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AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 4, 2013
SPECIAL MEETING — 6:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM, 13777
FRUITVALE AVENUE
CALL MEETING TO ORDER — 6:00 P.M.
REPORT ON POSTING OF AGENDA
(Pursuant to Gov't. Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on January
31, 2013)
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS & PUBLIC
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON - AGENDIZED ITEMS
Any member of the public will be allowed to address the City Council for up to three (3) minutes
on matters not on this agenda. The law generally prohibits the council from discussing or taking
action on such items. However, the Council may instruct staff accordingly regarding Oral
Communications under Council Direction to Staff.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
Instruction to Staff regarding actions on current Oral Communications.
1. City of Saratoga General Plan Safety Element Update
Recommended Action:
Review, consider, ask questions, and discuss the proposed update to the Safety Element
of the City of Saratoga General Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to
the City Council by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City Clerk
at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070. Note that copies of materials distributed to the City
Council concurrently with the posting of the agenda are also available on the City Website at
www.sarato ag ca.us. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available
for public review at the office of the City Clerk at the time they are distributed to the City Council.
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in
this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 4081868 -1269. Notification 24 hours prior to the
meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this
meeting. [28 CFR 35.102- 35.104 ADA title II]
Certificate of Posting of Agenda:
I, Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the
meeting of the City Council was posted and available for public review on January 31, 2013 at
the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's website at
www.saratoga.ca.us.
Signed this 31 sr day of January 2013 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk
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SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
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MEETING DATE: February 4, 2013 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Crystal Bothelio DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson
City Clerk
SUBJECT: City of Saratoga General Plan Safety Element Update Study Session
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Review, consider, ask questions, and discuss the proposed update to the Safety Element of the
City of Saratoga General Plan.
BACKGROUND:
In 2011, the City of Saratoga applied for and received a $175,000 Disaster Recovery Initiative
grant from the State of California Community Development Block Grant Program to update the
Safety Element of the City's General Plan. The City's current Safety Element was adopted in
1987 and minor revisions have been made since then.
In May 2012, the City hired RBF Consulting to prepare the Safety Element update. RBF has
been working with a team of City staff, as well as staff from Santa Clara County Fire Department
and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, to prepare the update. The goals of the project are
to update existing maps and prepare new maps relevant to the Safety Element, incorporate
references to relevant maps in the text of the Safety Element, add the City's local hazard
mitigation plan as an annex to the Safety Element, bring the Safety Element into compliance
with current law, and update the Safety Element to reflect current conditions in the Saratoga.
Summary of Proposed Changes:
The proposed revisions to the Safety Element range from minor grammatical edits, changes
reflecting new and /or changes in existing regulatory requirements, new processes in place since
the previous element was prepared and adopted, and development of new exhibits to reflect
current practices and conditions in the City of Saratoga. Updated exhibits include:
1. Geologic Map
2. Landslide Areas
3. Fault Location Map and Earthquake Fault Zones
4. Liquefaction Areas
5. Dam Failure Inundation Areas
6. FEMA Flood Zones
7. Fire Hazard Zones
Page 1 of 3
8. Evacuation Routes
In addition to the above exhibits, Cotton, Shires, and Associates, Inc. prepared an updated and
comprehensive ground movement potential map of the City. This map is Attachment B to the
staff report and will be included as an exhibit in the Safety Element.
There are no significant changes to City policies and the updates would not materially affect the
physical environment, nor result in any new environmental impacts not already contemplated as
part of the City's General Plan environmental impact report.
Environmental Determination:
The project has been the subject of a Negative Declaration ( "ND ") under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This ND is based on an Initial Study which indicates there
is no substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the City of Saratoga, that the
project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Notice of Intent to adopt a
Negative Declaration was circulated for public review. The IS and ND were available for review
beginning December 19, 2012 and the public comment period closed on January 18, 2013. No
comments were submitted.
Planning Commission Review:
At a Planning Commission Study Session held on January 8, 2013, the Planning Commission
recommended several changes to the draft Safety Element. These changes are identified in
Attachment 6.
As required by State law, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed Safety
Element update on January 23, 2013. The Planning Commission recommended that the Council
adopt the Safety Element update.
DISCUSSION:
The Study Session on the Safety Element has been scheduled to provide the Council with the
opportunity to thoroughly review the draft Safety Element, ask questions about the proposed
update, and provide suggestions prior to adoption. Representatives from RBF Consulting will be
present at the Study Session to provide an overview of the proposed changes to the Safety
Element, describe the update process, and answer questions.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
N/A
Page 2 of 3
FOLLOW UP ACTION(S):
Adoption of the Safety Element is scheduled for the Regular City Council Meeting on February
20, 2013. Any changes requested by the Council during the Study Session on February 4, 2013
will be incorporated into the draft Safety Element prior to the February 20, 2013 City Council
Meeting.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, this item was properly posted as a City Council agenda
item and was included in the packet made available on the City's web site in advance of the
meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each
Monday in advance of the Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A:
Proposed Safety Element
Attachment B:
Proposed Safety Element Appendix C — Ground Movement Potential Map
Attachment C:
Current Safety Element
Attachment D:
Summary of Policy Changes
Attachment E:
Summary of Changes Recommended by Planning Commission
Attachment F:
Environmental Initial Study and Negative Declaration
Attachment G:
Planning Commission Resolution Recommending Adoption of Initial
Study/Negative Declaration and Safety Element Update
Page 3 of 3
PUBLIC REVIEW
DRAFT
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This element established goals,
objectives, and policies to assist
the City of Saratoga in assuring
that the community is safe from
natural and man -made hazards.
Prepared for:
City of Saratoga
Planning Department
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, California 95070
Prepared by:
RBF Consulting
3300 E. Guasti Road, Suite 100
Ontario, California 91761
CITY OF SARATOGA SAFETY ELEMENT 1 2013
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Adopted: ,2013
Previously Adopted: October 7, 1987
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Purpose of the Safety Element ............................................................ ............................... 1
II. Hazard Identification ............................................................................ ............................... 1
A. Regional Soils and Land Instability Hazards ............................. ............................... 2
i. General Geology and Regulatory Framework ................... ...............................
3
ii. Landslide and Slope Instability .......................................... ...............................
4
iii. Soil Creep and Expansive Soils ........................................... ...............................
8
iv. Regulatory Framework ...................................................... ...............................
8
B. Seismic Hazards ...................................................................... ...............................
11
i. Primary Seismic Hazards .................................................. ...............................
11
ii. Secondary Seismic Hazards .............................................. ...............................
15
iii. Regulatory Framework .................................................... ...............................
23
C. Flood Hazards ......................................................................... ...............................
24
i. Historical Data on Flooding in Saratoga ........................... ...............................
25
ii. Identification of Areas Subject to Flooding ..................... ...............................
25
iii. Flood Control and Land Development Review ................ ...............................
26
iv. Flood Control and Emergency Services ........................... ...............................
29
v. Regulatory Framework .................................................... ...............................
29
D. Fire Hazards ............................................................................ ............................... 30
i. Fire Protection in Saratoga .............................................. ............................... 31
ii. Assessment of Fire Risk in Wildland Areas ...................... ............................... 32
iii. Regulatory Framework — Fire Protection ......................... ............................... 37
iv. Hazardous Materials Storage and Disposal ..................... ............................... 37
v. Regulatory Framework - Hazardous Materials ................ ............................... 38
E. Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planning .................. ............................... 40
i. Emergency Operations Plan Purpose and Organization .. ............................... 41
ii. Emergency Evacuation Plan ............................................. ............................... 42
iii. Regulatory Framework .................................................... ............................... 46
III. Goals, Policies and Implementation Programs .................................. ............................... 46
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Context for Safety Element Policy ......................................... ............................... 46
i. Land Instability Hazards ................................................... ............................... 47
ii. Flood Hazards ................................................................... ............................... 47
iii. Fire Hazards ...................................................................... ............................... 48
iv. Emergency Preparedness ................................................ ............................... 49
B. Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures .................... ............................... 50
i. Land Instability Hazards ................................................... ............................... 50
ii. Seismic Hazards ................................................................ ............................... 51
iii. Flood Hazards ................................................................... ............................... 51
iv. Fire Hazards ...................................................................... ............................... 52
v. Emergency Preparedness ................................................ ............................... 53
References......................................................................................... ............................... 55
Appendices......................................................................................... ............................... 57
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXHIBITS
1 Geologic Map ....................................................................................... ............................... 5
2 Landslide Areas .................................................................................... ...............................
9
3 Fault Location Map and Earthquake Fault Zones .............................. ...............................
13
4 Liquefaction Areas ............................................................................ ...............................
17
5 Dam Failure Inundation Areas ........................................................... ...............................
21
6 FEMA Flood Zones ............................................................................. ...............................
27
7 Fire Hazard Zones ............................................................................... ...............................
33
8 Evacuation Routes ............................................................................. ...............................
43
TABLES
1 Hazard Analysis Likelihood of Occurrence ......................................... ............................... 41
2 American Red Cross Shelters ............................................................. ............................... 45
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I. PURPOSE OF THE SAFETY ELEMENT
The Safety Element describes natural and human activity - related hazards that exist in Saratoga
and the measures to address them. Some naturally occurring hazards may be unavoidable, but
the potential impact on Saratoga can be reduced through advance planning and preparation.
Thus, the Safety Element addresses geologic, seismic, flood, and fire hazards, as well as
hazards created by human activity such as hazardous materials and waste and incidents that
call for emergency protection, at a policy level within the City. Anticipating emergencies will
occur even when precautions are taken against hazards, the Safety Element describes the
City's efforts to prepare for and respond to emergencies; however, the Safety Element does not
take the place of the City's Emergency Operations Plan. For additional information regarding
the Emergency Operations Plan, refer to Section II.E - Emergency Preparedness and Disaster
Planning.
Furthermore, California Government Code Section 65302(g)(1) requires that a General Plan
include:
" A safety element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks
associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground
failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides;
subsidence, liquefaction, and other seismic hazards identified pursuant to Chapter 7.8
(commencing with Section 2690) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code, and other geologic
hazards known to the legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires ...."
II. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
The identification of hazards that affect the City is the initial step in the safety planning process.
Hazard identification is the most important stage in this process since inaccurate hazard
identification and the formulation of inadequate safety land use policies could result in
unnecessary loss of life, injury and property damage.
The types of natural hazards that have affected Saratoga in the past and those that may affect it
in the future can be identified with a high degree of accuracy. Geologic, flood and fire hazards
have all caused considerable damage within Bay Area communities in the past. Although the
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extent of damage resulting from future natural hazards is unknown, it is likely that the
consequences will be similar to those produced in the past. Accurate hazard identification
utilizes historical information to predict future hazards and potential risks to current and
proposed land uses and activities.
A. REGIONAL SOILS AND LAND INSTABILITY HAZARDS
The physical and geologic characteristics of Saratoga have the potential to produce geologic
related problems for land development. Land development in areas of geologic instability can
expose life and property to hazards caused by seismic and non - seismic conditions. When
structures or roads are built on geologically unstable land, such as landslide areas or unstable
slopes and soils, there is a definitive risk to the community.
Geologic hazards are unavoidable in California. However, some geologic conditions represent
greater hazards than others. Faulting and unstable bedrock present great risks, while surface
instabilities can often be engineered to make construction safe. When unstable soil combines
with steep slopes, development conditions can be subject to landslide hazards. Recognizing
and delineating hazards that could result in injuries, property damage and economic or social
dislocations is an important function of the City planning process to protect the public health,
safety and welfare of the community.
Saratoga is located within the Santa Clara Valley, situated at the southern end of San Francisco
Bay. The valley is characterized as a depression that has been subsiding and filling with
sediment during the Quaternary Period.' Deposition of alluvial2 and fluvia13 sediments during
this time has been influenced by both subsidence and the climatic and base level changes
associated with past glaciations and sea level fluctuations.4 Research conducted within the San
Francisco Bay indicates that the valley floor within the San Jose region is blanketed by young
' Quaternary Period is the time period from 2.6 million years ago to present day.
2 Unconsolidated sediment deposited by a stream.
3 Produced by the action of a stream or river.
4 Liquefaction Hazards Maps for Three Earthquake Scenarios for the Communities of San Jose, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos,
Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale, Northern Santa Clara County, California
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alluvial deposits since the last ice age. Older alluvial deposits5 underlie these sediments and
crop out along the margins of the valley.6
The Saratoga area is primarily underlain by Pleistocene alluvial deposits with some exposed
bedrock within the hillside areas. The existing soils and bedrock pose a potential landslide or
liquefaction hazard for future development. Refer to Exhibit 1, Geologic Map for a depiction of
the generalized geology of the City.
i. General Geology and Physical Characteristics
Topography
The topography of Saratoga includes the low -lying relatively flat valley floor and the
northwestern foothills. Outside the City limits, but within Saratoga's Sphere of Influence, are the
Castle Rock portions of the Santa Cruz Mountains. These mountains are very rugged,
comprised of steep canyons and sharp to rounded ridge tops.
Vegetation
The mountain areas located within Saratoga's Sphere of Influence are heavily vegetated.
Hardwood trees of oak and madrone are abundant in this area, as well as redwood and Douglas
fir. The canyon floors near streams are covered with sycamore, elder and maple trees. Much
of the area is densely covered with chaparral, with only a few areas covered with grass.
Geology
A fault zone is composed of a complex system of fault traces and fractured rock. The San
Andreas Fault Zone is a dominant geologic feature within the State of California. This fault zone
is the boundary between the Pacific and North American Tectonic Plates, which has played a
crucial role in California's geologic history. The southwestern most corner of the Saratoga
Sphere of Influence is bisected by a northwest- southeast trending segment of the San Andreas
Fault zone. The location of this fault zone along the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains
has played a major role in the geologic and topographic characteristics of the area by
separating two different rock assemblages and their associated erosional characteristics.
5 Deposits placed during the Pleistocene era (1.8 million years ago to 11,000 years ago)
6 Liquefaction Hazards Maps for Three Earthquake Scenarios for the Communities of San Jose, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos,
Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale, Northern Santa Clara County, California
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The rock formations to the east of the San Andreas Fault are composed of sandstone, shale,
volcanic rocks, with minor amounts of diabase and gabbro. The mountain area is separated
from the flat area within the City limits by the Santa Clara Formation composed of
unconsolidated to semi - consolidated gravel, sand and clay.
The valley floor of Saratoga is comprised of alluvial deposits (varying in age) from the creeks
and streams flowing from the mountainous area. The alluvium is composed of unconsolidated
particles consisting of clay, silt, sand and gravel, which are classified as agricultural soils by the
United States Natural Resources Conservation Service.
ii. Landslide and Slope Instability
Most landslides occur naturally, however some damaging landslides can result from careless or
poorly planned construction. When construction is allowed in areas where landslides exist or
where landslide susceptibility is high, the potential for substantial property loss and human
endangerment increases. The potential public costs for the repair of roads and utilities or
disaster relief make it imperative that the City restrict development in geologically hazardous
areas.
Most sloping land has some potential for landsliding. Slope stability is affected by several
interrelated factors, such as steepness of slope, weak unconsolidated soil units or formations
with a high clay content, water saturation, vegetation removal and seismic activity. Usually, a
combination of several factors will bring the hillside to the verge of failure and a single factor,
such as heavy rainfall or an earthquake, will be the catalyst responsible for initiating slope
failure. The development of sites where these conditions exist may also trigger landslide
activity.
Landslides and slope instability are the major non - seismic geologic hazards in Saratoga. This is
due to the unstable nature of the geologic materials and the steep topography in areas of the
City. Although most of the hillside areas in the City experience these hazards to some degree,
the most severe risks are found west of the Berrocal Fault, where the topography becomes
much steeper and geologic units are more prone to larger landslides.
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Artificial Fill Saratoga Sphere of Influence
Bedrock - Surrounding City Boundaries
Water
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SCITY OF yvE 0 750 1,500 3,000 Feet Geologic M a
A R A TqA, A Prepared by RBF Consulting: 12/04/2012
Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 1
USGS Geologic Map (1999) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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Exhib#2, LandsiideAreas, illustrates where major portions of the City of Saratoga are underlain
by materials that are subject to landsliding. These soils are moderately stable when dry, but
moderately unstable when saturated. Within the City boundaries, landslides are most likely to
occur where silt and clay have been eroded along the stream channels traversing the City.
Detailed geotechnical maps illustrating the areas within the City most susceptible to instability
issues are provided in Appendix C — Geologic and Seismic Hazards Constraints Mapping.
The upper portion of landslide area(s) includes the hilly region south of Congress Springs Road,
part of the natural channel of Saratoga Creek, a section of the Congress Springs Road
alignment, and a considerable amount of the low foothills located north of the road. Slope
movements have been noted in this region for over 50 years. The Congress Springs Road
surface is significantly deformed and has been elevated approximately 14 feet since 1931 when
the present alignment was constructed. All man -made structures within or south of this area
have experienced extensive structural damage.
Saratoga also contains rock formations conducive to landslides. These formations are primarily
exposed within the hillside portions of the City and Sphere of Influence west of Saratoga -
Sunnyvale Road and southwest of Saratoga Los Gatos Road (Highway 9). Other areas within
the City susceptible to landslides include portions of the Saratoga Creek drainage area, and the
hillside areas west of San Tomas Aquinas Creek, east of Fruitvale Avenue, between Allendale
Avenue and Highway 9. Landslides and unstable slopes are prevalent in this area, and can
create hazards within the City limits as the slide debris and rock move toward the City's valley
floor.
Active landsliding can also be traced across Belnap Way, Bohlman Road and On Orbit Drive
and private driveways at a number of locations within the hillsides around Congress Springs.
This area is considered an extremely high -risk area for development, even in those areas that
appear to be stable at the present time. The equilibrium of even the most stable ground within
this hillside could be destroyed by the advent of road construction, irrigation, alteration of natural
drainage, or the introduction of septic tank effluent. Rapid failure of these slopes could cause
considerable property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
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The most extensive occurrence of landslide deposits is in the central portion of the watershed
located north and south of the Mt. Eden Road - Pierce Road intersection. Examples of these
large slide deposits are located on Pike Road. Within the same general area, the Quarry Road
slide adjacent to the Calabazas Creek has moved part of the roadbed into the creek. Updated
geotechnical maps identifying land instability issues within Saratoga are provided in Appendix
C.
iii. Soil Creep and Expansive Solls
Soil creep is the slow, down slope movement of near - surface materials. Soil creep is prevalent
in Saratoga, primarily in the western hillside regions of the City. The rate of soil creep is a
function of slope angle, soil thickness and texture. It can be regarded as a continuous process,
and may cause retaining walls, foundations and paved roads to fail over a period of time
unaccompanied by any obvious signs of slope failure. The presence of soil creep should not
have a prohibitive effect on land use, but should alert the City to require appropriate
geotechnical investigations to evaluate conditions and to impose engineering solutions to
mitigate problems.
Expansive soils contain high proportions of clay and alternately absorb and release large
amounts of water during wet and dry cycles. When structures are built on expansive soil,
foundations may rise during the wet season, resulting in cracked foundations, distorted
frameworks, and warped windows and doors. These adverse effects can be eliminated by
recognition of expansive soils and application of remedial measures for site development and
foundation design. All applications for site development and building permits should be
accompanied by soil reports in areas where expansive soils exist.
iv. Regulatory Framework
Regulations regarding development in problematic geotechnical areas throughout the City are
intended to protect citizens from potential geotechnical related hazards.
Federal Regulations
The purpose of the Federal Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act (1977) (16 United
States Code Section 2001 -2009) is to protect or restore the functions of the soil on a permanent
sustainable basis.
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Sphere of Influence
N SAFETY ELEMENT
CITY OF W E �s° ,s °° 3. 000 Feet Landslide Areas
IS A R A A Prepared by RBF Consulting: 12/04/2012
Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 2
Landslide Hazard (2006) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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Sphere of Influence
N SAFETY ELEMENT
CITY OF W E �s° ,s °° 3. 000 Feet Landslide Areas
IS A R A A Prepared by RBF Consulting: 12/04/2012
Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 2
Landslide Hazard (2006) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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Local Regulations
SAFETY ELEMENT
The City of Saratoga requires detailed geotechnical investigations for all land use proposals
located within geologically hazardous areas. Standards for development are listed in Article 16-
15 of the City's Building Code, which incorporates the most recent California Building Code.
Article 16 -15 enforces Title 24 California Regulations and Article 16 -17, which outlines permitted
excavation and grading procedures.
B. SEISMIC HAZARDS
The identification of earthquake hazards in Saratoga can be categorized as primary hazards
(i.e. fault rupture and seismic shaking) and secondary hazards. These hazards may include
liquefaction, seismically induced landslides, subsidence, and seismically induced water
inundation. Hazards increase in areas where seismic activity is combined with the potential for
flooding, poor soil drainage, unstable surficial soil and steep slope, fire hazard and deteriorated
structures and can result in extensive property damage, personal injury or death.
i. Primary Seismic Hazards
Identification of Active and Potentially Active Faults
The San Andreas Fault is the only known "active" fault in the vicinity of Saratoga. For planning
purposes, an "active" fault is one that has experienced displacement within the last 11,000
years and can be expected to move again. The proximity of the fault, which traverses the City's
Sphere of Influence along the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, increases the probability of
severe lateral displacement and ground shaking should an earthquake occur. Due to the active
status given to this fault, it has been located within an Alquist - Priolo Special Study Zone, which
requires specialized study to determine the location of the fault during the planning stage of the
development process.
The Berrocal and Shannon Faults located within the City limits are considered two "potentially
active" faults lying on the alluvial plain. A "potentially active" fault is one that has moved within
the last 2 million to 11,000 years, and because it is considered capable of ground rupture or
shaking, poses an unacceptable risk to a proposed structure.
These "potentially active" faults do not have reliable evidence of recent displacement along their
fault traces. For this reason, the Santa Clara County Geologist has placed them in a special
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The City of Saratoga requires detailed geotechnical investigations for all land use proposals
located within geologically hazardous areas. Standards for development are listed in Article 16-
15 of the City's Building Code, which incorporates the most recent California Building Code.
Article 16 -15 enforces Title 24 California Regulations and Article 16 -17, which outlines permitted
excavation and grading procedures.
B. SEISMIC HAZARDS
The identification of earthquake hazards in Saratoga can be categorized as primary hazards
(i.e. fault rupture and seismic shaking) and secondary hazards. These hazards may include
liquefaction, seismically induced landslides, subsidence, and seismically induced water
inundation. Hazards increase in areas where seismic activity is combined with the potential for
flooding, poor soil drainage, unstable surficial soil and steep slope, fire hazard and deteriorated
structures and can result in extensive property damage, personal injury or death.
i. Primary Seismic Hazards
Identification of Active and Potentially Active Faults
The San Andreas Fault is the only known "active" fault in the vicinity of Saratoga. For planning
purposes, an "active" fault is one that has experienced displacement within the last 11,000
years and can be expected to move again. The proximity of the fault, which traverses the City's
Sphere of Influence along the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, increases the probability of
severe lateral displacement and ground shaking should an earthquake occur. Due to the active
status given to this fault, it has been located within an Alquist - Priolo Special Study Zone, which
requires specialized study to determine the location of the fault during the planning stage of the
development process.
The Berrocal and Shannon Faults located within the City limits are considered two "potentially
active" faults lying on the alluvial plain. A "potentially active" fault is one that has moved within
the last 2 million to 11,000 years, and because it is considered capable of ground rupture or
shaking, poses an unacceptable risk to a proposed structure.
These "potentially active" faults do not have reliable evidence of recent displacement along their
fault traces. For this reason, the Santa Clara County Geologist has placed them in a special
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study fault hazard zone consistent with the Santa Clara County Geologic Ordinance.'
Placement within this zone requires similar fault trenching studies as the Alquist - Priolo Special
Study Zones for properties within the unincorporated County areas. Since these faults are
located within the City of Saratoga, the City has the discretion to require studies deemed
adequate by the City's Geologist, which may deviate from the County's requirements.
The Berrocal Fault belongs to the Sargent Fault Zone, a complex system of interconnecting
faults extending northwest between the San Andreas and the Calaveras Faults. The fault trace
crosses Congress Springs Road and continues into the southeastern portion of the Sphere of
Influence. At least 0.5 mile of the Berrocal Fault within the City of Saratoga displayed
sympathetic ground cracking in response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
The Shannon Fault, part of the Monte Vista Fault system, closely parallels the State Highway 85
corridor from Regnart Creek (Cupertino) in the north, crossing Saratoga Avenue, and continuing
to the Almaden Expressway in the southeast portion of San Jose. Although there is a chance
that primary ground rupture could occur on either of these fault traces in the future, it is more
likely to occur on the San Andreas Fault. Exhibit 3, Fault Location Map and Earthquake Fault
Zones, illustrates the location of local faults that present a hazard to Saratoga.
Ground Shaking
The most widespread effect of an earthquake is ground shaking, or the movement of the earth's
surface in response to seismic activity. Ground shaking is often the greatest cause of physical
damage. Structures of all types, including buildings and utility facilities may suffer severe
damage or collapse if not properly designed to withstand the intensity of the shaking.
The major threat to people in both the City of Saratoga and its Sphere of Influence is structural
failure of buildings or failure of slopes due to shaking. Because of the steep slopes and network
of fault lines in the hillside areas closest to the San Andreas Fault Zone, it is essential to enforce
strict earthquake construction and soil engineering standards in order to select the most stable
building sites and to compensate for soil instabilities through the use of approved engineering
and construction techniques.
7 Title C, Division C12, Chapter IV of the Santa Clara County Municipal Code establishes minimum requirements for the geologic
evaluation of land based on proposed land uses.
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Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 3
Fault Rupture Hazard Zones (2002) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 3
Fault Rupture Hazard Zones (2002) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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California has a long history of strong earthquakes that have affected communities in the
Saratoga area.$ The largest earthquake to occur within 10 miles of Saratoga was the 6.9 M
Loma Prieta Earthquake that occurred along the San Andreas Fault in 1989.9 Saratoga's close
proximity to the San Andreas Fault Zone and other potentially active faults suggests a high
probability that a strong earthquake will occur in the near future in the vicinity of the City.
Surface Rupture
Surface rupture, or a break in the ground's surface and the associated displacement caused by
the movement of a fault, is directly correlated to earthquake magnitude. Earthquakes having a
magnitude of 5.5 or greater are required for such events to occur. During the 1906 San
Francisco earthquake (magnitude 7.8), ground rupture occurred along 270 miles of the San
Andreas Fault, with a 20 -foot offset occurring near the epicenter in Marin County.
In response to the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, the State of California enacted the Alquist-
Priolo Fault Zoning Act in 1972, which is intended to prevent the construction of habitable
structures on top of an active fault line. In conformance with this act, properties located within
an Alquist - Priolo Special Study Zone are required to identify the location of any active faults and
establish appropriate setbacks, if deemed necessary. In addition to regional investigations
necessary to the basic understanding of faults and their histories, detailed site investigations are
needed prior to the approval of construction in any suspected or potentially active fault zone.
Utilities, roads and other linear features are particularly vulnerable to damage resulting from
ground displacement. Little rural residential development has taken place within the San
Andreas Fault Zone in Saratoga's Sphere of Influence, so the present risk of structural damage
due to fault rupture is minimal. However, utility facilities such as gas and electric lines that may
traverse the fault zone may be subject to damage from surface rupture.
ii. Secondary Seismic Hazards
Ground Failure
Ground failure is a secondary effect of earthquake shaking that can be potentially dangerous
and damaging. Ground failure effects include landslides, rock falls, subsidence, liquefaction
8 USGS Database, http: // earthquake.usgs.gov/ earthquakes/ states /historical_ state.php #california, accessed October 30, 2012
9 USGS Database, http: / /earthquake.usgs.gov /earthquakes /states /events /1989_10_18.php, accessed October 30, 2012
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and ground lurching in areas not actually ruptured by a fault. All of these activities involve the
displacement of ground surface due to loss of strength or failure of the underlying materials
during earthquake shaking. Moisture content and groundwater levels play an important role in
the assessment of the potential for ground failure, as do soil type and slope instability.
The San Andreas Fault Zone and the hills to the northwest of the City are estimated to have a
high probability of landslide potential should an earthquake occur, while the likelihood of
subsidence and ground lurching in these areas is low.
The Bohlman Road area is known for unstable slopes and is considered to have a high potential
for seismically induced landslides.
The Santa Clara Valley floor, the most populated area of Saratoga, is relatively flat but is
traversed by several creeks. While this area may not experience landslide or ground lurching
during an earthquake, there is a moderate probability that subsidence and /or liquefaction could
take place due to the loosely compacted alluvial soil. Refer to Exhibit 4, Liquefaction Areas.
Structural Hazards Related to Seismic Activity
The majority of residential structures in the City of Saratoga are single -story wood framed
homes constructed post -1950. This construction tends to fare well during earthquakes because
of the flexibility of the building materials. While it is impossible to guarantee the safety of any
structure, a clearly defined and conscientious practice of structural reinforcement will greatly
reduce injury and loss of life. Establishing appropriate setbacks to prohibit development near or
on fault lines is another precaution to minimize structural damage.
Many commonly used building components, such as unreinforced stone or brick chimneys and
unreinforced masonry, are particularly susceptible to ground shaking. Among newly constructed
buildings, particularly those for commercial use, small steel frame buildings are generally
considered the safest, while unreinforced masonry and tilt -up structures are regarded as posing
a greater risk. Because Saratoga is predominantly a residential community, it does not have a
vast number of unreinforced masonry or tilt -up structures. At the present time, there are no tilt-
Draft January 2013
116
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S A RAT A Prepared by RBF Consulting: 12/04/2012
Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 4
Seismic Hazard Mapping Data (2002) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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SAFETY ELEMENT In
up structures in the City, and according to Saratoga's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is an
annex to the Santa Clara County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; all existing unreinforced
masonry structures have been retrofitted.
Seismically Induced Flooding and Dam Failure
Should a dam fail during an earthquake, the released water could cause flooding downstream.
The resulting damage is dependent on the rate of water released and the volume of water in the
reservoir. Dam failure can either be caused by ground displacement along a fault trace, ground
shaking or overtopping of the dam by a large landslide splash wave.
The Lake Ranch reservoir located to the south of Saratoga's Sphere of Influence is the most
likely reservoir to be affected by seismic activity. Operated by the San Jose Water Company,
Lake Ranch reservoir is located in a saddle- shaped depression near the southern portion of
Sanborn Road and was created by the construction of a small earthen dam at each end. Both
dams are traversed by the San Andreas Fault and withstood the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes on
this fault. Current estimates indicate that if dam failure occurs during an earthquake, up to 105
million gallons of water could be released into Saratoga Creek. This volume of water is
expected to inundate the creek bed in a comparable manner to the flooding hazard from a 100
year flood.10 The southeasterly flow of the reservoir storage would impact areas outside of the
City's Sphere of Influence near the Santa Cruz County line, while the northeasterly flow would
flood areas along Quito Creek.
Other flooding hazards resulting from the secondary effects of seismic activity could occur if
landslides are activated and advance into creek beds. Along Big Basin Way, near the San Jose
Water Company's Saratoga filter plant, a landslide could conceivably block both the road and
Saratoga Creek during an earthquake. This area has experienced movement in the past, and
has required periodic maintenance and the construction of expensive drainage facilities at the
site. Refer to Exhibit 5, Dam Failure Inundation Areas.
10 Discussion of the 100 -year flood conditions within the City is provided in Section C. Flood Hazards and depicted on Exhibit 6,
FEMA Flood Zones.
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up structures in the City, and according to Saratoga's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is an
annex to the Santa Clara County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; all existing unreinforced
masonry structures have been retrofitted.
Seismically Induced Flooding and Dam Failure
Should a dam fail during an earthquake, the released water could cause flooding downstream.
The resulting damage is dependent on the rate of water released and the volume of water in the
reservoir. Dam failure can either be caused by ground displacement along a fault trace, ground
shaking or overtopping of the dam by a large landslide splash wave.
The Lake Ranch reservoir located to the south of Saratoga's Sphere of Influence is the most
likely reservoir to be affected by seismic activity. Operated by the San Jose Water Company,
Lake Ranch reservoir is located in a saddle- shaped depression near the southern portion of
Sanborn Road and was created by the construction of a small earthen dam at each end. Both
dams are traversed by the San Andreas Fault and withstood the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes on
this fault. Current estimates indicate that if dam failure occurs during an earthquake, up to 105
million gallons of water could be released into Saratoga Creek. This volume of water is
expected to inundate the creek bed in a comparable manner to the flooding hazard from a 100
year flood.10 The southeasterly flow of the reservoir storage would impact areas outside of the
City's Sphere of Influence near the Santa Cruz County line, while the northeasterly flow would
flood areas along Quito Creek.
Other flooding hazards resulting from the secondary effects of seismic activity could occur if
landslides are activated and advance into creek beds. Along Big Basin Way, near the San Jose
Water Company's Saratoga filter plant, a landslide could conceivably block both the road and
Saratoga Creek during an earthquake. This area has experienced movement in the past, and
has required periodic maintenance and the construction of expensive drainage facilities at the
site. Refer to Exhibit 5, Dam Failure Inundation Areas.
10 Discussion of the 100 -year flood conditions within the City is provided in Section C. Flood Hazards and depicted on Exhibit 6,
FEMA Flood Zones.
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Other Potential Hazards Related to Seismic Activity
Public and quasi - public facilities such as utility systems may be at risk from the secondary
effects of seismic activity. In the aftermath of a major earthquake, facilities of particular
importance, such as water tanks, pipelines including gas, water and sewer, electrical and
communications systems, and roads, bridges and freeways, are regarded as the "lifelines" of
the community for the provision of emergency services. Many of these utilities unavoidably
cross hazardous areas, and could be disrupted and seriously impaired in the event of an
earthquake. Water distribution, sewage disposal and gas systems are particularly vulnerable.
Disruption of these systems after an earthquake will be dependent not only upon the location
and magnitude of the earthquake and specific site conditions, but also on the condition of the
lines, pumps and plan facilities. Water pumps require electricity units to operate, so a system
could fail at multiple points. Pipelines and storage tanks containing flammable materials could
rupture igniting the contents and increasing fire hazards in parts of the City. The utilities that are
most likely to be disturbed in the City and its Sphere of Influence are in the San Andreas Fault
Zone and the Bohlman Road area.
Several safety measures have been used by the utility providers within the City to reduce the
risk of utility system or infrastructure breakdown during an earthquake. San Jose Water
Company provides back up power sources to critical facilities and pipelines that are degraded or
in disrepair on an annual basis are retrofitted or replaced through their Capital Improvements
Program." Water comes to Saratoga from infrastructure operated by San Jose Water
Company. Water sources include groundwater pumped from over 100 wells that draw water
from the Santa Clara Groundwater Basin, imported surface water provided by the Santa Clara
Valley Water District, and local mountain surface water from the Santa Cruz Mountains and
treated at San Jose Water Company's water treatment plants.12 While it is unlikely that all
sources would be shut off simultaneously, a limited reserve of replacement equipment might
delay the restoration of service. After an earthquake or disaster, San Jose Water Company
would implement its own emergency operating plan to serve Saratoga.
11 Personal communication, Jim Wollbrink, San Jose Water Company, November 29, 2012.
12 San Jose Water Company Website located online at http : / /www.sjwater.com /for your_ information /education_safety /water supply /,
accessed October 30, 2012
Draft January 2013
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Note: This potential inundation hazard data is an interpretation of the data provided byABAG and was created to
include the areas in the region that were identified as potentially being inundated following a dam failure
event. This data has been generalized from maps dam owners are required to prepare and file with the
California State Office of Emergency Services. There is no analysis associated with this data set that
estimates inundation depth.
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Saratoga City Limits
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Surrounding City Boundaries
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-da�c CITY OF q/ E 0 750 1,500 3,000 Feet
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Prepared by RBF Consulting: 12/04/2012
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Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 5
CaIEMA and DWR/DSOD : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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Potential Inundation
Note: This potential inundation hazard data is an interpretation of the data provided byABAG and was created to
include the areas in the region that were identified as potentially being inundated following a dam failure
event. This data has been generalized from maps dam owners are required to prepare and file with the
California State Office of Emergency Services. There is no analysis associated with this data set that
estimates inundation depth.
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Saratoga City Limits
• Saratoga Sphere of Influence
Surrounding City Boundaries
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-da�c CITY OF q/ E 0 750 1,500 3,000 Feet
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Prepared by RBF Consulting: 12/04/2012
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Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 5
CaIEMA and DWR/DSOD : ESRI Terrain Basemap
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The problem of water supply and distribution in the hillsides and the Sphere of Influence could
become acute after an earthquake. In the summer, when streams are dry, dependence on
private sources might be inadequate for emergency needs. In addition, damage to roadways,
freeways and bridges can be expected during a major earthquake. However, recently
constructed reinforced concrete bridges and overpasses are considered to be more resilient to
earthquake movement than older bridges and overpasses. Several local bridges13 in the City
could be subject to failure during an earthquake if they were not constructed in accordance with
current seismic design parameters. Facilities in the City are also in areas of high groundwater
levels and unstable creek beds: Springer Avenue at Big Basin Way, Fourth Street near Big
Basin Way, Sarahills Road near Pierce Road, and Chalet Clothilde Drive near Pierce Road.
One of the most critical concerns following an earthquake is the provision of emergency care for
the injured at major hospitals and health care facilities. Some hospitals may not be operational
after a major earthquake, especially if they are located near the San Andreas Fault. Two
hospitals are located in the vicinity of Saratoga that could provide emergency care post disaster:
El Camino Hospital Los Gatos on Pollard Road in Los Gatos and Good Samaritan Hospital on
Samaritan Drive, located in San Jose. In the event that an earthquake causes the City to
become isolated from the rest of the Santa Clara Valley, hospitals in San Jose region may not
be available if roadways are damaged. Schools in the City would be used as Emergency
Shelters where mass care and feeding could occur. Additionally, emergency planning and
training efforts with the Saratoga Union School District, the Los Gatos - Saratoga Union High
School District, Blue Hills and McAuliffe Schools from the Cupertino Union School District,
Prospect High School, St. Andrews School, and Sacred Heart School are active and continuous
so that these entities will be prepared and self- sufficient during a disaster.
iii. Regulatory Framework
State Regulations
The Alquist - Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (California Public Resources Code, Chapter 7.5,
Section 2621- 2699.6) was passed in 1972 to mitigate the hazard of surface faulting to structures
for human occupancy. The Act only addresses the hazard of surface fault rupture and is not
directed toward other earthquake hazards, such as subsidence or liquefaction. The Act requires
73 Bridges within Saratoga include: Prospect Road/ Hwy 85, Cox Avenue/ Hwy 85, Saratoga Avenue/ Hwy 85, Quito Road/ Hwy 85,
Saratoga Creek/ Hwy 85, and the railroad crossing over Saratoga Avenue west of Hwy 85.
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the State Geologist to establish regulatory zones, known as "Earthquake Fault Zones," around
the surface traces of active faults and to issue appropriate maps.
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (SHMA) of 1990 (California Public Resources Code, Chapter
7.8, Section 2690- 2699.6) provides a statewide seismic hazard mapping and technical advisory
program to assist cities and counties in fulfilling their responsibilities for protecting the public
health and safety from the effects of strong ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, or other
ground failure, and other seismic hazards caused by earthquakes.
California building standards are published in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24,
known as the California Building Standards Code (CBSC). The CBSC applies to all applications
for residential building permits. The CBSC consists of 11 parts that contain administrative
regulations for the California Building Standards Commission and for all State agencies that
implement or enforce building standards. Local agencies must ensure that development
complies with the guidelines contained in the CBSC.
Local Regulations
The City has standards for development listed in Article 16 -15 of the City's Building code, which
incorporates the most recent California Building Code and enforces Title 24 California
Regulations.
C. FLOOD HAZARDS
Historically, periodic flooding has been a benefit to agricultural soil, wildlife and the general
ecological balance of a community. Flooding becomes a natural hazard when the flow of water
threatens life and damages personal property. Damages from flooding increase in proportion to
the growth of urban development and as subdivisions locate in areas prone to flooding.
