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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/2010, PH 1 - REVIEW OF AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE HAZARDS SECTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT (GPA, ER 77-10) council /rte {,�J °�°� 11-9-10 xcen6a Repo Rt hem Numb � CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Directl?",Y Prepared By: Phil Dunsmore, Senior Planner SUBJECT: REVIEW OF AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE HAZARDS SECTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT (GPA, ER 77-10). RECOMMENDATION Adopt the attached resolution which amends the Fire Hazards section of the General Plan Safety Element and adopt a Negative Declaration of environmental effect(ER 77-10). DISCUSSION Situation Beginning in 2008, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) required the statewide implementation of the new Wildland Urban Interface building standards. In order to clarify where these standards would apply, Cal Fire initiated a statewide fire zone mapping effort to identify urban areas that are subject to wildfire risk. The state used a sophisticated program that evaluated 17 factors such as prevailing wind direction, vegetation type, available fire service, access and topography among others to determine the fire hazard zones. These maps were adopted by the state and reflected in changes to Government Code that require local jurisdictions to address fire safety issues in the areas adjacent to identified very high fire hazard severity zones. Locally, this means that changes to the building code that enhance fire protection requirements of development adjacent to wildlands need to be reflected in the General Plan policies for fire safety. Additionally, the City's existing fire hazard maps need to be updated for consistency with the state fire hazard maps. The Planning Commission reviewed and endorsed the proposed amendments to the General Plan Safety Element, which includes new Fire Hazard maps, new text, and new Safety Element policies (Attachments 1, 2, and 3). At the hearing, Commissioners requested that staff prepare additional outreach to property owners within the new fire zones so that owners would be aware of standards that might impact new development on their properties. Staff prepared a notification letter that was mailed to property owners within the identified fire hazard zones, or within 1,000 feet of these zones(Attachment 4). Fire Hazard May Changes The map update process has been a collaborative effort between Cal Fire and each community in the state, with the objective of implementing a state-wide fire hazard map that reflects input from local jurisdictions. The City's GIS department worked with Cal Fire, the City Fire Department, the Community Development Department building and planning staff in providing input for the new map. Cal Fire identified the boundaries of the new fire zones within the unincorporated areas utilizing City input regarding any additional fire hazard zones desired within the City Limits. PH1-1 Orcutt Area Specific Plan Rezoning Page 2 The new map will specify where the State's new Wildland Urban Interface Building Codes apply and the map will replace the City's existing fire hazard map. The primary focus of the map is to identify properties within High and Very High Fire Hazard Zones and properties within 1000 feet of these zones. These identified properties are required to utilize"Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards" for new construction to implement techniques to maximize wildfire protection. The Fire Hazard zones also become a valuable land use and planning tool and help determine appropriate locations for new development. A copy of the proposed map has been included as an attachment to the draft resolution and a color copy of the map has been included in the Council Reading file and can also be viewed on the City's website at: hLtp://www.ci.san-luis-obiMo.ca.us/communitydevelol)ment/longrange_asp Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards The City of San Luis Obispo has adopted the Wildland-Urban Interface Building Standards as a component of the City's building codes. These standards contain requirements for the protection of properties in the identified Wildland Urban Interface areas that include things such as: water requirements, road access, roofing type, construction type, hazard abatement and other components. The purpose of the new code is to increase the ability of a building or structure to resist the intrusion of flame or burning embers through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements. The standards will only apply to new construction or new additions to existing structures and would only apply to a remodel if the remodel results in a demolition of the existing structure as defined by the City's Zoning Ordinance. Travel Time maps Emergency personnel response time (or travel time) can be a significant factor in determining fire hazards on specific properties. Therefore, in addition to incorporating a new fire hazard map, a fire truck travel time map has been created by the GIS department and the Fire Department. The Safety Element doesn't currently provide this information, however this is a logical addition to the General Plan that most communities incorporate into the Safety Element. The new travel time map supplies valuable information in planning new development or analyzing existing conditions. The travel time map identifies only the time it takes for City fire personnel to travel to a specific area within existing city street systems. It does not include some of the overlap or mutual aid areas that are served by Cal Fire. Currently Cal Fire serves areas adjacent to the airport in contract with the City. A copy of the map has been included as an attachment to the draft resolution and a color copy has been included in the Council Reading File and can also be viewed on the City's website at: http://www.ci.san-luis-obisoo.ca.us/communitvdevelopm ent/l ongran.e.as-p Safety Element Policy Changes The new policies reflect the updated maps and new Wildland-Urban Interface standards. The most significant change to the policies is the requirement for new construction within the Very High zone (or within the 1,000 foot buffer zone surrounding the Very High and State designated High Fire Zone) to follow the Wildland-Urban Interface Building Standards. These standards PH1-2 Orcutt Area Specific Plan Rezoning Page 3 include requirements such as: minimum water flow, road access, non-combustible roofing, specific construction details, hazard abatement and other components such as vegetation clearance. The purpose of the new standards is to increase the ability of a structure to resist the intrusion of flame or burning embers through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements. These standards apply to building materials and the exterior design of newly constructed structures subject to the California Building Code. Additionally, the new policies prohibit new development lots from being created within the very high zones unless the new lots are part of an open space or conservation easement agreement negotiated by the City. Language has also been added to recognize the need for vegetation clearing and maintenance near structures. Fortunately, there are very few properties within the Very High zone within the City limits that are conducive to future development. It is important to note, that these new policies will not enact changes upon existing development, it will only be applied to new development. The existing language and maps shown in the Fire Safety portion of the Safety Element will be replaced in their entirety. The proposed language and maps are shown in Exhibit A, attached to the draft Council resolution. The language for policy 3.1 is shown below: 3.1 Policy. Wildland Fire Safety A. Wildland fire hazards shall be classified as prescribed by Cal Fire. Areas within the City, outside of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and associated interface zones, shall be classified by the City's Fire Marshal. B. New subdivisions shall be prohibited in areas.of"Very High" wildland fire hazard as shown in Figure 2 unless part of a conservation or open space acquisition program. Development of existing parcels shall require a development plan to manage fuels, maintain a buffer zone, and provide adequate fire protection to the approval of the City Building Official. The development plan must be consistent with Policies required by the. City's Conservation and Open Space Element. C. Buildings that are within 1000 feet from any State designated high or very high fire hazard zone or Locally very high fire hazard zone shall utilize ignition resistant lildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards and meet the standards established by Government Code sections 11175— 11189. D. In areas of moderate or higher wildland fire hazard, or within areas that are within 1,000 feet of any High or Very High fire zone, defensible space —accessible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials— shall be provided around all structures pursuant to Government Code sections 11175 — 11189. Fuel modification, including, but not limited to, removal of vegetation and modification of landforms must be consistent with policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. Environmental Review Staff has prepared an initial study of environmental review to review the changes to the Safety Element consistent with CEQA. No significant impacts to the environment are known to occur from the proposed policy changes which are designed to protect structures and properties. No mitigation has been recommended. The policies proposed will also be responsive to potential increased wildland fire risk associated with climate change. A negative declaration of environmental impact has been endorsed by the Planning Commission for approval by the City Council. CONCURRENCES PH 1-3 Orcutt Area Specific Plan Rezoning Page 4 The map and policy amendments have been drafted in conjunction with the Fire Marshal and the Chief Building Official. Both the Fire Department and Building and Safety Division have reviewed the proposed maps and policies and concur with the update as proposed. Additionally, the Natural Resources Manager has reviewed the proposed update and provided comments which have been incorporated into the proposed policy amendments. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed fire hazard maps will replace existing fire hazard maps and are consistent with the General Plan. Since the maps and policies are consistent with other aspects of the General Plan, the fiscal impacts to the City are likely to be neutral. However, there are unknown impacts to the cost of private development, or the cost to insuring private development as a result of the map amendments. Since the map amendments are already incorporated into the government code, the City has little control over the fiscal impact that may result from these amendments. Furthermore, it is the intent of these amendments to reduce the risk or wildfire spread, increase the protection between the wildland and urban interface, and inform the public of such risks. Therefore, the long-term benefit of this amendment is likely to result in reduced-costs of firefighting and fire protection. ALTERNATIVES 1. The City Council can continue consideration of these amendments to a future Council meeting and ask for additional information to be provided before direction is provided on a course of action. 2. The City Council can deny taking action on the amendments; however this action should be taken only if alternative fire zone designations are desired for the City in addition to the Very High Fire Zone. The Very High Fire Hazard Zones are already dictated by Cal Fire for our jurisdiction and the Wildland Urban Interface Building Standards are already a requirement under the California Building Code. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Planning Commission meeting minutes Attachment 2: Planning Commission Staff report Attachment 3: Planning Commission Resolution Attachment 4: Notification letter Attachment 5: Initial Study of environmental review (ER 81-10) Attachment 6: Draft resolution adopting fire hazard maps and policy updates AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL READING FILE Proposed Color Fire Hazard Map Proposed Color Travel Time Map G:\CD-PLAN\Pdunsmore\LR\Safety Element\CC rpt Q1-19-10 PH1-4 ~' Attachment 1 SAN LUIS OBISPO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 22,2010 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Michael Boswell, Michael Draze, Eric Meyer, Airlin Singewald, Vice-Chairperson Mary Whittlesey, and Chairperson Michael Multari Absent: Commissioner Charles Stevenson Staff: Deputy Community Development Director Kim Murry, Senior Planner Phil Dunsmore, Assistant City Attorney Andrea Visveshwara, and Recording Secretary Janet Miller ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: Minutes of September 8, 2010, were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: There were no comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. City-wide. GPA/ER 77-10: Review of amendments to the Safety Element of the General Plan to incorporate an updated fire hazard map and text revisions consistent with State Fire Standards and consideration of a proposed Negative Declaration of Environmental Effect; City of San Luis Obispo — Community Development Dept., applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) Phil Dunsmore, Senior Planner, presented the staff report recommending the Planning Commission adopt a resolution recommending the City Council amend the Fire Hazards section of the Safety Element of the General Plan and adopt a Negative Declaration of environmental effect. