REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2063 Amending Chapter 15.60 of the Santa Clara City Code (“Santa Clara Municipal Fire and Environmental Code”) to adopt the 2022 Supplemental California Fire Code appendices, as amended.
Report
BACKGROUND
At the August 22, 2023 Council meeting, a supplemental resolution was adopted to include additional findings of fact supporting amendment of several 2022 California Fire Code Appendices. Proposed Ordinance No. 2063 reflecting these amended Appendices was passed for the purpose of publication, and September 12, 2023, was set as the date for the public hearing for adoption of the state code by reference. A Notice of Public Hearing containing a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2063 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on August 30, 2023 and September 6, 2023, and copies were posted in three public places, in accordance with Government Code Sections 50022, et seq., and 6066.
DISCUSSION
The International Fire Code (IFC) is a model fire code that regulates minimum fire and life safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage, and processes. The California Building Standards Commission adopts the International Fire Code with state-wide amendments on a triannual code adoption cycle. The City’s initial adoption process for the 2022 code adoption cycle was completed on November 1, 2022 and went into effect on January 1, 2023.
On April 4, 2023, the City of Santa Clara Fire Department received correspondence from the California Building Standards Commission noting that Part 9 of the 2022 California Fire Code Adoption of appendices E and N and the amendments to appendices B, C, and D required additional topographical, climatic, or geological findings. The proposed action is taken to address these issues raised by the state.
There were no substantive changes to the ordinance or resolution previously approved by the Council on November 1, 2022, beyond the specific findings requested by the State. Formatting, grammar, and section number modifications were necessary to incorporate the supplemental materials and improve accuracy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no economic or fiscal impacts anticipated. Council has previously approved a cost recovery mechanism for the development and inspection mandates in the form of inspection fees in the Municipal Fee Schedule, as allowed by the Health and Safety Code.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
A Notice of Public Hearing containing a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2063 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on August 30, 2023 and September 6, 2023, and copies were posted in three public places and made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office.
In addition, public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2063 Amending Chapter 15.60 of the Santa Clara City Code (“Santa Clara Municipal Fire and Environmental Code”) to adopt the 2022 Supplemental California Fire Code appendices, as amended.
Staff
Reviewed by: Ruben Torres, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 2063 (Intro)