IV. Environmental Impact Analysis E. and Soils

1. Introduction

This section of the Draft EIR provides an analysis of the Project’s potential impacts with regard to geology and soils, including rupture, ground shaking, ground failure (e.g., liquefaction), expansive soils, and soil stability. The analysis is based, in part, on the Geotechnical Feasibility Investigation Report, Hollywood Crossroads Development, Hollywood, (Geotechnical Report) prepared by Group Delta Consultants (January 18, 2016), which is included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR.

2. Environmental Setting a. Regulatory Framework

(1) State of California

(a) Alquist–Priolo Fault Zoning Act

The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (Public Resources Code Section 2621) was enacted by the State of California in 1972 to address the hazard of surface faulting to structures for human occupancy.1 The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act was a direct result of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake in , which was associated with extensive surface fault ruptures that damaged homes, commercial buildings, and other structures. The primary purpose of the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act is to prevent the construction of buildings intended for human occupancy on the surface traces of active faults. The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act is also intended to provide citizens with increased safety and minimize the loss of life during and immediately following by facilitating seismic retrofitting to strengthen buildings against ground shaking.

The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires the State Geologist to establish regulatory zones, known as “earthquake fault zones,” around the surface traces

1 The Act was originally titled the Alquist–Priolo Geologic Hazards Zone Act.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-1

IV.E Geology and Soils of active faults and to issue appropriate maps to assist cities and counties in planning, zoning, and building regulation functions. Maps are distributed to all affected cities and counties for the controlling of new or renewed construction and are required to sufficiently define potential surface rupture or fault creep. The State Geologist is charged with continually reviewing new geologic and seismic data, and revising existing zones and delineating additional earthquake fault zones when warranted by new information. Local agencies must enforce the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act in the development permit process, where applicable, and may be more restrictive than state law requires. According to the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, before a project can be permitted, cities and counties shall require a geologic investigation, prepared by a licensed geologist, to demonstrate that buildings will not be constructed across active faults. If an active fault is found, a structure for human occupancy cannot be placed over the trace of the fault and must be set back a minimum of 50 feet. The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act and its regulations are presented in California Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey, Special Publication 42, Fault-Rupture Hazard Zones in California.

(b) Seismic Safety Act

The California Seismic Safety Commission was established by the Seismic Safety Act in 19752 with the intent to provide oversight, review, and recommendations to the Governor and State Legislature regarding seismic issues. The Commission’s name was changed to Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission in 2006. Since then, the Commission has adopted several documents based on recorded earthquakes, including:3

 Research and Implementation Plan for Earthquake Risk Reduction in California 1995 to 2000, report dated December 1994;

 Findings and Recommendations on Hospital Seismic Safety, report dated November 2001;

 Seismic Safety in California’s Schools, “Findings and Recommendations on Seismic Safety Policies and Requirements for Public, Private, and Charter Schools,” report dated December 2004; and

 Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Earthquakes Safety, report dated October 2006.

2 Alfred E. Alquist California Seismic Safety Commission, History and Responsibilities, www.seismic.ca. gov/about.html, accessed December 22, 2016. 3 Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, Publications, www.seismic.ca.gov/pub.html, accessed January 25, 2016.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-2

IV.E Geology and Soils

(c) Seismic Hazards Mapping Act

In order to address the effects of strong ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, and other ground failures due to seismic events, the State of California passed the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act of 1990 (Public Resources Code Sections 2690–2699). Under the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, the State Geologist is required to delineate “seismic hazard zones.” Cities and counties must regulate certain development projects within these zones until the geologic and soil conditions of the project site are investigated and appropriate mitigation measures, if any, are incorporated into development plans. The State Mining and Geology Board provides additional regulations and policies to assist municipalities in preparing the Safety Element of their General Plan and encourage land use management policies and regulations to reduce and mitigate those hazards to protect public health and safety. Under Public Resources Code Section 2697, cities and counties shall require, prior to the approval of a project located in a seismic hazard zone, a geotechnical report defining and delineating any seismic hazard. Each city or county shall submit one copy of each geotechnical report, including mitigation measures, to the State Geologist within 30 days of its approval. Public Resources Code Section 2698 does not prevent cities and counties from establishing policies and criteria which are stricter than those established by the State Mining and Geology Board.

State publications supporting the requirements of the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act include the California Geological Survey Special Publication 117A, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, and the Special Publication 118, Recommended Criteria for Delineating Seismic Hazard Zones in California.4,5 The objectives of Special Publication 117A are to assist in the evaluation and mitigation of earthquake-related hazards for projects within designated zones of required investigations and to promote uniform and effective statewide implementation of the evaluation and mitigation elements of the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. Special Publication 118 implements the requirements of the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act in the production of Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Maps for the state.

(d) California Building Standards Code

The California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) is a compilation of building standards, including seismic safety standards for new buildings. The California Building Standards Code is based on building standards that have been

4 California Geological Survey, Special Publication 117A, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, 2008. 5 California Geological Survey, Special Publication 118, Recommended Criteria for Delineating Seismic Hazard Zones in California, May 1992 and revised April 2004.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-3

IV.E Geology and Soils adopted by state agencies without change from a national model code; building standards based on a national model code that have been changed to address particular California conditions; and building standards authorized by the California legislature but not covered by the national model code.6 Given California’s susceptibility to seismic events, the seismic standards within the California Building Standards Code are among the strictest in the world. The California Building Standards Code includes provisions for demolition and construction, as well as regulations regarding building foundations and soil types. The California Building Standards Code applies to all occupancies in California, except where stricter standards have been adopted by local agencies. The California Building Standards Code is published on a triennial basis, and supplements and errata can be issued throughout the cycle. The 2013 edition of the California Building Standards Code became effective on January 1, 2014, and incorporates by adoption the 2012 edition of the International Building Code of the International Code Council, with California amendments.7 The 2013 California Building Standards Code incorporates the latest seismic design standards for structural loads and materials as well as provisions from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program to mitigate losses from an earthquake and provide for the latest in earthquake safety.