Floods are primarily caused by excessive surface runoff resulting from intense or heavy rainfall
or from the failure of flood control or water supply structures, such as levees or reservoirs.
When prolonged rainfall exceeds the absorption rate of the soil or the waste storage capacity of
the watershed, the excess must flow downstream. Although it is impossible to prevent
excessive rainfall that causes major floods, it is possible to develop methods and policies for the
management of areas subject to flooding and for the protection of life and property. Through
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the use of hydrologic data in conjunction with regulatory and flood proofing measures, proper
land use planning can be effective in the control of flooding and its possible adverse effects.
i. Historical Data on Flooding in Saratoga
All surface water originating in or passing through Saratoga ultimately discharges into the San
Francisco Bay. Runoff is collected in the City's underground storm drainage system, which
discharges into the creeks throughout the City. Three major drainages are located within
Saratoga and all drain from south to north. From east to west, these creeks are the San Tomas
Aquino, Saratoga and Calabazas Creeks. Wildcat, Vasona and Sobey Creeks are tributaries
within the San Tomas Aquino Creek drainage system, while Prospect and Rodeo Creeks are
tributaries of Calabazas Creek. San Tomas Aquino and Calabazas Creeks discharge into the
Guadalupe Slough near the Bay, with Saratoga Creek joining San Tomas Aquino north of the
City.
Floodplain mapping prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
indicates that several areas throughout the City are located within the 100 -year floodplain.
Flooding in the early years was often viewed as an asset rather than a liability, since the need
for water to irrigate agricultural crops outweighed the damage done by floodwater. As urban
development has increased, damage became a more important consideration as population
growth and the completion of water retention facilities in the area combined to alter the pattern
of potential flooding.
The severity of floods in relation to urban development varies from year to year. Several
significant flooding events have occurred in Saratoga, dating back as far as 1914. The Santa
Clara Valley Water District has made progress in improving the channels as funds became
available. As a result, flood damage has been reduced over the years. During an average
year, residents of the area experience minor flooding events and most potential hazards are
now being proactively addressed through the development review process.
ii, Identification of Areas Subject to Flooding
Several creek areas in Saratoga have been identified as specific flood hazard areas, as shown
in Exhibit 6, FEMA Flood Zones. Saratoga Creek has the largest floodplain in width and length.
The widest portion of the floodplain is south of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. Wildcat,
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Vasona and San Tomas Aquino Creeks also are subject to the 100 -year flood hazards. Recent
improvements to these creek channels have greatly reduced the potential for flood damage in
adjacent areas.
Calabazas Creek's 100 -year floodplain within the City extends from Prospect Road to Wardell
Road, between Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and Arroyo de Arguello, where the watershed
branches out in a westward direction. Although much of the terrain lying within the upper
Calabazas Creek watershed is characterized by steep hillsides, heavy rainfall during past years
has saturated unstable slopes and caused the groundwater level to rise, triggering landslides of
mud and debris into the creek channels. To address many of these flooding issues, the Santa
Clara Valley Water District has initiated the Calabazas Creek Flood Protection Project, which
proposes the construction of a detention basin adjacent to the creek, the modification of the
culvert beneath Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, and replacement of the Union Pacific Railroad
bridge over the creek. These improvements are intended to provide 100 -year flood protection
within the Calabazas Creek watershed.
X. Flood Control and Land Development Review
The flood hazard areas of the City are subject to periodic inundation, which can result in loss of
life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental
services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the
tax base., These flood losses are caused by uses that are inadequately elevated, flood proofed,
or protected from flood damage. The cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood
hazards that increase flood heights and velocities also contribute to the flood loss. In response
to this, the City has implemented a Floodplain Management Plan, which is codified under City
Code Article 16 -66.
The floodplain management plan includes methods and provisions to control the alteration of
natural floodplains, stream channels, and protective barriers; to control filling, grading, dredging
and other development that can increase flood damage; to regulate the construction of flood
barriers which can divert flood waters or increase flood hazards in other areas; and to require
that uses vulnerable to floods be protected against flood damage at the time of their
construction. One of the provisions of this plan requires a development permit be obtained prior
to construction or development begins. Additionally, certain construction standards, such as
Draft January 2013
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c Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - Cityl-imits (2010) StreetEdge (2009)
FEMA- DFIRM (2009) : ESRI Terrain Basemap
Exhibit 6
CIIY 0��W
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anchoring, building with flood resistant materials, and elevating and flood proofing, are required
within an area of special flood hazard. The plan requires new and replacement water and
sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize flood water infiltration and discharge
into flood waters. Standards are also included for subdivisions and manufactured homes. 14
iv. Flood Control and Emergency Services
The City of Saratoga has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since
1973. As part of the City's implementation of their NFIP requirements, City Code Article 16 -66,
Flood Plain Management was adopted by the City Council in 1996 via Ordinance No. 71 -167.
The City of Saratoga utilizes digital flood insurance rate maps, flood insurance studies, and
other studies supplied by applicants when developing properties located in flood hazard areas
to regulate development in flood hazard areas. The City has no repetitive flood loss properties.
v. Regulatory Framework
Federal Reaulations
FEMA performs the following functions:
• Advises on building codes and flood plain management;
• Teaches people how to get through a disaster;
• Helps equip and prepare local and state emergency managers;
• Coordinates the federal response to a disaster;
• Makes disaster assistance available to states, communities, businesses and individuals;
• Trains emergency managers;
• Supports the nation's fire service; and
• Administers the national flood and crime insurance programs
The Flood Plain Management Act (Cobey- Alquist Act of 1969) introduced the concept of
reserving areas along stream channels from future development for flood prevention projects.
At the city level, Saratoga has an extensive review procedure in conjunction with the County of
Santa Clara that addresses flooding potential and the impact on development.
14 Santa Clara County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Saratoga Annex, page 21 -28
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Local Regulations
In addition, Article 16 -66 of the City's Municipal Code governs floodplain management. All
development that could be affected by seasonal flooding is subject to the regulations and
standards of Article 16 -66 to mitigate flood - related losses or damage to the fullest extent
feasible.
D. FIRE HAZARDS
Most fires are started by people, either intentionally or through carelessness. The places of
greatest concern for fire prevention are where people live, recreate, drive or work. Once ignited,
a fire can quickly blaze out of control when weather and physical site conditions are amenable.
In addition to the direct hazards to people and property, indirect damages and economic losses
may also occur, such as erosion and siltation of dams and flood control channels, increased
flood hazards, damage to watersheds, increased potential for mud slides, and losses to scenic
and recreational values.
Development in areas of fire hazard should be guided by prevention requirements, such as fire
resistant building construction and materials, adequate space between structures, available
water supply, fire resistant plant materials, quality of year -round firefighting service, available
evacuation routes, access routes level enough for fire equipment use, and creation and
maintenance of fire breaks in brush areas.
Access is a key component of fire hazard prevention; fire - fighting equipment must be able to
reach fires and residents and visitors must be able to evacuate during a fire. Private roads,
particularly in hillside areas, are less likely to meet access and maintenance standards required
for public roads. The most effective method for avoiding fire risk in hazardous areas is the
regulation of housing development and the provision of alternate access routes for developed
areas. Unmaintained county roads may fail to meet City road construction standards and may
not provide adequate or alternative means of access.
Although fire protection services in the City and the Sphere of Influence are considered
adequate for most emergencies, they may prove inadequate in the event of an earthquake.
Fires associated with an earthquake are often scattered and spread rapidly due to an impaired
water system. In such cases, Saratoga's current level of fire services could be insufficient and
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water could be unavailable if reservoirs are ruptured or streams are obstructed. During minor
emergencies, fire stations within the vicinity of the City could provide assistance, but major
emergencies, such as large -scale fires, would require mutual aid from surrounding Counties,
State, and Federal Agencies.
J . Fire Protection in Saratogaf5
Santa Clara County Fire Department
The Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District a.k.a. Santa Clara County Fire
Department (herein referred to as "SCCFD" or "County Fire ") is a county- dependent special
district providing fire suppression, basic and advanced rescue, advanced life support first
response medical services, hazardous materials and technical rescue response, fire inspection,
fire investigation, disaster preparedness, and public education.16
The Department is divided into five service divisions: Administrative Services, Fire Prevention
Division, Operations Division, Training Division, and Support Services Division. The Fire
Department personnel serve the territory from 17 fire stations.17
The City of Saratoga is served by four fire stations, which include:
Saratoga Fire Station
Quito Fire Station
14380 Saratoga Av
18870 Saratoga /Los Gatos Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070
Los Gatos, CA 95030
West Valley Fire Station
Seven Springs Fire Station
19800 Cox Av
21000 Seven Springs Pkwy
Saratoga, CA 95070
Cupertino, CA 95014
Saratoga Fire Protection District
In addition to the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District, the City of Saratoga is also
served by the Saratoga Fire Protection District. This special district was established in 1923
75 Santa Clara County Fire Department Website, online at http: / /www.sccfd.org /suppression.html, accessed October 30, 2012
76 Santa Clara County Fire Department, Strategic Plan, January 2010 - December 2014.
17 Santa Clara County Fire Department, Business Plan, January 2010- December 2014.
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and provides oversight and administration of the City's Early Warning Fire Alarm System, aimed
at reducing fire response times. The district is co- located with the Santa Clara County Fire
Department in the Saratoga Fire Station.
ii. Assessment of Fire Riskin Wi /d /and Areas
Saratoga is susceptible to wildland fires due to the steep topography, abundant fuel load, and
climatic conditions, particularly along the western and southwestern edges of the City. The
areas most susceptible to fire hazard are located west of Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and
southwest of Saratoga -Los Gatos Road (Highway 9). Based on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone
mapping prepared by Cal FIRE, this portion of the City is identified within Very High, High, and
Moderate Fire Hazard Zones.18 As a result of this condition, the City (in coordination with CAL
FIRE) has established a Wildland -Urban Interface zone, which covers a majority of the areas
within the City that have moderate to very high fire hazard potential. Most of these areas are
located in the southern and western portions of the City, as depicted in Exhibit 7, Fire Hazard
Zones. As a result of this potential hazard, special fire protection measures and planning are
necessary within these areas of the City before development occurs.
The hillside areas of the City are characterized by native brush, grasslands and trees which are
prone to wildfire. While the low density of housing in these areas minimizes the potential
danger to humans and structures, there is a danger that fire in one structure will start a wildfire
which could consume significant areas of the City.
The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council encourages a defensible space around residences to
protect homes while providing a safe area for firefighters. This defensible space is typically split
into a "Lean, Clean, and Green" Zone (low lying irrigated landscaping), and a "Reduced Fuel
Zone" (natural vegetation thinned to reduce fuel load). The same requirements (as well as
additional development regulations) are reinforced by the Uniform Fire Code for wildland -urban
interface areas.
Access and parking for emergency vehicles and delays in response time are the major public
safety concerns in this area. All fire apparatus access roads are required to have a pavement
18 City of Saratoga Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2012
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CIIY 0��W
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width of 20 feet. Buildings within the City's wildland -urban interface require fire access.
Driveways in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with turnarounds and driveways in
excess of 200 feet in length and less than 20 feet in width shall be provided with turnouts in
addition to turnarounds.
Given the wildland -urban interface condition within the City, the Santa Clara County Fire
Department trains and equips their personnel to provide structure protection and limited initial
attack on wildland incidents. The goal is to prevent a fire in wildland space from expanding into
other high fire hazards areas. The fire hazard in Saratoga's Sphere of Influence outside the City
limits is considerably higher than in the City and its incorporated hillsides. The major problems
contributing to adverse firefighting conditions in the Sphere of Influence include: areas of steep
slope, lack of adequate water supply, and intense vegetative cover. Mutual Aid Agreements
with other fire jurisdictions are in place to provide as- needed assistance and coverage for fire
emergencies within Saratoga and its surrounding environs.
Saratoga Fire Protection District Early Warning Fire Alarm System
The Saratoga Fire Protection District is responsible for providing fire awareness information and
administering the Early Warning Fire Alarm System for Saratoga residents. Residents who
install fire systems and subscribe to the service can quickly notify fire personnel of any fires.
This keeps response times low and allows firefighters to suppress fire emergency situations
quickly.
New single - family residences constructed within the City are generally larger than the older
existing homes (typically in excess of 5,000 square feet). Because of the size of these newer
dwellings, a fire may be more difficult to extinguish and, therefore, could potentially cause more
damage than would normally occur. As a result, Saratoga requires that all new construction
include an automatic fire sprinkler system, and Early Warning Fire Systems be installed in the
following situations:
• All new single - family dwellings, commercial structures and community facilities located
within the Wildland -Urban Interface Area.
• Any existing single - family dwelling, commercial structure or community facility which is
expanded by fifty percent or more in floor area and is located within the Wildland -Urban
Interface Area.
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• All new single - family dwellings, commercial structures and community facilities having a
floor area in excess of five thousand square feet.
• Any existing single - family dwelling, commercial structure or community facility that is
expanded by fifty percent or more in floor area which, after such expansion, will exceed
five thousand square feet in floor area.
• All new multi - family dwellings and other new structures having multiple sleeping units
including, but not limited to, hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums or other
community housing projects, townhouses and nursing homes.
• Any existing multi - family dwelling or other structure having multiple sleeping units that
are expanded by fifty percent or more in floor area.
In the event of an urban fire, ladder trucks and response engines from the Santa Clara County
Fire Department are the designated responders on all first and second alarms within urban
areas.
Assessment of Fire Risk in Urban Areas
Fire hazards in the flat, urbanized areas of Saratoga are relatively low. Although these areas
are higher in population density than the hillside areas, excessive amounts of combustible
vegetation is not present. The City's Fire Code and trash pickup service have contributed to
removing a large portion of combustible vegetation and trash in the City's urban area.
Response time for fire protection services are only a few minutes to any of the City's more
densely populated neighborhoods, and the peak load water supply requirement of 1,000 gallons
of water per minute for two hours is more than adequate for these areas.
The summer fire season poses the greatest threat to residential areas in the City, particularly
during periods of high temperatures accompanied by extremely dry vegetation. Residences
with wood shake shingle roofs are especially susceptible to fire. Their vulnerability increases
dramatically during periods of drought and high winds and become a major concern to the fire
personnel. The future adoption of standards for fire retardant roof materials and residential
sprinklers for all areas of the City should be considered.
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iii. Regulatory Framework —Fire Protection
SAFETY ELEMENT
State Regulations
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is dedicated to the fire
protection and stewardship of over 31 million acres of California's privately -owned wildland.
Santa Clara County Regulations
The Santa Clara County Fire Department has multiple publications and pamphlets to educate
residents on the dangers of wild and urban fire, how to defend against a fire, and how to
eliminate hazards that could prove costly in the event of a fire. This information is readily
available to residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders within Saratoga and surrounding
communities.
City of Saratoga Regulations
Chapter 16 of the Saratoga Municipal Code includes the most recently adopted State codes
(Building Code, Fire Code, Residential Building Code, etc.) associated with fire regulations that
affect development within the City. The requirements include the installation of Early Warning
Fire Alarm Systems and fire sprinkler systems.
Chapter 14 of Saratoga's Municipal Code (Subdivision Ordinance) requires a peak load water
supply of 1,000 gallons of water per minute for two hours for all housing developments. All new
developments are expected to meet this requirement and would not receive development
approval until adequate infrastructure is in place to support the proposed use.
iv. Hazardous Materials Storage and Disposal
The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health administers the Hazardous Materials
Program for the County. The Hazardous Materials Program is part of the Hazardous Materials
Compliance Division (HMCD) within Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health.
HMCD is the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for all areas of Santa Clara County
other than the cities of Santa Clara, Gilroy, and Sunnyvale. HMCD provides comprehensive
environmental regulatory compliance inspection services to protect human health and the
environment. Additionally, program personnel perform plan reviews and inspections associated
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with the construction, upgrading, and closure of hazardous materials storage facilities and
equipment.19
Saratoga does not have an identified problem with hazardous materials storage and handling.
No major chemical handlers are located in the City. Storage, use and disposal of hazardous
materials is typically limited to automotive service stations located in the City and normally
consists of anti - freeze, brake fluid, motor oil, and gasoline.
The Santa Clara County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan indicates that hazardous materials spills
are not of particular concern to the City of Saratoga. Generally, hazardous materials are
transported through the City rather than to a location within the City limits for storage or use.
The main transportation routes for these materials are Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, State Route 9
and State Route 85. If a hazardous chemical spill occurs, surface and groundwater
contamination is possible. Floodplains and creeks lie in close proximity to the primary
transportation routes and can become contaminated quickly between the time a spill occurs and
the clean -up process begins. Any spills that may occur within the City would be responded to
by the Santa Clara County Fire Department with the clean -up operation being the responsibility
of the County of Santa Clara and the State of California.
v. Regulatory Framework — Hazardous Materials
Federal and State Regulations
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, is the principal
Federal law in the United States governing the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste.
The responsibility for implementation of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) was given to California EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in
August 1992. The DTSC is also responsible for implementing and enforcing California's own
hazardous waste laws, which are known collectively as the Hazardous Waste Control Law.
In addition to the U.S. EPA and the DTSC, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB),
San Francisco Bay Region (Region 2), is the enforcing agency for the protection and restoration
19 Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health Website, located online at
http: / /www.unidocs.org/ members /Santa_ Clara_ County_CUPA.html, accessed October 30, 2012
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of water resources, including remediation of unauthorized releases of hazardous substances in
soil and groundwater.
The California Accidental Release Prevention Program Law (Cal ARP Program) (California
Health and Safety Code Section 25531 - 25543.3) provides for consistency with Federal laws
(i.e., the Emergency Preparedness and Community Right -to -Know Act and the Clean Air Act)
regarding accidental chemical releases and allows local oversight of both the State and Federal
programs.
Transportation of hazardous materials /waste is regulated by California Code of Regulations
(CCR) Title 26, Toxics. The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) is the primary
regulatory authority for the interstate transport of hazardous materials. The DOT establishes
regulations for safe handling procedures (i.e., packaging, marking, labeling and routing). The
California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Transportation enforce Federal and
State regulations and respond to hazardous materials transportation emergencies.
Occupational safety standards exist to minimize worker safety risks from both physical and
chemical hazards in the workplace. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health
is responsible for developing and enforcing workplace safety standards and assuring worker
safety in the handling and use of hazardous materials.
The "Unified Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Regulatory Program"
(Program) was created in 1993 by California State Senate Bill 1082 to consolidate, coordinate,
and make consistent the administrative requirements, permits, inspections, and enforcement
activities for environmental and emergency management programs. The Program is
implemented at the local government level by Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA).
Under the authority granted by the state, the Santa Clara County Hazardous Materials
Compliance Division administers the following programs and implements the following
regulations:
• Hazardous Waste Generator Program (California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.5)
• Hazardous Waste Tiered Permitting (California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.5)
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• Underground Storage Tank (California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.7)
• Aboveground Storage Tank SPCC Plan (California Health and Safety Code Chapter
6.67)
• Hazardous Materials Business Plans (California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95)
• California Accidental Release Prevention Program (California Health and Safety Code
Chapter 6.95)
The HMCD is also responsible for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Oversight program,
which manages the cleanup of areas contaminated by UST releases. The County's Hazardous
Materials Program also implements the Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance (County
Ordinance No. NS- 517.31) and the Toxic Gas Ordinance (County Ordinance No. NS- 517.44).
Local Regulations
Chapter 8 of the Saratoga Municipal Code regulates hazardous materials within the City. The
purpose of Chapter 8 is to protect the health, life, resources, and property through the
prevention and control of unauthorized discharges of hazardous materials. The City delegates
its authority over the regulation of Hazardous Materials to the County of Santa Clara.
E. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER PLANNING
Effective safety planning involves the development of regulations to prevent and /or mitigate
hazards and the preparation of plans to respond to emergencies. While prevention and
mitigation are the most effective and prudent methods to protect the public and property from
imminent danger, the City must be prepared when disasters occur. The City has prepared an
Emergency Operations Plan (maintained and administered by the Santa Clara County Fire
Department), which is reviewed and updated every year. Updating the plan on schedule
maintains the City's eligibility for FEMA funded programs.
The Saratoga Municipal Code asserts the obligation of the City to protect the life and property of
Saratoga residents, and supports the policy of mutual aid and coordination with Santa Clara
County. City expenditures are authorized for the protection and benefit of residents and their
property. Furthermore, the City of Saratoga Emergency Operations Plan has been prepared to
establish both proactive and reactive measures in the event of a declared emergency.
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J . Emergency Operations Plan Purpose and Organization
SAFETY ELEMENT
The purpose of Saratoga's Emergency Operations Plan is to create a framework for Saratoga
response personnel who will make the continual planning process both very clear and relatively
easy while identifying the hazards that exist in Saratoga. The Emergency Operations Plan also
enhances the development of Local Hazard Mitigation Planning on an ongoing basis and
addresses the needs of all people located in Saratoga. The primary hazards identified in the
Emergency Operations Plan are included in Table 1 - Hazard Analysis Likelihood of
Occurrence, below, according to their likelihood and severity:
Table 1
Hazard Analysis Likelihood of
Occurrence
Likelihood
Severity
Hazard
Infrequent
Sometimes
Frequent
Low
Moderate
High
Aviation Disaster
X
X
X
X
Civil Disturbance
X
Earthquake M <5
X
X
Earthquake M >5
X
X
X
Extreme Weather /Storm
X
X
X
Floods
X
X
X
Landslides
X
X
X
HAZMAT
X
X
Heat Wave
X
X
X
Public Health Emergency
X
X
X
X
Terrorism
X
X
X
X
Transportation-Highway
X
X
Wildfire /Forest Fire
X
X
Source: Saratoga Emergency Operations Plan, 2009
The Emergency Operations Plan is organized into eight sections:
I. Introduction
II. Hazard Assessment
III. Prevention /Mitigation
IV. Preparedness
V. Response
VI. Recovery
VII. Appendices
Potential emergency situations are assessed and mitigation measures for those situations are
discussed in the various sections of the Emergency Operations Plan. Hazard - Specific Actions
are included to prevent potential hazardous situations and lessen the impacts of hazards should
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an emergency situation occur. For example, an earthquake is identified as a hazard.
Earthquakes are impossible to prevent, but mitigation measures to lessen the impact of
earthquakes can be implemented in advance of an earthquake, such as inspecting all structures
for weaknesses and providing emergency preparedness training to City employees and
volunteer responders. Applicable preventative measures are also listed for wildfire, flood,
weather, public health, hazardous materials, and terrorism emergency situations. The
Emergency Operations Plan includes measures that can be taken to prepare the community for
emergencies, such as training, public awareness, records protection, adherence to various
programs and policies (such as weed and brush abatement or adherence to setbacks from flood
zones), appointing field personnel, cross - jurisdictional preparedness, and maintaining relations
and communication with neighboring, State, and Federal Agencies. In the event of a disaster,
the plan contains response checklists and detailed responsibilities for emergency personnel to
follow depending on the level of the emergency or disaster situation. Recovery techniques and
protocols are also discussed in the Emergency Operations Plan to restore all systems back to
normal working order following a disaster or emergency.
ii. Emergency Evacuation Plan
An important emergency preparedness function within the City is the development of evacuation
plans which readily and effectively relocate residents from hazardous areas to safer locations.
An integral part of evacuation planning is the identification of evacuation routes and shelter
spaces. Exhibit 8, Evacuation Routes, illustrates the routes of movement on local collector and
arterial streets and the designated evacuation routes that should be followed in order to promote
safe and efficient evacuation of residents out of the City. A secondary evacuation route has
been identified along Sarahills Drive and Verde Vista Lane, which would be necessary if
evacuation along Pierce Road becomes difficult or requires re- routing.
This map shows that the majority of the City's evacuation routes are located in the area
between Prospect Avenue and Saratoga -Los Gatos Road, and Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and
Quito Road, where the population is of a higher density than in the hillside areas. Depending on
the nature of the disaster, some access roads in the hillside areas may be closed or impeded,
creating the necessity for residents to evacuate from the area along substandard emergency
access roads or by helicopter.
Draft January 2013 % %x=
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Legend
UNINCORPORATED SA CLARA C ■♦ Evacuation Routes
(Direction of Movement)
im, Secondary Evacuation Route
O Bridge
Saratoga City Limits
• Saratoga Sphere of Influence
Surrounding City Boundaries
N SAFETY ELEMENT
.'s CITY OF w�e o Aso ,,aoo 3,000 Feet Evacuation Routes
8
S A RAT A prepared by RBF Consulting: 01/09/2013
Sources: City of Saratoga - Zoning Map (2010) : County of Santa Clara - CityLimits (2010) StreetEdge (2009) Exhibit 8
ESRI Terrain Basemap
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0 SAFETY ELEMENT
It is important to know the locations of places of assembly that can accommodate significant
numbers of people. The American Red Cross establishes facility agreements with schools,
churches, recreation halls and large facilities in order to take in evacuees and provide mass
care, feeding, and sheltering. It also provides casework services for those who have suffered
losses, and physical and mental health services for the victims of disasters.
Anticipated Red Cross emergency locations within Saratoga (shaded) and surrounding
communities are listed in Table 2 — American Red Cross Shelters, below. In the event of a major
disaster or emergency, if deemed safe for public use, these facilities would house residents as
"primary places of assembly." Following an earthquake, all facilities will be inspected prior to
being designated as a shelter or gathering location. However, it should be noted that after an
emergency/ disaster event other facilities within Saratoga and surrounding areas may offer
evacuation shelter services outside of those listed in Table 2.
Table 2
American Red Cross Shelters
Facility
Address
City
Zip Code
Prospect High School
18900 Prospect Avenue
Saratoga
95070
Redwood Middle School
13925 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga
95070
Saratoga Community Center
19655 Allendale Avenue
Saratoga
95070
Saratoga High School
20300 Herriman Avenue
Saratoga
95070
West Valley College
14000 Fruitvale
Saratoga
95070
Southwest YMCA
13500 Quito Road
San Jose
95070
Campbell Middle School
295 Cherry Lane
Campbell
95008
Westmont High School
4805 Westmont Avenue
Campbell
95008
Cupertino High School
10100 Finch Avenue
Cupertino
95014
De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino
95014
Homestead High School
21370 Homestead Road
Cupertino
95014
Hyde Middle School
19325 Bollinger Avenue
Cupertino
95014
Kennedy Middle School
821 Bubb Road
Cupertino
95014
Monte Vista High School
21840 McClellan Road
Cupertino
95014
Quinlan Community Center
10185 N. Stelling Road
Cupertino
95014
Calvary Baptist Church
16330 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos
95032
Lakeside Elementary School
19621 Black Road
Los Gatos
95033
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints
15955 Rose Avenue
Los Gatos
95030
Loma Prieta Community Center
23800 Summit Road
Los Gatos
95033
Loma Prieta School
23800 Summit Road
Los Gatos
95033
Los Gatos High School
20 High School Court
Los Gatos
95030
R.J. Fisher Middle School
19195 Fisher Avenue
Los Gatos
95032
Rolling Hills Middle School
1585 More Avenue
Los Gatos
95032
Source: Saratoga Emergency Operations Plan, 2009
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iii. Regulatory Framework
SAFETY ELEMENT
State Regulations
Through the California Emergency Services Act of 1970, the California Office of Emergency
Service provides the basis for local emergency preparedness. The Office of Emergency
Services is responsible for preparing the California State Emergency Plan and for coordinating
and supporting emergency services conducted by local governments. The responsibility for
immediate response to an emergency, such as fires, landslides, earthquakes or riots, rests with
local government agencies and segments of the private sector, with support services provided
by other jurisdictions and /or State and Federal agencies. In accordance with their normal
operating procedures, the initial response to an emergency will be made by local Fire, Law
Enforcement, Medical or Maintenance (Public Works) districts or departments.
Local Regulations
The City of Saratoga implements its Emergency Operations Plan, which provides an overview of
prevention and operational concepts, identifies components of the City's emergency
management organization within the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
and by extension, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and describes the overall
responsibilities of the federal, state and county entities and the City for protecting life and
property and assuring the overall wellbeing of the population.
III. GOALS, POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS
A. CONTEXT FOR SAFETY ELEMENT POLICY
The development of policies within the Safety Element is based upon a broad understanding of
the issues and hazards that affect the City of Saratoga. The City prides itself on its ability to
provide a high level of service to its residents and collaborates with County Agencies in
community education and outreach to create a safer environment. The following provides the
policy context for developing the goals, policies, and implementation measures for the City of
Saratoga Safety Element:
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i. Land Instability Hazards
Given the close proximity to several active and potentially active faults and the steep
topographic relief within the western and southern portions of the City, site - specific geologic
review is necessary to evaluate geologic and seismic hazards that may affect developments
within particular areas of the City. Many areas of the City are susceptible to unstable land
conditions either from earthquake faults, steep topography, poor soil conditions, or any
combination thereof. In response to this, the City requires geotechnical engineering reports for
development within areas known for geologic or seismic hazards. In addition, issuance of
grading permits for hillside development areas and critical uses such as hospitals and utilities
require additional study and evaluation to further ensure public safety. The City may preclude
development within hazard areas through the use of open space land use designations, where
necessary.
ii. Flood Hazards
The City of Saratoga has three major drainages that traverse through the City, draining from
south to north and ultimately emptying into the San Francisco Bay. These creeks are the San
Tomas Aquino, Saratoga and Calabazas Creeks. In addition to these creeks, several smaller
creeks tributary to the San Tomas Aquino and Calabazas creeks are also located within the
City. These three drainages and several of their tributaries are located within the FEMA 100 -
year floodplain, which could impact properties adjacent to these drainages during a significant
flooding event. In addition, the entire City is also located within the FEMA 500 -year floodplain.
Along with flooding associated with weather related events, Saratoga Creek is also susceptible
to flooding by dam inundation in association with the failure of Lake Ranch Reservoir located
outside of the City's Sphere of Influence. Inundation is anticipated to stay within the Saratoga
creek bed; however, several roadways that cross this drainage could be impacted by flood
waters.
As a participant in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, the City has adopted a
Floodplain Management Ordinance. Through this ordinance, General Plan policies and other
regulations during the City's development review process, all new developments are required to
mitigate potential flooding impacts. This, in conjunction with potential flood control
improvements made by the City, will ensure that future impacts are reduced or minimized.
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Furthermore, the City will work closely with the Santa Clara County Development Services office
to implement regional improvements that benefit Saratoga as well as surrounding areas by
improving regional flooding and drainage impacts.
iii. Fire Hazards
The City is currently served by the Santa Clara County Fire Department and Saratoga Fire
Protection District. The major fire concern for the City is the proximity of existing developments
to high fire hazard areas within the southern and western portions of the City. Effective
management of these areas and implementation of proper development controls that reduce
risk to fire hazards (wildland -urban interface [WUI] area) is an important component of this
Element.
Working closely with the Fire Department, the City of Saratoga can emphasize the need for
adequate training of firefighting personnel to address the changing needs of the community. As
part of this effort, it will also be very important that the residents and businesses within the
community understand their role in fire prevention and impact reduction activities that could
save lives.
Preventive measures will continue to be an important part of fire protection in Saratoga,
including conditions of development, fuel modification, and weed abatement activities/
landscaping maintenance to deter the spread of wildland /urban interface fires. Other
preventative measures include Fire Department review of site plans / development application,
community education and outreach and code enforcement activities aimed at reducing potential
hazards in the WUI areas. The primary preventative measure administered by the Saratoga
Fire Protection District is the City's Early Warning Fire Alarm System that is required for most
new residential construction. This system alerts the Fire Department as soon as a fire occurs,
with the intention of reducing fire response time and potential damage to the structure and
surrounding area.
Protecting Saratoga residents and businesses from the harmful effects of hazardous materials
and waste is a high priority. Although the City does not have a significant amount of hazardous
materials/ waste generators or businesses that store these materials, there is still some risk
associated with the release of hazardous materials into the environment. Through the
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0 SAFETY ELEMENT
promotion of effective handling, use, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste,
as well as the education of Saratoga residents on these issues, the City is committed to
maintaining a safe community for existing and future residents and businesses. The entitlement
review/ approval process and adherence to current and future State and Federal regulations will
also help ensure that new developments within the City incorporate the necessary protections
and improvements to reduce the risk and exposure of hazardous materials release and
minimize impacts of a release. Prevention of future releases is of great importance due to the
City's reliance on groundwater resources for drinking water.
iv. Emergency Preparedness
The City of Saratoga desires a high level of emergency preparedness and response services to
its residents. Working closely with the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services, Fire
Department and Sheriff's Office, the City strives to promote safer development of the hillside
areas and facilitate effective notification and response to emergency situations through their
development review processes. Understanding that many aspects of the Fire Department's and
Sheriff's Office operations are beyond City control, ongoing collaboration with these agencies on
existing and future training and equipment needs will be a priority.
The Emergency Operations Plan is the master document that organizes emergency
preparedness and response efforts in Saratoga. The Emergency Operations Plan provides a
framework for coordination with other agencies at the regional and state levels. Each
department involved in implementation of the Emergency Operations Plan has the responsibility
to internalize the plan in its own operations, as well as keep the plan up -to -date. Dedicated staff
support from the Santa Clara County Fire Department has assisted the City in ensuring regular
update, maintenance, and implementation of the Emergency Operations Plan.
Public awareness and education is a critical part of emergency preparedness. An educated
public will know how to prevent injury and property damage during and after emergency events,
and also know how to find and offer help to their neighbors. Through collaboration with the
Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services and promotion of educational programs like
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), community members receive the training
needed to be self- sufficient during a major emergency. In addition to this, the City and the
Santa Clara County Fire Department work to disseminate basic emergency preparedness
information to the residents and businesses of Saratoga.
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B. GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
The following goals, policies, and implementation measures have been developed to guide
development within the City of Saratoga. The purpose of this information is to establish a policy
framework that is consistent with the City's vision, that meets the community's needs and that
effectively addresses the potential hazards that could impact the City. In addition, the City of
Saratoga Annex to the Santa Clara County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is hereby
incorporated into this Safety Element by reference. The LHMP, last adopted by the City of
Saratoga on February 15, 2012, is required to be updated every five years to maintain eligibility
for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs administered by FEMA pursuant to the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The LHMP contains a vulnerability analysis highlighting specific
facilities at risk to natural hazards and outlines strategies for reducing risk to the identified
hazards.
i. Land Instability Hazards
Goal SAF -1: Protect residents from injuries and minimize property damage resulting
from land instability and geologic hazards.
Policy SAF -1.1: No development shall be permitted in geologic hazard areas without
individual site - specific geotechnical investigations to determine depth of bedrock, soil
stability, location of rift zones and other localized geotechnical problems.
Implementation Measure SAF -1.1a: As part of the development review process, a
qualified Geotechnical Consultant will review proposals involving sites having potential
land instability or geologic hazards and will make recommendations accordingly
Policy SAF -1.2: Development in areas subject to natural hazards shall be limited and
shall be designed to protect the environment, inhabitants and general public. In areas
that have been proven to be unsafe, development of structures for human habitation
shall be prohibited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Policy SAF -1.3: Proposals for General Plan amendments, zone changes, use permits,
variances, building site approvals, and all land development applications subject to
environmental assessment according to CEQA guidelines shall be reviewed for
hazardous conditions utilizing the most current data.
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Implementation Measure SAF -1.3a: Mitigation measures to eliminate potential geologic
hazards identified during the environmental review process will be required as conditions
of development.
ii. Seismic Hazards
Goal SAF -2: Protect residents of the City and surrounding areas from seismically
induced hazards.
Policy SAF -2.1: In order to mitigate the danger of earthquake damage, the City shall
enforce strict earthquake construction and soil- engineering standards, selecting the most
stable areas for development and requiring developers to compensate for soil
instabilities through approved engineering and construction techniques.
Policy SAF -2.2: Critical structures and systems vital to the public health and safety
(water, power and waste disposals systems, police and fire stations and communication
facilities) shall be designed to mitigate any seismic or geologic hazards associated with
their sites.
Implementation Measure SAF -2.2a: When made available, the City should update the
Safety Element to incorporate the latest mapping produced by the United States
Geological Survey (USGS) and California Geological Survey (i.e. Alquist- Priolo Special
Study Zones, Seismic Hazards Mapping Reports, etc.).
Policy SAF -2.3: The City should comply with State statutes regarding the identification
and retrofit of non - reinforced masonry structures.
X. Flood Hazards
Goal SAF -3: Reduce damage to public and private property resulting from flooding and
flood induced hazards.
Policy SAF -3.1: All proposed projects adjacent to floodways and floodplains that could
affect Water District right -of -way, should be referred to the District for review and
comments.
Policy SAF -3.2: The City shall continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance
Program.
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SAFETY ELEMENT
Implementation Measure SAF -3.2a: The City will maintain and enforce a Floodplain
Management Ordinance, based on the national Model Floodplain Management
Ordinance to satisfy the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Policy SAF -3.3: The City shall continue to enforce its existing regulations pertaining to
impervious coverage to reduce potential hazards from excessive run -off.
Implementation Measure SAF -3.3a: Implement the City's impervious coverage
regulations by continuation of existing zoning regulations as contained in the City Code.
iv. Fire Hazards
Goal SAF -4: Reduce the danger of property damage and loss of life due to urban and
wild fires.
Policy SAF -4.1: The City shall require the installation of an early warning fire alarm
system in each of the following cases:
a. All new single - family dwellings and any existing single - family dwellings that are
expanded by fifty percent or more in floor area, where such new or expanded
dwellings are located within designated hazardous fire area.
b. All new single - family dwellings having a gross floor area in excess of 5,000 square
feet.
c. Any existing single family dwelling that is expanded by fifty percent or more in floor
area which, after such expansion, will exceed 5,000 square feet in gross floor area.
d. All new multi - family dwellings and other new structures having multiple sleeping
units, such as hotels, motels, apartments, condominium or other community housing
projects, townhouses and nursing homes.
e. Any existing multi - family dwelling or other existing structure having multiple sleeping
units as described in Paragraph (d) above, which is expanded by fifty percent or
more in gross area.
Implementation Measure SAF -4.1a: Implement through continuation of existing
subdivision, zoning and building regulations as contained in the City Code.
Policy SAF -4.2: The Fire Chief, having jurisdiction, should be authorized to require the
installation of an early warning fire alarm system in any new commercial structure or
community facility, or expansion of an existing commercial structure by fifty percent or
more in gross floor area, whenever the Fire Chief deems such requirement to be
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necessary or appropriate on the basis of facts and circumstances in each individual
case.
Implementation Measure SAF -4.2a: Implement through continuation of existing
subdivision, zoning and building regulations as contained in the City Code.
Policy SAF -4.3: The City shall encourage all property owners to install an early warning
fire alarm system on a voluntary basis where such owners are not otherwise required to
do so.
Implementation Measure SAF -4.3a: Implement by continuation of existing provision in
the building regulations allowing voluntary installation of the system and publicize the
availability of the system for any property located within the City.
Policy SAF -4.4: The City shall continue to enforce existing regulations pertaining to
hazardous fire areas (wildland -urban interface), fire retardant construction and
landscaping (fuel modification).
Implementation Measure SAF -4.4a: Periodically review subdivision, zoning and building
regulations that pertain to hazardous fire areas to determine if significant changes are
required.
Implementation Measure SAF -4.4b: Update the City's Wildland -Urban Interface map
and Fire Hazard Areas Map, when new data and information is made available by local,
State, and Federal agencies.
Policy SAF -4.5: The City shall coordinate with the Santa Clara County Fire Department
on the need for additional fire prevention regulations for the built up, populated areas of
the City.
Implementation Measure SAF -4.5a: The City, in cooperation with the County of Santa
Clara Fire Department, will review and modify, as necessary, existing building
regulations to require Type A & B fire retardant roof materials in the densely populated
flatlands of the City.
v. Emergency Preparedness
Goal SAF -5: Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness plan which will provide
effective response in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.
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Policy SAF -5.1: The City shall review and update on a regular basis its plan for
emergency response and preparedness. This plan shall use local resources and
manpower to provide maximum benefit and protection for the City's residents.
