New earthquake fault maps could affect LA's Westside development projects

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11 / CNS) - State officials on Thursday released preliminary maps outlining the locations of earthquake fault lines on the Westside and other parts of the Los Angeles area which could have a major impact on future development projects.

The maps from the California Geological Survey show a fault line cutting through neighborhoods in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and other Westside neighborhoods and were made under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Act.

The general location of the fault lines have been known for years, but once finalized, the maps could prevent some future development projects, as the AP Act prohibits construction of certain structures for human occupancy on top of an active fault line.

Although the maps would not completely prevent structures from being built on fault lines, they do require developers working near a one to conduct a seismic review, and the ultimate approval of a project on a fault line lies with local authorities.

The maps, which will now undergo a 90-day review, show the Santa Monica Fault line cutting through Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Century City, Westwood and West Los Angeles.

The new maps released also completed an analysis of the western edge of the Hollywood fault, and the northern edge of the Newport-Inglewood fault, which runs through Culver City, Mid-City and Pico-Robertson.

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