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioners requested clarification on the State Area of Responsibility zone designations, emergency response times, and insurance implications for properties in the Wildland Urban interface area. Staff clarified that the amendment would not require changes to subdivision and zoning codes. Commissioners requested information of noticing requirements for this amendment and requested that staff provide expanded notification prior to consideration by the City Council. There were no further comments made from the Commission. PH1-5 Planning Commission Minutes� Attachment� September 22, 2010 Page 2 On motion by Commr. Boswell, seconded by Commr. Meyer, to adopt 'a resolution recommending the City Council amend the Fire Hazards section of the Safety Element of the General Plan and adopt a Negative Declaration of Environmental Effect. AYES: Commrs. Boswell, Draze, Meyer, Singewald, and Multari NOES: None RECUSED: Commr. Whittlesey ABSENT: Commr. Stevenson The motion passed on a 5:0 vote. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 2. Staff a. Agenda Forecast — Staff provided a forecast of the October 13"' and 27th meeting items and reminded the Commission of the upcoming Mayor's Advisory Body lunch. 3. Commission — Commissioner Meyer shared an idea of painting the railroad bridge over upper Monterey Street to provide a sense of neighborhood identity. ADJOURMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Janet Miller Recording Secretary Approved by the Planning Commission on _October 13, 2010 Ryan etz Supe ising Administrative Assistant PH1-6 _ Attachment 2 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ITEM# 1 BY: Philip Dunmore, Senior Planner(781-7522) DATE: September 22, 2010 FROM: .Kim Murry,Deputy Director of Community Development FILE NUMBER: GPA 77-10 Safety Element-Fire Hazards Update PROJECT ADDRESS: Citywide SUBJECT: Amendments to the Fire Hazards section of the General Plan Safety Element. RECOMMENDATION Adopt the attached resolution recommending the City Council amend the Fire Hazards section of the Safety Element of the General Plan and adopt a Negative Declaration of environmental effect (GPA/ER 77-10). DISCUSSION Background Recent changes to the Government Code require the identification of lands within very high fire hazard severity zones so that public officials are able to identify measures to mitigate wild land fire hazards and address the areas where those hazard areas intersect with urban development. Over the past several years, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has been working with local jurisdictions, on the formulation of these maps within the unincorporated areas and the areas adjacent to each community. This process has been a collaborative effort between Cal Fire and each community in the state, with the desired outcome of development of a state-wide fire hazard map that reflects local and state fire hazard information that complies with the government code. The new maps will specify where the State's new Wildland Urban Interface Building Codes apply. In summary, amendments to the state fire hazard map are designed to prompt local governments to provide policy and program guidance regarding development in the interface areas where the built environment abuts potential wildland fire areas. The proposed amendments will update the City's existing fire hazard map and the Safety Element policies that accompany it. General Plan Safety Element Policies The existing Safety Element fire hazard map is based on a combination of slope and vegetation cover (Attachment 1). A recent analysis of the existing map has shown that the slope and vegetation matrix identified on the map does not reflectthe latest fire hazard information.adopted by Cal Fire. The City's GIS department worked with Cal Fire to identify areas surrounding the City that meet Cal Fire's wildland-urban interface definition. Within the City, the government code only mandates where the Very High Fire zones shall exist and Cal Fire has provided this information to City GIS staff. Other than identifying these Very High Fire zones, the City has discretion on mapping other potential fire hazards, however the scope of the map should remain consistent with the government code. PH1-7 GPA, ER 77-10 "� Attachment 2 Safety Element-Fire Hazards Amendment Page 2 Based on the government code, only areas within the City that are designated "Very High" and areas that are within 1,000 feet of the Very High boundary are subject to the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes... While the City has the ability to add more restrictive fire zones or add criteria to the regulations, additional fire hazard zones and more restrictive criteria may result in significant insurance modifications for existing and future property owners. The City's approach is consistent with the Government Code,and has support from both the Fire Marshall and Chief Building Official. Both planning and building staff rely upon the Fire Hazard maps within the General Plan Safety Element to guide new development. The new California Building Code (CBC) standards apply to properties in wildland areas where the state has responsibility for wildland fire protection and within local jurisdictions where very high fire hazard severity zones have been established. Outside the City, these zones are designated by the state and are known as a State Responsibility Area. Inside the City they are known as a Local Responsibility Area. These new designations and the accompanying amendments to the CBC have prompted the need for an update to Safety Element policies and maps to reflect the new fire zones and to recognize the wildland urban interface building standards. The updated maps will be used by the City to determine the appropriate building standards for new construction and to address plans for new development. Property owners will use these maps to comply with natural hazards real estate disclosure requirements upon the sale of a property. Wildland-Urban Interface Building Standards Properties within Very High Fire Hazard Zones and within 1000 feet of these zones are determined to be within the Wildland-Urban Interface and are required to adhere to specific construction standards, in accordance with the Building Code, to minimize the threat of property damage in the event a wildfire occurs in close proximity to these properties. The objective of these building standards is to establish minimum requirements for building construction to provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland- Urban Interface Fire Areas. The Fire Hazard zones also become a valuable land use and planning tool. The City of San Luis Obispo adopted the Wildland-Urban Interface Building Standards as part of an "emergency" or interim update to the (CBC) in 2009, however a map was not developed by the City to indicate where these standards would be applied. Instead, City staff has been referring to maps published by Cal Fire. In 2011, along with other updates to the building code, the new fire standards will become an integral component to the CBC. These standards include requirements such as: minimum water flow, road access, non-combustible roofing, specific construction details, hazard abatement and other components such as vegetation clearance. The purpose of the new standards is to increase the ability of a structure to resist the intrusion of flame or burning embers through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements. These standards apply to building materials and the exterior design of newly constructed structures subject to the CBC. In order to recognize where these new regulations are effective, Cal Fire has adopted a new set of fire hazard maps for the entire state, including those that apply to each local jurisdiction. The City's new maps will implement Cal Fire's maps and are designed to support actions taken by the California Building Standards Commission to adopt Wildland-Urban Interface(WUI)building codes. PHI-8 GPA, ER 77-10 ' Attachment 2 Safety Element-Fire Hazards Amendment Page 3 General Plan Safety Element Mau Amendments Fire Hazard Zones A copy of the proposed map has been included as Attachment 1 and a color copy of the map has . been included in the packet and can also be viewed on the City's website at: http://www'.ci.san-luis-obiVo ca.us/communitvdevelonment/lon rg_ange asp Inside the City only the Very High hazard area is identified on the map. Based on the new map and building standards, it is no longer necessary to map various fire zones within the City such as low, moderate, high, and extreme. Instead, the new designations are simplified and reflect where more restrictive building and property standards apply. This change will also ensure consistency between City and Cal Fire hazard designations. Travel Time mans Emergency personnel response time(or travel time) can be a significant factor in determining fire hazards on specific properties. Therefore, in addition to incorporating a new fire hazard map, a new fire truck travel time map has been created by the GIS department and the Fire Department. The new travel time map is a logical complement to the fire hazard map and supplies valuable information in planning new development or analyzing existing conditions. The travel time map identifies only the time it takes for City fire personnel to travel to a specific area within existing city street systems. It does not include those overlap areas that are served by Cal Fire or reflect response time from Cal Fire. Currently Cal Fire serves areas adjacent to the airport in contract with the City. A copy of the map has been included as Attachment 2 and a color copy has been included in the packet and can also be viewed on the City's website at: http://www.ci.san-luis-obispo.ca.us/communitvdevelgpment/longran a asp General Plan Safety Element Text Amendments The existing fire policies are based on the existing fire map and former California Department of Forestry (CDF) policies. The new policies reflect the updated maps and new WUI standards. Policy 3.0 will remain unchanged, however policy 3.1 provides all new language that replaces the existing vegetation matrix and fire standards. The most significant change to the policies is the requirement for new construction within the Very High zone (or within the 1,000 foot buffer zone surrounding the Very High and SRA High Fire Zone) to follow the WUI building standards. Additionally, the new policies prohibit new lots from being created within the Very High zones. Language has also been added to recognize the need for vegetation clearing and maintenance near structures. Fortunately, there are very few vacant properties within the Very High zone within the City limits. It is important to note, that these new policies will apply to new construction and will not require changes to existing development. Existing policy 3.0(no changes proposed): 3.0 Policy:Adequate Fire Services Development should be approved only when adequate fire suppression services and facilities are available or will be made available concurrent with development, considering the setting, type, intensity, and form of the proposed development. PH1-9 GPA, ER 77-10 F=� Attachment 2 Safety Element-Fire Hazards Amendment Page 4 Proposed policy 3.1 will replace existing 3.1 in its entirety_ 3.1 Policy: Wildland Fire Safety A. Wildland fire hazards shall be classified as prescribed by Cal Fire. Areas within the City, outside of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and associated interface zones, shall be classified by the City's Fire Marshal. B. New subdivisions shall be prohibited in areas of Very High wildland fire hazard. Development of existing parcels shall require a development plan to manage fuels, maintain a buffer zone, and provide adequate fire protection to the approval of the City Building Official. The development plan must be consistent with Policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. C. Buildings that are within 1000 feet from any State designated high or very high fire hazard zone or Locally-designated very high fire hazard zone shall utilize ignition resistant Wildland- Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards and meet the standards established by Government Code sections 11175—11189. D. In areas of moderate or higher wildland fire hazard, or within areas that are within 1,000 feet of any High or Very High fire zone, defensible space —accessible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials— shall be provided around all structures pursuant to Government Code sections 11175 — 11189. Fuel modification, including, but not limited to, removal of vegetation and modification of landforms must be consistent with policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. Environmental Review Staff has prepared an initial study of environmental review to review the changes to the Safety Element consistent with CEQA. No significant impacts to the environment are known to occur from the proposed policy changes which are designed to protect structures and properties. No mitigation has been recommended. A Negative Declaration of environmental impact is proposed for endorsement by the Planning Commission and approval by the City Council. ALTERNATIVES 1. The Commission may recommend other alternative policy language to the City Council, however the boundaries of the very high fire zones and the applicable WUI building code standards are mandated by the Government Code. The Planning Commission may suggest more restrictive standards or suggest mapping changes within the City, outside of the Very High fire zones and buffer zones that have already been indicated. Any alternative to be considered should be consistent with Cal Fire's goal of implementing the WUI building standards. 2. The Commission may continue review of the proposed changes, if more information is needed. Specific direction should be given to staff. ATTACHMENTS 1. Existing Safety Element map and text 2. Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map 3. Travel Time Map PH1-10 GPA, ER 77-10 — ) 1-A� Attachment 2 Safety Element-Fire Hazards Amendment Page 5 4. Proposed Safety Element text and policy changes (track changes) 5. Initial Study(ER 77-10) 6. Draft Planning Commission Resolution G:\CD-PLAN\Pdunsmore\LR1.Safety Element\77-10 PC Staff report(September 22).doc PHI-11 Attachment 3 RESOLUTION NO. PC-5551-10 A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO PLANNING.COMMISSION RECOMMENDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S FIRE HAZARDS CHAPTER OF THE GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL GPA/ER 77-10 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on September 22, 2010, to review proposed updates to the General Plan Safety Element to implement new Fire Maps and associated policies GPA/ER 77-10; and WHEREAS, said public hearing was for the purpose of formulating and forwarding recommendations to the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo regarding the General Plan Amendment and environmental determination; and WHEREAS, notices of said public hearing were made at the time and in the manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of the applicant, interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has considered the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as prepared by staff. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. Findings. 1. The proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the Government Code in providing updated fire hazard maps and policies for the City. 2. The proposed amendments to the Safety Element Policies and Maps are consistent with objectives of Cal Fire to provide uniform maps and policies for the State of California. 3. The proposed amendments to the Policies will enhance the safety between the urban environment and the wildland interface by providing updated building and safety standards for properties that are within the Wildland-Urban Interface, consistent with adopted amendments to the California Building Code. 4. A draft Negative Declaration was prepared by the Community Development Department on September 16, 2010. The Planning Commission finds and determines that the project's PH1-12 Planning Commission Resolutio No. PC-5551-10 Attachment 3 GPA/ER 77-10 Page 2 Negative Declaration adequately addresses the potential significant environmental impacts of the proposed project. SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The Planning Commission does hereby recommend adoption of the proposed Negative Declaration by the City Council. SECTION 3. Recommendation. The Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City Council approval of application GPA/ER 77-10 to amend General Plan Safety Element Text for the Fire Chapter including Policy 3.0 and 3.1 and incorporating a new fire hazards map and fire travel time map, as follows: FIRE Fires cause significant losses to life, property, and the environment. They occur in both urban and rural settings. Urban fire hazards result from the materials, size, and spacing of buildings, and from the materials, equipment, and activities they contain. Additional factors are access, available water volume and pressure, and response time for firefighters (Figure 1). Fire hazards in rural areas, or on the edge between urban and rural land, combine these factors with land slope and natural and modified vegetation. The mosaic of grassland, scrub and chaparral, and oak woodland around San Luis Obispo has been shaped by, and to some extent depends on,fire. Where the burning of natural vegetation is a threat to people's lives and property, plant fuels are often managed by replacement planting, grazing,plowing, or mechanical clearing. "Wildland" is a shorthand description for areas characterized by low-density development, concentrations of natural vegetation, and steeper slopes. Wildland areas may be subject to significant fire hazard due to natural vegetation's properties as fuel, and the steepness of the land, which affect how fast fire spreads and may limit access for firefighting. San Luis Obispo faces wildland fire hazards due mainly to its climate and to the steeper hillsides around the city. Areas with high wildland fire hazard include the Irish Hills, Santa Lucia foothills, Cerro San Luis Obispo, Bishop Peak, and Islay Hill(Figure 1). Fire hoards in wildlands are often compounded by their distance from fire-fighting resources. Fuel modification, in conjunction with appropriate construction techniques; may reduce the risk of wildland fires spreading to the urban environment. In 1009, the City Fire Department, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Manager, contracted with the Cal Fire Cuesta Camp Hand Crew to clear or modem natural fuels in the Cerro San Luis, Irish Hills, and Bowden Ranch Open Space. Currently, the City has contracts with the Cuesta Crew to mods fuels in open space areas by French Hospital and the JohnsordFixlini areas. The Fire Department aims to reduce fire risk through its weed-abatement program, which covers all wildland areas within the city's jurisdiction. The department also works with the County, which has a State and locally-approved fire management plan that coordinates among a number of State, regional, and county agencies. Construction techniques, including the use of ignition-resistant materials and building design that can resist the intrusion of fame or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire (wildfire exposure), refect other efforts California communities have made to avoid the repeating cycle of interface fire disasters. Fire prevention and suppression services are provided by the City Fire Department, which maintains four fire stations (Figure 1). The City also provides contract services to Cal Poly State University. Wildland-Urban Interface Wild/and-Urban Interface areas are lands where natural vegetation intersect with man-made fuel types(structures).. In most circumstance, the interface can be defined as areas that are within 1,000 feet of wildlands. The state of California has designated San Luis Obispo as a community at risk to the threat or wildfires. The primary factor PHl-13 ' Planning Commission Resolution—No. PC-5551-10 � Attachment 3 GPA/ER 77-10 Page 3 associated with this threat is the dry and windy weather pattern combined with a community developed in close proximity to surrounding hills which creates an extensive wildland-urban interface. Wildfires in undeveloped areas have the potential to spread into the urban interface and beyond. Typically, wildfires are caused by human activities such as improper use of equipment or behavior related to the use of fire. Fires within wildland areas can result in loss of valuable wildlife habitat, soil erosion, and damage to life and property. San Luis Obispo is surrounded by thousands of acres of undeveloped hillsides and open space. Although many of these areas have not been designated as very high fire hazards by the California State Fire Marshall, they still pose a threat of fire danger due to the proximity to adjacent development or the Wildland--Urban Interface. Although weather plays a predominant role in the spread and intensity of wildfire, the level of wildland fire risk is determined by a number offactors, including: •Frequency of critical fire weather; •Percentage of slope; • Existing fuel(vegetation, ground cover, building materials); •Adequacy of access to fire suppression services; and • Water supply and water pressure. Urban fire hazards are increased by concentrations of wood frame structures, particularly multifamily developments, mobile homes, and older structures having outdated heating and electrical systems and lackingfire- detection and suppression features. Preventing the start and spread of fires was one of the original purposes of building and zoning regulations. San Luis Obispo has adopted fairly typical zoning regulations for building size and spacing, and standard codes that address fire safety in detail. In addition, the city has adopted requirements for automatic fire sprinklers and fire- resistive roof materials that exceed minimum statewide requirements. Recent changes in the Government Code define the responsibilities of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and for the City. In summary, the Government Code assigns Cal Fire the responsibility to idents very high fire hazard severity zones within local government jurisdictions, and to periodically review these zones. In response, Cal Fire has mapped the relative wildfire risk for the entire state and each local jurisdiction. Cal Fire's State Responsibility Area (SRA) Map designates four risk levels: Low, Moderate, High, and Very High. These areas are mapped for unincorporated areas surrounding the City. The Local Responsibility Area (LRA) map designates only those areas within the City limits that meet Very High wildland fire hazard criteria. Areas of high or moderate fire hazard severity within the city limits are not mapped by the state, since the City serves these areas with fire services and maintains the discretion to identify fire hazards of this level within the City based on local factors such as response time. Figure 2 displays both the SRA and LRA fire hazard designations. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189 require identification of land within very high fire hazard severity zones so that public officials are able to identify measures that will mitigate uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken. Property within these zones and within 1,000 feet of these zones is required to utilize Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards to minimize the threat of property damage in the event a wildfire occurs in close proximity to these properties. The objective of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards is to establish minimum standards for materials and construction to provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. Policy 3.0:Adequate Fire Services Development should be approved only when adequate fire suppression services and facilities are available or will be made available concurrent with development, considering the setting, type, intensity, and form of the proposed development. PH1-14 - ' Planning Commission Resolution—No. PC-5551-10 AttGPA/ER 77 10 achment 3 Page 4 Policy 3.1: Wildland Fire Safety A. Wildland fire hazards shall be classified as prescribed by Cal Fire. Areas within the City, outside of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and associated interface zones, shall be classified by the City's Fire Marshal. B. New subdivisions shall be prohibited in areas of very high wildland fire hazard. Development of existing parcels shall require a development plan to manage fuels, maintain a buffer zone, and provide adequate fire protection to the approval of the City Building Oficial. The development plan must be consistent with policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. C. Buildings that are within 1,000 feet from any State-designated high or very high fire hazard zone or Locally very high fire hazard zone shall utilize ignition-resistant Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards and meet the standards established by Government Code sections 51175—51189. D. In areas of moderate or higher wildland fire hazard, or within areas that are within 1,000 feet of any High or Very High fire zone, defensible space (accessible space free of highly-combustible vegetation and materials) shall be provided around all structures pursuant to Government Code sections 51175 — 51189. Fuel modification, including, but not limited to, removal of vegetation and modification of landforms, must be consistent with policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. PH1-15 Attachment 4 cl- ty. o sAn Wis oBispo Community Development Department• 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 October 4, 2010 SUBJECT: Designation of Wildfire Hazard Areas City of San Luis Obispo Dear Property Owner: You have received this letter because a property you own has been identified as being either inside or within 1,000 feet of a state designated Wildfire hazard zone. Recent changes to the California State Government Code have required the City of San Luis Obispo to amend the City's Wildland Fire Hazard map and Safety Policies within the City's General Plan. The new map and policies identify land subject to wildfire risk, so that property owners and public officials are able to determine where hazard areas intersect with urban development and where to identify measures to mitigate wild land fire hazards. Additionally, these new maps will specify where the State's new Wildland Urban Interface Building Codes will .apply to new development. A Wildland-Urban Interface can be defined as an area where urban development is within or close to areas that are known to have a substantial wildfire risk. Throughout the state of California, Cal Fire has designated areas within each City that are subject to Very High Wildfire risks. These Cal Fire maps are being adopted by the City of San Luis Obispo and the City Council will consider policy amendments associated with these maps at a regular public hearing at 7 PM on November 9, 2010 at the City Hall Council Chambers 990 Palm Street. The objective of the amendments is to establish minimum requirements for new building construction to provide a reasonable level of protection for buildings at risk of wildfire hazards in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. In the City of San Luis Obispo, the new map proposes to use the state's High and Very High Fire Hazard Zones and.all areas that are within 1,000 feet of such zones as wildland-urban interface areas. A color copy of the maps and the proposed update to the City's Safety Element policies can be found on the City's website at: http://www.ci.san-luis-obispo ca us/communitydevelopment/longrange asp A black and white version of the map has been attached for reference. Sincerel r Tim Girvin Phil Dunsmore Chief Building Official Senior Planner, AICP TGirvin @slocity.org pdunsmor(@slocity.org (805) 781-7159 (805) 781-7522 kuThe City of San Luis Obispo is committed to include the disabled in all of its services, programs and activities. PH1��6 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf(805)781-7410. ® Attachment 5 a MA or city of san LUIS OB spo INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM For GPA 77-10 General Plan Text Amendment 1. Project Title: Safety Element(Fire Hazards) Amendment 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: City of San Luis Obispo 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Phil Dunmore, Senior Planner(805) 781-7522, e-mail:.Pdunsmore@slocity.org . 4. Project Location: Citywide 5. Project Sponsor's Name and Address: City of San Luis Obispo 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 6. General Plan Designacio'n: Citywide; may be within multiple designations. 7. Zoning: Citywide; may be within multiple zoning districts. 