City Council
Adoption of the Safety Element
February 11, 2025
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Agenda
1. Background
2. Overview of the Draft Safety Element
3. Recommendations
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What is the Safety Element?
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General Plan
Housing Element LUCE Historic Preservation Conservation Safety Open Space Noise
What is the Safety Element?
Safety Element is a Mandatory Element of General Plan
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Why Update the Safety Element?
State requirements
• SB 379 – address climate change
• SB 1035 – update Safety Element upon adoption of Housing Element • AB 747 – identify evacuation routes
• SB99 – identify residential developments in hazard areas with single egress • AB 2684 – address extreme heat in Safety Element on or after January 1, 2028 Ensure that the City establishes the framework for a safer and more resilient community.
1995 Safety Element
outdated
• Santa Monica Fault maps
(2018)
• FEMA Flood maps (2022)
• Climate change effects not
discussed
Integration with Recent City
Plans
• Climate Action & Adaptation Plan
• Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
(update currently in progress)
• Housing Element
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Safety
Element
Local
Hazard
Mitigation
Plan
Relationship to LHMP
• Required by State law
• Guidance document with overarching goals and policies • Assesses vulnerability and risks
• May incorporate LHMP
• Update every 8 years
• Not an emergency operations plan
• Required to qualify for funding from FEMA
• Assesses vulnerability and risks
• Mitigation plan to reduce risks
• Update every 5 years
• Considered more of a “living” document
To ensure that the City will be considered for
additional funding for eligible Public Assistance
projects pursuant to AB 2140, the future updated
LHMP will need to be incorporated and referenced in
the Safety Element
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Issues Addressed
Geologic/Soils Seismic Risks Climate Change Wildfires Flooding Natural Environment
Built Environment
Airport-Related Urban Fires Hazardous Materials
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Overview of the Draft Safety Element
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Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Slope Failures (including Landslides)
Soil Collapse
Seismic Related Effects
Fault Rupture
Ground Shaking
Liquefaction
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Steep Slopes and
Landslides
• Areas most likely susceptible are
Palisades Bluffs slopes flanking I-10
freeway, and hillside residential areas
• Highlighted SE Actions
Regular monitoring of Bluffs and
stabilization measures such as
slope-geometry modification,
retaining structures, chemical
treatment, etc.
Update City’s Geotechnical
Guidelines at least every 8 years
Continue prohibiting infiltration of
runoff near Bluffs and within the
Aquifer Protection Zone
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Earthquake Fault Zone
• Santa Monica Fault zone designated in 2018
• More than 20 fault studies prepared since
designation, and none have yet to find evidence
of an active recent fault.
• Presence of near-source faults and more
distant regional faults
• All of City is susceptible to an earthquake, not
just areas within Fault Zone
• 93% chance that an earthquake of 6.7 Mw or
greater will occur in next 30 years
• Highlighted SE Actions :
Continue Seismic Retrofit Program
Prioritize seismic retrofits in public
infrastructure and facilities as part of CIP
Make upgrades to ensure resilient and
seismically safe water facilities
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Liquefaction
Zone
• Areas most likely susceptible
are Coastal Area and small
eastern portion of City near
Bergamot
• Highlighted SE Actions:
Continue to require
geotechnical reports for
new projects as part of
building permit process
Update City’s
Geotechnical Guidelines
at least every 8 years
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Flooding
Inland Flooding from storms
Dam Failure
Coastal Flooding
Tsunami
Damage from the 1938 flood at Santa Monica Canyon
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FEMA Flood Zones
• Flood Zone is a zone with 1% chance
of flood in any given year (100 year
flood). These zones have a 26% risk
of flooding over the course of a 30
year mortgage
• Approximately 132 parcels located in
this zone along the coastline
• FEMA requirements are codified in
Chapter 7.68 of the SMMC
• Requires purchase of flood
insurance
• Highlighted SE Actions
• Identify priority localized flooding
sites, conduct necessary
inspections, and prioritize
maintenance and upgrades to
the City’s stormwater system
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Tsunami
Hazard
• Tsunami hazard extends 700 to 1,500 feet inland from coast • Approximately 228 parcels located in this zone
• 3 types of tsunamis (local, regional, and distant)
• Highlighted SE Actions:
Explore installation of warning sirens at various locations along the beach
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Dam Inundation
Areas
• Risk of flooding from Stone
Canyon Reservoir (City of LA)
• Approximately 386 parcels
located in this zone, in the
eastern area of City between
Olympic and Pico Blvds
• If reservoir failed, maximum
depth of 1 to 10 feet depending
on severity of failure
• Highlighted SE Actions:
Regularly assess Cityowned Riviera Reservoir as
required per State law and
perform maintenance and
upgrades as required to
ensure seismic safety
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Fire Hazards
Wildfires
Urban Fires
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Wildfires
• CalFire designates zones of
wildfire risks :
Moderate
High
Very High
• City does not contain
Wildfire Hazard Severity
Zones; however,
Palisades area to the
north is designated as
VHFSZ
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How are Fire Zones Determined?