Implementation Measure SAF -5.1a: Review and update annually the City's Emergency
Operations Plan, modifying the plan if significant changes are required. Sections of the
plan which are incomplete will be completed in a timely manner.
Policy SAF -5.2: The City shall coordinate its Emergency Operations Plan with local
jurisdictions and regional agencies to anticipate cumulative impacts during times of
disaster.
Implementation Measure SAF -5.2a: Coordinate with Santa Clara County Office of
Emergency Services to review the County and adjacent jurisdictions' plans and resolve
areas of potential conflict.
Implementation Measure SAF -5.2b: On an annual basis, the City will review the Santa
Clara County Multi- Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and the City's Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex to ensure that identified mitigation actions are being
incorporated into upcoming City sponsored projects, where appropriate.
Policy SAF -5.3: The City shall encourage all citizens to take responsibility for their own
safety in the event of a disaster.
Implementation Measure SAF -5.3a: The City shall publicize and participate in disaster
preparedness exercises and distribute emergency planning information to the citizens of
Saratoga.
Implementation Measure SAF -5.3b: The City shall coordinate with Santa Clara County
Office of Emergency Services on potential disaster preparedness training opportunities
(i.e. CERT, Red Cross, etc...) for Saratoga residents.
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REFERENCES
i. City of Saratoga Emergency Operations Plan, July 2009.
SAFETY ELEMENT
ii. County of Santa Clara Multi- Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2011.
iii. City of Saratoga Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex, 2012.
iv. National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Rate Maps Panel 219 of 830, Effective
May 18, 2009.
v. Santa Clara County Fire Department Strategic Plan January 2010 to December 2014.
vi. Taming Natural Disasters: Multi- Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for the San
Francisco Bay Area, 2010 Update, Association of Bay Area Governments.
vii. County of Santa Clara Health and Safety Element of the General Plan, 1994
viii. Seismic Hazard Maps for the Castle Rock Ridge Quadrangle (August 11, 2005) and
Cupertino Quadrangle (September 23, 2002), California Geological Survey.
ix. Alquist - Priolo Special Studies Zones for the Castle Rock Ridge Quadrangle (July 1, 1974)
and Cupertino Quadrangle (July 1, 1974), California Geological Survey.
x. Liquefaction Hazard Maps for Three Earthquake Scenario for the Communities of San Jose,
Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara,
Saratoga, and Sunnyvale, Northern Santa Clara County, California. United States
Geological Survey, Open File Report 2008 -1270.
Websites
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health:
http: / /www.sccgov.org/ sites /deh/ Hazardous°/o 20Materials% 20Compliance %20Division /Hazardo
us %20Materials %20Program %20Home/ Pages/ Hazardous - Materials- Program- Home- Page.aspx
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APPENDICES
Appendix A — Glossary
Appendix B — Adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
SAFETY ELEMENT
Appendix C — Geologic and Seismic Hazards Constraints Mapping (Awaiting completion by the
City's Consultant)
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Appendix A — Glossary
0 SAFETY ELEMENT
Active Fault Zone: Fault area that has experienced displacement during the past 11,000 years,
indicating that further movement might occur.
Floodplain: The area bordering a stream that becomes flooded when the stream overflows its
channel.
Lifelines: Public facilities and services that the metropolitan populations are dependent upon,
such as transportation and communication networks, power, gas and water lines.
Mercalli Scale: A scale of earthquake intensity ranging from I to XII. Based on observable
effects at a given place.
Potentially Active Fault Zone: Fault area showing evidence of surface displacement during
Quaternary time or the last 2 million years.
Rift Zone: A large fault where lateral movement occurs.
Richter Scale: A scale of earthquake magnitude based on the logarithm (base 10) of the
amplitudes of the defections created by earthquake waves and recorded by a seismograph.
Rural Residential: Low density single - family residential development and agricultural uses with
compatible conditional uses. Local jurisdiction usually provides a minimal level of service.
Seismic: Pertaining to an earthquake or earth vibration, including those that are artificially
induced.
here of Influence: That area outside the City's incorporated boundary, but designated by the
Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission as the unincorporated area most
likely to be influenced and annexed by the City in the future.
Tilt -Up Structure: Concrete walls are poured on the ground, allowed to harden, and then tilted
into place.
Urban Residential: Medium to high density single — and multi - family residential development and
compatible conditional uses. Local jurisdiction usually provides full array of urban services.
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Appendix B — Adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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SAFETY ELEMENT
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Contents
Section 21 City of Saratoga .............................................................................. ...........................21 -3
21.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. ...........................21 -3
21.2 Internal Planning Process ....................................................................... ...........................21 -9
21.3 Capability Assessment ........................................................................... ..........................21
-17
21.3.1 Mitigation Progress ........................................................................ ..........................21
-17
21.3.2 Staff and Organizational Capabilities ............................................ ..........................21
-18
21.3.3 National Flood Insurance Program ................................................ ..........................21
-32
21.3.4 Resource List: ..........................................................................................................
21-33
21.4 Vulnerability Assessment ...................................................................... ..........................21
-33
21.4.1 Critical Facilities ............................................................................ ..........................21
-33
21.4.2 Exposure Analysis .......................................................................... ..........................21
-34
21.5 Mitigation Actions ................................................................................. ..........................21
-55
21.5.1 Primary Concerns ........................................................................... ..........................21
-55
21.5.2 Mitigation Actions ......................................................................... ..........................21
-55
21.6 Plan Maintenance ................................................................................... ..........................21
-59
21.7 City of Saratoga Appendix .................................................................... ..........................21
-60
21.7.1 Saratoga Attachment 1: Saratoga Outreach ................................... ..........................21
-60
21.7.2 Saratoga Attachment 2: Saratoga Strategies 2010 ......................... ..........................21
-62
21.7.3 Saratoga Attachment 3: Saratoga Exposure Analysis .................... ..........................21
-64
Figure 21 -1: Inventory of Soft -First Story Multi - Family Dwellings- City of Saratoga .................21 -43
Table 21 -1: Hazards of Most Concern .................................................................. ..........................21 -10
Table 21 -2: Items Readily Available to Respondents ........................................... ..........................21
-11
Table 21 -3: Adequate Homeowners Insurance ..................................................... ..........................21
-13
Table 21 -4: Earthquake Insurance ........................................................................ ..........................21
-13
Table 21 -5: Flood Insurance ................................................................................. ..........................21
-14
Table 21 -6: Property Changes to Reduce Future Damage from Hazards ............. ..........................21
-14
Table 21 -7: Place of Work in Hazard Areas ......................................................... ..........................21
-15
Table 21 -8: Key Departments in the City of Saratoga .......................................... ..........................21
-19
Table 21 -9: Technical Capability Matrix .............................................................. ..........................21
-21
Table 21 -10: Capital Improvements Spending ..................................................... ..........................21
-23
Table 21 -11: Availability of Ordinances that Support Hazard Mitigation ........... ..........................21
-30
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
P a , c 121-1
Table 21 -12: City of Saratoga Critical Facilities
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
.21 -33
Page 121 -2
SECTION 21 CITY OF SARATOGA
21.1 INTRODUCTION
This City of Saratoga Annex serves as an annex to the Santa Clara County Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan which is an annex to the 2010 Association of Bay Area Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Taming
Natural Disasters. Pursuant to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the City Council adopted this
annex on February 15, 2012.
This annex is an update to the City's annex to the 2005 Association of Bay Area Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan, Taming Natural Disasters, as adopted on April 4, 2007.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
The City of Saratoga is a small -sized city,
located in the western region of Santa Clara
County, California. The City has a
population of 29,843 people, based on the
2000 census. For the Fiscal Year
2010/2011, the City's total general fund
budget is approximately $15 million. The
City employs 54 full time equivalents with
additional temporary and seasonal workers.
Law enforcement services are provided
under contract with the Santa Clara County
Sheriff's Office, and fire services are
provided by the combined Santa Clara
County Fire Department and the Saratoga
Fire Protection District.
Page 121 -3
Santa OR Owen
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fl�mnrn Rx..�
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
The City of Saratoga is a small -sized city,
located in the western region of Santa Clara
County, California. The City has a
population of 29,843 people, based on the
2000 census. For the Fiscal Year
2010/2011, the City's total general fund
budget is approximately $15 million. The
City employs 54 full time equivalents with
additional temporary and seasonal workers.
Law enforcement services are provided
under contract with the Santa Clara County
Sheriff's Office, and fire services are
provided by the combined Santa Clara
County Fire Department and the Saratoga
Fire Protection District.
Page 121 -3
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Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 Page 121-4
RESOLUTION NO. E7 -020
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATO A
APPROVING THE ABAG REPORT "TAMING NATURAL [DISASTERS"
AS THE CITY OF SARATOGA ",S LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION FLAN
WHEREAS, the Bay Area is subject to various earthquake - related hazards such
as ground shaking, liquefaction, landsliding, fault surface rupture, and tsunamis; and
WHEREAS, the Bair Area is subject to various weather- related hazards including
wildfires, floods, and landslides, and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga recognizes that disasters do not recognize city,
aunty, or special district boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga seeks to maintain and enhance both a d aster -
reslstant City and regiGn by reducing the potential loss of fife,, lam }perty damage, and
environmental degradation from natural disasters, while acceleratir,g c conornic recovery
from those disasters, and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to increasing the disaster resistance of the
infrastructure, health, housing, economy, government services, education, environment,
and land use systems in the Cfty, as well as in the eay Area as a vie; and
WHEREAS, the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 20W requires all cities,
counties, and special districts to have adopted a Local Hazard Mikigation Plan to receive
disaster mitigation funding from FEMA, and
WHEREAS, ABAG has approved and adapted the AI3AO report "Taming Natural
Disasters" as the multi jurisdictional Local hazard Mitigotbon Plan for the San Francisco
Bay Area;
BONY, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Saratoga adopts, and
adapts with its Iocall annex, thin multi- jurisdictional plan as its Local Hazard Mitigation
Pion.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE13 that the City of Saratoga
commits to continuing to tale those achQns and initiating further actions, as appropriate,
as identified in the City Annex of that multi -jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan,
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 Page 121-5
The above and foregoing resolution was approved arid adapted by the City Council of
the City of Saratoga on the 4th day of Aprll 2007 by the following vote:
AWES: Councilmernbers Jill Hunter, K2thleen icing, Chuck Page,
Vice! Mayor Ann Waltonsrnith, Mayor Aileen Kao
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Norge
ATT
, City Clerk
teen Koo, Mayor
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-6
RESOLUTION 12-410
A. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOiGA
APPROVING THE CITY OF SAF1rATOGA ANNEX TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY
ANNEX TO THE 2010 ABAG REPORT - TAMING NATURAL DISASTERS" AS THE
CITY OF SARATO+GA *S LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the ray Area is sub*t to various earthquake- related hazards such as
ground shaping, liquefaction, landsliding, fault surface rupture, and tsunarrais; and
WHEREAS, the Bay Area is subject to varj=s weather- rclatcd hazards including
wildfires, floods. and landslides, and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga recognizes that disasters ado net recognize city, county,
or special district boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to maintain and enhance birth a disaster-resistant City and
region by reducing the potential lass of life, property damage, and environ7nnental degradation
frorn natural disasters, while accelerating economic recovery from those di=gters; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga is cominined to increasing the disaster resistance cif the
intrastructurc, heakb, hh"ing, econorny, government services, education, environment, and land
use. systems in the City, as well as in the Bay Area as a whale; and
WHEREAS, the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all cities, counties, and
special districts to have adopted a Local hazard Mitigation Plan to receive disaster mitigation
Cunding from FE[w1A; and
W[IEREAS, ABAG has approved and adapted the ABAG report ` "Yarning Natural
Disasters" as the multi jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation flan for the San Francisco Bay
Area;
11 {)W, TEI_1:R FORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City adopts. and adopts with its local
annex. ibis multi- ,jurisdictional plant as its Local 11a7ard Mitigation Plan-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE YT VUI- 4-1-11LK 11L SOLO° CI) that the City commits to continuing to
Lake these actions and initiating further actions, as appropriate, as idcnti fled in Lbe City of
Saratoga Armex to the Covrnty of Santa Clara Annex of that multi jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan and will consider including the mitigation strategics as the Implementation
Appendix of the :safety Element cif` its general Plan during the Safety Etement update process
now underway anti expected to be completed by December 2014.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-7
The above and foregoing resolution was passel and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga
City Council held on the 15'x' day of February 2012 by the following vote-
AY S; Council Member Mangy Cappello, Emily La, I Toward Miller, Vice Mayor Jill
Hunter, Mayor Chuck Page
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN. None
FROM' lla
► DATE:3 t
-Cry di Morrow, City t=lcrk
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 Page 121-8
21.2 INTERNAL PLANNING PROCESS
The City of Saratoga participated in the regional planning process coordinated by ABAG and the
local planning process coordinated by Santa Clara County OES as noted in Section 3 of this plan.
The City of Saratoga participated in one City /County workshop sponsored by ABAG, as it was most
relevant to the City's size and operations.
For more information on meetings held by ABAG and for rosters of attendees, please see Appendix
A and H in the ABAG Multi- Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 (MJ- LHMP). In
addition, the City of Saratoga has provided written and oral comments on the multi jurisdictional
plan and provided information on critical facilities to ABAG.
Barbara Powell, Assistant City Manager, served as the City's representative and lead for completing
this annex. Supported by Jim Yoke, Emergency Services Coordinator, the City was represented at
Local Planning Team meetings #1, #2, and #3. Barbara and Jim performed internal reviews and
collaboration in order to provide all of the required information for development of this annex.
Contact information: bpowellksarato ag ca.us, 408.868.1215
Key staff met to identify and prioritize mitigation strategies appropriate for the City. Staff members
involved in these meetings included the Community Development Director, Building Official, Public
Works Director and Assistant City Manager. Representatives from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Office, Santa Clara County Fire Department and Saratoga Fire Protection District were also present.
The City of Saratoga's internal planning team included the following individuals:
Barbara Powell, Assistant City Manager
Jim Yoke, Emergency Services Coordinator
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
John Livingstone, Community Development Director
Brad Lind, Building Official
Public Outreach
The City provided the opportunity for the public to comment on the draft mitigation strategies
selected by City staff at the City Council meeting on November 4, 2009. The meeting is streamed
live on the City of Saratoga website and the draft mitigation strategies were available on the City
website. No public comments were received from either the meeting or the internet posting. A copy
of the meeting minutes are included in Saratoga Attachment 1: Outreach Materials.
The City Council will adopt the plan in a public meeting via an official Resolution upon approval by
FEMA. During the next update of the Seismic Safety and Safety Element of the City of Saratoga's
General Plan the relevant mitigation strategies will be incorporated as an implementation appendix.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 Page 121-9
The City of Saratoga notified residents and businesses of the hazard mitigation planning process by
posting an announcement regarding the public opportunity to respond to the online survey discussed
in Section 3.2.6 in the County Annex. A copy of the survey is included in County Attachment 7:
Survey Outreach Materials, found in Section 9.7. The following media was utilized:
• City Website (http: / /www.saratoga.ca.us/)
Copies of the City's outreach materials are included in Section 21.7, Saratoga Attachment 1:
Outreach Materials.
Survey Results
On November 1, 2010, the Local Planning Team released an online survey to solicit public input
regarding concerns for hazard risk. The Local Planning Team also used this survey to gauge the level
of public preparedness for emergencies. The survey responses received from the City of Saratoga
residents are summarized below:
1. 28 out of 541 survey respondents were from the City of Saratoga.
2. Respondents were asked which five hazards, out of the 31 hazards the LPT identified, are of
most concern to their neighborhood or home. Below are responses from the City of Saratoga
(in order of most responses):
Table 21 -1: Hazards of Most Concern
Hazard
Number of
Responses
Infrastructure: Water System Disruption no potable water
19
Infrastructure: Electrical System Disruption no power)
18
Earthquake: Ground Shaking
17
Infrastructure: Wastewater System Disruption sewer backup)
12
Infrastructure: Telecommunication System Disruption (no phone / cell
service
10
Wildfire
10
Earthquake: Surface Rupture
9
Infrastructure: Energy System Disruption no as
8
Earthquake: Liquefaction
6
Disease and Outbreak
5
Infrastructure: Transportation Disruption (blocked roads / failed bridges)
5
Drought
4
Additional Hazard *
4
Earthquake: Landslides
2
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-10
Hazard
Number of
Responses
Hazardous Materials Spills (chemical/biological
2
Landslide and Debris flow
2
Agricultural Pests and Diseases
1
Dam Failure
1
Expansive Soils
1
Flood
1
Heat (extreme heat)
1
Land Subsidence soil compaction due to subsurface water removal
1
Bay Area Silting
0
Delta Levee Failure
0
Freeze
0
Hailstorm
0
Solar Storm
0
Thunder/Lightning Thunder/Lightning Storms
0
Tornado
0
Tsunami
0
Volcano
0
Wind (high winds
0
* Respondents noted the following additional hazards: bomb threat, air pollution, and
electromagnetic pulse attack
3. Respondents were asked if a severe hazard event occurred today, such that all services were cut
off from their home and they were unable to leave or access a store for 72 hours, which items they
would have readily available. Below is a summary of responses from the City of Saratoga
respondents:
Table 21 -2: Items Readily Available to Respondents
Item that is Readily Available
Responses
Flashlight with batteries
28
Blankets
27
First Aid Kit
24
Canned / Non-perishable Foods (ready to eat
21
Portable AM/FM Radio solar powered, hand crank,or batteries
21
Potable Water 3 gallons per person)
20
Extra Medications
16
Cash
14
Handheld " Walkie- Talkie" Radios with batteries
12
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-11
Item that is Readily Available
Responses
Important Family Photos /Documentation in a water and fire proof
container
8
What else is in your emergency kit? *
7
* Respondents noted the following additional items in their emergency kits: stove, water filter,
emergency rescue equipment, HAM radio, tent, bedding, tarps, lanterns, medical supplies, pet food,
water purifying tablets, clothing, fire wood, camping equipment, fire extinguisher, and tools
4. Respondents were asked if they were familiar with the special needs of their neighbors in the event
of a disaster situation.
• 18, or 64.3% of respondents, answered that they are not familiar with the special
needs of their neighbors.
• 10, or 35.7% of respondents, answered that they are familiar with the special needs
of their neighbors.
5. Respondents were asked if they are trained members of their Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT).
• 16, or 61.5% of respondents, indicated that they are part of CERT.
• 3, or 11.5% of respondents, indicated that they are not part of CERT, but would like to
learn more about CERT.
• 7, or 26.9% of respondents, indicated that they are not part of CERT and are not
interested in being a trained CERT member.
• 2 respondents skipped this question.
Respondents were asked to share why they are a trained CERT member or why they are not part of
CERT. The received responses are listed below:
• Going to attend CERT academy starting in February 2011. I am the co- coordinator of
Saratoga MRC now.
• I felt it was important to know and prepare for disaster, living in an area where it could strike
anytime
• My husband is trained through his employment and we have offered to be more involved in
our neighborhood.
• I wanted to help my family, then neighbors in the event of an earthquake. I was an RN in the
ER.
• I want to be able to help out our neighborhood and the community if disaster strikes.
• I initially took the training to help my family. Now, in addition, I want to help my neighbors
in the event of an emergency.
• I have two small kids and no extra time.
• Was in CERT, but left because I wasn't happy about the way it was being run.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 121-12
6. Respondents were asked what is the most important thing local government can do to help
communities be more prepared for a disaster. The following summarizes the 24 responses received:
• Citizen /City training and education
• Seismic warning systems
• Have each community start a local food bank
• Raise awareness about CERT
• Community outreach describing disaster preparedness
• Ensure disaster communication systems and warnings
• Help residents purchase disaster preparedness kits /supplies
• Maintain road infrastructure
7. Respondents were asked if they live in an apartment building or home with a living space above a
garage or parking area.
• 25, or 89.3% of respondents indicated that they do not live in an apartment or home
with living space above a garage or parking area.
• 3, or 10.7% of respondents, indicated that they do live in an apartment building or
home with living space above a garage or parking area.
Those respondents who indicated that they do live in an apartment building or home with living
space above the garage or parking area were asked to describe their level of concern for the building
to collapse in a large earthquake event. 2 respondents indicated "Moderate Concern".
8. Respondents who are homeowners were asked if they have adequate homeowners insurance to
cover the hazards that could impact their home. Below is a summary of responses:
Table 21 -3: Adequate Homeowners Insurance
Answer
Responses
Yes, my insurance coverage should be adequate
20
No, I don't believe my insurance coverage would be adequate for a major disaster
6
Unsure
0
I do not have an insurance policy
0
Not applicable, I rent my current residence
2
9. Respondents were asked if they have earthquake insurance. Below is a summary of responses:
Table 21 -4: Earthquake Insurance
Answer
Responses
Yes, I own my home and have earthquake insurance.
7
Yes, I rent my home and have earthquake insurance.
0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 21 -13
Answer
Responses
No, but I am interested in reviewing earthquake insurance options.
1
No, earthquake insurance is too expensive.
17
No, I do not need earthquake insurance.
2
10. Respondents were asked if they have flood insurance. Below is a summary of responses:
Table 21 -5: Flood Insurance
Answer
Responses
Yes, I own my home and have flood insurance.
4
Yes, I rent my home and have flood insurance.
0
No, but I am interested in reviewing flood insurance options.
4
No, I do not need flood insurance
20
11. Respondents indicated the following as additional insurance listed for their home or property:
• Fire
• Homeowners
• Umbrella
• Liability
• Property
12. Respondents were asked what they are doing to their property or within their home to reduce
future damage from the hazards identified above. Below is a summary of responses:
Table 21 -6: Property Changes to Reduce Future Damage from Hazards
Property Mitigation
Responses
Roof retrofit using fire resistant material
10
Seismic retrofit of the structure and/or foundation
8
Defensible space landscaping clear vegetation around house to reduce wildfire risk
8
Installed backflow prevention devices
6
Strengthened openings to reduce high hazard wind risk
3
Other *
2
House elevation or first floor modification to prevent flood damage
1
*The responses to "Other" were: "Secure fall over hazards, put child latches on cupboards" and
"New home"
13. Respondents were asked if they work in Santa Clara County.
• 21, or 75% of respondents, indicated that they do work in Santa Clara County.
• 7, or 25% of respondents, indicated that they do not work in Santa Clara County.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-14
14. Respondents were asked if their place of work is in an area susceptible to natural hazards.
Below is a list of natural hazards and responses from survey respondents:
Table 21 -7: Place of Work in Hazard Areas
Natural Hazard
Response
Earthquake fault zone
12
I don't know
6
Other *
5
Wildland urban interface wildfire risk area
3
High-risk flood zone
1
Liquefaction zone
1
Landslide risk area
0
* The responses to "Other" were: "Retired" and "There is a power relay station next door. Also, we
are near the airport."
15. Respondents were asked if their employer has a plan for disaster recovery in place.
• 11, or 52.4% of respondents, indicated that their employer does have a disaster
recovery plan in place.
• 4, or 19% of the respondents, indicated that their employer does not have a
disaster recovery plan in place.
• 6 respondents were unsure if their employer has a disaster recovery plan in place.
• 7 respondents skipped this question.
16. Respondents were asked if their employer has a workforce communications plan to implement
following a disaster so they may contact their employees.
• 12, or 57.1 % of respondents indicated that their employer does have a workforce
communications plan.
• 5, or 23.8% of respondents indicated that their employer does not have a workforce
communications plan.
• 4, or 19% of respondents indicated that they are unsure if their employer has a
workforce communications plan.
• 7 respondents skipped this question.
17. Respondents were asked to list any studies that they are aware of being conducted within their
community or the county regarding the risk to future hazard events. There were no responses to this
question.
18. Respondents were asked what recommendations they have for Santa Clara County and the
incorporated cities to improve identification, prioritization, and implementation of actions intended to
reduce future damage and increase resiliency. The following recommendations were received:
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-15
• Retrofit infrastructure
• Improve communications during a disaster
• Put power, cable, and phone lines underground
• Come up with an evacuation plan so the highways are not clogged
19. Respondents were asked to recommend any companies or local associations that should be
involved in the Santa Clara County hazard mitigation planning process. The recommended
organizations are listed below and were given the opportunity to review the draft plan as noted in the
following section.
• Santa Clara County Health Department
• Kaiser Santa Clara and Kaiser San Jose
20. Respondents were asked if they would like to review and comment on a draft of their
jurisdictions annex to the Multi - Jurisdictional Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• 9, or 37.5% of respondents said they would like to review and comment on the draft
plan.
• 15, or 62.5% of respondents said they would not like to review and comment on the
plan draft.
• 4 respondents skipped this question.
Seven respondents who said they would like to review and comment on the draft plan included their
contact information and were given the opportunity to review the draft plan as noted in the following
section.
21. Respondents were asked to provide any additional comments /suggestions /questions. The
responses are summarized below:
• We should plan for an Electromagnetic Pulse attack. See,
http:// www. onesecondafter. com/ pb /wp_d10e87d9 /wp_d10e87d9.html.
Review Opportunities
A review draft of this plan was submitted to Cal EMA on April 11, 2011 and subsequently forwarded
to FEMA for review and comment regarding compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
During this time the review draft was available for public review on the websites of the Santa Clara
County Office of Emergency Services and the Association of Bay Area Governments. Additionally,
the City posted a notification on the City's website regarding the availability of the plan for public
review. The review draft was emailed to members of the public who expressed interest in their online
survey responses. No comments were received on the review draft.
Copies of the website posting and email notification are included in Section 21.7, Saratoga
Attachment 1: Outreach Materials.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-16
21.3 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
21.3.1 Mitigation Progress
21.3.1.1 Strategy Ranking
The City of Saratoga participated in ABAG's revision of the regional strategies for development of
this annex. Appendix G of Taming Natural Hazards presents a summary list of mitigation strategies
with regional priorities and the hazards mitigated.
The City ranked those strategies in a spreadsheet provided by ABAG using the following scale:
Existing Program
Existing Program, Underfunded
Very High — Unofficial Program — Becomes Official on Plan Adoption, No Funding Needed
High — Actively Looking for Funding
Moderate
Under Study
Not Applicable, Not Appropriate, or Not Cost Effective
Not Yet Considered
Results of this ranking may be viewed online
at http: / /www.abag.ca. _off v/bayarea /eqmaps /mitigation/strateg,y.html. A summary of these rankings is
presented in Saratoga Attachment 2: Saratoga Strategies 2010, in Section 20.7.
The countywide Local Planning Team reviewed the priorities as ranked by the participating Santa
Clara County jurisdictions to determine the operational area goals and objectives. The City of
Saratoga's primary objectives are to minimize risk to earthquake, wildfire, and flood. New mitigation
actions the City of Saratoga has identified are discussed in Section 21.5.
21.3.1.2 Evaluation of Progress from 2005 Plan
Section
Sub - section
Mitigation
INFR -a-
8) Pre - position emergency power
The City purchased and installed two
Multihazard
generation capacity (or have
emergency generators for buildings that did
rental /lease agreements for these
not previously have back -up power.
generators) in critical buildings of
cities, counties, and special districts
to maintain continuity of government
and services.
INFR —d —
5)Pursue funding for the design and
Flooding
construction of storm drainage
In fiscal year 2010/11, the Santa Clara
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-17
Section I Sub- section I Mitigation
INFR -g-
Public
Education
HEAL — b —
Ancillary
Health -
Related
Facilities
GOVT —c—
Participate
in National,
State, Multi-
jurisdictional
and
Professional
Society
Efforts to
Identify and
Mitigate
Hazards
projects to protect vulnerable
properties, including property
acquisitions, upstream storage such
as detention basins, and channel
widening with the associated right -
of -way acquisitions, relocations, and
environmental mitigations
5) Facilitate and/or coordinate the
distribution of materials that are
prepared by others, such as by
placing materials in city or utility
newsletters, or on community access
channels as appropriate
3) Encourage these facility operators
to create, maintain, and /or continue
partnerships with local governments
to develop response and recovery
plans.
2) Recognize that emergency services
is more than the coordination of
police and fire response, for it also
includes planning activities with
providers of water, food, energy,
transportation, financial, information
and public health services.
21.3.2 Staff and Organizational Capabilities
21.3.2.1 Departmental Responsibilities
Valley Water District is undertaking a
project to prevent flooding in the Calabazas
Creek area, which will protect homes,
business and schools in parts of Saratoga.
In fiscal year 2009/10, the City of Saratoga
implemented a new website with a "news"
feature. We have regularly been posting
public education materials and notices on
the website.
In fiscal year 2009/10, the City of Saratoga
held a disaster preparedness table top
exercise in which City staff, and
representatives from two Fire Districts, the
Red Cross, Water system operators and
several ancillary health facilities
participated.
The City of Saratoga operates several departments with capabilities for implementing hazard
mitigation strategies. These departments and their roles and responsibilities are summarized in the
following table.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-18
Table 21 -8: Key Departments in the City of Saratoga
Departments
• Administrative Services
This department has responsibility for the general financial management of the City.
• City Manager's Office
The 5- member City Council provides overall policy direction, with the City Manager
responsible for implementing adopted City policies. The City Manager's office oversees the
following tasks: (Note: those related to hazard mitigation are highlighted)
o Animal control, under contract with the City of San Jose
• Cable television
• Community and intergovernmental relations
• Community relations and communications with other government entities
• Emergency preparedness
o Human resources
• Police services under contract with Santa Clara County
• Risk management
• Solid waste and recycling
• Volunteer services
• Community Development
The Community Development Department encompasses the Planning, Arborist, Building
and Code Enforcement Divisions.
• Planning
The primary responsibility of the Planning Division is Zoning Administration.
Zoning Administration encompasses all aspects of land development review,
including: keeping the City's Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances current and
effective; meeting and consulting with potential applicants regarding the
development review process; reviewing development proposals for consistency
with the City's Plans and Ordinances and forwarding recommendations to the
Planning Commission and City Council; plan- checking approved projects and
following through with on -site inspections; considering annexation requests,
and; analyzing County projects within the City's Sphere of Influence for
consistency with the City's Plans and Ordinances. The Planning Division also
includes Advance Planning responsibilities for planning assignments.
• Arborist
Not specifically related to hazard mitigation.
o Building and Code Enforcement
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P 121-19
The Building Inspection Division is responsible for administering the Uniform
Building Code requirements, both through the plan- checking and on -site
inspection process. The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for
enforcing the Municipal Code and for administering both special business
license and event permit requirements and parking fine and false alarm
collections.
• Public Works
Public Works oversees three divisions - Engineering, Streets, and Parks.
• Engineering
Reviews and manages construction of capital projects and the public's
development plans for engineering and geological oversight, and ensures the
City's environmental responsibilities are fulfilled
• Streets
Maintains the roadway systems, including streets, signals, lighting, and storm
drains
• Parks
Maintains the City's parks, trails, medians, right -of -ways, landscape districts
and City Hall
• Recreation & Facilities
This Department creates community through programs, camps, classes, teen
events, facility rentals, & theatre management.
With a clear hazard mitigation strategy, as outlined in this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, the City's
departments are able to implement their ongoing policies and programs with consideration of the
identified hazard risks. In addition, these departments become aware of priority mitigation actions
and can offer resources (financial or staffing) to assist with the implementation of those actions.
21.3.2.2 Technical Capability
For a successful mitigation program, it is necessary to have a diverse breadth of staff and technical
capabilities. Planners, engineers, building inspectors, emergency managers, floodplain managers,
people familiar with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and grant writers are all essential to
implementing mitigation actions. The following table summarizes the staffing capabilities available
within the City of Saratoga.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-20
Table 21 -9: Technical Capability Matrix
Technical Capability Matrix
Land Use Planners
Community Development
Emergency manager
City Manager's Office
Civil or Building Engineers
Public Works
Floodplain manager
Public Works
Staff knowledgeable about
hazards
City Manager's Office
GIS staff
Public Works
Grant writers
City Manager's Office; Public
Works
21.3.2.3 Fiscal Capability
The following summarizes Saratoga's fiscal capabilities in terms of the City's financial resources and
allocated spending. Property Tax and Capital Program Funding are the primary sources of Saratoga's
financial resources. The City has allocated the majority of financial resources to Salaries & Benefits,
Consultant & Contract Services, and Capital Improvements. These three categories are all relevant
for implementing hazard mitigation actions.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-21
TOTAL ]REVENUES & TRA-N-SFERS I-N-
BY CATEGORY
FY 2009/10 Revenues by Category
Propel- Tax
935,000
Sales & Use Tax
Franchise Fee Tax
1.7 39,000
Transient Occupancy Tax
1z-:,o.000
Business/ Other Taxes
,5.+x.5.00®
Fees, Ucen&&s 8, Pern-n-ts
1.328,750
Intergovernniental
631,39r
City* Services
1,711,531
Interest Income
341,2-00
REmtal Income
364,342
Other Sources
7358,210
Internal Service Cliaxges
2-173,00
C.apitad Fioo ice. Funding
6,361,1
IN m
*mmm� 1-d 14.090
Ftmd Transfer's In:
6,000spo '6poo'c'cp '00PP& le4ok-0,000
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a - e 121-22
ZI
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & TRANSFERS OUT
BY CATEGORY
Salaides &- Benefits
Materials Supplies
Fees &- C'liaarges
ConsWt S: Contract Ser -dees
ConunimiLy Gi--ants
Meetings, Event "kTraining
Firmed Assets
Debt Sen ice
Intenial Senice Cliarges
Capital Inipmvements
Fmid'h-crosfers Out:
FY 2009110 Expenditures by Category
o c ce OCP , OCP PPP
_ ] � Alp ,� X01 r„d
The funding values in the table below, along with the pie chart, are summarized from the City of
Saratoga Capital Improvements Plan. The hazard mitigation strategy as outlined in this Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan may be implemented as funding and staff resources allow.
Table 21 -10: Capital Improvements Spending
Capital Improvements
Spending
Streets
Parks &
Facility
Administrative
Jurisdiction
Program
Trails
Program
improvement
Total Budget
Program
Program
City of
Saratoga
6,605,289
3,146,220
1,153,969
219,773
11,125,251
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-23
CAPIT-U PROGRAM BUDGET BY PROJECT CATEGORY
Park &-Tin. A
Pl•0 #i-.1nY4
:28.3%
Facilih,
Administr -give
P1'o�i�w,
CAPITAL PROGRAm BUDGET BY FUND
CIP Facility
ILI
Fark - Tnail
Grant Fund.
1+_%
CIP Park
Trail Fum
14.01 o
mss'
CIP
Admillist ati'm-
FdLl d, 2.o%
st,ee 3
.26.2%
6.'2%
:s (31-mnt
,:25.2%
11
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-24
21.3.2.4 Policy or Program Capability
The City of Saratoga has several plans and ordinances in place which provide ample opportunities for
implementing the hazard mitigation strategy outlined in this plan.
21.3.2.4.1 Summary of Plans that Support Hazard Mitigation
Emergency Operations Plan
The City of Saratoga's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP):
• identifies hazards that exist in Saratoga and the likelihood that they will occur in the City,
• outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the municipality in its preparedness activities, and,
• guides the City and agencies through a response to any emergency and through the recovery
process of a disaster.
Two purposes of Saratoga's emergency plan are to enhance the development of Local Hazard
Mitigation Planning on an ongoing basis and to support collaboration efforts between municipal staff
and external partners such as fire services, law enforcement, utility organizations, colleges,
community groups, and volunteers. The plan is designed to address the needs of all people located in
Saratoga when a disaster happens. An outline of the EOP as it relates to hazard mitigation is
provided below.
Hazard Analysis- The EOP ranks hazards by their likelihood to occur in Saratoga and the severity of
the hazard if it were to occur. The hazards listed in the EOP include: aviation disaster, civil
disturbance, earthquake, extreme weather /storm, floods, landslides, HAZMAT, heat wave, public
health emergency, terrorism, transportation- highway, wildfire /forest fire.
Prevention & Mitigation- The EOP lists hazard specific mitigation actions to take in order to reduce
the severity of damage that may result from the hazards listed above. The hazards and the hazard
specific mitigation actions are listed below.
Earthquake
0 Inspect all structures for non - structural hazards and mitigate them
O Provide Personal Emergency Preparedness training to City employees and
volunteer responders
O Continue community education efforts
2. Wildfire
0 Promote approved messages about fire safety and vegetation management in
vulnerable areas
0 Perform specific weed and brush abatement actions per City Council
resolution
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-25
3. Flood
0 Regularly inspect storm drains and keep clean
4. Heat Wave
0 Supervisors of City employees must ensure that employees receive sufficient
breaks and water if working outdoors
0 Cooling centers are promoted to the public
Public Health Hazards
0 During outbreaks of contagious disease follow directions from the County
Public Health Department
0 Encourage social distancing and proper hygiene
0 Ill employees must be sent home or to medical care
0 Increase the availability of public education campaigns
0 Encourage school surveillance processes
Hazardous Materials
0 Encourage familiarity with MSDS binders in the workplace
0 Train staff to store, use, and dispose of hazardous materials properly
0 Promote safe disposal of hazardous materials in the community
0 Promote education in large population buildings, shopping centers and
schools regarding the Shelter in Place protocol for hazardous materials
emergencies
7. Terrorism
0 Train staff to recognize suspicious packages and /or boxes, particularly those
who process the mail.
0 Train residents to be aware of the surroundings and to be willing to report
suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Office
Preparedness- The Preparedness section of the EOP details the City of Saratoga emergency
organization, including the role of the Disaster Council, City Council, Mayor, and Director of
Emergency Services. The plan also details the organization and roles of other City agencies and
volunteers working in the field and at emergency operations centers. The organization and role of
Santa Clara County, the State of California, and federal agencies is also documented in this plan.
The Preparedness section also provides brief explanations of other hazard mitigation related
documents; such as a Heat Wave Plan, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Saratoga Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) Operations Plan and Communications Plan, Point of
Distribution Plan, Terrorism/WMD Plan, and a Volunteer Management Plan. Preparing and
educating the public is deemed a responsibility of the American Red Cross, Saratoga CERT, and
Santa Clara County Fire Department in this section of the plan. Also, methods to protect vital
records by using a backup system are documented. The City of Saratoga has designated the areas to
the west of Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and south of Highway 9 as a high fire hazard area. New
construction in that area must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A, which requires fire
safe construction standards. A Weed and Brush Abatement program, requiring property owners to
clear weeds and brush, also exists in Saratoga in an effort to reduce the risk of wildfire.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-26
Response- The response section of Saratoga's EOP defines three levels of emergency that can be
declared in the City and describes when the EOP and/or Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) are
activated. The location and functions of the EOCs in Saratoga are listed in this section.
Recovery- The mitigation aspect of recovery operations is critical in reducing or eliminating disaster
related property damage and loss of lives from reoccurring. The immediate post- disaster period
presents a rare opportunity for mitigation. During this time, officials and citizens are more
responsive to mitigation recommendations, and unique opportunities to rebuild or redirect
development may be available. Recovery plans would benefit from addressing mitigation planning
as part of the recovery process. Changes in building codes, variances or set -backs in construction,
zoning (to reduce types of construction in high hazard areas), and relocation or removal of structures
from high hazard zones are some forms of mitigation that may aid in hazard mitigation in the future.
General Plan
The General Plan charts the future of the City as expressed by the citizens and consists of goals,
policies, action programs, area plans, and basic information regarding the City of Saratoga.
Saratoga's General Plan facilitates hazard mitigation in several ways. Following is a brief summary
of three General Plan Elements highlighting the capabilities for implementing and supporting hazard
mitigation.
Safety Element
The City of Saratoga recognizes within the Safety Element that public safety is the overarching goal
in all new land -use planning in order to mitigate natural hazards. Housing development within
Saratoga is designed with safety as a priority being maintained through regular building safety
inspections. The community has identified its priority safety concerns, such as ensuring that gas,
water and sewer leaks are identified and are cleaned up. Precautions are undertaken for emergency
workers, in order to reduce exposure to toxic substances in the event of an emergency. Precautionary
planning is integrated into all the City's planning in order to mitigate future risk. The Safety Element
is an integral component of Saratoga's policy. No development will be permitted without an
individual site - specific geotechnical investigation to determine soil stability, location of rift zones
and the potential for other localized geotechnical problems. An early warning fire alarm system will
be installed in all new single and multi - family dwellings. The city continues to enforce flood control
regulations. It cooperates with the Santa Clara Valley Water District in regards to projects which
impact floodways, in order mitigate the impact of development on flood hazards.