8. Description of the Project: The project involves revisions to the City's General Plan Safety Element to implement the fire severity zone map mandated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). In summary, Section 51178 and 51181 of the government code defines the Cal Fire Director's responsibility to identify very high fire hazard severity zones, and transmit this information to local agencies for local implementation. The purpose of this Government Code is to identify land within very high fire hazard severity zones so that public officials are able to identify measures that will mitigate uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken. Property within, or adjacent to very high fire severity zones will be required to utilize Wildland- Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards to minimize the threat of property damage in the event a wildfire occurs in close proximity to these properties. These building standards are implemented by the building code and are not included in the general plan text amendments. The objective of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards is to establish minimum i� CITY OF SAN Luis Osispo 1 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PHl-17 _ Attachment 5 standards for materials and material assemblies and provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. The implementation of the Cal Fire map will result in the replacement of the City's Fire Hazard map that was created from local slope and vegetation cover data. Additionally, a new map that illustrates fire department travel times within the City will be included. Text and policy amendments are included to define the new Cal Fire hazard zones and to clarify the building and safety impacts of the new criteria. The proposed draft of the amendments has been included as Attachment 1, 2 and 3. 9. Surrounding Land Uses and Settings: Citywide. 10. Project Entitlements Requested: General Plan text amendment, Environmental Review. 11. Other public agencies whose approval is required: None. 12. Attachments: Attachment 1: Draft of proposed amendments CITY OF SAN Luis OBISPO 2 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-18 Attachment 5 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a"Potentially Significant Impact"as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. Aesthetics Greenhouse.Gas Emissions Noise Agriculture & Forestry Hazards&Hazardous Population./Housing Resources Materials Air Quality Hydrology/Water Quality Public Services Biological Resources Land Use/Planning Recreation Cultural Resources Mandatory Findings of Transportation/Traffic Significance Geology/Soils Mineral Resources Utilities!Service Systems FISH AND GAME FEES There is no evidence before the Department that the project will have any potential adverse effects on fish X and wildlife resources or the habitat upon which the wildlife depends. As such, the project qualifies for a de minimis waiver with regards to the filing of Fish and Game Fees. The project has potential to impact fish and wildlife resources and shall be subject to the payment of Fish and Game fees pursuant to Section 711.4 of the California Fish and Game Code. This initial study has been circulated to the California Department of Fish and Game for review and comment. STATE CLEARINGHOUSE This environmental document must be submitted to the State Clearinghouse for review by one or more X State agencies (e:g. Cal Trans, California Department of Fish and Game, Department of Housing and Community Development). The public review period shall not be less than 30 days (CEQA Guidelines 15073(a)). CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 3 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2.010 PH1-19 Attachment 5 DETERMINATION: On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and X a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made, or the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet(s) have been added and agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant" impact(s) or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact(s) on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (1) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (2) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR of NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project,nothing further is required. g L21 6,2 Signature Date Doug Davidson,Deputy Director of Community Development For:John Mandeville, Printed Name Community Development Director CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 4 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-20 Attachment 5 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: 1. A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the analysis in each section. A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved(e.g. the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A "No Impact"answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g. the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants,based on a project-specific screening analysis). 2. All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well as project-level,indirect as well as direct,and construction as well as operational impacts. 3. Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. "Potentially Significant Impact'is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect is significant. If there are one or more"Potentially Significant Impact"entries when the determination is made,an EIR is required. 4. "Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated" "applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from"Potentially Significant.Impact"to a "Less than Significant Impact." The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level(mitigation measures from Section 17,"Earlier Analysis,"may be cross-referenced). 5. Earlier analysis may be used where,pursuant to the tiering,program EIR,or other CEQA process,an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063 (c) (3) (D) In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following: a)Earlier Analysis Used.Identify and state where they are available for review. b) Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. c)Mitigation Measures. For effects that are"Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated,"describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document.and the extent to which they addressed site-specific conditions for the project. 6. Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g. general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated. 7. Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached,and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 8. This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project's environmental effects in whatever format is selected. 9. The explanation of each issue should identify: a) the significance criteria or threshold,if any,used to evaluate each question;and b) the mitigation measure identified,if any,to reduce the impact to less than significance �r CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 5 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PHl-21 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Pott....ally Potential y s x Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Safety Element Fire Section amendments Mitigation Incorporated 1.AESTHETICS. Would theproject: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? 3 X b) Substantially damage scenic resources,including,but not limited X to, trees, rock outcroppings, open space, and historic buildings within a local or state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of X the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would X adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Evaluation a) As noted in the project description, the scope of the text amendment is to implement Cal Fire's fire hazard map as it pertains to the City of San Luis Obispo. The highest concentration of Very High Fire Hazard areas are within open space areas outside of the City limits. These open space areas typically contain scenic vistas. The new map will regulate the built environment and require new structures within fire hazard areas to comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards. These standards are not likely to affect the off-site views of scenic vistas since the new standards will not increase building intensity nor increase the areas in which structures may be built. However, minor changes in fuel management, including the removal of vegetation within close proximity of urban settings may result from changes to the regulations within the wildland urban interface.These changes would not occur as result of these amendments,but may occur on a project specific basis in order to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfire. These aesthetic impacts are considered less than significant and are not a direct result of this code change,but instead a potential result of future development within the urban interface zones. b) Other Scenic Resources - Highway 101 through portions of San Luis Obispo is designated as a roadway of moderate scenic value in Figure 11 of the COSE. Amendments to the fire hazard maps will not result in the expansion of urban development or alteration of views from scenic highways because the new maps will designate fire hazard areas and prescribe building standards for these areas. c) Visual Character and Quality-The proposed text and map amendments would not have an adverse impact on the visual character or quality of the City because the amendments will expand the City's authority in regulating development within wildland fire hazard areas and the urban interface. d) Light and Glare-The project will not create a new source of substantial light or glare. Conclusion: Less Than Significant Impact. 2. AGRICULTURE & FOREST RESOURCES. In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects,lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state's inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Would theproject: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of 1,2,10 X Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency,to non-agricultural use? b) -Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a X CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 6 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PHl-22 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Pole uatly Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact E R 77 10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated Williamson Act contract? c) Conflict with existing zoning for,or cause rezoning of,forest land(as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(8)), timberland(as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), X or timberland zoned Timberland Production(as defined by Government Code section 51104(g))? d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? X e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland X to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? Evaluation a) The text amendment is to implement Cal Fire's fire hazard map as it pertains to the City of San Luis Obispo.This map will regulate the built environment and require new structures within fire hazard areas to comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards. The highest concentration of Very High Fire Hazard areas are within open space areas outside of the City limits which typically contain farmland. This text amendment does not directly affect farmland but could have an affect due to the possible need for a defensible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials around structures.The new standards will not increase building intensity or the areas in which structures may be built. These changes would not occur as a result of these amendments, but may occur on a project specific basis in order to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfire.These impacts on farmland are considered less than significant and are not a direct result of this code change,but instead a potential result of future development within the urban interface zones. b) The text amendment will have no impact on any Williamson Act contract or agricultural zoning for agricultural use. c) The proposed project would not change the environment in a way that could result in conversion of farmland to non- agricultural uses. d) This text amendment does not directly affect forest land but could have an affect due to the possible need for a defensible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials around structures. The new standards will not increase building intensity or the areas in which structures may be built. These changes would not occur as a result of these amendments, but may occur on a project specific basis in order to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfire. These impacts on forest land are considered less than significant and are not a direct result of this code change, but instead a potential result of future development within the urban interface zones. e)Impacts are less than significant,refer to a)and d)above. Conclusion:Less Than Significant Impact. 3. AIR QUALITY. Would theproject: a) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an 11, 12 X existing or projected air quality violation? b) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air X quality plan? c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant X concentrations? CITY OF SAN Luis OBISPO 7 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-23 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Poten.,ally Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated d) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of X people? e) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard X (including releasing emissions which exceed qualitative thresholds for ozoneprecursors)? Evaluation a),b),c),d),e)There are no known air quality impacts as a result of the implementation of new fire hazard maps and policies. This amendments will regulate the built environment and require new structures within fire hazard areas to comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards. This text amendment will have an indirectly positive affect on air quality by reducing the spread of fire,through regulating development. Conclusion:No Impact 4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would theproject: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or indirectly or 6 X through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect, on any riparian habitat or X other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting X biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance(e.g.Heritage Trees)? