AgdaPkt 2009-03-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.3A Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the Cit Mana er March 9, 2009 SUBJECT Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Ordinance RECOMMENDATION 1. I ntroduce the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Ordinance for first reading on March 9, 2009 2. Schedule a public hearing and second reading of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Ordinance for March 23, 2009 3. Adopt the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Ordinance on March 23, 2009 BACKGROUND Due to the wildland fires in California and subsequent state legislation, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is required to review and update fire hazard severity zones. Cal Fire initially completed mapping of Fire Hazard Severity Zones for State Responsibility Areas (SRA- areas outside of city limits where the state has responsibility for wildland fire protection). Cal Fire recently completed mapping of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA- areas where local government has responsibility for wildland fire protection). Redwood City Fire and Building & Inspection have reviewed the draft map for Redwood City and concur with the proposed boundaries of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. The Redwood City Board of Building Review discussed the map and related code requirements at their January 6, 2009 meeting. The Board recommends that the City Council adopt the map as presented by Cal Fire. California Government Code Section 51179( a) requires the local agency to adopt this map by ordinance. There are approximately 1,200 properties in Redwood City in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map area. New buildings within this area are required to comply with California Building Code Chapter 7 A and maintain defensible space as required by California Govemment Code Section 51182. Chapter 7 A contains requirements for fire retardant or ignition resistant construction materials at roofs, eaves, vents, exterior walls, exterior windows and doors, decks, and areas below decks. There are prescriptive or performance criteria that are achievable with conventional construction materials. The defensible space must be maintained up to 100 feet (or the property line, whichever is less) from the building. The Redwood City Code currently requires fire retardant roofing and fire sprinklers. Building & Inspection will enforce the Chapter 7 A requirements and Fire will enforce the defensible space requirements. The Building Official is required to provide certification at building permit issuance and at completion that the structure complies with all applicable state and local building standards. These regulations apply to new structures, not additions, alterations, or repairs to structures in existence prior to the effective date of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Ordinance.