Caruso Affiliated announced Monday, Aug. 25 that its comprehensive clean-up plan for Swarthmore Avenue in Pacific Palisades has received initial approval from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), an agency of the State of California.
On the same day, the DTSC released a draft response plan inviting public comment on developer Rick Caruso’s proposed plan. A 30-day comment period opened Aug. 25 and will end Sept. 26. DTSC will host a public meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Palisades High School’s Mercer Hall.
If approved, work is anticipated to begin later this year and take about six months, with continued monitoring for two years.
Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday no work will be done on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
“We’re happy to finally be at this point for an approved clean-up,” Caruso told the Post.
The response plan addresses soil, soil vapor and groundwater contaminated with tetrachloroethylene, or PCE. In 2012, environmental investigations began as part of due diligence for Caruso’s potential purchase of the property.
Previous investigations revealed a historic release of PCE, most likely attributable to a dry cleaning business that operated at 1045 Swarthmore Avenue from about 1968 to 2000.
Some vacant units on the north side of Swarthmore will need to be demolished in order to conduct the full scope of soil testing, according to DTSC. The work will include the removal of contaminated soil, followed by transportation and off-site disposal of about 11,000 cubic yards (approximately 717 truckloads) of contaminated soil.
A soil vapor extraction system was installed on the site in 2013 to address the PCE contamination, which is monitored quarterly. Groundwater around the site will also be monitored.
Caruso said this isn’t the first time he has had to perform such extensive environmental testing and clean-up as part of the purchase process. He mentioned there were some petroleum contamination issues when developing The Grove and PCE contamination at one of his properties in Marina del Rey.
“We feel very comfortable dealing with sites that have contamination,” Caruso said. “We’re always prepared to do the highest level of clean-up. It’s about getting through the regulatory process, it’s not about doing a short cut. We want the highest level because we’re going to own the property until the end of time. And I know the community wants it too. They want to be assured that the property has been cleaned.”
Caruso said another meeting at Pali High will be scheduled to discuss his development plans for the Palisades Village property, including the elements of his design.
The Sept. 16 meeting, however, will be limited to the environmental work.
“If people are coming in hopes of hearing about the development plans, that’s not what it’s about,” Caruso said of the Sept. 16 meeting.
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