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident X or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat Conservation X Plan,Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local,regional,or state habitat conservation plan? 0 Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands X as defined in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act(including,but not limited to, marshes, venial pools, etc.) through direct removal,filling,hydrological interni tion,or other means? Evaluation a), b), c), d), e), f No known impacts to biological resources is likely to occur as a result of the amendments. However, indirect impacts may result due to the possible need for a defensible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials around structures. However, these potential impacts are already mitigated by the City's Conservation and Open Space policies which regulate new development and associated vegetation removal. The new standards will not increase building intensity or the areas in which structures may be built. These changes would not occur as a result of these amendments,but may occur on a project specific basis in order to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfire. These impacts are considered less than significant and are not a direct result of this code change, but instead a potential result of future development within the urban interface zones. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPo S INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-24 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Poteiivally Potentially cess Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated d) The proposed text and map amendments will not directly interfere with the movement of any wildlife species or migratory wildlife corridor. No specific development project is proposed. However, fuel modifications surrounding a structure in areas of Moderate or High wildland fire hazard must be consistent with policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. Therefore the affect on the movement of any native resident or migratory fish,wildlife species,native resident or migratory wildlife corridors is less than significant. e) The new policy text and map amendment will not conflict with any local policy protecting biological resources nor any adopted habitat conservation plan, or Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan since the amendments will not result in the expansion of urban development. f) The project will have no adverse effect on Federally protected wetlands. Conclusion: Less than Significant Impact. 5.CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would theproject: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a 16-19 X historic resource?(See CEQA Guidelines 15064.5) 25 b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an 25 X archaeological resource?(See CEQA Guidelines 15064.5) c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource X or site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of X formal cemeteries? Evaluation a), b), c), d) The new map and text amendment will regulate the built environment and require new structures within fire hazard areas to comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards. The new standards will not increase building intensity nor increase the areas in which structures may be built, and will regulate new development in certain zones by requiring a development plan to manage fuels,maintain a buffer zone,and provide adequate fire protection.This will stand to preserve cultural resources.However,minor changes in fuel management may result from changes to the regulations within the wildland urban interface. These changes would not occur as result of these amendments, but may occur on a project specific basis in order to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfire.These amendments will have a less than significant impact on cultural resources. a)The new policy text and map amendment may affect historic buildings located within 1000 feet from any State or Locally designated"High" or"Very High"fire hazard zone due to necessary upgrades to ignition resistant Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Buildings Standards. However, this impact is less than significant because the text and map amendments will not cause a substantial change. Conclusion: Less than significant Impact. 6. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would theproject: a) Conflict with adopted energy conservation plans? 6,7 X b) Use non-renewable resources in a wasteful and inefficient X manner? c) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource X that would be of value to the region and the residents of the State? Evaluation CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 9 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-25 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Pot' nally Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments incorporated a), b), c) The amendments to the fire hazard maps and policies will not conflict with adopted energy conservation plans or promote the use of non-renewable resources in an inefficient manner or result in the loss of known valuable mineral resources because the new amendments do not increase development,and will therefore not increase the use of energy or resources. Conclusion:No impact. 7. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. Would theproject: a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions,either directly or indirectly, X that may have a significant impact on the environment? b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted X for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Evaluation a), b) The proposed policy and map amendments are not likely to result in the generation of greenhouse gas emissions nor conflict with an applicable plan,policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions because the amendments do not increase development, vehicle trips, or anything that would produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. They aim to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by regulating development in order to decrease fire. The purpose of the amendments would be to reduce the risk of the spread of wildfire and therefore to reduce the potential for wildfires that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusion:No Impact. 8. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would theproject: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse 5, 21, effects,including risk of loss,injury or death involving: 24 I. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated in the X most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area,or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? H. Strong seismic ground shaking? X III. Seismic-related ground failure,including liquefaction? X IV. Landslides or mudflows? X b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? X c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that X would become unstable as a result of the project,and potentially result in on or off site landslides, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction,or collapse? d) Be located on expansive soil, as determined in accordance with X ASTM D4829 per California Building Code (CBC), creating substantial risks to life or property? Evaluation a I,II, III),c),d) The new map and text amendment will regulate the built environment and require new structures within fire hazard areas to comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards and is not likely to increase building intensity nor increase the areas in which structures may be built. Because the amendments will not result in the expansion of urban development there will be no known adverse effects,including risk of loss, injury or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault,strong seismic ground shaking,or seismic-related ground failure including liquefaction. a IV) CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 10 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-26 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supportu,y Information Sources Sources Pote......11y Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated b) As an indirect affect of this map and text amendment, clearing vegetation around structures in areas of"Moderate" or "High"wildland fire hazard will be necessary to provide an area of accessible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials. The impact of this on soil erosion and topsoil loss is less than significant. Conclusion: Less than significant Impact. 9. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the pro'ect: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment 5, 7, X through the routine use, transport or disposal of hazardous 23 materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment X through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely X hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Expose people or structures to existing sources of hazardous X emissions or hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances,or waste? e) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous X materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, it would create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? f) For a project located within an airport land use plan, or within X two miles of a public airport,would the project result in a safety hazard for the people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of, or physically interfere with, the X adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of lose, injury, X or death,involving wildland fires,including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residents are intermixed with wildlands? Evaluation a),b), c), d)The new map and text amendments do not use,transport,dispose, release,emit,or expose people or structures to hazardous materials. e),f). There will be no public safety or environmental hazard because no specific development is proposed. g) There will be no interference with an adopted emergency response plan. Instead,the amendments strive to enhance the safety between the urban environmental and wildland areas. h) The new Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards are likely to reduce the risk of fire by the introduction of new building code standards that are designed to reduce risks to new structures. Therefore, there is not likely to be an increase to the potential risks associate with fire. Conclusion:No Impact CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPo I 1 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-27 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources sources Potenuany Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact E R #77 10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated 10. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge 6, 15, X requirements? 22 b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere X substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level(e.g. The production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the X capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage systems or provide additional sources of runoff into surface waters (including, but not limited to, wetlands, riparian areas, ponds, springs,creeks,streams,rivers,lakes,estuaries,tidal areas,bays, ocean,etc.)? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or X area in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation onsite or offsite? e) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on X a Federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? f) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which X would impede or redirect flood flows? g) Will the project introduce typical storm water pollutants into X ground or surface waters? h) Will the project alter ground water or surface water quality, X temperature,dissolved oxygen,or turbidity? Evaluation a),b)No known violation of water quality standards,waste discharge requirements,or depletion of groundwater because no specific development is proposed and the amendments will not stimulate new development or waste discharge. c) d) In areas of moderate or high wildland fire hazard, clearing of highly combustible vegetation and materials may occur in order to create a defensible space around all structures. Significant vegetation removal has the potential to increase runoff — however this is likely to occur at a less than significant level since the City's stormwater regulations and conservation policies oversee grading,vegetation removal and other aspects associated with development. e), f), g), h) The code amendments will not result in the placement of housing within a 100-year flood hazard area, no introduction of storm water pollutants,and no alteration of ground or surface water. Conclusion:Less Than Significant Impact. 11. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would theproject: a) Conflict with applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of 1 X an agency with jurisdiction over the project adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? b) Physically divide an established community? X c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural X community conservationplans? Evaluation CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 12 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-28 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supportiny Information Sources sources Pote._..nly Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated a), b), c) The amendments serve to regulate the built environment and require new structures within fire hazard areas to comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards therefore, these standards will not increase building intensity nor increase the areas in which structures may be built. In some circumstances, the clearing of vegetation around existing or proposed structures (in order to comply with the new standards) may conflict with adopted habitat conservation plans. However, habitat conservation plans, and the City's Conservation and Open Space Element policies take precedent over the fire code text amendments.The proposed policy language in the safety element requires any work that is done for fire safety to be consistent with the City's Conservation and Open Space Element policies. Conclusion:Less than Significant Impact 12.NOISE. Would the project result in: a) Exposure of people to or generation of "unacceptable" noise 4, 14, X levels as defined by the San Luis Obispo General Plan Noise 23 Element, or general noise levels in excess of standards established in the Noise Ordinance? b) A substantial temporary, periodic, or permanent increase in X ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? c) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundbome X vibration or groundbome noise levels? d) For a project located within an airport land use plan, or within X two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? Evaluation a),b),c),d)There are no known potential noise impacts generated by the text and map amendments. Conclusion:No Impact 13. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would theproject: a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly 1 X (for example by proposing new homes or businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infiastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing or people X necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? Evaluation a)b)The text and map amendments serve to regulate where new development may occur and how it may occur in regards to fire risk. Existing residential development will not be affected by the new regulations. There are no known population and housing impacts since the City's known housing expansion areas are not within or close to significant wildland fire hazard areas.No changes are likely to occur to the City existing and future housing stock as a result of the new standards. Conclusion:No Impact 14. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision, or need, of new or physically altered government facilities the construction of which could cause CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 13 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-29 Attachment 5 Issues,Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Potentially Potentially less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services: a) Fire protection? 7 X b) Police protection? X c) Schools? X d) Parks? X e) Roads and other transportation infrastructure? X Other public facilities? X Evaluation a) The San Luis Obispo Fire Department (SLOFD) provides emergency and non-emergency fire protection services in the City. Emergency services include fire response, emergency medical response, hazardous materials response, and public assistance. Non-emergency services include fire and life safety inspections,building inspections,fire code investigations,and public education. SLOFD currently operates foto stations and maintains a response time goal of four minutes. The new regulations will not alter the need for additional services nor change the existing service pattern of fire personnel.Instead,the new codes are aimed to reduce the potential impacts related to wildland vs urban development. The Fire Department has reviewed and endorsed the proposed changes to the safety element maps and policies. b) Police protection is provided by the City of San Luis Obispo Police Department(SLOPD). Police services for the area are based at the station located at the intersection of Walnut and Santa Rosa,just outside of the downtown core area. SLOPD also operates an un-staffed storefront office on 840 Marsh Street,within the downtown core area.No impacts are anticipated to occur to police services c) Proposed amendments to the safety element will have no impact on area schools. New development projects are required to pay school fees,which are used to offset increased demand for school facilities caused by new development. d) The proposed project will not result in impacts to area parks since the regulations will not alter park development nor the residential development that helps fund parkland. e)No other public facilities have been identified that could be impacted by the proposed project. Conclusion: The proposed Safety Element amendments are not likely to result in impacts to public services. Instead, the enhanced fire safety regulations are likely to reduce the need for public services(i.e. fire response)in the long-term. 15.RECREATION. Would theproject: a) Increase the use of existing neighborhood or regional parks or X other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? b) Include recreational facilities or require the construction or X expansion of recreational facilities,which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Evaluation a) No impacts to parks or recreation are anticipated. b) Amending the Safety Element will not result in the expansion of recreational facilities or the modification of existing facilities. Conclusion: No impact. �r CITY OF SAN Luis Oaispo 14 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-30 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Pomwally Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated 16. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC. Would theproject: a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the 3, 13, X existing traffic load and capacity of the street system? 23 b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service X standard established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads and highways? c) Substantially increase hazards due to design features (e.g. sharp X curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g. farm equipment)? d) Result in inadequate emergency access? X e) Result in inadequate parking capacity onsite or offsite? X f) Conflict with adopted policies supporting alternative X transportation(e.g.bus turnouts,bicycle racks)? g) Conflict with the with San Luis Obispo County Airport Land X Use Plan resulting in substantial safety risks from hazards,noise, or a change in air trafficpatterns? Evaluation a), b) c) d) e) f) g)Modifying the Fire Safety Zone maps and the accompanying policies is not likely to result in changes to any transportation and traffic systems,nor modify how emergency access routes are accommodated. Conclusion:No impact 17.UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would theproject: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable 7,20 X Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction or expansion of new water X treatment, wastewater treatment, water quality control, or storm drainage facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project X from existing entitlements and resources, or are new and expanded water resources needed? d) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, X which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitment? e) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to X accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? f) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations X related to solid waste? Evaluation a)b) c)d)e) f)g)Modifying the fire zones and applicable standards will have no impact to utilities and service systems since the amendments do not result in modifications to water or wastewater services. Conclusion:No impact. 18.MANDATORY FINDINGS OF INSIGNIFICANCE. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 15 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-31 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Potei.,.dlly Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant linpact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section Amendments Incorporated a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the X environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self- sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? Impacts are less than significant since the amendments are not likely to result in changes to the environment.This is primarily because the amendments will not result in additional development or extensive changes to the wildland environment. The balance between protecting the urban environment from wildfire and protecting native vegetation will be held in check by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element policies which protect riparian habitats, native vegetation, and open space resources surrounding the City. b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but X cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of the past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable futureprojects) The impacts identified in this initial study arespecific to this projeect and would not be categorized as curmilatively simifficant. c) Does the project have environmental effects, which will cause X substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? No potentially significant impacts to human beings have been identified in this initial study that would occur either directly or indirectly. 19.EARLIER ANALYSES. Earlier analysis may be used where, pursuant to the tiering,program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or Negative Declaration. Section 15063 (c) (3) (D). In this case a discussion should identify the following items: a Earlier analysis used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review. N/A b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. N/A c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions of the project. N/A. Mitigation measures are required to reduce potential impacts to cultural resources, however these measures are not a result of prior environmental studies prepared pursuant to CE A. 20. SOURCE REFERENCES. I. City of SLO General Plan Land Use Element,August 1994 2. City of SLO General Plan Housing Elemen January 2010 3. City of SLO General Plan Circulation Element,November 1994 4. City of SLO General Plan Noise Element,May 1996 5. City of SLO General Plan Safety Element,July 2000 6. City of SLO General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element,April 2006 7. City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 8. City of San Luis Obispo,Land Use Inventory Database 9. USDA,Natural Resources Conservation Service,Soil Survey of San Luis Obispo County �i CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 16 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-32 Attachment 5 Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources Sources Potemrdlly Potentially Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact ER #77-10 Issues Unless Impact Mitigation Safety Element Fire Section.Amendments Incorporated 10. Website of the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency: http://www.consrv.ca.gov/dlrp/FNC%IP/ 11. Clean Air Plan for San Luis Obispo County,Air Pollution Control District,2001 12. CEQA Air Quality Handbook,Air Pollution Control District,2003 13. Institute of Transportation Engineers, Trip Generation Manual, 7 Edition, on file in the Community Development Department 14. City of San Luis Obispo Noise Guidebook,May 1996 15. City of SLO Waterways Management Plan 16. City of San Luis Obispo, Historic Resource Preservation Guidelines, on file in the Community Development Department 17. City of San Luis Obispo,Archaeological Resource Preservation Guidelines, on file in the Community Development Department 18. City of San Luis Obispo,Historic Site Ma 19. City of San Luis Obispo Burial Sensitive Ma 20. City of SLO Source Reduction and Recycling Element,on file in the Utilities Department 21. San Luis Obispo Quadrangle Map, prepared by the State Geologist in compliance with the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act,effective January 1, 1990 22. Flood Insurance Rate Map(Community Panel 0603100005 C dated July 7, 1981 23. San Luis Obispo County ort Land Use Plan 24. 2007 California Building Code 25. City of San Luis Obispo Safety Element 26• California Building Code 27. 1 Cal Fire Wildland-Urban Interface standards Attachments: 1. Draft Fire Hazard Map 2. Draft Travel Time Map 3. Legislative Draft of Proposed Amendments to Fire Section of Safety Element CITY OF SAN Luis CBISPO 17 INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2010 PH1-33 November 9, 2010 To: Dave F. Romero, Mayor From: T. Plumb RECEIVE Subject: Wildland fire hazard/urban interface NOV 0 9 2010 SLO CITY CLERK This is in regard to the high fire hazard interfaces around San Luis Obispo and Partridge Dr. specifically. Attached is a copy of a letter sent to City Fire Warden Rodger Maggio on June 27, 2009 reviewing a meeting with him, me, and three other Partridge Drive homeowners regarding fuel hazards on and next to the City's open space behind Partridge Drive. Ever since the City obtained this open space behind Partridge Dr., I've talked to Neil Havlick about the need for fuel hazard reduction and long term vegetation management of this area. Each year he has sent a crew to weed-whack a 20 to 25-foot strip of grass behind the Partridge houses. Now this is a nice gesture, but one of limited fuel hazard reduction value. A few years ago a much better effort involved a crew cutting down 15 to 20 tall woody 'broom'vegetation that had invaded the interface between the grassland and the oak woodland above. That year they also weed-whacked a 50-foot+grass strip. Since then,the brooms have resprouted vigorously and woody baccharis shrubs have invaded the western end of the open space greatly increasing the fuel load. According to the 'Fire Section' of the City General Plan, "Fuel modification in conjunction with appropriate construction techniques may reduce the risk of wildland fires spreading to the urban environment." --- - and ,"The Fire Department aims to reduce fire risk through its weed- abatement program, which covers all wildland areas within the City's jurisdiction." I believe that San Luis Obispo has a distinct responsibility to protect the City's houses from destruction by wildfire using whatever appropriate, economical means are available. I and several of my neighbors have already had trouble getting fire insurance. Now that the 'Very High Fire Hazard'Zones have been accepted into the City's General Plan it will not make getting fire insurance any easier. I hope that some meaningful fuel management policy will be developed for the City's