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Home My WebLink About22115 - RESOLUTIONS - 12/19/2007 RESOLUTION NO. 22115 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, FINDING THAT CERTAIN LOCAL CONDITIONS REQUIRE AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE., 2007 EDITION, AND THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 2007 EDITION. WHEREAS, the City Council is considering adoption of the 2007 editions of the California Building Standards Code and the California Fire Code; and WHEREAS, modifications and changes of certain provisions in said Codes are considered reasonably necessary due to local conditions; and WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7 govern the adoption by local governments of the various codes, and certain provisions of other ordinances pertaining to methods of housing construction and said provisions require, among other things, that the adopting local government make express findings that such modifications and changes are needed before enacting said modifications and changes-, and WHEREAS, express findings of need due to local conditions have been determined by the City Council in the case of each modification and change of the Codes herein referred to. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: SECTION 1. That the set of express findings entitled "Express findings in connection with City of Palm Springs' amendments, deletions and additions to the California Building Standards Code (2007 editions of the California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes) attached to this Resolution as Exhibit "A", and the set of express findings entitled "Express findings in connection with the City of Palm Springs' amendments, deletions, and additions to the 2007 Edition of the California Fire Code attached to this Resolution as Exhibit "B", shall constitute the official set of express findings of need for changes to the 2007 editions of the California Building and Electrical Codes as required by California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5. and 17958.7. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall forward directly to the California Building Standards Commission for filing therewith, a certified copy of this Resolution. Resolution No. 22115 Page 2 ADOPTED THIS 19th day of December, 2007. David H. Ready, City ger = ATTEST: mes Thompson, City Clerk CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) SS. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. 22115 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 19th day of December, 2007, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Weigel, and Mayor Pougnet. NOES: None. ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Foat. ABSTAIN: None. mes Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California Resolution No. 22115 Page 3 EXHIBIT "A" EXPRESS FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH CITY OF PALM SPRINGS' AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (2007 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORRNIA BUILDING, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, AND ELECTRICAL CODES). HEADINGS ARE SHOWN IDENTIFYING EACH SPECIFIC CODE AFFECTED. EACH MODIFICATION OR CHANGE OF A CODE PROVISION IS SUMMARIZED, FOLLOWED BY AN EXPRESS FINDING SO DESIGNATED. THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, 2007 EDITION Express Finding for Subsections 903 and 903.2: These modifications require sprinkler systems in buildings at occupancy levels lower than those stipulated in the California Building Code. The active earthquake fault system that Is located near this community possesses the capability of initiating a disaster that would quickly overrun the Fire Department's current resources. Providing additional built-in fire protection for the buildings allows more fires to be automatically extinguished without Fire Department assistance if a major earthquake were to occur. Express Finding for Section 1207.1: This modification provides a minimum noise insulation performance standard to protect persons within detached single family dwellings which are located within the airport `N' zone overlay from the effects of excessive noise. Express Finding for Section 1505: This provision prohibits the use of untreated wood, shingle or shake roofs. Local fire conditions of high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity contribute to a local fire conflagration or problem. Lateral extension of fire between structures, which results from fire ignition of combustible roofs or surrounding areas, is a serious local concern. Express Finding for Section 1509: This provision requires that, at the time of reroofing, roof top equipment be provided with a six inch high platform with sheet metal cap, when not already present. Due to the extreme heat experienced in desert areas, reroofing is required more frequently than under normal conditions. Equipment platforms allow reroofing to take place without removing and reinstalling roof top equipment, thereby reducing damage to that equipment and associated ductwork and electrical wiring. Express Finding for Appendix J, Grading, Sections J104.1 and 104.2: All modifications listed here apply to excavation and grading, and consist of Resolution No. 22115 Page 4 eliminating exemptions from permit controls, requiring a showing of method of dust control, and reducing the scope of "required" grading from 5,000 to 2,000 cubic yards (unless excepted). All of the above are deemed reasonable and necessary due to the fragile nature of the typical desert area topography and ultra-dry climate. The desert "crust" is thin and surface disturbances remain as potential "sand blow" problems for a considerable period of time if abandoned without proper continuing attention. The problem may become completely out of control should a windstorm take place in an area where there has been insufficient watering. THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2007 EDITION Express Finding for Subsection 90-8(A) — Service Load: This provision establishes standards which provide additional service capacity and distribution center spaces to allow for future additions requiring increased use of electricity. Reserve capacity and distribution center spaces are considered necessary due to increased electrical demand associated with special air conditioning and other requirements due to the extremes of temperature prevalent in desert areas. Express Finding for Subsection 310-2(B) —Aluminum Conductor Limitations: This provision establishes limitations concerning the use of aluminum conductors. These more stringent requirements are established to minimize the fire hazard caused by the inherent characteristics of aluminum wiring under the extremes of temperature prevalent in desert areas. Resolution No. 22115 Page 5 EXHIBIT "B" EXPRESS FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH CITY OF PALM SPRINGS' AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE 2007 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE. A SUMMARY OF THE EXPRESS FINDINGS FOR LOCAL AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING AND FIRE CODES, AS APPLICABLE TO CLIMATIC, TOPOGRAPHICAL, AND GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ONLY, ARE SET FORTH HEREIN. Section 1. Findings. A. Climatic Conditions: Palm Springs has an and desert climate with annual rainfall of is less than 6 inches. There are more than one hundred days a year when temperatures are 100 degrees or more. Hot, dry winds during the summer months along with seasonal Santa Ana winds are common to Palm Springs. These winds constitute a contributing factor which causes small fires originating in high density developments presently being constructed in Palm Springs, which spread quickly and create the need for an increased level of fire protection. This added protection, including, but not limited to, on-site fire protection systems, will supplement normal fire department response available in new development and provide immediate fire protection for life and safety of occupied single and multiple-occupancy buildings during fire occurrence; B. Geologic and Topographic: 1. Palm Springs is located in the desert that contains mountains, brush, and covered wild lands. Elevation ranges from 479 feet in the central business district 4,000 feet in the mountains in the most Southern boundaries of the city limits_ Topography extends from flat to 15% slope for habitable land. Traffic and circulation congestion in the urban areas to buildings located in the commercial areas in the most Northern and Eastern boundaries of the city limits often place fire department response time to emergencies at risk. This condition makes the need for enhanced on-site fire protection systems for property occupants necessary; and 2. The San Andreas fault is a major earthquake fault located only a few miles north of Palm Springs. In addition, there are numerous minor faults located throughout Riverside County which are subject to earthquakes. In addition, Palm Springs is subjected to high wind conditions, blowing sand, flooding, landslides and wildfires. The placement of existing and new development buildings along with fire Resolution No. 22115 Page 6 department staffing constraints have made it difficult for the fire department to locate additional fire stations. These constraints challenge current staffing to concentrate fire companies and personnel to control fires in single and multi-story retail buildings, commercial, and industrial buildings, making enhanced, built-in fire protection systems necessary. Section 2. Code Amendments. Amendments to the 2007 Editions of the California Fire Code are found reasonably necessary based on the climatic and/or geographic conditions cited in Section 1 of this Resolution and are listed as follows: Code Section Findings in Section 1 308 Climatic, Geologic#2 903 Climatic, Geologic#2 907 Climatic, Geologic #2 2204 Climatic 2301 Geologic#2 3309 Climatic 3803 Climatic, Topographic Appendix Chapter 1 Climatic ?AC/t W f City of Palm Springs 1 i i Office of the City Clerk +ownu'•, � / 3200 Tahgi,¢z Guiynn Vrny • Pnlm Springs,CeLformn 92262 C PC) TEL (760)3'_3A201 • FAX (760)327-8337 •TDD (760)664-9527 9(f RNA January 14, 2008 Mr. Thomas L- Morrison Deputy Executive Director California Building Standards Commission 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130 Sacramento, CA 95833-2936 Re: California Building Standards by the City of Palm Springs, California Dear Mr. Morrison: Enclosed find certified copies of the resolution of express findings, Resolution No. 22115, along with Urgency Ordinances 1731 and 1732 adopting and amending the California Building Standards. Yours truly, ames Thompson City Clerk Enclosures Post Office Box 2743 • Palm Springs, California 92263-2743