REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Scott M. Haberle, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY: Kevin Justen, Senior Administrative Analyst
Subject:
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Adopt Ordinance No. 4260 amending Chapter 17.56 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to the Fire Code
Approved for introduction 9/6/2022 - Vote: 7-0
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Statement of Issue:
The City Council is requested to adopt an ordinance to amend Chapter 17.56 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to the Fire Code. This ordinance will add clarifying language regarding allowable exceptions for fire apparatus access road requirements.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Adopt Ordinance No. 4260, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Chapter 17.56 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to the Fire Code.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the Ordinance, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Ordinance No. 4260 (Attachment 1) would revise Section 17.56 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code. This section currently allows the Fire Code Official to deviate from existing Fire Code requirements for fire apparatus roads, but does not provide specifics regarding when or how deviations may occur.
After reviewing Fire Department operational tactics, and consulting with fire suppression staff, the proposed revision was created to add clarifying language to provide the Fire Code Official and potential developers with the specific requirements for exceeding the current 150 foot access standard currently listed in this section. This requirement relates to the distance from the fire apparatus access road to all portions of the facility.
The Department receives multiple requests each year to deviate from this section of the Code and an Alternate Materials and Methods proposal is required for every request. This revision will allow potential developers to meet the requirements for exceeding the 150 foot distance without the need to submit an Alternative Materials and Methods proposal. The maximum distance will be 200 feet and a number of additional conditions must be met to ensure public safety.
A Legislative Draft showing the revisions to Huntington Beach Municipal Code Section 17.56.120 is shown as Attachment 2.
Environmental Status:
None.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance No. 4260
2. Legislative Draft HBMC Chapter 17.56 Buildings and Facilities, Amended