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11 /28/2016 <br /> 5. Topographical: <br /> The topographical element, as would be expected , is closely associated with the <br /> geological element. With elevation changes in the City, development is of a <br /> geological concern . With these changes development is, of course, following the path <br /> of least resistance; thereby creating a meandering pattern . This does not lend itself to <br /> a good systematic street and road layout, which would promote easy traffic flow. It <br /> has , in fact, resulted in few major cross-town thoroughfares , which tend to be heavily <br /> congested , primarily during commute hours and seasonal periods of the year. "Pass- <br /> through" vehicular traffic in the cities, such as the areas of the Alameda de Las <br /> Pulgas, Woodside Road , Edgewood Road , and El Camino Real . This increased <br /> commute time increases traffic for eastbound and westbound vehicular movement to <br /> US 101 and Interstate 280 . This creates barriers, which increases the response time <br /> of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles . The topography of the city is also <br /> being burdened by major structures . Employment areas are throughout the city, and <br /> the people who work in these complexes have added to the traffic congestion <br /> throughout the cities, thereby increasing fire apparatus response times. <br /> Inherent delays caused by the traffic patterns to many of these types of projects <br /> make it necessary to mitigate this problem by requiring additional built-in automatic <br /> fire protection and detection systems that provide early detection and initial control of <br /> fires until the arrival of the fire department. <br /> As a result of above identified climatic, geological and topographical elements, <br /> additional requirements as specified in the amendments to the adopting ordinance for <br /> the 2016 California Fire Code by the City are considered reasonable and necessary <br /> modifications. The experiences of several disastrous urban-wildland interface fires <br /> within Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Monterey and Contra Costa Counties have <br /> demonstrated the need for other fire protection features/regulations. While it is clearly <br /> understood that the adoption of such regulations may not prevent the incidence of <br /> fire, but the implementation reduces the severity and potential loss of life and <br /> property of these fires which do occur. <br /> 6 . Conclusion : Local climactic, geological and topographical conditions impact fire <br /> prevention efforts relating to the spread , acceleration , intensity, and size of fire <br /> involving buildings and vegetative areas in this City. Further, they impact potential <br /> damage to all structures , from earthquake and subsequent fire. The City Council <br /> finds it is needed and necessary to modify the building standards set forth in the <br /> state codes in order to mitigate the effects of the above conditions. <br /> ATTY/RESO.0112/BUILDING & FIRE CODE ADOPTIONS RESO NO. 15540 <br /> REV: 11-21-16 RL MUFF NO. 305 <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br />