LAGUNA BEACH : Report Downgrades Ancient Slide Threat

A geological report released Monday indicates an ancient landslide in the fire-damaged Mystic Hills community may be smaller than earlier believed.

The report was sought by residents skeptical about two previous reports that said a tear-shaped ancient landslide exists under about 14 lots where residents want to rebuild homes.

The new report will be discussed at a special meeting of the City Council, at 6 tonight.

The geologist who helped conduct the latest study said Monday he believes that small ancient landslides may exist in the northern part of the previously defined landslide area, but he could not confirm that the larger landslide exists as described by other geologists.

“I feel at this point it is probably not a single large landslide as has been mapped by Geofirm,” said Perry Ehlig, a South Pasadena engineering geologist. “There isn’t enough information to reach a final conclusion.”

Ehlig and Bing Yen, an Irvine geotechnical engineer, recommend further studies be done to pinpoint the landslide’s southern boundaries.

They also recommend that residents whose burned lots are in the northern section be allowed to stabilize their lots and rebuild.

A previous 45-day building ban in that area is set to expire today and city staff proposes that the ban be extended for 10 1/2 months. That recommendation was in place before the latest study was released and City Manager Kenneth C. Frank could not be reached Monday to determine if he will modify that position in light of the latest findings.

The city will also hold a previously scheduled hearing to discuss forming an assessment district to help pay for a $1-million re-stabilization project.

On Monday, disaster-weary Mystic Hills residents were trying to digest the latest news. Within about an hour of the report’s release, a dozen property owners had stopped by City Hall to pick up a copy.

One man, who asked that he not be identified, flipped through the study, trying to discern how it will affect his future.

“It says we can rebuild, that’s the way I read it,” he said.

Mystic Hills residents, especially fire victims, have been upset and bewildered by suggestions that their lots might be on unstable ground.

Last month, Geofirm, a consulting company hired by the city, said that two dozen properties in that community--including 14 destroyed in the Oct. 27 blaze--were sitting atop an ancient landslide. Geofirm said 38 properties could be directly or indirectly affected and recommended a complex plan to secure the hillside.

On May 21, the council held an intense 3 1/2-hour session with Mystic Hills residents, many of whom were skeptical that the landslide poses a danger, or that it even exists. As a result, the city ordered another study.

In the meantime, the city manager had strongly recommended that residents on the affected streets form an assessment district to pay for the $1-million stabilization project, with property owners paying varying amounts, depending upon how much they would benefit from the project.