A G E N D A CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017 6:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC MEETING/PUBLIC HEARINGS CIVIC CENTER, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 14000 CITY CENTER DRIVE, CHINO HILLS, CALIFORNIA
This agenda contains a brief general description of each item to be considered. Except as otherwise provided by law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the City Council makes a determination that an emergency exists or that a need to take immediate action on the item came to the attention of the City subsequent to the posting of the agenda. The City Clerk has on file copies of written documentation relating to each item of business on this Agenda available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, in the public binder located at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and on the City's website at www.chinohills.org while the meeting is in session. Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk at 14000 City Center Drive, Chino Hills, CA during normal business hours. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office, (909) 364-2620, at least 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. Thank you. Speaker Cards - Those persons wishing to address the City Council on any matter, whether or not it appears on the agenda, are requested to complete and submit to the City Clerk a "Request to Speak" form available at the entrance to the City Council Chambers. In accordance with the Public Records Act, any information you provide on this form is available to the public. You are not required to provide personal information in order to speak, except to the extent necessary for the City Clerk to call upon you. Comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. PLEASE SILENCE ALL PAGERS, CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT WHILE COUNCIL IS IN SESSION. Thank you.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RAY MARQUEZ, MAYOR PETER ROGERS, VICE MAYOR ART BENNETT ED GRAHAM CYNTHIA MORAN KONRADT BARTLAM MARK D. HENSLEY CHERYL BALZ CITY MANAGER CITY ATTORNEY CITY CLERK
1/187 6:006:00 P.M. - CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: At this time members of the public may address the City Council regarding any items appearing on the Closed Session agenda. Those persons wishing to address the City Council are requested to complete and submit to the City Clerk a "Request to Speak" form available at the entrance to the City Council Chambers. Comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker.
RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION
2. Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Initiation of Litigation, one potential case
3. Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) Anticipated litigation related to Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) demand that the city convert its at-large election system to a district-based electoral system in order to comply with the California Voting Rights Act 4. Public Employment Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 - City Clerk
7:00 P.M. - CONVENE MEETING / ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG INVOCATION: Session Clerk Peter Chung, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
PRESENTATIONS 5. RECOGNITION - 2016 CHINO HILLS JUNIOR ALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL JUNIOR MICRO DIVISION ONE - Presentation of Certificates of Recognition as 2016 Conference and League Champions
PLAYERS
Jacob Baker Maddox Barrios Rhett Billingsley Noah Castellanos Jaime Galindo Jacob Jimenez Kanan Khansarinia Jaiden Lineberger Ryan Mata Anthony Medyn Gavin Mergy Evan Meza Matthew Ochoa Landon Oliveira David Pantoja Anthony Quijas Johnny Quijas Jr. Eddy Rivera Myles Robinson Cameron Romero Cole Stripling Matthew Zapien Gabriel Zavala
STAFF
George Vasquez, Johnny Quijas, Marco Zapien, Head Coach Assistant Head Coach Assistant Coach David Pantoja, Donald Olivera, Mathew Vazquez, Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach 2/187 Nicole Quijas, Mayda Zavala, Angela Romero, Athletic Director Assistant Athletic Director Team Photographer Farid Khansarinia, Water
6. CITY TILE - Judy Lancaster - Presentation of a City Tile to Judy Lancaster for her service as Director of Finance from May 12, 2003 to March 31, 2017
7. INTRODUCTION - New Employees: Introduction of the following new employees:
Oscar Diaz, Street Maintenance, Public Works Department Tasha Hunter, Records Coordinator, City Clerk's Department Melissa Miller, Administrative Assistant I, Community Development Department
8. PROCLAMATION - Proclaiming April as National Fair Housing Month
9. PROCLAMATION - Proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS: At this time members of the public may address the City Council regarding any items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council, whether or not the item appears on the agenda, except testimony on Public Hearing items must be provided during those hearings. Individual audience participation is limited to three minutes per speaker. Please complete and submit a speaker card to the City Clerk. CITY DEPARTMENT BUSINESS
CONSENTCONSENT CALENDAR (8 ITEMS) - All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered routine by the City Council and may be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless, before the City Council votes on the motion to adopt, Members of the City Council or staff request the matter to be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Removed consent items will be discussed immediately after the adoption of the balance of the Consent Calendar.
11. Approve March 14, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes 12. Approve Warrant Registers for period of March 2 through 15, 2017 in amount of $4,399,808.04
13. Receive and file City Official Reports pursuant to Travel, Training and Meetings Reimbursement Policy for period of March 1 through March 14, 2017 14. Authorize execution of Certification and Agreement for 2017 Carbon Canyon Wildfire Protection Plan 15. Accept donation of $150,000 from Chino Hills Community Foundation, approve estimated revenues increase in General Fund and appropriations increase in amount of $150,000 in Los Serranos CIP project for playground equipment at new park in Los Serranos
16. Authorize execution of Cooperative Agreement with San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for local agency retiming of San Bernardino Valley Coordinated Traffic Signal System
3/187 17. Authorize execution of Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. A2014-49 with West Coast Arborists increasing annual not-to-exceed amount from $591,600 to $641,600 for tree maintenance services through June 30, 2017
18. Authorize execution of Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. A2014-93 with Haaker Equipment Company increasing annual not-to-exceed amount from $50,000 to $60,000 for maintenance of City-owned equipment
DISCUSSION CALENDAR - This portion of the City Council Agenda is for all matters where staff and public participation is anticipated. Individual audience participation is limited to three minutes. Please complete and submit a speaker card to the City Clerk.
19. Approve name of "Bird Farm Park" for new park in Los Serranos per recommendation of Parks and Recreation Commission
PLANNING COMMISSION MATTERS - This portion of the City Council Agenda is for matters from the March 21, 2017 Planning Commission Meeting. No action is required unless two members of the City Council wish to request a review of the matter, in accordance with Section 16.58.070 of the Chino Hills Municipal Code. Expiration of the public appeal period on Planning Commission Item 20 is April 4, 2017, 5:30 p.m.
20. Custom Home Design Review No. 440 - 4405 Lugo Avenue, Julia Tinajero, Applicant: Adopted a resolution approving Custom Home Design Review No. 440 for the construction of a 1,580 square foot, one-story, single-family detached home with a 484-square foot, two-car garage and determining that the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act based on findings of facts and subject to Conditions of Approval
PUBLIC HEARING - This portion of the City Council Agenda is for all matters that legally require an opportunity for public input. Individual audience participation is encouraged and is limited to three minutes. Please complete and submit a speaker card to the City Clerk.