Land Use Element
The city's land use planning policies, as outlined in the Land Use Element, address future growth
with the consideration of hazard mitigation. Rezoning has supplemented existing zoning code
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-27
provisions to meet the demand for temporary shelters. The Land Use Element notes that all future
land use and planning shall be in accordance with mitigation of public safety hazards, such as natural
hazards impacted through increased development. The City of Saratoga aims to employ a wise use of
natural resources to avoid natural hazards. These uses include agriculture, mineral extraction, parks
and low intensity recreational facilities, land in its natural state, wildlife refuges and very low
intensity residential development.
Housing Element
Housing in the City of Saratoga aims to address risks through use of appropriate building materials
and site location and regular inspection. The city has a Building Inspection Division which is
responsible for administering the Uniform Building Code requirements. This occurs through the
plan- checking and on -site inspection processes. The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for
enforcing the Municipal Code and for administering both special business license and event permit
requirements and parking fine and false alarm collections. The City of Saratoga's building and fire
codes support hazard mitigation. The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and
Community Rating System. The city has facilities and infrastructure in place for the construction and
availability of emergency housing. Lines of communication have been developed and established to
work with appropriate federal agencies in order to obtain housing resources in the event of an
emergency. Accommodations have been made for rehabilitation to fair and low - income housing in
order to maintain residences in line with safety standards. The City aims to "assist low - income
property owners in improving substandard dwelling units ". High risk development areas will be
limited to development in order to protect the environment and public health. The City requires
installation of an early warning fire alarm system for all new housing. Future housing on hillsides
shall implement grading along natural contours to avoid erosion, flooding slides and other hazards.
Class "A" roof materials will be used in high fire zones to reduce risk. In addition, new development
shall incorporate materials which take into account seismic concerns.
Floodplain Man agem en t Plan
In an effort to reduce the risk of loss of life, health, and property due to periodic flood inundation, the
City of Saratoga has developed a floodplain management plan. The plan is designed to minimize the
expenditure of public money for flood control projects, the need for rescue and relief efforts, business
interruptions, and damage to public facilities and utilities. The floodplain management plan also
ensures that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard and that
those who occupy property in those areas are held responsible for their actions. A floodplain
administrator is responsible for the enforcement of this plan.
To reduce flood losses, the plan includes methods and provisions to control the alteration of natural
floodplains, stream channels, and protective barriers; to control filling, grading, dredging and other
development that can increase flood damage; to regulate the construction of flood barriers which can
divert flood waters or increase flood hazards in other areas; and to require that uses vulnerable to
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-28
floods be protected against flood damage at the time of their construction. One of the provisions of
this plan is that a development permit must be obtained before any construction or development
begins and that certain construction standards, such as anchoring, building with flood resistant
materials, and elevating and floodproofing, are required within an area of special flood hazard. The
plan also enforces that new and replacement water and sanitary sewage systems should be designed
to minimize flood water infiltration and discharge into flood waters. Standards are also included for
subdivisions and manufactured homes.
Capital Improvements Plan
There are several projects listed within the City of Saratoga's Capital Improvements Plan,
particularly in the Streets Program section, the Facility Projects Section, and the Administrative
Projects Section, that may contribute to implementation of the mitigation strategy.
Streets Program- The Streets Program includes projects that develop and maintain the City's
roadway system to provide safe and efficient traffic flows, street lighting for traffic safety,
development and maintenance of street surfaces, storm drain systems, curbs, gutters and
sidewalks, bridges and retaining walls, and utility undergrounding. Street repair and resurfacing
keeps the streets in good condition and reduces liability expenses caused by roads in poor
condition. Roadway safety projects and traffic calming are focused on reducing driver speed and
making pedestrians more visible in order to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the City.
Improvement to storm drains can mitigate the damage caused by floods, such as sink holes in
roadways, damage to private property, and soil erosion. Improvement to and installation of
sidewalk curbs, particularly vertical curbs that provide greater control of runoff water flow, can
also reduce the potential for flooding and flood damage. Repairs to bridges and retaining walls
can increase safety for pedestrians and vehicle users. Utility undergrounding projects, moving
overhead utilities underground, can reduce safety risks associated with downed power lines.
Fallen power lines can be especially problematic during winter storms.
Facilities Project Section- The Facilities Project Section includes projects for purchasing,
constructing or making capital repairs to City buildings, structures and equipment. The city -
owned buildings that are funded by these projects include the civic center, Saratoga Prospect
Center, Village Historical Park, and the library building. Repairs include installing alarm
systems, security locks, and general maintenance and improvements. Ongoing maintenance and
improvements helps to prevent larger problems and costs associated with deferred maintenance,
and increases the longevity of City facilities. Safety - related maintenance reduces liability
expenses.
Administrative Improvement Projects Section- The Administrative Improvement Projects
Section includes projects designed to improve the City's information technology infrastructure
and communication systems. Upgrading the City's telecommunication system from PBX to
Voice over Internet Protocol is expected to increase the reliability of the City's phone system.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-29
This added reliability will be especially important during emergency situations. The City has
also purchased and installed an emergency power supply to provide power to the City's server
room and the building during power outages. This project will ensure that City operations
remain active during power outages and it is especially critical during emergency situations.
21.3.2.4.2 Summary of Ordinances that Support Hazard Mitigation
Table 21 -11: Availability of Ordinances that Support Hazard Mitigation
The City of Saratoga identified several ordinances and policies currently utilized for hazard
mitigation in the matrix of regional mitigation strategies prepared by ABAG as part of the 2010 plan
update. Below is a summary of these key ordinances and policies.
Floodplain Management Ordinance
The City of Saratoga has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since 1973. The City
of Saratoga filed NFIP Regular Program (with base flood elevation) biennial reports for calendar
year 2007 and 2008 (filed in 2009). In 1996, the City's Municipal Code Article 16 -66 Flood Plain
Management via City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 71 -167. The City of Saratoga utilizes
digital flood insurance rate maps, flood insurance studies, and other studies supplied by applicants
when developing properties located in flood hazard areas to regulate development in flood hazard
areas. The City has no repetitive flood loss properties.
Ordinance 256
Ordinance 256 adds Articles 16 -16 and 16 -17; repeals and replaces Articles 16 -15 and 16- 20 -16-
35. Article 16 -16 relates to repair and reconstruction, and Article 16 -17 relates to excavation and
grading. The California Building Standard Code does not provide for damaged structures to be
repaired or reconstructed to a structurally safe level, accounting for upgrades in wind and seismic
standards. The ability to repair structures based upon the most recent industry knowledge is
necessary to prevent or mitigate unnecessary future damage or injury. Therefore, Article 16 -16 is
added and referred to as the `Repair and Reconstruction Code'. The City of Saratoga's dense
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-30
.N
ti
v
Ln
to Z3
U
o
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to
to
O
O O
A O
City of
Saratoga
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
NO
The City of Saratoga identified several ordinances and policies currently utilized for hazard
mitigation in the matrix of regional mitigation strategies prepared by ABAG as part of the 2010 plan
update. Below is a summary of these key ordinances and policies.
Floodplain Management Ordinance
The City of Saratoga has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since 1973. The City
of Saratoga filed NFIP Regular Program (with base flood elevation) biennial reports for calendar
year 2007 and 2008 (filed in 2009). In 1996, the City's Municipal Code Article 16 -66 Flood Plain
Management via City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 71 -167. The City of Saratoga utilizes
digital flood insurance rate maps, flood insurance studies, and other studies supplied by applicants
when developing properties located in flood hazard areas to regulate development in flood hazard
areas. The City has no repetitive flood loss properties.
Ordinance 256
Ordinance 256 adds Articles 16 -16 and 16 -17; repeals and replaces Articles 16 -15 and 16- 20 -16-
35. Article 16 -16 relates to repair and reconstruction, and Article 16 -17 relates to excavation and
grading. The California Building Standard Code does not provide for damaged structures to be
repaired or reconstructed to a structurally safe level, accounting for upgrades in wind and seismic
standards. The ability to repair structures based upon the most recent industry knowledge is
necessary to prevent or mitigate unnecessary future damage or injury. Therefore, Article 16 -16 is
added and referred to as the `Repair and Reconstruction Code'. The City of Saratoga's dense
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-30
population is located in an area of high seismic activity and steep slopes susceptible to erosion. The
provisions in the 2007 California Building Code provide only general direction and therefore Article
16 -17 `Excavation and Grading Code' is added. It addresses areas of critically expansive soil and
other unstable soil conditions which create a need for soil retention and diversion or increased flow
of surface waters, particularly on steep slopes.
Ordinance 71 -167
This ordinance repeals and replaces article 16 -66 relating to floodplain management. The revised
article includes methods and provisions to:
(a)Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or
erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities;
(b)Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected
against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(c)Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers,
which help accommodate or channel flood waters;
(d)Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and
(e)Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or
which may increase flood hazards in other areas.
Ordinance 71 -193
Ordinance 71 -193 amends Articles, 16 -05, 16 -15, 16 -20, 16 -25, 16 -30, 16 -35, 16 -40 and 16 -45, of
the Saratoga Code of Ordinances. And adopts "by reference the following building standards codes
comprising part of the California building standards code: The 1997 editions of the uniform building
code as amended, the uniform fire code as amended, the uniform plumbing code, the uniform
mechanical code as amended, the 1996 edition of the national electrical code and the 1997 editions of
the uniform housing code as amended and the abatement of hazardous buildings code, as amended..."
Ordinance 215
Ordinance 215 adds Sections 16- 15.065 and 16- 15.095; amends Sections 16- 15.010, 16- 15.030, 16-
25.010, 16- 35.010 and Article 16 -30; and repeals Section 16- 05.020. These articles include the
General Provisions for Building Regulations, Building Code, Fire Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical
Code, Electrical Code, Housing Code, and Abatement of Dangerous Building Code. Some of the
general implications of this ordinance include the following: California Building Standards Code
became effective for the City of Saratoga; the City of Saratoga has the right to amend the California
Building Standards Code where amendments are necessary because of local conditions; adoption of
the 2001 California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes; defines types of
construction, correct designations and references in the Saratoga City Code.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-31
21.3.3 National Flood Insurance Program
For decades, the national response to flood disasters was simply to provide disaster relief to flood
victims. Funded by citizen tax dollars, this approach failed to reduce losses and didn't provide a way
to cover the damage costs of all flood victims. To compound the problem, the public generally
couldn't buy flood coverage from insurance companies, because private insurance companies
consider floods too costly to insure. In the face of mounting flood losses and escalating costs of
disaster relief to U.S. taxpayers, Congress established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The goals of the program are to reduce future flood damage through floodplain management, and to
provide people with flood insurance. Community participation in the NFIP is voluntary.
The City of Saratoga has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since 1973. All
residents of the City are eligible to purchase federal flood insurance. The City of Saratoga filed NFIP
Regular Program (with base flood elevation) biennial reports for calendar year 2007 and 2008 (filed
in 2009). In 1996, the City's Municipal Code Article 16 -66 Flood Plain Management was
implemented via City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 71 -167.
The City of Saratoga utilizes digital flood insurance rate maps, flood insurance studies, and other
studies supplied by applicants when developing properties located in flood hazard areas to regulate
development in flood hazard areas.
21.3.3.1 Community Rating System (CRS)
The CRS is a voluntary part of the National Flood Insurance Program that seeks to coordinate all
flood - related activities, reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance rating, and promote public
awareness of flood insurance by creating incentives for a community to go beyond minimum
floodplain management requirements. The incentives are in the form of insurance premium
discounts. CRS ratings are on a 10 -point scale (from 10 to 1, with 1 being the best rating), with
residents of the community who live within FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) receiving
a 5% reduction in flood insurance rates for every Class improvement in the community's CRS rating.
The City of Saratoga has not joined the Community Rating System.
21.3.3.2 Repetitive Loss Properties
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) insures properties against flooding losses
in the Bay Area through the National Flood Insurance Program.
As part of the process to reduce or eliminate repetitive flooding to structures across the United
States, FEMA has developed an official Repetitive Loss Strategy. The purpose behind the
national strategy is to identify, catalog, and propose mitigation measures to reduce flood losses to
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-32
the relatively few number of structures that absorb the majority of the premium dollars from the
national flood insurance fund.
A repetitive loss property is defined by FEMA as "a property for which two or more
National Flood Insurance Program losses of at least $1,000 each have been paid within any 10-
year period since 1978."
The City of Saratoga has no repetitive flood loss properties.
Source: htip:H quake. abag .ca.gov /mitigation/floodloss/
21.3.4 Resource List:
Documents used in the assembly of this Capability Assessment include: City website, City FY09 /10
Budget, Capital Improvements Budget, Emergency Operations Plan, General Plan, Floodplain
Management Plan, Capital Improvements Plan, Ordinance 256, Ordinance 71 -167, Ordinance 71-
193, and Ordinance 215.
21.4 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
21.4.1 Critical Facilities
During the development of this 2011 annex, the City identified 27 critical facilities and provided this
list to ABAG in participation with the regional planning process. A summary listing of these
facilities is shown in Table 21 -12.
Table 21 -12: City of Saratoga Critical Facilities
Facility Name
Address
Critical Function
MUSEUM
20450 SARATOGA AVE
CONCESSION /RSTRM
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
RESTROOM FACILITY
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
RESTROOM FACILITY
RESTROOM
20764 FOURTH ST
RESTROOM FACILITY
MODULAR A
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
WARNER HUTN BLDG
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
KITCHEN & RESTROOM
FACILITY
CITY HALL /NEW WING
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
KITCHEN & RESTROOM
FACILITY /IT SERVER ROOM
THEATER
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
LARGE GROUP MEETING
CONG SPR STRG
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-33
Facility Name
Address
Critical Function
PROSPECT CENTER,
FRIENDSHIP HALL
19848 PROSPECT ROAD
KITCHEN & RESTROOM
FACILITY /LARGE GROUP
MEETING /SHELTER
PROSPECT CENTER,
GRACE BUILDING
19848 PROSPECT ROAD
RESTROOM FACILITY
CARETAKER CTAGE
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
PUMPHOUSE
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
CULTURAL EXCHANG
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
HAKONE PK OFFICE
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
COMMUNITY CNTR
19655 ALLENDALE AVE
KITCHEN & RESTROOM
FACILITY /LARGE GROUP
MEETING /SHELTER
CORP YARD
19700 ALLENDALE AVE
RESTROOM FACILITY /TOOLS &
EQUIPMENT /FUEL STORAGE
RESTROOM
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
RESTROOM FACILITY
STORAGE BLDG
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
OLD LIBRARY
14410 OAK STREET
CITY HALL
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
RESTROOM
FACILITY /ALTERNATE EOC
LIBRARY
13650 SARATOGA AVE
RESTROOM
FACILITY /MEETING ROOMS
FIRE STATION /ADMIN OFF.
14380 SARATOGA AVE
CITY EOC
This list of critical facilities and available information for them is available digitally in an excel
spreadsheet from the City. A complete printing of the critical facilities data is included in Saratoga
Attachment 3: Saratoga Exposure Analysis.
21.4.2 Exposure Analysis
Exposure analyses are used to quantify assets which are "exposed" to risk. This is the first step
towards understanding the complete value of assets at risk to identified hazards. This section includes
an exposure analysis (discussion of assets at risk) for the profiled hazards in Section 4.
Overlay analyses (using GIS) were conducted for the mappable hazards such as wildfire, flood, and
the earthquake related hazards. These analyses compare the location of the critical facilities with the
mapped hazard area (i.e. floodplains, wildfire threat zones, shaking potential areas, etc.) and result in
a listing of which facilities are at most risk to which hazard. Not all hazards are mappable and some
hazards, such as drought, are equally likely throughout the entire County. For these hazards, a
general exposure summary is presented in Section 21.4.2.1.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a wr c 121-34
21.4.2.1 General Exposure
ABAG's website (hqp://quake.abag.ca.gov/mitigation/landuse/) presents the results of the regional
exposure analysis through a searchable online database. Users can view the summaries of land use
and infrastructure exposed to the mappable hazards. This section presents the general summary of
landuse and infrastructure in the City of Saratoga. These should be considered at risk to the hazards
of equal likelihood throughout the entire County geography (i.e. drought, extreme heat,
thunderstorm, etc).
JURISDICTION: Saratoga
COUNTY: Santa Clara
HAZARD: Land Use
BASIS: Existing Land Use, 2005 using 2009 hazard mapping
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 21 -35
Total Acres
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL LAND [excluding mixed use]:
5,302
1 unit /1 -5 acre lot Rural Residential
1,793
1 -3 units /acre
1,515
3 -8 units /acre
1,923
>8 units /acre
71
Mobile Home Parks
0
TOTAL MIXED RESIDENTIAL /COMMERCIAL:
5
Within a Land Area
0
Within a Building
0
Mixture of Above or Unknown
5
TOTAL MIXED COMMERCIALANDUSTRIAL:
0
TOTAL INDUSTRIAL [excluding mixed]:
8
Light Industrial
7
Heavy Industrial
0
Salva e /Rec lin , Mixture or Unknown
0
Food Processing, Warehousing
0
TOTAL MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE:
1,096
Roads, Highway and Related Facilities
1,077
Rail Stations, Yards and Related Facilities
0
Airports
0
Ports
0
Power Facilities
0
Municipal Wastewater Facilities
0
Municipal Water Supply Facilities
0
Communication Facilities
19
Infrastructure -- Other, Unknown
0
TOTAL MILITARY:
0
Military Residential
0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 21 -35
Military Hospital
0
Military Communications
0
Military Airport or Port
0
General Military
0
Open Military Lands
0
Closed Military Facilities
0
TOTAL COMMERCIAL /SERVICES [excluding mixed]:
469
Subtotal - Commercial:
124
Retail/Wholesale
41
Research/Office
37
Comm. Outdoor Recreation
5
Other, Mixture or Unknown
41
Subtotal- Education:
276
Educational Offices and Day Care
0
Elementary/Secondary
140
Colleges/Universities
135
Stadium Facilities
0
University Housing
0
Day Care Facilities
l
Subtotal-Hospitals and Health Care
3
Trauma Center Hospitals
0
Community or Local Hospitals
3
Surgery Centers
0
State Prisons
0
State Mental Health Facilities
0
Clinics and Long-Term Care
0
Subtotal- Public Institutions:
65
Convention Centers
0
Sports Stadiums
0
Churches/Synagogues/Other
40
City Halls/County Administration
25
Local Jails
0
Local Police/Fire/Emergency
0
Other -Comm. Centers /Libraries
0
TOTAL URBAN OPEN:
364
Golf Courses
48
Racetracks
0
Campgrounds and Other
0
Cemeteries
11
Parks
118
Vacant -- Cleared for Redevelopment
0
Vacant—Undeveloped
176
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 21 -36
Mixed Urban Open, Including Parks
10
TOTAL AGRICULTURE:
93
Cropland and Pasture
3
Orchards/Groves/Vineyards
90
Greenhouses
0
Confined Feeding
0
Farmsteads and Inactive
0
TOTAL RANGELAND:
265
Herbaceous Range
171
Shrub and Brush
94
Mixed Range
0
TOTAL WETLANDS [Based on USGS Mapping]:
0
Forested
0
Non - Forested
0
Salt Evaporators
0
Wetlands -- Unknown
0
TOTAL FOREST LAND:
186
Deciduous
4
Evergreen
172
Mixed Forest
10
TOTAL SPARSELY VEGETATED:
0
Beaches
0
Other Sand
0
Bare Rock
0
Mines /Quarries
0
Transitional -- Landfills
0
Transitional - -Other
0
Transitional -- Mixture
0
Mixed Sparsely Vegetated
0
Total Acres
TOTAL URBAN LAND:
7,243
TOTAL NON -URBAN LAND:
544
GRAND TOTAL:
7,787
Source: Association of Bay Area Governments, 2009.
Note: Because of independent rounding, subcategories may not add to totals.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-37
JURISDICTION: Saratoga
COUNTY: Santa Clara
HAZARD: Land Use
BASIS: Existing Infrastructure, 2009
Source: Association of Bay Area Governments, 2009.
Miles of pipeline is an approximation based on miles of road within water service area
boundaries and does not include major auqeducts.
Miles of pipeline is miles of water pipelines. Miles of sewer pipelines should be
approximately the same.
Note: Because of independent rounding, subcategories may not add to totals.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 21 -38
Total Miles
ROADS:
186
Interstate Highway
5
Prima US /State Highway
0
Secondary State /Co Highway
32
Local Road
143
Misc Ram /Road
6
TRANSIT:
0
Altamont Commuter Express ACE
0
Amtrak
0
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
0
Caltrain
0
San Francisco Muni Metro
0
Santa Clara VTA
0
RAIL:
3
All Railroads
3
PIPELINES:
165
Pipelines Under Roads
165
Source: Association of Bay Area Governments, 2009.
Miles of pipeline is an approximation based on miles of road within water service area
boundaries and does not include major auqeducts.
Miles of pipeline is miles of water pipelines. Miles of sewer pipelines should be
approximately the same.
Note: Because of independent rounding, subcategories may not add to totals.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 21 -38
21.4.2.2 Critical Facilities Exposure by Hazard
ABAG's website (http: / /quake.abag.ca ovg /mitigation/cf2O10 /) presents the results of the regional
facilities exposure analysis through a searchable online database. Users can view the summaries of
how many facilities are exposed to the mappable hazards by category: health care facilities, schools,
critical facilities, and bridges /interchanges. For the purposes of developing a City specific mitigation
strategy, this section identifies which of the City's critical facilities are located in the mapped hazard
areas.
The complete results from ABAG's exposure analysis are available digitally in an excel spreadsheet
from the City. A complete printing of these results is included in Saratoga Attachment 3: Saratoga
Exposure Analysis.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-39
21.4.2.2.1 Earthquake Related Hazards
Ground Shaking
Source: CA Department of Conservation
25 -26
Peak
Legend
Map
Saratoga Critical Facilities
Saratoga C dy Li m its
Bldg Insured
— Maj or Roads
Number
Shaking Potential
Address
!o G
6-g
240-250%
230-240%
0220-230%
14410 OAK
210 - 220%
5
-200 -210%
- 5
- 190 - 200%
STREET
-180 -190%
-
- 170 -180%
1g
160 -170%
4�
- 150 -160%
_
- 140 -150%
2
- 130 -140%
_ . -_'.27
-120 -130%
45
110 -120%
.16. -24
-100 -110%
19655
-90 -100%
g0ae,nYJa -_
-80 -90%
— 1E5
-70 -50%
g5
-M -70%
50-60%
40-50%
0%
3
20 -3] -30%
Avenue
-10 -20%
$3,308,565
$233,730
0
Source: CA Department of Conservation
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-40
Peak
Contents
Map
Acceleration
Bldg Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
%G
Value
Value
14410 OAK
1
OLD LIBRARY
STREET
155
$368,150
$0
20764 FOURTH
2
RESTROOM
Street
155
$36,383
$0
19655
COMMUNITY
ALLENDALE
3
CNTR
Avenue
135
$3,308,565
$233,730
19700
ALLENDALE
4
CORP YARD
Avenue
135
$595,000
$37,486
5
LIBRARY
13650
145
$2,369,417
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-40
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-41
Peak
Contents
Map
Acceleration
Bldg Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
( %G)
Value
Value
SARATOGA
Avenue
PRK/RSTRM /S
12970 GLEN
6
NKBR
BRAE Drive
125
$158,760
$0
CONG SPR
12970 GLEN
7
STRG
BRAE Drive
125
$23,814
$0
CONGSPR
12970 GLEN
8
SCRKEEP
BRAE Drive
125
$16,758
$0
CONCESSION/
12970 GLEN
9
RSTRM
BRAE Drive
125
$110,853
$0
13777
FRUITVALE
10
CITY HALL
Avenue
145
$2,694,621
$340,674
13777
FRUITVALE
11
MODULAR A
Avenue
145
$30,000
$0
13777
WARNER
FRUITVALE
12
HUTN BLDG
Avenue
145
$369,000
$0
CITY
13777
HALL/NEW
FRUITVALE
13
WING
Avenue
145
$1,035,729
$340,673
13777
FRUITVALE
14
THEATER
Avenue
145
$0
$0
20450
SARATOGA
15
MUSEUM
Avenue
135
$222,000
$0
MAIN
21000 BIG
16
HOUSE /PARK
BASIN WAY
135
$185,220
$5,513
GRDN
21000 BIG
17
PRK/EXHIBIT
BASIN WAY
135
$267,908
$4,961
21000 BIG
18
RESTROOM
BASIN WAY
155
$36,383
$0
CARETAKER
21000 BIG
19
CTAGE
BASIN WAY
135
$195,000
$0
21000 BIG
20
PUMPHOUSE
BASIN WAY
135
$7,938
$0
STORAGE
21000 BIG
21
BLDG
BASIN WAY
135
$13,561
$0
GARAGE /GIFT
21000 BIG
22
SHOP
BASIN WAY
135
$13,561
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-41
All facilities are at risk to "Extreme" perceived shaking and "Very Heavy" potential damage.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-42
Peak
Contents
Map
Acceleration
Bldg Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
( %G)
Value
Value
CULTURAL
21000 BIG
23
EXCHANG
BASIN WAY
135
$1,164,578
$0
HAKONE PK
21000 BIG
24
OFFICE
BASIN WAY
135
$30,165
$0
19848
N. CAMPUS
PROSPECT
25
ADMIN BLDNG
ROAD
125
$0
$0
19848
N. CAMPUS
PROSPECT
26
FELLOWSHIP
ROAD
125
$0
$0
FIRE
14380
STATION /ADM
SARATOGA
27
IN OFF.
Avenue
155
$6,000,000
$250,000
All facilities are at risk to "Extreme" perceived shaking and "Very Heavy" potential damage.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-42
Soft Story Multi- Family Dwellings
In 2003, the Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation at San Jose State University completed an
"Inventory of Soft -First Story Multi - Family Dwellings in Santa Clara County ". At that time, the city
of Saratoga had 9 soft -first story multi - family buildings including 262 residential units housing 655
occupants. Figure 21 -1 below identifies the locations of these buildings.
Inventory of Soft -First Story Multi - Family Dwellings
City of Saratoga
.&Yco
I 1
-� `•` &C
COX_
Q ff
! I 1
Imo'•
yl�,r I I
- IL
7
y
0.6 0 0.6 1.2 Riles
Hgh density (more than 30)
0 Med density (10 - 29)
Law density (less than 101
0 City Outline
A'', /Streets Santa Clara
E
S
Map produced by
Collaborative for DisasterMitigation
June 3. 2003
Figure 21 -1: Inventory of Soft -First Story Multi- Family Dwellings- City of Saratoga
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
- - 121-43
Earthquake Induced Liquefaction
Source: Santa Clara Planning Office
There are no critical facilities within the Liquefaction Susceptibility areas in the City of Saratoga.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-44
Surface Rupture
Source: CA Geological Survey, State of CA Department of Conservation
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-45
With Fault
Rupture
Bldg
Contents
Map
Hazard
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
Zone
Value
Value
12970 GLEN BRAE
6
PRK/RSTRM /SNKBR
Drive
Yes
$158,760
$0
12970 GLEN BRAE
7
CONG SPR STRG
Drive
Yes
$23,814
$0
12970 GLEN BRAE
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
Drive
Yes
$16,758
$0
12970 GLEN BRAE
9
CONCESSION/RSTRM
Drive
Yes
$110,853
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-45
Earthquake Induced Landslides
Saratoga • Landslide Hazard Zones
W
25 -26
6 -9
i
15
• 15
•10 -14
'2
i •27
1
16 -2
R ;94asin 44a
Legend
Saratoga Critical Facilities
Saratoga City Limits
- Major Roads
Landslide Hazard Zones
Source: Santa Clara Planning Office, CA State Department of Conservation
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-46
Within
Landslide
Bldg
Contents
Map
Hazard
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
Zone
Value
Value
21000 BIG BASIN
16
MAIN HOUSE/PARK
WAY
Yes
$185,220
$5,513
21000 BIG BASIN
17
GRDN PRK/EXHIBIT
WAY
Yes
$267,908
$4,961
21000 BIG BASIN
18
RESTROOM
WAY
Yes
$39,690
$0
CARETAKER
21000 BIG BASIN
19
CTAGE
WAY
Yes
$195,000
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
20
PUMPHOUSE
WAY
Yes
$7,938
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
21
STORAGE BLDG
WAY
Yes
$13,561
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-46
21.4.2.2.2 Infrastructure Failure
The City of Saratoga does not have any additional unique concerns or vulnerabilities regarding the
hazard of infrastructure failure as presented in Section 4.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-47
Within
Landslide
Bldg
Contents
Map
Hazard
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
Zone
Value
Value
21000 BIG BASIN
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
WAY
Yes
$13,561
$0
CULTURAL
21000 BIG BASIN
23
EXCHANG
WAY
Yes
$1,164,578
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
WAY
Yes
$30,165
$0
21.4.2.2.2 Infrastructure Failure
The City of Saratoga does not have any additional unique concerns or vulnerabilities regarding the
hazard of infrastructure failure as presented in Section 4.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-47
21.4.2.2.3 Wildfire
saratoga critical Zones
x
W
e
25 -26
�4
— 6 -9
15
i 5
• 016 -14 asi
4
2 _27,
1
16 -24
F3ig easi g, ^�;� D�
Legend
Saiato ga Critii F—liti.
Saiato ga City Li m6
— Major Roads
Fire H azard Zones
Hazard Class
-High High
-
High
OModerate
Source: CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-48
Fire
Bldg
Contents
Map
Hazard
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
Zone
Value
Value
Very
2
RESTROOM
20764 FOURTH Street
High
$36,383
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
16
MAIN HOUSE/PARK
WAY
High
$185,220
$5,513
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
17
GRDN PRK/EXHIBIT
WAY
High
$267,908
$4,961
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
18
RESTROOM
WAY
High
$36,383
$0
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
$195,000
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-48
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-49
Fire
Bldg
Contents
Map
Hazard
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
Zone
Value
Value
WAY
High
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
20
PUMPHOUSE
WAY
High
$7,938
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
21
STORAGE BLDG
WAY
High
$13,561
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
WAY
High
$13,561
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
Very
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
WAY
High
$30,165
$0
CULTURAL
21001 BIG BASIN
Very
23
EXCHANG
WAY
High
$1,164,578
$0
FIRE
STATION /ADMIN
14380 SARATOGA
27
OFF.
Avenue
High
$6,000,000
$250,000
1
OLD LIBRARY
14410 OAK STREET
Moderate
$368,150
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-49
21.4.2.2.4 Flooding
i 25 -26
'D
6 -9
15
i 5
t
010 -14
2
27
16 -24 g
Legend
9rato9a Critical Faunas --
�amea
— mgo1 Rmtls
FEMA Hooding
FIOOG zone _ -w
® °d ANN DAL C FIANCE FLOOD FIAZARD 1
0 1 %Annual Chance Flootl
D 2 Hax aJ l �t
Source: FEMA- Santa Clara Countv DFIRM, 2009
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
Page 121 -50
Flood Zone
Bldg
Contents
Map
(% annual
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
chance)
Value
Value
14410 OAK
1
OLD LIBRARY
STREET
.2%
$368,150
$0
20764 FOURTH
.2%
2
RESTROOM
Street
$36,383
$0
19655
.2%
ALLENDALE
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
Avenue
$3,308,565
$233,730
19700
.2%
ALLENDALE
4
CORP YARD
Avenue
$595,000
$37,486
13650 SARATOGA
.2%
5
LIBRARY
Avenue
$2,369,417
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012
Page 121 -50
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-51
Flood Zone
Bldg
Contents
Map
(% annual
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
chance)
Value
Value
12970 GLEN
.2%
6
PRK/RSTRM /SNKBR
BRAE Drive
$158,760
$0
12970 GLEN
.2%
7
CONG SPR STRG
BRAE Drive
$23,814
$0
12970 GLEN
.2%
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
BRAE Drive
$16,758
$0
12970 GLEN
.2%
9
CONCESSION/RSTRM
BRAE Drive
$110,853
$0
13777
.2%
FRUITVALE
10
CITY HALL
Avenue
$2,694,621
$340,674
13777
.2%
FRUITVALE
11
MODULAR A
Avenue
$30,000
$0
13777
.2%
WARNER HUTN
FRUITVALE
12
BLDG
Avenue
$369,000
$0
13777
.2%
CITY HALL/NEW
FRUITVALE
13
WING
Avenue
$1,035,729
$340,673
13777
.2%
FRUITVALE
14
THEATER
Avenue
$0
$0
20450 SARATOGA
.2%
15
MUSEUM
Avenue
$222,000
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
WAY
$185,220
$5,513
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
17
GRDN PRK/EXHIBIT
WAY
$267,908
$4,961
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
18
RESTROOM
WAY
$36,383
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
WAY
$195,000
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
20
PUMPHOUSE
WAY
$7,938
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
21
STORAGE BLDG
WAY
$13,561
$0
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-51
Sea Level Rise
No facilities in Saratoga are at risk of being impacted by sea level rise.
21.4.2.2.5 Drought
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from drought. The City of Saratoga
does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of drought as presented in Section 4.
21.4.2.2.6 Solar Storm
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from solar storm events. The City
of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of solar storm as presented in
Section 4.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-52
Flood Zone
Bldg
Contents
Map
(% annual
Insured
Insured
Number
Critical Facility
Address
chance)
Value
Value
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
WAY
$13,561
$0
CULTURAL
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
23
EXCHANG
WAY
$1,164,578
$0
21000 BIG BASIN
.2%
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
WAY
$30,165
$0
N. CAMPUS ADMIN
19848 PROSPECT
.2%
25
BLDNG
ROAD
$0
$0
N. CAMPUS
19848 PROSPECT
.2%
26
FELLOWSHIP
ROAD
$0
$0
FIRE
.2%
STATION / ADMIN
14380 SARATOGA
27
OFF.
Avenue
$6,000,000
$250,000
Sea Level Rise
No facilities in Saratoga are at risk of being impacted by sea level rise.
21.4.2.2.5 Drought
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from drought. The City of Saratoga
does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of drought as presented in Section 4.
21.4.2.2.6 Solar Storm
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from solar storm events. The City
of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of solar storm as presented in
Section 4.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-52
21.4.2.2.7 Dam Failure
Legend
0, Saratoga Crftioal Faolities
— Major Roads
Saratoga City Lim Hs
Dam Failure In111NlA-, Areas
Areas chat can be inund.ved by any one of:
O1 dam only
O2 different dams
_ 3. different dams
_4 di 1—r Adams
_ 5 different dams
E
E--]�
�.
s
`Sar
�4
a
Source: ABAG, 1995. Dam data from State of California Office of Emergency Services
There are no critical facilities located within a dam failure inundation area in Saratoga, CA.
However, Saratoga acknowledges that people impacted by dam failure and evacuating from Los
Gatos will come to Saratoga.
21.4.2.2.8 Disease Outbreak
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from disease outbreak. The City of
Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of disease outbreak as presented in
Section 4.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-53
21.4.2.2.9 Freeze
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from freeze occurrences. The City
of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of freeze as presented in Section
4.
21.4.2.2.10 Wind
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from high winds. The City of
Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of wind as presented in Section 4.
21.4.2.2.11 Heat
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from extreme heat events. The City
of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of heat as presented in Section
4.
21.4.2.2.12 Agricultural Pest
The City of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of agricultural pest as
presented in Section 4.
21.4.2.2.13 Thunder and Lightning
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from thunder and lightning events.
The City of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of thunder and
lightning as presented in Section 4.
21.4.2.2.14 Siltation — Bay Area
The City of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of siltation as
presented in Section 4.
21.4.2.2.15 Tornado
All populations, facilities, and assets are equally at risk to impact from tornado occurrences. The City
of Saratoga does not have any unique concerns regarding the hazard of tornado as presented in
Section 4.
21.4.2.2.16 Hazardous Materials
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-54
Hazardous Materials spills are not of particular concern to the City of Saratoga.
21.4.2.2.17 Landslide and Debris Flow
Landslide and Debris Flow is not of particular concern to the City of Saratoga.
21.4.2.2.18 Other Hazards
Land Subsidence is not of particular concern to the City of Saratoga.
Expansive Soils are not of particular concern to the City of Saratoga.
Hailstorms are not of particular concern to the City of Saratoga.
Tsunami is not a hazard of concern for the City of Saratoga.
Volcano eruptions are not a hazard of concern for the City of Saratoga.
21.5 MITIGATION ACTIONS
21.5.1 Primary Concerns
Based on the exposure analysis, Saratoga's critical facilities are at significant risk to potential ground
shaking and flood. The western portion of the city is at risk to wildfire and landslide. A few critical
facilities fall within the zones of potential fault surface rupture.
21.5.2 Mitigation Actions
The City of Saratoga identified three specific mitigation actions for the 2011 update of this plan.
Following are descriptions and implementation plans for those actions.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-55
Problem Statement:
The City of Saratoga has a number of known, slow- moving landslides that could potentially impact
City -owned infrastructure (storm drains, roads).
Project Description:
Implement mitigation strategies (placement of engineered fill, construction of retaining walls) in
order to eliminate the potential for landslide areas to become critical hazards.
Corresponding ABAG Strategy Number:
Applicable Hazards
Significant
Moderate
Limited
Earthquakes
❑ Flood
❑ Land Subsidence
❑ Ground Shaking
❑ Drought
❑ Expansive Soils
❑ Liquefaction
❑ Solar Storm
❑ Hailstorm
❑ Surface Rupture
❑ Dam Failure
❑ Tsunami
® Landslides
❑ Disease and Outbreak
❑ Volcano
❑ Freeze
Infrastructure Failure
❑ Wind (high winds)
❑ Electrical System
❑ Extreme Heat
❑ Energy System
❑ Agricultural Pests
❑ Telecommunication System
❑ Thunder / Lightening Storms
❑ Transportation System
❑ Bay Area Silting
❑ Waste Water System
❑ Tornado
❑ Water System
❑ Hazardous Materials
(Chemical/Biological) Spills
❑ Delta Levee Failure
❑ Landslide and Debris Flow
❑ Wildfire
Potential Funding Sources: FEMA Mitigation Grant Funding
Responsible Department:
Public Works Development
Target Completion Date: To be determined
Additional Comments / Status Report:
The City has identified a minimum of $1 million in existing landslide mitigation projects; however, we
currently do not have funding to undertake this work.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-56
Problem Statement:
The City of Saratoga has approximately 50 privately owned soft story buildings that have not been
retrofitted to meet current seismic standards.
Project Description:
Provide incentives for private owners to retrofit soft story buildings. These incentives could take
the form of reduced planning application, building permit and inspection fees, or other suitable
incentives.
Corresponding ABAG Strategy Number: ECON b -3, b -4, b -7; HSNG c -3, c -4, c -7
Applicable Hazards
Significant
Moderate
Limited
Earthquakes
❑ Flood
❑ Land Subsidence
® Ground Shaking
❑ Drought
❑ Expansive Soils
❑ Liquefaction
❑ Solar Storm
❑ Hailstorm
❑ Surface Rupture
❑ Dam Failure
❑ Tsunami
❑ Landslides
❑ Disease and Outbreak
❑ Volcano
❑ Freeze
Infrastructure Failure
❑ Wind (high winds)
❑ Electrical System
❑ Extreme Heat
❑ Energy System
❑ Agricultural Pests
❑ Telecommunication System
❑ Thunder / Lightening Storms
❑ Transportation System
❑ Bay Area Silting
❑ Waste Water System
❑ Tornado
❑ Water System
❑ Hazardous Materials
(Chemical/Biological) Spills
❑ Delta Levee Failure
❑ Landslide and Debris Flow
❑ Wildfire
Potential Funding Sources: FEMA Mitigation Grant Funding
Responsible Department:
Community Development
Target Completion Date: To be determined
Additional Comments / Status Report:
The City has inventoried existing soft story buildings within its jurisdiction.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-57
Problem Statement:
The City of Saratoga has a number of storm drain systems that are insufficient and contribute to
flooding in low -lying areas, especially impacting the City's road network.
