

The Assistant City Manager will serve as a convener to facilitate the E-Prep 

Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee meetings, and will assign tasks such as updating 

and presenting the Plan to the members of the committee. Plan implementation and 

evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all E-Prep Team members. 

Implementation through Existing Programs 

The City of Torrance addresses statewide planning goals and legislative 

requirements through its General Plan, Capital Improvement Plans, and City Building 

and Safety Codes. The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan provides a series of 

recommendations that are closely related to the goals and objectives of existing 

planning programs. The City of Torrance will have the opportunity to implement 

recommended mitigation action items through existing programs and procedures. 

Formal Review Process 

The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will be evaluated on an annual basis to 

determine the effectiveness of programs, and to reflect changes in land development or 

programs that may affect mitigation priorities. The evaluation process includes a 

schedule and a timeline, and identifies the local agencies and organizations 

5

participating in plan evaluation. The convener is responsible for contacting the E-Prep 

members and organizing the annual meeting. E-Prep members are responsible for 

monitoring and evaluating the progress of the mitigation strategies in the Plan. 

Continued Public Involvement 

The City of Torrance is dedicated to direct public involvement in the continual 

review and updates of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Copies of the plan will be catalogued 

and made available at City Hall through the City Clerk’s Office. Copies of the Plan and 

any proposed changes will be posted on the City website. 

Mitigation Activities: City of Torrance 

The City of Torrance has stringent building and land-use codes that follow State 

building code requirements. The City has ordinances that require soils and geological 

engineering studies. These existing codes are significant in mitigating the natural 

hazards of earthquake, flood and landslide. Additional mitigation strategies exist within 

the General Plan; other strategies are identified in this document. 

The following is a summary of the mitigation strategies that were developed by 

the Hazard Mitigation Committee, reviewed and approved by the City E-Prep Team, and 

approved by the City Disaster Council on June 28, 2004. The multi-hazard mitigation 

activities are those that involve more than one hazard. 

6

EARTHQUAKE 

NATURAL HAZARD: EARTHQUAKE - SHORT TERM #1 

Action Item: The City shall monitor ongoing research on faults in the area. 

Coordinating Organization: Community Development/Building and Safety 

Ideas for Implementation: 

‣ Provide appropriate instrumentation in structures, as required by the 

State, to evaluate the adequacy of local codes regarding earthquake 

safety. Data would be used for research purposes with future mitigation 

actions. 

‣ Explore creating a database of existing structures which may be 

considered a high risk to life and property during seismic activity. 

‣ Require new high-rise buildings over 75 feet to install approved recording 

devices as required by the State of California Building Code. 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Planned Goals Addressed: Protection of Life and Property 

Constraints: None noted 


Action Item: Continue to upgrade and enforce building codes for the design of 

new construction that resists seismic activity and geologic hazards. 

Coordinating Organization: Building and Safety Department 


‣ The City will require that new structures are designed and constructed to 

meet the minimum performance standards of the State of California 

building codes as amended by the City of Torrance. 

‣ Require soils investigations for all new construction, where appropriate. 

‣ Require soils report for major projects as appropriate in the hillside areas 

where property to be built lies in proximity to fault zones, bluff zones, or 

any other areas identified to be seismically sensitive. 


Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property/Public Awareness 

Constraints: None 

7

NATURAL HAZARD: EARTHQUAKE - LONG TERM # 1 

Action Item: Encourage education and information dissemination to reduce the 

risk of non-structural and structural earthquake hazards in homes, 

schools, businesses, and government offices. 

Coordinating Organization: Emergency Services Coordinator 


‣ Provide information or conduct public outreach meetings for businesses, 

school facility managers, and teachers on securing bookcases, filing 

cabinets, light fixtures, computers, appliances, picture frames, mirrors, and 

other objects that can cause injuries and block exits in the event of an 

earthquake. 

‣ Provide information and conduct training for City employees on securing 

objects that can cause injury or block exits during a seismic event. 

‣ Prepare and disseminate essential public information concerning 

earthquake preparedness and response procedures via the web page and 

during Earthquake Awareness Month. 




NATURAL HAZARD: EARTHQUAKE - LONG TERM #2 

Action Item: Protection of life and property from fire, geologic, and seismic 

hazards. 

Coordinating Organization: Fire Department 


‣ Establish and continue the appropriate number of annual fire safety 

inspections of manufacturing, commercial, and public assemblies. 

‣ Continue review of all new development proposals for determination of fire 

prevention measures and fire operation needs. 

‣ Insure that site-specific seismic analysis is conducted through the 

California Accidental Release Program, Risk Management Plans process 

for facilities which use or store Regulated Materials. 

‣ Insure that site-specific seismic analysis is conducted through the Risk 

Management and Prevention Program process for facilities which use or 

store Acutely Hazardous Materials. 

‣ Maintain an awareness to identify local facilities and transportation routes 

where hazardous materials are present. 

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‣ Request that oil transmission lines be routinely inspected with a 

representative of the appropriate City Department or State of California 

present and with all test results communicated to the City. 

‣ Establish and maintain fire, emergency medical, and emergency disaster 

training programs in conjunction with other cities. 

‣ Encourage and coordinate regional training with local and regional fire 

agencies. 

‣ Maintain and exercise master mutual aid agreements with local and 

regional fire agencies. 

‣ Encourage appropriate railroad regulatory agencies to do railroad track 

inspections on a routine basis. 

‣ Exercise City’s right to obtain information and monitor results of Federal 

and/or State inspections of railroads and pipelines, as needed to acquire 

current data and maintain accurate maps of potential danger areas. 


Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property 

Constraints: Lack of local control 


Action Item: To assist the citizens of Torrance with the safe disposition of 

hazardous waste. 

Coordinating Organization: Fire Department/Public Works 

Ideas for implementation: 

‣ Continue to recognize the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste 

Management Plan as the hazardous waste management plan of the City 

of Torrance. 

‣ Require that, should there be a future proposal of a hazardous waste 

project, any project must be shown to be consistent and in compliance 

with the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan. 

‣ The City shall encourage the proper disposal of household hazardous 

waste by disseminating information about Los Angeles County waste 

programs and events through available educational and public relations 

methods. 




9


Action Item: To mitigate property loss and death. Provide for uninterrupted 

services and continuation of government after a seismic event. 

Coordinating Organization: General Services/CIT/Police Department 


‣ Provide an adequate emergency and disaster communication system 

which provides intra- and inter-agency operability for operating 

Departments (Communications and Information Technology Department). 

‣ Initiate programs in all critical facilities to secure all filing cabinets, desks, 

computers, TVs, and other essential equipment (General Services 

Department). 

‣ Complete alternate Emergency Operations Center (Police Department). 




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LANDSLIDE 

NATURAL HAZARD: LANDSLIDE - SHORT TERM #1 

Action Item: Improve knowledge of landslide hazard areas and understanding of 

vulnerability and risk to life and property in hazard-prone areas. 

Coordinating Organization: Community Development Department 


‣ Maintain knowledge of state analysis of landslide hazards. 

‣ Explore the development of public information literature to emphasize the 

potential risks when building on landslide areas. 

‣ Make map available to the public and provide pre-rain season literature. 

Timeline: 2 years 


Constraints: Authority of Resources 


Action Item: Improve soil stability through vegetation placement and 

management plans. 



‣ Encourage soil stability through the development review process by 

encouraging various types of vegetation that establish root length and 

strength by absorbing precipitation. 

‣ Require cleaning and maintenance of all storm drains, pipes, and swales. 




11

NATURAL HAZARD: LANDSLIDE - LONG TERM #1 

Action Item: Limit activities in identified potential landslide areas through 

regulation and public outreach. 



‣ Periodically review regulations regarding development in landslide prone 

areas and update as required. 

‣ Identify existing mechanisms for public outreach through Homeowner’s 

Associations (HOAs). 


Plan Goals Addressed: Protection of Life and Property 


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FLOOD 

NATURAL HAZARD: FLOOD - SHORT TERM # 1 

Action Item: City staff shall monitor the Supervisory Control and Data 

Acquisition (SCADA) System that monitors, via a computer system, 

the pressure, flow, and water level of the above-ground tanks, 

reservoirs, water retention bases, and water pipelines in the City. 

Coordinating Organization: Water Department 


‣ Geo-Code residential and business phone numbers within the hazard area 

of the reservoir into the Torrance Community Warning System (TCWS). 

‣ Continue to train employees with the SCADA system to ensure accurate 

monitoring. 

‣ Continue to update and provide software, as needed, to maintain accurate 

accountability of the SCADA System. 

‣ Conduct routine inspections of reservoir property for signs of leakage. 

Timeline: 1-3 years 

Planned Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property 


NATURAL HAZARD: FLOOD - SHORT TERM #2 

Action Item: Engage in Community Outreach and Education. 

Coordinating Organization: Street Department/Emergency Services Coordinator 


‣ Distribute information, via literature or public meetings, regarding flooding 

and/or flood-prone areas to the general public (Dominguez Channel). 

‣ Offer sandbags, as needed, to homes that could be adversely affected by 

storm flows. 

‣ Advise residents, via literature or public meetings, of safety skills during a 

heavy rainstorm. 

‣ Explore the feasibility of creating a swale inventory and education on 

proper swale maintenance. 

Timeline: 1 year 

Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property/Emergency Services 


13

NATURAL HAZARD: FLOOD - LONG TERM #1 

Action Item: Enhance and update data and mapping for flood-prone information 

within the City, as needed, which includes surface water drainage 

obstructions. 



‣ Obtain software, as needed, and update database to provide technical 

expertise regarding flood area mapping. 

‣ Prepare an inventory of major urban drainage problems, and identify 

causes and potential mitigation action for urban drainage problem areas. 

‣ Develop surface water management plans for areas that are not currently 

within surface water management plan boundaries. 





Action Item: Capital improvement plan updating. 

Coordinating Organization: Public Works 


‣ Implement infrastructure improvement requirements as needed through 

the development review process. 

‣ Maintain roadway systems to facilitate water flow to storm drain systems. 

‣ Maintain drainage systems, drainage easements, and storm drainage 

systems. 



Constraints: Availability of funds 

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MULTIPLE HAZARDS 

NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI-HAZARD - SHORT TERM ACTIVITY #1 

Action Item: Integrate the goals and action items from the City of Torrance 

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan into existing regulatory documents 

and programs, where appropriate. 



‣ Use the mitigation plan to assist the City's General Plan to protect life and 

property from natural disasters and hazards through planning strategies 

that restrict development in known hazard areas where applicable. 

‣ Integrate the City's Mitigation Plan into current capital improvement plans 

and the General Plan, where possible, to ensure that development does 

not encroach on known hazard areas without appropriate site-specific 

mitigation efforts. 




NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI-HAZARD - SHORT TERM ACTIVITY #2 

Action Item: Identify and pursue funding opportunities to develop and implement 

local and City mitigation activities. 



‣ Support funding opportunities for local governments, citizens, and 

businesses to pursue hazard mitigation projects. 

‣ Explore funding to assist mitigation projects when possible. 

‣ Partner with organizations and agencies in the City of Torrance to identify 

grant programs and foundations that may support mitigation activities. 


Plan Goals Addressed: Partnerships and Implementation/Protect Life and 

Property 


15

NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI-HAZARD – SHORT TERM ACTIVITY #3 

Action Item: Develop inventories of City facilities and infrastructure. 

Coordinating Organization: General Services and Public Works 


‣ Identify facilities at risk from natural hazards events. 

‣ Prioritize structural and non-structural projects and implement as funding 

becomes available. 

‣ Identify City infrastructure at risk from natural hazards. 



Constraints: Funding availability 

NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI-HAZARD - LONG TERM ACTIVITY #1 

Action Item: Continue multi-hazard approach to disaster planning and mitigation. 

Coordinating Organization: City Emergency Preparation Team 


‣ E-Prep set yearly goal. 

‣ E-Prep Team meet monthly or quarterly as action items occur. 

‣ Continue to update the City Emergency Plan. 

‣ Continue to update the Department plans. 

‣ Conduct exercises to test and perfect emergency preparedness 

procedures. 


Plan Goals Addressed: Emergency Services/Protect Life and Property 

Constraints: Availability of personnel 

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SUMMARY 

The City of Torrance was incorporated in 1921. Torrance is now a fully-built city 

with little land remaining upon which to build. Unlike county areas in California that are 

subject to all types of hazards, earthquake is the most serious hazard that could affect 

the City of Torrance. Landslides do occur, but history shows that usually only single 

residences are involved. The most significant landslide to hit the City of Torrance did 

not reach the level of a State-declared disaster. 

Floods from excessive rainfall are unlikely due to the existence of storm drain 

systems. Building regulations require soil tests when necessary, and regulations for 

building on hillsides help mitigate potential problems. Flooding from a rupture in the 

City reservoir could be disastrous; however, many safeguards are in effect. 

Even though the City has a history of successful hazard mitigation, additional 

effort can be made. The City of Torrance will act diligently to protect the City, its 

residents, and the business community from the effects of a natural disaster. 

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18

SECTION 1.1 

INTRODUCTION 

Since 1921 when the City of Torrance was incorporated, the community has 

dealt with various natural hazards affecting the area. Photos, journal entries, and 

newspapers from 1920-2004 show that residents and businesses have dealt with 

earthquakes, earth movements, flooding, and an occasional wind storm. 

Although there were fewer people in the area in past decades, natural hazards 

have adversely affected the lives of those who lived in Torrance. As the population and 

commercial development of the City grew, the exposure to natural hazards created an 

even higher risk. 

The City of Torrance is the third most populous city in Los Angeles County, with 

the benefits of living in a beach-city climate. The City is characterized by the unique 

and attractive landscape, excellent school system, and many other benefits that make 

the area popular. However, the potential impact of natural hazards associated with the 

City’s location make the environment and population vulnerable in certain situations. 

The City of Torrance is highly subject to earthquakes. The City is somewhat 

subject to earth or land movements and flooding. It is impossible to predict exactly 

when these disasters will occur, or the extent to which they will affect the City. With 

careful planning and collaboration among public agencies, private sector organizations, 

and the community, it is possible to minimize the losses that can result from these 

natural disasters. 

Why Develop a Mitigation Plan? 

As the costs of damage from natural disasters continues to increase, the Federal 

and State governments and the community realize the importance of identifying 

effective ways to reduce vulnerability to disasters. Natural hazard mitigation plans 

assist communities in reducing risk from natural hazards by identifying resources, 

information, and strategies for risk reduction, while helping to guide and coordinate 

mitigation activities throughout the City. 

A hazard mitigation plan provides a set of action items to reduce risk from natural 

hazards through education and outreach programs. It fosters the development of 

partnerships, and implementation of preventative activities such as land-use programs 

that restrict and control development in areas subject to damage from natural hazards. 

Resources and information contained in the Mitigation Plan: 

(1) Establish a basis for coordination and collaboration among City Departments 

and the public in City of Torrance; 

(2) Identify and prioritize future mitigation projects; and 

19

(3) Assist in meeting the requirements of federal assistance programs. 

The mitigation plan works in conjunction with other City plans, including the City’s 

General Plan and Emergency Operations Plans. 

Whom Does the Mitigation Plan Affect? 

The City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan affects the entire city. This 

plan provides a framework for planning for natural hazards. The resources and 

background information in the plan is applicable City-wide, and the goals and 

recommendations can lay the groundwork for local mitigation plans and partnerships. 

Natural Hazard Land Use Policy in California 

Planning for natural hazards must be an integral element of any city’s land-use 

planning program. All California cities and counties have General Plans and the 

implementing ordinances that are required to comply with the statewide planning 

regulations. 

The continuing challenge faced by local officials and state government is to keep 

the network of local plans effective in responding to the changing conditions and needs 

of California’s diverse communities, particularly in light of the active seismic region in 

which we live. This is particularly true in the case of planning for natural hazards where 

communities must balance development pressures with detailed information on the 

nature and extent of hazards. 

Planning for natural hazards calls for local plans to include inventories, policies, 

and ordinances to guide development in hazard areas. These inventories should 

include the identification of hazards facing the community, the built environment at risk, 

the personal property that may be damaged by hazard events and, most of all, the 

people who live in the shadow of these hazards. 

Support for Natural Hazard Mitigation 

Mitigation is a local responsibility. The primary responsibility for development 

and implementation of risk-reduction strategies and policies lies with local jurisdictions. 

Local jurisdictions, however, are not alone. Partners and resources exist at the 

regional, state and federal levels. Numerous California State agencies have a role in 

natural hazards and natural hazard mitigation, as follows: 

‣ The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) is responsible for disaster 

mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and the administration of federal 

funds after a major disaster declaration. 

‣ The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) gathers information about 

earthquakes, integrates this information on earthquake phenomena, and 

20

communicates to end-users and the general public to increase earthquake 

awareness, reduce economic losses, and save lives. 

‣ The California Division of Forestry (CDF) is responsible for all aspects of wildland 

fire protection on private and state land, and administers forest practices regulations, 

including landslide mitigation, on non-federal lands. 

‣ The California Division of Mines and Geology (DMG) is responsible for geologic 

hazard characterization, public education, the development of partnerships aimed at 

reducing risk, and exceptions (based on science-based refinement of tsunami 

inundation zone delineation) to state mandated tsunami zone restrictions. 

‣ The California Division of Water Resources (DWR) plans, designs, constructs, 

operates, and maintains the State Water Project, regulates dams, provides flood 

protection, and assists in emergency management. It also educates the public, and 

serves local water needs by providing technical assistance. 

Plan Methodology 

Information in this plan is based on research from a variety of sources. City of 

Torrance staff conducted data research and analysis, facilitated Disaster Council 

meetings, and developed the final mitigation plan. The research methods and various 

contributions to the plan include: 

City of Torrance Emergency Preparation/Hazard Mitigation Staff: 

Emergency Preparation Team: The City of Torrance Emergency Preparation 

Team (E-Prep) is a working group formed in 1999, designed to assist the City 

Emergency Coordinator in finalizing the City Emergency Plan, Department 

Disaster Plans, designing disaster exercises, and providing training to City 

personnel. The primary E-Prep Team consists of: 

Assistant City Manager 

Deputy Chief of Police 

Fire Division Chief 

Community Development Director 

City Emergency Coordinator 

The primary E-Prep Team is assisted by back-up staff consisting of: 

Assistant to the City Manager 

Planning Manager 



Los Angeles County “Area G” Coordinator 

21

The City Emergency Preparation Team identified a subcommittee as the Hazard 

Mitigation Advisory Committee. Upon completion of development of this plan, 

the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee will be dissolved, and the City 

Emergency Preparation Team will assume the committee’s role. 

The Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee (HMAC) met biweekly for a total of 

six meetings. The Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee consisted of the 

following: 

Deputy Chief of Police (Liaison between E-Prep and Hazard Mitigation 

Staff) 



Assistant Planning Director 

Planning Associate 

Los Angeles County “Area G” Coordinator 

The HMAC identified secondary staff to assist in the identification of hazards in 

the City, production of maps, gathering of existing ordinances, and to assist in 

the development of mitigation strategies. The primary group hosted one meeting 

with all staff; staff members were then used at individual meetings for hazard 

specific information. Secondary staff members consisted of: 

Building and Safety 

City Attorney 

City Manager’s Office 

Community Development 




Finance 

Finance 

Finance 

Info Systems 

PIO 

Police 

Police 

Police 

Public Works 

Public Works 

TFD/Fire Prevention 

Felipe Segovia 

Patrick Sullivan 

Brian Sunshine 

Bruce Bornemann 

Jenny Gough 

Jill Crump 

Ted Semaan 

Dana Cortez 

Joyce Reyes 

Ruby Villanueva 

Stephen Lavey 

Michael Smith 

Capt. Kevin Kreager 

Deputy Chief Paul Besse 

Terése Condon (retired) 

Dick Perkins 

Michael Ritchey 

John Kulluk, Ph.D. 

Outside Agency 

“Area G” 

SCROC 

Mike Martinet 

Gigi Thompson 

22

SCROC 

SCROC 

TUSD 

TUSD 

Chuck Banda 

Gail Petry 

Mr. Robin Fisher 

Mr. Phil Fielding 

The HMAC identified stakeholders in the City who assisted in the development of 

the plan or provided individual mitigation plans. Stakeholders whose 

representatives attended periodic meetings include: 

Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) 

Southern California Edison (SCE) 

Little Company of Mary Hospital (LCMH) 

Southern California Regional Occupation Center (SCROC) 

City of Torrance Disaster Council 

The City formed the Torrance Disaster Council in 1976. Per the Torrance 

Municipal Code, the Disaster Council is empowered to develop and recommend 

for adoption by the City Council, civil emergency and mutual aid plans and 

agreements, and such ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations as are 

necessary to implement such plans and agreements. 

The City of Torrance Disaster Council provided guidance and recommendations 

to the hazard mitigation plan and approved the document for presentation to the 

City Council. 

The Disaster Council holds monthly public meetings that are attended by the 

public, local volunteer organizations, representatives from all City Departments, 

School District personnel, and local hospitals. 

State and Federal Guidelines and Requirements for Mitigation Plans: 

The following are the Federal requirements used in the development of the 

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan: 

‣ Open public involvement, with public meetings that introduce the process and 

project requirements. 

‣ Opportunities for public involvement in identifying and assessing risks, drafting a 

plan, and giving input during the approval stages of the plan. 

‣ Community cooperation, with opportunities for other local government agencies, 

the business community, educational institutions, and non-profits to participate in 

the process. 

‣ Incorporation of local documents, including the local General Plan, zoning 

ordinances, Building Codes, and other pertinent documents. 

23

The following components were part of the planning process: 

‣ Complete documentation of the planning process. 

‣ A risk-assessment on hazard exposures in the community. 

‣ A comprehensive mitigation strategy which describes the goals and objectives, 

including proposed strategies, programs, and actions to avoid long-term 

vulnerabilities. 

‣ A plan maintenance process, which describes the method and schedule of 

monitoring, evaluating, and updating the plan, and integrating the Natural Hazard 

Mitigation Plan into other planning mechanisms. 

‣ Formal adoption by the City Council. 

‣ Plan review by State OES and FEMA. 

City of Torrance staff examined existing mitigation plans from the General Plan, 

current FEMA hazard mitigation planning standards (386 series), State of California 

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Guidance, and the Clackamas County, Oregon, Natural 

Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

Hazard-Specific Research 

City of Torrance staff collected data and compiled research on six hazards: 1) 

earthquakes, 2) earth movements, 3) flooding, 4) tsunamis, 5) wildfires, and 6) wind 

storms. Research materials came from local records and state agencies including OES 

and CDF. The City of Torrance staff conducted research by referencing historical local 

newspapers, interviewing long-time City of Torrance employees, and locating 

information in historical documents. Staff identified current mitigation activities, 

resources, programs, and potential action items from research materials and 

stakeholder interviews. 

Public Workshops – Disaster Council 

City of Torrance staff, using the public meetings of the Disaster Council, 

facilitated public meetings to gather comments and ideas from residents about 

mitigation planning and priorities for mitigation plan goals. The workshops were held on 

March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, and August 25, 2004. 

The resources and information cited in the mitigation plan provide a local 

perspective and help identify strategies and activities to make the City of Torrance more 

disaster resilient. 

Plan Structure 

Each section of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan provides information and 

resources to assist people in understanding the plan, the City, and the hazard-related 

issues facing the community. Combined, the sections of the plan work together to 

24

create a document that guides the mission to reduce risk and prevent loss from future 

natural hazard events. 

The structure of the plan enables people to use the sections of interest to them. 

It also allows City government to review and update sections as new data becomes 

available. The ability to update individual sections of the mitigation plan places less of a 

financial burden on the City. Decision-makers can allocate funding and staff resources 

to selected sections in need of review, thereby avoiding a full update, which would be 

costly and time-consuming. New data can be easily incorporated, resulting in a Natural 

Hazard Mitigation Plan that remains current and relevant to City of Torrance. 

The mitigation plan is organized in three parts. Part 1 contains an Executive 

Summary, Introduction, Community Profile, Risk Assessment, Multi-Hazard Goals and 

Action Items, and Plan Maintenance. Part 2 contains three natural hazard sections and 

multi-hazard sections. Part 3 includes Maps and Part 4 contains Appendices. Each 

section of the plan is described below. 

Part 1: Mitigation Action Plan 

Executive Summary 

The Executive Summary provides an overview of the mitigation plan mission, 

goals, and action items. The plan action items are included in this section, and 

address multi-hazard issues, as well as hazard-specific activities that can be 

implemented to reduce risk and prevent loss from future natural hazard events. 

Section 1.1: Introduction 

The Introduction describes the background and purpose of developing the 

mitigation plan for City of Torrance. 

Section 1.2: Community Profile 

This section presents the history, geography, demographics, and 

socioeconomics of the City of Torrance. It serves as a tool to provide an 

historical perspective of natural hazards in the City. 

Section 1.3: Risk Assessment 

This section provides information on hazard identification, vulnerability and risk 

associated with natural hazards in City of Torrance. 

25

Section 1.4: Multi-Hazard Goals and Action Items 

This section provides information on the process used to develop goals and 

action items that cut across the six natural hazards addressed in the mitigation 

plan. 

Section 1.5: Plan Maintenance 

This section provides information on plan implementation, monitoring and 

evaluation. 

Part 2: Hazard-Specific Information 

Hazard-specific information on the six chronic hazards is examined in this plan. 

Chronic hazards occur with some regularity and may be predicted through historic 

evidence and scientific methods. The chronic hazards that are examined in the plan 

include: 

Section 2.1: 

Section 2.2: 

Section 2.3: 

Section 2.4: 

Earthquake 

Landslide (Earth Movement / Debris Flow) 

Flooding 

Multiple Hazards 

Each of the hazard-specific sections includes information on the history, hazard 

causes and characteristics, hazard assessment, goals and action items, and local, 

state, and national resources. 

Part 3: Maps 

This section includes Maps that illustrate issues and areas described in the plan. 

Part 4: Appendices 

This section includes Appendices that assist the reader in understanding and 

using the plan. 

26

SECTION 1.2 

COMMUNITY PROFILE 

Natural hazards impact citizens, businesses, property, the environment, and the 

economy of the City of Torrance. Earthquakes, earth movements, flooding, have 

exposed City of Torrance residents and businesses to the financial loss. The risk 

associated with natural hazards, especially earthquakes, increases as more people 

move to areas affected by natural hazards. 

Even in those communities that are essentially “built-out,” that have little or no 

vacant land remaining for development, population density continues to increase when 

low-density housing is replaced with medium- and high-density developments. 

The inevitability of natural hazards, and the growing population and activity within 

the City create a need to develop strategies, coordinate resources, and increase public 

awareness to reduce risk and prevent loss from future natural hazard events. 

Identifying the risks posed by natural hazards, and developing strategies to reduce the 

impact of a hazard event, can assist in protecting life and property of citizens and 

communities. Local residents and businesses can work with local government to create 

a natural hazard mitigation plan that addresses the potential impact of hazard events. 

Local History 

1919 – First Chamber of Commerce 

Late 1700’s – The Chumash 

(Chowinga) Indians were the first to 

hunt, gather, and fish on the land now 

called the City of Torrance. 

1769 - Gaspar de Portola and Junipero 

Serra led a band of Spaniards to the 

South Bay region of Southern 

California. Juan Jose Dominguez led 

the land force. 

1784 - Juan Jose Dominguez took his 

retirement in what would become 

Torrance. He received 75,000 acres. 

1907 – The Dominguez 

Estate Company is formed 

by one of Manuel’s 

daughters. Six of Manuel’s 

children survived him and 

became heirs to the land, 

all daughters. Wealth from 

oil flowed into the family. 

1921 – City of Torrance was 

incorporated. The City claimed 15 

miles of paved streets, 20 miles of 

electric lines, 25 miles of sewer lines, 

and 30 miles of water lines. 

The Torrance oil boom of the early 

1920’s spurred local prosperity and 

brought new people and business to 

the town. 

1920 

1910 

1900 

1890 

1880 

1870 

1860 

1850 

1840 

1830 

1820 

1810 

1800 

1809 – Juan’s nephew, Jose 

Cristobal Dominguez, inherited the 

land. Jose’s son, Manuel 

Dominguez, later moved to the area 

and began acquiring more land, the 

first major California land grant. 

1912 - Jared Sydney Torrance, a 

successful businessman and entrepreneur 

from New York via Pasadena, negotiated 

with the Dominguez family to buy over 

3,500 acres. He received support from four 

industries to realize his vision of a new 

industrial city. Mr. Torrance involved 

architects to design his city and incorporate 

a railroad depot, homes, and administration 

buildings. 

1912 - First postmaster, first 

volunteer Fire Department 

1913 - First school; first bank 

27

Geography 

The City of Torrance with a population of 137,946 is located 17 miles southwest of 

downtown Los Angeles. Now the largest city in the region known as the South Bay, 

Torrance has grown into a major financial, retail, and high-technology center. An 

impressive cultural arts center, a comprehensive library system, schools noted for their 

academic excellence and 325 acres of parkland offer a high quality of life. Pacific 

breezes “air condition” the City so the climate is generally pleasant and smog free, with 

average temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees. 

Climate 

Temperatures in the City of Torrance range from 50 degrees in the winter months 

to over 70 degrees in the summer months. The temperature can vary over a wide 

range, particularly when the Santa Ana winds blow, bringing higher temperatures and 

low humidity. 

Rainfall in the City averages 14.8 inches per year. Generally speaking, rain in 

Southern California tends to fall in large amounts during sporadic and often heavy 

storms, rather than consistently over regular intervals. 

Minerals and Soils 

The City of Torrance has a variety of soil conditions present throughout. 

According to Map 3.2, the most prevalent soil types are Oakley Fine Sand, Montezuma 

Clay Adobe, Dublin Clay Adobe, and Ramona Sandy Loam. 

Major Rivers 

There are no rivers or streams in the City. The nearest major river is the Los 

Angeles River (or San Gabriel River). This river has no potential impact on the City of 

28

Torrance. The river channel is normally dry and only carries a significant water flow 

during a major rain storm. The river channel is part of the County Flood Control District. 

Significant Geologic Features 

The City of Torrance, like most of the Los Angeles Basin, lies over the area of 

one or more known earthquake faults, and potentially many more unknown faults, 

particularly so-called lateral or blind thrust faults. The major faults that have the 

potential to affect the greater Los Angeles Basin, and therefore the City of Torrance are: 

San Andreas 

Newport Inglewood 

Palos Verdes 

Whittier 

Santa Monica 

Population and Demographics 

The City of Torrance has a population of about 138,000 in an area of 22 square 

miles. The population has steadily increased from the mid 1800's through 2000, and 

increased 4% from 1990 to 2000 according to the 2000 Census. This continued 

population growth is projected to continue according to the South Bay Economic 

Development Partnership. 

