Council pre‑adopts peninsula hazard mitigation plan update to preserve FEMA grant eligibility

The Rolling Hills Estates City Council voted unanimously to pre‑adopt the Peninsula Multi‑Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (volumes 1 and 2, including the Rolling Hills annex) by adopting resolution 1404, a procedural step that allows the California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA to begin their formal reviews so the city remains eligible for federal pre‑disaster mitigation assistance.

Planner Samantha and consultant Megan Brotherton of Black & Beach described the plan as a coordinated, six‑jurisdiction effort that identifies regional hazards — earthquake, wildfire, landslide, drought and others — and proposes 28 mitigation strategies spanning emergency operations, infrastructure resilience and development review in hazard areas. Brotherton said the plan updates are required on a five‑year cycle to preserve grant eligibility, and staff noted the primary consultant cost was largely funded by a state grant that covered 75% of the work with the participating cities covering the remaining 25% cost share; Rolling Hills Estates’ share was presented as $4,386.79.

During public comment, resident Judith Hel asked whether the city would be forced to implement specific recommendations; staff clarified that the plan contains mitigation actions the city may pursue and that the document is a living plan that can be updated. Staff also explained that adopting the plan by reference into the general plan’s safety element is a separate step that can follow FEMA approval. The council approved resolution 1404 with authorization for staff to submit the materials for state and federal review and to make minor typographical corrections before final submission.

What’s next: Cal OES has 45 days to review and return comments; after state and FEMA sign‑off, the city may formally adopt the plan into its safety element to unlock additional state match funding and then pursue mitigation grant opportunities.