As discussed below, specific California Building Standards Code building and seismic safety regulations have been incorporated by reference in the Los Angeles Building Code with local amendments. As such, the California Building Standards Code forms the basis of the Los Angeles Building Code.

(2) City of Los Angeles

(a) Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element

The City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, which was adopted in 1996, addresses public safety risks due to natural disasters, including seismic events and geologic conditions, and sets forth guidance for emergency response during such disasters. The Safety Element also provides generalized maps of designated areas within the City that are considered susceptible to earthquake-induced hazards such as fault rupture and liquefaction.

Regarding assessment of seismic hazards, Public Resources Code Section 2699 requires that a safety element take into account available seismic hazard maps prepared by the State Geologist pursuant to the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act. The

6 California Building Standards Commission, Information About the Codes, www.bsc.ca.gov/codes.aspx, accessed December 27, 2016. 7 California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 2.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-4

IV.E Geology and Soils

Public Resources Code also requires that the State Geologist map active faults throughout the state. The Safety Element states that those maps which are applicable to the City of Los Angeles are incorporated into Exhibit A of the Safety Element. The Safety Element also states that local jurisdictions are required by the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act to require additional studies and appropriate mitigation measures for development projects in the areas identified as potential hazard areas by the state seismic hazard maps. In addition, the Safety Element states that as maps are released for Los Angeles, they will be utilized by the Building and Safety Department to help identify areas where additional soils and geology studies are needed for evaluation of hazards and imposition of appropriate mitigation measures prior to the issuance of building permits.

The 1996 Safety Element acknowledged that it was based on available official maps at the time, and that exhibits in the Safety Element would be revised following receipt of reliable new information. The State of California released the official and final Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation Map for the Hollywood Quadrangle on November 6, 2014.8 This map serves as the State of California’s official earthquake fault zone map for the Hollywood area and is the most current and accurate map available to delineate the boundaries of earthquake fault zones in the Hollywood area.9 Accordingly, the seismic hazards analysis in this Draft EIR relies primarily on the official State of California map to determine the location of the Project Site in relation to the nearest officially mapped earthquake fault zone and other seismic hazard zones.

(b) Los Angeles Building Code

Earthwork activities, including grading, are governed by the Los Angeles Building Code, which is contained in Los Angeles Municipal Code, Chapter IX, Article 1. Specifically, Section 91.7006.7 includes requirements regarding import and export of material; Section 91.7010 includes regulations pertaining to excavations; Section 91.7011 includes requirements for fill materials; Section 91.7013 includes regulations pertaining to erosion control and drainage devices; Section 91.7014 includes general construction requirements as well as requirements regarding flood and mudflow protection; and Section 91.7016 includes regulations for areas that are subject to slides and unstable soils. Additionally, Section 91.1803 of the Los Angeles Building Code includes specific requirements addressing seismic design, grading, foundation design, geologic investigations and reports, soil and rock testing, and groundwater. The Los Angeles Building Code incorporates by reference the California Building Code, with City

8 California Geological Survey, Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation, Hollywood Quadrangle, November 2014. 9 California Geological Survey, Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation, Hollywood Quadrangle, November 2014, Note 2.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-5

IV.E Geology and Soils amendments for additional requirements. The City Department of Building and Safety is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Los Angeles Building Code.

b. Existing Conditions

(1) Regional Geology

The Los Angeles Basin is located in the northern portion of the geomorphic province and is a northwest-trending alluviated lowland plain, sometimes called the Coastal Plain of Los Angeles.10 The Peninsular Ranges are characterized by northwest-trending blocks of mountain ridges and sediment-floored valleys. The dominant geologic structural features are northwest trending fault zones that either die out to the northwest or terminate at east-trending reverse faults that form the southern margin of the .11 Furthermore, the Los Angeles Basin is filled with sedimentation thousands of feet thick and is structurally influenced by thrusting fault blocks and strike slip fault expressions trending northwest.

The Project Site is located along the northern portion of the Los Angeles Basin, a coastal plain south of the Santa Monica Mountains, west of the Puente Hills and Whittier faults, east of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Pacific Ocean, and north of the Santa Ana Mountains and San Joaquin Hills, and within a broad alluvial fan gently sloping south. The alluvial fan deposits are derived from erosion debris transported southward from the Santa Monica Mountains. The Hollywood Quadrant of the Los Angeles Basin is underlain by quaternary alluvial basin and fan deposits consisting mainly of sand, silt, and clay.12

(2) Regional Faulting and Seismicity

The numerous faults in Southern California include active, potentially active, and inactive faults. Based on criteria established by the California Geological Survey (CGS), active faults are those that have shown evidence of surface displacement within the past 11,000 years (i.e., Holocene-age).13 Potentially active faults are those that have shown

10 U.S. Department of the Interior, Geology of the Los Angeles Basin, California—an Introduction, Geological Survey Professional Paper 420-A, 1965. 11 U.S. Department of the Interior, Geology of the Los Angeles Basin, California—an Introduction, Geological Survey Professional Paper 420-A, 1965. 12 Group Delta, Geotechnical Feasibility Investigation Report—Proposed Crossroads Hollywood Development, Los Angeles, California, January 18, 2016. 13 California Geological Survey, An Explanatory Text to Accompany the Fault Activity Map of California, 2010.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-6

IV.E Geology and Soils evidence of surface displacement within the last 1.6 million years (i.e., Quaternary-age).14 Inactive faults are those that have not shown evidence of surface displacement within the last 1.6 million years.15 The Southern California region also includes blind thrust faults, which are faults that do not rupture all the way up to the surface showing no evidence on the ground.16 The locations of significant active and potentially active faults in the Southern California region are shown on the Regional Fault Map illustrated in Figure IV.E-1 on page IV.E-8. The faults in the vicinity of the Project Site are listed in Table IV.E-1 on page IV.E-9, shown in Figure IV.E-1, and further described below.