According to the latest census figures, City demographics are as follows: 

1980 1990 2000 

TOTAL POPULATION 129,881 133,107 137,946 

SEX 

Male 63,155 48.6% 65,799 49.4% 67,087 48.6% 

Female 66,726 51.4% 67,308 50.6% 70,859 51.4% 

AGE 

Under 18 years 30,942 23.8% 27,076 20.3% 31,740 23.0% 

65 years and older 11,050 8.5% 15,934 12.0% 19,427 14.0% 

Median Age 33 35.6 38.7 

RACE/ORIGIN 

White 109,002 83.9% 97,538 73.3% 72,234 52.3% 

Black 887 0.7% 1,684 1.3% 2,911 2.1% 

Asian/Pacific Islander 13,663 10.5% 29,105 21.9% 39,644 28.7% 

American Indian 633 0.5% 506 0.4% 360 0.3% 

Other 5,696 4.4% 4,274 3.2% 383 0.3% 

Hispanic 10,839 8.3% 13,179 9.9% 17,637 12.8% 

Two or more races 4,777 3.5% 

29

Housing and Community Development 

In the City of Torrance the demand for housing exceeds the available supply, and 

this is due to its location, schools system, excellent public safety and strong city 

government. Safe, decent housing not only serves as protection, but satisfies many 

social, economic and psychological needs. The home is often the most important 

investment a family makes and is a major factor in its economic well being. The 

housing stock is also one of the assets most valuable to a community. A variety of 

housing types and sizes is important to provide housing opportunities for people with a 

range of incomes and lifestyles. The potential for additional housing units is limited by 

the lack of vacant land and the desire to protect the existing low density residential 

areas which make up 80% of the City’s residential lands. As of the 2000 Census, the 

City of Torrance contains 55,967 housing units. These are categorized by 1-units 

(33,822) 2-4 units (3,241) 5 or more units (17,718) and Mobile or other types of units 

(1,183). The following data is from the 2000 Census. 

1980 1990 2000 

TOTAL HOUSING UNITS 50,944 54,927 55,967 100.0% 

UNITS IN STRUCTURE 

1-unit 29,818 58.5% 32,414 59.0% 33,822 60.4% 

2-4 units 2,703 5.3% 3,199 5.8% 3,241 5.8% 

5 or more units 17,399 34.2% 17,581 32.0% 17,718 31.6% 

Mobile home, other 1,074 2.1% 1,733 3.2% 1,183 2.1% 

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS 49,613 52,831 54,542 100.0% 

Family 34,685 69.9% 35,696 67.6% 36,276 66.5% 

Non-Family 14,928 30.1% 17,135 32.4% 18,266 33.5% 

Householder Living Alone 12,131 24.5% 13,295 25.2% 15,005 27.5% 

Persons per Household 3 2.5 2.5 

Owner Occupied 27,650 55.7% 29,616 56.1% 30,533 56.0% 

Renter Occupied 21,963 44.3% 22,999 43.5% 24,009 44.0% 

Vacancy Rate 2.7 4.2 2.5 

VALUE/RENT 

Median Value 

(owner-occupied) 

Median Rent 

(renter-occupied) 

$123,100 $338,700 $320,700 

$332 $795 $903 

Amount of property per person 1975 1998 

Increased size of new homes 1645 sq. ft. 2190 sq. ft. 

% of homes with 4+ bedrooms 21% 33% 

% of homes with 2½ or more baths 20% 52% 

Source: U.S. Department of Census 

30

Employment and Industry 

Tourism, service industries, 

manufacturing, and commerce are the 

principal employment and industrial 

activities in the City of Torrance. The 

business climate has been strong and 

growing with concentrations of metals 

fabrication, machinery, and computer 

hardware and software firms. The 

City of Torrance provided over 91,000 

jobs in 2003, or about .05% of 

statewide employment. 

Education 

11% 

Government 

12% 

Other 

21% 

Employment Sectors 

Trade 

23% 

Manufacturing 

16% 

Services 

17% 

Mitigation activities are needed in the business sector to ensure the safety and 

welfare of workers and limit damage to industrial infrastructure. Employees are highly 

mobile, commuting from surrounding areas to industrial and business centers. This 

creates a greater dependency on roads, communications, accessibility and emergency 

plans to reunite people with their families. Before a natural hazard event, large and 

small businesses can develop strategies to prepare for natural hazards, respond 

efficiently, and prevent loss of life and property. 

Transportation and Commuting 

The City of Torrance is responsible for developing and maintaining roadways, 

and pedestrian and bicycle routes within its boundaries. The City operates Torrance 

Transit, a fixed-route bus and demand response system. In addition, the City owns and 

operates Torrance Municipal Airport, a general aviation facility. 

The dominant mode of transportation in Torrance and the region is the motor 

vehicle. The motor vehicle circulation system provides for most of the movement of 

goods and services in the City. Maintaining unimpeded mobility on this circulation 

system is important to the City’s economy and the quality of life of its residents. 

Torrance is a mature city, having reached a point in its development where it is 

now largely built out. Torrance is served by an extensive network of roadways that 

includes a hierarchy of facilities ranging from the region-serving San Diego Freeway 

(Interstate 405) to local streets and alleys providing access to individual parcels of land. 

City roadways range in size from eight-lane, divided boulevards to two-lane, local 

streets. The San Diego Freeway passes through the northeast corner of Torrance, and 

due to the lack of direct freeway access within the City, vehicle traffic is concentrated 

onto the major arteries. 

The Torrance Municipal Airport is located in the southern portion of the City. The 

main runway is 5,000 feet long by 150 feet wide, and the secondary runway is 3,000 

feet long by 75 feet wide. There are over 300 t-hangars, over 400 tie downs, and three 

31

fuel pits. For the future, Torrance has determined that the Airport will not expand its 

operations, but will continue its aviation status and focus on maintaining compatible land 

uses in and around the property. 

Land Use Compatibility 

Land use conflicts may occur when two different zones are directly adjacent to 

each other. Intensive industrial or commercial uses can have adverse impacts on 

adjacent, more sensitive residential uses. Conflicts may also occur when new 

developments are insensitive to the use, scale, or character of existing development. It 

is important to consider the impact of both existing and new developments on 

immediately adjacent land uses and to address the interface between the zones. 

Among the ways identified for alleviating land-use conflicts are standards for industrial 

and commercial development which address such externalities are noise and odors, 

and transitional areas such as landscaped setbacks. 

As a Charter City with a population of less than 2,000,000, the City of Torrance is 

exempt from the State law that mandates consistency between general plans and 

zoning ordinances. A general plan is a long-range policy document; zoning is adopted 

by ordinance and responds to shorter-term needs and conditions. In order to implement 

the general plan, the zoning ordinance should contain correspondence and consistent 

regulations. The City of Torrance actively attempts to insure consistency between its 

General Plan and zoning ordinances. 

City Government 

The City of Torrance is a full-service community with a population of 

approximately 138,000 people. The City of Torrance has its own Police Department, 

Fire Department, Transit Department, Water Department, and Sanitation Department. 

The local government is structured with a Mayor and six City Council members, 

all elected at large. Council meetings are held weekly and are open to the public. The 

City has a City Manager with staff, and eleven departments including Community 

Development, Community Services, Communication and Information Technology, 

Finance, Fire, General Services, Human Resources, Police, Public Works and Transit. 

32

SECTION 1.3 

RISK ASSESSMENT 

Risk Assessment Defined 

Conducting a risk assessment can provide information on the location of 

hazards, the value of existing land and property in hazard locations, and an analysis of 

risk to life, property, and the environment that may result from natural hazard events. 

Specifically, the three levels of risk assessment are hazard identification, profiling 

events, and vulnerability assessment. Vulnerability assessment consists of three parts: 

inventorying assets; risk analysis; and analyzing development trends. 

1) Hazard Identification 

Hazard identification is the description of the geographic extent, potential intensity, 

and the probability of occurrence of a given hazard. Maps are frequently used to 

display hazard identification data. The City of Torrance examined six major hazards 

that affect this geographic area. These hazards were earthquakes, earth 

movements, flooding, tsunamis, wildfires, and wind storms. At the completion of the 

research, the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee identified earthquakes, 

flooding, and landslides as the three natural disasters that could cause significant 

damage to the City. 

2) Profiling Hazard Events 

This report describes the causes and characteristics of each hazard, how it has 

affected the City of Torrance in the past, and what part of the City's population, 

infrastructure, and environment has historically been vulnerable to each specific 

hazard. A profile of each hazard is provided in each hazard section. 

3) Vulnerability Assessment 

a) Inventorying Assets 

This is a combination of hazard identification with an inventory of the existing or 

planned property developments and populations exposed to a hazard. Critical 

facilities are of particular concern because these entities provide essential 

products and services to the general public that are necessary to preserve the 

welfare and quality of life in the City and fulfill important public safety, emergency 

response, and/or disaster recovery functions. The critical facilities have been 

identified and are illustrated in Appendix 4.3 and Map 3.1. In addition, this plan 

includes a community issues summary in each hazard section to identify the 

most vulnerable and problematic areas in the City, including critical facilities, and 

other public and private property. 

33

) Risk Analysis 

Estimating potential losses involves assessing the damage, injuries, and financial 

costs likely to be sustained in a geographic area over a given period of time. 

This level of analysis involves using mathematical models. The two measurable 

components of risk analysis are magnitude of the harm that may result and the 

likelihood of the harm occurring. Describing vulnerability in terms of dollar losses 

provides the community and the state with a common framework in which to 

measure the effects of hazards on assets. 

c) Assessing Vulnerability / Analyzing Development Trends 

This step provides a general description of land uses and development trends 

within the community so that mitigation options can be considered in land use 

planning and future land use decisions. This plan provides comprehensive 

description of the character of the City of Torrance in the Community Profile. 

This description includes the geography and environment, population and 

demographics, land use and development, housing and community development, 

employment and industry, and transportation and commuting patterns. Analyzing 

these components of the City of Torrance can help in identifying potential 

problem areas, and can serve as a guide for incorporating the goals and ideas 

contained in this mitigation plan into other community development plans. 

Maps 

A significant part of risk assessment is acquiring maps of the geographical area 

being examined, and comparing those to the area where the hazard has occurred and 

may occur. The following table is a list of maps acquired by the Hazard Mitigation 

Advisory Committee. 

List of Hazard Mitigation Plan Charts / Maps 

Map # Type of Map Plan Section 

3.1 Base Map of City of Torrance Section 1.1 

3.2 City of Torrance Soil Map Section 1.2 

3.3 Earthquake Fault map (Los Angeles Basin) Section 2.1 

3.4 Earthquake Fault Map (Local) Section 2.1 

3.5 Liquefaction Areas (State) Section 2.1 

3.6 Petroleum Lines Section 2.1 

3.7 City of Torrance Landslide Areas Section 2.2 

3.8 Localized Flood Map Section 2.3 

3.9 Dam Inundation Areas Section 2.3 

Hazard assessments are subject to the availability of hazard-specific data. 

Gathering data for a hazard assessment required a commitment of resources on the 

part of participating organizations and agencies. Each hazard-specific section of the 

plan includes a section on hazard identification using data and information from City, 

County or State agency sources. Additionally, newspaper articles and City history 

books provided data for the analysis. 

34

Regardless of the data available for hazard assessments, there are numerous 

strategies the City can take to reduce risk. These strategies are described in the action 

items detailed in each hazard section of this Plan. Mitigation strategies can further 

reduce disruption to critical services, reduce the risk to human life, and alleviate 

damage to personal and public property and infrastructure. Action items throughout the 

hazard sections provide recommendations to collect further data to map hazard 

locations and conduct hazard assessments. 

Federal Requirements for Risk Assessment 

Recent federal regulations for hazard mitigation plans outlined in 44 CFR Part 

201 include a requirement for risk assessment. This risk assessment requirement is 

intended to provide information that will help communities to identify and prioritize 

mitigation activities that will reduce losses from the identified hazards. There are three 

hazards profiled in the mitigation plan, including earthquakes, earth movements, and 

flooding. The Federal criteria for risk assessment, and information on how the City of 

Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan meets those criteria, are outlined below. 

Section 322 

Plan Requirement 

Identifying Hazards 

Profiling Hazard Events 

Assessing Vulnerability: 

Identifying Assets 


Estimating Potential Losses: 

How is this addressed? 

Each hazard section includes an inventory of the best 

available data sources that identify hazard areas. To 

the extent GIS data are available, the City developed 

maps identifying the location of the hazard in the City. 

The Executive Summary and the Risk Assessment 

sections of the plan include a list of the hazard maps. 

Each hazard section includes documentation of the 

history, and causes and characteristics of the hazard 

in the City. 

Where data is available, the vulnerability assessment 

for each hazard addressed in the mitigation plan 

includes an inventory of all publicly owned land within 

hazardous areas. Each hazard section provides 

information on vulnerable areas in the City in the 

Community Issues section. Each hazard section also 

identifies potential mitigation strategies. 

The Risk Assessment Section of this mitigation plan 

identifies key critical facilities and lifelines in the City 

and includes a map of these facilities. Vulnerability 

assessments have been completed for the hazards 

addressed in the plan, and quantitative estimates were 

made for each hazard where data was available. 

35


Analyzing Development 

Trends 

The City of Torrance Profile Section of this plan 

provides a description of the development trends in the 

City, including the geography and environment, 

population and demographics, land use and 

development, housing and community development, 

employment and industry, and transportation and 

commuting patterns. 

Part 2 describes the three hazards that could affect the City of Torrance. Each 

hazard is described in a broad sense as well as specifically to the City of Torrance, 

using the Federal model as a guide to present the specific material. 

Critical Facilities and Infrastructure 

Facilities critical to government response and recovery activities (i.e., life safety 

and property and environmental protection) include: 911 centers, emergency operations 

centers, police and fire stations, public works facilities, communications centers, sewer 

and water facilities, hospitals, bridges and roads, shelters, and shelters, Facilities that, if 

damaged, could cause serious secondary impacts may also be considered "critical." A 

hazardous material facility is one example of this type of critical facility. 

Critical and essential facilities are those facilities that are vital to the continued 

delivery of key government services or that may significantly impact the public’s ability 

to recover from the emergency. These facilities may include: buildings such as the jail, 

law enforcement center, public services building, community corrections center, the 

courthouse, and juvenile services building and other public facilities such as schools. 

Map 3.1 and Appendix 4.3 illustrate the critical facilities, essential facilities, public 

infrastructure, and emergency transportation routes within the City of Torrance 

Summary 

Natural hazard mitigation strategies can reduce the impacts concentrated at 

large employment and industrial centers, public infrastructure, and critical facilities. 

Natural hazard mitigation for industries and employers may include developing 

relationships with emergency management services and their employees before 

disaster strikes, and establishing mitigation strategies together. Collaboration among 

the public and private sector to create mitigation plans and actions can reduce the 

impacts of natural hazards. 

36

SECTION 1.4 

MULTI-HAZARD GOALS AND ACTION ITEMS 

This section provides information on the process used to develop goals and 

action items that pertain to the three natural hazards addressed in the mitigation plan. It 

also describes the framework that focuses the plan on developing successful mitigation 

strategies. The framework is made up of three parts: the Mission, Goals, and Action 

Items. 

Mission 

The mission of the City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is to promote 

sound public policy designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure, private 

property, and the environment from natural hazards. This can be achieved by 

increasing public awareness, documenting the resources for risk reduction and lossprevention, 

and identifying activities to guide the City towards building a safer, more 

sustainable community. 

Goals 

The plan goals describe the overall direction that City of Torrance agencies, 

organizations, and citizens can take to minimize the impacts of natural hazards. The 

goals are stepping-stones between the broad direction of the mission statement and the 

specific recommendations that are outlined in the action items. 

Action Items 

The action items are a listing of activities in which City agencies and citizens can 

be engaged to reduce risk. Each action item includes an estimate of the timeline for 

implementation. Short-term action items are activities that City agencies may 

implement with existing resources and authorities within one to two years. Long-term 

action items may require new or additional resources or authorities, and may take 

between one and five years (or more) to implement. 

Mitigation Plan Goals and Public Participation 

The Plan goals help to guide direction of future activities aimed at reducing risk 

and preventing loss from natural hazards. The goals listed here serve as checkpoints 

as agencies and organizations begin implementing mitigation action items. 

Protect Life and Property 

• Implement activities that assist in protecting lives by making homes, businesses, 

infrastructure, critical facilities, and other property more resistant to natural 

hazards. 

37

• Reduce losses and repetitive damages for chronic hazard events while 

promoting insurance coverage for catastrophic hazards. 

• Improve hazard assessment information to make recommendations for 

discouraging new development and encouraging preventative measures for 

existing development in areas vulnerable to natural hazards. 

Public Awareness 

• Develop and implement education and outreach programs to increase public 

awareness of the risks associated with natural hazards. 

• Provide information on tools, partnership opportunities, and funding resources to 

assist in implementing mitigation activities. 

Natural Systems 

• Balance watershed planning, natural resource management, and land use 

planning with natural hazard mitigation to protect life, property, and the 

environment. 

• Preserve, rehabilitate, and enhance natural systems to serve natural hazard 

mitigation functions. 

Partnerships and Implementation 

• Strengthen communication and coordinate participation among and within public 

agencies, citizens, non-profit organizations, business, and industry to gain a 

vested interest in implementation. 

• Encourage leadership within public and private sector organizations to prioritize 

and implement local, county, and regional hazard mitigation activities. 

Emergency Services 

• Establish policy to ensure mitigation projects for critical facilities, services, and 

infrastructure. 

• Strengthen emergency operations by increasing collaboration and coordination 

among public agencies, non-profit organizations, business, and industry. 

• Coordinate and integrate natural hazard mitigation activities, where appropriate, 

with emergency operations plans and procedures. 

38

Public Participation 

• Public input during development of the mitigation plan assisted in creating plan 

goals. Meetings with the Disaster Council served as methods to obtain input and 

identify priorities in developing goals for reducing risk and preventing loss from 

natural hazards in the City of Torrance. 

On March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23, and July 28, 2004, public workshops 

were held to gather ideas from City of Torrance residents regarding the goals for the 

City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Attendees included representatives 

from public agencies, private organizations, community planning organizations, City 

staff, and private residents. The attendees identified goals for the plan by examining 

the issues and concerns that they have had regarding natural hazards, and further 

discussed potential action items for the Plan. 

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Action Items 

The mitigation plan identifies short and long-term action items developed through 

data collection and research, and the public participation process. Mitigation plan 

activities may be considered for funding through Federal and State grant programs, and 

when other funds are made available through the city. Action items address multihazard 

(MH) and hazard specific issues. To help ensure activity implementation, each 

action item includes information on the timeline and coordinating organizations. Upon 

implementation, the coordinating organizations may look to partner organizations for 

resources and technical assistance. 

Coordinating Organization 

The coordinating organization is the organization that is willing and able to 

organize resources, find appropriate funding, or oversee activity implementation, 

monitoring, and evaluation. Coordinating organizations may include local, city, or 

regional agencies that are capable of or responsible for implementing activities 

and programs. 

Timeline 

Action items include both short and long-term activities. Each action item 

includes an estimate of the timeline for implementation. Short-term action items 

are activities that city agencies may' implement with existing resources and 

authorities within one to two years. Long-term action items may require new or 

additional resources or authorities, and may take between one and five years (or 

more) to implement. 

39

Ideas for Implementation 

Each action item includes ideas for implementation and potential resources, 

which may include grant programs or human resources. 

Plan Goals Addressed 

The plan goals addressed by each action item are included as a way to monitor 

and evaluate how well the mitigation plan is achieving its goals once 

implementation begins. 

Constraints 

Constraints may apply to some of the action items. These constraints may be a 

lack of City staff, lack of funds, or vested property rights which might expose the 

City to legal action as a result of adverse impacts on private property. 

Project Evaluation Worksheets: 

Each jurisdiction will have some limitations on the number and cost of mitigation 

activities that can be completed within a given period of time. There are likely to be 

multiple ideas to mitigate the effects of a given hazard. Therefore it will be necessary 

for the committee to select the most cost effective mitigation projects and to further 

prioritize them. To assist the committee in the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) a Project 

Evaluation Worksheet is included at the end of Section 4. The data on these 

worksheets will help the committee determine the most cost effective mitigation 

solutions for the community. Some projects may need more detailed BCA, but this 

worksheet will provide a first screening methodology. 

40

Jurisdiction: 

Project Title 

Agency: 

Hazards: 

Project Evaluation Worksheet 

Contact: 

Phone: 

E-mail: 

Flood Zone: Base Flood Elevation: Erosion Rate: 

Critical Facility/Population At Risk: 

Environmental Impact: 

Historic Preservation Impact: 

High Medium Low High Medium Low 

Risk of Hazard Impact: 

Importance to Protection of Life/Property and Disaster 

Recovery 

High Medium Low High Medium Low 

Estimated Cost: 

Project Duration: 

Value of Facility: 

Value of Contents: 

Sources of Financing: 

Project Objectives: 

Project Description: 

Proposal Date: 

Evaluation Category Considerations Comments 

Social 

Community Acceptance 

Adversely Affects Segments of the Population 

Technical Feasibility 

Technical 

Long Term Solution 

Secondary Impacts 

Staffing 

Administrative 

Funding Allocated 

Maintenance / Operations 

Political Support 

Political 

Plan Proponent 

Public Support 

Legal 

Authority 

Action Subject to Legal Challenge 

Benefit 

Economic 

Cost of Action 

Contributes to Economic Goals 

Outside Funding Required 

Affects Land / Water Bodies 

Affects Endangered Species 

Environmental 

Affects Hazardous Materials and Waste Sites 

Consistent w/ Community Envir. Goals 

Consistent with Federal Laws 

41


42

SECTION 1.5 

PLAN MAINTENANCE 

The plan maintenance section of this document details the formal process that 

will ensure that the City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan remains an active 

and relevant document. The plan maintenance process includes a schedule for 

monitoring and evaluating the Plan annually and producing a plan revision every five 

years. This section describes how the city will integrate public participation throughout 

the plan maintenance process. Finally, this section includes an explanation of how City 

of Torrance government intends to incorporate the mitigation strategies outlined in this 

Plan into existing planning mechanisms such as the City General Plan, Capital 

Improvement Plans, and Building and Safety Codes. 

Monitoring and Implementing the Plan 

Plan Adoption -The City Council will be responsible for adopting the City of 

Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. This governing body has the authority to 

promote sound public policy regarding natural hazards. Once the plan has been 

adopted, the City Emergency Manager will be responsible for submitting it to the State 

Hazard Mitigation Officer at The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The 

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will then submit the plan to the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review. This review will address the 

federal criteria outlined in FEMA Interim Final Rule 44 CFR Part 201. Upon acceptance 

by FEMA, City of Torrance will gain eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 

funds. 

Coordinating Body - A City of Torrance Emergency Preparation Team will be 

responsible for coordinating implementation of Hazard Mitigation plan action items and 

undertaking the formal review process. The City Council (or other authority) will assign 

representatives from city agencies, including, but not limited to, the current E-Prep 

members. The city will utilize the E-Prep Team, Disaster Council, and City Department 

Council representatives to ensure action items are implemented. The E-Prep Team will 

engage other relevant organizations in implementation and organizations will include: 

Torrance Unified School District 

Southern California Regional Occupation Center (SCROC) 

Local Hospitals 

Local Ambulance Companies 

Southern California Edison 

Southern California Gas Company 

Los Angeles County “Area G” 

The E-Prep Team will meet no less than quarterly. Meeting dates will be 

scheduled once the final Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee has been established. 

These meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the progress of the action items 

43

and maintain the partnerships that are essential for the sustainability of the mitigation 

plan. 

Convener - After the City Council adopts the City of Torrance Natural Hazard 

Mitigation Plan, the Emergency Preparation Team (E-Prep) will take responsibility for 

plan implementation. The Assistant City Manager will facilitate the E-Prep meetings, 

and will assign tasks such as updating and presenting the Plan to the members of the 

committee. Plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among 

all of the E-Prep Members. 

Implementation through Existing Programs - City of Torrance addresses 

statewide planning goals and legislative requirements through its General Plan, Capital 

Improvement Plans, and City Building and Safety Codes. The Natural Hazard 

Mitigation Plan provides a series of recommendations - many of which are closely 

related to the goals and objectives of existing planning programs. The City of Torrance 

will have the opportunity to implement recommended mitigation action items through 

existing programs and procedures. 

The City of Torrance Building and Safety Department is responsible for 

administering the Building and Safety Codes. In addition, the E-Prep Team will work 

with other agencies at the state level to review, develop and ensure Building and Safety 

Codes that are adequate to mitigate or present damage by natural hazards. This is to 

ensure that life-safety criteria are met for new construction. 

The goals and action items in the mitigation plan may be achieved through 

activities recommended in the city's Capital Improvement Plans (CIP). Various city 

departments develop CIP plans, and review them on an annual basis. Upon annual 

review of the CIPs, the E-Prep Team will work with the city departments to identify 

areas that the hazard mitigation plan action items are consistent with CIP planning 

goals and integrate them where appropriate. 

Within 12 months of formal adoption of the mitigation plan, the recommendations 

listed above will be incorporated into the process of existing planning mechanisms at 

the city level. The meetings of the E-Prep Team will provide an opportunity for 

committee members to report back on the progress made on the integration of 

mitigation planning elements into city planning documents and procedures. 

Economic Analysis of Mitigation Projects - FEMA's approaches to identify the 

costs and benefits associated with natural hazard mitigation strategies, measures, or 

projects fall into two general categories: benefit/cost analysis and cost-effectiveness 

analysis. 

Conducting benefit/cost analysis for a mitigation activity can assist communities 

in determining whether a project is worth undertaking now, in order to avoid disasterrelated 

damages later. 

44

Cost-effectiveness analysis evaluates how best to spend a given amount of 

money to achieve a specific goal. Determining the economic feasibility of mitigating 

natural hazards can provide decision-makers with an understanding of the potential 

benefits and costs of an activity, as well as a basis upon which to compare alternative 

projects. 

Given federal funding, the E-Prep Team will use a FEMA-approved benefit/cost 

analysis approach to identify and prioritize mitigation action items. For other projects 

and funding sources, the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee will use other 

approaches to understand the costs and benefits of each action item and develop a 

prioritized list. For more information regarding economic analysis of mitigation action 

items, please see Appendix C of the Plan. 

Evaluating and Updating the Plan 

Formal Review Process - The City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan 

will be evaluated on an annual basis to determine the effectiveness of programs, and to 

reflect changes in land development or programs that may affect mitigation priorities. 

The evaluation process includes a firm schedule and timeline, and identifies the local 

agencies and organizations participating in plan evaluation. 

E-Prep Team members will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the 

progress of the mitigation strategies in the Plan. 

The E-Prep Team will review the goals and action items to determine their 

relevance to changing situations in the city, as well as changes in State or Federal 

policy, and to ensure they are addressing current and expected conditions. The 

committee will also review the risk assessment portion of the Plan to determine if this 

information should be updated or modified, given any new available data. The 

coordinating organizations responsible for the various action items will report on the 

status of their projects, the success of various implementation processes, difficulties 

encountered, success of coordination efforts, and which strategies should be revised. 

The Assistant City Manager will assign the duty of updating the plan to one or 

more of the committee members. The designated committee members will have three 

months to make appropriate changes to the Plan before submitting it to the E-Prep 

Team members, and presenting it to the City Council (or other authority). The E-Prep 

Team will also notify all holders of the city plan when changes have been made. Every 

five years the updated plan will be submitted to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer and 

the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review. 

Continued Public Involvement – Through the Disaster Council, the City of 

Torrance is dedicated to involving the public directly in review and updates of the 

Hazard Mitigation Plan. The E-Prep Team members are responsible for the annual 

review and update of the plan. 

45

The public will also have the opportunity to provide feedback about the Plan via 

Disaster Council meetings. Copies of the Plan will be made and kept at all of the 

appropriate agencies in the City. 

In addition, copies of the plan will be posted on the city website. This site will 

also contain an email address and phone number to which people can direct their 

comments and concerns. 

One Disaster Council Meeting will be dedicated annually to evaluate the Hazard 

Mitigation Plan. The meetings will provide the public a forum for which they can 

express its concerns, opinions, or ideas about the Plan. The City Public Information 

Officer will be responsible for using city resources to publicize the annual public 

meetings and maintain public involvement through the public access channel, web 

page, and newspapers. 

46

PART 2 

CITY-SPECIFIC NATURAL HAZARDS 

Part 2 of the Hazard Mitigation Plan address specifically the three hazards that 

the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee determined could significantly affect the City 

of Torrance. The three hazards are earthquake, flood and land movement. 

It is important to note that the HMAC initially examined six hazards that also 

included wildland fire, tsunami and windstorm. The risk analysis that was conducted 

resulted in a decision that the City is not at risk from these hazards. 

Wildland Fire: Research conducted by a committee member resulted in the 

identification of a letter from the County of Los Angeles stating that the City of Torrance 

was not in a area identified as subject to wildland fires (See Appendix 4.4). The City is, 

in fact, considered a buffer zone to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It was determined by 

the HMAC that this hazard need not be included in the analysis. 

Windstorm: Research conducted by HMAC did not reveal a windstorm event in 

any historical documents. Personnel memory by some long-term residents revealed a 

significant windstorm in the 1970’s however no documentation could be found and no 

local disaster was declared. The City of Torrance is 100 miles from the mountains that 

generate Santa Ana winds which are off shore winds that cause major damage in 

mountain passes and in communities directly in the path of mountain passes. The 

proximity to the ocean and the distance from the passes diminishes the winds before 

they become destructive to the point that they would cause a declared disaster. It was 

determined by the HMAC that this hazard need not be included in the analysis. 

Tsunami: Research conducted by the HMAC did not reveal any Tsunami to hit 

Torrance Beach in recorded history. Additionally, Torrance Beach is backed by bluffs 

that rise 50-100 feet above the sand and provide for a natural barrier. The County 

parking lot provides another buffer behind the beach and this area is also in a “no build 

zone.” There are no realistic mitigation efforts that could take place. Because of this, it 

was determined by the HMAC that this hazard need not be included in the analysis. 

The following three sections will go into specific detail regarding three significant 

hazards in the City of Torrance: Earthquake (Section 2.1); Landslide (Section 2.2); and 

Flooding (Section 2.3). Multi-Hazard (Section 2.4) describes mitigation efforts that will 

take place that affect more than one hazard. 

47


48

SECTION 2.1 

EARTHQUAKE HAZARD 

Earthquakes 

Historical and geological records show that California has a long history of 

seismic events. Southern California is probably best known for the San Andreas Fault, 

a 400-mile long fault running from the Mexican border to a point offshore, west of San 

Francisco. “Geologic studies show that over the past 1,400 to 1,500 years large 

earthquakes have occurred at about 130 year intervals on the southern San Andreas 

Fault. As the last large earthquake on the southern San Andreas occurred in 1857, that 

section of the fault is considered a likely location for an earthquake within the next few 

decades.” 

San Andreas is only one of dozens of known earthquake faults that crisscross 

Southern California. Some of the better known faults include the Newport-Inglewood, 

Whittier, Chatsworth, Elsinore, Hollywood, Los Alamitos, and Palos Verdes faults. 

Beyond the known faults, there are a potentially large number of “blind” faults that 

underlie the surface of Southern California. One such blind fault was involved in the 

Whittier Narrows earthquake in October 1987. 

Although the most famous of the faults, the San Andreas, is capable of producing 

an earthquake with a magnitude of 8+ on the Richter scale, some of the “lesser” faults 

have the potential to inflict greater damage on the urban core of the Los Angeles Basin. 

Seismologists believe that a 6.0 earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood would result in 

far more death and destruction than a “great” quake on the San Andreas, because the 

San Andreas is relatively remote from the urban centers of Southern California. 

For decades, partnerships have flourished between the USGS, Cal Tech, the 

California Geological Survey and universities to share research and educational efforts 

with Californians. Tremendous earthquake mapping and mitigation efforts have been 

made in California in the past two decades, and public awareness has risen remarkably 

during this time. Major federal, state, and local government agencies and private 

organizations support earthquake risk reduction, and have made significant 

contributions in reducing the adverse impacts of earthquakes. Despite the progress, the 

majority of California communities remain unprepared because there is a general lack of 

understanding regarding earthquake hazards among Californians. 

