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Council approves coastal permit, habitat plan for LA County sewer repairs with conditions
Summary
Rancho Palos Verdes approved a coastal permit and a seven-year Habitat Conservation Plan that allows LA County Sanitation District to rehabilitate roughly 9,000 feet of sewer line and 13 manholes; the project includes temporary habitat impacts and a six‑acre restoration commitment, plus a condition reserving city review of mitigation.
Rancho Palos Verdes — The City Council on Tuesday approved a coastal permit and an associated Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to allow the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts to rehabilitate deteriorated sewer infrastructure under portions of the Trump National Golf Club and city-owned Ocean Trails Reserve.
Senior planner Amy Sarady told the council the project would repair about 9,000 feet of sewer line and 13 manholes within Rancho Palos Verdes, run from roughly July 2026 to March 2027, and require temporary access roads and staging; staff estimates about 0.8 acres of temporary impacts to coastal sage scrub. "This project is needed to rehabilitate deteriorated sewer infrastructure and to prevent failures," Sarady said, citing risks that include sewage leaks, coastal contamination and bluff instability.
Katie Lozano, open space and trails manager, said the federal incidental take permit and HCP are required because the work is expected to affect the federally threatened California gnatcatcher. "The permit term will be for seven years and will include a six‑acre habitat restoration site," Lozano said, adding that the Sanitation District will contract with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy or an equivalent entity to perform restoration work.
Applicants from the Sanitation Districts, including Billy Chu, joined by phone and emphasized the project's urgency to maintain wastewater service. "This is a critical project — we want to keep our wastewater infrastructure operating for the residents of RPV," Chu said. A local business representative, Lily Amini, also said she supported the repairs and recognized potential short-term interruptions to access during construction.
Council members asked how the city would be kept informed about schedule changes and contingencies. City staff said the Sanitation District will provide weekly progress reports and that any material changes to the approved coastal permit or HCP would return to the council for consideration. The staff report noted an added condition (No. 33) to ensure the city may review the habitat mitigation plan before restoration work begins.
Council moved to accept staff's recommendation and approved the permit and HCP by roll call. The vote record in the meeting transcript shows all council members present voted to approve.
Next steps: The Sanitation Districts will proceed with final planning, secure the federal incidental take permit, and implement the temporary bypass and staging systems under the approved conditions; the city will review mitigation plans before work begins.
Sources: Staff presentation by Amy Sarady and Katie Lozano; statements from Billy Chu and Lily Amini; council deliberations and roll‑call vote at the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council meeting.