Project Description:
Install new underground storm drainage throughout most vulnerable areas in the City, particularly in
the Monte Vista/El Camino Grande and Chester Avenue areas.
Corresponding ABAG Strategy Number: INFR Flooding d -5, d -6
Applicable Hazards
Significant
Moderate
Limited
Earthquakes
® Flood
❑ Land Subsidence
❑ Ground Shaking
❑ Drought
❑ Expansive Soils
❑ Liquefaction
❑ Solar Storm
❑ Hailstorm
❑ Surface Rupture
❑ Dam Failure
❑ Tsunami
❑ Landslides
❑ Disease and Outbreak
❑ Volcano
❑ Freeze
Infrastructure Failure
❑ Wind (high winds)
❑ Electrical System
❑ Extreme Heat
❑ Energy System
❑ Agricultural Pests
❑ Telecommunication System
❑ Thunder / Lightening Storms
❑ Transportation System
❑ Bay Area Silting
❑ Waste Water System
❑ Tornado
❑ Water System
❑ Hazardous Materials
(Chemical/Biological) Spills
❑ Delta Levee Failure
❑ Landslide and Debris Flow
❑ Wildfire
Potential Funding Sources: FEMA Mitigation Grant Funding
Responsible Department:
Public Works
Target Completion Date: To be determined
Additional Comments / Status Report:
The City currently has approximately $750,000 in needed storm drain upgrades; however, we do not
have funding to pursue these improvements.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-58
21.6 PLAN MAINTENANCE
As required Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the City of Saratoga will update this plan annex at least
once every five years, by participating in a multi- agency effort with ABAG and other agencies to
develop a multi jurisdictional plan.
The City Manager's Office will ensure that monitoring of this Annex will occur. The plan will be
monitored on an on -going basis. However, the major disasters affecting our City, legal changes,
notices from ABAG as the lead agency in this process, and other triggers will be used. Finally, the
Annex will be a discussion item on the agenda of the meeting of department leaders at least once a
year in April. At that meeting, the department heads will focus on evaluating the Annex in light of
technological and political changes during the past year or other significant events. The department
leaders will be responsible for determining if the plan should be updated.
The City Manager's Office will contact ABAG four years after this plan is approved to ensure that
ABAG plans to undertake the plan update process. If so, the City again plans to participate in the
multi jurisdictional plan. If ABAG is unwilling or unable to act as the lead agency in the multi -
jurisdictional effort, other agencies will be contacted, including the County's Office of Emergency
Services. Jurisdictions should then work together to identify another regional forum for developing a
multi jurisdictional plan.
The public will continue to be involved whenever the plan is updated and as appropriate during the
monitoring and evaluation process. Prior to adoption of updates, the County will provide the
opportunity for the public to comment on the updates. A public notice will be posted prior to the
meeting to announce the comment period and meeting logistics.
Mitigation Plan Point of Contact
Name: Crystal Morrow
Title: City Clerk
Mailing Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
Telephone: (408) 868 -1275
Email: cmorrow @saratoga.ca.us
Alternate Point of Contact
Name: Dave Anderson
Title: City Manager
Mailing Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
Telephone: (408) 868 -1216
Email: davea @saratoga.ca.us
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-59
21.7 CITY OF SARATOGA APPENDIX
21.7.1 Saratoga Attachment 1: Saratoga Outreach
The City of Saratoga notified residents and businesses of the hazard mitigation planning process by
distributing announcements regarding the public opportunity to respond to the online survey. This
Attachment includes those outreach materials. The City also provided the opportunity for the public
to comment on the draft mitigation strategies selected by City staff at the City Council meeting on
November 4, 2009. Copies of the meeting agenda are also located in this Attachment.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-60
City of Saratoga - Homepage
Low Graphics Version
Tucked away in the foothills of the
Santa Cruz Mountains, Saratoga is a
lovely residential community with a
small -town feel. The City is well known
for its excellent schools, fine dining,
unique shops, and distinctive cultural
institutions. Saratoga offers a high
quality of life to its residents and a
chance to escape the hustle of Silicon
Valley.
CITY NEWS
Seeking Your Input!
11/22/2010 The City of Saratoga is collaborating with Santa
Clara County to update our local hazard mitigation plan. This plan
outlines ways to increase our community's resiliency to natural
hazard events (earthquake, flood, wildfire, etc.).
Your feedback is critical to increasing local resiliency. Please take a
few moments to complete the brief survey by clicking on "More"
below. (The survey will be available online through Friday,
December 3, 2010)
Thank you for your participation!
More J
Holiday Toy and Food Drive
11/18/2010 Help those in need by donating to the City of
Saratoga's annual holiday toy and food drive. Barrels for toy
donations are located at the Saratoga City Manager's Office. Toys
should be new and unwrapped. Toys will be collected through
December 16, 2010 and given to Sacred Heart Community Service.
Food donations can be dropped off at City Hall, Joan Pisani J
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bttp: / /www.saratoga.ca.us/ 11/22/2010
MINUTES
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 4, 2009
The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in Closed Session in the Administrative
Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — Anticipated Litigation: Significant Exposure
to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (b) (1 potential case)
CONFERENCE — INSTRUCTION TO REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Gov't Code
Section 54956.8): Wildwood Way
Agency Negotiators: Dave Anderson, City Manager and John Cherbone, Public Works
Director
MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Page stated there was no reportable information.
City Council held a Joint Meeting with members of the Ministerial Association in the
Administrative Conference Room at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Page called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmembers Howard Miller, Jill Hunter, Vice Mayor Kathleen
King, Mayor Chuck Page
ABSENT: Susie Nagpal (Excused Absence)
ALSO Dave Anderson, City Manager
PRESENT: Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Barbara Powell, Assistant City Manager
Ann Sullivan, City Clerk
Mary Furey, Finance Director
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
John Livingstone, Community Development Director
Cynthia McCormick, Associate Planner
Kate Bear, City Arborist
REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA
Ann Sullivan, City Clerk, reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2,
the agenda for the meeting of November 4, 2009, was properly posted on October 29,
2009.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following people requested to speak:
Citizen Ray addressed the Council regarding the pollution from the Lehigh Cement Plant
in Cupertino. He stated he recently attended a meeting in Sacramento regarding this
concern.
Grover Steele addressed the Council regarding the October 13th article in the Saratoga
Newspaper about the proposed Community Garden by the Peck family and the potential
development of the West Valley Water District property bordering the Saratoga Creek; he
stated he does not support this proposal.
Naomi Matsumoto expressed her appreciation of the support shown by the City Council
for the West Valley Community Services program. She noted they have seen a 30%
increase in participation from a year ago from people who need their services. She added
they are having a difficult time keeping enough donated food items available for the
people who are in need and welcomed any and all donations.
Vice Mayor King asked if they had enough volunteers for serving food on Thanksgiving
Day.
Ms. Matsumoto noted they have enough servers lined up for that day; however they do
need volunteers to adopt seniors for the Adopt a Family Program for the holidays.
Vice Mayor King asked how people could get excess produce from their fruit and
vegetable trees to West Valley Community Services.
Ms. Matsumoto stated people could drop the excess produce off at the West Valley
Community Services office or they could call their office to schedule a time where they
could meet at the Los Gatos location to pick up the donated produce.
Janice Gamper addressed the Council regarding the discontinued public transportation
services for people that needed transportation services later in the evening and asked how
she could get transportation assistance for her and her father.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
Mayor Page suggested Ms. Gamper call 211 for transportation assistance.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Reverend Eric Swanson from West Hope Presbyterian Church provided a brief report on
the Joint Meeting with the Ministerial Association prior to the Regular Council meeting.
He noted the association meets once a month and their goal is to continue networking
with the various communities of faith within Saratoga to build a community of peace.
They expressed an interest in working with the City to reach out together to build
community. Reverend Swanson invited all Saratoga communities of faith to participate
in the Thanksgiving Dinner Interfaith celebration on Thanksgiving Day at Congregation
Beth David. In addition, he invited everyone that would like to be more involved in the
2
community to visit their website at www.SaratogaServes.org — a program that was
enacted in 2008 that promotes service and good will in the Saratoga community.
Mayor Page took this opportunity to invite the members of the Ministerial Association
that were in attendance to join him on the Dais so that he could present them with a
proclamation declaring the month of November as "National Family Care Givers
Month ". Mayor Page read the proclamation and presented it to the members that were
present.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vice Mayor King stated the Sister City 25th Anniversary celebrations will be starting this
week and invited everyone to help welcome the delegation from Muko Japan and to join
them in the tree planting event at the Warner Hutton House on Saturday. She added
people could call the city offices to obtain a schedule of events.
Councilmember Hunter noted there was an event for children scheduled at the Saratoga
Library on Saturday. Ms. Hunter also invited everyone to come to the annual Tree
Lighting Ceremony on November 27th — followed by the Village Open House events.
Mayor Page noted the City began their Sister City relationship with Muko, Japan twenty
five years ago; which includes a student exchange program. He added the Mayor from
Muko, Japan would be a member of the delegation scheduled to arrive on Thursday.
Vice Mayor King invited everyone to participate in the "Turkey Trot" competition in
downtown San Jose on the morning of Thanksgiving Day.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REGISTERS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council accepts the Check Registers for Accounts Payable cycles:
October 15, 2009
October 22, 2009
MILLER/HUNTER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CHECK REGISTERS FOR
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CYCLES: OCTOBER 15, 2009 AND OCTOBER 22,
2009. MOTION PASSED 4 -0 -1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL ABSENT.
2. TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Review and accept the Treasurer's Report for the month ended September 30, 2009.
MILLER /HUNTER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR
THE MONTH ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. MOTION PASSED 4 -0 -IWITH
COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL ABSENT.
3. FINAL MAP APPROVAL FOR TWO LOTS LOCATED AT 15211 HUME
DRIVE
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Move to adopt Resolution granting final map approval of tentative map application
No. SUB 09 -0001 for two lots located at 15211 Hume Drive.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-056
MILLERMUNTER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL
MAP APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE MAP APPLICATION NO. SUB 09 -0001
FOR TWO LOTS LOCATED AT 15211 HUME DRIVE. MOTION PASSED 4-
0-1WITH COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL ABSENT.
4. FY 2009 — 2010 CDBG COUNTY /CITY CONTRACT
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a $464,069.77 contract
with Santa Clara County for the FY 2009 -2010 CDBG Program.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-057
MILLER /HUNTER MOVED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A $464,069.77 CONTRACT WITH
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FOR THE FY 2009/2010 CDBG PROGRAM.
MOTION PASSED 4 -0 -IWITH COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL ABSENT.
5. UPDATE OF SARATOGA'S LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
(LHMP) MATRICES PURSUANT TO THE DISASTER MITIGATION ACT
OF 2000
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to submit the attached updated mitigation matrices to the
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) for their preliminary review and comment.
MILLERMUNTER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
SUBMIT THE UPDATED MITIGATION MATRICES TO THE
ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS (ABAG) AND THE
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGAEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) FOR THEIR
PRELIMINARY REVIEW AND COMMENT. MOTION PASSED 4 -0 -IWITH
COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL ABSENT.
2
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. APPEAL OF A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT (TRP09- 0222).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council uphold the Planning Commission decision
denying the appeal and allowing the removal of four oak trees. The attached
resolution would make removal subject to all the Planning Commission conditions,
including a provision that work may not proceed if a court has determined that the
Applicant may not remove trees within the easement.
City Arborist Kate Bear presented the staff report regarding the appeal of a tree
removal permit on Via Regina Drive.
Max Keyashian, appellant, addressed the Council requesting that they deny the
Planning Commission's decision allowing the removal of four oak trees at 21818 Via
Regina.
Linda Yelavich, applicant, addressed the Council asking that they uphold the
Planning Commission's decision granting removal of four oak trees at 21818 Via
Regina.
Mayor Page opened the public hearing for comment.
No one requested to speak on this item.
Mayor Page closed the public hearing comment.
Mr. Kayeshian re- addressed the Council asking Council to deny the Planning
Commission's decision to allow removal of four oak trees at 21818 Via Regina.
Linda Yelavich re- addressed the Council asking Council to uphold the Planning
Commission's decision.
Councilmember Hunter noted she supported the appellant opposing the Planning
Commission's decision to allow the removal of four oak trees.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-058
MILLERXING MOVED TO UPHOLD THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S
DECISION APPROVING APPLICATION NO. TRP 09 -0222 FOR THE
REMOVAL OF FOUR COAST LIVE OAK TREES AT 21818 VIA REGINA;
AND TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD MAKE REMOVAL
SUBJECT TO ALL THE PLANNING COMMISSION CONDITIONS,
INCLUDING A PROVISION THAT WORK MAY NOT PROCEED IF A
COURT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE APPLICANT MAY NOT REMOVE
TREES WITHIN THE EASEMENT. MOTION PASSED 3 -1 -1 WITH
COUNCILMEMBER HUNTER OPPOSING AND COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL
ABSENT.
5
OLD BUSINESS
7. HERRIMAN AVENUE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AND BICYCLE LANE
19 oil I
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive report and provide direction to staff
Public Works Director John Cherbone presented the staff report.
Franziska Church and Sohrab Rashid, Traffic Engineers from Fehr & Peers, provided
additional data regarding pedestrian and bicycle lane options on Herriman Avenue
and noted they recommended Options 1 or 3.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following people requested to speak on this item:
Carl Dwjta stated option 3 was probably the most ideal for the majority of the
residents; however he was in support of Option 4.
Marilyn Foust stated a sidewalk was installed on a street that wasn't made to
accommodate a sidewalk. She noted she receives complaints from the postman and
noted she would like an option where there is a buffer and not to keep Herriman the
way it is now.
Minggui Pan noted he does not support Option 2 as it would benefit only one or two
residents and the chosen option should benefit the majority of the residents.
Bob Dimicco noted he supports Option 1.
Annette Cozimel stated she supports Option 4.
No one else requested to speak on this item.
Mayor Page closed the public comment.
KING/MILLER MOVED TO APPROVE OPTION 1: KEEP CURRENT
CONFIGURATION OF HERRIMAN AVENUE. CREATE RAISED
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY BY FILLING IN BETWEEN THE ASPHALT
BERM AND CONCRETE CURB. MOTION PASSED 3 -1 -1 WITH
COUNCILMEMBER HUNTER OPPOSING AND COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL
ABSENT.
NEW BUSINESS
8. STATUS OF JANUARY 6, 2010 COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
2
Consider cancelling the meeting of January 6, 2010.
City Clerk Ann Sullivan presented the staff report.
PAGE /KING MOVED TO CANCEL THE JANUARY 6, 2010 COUNCIL
MEETING. MOTION PASSED 4 -0 -1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL
ABSENT.
ADHOC & AGENCY ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Mayor Chuck Page — reported:
Valley Transportation Authority PAC— meets Thursday evening and may vote on a
couple items: Reorganization of small city groupings — specifically whether or not to add
Milpitas to Sunnyvale and Santa Clara; and Governances — how the five small city
representatives are appointed to the board. He noted VTA may be looking at additional
employee layoffs due to the downturn in the economy and reduced ridership.
Vice Mayor Kathleen King — reported:
West Valley Flood Control Zone & Watershed Advisory Committee — suggested Council
reconsider this committee as they only schedule four meetings a year and feels the
meetings have not been very productive overall.
SSC Cities Association Executive Board — will meet next Thursday and noted the Cities
Association will have "California Forward" come in to talk about the future Initiatives,
such as the City of San Jose's efforts to ban plastic bags, CDC grants of $376 million
dollars that are available to the County Health Departments and only 40 grants will be
given out. These grants will be applied to improving access to community exercise
programs, quitting smoking, and general health plan coverage's. She reminded Council of
the annual Christmas Party on December 3, 2009.
Councilmember Jill Hunter — reported:
Thanked KSAR for always attending every city function and for interviewing people.
Library Joint Powers Association — she attended the County Library meeting and noted
they will be conducting a survey of people that do not have library cards; adding that only
45% of Saratogans have a library card. She stated their goal is to increase the number of
library cards and circulation as this is what determines how much funding the Saratoga
Library receives. She added Saratoga was recognized for their donation of $50K to the
library. She thanked the Friends of the Library group for their continued fund raising
efforts.
Santa Clara County Valley Water District Commission — she attended the last meeting;
they discussed the new changes that will be effective January 1, 2010 and stated the
District's goal is to have people cut back 20% in their water usage. She noted the County
in general has reduced water usage by 15 %.
Councilmember Howard Miller — reported: he attended the HTC Policy Committee
meeting as an alternate and noted there are two items Council will want to be aware of
regarding CDBG Grants. He stated the downturn in the economy has caused the County
to look for ways to minimize the cost of their programs. For 2011 the County will try to
limit the amount of administrative overhead for public service grants by considering
having fewer grants at a larger amount. In addition they are considering retaining about
7
$15,000 of administrative dollars that normally the City would use to administer the
programs to help fund their services.
Chamber of Commerce — has moved into their new office on Big Basin; facility is open
for business; and they expressed their appreciation to the city for waiving the CUP fee.
KSAR — is looking at spending some of the PEG capital dollars to purchase some video
editing stations.
Santa Clara County Emergency Council — will be attending the meeting on Thursday.
Council Finance Standing Committee — met earlier today and noted Council did receive
an updated Financial Report. He added the new computer software system is now able to
generate reports for current revenue and expense by quarter, versus by budget. He stated
expenses are below what was expected at this point — which is good; and revenue is
difficult to determine as it is very seasonal, e.g. property tax dollars, which will be
coming later in the fiscal year and those tax dollars are at where we expected them; and
the Building Department has been issuing a lot of building permits, however, due to the
economy not as many projects are coming in right now.
Councilmember Susie Nagpal — Excused Absence.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Councilmember Miller noted the Boy Scouts of Troop 535 will be conducting their City-
wide E -Waste Recycling in January and would like to attend the first meeting in
December to provide additional information on this program.
Mayor Page stated Troop 535 members could speak during the Non - agendized portion of
the Council Agenda on December 2, 2009, and they could lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilmember Hunter provided Council with copies of an article in the Saratoga News
15 years ago regarding trees and noted she would provide City Arborist Kate Bear with
one as well.
Mayor Page announced that as a result of the Joint Meeting held earlier with the Saratoga
Ministerial Association he would like to agendize the addition of a new Council
assignment for a council liaison to the Ministerial Association.
City Manager Dave Anderson reported that SASCC wanted to convey their appreciation
of the City's participation in the recent shredding of documents; they conducted a
successful Health Faire providing seasonal flu shots recently; and SASCC members are
in the process of selecting an investment advisor. Their investment committee is
conducting interviews to acquire a firm to assist SASCC with their portfolio.
Councilmember Hunter noted she will be attending future SASCC meeting and inquired
about the SASCC schedule.
City Manager Dave Anderson stated he would have Debbie Bretschneider contact her
regarding the SASCC meeting schedule.
City Attorney Richard Taylor noted he is unable to attend the November 18, 2009
Council meeting and Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Wittwer would be attending in his
absence.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Dave Anderson noted he would like Council's permission to leave the state
during the week of Thanksgiving.
Council extended their approval for Mr. Anderson to leave the state during the week of
Thanksgiving.
Council Hunter noted Council members and staff were wearing white ribbons in honor of
Susie Nagpal and wished her a speedy recovery.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no additional business Mayor Page asked for a motion to adjourn.
KING /HUNTER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 9:25PM.
MOTION PASSED 4 -0 -1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER NAGPAL ABSENT.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Sullivan, CMC
City Clerk
0
Bartshire, Corinne
From: Barbara Powell [bpowell @saratoga.ca.us]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 4:53 PM
To: Barbara Powell; Bartshire, Corinne
Subject: Clty of Saratoga Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan
Attachments: Saratoga Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft.pdf
Good afternoon,
Attached for your review and comments is the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Saratoga.
We appreciate your interest in disaster planning and preparedness and welcome your comments and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Powell
Assistant City Manager
City of Saratoga
(408) 868 -1215
City of Saratoga - Homepage
Low Graphics Version
Tucked away in the foothills of the
Santa Cruz Mountains, Saratoga is a
lovely residential community with a
small -town feel. The City is well known
for its excellent schools, fine dining,
unique shops, and distinctive cultural
institutions. Saratoga offers a high
quality of life to its residents and a
chance to escape the hustle of Silicon
Valley.
CITY NEWS
2011 Arbor Day - April 22 at 3:30 p.m.
4/13/2011 Celebrate Saratoga's trees this Arbor Day on April 22,
2011 at 3:30 p.m. in Foothill Park! Enjoy refreshments, live music,
help plant a tree, learn more about trees in your community, and
take home compost and a free sapling!
( Event Flyer )
More...
Saratoga Pet Parade - April 16, 2011
4/13/2011 Don't miss the Saratoga Pet Parade on Saturday, April
16th at the Saratoga Village Center! Center! Enter your pet in the contest,
win prizes, and enjoy the parade! The parade begins at 11:00 a.m.
Pet owners can enter the contest from 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and
judging and awards will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Early registration is available.
More
City's 2011 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011 Available for
Public Review and Comment
4/12/2011 The City of Saratoga has participated with Santa Clara
County in updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose of
the plan is to review potential natural disasters (e.g. fire, flooding,
earthquake) that could occur in Saratoga and to identify strategies
that can be taken to lessen and /or eliminate impacts that
5
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Homeoage > News > News Details _ €.- fitAILL ! plu'. 6
Return to Previous Page NEWS DETAILS
+
•,�. �
City's 2011 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011 Available for Public Review and Comment
The City of Saratoga has participated with Santa Clara County In updating Its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose
tY 9 P P tY � P 9� 9 P P
of the plan is to review potential natural disasters (e.g. fire, flooding, earthquake) that could occur in Saratoga and to
identify strategies that can be taken to lessen and /or eliminate impacts that could happen if a disaster took place. The
plan also reviews City-owned facilities (e.g. buildings and park facilities) to determine whether they are vulnerable to
COAWIJN1TY EV
damage in the event of a natural disaster.
Ali
The review draft of the City of Saratoga Annex is now available for comment. Your comments and questions may be
directed to:
r
Barbara Powell, Assistant City Manager 408 - 868 -1215 or bpowell @saratoga.ca.us; or
CONTACT
Corinne Bartshire, at 415- 295 -7116 or cbartshire @dewberry.com
Thank you for your review and input!
( Local Hazard Mitigation Plan )
About The City What's New How Do I... Services City Hall Things To Do... City Council Contact Us Calendar Site Map F.A.Q.
http: / /www.saratoga.ca.us/ news /displaynews.asp ?NewslD= 190 &TargetlD =1 4/13/2011
21.7.2 Saratoga Attachment 2: Saratoga Strategies 2010
The City of Saratoga participated in ABAG's revision of the regional strategies for development of
this annex. Appendix G of Taming Natural Hazards presents a summary list of mitigation strategies
with regional priorities and the hazards mitigated. The City ranked those strategies in a spreadsheet
provided by ABAG. This is a summary of those rankings.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a a e 121-62
Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
JURISDICTION: Saratoga
Page l of 1 l
Strategy Priority Responsible Agency or Department Comments
ECON -a -1 NYC
ECON -a -2 NYC
ECON -b -1 Existing Community Development Department
ECON -b -2 Existing Community Development Department Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code
ECON -b -3
Existing
Community Development Department
ECON -b -4
Existing Underfunded Community Development Department
ECON -b -5
NYC
ECON -b -6
NYC
ECON -b -7
NYC
ECON -b -8
Moderate
Community Development Department
ECON -b -9
Under Study
ECON -c -1
Existing
Community Development Department
ECON -c -2
Existing
ECON -c -3 NYC
ECON -c -4 NYC
ECON -d -1 n/a
ECON -d -2 Existing
ECON -d -3 NYC
ECON -e -1 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -2 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -3 Existing Community Development Dept.,
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -4 Existing Community Development Dept.,
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -5 Existing Community Development Dept.,
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -6 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -7 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -8 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON -e -9 n/a
ECON -e -10 Existing
ECON -e -11 Moderate
ECON -e -12 Existing
ECON -e -13 Existing Underfunded
ECON -f -1 Existing
ECON -f -2 Existing
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Community Dev. Department
All unreinforced masonry buildings in
Saratoga have been retrofitted.
These buildings do not currently exist
in Saratoga
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
Code
Saratoga does not have any high -
rise /high- occupancy buildings.
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
ECON -f -3
Existing
ECON -f -4
Existing
ECON -f -5
Existing
ECON -f -6
Existing
ECON -f -7
NYC
ECON -f -8
NYC
ECON -f -9
NYC
ECON -g -1
Existing
ECON -g -2
Existing Underfunded
ECON -h -1
Existing
ECON -h -2
Existing
ECON -h -3
Existing Underfunded
ECON -i -1
NYC
ECON -i -2
NYC
ECON -i -3
NYC
ECON -i -4
NYC
ECON -i -5
Moderate
ECON -i -6
Existing Underfunded
ECON-i -1
Existing
ECON-i -2
Existing Underfunded
ECON-i -3
NYC
ECON -0-4
Existing Underfunded
ECON-i -5
Existing Underfunded
ECON-i -6
Existing Underfunded
ECON-i -7
Existing
ECON -0-8
Existing
Community Development Department
Public Works Department
Public Works Department
Public Works Department Ord. 71 -167
Community Development Department Ord. 71 -193 & 215 -2002
Page 2 of 1 l
Community Development Department Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code
Community Development Department
Community Development Department
Public Works Department
ECON -i -9 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ECON-i -10
NYC
ECON -i -11
n/a
ECON-i -12
n/a
ECON-i -13
Existing
EDUC -a -1
n/a
EDUC -a -2
n/a
EDUC -a -3
n/a
EDUC -a -4
n/a
EDUC -a -5
n/a
EDUC -a -6
Existing Underfunded
EDUC -b -1
Existing
EDUC -b -2
Existing
Admin. /Emerg. Prep.; Santa Clara
County Fire Department
School Districts (Saratoga is served
by several)
School Districts (Saratoga is served
by several)
School Districts (Saratoga is served
by several)
School Districts (Saratoga is served
by several)
School Districts (Saratoga is served
by several)
The City maintains our own storm
drain system.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we are not the lead
in its implementation.
The City is a separate entity from the
school districts.
The City is a separate entity from the
school districts.
The City is a separate entity from the
school districts.
The City is a separate entity from the
school districts.
The City is a separate entity from the
school districts.
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga Page 3 of 11
EDUC -b -3
Existing
Community Development Department
ENV] -a -4
EDUC -c -1
Existing
ENVI -a -5
n/a
EDUC -c -2
Existing
Existing
Community Development & Public
EDUC -c -3
NYC
Works Departments
ENVI -a -7
EDUC -c -4
NYC
EDUC -c -5
Existing
n/a
EDUC -c -6
n/a
School Districts (Saratoga is served
The City is a separate entity from the
Santa Clara County Fire Department
by several)
school districts.
EDUC -c -7
NYC
Existing
Facilities Division
EDUC -d -1
NYC
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
EDUC -d -2
NYC
ENVI -a -13
Existing Underfunded
ENV] -a -1
Existing
Community Development Department
ENVI -a -2
Existing
The City contracts with the Sheriff and
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -4
works with Fire agencies on these
ENVI -b -5
Existing Underfunded
strategies.
ENVI -a -3
Existing
Community Development Department
ENV] -a -4
Under Study
ENVI -a -5
n/a
Santa Clara Valley Water District
ENVI -a -6
Existing
Community Development & Public
Works Departments
ENVI -a -7
Existing
Community Development & Public
Works Departments
ENVI -a -8
n/a
ENVI -a -9
Existing
Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ENVI -a -10
Existing
ENV[ -a -11
Existing
Facilities Division
ENVI -a -12
Existing Underfunded
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
ENVI -a -13
Existing Underfunded
Santa Clara Valley Water District
ENVI -b -1
Existing
ENVI -b -2
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -3
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -4
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -5
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -6
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -7
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -8
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -9
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -10
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -11
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -12
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -b -13
Existing Underfunded
ENVI -c -1
Moderate
ENV]-c-2
n/a
ENVI -c -3
n/a
GOVT -a -1
Existing Underfunded
Facilities Division
GOVT -a -2
Existing Underfunded
Facilities Division
GOVT -a -3
Existing
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
GOVT -a -4 Existing Underfunded Facilities Division
GOVT -a -5 Existing
GOVT -a -6 NYC
GOVT -a -7 Moderate
GOVT -a -8 n/a
GOVT -a -9 Existing
GOVT -a -10 Existing
GOVT -a -11 Existing
GOVT -a -12 Existing
GOVT -a -13 Existing
Information Technology Division
Facilities Division
Facilities Division
Community Development Department
Community Development Department
Facilities Division
Community Development Department
GOVT -b -1 Existing Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator, City Manager's Office
GOVT -b -2 Existing Underfunded Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator, City Manager's Office
GOVT -b -3 Existing
GOVT -b -4 Existing Underfunded Information Technology Division &
Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator
GOVT -b -5 Existing Underfunded
GOVT -c -1
Existing Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator
GOVT -c -2
Existing Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator
GOVT -c -3
Existing Underfunded Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator
GOVT -c -4
Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
GOVT -c -5
Existing Saratoga Fire Prot. Dist., Santa Clara
County Fire Dept., & Sheriff's Office
GOVT -c -6
Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Prot. Dist., Santa Clara
County Fire Dept., & Sheriff's Office
GOVT -c -7 Existing Underfunded
GOVT -c -8 Existing Underfunded
GOVT -c -9 NYC
GOVT -c -10 Existing Underfunded
GOVT -c -11 Existing Underfunded
GOVT -c -12 Existing
GOVT -c -13 Existing
GOVT -c -14 NYC
GOVT -c -15 NYC
GOVT -c -16 Existing
GOVT -c -17 Existing
GOVT -c -18 n/a
Public Works Department
Community Development Department
Saratoga Fire, Santa Clara County
Fire, Sheriffs Office
GOVT -c -19 Existing Underfunded Sheriff's Office
GOVT -c -20 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara Valley Water District
GOVT -c -21 n/a
Page 4 of 1 l
The City does not own any dams.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have the
lead in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have the
lead in its implementation.
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
GOVT -c -22 Existing
GOVT -c -23 Existing
GOVT -c -24 n/a
GOVT -c -25 Existing Underfunded
GOVT -d -1 Existing
Santa Clara Valley Water District
GOVT -d -2
Existing
GOVT -d -3
Very High Santa Clara Valley Water District
GOVT -d -4
Existing Santa Clara Valley Water District
GOVT -d -5
Existing
GOVT -d -6
Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District &
n/a
Santa Clara County Fire Department
GOVT -d -7 n/a
GOVT -d -8
Existing
HEAL -b -2
GOVT -d -9
Existing Underfunded
High
GOVT -d -10 NYC
Existing
GOVT -e -1
Existing Underfunded
n/a
GOVT -e -2
Existing Underfunded
n/a
HEAL -a -1
Existing Underfunded
Community Development
HEAL -c -5
Departrment
HEAL -a -2
n/a
Santa Clara County Public Health
HSNG -a -1
Department
HEAL -a -3
Existing
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
HEAL -a -4
Existing
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
HEAL -a -5
Existing Underfunded
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
HEAL -a -6
n/a
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
HEAL -a -7
n/a
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
HEAL -b -1
High
HEAL -b -2
High
HEAL -b -3
High
HEAL -c -1
Existing
HEAL -c -2
n/a
HEAL -c -3
n/a
HEAL -c -4
n/a
HEAL -c -5
n/a
HEAL -c -6
n/a
HSNG -a -1
NYC
HSNG -a -2
NYC
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
Santa Clara County OES; Santa Clara
County Fire Department
Santa Clara County OES; Santa clara
County Public Health Department
Santa Clara County Public Health
Department
Santa Clara County Environmental
Health Department
Santa Clara County Environmental
Health Department
Page 5 of 11
Participation in Santa Clara County
Emergency Managers Association
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have the
lead in its implementation.
The City is working with the Health
Department to implement this strategy.
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga Page 6 of 11
HSNG -a -3 Existing
HSNG -a -4 Under Study
HSNG -b -1
Existing
Community Development Department
There are no mobile homes in
HSNG -b -2
Existing
Community Development Department
Saratoga.
HSNG -b -3
Existing
Community Development Department
These categories of structures do not
HSNG -b -4
Existing
Community Development Department
currently exist in Saratoga.
HSNG -b -5
Existing
Community Development Department
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
HSNG -b -6
n/a
The City is in agreement with this
HSNG -e -4
NYC
strategy; however, we do not have the
HSNG -f -1
Existing
Community Development Department
lead role in its implementation.
HSNG -b -7
Existing Underfunded
Building Code
HSNG -b -8
n/a
Community Development Department
The City is in agreement with this
HSNG -g -1
Existing
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
strategy; however, we do not have the
Santa Clara County Fire Department
lead role in its implementation.
HSNG -b -9
n/a
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
HSNG -c -1
Existing
Community Development Department
HSNG -c -2
Existing
Community Development Department
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Building Code
HSNG -c -3
Existing
Community Development Department
Code
HSNG -c -4
Existing Underfunded
Community Development Department
HSNG -c -5
NYC
Community Development Department
HSNG -c -6
NYC
Community Dev. Dept., Saratoga Fire
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
HSNG -c -7
NYC
Protection District & Santa Clara
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
HSNG -c -8
Moderate
HSNG -c -9
Under Study
HSNG -d -1
Existing
HSNG -d -2
Existing
All unreinforced masonry buildings in
Saratoga have been retrofitted
HSNG -d -3 NYC
HSNG -d -4 NYC
HSNG -e -1
n/a
There are no mobile homes in
Saratoga.
HSNG -e -2
n/a
These categories of structures do not
currently exist in Saratoga.
HSNG -e -3
Existing
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code
HSNG -e -4
NYC
HSNG -f -1
Existing
Community Development Department
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code
HSNG -f -2
Existing
Community Development Department
HSNG -g -1
Existing
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -g -2
Existing
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -g -3
Existing
Community Development Dept.,
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Code
HSNG -g -4
Moderate
HSNG -g -5
Existing
Community Development Department
HSNG -g -6
Existing
Community Dev. Dept., Saratoga Fire
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Protection District & Santa Clara
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
County Fire Department
HSNG -g -7 Existing Community Development Dept.,
Saratoga Fire Protection District &
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -g -8 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire, Santa Clara County
Fire, SC Valley Water District
HSNG -q -9 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Claa County Fire Department
HSNG -g -10 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -q -11 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -g -12 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Page 7 of 11
Code
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
Code
HSNG -g -13 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District and Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Santa Clara County Fire Department Building Code & 2007 California Fire
Code
HSNG -q -14 Existing
Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Existing
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
HSNG -h -3
Existing
Code
HSNG -g -15 n/a
HSNG -h -5
Saratoga does not have any high -
HSNG -h -6
Existing
rise /high- occupancy buildings.
HSNG -g -16 Existing
HSNG -h -8
NYC
HSNG -g -17 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Moderate
HSNG -h -10 NYC
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Existing
HSNG -g -18 Existing
Community Development Department
Ord. 256 -2008 2007 California
Moderate
HSNG-I -2
Building Code & 2007 California Fire
HSNG -k -1
Existing
Code
HSNG -g -19 Moderate
HSNG -g -20 Existing Underfunded
HSNG -h -1
Existing
HSNG -h -2
Existing
HSNG -h -3
Existing
HSNG -h -4
Existing
HSNG -h -5
Existing
HSNG -h -6
Existing
HSNG -h -7
Existing
HSNG -h -8
NYC
HSNG -h -9
Moderate
HSNG -h -10 NYC
HSNG -i -1
Existing
HSNG -i -2
Existing Underfunded
HSNG -0-1
Moderate
HSNG-I -2
NYC
HSNG -k -1
Existing
HSNG -k -2
Existing Underfunded
HSNG -k -3
Existing
HSNG -k -4
n/a
HSNG -k -5 Existing
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Community Dev. Department
Community Development Department
Public Works Department
Public Works Department
Public Works Department
Public Works Department
Ord. 71 -167
Ord. 71 -167
Community Development Department Ord 71 -193 & Ord. 215 -2002
Communitiy Development Department
Community Development Department
Community Development Department
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we are not the lead
in its implementation.
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga Page 8 of I1
HSNG -k -6 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -k -7 Existing Underfunded
HSNG -k -8 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office
HSNG -k -9 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -k -10 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -k -11 NYC
HSNG -k -12 Existing
HSNG -k -13 Existing Public Works Department
HSNG -k -14 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
HSNG -k -15 n/a
HSNG -k -16 Existing
Admin., Emergency Preparedness;
Public Works Department
INFR -a -12
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Public Works Department
INFR -a -1
n/a
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -13
n/a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -2
n/a
Existing
The City does not own any dams.
INFR -a -3
Existing
Public Works Department
Preparedness Coordinator
INFR -a -4
Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
Existing
INFR -a -5
Existing
Public Works Department
INFR -a -6
n/a
INFR -a -16
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
INFR -a -17
n/a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -7 Existing Public Works Department
INFR -a -8 Existing Underfunded Facilities Division
INFR -a -9 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFR -a -10 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFR -a -11
n/a
Public Works Department
INFR -a -12
Existing
Public Works Department
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -13
n/a
The City does not own any dams.
INFR -a -14
Existing
City Manager's Office; Emergency
Preparedness Coordinator
INFR -a -15
Existing
Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
INFR -a -16
Existing Underfunded City Manager's Office; Emergency
Preparedness Coordinator
INFR -a -17
n/a
MTC
INFR -a -18
n/a
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -19
n/a
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -20
n/a
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
INFR -a -21
Existing Underfunded City Manager's Office; Emergency
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
INFR -a -22
NYC
INFR -b -1
Existing
INFR -b -2
Existing Underfunded
INFR -b -3
n/a
INFR -b -4 n/a
INFR -b -5 n/a
INFR -b -6 n/a
INFR -b -7 n/a
INFR -b -8 Existing
INFR -b -9 NYC
INFR -b -10 n/a
Preparedness Coordinator
Public Works Department
Public Works Department & Facilities
Division
INFR -c -1 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
INFR -c -2 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
INFR -c -3 Existing Underfunded Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
INFR -c -4 Existing Public Works Department
INFR -c -5 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
INFR -c -6 Existing Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
INFR -c -7 Existing SFPD and SCCFD
INFR -c -8 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFR -d -1 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara Valley Water District
INFR -d -2 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara Valley Water District
INFR -d -3 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara Valley Water District
INFR -d -4 Existing Public Works Department
INFRA-5 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara Valley Water District
INFRA-6 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFRA-7 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFRA-8 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFRA-9 Existing Underfunded Santa Clara Valley Water District
INFRA-10 n/a Santa Clara Valley Water District
INFR -d -11 Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
INFRA-12 n/a
Page 9 of 1 l
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
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Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
INFR -d -13 Existing Public Works Department
INFR -d -14 n/a
INFR -d -15
I N FR -d -16
INFR -d -17
INFR -d -18
I N FR -e -1
I N FR -e -2
I N FR -f -1
INFR -g -1
I N F R -g -2
I N FR -g-3
I N F R -g -4
I N FR -g -5
I N F R -q -6
I N FR -q -7
LAND -a -1
LAND-a-2
LAND-a-3
LAND-a-4
LAND-a-5
LAND-a-6
LAND-a-7
LAND-a-8
LAND -b -1
LAND-b-2
LAND -c -1
LAND-c-2
LAND-c-3
LAND-c-4
LAND-c-5
LAND-c-6
LAND -d -1
LAND-d-2
LAND-d-3
LAND -d -4
LAND-d-5
LAND -e -1
LAND-e-2
LAND -f -1
LAND-f-2
Existing Underfunded Public Works Department
Page 10 of 11
The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
Existing Public Works Department
n/a Santa Clara Valley Water District
n/a Santa Clara Valley Water District
n/a
Existing Community Development Department Ord. 71 -113
n/a The City is in agreement with this
strategy; however, we do not have a
lead role in its implementation.