To better understand the earthquake hazard, the scientific community has looked 

at historical records and accelerated research on those faults that are the sources of the 

earthquakes occurring in the Southern California region. Historical earthquake records 

can generally be divided into records of the pre-instrumental period and the instrumental 

period. In the absence of instrumentation, the detection earthquakes is based on 

observations and felt reports, and are dependent upon population density and 

distribution. Since California was sparsely populated in the 1800s, the detection of pre- 

49

instrumental earthquakes is relatively difficult. However, two large earthquakes, in Fort 

Tejon in 1857 (7.9 on the Richter Scale) and in Owens Valley in 1872 (7.6), are 

evidence of the tremendously damaging potential of earthquakes in Southern California. 

In more recent times, two 7.3 earthquakes struck Southern California, in Kern County 

(1952) and Landers (1992). The damage from these four large earthquakes was limited 

because they occurred in areas which were sparsely populated at the time. The 

seismic risk is much more severe today because the population at risk is in the millions, 

rather than a few hundred or a few thousand persons. 

History of Earthquake Events in Southern California 

Since seismologists started recording and measuring earthquakes, there have 

been tens of thousands of recorded earthquakes in Southern California, most with a 

magnitude below 3.0 on the Richter Scale. No community in Southern California is 

beyond the reach of a damaging earthquake. The following table describes the 

historical earthquake events that have affected Southern California. 

Southern California Region Earthquakes with a Magnitude 5.0 or Greater 

1769 Los Angeles Basin 1916 Tejon Pass Region 

1800 San Diego Region 1918 San Jacinto 

1812 Wrightwood 1923 San Bernardino Region 

1812 Santa Barbara Channel 1925 Santa Barbara 

1827 Los Angeles Region 1933 Long Beach 

1855 Los Angeles Region 1941 Carpenteria/Torrance 

1857 Great Fort Tejon Earthquake 1952 Kern County 

1858 San Bernardino Region 1954 W. of Wheeler Ridge 

1862 San Diego Region 1971 San Fernando 

1892 San Jacinto or Elsinore Fault 1973 Point Mugu 

1893 Pico Canyon 1986 North Palm Springs 

1894 Lytle Creek Region 1987 Whittier Narrows 

1894 E. of San Diego 1992 Landers 

1899 Lytle Creek Region 1992 Big Bear 

1899 San Jacinto and Hemet 1994 Northridge 

1907 San Bernardino Region 1999 Hector Mine 

1910 Glen Ivy Hot Springs 

Source: 

http://geology.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fpasadena.wr.usgs.gov%2Finfo%2Fcahist_eqs.html 

50

Causes and Characteristics of Southern California Earthquakes 

Earthquake Faults - A fault is a fracture along 

between blocks of the earth’s crust where either side moves 

relative to the other along a parallel plane to the fracture. 

Dip-slip - Dip-slip faults are slanted fractures where 

the blocks mostly shift vertically. If the earth above an 

inclined fault moves down, the fault is called a normal fault, 

but when the rock above the fault moves up, the fault is 

called a reverse fault. Thrust faults have a reverse fault with 

a dip of 45 ° or less. 

Strike-slip - Strike-slip faults are vertical or almost 

vertical rifts where the earth’s plates move mostly 

horizontally. From the observers perspective, if the opposite 

block looking across the fault moves to the right, the slip style 

is called a right lateral fault; if the block moves left, the shift is 

called a left lateral fault. 

Dr. Kerry Sieh of Cal Tech has investigated the San 

Andreas Fault at Pallett Creek. “The record at Pallett Creek shows that rupture has 

recurred about every 130 years, on average, over the past 1500 years. But actual 

intervals have varied greatly, from less than 50 years to more than 300. The physical 

cause of such irregular recurrence remains unknown.” Damage from a great quake on 

the San Andreas would be widespread throughout Southern California. 

Earthquake-Related Hazards 

Ground shaking, landslides, liquefaction, and amplification are the specific 

hazards associated with earthquakes. The severity of these hazards depends on 

several factors, including soil and slope conditions, proximity to the fault, earthquake 

magnitude, and the type of earthquake. 

Ground Shaking - Ground shaking is the motion felt on the earth's surface 

caused by seismic waves generated by the earthquake. It is the primary cause of 

earthquake damage. The strength of ground shaking depends on the magnitude of the 

earthquake, the type of fault, and distance from the epicenter (where the earthquake 

originates). Buildings on poorly consolidated and thick soils will typically see more 

damage than buildings on consolidated soils and bedrock. 

Earthquake Induced Landslides - Earthquake induced landslides are secondary 

earthquake hazards that occur from ground shaking. They can destroy the roads, 

buildings, utilities, and other critical facilities necessary to respond and recover from an 

51

earthquake. Many communities in Southern California have a high likelihood of 

encountering such risks, especially in areas with steep slopes. 

Liquefaction - Liquefaction occurs when ground shaking causes wet granular 

soils to change from a solid state to a liquid state. This results in the loss of soil 

strength and the soil's ability to support weight. Buildings and their occupants are at risk 

when the ground can no longer support these buildings and structures. Many 

communities in Southern California are built on ancient river bottoms and have sandy 

soil. In some cases this ground may be subject to liquefaction, depending on the depth 

of the water table. 

Amplification - Soils and soft sedimentary rocks near the earth's surface can 

modify ground shaking caused by earthquakes. One of these modifications is 

amplification. Amplification increases the magnitude of the seismic waves generated by 

the earthquake. The amount of amplification is influenced by the thickness of geologic 

materials and their physical properties. Buildings and structures built on soft and 

unconsolidated soils can face greater risk. a Amplification can also occur in areas with 

deep sediment filled basins and on ridge tops. 

Earthquake Hazard Assessment – State of California 

In California, many agencies are focused on seismic safety issues: the State’s 

Seismic Safety Commission, the Applied Technology Council, Governor’s Office of 

Emergency Services, United States Geological Survey, Cal Tech, the California 

Geological Survey as well as a number of universities and private foundations. 

These organizations, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, have 

undertaken a rigorous program in California to identify seismic hazards and risks 

including active fault identification, bedrock shaking, tsunami inundation zones, ground 

motion amplification, liquefaction, and earthquake induced landslides. Seismic hazard 

maps have been published and are available for many communities in California 

through the State Division of Mines and Geology. Map 3.3 illustrates the known 

earthquake faults in Southern California. 

In California, each earthquake is followed by revisions and improvements in the 

Building Codes. The 1933 Long Beach resulted in the Field Act, affecting school 

construction. The 1971 Sylmar earthquake brought another set of increased structural 

standards. Similar re-evaluations occurred after the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 

Northridge earthquakes. These code changes have resulted in stronger and more 

earthquake resistant structures. 

The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act was passed in 1972 to mitigate 

the hazard of surface faulting to structures for human occupancy. This state law was a 

direct result of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, which was associated with 

extensive surface fault ruptures that damaged numerous homes, commercial buildings, 

and other structures. Surface rupture is the most easily avoided seismic hazard. b 

52

The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, passed in 1990, addresses non-surface fault 

rupture earthquake hazards, including liquefaction and seismically induced landslides. c 

The State Department of Conservation operates the Seismic Mapping Program for 

California. Extensive information is available at their website: 

http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/index.htm 

COMMUNITY EARTHQUAKE ISSUES 

Susceptibility to Earthquakes - Earthquake damage occurs because many 

structures cannot withstand severe shaking. Buildings, airports, schools, and lifelines 

(highways and utility lines) suffer damage in earthquakes and can cause death or injury 

to humans. The welfare of homes, major businesses, and public infrastructure is 

important. Addressing the reliability of buildings, critical facilities, and infrastructure, and 

understanding the potential costs to government, businesses, and individuals as a result 

of an earthquake, are challenges faced by the City. 

Dams -There is a total of 103 dams in Los Angeles County, including two in the 

City of Torrance owned by 23 agencies or organizations, ranging from the Federal 

government to Homeowners’ Associations. d These dams hold billions of gallons of 

water. Seismic activity can compromise the dam structures, and the resultant flooding 

could cause catastrophic flooding. Following the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, the Lower 

Van Norman Dam showed signs of structural compromise, and tens of thousands of 

people had to be evacuated until the dam could be drained. The dam has never been 

refilled. 

Buildings -The built environment is obviously susceptible to damage from 

earthquakes. Buildings that collapse can trap and bury people. Lives are at risk and 

the cost to clean up the damages is great. In most California communities, including the 

city of Torrance, many buildings were built before 1993 when building codes were not 

as strict. In addition, retrofitting is not required except under certain conditions and can 

be expensive. Therefore, the number of buildings at risk remains high. The California 

Seismic Safety Commission makes annual reports on the progress of the retrofitting of 

unreinforced masonry buildings. 

Infrastructure and Communication - Torrance residents frequently commute by 

automobile and public transportation such as bus and light rail. An earthquake can 

greatly damage bridges and roads, hampering emergency response efforts and the 

normal movement of people and goods. Damaged infrastructure strongly affects the 

economy of the community because it disconnects people from work, school, food, and 

leisure, and separates businesses from their employees, customers, and suppliers. 

Bridge Damage - Even modern bridges can sustain damage during earthquakes, 

leaving them unsafe for use. Some bridges have failed completely due to strong ground 

motion. Bridges are a vital transportation link, with even minor damages making some 

areas inaccessible. Because bridges vary in size, materials, location, and design, any 

53

given earthquake will affect them differently. Bridges built before the mid-1970s have a 

significantly higher risk of suffering structural damage during a moderate to large 

earthquake compared with those built after 1980 when design improvements were 

made. 

Much of the interstate highway system was built in the mid- to late 1960s. The 

bridges in the City of Torrance are state, county or privately owned, including railroad 

bridges. Caltrans has retrofitted most bridges on the freeway system; however, there 

are still some county-maintained bridges that are not retrofitted. The FHWA requires 

that bridges on the National Bridge Inventory be inspected every two years. Caltrans 

checks when the bridges are inspected because it administers the Federal funds for 

bridge projects. 

Damage to Lifelines - Lifelines are the connections between communities and 

outside services. They include water and gas lines, transportation systems, electricity 

and communication networks. Ground shaking and amplification can cause pipes to 

break open, power lines to fall, roads and railways to crack or move, and radio and 

telephone communication to cease. Disruption to transportation makes it especially 

difficult to bring in supplies or services. Lifelines need to be usable after earthquake to 

allow for rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts and to relay important information to 

the public. 

Disruption of Critical Services - Critical facilities include police stations, fire 

stations, hospitals, shelters, and other locations that provide important services to the 

community. These facilities and their services need to be functional after an earthquake 

event. Many critical facilities are housed in older buildings that are not up to current 

seismic codes. 

Individual Preparedness - Because the potential for earthquake occurrences and 

earthquake-related property damage is relatively high in the City of Torrance, there is a 

significant need to increase individual preparedness. Strapping down heavy furniture, 

water heaters, and expensive personal property, as well as being earthquake insured 

and anchoring buildings to foundations, are just a few steps individuals can take to 

prepare for an earthquake. 

Death and Injury - Death or injury can occur both inside and outside of buildings 

due to collapsed buildings, falling equipment, furniture, debris, and structural materials. 

Downed power lines and broken water and gas lines can also endanger human life. 

Fire - Downed power lines or broken gas mains can trigger fires. When fire 

stations suffer building or lifeline damage, quick response to extinguish fires is less 

likely. Major incidents would demand a larger share of resources, and initially smaller 

fires and problems would receive little or insufficient resources in the initial hours after a 

major earthquake event. Loss of electricity may cause a loss of water pressure in some 

communities, further hampering fire-fighting ability. 

54

Debris - After damage to a variety of structures, much time is spent cleaning up 

brick, glass, wood, steel, and concrete building elements, office and home contents, and 

other debris. Developing strong debris management strategies is essential in postdisaster 

recovery. Occurrence of a disaster does not exempt the City of Torrance from 

compliance with AB 939 regulations regarding waste management. 

Businesses - Seismic activity can cause great losses to business, from largescale 

corporations to small retail shops. When a company is forced to stop production 

for just a day, the economic loss can be tremendous, especially when its market is 

national or global. Seismic activity can create economic loss that presents a burden to 

business owners who may have difficulty recovering from their losses. 

Forty percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster. Another 25% percent 

fail within one year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Similar statistics from the U.S. Small Business Administration indicate that over 90% of 

businesses fail within two years after being struck by a disaster. e 

The Institute of Business and Home Safety has developed “Open for Business,” 

a disaster-planning toolkit to help businesses prepare for and deal with the adverse 

effects of natural hazards. The kit integrates protection from natural disasters into the 

company's risk reduction measures to safeguard employees, customers, and the 

investment itself. The guide helps businesses secure human and physical resources 

during disasters, and helps to develop strategies to maintain business continuity before, 

during, and after a disaster occurs. 

Hospitals 

The Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Seismic Safety Act (“Hospital Act”) was enacted in 

1973 in response to the moderate magnitude 6.6 Sylmar Earthquake in 1971 when four 

major hospital campuses were severely damaged and evacuated. Two hospital 

buildings collapsed, killing 47 people. Three others were killed in another hospital that 

nearly collapsed. 

In approving the Act, the California Legislature noted that hospitals that house 

patients who have less than the capacity of normally healthy persons to protect 

themselves, and that must be reasonably capable of providing services to the public 

after a disaster, shall be designed and constructed to resist, insofar as practical, the 

forces generated by earthquakes, gravity and winds (Health and Safety Code §129680). 

When the Hospital Act was passed in 1973, the State anticipated that, based on 

the regular and timely replacement of aging hospital facilities, the majority of hospital 

buildings would be in compliance with the Act’s standards within 25 years. However, 

hospital buildings were not, and are not, being replaced at the rate anticipated. In fact, 

the great majority of the State’s urgent care facilities are now more than 40 years old. 

55

The moderate magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake in 1994 caused $3 billion in 

hospital-related damage and evacuations. Twelve hospital buildings constructed before 

the Act were cited (red-tagged) as unsafe for occupancy after the earthquake. Those 

hospitals that had been built in accordance with the 1973 Hospital Act were successful 

in resisting structural damage. However, nonstructural damage (for example, plumbing 

and ceiling systems) was still extensive in those post-1973 buildings 

Senate Bill 1953 (SB 1953), enacted in 1994 after the Northridge earthquake, 

expanded the scope of the 1973 Hospital Act. Under SB 1953, all hospitals are 

required, as of January 1, 2008, to survive earthquakes without collapsing or posing the 

threat of significant loss of life. The 1994 Act further mandates that all existing hospitals 

be seismically evaluated and retrofitted, if needed, by 2030, so that they are in 

substantial compliance with the Act (which requires that the hospital buildings be 

reasonably capable of providing services to the public after disasters). SB 1953 applies 

to all urgent care facilities, including those built prior to the 1973 Hospital Act, and 

affects approximately 2,500 buildings on 475 campuses. 

SB 1953 directed the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development 

(OSHPD), in consultation with the Hospital Building Safety Board, to develop 

emergency regulations, including “…earthquake performance categories with subgradations 

for risk to life, structural soundness, building contents, and nonstructural 

systems that are critical to providing basic services to hospital inpatients and the public 

after a disaster” (Health and Safety Code §130005). 

Seismic Safety Commission Evaluation of the State’s Hospital Seismic Safety 

Policies 

In 2001, recognizing the continuing need to assess the adequacy of policies, and 

the application of advances in technical knowledge and understanding, the California 

Seismic Safety Commission created an ad hoc committee to examine compliance with 

the Alquist Hospital Seismic Safety Act. Formation of the committee was also prompted 

by the recent evaluations of hospital buildings reported to OSHPD that revealed that a 

large percentage (40%) of California’s operating hospitals are in the highest category of 

collapse risk. f 

California Earthquake Mitigation Legislation 

California is painfully aware of the threats it faces from earthquakes. Dating back 

to the 19th century, Californians have been killed, injured, and lost property as a result 

of earthquakes. As the State’s population continues to grow, and urban areas become 

even more densely built up, the risk will continue to increase. For decades, the 

Legislature has passed laws to strengthen the built environment and protect the 

citizens. The following table provides a sampling of some of the 200-plus earthquakerelated 

laws in the California Codes. 

56

Partial List of the Over 200 California Laws on Earthquake Safety 

Education Code §§35295- Established emergency procedure systems in kindergarten through 

35297 

grade 12 in all the public or private schools. 

Government Code §8870- 

Creates Seismic Safety Commission. 

8870.95 

Government Code §8871- Established the California Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 

8871.5 

1986. 

Government Code §8876.1- Established the California Center for Earthquake Engineering 

8876.10 

Research. 

Government Code §8878.50- Created the Earthquake Safety and Public Buildings Rehabilitation 

8878.52 

Bond Act of 1990. 

Government Code §8899.10- 

Established the Earthquake Research Evaluation Conference. 

8899.16 

Health and Safety Code Required all child day care facilities to include an Earthquake 

§1596.80-1596.879 

Preparedness Checklist as an attachment to their disaster plan. 

The Seismic Safety Commission and State Architect, will develop a 

Health and Safety Code 

state policy on acceptable levels of earthquake risk for new and 

§§16100-16110 

existing state-owned buildings. 

Health and Safety Code Established standards for seismic retrofitting of unreinforced 

§§19160-19169 

masonry buildings. 

Health and Safety Code 

Defined earthquake performance standards for hospitals. 

§§130000-130025 

Public Resources Code 

Established the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act. 

§§2621-2630 

Public Resources Code Authorized a prototype earthquake prediction system along the 

§§2800-2804.6 

central San Andreas fault near the City of Parkfield. 

Public Resources Code 

Established the California Earthquake Education Project. 

§§2805-2808 

Public Resources Code Continued the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project 

§§2810-2815 

and the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project. 

Source: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html 

Earthquake Education 

Earthquake research and education activities are conducted at several major 

universities in the Southern California region, including Cal Tech, USC, UCLA, UCSB, 

UCI, and UCSD. The local clearinghouse for earthquake information is the Southern 

California Earthquake Center located at the University of Southern California, Los 

Angeles, CA 90089; telephone (213) 740-5843; fax (213) 740-0011; e-mail 

SCEinfo@usc.edu; website: http://www.scec.org 

The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) is a community of scientists 

and specialists who actively coordinate research on earthquake hazards at nine core 

institutions, and communicate earthquake information to the public. SCEC is a National 

Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center co-funded by the United 

States Geological Survey (USGS). 

In addition, Los Angeles County, along with other Southern California counties, 

sponsors the Emergency Survival Program (ESP), an education program for learning 

how to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters. Many school districts have active 

57

emergency preparedness programs that include earthquake drills and periodic disaster 

response team exercises. 

RISK ANALYSIS - CITY OF TORRANCE EARTHQUAKE HAZARD 

Hazard Identification 

The City of Torrance is at risk, as are most other cities in Southern California, of 

significant damage caused by local earthquake. The City is approximately 100 miles 

from the San Andreas fault. A sizeable quake could have a devastating effect on the 

City. The Inglewood/Newport fault runs just east of the City and is within five miles of 

the City’s border. The Palos Verdes fault runs through the southern section of the City. 

Earth movement and landslides have occurred in the City (see Section 2.2), and 

an earthquake could cause significant movement. The Walteria and Ben Haggott 

Reservoirs, if seriously damaged by an earthquake, could cause huge property loss as 

well as loss of life (see Section 2.3). 

The following summarizes data from the two local faults, as provided by the Los 

Angeles County Area “G” template for hazard mitigation. 

Newport-Inglewood Fault 

Nearest Communities: Culver City, Inglewood, Gardena, Compton, Signal Hill, 

Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa. 

Most Recent Major Rupture: March 10, 1933, M6.4 (but no surface rupture). 

Interval Between Major Ruptures: Unknown. 

Probable Magnitudes: M6.0 - 7.4. This represents a worst-case earthquake that 

could affect the urban areas of Central - Southeastern Los Angeles County. 

Palos Verdes Fault Zone 

Nearby Communities: San Pedro, Palos Verdes Estates, Torrance, Redondo 

Beach. 

Most Recent Surface Rupture: Holocene, offshore; Late Quaternary, onshore. 

Interval Between Major Ruptures: unknown. 

Probable Magnitudes: M6.0 - 7.0 (or greater?); fault geometry may allow only 

partial rupture at any one time. 

58

Map 3.3 shows the overall fault system in Southern California. The City is 

vulnerable to a devastating earthquake. It should be noted that the State does not 

recognize the Palos Verdes fault as active. Consequently, it does not appear on State 

seismic maps. However, consultants for the City of Torrance have recognized the 

potential of the Palos Verdes fault and it does appear on City seismic maps. 

The Exxon-Mobil petroleum refinery uses extensive hazardous material that 

could cause disastrous consequences for the City. The Exxon-Mobil Risk Management 

Plan (Appendix 4.2) describes the hazardous chemicals and the effects of a release 

from the refinery in the event of a catastrophic earthquake. 

The City has numerous fuel and oil lines that crisscross the City (see Map 3.6) 

and, if damaged in an earthquake, could cause serious damage to a neighborhood. 

3.5). 

The State has identified two small areas that are subject to liquefaction (Map 

The City of Torrance, through emergency planning and its existing General Plan 

and building codes, has been proactive in its earthquake mitigation efforts. 

Hazard Profile 

Historical records do not document any earthquakes with the epicenter within the 

boundaries of the City of Torrance. Records do show earthquake damage from the 

1933 Long Beach earthquake. Records also show damage from an earthquake that 

occurred on November 14, 1941. There were no deaths in the earthquake, however, 

there was damage in the old downtown area that resulted in damage estimated at that 

time at $350,000. 

ASSESSING VULNERABILITY 

Identifying Assets - As indicated in Section 1.2, Torrance is a full-service City. 

The Police Department has a main station and four substations. The Fire Department 

has six fire stations. 

Map 3.1 shows all City facilities including infrastructure, critical, essential, and all 

remaining public facilities. All pubic buildings and City infrastructure are subject to 

significant damage from earthquake. All roadways and bridges are subject to significant 

damage from an earthquake. 

Estimating Potential Losses 

As described earlier, it is impossible to predict when, where, what type and what 

magnitude an earthquake will be. For that reason, it is impossible to predict overall 

damage to infrastructure and critical facilities prior to the event. 

59

The following table lists the appraised value (not replacement value) of City facilities 

based on current condition and age. 

City Hall 3231 Torrance Blvd $ 5,473,525 

City Hall East Wing 3231 Torrance Blvd 2,531,882 

City Hall West Wing 3031 Torrance Blvd 2,973,442 

City Hall North Wing 3031 Torrance Blvd 301,474 

Personnel Building 3231 Torrance Blvd 955,115 

Building and Safety 3231 Torrance Blvd 661,037 

Transit 20500 Madrona Ave 4,477,474 

City Service Building (City Yard) 20500 Madrona Ave 15,564,069 

Fire Station #1 1701 Crenshaw Blvd 2,185,842 

Fire Station #2 25135 Robinson Way 490,206 

Fire Station #2 Training Tower 25135 Robinson Way 390,973 

Fire Station #3 3535 W. 182nd Street 894,756 

Fire Station #4 5205 Calle Mayor 563,305 

Fire Station #5 3940 Del Amo Blvd. 593,018 

Fire Station #6 21401 Del Amo Circle 1,180,121 

Cable Communication Building 3350 Civic Center Drive 1,842,535 

Cultural Arts Center 3330 Civic Center Drive 17,842,556 

Police Facility 3300 Civic Center Drive 9,260,414 

Civic Center Library 3301 Torrance Blvd. 6,591,520 

El Retiro Branch Library 126 Vista del Parque 536,382 

Henderson Branch Library 4805 Emerald Ave. 512,517 

North Torrance Branch Library 3604 W. Artesia Blvd. 516,000 

Southeast Branch Library 23115 Arlington Ave. 928,800 

Walteria Branch Library 3815 W. 242nd Street 512,517 

Walteria and Ben Haggott Reservoirs 60,000,000 

Benstead Plunge (pool & structures) 3331 Torrance Blvd. 2,883,404 

Development Trends 

The entire City of Torrance is vulnerable to earthquakes. The City is fully built 

and minimal open land is available for development. New development is normally the 

result of demolition of existing industry or structures. All new construction and all new 

or replaced infrastructure are designed to meet current State earthquake standards. 

Building on hillside which is subject to landslide caused by an earthquake is subject to 

soils and geological testing and enforcement of building codes. There is little vacant 

hillside land that can still be developed. 

60


EARTHQUAKE MITIGATION ACTION ITEMS 


Action Item: The City shall monitor ongoing research on faults in the area. 

Coordinating Organization: Community Development/Building and Safety 


‣ Provide appropriate instrumentation in structures, as required by the 

State, to evaluate the adequacy of local codes regarding earthquake 

safety. Data would be used for research purposes with future mitigation 

actions. 

‣ Explore creating a database of existing structures which may be 

considered a high risk to life and property during seismic activity. 

‣ Require new high rise buildings over 75 feet to install approved recording 

devices as required by the State of California Building Code. 



Constraints: None noted 


Action Item: Continue to upgrade and enforce building codes for the design of 

new construction that resists seismic activity and geologic hazards. 



‣ The City will require that new structures are designed and constructed to 

meet the minimum performance standards of the State of California 

building codes as amended by the City of Torrance. 

‣ Require soils investigations for all new construction, where appropriate. 

‣ Require soils report for major projects as appropriate in the hillside areas 

where property to be built lies in proximity to fault zones, bluff zones, or 

any other areas identified to be seismically sensitive 




61

NATURAL HAZARD: EARTHQUAKE - LONG TERM # 1 

Action Item: Encourage education and information dissemination to reduce the 

risk of non-structural and structural earthquake hazards in homes, 

schools, businesses, and government offices. 



‣ Provide information or conduct public outreach meetings for businesses, 

school facility managers, and teachers on securing bookcases, filing 

cabinets, light fixtures, computers, appliances, picture frames, mirrors, and 

other objects that can cause injuries and block exits in the event of an 

earthquake. 

‣ Provide information and conduct training for City employees on securing 

objects that can cause injury or block exits during a seismic event. 

‣ Prepare and disseminate essential public information concerning 

earthquake preparedness and response procedures via the web page and 

during Earthquake Awareness Month. 





Action Item: Protection of life and property from fire, geologic, and seismic 

hazards. 

Coordinating Organization: Fire Department 


‣ Establish and continue the appropriate number of annual fire safety 

inspections of manufacturing, commercial, and public assemblies. 

‣ Continue review of all new development proposals for determination of fire 

prevention measures and fire operation needs 

‣ Insure that site-specific seismic analysis is conducted through the 

California Accidental Release Program, Risk Management Plans process 

for facilities which use or store Regulated Materials. 

‣ Insure that site-specific seismic analysis is conducted through the Risk 

Management and Prevention Program process for facilities which use or 

store Acutely Hazardous Materials 

‣ Maintain an awareness to identify local facilities and transportation routes 

where hazardous materials are present 

62

‣ Request that oil transmission lines be routinely inspected with a 

representative of the appropriate City Department or State of California 

present and with all test results communicated to the City. 

‣ Establish and maintain fire, emergency medical, and emergency disaster 

training programs in conjunction with other cities. 

‣ Encourage and coordinate regional training with local and regional fire 

agencies. 

‣ Maintain and exercise master mutual aid agreements with local and 

regional fire agencies. 

‣ Encourage appropriate railroad regulatory agencies to do railroad track 

inspections on a routine basis. 

‣ Exercise City’s right to obtain information and monitor results of Federal 

and/or State inspections of railroads and pipelines, as needed to acquire 

current data and maintain accurate maps of potential danger areas. 



Constraints: Lack of local control 


Action Item: To provide the Citizens of Torrance with the safe disposition of 

hazardous waste. 

Coordinating Organization: Fire Department/Public Works 

Ideas for implementation: 

‣ Continue to recognize the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste 

Management Plan as the hazardous waste management plan of the City 

of Torrance. 

‣ Require that, should there be a future proposal of a hazardous waste 

project, any project must be shown to be consistent and in compliance 

with the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan. 

‣ The City shall encourage the proper disposal of household hazardous 

waste by disseminating information about Los Angeles County waste 

programs and events through available educational and public relations 

methods. 




63


Action Item: To mitigate property loss and death. Provide for uninterrupted 

services and continuation of government after a seismic event. 

Coordinating Organization: General Services/CIT/Police Department 


‣ Provide an adequate emergency and disaster communication system 

which provides intra- and inter-agency operability for operating 

Departments (Communications and Information Technology Department). 

‣ Initiate programs in all critical facilities to secure all filing cabinets, desks, 

computers, TVs, and other essential equipment (General Services 

Department). 

‣ Complete alternate Emergency Operations Center (Police Department). 




64

EARTHQUAKE RESOURCE DIRECTORY 

Los Angeles County Public Works Department 

900 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803 

Ph: 626-458-5100 

Fx: 

LOCAL AND REGIONAL RESOURCES 

Level: County Hazard: Multi http://ladpw.org 

Notes: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works protects property and promotes public 

safety through Flood Control, Water Conservation, Road Maintenance, Bridges, Buses and Bicycle Trails, 

Building and Safety, Land Development, Waterworks, Sewers, Engineering, Capital Projects and Airports 

Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) 

3651 Trousdale Parkway, Suite 169, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0742 

Ph: 213-740-5843 Fx: 213/740-0011 

Level: Regional Hazard: Earthquake www.scec.org 

Notes: The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) gathers new information about earthquakes in 

Southern California, integrates this information into a comprehensive and predictive understanding of 

earthquake phenomena, and communicates this understanding to end-users and the general public in 

order to increase earthquake awareness, reduce economic losses, and save lives. 

STATE RESOURCES 

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 

120 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 

Ph: 213-897-3656 

Fx: 

Level: State Hazard: Multi http://www.dot.ca.gov/ 

Notes: Caltrans is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the California 

State Highway System, as well as that portion of the Interstate Highway System within the state's 

boundaries. Alone and in partnership with Amtrak, Caltrans is also involved in the support of inter-city 

passenger rail service in California. 

California Resources Agency 

1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311, Sacramento, CA 95814 

Ph: 916-653-5656 

Fx: 

Level: State Hazard: Multi http://resources.ca.gov/ 

Notes: The California Resources Agency restores, protects and manages the state's natural, historical 

and cultural resources for current and future generations using solutions based on science, collaboration 

and respect for all the communities and interests involved. 

65

California Division of Mines and Geology (DMG) 

801 K Street, MS 12-30, Sacramento, CA 95814 

Ph: 916-445-1825 Fx: 916-445-5718 

Level: State Hazard: Multi www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/index.htm 

Notes: The California Geological Survey develops and disseminates technical information and advice on 

California’s geology, geologic hazards, and mineral resources. 

California Department of Conservation: Southern California Regional Office 

655 S. Hope Street, #700, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2321 

Ph: 213-239-0878 Fx: 213-239-0984 

Level: State Hazard: Multi www.consrv.ca.gov 

Notes: The Department of Conservation provides services and information that promote environmental 

health, economic vitality, informed land-use decisions and sound management of our state's natural 

resources. 

California Planning Information Network 

Ph: 

Fx: 

Level: State Hazard: Multi www.calpin.ca.gov 

Notes: The Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) publishes basic information on local 

planning agencies, known as the California Planners' Book of Lists. This local planning information is 

available on-line with new search capabilities and up-to-the- minute updates. 

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) 

P.O. Box 419047, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9047 

Ph: 916 845- 8911 Fx: 916 845- 8910 

Level: State Hazard: Multi www.oes.ca.gov 

Notes: The Governor's Office of Emergency Services coordinates overall state agency response to major 

disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for assuring the state's readiness to 

respond to and recover from natural, manmade, and war-caused emergencies, and for assisting local 

governments in their emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts. 

FEDERAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES 

Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) 

1090 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 

Ph: 202-289-7800 Fx: 202-289-109 

Level: National Hazard: Earthquake www.bssconline.org 

Notes: The Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) develops and promotes building earthquake risk 

mitigation regulatory provisions for the nation. 

66

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX 

1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607 

Ph: 510-627-7100 Fx: 510-627-7112 

Level: Federal Hazard: Multi www.fema.gov 

Notes: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is tasked with responding to, planning for, 

recovering from and mitigating against disasters. 

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mitigation Division 

500 C Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20472 

Ph: 202-566-1600 

Fx: 

Level: Federal Hazard: Multi www.fema.gov/fima/planhowto.shtm 

Notes: The Mitigation Division manages the National Flood Insurance Program and oversees FEMA's 

mitigation programs. It has a number of programs and activities which provide citizens Protection, with 

flood insurance; Prevention, with mitigation measures and Partnerships, with communities throughout the 

country. 

United States Geological Survey 

345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Ph: 650-853-8300 

Fx: 

Level: Federal Hazard: Multi http://www.usgs.gov/ 

Notes: The USGS provides reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize 

loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; 

and enhance and protect our quality of life. 

Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) 

125 California Avenue, Suite D201, #1, Palo Alto, CA 94306 

Ph: 650-330-1101 Fx: 650-326-1769 

Level: Regional Hazard: Earthquake www.wsspc.org/home.html 

Notes: WSSPC is a regional earthquake consortium funded mainly by FEMA. Its website is a great 

resource, with information clearly categorized - from policy to engineering to education. 

Institute for Business and Home Safety 

4775 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617 

Ph: 813-286-3400 Fx: 813-286-9960 

Level: National Hazard: Multi http://www.ibhs.org/ 

The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) is a nonprofit association that engages in 

communication, education, engineering and research. The Institute works to reduce deaths, injuries, 

property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters. 

67

PUBLICATIONS 

“Land Use Planning for Earthquake Hazard Mitigation: Handbook for Planners.” 

Wolfe, Myer R. et. aI., (1986) University of Colorado, Institute of Behavioral Science, National Science 

Foundation. 

This handbook provides techniques that planners and others can utilize to help mitigate for seismic 

hazards, It provides information on the effects of earthquakes, sources on risk assessment, and effects of 

earthquakes on the built environment. The handbook also gives examples on application and 

implementation of planning techniques to be used by local communities. 

Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center 

University of Colorado, 482 UCB 

Boulder, CO 80309-0482 

Phone: (303) 492-6818 

Fax: (303) 492-2151 

http://www,colorado.edu/UCB/Research/IBS/hazards 

“Public Assistance Debris Management Guide,” FEMA (July 2000). 

The Debris Management Guide was developed to assist local officials in planning, mobilizing, organizing, 

and controlling large-scale debris clearance, removal, and disposal operations, Debris management is 

generally associated with post-disaster recovery. While it should be compliant with local and county 

emergency operations plans, developing strategies to ensure strong debris management is a way to 

integrate debris management within mitigation activities. The “Public Assistance Debris Management 

Guide” is available in hard copy or on the FEMA website. 

a. Planning for Natural Hazards: The California Technical Resource Guide, Department of Land Conservation and 

Development (July 2000). 

b. http://www.consrv.ca.gov/CGS/rghm/ap/. 

c. Ibid. 

d. Source: Los Angeles County Public Works Department, March 2004. 

e. http://www.chamber101.com/programs_committee/natural_disasters/DisasterPreparedness/Forty.htm. 

f. http://www.seismic.ca.gov/pub/CSSC_2001-04_Hospital.pdf. 

68

THE THREAT OF LANDSLIDE 

SECTION 2.2 

LANDSLIDE 

(EARTH MOVEMENT AND DEBRIS FLOWS) 

Landslides are a serious geologic hazard in almost every state in America. 

Nationally, landslides cause 25 to 50 deaths each year. a The best estimate of direct and 

indirect costs of landslide damage in the United States range between $1 and $2 billion 

annually. b As a seismically active region, California has had significant number of 

locations impacted by landslides. Some landslides result in private property damage, 

other landslides impact transportation corridors, fuel and energy conduits, and 

communication facilities. They can also pose a serious threat to human life. 

Landslides can be broken down into two categories: (1) rapidly moving (generally 

known as debris flows), and (2) slow moving. Rapidly moving landslides or debris flows 

present the greatest risk to human life, and people living in or traveling through areas 

prone to rapidly moving landslides are at increased risk of serious injury. Slow moving 

landslides can cause significant property damage, but are less likely to result in serious 

human injuries. 

HISTORY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LANDSLIDES 

1928 St. Francis Dam failure - Los Angeles County, California. The dam gave way on 

March 12, and its waters swept through the Santa Clara Valley toward the Pacific 

Ocean, about 54 miles away. Sixty-five miles of valley were devastated and over 500 

people were killed. Damages were estimated at $672.1 million (year 2000 dollars). c 

1956 Portuguese Bend, California - Cost, $14.6 million (year 2000 dollars) Los 

Angeles, Palos Verdes Hills. Land use on the Palos Verdes Peninsula consists mostly 

of single-family homes built on large lots, many of which have panoramic ocean views. 

All of the houses were constructed with individual septic systems, generally consisting 

of septic tanks and seepage pits. Landslides have been active here for thousands of 

years, but recent landslide activity has been attributed, in part, to human activity. The 

Portuguese Bend landslide began its modern movement in August 1956, when 

displacement was noticed at its northeast margin. Movement gradually extended 

downslope so that the entire eastern edge of the slide mass was moving within six 

weeks. By the summer of 1957, the entire slide mass was sliding towards the sea. 

1958-1971 Pacific Palisades, California - Cost, $29.1 million (year 2000 dollars). 

California Highway 1 and house damaged. 

1961 Mulholland Cut, California - Cost, $41.5 million (year 2000 dollars). On 

Interstate 405, 11 miles north of Santa Monica, Los Angeles County. 

69

1963 Baldwin Hills Dam Failure - On December 14, the 650 foot long by 155 foot high 

earth fill dam gave way and sent 360 million gallons of water in a fifty foot high wall 

cascading onto the community below, killing five persons, and damaging 50 million 

(1963 dollars) of dollars in property. 

1969 Glendora, California - Cost, $26.9 million (year 2000 dollars). Los Angeles 

County, 175 houses damaged, mainly by debris flows. 

1969 Seventh Ave., Los Angeles County, California - Cost, $14.6 million (year 2000 

dollars). California Highway 60. 

1970 Princess Park, California - Cost, $29.1 million (year 2000 dollars). California 

Highway 14, ten miles north of Newhall, near Saugus, northern Los Angeles County. 

1971 Upper and Lower Van Norman Dams, San Fernando, California - Earthquakeinduced 

landslides. Cost, $302.4 million (year 2000 dollars). Damage due to the 

February 9, 1971, magnitude 7.5 San Fernando, California, earthquake. The 

earthquake of February 9 severely damaged the Upper and Lower Van Norman Dams. 

1971 Juvenile Hall, San Fernando, California - Landslides caused by the February 9, 

1971, San Fernando, California, earthquake. Cost, $266.6 million (year 2000 dollars). 

In addition to damaging the San Fernando Juvenile Hall, this 1.2 km-long slide 

damaged trunk lines of the Southern Pacific Railroad, San Fernando Boulevard, 

Interstate Highway 5, the electrical converter station in Sylmar, and several pipelines 

and canals. 

1977-1980 Monterey Park, Repetto Hills, Los Angeles County, California - Cost, 

$14.6 million (year 2000 dollars). 100 houses damaged in 1980 due to debris flows. 

1978 Bluebird Canyon Orange County, California - October 2. Cost, $52.7 million 

(year 2000 dollars). 60 houses destroyed or damaged. Unusually heavy rains in March 

1978 may have contributed to initiation of the landslide. Although the 1978 slide area 

was approximately 3.5 acres, it is suspected to be a portion of a larger, ancient 

landslide. 

1979 Big Rock, California, Los Angeles County - Cost, approximately $1.08 billion 

(year 2000 dollars). California Highway 1 rockslide. 

1980 Southern California slides - $1.1 billion in damage (year 2000 dollars). Heavy 

winter rainfall in 1979-90 caused damage in six Southern California counties. In 1980, 

the rainstorm started on February 8. A sequence of five days of continuous rain and 

seven inches of precipitation had occurred by February 14. Slope failures were 

beginning to develop by February 15 and then high-intensity rainfall occurred on 

February 16. As much as eight inches of rain fell in a six-hour period in many locations. 

Records and personal observations in the field on February 16 and 17 showed that the 

mountains and slopes literally fell apart on those two days. 

70

1983 San Clemente, California, Orange County - Cost, $65 million (year 2000 

dollars), California Highway 1. Litigation at that time involved approximately $43.7 

million (year 2000 dollars). 

1983 Big Rock Mesa, California - Cost, $706 million (year 2000 dollars) in legal 

claims, condemnation of 13 houses, and 300 more threatened by rockslide caused by 

rainfall. 

1978-1979, 1980 San Diego County, California - Experienced major damage from 

storms in 1978, 1979, and 1979-80, as did neighboring areas of Los Angeles and 

Orange County, California. One hundred-twenty landslides were reported to have 

occurred in San Diego County during these two years. Rainfall for the rainy seasons of 

1978-79 and 1979-80 was 14.82 and 15.61 inches (37.6 and 39.6 cm) respectively, 

compared to a 125-year average (1850-1975) of 9.71 inches (24.7 cm). Significant 

landslides occurred in the Friars Formation, a unit that was noted as slide-prone in the 

Seismic Safety Study for the City of San Diego. Of the nine landslides that caused 

damage in excess of $1 million, seven occurred in the Friars Formation, and two in the 

Santiago Formation in the northern part of San Diego County. 

1994 Northridge, California earthquake landslides - As a result of the magnitude 6.7 

Northridge, California, earthquake, more than 11,000 landslides occurred over an area 

of 10,000 square kilometers. Most were in the Santa Susana Mountains and in 

mountains north of the Santa Clara River Valley. Destroyed dozens of homes, blocked 

roads, and damaged oil-field infrastructure. Caused deaths from Coccidioidomycosis 

(Valley Fever), the spore of which was released from the soil by the landslide activity 

and blown toward the coastal populated areas. 

March 1995 Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Southern California – Abovenormal 

rainfall triggered damaging debris flows, deep-seated landslides, and flooding. 

Several deep-seated landslides were triggered by the storms, the most notable was the 

La Conchita landslide which, in combination with a local debris flow, destroyed or badly 

damaged 11 to 12 homes in the small town of La Conchita, about 20 km west of 

Ventura. There also was widespread debris-flow and flood damage to homes, 

commercial buildings, roads, and highways in areas along the Malibu coast that had 

been devastated by wildfire two years before. 

LANDSLIDE CHARACTERISTICS 

Landslide Defined - A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, 

debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of “mass wasting” which denotes 

any downslope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The 

term “landslide” encompasses events such as rock falls, topples, slides, spreads, and 

flows. Landslides can be initiated by rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, changes in 

groundwater, disturbance and change of a slope by man-made construction activities, 

or any combination of these factors. Landslides can also occur underwater, causing 

71

tidal waves and damage to coastal areas. These landslides are called submarine 

landslides.” d 

The size of a landslide usually depends on the geology and the initial cause of 

the landslide. Landslides vary greatly in their volume of rock and soil, the length, width, 

and depth of the area affected, frequency of occurrence, and speed of movement. 

Some characteristics that determine the type of landslide are slope of the hillside, 

moisture content, and the nature of the underlying materials. Landslides are given 

different names, depending on the type of failure and their composition and 

characteristics. 

Slides move in contact with the underlying surface. These movements include 

rotational slides where sliding material moves along a curved surface, and translational 

slides where movement occurs along a flat surface. These slides are generally slow 

moving and can be deep. Slumps are small rotational slides that are generally shallow. 

Slow-moving landslides can occur on relatively gentle slopes and can cause significant 

property damage, but are far less likely to result in serious injuries than rapidly moving 

landslides. e 

Failure of a slope occurs when the force that is pulling the slope downward 

(gravity) exceeds the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope. They can 

move slowly (millimeters per year), or quickly and disastrously, as with debris-flows. 

Debris-flows can travel down a hillside of speeds up to 200 miles per hour (more 

commonly, 30 – 50 miles per hour), depending on the slope angle, water content, and 

type of earth and debris in the flow. These flows are initiated by heavy, usually 

sustained, periods of rainfall, but sometimes happen as a result of short bursts of 

concentrated rainfall in susceptible areas. Burned areas charred by wildfires are 

particularly susceptible to debris flows, given certain soil characteristics and slope 

conditions. f 

Debris Flow - A debris or mud flow is a river of rock, earth and other materials, 

including vegetation, that is saturated with water. This high percentage of water gives 

the debris flow a rapid rate of movement down a slope. Debris flows often with speeds 

greater than 20 mile per hour, and can often move much faster. g This high rate of 

speed makes a debris flow extremely dangerous to people and property in its path. 

Events and Impacts - Landslides are a common hazard in California. 

Weathering and the decomposition of geologic materials produces conditions conducive 

to landslides. Human activity further exacerbates many landslide problems. Many 

landslides are difficult to mitigate, particularly in areas of large historic movement with 

weak underlying geologic materials. As communities continue to modify the terrain and 

influence natural processes, it is important to be aware of the physical properties of the 

underlying soils as they, along with climate, create landslide hazards. Even with proper 

planning, landslides will continue to threaten the safety of people, property, and 

infrastructure. Without proper planning, landslide hazards will be even more common 

and more destructive. 

72

The increasing scarcity of buildable land, particularly in urban areas, increases 

the tendency to build on geologically marginal land. Hillside housing developments in 

Southern California are prized for the view lots that they provide. 

Rock falls occur when blocks of material come loose on steep slopes. 

Weathering, erosion, or excavations, such as those along highways, can cause falls 

where the road has been cut through bedrock. They are fast-moving, with the materials 

free falling or bouncing down the slope. In falls, material is detached from a steep slope 

or cliff. The volume of material involved is generally small, but large boulders or blocks 

of rock can cause significant damage. 

Earth flows are plastic or liquid movements in which land mass (e.g., soil and 

rock) breaks up and flows during movement. Earthquakes often trigger flows. h Debris 

flows normally occur when a landslide moves downslope as a semi-fluid mass, scouring 

or partially scouring soils from the slope along its path. Flows are typically rapid-moving 

and also tend to increase in volume as they scour out the channel. i Flows often occur 

during heavy rainfall, can occur on gentle slopes, and can move rapidly for large 

distances. 

Conditions - Landslides are often triggered by periods of heavy rainfall. 

Earthquakes, subterranean water flow and excavations may also trigger landslides. 

Certain geologic formations are more susceptible to landslides than others. Human 

activities, including locating development near steep slopes, can increase susceptibility 

to landslide events. Landslides on steep slopes are more dangerous because 

movements can be rapid. 

Although landslides are a natural geologic process, the incidence of landslides 

and their impacts on people can be exacerbated by development. Grading for road 

construction and development can increase the degree of slope. Grading and 

construction can decrease the stability of a hill slope by adding weight to the top of the 

slope, removing support at the base of the slope, and increasing water content. Other 

human activities effecting landslides include excavation, drainage and groundwater 

alterations, and changes in vegetation. j 

Natural processes can cause landslides or re-activate historical landslide sites. 

The removal or undercutting of shoreline-supporting material along bodies of water by 

currents and waves produces countless small slides each year. Seismic tremors can 

trigger landslides on slopes historically known to have landslide movement. 

Earthquakes can also cause additional failure (lateral spreading) that can occur on 

gentle slopes above steep streams and riverbanks. 

Particularly Hazardous Landslide Areas - Locations at risk from landslides or 

debris flows include areas with one or more of the following conditions: 

• On or close to steep hills. 

• Steep road-cuts or excavations. 

73

• Existing landslides or places of known historic landslides (such sites often have 

tilted power lines, trees tilted in various directions, cracks in the ground, and 

irregular-surfaced ground). 

• Steep areas where surface runoff is channeled, such as below culverts, V - 

shaped valleys, canyon bottoms, and steep stream channels. 

• Fan-shaped areas of sediment and boulder accumulation at the outlets of 

canyons. 

• Canyon areas below hillside and mountains that have recently (within one-six 

years) been subjected to a wildland fire. 

Excavation and Grading - Slope excavation is common in the development of 

home sites or roads on sloping terrain. Grading these slopes can result in some slopes 

that are steeper than the pre-existing natural slopes. Since degree of slope is a major 

factor in landslides, these steeper slopes can be at an increased risk for landslides. 

The added weight of fill placed on slopes can also result in an increased landslide 

hazard. Small landslides can be fairly common along roads, in either the road cut or the 

road fill. Landslides occurring below new construction sites are indicators of the 

potential impacts stemming from excavation. 

Drainage and Groundwater Alteration – Water flowing through or above ground 

is often the trigger for landslides. Any activity that increases the amount of water 

flowing into landslide-prone slopes can increase landslide hazards. Broken or leaking 

water or sewer lines can be especially problematic, as can water retention facilities that 

direct water onto slopes. Lawn irrigation in landslide prone locations can result in 

damaging landslides. Ineffective storm water management and excess runoff can also 

cause erosion and increase the risk of landslide hazards. Drainage can be affected 

naturally by the geology and topography of an area. Development that results in an 

increase in impervious surface impairs the ability of the land to absorb water and may 

redirect water to other areas. Channels, streams, ponding, and erosion on slopes all 

indicate potential slope problems. 

Road and driveway drains, gutters, downspouts, and other constructed drainage 

facilities can concentrate and accelerate flow. Ground saturation and concentrated 

velocity flow are major causes of slope problems and may trigger landslides. k 

Changes in Vegetation - Removing vegetation from steep slopes can increase 

landslide hazards. Areas that experience fire and land clearing for development may 

have long periods of increased landslide hazard. Also, certain types of ground cover 

have a much greater need for constant watering to remain green. Changing away from 

native ground cover plants may increase the risk of landslide. 

LANDSLIDE DAMAGE 

Landslides can affect utility services, transportation systems, and critical lifelines. 

Communities may suffer immediate damages and loss of service. Disruption of 

infrastructure, roads, and critical facilities may also have a long-term effect on the 

74

economy. Utilities, including potable water, wastewater, telecommunications, natural 

gas, and electric power are all essential to service community needs. Loss of electricity 

has the most widespread impact on other utilities and on the whole community. Natural 

gas pipes may also be at risk of breakage from landslide movements as small as an 

inch or two. 

Roads and Bridges - The City of Torrance Public Works Department would be 

responsible for responding to slides that inhibit the flow of traffic or are damaging a 

road. 

Lifelines and critical facilities - Lifelines and critical facilities should remain 

accessible, if possible, during a natural hazard event. The impact of closed 

transportation arteries may be increased if the closed road is critical for hospitals and 

other emergency facilities. Therefore, inspection and repair of critical transportation 

facilities and routes is essential and should receive high priority. Losses of power and 

phone service are also potential consequences of landslide events. Due to heavy rains, 

soil erosion in hillside areas can be accelerated, resulting in loss of soil support beneath 

high voltage transmission towers in hillsides. Flood events can also cause landslides, 

which can have serious impact on gas lines that are located in vulnerable soils. 

RISK ANALYSIS: CITY OF TORRANCE LANDSLIDE HAZARD 


The City of Torrance has a history of landslides, but none has reached the level 

of a Federal- or State-declared disaster. The City currently has declared a local 

disaster for a landslide in the south section of the town. There is potential for landslides 

and mudslides based upon the degree of some slopes in the City. 

The City of Torrance has one beach area that is designated as “safe building 

line.” Building is prohibited in this area due to the possibility of erosion of the slope 

facing Torrance Beach. Historical records show several landslides, and the State of 

California Office of Emergency Services has identified potential landslide areas that 

could be caused by an earthquake (see Map 3.5). 

Historical Profile of Landslide Hazard 

April 1986 - Vista Largo/Via Corona 

Major landslide involving two residential properties. Hillside was repaired and two 

homes were demolished. 

February 1998 - 3117-3215 Carolwood Lane and 3122-3216 Singingwood Drive 

Major landslide in the rear yards of 24 single-family residential properties. Repair of the 

hillside is currently underway for 15 of the 24 impacted properties. 

75


Identifying Assets - Landslides are not generally a significant problem in the City 

of Torrance. A list of all known landslides in that have occurred in the City since 1978 is 

shown above. Map 3.7 graphically shows where slides have occurred. One of the few 

major landslides that has occurred in the City since 1978 is currently under repair and is 

included in the listing under Carolwood Lane and Singingwood Drive. This landslide 

impacted 24 properties, of which 15 are currently working on repairs to stabilize the 

landslide. The City of Torrance declared a local disaster as a result of this landslide but 

it has not reached the level of a State declared disaster. Most of the remaining 

landslides in the City impacted only one residence at a time and have been stabilized. 

Map 3.5 shows potential landslide areas as identified by the State of California, Office of 

Emergency Services (OES). 

Map 3.1 lists all City-owned property and a minimal amount of City property 

would be impacted by a landslide. Parkland property on one City park is vulnerable to a 

slide. No other City property is vulnerable to slide damage. The greatest potential for a 

landslide is to residential properties built into the hills. Records indicate that most City 

landslides impact only one residence. There are at least 100 homes within the area 

designated by the State of California as a potential landslide area. 

Potential Losses: City-owned property would be minimally impacted because the 

vast majority of City-owned property is not in landslide areas. Damage to parkland at 

Los Arboles Park could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The homes in the 

identified area are valued at a minimum of $1 million each. 

Development Trends: The areas identified as being within the vulnerable area 

are almost completely built out. Minimal open space remains. Zoning in the area is 

residential and less than ten homes could be built and if approved, would be subject to 

significant building requirements. 

LANDSLIDE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 

City of Torrance will continue to mitigate landslide damage through building 

codes and enforcement of ordinances and codes. The codes are amended and 

updated so as to ensure the safety in construction. 

Landslide Building/Zoning Codes – As indicated, the City of Torrance mitigates 

hazards by adopting and following building and zoning ordinances. The City of 

Torrance Municipal Code, Chapter 8, addresses development on hillside slopes in 

Sections 81.2.51 through 81.2.62. This Chapter of the local building code ordinance 

outlines construction and engineering design standards for development on hillside 

slope areas. Generally, the ordinance requires soils and engineering geologic studies 

for all developments proposed on a hillside slope. Detailed surface and subsurface 

investigations are required to sufficiently describe existing geological conditions. This 

may include soils, vegetation, geologic formations, drainage patterns, and slope stability 

76

analysis. In addition to building and zoning ordinances, the City has a no-build zone on 

the bluffs adjacent to the beach. 

Despite the fact that landslides are a minimal hazard in the City of Torrance, and 

building codes are strictly adhered to, there are other mitigation strategies that can take 

place. 

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78


MITIGATION STATEGIES 


Action Item: Improve knowledge of landslide hazard areas and understanding of 

vulnerability and risk to life and property in hazard-prone areas. 



‣ Maintain knowledge of state analysis of landslide hazards 

‣ Explore the development of public information literature to emphasize the 

potential risks of building on landslide areas. 

‣ Make maps available to the public and provide pre-rain season literature 



Constraints: Authority of Resources 

NATURAL HAZARD: LANDSLIDES - SHORT TERM #2 

Action Item: Improve soil stability through vegetation placement and 

management plans. 



‣ Encourage soil stability through the development review process by 

encouraging various types of vegetation that establish root length and 

strength by absorbing precipitation. 

‣ Require cleaning and maintenance of all storm drains, pipes, and swales. 




79

NATURAL HAZARD: LANDSLIDE - LONG TERM #1 

Action Item: Limit activities in identified potential landslide areas through 

regulation and public outreach. 



‣ Periodically review regulations regarding development in landslide prone 

areas and update as required. 

‣ Identify existing mechanisms for public outreach through Homeowner’s 

Associations (HOAs). 


Plan Goals Addressed: Protection of Life and Property 


80

LANDSLIDE RESOURCE DIRECTORY 

(See details in Appendix A) 

County Resources 

1. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works 

State Resources 

2. Department of Conservation Headquarters 

3. California Geological Survey Headquarters/Office of the State Geologist 

4. California Division of Forestry 

5. Department of Water Resources 

6. Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 

7. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 

Federal Resources and Programs 

8. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

9. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) 

10. US Geological Survey, National Landslide Information Center 

Publications 

Olshansky, Robert B., Planning for Hillside Development (1996) American Planning 

Association. 

This document describes the history, purpose, and functions of hillside development 

and regulation and the role of planning, and provides excerpts from hillside plans, 

ordinances, and guidelines from communities throughout the US. 

Olshansky, Robert B. and Rogers, J. David, Unstable Ground: Landslide Policy in the 

United States (1987) Ecology Law Quarterly. 

This is about the history and policy of landslide mitigation in the US. 

Public Assistance Debris Management Guide (July 2000) Federal Emergency 

Management Agency. 

The Debris Management Guide was developed to assist local officials in planning, 

mobilizing, organizing, and controlling large-scale debris clearance, removal, and 

disposal operations. Debris management is generally associated with post-disaster 

recovery. While it should be compliant with local and city emergency operations plans, 

developing strategies to ensure strong debris management is a way to integrate debris 

management within mitigation activities. The Guide is available in hard copy or on the 

FEMA website. 

USGS Landslide Program Brochure. National Landslide Information Center (NLIC), 

United States Geologic Survey. 

81

The brochure provides good, general information in simple terminology on the 

importance of landslide studies and a list of databases, outreach, and exhibits 

maintained by the NLLC. The brochure also includes information on the types and 

causes of landslides, rock falls, and earth flows. 

Homeowners Guide for Landslide Control, Hillside Flooding, Debris Flows, Soil Erosion, 

(March 1997) 

Burby, R. (Ed.) Cooperating With Nature (1998) Washington, D.C.: Joseph Henry 

Press. 

a. Mileti, Dennis, Disasters by Design: A Reassessment of Natural Hazards in the United States (1999) Joseph Henry Press, 

Washington D.C. 

b. Brabb, E.E., and B.L Harrod. (Eds) Landslides: Extent and Economic Significance. Proceedings of the 28th International 

Geological Congress Symposium on Landslides. (1989) Washington D.C., Rotterdam: Balkema. 

c. Highland, L.M., and Schuster, R.L., Significant Landslide Events in the United States. (No Date) USGS, Washington 

D.C., http://landslides.usgs.gov.html_files/pubs/report1/Landslides_pass_508.pdf. 

d. Landslide Hazards, U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 0071-00, Version 1.0, U.S. Department of the Interior - U.S. 

Geological Survey, http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-0071-00/. 

e. Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team, State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2000) Oregon Emergency Management. 

f. Ibid. 

g. Barrows, Alan and Smith, Ted, DMG Note 13, http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/information/publications/cgs_notes/note_33/. 

h. Robert Olson Associates, Metro Regional Hazard Mitigation and Planning Guide (June 1999) Metro. 

i. Ibid. 

j. Planning For Natural Hazards: The Oregon Technical Resource Guide, Department of Land Conservation and 

Development (2000), Ch 5. 

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SECTION 2.3 

FLOOD HAZARD 

Southern California has a long history of floods. Rivers and streams were 

significant in the early development of the Los Angeles area. The City of Torrance does 

not have a history of disastrous floods, but the potential for rainfall flooding still exists 

and must be mitigated. 

GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 

The greater Los Angeles Basin, including the City of Torrance, is the product of 

rainstorms and erosion for millennia. “Most of the mountains that ring the valleys and 

coastal plain are deeply fractured faults and, as they (the mountains) grew taller, their 

brittle slopes were continually eroded. Rivers and streams carried boulders, rocks, 

gravel, sand, and silt down these slopes to the valleys and coastal plain....In places 

these sediments are as much as twenty thousand feet thick”1 

Much of the coastal plain rests on the ancient rock debris and sediment washed 

down from the mountains. This sediment can act as a sponge, absorbing vast 

quantities of rain in those years when heavy rains follow a dry period. But like a sponge 

that is near saturation, the same soil fills up rapidly when a heavy rain follows a period 

of relatively wet weather. So even in some years of heavy rain, flooding is minimal 

because the ground is relatively dry. The same amount of rain following a wet period of 

time can cause extensive flooding. 

The greater Los Angeles basin is for all intents and purposes built out. This 

leaves precious little open land to absorb rainfall. This lack of open ground forces water 

to remain on the surface and rapidly accumulate. If it were not for the massive flood 

control system with its concrete lined river and streambeds, flooding would be a much 

more common occurrence. The tendency is towards even less and less open land. Infill 

building is becoming a much more common practice in many areas. Developers tear 

down an older home which typically covers up to 40% of the lot size and replacing it 

with three or four town homes or apartments, which may cover 90-95% of the lot. 

Another potential source of flooding is “asphalt creep.” The street space 

between the curbs of a street is a part of the flood control system. Water leaves 

property and accumulates in the streets, where it is directed towards the underground 

portion of the flood control system. The carrying capacity of the street is determined by 

the width of the street and the height of the curbs along the street. Often, when streets 

are being resurfaced, a one to two inch layer of asphalt is laid down over the existing 

asphalt. This added layer of asphalt subtracts from the rated capacity of the street to 

carry water. Thus the original engineered capacity of the entire storm drain system is 

marginally reduced over time. Subsequent re-paving of the street will further reduce the 

engineered capacity even more. 

83

FLOOD TERMINOLOGY 

100-Year Flood - A flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or 

exceeded in magnitude in any given year. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a flood 

occurring once every 100 years. The 100-year floodplain is the area adjoining a river, 

stream, or watercourse covered by water in the event of a 100-year flood. Map 3.8 

illustrates the Flood Zone Map for the City of Torrance. 

Floodway - The floodway is one of two main sections that make up the 

floodplain. Floodways are defined for regulatory purposes. Unlike floodplains, 

floodways do not reflect a recognizable geologic feature. For NFIP purposes, floodways 

are defined as the channel of a river or stream, and the overbank areas adjacent to the 

channel. The floodway carries the bulk of the floodwater downstream and is usually the 

area where water velocities and forces are the greatest. NFIP regulations require that 

the floodway be kept open and free from development or other structures that would 

obstruct or divert flood flows onto other properties. 

The NFIP floodway definition is "the channel of a river or other watercourse and 

adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without 

cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. 

Development - For floodplain ordinance purposes, development is broadly 

defined as "any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but 

not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, 

excavation, or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard." The 

definition of development for floodplain purposes is generally broader and includes 

more activities than the definition of development used in other sections of local land 

use ordinances. 

Urban Flooding - As land is converted from open space to roads and parking 

lots, it loses its ability to absorb rainfall. Urbanization of a watershed changes the 

hydrologic systems of the basin. Heavy rainfall collects and flows faster on impervious 

concrete and asphalt surfaces. The water moves from the clouds, to the ground, and 

into storm drains at a much faster rate in urban areas. Adding these elements to the 

hydrological systems can result in floodwaters that rise rapidly and peak with violent 

force. 

The City of Torrance has a high concentration of impermeable surfaces that 

either collect water, or concentrate the flow of water in storm drains. During periods of 

urban flooding, streets can become swift moving water and businesses and residences 

can fill with water. Storm drains often back up with vegetative debris causing additional, 

localized flooding. 

Dam Failure Flooding - Loss of life and damage to structures, roads, and utilities 

may result from a dam failure. Because dam failure can have severe consequences, 

FEMA requires that all dam owners develop Emergency Action Plans (EAP) for 

84

warning, evacuation, and post-flood actions. Although there may be coordination with 

county officials in the development of the EAP, the responsibility for developing potential 

flood inundation maps and facilitation of emergency response is the responsibility of the 

dam owner. For more detailed information regarding dam failure flooding, and potential 

flood inundation zones for a particular dam in the county, refer to the City of Torrance 

Emergency Action Plan. 

