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Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaANNEX 6.CITY OF SARATOGAThe City of Saratoga is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley directly west of SanJose, bordered to the east by Los Gatos and Monte Sereno to the southeast (Figure 6.1). Thepopulation in 2010 was 29,926 with a population density of 2,416.9 people per square mile (U.S.Census Bureau 2010).Figure 6.1.City of Saratoga.ORGANIZATION AND JURISDICTIONThe City of Saratoga is governed by a publicly elected city council and has authority for GeneralPlan-land use planning, code adoption and permit processing. The City of Saratoga does not havea city fire department; services are provided through two fire districts.State law designates all lands within the city limits of Saratoga as Local Responsibility Area (LRA)for purposes of wildland fire protection. Most state fire prevention and defensible space laws donot apply within LRA. Recent legislation requires State review and input on General Plan SafetyElement updates where wildland fire is a hazard (Government Code Section 65040.20).Fire Protection services for the City of Saratoga is split jurisdictionally between the two fireprotection districts. The Saratoga Fire Protection District (Annex 5), an independent special districtencompasses the western half of the City of Saratoga. The eastern half of the city is within theSanta Clara County Central Fire Protection District (a Board of Supervisors governed dependentspecial district) that also provides fire protection to other local cities and unincorporated areas(Annex 1 - Chapter 3).SWCA Environmental Consultants1August 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaThe planning area is best described as a wildland urban interface (WUI) with homes scatteredamong wildland fuels, although Saratoga Village is also considered a WUI designation. The Cityof Saratoga WUI planning area includes designated and adopted very high fire hazard severityzone (FHSZ) areas in the LRA. Structures that fall within the City of Saratoga are subject to theCity planning ordinances:Designated WUI areas require application of Chapter 7A WUI regulations of the City’s adoptedBuilding Code.Saratoga has adopted the WUI Requirements under the California Fire Code with amendments toaddress local conditions that can be viewed s/code of ordinances?nodeId CH16BURE ART16-20FICO 16-20.150AMCH49FICOREWIBAINFIARTree Information and Permits: http://www.saratoga.ca.us/172/Tree-RegulationsLAND USE PLANNING, GENERAL PLAN, BUILDING CODES, AND LOCALHAZARD MITIGATION PLANSAuthority and jurisdiction for approving the General Plan and elements, determining land use,community design and building code adoption rests with the Saratoga City Council. The LocalHazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) identifies hazards that exist in Saratoga that create risk to citizensand properties in Saratoga. WUI fires are a real and present danger to the western portions ofSaratoga. This Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) identifies several goals related tofunctions the City of Saratoga has the authority to undertake.This CWPP may serve as basis for the WUI fire component for LHMP, General Plan, or GeneralPlan element updates.MITIGATION PROJECTS AND PRIORITIZATIONSThe following project matrixes have been developed by the community and Core Team to directspecific project implementation for communities in the City of Saratoga WUI (Table 6.1 throughTable 6.5). The matrixes below are tiered to the strategic goals presented in the body of thecountywide CWPP through project IDs in the first column of each matrix.SWCA Environmental Consultants2August 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaTable 6.1.Recommendations for Public Outreach and Education in the City of SaratogaIDPresentedPriorityProjectTarget DateResources NeededServes to(S)by(1,2,3)Strategic Goal:EO1- Educate citizens on how to achieve contemporary WUI code compliance in retrofits/cost: benefit ratio. Provide workshops and/or demonstration site. andEO5- Emergency preparedness meetings. Use American Red Cross volunteers and other preparedness experts. Attend community functions and hold specialmeetings to provide guidance for creating household emergency plans. Use Ready, Set, Go! program.S-EO1.1Wildfire Preparedness andFire SafeWithin 2 years.1Workshop expenses, personnel.Increase compliance with County code.WUI Code workshops.Councils,Workshop venues.Reduce fire risk level for individual parcels