21. Adopt Resolution adopting a traffic impact fee for new development within the City and determine this Resolution is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act - Staff recommends continuance to April 11, 2017 (Cont. fr/March 14, 2017)
22. Introduce an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Chino Hills Approving Municipal Code Amendment No. 17MCA03, to Amend Chapters 12.28 (Banners and Attachments in Public Rights-of-Way) and 16.38 (Signs) of the Chino Hills Municipal Code, Repeal Chapter 7 of Appendix D (Sign Regulations) of the Chino Hills Municipal Code, and Determine the Municipal Code Amendment is Exempt From Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act For first reading by title only - Waive further reading PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER REPORT SAFETYSAFETY UPDATES - Police and Fire (if any) COUNCILCOUNCIL REPORTS
Southern California Association of Governments - Mayor Marquez Water Facilities Authority - Vice Mayor Rogers 4/187 COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNADJOURN IN MEMORIAM: Adjourn in tribute and honor of those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces at home and abroad. Their sacrifice and strength protect the goals and ideals that have made this Country great
ADJOURNMENT:
5/187 Date: 03-28-2017
Item No.: 11 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL CITY OF CHINO HILLS
MARCH 14, 2017 REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Marquez called the Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chino Hills to order at 6:30 p.m. and requested the City Clerk to call roll.
PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: RAY MARQUEZ PETER ROGERS ART BENNETT ED GRAHAM
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: CYNTHIA MORAN
ALSO PRESENT: KONRADT BARTLAM, CITY MANAGER MARK HENSLEY, CITY MANAGER CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK BEN MONTGOMERY, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER LYNNAE SISEMORE, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments.
City Clerk Balz announced that Item Numbers 2, 4, and 5 pertaining to the Public Employment Performance evaluation - City Clerk would not be heard.
LABOR NEGOTIATIOR DESIGNATION Designate the City Attorney as City's Labor Negotiator re: City Clerk, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION Mayor Marquez declared the meeting recessed at 6:31 p.m. for closed session.
INITIATION OF LITIGATION Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Initiation of Litigation, one potential case
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - LABOR NEGOTIATIONS Public Employment Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 - City Clerk
LABOR NEGOTIATIONS Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 regarding City Clerk (unrepresented employee) - City Attorney, City’s Negotiator
6/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 CLOSED SESSION RECESS Mayor Marquez recessed the Closed Session at 6:52 p.m.
CONVENE REGULAR MEETING AND ROLL CALL Mayor Marquez called the regular meeting order at 7:02 p.m.
PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: RAY MARQUEZ PETER ROGERS ART BENNETT ED GRAHAM
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: CYNTHIA MORAN
ALSO PRESENT: KONRADT BARTLAM, CITY MANAGER MARK HENSLEY, CITY ATTORNEY CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK AUDREY LAU, COMMUNITY RELATIONS ANALYST DARREN GOODMAN, POLICE CHIEF, CHINO HILLS POLICE JUDY LANCASTER, FINANCE DIRECTOR JOANN LOMBARDO, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR NADEEM MAJAJ, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JONATHAN MARSHALL, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR BENJAMIN MONTGOMERY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TIM SHACKELFORD, FIRE CHIEF, CHINO VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT LYNNAE SISEMORE, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Girl Scouts: Daisies Troop 14524, Brownies Troop 16304, Juniors Troops 16294 and 15164, Cadettes Troops 5474 and 5844, Senior Troop 9524, and Ambassador Troop 9524
INVOCATION Led by Chaplain Keith Roby, Chino Valley Fire District.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION There was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.
CITY TILE - DAVE SELTZER Mayor Marquez presented a City Tile to Dave Seltzer for his service on the Parks and Recreation Commission from March 26, 2013 to March 15, 2017.
Mr. Seltzer thanked the City Council for the recognition and noted that is has been an honor to live in Chino Hills as well as serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
PROCLAMATION - DONATE LIFE MONTH Mayor Marquez presented a Proclamation proclaiming April as Donate Life Month to Rob Ralston, Donate Life Ambassador. Mr. Ralston introduced two time donor recipient Matthew Ogle. Matthew thanked Council for the recognition as well as receiving 7/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 support of the community. Mr. Ralston shared his personal story about receiving a transplant from a gentleman in Tennessee, and presented photos to Mayor Marquez, Council Member Bennett, and Fire Chief Shackelford of their participation of decorating the Rose Parade Donate Life float.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Sharon Wilkins, resident, spoke about the Moses' Tabernacle interactive tours hosted by the Upland and Chino Congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from March 22-23 and March 26-29, 2017.
Al Matta, resident, expressed his gratitude toward San Bernardino Sheriff's Department Deputy Eileen Smith for helping him collect road debris in front of a Stater Brothers grocery store. He said that he wore a reflective vest to deter traffic, and encouraged the public to keep a similar vest in their vehicles in case of an emergency.
Jason Zara, Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the "Salute to Public Safety" event and announced upcoming events for the organization.
Bob Goodwin, resident, spoke highly of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Dave Seltzer and wished him well in his future endeavors.
CITY DEPARTMENT BUSINESS
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item Numbers 14, regarding an agreement amendment for City Manager Bartlam’s increase in salary; and 21, regarding the Los Serranos Infrastructure Improvements- Safe Routes to School Phase III, were pulled for discussion and separate vote.
Motion was made by Council Member Bennett and seconded by Vice Mayor Rogers to approve the following Consent Calendar items:
MINUTES The City Council approved the February 14, 2017 Regular and February 28, 2017 Regular and Special City Council Meeting Minutes, as presented.
WARRANT REGISTERS The City Council approved the Warrant Registers for the period of February 16 through March 1, 2017 in the amount of $1,787,027.53, as presented.
CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS The City Council received and filed the City Official Reports pursuant to Travel, Training and Meetings Reimbursement Policy for the period of February 15 through 28, 2017, as presented.
FINANCIAL REPORTS The City Council received and filed the monthly Financial Report for January 2017.
8/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 TREASURER REPORT The City Council approved the Treasurer's Report for January 2017.
PURCHASE AND SALE DOCUMENTS - EXCESS CITY PROPERTIES The City Council authorized the City Manager to complete purchase and sale documents related to excess City property generally known as Lot A of Tract 13880-2 (Hunters Hill) located north of Park Crest Drive and the terminus of Jessica Lane to six property owners who own property abutting the lot as outlined in the written staff report.
PROSPECTIVE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP - SHOPOFF PROPERTY The City Council authorized the transmission of a letter indicating that the City has no objection to the prospective transfer of ownership of 400 acres adjacent to Chino Hills State Park known as The Shopoff property to the State of California.