There have been a total of 45 dam failures in California, since the 19th century. 

The significant dam failures in Southern California are listed in Table #1 

Table #1 Dam Failures in Southern California 

Sheffield Santa Barbara 1925 Earthquake slide 

Puddingstone Pomona 1926 Overtopping during construction 

Lake Hemet Palm Springs 1927 Overtopping 

Saint Francis San Francisquito Canyon 19 Sudden failure at full capacity 

through foundation, 426 deaths 

Cogswell Monrovia 1934 Breaching of concrete cover 

Baldwin Hills Los Angeles 1963 Leak through embankment 

turned into washout, 3 deaths 

http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lund/dams/Dam_History_Page/Failures.htm 

The two most significant dam failures are the St. Francis Dam in 1928 and the 

Baldwin Hills Dam in 1963. 

FLOOD MAPPING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES 

Although many communities rely exclusively on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate 

Maps to characterize the risk of flooding in their area, there are some flood-prone areas 

that are not mapped but remain susceptible to flooding. These areas can include 

drainage areas and flood control channels. 

The City of Torrance, as well as other jurisdictions, has taken efforts to develop 

more localized flood hazard maps. One method that has been employed includes using 

high water marks from flood events or aerial photos, in conjunction with the FEMA 

maps, to better reflect the true flood risk. The use of GIS (Geographic Information 

System) is becoming an important tool for flood hazard mapping. 

WATER SYSTEMS 

Wastewater Management - Prevention of the pollution of ground and surface 

waters is the duty of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, RWQCB. Most local 

agencies rely on the ability of the RWQCB to monitor ground and surface waters and 

set standards which protect the health and safety of the citizens. 

Wetlands - Many floodplain and stream-associated wetlands absorb and store 

storm water flows, which reduces flood velocities and stream bank erosion. Preserving 

these wetlands reduces flood damage and the need for expensive flood control devices 

85

such as levees. When the storms are over, many wetlands augment summer stream 

flows by slowly releasing the stored water back to the stream system. Wetlands are 

highly effective at removing nitrogen, phosphorous, heavy metals, and other pollutants 

from water. For this reason, artificial wetlands are often constructed for cleaning storm 

water runoff and for tertiary treatment (polishing) of wastewater. 

Storm Water Systems - There are a variety of surface water management 

providers in the county that manage water quality and storm water runoff from new 

development. 

RISK ANALYSIS: CITY OF TORRANCE FLOOD HAZARD 


The City of Torrance is subject to potential flooding by either unusual and 

excessive rainfall or by the rupture of local reservoirs. The City of Torrance has no 

rivers, streams or waterways that would cause a flood. In the extreme northeast section 

of the City, a water control channel (Dominguez Channel) cuts through the City. It is 

maintained by the County of Los Angeles and collects storm runoff from sections of the 

cities of Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale and Redondo Beach. After leaving the City of 

Torrance, the channel parallels the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) between the 

Harbor Freeway (Interstate 110) and Wilmington Blvd. It then drains south to the East 

Basin and Main Channels of the Los Angeles (San Pedro) Harbor Complex. The land 

adjacent to the channel is identified by the State as a liquefaction area. Excessive 

rainfall could cause the Dominguez Channel to overflow. 

Localized flooding due to excessive rain has occurred sporadically throughout 

the City (see Map 3.8). The City owns and operates two reservoirs that could have an 

adverse impact on the City. 

The Walteria and Ben Haggott Reservoirs are located in Torrance at the base of 

the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The nearest major intersection is Crenshaw Boulevard 

and Pacific Coast Highway. The reservoirs are used for storage and pressure 

regulation within the City of Torrance municipal water system. Both facilities are defined 

as dams by State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and are 

inspected annually by DWR Division of Dams. 

The Walteria Reservoir, constructed in 1952, was designed to have a storage 

capacity of 10 million gallons. The structure of the dam is a buried steel reinforced 

concrete facility. The roof currently supports 8 tennis courts and associated support 

facilities. The maximum depth of water in the reservoir at capacity is 29 feet. There is 

also a 24-inch diameter inlet-outlet pipe used in the operation of the reservoir. 

The Ben Haggott Reservoir was constructed in 1987 and holds 18.7 million 

gallons of potable water. The structure of the dam is a buried concrete steel reinforced 

86

facility. Both reservoirs are joined by piping which can be operated in tandem, or they 

can be isolated. 

Other potable water sources are Well #6, which is a groundwater well that is 

connected to a one-million gallon, above-ground, steel tank. Associated equipment 

includes an adjoining pumping station and treatment facility. 

Major water production, treatment, and pumping facilities are connected to the 

City's SCADA system. The SCADA system (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) 

is used to monitor and remotely control pressure, flows, and water levels. The City has 

several computers in the Public Works Department that monitor water storage facilities 

(tanks), ground water production facilities (well), treatment facilities, and imported 

service connections with the Metropolitan Water District and pumping equipment. 

The failure of either the Walteria or Ben Haggott Reservoir caused by an 

earthquake could result in it emptying within as few as 18 minutes. Floodwaters from 

the north side of Walteria Reservoir would form a path of inundation in a northerly 

direction toward the Torrance Municipal Airport. The rupture of either reservoir would 

cause major property damage to commercial buildings as well as residences and would 

result in significant loss of life. 

Flood History Profile 

Prior to 1950, the City sustained regular localized flooding that covered many 

acres of unoccupied land. As development grew, the infrastructure was developed that 

includes storm drain system, water retention basins and sumps. Excessive rainfall does 

cause localized flooding but a local disaster due to flooding has never occurred. The 

Dominguez Channel has never overflowed. The reservoirs have never ruptured. 


Identifying Assets: 

It is unlikely that a rainfall flood would cause damage to critical City facilities. 

Storm drain pumping stations could be damaged due to excessive and prolonged use. 

The overflow of the Dominguez Channel could cause damage to large numbers of 

homes that are in the vicinity of the channel, but no City facilities would be affected. 

A rupture of the reservoirs could have a disastrous affect on the City. The 

reservoirs provides water to the residents and businesses of the City and are a major 

part of the City’s infrastructure. The floodwaters could cause significant property 

damage that could close many businesses which would affect the economy of the City. 

The floodwaters could reach Torrance Airport and cause significant damage to hangers, 

Aviation Center and airport property. There could be significant loss of life. 


87

The likelihood of significant losses due to rainfall flooding is minimal. Destruction 

of a reservoir could result in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in City 

infrastructure, the local airport, commercial businesses, and residences. 

Development Trends 

The City of Torrance is just about fully built and minimal acres of land are 

available for development. New development is normally the result of demolition of 

existing industry or structures. New construction would be included within the existing 

storm drain infrastructure. Building is restricted in some areas around the Dominguez 

Water Channel, by code. The available land below the City reservoirs is filled and new 

residential property or commercial property would be merely replacing an existing 

business or house. 

The City is committed to preventing damage from excessive rainfall and 

preventing a disastrous rupture of the reservoirs through mitigation efforts 

88


MITIGATION EFFORTS 

NATURAL HAZARD: FLOODS - SHORT TERM # 1 

Action Item: City Staff shall monitor the Supervisory Control and Data 

Acquisition (SCADA) System that monitors, via a computer system 

the pressure, flow, and water level of the above-ground tanks, 

reservoirs, water retention bases, and water pipelines in the City. 

Coordinating Organization: Water Department 


‣ Geo-Code residential and business phone numbers within the hazard area 

of the reservoir into the Torrance Community Warning System (TCWS). 

‣ Continue to train employees with the SCADA system to ensure accurate 

monitoring. 

‣ Continue to update and provide software, as needed, to maintain accurate 

accountability of the SCADA System. 

‣ Conduct routine inspections of reservoir property for signs of leakage. 




NATURAL HAZARD: FLOOD - SHORT TERM #2 

Action Item: Engage in Community Outreach and Education. 

Coordinating Organization: Street Department/Emergency Services Coordinator 


‣ Distribute information, via literature or public meetings, regarding flooding 

and/or flood prone areas to the general public (Dominguez Channel). 

‣ Offer sandbags, as needed, to homes that could be adversely affected by 

storm flows. 

‣ Advise residents, via literature or public meetings, of safety skills during a 

heavy rainstorms 

‣ Explore the feasibility of creating a swale inventory and education on 

proper swale maintenance. 

Timeline: 1 year 

Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property/Emergency Services 


89


Action Item: Enhance and update data and mapping for flood prone information 

within the City, as needed, which includes surface water drainage 

obstructions. 



‣ Obtain software, as needed, and update database to provide technical 

expertise regarding flood area mapping. 

‣ Prepare an inventory of major urban drainage problems, and identify 

causes and potential mitigation actions for urban drainage problem areas. 

‣ Develop surface water management plans for areas that are not currently 

within surface water management plan boundaries. 




NATURAL HAZARD: FLOODS - LONG TERM #2 

Action Item: Capital improvement plan updating. 

Coordinating Organization: Public Works 


‣ Implement infrastructure improvement requirements as needed through 

the development review process 

‣ Maintain roadway systems to facilitate water flows to storm drain systems 

‣ Maintain drainage systems, drainage easements, and storm drainage 

systems. 



Constraints: Availability of funds 

90

FLOOD RESOURCE DIRECTORY 

The following resource directory lists the resources and programs that can assist 

county communities and organizations. The resource directory will provide contact 

information for local, county, regional state and federal programs that deal with natural 

hazards. 

County Resources 

Los Angeles County Public Works Department 

900 S. Fremont Ave. 

Alhambra, CA 91803 

Ph: 626-458-5100 

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County 

1955 Workman Mill Road 

Whittier, CA 90607 

Ph: 562-699-7411 x2301 

State Resources 

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) 

P.O. Box 419047 

Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9047 

Ph: 916 845- 8911 

Fx: 916 845- 8910 

California Resources Agency 

1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Ph: 916-653-5656 

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) 

1416 9th Street 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Ph: 916-653-6192 

California Department of Conservation 

Southern California Regional Office 

655 S. Hope Street, #700 

Los Angeles, CA 90017-2321 

Ph: 213-239-0878 

Fx: 213-239-0984 

91

Federal Resources 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

Phone: (800) 480-2520 

Website: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/related.htm 


Region IX 

1111 Broadway, Suite 1200 

Oakland, CA 94607 

Ph: 510-627-7100 

Fx: 510-627-7112 


Mitigation Division 

500 C Street, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20472 

Ph: 202-566-1600 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides maps of flood hazard areas, 

various publications related to flood mitigation, funding for flood mitigation projects, and 

technical assistance, FEMA also operates the National Flood Insurance Program. 

FEMA' s mission is to reduce loss of life and property and protect the nation’s critical 

infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, 

emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

FEMA' s List of Flood-Related Websites 

This site contains a long list of flood related Internet sites from “American Heritage 

Rivers" to "The Weather Channel" and is a good starting point for flood information on 

the Internet. 

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 

In Southern California many cities lie within flood zones as defined in FEMA Flood 

Maps. The City of Torrance is not a community within a designated flood zone. Flood 

insurance is available to citizens in communities that adopt and implement NFIP 

building standards. The standards are applied to development that occurs within a 

delineated floodplain, a drainage hazard area, and properties within 250 feet of a 

floodplain boundary. These areas are depicted on federal Flood Insurance Rate Maps 

available through the county. 

92

National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) 

500 C Street, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20472 

Ph: 202-566-1600 

Floodplain Management Association 

P.O. Box 50891 

Sparks, NV 89435-0891 

Ph: 775-626-6389 

Fx: 775-626-6389 

The Floodplain Management website was established by the Floodplain Management 

Association (FMA) to serve the entire floodplain management community. It includes 

full-text articles, a calendar of upcoming events, a list of positions available, an index of 

publications available free or at nominal cost, a list of associations, a list of firms and 

consultants in floodplain management, an index of newsletters dealing with flood issues 

(with hypertext links if available), a section on the basics of floodplain management, a 

list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Website, and a catalog of Web links. 

Association of State Floodplain Managers 

2809 Fish Hatchery Road 

Madison, WI 53713 

Phone: (608) 274-0123 

Website: http://www.floods,org 

The Association of State Floodplain Managers is an organization of professionals 

involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood 

Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery. ASFPM fosters 

communication among those responsible for flood hazard activities, provides technical 

advice to governments and other entities about proposed actions or policies that will 

affect flood hazards, and encourages flood hazard research, education, and training. 

The ASFPM Web site includes information on how to become a member, the 

organization’s constitution and bylaws, directories of officers and committees, a 

publications list, information on upcoming conferences, a history of the association, and 

other useful information and Internet links. 

National Weather Service 

520 North Elevar Street 

Oxnard, CA 93030 

Ph: 805-988- 6615 

The National Weather Service provides flood watches, warnings, and informational 

statements for rivers. 

93

National Weather Service, Office of Hydrologic Development 

1325 East West Highway, SSMC2 

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Ph: 301-713-1658 

Fx: 301-713-0963 

The National Weather Service’s Office of Hydrology (OH) and its Hydrological 

Information Center offer information on floods and other aquatic disasters, This site 

offers current and historical data including an archive of past flood summaries, 

information on current hydrologic conditions, water supply outlooks, an Automated Local 

Flood Warning Systems Handbook, Natural Disaster Survey Reports, and other 

scientific publications on hydrology and flooding. 

National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

US Department of Agriculture 

14th and Independence Ave., SW, Room 5105-A 

Washington, DC 20250 

Ph: 202-720-7246 

Fx: 202-720-7690 

NRCS provides a suite of federal programs designed to assist state and local 

governments and landowners in mitigating the impacts of flood events. The Watershed 

Surveys and Planning Program and the Small Watershed Program provide technical 

and financial assistance to help participants solve natural resource and related 

economic problems on a watershed basis. The Wetlands Reserve Program and the 

Flood Risk Reduction Program provide financial incentives to landowners to put aside 

land that is either a wetland resource, or that experiences frequent flooding. The 

Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) provides technical and financial 

assistance to clear debris from clogged waterways, restore vegetation, and stabilizing 

riverbanks. The measures taken under EWP must be environmentally and 

economically sound and generally benefit more that one property. 

USGS Water Resources 

6000 J Street Placer Hall 

Sacramento, CA 95819-6129 

Ph: 916-278-3000 

Fx: 916-278-3070 

This web page offers current US water news; extensive current (including real-time) and 

historical water data; numerous fact sheets and other publications; various technical 

resources; descriptions of ongoing water survey programs; local water information; and 

connections to other sources of water information. 

94

Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Office 

Federal Office Building 

2800 Cottage Way 

Sacramento CA 95825-1898 

Ph: 916- 978-5000 

Fax 916- 978-5599 

http://www.usbr.gov/ 

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and 

related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest 

of the American public. The Bureau provides leadership and technical expertise in 

water resources development and in the efficient use of water through initiatives 

including conservation, reuse, and research. It protects the public and the environment 

through the adequate maintenance and appropriate operation of Reclamation's facilities 

and manages Reclamation's facilities to fulfill water user contracts and protect and/or 

enhance conditions for fish, wildlife, land, and cultural resources. 

US Army Corps of Engineers 

P.O. Box 532711 

Los Angeles CA 90053- 2325 

Ph: 213-452- 3921 

The Corps of Engineers administers a permit program to ensure that the nation’s 

waterways are used in the public interest. Any person, firm, or agency planning to work 

in waters of the United States must first obtain a permit from the Army Corps of 

Engineers. The Corps is responsible for the protection and development of the nation’s 

water resources, including navigation, flood control, energy production through 

hydropower management, water supply storage and recreation. 

Other National Resources 

American Public Works Association 

2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 500 

Kansas City, MO 64108-2641 

Ph: 816-472-6100 

Fx: 816-472-1610 

95

Publications 

NFlP Community Rating System Coordinator’s Manual 

Indianapolis, IN. 

This informative brochure explains how the Community Rating System works and what 

the benefits are to communities. It explains in detail the CRS point system, and what 

activities communities can pursue to earn points. These points then add up to the 

"rating" for the community, and flood insurance premium discounts are calculated based 

upon that "rating " The brochure also provides a table on the percent discount realized 

for each rating (1-10). Instructions on how to apply to be a CRS community are also 

included. 

Contact: NFIP Community Rating System 

Phone: (800) 480-2520 or (317) 848-2898 

Website: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/crs 

Floodplain Management: A Local Floodplain Administrator’s Guide to the NFlP 

This document discusses floodplain processes and terminology. It contains floodplain 

management and mitigation strategies, as well as information on the NFIP, CRS, 

Community Assistance Visits, and floodplain development standards. 

Contact: National Flood Insurance Program Phone: (800) 480-2520 

Website: http://www.fema,gov/nfip/ 

Flood Hazard Mitigation Planning: A Community Guide, (June 1997). 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management. 

This informative guide offers a 10-step process for successful flood hazard mitigation. 

Steps include: map hazards, determine potential damage areas, take an inventory of 

facilities in the flood zone, determine what is or is not being done about flooding, identify 

gaps in protection, brainstorm alternatives and actions, determine feasible actions, 

coordinate with others, prioritize actions, develop strategies for implementation, and 

adopt and monitor the plan. 

Contact: Massachusetts Flood Hazard Management Program Phone: (617) 626-1250 

Website: http://www.magnetstate.ma.us/dem/programs/mitigate 

Reducing Losses in High Risk Flood Hazard Areas: A Guidebook for Local Officials, 

(February 1987), FEMA-116. 

This guidebook offers a table on actions that communities can take to reduce flood 

losses. It also offers a table with sources for floodplain mapping assistance for the 

various types of flooding hazards, There is information on various types of flood hazards 

with regard to existing mitigation efforts and options for action (policy and programs, 

96

mapping, regulatory, non-regulatory). Types of flooding which are covered include 

alluvial fan, areas behind levees, areas below unsafe dams, coastal flooding, flash 

floods, fluctuating lake level floods, ground failure triggered by earthquakes, ice jam 

flooding, and mudslides. 

Contact: Federal Emergency Management Agency Phone: (800) 480-2520 

Website: http://www.fema,gov. 

97


98

SECTION 2.4 

MULTIPLE HAZARD ACTION ITEMS 

Certain activities can mitigate more than one natural hazard. The following action items 

and supporting material is designed to mitigate earthquakes, landslides and floods. 

NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI HAZARD - SHORT TERM ACTIVITY #1 

Action Item: Integrate the goals and action items from the City of Torrance 

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan into existing regulatory documents 

and programs, where appropriate. 



‣ Use the mitigation plan to assist the City's General Plan to protect life and 

property from natural disasters and hazards through planning strategies 

that restrict development in known hazard areas, where applicable. 

‣ Integrate the City's Mitigation Plan into current capital improvement plans 

and the General Plan, where possible, to ensure that development does 

not encroach on known hazard areas without appropriate site-specific 

mitigation efforts 




NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI HAZARD - SHORT TERM ACTIVITY #2 

Action Item: Identify and pursue funding opportunities to develop and implement 

local and City mitigation activities. 



‣ Support funding opportunities for local governments, citizens, and 

businesses to pursue hazard mitigation projects. 

‣ Explore funding to assist mitigation projects when possible. 

‣ Partner with organizations and agencies in the City of Torrance to identify 

grant programs and foundations that may support mitigation activities. 


Plan Goals Addressed: Partnerships and Implementation/Protect Life and 

Property 


99

NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI HAZARD – SHORT TERM ACTIVITY #3 

Action Item: Develop inventories of City facilities and infrastructure. 

Coordinating Organization: General Services and Public Works 


‣ Identify facilities at risk from natural hazards events. 

‣ Prioritize structural and non-structural projects and implement as funding 

becomes available. 

‣ Identify City infrastructure at risk from natural hazards. 



Constraints: Funding availability 

NATURAL HAZARD: MULTI HAZARD - LONG TERM ACTIVITY #1 

Action Item: Continue multi-hazard approach to disaster planning and mitigation. 

Coordinating Organization: City Emergency Preparation Team 


‣ E-Prep set yearly goal. 

‣ E-Prep Team meet monthly or quarterly as action items occur. 

‣ Continue to update the City Emergency Plan. 

‣ Continue to update the Department plans. 

‣ Conduct exercises to test and perfect emergency preparedness 

procedures. 


Plan Goals Addressed: Emergency Services/Protect Life and Property 

Constraints: Availability of personnel 

100

PART 3 

MAPS 

Map 3.1: Base Map of City of Torrance........................................Section 1.1 

Map 3.2: Soil Map ........................................................................Section 1.2 

Map 3.3: Earthquake Fault Map (Los Angeles Basin) .................Section 2.1 

Map 3.4: Earthquake Fault Map (Local) ......................................Section 2.1 

Map 3.5: Liquefaction Areas (State) ............................................Section 2.1 

Map 3.6: Petroleum Lines ............................................................Section 2.1 

Map 3.7: City of Torrance Landslide Areas ..................................Section 2.2 

Map 3.8: Localized Flood Map .....................................................Section 2.3 

Map 3.9: Dam Inundation Areas ..................................................Section 2.3

(This page intentionally left blank.)

BLVD. 

VERDES 

HWY. 

WESTERN 

Soil Type 

Dublin Clay 

Dublin Clay Adobe 

Montezuma Clay Adobe 

Oakley Fine Sand 

Ramon Fine Sandy Loam 

Ramona Clay Loam 

Ramona Fine Sandy Loam 

Ramona Loam 

Ramona Sandy Loam 

Rough Broken Land 

Yolo Clay Loam 

Yolo Loam 

Yolo Sandy Loam (Heavy Phase) 


SOIL MAP 

Field Operations 

Bureau of Soils, 1916 

BLVD. 

ARTESIA 

182nd 

REDONDO 

AVE. 

BEACH 

BLVD. 

BLVD. 

AVE. 

ST. 

BLVD. 

190th 

DE 

L 

AMO 

HAWTHORNE 

PRAIRIE 

AVE. 

ANZA 

CARSON 

SEPULVEDA 

PA LO S 

AVE. 

BLVD. 

PALOS 

VERDES 

CALLE 

MAYOR 

CALLE 

NEWTON 

MAYOR 

PACIFIC 

ST. 

ANZA 

HAWTHORNE 

BLVD. 

MADRONA 

AVE. 

BLVD. 

AVE. 

CRENSHAW 

DEL AMO 

TORRANCE 

ST. 

MAPLE 

BLVD. 

COAST 

LOMITA 

235th 

BLVD. 

ST. 

ARLINGTON 

AVE. 

ST. 

VAN NESS 

VAN NESS 

AVE. 

WESTERN 

BLVD. 

BLVD. 

AVE. 

NEWTON 

ST. 

BLVD. 

CRENSHAW 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 

JEFFERY W. GIBSON 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 

TT\SOILMAP(3/18/02)

PART 4 

APPENDICES 

Appendix 4.1: Building Regulations 

Appendix 4.2: Exxon-Mobil Risk Management Plan 

Appendix 4.3: Critical Facilities 

Appendix 4.4: Wildfire Zone Letter 

Appendix 4.5: Southern California Regional Occupation Center (SCROC) Hazard 

Mitigation Report 

Appendix 4.6: Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) Report 

Appendix 4.7: Torrance Memorial Hospital (TMH) Seismic Retrofit Report 

Appendix 4.8: Little Company of Mary Hospital (LCMH) Seismic Retrofit Report 

Appendix 4.9: Plan Adoption

(This page intentionally left blank.)

APPENDIX 4.1 

CITY OF TORRANCE BUILDING ORDINANCE 3523 (excerpt) 

Section 81.2.51 Excavation and Grading. [Geological] 

Section 3304 of Appendix Chapter 33 of the California Building Code, 2001 Edition, is 

hereby deleted in its entirety and a new Section 3304 added to read in its entirety as follows: 

“Section 3304 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard life, limb, property, 

and public welfare by regulating grading and paving, and to provide control on all hillside 

and slope areas by regulating design, drainage, landscaping, structures, and earthwork 

construction on private property.” 

Section 81.2.52 Scope. [Geological] 



“Section 3305 Scope. This chapter sets forth rules and regulations to control excavations, 

paving, hillside and slope earthwork construction, site drainage, landscaping and grading, 

including fills and embankments; establishes the administrative procedure for issuance of 

permits; and provides for approval of plans and inspection of grading, hillside and slope 

earthwork construction, drainage, hillside landscaping and paving construction. 

The standards listed below are recognized standards (see Sections 3503 and 3504). 

1. Testing. 

1.1 ASTM D 1557, Moisture-density Relations of Soils and Soil Aggregate 

Mixtures. 

1.2 ASTM D 1556, In Place Density of Soils by the Sand Cone Method. 

1.3 ASTM D 2167, In Place Density of Soils by the Rubber-Balloon Method. 

1.4 ASTM D 2937, In Place Density of Soils by the Drive-Cylinder Method. 

1.5 ASTM D 2922 and D 3017, In Place Moisture Contact and Density of Soils by 

Nuclear Methods.” 

Section 81.2.53 Permits Required. [Geological] 



“Section 3306 Permits Required. 

3306.1 Permits Required. No person shall do any grading or paving without first having 

obtained a grading permit from the Building Official. 

3306.2 Exempted Work. A grading permit is not required for the following: 

1. Grading in an isolated, self-contained area if there is no danger apparent to 

private or public property and will not alter or increase the flow of the drainage of the 

area when approved by the Building Official. 

2. An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, 

retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit. This shall not

exempt any fill made with the material from such excavation nor exempt any 

excavation having an unsupported height greater than five (5) feet after the 

completion of such structure. 

3. Cemetery graves. 

4. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations. 

5. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing, stock piling of rock, sand, gravel, 

aggregate, or clay where established and provided for by law, provided such 

operations do not affect the lateral support or increase the stresses in or pressure 

upon any adjacent or contiguous property. 

6. Exploratory excavations under the direction of soil engineers or engineering 

geologists. 

7. An excavation which, (a) is less than two (2) feet in depth or (b) which does not 

create a cut slope greater than five (5) feet in height and steeper than two (2) 

horizontal to one (1) vertical, and © which involves the movement of less than fifty 

(50) cubic yards of material when approved by the Building Official. 

8. A fill less than one (1) foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter 

than five (5) horizontal to one (1) vertical, or less than three (3) feet in depth, not 

intended to support structures which does not exceed fifty (50) cubic yards on any one 

(1) lot and does not obstruct a drainage course when approved by the Building Official. 

9. Paving of basements or roof areas authorized by a valid building permit. 

10. Resurfacing of existing paved areas provided existing paving is not removed and 

the drainage pattern is not modified. 

11. Repair of paved areas of less than one thousand (1,000) square feet. 

Exemption from the permit requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to grant 

authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this 

chapter or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.” 

Section 81.2.54 Hazards. [Geological] 



“3307 Hazards. 

3307.1 General. Excavations, embankments or fills for buildings or structures shall be so 

constructed or protected that they do not endanger life or property. No fill or other 

surcharge loads shall be placed adjacent to any building, slope or structure unless such 

building, slope or structure is capable of withstanding the additional loads caused by the fill 

or surcharge. 

3307.2 Excavation, Grading, Geologic and Hillside Hazard. Whenever the Building 

Official determines that any existing excavation, embankment, fill, hillside or slope area has 

become or constitutes a hazard to safety or public welfare, or endangers property, or 

adversely affects the safety, use or stability of a public way or drainage course, the Building 

Official may declare these areas hazard areas. All such hazard areas are hereby declared a 

public nuisance and shall be rendered safe by repair, removal, reconstruction, or proper

erosion planting in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, or by any other 

procedures approved by the Building Official. The owner of the property upon which the 

excavation or fill is located, or other person or agent in control of said property, upon receipt 

of notice in writing from the Building Official, shall within the period specified therein repair, 

remove, reconstruct, or plant so as to be in conformance with the requirements of this code. 

3307.3 Geological, Seismological or Flood Hazard. If, in the opinion of the Building 

Official, the land area for which grading or construction is proposed is subject to geological, 

seismological, or flood hazard to the extent that no reasonable amount of corrective work 

can eliminate or sufficiently reduce the hazard to human life or property, the grading permit 

and building permits for habitable structures shall be denied. 

3307.4 Safety Precautions. If, at any stage of the work on an excavation, slope, 

embankment or fill, the Building Official believes that the nature of the formation is such that 

further work as authorized by an existing permit is likely to endanger any property or public 

way, the Building Official may require, as a condition of allowing the work to be done, that 

such reasonable safety precautions be taken as the Building Official considers advisable to 

avoid such likelihood of danger. Safety precautions may include, but shall not be limited to, 

specifying a flatter exposed slope, construction of additional drainage facilities, berm 

terracing compaction, or cribbing.” 

Section 81.2.55 Definitions. [Geological] 



“Section 3308 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the definitions listed 

hereunder shall be construed as specified in this section. 

APPROVAL shall mean a written engineering or geological opinion concerning the 

progress and completion of the work, and the proposed or completed work conforms to this 

Division of the code in the opinion of the Building Official. 

ASPHALTIC CONCRETE is a mixture of mineral aggregate and liquid asphalt mixed at a 

central mixing plant. 

AS GRADED is the extent of surface conditions on completion of grading. 

BEDROCK is in-place solid rock. 

BENCH is a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed. 

BENCHMARK shall mean a point of elevation accepted by the City of Torrance based on 

the latest adjusted datum, as a point of reference for survey elevations. 

BORROW is earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site. 

CIVIL ENGINEER shall mean a professional engineer registered in the State to practice in 

the field of civil engineering works. 

COMPACTION is the densification of a fill by mechanical means. 

CRUSHED AGGREGATE is crushed rock and rock dust. This does not include 

decomposed granite. 

DAYLIGHT LINES are boundary lines of either the cut or fill where they meet the natural 

ground and the exposed surface.

EARTH MATERIAL is any rock crushed aggregate, natural soil or fill and/or any 

combination thereof. 

EMBANKMENT is built up soil used to protect, screen or support structures or designated areas. 

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST shall mean a geologist experienced and knowledgeable in 

engineering geology and registered in the State of California as an Engineering Geologist. 

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY shall mean the application of geologic and seismic knowledge 

and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use 

in the design of civil works. 

EROSION is the wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind, 

water, and/or ice. 

EXCAVATION is the mechanical removal of earth material. 

EXISTING GRADE is the grade prior to grading. 

FILL is a deposit of earth material placed by artificial means. 

FINISH GRADE is the final grade of the site, which conforms to the approved plan. 

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER See Soils Engineer. 

GRADE shall mean the vertical location of the ground surface. 

GRADING is any excavating or filling or combination thereof. 

HILLSIDE AREAS shall mean any land designated as being located within the Hillside 

Overlay District per Section 91.41.1. 

HILLSIDE LANDSCAPING shall mean the application of landscaping knowledge and 

principles in the investigation and evaluation of planting over natural and placed soils in 

hillside areas for the purpose of slope protection. 

KEY is a designed compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the 

toe of a proposed fill slope. 

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT shall mean a landscape architect licensed by the State to 

practice in the field of landscape architecture and acceptable to the Building Official as an 

expert in hillside planting design. 

NONCOMPLYING FILL is fill, which was placed without the supervision and approval of a 

soil engineer, or otherwise not in compliance with Section 81.2.34. 

PAVEMENT is asphaltic concrete or Portland Cement Concrete placed upon a prepared base. 

PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE is a mixture of mineral aggregate and cement mixed at 

a central mixing plant. 

PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION is the inspection required by this code to be performed by 

the civil engineer, soils engineer or engineering geologist. Such inspections include that 

performed by persons supervised by such engineers or geologists and shall be sufficient to 

form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work. 