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
NYC
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Under Study
Under Study
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Very High
Very High
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
n/a
n/a
City Manager's Office, Emergency
Preparedness Coordinator
Community Development Department Ord. 221 -2003
Community Development Department Ord. 221 -2003
Community Development Department
Community Development Department
Community Development Department
Community Development Department Municipal Code Section 16- 65.040
Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Saratoga Fire Protection District and
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Community Development Department Ord. 71 -167
Public Works Department
Public Works Department
Public Works Department Ord. 71 -167
Community Development Department Ord
Community Development Department
Community Development Department Ord
Community Development and Public
Works Departments
Community Development Department Ord
Community Development Department
Community Development Department
71 -193 & Ord. 215 -2002
71 -193 & Ord. 215 -2002
71 -113
http: / /www.abag.ca.gov /cgi- bin /dbhazard /strat20l O.pl 12/29/2010
Mitigation Strategies Identified for Saratoga
LAND -f -3
Existing
LAND -f -4
NYC
LAND -f -5
n/a
LAND -Q -1
n/a
Source: Association of Bay Area Governments, 2009.
Page 11 of 11
http: / /www.abag.ca.gov /cgi- bin /dbhazard /strat20l O.pl 12/29/2010
21.7.3 Saratoga Attachment 3: Saratoga Exposure Analysis
This list includes all information on Saratoga's critical facilities and identifies which of the City's
critical facilities are located in the mapped hazard areas.
Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan
March 29, 2012 P a g e 121-64
City of Saratoga
Exposure Analysis
ID
Critical Facility
Address
Type
Occupancy
Own/Lease
Structure Type
15
MUSEUM
20450 SARATOGA AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
9
CONCESSION /RSTRM
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
N/A
N/A
own
Reinforced masonry with rigid floor and roof
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
2
RESTROOM
20764 FOURTH ST
N/A
N/A
own
Reinforced masonry with rigid floor and roof
11
MODULAR A
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Wood -frame building > 5,000 SQFT
14
THEATER
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Wood -frame building > 5,000 SQFT
7
CONG SPR STRG
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
12970 GLEN BRAE DR
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
26
N. CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
19848 PROSPECT ROAD
N/A
N/A
own
Wood -frame building > 5,000 SQFT
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
19848 PROSPECT ROAD
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
20
PUMPHOUSE
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
19655 ALLENDALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Wood -frame building > 5,000 SQFT
41
CORP YARD
19700 ALLENDALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Light metal frame
18
RESTROOM
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
21
STORAGE BLDG
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
21000 BIG BASIN WAY
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building <= 5,000 SQFT
1
OLD LIBRARY
14410 OAK STREET
N/A
N/A
own
Light wood -frame building — 5,000 SQFT
10
CITY HALL
13777 FRUITVALE AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Wood -frame building > 5,000 SQFT
5
LIBRARY
13650 SARATOGA AVE
N/A
N/A
own
Wood -frame building > 5,000 SQFT
27
ID
15
FIRE STATION / ADMIN OFF.
Critical Facility
MUSEUM
14380 SARATOGA AVE
Structure Information
N/A
N/A
Irregularities-Plan View
Regular
128
Irregularities-
Vertical
Regular
lown
Structural
Assessment
N/A
Reinforced masonry with flexible floor and roof
Retrofit
no
9
CONCESSION /RSTRM
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
2
RESTROOM
N/A
Regular
Regular
no
no
11
MODULAR A
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
yes
14
THEATER
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
7
CONG SPR STRG
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
Page 1
City of Saratoga
Exposure Analysis
ID
26
Critical Facility
N. CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
Structure Information
Irregularities-Plan View
Irregular
Irregularities-
Vertical
Regular
Structural
Assessment
N/A
Retrofit
no
N/A
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
20
PUMPHOUSE
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
yes
4
CORP YARD
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
181
RESTROOM
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
21
STORAGE BLDG
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
no
1
OLD LIBRARY
N/A
Regular
Regular
no
no
10
CITY HALL
N/A
Regular
Regular
N/A
yes
5
LIBRARY
RENOVATED IN 2003
Regular
Regular
N/A
yes
27
ID
FIRE STATION /ADMIN OFF.
Critical Facility
open,different size floors,4
door fire apparatus parking
Anchored Equipment
Irregular
Alternate Power
Irregular
Sprinklers
No- new
construction
Roof Material
no
Year Built
15
MUSEUM
no
no
no
wood shakes
1920
9
CONCESSION /RSTRM
no
N/A
N/A
N/A
1970
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
1986
2
RESTROOM
no
no
no
N/A
1972
11
MODULAR A
yes
no
no
N/A
1998
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
yes
no
no
comp.
1900
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
yes
yes
no
built -up
1992
14
THEATER
yes
yes
no
built -up
1964
7
CONG SPR STRG
no
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
no
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
26
N. CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
no
no
no
cement tile
1971
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
no
no
no
comp.
1963
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
no
no
no
N/A
1923
20
PUMPHOUSE
no
no
no
N/A
1960
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
yes
no
no
wood shakes
1990
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
no
no
no
N/A
1920
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
no
no
no
N/A
1917
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
no
no
no
N/A
1990
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
yes
no
yes
built -up
1968
Page 2
City of Saratoga
Exposure Analysis
ID
Critical Facility
Anchored Equipment
Alternate Power
Sprinklers
Roof Material
Year Built
4
CORP YARD
yes
yes
no
metal
1972
18
RESTROOM
no
no
no
N/A
1920
21
STORAGE BLDG
no
no
no
N/A
1940
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
no
no
no
N/A
1920
1
OLD LIBRARY
no
no
no
tile
1927
10
CITY HALL
yes
yes
no
built -up
1970
5
LIBRARY
yes
yes
yes
wood (fire ret.)
2003
27
ID
15
FIRE STATION /ADMIN OFF.
Critical Facility
MUSEUM
yes
Stories
1
yes
Capacity
1245
yes
Bldg Insured
Value
222000
80% tile /20% tar
Contents Insured
Value
0
2004
9
CONCESSION /RSTRM
1
1158
110853
0
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
0
540
158760
0
2
RESTROOM
1
339
36383
0
11
MODULAR A
1
1440
30000
0
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
1
1838
369000
0
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
1
4995
1035729
340673
14
THEATER
1
7436
0
0
7
CONG SPR STRG
0
0
23814
0
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
0
0
16758
0
26
N. CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
N/A
N/A
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
N/A
N/A
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
1
878
195000
0
20
PUMPHOUSE
1
120
7938
0
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
1
2251
1164578
0
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
1
336
30165
0
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
1
695
185220
5513
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
1
1485
267908
4961
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
1
18425
3308565
233730
4
CORP YARD
1
11424
595000
37486
18
RESTROOM
1
336
39690
0
21
STORAGE BLDG
0
336
13561
0
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
1
640
13561
0
1
OLD LIBRARY
1
1816
368150
0
10
CITY HALL
1
7057
2694621
340674
5
LIBRARY
1
19585
2369417
0
27
ID
15
FIRE STATION /ADMIN OFF.
Critical Facility
MUSEUM
2
# of Dams
0
13158
Wildland-Urban Interface Fire
Threat
Outside WUI hazard area
6000000
Wildfire Threat
I Moderate
250000
FEMA Flood
Zone
Undetermined
Tsunami
Not Affected
Page 3
City of Saratoga
Exposure Analysis
ID
9
Critical Facility
CONCESSION /RSTRM
# of Dams
0
Wildiand-Urban Interface Fire
Threat
Outside WUI hazard area
Wildfire Threat
Moderate
FEIVIA Flood
Zone
500 Year
Tsunami
Not Affected
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
2
RESTROOM
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
11
MODULAR A
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
14
THEATER
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
7
CONG SPR STRG
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
261N.
CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
20
PUMPHOUSE
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
4
CORP YARD
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
181
RESTROOM
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
21
STORAGE BLDG
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
1
OLD LIBRARY
0
Fire - threatened area
Moderate
500 Year
Not Affected
10
CITY HALL
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
5
LIBRARY
0
Outside WUI hazard area
Moderate
100 Year
Not Affected
27
ID
15
FIRE STATION / ADMIN OFF.
Critical Facility
MUSEUM
0
Existing Landslide Areas
Surficial Deposits
Fire - threatened area
EQ-Induced Landslides
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
Moderate
EQ Shake
•.
55
500 Year
Liquefaction
Moderate
Not Affected
EQ-Induced Liquefaction
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
9
CONCESSION /RSTRM
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
2
RESTROOM
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
11
MODULAR A
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
14
THEATER
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
7
CONG SPR STRG
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
26
N. CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Moderate
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
Page 4
City of Saratoga
Exposure Analysis
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
e Shake
•.
75
Liquefaction
Moderate
EQ-1nduced Liquefaction
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
20
PUMPHOUSE
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
4
CORP YARD
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
75
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
181
RESTROOM
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
21
STORAGE BLDG
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
Mostly Landslide Area
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Very Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
1
OLD LIBRARY
Surficial Deposits
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
85
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
10
CITY HALL
Surficial Deposits
Mapping in Progress
85
Moderate
Mapping in Progress
5
LIBRARY
Surficial Deposits
Mapping in Progress
85
Moderate
Mapping in Progress
27
ID
FIRE STATION / ADMIN OFF.
Critical Facility
Surficial Deposits
Sea Level Rise 16"
Outside of CGS Landslide Zone
Sea Level Rise 55"
85
Low
Outside of CGS Liquefaction Zone
15
MUSEUM
Not Affected
Not Affected
9
CONCESSION /RSTRM
Not Affected
Not Affected
6
PRK /RSTRM /SNKBR
Not Affected
Not Affected
2
RESTROOM
Not Affected
Not Affected
11
MODULAR A
Not Affected
Not Affected
12
WARNER HUTN BLDG
Not Affected
Not Affected
13
CITY HALL /NEW WING
Not Affected
Not Affected
14
THEATER
Not Affected
Not Affected
7
CONG SPR STRG
Not Affected
Not Affected
8
CONGSPR SCRKEEP
Not Affected
Not Affected
26
N. CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP
Not Affected
Not Affected
25
N. CAMPUS ADMIN BLDNG
Not Affected
Not Affected
19
CARETAKER CTAGE
Not Affected
Not Affected
20
PUMPHOUSE
Not Affected
Not Affected
23
CULTURAL EXCHANG
Not Affected
Not Affected
24
HAKONE PK OFFICE
Not Affected
Not Affected
16
MAIN HOUSE /PARK
Not Affected
Not Affected
17
GRDN PRK /EXHIBIT
Not Affected
Not Affected
3
COMMUNITY CNTR
Not Affected
Not Affected
4
CORP YARD
Not Affected
Not Affected
18
RESTROOM
Not Affected
Not Affected
21
STORAGE BLDG
Not Affected
Not Affected
Page 5
City of Saratoga
Exposure Analysis
ID
Critical Facility
Sea Level Rise 16"
Sea Level Rise 55"
22
GARAGE /GIFT SHOP
Not Affected
Not Affected
1
OLD LIBRARY
Not Affected
Not Affected
10
CITY HALL
Not Affected
Not Affected
5
LIBRARY
Not Affected
Not Affected
27
FIRE STATION /ADMIN OFF.
I Not Affected
Not Affected
Page 6
CITY Ot'W
SARATWA
Appendix C — Geologic and Seismic Hazards Constraints Mapping (Awaiting completion by the
City's Consultant)
Draft January 2013
CIIY 0��W
SARATWA
This page was intentionally left blank
'�
Draft January 2013
GROUND MOVEMENT
l
CITY OF SARATOGA
1
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EXPLANATION
Relatively Stable Ground
Level ground to moderately steep slopes underlain by bedrock within approximately three feet
of the ground surface or less; relatively thin soil mantle may be subject to shallow landsliding,
settlement, and soil creep.
Unconsolidated granular material (alluvium, slope wash, and thick soil) on level ground and
Sun gentle slopes; subject to settlement and soil creep; liquefaction possible at valley floor sites
during strong earthquakes.
® Naturally stabilized ancient landslide debris on gentle to moderately steep slopes; subject to
settlement and soil creep.
Sex Generally highly expansive, clay -rich soils and bedrock subject to seasonal shrink - swell, rapid
soil creep, and settlement. Expansive soils may also occur within other map units.
Areas with Significant Potential for Ground Movement
Pmw Steep to very steep slopes generally underlain by weathered and fractured bedrock subject
to mass - wasting by rockfall, slumping, and raveling.
Paf Areas of artificial fill materials subject to localized settlement and /or potential landsliding
on moderately steep to steep ground and where placement may not have met engineering
specifications.
Ps Unstable, unconsolidated material, commonly less than 10 feet in thickness, on gentle to
moderately steep slopes subject to shallow landlsiding, slumping, settlement, and soil creep.
Liquefaction hazard zones as mapped by the California Geological Survey depicted by stipple.
® Unstable, unconsolidated material, commonly more than 10 feet in thickness, on moderate
to steep slopes; subject to deep landsliding
Pdf Debris flows (shallow, rapidily moving landslides) including recognized source areas and
flow paths. Depositional runout areas may not be fully depicted.
Areas with Potential for Primary Fault Rupture
Zone of potential primary surface fault rupture
Potentially active fault traces
Unstable Ground Characterized by Seasonally Active Downslope Movement
FlMs Moving shallow landslides, commonly less than 10 feet in thickness.
Moving deep landslides, commonly more than 10 feet in thickness.
iq
K
Sls
i LEI, Ps ,
IMF
NOTE TO USERS:
This is an interpretive map derived both from the Geologic Maps of the City of
Saratoga and from additional field observations and geologic experience in the
Saratoga region. All boundaries between zones are located approximately.
Information on this map is NOT sufficient to serve as a substitute for detailed,
site - specific geologic and geotechnical investigations necessary for construction.
Mapping illustrates the relative stability or movement potential, in the Saratoga area,
of ground in its natural undisturbed state. Works of man may seriously alter the
natural stability of the ground.
This map is an update and expansion of the Initial Movement Potential of Undisturbed
Ground Maps prepared by Terratech (1985), William Cotton and Associates, Inc.
(1977), and William Cotton and Associates, Inc. (1980). Alignment of the Berrocal Fault
reflects results of site specific fault investigations submitted to the City and cracking of
ground observed after the Loma Prieta Earthquake (1989). Alignments of the Monta Vista
and Shannon Faults reflect consideration of mapping by Rogers and Williams (1974)
and Herd (1980) and Bedrossian (1980a).
City limits and parcels are approximate and should not be used to determine property
boundaries or relied upon for topographic purposes. Approximations of road alingments
are indicated as dashed lines and were added to the City Parcel and Street base layer
(2005) for illustrative purposes. The map utilizes a 2006 topographic base map with
depicted contour intervals of 20 feet.
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rMCOTTON, SHIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
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CITY OF SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA
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4: Cotton, Shires and Associates (2013)
rMCOTTON, SHIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
GROUND MOVEMENT POTENTIAL MAP
CITY OF SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA
GEO /ENG BY
SCALE
PROJECT NO.
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As Shown
G5042
APPROVED BY
DATE
PLATE NO.
TS
JANUARY 2013
1 OF 1
FINAL REPORT
SAFETY ELEMENT
CITY OF SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA
BACKGROUND REPORT AND
GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
PREPARED FOR:
CITY OF SARATOGA
OCTOBER 7,1987
FINAL REPORT
SAFETY ELEMENT
CITY OF SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA
BACKGROUND REPORT AND
GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
PREPARED FOR:
CITY OF SARATOGA
PREPARED BY:
CITY STAFF AND TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 7, 1987
SAFETY ELEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE AND GOAL OF SAFETY ELEMENT
HAZARD INDENTIFICATION
HAZARDS OF LAND INSTABILITY
General Geology and Physical Characteristics
Geotechnical Terrain Units and Related Hazards
Landslides and Slope Instability
Soil Creep and Expansive Soils
SEISMIC HAZARDS
Identification of Active and Potentially Active Faults
Ground Shaking
Surface Rupture
Ground Failure
Seismically Induced Flooding and Dam Inundation
Structurally Hazards Related to Seismic Activity
Other Potential Hazards Related to Seismic Activity
FLOOD HAZARDS
Historical Data on Flooding in Area
Identification of Areas Subject to Flooding
Flood Controls and Land Development Review
Flood Controls and Emergency Services
FIRE HAZARDS
Fire Protection in Saratoga
Assessment of Fire Risk in Wildland Areas
Assessment of Fire Risk in Urban Areas
Hazardous Materials Storage and Disposal
PAGE
rl
11
15
EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS AND DISASTER PLANNING 20
Emergency Plan Purpose and Organization
Emergency Evacuation Plan
IMPACT IDENTIFICATION
Land Use Impacts
Transportation Route Impacts
Utility Impacts
Emergency Related Facilities
GOALS, POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS
ANALYSIS OF EXISITING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
City Development Controls and Standards
General Plan Elements
Specific Plans
Northwestern Hillsides Specific Plan
Sphere of Influence Special Plan
Emergency Plan
ISSUE INDENTIFICATION AND ADOPTED GOALS, POLICIES AND
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A: Glossary
APPENDIX B: Northwestern Hillside Specific Plan (Summary)
APPENDIX C: Sphere of Influence Specific Plan (Summary)
APPENDIX D: Existing Safety /Seismic Safety Element (Summary)
MAPS
Map 1:
Geotechnical Terrain Units
Map 2:
Relative Geologic Stability
Map 3:
Landslide and Flood Areas
Map 4:
General Plan Geologic Hazard Overlays
Map 5:
Areas of Extreme Fire Hazard
Map 6:
Evacuation Routes
PAGE
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25
26
wt
34
37
38
41
43
45
PURPOSE AND GOAL OF SAFETY ELEMENT
The Safety Element is a mandatory element of the General Plan required by SB
351, an act which became law on February 23, 1971. Originally addressed in two
separate elements of the General Plan, the Safety Element and the Seismic Safety
Element are combined into one element, the Safety Element, under California
Government Code Article 5 -65302 (1986).
The purpose of the Safety Element of the General Plan is to protect the
community from any unreasonable risks associated with fire, geological activity and
instabilities, flooding, combinations of these hazards, and the ability of manmade
structures to withstand these conditions. The element also addresses dangers which
might result from poor emergency service, difficult access, and lack of preparedness or
public information. Existing emergency services are assessed and criteria for types and
intensities of land use in undeveloped areas are recommended.
i
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
The identification of hazards that
affect the City is the initial step in the safety
planning process. It is also the most
important stage in this process since
inaccurate hazard identification and the
formulation of inadequate safety land use
policies could result in unnecessary loss of
life, injury and property damage.
The natural hazards that have
affected Saratoga in the past and those that
may affect it in the future can be identified
with a high degree of accuracy. Geologic,
flood and fire hazards have all caused
considerable damage within the community
in the past, while recent earthquakes have
been minimal in their damaging effects.
Although the future extent of natural hazards
is unknown, in all probability the future will
include the same types of hazards as have
occurred in the past. Accurate hazard
identification is an accounting of historical
information to be used as the basis for the
evaluation of the future and the risks
involved in relation to current and proposed
land uses.
HAZARD OF LAND INSTABILITY
The physical and geologic
characteristics of Saratoga have the potential
to produce geologic related problems for
land development. Land development in
areas of geologic instability can subject life
and property to hazards caused by both
seismic and non - seismic conditions. Many
hazards occur when property is developed in
ways which are unsuitable to geologic
conditions in the area. When structures or
roads are built on geologically unstable land,
such as landslide areas or unstable slopes
and soils, there is a definite risk to the
community.
Geologic hazards are unavoidable in
California. However, some geologic
conditions represent greater hazards than
others. Faulting and unstable bedrock
present great risks, while surface instabilities
can often be engineered to make
construction safe. When unstable soil
combines with steep slope, development can
be hazardous and the environment is
endangered by potential landslides.
Recognizing and delineating the
geotechnical hazards which could result in
injuries, property damage and economic or
social dislocations is an important function
of the city planning process to protect the
public health, safety and welfare of the
community.
The background geotechnical data
for the Safety Element of the City of
Saratoga's General Plan is contained in the
Saratoga Geotechnical Report (1974); the
Ground Movement Potential Maps and
Geologic Hazard Analysis of the Upper
Calabazas Creek Watershed and of the
Congress Springs Study Area by William
Cotton and Associates (1980); and also in
the Geologic Hazards Analysis of the Lower
Saratoga Hillside Area by Terratech (1985).
Included here is a summation of that data,
and additional geotechnical information
which has been compiled from more recent
site - specific geotechnical investigations.
General Geology and Physical
Characteristics
Topography: The topography of
Saratoga includes the low -lying relatively
fat valley floor and the northwestern
foothills. Outside the city limits, but within
Saratoga's Sphere of Influence, are the
Castle Rock portions of the Santa Cruz
Mountains. These mountains are very
rugged, comprised of steep canyons and
sharp to rounded ridge tops.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 1
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 2
Geotechnical Terrain Units and Related
Vegetation: The mountain areas in
Hazards
the Sphere of Influence have a solid cover of
vegetation. Hardwood trees of oak and
There are large areas of the City and
madrone are abundant in this area, as well as
its Sphere of Influence which have similar
redwood and douglas fir. The canyon floors
bedrock and soil characteristics. These
near streams are covered with sycamore,
areas of similar geotechnical characteristics
elder and maple trees. Much of the area is
are designated geotechnical terrain units.
densely covered with chaparral, with only a
There are five such terrain units in Saratoga
few areas covered with grass.
and its Sphere of Influence (Map 1:
Geotechnical Terrain Units): San Andreas
Geology: The dominant geologic
Rift (I), Foothills (II), Saratoga Mountain
feature within Saratoga's Sphere of
(III), Skyline (IV) and Valley Floor (V).
Influence is the San Andreas fault zone,
bisecting the mountainous portion of the
The following conclusions can be
terrain. The fault zone determines the
made based on an evaluation of the
geology and topography of the area by
geotechnical data for each terrain unit:
separating two different rock assemblages
and their associated erosional
I. Terrain Unit I (not shown) cannot
characteristics. The fault zone is composed
support urban residential
of a complex system of fault traces and
development but can support very
fractured rock.
limited rural residential development
in accordance with site - specific
The rock formations to the east of
geotechnical studies. The Santa
the San Andreas fault are composed of
Clara County General Plan states
sandstone, shale, volcanic rocks, some
that specific hazard areas within this
diabase and gabbro and also large shear
terrain unit must be placed in
zone areas. The mountain area is separated
permanent open space.
from the flat area within the city limits by
the Santa Clara Formation composed of
2. Terrain Unit II can support both
unconsolidated to semi - consolidated gravel,
controlled urban residential
sand and clay.
development and rural residential
development in accordance with site -
The valley floor of Saratoga is
specific geological and soils
comprised of several alluvial fan deposits
investigations.
from the creeks and streams flowing from
the mountainous area. The alluvium is
3. Terrain Unit III cannot support urban
composed of unconsolidated particles
residential development but can
consisting of clay, silt, sand and gravel.
support rural residential development
This is class I and II agricultural soil and is
in accordance with site - specific
considered fertile by the United States
geological and soils investigations.
Conservation Service.
4. Terrain Unit IV cannot support urban
residential development but can
support rural residential development
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 2
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
in accordance with site - specific
geological and soils investigations.
5. Terrain Unit V can support urban
residential development. Geological
investigation is not necessary, but
soil analyses should be required.
Additional data on each terrain unit is
available in the 1974 Geotechnical
Background Report. This data is
supplemented by the Geology and Soils
section of the Northwestern Hillside
Specific Plan (adopted in 1981).
Landslide and Slope Instability
Although most landslides are natural
occurrences, some damaging landslides are
the result of human carelessness or
haphazard construction. When construction
is allowed in areas where landslides exist or
where landslide susceptibility is high, the
potential for substantial property loss and
human endangerment increase. The
potential public costs for the repair of roads
and utilities or disaster relief make it
imperative that the city restrict development
in geologically hazardous areas.
Most sloping land has some potential
for land sliding. Slope stability is affected
by several interrelated factors such as
steepness of slope, weak unconsolidated soil
units or formations with a high clay content,
water saturation, vegetation removal and
seismic activity. Usually a combination of
several factors will bring the hillside to the
verge of failure, and a single factor such as
heavy rainfall or an earthquake will be the
catalyst responsible for initiating slope
failure. The development of sites where
these conditions exist may also trigger
landslide activity.
As shown on Map 2 (Relative
Geologic Stability), a major portion of the
City of Saratoga is underlain by a geologic
stability zone. This type of geologic unit is
moderately stable when dry, but moderately
unstable when saturated. Within the city
boundaries, landslides are most likely to
occur where silt and clay have been eroded
along the stream channels traversing the
City.
Map 2 also shows areas in Saratoga
that contain rock formations conducive to
abundant landslides. These areas primarily
lie west of Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, pass
through a portion of the Northwestern
Hillsides Residential District, and continue
pass Big Basin Way. The zone is also
present within the Sphere of Influence,
along the City's northwestern boundary and
crossing Bohlman Road. Landslides and
unstable slopes are prevalent in this area,
and can create hazards within the city limits
as the slide debris and rock moves down the
incline toward the City's valley floor.
Landslides and slope instability are the
major non - seismic geologic hazards in
Saratoga. Although most of the hillside
areas in the city experience these hazards to
some degree, the most severe risks are found
in the vicinity of the Congress Springs area
and the upper Calabazas Creek watershed.
The Congress Springs study area,
investigated by geologic hazards by William
Cotton and Associates in 1980, is located in
the hillside region west of Saratoga and
south of Congress Springs Road. Access to
the northern part of the area is provided by
Pierce, Toll Gate, and Congress Springs
Roads. The southern part is served by the
narrow hillside roadways of Bohlman,
Belnap, Kittridge, Quickert, On Orbit and
Apollo Roads. One -third of the land in this
study area is within the city limits. The
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 3
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
present land use consists of hillside
residential and watershed areas.
The northern portion of the Congress
Springs area is traversed by the potentially
active Berrocal fault, which has contributed
to deformation and fracture of the bedrock
in the vicinity. It also lies within a mile of
the San Andreas fault; the proximity of these
two fault systems has produced unstable
slope conditions. Large landslide deposits
blanket the underlying bedrock throughout
much of the hillside region and
approximately 50% of the hillside contains
landslide debris.
The most geologically unstable area of
the city lies in the Congress Springs area.
An extensive section of several active
landslides are shown on Map 3, Landslide
and Flood Areas. The upper portion of the
section includes the hilly region south of
Congress Springs Road, part of the natural
channel of Saratoga Creek, a section of the
Congress Springs Road alignment, and a
considerable amount of the low foothills
located north of the road. Slope movements
have been noted in this region for over 50
years. The Congress Springs Road surface
has been significantly deformed and
elevated about 14 feet since 1931 when the
present alignment was constructed.
Extensive structural damage has been
experienced by all man -made structures
within or south of this region.
AREAS OF RELATIVELY STABLE
GROUND
Sbr — Level ground with moderately steep
slopes underlain by bedrock within several
feet of the ground surface. Soil or alluvial
cover may be subject to shallow sliding, soil
creep or settlement.
Sls — Gentle to moderately steep slopes
underlain by naturally stabilized old
landslide debris. Subject to local soil creep
and settlement.
Sun — Level ground and gentle slopes
underlain by thick unconsolidated granular
material. Subject to settlement and soil
creep. Liquefaction possible in low areas
during strong earthquakes. Stream erosion
may trigger shallow landslides along creek
banks.
Sff - Large areas of relatively stable
artificial fill on flat or gently sloping ground
or in canyon bottoms. Subject to
localized settlement where placement might
not have met engineering specifications.
Sex -Generally highly expansive, clay -rich
soils and bedrock. Subject to seasonal
shrink- swell, rapid soil creep and settlement.
May include areas of non - expansive
material and may also occur within other
map units.
AREAS OF POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE
GROUND
Pmw - Steep to very steep slopes underlain
by weathered, fractured bedrock, subject to
mass wasting by soil creep, slumping and
rock fall activity.
Pfs — Large areas of potentially unstable
artificial fill on moderately steep -to -steep
ground. Subject to localized settlement,
landsliding and debris flow activity where
placement might not have met engineering
standards.
Ps — Gentle to moderately steep slopes
underlain by relatively unstable material
including landslide debris, colluvium and
weak bedrock. Commonly less than 10 feet
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 4
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
thick. Susceptible to shallow landsliding
and soil creep activity.
Pd — Moderately steep to very steep slopes
underlain by or adjacent to relatively
unstable landslide debris, commonly more
than 10 feet thick. Susceptible to deep
landsliding.
Pdf — Steep to very steep terrain mantled
with thick soil, colluvium and landslide
debris susceptible to debris flows. Includes
flows and depositional areas on flatter slopes
below.
AREAS OF UNSTABLE GROUND
Ms - Moving shallow landslides, commonly
less than 10 feet thick.
Md - Moving deep landslides, more than 10
feet thick.
Mrf - Moving deep landslides, more than
100 feet thick, exposed in high, over
steepened slopes, subject to large -scale
sloughing, slumping and possibly
catastrophic rock falls.
AREAS OF POTENTIAL SURFACE
FAULTING
Psf — Zone of potential surface faulting and
associated ground displacement within 100
feet of a trace of the Berrocal Fault or within
200 feet of a trace of the Shannon Fault.
Active land sliding can also be traced
across Belnap, Bohlman and On Orbit
Roads and private driveways at a number of
locations within the Congress Springs and
the Lower Saratoga hillside areas. Santa
Clara County has surveyed a short section of
Bohlman Road below the intersection of On
Orbit Drive and found it to be moving at a
rate of 2.7 to 3.6 inches per year. This is
considered an extremely high -risk area for
future development, even in those areas
which appear to be stable at the present
time. The equilibrium of even the most
stable ground within this hillside could be
destroyed by the advent of road
construction. Irrigation, alteration of natural
drainage, or the introduction of septic tank
effluent. Rapid failure of these slopes could
cause considerable property damage,
personal injury or loss of life.
Other highly unstable geologic units
within Saratoga and its Sphere of Influence
are those designated on Map 2 according to
the key. These units include all landslides
shown on Map 3, which are considered
extremely unstable, particularly when
saturated. The upper Calabazas Creek
watershed is located in this hillside region
west of Saratoga, and extends into the
unincorporated area. Primary access to the
area is provided by Congress Springs Road
to the south, and Pierce and Mt. Eden Roads
to the northwest. Although the majority of
the land is underlain by relatively stable
ground, the stability large portions of the
hillside is undermined by landslide deposits
and unstable soils.
The most extensive occurrence of
landslide deposits is in the central portion of
the watershed located north and south of the
Mt. Eden Road - Pierce Road intersection.
Forty percent of the total land area in the Mt.
Eden Road - Pierce Road vicinity is covered
by landslide deposits. Isolated landslides
are common in this area, as are large
landslide complexes, which cover entire hill
slopes. Examples of these large slide
deposits are those on Pike Road on the
Garrod Farms property. Within the same
general area, the Quarry Road slide adjacent
to the Calabazas Creek has moved part of
the roadbed into the creek.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 5
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
To prevent potential geologic hazards
from occurring in areas of slope instability
and unstable soils, Saratoga requires that
detailed geotechnical investigations be made
for all land use proposals in the
Northwestern Hillsides Residential District
(NHR). The northwestern hillside area of
Saratoga and adjacent Santa Clara county
lands (refer to map in Appendix B), and in
the Hillside Conservation Residential
District (HC -RD) in accordance with
Section 15- 13.050 and 15- 14.050 of the City
Code.
Saratoga's Sphere of Influence is
within Santa Clara County's jurisdiction and
development review area. Saratoga's
Sphere of Influence is defined as that area
outside the City's incorporated boundary,
but designated by the Santa Clara County
Local Agency Formation Commission as the
unincorporated area most likely to be
influenced and annexed by the City at some
future date (refer to map in Appendix Q.
The County has adopted a Geologic Hazard
zoning district where development is
restricted due to large area -wide landslides.
The County has established specific
guidelines for the review of development
proposals in this district to aid in identifying
areas of land instability, and to require that
appropriate conditions be met by developers.
This zoning designation has been applied to
the major slide area at Congress Springs
Road, shown on Map 3.
Soil Creep and Expansive Soils
Soil creep and expansive soils are most
prevalent in the western hillside regions of
the city. Soil creep is the slow, down slope
movement of near - surface materials. The
rate of soil creep is a function of slope angle,
soil thickness and texture. It can be
regarded as a continuous process, and may
cause retaining walls, foundations and paved
roads to fail over a period of time
unaccompanied by any obvious signs of
slope failure. Soil creep should not have a
prohibitive effect on land use, but should
alert the City to require appropriate
geotechnical investigations to evaluate
conditions and to impose engineering
solutions to mitigate problems.
Expansive soils contain high
proportions of clay and alternately absorb
and release large amounts of water during
wet and dry cycles. When structures are
built on expansive soil, foundations may rise
each wet season, resulting in cracked
foundations, distorted frameworks, and
warped windows and doors. These adverse
effects can be eliminated by recognition of
the applications for site development and
foundation design. All applications for site
development and building permits should be
accompanied by soil reports in those areas
where expansive soils exist.
SEISMIC HAZARDS
The identification of earthquake
hazards in Saratoga requires a description of
potentially active faults within the area and
also a description of the secondary effects of
earthquake activity, caused by the sudden
movement of blocks of the earth's crust
along a fault line. The secondary effects
constitute potential hazards to the populated
area and consist o£ 1) ground shaking, 2)
surface rupture or ground displacement
along fault traces, 3) ground failure, and 4)
seismically induced water inundation.
Hazards increase in areas where seismic
activity is combined with the potential for
flooding, poor soil drainage, unstable
surficial soil and steep slope, fire hazard and
deteriorated structures and can result in
extensive property damage, personal injury
or death.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 6
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
Identification of Active and Potentially
Active Faults
The San Andreas Fault is the only
known "active" fault in the vicinity of
Saratoga. For planning purposes, an
"active" fault is one which has experienced
displacement within the last 11,000 years,
and can be expected to move again within
the next 100 years. The proximity of the
fault, which traverses the City's Sphere of
Influence along the ridge of the Santa Cruz
Mountains, subjects the hillside region to the
probability of severe lateral displacement
and ground shaking should an earthquake
occur.
There are two "potentially active"
faults within the city limits and lying on the
alluvial plain. A "potentially active" fault is
one that has moved within the last 2 million
to 11,000 years, and because it is judged to
be capable of ground rupture or shaking,
poses an unacceptable risk to a proposed
structure while the San Andreas Fault has a
significant history of seismic activity, the
Berrocal and Shannon Faults are considered
"potentially active" because there is no
reliable evidence of recent displacement
along either fault. The Berrocal Fault
belongs to the Sargent Fault zone, a complex
system of interconnecting faults extending
northwest between the San Andreas and the
Calaveras Faults. The fault trace crosses
Congress Springs Road and continues into
the southeastern portion of the Sphere of
Influence. The Shannon Fault, part of the
Monte Vista Fault system, closely parallels
the proposed State Highway 85 corridor
from Regnart Creek (Cupertino) in the
north, crossing Saratoga Avenue, and
continuing to the Almaden Expressway in
the southeast portion of San Jose. Although
there is a remote chance that ground rupture
could occur on either of these fault traces in
the future, it is more likely to occur on the
San Andreas Fault.
In compliance with State legislation
(Alquist — Priolo Geologic Hazard Zones
Act), the California Division of Mines and
Geology has established Special Studies
Zones along faults considered to be active or
potentially active. When development for
human occupancy is proposed within these
zones, special studies relating to seismic
hazards are required and must be submitted
to the City or County Geologist for review.
At the present time, the San Andreas Fault is
the only area within the City and its Sphere
of Influence that the State has designated as
a Special Studies Zone.
Ground Movement Potential Maps and
Geologic Hazards Analyses of the
Northwestern Hillsides region in Saratoga
have been prepared by William Cotton and
Associates. Geologic and Ground
Movement Potential Maps of the Lower
Saratoga Hillside Area, supplemented by a
Geologic Hazards Analysis, have been
prepared for the City by Terratech. These
documents indicate the general location of
areas of potential hazards and, for the
purposes of the Safety Element, have been
compiled into one map, Map 4: General
Plan Geologic Hazard Overlay Map. This
map also includes 100 -year flood areas
potentially active faults and hazardous fire
areas. The information in both Maps 2 and
4 generally informs the public about
potential seismic or ground movement
hazards, but it is not intended to replace the
necessary geotechnical studies for individual
sites, particularly in the Northwestern
Hillside Area, prior to development.
Ground Shaking
The most widespread effect of an
earthquake is ground shaking, or the
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 7
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
movement of the earth's surface in response
to seismic activity; this often is the greatest
cause of physical damage. Structures of all
types, including buildings and utility
facilities may suffer severe damage or
collapse if not properly designed to
withstand the intensity of the shaking.
The major threat to persons in both the
City of Saratoga and its Sphere of Influence
is structural failure of buildings or failure of
slopes due to shaking. Because of the steep
slopes and network of fault lines in the
hillside areas closest to the San Andreas Rift
Zone, it is essential to enforce strict
earthquake construction and soil engineering
standards in order to select the most stable
building sites, and to compensate for soil
instabilities through the use of approved
engineering and construction techniques.
According to the California State
Division of Mines and Geology, over 100
small to moderate tremors were felt in the
Santa Cruz Mountains area over the past 60
years, with 14 events having epicenters
located within Saratoga's Sphere of
Influence. Hence, there is a high probability
that a strong earthquake will occur in the
near future in the vicinity of the city.
Surface Rupture
Surface rupture, or a break in the
ground's surface and the associated
displacement caused by the movement of a
fault, is directly correlated to earthquake
magnitude; earthquakes having a magnitude
of 5.5 or greater are required for such events
to occur.
During the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake (magnitude 8.3), ground rupture
occurred along 270 miles of the San
Andreas Fault, with a 20 -foot offset
occurring near the epicenter in Marin
County.
It is generally not economically
feasible to design and build foundations of
structures across faults, especially those
subject to ground displacement or surface
rupture. In addition to regional
investigations necessary to the basic
understanding of faults and their histories,
detailed site investigations are needed prior
to the approval of construction in any
suspected or potentially active fault zone.
Utilities, roads and other linear
features are particularly vulnerable to
damage resulting from ground displacement.
Little rural residential development has
taken place within the San Andreas Fault
zone in Saratoga's Sphere of Influence, so
the present risk of structural damage due to
fault rupture is minimal. However, utility
facilities such as gas and electric lines
traverse the fault zone and may be subject to
damage from surface rupture.
Ground Failure
Ground failure is a secondary effect of
earthquake shaking that can be potentially
dangerous and damaging. It includes
landslides, rock falls, subsidence,
liquefaction and ground lurching in areas not
actually ruptured by a fault. All of these
activities involve the displacement of
ground surface due to loss of strength or
failure of the underlying materials during
earthquake shaking. Existing moisture
conditions and groundwater levels play an
important role in the assessment of the
potential for ground failure, as do soil type
and slope instability.
The San Andreas Rift Zone and the
Northwestern Foothills (Terrain Unit II) are
estimated to have a high probability of
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landslide potential should an earthquake
occur, while the probability of subsidence
and ground lurching in these areas is low.
The Bohlman area (Terrain Unit III) is
known for unstable slopes and is considered
to have a high potential for seismically
induced landslides. The Skyline area
(Terrain Unit IV) has a medium or moderate
probability of landslide occurrence, but this
region is sparsely populated.
The Valley floor (Terrain Unit V), the
most populated area of Saratoga, is
relatively flat but is traversed by several
creeks. While this area may not experience
landslide or ground lurching should an
earthquake occur, there is a moderate
probability that subsidence and /or
liquefaction would take place due to the
loosely compacted alluvium soil.
