Latest news with #RanchoPalosVerdes
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rancho Palos Verdes to ban new construction in landslide zone
Rancho Palos Verdes has moved forward with plans to permanently ban new construction across 715 acres of land that has been plagued by dramatic and destructive landslide movement over the last two years. City councilmembers on Tuesday night voted unanimously to prohibit almost all new development, including home additions, throughout the landslide zone, which encompasses approximately 400 homes and 130 vacant, privately owned lots across three neighborhoods. The change to the city's building code would, however, permit repairs, restoration efforts and even the replacement of existing homes, so long as the updates don't exceed the original, damaged home's square footage. It also provides for a way for land owners to apply for an exception. Tuesday's vote is the first step to make permanent a moratorium that had been in place since land movement dramatically accelerated almost two years ago. The change will only take place after a final approval later this month. But with overwhelming support from city leaders, it appears likely to go into effect by the end of September. Read more: Is it finally time to ban new homes in the Rancho Palos Verdes' landslide zone? Despite well-documented issues from the landslide since October 2023, the move faces opposition, especially from homeowners who live in areas that have recently stabilized. Criticism and concern have also come from landowners sitting on undeveloped lots, or from homeowners who were recently included in the designated landslide zone. That designation came after geologists confirmed that the recent movement had expanded past historic boundaries. Many other homeowners, however, said they were in support of the ban. City officials said the changes were about safety, and pointed to the last two years of unprecedented landslide movement. The movement has fractured homes, warped several roads and severed shut off electricity and gas service for hundreds. Though the area has long been known for recurring issues from a complex of ancient landslides that reemerged in the 1950s, the rate and scale of the movement since October 2023 has never before been recorded. 'We're very sensitive about the land and the folks that are now included in this [prohibition] zone," Mayor Pro Tem Paul Seo said at Tuesday's city council meeting. "... But what it comes down to is public safety and well-being for the people on that land.' The city had enacted a similar ban on development in the landslide zone decades ago, but it was repeatedly weakened by lawsuits and exceptions. City leaders on Tuesday said that some of the homes damaged in the recent movement were among a group that fought the initial construction ban, and won approval to build in the landslide zone through a lawsuit in the early 2000s. At least five recently applied for federal buyouts, city officials said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Habit Burger & Grill Celebrates Rancho Palos Verdes Launch in Home State of California
New Habit Restaurant to Open Doors on August 13; Hold Pre-Opening VIP Events on August 9, 11-12 Habit Burger & Grill Celebrates Rancho Palos Verdes Launch in Home State of California IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Habit Burger & Grill, the California-based restaurant company renowned for its award-winning Charburgers grilled over an open flame, signature sandwiches, fresh salads, and more, announces today the launch of their latest restaurant opening in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The address is 29135 S Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275. Their famous 'Habit Hospitality' will be served to the public starting Wednesday, August 13, 2025. In honor of their grand opening, Habit Burger & Grill will host exclusive pre-opening VIP events for their CharClub and mobile app members. Guests can receive an invite to this exclusive sneak peek by signing up at VIP Event Details: Free Charburger Day (Saturday, August 9): The first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. will receive a free freshly-made Charburger, fries, and drink. Must be a CharClub member and present VIP invitation. Free Habit Day (Monday, August 11): The first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. will receive a free chargrilled meal from one of our pre-set menus. Must be a CharClub member and present VIP invitation. Free Habit Day (Tuesday, August 12): The first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. will receive a free chargrilled meal from one of our pre-set menus. Must be a CharClub member and present VIP invitation. "We've been growing fast across the country, but opening a new spot right here in our home state of California always hits different, this time it's Rancho Palos Verdes,' said Chef Jason Triail, Habit's Director of Culinary Innovation. 'This place has some of the most stunning beaches and trails around, and we're fired up to be part of the community. Can't wait to serve up our award-winning charburgers, stacked sandwiches, fresh salads, and all the tasty sides folks around here are gonna love.' The latest Rancho Palos Verdes restaurant will offer dine-in, takeout and delivery will be available via the Habit Mobile App and online at Guests also have additional convenient ordering options including state-of-the-art indoor self-serve kiosks and delivery through Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates and Uber Eats. Habit Burger & Grill was named in Thrillist's list of 'Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State!' With its cooked-to-order mantra, Habit Burger & Grill's open flame sears a distinctive smoky flavor into their famous Charburgers, fresh marinated chicken, and sushi-grade ahi tuna. Guests at Habit Burger & Grill can always count on freshly-made, handcrafted quality served up with genuine hospitality. Hours: Sun–Thu: 10 a.m.–10 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Connect with Habit Burger & Grill on social media at: FB: IG: TikTok: LinkedIn: About The Habit Restaurants, Inc. Born in sunny Southern California in 1969, Habit Burger & Grill is known for Charburgers cooked-to-order over an open flame. But the menu extends far beyond burgers—it's a celebration of Californian-inspired flavors. Alongside the brand's signature Charburgers is a meaningful array of handcrafted sandwiches, crisp salads, and creamy shakes, ensuring there's something for everyone. Habit Burger & Grill has earned notable recognition, with its Double Char ranked #1 twice by USA Today 10Best*, its Tempura Green Beans named the #1 side twice by USA Today 10Best, #1 Fast Casual Restaurant by USA Today 10 Best, and its Chicken Club recognized as the best grilled chicken sandwich by The Daily Meal. The brand was also featured in Newsweek's America's Favorite Restaurant Chains 2023 and included in Thrillist's roundup of Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State! Habit Burger & Grill has since grown to over 385 restaurants across 14 states and internationally—continuing to serve up bold fresh flavors, made-to-order. Learn more at Sources: USA Today 10Best, USA Today 10Best, The Daily Meal, Newsweek, The Daily Meal, Thrillist Habit Burger & Grill Press Contact: HBGMedia@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
