Hillside ‘Dust Bowl’ Is Under Control
The “dust bowl†on Western Avenue in Rancho Palos Verdes has been brought under control, a city official said last week.
About 110,000 cubic yards of soil are being removed from a hillside that will be terraced for new buildings at the old Harbor Heights shopping center at Caddington Drive. The center is being refurbished and expanded by a Denver developer.
When work started two weeks ago about 20 residents complained to City Hall about spilled dirt and wind-blown dust, said Robert Benard, environmental services director.
As a result, officials said, the developer began reducing truck loads, watering down the soil, sweeping the street and washing it off at noon and at the end of the day.
“It was a dust bowl last week . . . . Compared to that, it’s 100% better,†Benard said.
Benard said the developer is cooperating and the city has no plans to shut down the operation, which is scheduled to be completed Nov. 23.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
