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CI\...I\OF"SAN BERNARDLJo - REQUOT FOR COUNCIL ACYtON
From:
Councilman Ralph Hernandez
Subject: Emergency Secondary Access
Dep~ Council Office
Date: June 10, 1986
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
NONE
Recommended moti.on:
That the Mayor and Council, at the request of Former Council-
man Richard F. Gerwig, discuss the Ordinance regarding dual access
for development projects to provide emergency secondary access.
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nature
Contact person:
John T. Cole
Phone:
5188
Supporting data attached: Yes
Ward:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount:
Source:
Finance:
Council Notes:
75-0262
Agenda Item No.NEW BUSINESS
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"Reinstate rule on
emergency access
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A San Bernardino City Council decision to amend a law
that eases "second exit" road.building requirements in fire.
prone areas has sparked a controversy over whether the mea- "
" sure was changed to benefit a developer.
Whether the proposal was targeted at a particular devel-
" opment or not, it is not a good idea.
The current law, dating back to 1979, is the outcome of
persistent efforts by then.councilman Richard F. Gerwig.
who insisted that foothill developments be provided with
second roadways that could be used in case of emergencies.
Under that law, developers building in such areas were
required to have emergency, secondary access roads paved,
pUbliCly dedicated, and at least 24 feet wide.
From the outset, many developers chafed under that
idea, mainly because of its expense.
The neWly amended version gives the fire chief authori-
ty to waive those requirements if firefighters and residents
could just as easily use an unpaved, undedicated road.
We believe the new law takes a terrible risk with public
safety.
An undedicated road is, by definition. not a public thoro
oughfare. Whether it will continue to be maintained in a
passable condition as years go by is problematical. A road
that is fully usable when a tract is built, may be in no condi-
tion for use, 10 or 20 years later.
It is a gamble to depend on what the condition of an
unpaved, undedicated passage might be like in years to come.
It is important to remember that San Bernardino's hill-
sides not only are highly fire-prone, they also are crossed by
major earthquake fault lines.
It is not hard to imagine situations in which a disaster
could turn many roads into shambles. Residents, particularly
the elderly and infirm who could not escape afoot, could be
trapped in isolated tracts. Rescue equipment would not have
any way to get to them.
Having a second road obviously does not guarantee safe.
ty. Certainly, a large enough disaster could Wipe out two
roads as well as one. However, the presence of a second road
does increase and improve the possibilities that some route
would be passable under such conditions.
If decision-makers are to err, they should err on the side
of reducing, not increasing, peril to human life.
We believe the amendment to the ordinance was short-
sighted. We appeal to the council to turn away from it before
it proves to be tragically shortsighted.
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P.O. Box 6888 San Bernardino, CA 92412 (714) 886-0124
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June 12, 1986
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MAYOR EVLYN WILCOX
City of San Bernardino
CITY HALL
300 North "0" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
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RE: MONDAY. JUNE 23. 1986 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Dear Mayor Wilcox:
Attorney Daniel Fagin and I wish to request placement on the Agenda
for the Monday, ~..~ 1:3. <l City Council Meeting.
JIU. Y ? t!1.
Mr. Fagin, our legal representation, wishes to discuss with the City
Council the probability of a recount involving the recent win of Measure HH.
We would sincerely appreciate notification of our inclusion on the Agenda
as soon as possible.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
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L. Margo Tannen urn
President
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cc: Shauna Clark, City Clerk
D. Fagin, Esquire
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