LA Council Approves Skyscrapers on Fault Line

What could go wrong? LA's city council this week approved a plan to build two skyscrapers and a million square feet of office, hotel, and retail space—even after the head of the California Geological Survey warned that the Hollywood fault "goes right through" the proposed site. The developer insists the site is safe, saying it has done "actual subsurface physical investigations" to test it, which are "far superior to maps based on conjecture" like the ones the city uses, the LA Times reports

"It is not in our interest to develop a project without addressing any and all seismic concerns," says the company's co-founder. The skyscrapers, which will be built on what are currently vacant parking lots near the Capitol Records building, are also controversial for their sheer size, with residents complaining that the 39- and 35-story towers will be out of proportion with the rest of Hollywood's skyline. They also fear worsening traffic problems in the area. (More Los Angeles stories.)