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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 98-15 RESOLUTION NO. 98-15 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT AND NEED FOR CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS Recitals: Chan~es or Modifications: Pursuant to Section 17958 of the State of California Health and Safety Code, the City Council of the City of Saratoga in its ordinance amending the 199__4 Edition of the California Building Code changes or modifies certain provisions of the State Building Standards Code as it pertains to the regulation of buildings used for human habitation. A copy of the text of such changes or modifications is attached. ~:' Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7(a) of the State of California Health and Safety Code, the CAW Council of the City Of Saratoga has determined and finds that the attached changes or modifications are needed and are reasonably necessary because of lpcal climatic, geographic, and topographic conditions. Local. Conditions: Local conditions have an adverse effect on the prevention of (I) major loss fires, (2) maior earthquake damage, and (3) the potential for life and property loss, making necessary changes or modifications in the California Building Code in order to provide a reasonable degree of property security, and fire and life safety in this community. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Saratoga does hereby Resolve as follows: /L Below are listed adverse local climatic, geographic and topographic conditions making necessary the changes set forth herein to the California Building Code. 1. Climatic a. Predoitation. Predpitation ranges from 20 to 31 inches per year. Approximately ninety percent (90%) falls during the months of November through April, and 10% from May through October. This area experiences periodic droughts; it is possible that droughts will occur in the future. b. Relative Humidity. Humidity generally ranges from 60% during day time to 75% at night. It drops to 20% during the summer months and occasionally drops lower. c. Temperatures~ Temperatures have been recorded as high as 105© F. Average summer highs are in the 69-100°F range. d. Winds. Prevailing winds are from the Northwest or Southwest. However, winds are experienced from virtually every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the 5 mph to 15 mph range, gusting to 7.4 mph to 30 mph, particularly during the summer months. Extreme winds, up to 60 mph, have been known to occur. e.. Summary. These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration, intensity and size of fire in the community. Times of little or no rainfall, of low humidity, and high temperatures create extremely hazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires and conflagration. The winds experienced in this area can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires. During wood shake and shingle roof fires, or exposure fires, winds can carry sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In building fires, winds can literally force fires back into the building and can create a blow torch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts. 2. Geo~m-aphic and Topographic a. Geogax3hic location, Saratoga is located in the Southwest portion of the Santa Clara Valley. The City is rural in character, although it is adjacent to more urban titles in the valley. . 2 b. Seismic Locations. Seismically, the City sits between the active fault known as San Andreas, which bisects a portion of the City, and the potentially active Berrocal and Shannon faults. A majority of the City's land surface is in the high-to-moderate seismic hazard zones. c. Size and Ponulation. The City records a current population of approximately 30,000. d. Roads and Streets. The number of vehicle miles driven in the City is steadily increasing and in particular since the recent completion of Highway 85 traffic congestion resulting from commuters moving through' the city to their homes and places of . work has increased dramatically on certain key surface arterial streets. This additional traffic has impacted the delivery of fire sentices. Many roads in the City are private roads, and are less likely to meet access and maintenance standards than public roads. Damage to roadways, the Highway 85 underpass and bridges can be expected in a major ean_hquake, cutting off fire sentice access. e. Zr_o. ptlgllpl~ The topography of Saratoga includes the low-lying relatively flat valley floor and the Northwestern foothills. The mountain areas have a solid cover of vegetation. The valley has a relatively large number of trees of varying species, and has been referred to as an "urban forest". A major portion of the City is underlined by a geologic stability zone. This type of geologic unit is moderately stable when dry but moderately unstable when saturated. There are several areas in Saratoga that contain rock formations conducive to abundant landslides. Landslides offer the potential to cut off fire access to entire neighborhoods. The valley floor of Saratoga is composed of several alluvial fan deposits from the creeks and streams flowing from the mountainous area. HoMing hazards resulting from the secondary effects of seismic activity could occur if landslides are activated and advance into creekbeds. In some areas, slides could block both the roadway and the creek, creating substantial access problems. f. Summary. The above local geographic and topographic conditions increase the magnitude, exposure, accessibility problems, and fire hazards presented to the two fire districts which serve Saratoga. Lying beneath the valley are thick layers of sand, gravel and day, known as alluvium, which amplify the effects of eaxthquakes. Based on the damage caused in Santa Clara Valley by recent earthquakes, and poor performance of alluvial deposits during earthquakes, this area could be subject to severe damage. Fire following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself. Other variables may tend to intensify the situation: 1. The extent of damage to the water system; 2. The extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway · overpass collapse; 3. The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways; .:, 4. Climatical conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds); 5. Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours; 6. The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance; 7. The large portion of dwelling with wood shingle roof coverings could result in conflagrations. Conclusion: Local climatic, geographic, and topographic conditions impact fire prevention efforts, and the frequency, spread, acceleration, intensity, and size of fire involving buildings in this community. Further, they impact potential damage to all structures from earthquake and subsequent fire. Therefore, it is found to be reasonably necessary that the California Building Code be changed or modified to mitigate the effects of the above conditions. Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Saratoga, California at a meeting thereof held on the 3rd day of ,q.no., 1998, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Bogosian, Jacobs, Moran, Shaw and'Mayor Wolfe NOF:'S.:-:~None Attest: City Clerk MS~dsp:r~a March t9, 1998 J:\WPD~viNRSWX273XRES98XFINDINGS.CBC