California reinstituted an ambitious plan to study dangerous earthquake faults and create zoning maps that could restrict development. In July, the California Geological Survey began to zone the Santa Monica fault, which is among 2,000 miles of fault lines statewide that still need to be mapped.
California drastically reduced these mapping efforts over the past 20 years because of budget cuts. Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed off on $1.49 million in new funding and $1.3 million in annual dedicated funding to be paid for with increased building permit fees.
Without the maps, many communities have limited information on the location of faults, and whether they might impact new development. More than a dozen properties were approved for construction on or near the Hollywood and Santa Monica faults over the last decade without in-depth studies that would have been required had the state zoned those faults, according to the Los Angeles Times. Both faults could cause major temblors.
Building permit fees were increased by about 30% to fund the mapping project.
(http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-quake-faults-20140702-story.html)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2018
New York’s green roof program needs reform
Despite incentives, few owners add vegetative roofs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2018
Resilience, sustainability emphasized in plans for new 23,000-acre city in the Philippines
“A backup for when Manila fails.”
Codes and Standards | Aug 23, 2018
Cities promote deconstruction of old homes with mixed results
Market factors complicate efforts to recycle material from old structures.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2018
Oregon is first state to change building code to allow tall mass timber buildings
Statewide alternate method allows early technical consideration and approval.
Codes and Standards | Aug 21, 2018
First mass timber panel made from structural composite lumber gets APA certification
Said to be much more cost effective than CLT options.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2018
Zoning changes can be crucial to filling large, empty retail spaces
Alternative uses often require action by local officials.
Codes and Standards | Aug 16, 2018
Nearly a quarter of opioid overdose deaths attributable to construction workers
Massachusetts public health study finds pressure to work in pain contributes to problem.
Codes and Standards | Aug 15, 2018
ICC creates new committee on building safety and security
Will include experts from many different disciplines.
Codes and Standards | Aug 14, 2018
Philadelphia adopts 2018 IECC energy code, while state opts for 2015 code
City is one of the first jurisdictions to adopt newest code.
Codes and Standards | Aug 9, 2018
Denver’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 includes net zero energy buildings
Community solar programs for low income residents part of plan.