• Using scientific based model.
• Two key elements: probability and expected fire
behavior
• Wildland – Factors considered include fire history, flame length, terrain, local weather, and potential fuel over a 50-year period.
• Non-Wildland – Factors considered include terrain, weather, urban vegetation cover, blowing embers, proximity to wildland, fire history, and fire hazard in nearby wildlands.
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Wildfires
• As evidenced in recent
Palisades Fire, northern portion
of City is at risk of wildfire
spread due to ember carry
• City-wide smoke and ash
effects
• Recommended Actions
Plan for potential new fire
station in northern portion of
the City
Educate and encourage
residents living within
proximity of a wildfire zone to
implement safe fire practices
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Additional Policies to Consider in Light of Recent Fires Establish local, mandatory fire safety requirements for the residential areas north of San Vicente, such as fire-resistant building design and materials.
Educate and encourage residents living within proximity of a wildfire zone to implement safe fire practices, including maintaining a fire-retardant native landscape and keeping combustibles (such as firewood) a safe distance away from all structures. Declare no burn warnings, leaf blower bans, gas-powered machinery and open flame bans, and other restrictions that may be deemed necessary during Red Flag Fire Weather Warnings. Institute active vegetation and debris management before and during high wind events Collaborate with Caltrans on debris and vegetation management for the hillside areas of I-10 and PCH during severe weather events
Implement parking restrictions in the northern portion of the City, including in areas with singleegress and ingress access, during Red Flag Days Identify additional water connections for use of reclaimed water for fire fighting purposes Ensure that City reservoirs are adequately filled prior to high wind events and during high fire conditions
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Urban Fires • In 2022, less than 3% SMFD calls were
related to fires
• Fire risks dependent on number of
factors, including building occupancy,
size, age, density, built in fire
protections, etc.
• Highlighted SE Actions:
Implement regular updates of
Fire Code
Continue to regularly update
Standards of Cover Study
Consideration of development
impact fee on new development
to address increase in fire
demand
Urban Fires
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Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Materials Disclosure
Program
Toxic Releases Inventory
Hazardous Materials Incident Response
Leaking Underground Tanks
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Hazardous
Materials • 35 large quantity generators of
hazardous materials
• May be sites in the City with
underlying soil or groundwater
contamination, such as IC district,
Bergamot Area, and Airport land
• Highlighted SE Actions
Require Phase I environmental
site assessments for new
residential (include as text
amendment to Section 9.31.195 of
ZO) and if contamination is
found, remediate and obtain No
Further Action (e.g., no further
corrective actions) prior to
occupancy
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Climate Change
Extreme Heat
Drought
Extreme Precipitation (Rain)
Sea Level Rise and Coastal
Flooding
Source: Climate Central
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• Projected temperature rise of 3 to
6.8°F temperature rise and increase in
# of extreme heat days depending on
emissions scenario
• Due to coastal location, City is less
affected than rest of LA region
• However, many households do not
have AC
• Neighborhood with least amount of
urban tree canopy Is Pico and MidCity
neighborhood; greatest canopy loss in
R1 in northern section of City
• Highlighted SE actions:
Prepare Extreme Heat Action
Plan, including potential cooling
requirements for new residential
units
Extreme Heat
Baseline 30 Yr Average 30 Yr Range
Modeled Historical 2 days 1 – 3 days
Mid-Century
Medium Emissions +5 days 7 days 4 – 13 days
High Emissions +6 days 8 days 5 – 17 days
End-Century
Medium Emissions +7 days 9 days 6 – 23 days
High Emissions +19 days 21 days 10 – 57 days
Projected Heat Days
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• California in drought between 2012-2022
• Climate change expected to cause
fluctuations in water supply
• Highlighted SE actions:
Regularly update City’s Climate
Action and Adaptation Plan
Implement City’s water self
sufficiency projects and programs
Seismically retrofit water
infrastructure
Assess adequacy of water
infrastructure and water storage
supply to accommodate demands,
including fire flow requirements
Consider emergency water storage
in event of natural disaster
Drought
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Extreme
Precipitation
• Annual variability of precipitation is
expected to increase.
• 2022-2023 Region experienced more
than 30 atmospheric rivers
• Frequency of atmospheric river
storm events projected to increase
by 40%.