AGREEMENT - BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES The City Council (1) approved a transfer of $17,000 from General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance to the Community Development Fund for Fiscal Year 2016-17; and (2) authorized the execution of Professional Services Agreement A2017-056 with Interwest Consulting Group, Inc., in amounts not-to-exceed $50,000 for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2016-17, and $171,200 for Fiscal Year 2017-18 to provide building inspection services.
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS - REHABILITATION OF FAIRFIELD RANCH ROAD PROJECT - RESOLUTION ADOPTED The City Council (1) adopted Resolution No. 2017R-010 of the City Council of the City of Chino Hills, approving the Design and Plans for the Rehabilitation of Fairfield Ranch Road Project Pursuant to Government Code § 830.6; (2) authorized staff to solicit bids for construction; and (3) determined the project to be exempt from review under California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended, Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq. ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 15301 of CEQA Guidelines.
BID AWARD - REHABILITATION OF GRAND AVENUE FROM CHINO HILLS PARKWAY TO WEST CITY LIMITS PROJECT The City Council (1) awarded the bid and execution of Agreement No. A2017-057 to American Asphalt South, Inc., in the amount of $224,535 for the Rehabilitation of Grand Avenue from Chino Hills Parkway to the west city limits; (2) authorized staff to issue a Notice of Award; (3) authorized staff to accept the performance and payment bonds, proof of insurance, and issue a Notice to Proceed upon receipt and acceptance of such; and (4) authorized the City Manager, at his discretion, to approve cumulative change orders up to ten percent ($22,453.50) of the awarded contract amount.
FINAL TRACT MAP 17654 - BRISTOL LANE - TH-HW SOQUEL The City Council (1) authorized the acceptance of Final Tract Map 17654 consisting of a 12 single-family residential dwelling unit/home development; (2) authorized the execution of Subdivision Improvement Agreement No. A2017-058; (3) authorized the acceptance of the improvement securities as outlined in the written staff report; (4) accepted deposit of $8,500 to set monuments; and (5) authorized the City Clerk to record final map.
9/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - STREET REPAIRS The City Council (1) authorized execution of Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. A2012-01 with Imperial Paving Company, Inc., to increase the annual not-to-exceed amount from $225,000 to $275,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 for additional waterline related repairs
BLANKET PURCHASE ORDER - STREET REPAIRS The City Council authorized an increase to the blanket purchase order with Holliday Rock from an annual not-to-exceed amount of $35,000 to $50,000 for Fiscal Year 2016-17 for street repairs due to increased water infrastructure repairs
Motion carried as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, GRAHAM
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MORAN
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
AGREEEMENT AMENDMENT - CITY MANAGER City Attorney Hensley pulled this item from the Consent Calendar for discussion and separate vote. He said according to new legislative law, executive salaries must be read out loud during a public meeting. City Clerk Balz read the item prior to the vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Graham, and seconded by Mayor Marquez to (1) authorize the execution of Amendment No. 2 to Agreement A2014-03 with City Manager Konradt Bartlam, to increase his annual base salary from $219,328 to $238,744 effective March 14, 2017, and increase his base salary to $243,519 effective September 1, 2017; and (2) approve an appropriation increase in the amount of $7,400 from the General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance.
Motion carried as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, GRAHAM
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MORAN
BID AWARD - LOS SERRANOS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS - SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS PHASE III PROJECT Mayor Marquez pulled this item from the Consent Calendar for discussion and separate vote. He thanked staff for acquiring funds for the Los Serranos Infrastructure Improvement projects and asked staff to provide an update on the projects.
10/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017
Public Works Director Majaj reported that there have been a lot of improvements in the Los Serranos area over the past twelve years. He said at least eight projects have been completed in the Los Serranos area, including storm drains, street improvements, lighting, and water systems one street at a time. To this date, the City has spent $10.5 million on the infrastructure improvements and there are a couple of projects in the works, one project recently approved for $828,000 and another project awaiting Caltrans approval for funding for $1.8 million. For total spent of approximately $13.3 million on the area with $8.5 million dollars from outside funding. Lastly, he said the City will continue to look for outside funding; and that there is a park project in the area that will begin construction in the near future.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Marquez, and seconded by Vice Mayor Rogers to (1) award bid and execution of Agreement No. A2017-059 to California Landscape & Design in an amount of $828,000 for the Los Serranos Infrastructure Improvements - Safe Routes to Schools Phase III Project; (2) authorize staff to issue a Notice of Award; (3) authorize staff to accept the performance and payment bonds, proof of insurance, and issue a Notice to Proceed upon receipt and acceptance of such; and (4) approve an appropriations budget amendment in the amount of $210,000 from the Lower Los Serranos Street Light Improvements Project (CDBG), to the Los Serranos Infrastructure Improvements - Safe Routes to Schools Phase III (SRTS 3) Project; (5) approve an appropriations budget amendment in the amount of $130,000 from the Measure I Fund Balance to the Los Serranos Infrastructure Improvements - Safe Routes to Schools Phase III (SRTS 3) Project; and (6) authorize the City Manager, at his discretion, to approve cumulative change orders up to ten percent ($82,800) of the awarded contract amount.
Motion carried as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, GRAHAM
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MORAN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT - DISTRICT BASED ELECTION SYSTEM City Manager Bartlam briefed the City Council on the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
Mayor Marquez opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to address the City Council on the matter.
Lee Guenveur, resident, spoke in opposition to district based elections.
Jim Gallagher, resident, stated that he and a group of residents came up crude map of their own demographics. He suggested separating districts by: three separate school districts, ethnic groups (Latino and Asian), and combine Districts 1 and 5 with commercial and rental/condo properties. 11/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017
Luis Esparza, resident, presented his own proposed district map to Council, which he made public on the Chino Hills City Council or the Chino Hills disconnect Facebook pages. He identified five districts by different characteristics based on the 2010 census. Such as: population, median income, traffic corridors, ethnic groups (Latino, Asian, and Caucasian), future growth, geography, and history.
Mayor Marquez closed the public hearing.
City Manager Bartlam said that the State legislature passed an Assembly Bill in September for a City to follow, which provides a safe harbor. He stated that a Safe harbor is a limited litigation expense. The process of the redistricting transition starts with several public hearings, public input, and drawings of maps. City Manager Bartlam said the National Demographics Corporation Consultants are the best in the field, and will come up with districts that are balanced. He said the Consultants will take into consideration control beats, schools, villages and so forth in Chino Hills. Lastly, he mentioned that the draft form of maps and public hearings will continue until the end of June.