open space urban interface areas in the future Sincerely, T. R. Plumb hard cour. eman: Cr COUNCIL QWDDIR dcrrrbaR crRTDIR — RED FILE dAMCH o'Pl cw If ATTORNEY WW DM CUR- MEETING AGENDA if e `0R1° v A &REECFDne or 7=UNE Burn.DIR DATE it ITEM # L#_1 deo irco>m. Ircrnra OR 9rCURK June 27, 2009 To: Rodger Maggio, City of San Luis Obispo Fire Marshal From: Partridge Dr. Homeowners Subject Fuel hazard reduction Greetings! This letter is to document our meeting with you on Wednesday afternoon, 6/17/09, to discuss some of the fuel hazard problems on and next to the San Luis Obispo Open Space behind our houses on Partridge Dr. First, thanks for taking the time to meet with us; we really appreciate your input and help. The various fuel hazards on and adjacent to the City's open space area have been discussed with Neil Havlik the last few years. Enclosed is a copy of an e-mail sent to him on May 9 about this. He noted that the grass would be cut in the next few weeks. A 20 to 25-foot strip of grass was cut above the fence line on 6/15/09 (Figures 1 &2). Based on our discussion last Wednesday and our own observations, the local fuel hazard problems can be separated into the following four categories: 1. Grass vegetation. A mixture of annual grasses plus some perennial grass is the predominant vegetation in the 150 to 200 foot-wide hillside behind the Partridge Dr. houses. If property maintained, this grassy area makes a good natural fuel-break between the houses and the oak woodland above.the grass, and the very fire hazardous brush beyond the oak woodland. Neil Havlik has had a crew weed-whack a 20 to 30- foot wide strip of grass each spring. While this will help reduce the rate of fire spread, flame height, and fire intensity in this narrow strip, it doesn't reduce the fuel load. And, frankly, it does little to reduce the wildfire threat from the open space area. We're not sure what the City's vegetation management goals are for the grassy area, but we hope that it is to;maintain the grass, both for the aesthetics and especially for the reduced fire hazard. The area was grazed each spring until a few years before the City obtained it for open space. If not grazed, the grass will eventually be heavily invaded by a variety of weeds, shrubs, and other woody vegetation. So, we hope that the open space grassy area will be annually grazed or somehow maintained to keep the weeds and woody plants in check and most important, to annually reduce the overall fuel load. This seems like the only way to significantly reduce the threat of wildfire burning from the open space into the houses on Partridge Dr. 2. Semi-woody/shrubby vegetation. Because of the greater fuel load and thus greater fire hazard, shrubs are not a desirable component of the grassy area behind Partridge Dr. Unfortunately, the west end of the grassy area is heavily infested with baccharis (Baccharis pilularis) and the upper edge of the area with a species of broom (Figures. 3&4). The broom, which was up to 20 feet in height, was cut by an inmate crew a few years ago, but it has resprouted vigorously. It needs to be recut or grazed and ideally, eliminated. The baccharis should also be removed. The eastern portion of the open space area is almost free of baccharis.because T. Plumb spent many hours hand cutting both seedlings and adult plants. There were also some dense stands of 5 to 7-foot tall fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)which were also hand i Fuel Hazard/Partridge Dr. 2 cut, and with help of the deer population, have been mostly eliminated. Both baccharis and fennel are very invasive and add significantly to the fuel load. 3. Dead and branchv conifers. Along the fence line behind 1963 Partridge.Dr., there are several Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) and a couple of Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) that are a major fire hazard. One of the pines has long branches which extend down to the ground and several feet into the grassy area making a perfect fuel ladder(Figure 2). In addition, there is also a dead 40-foot tall Monterey pine on the fence line (Figures 4 & 5). Obviously, this tree is a major fire hazard and needs to be removed_ 4. Conifers at 1963 Partridge Dr. There are numerous large conifers on this property including coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirons), Monterey pine, Canary Island pine (P. canariensis), and Monterey cypress. Over the years, several dead and dying Monterey pines have been removed. Jack Hams was especially pleased that you and he were able to meet with his "neighbor° at 1963 Partridge Dr. to discuss the various fuel hazards on that property. In fact, you must be a man of action, or at least a catalyst for it, because the next day the neighbor cleaned up the pine litter between the houses and thoroughly cleaned up the deep litter and removed the lower branches of the trees at the back of the property. He even removed some of the dead and downed tree material on the City's side of the fence. That area hasn't looked this good (fire safety-wise) in many years (Figure 6). Tree branches over hanging the roof plus needles on the roof have also been removed. Finally, we want to thank you again for your time and help. We will be glad to continue discussion with you about fuel hazards and the City's open space. Sincerely, J. Hams K(1/971 Partridge Dr.) 16--77Cc 66it"Y!t S . 7?? T. Plumb (1983 Partridge Dr. R. Stafk+ey .(199 a Dr.) ; J(]C Webb (1997 Partridge) w� y: Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager, City of San Luis Obispo Fuel Hazard/Partridge Dr. �� 3 i j"rw1 ' 1 p yl,v V-Y SsYi LI a, 111-6:'.✓;�V,,'��yJ[`11`��� j^.( '�`h � ,•Ira,�}f. ��r hls r<�1'�r6�b rY'~`' �'i.-'"i�? �r} 'Po �VSJ 1`� Rh v>��pi.,yyyy ��t� � �t�'+ 4 •}.1 N /�. 1,�1`�/ 1 Ii IJ 2.12 }��.'i74F J •k.S�rt1 { . ro „}Iry ik 'Jr i f .fir' v� 1 e;. Y '� �h� ICY�'. 1e'}� r '• ° _ ✓ .r''t � r�"�' 4 ifCb-!m rr r a yi < �/ per.�.. •rv. � ,y L1 J. T Figure 1. Grassy open space behind the houses on Partridge Dr. prior to grass cutting by the City crew on 6/15/09. Note the large Monterey pine at the back with branches extending into the grass. � YL �� � ,a .a3r•:.. rfS»}~'n''„,r['.'4�.k%r rc• -w`�4y�.�"e4 ,^a '°". Vic..:. .,a k''� cL Figure 2. Same as Figure 1, but after a 20 to 25-foot grass strip was cut on 6/15/09. Fuel Hazard/Partridge Dr. 4 isprouting broom 'I Baccharis shrubs arVA Alf V l ' .:`W fr . �SS ,y... \�„ �, ,T 1, (,x�•-••',` , ,. 1 -. ,��-;;,. • r , "�'>: �1 ;�'t r ;� {, °,AFI' { ,r Jt3 ': ,' . Figure 3. Large mature baccharis shrubs invading the west end of the open space grassy area behind Partridge Dr. Resprouting broom above the grassy area are at the back left. / ' Dead Montere ine 1 . \_ Baxharis shrubs Cut grass strip ! Figure 4. The 20 to 25-foot wide cut grass strip even includes large baccharis shrubs. A dead Monterey pine is at the right behind 1963 Partridge. Dr. Y' "I I'• +"l��M�fng {t ��al •Y� f �..lt .rrA�_ E AN ,,, r 6�` t � •moi `nib t�yTyF 'i.�� ya.. M jl 4 � � yR •r' a�R9 t h .7A �- a , 41 1 wl 41. AR Tj ..��'m .x .iii ,�• < /��frA�'�-�• ��N .. ti •�� vhf.1+.= 1t '�,n' "`n $, � 11•iL _ June 30, 2009 To: Neil Havlick, Natural Resources Manager From: T. Plumb Subject Fuel hazard reduction Greetings! Enclosed is a copy of a letter documenting a meeting that.I and three other Partridge Dr. homeowners had with Fire Marshal Rodger Marrio on June 17 regarding the,various fuel hazard problems we see on and next to the City's open space above Partridge Dr. Some of the major fuel problems that existed on and behind 1963 Partridge Dr. were taken care of the next day. The large branchy Monterey pine that extends into grassy open space plus the live and dead Monterey cypress next to it still need to be handled. Comments on the invading baccharis and broom are covered in the attached letter. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but the narrow 20 to 25-foot grass strip cut this year is of marginal fire hazard reduction value. It stops at the big branchy pine noted above and the west end of the strip includes large mature baccharis. I don't know if the City has a well designed fuel management plan for this and similar areas around town; but if not, it should. The threat of wildland fire is an annual problem and should be properly addressed, even in tough budget times. Obviously, you already know this. Anyway, in spite of the above griping, I appreciate your current and past help to reduce the fire hazard to the Partridge Dr. houses. Since im lu�m rb•�-• council mcmoizanoum u aY' 9 Y r .,,y :±fQM1 S w .k '^ ��^•'; :.� 4 hP u w i DATE: November 9, 2010 RECEIVED RED FILE MEETING AGENDA TO: City Council NOV 0 9 2010DATE// 9la ITEM t-P#/ �.L VIA: Katie LichtiSLO CITY CLERK hard co email: FROM: John Mandeville, Com unity Development Director dcoMm ercDDDIR arCrrr?40R aRTDEe d Assn CM je= c�P IfATr &M ffFWDIR BY: Philip Dunsmore, Senior Planner IfcLE=Rlo WIMUCECMU. . W M dPARKSARECDIR C TRIBUNE O'U bEl SUBJECT: PH Item 1: Safety Element update: Fire Hazards dMWTAW IrMDRa OfSWCRY NM dCOUNCO ifclrY mm dCLW Staff is recommending minor revisions to the proposed policy language to better reflect the intent of the government code and be consistent with the recently updated California Building Code. The revisions clarify that only new buildings would require implementation of the Wildland- Urban Interface Building Standards and that vegetation management required by the new standards will be applied in a manner consistent with existing policies that protect native vegetation and sensitive habitats. Vegetation management as defined by the Government Code does not mandate removal of native vegetation and trees, but only the removal of excessive fuels such as dead growth, excessive undergrowth or dense brush that is within close proximity to a new structure. Currently, the adopted California Fire Code regulates the management of hazardous vegetation capable of being ignited and endangering property for existing developed property. Furthermore, the policies in the City's Conservation and Open Space Element and newly adopted Green Building Codes protect native trees and vegetation. These policies and codes are not mutually exclusive, and will be applied simultaneously as buffer zones and landscape plans are considered in the future. 3.0 Policy : Wildland Fire Safety A. Wildland fire hazards severity, z�shall be classified as prescribed by Cal Fire. Areas within the City, outside of the "Very High" Fire Hazard.Severity Zone as shown in Figure 2 and associated wildland-urban interface zones, shall be classified by the City's Fire Marshal. B. New subdivisions shall be prohibited in areas of"Very High" wildland fire hazard as shown in Figure 2 unless part of conservation or open space acquisition program. Development of existing parcels shall require a development plan to manage fuels, maintain a buffer zone, and provide adequate fire protection to the approval of the City Building Oficial. The development plan must be consistent witholp icies rvqtiked by the City's in the Conservation and Open Space Element. C. New buildings that are within 1000 feet from any State or Locally designated "High" or "Very High" fire hazard zone shall utilize ignition resistant Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards and vegetation, management as established by Government Code sections 51175 — 51189 and as described in chapter 7A of the California Redfile memo 11-9-10v2(2).dne . .i Building Code Vegetation management shall be consistent with policies fe..••;..ed by the Citi,_ in the Conservation and Open Space Element. R la areas of 4 xoacra,c»—yr—"High" Midland fire 3izafd, a2€25i��2-Sp&E2 aeeessible s a Fee te Gevemfflefft Cede seetiens 51175 51189. Fuel medifievAien, , but netFefaevae 1 F br eft d edi fleati eF 1.. d f must be stent YA; el; .i a e City's had coyr. � -d CGUNCIL �DDIX CrASSTCM iFIRECHIEF e. 10 B?OUCECHIEF d,A7TGRNEy WfWDIR PIB 4PARBSkRECDIR From: rschmidt@rain.org [rschmidt@rain.org] crmumm dUMDIRd��TDM trim 131 Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 10:11 AM �SLGCITYNENS dcouNCB. To: Romero, Dave; Settle, Allen; Carter, Andrew; Marx, J Ashbaugh, AGR John RED FILE Subject: MEETING AGENDA Dear Council Members, DATIEZ 9Io ITEM # off/ Beware of enshrining the Wildland-Urban Interface Code's requirements into your city's planning regimen! This bureaucratic boondoggle is a nightmare based on single-issue thinking underwritten by excessive genuflection paid to "first responders" since 9/11. The code's requirements are a mishmash of propaganda, bureaucratic over-reach, unproven or disputable assertions of "fact", and a tiny bit of common sense which whitewashes the rest. It has no regard for reasonable cost/benefit, vastly raises the cost of building even a minimum dwelling, despoils the environment, will significantly change the esthetics of our city for the worse. Those comments apply equally to the intellectually-incoherent resolution you're being asked to approve. It's a dumpster load of intellectual refuse. To extend W-UIC regulations from the actual countryside interface into the city itself (1000-foot zone) is a very bad idea that will come back to bite you politically. The Negative Declaration is a farce - either because those who prepared it don't understand the issue, or by deliberate bureaucratic sleight of hand. The general plan changes being given a neg dec will have significant effects on esthetics, air quality, biological resources, geology and soils, hydrology, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and utilities/service systems. For example, one of the recommended vegetation modification regimens in high fire areas is replacement of native vegetation (biologically important habitat) with irrigated lawn; if this happens, not only do we have massive biological, hydrological, greenhouse gas and esthetic impacts, we have a huge increase in demand for city water. When native vegetation is thinned/limbed up, we have biological loss, esthetic loss, alteration of soil cover so that what was shaded is now in full sun and dries out faster thus changing hydrology and ultimately soil structure while also increasing erosion and altering natural vegetation still further as the drier soil can support less vegetation, etc. The neg dec is written to justify a one- dimensional fire program that's based on environmentally