The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act defines “active” and “potentially active” faults utilizing the same aging criteria as that used by CGS described above. However, according to the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, only those faults which have direct evidence of movement within the last 11,000 years are required to be zoned. The CGS considers fault movement within this period a characteristic of faults that have a relatively high potential for ground rupture in the present or future. As discussed in the Regulatory Framework above, the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires the State Geologist to establish earthquake fault zones around the surface traces of active faults and to issue appropriate maps to assist cities and counties in planning, zoning, and building regulation functions. These zones, which generally extend from 200 to 500 feet on each side of a known active fault based on the location, precision, complexity, or regional significance of the fault, identify areas where potential surface fault rupture along an active fault could prove hazardous and identify where special studies are required to characterize hazards to habitable structures. If a site lies within an earthquake fault zone on an official CGS map, a geologic fault rupture investigation must be performed before issuance of permits to demonstrate that the proposed development is not threatened by surface displacement from the fault.

As illustrated in Figure IV.E-2 on page IV.E-10, based on the Earthquake Fault Zones Map, the Project Site is not located within an earthquake fault zone. The nearest earthquake fault zone is the Zone, located approximately 1,000 feet (0.20 mile) north of the Project Site (as indicated in Table IV.E.-1, the fault trace is located an additional 0.1 mile north). However, because the Project Site is located in the seismically active Southern California region, the Project Site could be subjected to moderate to strong ground-shaking in the event of an earthquake on one of the many Southern California faults.

14 California Geological Survey, An Explanatory Text to Accompany the Fault Activity Map of California, 2010. 15 California Geological Survey, An Explanatory Text to Accompany the Fault Activity Map of California, 2010. 16 U.S. Geological Survey, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Glossary—blind thrust fault, https:// earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=blind%20thrust%20fault, accessed December 28, 2016.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-7

ApprProjectoxima tSitee Sit eVicinity Location

N

Source: Faults of the Los Angeles Area, USGS

1 Alamo thrust 26 Los Alamitos fault 51 2 Arrowhead fault 27 Malibu Coast fault 52 Santa Susana fault zone 3 Bailey fault 28 Mint Canyon fault 53 4 Big Mountain fault 29 Mirage Valley fault zone 54 Simi fault 5 Big Pine fault 30 Mission Hills fault 55 Soledad Canyon fault 6 Blake Ranch fault 31 Newport Inglewood fault zone 56 Stoddard Canyon fault 7 Cabrillo fault 32 North Frontal fault zone 57 Tunnel Ridge fault 8 Chatsworth fault 33 Northridge Hills fault 58 Verdugo fault 9 34 Oak Ridge fault 59 Waterman Canyon fault 10 Clamshell-Sawpit fault 35 Palos Verdes fault zone 60 11 Clearwater fault 36 Pelona fault 12 Cleghorn fault 37 Peralta Hills fault 13 Crafton Hills fault zone 38 Pine Mountain fault Plate C-1 14 Cucamonga fault zone 39 15 Dry Creek 40 Red Hill (Etiwanda Ave) fault REGIONAL FAULT MAP 16 Eagle Rock fault 41 Redondo Canyon fault 17 El Modeno 42 PROPOSED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT 18 Frazier Mountain thrust 43 San Antonio fault 7107 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD 19 zone 44 HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA 20 Grass Valley fault 45 San Fernando fault zone 21 Helendale fault 46 zone 22 Hollywood fault 47 San Jacinto fault Earth Systems 23 Holser fault 48 San Jose fault Southern California 24 Lion Canyon fault 49 Santa Cruz-Santa Catalina Ridge f.z. 25 Llano fault 50 Santa Monica fault 6/8/2015 LA-01458-01

Figure IV.E-1 Regional Fault Map

Source: Earth Systems, 2015. IV.E Geology and Soils

Table IV.E-1 List of Earthquake Faults

Approximate Closest Distance to Project Max. Magnitude Site Fault Name (Mw) (miles) Hollywood 6.7 0.3 Elysian Park 6.7 2.5 Puente Hills 7.0 4.6 Santa Monica 6.6 4.8 Newport-Inglewood 7.5 4.9 Raymond 6.8 6.7 Verdugo 6.9 6.9 Sierra Madre 7.3 11.2 Malibu Coast 7.0 11.9 Anacapa-Dume 7.2 13.5 Northridge 6.9 14.7 San Gabriel 7.3 15.4 Palos Verdes 7.7 15.5

Source: Group Delta Consultants, 2016.

At the local level, the City of Los Angeles has recently established Preliminary Fault Rupture Study Areas (2015) throughout the City. According to the Department of Building and Safety, a geologic investigation must be conducted with respect to development sites identified within this zone to determine the presence of absence of an active fault prior to the issuance of building permits. The criteria for these fault rupture hazard investigations are the same as those established by the CGS for the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning program. The Project Site is not located within the Preliminary Fault Rupture Study Area for the Hollywood Fault Zone.17

(a) Active Faults

(i) Hollywood Fault

The Hollywood Fault is part of the Transverse Ranges Southern Boundary fault system, and is located approximately 1,500 feet (0.3 mile) north of the Project Site. This is

17 City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering, Navigate LA, http://navigatela.lacity.org/navigatela/, accessed December 1, 2016.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-9

HOLLYWOOD BLVD. VINE ST.

