LAGUNA BEACH : Council OKs Contract to Stabilize Hillside

The City Council has awarded a contract to stabilize a Rimrock Canyon hillside where a landslide destroyed two homes last spring and where ominous cracks appeared recently on an adjacent street.

Workers completed emergency work to steady the street Wednesday, and Municipal Services Director Terry Brandt said he hopes to begin the larger $800,000 hillside stabilization project in as little as two weeks.

Officials are racing against the approach of the rainy season, which could complicate efforts to prevent further slippage and property damage in the area.

In addition to awarding the contract Tuesday night, the council unanimously approved a coastal development permit for the work and agreed to waive the usual design review process.

Bob Folkenflik, who lives on Dunning Drive, where the slides occurred, said that he is pleased with the city’s action and thinks most of his neighbors are satisfied as well.

“I think the City Council is following through on its intentions to do what’s needed up here in order to make the canyon safe for the city and its residents,” Folkenflik said.

The landslides occurred in March and April, destroying two houses and forcing three families from their homes.

Geologists have said rains could threaten other property in the area.

Fears increased in Rimrock Canyon when stress cracks were discovered recently on Dunning Drive, prompting the emergency street stabilization project that began last week.

The city needs approval from about half a dozen property owners before it can begin the hillside stabilization project it hopes to complete by late December.