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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-Planning CL Y OF SAN BERNAR( ~O - REQl ~ST FOR COUNCIL A rlON From: Frank A. Schuma Planning Director Foothill Communities Protective Subject: "Greenbelt" Program Report Dept: Planning Mayor and Council Meeting of January 20, 1986, 9:00 a.m. Date: January 9, 1986 Synopsis of Previous Council action: Previous Planning Commission action: At the meeting of the Planning commission on January 7, 1986, the following recommendations were made: The Foothill Communities Protective "Greenbelt" Program Report was unanimously recommended for adoption with modifications as recommended by the Standards Committee, and it was also recommended that an ordinance amendment be prepared to create a Wildfire Protection Overlay Zone. Recommended motion: That the Mayor and Council adopt the Foothill Communities Protective "Greenbelt" Program Report, with modifications as recommended by the Standards Committee, and that the Mayor and Council direct the Planning Department staff to prepare an ordinance amendment creating a Wildfire Protection Overlay Zone which contains specific standards and boundaries for application. ~, Signature Frank A. Schuma Contact person: Frank A. Schuma Phone: 383-5057 Supporting data attached: Yes, Staff Report Ward: 4 and 5 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: Source: Finance: Council Notes: 75-0262 Agenda Item No. /~ CITY OF SAN BE~ .NARDING - MEMORANDlh.1 To Planning Commission From Planning DeparCment Subject Foochill Communities Protective "Greenbelt" Program Date January 7, 1986 Approved Agenda Item No.2, \,ards 4 and 5 Date Background In November, 1980 one of the mosc devastacing fires in the State's history hit San Bernardino. Although che Panorama Fire was not che first urban- wildland fire in the valley, che City's loss of life and property had never before been so great. A cotal of 284 homes were destroyed and 50 others damaged. In the Northpark area, more than 180 homes were burned in one hour. Four people died and 77 were seriously injured. A total of 23,600 acres (almost 37 square miles) were burned. Shortly after the Panorama Fire, officials from the City of San Bernardino, the County of San Bernardino, the California Department of Forestry, and the United States Forest Service met to discuss ways of preventing a similar fire from reocurring. The result was a study prepared by che Forest Service called "Greenbelt: A Cooperative Approach." It examined areas along the urban-wildland interface for land use capabilities and feasibility of various fire, flood and erosion mitigation measures. The same four agencies went on to joincly fund and prepare a second study. This one, called the "Foothill Communities Protective "Greenbelt" Program," is a multi-jurisdictional report recommending a comprehensive action program with specific measures to reduce future losses from fire, flood and erosion along the urban-wildland interface. This reporc and the various recommended standards are now being considered for adoption by the City and County of San Bernardino. The "Greenbelt" report is a misnomer since there are no plans for an actual landscaped "greenbelc" along the foothills. Instead, the report contains a series of recommendacions for development standards having Co do with such things as circulation, water supply, subdivision, construction, erosion control and others. The Planning Commission was first presented the report and its recommendations in early 1984. It was referred to the Cicy Standards Committee which made some modificacions, primarily clarifications to che wording. The original recommendations and Committee modifications are lisced side-by-side on the attached Exhibi t "A". Implementacion of this program should be done by adoption of an overlay zone which applies che standards concained in the "Greenbelt" report to the foothill areas of che City. Exact boundaries for the overlay zone will need to be determined. Staff suggests thac the proposed zone be entitled "The Wildfire Protection Overly Zone." CITY 011 THI~~ '---- Planning Commission Foothill Conuuunities Protective "Greenbelt" Program January 7, 1986 Page -2- Reconunendation That the Planning Commission recommend direct adoption of the report by the Mayor and Common Council and that the Mayor and Common Council direct the Planning Department to prepare a Zoning Ordinance amendment to create a Wildfire Protection Overlay Zone containing specific standards and boundaries for application. Respectfully submitted, FRANK A. SCHUMA Planning Director c- ~&A . - VINCENT A. BAUTISTA, Principal Planner '~ '-' FOOTIlILL COMMUNITIES PROTECTIVE "GREENBELT" PROGRAM COMPARISON OF DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS ~ GREENBELT PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS STANDARDS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Circulation All residential projects shall have at least 2 different publicly dedicated,. all weather ingress/egress routes. (A+B+C) Access shall have a minimum 26-foot paved width with parking on one side of each street. (A+B) Maximum Cul-de-sac length shall be 350 feet, up to 500 feet with specific PRD standards and appropriate fire agency approval. (A+B) Turnarounds, radius of curves, dips, etc., shall have a minimum of 45 feet for cul-de-sac. (A+B) All cul-de-sac turnarounds and curves must be designed with a minimum radius of 45 feet (A+B) ~ No dead-end streets shall be permitted. Temporary cul-de-sacs shall be re- quired. (A+B) PRD projects with private street standards shall have parking on both sides of street (or provide for off- street parking with minimum street width) adjacent to units. A mini- mum street width may be allowed where off-street parking is provided adjacent to units. (A+B) Maximum street grades