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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.09 WildfireMgmtPlanAmend C'rTY CLERK FILE # 420-20 AGENDA STATEMENT CZTY COUNCIL MEETZNG DATE: February 20, 2001 SUBJECT: Amendments to the Wildfire Management Plan Report Prepared By: James R. Ferdinand, Fire Marshal ATTACHMENTS: RECOMMENDATION: 1. Resolution amending the Wildfire Management Plan 2. Draft Amendments to the Wildfire Management Plan 3. Revised Removal Requirements A ' dopt Resolution amending the Wildfire Management Plan FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: Proposed amendments to the Wildfire Management Plan would reduce pruning and tree clearance requirements where residences are proposed near fire resistive Heritage Trees. The proposed changes are as follows: 1. The addition of the definition of "Fire Resistive Heritage Trees" 2. The addition of a section establishing modified construction requirements for building on lots containing Fire Resistive Heritage Trees. 3. The addition of a section setting forth vegetation standards for Fire Resistive Heritage Trees on approved lots. Under the City's vegetation removal requirements and Wildfire Management Plan, new homes must provide up to a 100-foot defensible space and trees within that space must be pruned up at least 6 feet from the ground. Strict application of these standards could require that Heritage Trees be pruned when new homes are proposed in the vicinity. Proposed amendments to the Wildfire Management Plan and vegetation removal standards reflect the higher fire resistance of certain Heritage Trees, and allow modified vegetation and pruning when enhanced construction and vegetation management standards are met. These changes will preserve Heritage Trees that are resistant to fire from being pruned up to six feet from the ground and still ensure the safety of residences built up to five feet from the drip line of these trees. Trees identified as Fire Resistive Heritage Trees will be trimmed of dead wood and the debris removed from under the canopy. In addition to this treatment, an irrigated green belt shall be installed and the building elevation~ exposed to the tree or fire buffer shall meet additional construction requirements to further enhance fire resistance. Please see Attachment 2 for details. COPIES TO: ITEM NO. In order to meet the intent of the Wildfire Management Plan and protect Heritage Trees, the Removal Requirements and standard tree pruning process in the Plan have been modified. Please see Attachment 3 for details. Staff has reviewed the proposed amendments against the 1998 Califomia Fire Code and found them in compliance the Code. RESOLUTION NO. - 01 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION NEAR FIRE RESISTIVE HERITAGE TREES WHEREAS, the Wildfire Management Plan was adopted by Resolution 84-96 on July 9, 1996 which requires tree trimming and vegetation management within fire buffer zones, and, WHEREAS, Chapter 5.60 of the Dublin Municipal Code is the City's Heritage Tree Ordinance which protects specific trees within the City of Dublin, and WHEREAS, trimming and pruning of Heritage Trees may adversely impact the health of the tree, and WHEREAS, certain Heritage Trees are more fire resistive than others, therefore trimming and pruning requirements can be modified to remain compliant with the 1998 California Fire Code and to provide alternate means of protection for the tree and buildings within fire buffer zones, as further set forth in Exhibit A to this Resolution, and WHEREAS, the City Council finds the Modified Construction Requirements for Buildings/Lots Containing Fire Resistive Heritage Trees set forth in Exhibit A are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. As documented in Section 8.2.2 of the Dublin General Plan with respect to western Dublin, and Section 8.3.2 of the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan and Section 3.4 of the Eastern Dublin EIR with respect to eastern Dublin, the risk of wildfire is particularly great for residential development adjacent to undeveloped open space lands. Within Dublin, such areas may be dry, windy areas, or remote, hilly areas where accessibility might be limited. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the attached amendments to the Wildfire Management Plan are hereby approved, PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of ,2001. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: Mayor City Clerk ATTACHMENT 1 DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN p. 3 Add definition of Fire Resistive Heritage Trees Fire Resistive Heritage Trees - Coast Live Oak, Valley Oak, Blue Oak, or California Buckeye trees that otherwise qualify as Heritage Trees under the Heritage Tree Ordinance, Chapter 5.60 of the Dublin Municipal Code p. 6 Add the following subparagraph after the Automatic Fire Sprinklers subparagraph under Construction Requirements for Buildings on Lots or Parcels Adjacent to Open Space and Undeveloped Landing Modified Construction Requirements for Buildings/Lots Containing Fire Resistive Heritage Trees The following requirements shall be implemented in addition to the construction requirements set forth above when there is a Fire Resistive Heritage Tree within 100 feet of the exterior wall or deck projection as measured from the drip line of the tree. 1. Exterior walls. Fire rated construction standards required for the elevation most .exposed to wildfire risk shall be extended to the adjacent elevations of the structure. 2. Windows. Install dual tempered glass windows in openings on the elevation most exposed to wildfire risk and adjacent elevations of the structure. 