HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandout - Distributed at 01-19-1987 PC Mtg
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B I R
BUILDINti INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
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EASTERN DIVISION
BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
1280 BOULEVARD WAY #211, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94595
(415) 932-8884 (415) 444-8711
January 8, 1987
Chair and Members of the
Dublin Planning commission
% Kevin Gailey, Senior planner
city of Dublin, Development Services
P.O. Box 2340
Dublin, California 94568
RECEIVED
JAN 1 5 1987
~IN .....NtJlNO
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your Draft
Roofing Materials Ordinance which your Commission will
on January 19, 1987.
Fire Safe
be hearing
The Building Industry Association, Eastern Division, which represents
our industry in Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, and Napa counties has
been very involved in the discussions of these proposals as they have
come before Planning commissions and city Councils for the past few
years. Even though we may look like we are not concerned with the
safety of our constituency (the new home buyer who will be your
future constituents), let me assure you that we are. We have opposed
these proposals but have always offered recommendations to increase
safety features other ways and our ideas have been accepted numerous
times. We have constantly hired experts to review all the facts so
we can make informed, conscientious comments to Boards such as yours
without having any special interests involved. Our industry builds
and sells homes and any increase in costs are placed on the price of
homes. When the market cannot bear the costs any longer, we quit
building in that market area. Then the new or young homeowner moves
to a more affordable area or gets governmental agencies to cut back
on some of their unnecessary requirements.
In other words, BIA is against the proposed ordinance because it is
not cost effective. It will cause financial hardship on the 3600
families in Dublin who now have shingle or shake roofs as well as
increase new home prices for future Dublin residents. According
to the July, 1986, Town of Moraga's Fire Retardant Roof Committee,
the cost per home to meet the requirements of this ordinance would
be $2500-3500 per home or a $9-11 million dollar expenditure by your
present homeowners in the next 5-20 years, with no real benefit.
If new homes are required to meet roofs with A Class or B Class in
the current proposal and wanted to use tile roofs and also wanted to
have earthquake inusrance, they would be unable to do so because
insurance companies will not insure homes for earthquake protection
if they have tile roofs.
HEADQUARTERS
REGIONAL OFFICES: (415) 820-7626
San Ramon
WEST SAY
(415) 364-9008
Redwood City
SOUTHERN
(408) 243-5889
Santa Clara
NORTHERN
(707) 664-8150
Rohner! Park
AFFILIATED WITH NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS AND CALIFORNIA BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
January 8, 1987
Draft Fire Safe Roofing Materials Ordinance
Page Two
The city of Los Altos Hills, which is in a very fire prone area in
the Santa Cruz Mountains, passed a very similiar ordinance to the one
proposed to you and the citizens through the ballot threw it out.
The Town of Moraga last year considered a similiar proposal and the
Mayor appointed a committee, chaired by their former mayor. Their
report, which was presented in July, 1986, strongly recommended
against adoption. It is an excellent report to review before you
take any action.
We fully understand that there are other cities which have adopted
proposals sirniliar to yours and we have not heard of the impact
because there was very little public comment except from organizations
such as the Committee for Firesafe Roofing which, even though professing
important concerns, is basicaliy a special interest group as attested
to by the Moraga Report (page 8) and the attached letter from the
Committee itself (page ~) .
In closing let me again state the BIA is opposed to the proposed
ordinance but would like to offer a few recommendations for your con-
sideration:
1) Require smoke detectors in all present homes - cost $15-30
per unit (they: are already required by state law in new
'residential developments).
2) Require spark arrestors on all fireplace chimneys on a retro-
active basis - cost $15-25 per home.
3) In areas of high risk~require that brush or other vegetation
be cut back and maintain an excellent weed abatement program.
Lastly, let me re-emphasize that BIA is a non-profit organization
which serves the Building Industry and the consumers of our product -
homes that look good, serve a need, are safe, and are affordable.