CBS News
31-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Wayfarers Chapel announces prospective campus in Rancho Palos Verdes
After the ongoing land movement in Palos Verdes forced its closure last year, the Wayfarers Chapel may have found a new hilltop to call home. The National Historic Landmark's prospective campus is located on Battery Barnes next to Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, above Point Vicente Lighthouse and Golden Cove. It's roughly 1.7 miles away from the shuttered Portuguese Bend location. The National Historic Landmark's prospective campus is located on Battery Barnes next to Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, above Point Vicente Lighthouse and Golden Cove. It's roughly 1.7 miles away from the shuttered Portuguese Bend location. Wayfarers Chapel Over the last two years, land movement has severely damaged roads, homes and utilities in Rancho Palos Verdes, eventually leading the region's major natural gas and electricity providers to shut off their services to hundreds of residents. Since August, the Portuguese Bend slide has impacted about 650 homes. The ongoing natural disaster prompted FEMA and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to implement a $42 million voluntary buyout program, allowing residents to sell their homes at "fair market value." In October, geologists gave residents a small glimmer of hope after confirming that the slide had decelerated from an average of 13 inches a week to 8 inches, a roughly 38% decrease. Further studies conducted by researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory showed that the movement slowed to about 4 inches a week in the fall of 2024. Once rebuilt, the Wayfarers Chapel campus would include a visitors center, a museum, a cafe and gardens. The 100-seat, glass chapel designed by famous architect Lloyd Wright originally opened in 1951. Wayfarers Chapel gained its National Landmark status in 2023. However, the decades-long Portuguese Bend landslide forced it to close in February 2024. In July 2024, construction crews fully disassembled the historic church while it waited for a new location. "We look forward to rebuilding and serving the community for another 75+ years," Wayfarers Chapel wrote on its website.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
SoCal Gas begins work to restore natural gas services to residents in Rancho Palos Verdes
Crews from SoCal Gas will begin work to restore natural gas to hundreds of residents in the Rancho Palos Verdes area, a year after services were shut off. After nearly a year of not having natural gas, residents can see the finish line getting closer. In July 2024, the utility company SoCal Gas cut off natural gas service to the Portuguese Bend community of Rancho Palos Verdes after continued land movement in the area. In September 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the area, saying severe storms had significantly accelerated land movement to an average of 9 to 12 inches per week. The city also declared a local emergency and issued evacuation warnings urging residents to gather important documents and items. Last summer, Mayor John Cruikshank said he was worried the gas service would be the first domino to fall, a prediction that ended up being correct. Crews were seen Friday morning digging into the ground so they can install new equipment and infrastructure. Once they complete that, they will go door to door and start restoring natural gas service to homes. There are some properties in the areas that were red or yellow tagged and are too badly damaged to have service restored. SoCal Gas said there are about 22 customers who should get their services back by July. A spokesperson from the utility company said thy are doing upgrades to make sure they're able to adjust to changing conditions. "We're installing automatic shutoff valves, monitoring, reassessing and figure out where to go from there," Brian Haas, a SoCal Gas spokesperson, said. Unfortunately, there are still hundreds of homeowners in Rancho Palos Verdes who are dealing with the ongoing land movement. Some people have chosen to leave, taking advantage of a $42 million voluntary buyout program from FEMA and the state of California. SoCal Gas has said it does appear the land movement has slowed in some areas like Seaview, Portuguese Bend Beach Club and Rolling Hills. Crews will continue monitoring other areas to see if it's safe to bring back utilities there too.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Gas service to be restored in some Palos Verdes communities impacted by land movement
As landslide movement on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has slowed, Southern California Gas Co. is restoring natural gas service to some areas where the utility was cut last year out of safety concerns. In 2024, accelerating landslide movement wreaked havoc in some communities on the peninsula, damaging homes, cutting off utility services, and even forcing some residents in impacted areas to relocate. The Portuguese Bend Landslide has impacted about 650 homes and is considered an ongoing natural disaster. Beginning Tuesday, SoCalGas will begin upgrading and testing its infrastructure in the Seaview area of Rancho Palos Verdes to complete gas restoration for homeowners who request it. The restoration of natural gas to the Seaview community is expected to take four to five weeks. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes noted that red-tagged and yellow-tagged properties will not be considered for restoration. "We are grateful to these communities for their patience during what we know has been a difficult time," said Maria Martinez, director of gas engineering for SoCalGas in a statement. "Given the sustained decreases in land movement, we look forward to the safe restoration of natural gas service for those who are ready to reconnect." The land movement in the Seaview, Portuguese Bend Beach Club, and Rolling Hills communities has drastically slowed since October 2024. The utility company reported that extensive monitoring over the past seven months shows that land movement in these communities is now minimal, with no measurable land movement in Seaview and Portuguese Bend Beach Club since February. Additional safety equipment, such as automatic shut-off valves is part of the upgrade to SoCalGas infrastructure. The restoration of natural gas services does not include the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood, according to the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. Related: FEMA, Cal OES announce $42 million voluntary buyout program to Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners impacted by land movement
