These regulations shall be known as the “Geology Report Requirements” of the city of Laguna Beach and will be referred to herein as “these regulations.”
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
These regulations shall apply to specified projects located throughout the city of Laguna Beach where engineering geologic reports are prepared. An engineering geologic report prepared in conformity with these requirements shall be completed and submitted with project plans, specifications and documents as set forth herein; failure to provide such report at the time an application is submitted shall constitute grounds for rejecting the application.
(a)
An engineering geologic report, prepared by a registered engineering geologist, shall be filed with the following applications in all instances;
(1)
Subdivisions, as defined in Title 21 of this code and State Subdivision Map Act;
(2)
Grading projects, as defined in Title 22 of this code;
(3)
Road construction, street extensions and street expansions, public or private, that create additional building sites;
(4)
Construction of commercial or industrial facilities, or other structures accessible to the public, and all structures used for habitation, unless modified herein pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this section;
(5)
Additions or expansions to existing structures that exceed fifty percent of the floor area before addition, and in all cases where additional structural load is placed on existing foundation systems, as a consequence of the construction, expansions, or where signs of stress are revealed.
(b)
An engineering geologic report shall not be required for the construction of minor accessory, ancillary or appurtenant structures, not utilized for human habitation and not otherwise requiring a grading permit pursuant to Title 22 of this code, including, but not limited to, the following types of projects:
(1)
Fences, screens and garden walls; and retaining walls to a maximum retained height of five feet with backfill surface of wall being horizontal;
(2)
Open, covered or enclosed structure, not structurally connected to a main building and utilized for the purpose of storage, pursuit of horticultural or agricultural activities, or scenic enjoyment, including sheds, greenhouses, gazebos and cabanas;
(3)
Construction of decks not structurally attached to a building, and placement of surfacing, pavement or walkways for pedestrian or vehicular purposes (excepting roadway construction), including garden paths, driveways and patios;
(4)
Landscaping, including such incidental activities as planting, lighting, trellis work, staking, signage, irrigation and drainage systems, excepting that, on new construction as defined in subsection (a) of this section the method and manner of drainage disposal shall be approved by the project engineering geologist.
(c)
In recognition of a variety of projects that do not warrant a full engineering geologic investigation but should have the benefit of geologic review for reasons of structural performance, safety and longevity, the following class of projects shall be reviewed by an engineering geologist when excavations are completed, but prior to the placement of forms, footings, reinforcing, structural members or concrete; the engineering geologist shall record and approve field observations in writing, together with a statement that the project should perform satisfactorily from a soils geologic and engineering geologic standpoint, or that changes have been required that should result in satisfactory project performance; such report shall be furnished to the city prior to project finalization of inspections and release.
Included as examples of such projects are:
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
The purpose of these requirements is to provide parameters for geology report preparation that will entail safeguarding life or limb, health, property, public welfare and safety and aid in the implementation of the general plan by delineating requirements for geology report content and administrative processing in the city of Laguna Beach.
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
During initial preparation and field research of geologic reports, the city of Laguna Beach is to be contacted for issuance of an engineering geologic exploration permit which authorizes review of on-site borings, trenches or other data on the property as applicable by the city engineer or a designated representative, and the city of Laguna Beach reviewing engineering geologist. Prior to issuance of an exploratory permit, a tentative access map is to be submitted, provided access grading is needed, depicting ingress and egress routes of operating equipment.
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
All reports shall be in accordance with the guidelines established by the California Division of Mines and Geology and published as CDMG Notes numbers 37, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48 and 49, as applicable. In addition to these regulations, special emphasis shall be placed on the effects of the proposed subdivision, grading or construction as it relates to off-site properties and to the following:
(a)
The scaled geologic map shall be based upon a detailed grading and development plan showing all existing and proposed contours, existing fill areas, proposed grading, proposed slope gradients, proposed structures, retaining walls, and drainage devices.
(b)
A complete description of all geologic elements on the site, inclusive of areas of existing or potential landslide, slump, mudflow, creep, faulting, erosion, ravelling, fractured bedrock, unsupported bedding planes, and other adverse geologic conditions. The report shall be prepared only after on-site borings or subsurface explorations have been completed.