RAINY SEASON is the period of wet weather starting November 15 and ending April 15. 

ROUGH GRADE is the stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan. 

SEISMIC FAULT is an active earth plane associated with earthquakes.

SEISMOLOGY is the science of the study of earthquakes and their effect on site 

development. 

SITE is any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same 

ownership, where grading is performed or permitted. 

SLOPE is an inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of 

horizontal distance to vertical distance. 

SOIL is naturally occurring surficial deposits overlying bedrock. 

SOIL ENGINEER (Geotechnical Engineer) shall mean a civil engineer experienced and 

knowledgeable in the practice of soil engineering and acceptable to the Building Official as 

an expert in soil engineering. 

SOIL ENGINEERING (Geotechnical Engineering) shall mean the application of the 

principles of soil mechanics in the investigation, evaluation, and design of Civil works 

involving the use of earth materials and the inspection and testing of the construction 

thereof. 

STOCKPILE is any amount of material stored upon a lot not in compliance with the grading 

provisions of this chapter. 

TERRACE is a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for 

drainage and maintenance purposes.” 

Section 81.2.56 Grading Permit Requirements. [Geological] 


hereby deleted in its entirety and a new Section 3309 added to read in its entirety, as follows: 

“3309 Grading Permit Requirements. 

3309.1 Permits Required. Except as exempted in Section 3306 of this code, no person 

shall do any grading or paving without first obtaining a grading permit from the Building 

Official. A separate permit shall be required for each site and may cover excavation, fills, 

and paving. 

3309.2 Application. The provisions of Section 106.3.1 of the California Building Code, 

1997 Edition, are applicable to grading and paving and, in addition, the application shall 

state the estimated quantities of work involved. 

3309.3 General Grading Requirements. In granting a grading permit, the Building Official 

shall impose the following restrictions or conditions thereon, in addition to those otherwise 

provided herein. Such restrictions or conditions shall include but not be limited to: 

1. Whenever any excavation, fill, or paving requires entry onto adjacent property for 

any reason, the permit applicant shall obtain the written consent of the adjacent 

property owner or his authorized representative or agent, and shall file a copy of said 

consent with the Building Official, before a permit for such grading or paving work may 

be issued. In the event on adjacent properties, contours are permanently changed, 

structures or drainage devices are added or modified, and/or the work done requires a 

grading permit under Section 3306, a separate permit shall be required for each of 

such affected adjoining properties in addition to the consent letter. The consent letter 

will not be required if the adjoining owner takes out such grading permit.

2. No person shall conduct any grading, excavation, filling or paving, including the 

export or import of earth material between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of any 

day, except in emergencies as determined by the Building Official. 

3. No person shall conduct any grading, excavation, or filling in excess of two hundred 

(200) cubic yards or any paving operations in excess of five thousand (5,000) square 

feet during the period between November 15 and April 15 unless a winter grading or 

paving plan and specifications and other plans or specifications, as required by the 

Building Official are filed with the Department and approved by the Building Official. 

Whenever it appears that any grading or paving project previously commenced 

pursuant to a permit issued by the Building Department will not be completed prior to 

the date of November 15, the Building Official may require that the permit applicant 

secure plans for winter protection and erosion control to protect any property adjacent 

to such property. 

4. Paved streets, sidewalks and other improvements shall be maintained in a neat 

and clean condition free of loose soil, construction debris and trash. Street sweeping 

or other equally effective means shall be used on a regular basis to prevent storm 

flows from carrying sediment and debris outside the project boundaries. Watering shall 

not be used to clean streets. 

5. The civil engineer or other qualified individual who prepared the grading plan and 

designed the erosion control devices shall be responsible for inspection and 

modification of the devices, as necessary, during the rainy season. The Building 

Official shall approve significant modifications to erosion control. 

In addition, the Building Official in granting a grading or paving permit, may impose such 

conditions thereon in addition to those otherwise provided herein, as are reasonably 

necessary to prevent the proposed operations from being conducted in such a manner as to 

constitute or create a hazard to life or property. Such conditions may include, but shall not 

be limited to: 

1. The designation of routes along which earth, sand, gravel, asphaltic concrete, or 

similar materials shall be transported where grading permit is for more than five 

hundred (500) cubic yards, or paving permits is for more than ten thousand (10,000) 

square feet. 

2. Restrictions as to size, type, and number of pieces of equipment to be used, 

including trucks, where grading permit is for more than five hundred (500) cubic yards 

or paving permit is for more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet. 

3. A provision that the applicant carry a policy of insurance insuring the City, its 

agents and employees, and the public against any loss or damage to persons or 

property resulting from the work to be performed under said permit in an amount not to 

exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.) or double the amount of the bond required 

therefor, whichever sum is greater, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 

4. Requirements for fencing or temporary protection for excavations or fills which 

would otherwise be hazardous. 

5. A requirement for dust control during the course of grading or stockpile operation 

by watering or other approved method approved by the Building Official. 

6. A requirement to provide a stabilized site access, using temporary asphalt concrete 

paving of two (2) inch thickness or more, or approved compacted base material, to

allow for the removal of debris from vehicles leaving the development site, and prevent 

the tracking of debris into the public right of way. 

3309.4 Plans and Specifications. Each application for a grading or paving permit shall 

be accompanied by two (2) sets of plans and specifications and, when required, supporting 

data consisting of, but not limited to, a soils report, engineering geology report, drainage 

report, and hillside landscape report. The plan specifications shall be prepared and signed 

by a civil engineer when required by the Building Official. Plans shall be drawn to scale 

upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and 

extent of the work proposed, and shows in detail that they will conform to the provisions of 

this code and all relevant laws, ordinance, rules and regulations. The first sheet of each set 

of plans shall give the location of the work, legal description, and where prepared. The 

plans should include, but not be limited to, the following information: 

1. General vicinity sketch of the proposed site and known seismic faults. 

2. Property limits and accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and 

area drainage of the existing ground on the property where the work is to be 

performed, contributory drainage areas, and on the property adjacent thereto for a 

distance of approximately fifteen (15) feet. 

3. Detailed plans of pavement, planters, and planted areas, all surface and 

subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams, and other protective devices to be 

constructed with, or as a part of, the proposed work, together with a map showing the 

drainage area, and the estimated runoff of the area served by any drains. 

4. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be 

performed and the location of any building or structures on land of adjacent owners 

which are within fifteen (15) feet of the property or which may be affected by the 

proposed grading operation. 

5. The location of top and toe of all cuts and fills, the location of all “daylight” lines. 

6. Planting and irrigation plans of all hillside or slope areas when required by the 

Building Official. 

7. The quantity of excavation and fill involved, including the recompaction of existing 

uncompacted fill. 

8. Limiting dimensions elevations or finish contours to be achieved by the grading and 

proposed drainage channels and related construction. 

9. The dates of the soils engineering and engineering geology reports together with 

the names, addresses and phone numbers of the firms or individuals who prepare the 

reports. 

10. Existing and proposed improvements within the public right of way. 

Specifications shall contain information covering construction and material requirements. 

3309.5 Grading and Paving Designation. All grading in excess of five thousand (5,000) 

cubic yards or paving in excess of fifty thousand (50,000) square feet shall be performed in 

accordance with the approved grading or paving plan prepared by a civil engineer, and shall 

be designated as “engineered grading or paving.” Grading involving less than 5,000 cubic 

yards or paving of less than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet shall be designated “regular 

grading or paving” unless the permittee with the approval of the Building Official chooses to 

have the grading performed as “engineered grading or paving.” The Building Official may

designate grading of less than five thousand (5,000) cubic yards or paving of less than fifty 

thousand (50,000) square feet as “engineered grading or paving” if the grading takes place 

in the Hillside Area or the nature of the work requires special design consideration. 

3309.6 Engineered Grading and Paving Requirements. For engineered grading or 

paving plans, the plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by an individual 

licensed by the state to prepare such plans or specifications when required by the Building 

Official. It shall be the responsibility of the individual to incorporate all recommendations 

from the soil engineering, engineering geology, seismological, drainage and landscape 

planting reports into the grading or paving plan. The individual shall also act as the 

coordinating agent in the event the need arises for liaison between the other professionals, 

the contractor, and the Building Official. The landscape architect shall also be responsible 

for the preparation of landscape planting and irrigation plans and specifications. These 

plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Building Official for approval prior to the 

issuance of the grading permit. 

3309.7 Soil Engineering Report. The soil engineering report required by Section 

3309.4 shall include data regarding the nature, distribution, and strength of existing soils, 

conclusions, and recommendations for grading and paving procedures, effect of the 

development on adjacent properties, and design criteria for corrective measures, including 

buttress fills, when necessary, and opinions and recommendations covering adequacy of 

sites to be developed by the proposed grading, including the stability of slopes. During 

grading, all necessary reports, compaction data, and soil engineering and engineering 

geology recommendations shall be submitted to the Building Official by the soil engineer 

and engineering geologist. Recommendations included in the report and approved by the 

Building Official shall be incorporated in the grading or paving plans and specifications. 

3309.8 Engineering Geology Report. The engineering geology report required by 

Section 3309.4 shall include an adequate description of the geology of the site, conclusions, 

and recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions on the proposed 

development, and the opinions and recommendations covering the adequacy of sites to be 

developed by the proposed grading or construction. This report shall include analysis of 

seismic activity and seismic fault zones and their influence of the proposed development. 

Recommendations included in the report, and approved by the Building Official, shall be 

incorporated in the grading plans or specifications. 

3309.9 Liquefaction Study. The Building Official may require a geotechnical investigation 

in accordance with Sections 1804.2 and 1804.5 when, during the course of an investigation, 

all of the following conditions are discovered, the report shall address the potential for 

liquefaction: 

1. Shallow ground water, 50 feet (15 240 mm) or less. 

2. Unconsolidated sandy alluvium. 

3. Seismic Zones 3 and 4. 

3309.10 Drainage Report. Developments in excess of one acre, and using a subsurface 

drainage system shall submit a drainage study prepared by a civil engineer. The drainage 

report shall use the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Hydrology Handbook 

methodology. A design frequency of 50-years shall be used for all developments located

within sumped areas or required to retain drainage on site. All other developments may use 

a design frequency of 25-years. 

3309.11 Hillside Landscaping Report. The landscaping report required by Section 

3309.4 shall include a plant list and data regarding the nature and method for promotion of 

growth of ground cover plants and shrubs to protect the slopes against erosion, conclusions, 

and recommendations for planting procedures, and criteria for corrective measures when 

necessary; and opinions and recommendation covering adequacy of protection of sites to be 

developed by the proposed grading. This report shall be prepared by a licensed landscape 

architect and approved by the Building Official. Recommendations included in the report 

and approved by the Building Official shall be incorporated in the grading plans or 

specifications. 

3309.12 Issuance. The provisions of Section 106.4 of the Uniform Building Code are 

applicable to grading permits. The Building Official may require that grading or paving 

operations and project designs be modified if delays occur which incur weather-generated 

problems not considered at the time the permit was issued. Grading and paving operations 

on a single site may be conducted under a single permit provided fees have been paid. 

The Building Official may require professional inspection and testing by the soil engineer. 

When the Building Official has cause to believe that geologic factors may be involved, the 

grading will be required to conform to engineered grading. 

3309.13 Stockpile Permit. The Building Official may issue a permit to stockpile soil on a 

lot upon submission by the owner of such a lot or his authorized agency, a scaled plan 

showing the lot dimensions, location in which the stockpile is to be placed, the approximate 

amount of soil to be stockpiled, height of stockpile and method of dust and erosion control. 

Soil so stockpiled must not be disturbed or leveled unless a regular grading permit has been 

obtained for the work. Stockpile permits shall be valid for no longer than 180 days unless a 

written extension request is received from the owner, or his authorized agency, and 

approved by the Building Official.” 

Section 81.2.57 Grading Fees. [Administrative] 


hereby deleted in its entirety. 

Section 81.2.58 Bonds. [Administrative] 


hereby deleted and a new Section 3311 added to read in its entirety as follows: 

“3311.1 General. The Building Official may require bonds in such form and amounts as 

may be deemed necessary to assume that the work, if not completed in accordance with the 

approved plans and specifications, will be corrected to eliminate hazardous conditions or 

assure performance under conditions imposed by the pertinent governing body. 

When required, bonds shall be filed with the Building Official for the benefit of the City prior 

to the issuance of the permit for grading. The bond shall be on a form approved by the 

Building Official, executed by the owner and a corporate surety sufficient to cover correction 

elimination of hazardous conditions or to assure completion of conditions imposed by the 

pertinent governing body.

3311.2 Hillside. Bonds shall be required for excavation or fill of earth in a hillside area 

unless the Building Official determines that the proposed grading is neither actually or 

potentially hazardous. 

3311.3 Cash Bond. In lieu of a surety bond the applicant may file a cash bond or 

instrument of credit with the Building Official in an amount equal to that which would be 

required in the surety bond. 

3311.4 Conditions of the Bond. Every bond shall be conditioned such that the owner shall: 

1. Comply with all applicable provisions of this Code and all other applicable laws. 

2. Comply with all of the terms and conditions of the grading permit to the satisfaction of 

the Building Official. 

3. Complete all of the work described by the permit, and the plans and specifications 

relating thereto, within the time limit specified in the permit. Upon application by the 

permittee, the Building Official, for sufficient cause, may extend the time specified in the 

permit, but no such extension shall release any surety on the bond. 

4. Install temporary erosion control devices when required to do so by the provisions of 

this Chapter. 

3311.5 Term of the Bond. The term of each bond shall begin upon the date of filing with 

the City and shall remain in effect until the completion of the work to the satisfaction of the 

Building Official or until replaced by a new bond in the event of a change of ownership. In 

the event of a failure to complete the work and failure to comply with all of the conditions 

and terms of the permit, the Building Official may order the work to be completed as required 

by the permit and to the satisfaction of the Building Official. 

3311.6 Bond Amount. The amount of the bond shall be based upon the number of cubic 

yards of material in either excavation or fill, whichever is the greater amount, and in addition 

shall include the cost of all drainage or other protective devices as may be required by the 

civil engineer and approved by the Building Official. That portion of the bond valuation 

covering the costs of excavation or fill shall be computed as set forth in Table B-33-A, 

unless increased by the Building Official.” 

TABLE B-33-A—BONDS 

1 to 10,000 cubic yards 

Over 10,001 cubic yards 

$5.00 per cubic yard 

$50,000 plus $2.00 for each 

additional cubic yard in excess of 

10,000 

Minimum Grading Bond $5,000 

Section 81.2.59 Fills. [Geological] 



“3313 Fills. 

3313.1 General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soil engineering report, 

fills shall conform to the provisions of this section.

In the absence of an approved soils engineering report, these provisions may be waived for 

minor fills not intended to support structures. 

3313.2 Preparation of Ground. Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes 

steeper than two to one. The ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by removing 

vegetation, noncomplying fill, topsoil and other unsuitable materials scarifying to provide a 

bond with the new fill and where slopes are steeper than five to one, and the height is 

greater than five (5) feet, by benching into sound bedrock or other competent material, as 

determined by the soils engineer. The bench under the toe of a fill on a slope steeper than 

five to one shall be at least ten (10) feet wide. The area beyond the toe of fill shall be sloped 

for sheet overflow or a paved drain shall be provided. When fill is to be placed over a cut, 

the bench under the toe of the fill shall be at least ten (10) feet wide but the cut shall be 

made before placing the fill and acceptance by the soils engineer or engineering geologist or 

both as a suitable foundation for fill. Unsuitable soil is soil which, in the opinion of the 

Building Official or the civil engineer or the soils engineer or the geologist, is not competent 

to support other soil or fill, to support structures, or to satisfactorily perform the other 

functions for which the soil is intended. 

3313.3 Fill Material. Detrimental amounts of organic material shall not be permitted in fills. 

Except as permitted by the Building Official, no rock or similar irreducible material with a 

maximum dimension greater than twelve (12) inches shall be buried or placed in fills. 

EXCEPTION: The Building Official may permit placement of larger rock when the soils 

engineer properly devises a method of placement, continuously inspects its placement, 

and approves the fill stability. 

The following conditions shall also apply: 

A. Prior to issuance of the Grading Permit, potential rock disposal areas shall be 

delineated on the grading plan. 

B. Rock sizes greater than twelve (12) inches in maximum dimension shall be ten (10) 

feet or more below grade, measured vertically. 

C. Rocks shall be placed so as to assure filling of all voids with fines. 

3313.4 Compaction. All manufactured fills shall be placed on natural undisturbed material 

or approved compacted fill, and compacted to a minimum of 90 percent relative compaction 

as determined by ASTM D 1557. Every manufactured fill shall be tested for relative 

compaction by a soil testing agency approved by the Building Official. A compaction report 

including a Certificate of Compliance setting forth densities so determined shall be 

submitted to the Building Official for review before approval of any fill is given. 

EXCEPTIONS: 

1. The Building Official may approve uncompacted fill in self-contained areas 

where the fills are not to be used to support buildings or structures and no hazard 

will be created. 

2. Compaction report is not required for gravel backfill behind retaining walls 

provided the following conditions are met: 

A. The retaining wall does not exceed 5 feet in height from the bottom of the 

footing to the top of the wall.

B. The maximum distance between the retaining wall and the backcut shall not 

exceed 24 inches. 

C. The gravel backfill shall be mechanically compacted and covered with 

concrete pavement or be capped with a 24-inch thick soil blanket 

mechanically compacted to the Building Official’s satisfaction. 

D. The gravel backfill does not provide vertical or lateral support for any 

structures or adverse bedding planes. 

3313.5 Slope. The slope of fill surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended 

use. Fill slopes shall be no steeper than two (2) horizontal to one (1) vertical. 

3313.6 Grade. All lots shall have a minimum grade of one (1) percent unless waived by the 

Building Official. The lot shall be graded to drain to the adjacent street(s). If the natural 

grade of any lot slopes away from the adjacent street an average grade greater than two (2) 

percent, or if the grade of adjacent lots causes adherence to the provisions of this section to 

not be in the best engineering practices, then the Building Official may allow an alternate 

method of conducting the drainage to adjacent streets as provided in Section 3315. All 

paved parking areas, except driveways, shall have a maximum grade of ten (10) percent 

unless waived by the Building Official. 

3313.7 Subgrade. All areas over which paving is to be placed shall be prepared in 

accordance with Sections 3313.2, 3313.3 and 3313.4. Before the placing of pavement or 

before the construction of any structures, the soil engineer shall approve or certify as to the 

conformance of the fill. 

3313.8 Pavement. 

3313.8.1 Asphalt Concrete Payment. Asphalt Concrete Pavement shall be designed to 

be of sufficient thickness to safeguard against damage due to soil and load conditions. 

Pavement sections may be designed by a soils engineer or civil engineer in compliance with 

the California R-Value Method and approved by the Building Official. However, asphalt 

concrete shall not be less than two (2) inches in thickness. Minimum asphalt concrete 

pavement designed shall conform to the following: two (2) inches of asphalt concrete on 

four (4) inches of untreated rock base on sandy soils, and two (2) inches of asphalt concrete 

on six (6) inches of untreated rock base on expansive soils. Pavement shall have a 

minimum grade of one (1) percent unless waived by the Building Official. 

3313.8.2 Portland Cement Concrete. Portland Cement Concrete paving shall consist of 

not less than three and one-half (3 ½) inches in thickness for sandy soils or 3 ½ inches in 

thickness over four (4) inches of select material base for expansive soils. Concrete shall 

have a minimum grade of 0.4 percent unless waived by the Building Official. 

3313.8.3 Minimum Material Standards. Base material, asphaltic concrete, and Portland 

Cement Concrete shall be of a type approved by the Building Official. The Building Official 

may require base compaction to a minimum of ninety-five (95) percent of maximum density 

as determined by 

ASTM D 1557. Field density shall be determined in accordance with ASTM D 1556, ASTM 

D 2167, ASTM D 2937 or ASTM D 2922 and ASTM D 3017.”

Section 81.2.60 Drainage And Terracing. [Geological] 

Section 3315.4 of Appendix Chapter 33 of the California Building Code, 2001 Edition, is 

hereby deleted and the following Section 3315.4, 3315.6 and 3315.7 are added to read in its 

entirety as follows: 

“3315.4 Disposal. All drainage facilities shall be designed to carry waters to the nearest 

practicable drainage way approved by the Building Official and/or other appropriate 

jurisdiction as a safe place to deposit such waters. Erosion of ground in the area of 

discharge shall be prevented by installation of non-erosive downdrains or other devices. 

Concentrated drainage water from drainage devices shall not be permitted to flow over the 

sidewalks or parkways. 

Building pads shall have drainage of one (1) percent towards approved drainage facilities. 

Drainage devices shall service no more than one property unless said device is located 

within a public easement and maintained by the City of Torrance. 

3315.6 Ponding. Ponding of water shall not be permitted to occur on pavement, concrete 

or in landscape areas. 

EXCEPTION: Upon the approval of the Building Official, a maximum ponding depth of 6 

(six) inches in parking or paved areas is permitted where it is determined, as 

recommended in an approved drainage report, that storm water must be retained on site 

to comply with the provisions of this Chapter.” 

Section 81.2.61 Erosion Control. [Topographical] 


hereby deleted in its entirety and a new Section 3316 added to read in its entirety, as follows: 

“3316 Erosion Control of Cut and Fill Slopes in Hillside Areas.” 

3316.1 Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to 

control against erosion. This control may consist of effective planting. The 

protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable and prior to calling 

for final approval. The Building Official may require landscaping plans, plant lists, 

and sprinkler plans to be prepared and signed by a licensed landscape architect 

and approved by the Building Official prior to issuance of a grading permit. Slopes 

shall be planted with grass or ground cover plants and an adequate irrigation 

system installed. 

3316.2 Other Devices. Where necessary, check dams, cribbing, riprap, or other devices 

or methods shall be employed to control erosion and provide safety.” 

Section 81.2.62 Completion of Work. [Administrative] 


hereby deleted in its entirety and a new Section 3318 is added to read in its entirety, as follows: 

“3318 Completion of Work.

3318.1 Final Reports. Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final 

completion of the work, the following reports and drawings and supplements thereto shall be 

required unless waived by the Building Official: 

1. If substantial changes, as determined by the Building Official, have taken place 

from the approved grading plan, an as-graded grading plan or paving plan prepared by 

the individual of record, including original ground surface elevations, as-graded ground 

surface elevations, lot drainage patterns and locations, and elevation of all surface and 

subsurface drainage facilities. In addition, the Building Official shall state that to the 

best of his knowledge the work was done in accordance with the final approved 

grading plan or paving plan. 

2. A report prepared by the soils engineer retained to provide such services in 

accordance with Section 3317.3, including locations and elevations of field density 

tests, summaries of field and laboratory test, a statement that all subdrains were 

inspected prior to backfill, other substantiating data and comments on any changes 

made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the approved 

soils engineering investigation report. The soils engineer shall provide a professional 

opinion of the suitability of the fill material and their placement, and the ability of the 

natural materials to support the compacted fill without excessive settlement of the fill or 

potential damage to structures erected thereon; soil engineers shall submit a statement 

that, to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibilities is in 

accordance with the approved soils engineering report and applicable provisions of this 

chapter. 

3. A report prepared by the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in 

accordance with Section 3317.4, including a final description of the geology of the site 

and any new information disclosed during the grading and the effect of same on 

recommendations incorporated in the approved grading plan. The report shall include 

the geologist’s certification that inspections were performed on all cut and fill slopes 

prior to placement of fill material. Engineering geologists shall submit a statement that, 

to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibility is in 

accordance with the approved engineering geologist’s report and applicable provisions 

of this chapter. 

4. The grading contractor shall submit in a form prescribed by the Building Official a 

statement of conformance to said as-built plan and the specifications. 

5. A landscape planting report prepared by the landscape architect, including a final 

planting list and layout of the planting of the hillside area. The Building Official shall 

provide approval as to the adequacy of the planting for the intended use. 

3318.2 Notification of Completion. The permittee or his agent shall notify the Building Official 

when the grading operation is ready for the final inspection. Final approval shall not be given 

until all work, including installation of all drainage facilities and their protective devices and all 

erosion control measures, have been completed in accordance with the final approved grading 

plan and the required reports have been submitted.”

Supporting Documentation to Part Three—Operations/ 

Emergency Operations Plan 

Critical Facilities 

City of Torrance 

Critical Facilities Checklist (LEPG-30) 

Critical facilities are those locations providing essential lifeline services to the community, or qualifies as a high occupancy structure, or qualifies as a high risk hazard to the community. 

The following is a listing of the facilities within Torrance that have been identified as critical facilities. The facilities have been grouped by zone. The City of Torrance has been divided 

into 5 zones. The boundary for each zone is listed below: 

Zone 1 

City Hall 

Zone 2 

North - Redondo Beach Blvd, Gramercy, Artersia, Western, Del Amo, Hawthorne, BNSF RR (190 to 182 Streets), 182 nd Street, Hawthorne 

Zone 3 West 

190 th Street, Hawthorne, Sepulveda, west city boundary 

Zone 4 Central Del Amo Blvd, Western, Sepulveda, Hawthorne 

Zone 5 Southwest Sepulveda, Hawthorne, south and west city boundaries 

Zone 6 Southeast Sepulveda, east and south city boundaries, Hawthorne 

Zone 7 Del Amo between Crenshaw and Van Ness. This is also in Zone 4. 

PRIORITY TYPE ADDRESS ZONE T_BROS CHECK PHONE MAJOR MINOR NONE FAC_NAME 

_PG 

1 Government Facilities P1 20500 Madrona 1 763 D7 Law 618-6900 City Yard 

1 Government Facilities P1 3031 Torrance Blvd. 1 763 J5 Law 328-5310 City Hall 

1 Government Facilities P1 3300 Civic Center Dr. 1 763 E5 Law 618-5737 Police Building 

2 Government Facilities P2 3301 Torrance Blvd. 1 763 J5 TARA 618-5959 Katy Geissert Library 

1 AHM Facilities P1 19200 Hawthorne 2 763 D3 Fire 371-1254 Praxair 

1 AHM Facilities P1 19206 Hawthorne 2 763 D3 Fire 214-5319 Union Carbide Latex/Dow 

Chemical 

1 AHM Facilities P1 19500 Mariner Ave. 2 763 D4 Fire 371-5522 Union Carbide Terminal/Dow 

Chemical 

1 AHM Facilities P1 20263 Western Ave. 2 763 H4 Fire 533-1178 Moog 

1 AHM Facilities P1 2525 190th St. 2 763 G2 Fire 512-4643 Honeywell 

1 AHM Facilities P1 2535 Del Amo Blvd. 2 763 G4 Fire 533-0606 Airgases Dry Ice 

1 AHM Facilities P1 2535 Del Amo Blvd. 2 763 G4 Fire 533-8394 BOC Gases 

1 Government Facilities P1 3535 182nd St. 2 763 G1 Fire 781-7003 Fire Station #3 

1 AHM Facilities P1 3700 190th St. 2 763 G2 Fire 212-2942 Exxon-Mobil Torr. Refinery 

1 Government Facilities P1 18010 Crenshaw Blvd. 2 763 G1 Law North Torrance PCC 

City of Torrance Critical Facilities page 1




2 Bridges P2 Artesia Blvd. & I405 Fwy 2 763 E1 TARA 405 Fwy/Artesia Overpass & 

Ramps 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Crenshaw Blvd. 2 763 TARA Crenshaw Blvd. 

2 Bridges P2 Crenshaw Blvd. & 

Dominguez 

2 763 G5 TARA Railroad Bridge - Crenshaw 

Blvd. 

2 Bridges P2 Crenshaw Blvd. & I405 

Fwy 

2 763 G2 TARA 405 Fwy/Crenshaw Overpass & 

Ramps 

2 Bridges P2 Hawthorne & 190th 2 763 D2 TARA Railroad Bridge - 

Hawthorne/190th St. 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Hawthorne Blvd. 2 763 TARA Hawthorne Blvd. 

2 Bridges P2 Prairie & 187th St 2 763 E3 TARA Pedestrian Bridge 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Prairie Ave. 2 763 TARA Prairie Ave. 

