2016-065 - Make findings for modifying the 2016 CA Building and Fire CodesRESOLUTION 2016 -065
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
MAKING FINDINGS FOR MODIFYING THE 2016 CALIFORNIA
BUILDING AND FIRE CODES
WHEREAS:
A. Section 17958 of the Health and Safety Code requires that cities and towns 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 Building Standards Commission; and
B. The Town of Los Gatos, in Chapter 6 and Chapter 9 of the Town Code, had previously
adopted the uniform codes; and
C. On December 15, 2015, the State of California Building Standards Commission
adopted 11 new Parts to the California Code of Regulations, CCR Title 24, which the Town will
be required to be enforced as written or adopted with local amendments; and
D. Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the Health and Safety Code permits cities and towns
to modify the California code requirements if it makes express findings that such modifications
are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, geographical, or topographical
conditions; and
E. The Town of Los Gatos experiences low humidity, high wind, and warm temperatures
during the summer months creating conditions which are particularly conducive to the ignition
and spread of grass, brush, and structure fires; and
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Resolution 2016 -065 November 15, 2016
F. The Town of Los Gatos is situated adjacent to active earthquake faults capable of
producing substantial seismic events; and
G. The Town of Los Gatos is partially located in rugged, steep, and heavily vegetated
hillsides accessible over limited roadways that are steep, narrow, and circuitous; and
H. The Town of Los Gatos 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; and
I. Due to these climatic, geological, geographical, and topographical conditions,
mitigation measures are necessary such as automatic fire suppression systems,
communications systems, access to buildings, 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 a fire threat and potential delays in responding to such
threats.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the modifications to the California Codes
contained in an Ordinance introduced by the Town Council on November 1, 2016, are
reasonably necessary to address the climatic, geological, geographical, and topographical
conditions described herein above.
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Resolution 2016 -065 November 15, 2016
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California held on the 15th day of November, 2016 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Marcia Jensen, Steve Leonardis, Rob Rennie, Marico Sayoc, Mayor Barbara Spector
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None
L
SIGNED:
M R O N OF LOS GATOS
S GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: l
ATTEST:
CLERK ADNIMiSTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GA'i OS, CALIFORNIA
DATE:
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Resolution 2016 -065 November 15, 2016