Staff Report.Adopt Resolution Declaring Brush a Public Nuisance
PREPARED BY: Meredith Johnston
Administrative Technician
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Interim
Director of Parks and Public Works
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/03/2022 ITEM NO: 10
DATE: April 26, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public
Nuisance, Ordering Abatement, and Setting June 21, 2022 as a Public Hearing
to Consider Objections to the Proposed Removal of Brush
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) declaring hazardous vegetation (brush) a public nuisance,
ordering abatement, and setting June 21, 2022 as a public hearing to consider objections to the
proposed removal of brush.
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Clara County Fire Department implements and manages a hazardous brush
abatement program for the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas (hillside areas) within its
jurisdictional boundaries, which includes the incorporated areas of Los Gatos, to ensure
appropriate defensible space for structures.
The Town annually adopts the Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) Abatement Program and works
with the County who serves as the enforcement agent and conducts their own inspections.
In January of each year, homeowners are reminded that they must remove native brush and
vegetation from around their home to create defensible space. The brush abatement program
entails inspections of hillside properties by fire crews beginning early April each year. If
properties are found to not be in compliance with the regulations found in the California Fire
Code relative to vegetation clearance, they are given notice of the violation. If compliance is
still not achieved by approximately the end of June each year, a contractor is authorized to
perform the necessary work.
PAGE 2 OF 4 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance, Ordering Abatement, and Setting June 21, 2022 as a Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the Proposed Removal of Brush DATE: April 26, 2022
BACKGROUND (continued):
The costs associated with the abatement work are then placed on the property tax bill for that
parcel.
DISCUSSION:
In February of 2022, the Santa Clara County Fire Prevention Division notified property owners
located within the designated Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area of the requirement to
comply with the enforced safety regulations related to flammable vegetation abatement
(Attachment 2).
At the time of the notice, property owners were given the option to complete the required
work themselves, hire their own contractor, or elect to schedule the Town of Los Gatos’
authorized contractor to perform the work.
Below is the scheduled outline for the 2022 hazardous brush abatement program:
February 2022 The 2022 Brush Abatement Program letters are mailed to property
owners.
April 1, 2022 Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD) begins conducting the first
property inspections. A door hanger describing the enforced safety
regulations is placed at the property and a copy is mailed to the property
owner’s mailing address.
May 3, 2022 Town Council adopts a Resolution declaring hazardous vegetation (brush)
a public nuisance and sets June 21, 2022 as a public hearing to consider
objections to the proposed removal of brush.
May/June 2022 SCCFD begins conducting re-inspections of the properties that were out
of compliance at the time of the first property inspection. Property
owners who are not in compliance at the time of re-inspection will be
identified and notice will be sent to the property owners providing
information about the June 21st public hearing. The Town publishes
notices at least 10 days prior to the public hearing.
June 21, 2022 Town Council conducts a public hearing to consider objections to the
proposed removal of hazardous vegetation (brush) of declared non-
compliant parcels and orders the abatement of the nuisance by the
Town’s authorized contractor.
PAGE 3 OF 4 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance, Ordering Abatement, and Setting June 21, 2022 as a Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the Proposed Removal of Brush DATE: April 26, 2022
DISCUSSION (continued):
June 2022 After the June 21st public hearing, an additional inspection of all
identified properties listed on the report will be conducted prior to the
Town’s authorized contractor performing any abatement work. If the
property is found to be in compliance at the time of the re-inspection or
upon the arrival of the abatement contractor, no work will be performed,
and no charges will be imposed.
July 2022 The County provides the Town with an assessment list of charges for
work that ultimately was performed by the contractor. If there are no
proposed charges, no additional public hearing is required.
August 2, 2022 In the event a list of assessed charges is provided to the Town in July, the
Town Council will conduct a public hearing on the hazardous vegetation
(brush) abatement charges and adopt a resolution confirming or
modifying assessments.
August 3, 2022 The Town submits a list of charges as a special assessment to the County
Tax Collector.
CONCLUSION:
Adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) declaring hazardous vegetation (brush) a public nuisance,
ordering abatement, and setting June 21, 2022 as a public hearing to consider objections to the
proposed removal of brush.
COORDINATION:
This program is coordinated with the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with abatement work are placed on the property tax bill for that parcel.
Funds are provided in the FY 2021/22 Budget (Program 5101) to cover the cost of publishing
the legal notice for the June public hearing.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
PAGE 4 OF 4 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance, Ordering Abatement, and Setting June 21, 2022 as a Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the Proposed Removal of Brush DATE: April 26, 2022
Attachments:
1. Resolution declaring hazardous vegetation (brush) a public nuisance, ordering abatement,
and setting June 21, 2022 as a public hearing to consider objections to the proposed
removal of brush (includes Exhibit A).
2. Letters sent to property owners within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area.