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Peninsula-wide hazard mitigation plan presented; consultants highlight FEMA funding, AB 2140 benefits and local mitigation actions
Summary
Consultants briefed the Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission on the draft 2026 Palos Verdes Peninsula multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, citing extensive outreach (431 survey responses), multi-agency coordination and potential grant benefits under AB 2140; the commission voted to receive and file the draft.
The Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission on March 10 received an informational presentation on the draft 2026 Palos Verdes Peninsula multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, an effort by four peninsula cities and two geological hazard abatement districts to coordinate mitigation strategies and grant eligibility.
Associate planner Valeria Ceja introduced the item and consultant Megan Brotherton (Black & Veatch) described the plan's goals, risk-ranking methodology and outreach: a planning partnership with 18 primary members and five committee meetings, public outreach events and 431 survey responses that informed hazard mapping and mitigation actions. Brotherton said the multi-jurisdictional approach allows each participating entity to pursue individual grant applications while also enabling cross-jurisdictional projects.
Brotherton highlighted mitigation examples in the Rancho Palos Verdes annex, including egress/congestion reduction for earthquake response, voluntary buyouts and open-space conversion for landslide hazard areas, and funding matches for wildfire home-hardening and defensible-space work. She also explained that aligning the plan with the general plan safety element could help jurisdictions qualify for AB 2140 state cost-share benefits that reduce local matching requirements for federally eligible mitigation projects.
Commissioners asked about whether the plan replaces earlier documents, where drafts are posted (pvpready.gov), which fire-zone maps were used (Cal FIRE mapping adopted by each city), how local natural hazard disclosure forms relate to mapped hazards, and the distinction between pre-disaster mitigation funding and post-disaster relief funding. Consultants explained the federal/state review timeline (45-day reviews) and the plan maintenance process, including annual meetings of the planning partners to review project viability and pursue funding as opportunities arise.
A motion to receive and file the draft plan carried; staff said jurisdictions will proceed to seek pre-approval/adoption by city councils and district boards and then submit to Cal OES and FEMA for final review and approval, which enables grant eligibility.