questionable assumptions, and fails to connect the dots to show what this program actually means four-dimensionally. I find the fire establishment's arguments for its required aimprovements" intellectually disingenuous. For example, they will tell you things like a residential fire sprinkler system increases an occupant's chances of surviving a fire by 80% compared to just having a smoke alarm. What they don't tell you is that a smoke alarm provides a 99.45% chance of survival, so the 80% increase brings that chance to 99.89% -- a trivial difference for a $15, 000 increase in the cost of the house and on-going costs for maintenance and flood cleanup when the RECEIVED) NOV o 8 2019 SLO CITY CLERK things go off by mistake. Likewise for the W-UIC's latest gimmick - tempered glass in all windows, which puts even small windows into the $1, 000 range for a very insignificant increase in house survivability in event of wild fire. (The problem with the W-UIC is it's prescriptive, not performance-based. Operable window shutters would provide better protection than tempered glass for less cost, but they're not an option under the prescriptive standards of this one- dimensional code. ) The premise put forth in the staff report that vegetation modification will only apply to "new construction^ is unsupportable, both because that is not what the W-UIC says (such control applies to new AND existing premises within areas under the W-UIC) but because it would be nonsensical (if it's actually an important measure, why would it only apply to SOME premises within the alleged "danger zone" and not to ALL premises?) . You need to be aware that what you're being asked to approve is the camel's nose within the tent. Once you approve this, I guarantee you these onerous fire provisions will be incrementally extended and expanded - perhaps by bureaucrats' changing the maps, which is beyond your control - until they encompass the entire city and become a nightmare of city harassment upon the citizenry and', the environment. Once you've included reference to the W-UIC in your city plans, further expansions are automatic and out of your control. Be very suspicious. Don't get snookered. Sincerely, Richard Schmidt, Architect i I Attachment 6 City Council Resolution No. (2010 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING THE CITY'S FIRE HAZARDS CHAPTER OF THE GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT TO IMPLEMENT GOVERNMENT CODE CHANGES GP/ER 77-10 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on September 22, 2010 to review proposed updates to the General Plan Safety Element to implement new Fire Maps and associated policies GPA/ER 77-10; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on November 9, 2010, for the purpose of considering the amendments endorsed by the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are necessary to implement changes to the Government Code and fire map changes adopted by Cal Fire; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered the Initial Study and Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact (ER 77-10) for the project, and determined that the document adequately addresses the potential environmental effects of the proposed project; and WHEREAS, notice of intent to adopt these amendments has been given; and WHEREAS, the City Council has duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of the applicant, interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Section 1. Findings. Based upon all the evidence, the City Council makes the following findings: 1. The proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the Government Code in providing updated fire hazard maps and policies for the City. 2. The proposed amendments to the Safety Element Policies and Maps are consistent with objectives of Cal Fire to provide uniform maps and policies for the State of California. 3. The proposed amendments to the Policies will enhance the safety between the urban environment and the wildland interface by providing updated building and safety standards for properties that are within the Wildland-Urban Interface, consistent with adopted amendments to the California Building Code. 4. A draft Negative Declaration was prepared by the Community Development Department on September 16, 2010. The Planning Commission finds and determines that the project's PM-m34 City Council Resolution No. (26. Series) •�' � Page 2 Negative Declaration adequately addresses the potential significant environmental impacts of the proposed project. Section 2. Environmental Review. The City Council does hereby adopt a Negative Declaration for the project. Section 3. Action. The City Council does hereby adopte revisions to the General Plan Safety Element as shown in Exhibit A. On motion of , seconded by , and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day of 2010. Mayor David F. Romero ATTEST: Elaina Cano, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: (5pstine Dietrick, City Attorney PH1-35 City Council Resolution No. (2",,Series) — Attachment 6 Page 3 Exhibit A FIRE Fires cause significant losses to life, property, and the environment. They occur in both urban and rural settings. Urban fire hazards result from the materials, size, and spacing of buildings, and from the materials, equipment, and activities they contain. Additional factors are access, available water volume and pressure, and travel time for fire fighters (Figure 1). Fire hazards in rural areas, or at the interface between urban and rural land, combine these factors with land slope and natural and modified vegetation. The mosaic of grassland, scrub and chaparral, and oak woodland around San Luis Obispo has been shaped by, and to some extent depends on, fire. Where the burning of natural vegetation is a threat to people's lives and property, plant fuels are often managed by replacement planting, grazing, plowing, or mechanical clearing. "Wildland" is a shorthand description for areas characterized by low density development, concentrations of natural vegetation and steeper slopes. Wildland areas may be subject to significant fire hazard due to natural vegetation's properties as fuel, and the steepness of the land, which affect how fast fire spreads and may limit access for fire-fighting. San Luis Obispo faces wildland fire hazards due mainly to its climate and to the steeper hillsides around the City. Areas with high wildland fire hazard include the Irish Hills, Santa Lucia foothills, Cerro San Luis Obispo, Bishop Peak, and Islay Hill (Figure 2). Fire hazards in wildlands are often compounded by their distance from fire fighting resources. Fuel modification in conjunction-with'appropriate construction techniques may reduce the risk of wildland fires spreading to the'urba6 environment. In 2009 the City Fire Department in cooperation with the Natural Resource Manager contracted with the Cal Fire Cuesta Camp Hand Crew to clear or modify natural fuels in the Cerro San Luis, Irish Hills, and Bowden Ranch Open Space. Currently the City has contracts with the Cuesta Crew to modify fuels in open space areas by French Hospital and the Johnson/Fixlini areas. The Fire Department'aims to reduce fire risk through its weed-abatement program, which covers all wildland. areas within the. City's jurisdiction. The Department also works with the County, which has a State and locally approved fire management plan that coordinates among a number of State, regional, and county agencies. Construction techniques, including the use of ignition resistant materials and building design that can resist the intrusion of flame or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire (wildfire exposure) reflect other efforts California communities have made to avoid the repeating cycle of interface fire disasters. Fire prevention and suppression services are provided by the City Fire Department, which maintains four fire stations (Figure 1). The City also provides contract services to Cal Poly State University. PH1-36 City Council Resolution No. (2V o\"Series) �% Attachment 6 Page 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Wildland-Urban Interface areas are lands where natural vegetation intersect with man- made fuel types (structures). In most circumstance, the interface can be defined as areas that are within 1000 feet of wildlands. The state of California has designated San Luis Obispo as a community at risk to the threat of wildfires. The primary factor associated with this threat is the dry and windy weather pattern combined with a community developed in close proximity to surrounding hills which creates an extensive wildland-urban interface. Wildfires in undeveloped areas have the potential to spread into the urban interface and beyond. Typically, wildfires are caused by human activities such as improper use of equipment or behavior related to the use of fire. Fires within wildland areas can result in loss of valuable wildlife habitat, soil erosion, and damage to life and property. San Luis Obispo is surrounded by thousands of acres of undeveloped hillsides and open space. Although many of these areas have not been designated as Very High fire hazards by the California State Fire Marshall, they still pose a threat of fire danger due to the proximity to adjacent development or the Wildland-Urban Interface. Although weather plays a predominant role in the spread and intensity of wildfire, the level of wildland fire risk is determined by a number of factors, including: • Frequency of critical fire weather; • Percentage of slope; • Existing fuel (vegetation, ground cover, building materials); • Adequacy of access to fire suppression services; and •Water supply and water pressure. Urban fire hazards are increased by concentrations of wood-frame structures, particularly multifamily developments, mobile homes, and older structures having outdated heating and electrical systems and lacking fire-detection and suppression features. Preventing the start and spread of fires was one of the original purposes of building and zoning regulations. San Luis Obispo has adopted fairly typical zoning regulations for building sizeand spacing, and standard codes that address fire safety in detail. In addition, the City has adopted requirements for automatic fire sprinklers and fire-resistive roof materials that exceed mi exceed statewide requirements. Recent changes in the Government Code define the responsibilities of the California Department of Forestry and Fire,Protection (Cal Fire) and for the City. In summary, the Government Code assigns; Cal Fire the responsibility to identify Very High fire hazard severity zones within local government jurisdictions, and to periodically review these zones. In response, Cal Fire has mapped the relative wildfire risk for the entire State and each local jurisdiction. Cal Fire's State Responsibility Area (SRA) Map designates four risk levels: Low, Moderate, High, and Very High. These areas are mapped for unincorporated areas surrounding the City. The Local Responsibility Area (LRA) map designates only those areas within the City limits that meet Very High wildland fire hazard criteria. Areas of high or moderate fire hazard severity within City limits are not mapped by the State, since the City serves these areas with fire services and maintains the discretion to identify fire PHl-37 Attachment 6 City Council Resolution No. (26. Series) Page 5 hazards of this level based on local factors, such as response time. Figure 2 displays both the SRA and LRA fire hazard designations. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189 require identification of land within Very High fire hazard severity zones so that public officials are able to identify measures that will mitigate uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources,, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken. Properties within these zones and within 1000 feet of these zones are required to utilize Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building. Standards to minimize the threat of property damage in the event a wildfire occurs in close. proximity. The objective of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards is to establish minimum standards for materials and construction to provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. Policy : Adequate Fire Services Development shall be approved only when adequate fire suppression services and facilities are available or will be made available concurrent with development, considering the setting, type, intensity, and form of the proposed development. Policy Wildland Fire Safety, A. Wildland fire hazards shall be classified as prescribed by Cal Fire. Areas within the City, outside of the "Very High" Fire Hazard Severity Zone as shown in Figure 2 and associated interface zones, shall be classified by the City's Fire Marshal. B. New subdivisions shall be prohibited in areas of"Very High" wildland fire hazard as shown in Figure 2 unless part .of a conservation or open space acquisition program. Development of existing parcels shall 'require a development plan to manage fuels, maintain a buffer zone, and provide ,adequate fire 'protection to the approval of the. City Building Official. The development plan_must be;consistent with Policies required by the City's Conservation and Open.Space Element. C. Buildings that are within 1000 feet from any State or Locally designated "High" or "Very High" fire hazard zone shall utilize ignition resistant Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards and meet the standards established by Government Code sections 51175—51189. D. In areas of "Moderate" or "High" wildland fire hazard, defensible space—accessible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials— shall be provided around all structures pursuant to Government Code sections 51175 — 51189. Fuel modification, including, but not limited to, removal of vegetation and modification of landforms; must be consistent with policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space Element. PHl-38 Attachment 6 d .cT a N d C LLN T � LLmq � V V V LL V 2 N � xN j pr . .Y (I {,,� •h �' Y `,sem ��� •: `J-i ''aS>�{y �, � -i SLC- �'f^ � '� No n 1 �;, d 3 �« N O N N d O PHI-39 Attachment 6 F1101 ul �. L P N C > c V1 f0a n LL y� I � JI, 7® N❑,_,u / � a r \ Y WOOD- 74;, 1 ._ LL :r N � / � I �� �✓'� � / 1, 1 0 � i C � U rCo U i PHI-40