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Home My WebLink About2010-11-09 City Council Item No. 5CITY OF LADE LLSII`IORT ~ ` DREAM EXTREME. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: ROBERT A. BRADY CITY MANAGER DATE: NOVEMBER 9, 2010 SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE DESIGNATING VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE Background While all of California is subject to some degree of fire hazard, there are specific features that make some areas more hazardous. California law requires that the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE) to identify, by zone, areas of significant fire hazard based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other factors such as, potential flame length, burning embers transported by the wind, and the likelihood of the area burning. These fires zones are referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) and influence how people construct buildings and protect property to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. There are three levels of zones based on increasing fire hazard: medium, high, and very high. The maps designating these zones were last updated in the early 1990s. A copy of CAL FIRE's "fact sheet" regarding Fire Hazard Severity Zones is attached. Discussion Most wildfire losses take place during hot windy days or nights when flames spread so fast that many buildings catch fire and overwhelm available firefighting forces. Many buildings ignite when burning embers land on wood roofs, blow in through vents, pile up in cracks, or become lodged under boards. By constructing buildings in a way that reduces the ability of embers to intrude, a major cause of structure ignition is reduced. Following the 2003 "Fire Siege," the Governor of California appointed a Blue Ribbon Commission to review what changes were needed to better protect life and property in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Out of that Commission, new Building Code AGENDA ITEM NO. 5 Page 1 of 6 Ordinance Re Designating Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones November 9, 2010 Page 2 Standards, (California Building Code Chapter 7A), were written and adopted by the State of California which went into effect in 2008. The new building codes for California require siding, exterior doors, decking, windows, eaves, wall vents, and enclosed overhanging decks to meet new standards. In the City of Lake Elsinore, the standards apply only to those areas designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). The California State Fire Marshal determined that, before public agencies could enforce the new building codes, updated fire hazard severity zone maps were needed to identify where these new building codes would be applied. Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones in both State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Area (LRA) were developed by CAL FIRE, incorporating improved fire science, data, and mapping techniques. The Local Responsibility Area maps for Riverside County show the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Wildland Urban Interface which is where the new building standards would be applied. The map identifying these zones in the City of Lake Elsinore was first reviewed by the City's Planning, Building, and Fire officials. After some modifications, the map was returned to CAL FIRE with the recommended changes which were accepted. A general depiction of the areas in the City designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones is attached. The designation of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Lake Elsinore is an important tool for: • Implementing Wildland Urban Interface building standards for new construction • Requiring 100 foot defensible space clearance around buildings • Imposing property development standards such as road widths, water supply, and property addresses • Disclosing to buyers of property concerning natural hazards at time of sale • Planning development as part of a city or county General Plans The detailed map showing such designation is posted online at: http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/webdata/maps/riverside west/fhszl map.60 pdf Government Code Sections 51178, 51179, and 51181 require the Director of CAL FIRE to produce a map recommending the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for the City. Following acceptance of the recommendations by the City and CAL FIRE, the City has 120 days to adopt such Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by ordinance. A general depiction of the areas in the City designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones is attached. Page 2 of 6 Ordinance Re Designating Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones November 9, 2010 Page 3 Accordingly, the attached ordinance adopts Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for the City of Lake Elsinore, as designated by the above-referenced online map. A fully detailed copy of the map will also be available in the Community Planning Department for viewing by the public following adoption of the ordinance. Fiscal Impact Because this is a new program, additional cost may be incurred but are not currently anticipated. With respect to new building construction, no additional cost for City inspection services is anticipated. With respect to "defensible space" inspection activities within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, City staff currently anticipates using existing staff and resources. In the event that existing staff resources prove inadequate, City staff will evaluate the expected additional cost and advise the City Council on available alternatives. Recommendation Waive further reading and introduce by title only an Ordinance No. 2010-1286 amending Chapter 15.04 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code designating Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Lake Elsinore. Prepared by: Kevin Lawson Fire Chief Approved by: Robert A. Brady City Manager Attachments: 1. CAL FIRE Fact Sheet 2. Depiction of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones 3. Ordinance Page 3 of 6 Page 4 of 6 ORDINANCE NO. 2010-1286 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE DESIGNATING VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN LAKE ELSINORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That Chapter 15.04 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding Section 15.04.030 as follows: 15.04.030 Designation of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones The City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore hereby establishes Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of Lake Elsinore, as recommended by the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and as designated on the map entitled City of Lake Elsinore VHFHSZ, dated December 22, 2009, retained on file at the City of Lake Elsinore and which shall also be retained on file at the office of the State Fire Marshall. SECTION 2. If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Ordinance and are hereby declared to be severable. SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of its final passage or such later date as may be designated by the City Council. The City Clerk shall certify as to adoption of this Ordinance and cause this Ordinance to be published and posted in the manner required by law. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, on this day of 2010. MELISSA MELENDEZ, MAYOR CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE ATTEST: CAROL COWLEY INTERIM CITY CLERK Page 6 of 6 APPROVED AS TO FORM: BARBARA ZEID LEIBOLD CITY ATTORNEY STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 1 I, Carol Cowley, Interim City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No.1286 was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore on the 9th day of November 2010, and was finally passed at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore held on the day of 2010 by the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: CAROL COWLEY . INTERIM CITY CLERK -2- Page 6of6