andCounty FireDemonstration site.community as a whole.Strategize on avenues forengaging the public.Strategic Goal: EO3- Organize a community group made up of residents and agency personnel to develop materials and communicate relevant defensible spacemessages. Could coordinate with fire departments or Fire Safe Council.S-EO3.1Form community workingFire SafeWithin 1 year.1Funding to help cover costs ofEngage diverse stakeholders in reaching out togroup for defensible spaceCouncil, firematerials (green waste removalcommunity members and encourage defensibleoutreach.departments,or chipper) and participation.space practices.localHire contractor trained inresidents,defensible space practices.Empower homeowners to make affordable andEagleeffective changes to reduce the vulnerability ofScouts, Highindividual homes.SchoolCommunityVolunteerProgramStrategic Goal: EO4- Media involvement.Develop a local newspaper column that provides fire safety information, promotional information for volunteer fire departments, fire announcements, and emergencyplanning.S-EO4.1Develop a local newspaperCity ofWithin 1 year.1Columns,information,and Protect communities and infrastructure throughcolumn or communitySaratoga,articles to be provided by fire increasing public awareness and providing anewsletter for the SaratogaCounty Firedepartments, local residents, channel for information regarding emergencycommunity that provides fireSanta Clara County Fire Safe fire response.safety information, promotionalCouncil (SCCFSC).information for firedepartments, fireannouncements, andemergency planning.Strategic Goal: E10- Insurance Services informational meetingsS-E10.1Outreach to the community toInsuranceWithin 2 years.2Resources provided byCommunities can learn how to improve theirschedule an InsuranceServices inInsurance Services.insurance ratings, which will reduce insuranceServices informationalconjunctioncosts in their community by implementingmeeting.with Countywildfire prevention measures.Invite Insurance ServicesFire andrepresentatives to speak toSCCFSCgroups regarding ways toimprove WUI insurance ratingsin the community.SWCA Environmental Consultants3August 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaID(S)ProjectPresentedbyTarget DateStrategic Goal: EO11- Increase signage/replace or augment existing signage.S-EO11.1Increase signage/replace orCounty Fire,Within 2 years.augment existing signage.SaratogaUse existing signage to spreadFirefire prevention message alongProtectionhighways and in public openDistrict, Cityspace areas (trailheads, infoof Saratogakiosks) to reduce humanignitions.Priority(1,2,3)2Mostly existing signs and postingsites, people to post and updatesigns.Serves toProtect communities and infrastructure byraising awareness of local citizens and thosetraveling in the area about actions that canprevent fire.Replace, or augment theexisting Smokey Bear signs withelectronic Fire Danger WarningSigns that are solar powered,LED displays (visible day andnight), and accessible andprogrammable through aninternet website.Promote the use of existingelectronic signs at firehousesand other locales to display fireprevention information, safetymessages, and fire dangerrating linked to safety actions.SWCA Environmental ConsultantsResources Needed4August 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaTable 6.2.ID (S)Recommendations for Reducing Structural Ignitability in the City of SaratogaProjectPresented byPrograms AvailableDescriptionPriority(1,2,3)Strategic Goal: SI1: Retrofit/Eliminate flammable roofsS-SI1Identify all wood shake roofedCity and County PlanningFEMA grants.Require elimination of all flammable1properties within planningin conjunction with Countyroofs through attrition or time deadline.area and target homeownersFire and municipalities.with outreach on retrofittingroofs.Strategic Goal: SI5- Adopt landscape standards for recommended plant landscape materials.S-SI5.1Adopt landscape standardsFire Safe Councils to lead.Research Firewise plantsEducate property owners, landscape3for recommended plantsuitable for the region.firms and landscape architects inlandscape materials.Develop plant list, posterappropriate ornamental plantings,materials and researchmulches, and landscape design/demonstration site.maintenance in WUI areas.Firewise Communities USA:www.firewise.orgStrategic Goal: SI6- Develop landscape contractor maintenance program for “Right Plant-- Right Place” and maintenance.S-SI6.1Develop landscape contractorFire Safe Councils to leadFirewise Communities USA:Educate property