(c)
The site analysis and topographic contours shall be extended beyond the site to evaluate any adverse conditions that may affect site stability.
(d)
Recommendations for the safe location of proposed structures relative to adjacent slopes as necessary for development of foundation plans.
(e)
Recommendations for all needed mudflow diversion devices, particularly at ravine outlet areas adjoining building sites.
(f)
Evidence of past and potential landslide, slope instability parameters and the potential effects of any development on slope stability or geologic conditions for the site and adjacent areas. This is to include the affected area of geologic concern, slope instability or slide mass, as applicable, certified by a qualified engineering geologist.
(g)
Ground and surface water conditions and variations, including hydrologic changes caused by the development.
(h)
Potential erodibility of the site and adjacent areas, together with mitigating measures to be used to ensure minimized erosion problems during and after construction (e.g., landscaping and drainage design).
(i)
Evaluation of the off-site impacts of development (e.g., development contributing to geological instability or development of access roads), and the additional impacts that might occur due to the proposed development (e.g., increased erosion or bank exposure).
(j)
Mitigation measures for any potential impacts, including alternative solutions.
(k)
Other matters as determined relevant to the property by the preparing engineering geologist, reviewing geologist or city engineer/building official.
(l)
A professional opinion as to whether the site and development will meet the above criteria during all foreseeable conditions, including ground saturation and maximum probable earthquake. A minimum project life of fifty years shall be assumed for all development, unless special consideration warrants the imposition of higher requirements.
(m)
The preparing engineering geologist shall sign and affix a certification seal inclusive of license number to the report and submit three copies to the department of community development.
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
The department of community development may, but shall not be required to, submit a copy of the engineering geologic report to the city of Laguna Beach selected reviewing engineering geologist for evaluation and written recommendation. Such review shall be completed in compliance with the criteria set forth in the personal services agreement retaining the engineering geologic consultant, with all costs for such independent review and site inspection borne by the applicant. Upon receipt of an affirmative recommendation by the reviewing geologist, the geologic report and recommendation shall be incorporated into the project. Should the preparing and reviewing geologists not concur in the recommendation made, nor an agreeable solution obtained, then another registered engineering geologist selected by the city of Laguna Beach may be required to evaluate all reports and submit a recommendation, with all costs to be borne by the applicant.
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
When during the course of processing development permit applications, the project engineering geologist report discloses the presence of an existing or potential landslide or other slope instability factors, sufficient supplemental investigation shall be provided to allow an assessment of the instability boundary, geometry and probability of renewed movement. If such supplemental investigation indicates, in the opinion of the professional preparing the report, that an acceptable level of safety exists that can satisfy general plan policy, then processing may proceed. This must be concurred with by the city of Laguna Beach reviewing geologist. Should the analysis of stability conclude an inadequate margin of safety, development permits for new construction or substantial remodeling may not proceed until the causative factors are corrected. Existing property owners and residents within the affected area shall be notified of the availability of geologic information by the city of Laguna Beach and encouraged to commence remedial efforts.
(Ord. 1001 § 2, 1981)
(a)
The building official or authorized agent shall inspect the project upon completion of foundation excavations and after placement of reinforcing steel but prior to the placement of any concrete. Prior to requesting such an inspection the owner, contractor or authorized agent shall deliver to the building division a written memorandum or report prepared by the responsible engineering geologist for the project stating his/her observations, recommendations and approval of the project from an engineering geologic standpoint. In cases involving engineered fill, the memorandum or report shall be furnished by a soils engineer. In either case the memorandum or report may be signed by a qualified technician; provided, that the responsible, supervising licensed engineering geologist or soils engineer has previously provided the building official with a signed document authorizing, by name, the person or persons that may sign memoranda or field reports on behalf of the engineering geologist or soils engineer. This written authorization shall also briefly summarize the qualifications of the authorized technician or technicians.
(Ord. 1117 § 15, 1986)