2007-123-Making Findings For Modifying Uniform Building And Fire CodesRESOLUTION NO. 2007-123
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
MAKING FINDINGS FOR MODIFYING UNIFORM BUILDING AND FIRE CODES
WHEREAS:
A. Section 17958 of the Health andSafety Code requires that cities choose between adopting
ordinances and regulations imposing uniform codes setting rules and regulations for building, fire,
mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and housing, or submitting to the regulations adopted by the state
Department of Housing and Community Development.
B. The Town of Los Gatos, in Chapters 6 and 9 of the Town Code, had previously adopted
the uniform codes.
C. On January 30, 2007, the State of California adopted new uniform codes, which the Town
must adopt before January 1, 2008.
D. Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the Health and Safety Code permits cities to modify the
uniform code requirements if it makes an express finding that such modification is reasonably
necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.
E. On November 5, 2007, the Town Council voted to introduce an ordinance adopting the
new uniform codes with modifications.
F. The Town of Los Gatos experiences low humidity, high winds and warm temperatures
during the summer months creating conditions which are particularly conducive to the ignition and
spread of grass, brush and structure fires.
G. The Town of Los Gatos is situated adjacent to active earthquake faults capable of
producing substantial seismic events.
H. The Town of Los Gatos is partially located in rugged, steep, and heavily vegetated
hillsides accessible over limited roadways that are in areas steep, narrow, and circuitous.
I. Because the Town is divided by a creek, freeways and other traffic corridors, and is
partially located in hillside areas with limited access, the occurrence of a major earthquake would
significantly impact the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies should one or more bridges
collapse or be substantially damaged. Additionally, fire suppression capabilities will be severely
limited should the water system be extensively damaged during the seismic event.
H. Due to these climatic, geological, and topographical conditions, mitigation measures are
necessary such as automatic fire suppression systems, communications systems, access to buildings,
Page 1 of 2
seismic protection, safety controls for hazardous materials and other safe guards in order to minimize
the risks to citizens, firefighters, and property resulting from the severity of fire threat and potential
delays in responding to such threats.
RESOLVED:
Modifications to the uniform codes contained in an ordinance introduced by the Town
Council on November 5, 2007, are reasonably necessary to address the climatic, geological, and
topographical conditions described herein above.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town
of Los Gatos, California held on the 19`'' day of November, 2007, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Barbara Spector, Mike Wasserman, and Mayor Joe
Pirzynski
NAYS: None
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED: .~
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
A
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS T S, CALIFORNIA
Page 2 of 2