Mayor Marquez stated that Council is not in favor of a district based election system. He said that other cities have tried to fight districting, but have never won. He asked if the City becomes district-based and the law changes; could the City go back to an at- large voting system.
City Attorney Hensley answered affirmatively.
Council Member Bennett said that there is a limit to liability, and Council is trying to do the right thing to minimize the City's fiscal impact.
Vice Mayor Rogers stated that Council has extensively discussed districting and could not come up with a reasonable approach to fight this matter along with the use taxpayers' monies.
2016 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND 2015 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE - ORDINANCE ADOPTED City Clerk Balz announced that minor corrections were made to the ordinance and the adoption would include those revisions.
Assistant Community Development Director/Building Official Ward briefed the City Council on the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
Mayor Marquez opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to address the City Council on the matter. Hearing none, Mayor Marquez closed the public hearing.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Graham, and seconded by Vice Mayor Rogers to adopt Ordinance No. 308 of the City Council of the City of Chino Hills, California, Amending Chapter 8.16 of the City of Chino Hills Municipal Code by Adopting by Reference the 2016 Edition of the California Fire Code With Errata, Together With Those Portions of the 2015 International Fire Code as Published by the
12/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 International Code Council, Including Appendix Chapters 4, B, BB, D, F, G, H, I, J, and N Not Included in the 2016 California Fire Code, Collectively Referred to as the "Fire Code" and With the Additions, Insertions, Deletions, and Changes Prescribed in This Chapter, Regulating and Governing the Safeguarding of Life and Property From Fireand Explosion Hazards, Hazardous Materials Arising From the Storage, Handling and Use of Hazardous Substances, Materials, and Devices, and From Conditions Hazardous to Life or Property in the Occupancy of Buildings and Premises as Herein Provided; Providing for the Issuance of Permits and Collection of Fees; and Each and All of the Regulations, Provisions, Penalties, Conditions, and Terms of Said Fire Code on File in the Office of the Clerk of the City of Chino Hills are Referred to, Adopted, and Made Part Hereof; and Finding the Ordinance is Exempt Under California Environmental Quality Act for second reading by title only.
Motion carried as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, GRAHAM
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MORAN
TRAFFIC IMPACT FEE - CONTINUED City Clerk Balz announced that staff recommends continuing Item No. 26, regarding Traffic Impact Fees for new development within the City, to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on March 28, 2017.
Motion was made by Council Member Bennett and seconded by Vice Mayor Rogers to continue the Public Hearing of Traffic Impact Fees to March 28, 2017.
Motion carried as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, GRAHAM,
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MORAN
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS - RESOLUTION ADOPTED City Manager Bartlam briefed the City Council on the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
Mayor Marquez opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to address the City Council on the matter.
Luis Esparza, resident, asked how the City will maintain the rotation of vehicles and costs at charging stations.
City Manager Bartlam said that the City will monitor the parking, and in the future will maintain a neutral fee. 13/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017
Mayor Marquez closed the public hearing.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Vice Mayor Rogers, and seconded by Council Member Bennett to adopt Resolution No. 2017R-011, of the City of Chino Hills Amending the Fee to Be Charged by the City for Electric Vehicle Charging at City-Owned Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Modifying the Master Schedule of Fees to Include Said Fee, and Superseding Resolution No. 2016R-044.
Motion carried as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, GRAHAM
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MORAN
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER REPORT Community Relations Analyst Audrey Lau announced the following events: 17th Annual Design-A-Sign Contest on March 17, 2017 with the participants being students ranging from Kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information visit the City's website at: www.chinohills.org/DesignASign Free Mulch Giveaway on Saturday, April 1, 2017 starting at 7:30 a.m. until supplies run out. Residents are to bring their own shovel and container to Veterans Park. Easter Egg-Citement on Saturday, April 15th from, 11:00 am. to 2:00 p.m. at the Chino Hills Community Park at 3280 Eucalyptus Avenue. For a schedule, visit the City's website at: www.chinohills.org/Easter
SAFETY UPDATES - Police and Fire
Police: Police Chief Goodman gave an update of recent police activity regarding an altercation between a father and son, and a traffic accident along Carbon Canyon Road. He stated that the Sheriff's department has no position in illegal immigration enforcement, which is handled by the Federal Government. Lastly, Police Chief Goodman said that Dulce Stone, Service Specialist and Deputy Ray Sanchez were honored as employees of the year at the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Public Safety luncheon.
Fire: Fire Chief Shackelford stated that the Chino Valley Fire District will host their badge pinning ceremony on April 12, 2017. He said that Scott Grier, Engineer and Chris Roberts, IT Support Analyst were honored as employees of the year at the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Public Safety luncheon.
COUNCIL REPORTS
CHINO BASIN DESALTER AUTHORITY Vice Mayor Rogers attended the monthly Chino Basin Desalter Authority board meeting and discussed the Jurupa Valley Phase III expansion project.
14/187 CHINO HILLS CITY COUNCIL 2017- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2017 COUNCIL COMMENTS
Graham: Council Member Graham voiced his opinions about the aesthetics of the Avalon apartments on Butterfield Ranch Road and the new KB Homes condo development.
Bennett: Council Member Bennett recognized Chino Hills student Lexi Anderson who recently received a heart transplant and wished her a speedy recovery. He commended the Chino Hills High School basketball team for a successful season thus far.
Rogers: Vice Mayor Rogers announced the Chino Hills Community Foundation's upcoming Jazz and Blues Festival being held at Big League Dreams on April 22nd with tickets available through the following website: www.Chinohillsfestival.com. He announced the performers: Barbara Morrison, Rob Piazza and The Mighty Flyers, Ernie Andrews, and the Derek Bordeux & Band.
Marquez: Mayor Marquez thanked Police Chief Goodman for commenting on issues relating to Carbon Canyon Road. He also said that the City is proactive on matters pertaining to the development on Tres Hermanos Ranch. Vice Mayor Rogers stated that Chino Hills along with the City of Diamond Bar have been persistently monitoring the development on Tres Hermanos Ranch. Mayor Marquez announced that he will be conducting Parks and Recreation Commission interviews on Saturday, April 1st and will announce times at a later date. Lastly, he thanked Mr. Dave Seltzer and his wife Laurie, for being active in the community. He said that he will be sadly missed, and wished them both well on their new endeavors.