• Highlighted SE actions
Identify priority localized
flooding sites, conduct
necessary inspections
Prioritize maintenance and
upgrades to the City’s
stormwater system to mitigate
problems prior to wet season
and after severe storms
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Sea Level Rise • New sea level rise maps per draft
2024 State of California Sea Level Rise
Guidance, released by the California
Ocean Protection Council (OCP)
• By 2050, sea level rise between 0.7
feet to 1.2 feet depending on scenario
• By 2100, sea level rise between 2.9 to
6.4 feet depending on scenario
• SM pier, beach parking lots, and
beach properties would be adversely
affected
• Highlighted SE actions:
Complete Local Coastal Program
Work with other local, regional
and state entities and other
organizations on sea level rise
strategies, such as Santa Monica
Dunes Project
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Airport Hazards
Aircraft accidents
Airport noise
Potential contamination from
past and current uses
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Urban Fires Airport Hazards
• In the 30-year period between 1993 and 2023, a total of 33 accidents were reported for SMO
• SMO implements the Santa Monica Fly Neighborly Program; noise complaints decreased to lowest in 2022
• Potential Soil and Groundwater Contamination due to
former aircraft manufacturing uses and aviation-related uses
• Recent revisions in the Draft Safety Element to reflect January 28, 2025 Council direction for airport conversion project – study three scenarios. Revised language neither precludes nor commits to “a great park” or any other
particular land use– ensures legal compliance with CEQA.
Airport conversion process will continue to involve significant community engagement to determine the preferred
scenario that will be studied pursuant to CEQA
• Highlighted SE Actions
Perform comprehensive environmental site
assessments on Airport land and properties to address
contamination
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Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Response
Operations, and Recovery
Office of
Emergency
Management
Santa Monica
Fire Department
Santa Monica
Police
Department
Santa Monica
Public Works
Other relevant
agencies
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Emergency Preparedness
• Emergency information provided by OEM available on
social media, website, and outreach events
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training
free to City residents and employees
• Emergency alert systems include SMAlerts, Alert LA
County, E911 Notifications, Emergency Alert System
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Essential
Facilities
• Essential facilities are vital to
government response activities and
should continue functioning after being
subjected to a disaster (examples:
emergency operations center, fire
station, hospital).
• Section 8.12.040 of the Building Code
lists police stations, fire stations, and
City Hall as Essential Facilities
• Due to age of City Hall, amendment to
SMMC is recommended to replace City
Hall with City Hall East as essential
facility
• Other essential facilities include the
Public Safety Facility, hospitals, Main
library, Animal Shelter, and Harbor
Patrol
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Potential Emergency Shelters
• Selection of shelter will be situational -
dependent on the number of people in
need of shelter, location relative to
impact area, and the structural
stability of the facility
• List is not exhaustive and could include
others as may be deemed necessary
• Not all identified facilities would be
open following a disaster
Potential Emergency Non-Congregate Shelters
Memorial Park Gymnasium and Facilities 1401 Olympic Boulevard Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica 1238 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica Family YMCA, Gym, Bldg 1 of 2 1332 6th Street Santa Monica Family YMCA, Multipurpose Room, 2 of 2 1332 6th Street World Culture Center Youth Center 606 Wilshire Blvd
World Culture Center 525 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica High School 601 Pico Blvd
Potential Tsunami Evacuation Sites (Temporary Facilities) Roosevelt Elementary School 801 Montana Ave
Washington West Preschool 2728 4th St
Olympic High School 721 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica High School 601 Pico Blvd
Other Emergency Response Sites
Virigina Avenue Park 2200 Virginia Ave
Santa Monica Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica Airport- Interim Space and
Administration Facility
3223 Donald Douglas
South
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Potential
Evacuation Routes
• Evacuation routes for wildfire, dam
inundation, tsunami, and other general
disaster events identified
• Routes will be situational and dynamic
• Highlighted SE Actions
Emergency notification systems
via various media
Evaluate if emergency parking
restrictions should be
implemented during disaster or
evacuation events
Prioritize connection of traffic
signals along evacuation routes to
speed evacuation
Collaborate with operators of
multi modal transportation
options in event of evacuation
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Additional Policies to Consider in Light of Recent Fires Implement parking restrictions in the northern portion of the City, including in areas with single-egress and ingress access, during Red Flag Days
Establish and maintain on-call agreements and contracts for vendors and providers that provide services in emergency management and recovery operations Establish emergency authority for emergency response services Identify large capacity shelter facilities with adequate parking and safe access during emergency events
Ensure critical water treatment and supply facilities have redundant backup power supply
Provide 24 hour/7 day staffing for critical water and wastewater facilities to ensure continued operations
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1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt Resolution to Adopt an Amended Safety Element of the City’s General Plan with additional actions and revisions as recommended by Staff;
3. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance Amending the Text of Section 9.31.195 of the Zoning Ordinance for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element; and
4. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance Amending the Text of Section 8.12.040 of the Building Code for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element.
Recommendations
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