PROJECT SITE

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

0 1000' 2000'

Reference: Fault Strands From Supplemental CGS, 2014b DATE: DRAWN BY: STATE OF CALIFORNIA PROJECT NUMBER: AND USGS 6 MINUTE BURBANK QUAD, 1926 1/18/2016 JMT GROUP DELTA EARTHQUAKE FAULT AND SEISMIC LA-1252 REVIEW: APPROVED BY: CONSULTANTS, INC HAZARD ZONES MAP FigureSCALE: IV.E-2 JB 370 Amapola Ave. GEOTECHNICAL FEASIBILITY INVESTIGATION 1" = 1000' PREPARED BY: Suite 212 HOLLYWOOD CROSSROADSSeismic DEVELOPMENT Hazards ZoneFIGURE NUMBER:Map DRAFT Torrance, CA. 90501 HOLLYWOOD, CA 10 Source: Group Delta Consultants, Inc., 2016. N:\Projects\1200-1299\LA-1252 Liner LLP-Hollywood Crossroad\dwg\LA-1252 - Figures 10-12.dwg, 1/18/2016 9:04:37 AM, josemiguelt IV.E Geology and Soils the approximate distance to the mapped fault trace. The distance to the Hollywood Fault Zone is approximately 1,000 feet (0.2 mile) to the north of the Project Site. The Hollywood Fault is a reverse strike-slip fault trending east-west along the base of the Santa Monica Mountains from the West Beverly Hills Lineament in the West Hollywood–Beverly Hills area to the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. The Hollywood Fault, approximately 9.3 miles long, is the eastern segment of the reverse oblique Santa Monica–Hollywood Fault. The Hollywood Fault has not produced any damaging earthquakes during the historical period and has had relatively minor micro-seismic activity. However, based on geomorphic evidence, stratigraphic correlation between exploratory borings, and fault trenching studies, this fault is classified as active. Surface rupture data on this fault indicates that most recent surface rupture is likely between 7,000 to 9,500 years ago. According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, it is estimated that the Hollywood Fault is capable of producing a maximum 6.7 magnitude earthquake.

(ii) Upper Elysian Park Blind Thrust Fault

The Upper Elysian Park Blind Thrust Fault is a seismogenic subsurface reverse slip fault, which has a surface projection located approximately 2.5 miles east of the Project Site. Blind thrust faults do not extend to the surface and have the potential for surface deflection and folding during earthquakes. However, blind thrust faults are not considered to produce surface ruptures. According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, it is estimated that the Upper Elysian Park Blind Thrust Fault is capable of producing a maximum 6.7 magnitude earthquake.

(iii) Puente Hills (Los Angeles Strand) Blind Thrust Fault

The Puente Hills (Los Angeles Strand) Blind Thrust Fault is located approximately 4.6 miles south of the Project Site. The Puente Hills Blind Thrust Fault extends eastward from Downtown Los Angeles to the City of Brea in northern Orange County. The Puente Hills blind thrust fault includes three north-dipping segments named from east to west as the Coyote Hills segment, the Santa Fe Springs segment, and the Los Angeles segment. These segments are overlain by folds expressed at the surface as the Coyote Hills, Santa Fe Springs Anticline, and the Montebello Hills. Based on deformation of late Quaternary- age sediments above this fault system and the occurrence of the Whittier Narrows earthquake, the Puente Hills blind thrust fault is considered an active fault capable of generating future earthquakes beneath the Los Angeles Basin. According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, it is estimated that the Puente Hills (Los Angeles Strand) Blind Thrust Fault is capable of producing a maximum 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-11

IV.E Geology and Soils

(iv) Santa Monica Fault

The Santa Monica Fault, located approximately 4.8 miles to the west of the Project Site, is an east-west trending left strike-slip and reverse fault system, which is part of the Transverse Ranges Southern Boundary fault system. The Santa Monica Fault extends east from the coastline in Pacific Palisades through Santa Monica and West Los Angeles and merges with the Hollywood fault at the West Beverly Hills Lineament in Beverly Hills where its strike is northeast. It is believed that at least six surface ruptures have occurred in the past 50,000 years. In addition, a well-documented surface rupture occurred between 10,000 and 17,000 years ago although a more recent earthquake probably occurred one to three thousand years ago. This leads to an average earthquake recurrence interval of seven to eight thousand years.18 According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, it is estimated that the Santa Monica Fault is capable of producing a maximum 6.6 magnitude earthquake.

(v) Newport–Inglewood Fault System

The Newport–Inglewood fault system is located approximately 4.9 miles south- southwest of the Project Site, and consists of a broad zone of discontinuous north to northwestern echelon faults and northwest to west trending folds. The fault zone extends southeastward from West Los Angeles, across the Los Angeles Basin, to Newport Beach and possibly offshore beyond San Diego. The most significant earthquake associated with the Newport–Inglewood fault system was the Long Beach earthquake of 1933 with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale. According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, it is believed that the Newport–Inglewood fault zone is capable of producing a maximum 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

(vi) Raymond Fault

The Raymond Fault, located approximately 6.7 miles east-northeast of the Project Site, is potentially an eastward extension of the Hollywood Fault System trending east-west and is also part of the Transverse Ranges Southern Boundary fault system. The Raymond fault extends approximately 15 miles from the Los Angeles River east of Griffith Park east to east-northeast across the San Gabriel Valley through South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, and Monrovia to a junction with the Sierra Madre fault at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. The Raymond fault joins the Sierra Madre fault south of Santa Anita Wash and south of the Clamshell–Sawpit fault in the foothills of the San Gabriel

18 Southern California Earthquake Center Working Group C*, Active Faults in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Region, SCEC Special Pub. Series, No. 001, September 2001.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-12

IV.E Geology and Soils

Mountains.19 According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, it is believed that the Raymond fault may be capable of producing a maximum 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

(b) Seismicity

As previously discussed, the Project Site is located within the seismically active region of Southern California and would potentially be subject to strong ground motion if a moderate to strong earthquake occurs on a local or regional fault. According to Southern California Earthquake Data Center, recent historic earthquakes near the Project Site include the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake (Mw 6.6), 1992 Landers Earthquake (Mw 7.3), 1994 Northridge Earthquake (Mw 6.7), and the 1999 Hector Mine Earthquake (Mw 7.1).

(3) Local Geology

(a) Soil Conditions

The Project Site grade ranges from approximately 350 above mean sea level (AMSL) on the south side at Sunset Boulevard to approximately 362 to 364 feet AMSL on the north side at Selma Avenue. Based on the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, the Project Site is underlain by existing fill. The existing fill is considered uncertified fill consisting of silty sand and extends from the ground surface to a depth of approximately 7 feet below ground level. The uncertified fill is underlain by clay with sand and sandy clay, and also interbedded with medium dense silty sand. The clays on-site are identified as very stiff to hard. Bedrock was not encountered to a maximum depth of 70.5 feet.