Re~;ectful~
n Jt4:t {Ud:- ~
~fry . curtola, J~
Execu~ ve Vice President
TAC!mga
Attachment
cc: Board of Directors, BlA, Eastern Division
Dean La Field, President, BlANC
Mayor and city Council, city of Dublin
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July 16, 1985
Jerry Fever
American Wood Treating
P.O. Box 515
Sumas, ~ashington 98295
Dear Mr. Fever:
RE: CFFSR Brouchure Sponsor
\.,1e hope that you are aware or the activities or the COMl-lITTEE FOR
FIRESAn: ROOFING. If not let ,me explain. The COl-1MITTEE FOR FIRESAFE
ROOFING has spent a great deal or time and money over the past rive
years in the educatio~ or bu~lders, contractors, rire services,
building departments, C~ty Councl.ls and homeOwners as to the need to
specify fire retardant roofing products. The percentage of households
in Southern Calirornia now cover~d by an ordinance requiring riresafe
.roofing has increased rrom 15i: in 1980 to over 85i: in 1985. This
'dramatic shift in legislation has been due to the activities or the
CO:lMITTEE FOR FIRE5AFE ROOFING. '
Unrortuna tely, al though we have won many battles, the war has to
continue to be fought. Every day the well-financed wood lo~by,
representing wood shake and shingle manufacturers, aooears be:ore
influential groups or agencies in California, trying' to build-up
momentum to reverse previous decisions and allow the use or untre~ted
wood shake and shingles. Indeed, t~o communities have reversea
previous decisions and mor~ are waivering.We simply cannot let t:::.i
ha?pen. We need to continue to provide both speakers and literature to
back-u? the respective fire services in their efforts to rnain:=ain
favorable, current restrictive ordinances.'. 'Furthermore, in all or
r-;orthern California, only abot:t 15: or the area is now covered by
firesafe rooring ordinances. The right is just beginni~g in that area
and we are already mak:.ng progress. Last year, we open~d an office in
Northern Calirornia and have retained the services or a hiahlv
o _
respected fire consultant to generate interest in the passage or
stronger rooring ordinances.
5i nee the COMMITTEE'S in'ception, our only piece or color literature
. has been a reprint showing alternate firesare roors from a magazine
now out or business. We desoerately need and consequently have
developed a new brochure. It'shows pictures or alternate riresafe
roofs,' as well as clearly spelling out our message. In the quanti ty
.. T .._,~, "_~..~,,. ',.,;~. ,~-O_'.l"-',":"'~-"~.",-
CFFSR Brochure Sponsor
July 15, 1985
Page 2
'"
we believe we require (250,000), the lOwest quotation we have received
to print chis four-color, six-page brochure, is approxi- mately $0.12
each. "Units" of 25,000 brochures will cost $3,000 to print. We hope
that your organization will sponsor at least one unit of brochures and
more, if at all poss,ible. We will see that this informatlon gets into
the right hands., We will pay the cost of han,dling, envelopes and
postage for direct distribution to fire stations, building depart-
ments, trade shows and hundreds of other locations, such as Banks and
Insurance Companies for example.
~ This request is different. All of us are co'ntinually being asked for
donations for some worthy cause and although protecting the lives and
property of millions of people is indeed a noble purpose, our caese is
not charity. Your investment; se brochures is ouaranteed to hel
'your business-:-we helieve that this ~s the best tor::! "ec-
::ic'Je,t:i sl.~avai13ble to you. ~ve!'y single brochure wi 1 bp c;i1entlv
ex;;",.,ciin2 t:he sales or vQur......!ll9_cuct bv promot:ing r~p t!~ of firesafe
roorin,g materials. We are ready to go to print now. Each day's---ceI'ay
-ioleans 105 t oDDoruni ties. Please call or wri te to me as soon as
possible con~irming the number of units you will sponsor.
It is our wish that you give this request your earnest consideration.
~e look for~ard to hearing from you.
"-
Very truly yours.
\
CO~E FOR/F~RESAFE ROOFING
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