HomeMy WebLinkAbout27- Planning & Building Services _CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From: Michael E. Hays, Director Subject: Adoption of an ordinance amending Section 15.28.140 of
Title 15 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code relating to placards
used to denote conditions relating to continued occupancy of
Dept: Planning & Building Services buildings after a disaster.
�° NOV 13 1997 n\Lf
Date: October 27, 1997 C C) j
MCC Date: December 1, 1997
Synopsis of Previous Council Action: On November 17, 1997, the Mayor and Common Council set December 1,
1997 as the date for a Public Hearing of the adoption of this ordinance.
Recommended Motion: That the Mayor and Common Council close the Public Hearing and adopt the Ordinance
of the City of San Bernardino amending Section 15.28.140 of Title 15 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code relating
to placards used to denote conditions relating to continued occupancy of buildings after a disaster.
Michael E. H ys
Contact person: Michael E Hays Phone: 384-5357
Supporting data attached: Staff Report and Ordinance Ward(s): N/A
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: N/A
Source: (Acct No ) N/A
Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
Continued to Gr�/2�' �
Agenda Item No.
ia]�I97
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
STAFF REPORT
Subject:
Adoption of an ordinance amending Section 15.28.140 of Title 15 of the San Bernardino
Municipal Code relating to placards used to denote conditions relating to continued occupancy
of buildings after a disaster.
Recommendation:
That the Mayor and Common Council close the Public Hearing and adopt the Ordinance of the
City of San Bernardino adding Section 15.28.190 to Title 15 of the San Bernardino Municipal
Code relating to placards used to denote conditions relating to continued occupancy of buildings
after a disaster.
Background:
Most post-disaster recovery and reconstruction problems are related to structural damage and
to the assessment of such damage. One of the early steps in preparing for recovery and
reconstruction is developing a procedure and criteria for safety assessment.
The goal of the safety assessment program is to get as many as possible back into their buildings
as fast as possible; accomplishing this is only a small part of the problem. These individuals
must know they can re-enter their buildings, and then they need to know the process for
repairing the building in order to gain full use of it as fast as possible. Other problems that
typically arise during the emergency phase of a disaster are: 1) What to do with structures that
pose an imminent threat to public health and safety and the public right-of-way; 2) What to do
with structures that are not an imminent hazard; and 3) How to fully reuse existing sites.
Each of these problems can be addressed and planned for if approached before the emergency.
Historically, these problems are addressed in a reactive manner during the disaster.
Communicating the condition of buildings, dealing with the threats and hazards posed by
damaged structures and repairing structures can be, and should be, addressed now.
Adoption of Placards
One of the functions of the ATC-20 publication was the development of placards that clearly
identified the condition of buildings to owners and occupants. These placards were first used
after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and have been used in at least two subsequent
earthquakes. Recently, a panel was convened by the Applied Technology Council to review
ATC-20 and update the document based on the Loma Prieta experience. One of the major
revisions to come from that panel was to revise the three placards. These revised placards have
been included in the Post-Disaster Safety Assessment Plan. Section 15.25.040 of the proposed
ordinance describes each of the placards proposed for the City of San Bernardino and copies are
included with this document.
1
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After past disasters, placards have been widely used to denote the condition of buildings and
structures. In many cases, the placards have been those recommended in the ATC-20
publication (Procedures for Post-earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings.) Unfortunately,
most jurisdictions have not officially adopted placards. Technically, the placards that have not
been adopted represent only a recommendation from those who performed the evaluation. As
simply a recommendation, the placards do not carry the weight of law and cannot be enforced.
Adopting the placards by ordinance makes them official and enforceable.
During past earthquakes, there were a number of reports of placards being removed from
buildings by owners or tenants. In other cases, there have been reports of the unauthorized
change of placards, usually from UNSAFE to one of the other categories. In both cases,
adopting placards by ordinance allows the City of San Bernardino to enforce the posting with
assistance from the police department, if necessary. Placards are placed on a building to protect
the owner, tenant, and the general public.
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CITE- OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From: Michael E. Hays, Director Subject: Request for a Public Hearing for the Adoption of an
ordinance adding Section 15.28.190 to Title 15 of the San
Bernardino Municipal Code relating to placards used to denote
Dept: Planning & Building Services conditions relating to continued occupancy of buildings after a
disaster.
Date: October 27, 1997 r,
0 I FF D) �
MCC Date: November 17, 1997
Synopsis of Previous Council Action: None
n OCT 2 9 1997
Recommended Motion: That the Mayor and Common Council se December 1, 1997 as the date certain for a Public
Hearing to adopt an Ordinance of the City of San Bernardino Section 15.28.1 to Title 15 of the San
Bernardino Municipal Code relating to placards used to denote conditions relating to continued occupancy of buildings
after a disaster.
l
Michael E. 4dy s
Contact person: Michael E Hays Phone: 384-5357
Supporting data attached: Staff Report and Ordinance Ward(s): N/A
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: N/A
Source: (Acct No ) N/A
(Acct Description)
Finance:
Council Notes: _ Previously - # /l /r�7`7 7
r
Agenda Item No. �
4�1//q7
CITY,OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
STAFF REPORT
L)
The Department of Planning and Building Services is requesting that a Public Hearing be set for
December 1, 1997 for the purpose of the Adoption of an Ordinance of the City of San
Bernardino adding Section 15.28.190 to Title 15 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code relating
to placards used to denote conditions relating to continued occupancy of buildings after a
disaster.
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