2 Bridges P2 Prairie Ave. & I405 Fwy 2 733 D7 TARA 405 Fwy/Prairie Overpass 

2 Bridges P2 Redondo Beach Blvd. & 

I405 Fwy 

2 733 D7 TARA 405 Fwy/RBB Overpass & 

Ramps 

2 Bridges P2 Van Ness Blvd. & I405 2 763 H2 TARA 405 Fwy/Van Ness Overpass 

Fwy 

2 Bridges P2 Western Ave. & I405 Fwy 2 763 H2 TARA 405 Fwy/Western Overpass & 

Ramps 

2 Bridges P2 Yukon Ave. & I405 Fwy 2 763 F1 TARA 405 Fwy/Yukon Overpass 

1 Government Facilities P1 21401 Del Amo Cir Dr. 3 763 C6 Fire 781-7006 Fire Station #6 

1 Government Facilities P1 3940 Del Amo Blvd. 3 763 C4 Fire 781-7005 Fire Station #5 

1 Medical Facilities P1 4101 Torrance Blvd. 3 763 C5 Law 540-7676 Little Company of Mary 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 20820 Earl St. 3 763 C5 TARA 371-1228 Earlwood Care 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 20900 Earl St. 3 763 C5 TARA 370-3594 Spring Retirement 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 20920 Earl St. 3 763 C5 TARA 370-5828 Huntington Retirement 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 3750 Garnet St. 3 763 D5 TARA 371-2431 Bay Crest Conv. 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 4109 Emerald St. 3 763 C5 TARA 371-4628 Driftwood Conv. 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 

P1 

4315 Torrance Blvd 3 763 C5 TARA 370-5611 Torrance Care Center 





1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 4320 Maricopa 3 763 C5 TARA 543-5900 LCM Pavillion 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 4333 Torrance Blvd 3 763 C5 TARA 370-4561 West Torrance Care Center 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 5481 Torrance Blvd. 3 763 B5 TARA 543-1174 Pacific Inn 

P1 

2 Utilities P2 5481 Torrance 3 763 A5 Public Works Phone Company 

2 Utilities P2 Henrietta & Sara 3 763 A4 Public 

Works 

638-4588 Henrietta St. Sewer Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 Redbeam & Del Amo 3 763 A4 Public Works Redbeam Ave. Sewer Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 Tomlee & Michelle 3 763 A4 Public Works Water Tower 

2 Utilities P2 3 Public Works Edison Tranmission Lines 

2 Major Complex P2 19001 Western 3 763 H3 TARA Toyota 

2 Transportation Routes P2 190th St 3 763 TARA 190th St 

2 Schools P2 20401 Victor 3 763 B4 TARA 533-4299 West High School 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 21333 Hawthorne 3 763 D6 TARA 540-0500 Hilton Hotel 

2 Schools P2 21400 Ellinwood 3 763 B6 TARA 533-4559 Anza Elementary 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 21515 Hawthorne 3 763 D6 TARA 540-9300 California Bank & Trust 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 21535 Hawthorne 3 763 D6 TARA 540-9300 Metro Building 

2 Schools P2 21717 Talisman 3 763 C6 TARA 533-4794 Jefferson Adult 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 4201 Torrance 3 763 C5 TARA 4201 Torrance Building 

2 Schools P2 4400 Del Amo Blvd 3 763 D4 TARA 370-6215 South Bay Academy 

2 Schools P2 4625 Garnet 3 763 B5 TARA 317-0416 St. James Elementary 

2 Government Facilities P2 4805 Emerald 3 763 B5 TARA 371-2075 Henderson Library 

2 Schools P2 4820 Spencer 3 763 D4 TARA 533-4542 Victor Elementary 

2 Schools P2 5038 Halison 3 763 B4 TARA 533-4495 Burt Lynn Middle 

2 Schools P2 5430 Torrance Blvd 3 763 A6 TARA 540-2021 Bishop Montgomery High 

School 

2 Schools P2 5600 Towers 3 763 A3 TARA 533-4535 Towers Elementary 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Anza St 3 763 TARA Anza St 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Carson St 3 763 TARA Carson St 





2 Transportation Routes P2 Del Amo Blvd 3 763 TARA Del Amo Blvd 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Hawthorne Blvd 3 763 TARA Hawthorne Blvd 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Palos Verdes Blvd 3 763 TARA Palos Verdes Blvd 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Sepulveda Blvd 3 763 TARA Sepulveda Blvd 

1 Government Facilities P1 1701 Crenshaw Blvd. 4 763 F6 Fire 781-7042 Fire Station #1 

1 AHM Facilities P1 1812 Abalone Ave. 4 763 H7 Fire 618-1355 Torrance Heat Treating 

1 AHM Facilities P1 2925 California Ave. 4 763 E5 Fire 783-1533 Younger Optics 

1 AHM Facilities P1 305 Crenshaw Blvd. 4 763 F5 Fire 533-5200 Dow Chemical 

1 AHM Facilities P1 365 Maple Ave. 4 763 E4 Fire 782-3569 PolyPeptide Labs 

1 AHM Facilities P1 500 Crenshaw Blvd. 4 763 F5 Fire 212-3600 Ball Corporation 

1 AHM Facilities P1 548 Amapola Ave. 4 763 G4 Fire 618-3737 Aero Electric 

1 Government Facilities P1 1215 El Prado 4 763 H6 Law Downtown PCC 

1 Government Facilities P1 3525 Carson St. Mall 5 4 763 D6 Law Mall PCC 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 1318 Cravens 4 763 H6 TARA Bartlett Center 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 1421 Cravens 4 763 H6 TARA 212-5893 Coleman Court 

P1 

1 High Rise Buildings P1 3510 Maricopa 4 763 D5 TARA 371-4801 Golden West Towers 

1 Major Complex P1 3525 Carson St. 4 763 D6 TARA 542-8525 Del Amo Fashion Center 

2 Utilities P2 1307 Cravens 4 763 H6 Public Works Pac Bell 

2 Utilities P2 20453 Madison 4 763 D4 Public Works Madison St. Sewer Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 21720 Madrona 4 763 E7 Public Works Edison 

2 Utilities P2 2223 Border Ave. 4 763 H7 Public 782-0563 Well #7/Water Pumping Station 

Works 

2 Utilities P2 Arlington & Torrance 4 763 G6 Public Works Pac Bell 

2 Utilities P2 Carson & Madrona 4 763 E6 Public Works Madrona Ave. Sewer Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 Elm & Sierra 4 763 F5 Public Works Water Pumps 

2 Schools P2 1314 Fern Ave 4 763 F6 TARA 533-4506 Fern Elementary 

2 Schools P2 1520 Greenwood 4 763 F6 TARA 320-4429 City Kids Childrens Center 





2 Schools P2 1725 Flower St 4 763 E6 TARA 320-9920 First Lutheran Elementary 

2 Major Complex P2 1919 Torrance Blvd 4 763 H5 TARA 781-4000 Honda Corp. 

2 Schools P2 2125 Lincoln 4 763 G7 TARA 533-4500 Torrance Elementary 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 21250 Hawthorne 4 763 D6 TARA 543-6200 Computax 

2 Schools P2 21364 Madrona 4 763 E6 TARA 533-4582 Madrona Middle 

2 Schools P2 2200 Carson St 4 763 G6 TARA 533-4389 Torrance High School 

2 Schools P2 2291 Washington 4 763 G7 TARA 533-4454 Torrance Adult 

2 Schools P2 2300 Crenshaw 4 763 G7 TARA 320-6700 SCROC 

2 Government Facilities P2 2300 Crenshaw Blvd. 4 763 G7 TARA Wilson Park Gym 

2 Government Facilities P2 2335 Plaza Del Amo 4 763 G7 TARA 533-4200 TUSD Headquarters 

2 Schools P2 2371 Carson St 4 763 G6 TARA 328-5386 Nativity Catholic Elem/Middle 

2 Medical Facilities P2 2382 Crenshaw 4 793 F1 TARA 618-9200 Care Station 

2 Schools P2 2600 Vine St 4 763 G7 TARA 533-4400 Sherry High School 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 3635 Fashion Way 4 763 D6 TARA 316-3636 Mariott Hotel 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Carson Blvd. 4 763 TARA Carson Blvd. 


2 Transportation Routes P2 Madrona Blvd. 4 763 TARA Madrona Blvd. 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Maple & Del Amo to 4 763 TARA 800-832-5452 BNSF Railroad 

Sepulveda & Western 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Sepulveda Blvd. 4 763 TARA Sepulveda Blvd. 

2 Bridges P2 Torrance & Western 4 763 J5 TARA Historic Bridge 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Torrance Blvd. 4 763 TARA Torrance Blvd. 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Van Ness Blvd. 4 763 TARA Van Ness Blvd. 

3 Utilities P3 Amie & Spencer 4 763 D4 Public Works Amie Stormwater Pump 

3 Utilities P3 El Dorado & Maple 4 763 E6 Public Works El Dorado Stormwater Pump 

3 Utilities P3 Maple & Sepulveda 4 763 E7 Public Works Madrona Marsh Stormwater 

Pump 

3 Utilities P3 Pioneer & Challenger 4 763 D4 Public Works Pioneer Stormwater Pump 

1 Government Facilities P1 5205 Calle Mayor 5 793 B2 Fire 781-7004 Fire Station #4 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 22419 Kent Ave. 5 763 C7 TARA 378-4233 Del Amo Gardens 

P1 

1 Medical Facilities P1 4025 226th St. 5 763 C7 TARA 373-4556 Starview 





2 Utilities P2 168 Vista Del Parque 5 793 A2 Public Works Vista Del Parque Sewer Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 4249 Vista Montana 5 793 C3 Public Works Vista Montana Water Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 501 Paseo de las 

5 792 J2 Public 316-5686 

Cal Water Well 

Estrellas 

Works 

2 Utilities P2 502 Calle de Arbolles 5 793 A2 Public 316-5686 

Cal Water Well 

Works 

2 Utilities P2 5205 Calle Mayor 5 793 B2 Public Works Calle Mayor Water Pump 

Station 

2 Utilities P2 5210 Sepulveda 5 763 B7 Public Works Water Facility - 200' E. of Palos 

Verdes Blvd. 

2 Government Facilities P2 126 Vista Del Parque 5 763 C7 TARA 375-0922 El Retiro Library 

2 Schools P2 23751 Nancy Lee 5 793 B2 TARA 533-4454 Newton Adult 

2 Schools P2 23751 Nancy Lee 5 793 B2 TARA 533-4790 Richardson Middle 

2 Major Complex P2 24520 Hawthorne Blvd 5 793 D4 TARA 373-4991 Hillside Village 

2 Schools P2 365 Paseo De Arena 5 793 A3 TARA 533-4460 Riviera Elementary 

2 High Rise Buildings P2 3812 Sepulveda 5 763 D7 TARA Office Bldg. 

2 Government Facilities P2 3815 W 242nd St. 5 793 D3 TARA 375-8418 Walteria Library 

2 Schools P2 4100 W 227th St 5 793 C1 TARA 533-4524 Arnold Elementary 

2 Schools P2 4651 Sharynne 5 793 B1 TARA 533-4532 Seaside Elementary 

2 Schools P2 4800 Calle Mayor 5 793 B2 TARA 533-4548 Calle Mayor Middle 

2 Bridges P2 4801 Pacific Coast Hwy 5 793 B2 TARA Pedestrian Bridge 

2 Schools P2 4801 Pacific Coast Hwy 5 793 B2 TARA 533-4396 South High School 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Anza 5 793 TARA Anza 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Calle Mayor 5 793 TARA Calle Mayor 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Hawthorne 

5 793 TARA Hawthorne 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Lomita 5 793 TARA Lomita 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Newton 5 793 TARA Newton 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Pacific Coast Hwy 5 793 TARA Pacific Coast Hwy 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Palos Verdes Blvd 5 793 TARA Palos Verdes Blvd 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Vista Montana 

5 793 TARA Vista Montana 

3 Utilities P3 23042 Doris Way 5 793 A1 Public Works Doris Way Stormwater Pump 

Station 

1 AHM Facilities P1 3132 Kashiwa St. 6 793 E1 Fire 539-4171 Bachem 





1 Government Facilities P1 25135 Robinson Way 6 793 E4 Fire 781-7002 Fire Station #2 

1 AHM Facilities P1 2600 Skypark Dr. 6 793 F3 Fire 784-5000 Hi Shear Corp. 

1 AHM Facilities P1 3000 Lomita Blvd. 6 793 E2 Fire 784-3555 Fairchild Fasteners 

1 AHM Facilities P1 3100 Lomita Blvd. 6 793 E2 Fire 326-1787 Boeing 

1 AHM Facilities P1 3152 Kashiwa 6 794 E1 Fire 539-4171 Bachem 

1 Medical Facilities P1 3330 Lomita 6 793 E2 Law 325-9110 Torrance Memorial Medical 

Center 

1 Government Facilities P1 25311 Aero Way 6 793 E4 Public Works FAA Tower 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 22520 Maple 6 793 D1 TARA 326-9131 Royalwood 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 23450 Madison 6 793 D2 TARA 539-6826 Villa Sorrento 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 23700 Camino Del Sol 6 793 E2 TARA 530-1151 Del Amo Hospital 

P1 

1 Conv/Retirement Facilities 3620 Lomita 6 793 D2 TARA 378-8587 LCM Acute Care 

P1 

2 Utilities P2 23507 Pennsylvania 6 793 G5 Public Works Pennsylvania Ave. Pump 

2 Utilities P2 24011 Huber 6 793 J3 Public Works Huber Ave. Pump Station 

2 Utilities P2 25640 Crenshaw 6 793 F5 Public 326-8915 Walteria Water Pump Station 

Works 

2 Utilities P2 3314 Sepulveda 6 763 E7 Public Works Edison 

2 Utilities P2 Crenshaw & Crest 6 793 F5 Public Works Water Reservoir 

2 Utilities P2 Cypress & Sepulveda 6 793 G1 Public Works Cypress St. Pump Station 

2 Schools P2 2080 W 231st St 6 793 H1 TARA 533-4516 Hull Middle 

2 Schools P2 2121 W 238th St 6 793 H2 TARA 533-4480 Adams Elementary 

2 Schools P2 2250 W 235th St 6 792 H2 TARA 533-4484 Wood Elementary 

2 Government Facilities P2 23115 S. Arlington 6 793 G1 TARA 375-8418 Southeast Branch Library 

2 Schools P2 24465 Madison St 6 793 D3 TARA 533-4487 Walteria Elementary 

2 Major Complex P2 2601 Airport 6 793 F5 TARA Rolling Hills Plaza 

2 Schools P2 2800 W 227th St 6 793 F1 TARA 533-4672 Hickory Elementary 





2 Schools P2 3420 W 229th St 6 793 E1 TARA 533-4689 Levy Adult 


2 Transportation Routes P2 Hawthorne Blvd 6 793 TARA Hawthorne Blvd 

2 Major Complex P2 Lomita & Crenshaw 6 793 F3 TARA 327-1091 Torrance Crossroads 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Pacific Coast Hwy 6 793 TARA Pacific Coast Hwy 

2 Transportation Routes P2 Sepulveda Blvd. 6 793 TARA Sepulveda Blvd. 

3 Utilities P3 237th & East of Telo 6 793 F2 Public Works 237th Street Stormwater Pump 

Station 

3 Utilities P3 Skypark & Hawthorne 6 793 D2 Public Works Walteria Stormwater Pump 

Station 


Supporting Documentation to 


City of Torrance

Table of Contents 

Background..................................................................................................................... 2 

Planning Process ............................................................................................................. 2 

Hazard Mitigation and Institutional Support .................................................................. 3 

Identification of Hazards................................................................................................. 4 

Earthquake .................................................................................................................. 4 

Flood Control.............................................................................................................. 5 

Landslides ................................................................................................................... 5 

Hazardous Materials ................................................................................................... 5 

Terrorists and Technological Hazards ........................................................................ 6 

Risk Assessment ............................................................................................................. 6 

Location .......................................................................................................................... 7 

Extents............................................................................................................................. 8 

Previous Occurrences...................................................................................................... 9 

Vulnerability to Assets.................................................................................................... 9 

Impacts to Assets ............................................................................................................ 9 

Mitigation Strategy ....................................................................................................... 10 

Mitigation Goals and Objectives: ............................................................................. 10 

Short-Term Strategies:.............................................................................................. 10 

Long-term Strategies................................................................................................. 10 

Mitigation Actions/Projects ...................................................................................... 11 

Prioritization Process ................................................................................................ 13 

Cost/Benefit Analysis Utilization ............................................................................. 13 

Implementation Process................................................................................................ 14 

Plan Adoption ............................................................................................................... 14 

Appendix A, Meeting and Announcement Documentation.......................................... 15 

Appendix B, Maps ........................................................................................................ 16

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CENTER 

The center’s committee membership consists of Gigi Thompson, Director of Fiscal and 

Administrative Services, Gail Petry, Classified Representative President, and Chuck 

Banda, Supervisor of Maintenance and Construction Manager. Assistance in preparation 

of the plan was received from Terese Condon, Torrance Police Department, the Alliance 

of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Programs (ASCIP), Tony Recalde, CM, Recalde 

Services, and Mike Martinet, Area G Office of Disaster Management. This committee 

has discussed the plan throughout its development and members have assisted in 

collecting the data necessary for identification of the hazards SCROC may suffer, both 

natural and manmade. Copies of all documents consulted are included in the maps and 

history appendix. 

Based upon information gathered and discussions with Torrance officials, the major 

hazards for which the Center is at risk, as well as the level of risk of each, were 

determined by the consensus of the committee. Goals and proposed mitigation actions 

were then discussed and prioritized. 

The document in progress has been posted at the Center’s website and discussed with the 

City of Torrance officials. All comments on the plan are included in the appendix on 

public involvement. Mitigation actions were assigned priorities by discussion of the 

committee members in conjunction with recommendations from the City. The relative 

importance of each risk factor determined its priority for action. The actions at each 

priority level were then evaluated for the benefits gained versus the cost. Those with the 

most benefit and least cost were given priority over those with more cost and lesser 

benefit. 

Hazard Mitigation and Institutional Support 

Hazard mitigation at Southern California Regional Occupational Center is supported as 

part of its continuing safety plan. Our objective is to provide a quality education in an 

environment conducive to learning. SCROC continues to incorporate the principles upon 

which it was founded including offering courses based upon the needs of business and 

industry labor market demands. The Center’s classrooms incorporate laboratories and 

working areas specific to the courses offered. Classrooms are continually upgraded to 

include the newest technology and equipment. Clearly, making the campus more resistant 

to natural and manmade hazards promotes these strategies and objectives. 

The Center has utilized funding to improve its existing facilities so that the safety of each 

building has increased over time. The roof of Building A was recently replaced. 

Sprinkler systems have been installed in all buildings. Some restrooms have been 

remodeled with handicapped safety in mind. The pit in Auto Technology area has been 

filled in to eliminate the obvious hazards associated with the open space. 

A new Technology Building is being constructed at a cost of $6,000,000 (six million 

dollars) to meet all identified hazards for the area, most notably seismic codes. The plans 

call for a two-story, multi-use building located on the west side of the property, in front 

3


of the Center’s current building C. It will house approximately 20,000 SF of offices, 

computer labs, classrooms, and other space for the Center. As designed, the building will 

meet 1997 UBC criteria. It is to be a structural steel building with conventional concrete 

foundations. 

Identification of Hazards 

Using data from sources such as regional hazard maps, the General Plan for the City of 

Torrance, and historical disaster research, hazards were identified as follows. 

Earthquake 

There are three fault zones likely to have the most impact on SCROC. 

• The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, about 2 miles northeast of the Center 

• The San Andreas Fault Zone, about 50 miles northeast 

• The Palos Verdes Fault Zone, which lies in the southern portion of Torrance. 

Also noteworthy is the fault titled “Torrance-Wilmington Blind Thrust Fault” 

Historically, earthquakes resulting from movement along the Newport-Inglewood Fault 

Zone have had the most effect on the Torrance area in general. This is because of the 

close proximity of fault to the city. According to the Uniform Building Code, this fault is 

a very high risk and stringent building design codes must be followed. (Map 5) 

The San Andreas Fault is the dominant active fault in California and is capable of 

generating a magnitude 8+ earthquake. Located 50 miles northeast, it is capable of 

causing considerable damage to the Torrance area. Because of the possible great 

magnitude, building codes are as strict for buildings in the San Andreas Fault zone as 

those for the Newport-Inglewood Fault zone. 

The Palos Verdes Fault Zone is a zone of faulting and intense folding about 1.24 miles in 

width and about 49.7 miles long. The Palos Verdes Fault Zone consists of separate 

segments, one onshore and two offshore. The segment lying onshore is of interest in the 

context of this element. It is important to note that the seismic histories of offshore faults 

are still not very well known. The onshore segment, which traverses the southern part of 

Torrance, is considered “potentially active.” 

The “Torrance-Wilmington Blind Thrust Fault” consists of a series of deeply buried blind 

thrusts associated with folded uplifted sedimentary bedrocks exhibiting no surface 

rupture. (Map 6) As an example of the damage this type of fault may cause, refer to the 

Whittier Narrows 5.9 earthquake that was the result of a ruptured blind thrust fault. It 

caused considerable damage. Further research of this fault system will undoubtedly be 

undertaken and should be followed closely by personnel in the City of Torrance. 

4


Keeping open communication between the Center and the City is of utmost importance 

for updates on this and other disaster updates. 

Because of the location of the Center to these faults, the Uniform Building Code sets 

procedures and limitations for design of structures based on the seismic risk. Torrance is 

in Zone 4, an area of great risk. These procedures and limitations are increased for critical 

facilities, including schools. 

Flood Control 

Natural drainage within Torrance is relatively poor due to the local topography and 

impermeable soils. SCROC however, is not located in the areas deemed a hazard per the 

National Flood Map (see Appendix B, Maps). FEMA’s Flood Hazard Map identifies 

Torrance and the Center as being located in Zone B. Zone B is described as an area with 

minimal or less than 1-percent chance of flooding. Any damage to the Center as a result 

of flooding would be minor and is not considered necessary in our Disaster Mitigation 

Plan. 

Landslides 

The City of Torrance, and hence SCROC, does not have any areas that are designated as 

unsafe due to potential landslides or mudslides except for the area facing the beach. 

SCROC is several miles from the beach and is not in danger from the one area deemed 

questionable. 

Hazardous Materials 

There are no classified hazardous materials manufactured on the SCROC campus. 

However, heavy industry based largely on petrochemical manufacturing and refining is 

within one mile of the Center. Specialized equipment, procedures and trained personnel 

are required in readiness for response to anticipated hazardous material accidents. The 

Torrance Fire Department, in cooperation with the Police Department, determine site 

evacuation plans and would be responsible for advising the Director of SCROC’s 

Emergency Operations Center if “shelter in place” or evacuation of the Center is required 

due to a hazardous material explosions, spillage, or other accidents. 

The City Fire Department also responds to incidents involving any vehicle transporting 

hazardous materials through the city. Train tracks run approximately 1.4 miles south of 

the Center. The General Plan for the City of Torrance emphasizes the importance of the 

City exercising its right to have access to State and Federal information about materials 

being transported, thus allowing the Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team to 

prepare appropriately for effective action should an incident occur. The Team will advise 

5


SCROC’s Emergency Operations Center Director if the incident requires action on the 

Center’s campus. 

Terrorists and Technological Hazards 

The Disaster Mitigation Act was originally written to mitigate losses from natural 

hazards. Today’s hazards to life and property must include reference to terrorist activity 

and technological hazards. Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as 

“…the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or 

coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of 

political or social objectives.” (28 CFR, Section 0.85). 

In the context of this plan, mitigation refers to specific actions that will reduce loss of life 

and property. 

Communities need to reduce their vulnerability to terrorist attacks and technological 

disasters. The chart on the next two pages lists types of hazards that may be incurred and 

various ways to reduce vulnerability. Initially, the Center will endeavor to increase 

security of the campus by requiring visitors to wear identification passes, and patrolling 

the parking areas for suspicious vehicles. SCROC will work with City planners to 

continue examining ways to reduce vulnerability in general. 

Risk Assessment 

Using the hazard identification data above, risk assessment of the major hazards was 

made. The committee deliberated to decide the highest probability and greatest risk of 

natural hazards facing the Center. The following represents a summary of the 

committee’s consensus findings. 

Hazard Probability Risk 

Earthquake High High 

Flood Low Low 

Landslide Low Low 

Windstorm Low Low 

Wildland Fire Low Low 

Tsunami Low Low 

Of the natural hazards discussed, only earthquake was noted as being worthy of further 

research to access potential risk and mitigation action. The possibility of damage due to 

flooding is minimal. According to the Torrance area GIS Flood Zone Map, our Center is 

not located in a flood zone. The location of the Center is on flat land, with no 

surrounding hills or reason to anticipate a substantial disaster due to a landslide. 

6


Research has shown that there is no danger from Wildland Fires, as documented by Los 

Angeles County. The danger of a Tsunami to the city is minimal, and to the Center even 

less likely. The Center is located 4.8 miles from the Pacific Ocean on the west and 8.4 

miles on the southwest. No Tsunami has been noted in the recorded history of Torrance. 

The distance of the Center from the mountain passes makes Windstorms a minimal 

hazard. Records show no major windstorm in the area since the 1970’s and that 

windstorm did not cause sufficient damage to be declared a disaster. 

Manmade hazards discussed include the following. 

Hazard Probability Risk 

Oil Production Low Low 

Hazardous materials Medium Medium 

Terrorists Medium Medium 

Destruction due to explosions from oil and gas recovery and production were considered 

a low probability given the steps that have already been taken by the City of Torrance and 

the oil refineries to mitigate hazards. Risk from contamination due to spills of hazardous 

substances has necessitated ongoing maximum preparedness by the city. Steps have 

already been taken by the Torrance Fire Department to not only avoid oil and hazardous 

material incidents from happening, but also to mitigate any injuries and property 

destruction that may occur as the result of an accident. 

Location 

A map of the Center detailing its current structures as well as the area for the proposed 

new Technology Building is found in the Appendix B, Maps. All Center land and 

structures are subject to the major risks identified. Due to the age of the structures at the 

Center, all existing buildings as well as the parking areas would be susceptible should a 

disaster occur. The two main buildings, A and C, were built prior to current earthquake 

building standards and do not meet current seismic building code recommendations. In 

the event of a major earthquake, buildings A and C would be a total disaster. 

The Center also houses several portable building units utilized as classrooms, 

boardrooms, and offices. The Horticulture class space includes an office made of wood, 

a greenhouse, and covered patio area. A chain fence surrounds the perimeter of the 

facility, with various sliding gates. 

The portion of the property bordering Crenshaw Blvd. is leased to Scott Robinson Honda 

as a repair and service center. SCROC is separated from the Honda business by a chain 

link fence. Additionally, Honda leases space on the roof of building C for auto storage 

and repair. The roof of building C also houses a system of satellite dishes owned by 

Nextel. The space upon which the satellite dishes are placed is leased to Nextel. 

7


The buildings currently on the site include: 

Extents 

• Building A. Built of brick on studs and siding. 39,800 square feet. Now 

housing registration offices, administrative offices, classrooms including 

computer laboratories and medical assisting labs, phone and alarm 

equipment. 

• Building C. Built of brick on masonry and stucco. 100,801 square feet. 

Housing classrooms including auto bays, digital graphic laboratories, and 

floral design refrigerated rooms. The Center’s main computer equipment 

is in this building. Portions of the roof of building C are leased to Honda 

and Nextel. Honda utilizes the area as an additional repair site and as a 

parking area for some of the cars awaiting repair. Nextel leases space that 

houses their satellites. 

• Building B portable trailer units used as classrooms. 

• Maintenance and warehouse buildings built of noncombustible siding 

metal and studs. 

• Building E is a portable trailer used for business and administrative 

services including accounting and personnel. 

• Horticulture area located behind the Maintenance building includes an 

office constructed of wood, a patio area covered with wood slats, and a 

glass greenhouse. 

• Two large portable units in the east parking lot are currently rented. 

Utilized as Career Center and board conference room. 

• Snack area is constructed joisted masonry. The adjoining covered patio 

seating space is primarily wooden. 

• Small security guard house of wood is at the Center entrance. 

Trees located on the park north of the Center are of sufficient size to possibly do damage 

to Building A roof and to cars parked in the west parking lot. Financial loss to the Center 

would include repair of building A and loss of ADA revenue while students are without 

classrooms. 

Should a large earthquake be experienced the Center would likely face total destruction 

of all existing buildings including the portable units. Replacement of buildings A and C 

is currently estimated at $35,000,000 (thirty-five million dollars). This estimate is based 

on the dollar per square foot estimates given for the Technology Building now in preconstruction 

phase. Replacement cost of the Technology Building would depend upon the 

phase of construction at the time of the incident. The value of capital equipment 

excluding information system equipment is estimated at $8,500,000 (eight million five 

hundred thousand dollars.) Replacement of information technology equipment including 

computer laboratories in the classrooms is estimated at $4,000,000 (four million dollars.) 

This figure does not include costs to repave the existing parking areas that would likely 

be destroyed in a large quake. In addition to the loss of physical assets, the Center would 

suffer financial loss of rent now received from Scott Honda Robinson and Nextel. 

8


Previous Occurrences 

On February 9, 1971, the Sylmar/San Fernando experienced an earthquake registering 6.5 

on the Richter scale. Losses exceeded half a billion dollars. The quake was felt in the 

area, but SCROC incurred no major losses. FEMA representatives inspected the Center, 

but damage was not sufficient to warrant a disaster funding. 

On November 14, 1941 the Torrance/Gardena earthquake hit registering 5.8 to 6.0 on the 

Richter scale. This was prior to construction of the Center. No other major earthquakes 

have been recorded for the area. 

The last windstorm recorded was in the 1970’s. Again, records show damage to the city 

and to the Center specifically were insufficient to be declared a federal disaster. 

Vulnerability to Assets 

The structural design of the current buildings will not withstand a major earthquake 

centralized in the area. SCROC is committed to meeting UBC and other building codes 

and will do so in all planning and building of the new Technology Building. Deferred 

maintenance funds have been allocated for upgrade of the existing buildings as funds 

become available. Specific attention will be given to keep critical components of the 

campus, including utility and communication systems functional. 

In addition to loss of the facilities themselves, instructional equipment may be damaged 

or destroyed in a major earthquake. The equipment varies from class to class including 

computers for IT, large engines, transmissions, and cars for Auto Technology, medical 

and dental equipment for Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting classes; and washing 

units and supplies for cosmetology classes. Without these assets in a secure and usable 

condition, operations at the Center would almost immediately cease. 

Impacts to Assets 

From a less than totally catastrophic earthquake the main risks for the Center are internal 

to the buildings. These would include items toppling over or falling from shelves. For 

that reason, the proposed mitigation actions include properly anchoring furnishings and 

equipment against these dangers. These things represent the critical infrastructure the 

Center uses in its mission to instruct students, and are vulnerable to damage from even a 

smaller quake. 

The ultimate impact to the Center from a major earthquake would be the suspension of all 

operations for the period of time it takes to repair any structural damage and return order 

to classrooms and offices. Such loss of operation, depending on the severity of the event, 

9


could mean closing the Center from several days to several weeks. The Center would 

also loose revenue generated by leases to Scott Honda and Nextel if building C is 

structurally damaged and uninhabitable. 

The likelihood of other major hazards such as windstorm or wildfire, that may affect the 

Center are minimal and historically not of sufficient significance to warrant major 

mitigation measures. 

Mitigation Strategy 

Mitigation Goals and Objectives: 

The greatest potential natural hazard to Southern California Regional Occupational 

Center is judged to be due to earthquake. The goal of the Center is to minimize losses to 

existing and future buildings, increasing faculty, staff, and student understanding and 

commitment to hazard mitigation, and improving coordination of planning with local city 

and healthcare organizations. 

Short-Term Strategies: 

Goal #1: 

Goal #2: 

Goal #3: 

Minimize losses to existing and future Center buildings. 

Objective 1A.1: Improve internal facility resistance to damage. 

Objective 1A.2: Seek local or state capital assistance. 

Increase college faculty, staff, and student understanding and commitment 

to hazard mitigation. 

Objective 2A.1: Involve the safety committee members in hazard 

mitigation issues. 

Objective 2A.2: Discuss hazard mitigation at staff meetings to make all 

certificated and classified personnel aware of the efforts needed to 

mitigate damage losses. 

Objective 2A.3: Keep the students advised of hazard mitigation programs 

by posting on the website. 

Improve coordination with local city officials, police department and fire 

department. 

Objective 3A.1: Share all plans related to disaster response. 

Objective 3A.2: Seek further local participation. 

Objective 3A.3: Participation in city disaster planning and safety courses. 

Long-term Strategies 

10


Goal #1: 

Goal #2: 

Goal #3: 

Minimize losses to existing and future buildings. 

Objective 1B.1: Ensure existing structures are strengthened against the 

major hazards whenever renovations are undertaken. 

Objective 1B.2: Build future structures to exceed seismic standards. 

Objective 1B.3: Replace structures that are not economical to upgrade. 

Objective 1B.4: Incorporate master planning goals. 

Increase faculty, staff, and student understanding and commitment to 

hazard mitigation. 

Objective 2B.1: Develop an independent Hazard Mitigation Committee. 

Objective 2B.2: Continue to publish actions on the website. 

Improve coordination of planning with local municipalities and healthcare 

organizations. 

Objective 3B.1: Reassess needs following future disasters. 

Objective 3B.2: Continue meeting with city officials to update area plans. 

Mitigation Actions/Projects 

Earthquake is the most likely natural hazard facing the Center. For every objective, up to 

three action items are listed that are attainable and a good cost-to-benefit ratio. 


Action 1: Perform on-going facility inspections looking for bookcases, computers, etc. in 

danger of falling during seismic events. (Cost should be minimal.) 

Objective 1A.2: Seek local and state capital assistance. 

Action 2: Apply for mitigation funding to assist existing capital projects as it becomes 

available. (Cost funded via FEMA/Grant Funding.) 

Objective 2A.1: Enlist the Center safety committee. 

Action 3: Train members of the committee, as well as Center maintenance and security 

personnel to identify non-structural safety measures needed. Cost should be minimal. 

Action 4: Train members of the safety committee in post-earthquake evaluation of the 

buildings. (Cost is minimal.) 

Objective 2A.2: Encourage classified and certificated personnel to advise the Hazard 

Committee Members of any non-structural enhancements that could be made. (Cost 

variable depending on the specific enhancement.) 

Action 5: Train each department on disaster and personal safety procedures. (Cost 

minimal.) 

Objective 2A.3: Involve the entire Center community. 

Action 6: Provide disaster drills to staff and students. (Cost minimal) 

Action 7: Provide a disaster bulletin board with current information on response teams 

and training. (Cost minimal) 

11


Action 8: Keep a copy of the current disaster response plan to all administrators and 

safety team members. Give a copy to the city DMA representative with a floor plan of 

the Center. (Cost minimal) 


Action 9: Keep emergency response current and approved with the city’s disaster 

planning personnel. 