owners, landscape2non-flammable plant list.in cooperation with localwww.firewise.orgfirms and landscape architects inhomeowner associationappropriate ornamental plantings,(HOA)mulches, and landscape design/maintenance in WUI areas. Work withHOA.Strategic Goal: SI8- Interactive tool for citizens to use on line, ID their property and what hazard/risks exist and mitigations they can apply to improve theirsurvivability.S-SI8.1Work with County Fire toSanta Clara County FireIntterraCounty Fire to pursue funding to1develop parcel levelDepartment with revisedincrease contract provisions with Interraapplication of CommunityIntterra contractto provide public facing tool.Wildfire Protection Plan riskSimplify tool and provide easy to followassessment using Intterrainstructions.software.Could develop You Tube informationalvideo.Strategic Goal: SI11- Implement spring community yard clean-up days.In combination with Fire Safe Council chipper program.S-SI11.1Implement community workCounty Fire, Municipal Fire Fire Safe Council chippingA community led day of yard clean-up2day to encourage yard cleanDepartments, CAL FIRE,programwith fire mitigation in mind wouldup and defensible spaceFire Safe CouncilsReady, Set, Goencourage large numbers within themaintenance.CAL FIREcommunity to carry-out mitigationmeasures and implementation ofdefensible space.Strategic Goal: SI12- Assess and improve accessibility to property.Weekend program to inform homeowners about emergency response access.S-SI12Institute a weekend programFire departments, FireFirewiseInform homeowners about the1to inform homeowners aboutMarshalimportance of keeping drivewaysemergency response access.accessible to fire trucks and emergencyresponders.SWCA Environmental Consultants5TimelineBy 2030Next 2 yearsNext 2 yearsNext 3 yearsNext 2 yearsWithin 1 yearAugust 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaTable 6.3.Recommendations for Improving Firefighting Capabilities in the City of SaratogaFirePriorityResources/fundingBenefits of the Project to the communityTimelineDepartment/Agency(1.2.3)sources availableStrategic Goal: FC2- Define Safe Refuge Areas and establish maintenance program in WUI areas where fire behavior and evacuation timing is problematic.S-FC2.1Define and delineateCounty Fire/CALProvides safety measure for residents of rural2 years1Grants: Federal Emergencyspatially Safe Refuge Areas FIRE/Fire Safeareas in event that evacuation is limited.Management Agencyand establish maintenanceCouncilsProvides for public and firefighter safety by(FEMA), California Fire Safeprogram in WUI areascreating escape routes.Council, Department ofwhere fire behavior andHomeland Securityevacuation timing isproblematic. Example:Mountain WineryStrategic Goal: FC5- Develop WUI preplans and accompanying evacuation plans for all WUI areas in Santa Clara County using standardized format.S-FC5.1Develop WUI preplans andCounty Fire/CALHelps fire response agencies pre-plan for1 year1Grants: FEMA, CA FSC,accompanying evacuationFIRE/Fire Safeevacuations.DHSplans for Saratoga WUI.CouncilsHelps identify areas where mitigationmeasures are needed to facilitate safeevacuation.IDProject DescriptionHelps establish consistent model across allagencies.Strategic Goal: FC8: Where road systems are antiquated and do not provide for proper evacuation or two way flow, require removal of obstructions or upgrade tominimum 2 lanes road system over time.S-FC8.1Evalulate poor road accessCity of Saratoga PublicAlleviates evacuation concerns of residents2 years1HOAs, Road Associations,issues, develop long-termWorksliving in areas with poor ingress/egress.City staffplan for road improvementsProvides for improved response capabilitieswhere feasible andand reduces risk that responding emergencyprioritized routes forvehicles will conflict with evacuation ofevacuation.residents.Strategic Goal: FC11- Investigate and potentially install Fire Detection Robots to alert departments of a fire start in remote areas.S-FC11.1Investigate installation ofCounty FireUses technology for single-tree wildfireWithin 21Private companies provideFire Detection Robots ondetection solution that help forestry agenciesyearsrobotic technologyopen space lands adjacentand fire protection professionals manage theto Saratoga.risks of fire damage cost-effectively.SWCA Environmental Consultants6August 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaFirePriorityResources/fundingBenefits of the Project to the communityTimelineDepartment/Agency(1.2.3)sources availableStrategic Goal: FC14- Where