shall be at 12% with all weather non-skid sur- face. (A+B) Driveways shall not ~ceed 150 feet in length nor 14% grade unless city road standards are met. (A) All driveways are to be less than 150 feet in length and have an all weather driving surface of not less than 20 feet of unobstructed width and 14 feet six inches of vercical clearance. The grade shall not exceed 12%. If drive- ways exceed the above length and grade, on-site fire protection meaSUreR shall be provided, subject to approval by the Fire Department. (A+B) Driveways in excess of 150 feet in length shall be paved and compacted to 95% compaction and shall be of sufficient thickness to support heavy fire apparatus. (B) (1) Perimeter streets shall be placed on foothill/wildland side of develop- ment. (A+B) '---' In areas adjacent to wildlands, a minimum 12 foot passable way from public street to the fuel modified area is re- quired. No fences or trees shall be planted in 12 foot access route. Access points shall be spaced 350 feet apart. (A+B) Site and Street Identification Non-combustible and reflective street markers shall be visible for 100 feet. (A+B) ~ Non-combustible and reflective building address shall be provided with 3-inch high lettering and numbers visible at least 100 feet. (A+B) Roadside Vegetation Dead plant material shall be removed for distance of 10 feet from curbline to encourage maintained vegetation. (A+B) Thinning and other vegetation modification shall be provided for 100 feet from curb- line. (A+B) Water Supply SCatic water sources shall have clear access on one side of at least 16 feet. (A+B+C) (2) Subdivisions shall be designed to allow emergency vehicle access to wild- land areas behind structures. This is to be accomplished in either of two ways: a. Provide a perimeter street along the entire wildland side of a development, or b. Provide a fuel-modified area, minimum of 50 feet in depth, adjacent to the foothills connected to the street by flat 12 foot minimum access ways placed no more that 350 feet apart. If designed as a gated easement, access ways may be part of a side yard. (A+B+c) Subdivisions and mobilehome parks are to be provided with 6 inch or larger circu- lating (loop) mains and storage capacity sufficient to provide the minimum fire ~ flow duration and hydrant spacing under "system standards" indicated below with a residual pressure of 20 pounds per square inch. (A+B+C) Provide a minimum of 2 private spigots facing foothills/wildlands per building. (A+B) Identify each fire hydrant with approved blue reflecting street markers. (A+B+C) Each cul-de-sac greater than 300 feet in length shall have a minimum of one hydrant. (A+B) Water Systems Standards Provide for fire flow gpm. duration and hydrant spacing according to minimum standards of the City. (A+B+C) Construction and Development Design ~ A slope analysis shall be submitted with all discretionary and nondiscretionary applications. The contour interval shall not be more that 5' and indicate a slope category of 30% and more. (A+B) Limited residential development shall be permitted (including individual lots) or subdivision of land on slopes above 30% in the fire hazard area. (A) No new development shall be permitted in narrow canyon mouths or ridge saddles. (A+B) Provide underground ~tilities for new subdivisions and individual structures. (A+B+C) Open ends of tile roofs must be capped with non-ignitable material to prevent bird nests or other combustible material to be located within the roof struccure. (A+B+C) (3) All buildings shall have a minimum of two spigots facing wildlands. (A+B) A slope analysis shall be filed with all discretionary and nondiscretionary applications for all lots which have an average slope of at least 15%. The Contour interval shall not be more than five feet and a slope category of 25% or more must be indicated. (A+B) Decking shall be constructed with exterior materials of at least 1 hour fire resistant rating. (A+B) ',- Attic vents under the roof shall be located near the roof edge rather than toward the external wall. No eave vents facing foot- hills/wildlands shall be permitted. (A+B) Other vents covered by 1/4 inch corrosion resistant wire mesh, not to exceed 144 square inches. (A+B+C) A minimum 60 foot building separation shall be provided in Zone A, 30 foot in Zone B. A minimum 30 foot separation shall be provided in clusters. (30 foot minimum setback from adjacent property line) . (A+B) Patio covers of combustible materials such as plastic, bamboo, straw or fiber- glass shall not be permitted. (A+B) '"--, Require retrofitting of structure more that 25% replacement occurs; roofing, fencing, room addition. when i.e. , (A+B+C) Exposed piping shall be non-combustible, all other piping shall be placed under- ground. (A+B) All accessory buildings, guest housing shall conform to all fire protection zone standards. (A+B) Utilize UBC exterior 1 hour fire walls. (A+B+C) Utilize the following building materials in the specified areas listed below: a. Require UBC rated non-combustible roofing materials, non-wood. (A+B) b. Require UBC fire resistant con- struction materials, non-combustible sidings. (A+B) (4 ) All materials used for decking must have a Uniform Building Code rating of at least one-hour fire resistance. Requirement includes heavy timber (Type IV) construction. (A+B) Attic vents which are placed under the roof overhang must be located near the roof edge rather than toward the external wall. (A+B) No attic vent shall be placed facing the wildland/foothills. (A+B+C) Vents must be no larger than 144 inches and covered by 1/4 x 1/4 corrosion resistant wire mesh. square inch (A+B) Patio covers shall be constructed of Uniform Building Code fire resistive materials. (A+B) Any exposed piping, vents and flashing shall be constructed of non-combustible materials. (A+B) All exterior walls