Objective 3A.2: Continue the Center’s commitment to the community. 

Action 10: Keep website updated with disaster mitigation measures planned and 

completed. (Cost minimal) 

Action 11: Continue to invite community members via the website to attend planning 

meetings. (Cost minimal) 

Action 12: Coordinate a disaster drill involving the City of Torrance, the fire department 

and the police department. Include the police SWAT team in the drill. (Cost minimal) 

Objective 1B.1: Ensure existing structures are strengthened against the major hazards 

whenever renovations are undertaken. (Cost minimal) 

Action 13. Enact policy that requires all capital projects look at improving resistance to 

major hazards. (Cost minimal) 

Objective 1B.2: Design future structures with parts that are critical to exceed seismic or 

other relevant standards. 

Action 14. New facilities will be constructed to meet or exceed seismic and other 

relevant standards. 


Action 15. All questionable structures will receive a periodic structural hazard 

evaluation, and, from this information, recommendations concerning their disposition 

will be made. 


Action 16. Incorporate hazard mitigation methods in all future facility upgrades. 


Action 17. Create a separate Hazard Mitigation Committee whose mission is specifically 

the updating of plans, investigating of the Centers state of readiness, and coordinating 

drills with Torrance city personnel, fire department, and police department. 

Objective 2B.2: Develop tools to broadcast activities. 

Action 18. Provide information about disaster readiness and mitigation on the Center’s 

website. 

Action 19. Post bulletins throughout the campus listing disaster and safety programs and 

changes to the committee members. 

Objective 3B.1 Reassess needs following future disasters. 

12


Action 20. Meet with the city and other government representatives following a real 

disaster in order to upgrade response plans and mitigation measures taken. 

Objective 3B.2 Continue meeting with city officials to update area plans. 

Action 21. Continue to meet with city Disaster Committee representatives, as well as the 

area disaster representatives to keep informed of new filing requirements and mitigation 

procedures. 

Prioritization Process 

Cost/Benefit Analysis Utilization 

Factors to consider in prioritization of actions needed included estimates of relative cost 

versus the benefit of each action. Also, for every proposed action, funding availability 

was taken into consideration. Many of the actions above require little direct funding, and 

their costs can be absorbed into operating budgets. Those that require substantial funding 

will be listed in order of benefit priority in the list of projects funded with deferred 

maintenance funds. 

Additional funds in the form of grants may be requested from FEMA and other Federal 

Grants. Federal grants are periodically offered for mitigation projects, as well as disaster 

recovery. Both of these mechanisms can be employed for the actions that relate to 

specific more expensive capital activities that require long-term improvements to existing 

facilities. 

The Hazard Mitigation Committee determined the actions that were required first, and 

assigned the proposed 21 actions a rating based on cost to benefit. The rating was based 

on a 1 to 5 score, with 5 being most urgent and within current financial considerations. 

Action Number Rating Action Number Rating 

1 4 11 3 

2 1 12 2 

3 3 13 5 

4 3 14 5 

5 3 15 2 

6 4 16 5 

7 3 17 4 

8 5 18 3 

9 5 19 2 

10 4 20 1 

21 4 

Based on the scores above, the actions were grouped by rating: 

Rating of 5, most important given cost: Action 8,9,13,14,and 16 

13


Rating of 4, : Action 6,10,17, 1, and 21 

Rating of 3 : Action 3,4,5,7,11, and 18 

Rating of 2 : Action 12,15,and 19 

Rating of 1 : Action 2,and 20 

Implementation Process 

The Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for implementation of the areas of the plan 

concerning identifying hazards, recommending mitigation measures necessary, and 

implementation of mitigation measures as financially feasible. The Secretary of the 

Disaster Mitigation Committee is responsible for the actions requiring posting of bulletin 

boards and website updates. An elected committee member will assume the 

responsibility of contacting the city and various other agencies to distribute copies of the 

Center’s plan, as well as keeping in touch on an on-going basis. 

This is a five-year plan and all actions should be completed within that time framework. 

Regular reports of the progress of actions will be made to the Disaster Committee and the 

Safety Committee. Both committees will meet at least once every six months to discuss 

the progress of implementation and to address any “holes” in the plan. 

Plan Adoption 

This plan will be presented to the Board of Southern California Regional Occupational 

Center for approval at the next regular meeting. Each substantial revision to this plan 

will be presented to and approved by the Board, since this plan is a living document 

subject to change as and when needed. 

Hazard Mitigation Program 

Southern California Regional Occupational Center 

14


Appendix A, Meeting and Announcement Documentation 

15


Appendix B, Maps 

16

TORRANCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 


2335 Plaza Del Amo 

Torrance, CA 90501 

(310) 972-6500

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Background…………………………………………………………….. 1 

Planning Process……………………………………………………….. 1 

Hazard Mitigation and Institutional Support…………………………… 2 

Identification of Natural Hazards………………………………………. 2 

Earthquake……………………………………………………………… 3 

Estimating Potential Losses……………………………………………. 4 

Flood Control…………………………………………………………… 5 

Landslides………………………………………………………………. 5 

Hazardous Materials……………………………………………………. 5 


Mitigation Goals and Objectives……………………………………….. 6 

Short-Term Strategies…………………………………………………... 6 

Long-Term Strategies…………………………………………………... 7 

Mitigation Action/Projects……………………………………………... 7 

Implementation Process………………………………………………… 9 

Plan Adoption & Summary…………………………………………….. 10 

Appendix - Maps 

Torrance Unified School District 

Earthquake Fault Map 

Active Fault Near-Source Zones 

Torrance-Wilmington Fold and Thrust Belt 

National Flood Hazard Program: Areas Subject to Shallow Flooding 

in 100 Year Storm 

Flood Zone Map

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan 

TORRANCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

JULY 2004 

Background 

The Federal Mitigation Act of 2000 requires local jurisdictions and non-profit 

agencies eligible for FEMA disaster mitigation funding to develop, approve, 

and maintain a Hazardous Mitigation Plan. This plan addresses those potential 

events having the most significant risks for each agency or jurisdiction. Such a 

plan takes into account historical records as well as recent developments to 

assess the amount of risks from each possible event. 

The hazards so identified are then categorized according to the relative level of 

risk of loss resulting from each. Finally, plans to mitigate the greatest risks due 

to the most likely events are developed. Implementation of these plans is then 

the ongoing responsibility of each entity, as is a regular plan review and the 

updating process. 

The Torrance Unified School District (herein referred to as to TUSD) consists 

of 17 Elementary Schools, 8 Middle Schools, 4 Primary High Schools, 1 

Continuation High School, 1 Children’s Center, 1 Curriculum Center, 3 Adult 

Education Centers, the Triangle Facility, Purchasing, Grounds, Maintenance, 

Transportation, EMB, and the District Offices. 

Planning Process 

TUSD is following a course to develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan that 

includes input on all parts of the plan from faculty, staff, students, PTA, and 

community. TUSD is also including input from the City of Torrance’s 

DMA committee. All documentation developed that ultimately becomes a 

part of this plan and its future revisions is and will be subject to review, 

modification as needed, and approval by this broad-based citizen group. 

In the 2003/2004 fiscal year, TUSD’s Hazardous Mitigation Committee 

members made note of this report with members of TUSD’s Emergency 

1

Preparedness committee, which consists of community members, principals, 

PTA volunteers, District staff and teachers. Representatives from our 

committee also attended meetings of the City of Torrance Disaster Council 

whose members included representatives from the local Fire Department, 

Police Department, and SCROC. 

TUSD’S committee membership consists of Robin Fisher, Manager of 

Material Support Services, Phil Fielding, Director of Maintenance and 

Operations, Scott Mercier, Manager of Maintenance & Operations, Sharon 

Donald, Manager of Projects & Facilities, and Kathleen Hodge, Director of 

Purchasing & Administrative Services. Assistance in the preparation of this 

plan was provided by Terese Condon, Torrance Police Department, the 

Alliance of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Program (ASCIP), and Mike 

Martinet, Area G Office of Disaster Management. 

The document in progress will be posted to the TUSD website and discussed 

with the City of Torrance officials. Mitigation actions were assigned 

priorities by discussion by the committee members in conjunction with 

recommendations from the City. 

Hazard Mitigation and Institutional Support 

Our Facilities Management Plan, Emergency Preparedness Program, and 

Risk Management are part of our ongoing safety plan supporting our hazard 

mitigation at TUSD. Our objective is to provide a quality education in an 

environment that is safe and conducive to learning. TUSD’S classrooms and 

facilities are continually inspected and upgraded wherever feasible making 

our schools more resistant to natural hazards. 

Identification of Natural Hazards 

Using data from sources such as regional hazard maps, the General Plan for 

the City of Torrance, and historical disaster research, hazards were identified 

as follows. 

2

Earthquake 

There are three fault zones likely to have the most impact on TUSD. 

• Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, about 2 miles northeast of District 

Headquarters. 

• San Andreas Fault Zone, about 50 miles northeast. 

• Palos Verdes Fault Zone, which lies in the southern portion of Torrance. 

Also noteworthy is the fault titled “Torrance-Wilmington Blind Trust Fault.” 

Historically, earthquakes resulting from movement along the Newport- 

Inglewood Fault have had the most effect on the Torrance area in general. 

This is because of close proximity to the city. According to the Uniform 

Building Code, this fault is a very high risk and stringent building design codes 

must be followed. 

The San Andreas Fault is the dominant active fault in California and is capable 

of generating a magnitude 8+ earthquake. Located 50 miles northeast, it is 

capable of causing considerable damage to the Torrance Area. Because of the 

possible great magnitude, building codes are as strict for buildings in the San 

Andreas Fault Zone as those for the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone. 

The Palos Verdes Fault Zone is a zone of faulting and intense folding about 1.24 

miles in width and about 49.7 miles long. This zone consists of separate 

segments, one shoreline and two offshore. The segment lying onshore is of 

interest in the context of this element. It is important to note that the seismic 

histories of offshore faults are still not very well known. The onshore segment, 

which traverses the southern part of Torrance, is considered “potentially active.” 

The “Torrance-Wilmington Blind Thrust Fault” consists of a series of deeply 

buried blind thrusts associated with folded uplifted sedimentary bedrocks 

exhibiting no surface rupture. As an example of the damage this type of fault 

may cause, refer to the Whittier Narrow 5.9 earthquake that was the result of a 

ruptured blind thrust fault. It caused considerable damage. Further research of 

this fault system will undoubtedly be undertaken and should be followed closely 

by personnel in the City of Torrance. Keeping open communication between 

TUSD and the City is of utmost importance for updates on this and all types of 

potential disasters. 

3


An earthquake is impossible to predict. When, where, what type and what 

magnitude are all unknown dangers. Therefore, it’s impossible to forecast 

overall damage to infrastructure of our facilities prior to an event. 

The following table lists appraised value of District facilities. 

Adams 2121 238TH ST $6,242,200 

Anza 21400 Ellinwood $6,243,200 

Arlington 17800 Van Ness Ave $8,723,600 

Arnold 4100 W. 227 TH ST $9,694,600 

Carr 3404 W. 168 TH ST $8,121,000 

Edison 3800 W. 182 TH ST $7,992,000 

Fern 1314 Fern Ave. $6,139,400 

Greenwood 1520 Greenwood Ave $1,248,000 

Hickory 2800 W. 227 TH ST $10,858,000 

Lincoln 2418 W. 166 TH ST $8,530,000 

Riviera 365 Paseo De Arena $7,997,200 

Seaside 4651 Sharynne Lane $9,033,400 

Torrance Elem. 2125 Lincoln Ave. $7,771,000 

Towers 5600 Towers ST. $7,903,200 

Victor 4820 Spencer ST. $12,239,000 

Walteria 24456 Madison Ave. $9,517,400 

Wood 2250 W. 235 TH ST. $7,391,400 

Yukon 17815 Yukon Ave. $6,048,400 

Calle Mayor 4800 Calle Mayor $9,317,800 

Casimir 17220 Casimir Ave. $9,230,200 

Hull 2080 W. 231 ST. $9,262,200 

Jefferson 21717 Talisman ST. $7,431,800 

Lynn 5038 Halison ST. $8,684,800 

Madrona 21364 Madrona Ave. $8,915,200 

Magruder 4100 W. 185 TH ST. $8,726,400 

Richardson 23751 Nancy Lee Lane $8,264,000 

North High 3620 W. 182 ND ST. $49,467,800 

West High 20401 Victor ST. $48,112,400 

South High 4801 Pacific Coast Hwy. $46,223,200 

Torrance High 2200 Carson ST. $48,188,400 

Shery High 2600 Vine ST. $2,940,000 

Hamilton Adult 2606 W. 182 ND ST. $5,452,200 

4

Levy Adult 3420 W. 229 TH PL. $6,750,000 

Griffith Adult 2291 Washington Ave. $4,494,000 

Triangle Site 2201 Plaza Del Amo $1,074,200 

Child Care Child Care Center $2,021,200 

Flood Control 

The City of Torrance and TUSD believe that flood dangers have been 

diminished. However, a hundred year storm could cause significant damage, 

and the Walteria dam has the potential of causing significant property loss 

and death if it should burst. However, we don’t anticipate any damages or 

losses to any TUSD facilities. Natural drainage in Torrance is reasonable 

and any damage to our facilities could be minor. 

Landslides 

Landslides are still prevalent in the City and are still a significant hazard. 

TUSD does not have any areas that are designated as unsafe due to potential 

landslides or mudslides. The City has an area that it is a potential hazard 

and that’s the area facing the beach. 

Hazardous Materials 

TUSD is in compliance with the acquisition, use and disposal of hazardous 

materials. Procedures are in place and trained personnel are required in 

readiness for response to anticipated hazardous material accidents. The 

Torrance Fire Department, in cooperation with the Torrance Police 

Department, determine site evacuation plans and would be responsible for 

advising the Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, Command 

Center Liaison if “shelter in place” or evacuation of any school facility is 

required due to a hazardous material explosion, spillage, or other accident. 

The City Fire Department also responds to incidents involving any vehicle 

transporting hazardous materials through the city. Train tracks run 

approximately 1.4 miles north of Torrance High School. The General Plan for 

the City of Torrance emphasizes the importance of the City exercising it’s 

right to have access to State and Federal information about materials being 

transported, thus allowing the Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team 

5

to prepare appropriately for effective action should an incident occur. The 

Team will advise the Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, 

Command Center Liaison if the incident requires action on any of our school 

sites or facilities. 


Mitigation Goals and Objectives: 

An earthquake has been designated as the greatest potential natural hazard to 

the TUSD. Our goal is to minimize losses, utilizing available funds and 

resources, to existing and future buildings, increase faculty, staff, and students 

understanding and commitment to hazard mitigation, and improving 

coordination of planning with local city and healthcare organizations. 

Short-Term Strategies: 

Goal #1: 

Goal #2: 

Goal #3: 

Minimize losses to existing and future facilities. 


Objective 1A.2: Seek local or state capital assistance. 

Increase faculty, staff, and student understanding and 

commitment to hazard mitigation. 

Objective 2A.1: Involve the safety committee members in 

hazard communication issues. 

Objective 2A.2: Discuss hazard mitigation at staff meetings to 

make all certificated and classified personnel aware of the efforts 

needed to mitigate damage losses. 

Objective 2A.3: Keep TUSD employees and the community 

advised of the hazard mitigation programs by posting to the 

District’s website. 

Improve coordination with local city officials, police department 

and fire department. 


Objective 3A.2: Seek further local participation. 

6

Objective 3A.3: Participation in the city disaster planning and 

safety courses. 

Long-Term Strategies 

Goal #1: 

Goal #2: 

Goal #3 

Minimize losses to existing and future buildings. 

Objective 1B.1: Ensure existing facilities are strengthened 

against the major hazards utilizing available funds and resources. 


Increase faculty, staff, and student understanding and 

commitment to hazard mitigation. 

Objective 2B.1: Develop an independent Hazard Mitigation 

Committee. 

Objective 2B.2: Continue to publish actions on website. 

Improve coordination of planning with local municipalities and 

healthcare organizations. 


Objective 3B.2: Continue to meet with city officials to update 

our area plans. 

Mitigation Action/Projects 

Earthquake is the most likely natural hazard facing TUSD. For every 

objective, up to three actions are listed that are attainable and a good cost-tobenefit 

ratio. 


Action 1: Perform on-going facility inspections to secure bookcases, 

computers, light fixtures, filing cabinets that are in danger of falling during 

seismic events. (Cost should be minimal) 

Objective 1A.2: Seek local and state capital assistance. 

Action 2: Apply for mitigation funding to assist with capital projects 

whenever possible. Film all window glass for safety. (Cost funded via 

FEMA/Grant Funding) 

Objective 2A.1: Enlist the TUSD Safety Committee. 

7

Action 3: Train members of the committee and District staff to identify nonstructural 

safety measures needed. (Cost should be minimal) 

Action 4: Train members of the committee in post-earthquake evaluation of 

our facilities. (Cost is minimal) 

Objective 2A.2: Encourage classified and certificated staff to advise the 

Hazard Committee Members of any non-structural enhancements that could 

be made. (Cost varies on a case-by-case basis) 

Action 5: Train each site and department on disaster and personal safety 

procedures. (Cost is minimal) 

Objective 2A.3: Involve all schools and departments. 

Action 6: Provide disaster drills to staff and students. (Cost minimal) 

Action 7: Provide disaster bulletin board with current information on 

response teams and training. (Cost minimal) 

Action 8: Give a copy of the current disaster response plan to all 

administrators and safety team members. Provide a copy to the City DMA 

representative with a floor plan of the district. 


Action 9: Keep emergency response current and approved with the city’s 

disaster planning personnel. 

Objective 3A.2: Continue the District’s commitment to the community. 

Action 10: Keep the website updated with disaster mitigation measures 

planned and completed. (Cost minimal) 

Action 11: Continue to invite community members via the website to attend 

planning meetings. (Cost minimal) 

Action 12: Coordinate a disaster drill involving the City of Torrance, the fire 

department and the police department. Include the police SWAT team in the 

drill. (Cost minimal) 

Objective 1B.1: Ensure existing structures are strengthened against the major 

hazards whenever renovations are undertaken. 

Action 13: Enforce the policy that requires all capital projects consider 

improving resistance to major hazards. 

Objective 1B.2: Design future structures with parts that are critical to exceed 

seismic or other relevant standards. 

8

Action 14: New facilities will be constructed to meet or exceed seismic and 

other relevant standards. 


Action 15: District structures will receive a periodic structural hazard 

evaluation and, from this information, recommendations concerning their 

disposition will be made. (Pending available funds and resources) 


Action 16: Incorporate hazard mitigation methods in all future facility 

upgrades. 


Create a separate Hazard Mitigation Committee whose mission is specifically 

the updating of plans, investigating the District’s state of readiness, and 

coordinating drills with Torrance city personnel, fire department, and police 

department. 

Objective 2B.2: Develop tools to broadcast activities. 

Action 18: Provide information relative to disaster readiness and mitigation 

on the district’s website. 

Action 19: Post bulletins throughout our school sites and departments listing 

disaster and safety programs and changes to the committee members. 


Action 20: Meet with the city and other government representatives following 

a real disaster in order to review and possibly upgrade response plans and 

mitigation measures taken. 

Objective 3B.2: Continue meeting with city officials to update area plans. 

Action 21: Continue meeting with City Disaster Committee representatives, 

as well as the area disaster representative to keep informed of new filing 

requirements and mitigation procedures. 

Implementation Process 

The Director of Maintenance & Operations is responsible for the 

implementation of the areas of the plan concerning identifying hazards, 

recommending mitigation measures necessary, and implementation of 

9

mitigation measures as financially feasible. The secretary of the Disaster 

Mitigation Committee is responsible for the actions requiring posting of 

bulletin boards and website updates. An elected committee member will 

assume the responsibility of contacting the city and various other agencies to 

distribute copies of the District’s plan, as well as keeping in touch on an ongoing 

basis. 

This is a five-year plan and all actions should be completed within that time 

framework. Regular reports of the progress of actions will be made to the 

Disaster Committee and the Safety Committee. Both committees will meet at 

least once every six months to discuss the progress of implementation and to 

address any needed improvements that could be added to the plan. 

Plan Adoption & Summary 

The City of Torrance is now just about a fully built city that has been 

incorporated since the 1920’s. TUSD was founded in 1947 and our existing 

schools and facilities are sufficient. TUSD has a history of maintaining safe 

schools and facilities and we will be working in conjunction with the City of 

Torrance to enhance the mitigation of natural hazards. This plan will be 

presented to the Board of Education and is a living document subject to 

change as and when needed. 

10

OPENING CEREMONIES 

AGENDA 

ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 

TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 

5:30 P.M. – EXECUTIVE SESSION 

7:00 P.M. - REGULAR BUSINESS BEGINS 

IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS 

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER. 

ROLL CALL: Mr. Lieu, Mr. Mauno, Mrs. McIntyre, Mr. Nowatka, 

Mr. Scotto, Mrs. Witkowsky, Mayor Walker 

2. FLAG SALUTE: 

NON SECTARIAN INVOCATION: 

The Courts have concluded that sectarian prayer as part of City Council meetings is not permitted under the 

Constitution. 

3. MOTION TO ACCEPT AND FILE REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA. 

MOTION TO WAIVE FURTHER READING. 

4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN OR DEFERRED ITEMS. 

5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

6. COMMUNITY MATTERS 

A. PROCLAMATION declaring September 18, 2004 as Coastal Clean Up Day in the 

City of Torrance and urging all residents to participate in maintaining Torrance Beach 

and all other beaches to demonstrate our commitment to environmental awareness 

and ecological improvement. 

B. Presentation of a plaque to Scott Gobble - Southern California Edison, for seven 

years of service on the Carson/Lomita/Torrance Workforce Investment Network 

Board. 

7. CONSENT CALENDAR 

Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion and 

one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be 

removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. 

A. Approval of minutes of June 22, July 13, July 20, July 27, and August 3, 2004. 

B. Recommendation of the Finance Director that City Council approve a multi-year 

(Fiscal Years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006) agreement with the City of Palos Verdes 

Estates for an exchange for $65,000 and $130,000 in City of Torrance General Funds 

for $100,000 and $200,000 respectively of Proposition A Local Return Funds from the 

City of Palos Verdes Estates. 

C. Recommendation of the General Services Director that City Council 

1) Award a contract to Tamang Electric for $129,400 with a 5% contingency of 

$6,470, for replacement of generators located at Fire Station #5 (FEAP #8), West 

Annex (FEAP #48) and Civic Center Library (FEAP #53) (B2004-24); and 

2) Authorize an appropriation of $59,679.21 from the Building Maintenance Capital 

Project Fund. 

ROLL CALL: LIEU, MAUNO, MCINTYRE, NOWATKA, SCOTTO, WITKOWSKY AND WALKER 09-14-2004

D. Recommendation of the General Services Director that City Council approve a 

contract amendment with Abeam Construction (C2004-062) for $26,053.30 for a total 

contract amount of $590,378.22. 

E. Recommendation of the General Services Director and the Transit Director that 

City Council award a contract to Bartef Yoosephiance & Associates for $27,000 with 

a contingency of $1,350 for mechanical engineering design for the replacement of the 

HVAC units (FEAP #182) and exhaust fans (FEAP #181) at the City Yard and 

installation of the HVAC system at Transit Building (FEAP #406). 

F. Recommendation of the General Services Director and the Parks and 

Recreation Director that City Council: 

1) Award a contract with BOA Architecture for $33,600 with a contingency of $1,680 

for design services for Phase II - Joslyn Gallery Landscaping (FEAP #485); and 

2) Authorize an appropriation of $35,280 from the Parks and Recreation Open 

Space Fund. 

G. Recommendation of the Land Management Team that City Council consent to the 

proposed construction improvements on City-owned property located at 3401 Airport 

Drive (C93-027). 

H. Recommendation of the Acting Public Works Director that City Council authorize a 

contract services agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. of Anaheim, CA in an 

amount not to exceed $140,000 to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment required 

for tree and/or stump removal, tree planting and tree trimming on an as needed basis 

at various locations throughout the City of Torrance for a period of three years. 

(B2004-31) 

I. Recommendation of the Transit Director that City Council authorize the City 

Manager to apply for and the Transit Department to submit on his behalf an 

application for an amount not to exceed $2,766,000. This includes $2,546,000 in 

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Urbanized Area Formula Section 5307 Capital 

funds and $220,000 in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. 

J. Recommendation of the Chief of Police that City Council appropriate and allocate 

$50,000 from the US Treasury Unappropriated Asset Forfeiture account to establish 

an account for recruitment purposes (FEAP #486). 

K. Recommendation of the Chief of Police that City Council approve an amendment to 

the no cost agreement between the City of Torrance and Van Lingen Towing (C2001- 

199) for vehicle towing and storage services as permitted in the original agreement 

which was entered into both parties on September 16, 2001. 

L. Recommendation of the Human Resources Director that City Council authorize the 

Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest to Amendment One to the sublease 

agreement by and between the City of Torrance and Global Equity Lending, Inc. 

(C2004-092) to increase the space by 473 square feet, require a demising wall, and 

make administrative changes. 

M. Recommendation of the Acting Public Works Director that City Council: 

1) Approve a change order in the amount of $99,322.39 and authorize a 5% 

contingency in the amount of $4,966.12 to Public Works Agreement with Griffith 


Company (C2004-006) for a new not-to-exceed amount of $576,473.72 for 

replacment of valves on Pacific Coast Highway transmission main; 

2) Appropriate $104,288.51 from the Water Enterprise Fund to CIP No. I-43; and 

3) Authorize the Acting Public Works Director to prepare and execute said change 

order. 

N. Recommendation of the General Services Director that City Council: 

1) Award a contract to DCL Construction Inc. for $168,062 with a 5% contingency of 

$8,403 for the C.I.T. Office Renovation FEAP #303 (B2004-25); and 

2) Authorize 10% project management fees of $16,806. 

O. Recommendation of the Chief of Police that City Council approve the purchase of 

an Eventide VR-778 Communications Recorder with associated hardware and 

software, and the second, third, fourth and fifth year service contract for the Police 

Department in the amount $62,620. 

10. PUBLIC SAFETY 

A. Recommendation of the Chief of Police that City Council adopt a RESOLUTION 

committing to abide by State of California law as it pertains to workers compensation 

and disaster workers. 

B. Recommendation of the Chief of Police that the City of Torrance enter into a 

Memorandum of Understanding with the Area G Veterinary Disaster Team. 

11. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 

A. Recommendation of the City Manager and the City Attorney that City Council 

continue the state of local emergency proclaimed March 2, 2001 for properties 

located on Carolwood Lane and Singingwood Drive. 

B. Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt a RESOLUTION 

amending the Safety Management Employees Resolution adding Retirement Health 

Savings Plan (RHSP) language. 

C. Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt the 2004-2005 

Memorandum of Understanding RESOLUTION for employees represented by the 

Crossing Guards Employees with a total package increase of 2.3%. 

D. Recommendation of the Acting Public Works Director and the Torrance Water 

Commission that City Council approve and adopt a RESOLUTION adopting the 

revised Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), serving as the guideline for the 

City’s water conservation, management and drought contingency plans, and directing 

staff to file the revised Plan with the State Department of Water Resources. 

E. Recommendation of the Emergency Preparedness Team (E-PREP) that City 

Council approve the City of Torrance Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and direct staff to 

submit it to the State of California Office of Emergency Services. 

12. HEARINGS 


A. The Planning Commission and the Community Development Director 

recommend that the City Council deny the appeal, adopt a Negative Declaration 

(EAS03-00015), and adopt RESOLUTIONS approving, as conditioned, a Conditional 

Use Permit (CUP03-00053), a Precise Plan of Development (PRE03-00038), and a 

Tentative Tract Map (TTM60807) to allow the construction of a fourteen-unit 

townhouse project on property located in the Hillside Overlay District, in the R-3 zone 

at 6226 Pacific Coast Highway. The project has been redesigned and no longer 

requires the approval of a Variance or Waiver. 

EAS03-00015, CUP03-00053, PRE03-00038, TTM60807: Riviera Colony, LLC Riviera Villas 

(Doug Maupin) 

16. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 

17. EXECUTIVE SESSION 

City Council Closed Session 

A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR 

(California Government Code § 54957.6): 

Agency Negotiator: LeRoy J. Jackson 

Employee Organization/Association: 

1. Certain Full-Time Salaried and Hourly Employees 10. Torrance Fire Fighters Association 

2. Certain Part-Time Hourly Employees 11. Torrance Fiscal Employees Association 

3. Crossing Guards 12. Torrance Library Employees Association 

4. Elected Officials 13. Torrance Municipal Employees/AFSCME Local 1117 AFL-CIO 

5. Engineers Association 14. Torrance Police Officers Association 

6. Executive & Management Employees 15. Torrance Professional Parks & Recreation Employee 

7. Police & Fire Trainees Organization 

8. Safety Management Employees 16. Torrance Professional & Supervisory Association 

9. Torrance City Employees’ Association 17. Torrance Recurrent Recreational Employees Organization 

B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – CITY MANAGER AND CITY 

ATTORNEY (California Government Code § 54957) 

Redevelopment Agency Closed Session – None 

18. ADJOURNMENT 

A. Recommendation of the City Manager to adjourn City Council and Redevelopment 

Agency to Tuesday, September 21, 2004, at 5:30 p.m. for an executive session, with 

the regular meeting commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 

Sue Herbers, CMC 

City Clerk 

"The way to succeed is never quit. That’s it. 

But really be humble about it." 

— Alex Haley 

ALL BIDS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE BY 2:00 P.M., 

BIDS WILL BE OPENED IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 2:15 P.M. 

BIDS DESCRIPTION OPENING DATE 

B2004-29 Bid for the Torrance Airport Hangar Upgrade September 2, 2004 


RFP 

B2004-36 

Mandatory Job Walk Tuesday, August 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the General Aviation 

Center, 3301 Airport Drive. Plans and specifications can be obtained for $10 if 

picked up in the City Clerk’s Office, or $15 if requested by mail. Both amounts 

include tax and neither amount is refundable. 

Request for Proposal for Collection Agency Services 

Mandatory Pre-bid conference Thursday, September 30, at 2:00 p.m. 

located at the Finance Department Conference Room, 

3031 Torrance Boulevard 

B2004-37 Bid to Furnish one (1) Year 2005 GMC TC7500 Truck and 

Crew Cab or Equivalent 

RFP 

B2004-38 

Request for Proposal of Citywide Comprehensive Traffic 

Study 

B2004-39 Bid for Renovation of the Human Resources Multi-Purpose 

Room 

Mandatory Job Walk Wednesday, September 8, at 10 a.m. located at 

the Personnel Building located at 3231 Torrance Boulevard 

POSTPONED 

New date TBA 

Thursday, 

September 16, 2004 

October 7, 2004 

Thursday, 


Thursday, 


Thursday, 


B2004-40 Bid to Furnish Crushed Aggregate Base Thursday 


B2004-41 Bid to Furnish Custodial Paper Goods Thursday 


B2002-42 Bid to Furnish One (1) 2005 Ford F350XLT (“Crew Cab”) Cab 

and Chassis and Two Ford Year 2005 F450XLT SuperCab 

and Chassis 

B2004-43 Bid for Ken Miller Recreation Center Renovation 

Mandatory Job Walk on Wednesday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. 

located at Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Boulevard 

RFP 

B2004-44 

Request for Proposal for Used Oil Recycling Grant Program 

City Hall will be closed: 

Friday, September 17, 2004, Friday, October 1, 2004, and Friday, October 15, 2004 

Thursday 


Thursday 


Thursday

NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN - City of Torrance

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