ADJOURN IN MEMORIAM AND IN HOPE Mayor Marquez adjourned in tribute and honor of those who serve and have currently serving in the Armed Forces at home and abroad. Their sacrifice and strength protect the goals and ideals that have made this Country great.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Marquez adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
15/187 COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:12 SUBJECT:WARRANT REGISTERS
RECOMMENDATION: Approve warrant registers for warrants issued for the period March 2, 2017, through March 15, 2017, in an amount of $4,399,808.04.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: The warrant registers are listings of all payments made by the City of Chino Hills during a given period of time, exclusive of personnel costs. Warrant registers and a wire transfers listing reflecting payments over $25,000 are regularly submitted for City Council's review and approval as an agenda item at each City Council meeting. During the period of March 2, 2017, through March 15, 2017, payments in excess of $25,000 have been issued totaling $4,399,808.04.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: This proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§21000, et seq.; "CEQA") and CEQA regulations (14 California Code Regulations §§15000, et seq.) because it does not involve any commitment to a specific project which could result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment; and constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, this action does not constitute a "project" that requires environmental review (see specifically 14 CCRF §15378(B)(4-5)).
FISCAL IMPACT: The cash held by the City's various funds, including the General Fund, is reduced as a result of paying the City's authorized expenditure requests. Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
Attachments Expenditure Approval Listings Wire Transfers Listing
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TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:13 SUBJECT:CITY OFFICIAL REPORT
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file the City's Official Reports pursuant to the City's Travel, Training and Meetings Reimbursement Policy.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: In accordance with Government Code Section 53232.2 and 53232.3, implementing Assembly Bill 1234 (AB 1234) effective January 1, 2006, the City's Travel, Training and Meetings Policy was amended to reflect those changes. The City Official Report provides a brief report regarding the purpose and subject matter of meetings for the period through March 14, 2017.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: This proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and CEQA regulations (14 California Code Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because it constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, this action does not constitute a "project" that requires environmental review (see specifically 14 CC § 15378 (b)(4-5)).
FISCAL IMPACT: Travel, Training and Meeting expenses are included with the City's adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2016/2017.
REVIEWED BY OTHERS: The report format has been reviewed by the City Attorney. Respectfully Submitted,
Attachments COR 032817
22/187 CITY OFFICIAL REPORT CITY OF CHINO HILLS COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 03/28/17 PERIOD TO COVER: 03/01/17 – 03/14/17
Event Name of Payee Meeting and City Official Purpose* Date Subject Matter Attendees
NOTHING TO REPORT
*Details on expenses are maintained in the Finance Department.
23/187 COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:14 SUBJECT:CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN (CWPP)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize execution of an Agreement for the 2017 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: In November 2003, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) was signed into Federal Law. It emphasizes the need for federal agencies to work collaboratively with communities in developing fuel reduction projects, and it places priority on values identified by the communities themselves through a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Federal and State agencies are committed to the development and implementation of CWPPs. Grant monies are given priority assignment to communities with an approved plan. The Carbon Canyon CWPP development partners are: Cal Fire Chino Valley Fire District Brea Fire Department California Department of Parks and Recreation The CWPP includes an introduction and community overview, identification of community values at risk, priorities and recommendations to reduce structural and wildfire ignitability, and an action plan and assessment strategy. The CWPP is a great example of all stakeholders working together to provide our community with a protection plan to keep our residents safe.
This CWPP is an update of a Plan developed in 2001, which was an expansion of a Plan written in 2002.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: This proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and CEQA regulations (14 California Code Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because it constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, this action does not constitute a "project" that requires environmental review (see specifically 14 CCR § 15378 (b)(4-5)).
24/187 FISCAL IMPACT: There is no current fiscal impact. When and if there are costs associated with the CWPP, grant monies will be utilized. Respectfully Submitted,
Attachments CWPP Agreement
25/187 CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN MARCH 2017
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27/187 Table of Contents
SECTION I - INTRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY OVERVIEW ...... 1
Introduction ...... 1 Community Location ...... 1 Demographics ...... 2 Project Area Plant Communities and Habitat ...... 2 Current Condition of Project Area Habitat ...... 4 Project Area Topography ...... 5 Project Area Weather ...... 6 Project Are Fire History ...... 6
SECTION II - IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY VALUES AT RISK ...... 8
Local Preparedness and Firefighting Capability ...... 8 Assessing the Hazards and Values ...... 8 Determining Hazard Ratings...... 9
SECTION III - PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE STRUCTURAL AND WILDLAND IGNITABILITY ...... 10
Carbon Canyon Road ...... 10 Manufactured Home Parks ...... 10 Fire Plans for all Institutional/Industrial Entities in the Canyon ...... 10 Vegetation Management ...... 10 Creating Fire Safe Neighborhoods...... 11 Accurate Weather Information ...... 11 Fire Watch Programs ...... 11 Disaster Communication Programs ...... 12 Gold Spotted Oak Borer/Shot Hole Borer ...... 12 Firestone Boy Scout Reservation ...... 12 Evacuation Plans ...... 12
SECTION IV - ACTION PLAN AND ASSESSMENT STRATEGY ...... 13
Carbon Canyon Road ...... 13 Manufactured Home Parks ...... 14 Fire Plans for all Institutional/Industrial Entities in the Canyon ...... 15 Vegetation Management ...... 16 Creating Fire Safe Neighborhoods...... 19 Accurate Weather Information ...... 22 Fire Watch Programs ...... 23 Disaster Communication Programs ...... 24
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Gold Spotted Oak Borer & Shot Hole Borer ...... 26 Firestone Boy Scout Reservation ...... 28 Carbon Canyon Evacuation Plans ...... 29
APPENDIX A – LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS
APPENDIX B-1 – COMMUNITIES AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE AREA MAP
APPENDIX B-2 – FUEL RANK & POTENTIAL FIRE BEHAVIOR MAP
APPENDIX C-1 – PROJECT AREA FIRE HISTORY MAP
APPENDIX C-2 – PROJECT AREA FIRE ORIGIN HISTORY MAP
APPENDIX D – COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT
APPENDIX E – STAKEHOLDER SURVEY RESULTS
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The Community Wildfire Protection Plan developed by and for Carbon Canyon:
• Was collaboratively developed. Interested parties and federal land management agencies managing land in the vicinity of Carbon Canyon have been consulted.
• This Plan identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments and recommends the types and methods of treatment that will protect Carbon Canyon.
• This Plan recommends measures to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the area addressed by the Plan.
• This Plan is not intended to limit each Fire Agency’s ability to manage its resources and does not constitute a financial obligation.