shall be constructed with materials rated by the Uniform Building Code as one-hour fire resistant. (A+B+C) c. Chimney spark arrestor, 12 gauge wire screen 1/2 inch opening mounted in vertical position visible from ground. (A+B+C) '- d. Structures supported to any degree by stilts shall have all under floor areas encased to the ground with the same fire retardant material as required for fire walls. (A+N) e. Require glazing with extra strength glass or double paned glass facing foothill/wildlands. (A+B) f. Fencing and gates for access shall be non-combustible materials. (A+B) g. All new property lines to be placed at top of slopes. (A+B) '- Buildable pads on natural slopes of less than 30% and adjacent to slopes greater than 30% shall have a minimum pad setback of 30 feet from edge of slope where slope is greater than 30 feet in height, unless the entire slope of 100 feet, whichever is less is landscaped and fire resistant vegetation is maintained by an irrigation system. (A+B) Install and equip every swimming pool or . other significant water source such that the water may be obtained for quick and easy fire fighting purposes. (A+B) (5) Structures supported to any degree by stilts shall eicher have all under- floor areas encased with one-hour fire resistive materials, or meet the re- quirements of heavy timber (Type IV) construction. (A+B) All fencing must be constructed of Uniform Building Code fire resistive material and gated for emergency pedestrian access. Said gates shall face access road. (A+B) In a subdivision, all proposed property lines shall be placed, when possible, at the top of slopes. (A+B) Structures are to be located only where the upgraded slope is less than 25%. If the building pad is adjacent to a slope which is greater than 25% and is greater than 30 feet in height, a mini- mum pad setback of 30 feet from the edge of the slope is required. The setback may be less than 30 feet only when the entire slope, or 100 feet adjacent to the building pad, which- ever is less, is landscaped with fire resistant vegetation and maintained by an automatic irrigation system. (B) All new swimming pools or other signi- ficant water sources (500 gallons or more) shall be designed so as to be used by the Fire Service in an ever- gency. Design shall consider the most economical and simple method available. The design must be approved by the Fire Department. (A+B) '-----' Vegetation clearance and modification shall be required 30 feet from structure (some ornamental and ground cover exceptions): for areas within 100 feet vegetation clearance, thinning and other modification shall be maintained no longer than 3 inches nor higher than 18 inches; 10 foot clearance shall be maintained from chimney or stove pipe outlets. "Specimen native shrubs" may be retained if they are trimmed 2 feet above the ground, do not exceed approxi- mately 7 feet in diameter, are maintained free of all dead wood, duff, dry leaves, etc. and are not closer together than 18 feet. (A+B) No residential bonus densities shall be allowed except in PRD's. (A+B) Firewood may only be stacked on contour away from home. (A+B) Fuel tank locations must be greater than 10 feet from buildings with vegetation clearance. (A+B+C) , '- Erosion Concrol Require compaction op. all fills. (A+B) Require prior to permit issuance, approval of erosion and drainage control plans pre- pared by qualified professional for all new projects. (See erosion control plan specifics in Appendix A). (A+B+C) (6) Utilize fire resistant plant materials for 50' minimum fuel-modified area adjacent to the foothills. (A+B) All fuel tanks must be placed a distance from buildings and property lines in accordance with the Uniform Fire Code. All vegetation must be cleared for a radius of 10 feet from the tank. (A+B) All roof overhangs must be enclosed with materials rated by the Uniform Building Code as one-hour fire resistant. (A+B) Any roof and wall penetrations and appendage shall be constructed of non- conmustible materials. All glass facing wildlands shall be extra strength or double-paned and meet all state and local requirements. Roof mounted be permitted. turbine vents shall not (A+B) For all new projects, erosion and drainage control plans, prepared by a licensed civil engineer, must be approved prior to permit issuance. (A+B) Require project referral notices to be sent to the appropriate Resource Conserva- tion District for erosion control comments in foothill area. (A+B) '- Where appropriate in the erosion control plan, require revegetation with fire re- sistant plant material for erosion con- trol. (A+B) Where appropriate, require PRD Home Owner's Association to maintain firebreak fuel modification zones. (A+B) Miscellaneous Require that before building permits are issued, City Fire official is notified. (A+B) Require through conditions of approval that new CCR's require all transactions of property involve disclosure to pur- chaser of high fire hazard restrictions. (A+B+C) Notify property owners on April 1 of brush clearance requirement compliance by June 1. Provide weed abatement in- spection of properties on June 1. Properties needing clearance will be issued notices of non-compliance and given 15 days'to clear. Those failing' to do so shall have expenses of city-initiated abatemenc (or private contractor) aCtached to property tax assessment. (A+B) (7) Erosion control plans shall incorp- orate the use of fire resistant vege- tation, where appropriate. (A+B) The covenants, conditions and restri- ctions shall require that all future transfers of property disclose to purchaser the high fire hazard desig- nation applicable to said property. (B+C) The covenants, conditions and restri- ctions for all homeowner's associa- tions within residential developments shall provide for the maintenance of firebreak fuel modification zones. (B+C )