Attachment 27IJJJ S a Jose
1265 S. Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128-3514
Writer's Direct Line: (408) 918-7296
Email: scott.hoffman@sjwater.com
Town of Los Gatos December 4, 2018
Council Members
Re: Comments regarding proposed ammendments to the Town of Los Gatos Code of Regulations regarding
fences
San Jose Water (SJW) has delivered the Town of Los Gatos (Town) expectional quality water and service since
1890 via a network of pipelines, pump stations, storage facilities, and other distribution system
infrastructure. The majority of this infrastructure is buried under roadways and relatively safe from a security
standpoint. However, pump stations and storage facilities, which are critical components of a water system,
are located above grade and are vulnerable to physical attacks.
Safe reliable drinking water is critical to public health and the result of any attack could be a large number of
illnesses or casualties and therefore, the United States Department of Homeland Security in its National
Infrastructure Protection Plan identifies the importance of public agencies and private sector water utilities
working collaboratively to manage risks and achieve security.'
We recognize and appreciate our mutual desire to serve the residents and businesses within the Town and
respectfully request that any amendment to the Town Code regarding fences, provide an exemption for
publicly regulated utilities to install three strands of barbed wire above its' security fencing and/or allow for
the installation of constantina wire above interior fencing for protection of critical facilities at the discretion
of the Town Planning Department, where such fencing can be warranted.
Without this exemption, SJW believes its critical water distribution system pump stations and storage
facilities within the Town are exposed to an unacceptable level of risk from physical attacks. These threats
should not be ignored and we are prepared to discuss this request in more detail should you need
clarification or need additional documentation regarding water system vulnerabilities and the importance of
deterring physical attacks.
In addition, San Jose Water Company would appreciate council consideration to include an exemption in the
ordinance for increased fence height for utility installations similar to or the same as the exemption provided in the
current fence ordinance.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at 408-918-7296 or by email at Scott.hoffman@siwater.com.
Sin rel ,
Scott Hof an,K
P.E.
Manager of Property and Permit Services
1 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2017)
ATTACHMENT 27
Sean Mullin
From: Dashiell Leeds <dashiell.leeds@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 10:52 AM
To: Sean Mullin
Cc: Shani Kleinhaus
Subject: Comments on Los Gatos Fencing Ordinance
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hello, my name is Dashiell Leeds. I am a Volunteer for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and a resident of Los
Gatos.
After reading through the language of the pending ordinance, I was disappointed to see that many of the restrictions on
unsafe fencing materials were not carried over from the previous ordinance.
The previous ordinance provided a comprehensive list of prohibited fence types and materials that are not of wildlife
friendly design:
i. Chain -link, chicken wire, welded wire, wire mesh, cyclone, or similar fence material.
ii. Buck and rail fences.
iii. Any fence with bare lengths of wire stretched between posts.
iv. Electric fences, including any fence designed to produce an electric shock.
v. Barbed or razor wire fences, including any fence with attached barbs, sharp points, razors.
vi. Double fences.
vii. All hedges.
viii. Transparent fences such as barriers of glass or clear plastic.
This current proposed ordinance only prohibits two materials:
1) Plastic fencing (discouraged, and only prohibited in Historic Districts)
2) Barbed wire or razor ribbon wire.
The current ordinance provides inadequate protection for wildlife. Extremely dangerous fences, such as electric fencing
and fences with sharp points would still be allowed under the proposed ordinance.
I ask that "(d) Materials" be expanded to "(d) Materials and Fencing Types" and add prohibitions for these fencing types
and materials:
- Chain -link, chicken wire, welded wire, wire mesh, cyclone, or similar fence material.
- Buck and rail fences.
- Any fence with bare lengths of wire stretched between posts.
- Electric fences, including any fence designed to produce an electric shock.
- Any fence with attached barbs, sharp points, or razors.
- Double fences
- Transparent fences such as barriers of glass or clear plastic.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dashiell Leeds