The following entities attest that the standards listed above have been met and mutually agree with the contents of this Community Wildfire Protection Plan:
Glenn Barley, Unit Chief Date Sarah Ramos-Evinger, Board President Date Cal Fire - Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino Unit Chino Valley Independent Fire District
Ray Marquez, Mayor Date Cecilia Hupp, Mayor Date City of Chino Hills City of Brea
Tim Shackelford, Chief Date Wolfgang Knabe, Chief Date Chino Valley Independent Fire District Fullerton/Brea Fire Department
Eric Johnson Date George Ullrich Date Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council CWPP Committee Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council CWPP Comm.
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SECTION I – INTRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Introduction
In November 2003 the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) was signed into Federal Law. It emphasizes the need for federal agencies to work collaboratively with communities in developing fuel reduction projects and it places priority on values identified by the communities themselves through a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Federal and State agencies are committed to the development and implementation of CWPP’s. Grant monies are given priority assignment to communities with an approved plan.
This CWPP is an update of a Plan developed in 2001, which was an expansion of a Plan written in 2002.
CWPP Development Partners
Debbie Chapman Cal Fire Ryan Dacko Chino Valley Independent Fire District Kathy Schaefer Brea Fire Department Ken Kietzer California Department of Parks and Recreation
Stakeholders
The stakeholders are listed in Appendix A.
Community Location
Carbon Canyon straddles the San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles County lines with the cities of Chino Hills in the east, Yorba Linda to the south, Brea in the west and unincorporated Los Angeles County to the north. The exact location is:
LATITUDE: 33.934 N LONGITUDE: -117.737 W
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Although Carbon Canyon is several miles from federal land, it is impacted by fires originating in the Cleveland National Forest. Chino Hills State Park and Carbon Canyon Regional Park form most of the plan area’s southern boundary.
At risk communities benefitting from this project include: Brea, Chino, Chino Hills, Corona, Diamond Bar, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Placentia, and Yorba Linda.
Political districts in this Plan include;
Congressional District – 39th State Assembly District – 55th State Senate District – 29th
Plan Area Boundaries
See the Wildland Urban Interface Map in Appendix B.
Demographics
Within the project area, there are approximately 3,125 household units with an average value of $864,000. Estimated housing value is in excess of $2.7 trillion. Over 80% are owner occupied. There are 3.4 people in the average household.
Carbon Canyon is an affluent community with an average household income of $117,056 and a median household income of $106,169. Reflecting recent development, the median age is 39.
Project Area Plant Communities and Habitat
The Project Area in and surrounding Carbon Canyon is located in the Chino hills in the cities of Brea and Chino Hills. It is part of a much larger, natural area that extends southeast to the Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains. The Cleveland National Forest contains over 460,000 acres of natural open space and habitat, stretching from Riverside and Orange Counties to San Diego County.
Diversity is perhaps the most important feature of the vegetation found within the Chino Hills. Within creek and riparian areas, cattail stands provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Along seasonal and year-round creeks, the willow and sycamore woodlands have understories of wild rose, stinging nettle, and mule fat. California black walnut trees, sycamores, and coast live oaks form woodlands above the creeks, on many north facing slopes.
The following paragraphs, most of which are from the City of Brea General Plan, describe major plant communities within the project area. Each plant community contains unique features and supports a variety of wildlife species.
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Chaparral Habitat Chaparral consists of evergreen, medium-height to tall shrubs which commonly cover hills and slopes of Southern California. This community is highly adapted to drought and fire conditions. Shrub canopy cover is generally continuous. California sagebrush and California buckwheat occur within the understory of larger shrubs. The chaparral community is ecologically fitted to a cycle of fire destruction. Periodic (every 40-50 years) fires help recycle and rejuvenate many chaparral plant species and reduce the danger of a more catastrophic fire. Chaparral shows a distinct tendency to be deeper and heavier on the southeast side of Carbon Canyon and more open on the northwest side of the canyon.
Sage Scrub Habitat Sage scrub can be defined as low-drought-deciduous and evergreen shrubs that occur on steep to moderate slopes. It is considered a sensitive habitat due to its potential to support threatened and endangered species. Common animal species include deer, rabbit, bobcat, and coyote, as they utilize the scrub habitat as part of a larger home range.
Several different scrub and chaparral communities along the hills and slopes above the canyon floors include coastal sage scrub, California sagebrush, California buckwheat, and purple sage, as well as a mixed chaparral community dominated by laurel sumac and toyon. Many California wildlife species depend on these scrub and chaparral communities for survival.
Grassland Habitat Grasslands consist of low herbaceous vegetation dominated by grasses. They thrive in deep, well developed soils on gentle slopes and flats. Most of the grassland in the Chino Hills is non-native annual European grasses that were introduced here during the early ranching years. However, grassland species native to California, such as purple needle grass and giant rye can be found among the annuals. The grasslands are green during the rainy season and spring, but with the advent of summer dry into a golden mantle. Grasslands provide forage for cattle and other grazing animals, and habitat for small reptiles, rodents, deer, coyotes, songbirds, and birds of prey. Grasslands, with some widely scattered brush or trees contained within, occupy large swaths of the northwestern portion of Carbon Canyon, as well as the tops of many of the broad ridges.
Riparian Habitat A riparian community is a combination of plant species that thrive along intermittent and perennial waterways. These waterways can be found at the bottom of the many canyons found in the hillsides, including Carbon, Tonner, Sonome, Soquel, and Telegraph Canyons. Creeks and streams and the associated riparian vegetation provide wildlife habitat, stormwater drainage, visual backdrops, and recreation corridors. Riparian habitats are considered among the most valuable habitats for wildlife because of the presence of water, lush vegetation, and high insect populations. Riparian habitat provides cover and food for numerous animals and nesting birds. Many nesting birds are migratory species that come to the streamside habitats from Central and South America each spring to raise their young.
In addition, Arundo donax has been a long-standing problem in Carbon Creek. Arundo donax is a thick- stemmed plant in the grass family, resembling bamboo, which grows up to 30 feet tall. It forms many-
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stemmed clumps, spreading from thick knotty roots that grow horizontally, not downward. The root masses can spread over several acres, quickly forming large colonies that displace other plants. Arundo donax is a plant that quickly absorbs the water that is in the surrounding area, stealing from the native vegetation. It has many detrimental effects on wetlands, streams, and the community. This invasive plant out-competes native vegetation and takes advantage of impacts from development, floods, and fires. Arundo donax increases erosion during stream events because roots break off during flood events and allow large portions of the riverbank to drop into the river. The roots take hold in eroded banks downstream and the plant grows immediately from the root before native plants can become reestablished. Arundo donax provides little value for native and migratory animal species, as it does not branch and contains silica (glass), and decreases water quality.
