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ATTY/RESO.0096/CC RESO ADOPTING FINDINGS OF NECESSITY - AMENDMENTS TO CA BUILDING AND FIRE STANDARD CODES REV: 08-29-25 MI Page 3 of 4 5. Topographical: The topographical element, as would be expected, is closely associated with the geological element. With elevation changes in the City, development is of a geological concern. Varying topography creates different development needs in different parts of the City. In the hilly areas, in particular, streets follow meandering patterns that accommodate varying slopes. This does not lend itself to a systematic street and road layout, which would promote easy traffic flow. Instead, the City has few major cross-town thoroughfares, which tend to be heavily congested, particularly during commute hours and certain seasonal periods of the year. These thoroughfares include Alameda de Las Pulgas, Woodside Road, Edgewood Road, and El Camino Real, which serve both the City’s population and “pass through” traffic from surrounding cities. During commute hours, the City experiences increased eastbound and westbound vehicular traffic to US 101 and Interstate 280. This is of particular concern in relationship to emergency vehicle response. Congestion on the limited number of cross-town thoroughfares increases the response times of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles. Requiring additional built-in automatic fire protection and detection systems that provide early detection and initial control of fires until the arrival of the fire department mitigates the potential impacts of increased response times for emergency vehicles. 6. Conclusion: Local climactic, geological and topographical conditions impact building safety and fire prevention efforts, particularly relating to the spread, acceleration, intensity, and size of fire involving buildings and vegetative areas in the City. Further, the possibility of seismic activity poses a risk of damage to all structures in the event of an earthquake and possible subsequent fire. The City Council finds it necessary to modify the Fire and Building Standards Codes to mitigate the effects of these local conditions. (Page intentionally left blank)