Palace Cleaners Chatsworth Interim Removal Action Workplan
Summary
SCH Number
2026020007
Public Agency
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
(DTSC)
Document Title
Palace Cleaners Chatsworth Interim Removal Action Workplan
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/2/2026
Document Description
The project consists of implementing the Palace Cleaners Chatsworth Interim Removal Action Workplan (IRAW) to address soils impacted with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in soil vapor located on the Mason Devonshire Plaza retail shopping center located in the city of Chatsworth. The remedial activities identified in the IRAW consist of installing and operating a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system to reduce PCE
concentrations in soil vapor. Background: The Site covers an approximately 1,620 square-foot unit and is currently occupied by Palace Cleaners. The retail shopping center is located in a mixed residential and commercial area of the city of Chatsworth. The Site is bounded to the north by Chatsworth Dentistry (adjacent unit), to the south by BaskinRobbins (adjacent unit), to the east by residential, and to the west by an AMPM and ARCO service station. The Site has been operating as a dry-cleaning facility since 1967. Palace Cleaners operations at the Site were reported to have used PCE until 2007 and currently use a hydrocarbon-based solvent. In December 2014, the Mason Devonshire Plaza LLC entered into a Standard Voluntary agreement (Docket No. HSA-VCA 14/15-070) with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for the removal actions at the Site. Previous Investigations: Based on multiple environmental investigations conducted at the Site since 1996, including Phase I environmental site assessments (ESA) conducted in 2002 and 2014 and Phase II ESAs conducted in 1996 and 2014, the contaminant of potential concern (COPC) includes PCE in soil vapor because these exceed applicable regulatory screening criteria. Project Activities: The remedial measures identified in the IRAW include installation and operation of an SVE system. The SVE system will consist of: ? Three vertical extraction wells with screened intervals from 8 to 35 feet below ground surface (bgs), ? A network of permanent dual-nested soil vapor probes, ? Above and below-ground piping to connect the extraction wells to a blower and water knockout tank, ? Activated carbon air treatment system with a vent to the atmosphere, and ? A manifold to monitor volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations in vapor at various points entering and exiting the SVE system. Each vapor extraction (VE) well will be connected to the SVE system manifold by 2-inch diameter PVC pipe. The three SVE extraction wells will be located at the following locations: VE-1 – to the west of the Site in the parking area ? VE-2 – to the south of the Site adjacent to the shopping center building ? VE-3 – to the east of the Site in a loading area behind the shopping center In addition, three additional temporary soil vapor probes (SVPs) will be advanced to a depth of 15 feet bgs using a direct push drilling rig at the following locations: ? SVP-10 – on Devonshire Street east of the private sewer line connection with the main sewer line ? SVP-11 – on Stafford Lane immediately north of the cul-de-sac ? SVP-12 – on Stafford Lane north of SVP-11 The manifold and SVE system will be located east of the Palace Cleaners building in a loading area behind the shopping center (adjacent to extraction well VE-3). Soil vapor will be extracted using negative pressure applied to the extraction wells by a 250 cubic feet per minute (cfm) blower. From the manifold, the soil vapor will first pass through a water separator prior to entering the activated carbon canisters. Two 1,000-pound activated carbon canisters installed in series will be used to remove the VOCs in the extracted soil vapor. After the carbon canisters, the soil vapor will be vented to the atmosphere through the exhaust stack. The exhaust stack will extend a minimum height of 10 feet, and a minimum of 2 feet above the roof line. Once installed, the SVE system will operate continuously for two years, except for as needed for maintenance and brief shutdowns to collect soil vapor samples, to evaluate remedial progress. A Permit to Operate the SVE system will be obtained from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Requisite permits/releases from the City of Los Angeles will also be obtained as necessary.
Contact Information
Name
Gregory Gentile
Agency Name
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Cary J. Lefton
Agency Name
Agora Realty & Management, Inc.
Job Title
Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
10312 Mason Avenue
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 30, CCR Title 14, Sec. 15330
Reasons for Exemption
1. The project is a minor action designed to prevent, minimize, stabilize, mitigate or eliminate the release or threat of release of hazardous waste or hazardous substances.
2. The project is a removal action that will not exceed $1 million in cost.
3. The project will be consistent with applicable State and local environmental permitting requirements.
4. The project does not involve the onsite use of a hazardous waste incinerator or thermal treatment unit.
5. The project does not involve the relocation of residences or businesses.
6. The project does not involve the potential release into the air of volatile organic compounds as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 25123. (Exception: Small-scale in situ soil vapor extraction and treatment systems which have been permitted by the Air Pollution Control District or the Air Quality Management District.)
7. The exceptions pursuant to Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15300.2 have been addressed as follows:
a. Cumulative Impact. The project will not result in cumulative impacts because it is designed to be a short-term, final remedy that would not lead to a succession of projects of the same type in the same place over time.
b. Significant Effect. The environmental safeguards and monitoring procedures that are enforceable and made a condition of project approval will prevent unusual circumstances from occurring so that there is no possibility that the project will have a significant effect on the environment.
c. Scenic Highways. The project will not damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources, because it is not located within view of a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway.
d. Hazardous Waste Sites. The project is not located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
e. Historical Resources. The project is not expected to cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource because none are onsite.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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