Item 20 Staff Report Consider Hillside Development Fire Prevention PolicyMEETING DATE: 9/18/00
ITEM NO.
V
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: September 14, 2000
TO: MAYOR ANDN1//G'ETOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MAR�6��°G`Xs—
SUBJECT:
CONSIDER HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT FIRE PREVENTION POLICY
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider Hillside Development Fire Prevention Policy
BACKGROUND:
This issue was discussed at a recent Mayor's meeting as part of a discussion on hillside development. Concerns were
raised about fire prevention and access and emergency access. It was recommended that the matter be forwarded to the
Council for consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The adopted General Plan includes policies and implementing strategies to address fire safety and fire prevention:
S.P.2.3 Design and site new development located in or adjacent to fire hazard areas (see Attachment 1) to minimize
hazards to life and property, such as fire preventative site design, access, landscaping and building materials,
and use of fire suppression techniques.
S.P.2.4 Restrict development in areas with inadequate water flow.
S.I.2.2 Site design: In areas identified as potentially susceptible to fire hazards, require special building and site design
by ordinance.
S.I.2.3 Vegetation: Control excessive buildup of flammable vegetative material.
S.1.2.5 Water storage: During the development review process, carefully consider the adequacy of water storage for
fire prevention.
One of the high priority work items is the hillside development standards update (CD.I.2.1). The topic of fire safety has
already been targeted as an area of concern. Fire prevention policies can be discussed and addressed as part of the
hillside development standards update. Input would be solicited from the Santa Clara County Fire Department as part
of this process. The content of the Request for Proposal (RFP) has been reviewed by the Architectural Standards/Hillside
Committee. The draft RFP is being prepared and will be forwarded to the Planning Commission in October and the
Town Council in November. Staff anticipates that the new hillside design guidelines will be completed by Fall 2001.
(Continued on Page 2)
PREPARED BY: PAUL L. CURTIS
DIRECTOR OF CO M ITY DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by: Ott Attorney Revised: 9/14/00 5:33 pm
Reformatted: 7/14/99
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: CONSIDER HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT FIRE PREVENTION POLICY
September 14, 2000
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that a hillside fire prevention policy be evaluated as part of the development of new hillside design
standards.
Attachments:
1. Fire Hazard Area Map
Distribution:
PC:SD:mdc
N:IDEV 1 SUZ ANNEIGENP L AN IRE PORT SIF I REHAZ. TC
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Fire Hazard Area
Town Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Town of Los Gatos, California
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Attachment 1
Town Council Minutes September 18, 2000
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY PARKING PROGRAM (18.34)
Council and public made comment on the following items from the report:
Increased enforcement on Sundays was discussed and there was consensus to proceed with this action
only during the holiday season.
By consensus resurfacing of Lots 1 & 2 would begin right away to be done before the season
commences.
Issues concerning University Ave. will be discussed at a public meeting to be held September 26`' and
return to Council on the October 2, 2000 agenda.
Sandy Decker, 45 Glen Ridge, asked that the bus depot lot be made available for parking during the
holiday season. Many employees could take advantage of this location rather than moving their cars
about all day.
SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA)/RESOLUTION 2000-115
A MEASURE ON NOVEMBER 7TH BALLOT/ 1/2 CENT SALES TAX (19.41)
Carl Guardino, representing Measure A on the November Ballot requested Council's support.
Sandy Decker, 45 Glen Ridge, spoke against the $2 billion dollar, `/2 cent, 30 year obligation to build
BART from Freemont to San Jose. It will take ten years to build and does not connect the bulk of
residential to major commercial and job markets. It siphons money from other transit projects and will
jeopardize the Los Gatos light rail connection for our residents.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council adopt Resolution 2000-115 entitled.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS SUPPORTING SANTA CLARA VALLEY
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA) PLACEMENT ON THE NOVEMBER 7, 2000,
STATEWIDE BALLOT, A MEASURE AUTHORIZING VTA TO ENACT A ONE-HALF
CENT SALES TAX FOR TRANSIT PURPOSES FOR A PERIOD OF 30 YEARS. Carried
unanimously.
HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT/FIRE PREVENTION POLICY (20.33)
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council authorize the preparation of a Fire
Prevention Policy in the hillsides. The hillside design guidelines should be ready for Council review by
the Fall of 2001. Carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 (06A.V)
Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council approve the Joint Town
Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes of September 5, 2000, as amended on page 7, under the
Motion for 69 Broadway, with the deletion of the words, "and remove the south porch." Carried
unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Blanton adjourned this evening's meeting at 12:00 p.m.
ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove, Town Clerk
TC D I I : MM09 1800
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