Seismically Induced Flooding and Dam
Tnrnn ri nti nn
Should a dam fail during an
earthquake, the released water could cause
flooding downstream. The resulting damage
is dependent on the rate of water released
and the volume of water in the reservoir.
Failure of a dam can either be caused by
ground displacement along a fault trace,
ground shaking or overtopping of the dam
by a large landslide splash wave.
The Lake Ranch reservoir in
Saratoga's Sphere of Influence is the most
likely reservoir to be affected by seismic
activity. Operated by the San Jose Water
Company, the reservoir is located in a
saddle- shaped depression near the southern
portion of Sanborn Road, and was created
by the construction of a small earthen dam at
each end. Both dams are traversed by the
San Andreas Fault, and both withstood the
1906 earthquake. However, it is estimated
that if an earthquake occurs which either
ruptures the dams or creates reservoir
seiches (seismic waves), the volume of
water (105 million gallons when full)
released would be comparable to the
flooding hazard from a 100 year flood. The
southeasterly flow of the reservoir storage
would impact areas outside of the City's
Sphere of Influence near the Santa Cruz
County line, while the northeasterly flow
would flood areas along Quito Creek.
Other flooding hazards resulting from
the secondary effects of seismic activity
could occur if landslides are activated and
advance into creek beds. On Big Basin
Way, near the San Jose Water Company's
Saratoga filter plant, a slide could
conceivably block both the road and
Saratoga Creek during an earthquake. This
area has experienced movement in the past,
and has required periodic maintenance and
the construction of expensive drainage
facilities at the site.
Structural Hazards Related to Seismic
Activity
The majority of homes in the City of
Saratoga are single - story, post -1950 wood
frame structures which tend to fare well
during earthquakes because of the flexibility
of building material. However, recently, the
number of two -story homes being built
exceeds that of single -story homes,
particularly in hillside areas. The low
density of development in recent housing
tracts is also an advantage during an
earthquake because it allows clearance
around buildings for sway and falling debris.
Fortunately, few elevated structures in
excess of two or three stories in height have
been built in Saratoga or its Sphere of
Influence; the few that do exist were
constructed according to modern codes
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which include seismic safety requirements.
While it is impossible to guarantee the
safety of any structure, a clearly defined and
conscientiously enforced program of
structural reinforcement will greatly reduce
injury and loss of life. The establishment of
appropriate setbacks to prohibit
development near or on fault lines is another
precaution which can be used to minimize
structural damage.
Many commonly used building
components, such as nonreinforced stone or
brick chimneys and nonreinforced masonry,
are particularly susceptible to ground
shaking. Among newly constructed
buildings, particularly those for commercial
use, small steel frame buildings are
generally considered the safest, while
nonreinforced masonry and tilt -up structures
are regarded as posing a greater risk.
Because Saratoga is predominantly a
residential community, it dose not have a
vast number of nonreinforced masonry or
tilt -up structures. At the present time, there
are no tilt -up structure in the city, but it is
estimated that 50% of the structures in the
Village area along Big Basin Way are of
nonreinforced masonry. This type of
construction should be avoided since it is
estimated that the damage to this type of
structure is two or three times greater than
that which would occur with a wood -frame
building. In areas with intense ground
shaking during the San Fernando earthquake
of 1971, there was a 20% loss rate to tilt -up
structures, with the roof to wall connections
showing particular stress.
State law requires municipalities to
inventory potentially hazardous masonry
buildings and to file the inventory with the
Seismic Safety Commission. However, the
State has not allocated funding to assist local
agencies in implementing this program.
Other Potential Hazards Related to Seismic
Activity
Public and quasi - public facilities such
as utility systems may be at risk from the
secondary effects of seismic activity. In the
aftermath of a major earthquake, facilities of
particular importance such as water tanks,
pipelines including gas, water and sewer,
electrical and communications systems, and
roads, bridges and freeways are regarded as
the "lifelines" of the community for the
provision of emergency services. Many of
these utilities unavoidably cross hazardous
area, and could be disrupted and seriously
impaired in the event of an earthquake.
Water distribution, sewage disposal and gas
systems are particularly vulnerable.
Disruption of these systems after an
earthquake will be dependent not only upon
the location and magnitude of the
earthquake and specific site conditions, but
also on the condition of the lines, pumps and
plan facilities. Water pumps require
electricity units to operate, and hence the
system could fail at many points. Gas
distribution lines crossing seismically
hazardous areas or large gasoline storage
tanks located in areas of poor soil conditions
could rupture, and the gas be ignited. The
areas of the City and its Sphere of Influence
where utilities are most likely to be
disturbed are the San Andreas Rift Zone and
the Bohlman Road area.
Several safety measures have been
used by the City to reduce the risk of utility
system breakdown during an earthquake:
stand -by power sources are provided to all
computerized controls and monitors; loss of
power will automatically shut off water; and
sewage lines have been embedded several
feet lower than the water lines. Water
comes to Saratoga from four different
locations operated by SJWC: Saratoga
Creek, Los Gatos Creek impounding dams,
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125 wells in the North Central District, and
from the SCVWD Rinconada Treatment
Plant. While it is unlikely that all sources
would be shut off simultaneously, a limited
reserve of replacement equipment might
delay the restoration of service. After an
earthquake or disaster, SJWC will
implement its own emergency operating
plan to serve Saratoga.
The problem of water supply in the
hillsides and the Sphere of Influence could
become acute during an earthquake. In the
summer, when streams are dry, dependence
on private sources might be inadequate for
emergency needs. There are several small
reservoirs, two 10,000 gallon redwood
storage tanks often used by the Forestry
Division, occasional wells, and the Lake
Ranch Reservoir which, under properly
organized distribution, could provide for
emergency needs.
Damage to roadways, freeways and
bridges can be expected during a major
earthquake. However, recently constructed
reinforced concrete bridges and overpasses
are considered to be more resilient to
earthquake movement than older bridges
and overpasses. Several bridges in the City
would be subject to failure during seismic
activity because they were not constructed
according to current engineering standards.
These facilities are also in areas of high
groundwater levels and unstable creek beds:
Springer Avenue at Big Basin Way, Fourth
Street near Big Basin Way, Sarahills Road
near Pierce Road, and Chalet Clothilde
Drive near Pierce Road. The only airport in
the Bay Area expected to be operational
following an earthquake is San Jose
International Airport. All other airports in
the bay region are built on bay mud which
tends to liquefy during seismic activity.
One of the greatest problems following
an earthquake is the provision of emergency
care for the injured at major hospitals and
health care facilities. Some hospitals may
not be operational after a major earthquake,
especially if they are located near the San
Andreas Fault. If a major earthquake causes
the City to become isolated from the rest of
the Santa Clara Valley, Los Gatos —
Saratoga Hospital on Pollard Road in Los
Gatos would be the most accessible health
care facility for the residents of Saratoga.
Good Samaritan Hospital, while close in
proximity to the City, could be inaccessible
if freeways and overpasses are not usable.
The nine schools in the City would be used
as Emergency Operations Centers for public
information, and have been designed
according to the strict State seismic safety
requirements of the Field Act (1933). Blue
Hills Elementary School is located near the
Shannon Fault; the structural soundness of
this structure should be evaluated and if any
hazards which cannot be mitigated exist,
abandonment of the building should be
considered. It is recommended that future
involuntary occupancy type structures in
Saratoga, such as schools and hospitals, not
be located in areas of poor land stability, and
should be designed to mitigate any seismic
hazards associated with their sites.
FLOOD HAZARDS
Historically, the occurrence of
flooding has been a benefit to agricultural
soil, wildlife and the general ecological
balance of a community. Flooding becomes
a natural hazard when the flow of water
threatens life and damages personal
property. Damages from flooding increase
in proportion to the growth of urban
development and as subdivisions locate on
potential flood sites.
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Floods are primarily caused by
excessive surface runoff resulting from
intense or heavy rainfall, or from the failure
of flood control or water supply structures
such as levees or reservoirs. When
prolonged rainfall exceeds the absorption
rate of the soil or the waste storage capacity
of the watershed, the excess must flow
downstream. Although it is impossible to
prevent excessive rainfall that causes major
floods, it is possible to develop methods and
policies for the management of areas subject
to flooding, and for the protection of life and
property. Through the use of hydrologic
data in conjunction with regulatory and
flood proofing measures, proper land use
planning can be effective in the control of
flooding and its possible adverse affects.
Historical Data on Flooding in Area
All surface water originating in or
passing through Saratoga ultimately
discharges in San Francisco Bay. Runoff is
collected in the City's underground storm
drainage system, which discharges into the
creeks throughout the City. Three major
drainage basin lie within the City, and all
drain from south to north. From east to
west, these basins are the San Tomas
Aquino, Saratoga and Calabaza Creeks.
Wildcat, Vasona and Sobey Creeks are
tributaries within the San Tomas Creek
drainage system, while Prospect and Rodeo
Creeks are tributaries of Calabazas Creek.
San Tomas Aquino and Calabazas Creeks
discharge into the Guadalupe Slough near
the Bay, with Saratoga Creek joining San
Tomas Aquino north of the City.
Information on flooding of the creeks
during the years 1889 through 1973 reveals
that the Saratoga area experienced 14 floods
of varying severity. Flooding in the early
years was often viewed as an asset rather
than a liability, since the need for water to
irrigate agricultural crops outweighed the
damage done by floodwater. As
development increased over the years,
damage became a more important
consideration as population growth and the
completion of water retention facilities in
the area combined to alter the pattern of
potential flooding.
The severity of floods in relation to
urban development varies from year to year.
The most serious floods in Saratoga
occurred in 1914, 1955, 1958, 1963 and the
winter of 1982 -83. The City was hit most
severely during the floods of 1958. The
Santa Clara Valley Water District has made
progress in improving the channels since
that date whenever funds were available; as
a result, flood damage has been reduced
over the years. During an average year,
residents of the area are subject to minor
flooding, but most potential hazards are
now being corrected through conditions of
approval for tentative subdivision maps.
The most recent major flooding in
Saratoga occurred during the heavy rains of
the winter of 1982 -83. Much of the property
damage resulting from the high intensity and
long duration of the rains during that winter
was due to slope failure, triggered by over -
saturation of the ground and/or by rising
groundwater level. Although the resulting
landslides were confined primarily to private
property, some public roads and utilities in
the upper Calabazas Creek watershed and
the Congress Springs study area also
experienced ground failure. On Michaels
Drive, where several slides occurred, a water
line belonging to San Jose Water Works was
broken. At Kittridge and Bohlman Roads, a
landslide extended into the road alignment,
disrupting gas and water lines. Curbs and
concrete gutters buckled on Sarahills Drive
as slope movement caused compression
cracking of the road surface.
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Identification of Areas Subject to Flooding
Several creek areas in Saratoga have
been identified as specific flood hazard areas
(Map 3). Saratoga Creek has the most
extensive floodplain in width and length. It
begins above Prospect Avenue and follows
Saratoga Avenue where it joins Big
BasinWay. The widest portion of the
floodplain is south of the Southern Pacific
Railroad tracks. The flood hazard in this
area is expected to diminish when drainage
facilities are constructed in conjunction with
the development of the State Highway 85
transportation corridor.
As tributaries of the San Tomas
Aquino Creek basin, Wildcat, Vasona and
San Tomas Aquino Creeks also are subject
to the 100 -year flood hazard. Recent
improvements to these creek channels have
greatly reduced the potential for flood
damage in adjacent areas. Further
improvements will also be made during the
construction of the transportation corridor.
Calabazas Creek has an extremely
wide 100 -year floodplain from Prospect
Road extending almost to Wardell Road,
between Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and
Arroyo de Arguello, where the watershed
branches out in a westward direction.
Although much of the terrainlying within the
upper Calabazas Creek watershed is
characterized by steep hillsides, heavy
rainfall during past years has saturated
unstable slopes and caused the groundwater
lever to rise, triggering landslides of mud
and debris into the creek channels. Since
the flooding in 1983, extensive cleaning of
the Calabazas Creek basin near Comer Drive
has been performed annually to dislodge
accumulated debris which impedes the flow
of the drainage basin.
There are no Federal flood control
facilities on stream channels in the City of
Saratoga. However, private parties have
contributed toward the development of
drainage facilities which have reduced flood
damages over the years. These
improvements have consisted of bridge and
culvert construction, but, in many cases,
have proven inadequate in containing the
100 -year flood flow.
The future risk of hazard from
flooding is most likely to occur in areas
which have been subject to flooding during
the past 100 years on record. Residential
development should not be permitted in
designated floodplains unless it has been
previously approved by the Santa Clara
Valley Water District (SCVWD), or only if
the structures are adequately protected by
raising the first habitable floor at least one
foot above the base flood line level.
The principal land use in the floodlines
within the City is low to medium density
residential, with limited areas designated as
agricultural, open space or commercial use.
Uses which do not subject human life to
danger, such as orchards or wildlife
preserves, can be permitted in the
floodplains. Existing development in the
floodplain can be further protected through
the use of levees or engineering methods
which increase stream capacity.
Flood Controls and Land Development
Review
The City of Saratoga is a participant in
the National Flood Insurance Program
operated by the Federal Insurance
Administration of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The purpose of the program is to provide
insurance coverage to property owners
against losses due to flooding, and to require
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that local governments take all actions
possible to control development in a manner
which minimizes that risk of flood damage.
Under the program, the City must adopt land
use and development controls to assure that
new structures are reasonably safe from
flooding. Within the identified flood hazard
area which the federal program designates,
these controls require that new structures use
flood - resistant materials, be adequately
anchored, have first floors elevated above
the level of the 1% base floodplain, and be
placed outside of designated floodways.
The 1% base floodplain is that area where
there is a one - percent chance of a flood
occurring within any given year. This area
is soften called the 100 -year flood zone,
which signifies the reoccurrence interval or
long -term average period between floods of
a specific magnitude. The City must also
apply floodplain zoning to designated
floodways and develop a Floodplain
Management Ordinance under this program.
Without flood protection, many types
of land uses, particularly housing, are not
appropriate within floodable areas.
However, flood protection facilities are not
economically justifiable, even though an
area is a known floodplain, unless they
service valuable land uses such as housing.
Historically, land development has come
first and flood protection has been provided
after flood damage to property has occurred.
The use of flood hazard information in the
advance planning of land uses is essential in
order to provide the framework for zoning
administration and the land development
review process.
Saratoga has an extensive review
procedure in conjunction with the Santa
Clara Valley Water District which addresses
flooding potential and the impact on
development. The Flood Plain Management
Act (Cobey- Alquist Act 1969) introduced
the concept of reserving from future
development areas along stream channels
for flood prevention projects. In Saratoga,
land development proposals adjacent to a
floodplain or creek must be reviewed by
SCVWD, which makes recommendations
for possible flood prevention measures.
SCVWD usually requires that dedication of
an easement along natural watercourses or
channels under its jurisdiction for the
purpose of maintaining the channel or for
the future construction of channel
improvements. The Water District may also
recommend other measure for the mitigation
of flood hazards, such as grading of the site
and elevation of the structure above the
anticipated flooding level. A drainage plan
is required by the City at the time of
preliminary map submittal to ensure that
runoff is drained away from structures. The
City engineering department has the
responsibility for Saratoga's drainage
facilities, and operates in conjunction with
the Water District when areas of
responsibility overlap.
Flood Control and Emergency Services
Since flooding causes both damage to
property and severe health hazard to those in
the community, it is important to have plans
for emergency services in the event of
flooding. These preventative measures also
contribute toward the eligibility to receive
Federal funds for future flood control
projects.
A community's eligibility for Federal
funds requires a statewide expenditure of $5
million on disaster prevention during the
preceding 12 months. SCVWD takes and
encourages all other utilities and service
providers to take all preventative actions
necessary to protect the public safety during
periods of emergency, and has created the
position of Public Information Officer to
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prepare news releases to inform the news
media and Emergency Center Staff of any
pending danger and the progress of
emergency actions. The SCVWD plan
includes a hierarchy of responsible officials
and contacts in the event of an emergency.
San Jose Water Company, which services
the City's water system, has a detailed plan
for emergency operations. Their emergency
committee will educate the public on how to
respond in the event of a disaster.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District
has established an emergency operations
center at the district office in San Jose to
gather and disseminate information, to
evaluate potential and existing flood and
earthquake conditions, and to advise local
communities of corrective measures as
necessary. The SCVWD coordinates actions
when dual responsibility is involved, and
operates as a liaison to County, State and
Federal offices of emergency functions.
SCVWD is "on alert" from October 1" to
May 1St in order to monitor flood and
emergency conditions. During flood
emergencies, 24 operational bases will be
established throughout the County for
emergency response. Saratoga's contact
base is at the Rinconada Treatment Plant
near More Avenue in Los Gatos.
Isolation of an area by flooded roads
can prevent evacuation and access by
medical, fire and police personnel. During
periods of heavy rainfall, many bridges and
roads which cross - stream channels may be
inundated by the swiftly moving water.
Bridges over the lower portion of Saratoga
Creek near the Village are particularly
vulnerable to flood damage, making major
public roads inaccessible. Residents must
then use private, substandard roads for
access; should they become completely
isolated from the City, only the Division of
Forestry would be able to offer air access.
The response time for the provision of this
service is greater in the winter months
because the division's hillside substation
near Alma Avenue in Los Gatos is
unmanned during that season. Bohlman
Road and On Orbit Drive are predicted to be
isolated in the event of heavy rainfall, as the
high groundwater table rises and the
geologic instability of the surrounding
slopes triggers landslides. During periods of
high intensity rainfall, City maintenance
crews patrol the entire City with attention
being paid to those areas having a history of
flooding. The purpose of this type of patrol
is to help prevent damage to private property
during sever storms.
FIRE HAZARDS
Because most fires are started by
people, either intentionally or through
carelessness, the places of greatest concern
for fire prevention are where people live,
recreate, drive or work. Once started, a fire
can quickly blaze out of control when
weather and physical site conditions are
amenable. In addition to the direct hazards
to people and property, indirect damages
and economic losses which fire may cause
such as erosion and siltation of dams and
flood control channels, increased flood
hazard, damage to watersheds, the potential
for mud slides and losses to scenic and
recreational values may also occur.
Development in areas of fire hazard
should be guided by prevention
requirements such as fire resistant building
construction and materials, adequate space
between structures, available water supply,
fire resistant plant materials, quality of year -
round fire fighting service, available
evacuation routes, access routes level
enough for fire equipment use, and
firebreaks and their maintenance in brush
areas.
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Access is a key component of fire
hazard prevention, since fire - fighting
equipment must be able to reach the fire and
people living in or visiting the areas subject
to the hazard must be able to escape in the
event of a fire. Private roads, particularly in
the hillside areas, are less likely to meet
access and maintenance standards than
public roads. The most effective method for
avoiding fire risk in hazardous areas is the
regulation of housing development and the
provision of alternate access routes for
settled deadend roads. Hillside roads in the
County's jurisdictional area, such as Redhill
Road and Bohlman Road, clearly fail to
meet City road construction standards and
do not provide any alternative means of
access.
Although fire protection services in the
City and the Sphere of Influence are
considered adequate for most emergencies,
they may prove inadequate in the event of an
earthquake. Fires associated with an
earthquake are often scattered and spread
rapidly due to an impaired water system. In
such cases, Saratoga's current level of fire
services would be inadequate and water
unavailable if reservoirs are ruptured or
streams obstructed. During minor
emergencies, mutual aid agreements might
provide assistance from adjacent
communities, but major emergencies, such
as large -scale fires, would require additional
assistance and resources from the County
and State.
Fire Protection in Saratoga
The City of Saratoga is served by the
Saratoga Fire District and the Central Fire
District of Santa Clara County, each serving
approximately 50% of the City's
jurisdictional area. The Central Fire
Protection District was established in 1947
by Santa Clara County, and is managed by
the County Board of Supervisors. The
Saratoga Fire District was originally run by
a group of citizen volunteers which
organized in 1924; it was reorganized in
1961 as a Fire District under the State law
with three elected commissioners. While
Saratoga has never been completely
devastated by a fire, several spectacular
blazes occurred during its early history
before the turn of the century, such as the
fire at Maclay's tannery and grist mill, the
pasteboard mill fire, and also the fire at the
Saratoga paper mill. The Congress Springs
Hotel fire, which completely demolished the
structure, occurred in 1906. Since the
1920's, the increase in the level of fire
fighting skill and the greatly improved
firefighting equipment have prevented many
fires in the City from becoming disasters.
The Saratoga Fire District has one
station located at the corner of Saratoga
Avenue and Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road. The
Central Fire District has two Saratoga
stations, one located on Cox Avenue and the
other on Saratoga -Los Gatos Road, which
also serves portions of Los Gatos. All area
fire departments cooperate in mutual aid
agreements which loosen the strict
adherence to district boundaries when
adjacent communities are in need.
San Jose Water Company is a private
water supply company which services the
City of Saratoga and much of Santa Clara
County. The City's water supply is
considered adequate for fire - fighting,
originating from four sources: 125 wells in
the north Central district, Saratoga Creek,
Los Gatos Creek Impounding Dam, and
purchased treated water from the Santa
Clara Valley Water District Rinconada
Treatment Plant. The Subdivision
Ordinance requires a peakload water supply
of 1,000 gallons of water per minute for two
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hours for all housing developments. San
Jose Water Company is limited in the areas
it can serve since higher site elevations
decrease the 35 -pound minimum pressure
which must be maintained in order to
provide 1,000 gallons per minute. This
factor has caused a severe problem in
providing adequate fire protection in the
Northwestern Hillsides Residential District,
where several of the existing homes do not
meet the City requirement.
The City adopted a map in 1981
designating certain areas of the City as
hazardous fire areas, which are defined as
those areas densely covered with grass,
grain, brush or forest and so situated or
inaccessible that control of fire originating
on the land would present an abnormally
difficult task. The hazardous fire areas of
the City are shown on Map 5: Areas of
Extreme Fire Hazard. This classification
encompasses the Northwestern Hillsides
area of the City and extends to the Lower
Hillsides in the southwestern portion of the
City.
Special building regulations have been
established for the hazardous fire areas,
including the requirement for fire retardant
roofs and the installation of an electronic
fire detection system (Early Warning Fire
Alarms System) in all new homes or
existing homes expanded by more than fifty
percent. The Early Warning Fire Alarm
System consists of heat and smoke detectors
placed throughout the structure which, when
activated, will transmit a signal directly to a
receiver panel in the Saratoga Fire District
station. The fire district will then receive
the earliest possible warning of fires,
decreasing response time to remote areas
and thus reducing the possibility of death,
injury and property damage.
Saratoga has adopted the 1985
Editions of the Uniform Building Code and
the Uniform Fire Code, with modifications
recommended by the Central Fire District
and the Saratoga Fire District. These
modifications reflect local conditions such
as the existence of hazardous fire areas,
larger home and garage sizes, and restricted
access and traffic circulation in the hillside
areas having steep topography and heavy
combustible vegetation. One of the
requirements implemented with the adoption
of the 1985 Uniform Building Code was for
the installation of an automatic sprinkler
system in any new garage or carport having
a capacity to accommodate three or more
automobiles.
The requirement for installation of the
Early Warning Fire Alarm System has been
expanded beyond the hazardous fire areas to
include the following types of structures,
wherever located within the City:
1.) All new residences over 5,000
square feet.
2.) Existing residences which are
being expanded to increase the
total square footage to greater
than 5,000 square feet,
3.) All new multi - family dwellings,
hotels, motels, institutional
facilities, nursing homes and
other structures containing
multiple sleeping units, or any
such existing structures which
are expanded by 50% or more in
gross floor area, and
4.) New or expanded commercial
structures, when required by the
Fire Chief.
Assessment of Fire Risk in Wildland Areas
The Northwestern Hillsides
Residential District (NHR) and the hillsides
in the lower portion of the City (HC -RD)
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south of Big Basin Way and Saratoga -Los
Gatos Road, including small portions of the
adjacent unincorporated area, are both
classified by the State Public Resources
Code and City ordinance as "hazardous fire
areas." Significant slopes, fire- loading
vegetation, weather or any combination of
these conditions creates the potential for the
loss of life and property due to fire. Because
of this potential, special fire protection
measures and planning are necessary before
development occurs.
The Northwestern Hillsides
Residential District is characterized by
native brush, grasslands and trees which are
subject to wildfire, an uncontrollable brush
fire fueled by this vegetation. While the low
density of housing in the hillside area
minimizes the potential danger to humans
and structures, there is a danger that fire in
one structure will start a wildfire which
could consume an entire hillside. Special
efforts have been made by the City to
require anti -fire buffer areas and sufficient
clearance around each house by landscaping
with non- hazardous, drought resistant
vegetation. The minimum setbacks in this
area are 30 feet in the front yard, 20 feet in
the side yards and a minimum of 20 feet in
the rear.
Access and parking for emergency
vehicles and delays in response time are the
major public safety concerns in this area.
Public street right -of -ways in hillside areas
are required to have a pavement width of 26
feet, while the minimum width for a private
access drive is 18 feet. Emergency vehicles
such as fire trucks require a radius of a
minimum of 32 feet on a cul -de -sac
turnaround.
The fire hazard in Saratoga's Sphere of
Influence outside the City limits is
considerably higher than in the City and its
incorporated hillsides. Forest Service ranger
units, located at Saratoga Summit and
Stevens Creek Reservoir, are equipped to
provide coverage for wildland fires only and
not structure fires, during the summer
months. The major problems contributing to
adverse fire fighting conditions in the
Sphere are areas of steep slope, lack of
adequate water supply, intense vegetative
cover and spectators who block access
routes. The Sphere is covered during the
winter months by the two fire districts in
Saratoga, but structure fire fighting
equipment in this area is subject to local
emergency conditions and may not be
available at all.
Assessment of Fire Risk in Urban Areas
The fire hazards in the flat urbanized
areas of Saratoga are relatively low.
Although these areas are higher in density
than the hillside areas, excessive
combustible natural vegetation is not
present. The City's Weed Abatement
ordinance and unlimited trash pickup service
have been effective in controlling a large
portion of the combustible vegetation and
trash in the City's urban area. Response
time of fire protection services is only a few
minutes to any of the City's densely
populated neighborhoods, and the peak load
water supply requirement of 1,000 gallons
of water per minute for two hours is more
than adequate for these areas.
Summer fires pose the greatest threat
to residential areas in the City, particularly
during periods of high temperatures and
extremely dry vegetation. Tract homes with
wood shake shingles are especially
susceptible to the rapid spread of any fire
which may start during seasonal dry spells,
and are a major concern to the fire districts.
The future adoption of standards for fire
retardant roof materials and residential
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sprinklers for all areas of the City should be
considered.
A substantial portion of the new
single - family dwellings being constructed in
the City are much larger than the older
existing homes; they are typically in excess
of five thousand square feet which includes
an attached three -car garage. Because of the
size of these dwellings, a fire may be more
difficult to extinguish and, therefore,
potentially cause more damage than would
normally occur. This is one of several
reasons which lead to the requirement that
the Early Warning Fire Alarm System be
installed, in all new or expanded single -
family dwellings with a floor area exceeding
five thousand square feet, and a domestic
sprinkler system must be installed in all
three car garages.
Hazardous Materials Storage and Disposal
When compared to adjacent
communities, Saratoga does not have a
significant problem with hazardous
materials storage and handling. No major
chemical handlers are located in the City
since such operations are severely limited by
existing regulations. The storage, use and
disposal of hazardous materials is limited to
the six gas stations located in the City, and
typically consists of anti - freeze, brake fluid,
motor oil and gasoline.
Generally, when hazardous materials
are present in Saratoga they are being
transported through the City rather than to a
location within the City limits. The main
transportation routes for these materials are
Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and Highway 9;
any spill which may occur along this
corridor would be responded to by the local
fire districts with the clean -up operation
being the responsibility of the State
Department of Transportation.
A major concern to the City when a
hazardous chemical spill occurs is the
possibility of surface and groundwater
contamination. Floodplains and creeks lie in
close proximity to the primary transportation
routes and can become contaminated
quickly between the time a spill occurs and
the clean -up process begins. A spill
occurred in 1985 at big Basin Way and
Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, with several
thousand gallons of gasoline leaking into
Saratoga Creek from a ruptured tank on a
gasoline tanker truck. Several businesses
and homeowners were forced to evacuate,
and access roads were closed for several
hours.
Saratoga enacted a Hazardous
Materials Storage Ordinance in 1983
(Chapter 8 of the City Code) to protect
"health, life resources and property through
prevention and control of unauthorized
discharges of hazardous materials." The
ordinance includes regulations governing
administration and enforcement of the code
which is performed by the County, the list of
specific materials covered, containment
standards, and preparation of hazardous
materials management plans. Any person,
firm or corporation which stores any
hazardous material for which a permit is
required must file a Hazardous Materials
Management Plan (HMMP) for County
approval and public records, demonstrating
safe storage and handling of hazardous
materials. The HMMP must include general
information about the facility, an emergency
response contact, a facility storage map, a
hazardous materials inventory statement, a
monitoring program, record keeping forms
to be used as a log for routine inspections,
and a description of emergency equipment
available on -site. Due to the complexity of
the new State laws concerning the storage
and transportation of hazardous materials,
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the Central Fire District has hired a full -time
chemist, rather than training a fire fighter, to
monitor and enforce the new laws.
EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS AND
DISASTER PLANNING
Effective safety planning involves both
the development of regulations to prevent
and/or mitigate hazards and the preparation
of plans to deal with emergencies should
they arise. While prevention is the most
effective and cautious method of protecting
the public and property from imminent
danger, the City must be prepared if an
unpredictable disaster should strike. It is the
responsibility of each city to prepare a local
emergency preparedness plan to be reviewed
and updated every four years and approved
by the State Office of Emergency Services.
Updating the plan on schedule maintains the
city's eligibility for Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) funded
programs.
The City Code asserts the obligation of
the City to protect the life and property of
Saratoga residents, and supports the policy
of mutual aid and coordination with the
County emergency operational area.
Expenditures are authorized for the
protection and benefit of residents and their
property. The City has defined an
emergency as:
The actual or threatened existence
of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril
to the safety of persons and property within
the City caused by such conditions as air
pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot
earthquake, or other conditions resulting
from war or imminent threat of war, which
conditions are or are likely to be beyond the
control of services, personnel, equipment
and facilities of the City, requiring the
combined forces of other political
subdivisions to combat.
Through the California Emergency
Services Act of 1970, the California Office
of Emergency Service provides the basis for
local emergency preparedness. The Office
of Emergency Services is responsible for
preparing the California State Emergency
Plan and for coordinating and supporting
emergency services conducted by local
governments. The responsibility for
immediate response to an emergency, such
as fires, landslides, earthquakes or riots,
rests with local government agencies and
segments of the private sector, with support
services provided by other jurisdictions
and/or State and Federal agencies. In
accordance with their normal operating
procedures, the initial response to an
emergency is to be made by the City's Fire,
Law Enforcement, Medical or Maintenance
(Public Works) districts or departments.
Emergency Plan Purpose and Organization
The purpose of the Saratoga's
Emergency Plan is to provide for effective
emergency management within the City,
using existing organizations and resources to
the maximum extent possible. The
objectives of the plan are:
1.) To minimize the effects of
emergency or disaster occurring as
a result of any hazard, natural or
manmade,
2.) To enhance the response to
emergencies in a timely,
coordinated manner,
3.) To assist recovery from a disaster
rapidly and at lowest possible cost
to residents,
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4.) To facilitate preparedness for
dealing with the mitigation,
response and recovery actions
inherent in the objectives above.
The City's Emergency Plan details the
assignment of authority and procedures to be
followed during emergencies. The present
plan was adopted in January 1986, and is
currently being revised to be consistent with
recent changes in State law. Saratoga's City
code authorizes the creation of a disaster
council which consists of the Mayor and
Council at the time the disaster occurs. The
Council has the authority to develop and
recommend disaster - related plans, policies,
ordinances and regulations, and to
implement all aspects of the plan. The City
Manager functions as the Director of
Emergency Services, assuming the direction
and control of emergency operations, and
the requisitioning of materials and labor.
The emergency organization under the
director consists of all officers and
employees of the City, those volunteers
enrolled to aid during an emergency, and
any others, who by agreement or operation
of law, can be charged with emergency
duties.
The Plan is organized into five parts:
Part One, the Basic Plan, deals with matters
of concept, organization, direction and
control; Part Two, Emergency Response
Services, focuses on those services which
respond initially to emergency calls and
would be immediately required to respond
when an official emergency is declared; Part
Three, Resource Management Services,
encompasses those activities which may or
may not be required depending on the nature
and scope of the emergency; Part Four, the
Staff Services section, is designed to
describe key staff assistance required by the
Director of Emergency Services for
effective management of an emergency; Part
Five, the Emergency Operating Center
(EOC), describes details of organization and
functioning of the EOC. The objectives,
concepts and applicable doctrine of the State
and Santa Clara County emergency plans are
automatically incorporated into Saratoga's
plan, and should be used in conjunction
when local emergencies extend into and
effect adjacent communities.
Emergency Evacuation Plan
Another facet of the City's
responsibility in emergency preparedness is
the development of evacuation plans which
will readily and effectively relocate
residents from hazardous areas to locations
of greater safety. An integral part of
evacuation planning is the identification of
evacuation routes and places of assembly.
Map 6, Evacuation Routes, illustrates the
direction of movement on local collector and
arterial streets and the designated evacuation
routes that should be followed in order to
promote safe and efficient evacuation of
residents. Proposed places of assembly are
chosen for their ability to accommodate
significant numbers of people, their relative
location to the arterial and collector streets,
and their overall geographic location in
relation to population concentrations. Roads
which serve as collector streets are Fruitvale
Avenue, Big Basin Way and Pierce Road.
These collectors feed into the higher
capacity arterial streets such as Saratoga -
Sunnyvale Road, Quito Road, Saratoga
Avenue, Saratoga -Los Gatos Road and
Prospect Rd.
The Evacuation Route map shows that
the majority of the City's evacuation routes
are located in the area between Prospect
Avenue and Saratoga -Los Gatos Road, and
Saratoga - Sunnyvale and Quito Road, where
the population is of a higher density than in
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hillside areas. Depending on the nature of
the disaster, some access roads in the
hillside areas may be closed or impeded,
creating the necessity for residents to
evacuate from the area along substandard
emergency access roads or by helicopter.
Places of assembly, or congregate care
centers, to be opened in the event of a
disaster are shown on Map 6 and are
designated as "primary places of assembly"
or "secondary places of assembly." The
primary places of assembly are Saratoga
High (Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and
Herriman Avenue), the West Valley College
(Fruitvale Avenue and Allendale Avenue),
and the Odd Fellows Home (Fruitvale
Avenue and San Marcos Road). The Odd
Fellows Home, although limited in space
and occupancy load, is important as an
emergency shelter due to the availability of
medical care. Secondary places of assembly
consist of the remaining seven elementary,
junior high and high schools in the City.
Saratoga's designated emergency operating
centers are also shown on the map. The
primary center is located adjacent to City
Hall in the Senior Wing of the Community
Center, with secondary center at the
Saratoga Fire District station at Saratoga -
Sunnyvale Road and Saratoga Avenue. In
addition to these facilities, Saratoga is also
served by Santa Clara County Emergency
Welfare Service Center VIII, located at 700
Gale Drive in Campbell.
IMPACT IDENTIFICATION
Identification of geologic, seismic,
flood and fire hazards affecting Saratoga is
the first step in estimating the potential
safety risks to people and property. The
determination of conflict areas and the
impact resulting from the identified hazards
is the next step in defining those areas of the
city at highest risk. By the use of a map
which overlays the hazard areas on the City
(Map 4), potential impacts to people and
property can be identified and used as a
basis for safety planning policy formulation.
Land Use Impacts
A major portion of the city of Saratoga
is underlain by a geologic stability zone, and
resembles a relatively flat valley floor. The
land use in this area is predominately
residential of varying density, and is not
considered to be geologically hazard prone.
However, the potentially active Shannon
Fault lies in this area of the City, parallel to
the proposed Highway 85 Corridor.
Although no recent movement is evident
along the fault trace, the most likely
secondary effects of an earthquake in this
area would be ground subsidence or
liquefaction due to the many creekbeds and
alluvium soil present in the area.
Commercial land use is concentrated
in the Village area, along Saratoga -
Sunnyvale Road, and sporadically along
Saratoga Avenue. Some commercial
properties in the Village have experienced
problems related to a high groundwater table
and above - ground seepage caused by
underground creeks and mineral springs, but
no substantial damage has occurred due to
geologic hazards.
The most geologically unstable areas
in Saratoga, the upper Calabazas Creek
watershed and the Congress Springs study
area, are predominantly low density
residential. Some portions of the Congress
Springs area within Saratoga's urban service
area are unincorporated and under County
jurisdiction. The zoning of the southern
section of Bohlman Road, Quicker Road and
On Orbit Drive is regulated by the County,
with many roads and homes on land
considered too unstable for such uses.
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These roadways will require continual
maintenance and could face possible
catastrophic failure due to massive
landsliding or fault movement along the
potentially active Berrocal fault. The
geologic and environmental constraints
related to seismic hazards in this area make
the development potential of vacant parcels
doubtful. The County's slope- density
zoning allows from approximately 2.5 to 10
acres per dwelling unit; however, the
subdivision off On Orbit Drive was
developed according to flatland standards
during the early 1970's. The City's slope
density zoning allows from approximately 1
to 6 acres per dwelling.
The Northwestern Hillsides
Residential District lies within the upper
Calabazas Creek watershed and is another
region of Saratoga subject to geologic
hazards. The most unstable portion of the
watershed is located north and south of the
Mt. Eden Road - Pierce Road intersection.
Landslide movement has occurred at several
residential sites in this section of the hillside,
particularly along Pike Road and Sarahills
Drive. Recent losses in this area attributed
to landslide movement have shown that even
those structures built with deep pier and
grade beam -type foundations may be
damaged or destroyed if the active slip
surfaces lie below the depth of foundation
penetration. The presence of percolation
from underground natural springs in this
area has also contributed to the instability of
these slopes.
The terrain unit designated as the San
Andreas Rift is traversed by the San
Andreas Fault. It is considered seismically
unstable and subject to intense ground
shaking and surface rupture. Development
in this region of the Sphere of Influence is
sparse, and the area should be considered
only for open space preservation in the
future rather than urban development.
Transportation Route Impacts
Major transportation routes such as
highways and arterial streets link the
neighborhoods of the city and provide
essential access both into and out of hazard
prone areas. The mobility of public safety
officials and emergency personnel is vital in
emergency situations. Because evacuation
relies upon passable and safe roads,
transportation routes are a key concern in
safety planning.
Many of the roads in the hillside areas
of Saratoga are narrow and traverse areas of
questionable stability. Congress Springs
Road is continually moving, as are parts of
Bohlman and Pierce Roads. The cost of
maintaining these roads to acceptable
standards is high. Roadbeds are often
destroyed by active land sliding into creek
beds, and creeks must be channeled to
prevent the reoccurrence of damage.
The Bohlman Road area is especially
prone to landsliding during the winter
months when the soil becomes saturated.
Road closure due to an active landslide at
the intersection of Norton and Bohlman
would completely isolate the southern
portion of Bohlman Road, Belnap, Kittridge,
Quickert and the subdivision on On Orbit
Drive. Due to the potential movement of the
hillside in this region and deformation of
roadbeds, the development of emergency
access roads and cost of their maintenance is
prohibitive. Should a landslide occur, the
only method of emergency access to this
area would be by air, requiring the
assistance of the Department of Forestry.
Saratoga Creek has the most extensive
floodplain in width and length, following the
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course of Saratoga Avenue from Prospect
Road to Big Basin Wy. Isolation of the
lower portion of this area by flooded roads
or bridges crossing the creek channel could
prevent evacuation and access by medical,
fire and police personnel.
Utility pacts
Utility facilities, roads and other linear
structures are particularly vulnerable to
damage from seismic activity. Utility
systems for water and gas distribution, and
sewage disposal are easily disrupted by
intense ground shaking and geologic
instabilities, and many of these facilities
currently cross the San Andreas Fault zone
or the Bohlman Road area. Since these
regions are the most likely portions of the
City to be isolated from emergency services
if a disaster should occur, special
consideration should be given to the design
and location of these utility and roadway
networks and the supporting emergency
backup systems.
