Safety issues for new PCH developments in Long beach CA - focus on disaster preparedness plan
Editor: Eastside Voice asked us to post this email
From: Eastside Voice
To: district3@longbeach.gov <district3@longbeach.gov>
Cc: Councilmember Mary Zendejas <district1@longbeach.gov>; Councilmember Cindy Allen <district2@longbeach.gov>; Councilman Daryl Supernaw <district4@longbeach.gov>; district5@longbeach.gov <district5@longbeach.gov>; district6@longbeach.gov <district6@longbeach.gov>; district7@longbeach.gov <district7@longbeach.gov>; district8@longbeach.gov <district8@longbeach.gov>; district9@longbeach.gov <district9@longbeach.gov>; mayor@longbeach.gov <mayor@longbeach.gov>; cityclerk@longbeach.gov <cityclerk@longbeach.gov>; citymanager@longbeach.gov <citymanager@longbeach.gov>; Reggie Harrison <reginald.harrison@longbeach.gov>; DENNIS.BUCHANAN@LONGBEACH.GOV <dennis.buchanan@longbeach.gov>; Jeff.Hardin@longbeach.gov <jeff.hardin@longbeach.gov>; Robbie.Grego@longbeach.gov <robbie.grego@longbeach.gov>; Don.Anderson@longbeach.gov <don.anderson@longbeach.gov>; Maura.Ventura@longbeach.gov <maura.ventura@longbeach.gov>; Wally.Hebeish@longbeach.gov <wally.hebeish@longbeach.gov>; Michael.Richens@longbeach.gov <michael.richens@longbeach.gov>; Shaleana.Benson@longbeach.gov <shaleana.benson@longbeach.gov>; Ty.Burford@longbeach.gov <ty.burford@longbeach.gov>; Ruby.Marin-Jordan@longbeach.gov <ruby.marin-jordan@longbeach.gov>; planningcommissioners@longbeach.gov <planningcommissioners@longbeach.gov>
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 04:34:34 PM PDT
Subject: Safety issues for new PCH developments - focus on disaster preparedness plan
Councilmember Duggan,
I attended last week's council meeting to speak on the 6615/6695 PCH development plans (agenda item 17. 23-1076). As there were 12 people on the public speaker list, speaking time was shortened to 90 seconds and I was not able to provide my planned testimony on this very important item. I had made the trip to Council to speak on this item as I have grave concerns for safety in this area in the event of an earthquake or other disaster.
Safety and entrance/egress in that area in the event of an earthquake or other disaster deserves serious consideration and planning. Can the firetrucks and ambulances get in? Can the residents get out? How do residents connect with city instructions? I talked to the Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Reggie Harrison a few weeks ago and didn't find the conversation encouraging.
An EIR would surface the issues. Your comments in the discussion on the appeals were that due diligence had been done when SEASP was going through approvals and the single EIR for the entire SEASP area sufficed. SEASP was approved in 2017. The risks below are approved and pending plans after that EIR was done. These risks were not taken into account in the SEASP EIR.
RISKS INCLUDE
Over 1000 additional housing units planned on PCH close to 2nd street which would increase traffic at the worst rated intersection in Long Beach - 2nd and PCH. - and turn into gridlock in a disaster. (Appeals to the Planning Commission approval for 6615 and 6695 East Pacific Coast Highway were on this agenda but 2 other large developments are also going through approvals). Building heights and density exceed the SEASP plan.
Plans for Beach Oil Minerals (BOM) to install 120 drilled wells (70 oil wells and 50 water wells) were approved as part of the WETLANDS LANDSWAP. The plan is to drill the wells and run a large pipe on top of the wetlands.carrying millions of gallons of oil. What happens if an earthquake causes the pipe to crack? Might an oil spill and fire ensue?
The wetlands sit directly on top of the Newport Inglewood fault and surrounded by additional recently discovered fault lines (see attachment for map and link). It isn't a question of "if" an earthquake event will happen - only "when" it will happen and how serious the damage and human cost.
The world's largest Lithium Battery storage facility was approved by Council to be constructed in the area. (editor: this is where the lithium ion batter facility is now operating) The danger is considerable - with comparisons that it can be equivalent to 2000 lbs of TNT and accidents have occurred at other facilities. "In the short time large battery storage technology has been developed and deployed, a number of disturbing safety concerns have arisen, including fires, explosions and release of toxic gases. There have been over 40 recent accidents associated with lithium-ion battery facilities in the U.S. alone." (see link in references below)
2 large powerplants are also nearby.
GRIDLOCK AT PCH & 2ND STREET
The only way for Belmont Shore/Naples and other residents in the vicinity to travel south to Orange County, East to the 405 and 605 Freeways is via 2nd Street and PCH. That intersection is has delays on any normal day, let alone in the situation of an emergency or disaster.
It took me an hour to get from the Yacht Club Parking lot to 2nd street (about 3 blocks) on July 3rd after the fireworks show. What would happen in an emergency if people were fleeing the area? Reggie Harrison indicated the citizens are not encouraged to leave by car in an emergency situation. Do the citizens know that? He also said Naples has a neighborhood association that has plans for people to leave by boat. Does that include everyone? In an explosion or fire, would everyone else in the vicinity hop on a bicycle? Do they know they need a bicycle? Should they invest in life vests and jump in the water as the survivors did in Maui?
I was in Hawaii (Oahu) recently when Maui/Lahaina burned. It was a sobering experience. It made me think of PCH and 2nd street that is at a vortex of the risks listed above. With plans to bring in over 1000 more housing units in the area, the disaster preparedness plan is crucial and important that the residents are aware of the plan.and what they should do in an emergency.
Note that the law does not require approval of density bonus applications if there is a safety issue. While the development at 6615/6695 PCH has 390 dwelling units, only 17 of those units are for very low income housing. The minor amount of additional affordable housing does not justify the risk of adding an additional floor. [[Also note that while there are members of the public that believe these housing developments help the homeless, they do not.]]
Take heed of what happened in Maui and ensure the safety of Long Beach residents by making solid plans with communication that requires everyone in the vicinity and first responders are trained and know what to do.
Where human safety is concerned, it might be best to err on the side of caution and not be so eager to satisfy a developer's taste for profit. The Council has justification to dial back these developments to at least the limitations of SEASP.
Respectfully,
Corliss Lee
Eastside Voice
REF: Agenda item 23-1076 Sept 19 2023
New earthquake faults
Lithium Battery Storage article
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