Arundo donax also easily catches fire and increases the intensity of fires, as well as producing large volumes of firebrands, which when windblown, contribute to fire spread. The intense fires kill native plants, destroy wetland habitats, and create enormous safety hazards.
Since the Freeway Complex Fire in 2008, there has been a multi-agency multi-year effort to eradicate the Arundo donax in Carbon Canyon. Once the plant is completely removed from the canyon it will take a vigilant effort by numerous cooperating agencies to insure that it does not reestablish itself in the canyon. While chaparral habitat requires natural fires to propagate certain important native species, this natural cycle is 40 to 150 years.
Woodland Habitat Woodland is a plant community with a diverse mix of tree species forming a dense overstory of vegetation. Woodlands are primarily located on the north and east facing slopes of the canyons. Common trees in the woodland community include coastal live oak, California walnut, and Mexican elderberry. The walnut woodlands are an important and rare plant community preserved in the hillside areas. Only a few thousand acres of this California walnut habitat still exist, with about one thousand acres in preserves, most of which are located in Chino Hills State Park. Insect- or seed-eating birds and mammals are common in the woodlands and are preyed upon by raptors and owls that also inhabit these areas. The larger mammals utilize these areas as well, including deer, coyotes, and foxes. The “woodland” designation also includes residential yards and roadsides. Woodland occupies the canyon floor, lowermost slopes, and strips along the minor streams, especially on steep north or east facing aspects.
Current Condition of Project Area Habitat
Due to the increased occurrence of human caused wildfires over the last 30 years, the entire Project Area habitat is under a great deal of stress. While chaparral habitat requires natural fires to propagate certain important native species, the natural cycle is 40 to 50 years. The recent pattern in many parts of the Chino hills is now 3 to 5 years. This means that these native plants are burning so frequently that their root crowns are depleted and they are not able to reach maturity to the point of propagation.
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The increased wildfire cycle is also allowing many more non-native weeds and grasses to encroach on more fire- resistant habitat. The native plants, such as toyon and laurel sumac, grow slowly after the fire. In the intervening time, fast-growing non-natives, such as black mustard, ripgut, and wild oats, crowd out the available space once occupied by the native habitat. These events have led to the increased number of acres in the Project Area that include flashy fuels that dry quicker in the spring and ignite easier, creating greater risks to adjacent homes.
Project Area Topography
The project area consists of steep slopes, canyons, and rolling hills, which are resulted from uplift and folding along the Whittier-Elsinore and Chino faults. The elevation in the project area varies from about 500 feet to 1,400 feet above sea level. The majority of the Carbon Canyon area contains slopes from 10 to 40 percent or greater in some areas. The project area is underlain primarily by two geologic units: relatively weak semi-consolidated sedimentary bedrock in the hilly and mountainous areas, and loose, unconsolidated, often saturated, alluvial sediments in the valley and canyon bottoms. These soil types have the potential for liquefaction and collapse. The fine-grained components of some of the bedrock units are moderately to highly expansive. Mapping by the California Geological Survey (1995) reclassified the hillside areas as marginally susceptible to mudflows. This is exacerbated by the frequent fires that denude the hillsides. Areas with more topographic relief, like Carbon Canyon, can be subject to erosion and the loss of topsoil.
The “lay of the land,” whether flat ground, rolling hills, or steep rugged canyons can have a significant effect on the way a wildland fire is fought. The safety of firefighters, the extent of property damage, and the deployment of resources are all affected by topography.
Normally, fires spread many times faster uphill than on flat ground. A fire burning upslope will preheat the fuels above, allowing them to easily ignite. The steeper the slope, the faster fire will spread. Also, the direction a slope faces (aspect) influences fuel conditions because those on south and west facing slopes will have smaller and drier fuels.
Canyons act as chimneys, trapping heat, intensifying the combustion of fuels, and potentially causing large areas to ignite throughout the canyon. Canyons, saddles, and ridgelines deflect and intensify winds, thus changing the direction and speed with which the fire burns. All of these topographical conditions exist within the Carbon Canyon area.
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Project Area Weather
The project area benefits from a mild, temperate climate, with average monthly temperatures ranging from the low 40’s to the upper 80’s. Monthly rainfall averages from a high of 4.1 inches to no rain at all for most months of the year. At times, temperatures will rise to the low 100’s, and humidity will drop considerably, resulting in ideal fire conditions. Additionally, Carbon Canyon is subject to Santa Ana winds of 25 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 to 75 miles per hour. These winds come out of the desert, blow to the southwest, and are often accompanied by hot temperatures and relative humidity of 10% to 20%.
The weather conditions in Carbon Canyon have contributed to major fires in the past. Hot dry weather causes fuels to dry out. Small fuels, such as grasses, respond to weather changes rapidly. After two or three days of hot dry weather, small fuels will readily burn and help ignite some of the larger fuels. Heavier fuels take longer to dry out and it can be weeks or even months before they are ready to burn. When the heavy fuels dry out explosive fire conditions can occur. Fire will burn violently with extreme flame heights and windborne firebrands occurring well ahead of the fire front. Wind will affect a fire’s direction and rate of speed. Wind driven fires can easily exceed the ability of fire suppression forces to bring the fire under control. Burning firebrands can be carried over a mile in front of a fire under these conditions.
These types of weather patterns exist in Carbon Canyon and are a serious threat to residents, especially since there is only one road in and out of the canyon. The prevailing on-shore winds move eastward through the canyon. Off-shore winds, or Santa Ana winds, move south and west through Carbon Canyon and the side canyons, often at high speeds. But during an extreme wind event, as occurred during the Freeway Complex Fire in 2008, the winds are constantly shifting. This obviously makes it very difficult for anyone to predict the path of a fire.
Project Area Fire History
Over the last 50 years, the hills within the Project Area have seen eighteen fires which have burned a collective 89,209 acres. They are detailed below and shown on the Fire History and Origin Maps in Appendix C.
Shell Fire July 2, 1947 118 acres La Vida Fire November 29, 1959 610 acres Firestone Fire October 30, 1967 236 acres Soquel Fire October 23, 1978 5,428 acres Ranch Fire June 19, 1979 61 acres Carbon Fire November 16, 1980 14,612 acres Owl Fire October 28, 1980 18,332 acres Shell Fire August 11, 1985 1,634 acres Yorba Fire July 12, 1990 7,884 acres Carbon Canyon Fire June 27, 1990 6,664 acres Carbon Cyn (Wagon) June 25, 1994 757 acres Carbon Canyon Fire August 31, 1998 733 acres Blue Gum Fire November 20, 2002 496 acres Carbon Canyon Fire September 25, 2004 17 acres Yorba Linda Fire July 5, 2005 1,078 acres Rose Fire April 12, 2007 8 acres
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Freeway Complex Fire November 15, 2008 30,035 acres Carbon Canyon Fire July 11, 2011 518 acres
The above mentioned vegetation, topography, weather patterns, and proximity to people have combined numerous times over the last 50 years to form a significant threat to the people, buildings, wildlife and plant life of Carbon Canyon. The threat is real and all too common.