(b) Groundwater

According to the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, the Project Site is located within the Hollywood Groundwater Basin of the Los Angeles County Coastal Plan Basins. The basin can be 660 feet in depth and contains three water bearing units, the Fernando Formation, Lakewood Formation, and upper alluvial soils. The main potable groundwater aquifer is sourced from the deep Fernando Formation; however, some groundwater can seasonally perch within the shallow alluvium. Based on the California Geological Survey, the historic high groundwater level beneath the Project Site is at a depth of approximately 70 to 80 feet below the existing ground surface. As part of the Geotechnical Investigation, no groundwater was encountered at the maximum explored depth of 70.5 feet.

19 Southern California Earthquake Center Working Group C*, Active Faults in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Region, SCEC Special Pub. Series, No. 001, September 2001.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-13

IV.E Geology and Soils

(c) Liquefaction

Liquefaction involves a sudden loss in strength of saturated, cohesionless soils that are subject to ground vibration and results in temporary transformation of the soil to a fluid mass. If the liquefying layer is near the surface, the effects are much like that of quicksand for any structure located on it. If the layer is deeper in the subsurface, it may provide a sliding surface for the material above it. Liquefaction-related effects include loss of bearing strength, amplified ground oscillations, lateral spreading, and flow failures. Liquefaction occurs primarily in saturated, loose, fine to medium-grained soils in areas where the groundwater table is 50 feet or less below the ground surface. Seismic shaking can also cause soil compaction and ground settlement without liquefaction occurring, including settlement of dry sands above the water table.

While the 1996 Safety Element classifies the Project Site as part of an area that could be susceptible to liquefaction,20 the City’s Zoning Information and Map Access System indicates that the Project Site is not located in an area that has been identified by the State of California as being potentially susceptible to liquefaction.21 In addition, the Seismic Hazard Zones Map for the Hollywood Quadrangle, which was released by the State Division of Mining and Geology (now the CGS) in March 1999, does not classify the Project Site as part of a liquefiable area.22 This determination was based on groundwater depth records, soil type, and distance to a fault capable of producing a substantial earthquake. The 1999 Seismic Hazard Zones Map was re-released by CGS in November 2014 as part of the current official Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation Map for the Hollywood Quadrangle.23 This more recent and authoritative Seismic Hazard Zones Map, which is determinative as to whether a site in the Hollywood area is susceptible to liquefaction, reconfirms that the Project Site is not located in an area classified as a liquefiable area.

According to the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, the subsurface soil conditions encountered on-site indicate that the on-site soils are mostly underlain by very stiff to hard clay. Furthermore, the historic high groundwater level is approximately 70 to 80 feet below ground surface, and groundwater was not encountered

20 Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, November 1996, Exhibit B, Areas Susceptible to Liquefaction, p. 49. 21 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS), Parcel Profile Report, http://zimas.lacity.org/, accessed May 11, 2016. 22 California Division of Mines and Geology, Seismic Hazard Zone Hollywood 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Los Angeles County, California, 1999. 23 California Geological Survey, Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation, Hollywood Quadrangle, November 2014.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-14

IV.E Geology and Soils at the maximum depth of 70.5 feet during field exploration. Based on these considerations, and because both the 1999 Seismic Hazard Zones Map and 2014 Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation Map demonstrate that the Project Site is not located within an area identified as potentially affected by liquefaction, the Geotechnical Report concluded that the Project Site would not be susceptible to liquefaction.

(d) Seismically Induced Settlement

Seismically induced settlement or the compaction of dry or moist cohesionless soils may also occur during a major earthquake. Typically, settlements occur in thick beds of dry and loose sands. According to the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, seismically induced settlement of silty sand layers located above the water table may occur on the Project Site. These settlements are estimated to be on the order of 0.5 inch.

(e) Subsidence

Subsidence occurs when a large portion of land is displaced vertically, usually due to the withdrawal of groundwater, oil, or natural gas. Soils that are particularly subject to subsidence include those with high silt or clay content. According to the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, subsidence may have occurred in the Hollywood area north of the Salk Lake Oil field during the 1950s through the 1970s from withdrawal of groundwater. Presently, there is no known potential for ground subsidence in the area of the Project Site. No large-scale extraction of groundwater, gas, oil, or geothermal energy is occurring or planned at or near the Project Site. Therefore, there is little to no potential for ground subsidence due to withdrawal of fluid or gas at the Project Site.

(f) Expansive and Corrosive Soils

Expansive soils swell when subjected to moisture and shrink when dried. Depending on the soil characteristics and design of building construction, expansive soils can cause extensive damage to building foundations. Based on the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, expansive soils were not observed in the near-surface soils. Fat clay, which can be potentially expansive, was encountered at depths of approximately 25 to 30 feet below ground surface. As the historic high groundwater level beneath the Project Site is at a depth of approximately 70 to 80 feet below the existing ground surface, the risk of the expansion of fat clay would be minimal.

Corrosive soils, which can cause extensive damage to buried utility infrastructure and other support structures, are measured based on soil resistivity, which measures how much the soil resist the flow of electricity, and by evaluating the presence of

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-15

IV.E Geology and Soils corrosion characteristics. Based on the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR, the near-surface soils of the Project Site would have negligible sulfate and chloride exposure and do not have corrosive characteristics. However, based on electrical resistivity tests, general on-site near-surface soils have a corrosive potential for buried metal.

(g) Other Geologic Conditions

The Project Site is also not located within a City of Los Angeles Methane Zone or Methane Buffer Zone.24 Additionally, according to the State of California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources Regional Wildcat Map, the Project Site is not located within the limits of an oil field, and no oil wells have been drilled on the Project Site.25 Finally, no distinct or prominent geologic or topographic features, such as hilltops, ridges, hillslopes, canyons, ravines, rock outcrops, water bodies, streambeds, or wetlands, are located at the Project Site.