Slope failure from over - saturation of
the soil has occurred in the past in the upper
Calabazas Creek watershed area, rupturing
water and gas lines and disrupting water and
gas lines and distributing service for long
periods of time. This area of the City has
historically been sparsely populated,
consisting of low - density residential
development. However, as more
development occurs in this region and more
expensive homes are built, more people and
property will be endangered if caution is not
taken in this site analysis stage of
development review.
Water and gas lines can be ruptured by
the disposition of debris or the force of
floodwaters during periods of heavy rainfall.
Contamination of domestic water supplies is
another hazard attributed to pipeline rupture.
Septic tank systems are unable to function
when the ground becomes over - saturated,
and have the potential to pollute
floodwaters. Several hillside developments,
along Pierce and Pike Roads and the south
portion of Bohlman, Kittridge and Norton
Roads, are not served by sanitary sewer lines
but are connected to septic tank systems.
The developments also tend to be
geologically unstable areas subject to slope
failure, increasing the risk of water supply
contamination during floods.
Emergency Related Facilities
During times of emergency, certain
structures throughout the City are of prime
importance to the safety and welfare of
those who live in the community. These
facilities are used to coordinate emergency
relief operations and to give medical care
and shelter to those affected by the
emergency situation and to give medical
care and shelter to those affected by the
emergency situation. The safety of these
critical buildings and their occupants during
times of natural hazards is of paramount
importance to the operation of a successful
emergency response plan.
Critical structures such as emergency
operation centers, hospitals, fire and police
stations are often located in areas prone to
natural hazards and should receive high
priority for building inspections if they were
not built according to current safety
standards. The Saratoga Fire District
Station and the County Sheriff's Office are
located at the intersection of Saratoga
Avenue and Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, and
lie within the floodplain of Saratoga Creek.
The City's main Emergency Operation
Center, City Hall, is located on Fruitvale
Avenue at Allendale, just outside Wildcat
Creek's 100 -year floodway. Los Gatos -
Saratoga Community Hospital on Pollard
Road in Los Gatos (2 miles from Quito
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Road) is the most accessible hospital to
Saratogoans in the event of an emergency.
A floodplain lies just east of the facility and
follows the alignment of the Los Gatos
portion of Highway 17. Since the County's
Emergency Plan makes the assumption that
freeways will be unusable and overpasses
closed in the event of an earthquake or
flood, other valley hospitals may be
inaccessible to City residents. If this
assumption is correct, the City's evacuation
plan will be ineffective. Because of this, it
is imperative that a strong individual
emergency preparedness program be
initiated so that City residents can be self -
sufficient for at least 72 hours, or until
remote areas of the County are accessible to
emergency crews.
Another consideration which could
adversely affect the City's evacuation plan is
that of conflicting policies by surrounding
jurisdictions and the resulting impacts. Two
cities adjacent to Saratoga, Los Gatos and
Monte Sereno, have substantial areas of
unstable hillsides covered with dense
vegetation. According to the Los Gatos
General Plan, hillside building and site
designs are regulated by ordinance, and
excessive accumulation of vegetation that
could trigger a fire is strictly monitored and
controlled. The City also restricts
development along single -lane access roads,
and emergency access routes must be
provided for remote development sites.
These polices complement Saratoga's
approach to safety planning and emergency
preparedness. However, policies of the City
of Monte Sereno could have major impacts
on the effectiveness of Saratoga's
emergency plan. One of Monte Sereno's
development policies is to encourage limited
neighborhood access with looped streets and
cul -de -sacs to prevent thorough traffic and
reduce crime, even to the extent that the
administration of emergency services might
be hindered. Neighborhoods may request a
reduction in vehicular access routes if they
feel such a measure would preserve the
quality of life in their area. The risk of fire
in the steep heavily vegetated hillsides south
of Highway 9 is high, and reducing the
number of emergency access routes could
delay the response of police, fire, ambulance
and paramedic services, increasing the
likelihood of fire spreading to the hillsides
of adjacent communities.
In the event of an earthquake or major
disaster, residents of Los Gatos and Monte
Sereno would share two major evacuation
routes with those living in Saratoga. Los
Gatos, Monte Sereno and many Saratoga
residents would evacuate along Quito Road
and Highway 9 (Saratoga -Los Gatos Road).
These roads are heavily congested during
normal commute hours, and would exceed
their maximum traffic capacity during an
emergency evacuation. It would be
beneficial to all three communities to
develop an effective inter -city emergency
evacuation plan.
GOALS, POLICIES AND
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS
The purpose of the Safety Element is
to establish policies designed to achieve the
goal of reducing risks from natural hazards.
The steps used in the process of establishing
policies are: 1) identification of problems or
hazards, and 2) the development of solutions
or policies. Thus far, the hazards have been
defined and mapped, and the potential
impacts have been identified. This chapter
will focus on the development of solutions.
The City of Saratoga already has
adopted many policies and programs which
address safety and seismic safety issues.
These policies can be separated into four
categories: City development standards,
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General Plan Elements, Specific Plans, and
the Emergency Plan. It is important to
analyze these existing policies first for the
purpose of identifying areas of policy
strength, policy weakness and policy voids.
When combined with the issues identified in
previous chapters of this Element, this
analysis will lead to recommendations on
how the goals, policies and implementation
programs in the City's existing
Safety /Seismic Safety Element can be
improved and strengthened.
ANALYSIS OF EXISTING POLICIES
AND PROGRAMS
City Development Controls and Standards
The majority of development standards
for the City of Saratoga are located in the
City Code. Chapter 14 contains subdivision
regulations; those sections which
specifically address safety issues include
Article 14 -25, Design Requirements (design
standards and dedication of streets, public
service easements and watercourses) and
Article 14 -30, Improvement Plans (storm
water drainage, water provision and sewer
improvement plans). Chapter 15 of the
Code contains zoning regulations; those
sections which pertain to safety issues
include Article 15 -13, Hillside Conservation
Residential District and Article 15 -14,
Northwestern Hillside Residential District
(maximum site density, particularly, for
sloped sites), and Article 15 -65,
Nonconforming Uses and Structures (unsafe
buildings, and general standards for
nuisance abatement and public safety).
The City has also adopted the most
recent edition of the Uniform Building Code
(UBC) which contains general construction
safety regulations and specific seismic
safety standards. Chapter 16 of the City
code contains additional building regulations
addressing site drainage requirements,
structural reinforcement, fire retardant
construction, and automatic sprinklers for
certain garages in hazardous fire areas; these
regulations serve as modifications to UBC
reflecting local conditions.
The Early Warning Fire Alarm System
is another important safety policy which was
authorized through a General Plan
amendment to the Safety Element in 1984,
and then implemented through the
subdivision, zoning and building
regulations.
Ground Movement Potential Maps of
the Upper Calabazas Creek, the Congress
Springs Study Area and the Lower Saratoga
Hillside Area have been adopted as Article
16 -65 of the Building Regulations, along
with restrictions and requirements for
development in certain areas based on
designations of slope stability depicted on
the maps. In those areas designated as
having extreme potential for ground
movement, further professional analysis
must be obtained certifying that the site is
safely developable. If deemed necessary by
the City Geologist, precautionary measures
must then be undertaken as a condition of
development.
General Plan Elements
It is the purpose of the Safety Element
to reduce risk from natural hazards. This
element, however, is not the only element
containing goals and policies designed to
make Saratoga a safer place in which to live.
Five other General Plan elements, as
follows, contain policies intended to reduce
danger to people and property from natural
hazards (the number in parentheses refers to
the goal, policy or implementation measure
from the specified General Plan element):
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Land Use Element
The City shall use the design review
process to assure that new construction and
major additions thereto are compatible with
the site and the adjacent surroundings. (5.0)
Relate new development and its land
uses to presently planned street capacities so
as to avoid excessive noise, traffic and
public safety hazards. If it is determined
that existing streets need to be improved to
accommodate a project, such improvements
shall be in place or bonded for prior
issuance of building permits. (6.0)
Circulation and Scenic Highway
Element
Traffic impacts that could create
excessive noise, safety hazards and air
pollution shall be mitigated. The City shall
use the standards established by the State of
California and in effect on February 14,
1983, to determine what constitutes
excessive noise, safety hazards and air
pollution until the City adopts its own
standards or more restrictive standards are
adopted by the State. (10.0)
Open Space Element
Use open space to protect human life
and property from such hazards as wildfires,
earthquake destruction, landslides and
flooding. (2.0)
Continue enforcement of existing
flood control regulations. This will
supplement the Flood Plain Map which is
part of the General Plan. (Imp)
Conservation Element
Preserve the quality of the natural
environment and the character of the City
through appropriate regulation of site
development. (3.0)
Maximum impervious coverage limits
used by the City shall be evaluated and, if
necessary, revised to ensure that runoff due
to new development will not create flooding
or erosion impacts. (3.6)
Housing Element
The City shall mitigate the danger of
earthquake damage by enforcing strict
earthquake construction and soil engineering
standards, selecting the most stable areas for
development and by having developers
compensate for soil instabilities by approved
engineering and construction techniques.
(3.1)
Development shall be designed to
retain the natural topographic features of the
land to the maximum extent possible. (3.2)
Any development in areas subject to
natural hazards shall be designed to protect
the environment, inhabitants and general
public. In areas where personal injury,
property damage or damage to streets and
utilities could occur, development shall be
prohibited, unless the potential hazards can
be mitigated or avoided through engineering
or construction techniques. (3.3)
Specific Plans
In addition to the basic Elements, the
City's General Plan includes two specific
plans, The Northwestern Hillside Specific
Plan and the Sphere of Influence Special
Plan, which addresses specific safety and
seismic issues for those areas of the City.
Northwestern Hillside Specific Plan
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The Northwestern Hillside Specific
Plan was adopted by the City of Saratoga to
implement Measure "A" which was passed
in 1980. The purpose of the plan is to
reduce danger to the northwestern hillside
community (approximately 2,100 acres) and
its environment from geologic hazards
through the implementation of goals,
policies, and programs specifically
addressing the following issues: geology
and soils, hydrology and flooding, fire
hazards, water provision, fire /emergency
services, site and storm drainage,
environmental resource management and
community development. Residential
density in the NHR District is one unit per
acre, which may be further reduced by use
of a slope /density formula. This formula has
also been applied to the HCRD District, so
that vitually all of the hillside areas in
Saratoga are restricted to very low- density
development. Because of its length and
level of detail, the plan's summary of goals,
policies and implementation programs is
located in Appendix B of this Element.
Sphere of Influence Special Plan
Saratoga adopted the Sphere of
Influence Plan as a Special Area Plan in
1974 to assist in the formulation of policies
leading to an appropriate balance of
conservation and development in the area.
The plan was designed to guide future City
decisions relating to annexation,
development and public safety in the City's
Sphere of Influence, which is that area
outside the City's incorporated boundary
designated by LAFCO (Local Agency
Formation Commission) as the
unincorporated area most likely to be
influenced by /or annexed to the City at some
future date. This area encompasses
approximately 9,480 acres of hillside land
under the jurisdiction of Santa Clara County,
with the City having secondary review
authority. Like the Northwestern Hillside
Plan, the sphere plan is long and detailed,
and its summary of goals and policies is
located in Appendix C of this Element. The
plan has not been amended since its
adoption in 1974.
Emergency
In order for the City to be eligible for
disaster - related financial assistance, it must
updated it local emergency plan every four
years and assess its adequacy. However,
even though the City adopted its plan in
1986, it already requires revision because of
recent changes in the State law. The 1986
plan remains incomplete with six sections of
Part Four (Staff Services), such as the
"Disaster Analysis Section," still unfinished.
This section is a vital component of
emergency preparedness planning and the
anticipation of mitigation, response and
recovery actions inherent to the plan's
effectiveness. The potential for various
emergency situations must be addressed in
order to prepare for the necessary response
and action. Although the plan adequately
addresses organization, management and
general response services during times of
disaster, specific directions related to the
assessment of past and potential hazards are
needed; this section should be completed
and consistent with this Element. An
Evacuation Route map, detailing specific
arterial and collector streets, and emergency
shelters or congregate care facilities should
also be included in this section of the plan.
Part Three of the Emergency Plan,
Resource Management Services, has not
been prepared. This part deals with
procurement service, health service,
transportation service, manpower service
and construction and housing service
required, depending on the nature and scope
of the emergency. This is essential
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information for emergency staff members
who must provide support to the public.
Saratoga's geographical location is not
conducive to total County disaster - related
support, and could be isolated from other
communities and outside agencies during
the first 24 to 48 hours following a regional
disaster such as an earthquake. Emergency
training exercises, held at least once a year
and sponsored by the County, test the City's
current emergency plan and efficiency level
for immediate response to a disaster.
However, the conduct of emergency
planning should not be left only to the
employees of the City, but should include
individual preparedness on the part of
citizens through an active emergency
preparedness education program.
Until 1986, annual disaster excises
were conducted in Saratoga by the
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and
the local fire districts to prepare staff for
their assignments during an emergency
situation. However, since then the City has
participated in only the countywide
exercises. For the annual City- sponsored
exercise, a scenario was established which
provided a basis for emergency function and
action, with the planning department staff
responsible for maintaining current
information on the City map regarding
transportation routes closed or impeded,
areas of major damages, location of medical
treatment and congregate care facilities,
limits of the evacuation area, control points
and exit routes. In order to ensure
coordinated and timely emergency response,
the City staff should be aware of their
responsibilities, with practice exercises held
annually. The Emergency Plan should also
be reviewed annually for consistency with
State law and updated in a timely manner.
ISSUE INDENTIFICATION AND
ADOPTED GOALS, POLICIES AND
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS
In the hazard and impact identification
chapters of this element and in the analysis
of existing City safety policies, significant
issues relating to the identified hazards and
the City's plans for addressing them have
been raised. These issues, and the
recommended goals, policies and
implementation programs to address them,
are presented in the following pages.
Hazards of Land Instabili
ISSUE #1: The physical and geologic
characteristics of Saratoga have the potential
to produce geologic instability problems for
land development. Hazards occur when
property is developed in ways which are
unsuitable to geologic conditions in the area.
Areas of particular concern to the City due
to their history of geologic instability are the
Upper Calabazas Watershed, the Congress
Springs Study Area, and the Lower Saratoga
Hillside Area.
1.0 (Goal) To protect residents from
injuries and minimize property damage
resulting from land instability and geologic
hazards in populated areas.
1.1 (Policy) No development
shall be permitted in the designated
urban service area without individual
site - specific geotechnical
investigations to determine depth of
bedrock, soil stability, location of rift
zones and other localized
geotechnical problems.
1.1 (IMP) The City Geologist
will review proposals involving sites having
potential land instability or
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geologic hazards, and will make
recommendations accordingly.
1.2 (Policy) Development in
areas subject to natural hazards shall
be limited and shall be designed to
protect the environment, inhabitants
and general public. In areas which
have been proven to be unsafe,
development of structures for human
habitation shall be prohibited to the
maximum extent permitted by law.
1.2 (Imp) Identify any
areas of significant natural
hazards as they become
known. Development will
not be allowed in these areas
unless conditioned to
mitigate such hazards.
1.3 (Policy) Proposals for General
Plan amendments, zone
changes, use permits,
variances, building site
approvals, and all land
development applications
subject to environmental
assessment according to CEQA
guidelines shall be reviewed
for hazardous conditions
utilizing the most current data.
1.3 (Imp) Mitigation
measures to eliminate
potential geologic hazards
identified during the
environmental review process
will be required as conditions
of development.
Seismic Hazards
ISSUE #2: Seismic activity and its
secondary effects such as ground failure are
potential hazards to the populated areas of
the City. Two "potentially active" faults,
the Berrocal and the Shannon, lie within the
City limits, while the "active" San Andreas
Fault traverses the City's Sphere of
Influence.
2.0 (Goal) To protect the residents of the
City and surrounding areas from seismically
induced hazards.
2.1 (Policy) In order to mitigate
the danger of earthquake damage, the
City shall enforce strict earthquake
construction and soil- engineering
standards, selecting the most stable
areas for development and requiring
developers to compensate for soil
instabilities through approved
engineering and construction
techniques.
2.2 (Policy) Critical structures
and systems vital to the public health
and safety (water, power and waster
disposals systems, police an fire
stations and communication
facilities) shall not be designed to
mitigate any seismic or geologic
hazards associated with their sites.
2.1 & 2.2 (Imp) A
series of General Plan
reference maps delineating
geotechnical hazards and an
environmental constraint is to
be maintained and
periodically updated as
necessary to aid in the review
of development proposals.
2.3 (Policy) The City should comply
with State statutes regarding the
identification of non - reinforced
masonry structures.
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2.3 (Imp) The City
will inventory all non-
reinforced masonry structures
in the Village area as State
funding for such an inventory
becomes available, and
develop a program to help
mitigate structural hazards
related to such buildings.
Flnnd Un7nni -,
ISSUE #3: Historically, much of the damage
to private and public property during periods
of heavy rainfall has been due to slope
failure in hillside areas, induced by over -
saturation of the soil and /or by rising
groundwater levels. Flooding and flood
induced land sliding can also isolate areas of
the City and hinder the provision of
emergency services. Traversing the City are
several creeks having extensive floodplains
and watersheds where the future risk of
flooding is great.
3.0 (Goal) To reduce the damage to public
and private property resulting from flooding
and flood induced hazards.
3.1 (Policy) The City shall continue
to enforce its existing flood control
regulations, and will cooperate with
the Santa Clara Valley Water District
when proposed projects will affect
floodways in the City in order to
prevent development activities from
aggravating or causing potential flood
problems.
3.1) (Imp) All proposed
projects adjacent to
floodways and floodplains
will be referred to the Water
District for review and
comments
3.2 (Policy) The City shall continue
to participate in the National Flood
Insurance Program.
3.2 (Imp) The City will adopt
and enforce a Floodplain
Management Ordinance,
based on the national Model
Floodplain Management
Ordinance to satisfy the
requirements of the National
Flood Insurance Program.
3.3 (Policy) The City shall
continue to enforce its existing
regulations pertaining to impervious
coverage to reduce potential hazards
from excessive run-off.
3.3 (Imp) Implement by
continuation of existing
zoning regulations as
contained in the City Code.
Fire Hazards
ISSUE #4: The danger of property damage
and loss of life from fire is considered
greatest in the hillside areas of Saratoga
where dry brush is prevalent and the
provision of fire protection services is
inadequate. Even though fire protection
services appear adequate for the more
densely populated urbanized areas of the
City, summer fires pose a severe threat to
wood - shingled homes which are especially
susceptible to the rapid spread of fire.
4.0 (Goal) To reduce the danger of
property damage and loss of life due to fire
in both urban and rural areas of the City.
4.1 (Policy) The City shall
require the installation of an early
warning fire alarm system in each
of the following cases:
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a. All new single - family
dwellings and any existing
single - family dwellings
which are expanded by fifty
percent or more in floor area,
where such new or expanded
dwellings are located within
designated hazardous fire
area.
b. All new single - family
dwellings having a gross
floor area in excess of 5,000
square fee.
c. Any existing single family
building regulations as
contained in the City Code.
4.2 (Policy) The Chief of the fire
district having jurisdiction should be
authorized to require the installation
of an early warning fire alarm system
in any new commercial structure or
community facility, or expansion of
an existing commercial structure by
fifty percent or more in gross floor
area, whenever the Chief deems such
requirement to be necessary or
appropriate on the basis of facts and
circumstances in each individual
case.
dwelling which is expanded 4.2 (IMP) Implement through
by fifty percent or more in continuation of existing
floor area which, after such subdivision, zoning and
expansion, will exceed 5,000 building regulations as
square feet in gross floor contained in the City Code.
area.
4.3 (Policy) The City shall encourage
d. All new multi - family
all property owners to install an early
dwellings and other new
warning fire alarm system on a
structures having multiple
voluntary basis where such owners
sleeping units, such as hotels,
are not otherwise required to do so.
motels, apartments,
condominium or other
4.3 (Imp) Implement by
community housing projects,
continuation of existing
townhouses and nursing
provision in the building
homes.
regulations allowing
voluntary installation of the
e. Any existing multi - family
system and publicize the
dwelling or other existing
availability of the system for
structure having multiple
any property located within
sleeping units such as
the City.
described in Paragraph (d)
above, which is expanded by
4.4 (Policy) The City shall continue
fifty percent or more in gross
to enforce its existing regulations
area.
pertaining to hazardous fire areas,
fire retardant construction and
4.1 (IMP) Implement through
landscaping.
continuation of existing
subdivision, zoning and
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 32
City of Saratoga Safety Element
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4.4 (Imp) Periodically
(Policy) The City shall
review subdivision, zoning
review and update on a regular basis
and building regulations
its plan for emergency preparedness.
which pertain to hazardous
This plan shall use local resources
fire areas to determine if
and manpower to provide maximum
significant changes are
benefit and protection for the City's
required.
residents.
4.4a (Imp) Update map
5.1 (Imp) Review and update
depicting hazardous fire areas
annually the City's
as needed.
Emergency Plan, modifying
the plan if significant changes
4.5 (Policy) The City shall study the
are required. Sections of the
need for additional fire prevention
plan which are incomplete
regulations for the built up,
will be completed in a timely
populated areas of the City.
manner.
4.5 (Imp) The City, in
5.2 (Policy) The City shall
cooperation with the local
coordinate its plan with local
fire districts, will review and
jurisdictions and regional agencies to
modify, as necessary,
anticipate cumulative impacts during
existing building regulations
times of disaster.
to require Type A & B fir
retardant roof materials in the
(Imp)Review adjacent
densely populated flatlands
jurisdictions' plans and
of the City.
resolve areas of potential
conflict.
Emergency Preparedness
5.3 (Policy) The City shall
ISSUE #5: Saratoga has developed an
encourage all citizens to take
emergency plan to provide for effective
responsibility for their own safety in
emergency response. The development of
the event of a disaster.
an effective evacuation plan to relocate
residents from hazardous areas during an
5.3 (Imp) The City
emergency is also the City's responsibility.
shall publicize and participate
However, for the plan to operate effectively
in disaster preparedness
during a disaster, the plans of the
exercises and distribute
surrounding jurisdictions must be taking into
emergency planning
consideration in order to foresee preventable
information to the citizens of
hazards and impacts on a regional basis.
Saratoga.
5.0 (Goal) To develop and maintain an
emergency preparedness plan which will
provide effective response in the event of
a natural or manmade disaster.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 33
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
REFERENCES
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Building Stock and Earthquake Losses: The
San Francisco Bay Area Example. 1986.
Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project. "Earthquake Hazards /Land Use Planning,"
APA Professional Development Workshop. Metro Center, Lake Merritt, Oakland: 15
October 1986.
Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project. Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Programs
at the Community Level, developed by William Spangle and Associates and the
Reitherman Co. Oakland, CA: 1985.
Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project. Effective
Information at the Local Government Level: A Summary Report.
1985.
Use of Earth Science
Oakland, CA: June
State of California, Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology. Fault- Rupture
Hazard Zones in California. Sacramento, CA: revised 1985.
State of California, Seismic Safety Commission. California Risk: Reducing Earthquake Hazards
— 1987 to 1992. Sacramento CA: 1 September 1986.
State of California, Seismic Safety Commission. Rehabilitating Hazardous Masonary Buildings:
A Draft Model Ordinance, Sacramento, CA: December 1985.
California State Transportation Agency. State Route 85: Transportation Corridor:
Environmental Impact Statement. Caltrans: September 1985.
William Cotton & Associates. Analysis of the Geologic Hazards in the Congress Sprin sg Study
Area. Santa Clara County, CA 31 May 1977
William Cotton & Associates. Preliminary Storm Damage Assessment: Winter 1982 -1983
Saratoga, CA: 1983
William Cotton & Associate. Geologic Hazards Analysis of the Upper Calabazas Creek
Watershed. Saratoga, CA: 20 January 1980.
Cunningham, Florence R. Saratoga's First Hundred Years, edited by Frances L. Fox. Saratoga
Historical Foundation. Fresno: Valley Publishers, 1976.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 34
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
Fugro, Inc. Geotechnical Study: Seismic Safety Element for the City of Saratoga, prepared for
Williams & Mocine, consulting to the City of Saratoga. San Francisco, CA: 22 June 1973.
Town of Los Gatos. General Plan. Planning Department. Los Gatos, CA: adopted by Town
Council, 1985.
City of Monte Sereno. General Plan. Planning Department. Monte Sereno, CA: adopted 11
May 1982.
City of San Jose. The General Plan, City of San Jose, California: Seismic Safety. Planning
Department, assisted by Cooper, Clark and Assoc.; Duncan and Jones; Rinne and Peterson;
Environment Assessment Engineering; and William Ellis and Assoc. September 1974.
City of Santa Cruz. City of Santa Cruz General Plan: Seismic Safety and Safety Element.
Planning Department. Santa Cruz, CA: July 1976.
City of Saratoga. Code of the City of Saratoga. Volumes I & II. Saratoga, CA: adopted 1986.
City of Saratoga. Emergency Plan, prepared by the Disaster Council. Saratoga, CA: January
1986.
City of Saratoga. Northwestern Hillside Specific Plan, a special plan to the City of Saratoga's
Saratoga, CA: adopted by the City Council, 1981.
City of Saratoga. Sphere of Influence Special Plan, a special plan to the City of Saratoga's
General Plan. Saratoga, CA: adopted by the City Council, 1974.
City of Scotts Valley. City of Scotts Valley General Plan, prepared by Environmental
Management Consultants. Monterey, CA: 29 January 1986.
Santa Clara County. The General Plan of Santa Clara County. Planning Department. Santa
Clara County, CA: adopted by Board of Supervisors, March 1982..
Santa Clara County. The General Plan, Santa Clara County: Seismic Safety Plan. Planning
Department. Santa Clara County, CA: adopted by Board of Supervisors, 12 January 1976.
Tank, Ronald. Focus on Environmental Geology. London: Oxford University Press, 1976.
Terratech Geotechnical Services. Geological Hazards Analysis of the Lower Saratoga Hillside
Area. Project 3595, for the City of Saratoga. Saratoga, CA: December 1985.
Thaxton, Chief Richard K., Central Fire Protection District. San Jose, CA: 17 March 1987.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 35
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Insurance
Administration, National Flood Insurance Program. Flood Insurance Study. City of
Saratoga, Santa Clara County, CA: July 1978
United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Seismic Hazards and Land
Use Planning. Geological Survey Circular 690. Washington, D.C.: 1980.
United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Housing
and Urban Development. Earth Science Information in Land Use Planning — Guidelines for
Earth Scientists and Planners, prepared by William Spangle & Associates; F. Beach Leighton &
Associates; and Baxter, McDonald & Company. Geological Survey Circular 721. Arlington,
VA: 1976.
Victorine, Tom, Systems Project Supervisor, San Jose Water Company. San Jose, CA: 17
March,1987.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 36
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
Glossary
Active Fault Zone: Fault area which as
experienced displacement during geologic
time (within the past 10,000 to
600,000 years), indicating that further
movement might occur.
Floodplain: The area bordering a stream
which becomes flooded when the stream
overflows its channel.
Lifelines: Public facilities and services that
the metropolitan population are dependent
upon such as transportation and
communication networks, power, gas and
water lines.
Mercalli Scale: A scale of earthquake
intensity ranging from I to XII. Based on
observable effects at a given place.
Potentially Active Fault Zone: Fault area
showing evidence of surface displacement
during Quarternary time or the
last 2 million years.
Rift Zone: A large fault where lateral
movement occurs.
Richter Scale: A scale of earthquake
magnitude based on the logarithm (base 10)
of the amplitudes of the defections created
by earthquake waves and recorded by a
seismograph.
Rural Residential: Low density single -
family residential development and
agricultural uses with compatible
conditional uses. Local jurisdiction usually
provides a minimal level of service.
Seismic: Pertaining to an earthquake or
earth vibration, including those that are
artificially induced.
Sphere of Influence: That area outside the
City's incorporated boundary, but
designated by the Santa Clara County Local
Agency Formation Commission as the
unincorporated area most likely to be
influenced and annexed by the City in the
future.
Tilt -up Structure: Concrete walls are poured
on the ground, allowed to harden, and then
tilted into place.
Urban Residential: Medium to high density
single — and multi - family residential
development and compatible
conditional uses. Local jurisdiction usually
provides full array of urban services.
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Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
APPENDIX B
NORTHWESTERN HILLSDIE SPECIFIC
PT AN
The Northwest Hillside Specific Plan
was adopted by the City of Saratoga after
the passage of Measure "A" in 1981. The
purpose of the plan is to reduce danger to
the hillside community and its environment
from geologic hazards. The specific goals,
policies and programs which address safety
and seismic safety concerns are listed below.
The Northwestern Hillsides Residential
District Ordinance (Article 15.14 of the City
Code) was adopted to implement these
policies.
GOALS
1. Land use regulation shall be based
upon natural, flood and geologic hazards.
Geology and Soils
POLICIES
1. Geologic hazards should be
avoided to the fullest extent
possible by either correction or
dedications of such areas into open
space. In avoiding geologic
hazards, applications proposing
structures be located on lands
designated Md or Mrf or within the
specific fault setbacks as
designated by the City Geologist,
shall not be approved.
2. Every applicant seeking approval
of any construction project within
the Specific Plan Area shall at all
times have the burden of
providing, to the satisfaction of the
City and its Geologist and other
professional consultants, that the
proposed development will be
constructed in such a manner as to
be safe from known or reasonably
predictable geologic hazards which
may cause injury to persons or
property.
3. The Geologic Hazards Analysis of
the Upper Calazabas Creek
watershed is a planning document
which may require modification.
4. No deviations or modifications of
the Maps shall be permitted
without prior written approval of
the City Geologist.
5. In locating building sites,
preference should be given to areas
designated as stable (Sbr, Sls, Sun,
Sex) on the Ground Movement
Potential Maps. Especially sites on
potentially moving slopes (Pmw,
Ps, Pd) and moving slopes (Ms)
shall not be approved unless
geologic and engineering analysis
and design provided by the
developer clearly demonstrate the
long -term stability of such sites to
the satisfaction of the City, its
Geologist and other professional
consultants.
6. On questionable sites the City
Geologist may require slope
stability analysis with the building
site and its immediately
surrounding area having a factor of
safety against failure of at least 1.5
or equivalent, in the event of a
designed earthquake of magnitude
8.3 on the San Andreas Fault. The
City Geologist shall review and
approve all proposals to insure
conformance with this
requirement.
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7. The City, Santa Clara Valley
Water District, Evergreen
Resource Conservation District and
Santa Clara County should
immediately commence
proceedings with the landowners
for the stabilization of the
abandoned quarry areas on the Paul
Masson Vineyard and Cocciardi
properties as well as other erosion
reduction activities.
8. If grading proposed for a project,
as specifically approved by the
Planning Commission, City
Geologist and City Engineer,
corrects a geologic hazard, then
roads, driveways and structures
may be located on such graded
areas as approved.
9. Projects or portions thereof that
require a high level of maintenance
activity over the long -term to
prevent slope failures should
generally not be approved since the
City's ability to perform or enforce
performance of maintenance is
limited. Project design should
principally use solutions that
minimize risk in not affecting
pubic or private structures in the
event of failure.
10. City should continue to strictly
enforce its grading ordinance
through the City Geologist and
Department of Inspection Services
and control of all work by soils
engineer and geologist on all
projects in hillsides.
ACTION PROGRAM
1. Design and/or revise Ordinances to
carry out the above policies for entire
Specific Plan Area.
Hydrology and Flooding
POLICIES
1. For site - specific policies, see Site
and Storm Drainage.
2. City Council, Planning Commission
and City Staff should continue all
available efforts to secure remedy to
flooding and erosion problems along
the main Calabazas and in already
developed areas.
3. Long -term maintenance of natural
watercourses of smaller size than
would qualify for Santa Clara Valley
Water District jurisdiction should be
by homeowners in tributary areas
using private resources and with City
review and approval of any proposed
improvements or maintenance.
4. Continue (and expand to include
Specific Plan Area) pro -rata share
fees for drainage, insuring that they
are large enough to pay all costs of
necessary facilities to eliminate
flooding at the 100 -year storm level.
5. Recommend continuing support of
long -term study of hydrology of
area.
ACTION PROGRAM
1. Work with the Santa Clara Valley
Water District to develop appropriate
procedures for the above policies.
Fire Hazard
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City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
POLICIES
1. Encourage landscaping with non-
hazardous, drought resistant
vegetation.
ACTION PROGRAM
1. Recommend landscaping of non-
hazardous vegetation at CC &R
stage.
Water
POLICIES
1. Upgrade provisions of water for
adequate fire protection in the
hillsides.
2. Improve supply of water for fire
protection for existing homes by
establishing the water improvement
project.
ACTION PROGRAM
1. Allow formation of the Water
Assessment District.
2. Continue Subdivision Ordinance
Section which requires 1,000 gallons
per minute of water for any new
development prior to issuance of
building permit.
Fire /Emergency Services
POLICIES
1. Require wiring for Early Warning
Fire Reporting System adopted
bySaratoga Fire District Board
with optional hookup to
homeowner.
ACTION PROGRAM
1. Adopt Early Warning Fire Reporting
System Ordinance.
2. Study need for a Fire Station in the
western hillsides and possibility for
joint ownership between the two fire
districts.
3. Consider specifying roofing
requirements (other than wood).
4. Adopt such other measures as are
necessary to increase fire protection
in this area.
Site and Storm Drainage
POLICIES
1. Developer, through actual
improvements and fees, to provide
for installation and maintenance of
storm Drainage system.
2. All major facilities to be designed to
provide for 100 -year storms — local
and minor facilities design provide
for 20 -year storms.
3. Landscaping and resultant site
drainage plan to be approved with
Design Review approval of the
residence prior to issuance of
permits.
4. Site drainage plans to be approved so
as to not impact adjacent properties.
ACTION PROGRAM
1. Increase improvement criteria and
fees if called for in study.
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City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
APPENDIX C
Sphere of Influence Special Plan
Saratoga adopted the Sphere of
Influence Plan as a Special Area Plan in
1974, pursuant to State Government Code
Title 7, Chapter 3, Article 8, to assist in the
formulation of policies leading to an
appropriate balance of conservation and
development in the area. The plan was
designed to guide future City decisions
relating to annexation, development and
public safety in the City's Sphere of
Influence. Concise objectives and policies
regarding environmental hazards are
specified in this plan and include the
following:
Environmental Resource Management
GOALS
To preserve open space for a natural
rural environment, health and safety
purposes and for scenic and
recreational uses.
2. To permit uses and densities
compatible with the physical
limitations of the land.
3. To preserve the natural environment
of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
4. To insure protection of rare or
endangered plant animal species.
5. To protect County watersheds and
natural waterways from pollution.
6. To regulate development in order to
mitigate its undesirable effects.
POLICIES
1. In areas of periodic, predictable
hazard, such as flood plains or fault
zones, apply special zoning to allow
only compatible uses.
2. Postpone development of areas with
an unacceptable level of
environmental risk unless or until the
hazards are reduced by corrective
action.
Community Development
POLICIES
Coordinate the Plan with other plans
proposed or in effect in the Santa
Cruz Mountains. Participate in a
common coordinate system for
mapping and a data bank for
information retrieval and storage
with all four counties traversed by
the Santa Cruz Mountains.
2. Assign uses and densities to the land
as an inverse function of geologic,
topographic, seismic and public
health hazards.
Temporarily restrict development in
areas not served by public services,
roads and schools until adjacent
areas having these services are
developed.
4. Regulate and limit the manner of
development in the Sphere of
Influence based on slope
conservation guidelines, findings of
topography, geology, soils, safety,
conservation, public facilities
availability and access.
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City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
5. Withhold public services in areas not
suitable for development.
6. Periodically review and revise land
uses and formulas for density
determination.
7. Consider drainage implications of
development on creeks to reduce
erosion, to protect their natural state
and to reduce flooding at lower
elevations.
8. Encourage zoning in conformance
with the policies and objectives of
this plan.
9. Developments which are likely to
cause or to create hazards should not
be permitted.
10. Measures to correct, reduce and
eliminate hazards should be utilized
whenever feasible.
11. Emergency plans should be adopted
for evacuation, maintenance of order,
locating and distributing resources
and the restoration of services and
normal activity.
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City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
APPENDIX D 1.2 (Imp) The policy is
specific and does not require
Existing Safe1y /Seismic Safety Element implementation measure.
SS /S.2.0 Update regularly the
A seismic safety element consisting of an
City's Emergency Plan.
identification and appraisal of seismic
hazards such as susceptibility to surface
SS /S.2.1 The City shall prepare,
ruptures from faulting, to ground shaking, to
review and update on a regular basis
ground failures, or to effects of seismically
a plan for emergency or disaster
induced waves such as tsunamis and seiches.
action. This plan shall use local
A safety element for the protection of the
resources and manpower to provide
community from fires and geologic hazards
maximum benefit and protection for
including features necessary for that
the City's residents.
protection as evacuation, routes, peak water
load supply requirements, minimum road
2.1 (Imp) The City's
widths, clearance around structures and
Emergency Plan shall be
geologic hazard mapping in areas of known
reviewed annually and
geologic hazards.
modified if significant
changes are required.
SS /S.1.0 Protect residents from
injuries and minimize property
SS /S.3.0 Maximize the protection of
damage from earthquakes, flooding
residents and property from the
and other natural hazards in
hazards of fire by requiring or
populated areas.
promoting the installation of an early
warning fire alarm system consisting
SS/S.1.1 The City shall continue to
of heat and smoke detectors capable
enforce its existing flood control
of transmitting a signal directly to
regulations, and will cooperate
the fire station.
with the Santa Clara Valley Water
District when propose projects will
SS /S.3.1 The City shall require the
affect floodways in their jurisdiction,
installation of an early warning fire
to prevent development activities
alarm system in each of the
from aggravating or causing
following cases:
potential flood problems.
a. All new single - family
1.1 (Imp) (The policy is specific
dwellings and any existing
and does not require an
single - family dwellings
implementation measure.)
which are expanded by fifty
percent or more in floor area,
SS /S.1.2 The City shall adopt an
where such new or expanded
ordinance providing a hazardous fire
dwellings are located within
area overlay zone, which shall
designated hazardous fire
reinforce development regulations
area.
concerning fire- retardant
construction and landscaping.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 43
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
b. All new single family
dwellings having a gross
floor area in excess of 5,000
square feet.
c. Any existing single family
dwelling which is expanded
by fifty percent or more in
floor are which, after such
expansion, will exceed 5,000
square feet in gross floor
area.
d. All new multi - family
dwellings and other new
structures having multiple
sleeping units, such as hotels,
motels, apartments,
condominiums or other
community housing projects,
townhouses and nursing
homes.
e. Any existing multi - family
dwelling or other existing
structure having multiple
sleeping units such as
described in Paragraph (d)
above, which is expanded by
fifty percent or more in gross
area.
3.1 (Imp) Implement through
amendment of the subdivision,
zoning and building regulations
as contained in the City code.
SS /S.3.2 The Chief of the fire district having
jurisdiction should be authorized to require
the installation of an early warning fire
alarms system in any new commercial
structure or community facility, or
expansion of an existing commercial
structure by fifty percent or more in gross
floor area, whenever the Chief deems such
requirement to be necessary or appropriate
on the basis of facts and circumstances in
each individual case.
3.2 (Imp) Implement through
amendment of the
subdivision, zoning and
building regulations as
contained in the City code.
SS /S.3.3 The City shall encourage all
property owners to install an early
warning fire alarms system on a
voluntary basis where such owners
are not otherwise required to do so.
3.3 (Imp) Implement by
including in the building
regulations a provision
allowing voluntary
installation of the system and
publicize the availability of
the system for any property
located within the City.
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 44
City of Saratoga Safety Element
Background Report /Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures
MAPS
City Staff and Technical Review Committee Page 45