possible encourage sharing of water sources in areas where residential water supplies may be low or non-existent during periods ofdrought or when wells/springs have run dry.S-FC14.1Address water shortageFire agencies, localEncouragement and assistance from Fire Safe 1–5 years1County Fireconcerns, particularly atcommunityCouncil can provide a catalyst for action.high elevations by followingorganizations, localthe model currently underwater purveyors.way by Loma PrietaVolunteer Fire Company.IDProject DescriptionExample:Loma Prieta Volunteer FireCompany is providing smallgrants to home owners topurchase and installadditional water tanks onprivate residential lotswhere a reliable supply ofwater exists. These tanksthen provide water foradjacent properties where awell or spring may beseasonal or dry.Strategic Goal: FC15- Where Open Space and Park Agencies establish trail head parking areas, operating facilities such as horse stables and camping areas that willincrease public access add large capacity water tanks and hydrants for wildfire protection.S-FC15.1Installation of water tanksMidpeninsula RegionalAlleviates public and agency concern forWithin 53This could eventually beon Open Space property for Open Space Districtlimited water supply in remote areas.yearsamended into the buildingfire suppression purposes.(MROSD will followcode.permittingrequirements.); CountyParks.SWCA Environmental Consultants7August 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaTable 6.4.IDFuel Reduction Treatment Recommendations in the City of SaratogaProjectDescriptionLocation andResponsible PartyMethodServes egic Goal: FR1- Incorporate single track trails into fire defense system where practicalS-FR1.1Form aOpen space lands:Detailed analysis wouldProvide access whenOngoing1RegularcommunityTrails that run adjacentbe needed infires occur to reducelongmonitoring toworking group toto community.development ofspread.rangedeterminework with opentreatment location toprojectspace landensure protection ofEnhance Communitysuccess inmanagers tonatural resources.fire defense byreducing fuelcollaborativelybreaking up fuelloading anddevelop fuelcontinuity.enhancedtreatments plansaccess.on open spacelands. Prioritizetreatments alongexisting trailsthat could helpto provide amore substantialfuel break andbreak up thecontinuity offuels.Strategic Goal: FR7- Develop roadside fuel treatment program, including suite of methods available and sustainability mechanismS-FR7.1ImplementCounty and city roadDetermine suite ofReduce fuel loadingWithin 21Regularroadsideagencies; private roadtreatment methodsaround roads andyearsmaintenancebrushing/mowing associations, PG&E,allowed and restrictionhighways to ensureschedulethroughoutCable and Phonefor roadside hazardsafe passage ofshould becommunity tocompanies.reduction includingvehicles in event ofimplemented toincrease buffermowing, mastication,evacuation andensurefrom wildfireLed by SCCFSC.chemical, plantings,reduce unplannedclearanceignitions andmulching, etc.ignitions from vehicleslevels areprovide for safeand highway users.maintained.evacuation.Develop treatment planDevelopand rotation schedulestandards forCommunityfor roadside treatments,road crews.members tofocusing of primaryapproachevacuation orSCCFSC toaccess/egressidentify roadsidecorridors.fuel treatmentpriorities andseek funding toimplement.SWCA Environmental Consultants8Resources/fundingsources availableGrants: California FireSafe Council(CAFSC); CaliforniaForest ImprovementProgram (CFIP);Natural ResourceConservation Service(NRCS), FederalEmergencyManagement Agency(FEMA), Green HouseGas Reduction Fund(GHGRF)Grants: CA FSC;CFIP; NRCS, FEMA,GHGRFAugust 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaTimelinePriorityfor(1,2,3)ActionStrategic Goal: FR9- Establish assistance program for hazardous fuel reduction for physically or fiscally challenged parcelsS-FR9.1EstablishSaratoga neighborhoodIdentify barriers toEnsure that individualWithin 22assistancegroups, Home Ownerachieving parcel levelproperties with pooryearsprogram forAssociation (HOA).defensible space andproperty hygiene dohazardous fuelestablish assistancenot put adjoiningreduction andprogram of resources:properties at risk indefensible spaceeducation, consulting,event of wildfire.for elderly orguidance, people,For residents who arephysicallyfunding.not capable ofchallengedimplementing goodindividuals withinproperty hygiene.Saratoga.IDProjectDescriptionLocation andResponsible PartyMethodServes to:Strategic Goal: FR 11- Create Sustainable programs for