3. Project Impacts a. Methodology

To evaluate potential impacts relative to geology and soils, the Geotechnical Report was prepared for the Project Site. The Geotechnical Report included a review of published geologic data relevant to the Project Site, subsurface exploration, sampling and logging of the subsurface soils, laboratory testing, and engineering analysis. Preliminary recommendations regarding the design and construction of the Project are based on these results. A final design-level geotechnical report would be prepared, reviewed, and approved by the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety prior to issuance of building permits to construct the Project. The Geotechnical Report is provided in Appendix F of this Draft EIR.

b. Thresholds of Significance

In 2015, the California Supreme Court, in CBIA v. BAAQMD, held that CEQA generally does not require a lead agency to consider the impacts of the existing

24 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS), Parcel Profile Report, http://zimas.lacity.org/, accessed May 11, 2016. 25 California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, Regional Wildcat Map W1-5, May 26, 2010.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-16

IV.E Geology and Soils environment on the future residents or users of the project.26 The revised thresholds are intended to comply with this decision. Specifically, the decision held that an impact from the existing environment to the project, including future users and/or residents, is not an impact for purposes of CEQA. However, if the project, including future users and residents, exacerbates existing conditions that already exist, that impact must be assessed, including how it might affect future users and/or residents of the project.

In accordance with Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and the CBIA v. BAAQMD decision, a project would have a significant impact related to geology and soils if it would result in any of the following impacts to future residents or users on the project site:

 Exacerbate existing hazardous environmental conditions by bringing people or structures into areas that are susceptible to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:

– Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology27 Special Publication 42.

– Strong seismic ground shaking

– Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction

– Landslides

 Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil.

 Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse caused in whole or in part by the project’s exacerbation of the existing environmental conditions.

 Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property caused in whole or in part by the project exacerbating the expansive soil conditions.

26 California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (2015) 62 Cal.4th 369, Case No. S213478. 27 Now the California Geological Survey.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-17

IV.E Geology and Soils

 Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water.

In the context of these questions from the CEQA Guidelines, the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide states that a project would normally have a significant geology and soils impact if the project would:

 Cause or accelerate geologic hazards, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury.

 Constitute a geologic hazard to other properties by causing or accelerating instability from erosion; or

 Accelerate natural processes of wind and water erosion and sedimentation, resulting in sediment runoff or deposition which would not be contained or controlled on-site.

 One or more distinct and prominent geologic or topographic features would be destroyed, permanently covered, or materially and adversely modified as a result of the project. Such features may include, but are not limited to, hilltops, ridges, hillslopes, canyons, ravines, rock outcrops, water bodies, streambeds, and wetlands.

With regard to the question from Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines regarding landslides, as discussed in the Initial Study prepared for the Project, which is included as Appendix A of this Draft EIR, the Project Site is characterized by a relatively flat topography with minimally sloping terrain. In addition, the Project Site is not mapped within a State of California Earthquake-Induced Landslide Zone or located in a landslide area as mapped by the City of Los Angeles, or within an area identified as having a potential for slope instability.28 Therefore, no impacts related to landslides would occur, and no further analysis is required.

Lastly, the Project Site is located within a community served by existing sewer infrastructure and the Project’s wastewater demand would be accommodated via connections to the existing wastewater infrastructure. As such, the Project would not require the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems, and the Project would not result in impacts related to the ability of soils to support septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. Therefore, no further analysis regarding the

28 California Geological Survey, Landslide Inventory Map of the Hollywood Quadrangle, Los Angeles, California, April 2013.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-18

IV.E Geology and Soils significance thresholds related to landslides and the ability of soils to support septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems is required.

c. Project Design Features

No specific Project Design Features are proposed with regard to geology and soils.

d. Analysis of Project Impacts

Construction activities would consist of the demolition of the existing surface parking lots and building structures, except for those located in Crossroads of the World, followed by grading and excavation for the subterranean parking garages. Building foundations would then be placed, followed by building construction, the realignment of Las Palmas Avenue, and the installation of utilities, paving, concrete, and landscape. The parking garage for Development Parcel A would provide six levels of subterranean parking. Development Parcels B and C would provide five connected/shared levels of subterranean parking underneath the two development parcels and the realigned Las Palmas Avenue, while the parking garage for Development Parcel D would provide three levels of subterranean parking. The maximum depth of excavation would range from 36 to 78 feet below grade surface. It is estimated that approximately 643,753 cubic yards (cy) of soil, as well as an additional 1,490 cy during off-site improvements to the existing sanitary sewer system related to the realignment of Las Palmas Avenue, would be excavated from the Project Site. All existing certified fill would be removed during grading and excavation.

The Project is typical of urban environments and would not involve mining operations, deep excavation into the earth, or boring of large areas creating unstable seismic conditions or stresses in Earth’s crust. Furthermore, as discussed above, there are no active or potentially active faults that underlie the Project Site. Accordingly, as discussed in detail below, the Project would not exacerbate seismic conditions or other geologic conditions on the Project Site or vicinity, and, as such, impacts related to surface ground rupture, strong seismic ground shaking, liquefaction, and seismically induced settlement would be less than significant. In addition, the Project would not cause, accelerate, or exacerbate in whole or in part existing geologic hazards, including instability from erosion, that would result in substantial damage to structures, infrastructure, or other properties or expose people to substantial risk of injury.