3. Metal Structural Members. Metal structural members shall be used in place of wood in construction of all underfloor areas that are enclosed to the ground with exterior walls as required above in the Wildfire Management Plan. 4. Automatic Fire Sprinklers. Provide fire sprinkler flow detection monitoring through a central station company. p. 9 Add the following subparagraph after Establishment and Maintenance Of Vegetation on Approved Lots under Standards for Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE RESISTIVE HERITAGE TREES ON APPROVED LOTS When any of the Vegetation Standards calls for pruning of limbs and trees that are identified as Fire Resistive Heritage Trees, the following standards may be implemented in place of required ground clearance. 1. An irrigated fuel break/greenbelt shall be installed surrounding the dripline of the Fire Resistive Heritage Trees. Size and compatibility of the greenbelt shall be determined following consultation with a Certified Arborist and review of the degree of slope ATTACHMENT 2 surrounding the trees. The greenbelt vegetation shall be fire resistive and require little watering. 2. All vegetation shall be maintained per the Wildfire Management Plan standards or Alameda County Fire Department Removal Standards, except as modified for Fire Resistive Heritage Trees. 3. Ground under the Fire Resistive Heritage Trees shall be kept flee of weeds and dead wood. Leaf litter shall be allowed to remain as a mulch to protect the soil. 4. Limited pruning shall be completed to thin foliage, remove dead wood, raise the foliage one-foot above the ground and where appropriate, separate the crowns of the trees. Crown separation shall be based on the recommendation of the Project Arborist and the City's Arborist. Branches larger than one inch in diameter shall not be pruned unless agreed to by the project arborist and the City's arborist. 5. All other applicable standards shall continue to apply except as modified above. Alameda County Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau City of Dublin Division REMOVAL REQUIREMENTS Weed, Rubbish, and Litter Abatement The following are the minimum requirements for removal of weeds, rubbish, and litter. Please read the entire list as more than one category may apply to your property. Burning is not allowed, except in agricultural applications and then by permit only. RUBBISH, LITTER AND DEBRIS All Areas: Remove any rubbish, garbage, litter, junk, old building materials, or other items completely from the property and appropriately dispose of them. Maintained throughout the year. WEEDS AND OVERGROWN VEGETATION All Areas: Prune any overgrown plants, shrubs or trees; remove cuttings and dead tree limbs. Keep all trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, or portions thereof adjacent to any building or structure, free from dead limbs, branches, and other combustible materials. Maintain five feet (5') of vertical clearance between roof surface and portions of trees. Maintain roof of building or structure free of leaves, needles, twigs, or other combustible litter. Maintained throughout the year. Urban: Abate all exterior fire hazards; complete abatement may include a combination of discing, mowing, and spraying. Remove from the property all dead trees and maintain weeds and other vegetation at a height of no more than four inches (4"). Native shrubbery should be cleared to a distance of at least fifteen feet (15') from the structure. Maintain trees within one hundred feet (100') of any building, structure, or within ten feet (10') from any roadway, highway, street, alley~ or driveway, so that no leafy foliage, twigs, or branches are within six feet (6') of the ground. The otherwise required six foot (6') foliage clearance may be modified for specific Fire Resistive Heritage Trees as defined and further provided for in the City of Dublin Wildfire Management Plan. Remove any portion of a tree that extends within ten feet (10') of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.. Rural: Parcels, one acre or less, shall require complete abatement of all exterior fire hazards. Parcels greater than one acre should provide a minimum twelve-foot (12') firebreak. Firebreaks are to follow as closely as practical, the property line, along one side of fence lines, ditches, and on top of ridges, or surrounding structures. Trees may be left within the firebreak and shall have low limbs trimmed up to a height of six feet (6'). All buildings and structures which are upon or adjoining hazardous fire areas, shall be maintained with an effective firebreak by removing and clearing away flammable vegetation and combustible growth from within thirty feet (30') of such buildings or structures. A firebreak of one hundred feet (100') may be required due to terrain, topography, or fuel. Where practical, provide twelve-foot (12') firebreaks from inside fence line along all public roadways. Combustible storage, such as usable lumber, cord fire wood, hay or straw, shall be neatly stacked an all combustible growth shall be removed from within fifteen feet (!5') of the stored materials. ATTACHMENT 3 Rural Residential: Remove from the property, within thirty feet (30') immediately surrounding structures, all dead trees, and maintain all weeds and other vegetation at a height of no more than four inches (4").' Native shrubbery should be cleared to a 'distance of at least fifteen feet (15') of structure. Remove any portion of a tree branch, which extends within ten feet (10') of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. Keep all trees, shrubs, and other vegetation adjacent to or overhanging any building or structure free of dead limbs, branches, or other combustible materials. Where practical, provide twelve-foot (12') firebreaks from inside fence line along all public roadways. Combustible storage, such as usable lumber, cord fire wood, hay or straw, shall be neatly stacked and all combustible growth shall be removed within fifteen feet (15') of stored material. No stack shall be located less than thirty feet (30') from a building or structure. Combustible trash, rubbish, or litter shall be removed from the property. If you have any questions, please contact the Alameda County Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, City of Dublin Division, at 925-833-6606.