creating Defensible Space at the parcel Level.S-R11.1CreateHome Owner, Fire SafeExample projects:Ensure thatSustainableCouncils, Home OwnerCurbside green wastedefensible spaceprograms forAssociations, Countypickup programs,actions are sustainedcreatingFire, Administrators forcommunity chippingin all communities.DefensibleSRA fee distributions.piles, drive-up chipping,Space at theon site chipping.parcel Levelwithin Saratoga.Table 6.5.IDWithin 1year1MonitoringResources/fundingsources availableEstablishlevels ofparticipation byassistancetype.Grants: CA FSC;CFIP; NRCS, FEMA,GHGRFRegularmaintenancescheduleshould beimplemented toensureclearancelevels aremaintained.Grants: CA FSC;CFIP; NRCS, FEMA,GHGRFRecommendations for General Planning Projects in City of SaratogaProject DescriptionMethodStrategic Goal GP1: Ensure project sustainability.S- GP1.1The CWPP serves as theWork with city planning to identify timelinewildfire component offor incorporation in next LHMP update.Saratoga LHMP andGeneral Plan - Safety andAim to have the strategic-level CWPPother elementincorporated into the Safety Element of theamendments.General Plan when the safety element isnext revised. Getting it into the GeneralPlan is equivalent to getting the CWPPadopted.SWCA Environmental Consultants9Timeline forActionPriority(1,2,3)Next 5 years2Monitoring/SustainabilityThe core group of stakeholderswould need to ensure that thedocument is kept relevant in thattime and position it forincorporation.Resources/FundingSources AvailableInternal fundingAugust 2016
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection PlanAnnex 6. City of SaratogaIDProject DescriptionTimeline forActionMethodStrategic Goal GP3: Ensure project sustainability.S- GP3.1Ensure projectHave a target date for updating thesustainability.datasets used in the risk assessment modeland re-running the model.Establish trigger points for updating CWPP.S- GP3.2S- GP3.3Designate a member to theCountywide CWPP CoreTeam for CWPP updates.Develop methods forsustainability of hazardousfuel reduction.Make contact with Santa Clara County FireDepartment to note your interest inparticipating in the project and identifyCWPP meeting schedule.Identify staff and convene a kickoff of theworking group and identify tasks and goalsfor CWPP updates.Develop action for city council to adoptmethod to fund sustainable hazardous fuelmaintenance (such as Mello-RoosCommunity Facility Districts for l fundingMeetquarterly1Commit to attendance at oneCWPP meeting annually.Internal fundingAs needed2Enactment of policy.Internal fundingSet target number of parcels tobe assessed each year.Internal fundingStrategic Goal GP7: Add hyperspectral and LiDAR imaging to periodic aerial photography flights.S-GP7Seek LiDAR andWork in conjunction with the City Planning,1–3 yearshyperspectral imagery forCounty Assessor, or others to addaerial photography ofadditional sensing cameras to aerial photoSaratoga.flights.SWCA Environmental ConsultantsEstablish annual oversight of theCWPP and project status.Resources/FundingSources AvailableGet buy-in from Core Teammembers for long-termcommitment to CWPP review.Strategic Goal GP4: Parcel Level Defensible Space Inspection Task ForceS-GP4.1Join countywide task forceCarryout parcel level assessments to2 years1to do parcel levelenhance risk assessment modelinspection work to enhance components at a finer scale.model; utilize portable datacollection and ArcGIS asAdd data to model and re-run as necessary.analysis tools.Strategic Goal GP5: Develop countywide standard and method for continued data gathering and risk analysis.S-GP5.1Use a countywide standard Conduct funding to purchase a commercial2 years1and method for continuedapplication, such as Fulcrum, that providesdata gathering and riska standard data collection platform thatanalysis.could be used on a smart phone/tablet.Hyperspectral and LiDAR can provide indepth identification and analysis of hazardsand risks.Monitoring/Sustainability1Review number of parcelsassessed each year at annualCWPP meeting.Annual review of progress as partof Core Team.California Fire SafeCouncilclearinghousegrants; internalfundingPeriodic new flights to updatedata sets.Grants: FederalEmergencyManagementAgency, Departmentof HomelandSecurity,Greenhouse GasReductionAugust 2016
SWCA Environmental Consultants 1 August 2016 ANNEX 6. CITY OF SARATOGA The City of Saratoga is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley directly west of San Jose, bordered to the east by Los Gatos and Monte Sereno to the southeast (Figure 6.1). The