(1) Seismic Hazards

(a) Surface Ground Rupture

Ground rupture is the visible breaking and displacement of the earth’s surface along the trace of a fault during an earthquake. As previously discussed, no known active or City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-19

IV.E Geology and Soils potentially active faults underlie the Project Site. In addition, according to the CGS Earthquake Fault Zone map for the Hollywood 7.5-minute Quadrangle, which was released in 2014, the Project Site is not located within a state-designated Alquist-Priolo earthquake fault zone or Seismic Hazard Zone. According to the map and as shown in Table IV.E-1 on page IV.E-9, the nearest fault to the Project Site is the Hollywood Fault, located approximately 1,500 feet (0.3 mile) to the north. Therefore, no active faults with the potential for surface fault rupture are known to pass directly beneath the Project Site, and the potential for surface rupture due to faulting occurring beneath the Project Site is considered low. Thus, the Project would not exacerbate existing environmental conditions by bringing people or structures into areas potentially susceptible to substantial adverse effects, including fault rupture. Therefore, impacts associated with surface rupture from a known earthquake fault would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

(b) Strong Seismic Ground Shaking

As described above, the Project Site is located within the seismically active region of Southern California and would potentially be subject to strong ground motion if a moderate to strong earthquake occurs on a local or regional fault. The potentially significant impacts related to seismic ground shaking at the Project Site would not be exacerbated by the Project because the Project would not involve mining operations, deep excavation into the earth, or boring of large areas creating unstable seismic conditions that would exacerbate ground shaking. Furthermore, as discussed above, no active faults with the potential for surface fault rupture are known to pass directly beneath the Project Site. Therefore, impacts associated with seismic ground shaking would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

The following discussion about building and seismic codes is provided for informational purposes. Engineering design solutions reduce the substantial risk of exposing people or structures to loss or injury. As discussed in detail below, state and local code requirements ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in a manner that, although the buildings may sustain damage during a major earthquake, would reduce the substantial risk that buildings would collapse. The Geotechnical Report contains preliminary recommendations for the type of engineering practices that would be used. Additionally, a final design-level geotechnical report will be prepared by the Project Applicant and reviewed to the satisfaction of the Department of Building and Safety before the issuance of grading permits. The final recommendations from that report will be enforced for the construction of the Project. Based on the Geotechnical Report, the Project Site is suitable for development, and the Project may be constructed using standard, accepted, and proven engineering practices considering the seismic shaking potential and geologic conditions at the Project Site. As with other development projects in the Southern California region, the Project would comply with the Los Angeles Building Code, which

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-20

IV.E Geology and Soils incorporates current seismic design provisions of the 2013 California Building Code with City amendments. The 2013 California Building Code incorporates the latest seismic design standards for structural loads and materials, as well as provisions from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program to mitigate losses from an earthquake and maximize earthquake safety. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Los Angeles Building Code. The Project would also be required to comply with the plan review and permitting requirements of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, including the recommendations provided in a final, site-specific geotechnical report. In addition, the state and City mandate compliance with numerous rules related to seismic safety, including the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, Seismic Safety Act, Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, the General Plan Safety Element, and the Los Angeles Building Code. Pursuant to those laws, the Project must demonstrate compliance with the applicable provisions of these safety requirements before permits can be issued for construction of the Project.

(c) Liquefaction

As previously mentioned, the City’s Zoning Information and Map Access System indicates that the Project Site is not located in an area that has been identified by the State of California as being potentially susceptible to liquefaction.29 Furthermore, the Project Site is not located within a state-designated seismic hazard zone for liquefaction potential or within a City of Los Angeles Liquefaction Hazard Zone.30 Typically, liquefaction occurs in shallow groundwater areas where there are loose, cohesionless, fine grained soils. The historic high groundwater level in the Project area is approximately 70 to 80 feet below ground surface and groundwater was not encountered at the maximum depth of 70.5 feet during field exploration, according to the Geotechnical Report included in Appendix F of this Draft EIR. Furthermore, the Project Site is mostly underlain by very stiff to hard clay. Due to the depth of the historical highest groundwater level, the type of soils underlying the Project Site, and the liquefaction mapping by the CGS, the Project Site would not be capable of liquefaction during an earthquake event. Therefore, based on these considerations, the Project would not exacerbate existing environmental conditions and cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to liquefaction, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury. As such, impacts associated with liquefaction would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

29 City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Zone Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS), Parcel Profile Report, http://zimas.lacity.org/, accessed May 11, 2016. 30 California Geological Survey, Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation, Hollywood Quadrangle, November 2014.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-21

IV.E Geology and Soils

(d) Seismically Induced Settlement

Seismically induced settlement or compaction of dry or moist, cohesionless soils can be an effect related to earthquake ground motion. Such settlements are typically most damaging when the settlements are differential in nature across the length of structures. Some seismically induced settlement of the proposed structures should be expected as a result of strong ground-shaking. As previously discussed, the Project Site is underlain with uncertified fill consisting of silty sand. The uncertified fill is underlain by clay with sand and sandy clay, interbedded with medium dense silty sand. Based on the Geotechnical Report, seismically induced settlement of silty sand layers located above the water table may occur on the Project Site. These settlements are estimated to be on the order of 0.5 inch and would be taken into account in the structural design of the proposed development. In addition, the Project would comply with the site plan review and permitting requirements of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, including the recommendations provided in a final, site-specific geotechnical report subject to review and approval by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Through compliance with regulatory requirements and site-specific geotechnical recommendations, the Project would not exacerbate, cause, or accelerate geologic hazards related to seismically induced settlement.

(2) Groundwater

As previously discussed, the historic high groundwater level beneath the Project Site is at a depth of approximately 70 to 80 feet below the existing ground surface and no groundwater was encountered at the maximum explored depth of 70.5 feet. The parking garage for Development Parcel A would provide six levels of subterranean parking. Development Parcels B and C would provide five connected/shared levels of subterranean parking underneath the two development parcels and the realigned Las Palmas Avenue, while the parking garage for Development Parcel D would provide three levels of subterranean parking. Accordingly, the maximum depth of excavation would range from 36 to 78 feet below the existing ground surface. Consequently, in the event groundwater is encountered during construction of the Project, temporary dewatering or other withdrawals of groundwater could be required within the Project Site. However, as discussed in Section IV.G, Hydrology and Water Quality, of this Draft EIR, if dewatering is required, adherence to applicable National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit and industrial user sewer discharge permit requirements would ensure operation of the temporary dewatering system would have a minimal effect on local groundwater recharge in the vicinity of the Project Site. In addition, a permanent dewatering system during Project operation would result in only minor impacts to the top of the groundwater table and would not affect any supply wells. Therefore, potential geologic hazards from groundwater would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-22

IV.E Geology and Soils

(3) Soil Stability

According to the Geotechnical Report, the Project Site is underlain with uncertified fill and underlain by clay with sand and sandy clay, interbedded with medium dense silty sand. The existing fill was encountered on the Project Site ranging from 1 to 7 feet below existing grade. The anticipated depth of excavation for Project development is approximately 36 to 78 feet below ground surface for the construction of the proposed subterranean garages. Based on the Geotechnical Report, the existing fill is considered to be uncertified and should not be used for support of new structures or pavement and would be removed during excavation of the basement levels and replaced with new compacted fill. Construction debris from previous site development was also encountered in the existing fill. Thus, all excavated soil would be exported off-site to the nearest landfill for proper disposal and recycling.

All required excavations would be sloped, or properly shored, in accordance with the provisions of the California Building Code and additional Los Angeles Building Code requirements, as applicable. All Project construction activities would adhere to the requirements of the Los Angeles Municipal Code and the California Building Code. The Project Applicant would also be required to prepare and implement a final, site-specific geotechnical report and incorporate the recommendations contained in the Geotechnical Report in the Project design. Therefore, through compliance with regulatory requirements and site-specific geotechnical recommendations, impacts related to soil stability would not be exacerbated by the Project and, thus, would be less than significant.

(4) Soil Erosion

Project-related construction activities would occur in accordance with erosion control requirements, including grading and dust control measures, imposed by the City pursuant to grading permit regulations. Specifically, Project construction would comply with the Los Angeles Building Code, which requires necessary permits, plans, plan checks, and inspections to ensure that the Project would reduce the sedimentation and erosion effects. In addition, the Project would be required to have an erosion control plan approved by the LADBS, as well as a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) pursuant to the NPDES permit requirements. As part of the SWPPP, Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be implemented during construction to reduce sedimentation and erosion levels to the maximum extent possible. In addition, Project construction contractors would be required to comply with City grading permit regulations, which require necessary measures, plans, and inspections to reduce sedimentation and erosion. With regulatory compliance and the implementation of BMPs, impacts from soil erosion would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-23

IV.E Geology and Soils

(5) Subsidence

As previously discussed, the Project Site is not located within an area of known ground subsidence and no large-scale extraction of groundwater, gas, oil, or geothermal energy is occurring or is planned at the Project Site. As mentioned, historically high groundwater is reported to be at a depth of approximately 70 to 80 feet below grade, and no groundwater was encountered at a maximum depth of 70.5 feet during exploration. However, as discussed in Subsection 3.d.(2) above, in the event groundwater is encountered during construction of the Project, temporary dewatering or other withdrawals of groundwater could be required within the Project Site. If dewatering is required, adherence to applicable NPDES Permit and industrial user sewer discharge permit requirements would ensure operation of the temporary dewatering system would have a minimal effect on local groundwater recharge in the vicinity of the Project Site. In addition, a permanent dewatering system during Project operation would result in only minor impacts to the top of the groundwater table and would not affect the groundwater table. Thus, based on the level of groundwater and the absence of any large-scale extraction of groundwater, gas, oil, or geothermal energy at the Project Site, the Project would not exacerbate, cause, or accelerate geologic hazards related to subsidence. Therefore, impacts related to subsidence would be less than significant, and no mitigation measures are required.

(6) Expansive and Corrosive Soils

Based on the Geotechnical Report, expansive soils were not observed in the near- surface soils. Therefore, expansive soils are not expected to affect structures and improvements at or near the current ground surface (e.g., building slabs, sidewalks, pavements at the current ground surface; and underground utilities). While potentially expansive soils known as fat clays were encountered at depths of approximately 25 to 30 feet below ground surface, proposed building foundations would not be affected as the extent of proposed excavation would be deeper than these soils. If encountered, such soils would be removed during excavation. In addition, the Project would not increase the expansion potential of these soils. Furthermore, with the incorporation of site-specific geotechnical recommendations, impacts related to expansive soils would not be exacerbated by the Project and, thus, would be less than significant.

The on-site near-surface soils underlying the Project Site were found to have a corrosive potential for buried metal. Thus, the Geotechnical Report recommends that all underground metal pipes/clamps/structures should consider the corrosion potential. With the implementation of site-specific geotechnical recommendations, which will require the consultation of a corrosion expert to evaluate options for underground metal protection, impacts related to corrosive soils would not be exacerbated by the Project and, thus, would be less than significant.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-24

IV.E Geology and Soils

(7) Other Geologic Conditions

As described above, there are no distinct and prominent geologic or topographic features (i.e., hilltops, ridges, hillslopes, canyons, ravines, rock outcrops, water bodies, streambeds, or wetlands) on the Project Site or vicinity. Therefore, the Project would not destroy, permanently cover, or materially and adversely modify any distinct and prominent geologic or topographic features. Impacts associated with landform alteration would not occur, and no mitigation measures are required.

4. Cumulative Impacts

Due to the site-specific nature of geological conditions (i.e., soils, geological features, subsurface features, seismic features, etc.), geology impacts are typically assessed on a project-by-project basis, rather than on a cumulative basis. Nonetheless, cumulative growth through 2022 (inclusive of the 145 related projects identified in Section III, Environmental Setting, of this Draft EIR) would expose a greater number of people to seismic hazards. However, as with the Project, related projects and other future development projects would be subject to established guidelines and regulations pertaining to building design and seismic safety, including those set forth in the California Building Code and the Los Angeles Building Code. Therefore, with adherence to applicable regulations, Project impacts with regard to the exacerbation of geological and soils conditions would not be cumulatively considerable, and cumulative impacts with regard to geology and soils would be less than significant.

5. Mitigation Measures

Project-level and cumulative impacts with regard to geology and soils would be less than significant. Therefore, no mitigation measures are required.

6. Level of Significance After Mitigation

Considering the rigorous investigation process required under the engineering standard of care, compliance with state laws and city regulatory requirements, technical review and approval by the regulatory agency of a design-level geotechnical engineering report, Project-level impacts related to geology and soils would be less than significant. In addition, cumulative impacts with regard to geology and soils would be less than significant.

City of Los Angeles Crossroads Hollywood SCH No. 2015101073 May 2017

Page IV.E-25