So while people and houses start fires, vegetation and wind carry the fires. Since we can’t control the wind, we have to look at the other items: people, houses, and the vegetation around people and houses. It will be with this in mind that we determine the fire risks and the things that can be done to lessen those risks.
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SECTION II – IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY VALUES AT RISK
Local Preparedness and Firefighting Capability
The primary firefighting capabilities in Carbon Canyon are provided by Chino Valley Independent Fire District on the Chino Hills side of the canyon and Brea-Fullerton Fire Department on the Brea side of the canyon. Chino Valley Fire has one station in the Chino Hills side of the canyon which houses a brush engine and an engine company. The station is staffed with three personnel. Brea Fire has one station in the Brea side of the canyon which houses a brush engine and is staffed with three personnel. Other fire agencies that provide secondary firefighting capabilities include San Bernardino County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Cal Fire.
Carbon Canyon is also home to the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, established in 2002.
Assessing the Hazards and Values
To determine Hazard Ratings for the Carbon Canyon Assets-at-Risk, a matrix was developed. Various segments of the community were identified, and categorized by Structure, Infrastructure, Recreational & Scenic, Watershed, and Others. Then each was assessed based on Fire Risk, Protection Capabilities, and Values. The characteristics of each category are detailed below.
Fire Risk
• Fire Frequency – The higher occurrence, the higher the rating • Fuel Risk – The more existing fuels, the higher the rating • Slopes Risk – The steeper the slopes, the higher the rating • Building Construction/Density Risk – The older the building and the denser the structures the higher the rating
Protection Capabilities
• Lack of Response Resources – The fewer response resources, the higher the rating • Lack of Response Access – The less response accessibility, the higher the rating • Lack of Response Time – The higher the response time, the higher the rating • Lack of Prevention Programs – The fewer prevention programs, the higher the rating • Lack of Escape Routes – The fewer available escape routes, the higher the rating
Values
• Impact to Ecosystem – The higher the impact to the surrounding ecosystem of a fire starting on each part of the community, the higher the rating • Impact to Recreation and Scenic - The higher the impact to the surrounding recreation and scenic values of a fire starting, the higher the rating
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• Impact to Community Infrastructure - The higher the impact to the community infrastructure of a fire starting on each part of the community, the higher the rating • Impact to Economics - The costlier the economic impact of a fire starting on each part of the community, the higher the rating
Determining Hazard Ratings
To be able to assign a rating to each of the Assets-at-Risk, a sliding scale of 1 to 10 was assigned to each hazard and value. In addition, each category within a hazard or value was weighted on a scale of 1 to 10 to determine a level of fire hazard importance within a hazard or value.
The results are detailed in Appendix D.
Stakeholder Survey
To receive feedback from residents and stakeholders in Carbon Canyon, we conducted an on-line survey. The survey asked a range of questions from general feelings about levels of safety to what they value and think is important individually.
Interestingly, while more than three quarters of respondents felt that the overall safety level in the canyon was worrisome or dangerous, more than three quarters also felt that they personally were prepared. This suggests people are aware of the danger and cognizant of the need to be prepared.
Concurrently, half of the respondents feel we have adequate resources in case of a fire but also half think resources are inadequate.
Survey responses statistically tell us how residents feel about their own personal safety and about the safety of Carbon Canyon. More specific questions and answers are detailed in the next section.
Survey results are detailed in Appendix E.
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SECTION III – PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE STRUCTURAL AND WILDLAND IGNITABILITY
Carbon Canyon Road. Carbon Canyon Road, maintained by two separate Caltrans districts, is a major contributor to wildfires in the canyon. Although it is only a two-lane state highway, it handles roughly 20,000 vehicle trips per day. Heavy traffic volume through a high fire zone leads to accidental fires from thoughtless fire to arson. While Caltrans can’t stop arsonists, it can make it more likely that other fires never get started. Proper maintenance and clearing of the roadside for 10 feet on each side of the road is needed on a timely basis. Also, if a fire were to occur during those times when traffic is completely stopped, it could result in the loss of human life. As part of the survey, a quarter of respondents specified traffic as the most important fire safety issue in the canyon.
Manufactured Home Parks. There are two manufactured or mobile home parks in Carbon Canyon. Special precautions are required due to their unique construction and density. Management and residents need to be kept well-informed of Fire-wise principles and the Mobile-home Park Wildfire Safety and Emergency Preparedness requirements of the California Health and Safety Code (section 18603). The Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council and each local fire agency works with park management to insure all fire regulations and standards are being followed, as well as developing evacuation plans.
Fire Plans for all Institutional/Industrial Entities in the Canyon. There are numerous institutional and industrial entities located in Carbon Canyon, including various utilities, a landfill, oil drilling facilities, and two religious institutions. Since fires from these facilities can have a large impact on the Canyon, each of these entities should have a detailed prevention and fire-fighting plan. As an example, poorly maintained oilfield power lines were a source of ignition for the Freeway Complex Fire.
Vegetation Management. Due to the varied nature of vegetation in Carbon Canyon and the close proximity of structures, there are numerous things that can be done to reduce vegetation fire risk. They are:
• Thinning of dead growth and ladder fuels within 100 feet of structures • Removal of non-native vegetation and dead growth in Carbon Creek • Removal of brush in flood control channels • Identify existing sensitive-species habitat • Develop a post-fire, native habitat restoration plan • Provide community education and enforcement creating defensible space around structures • Educate the community about fire safe landscaping • Assist residents with cut vegetation disposal service.
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From the Survey, more than a third of respondents believe creating defensible space and non-native vegetation removal are the most important fire safety issue in the canyon. In addition, almost all survey respondents believe removing non-native vegetation is important.
Creating Fire Safe Neighborhoods. Since any house fire has the potential to spread to other houses and the nearby wild lands, reducing house fires should be a goal of any CWPP. Educating residents and also insuring that the house itself is fire safe is the goal. Measures to insure that residents are being fire- safe include:
• Home Fire Safety Training • Providing information on fire resistive building products and ways to retrofit existing homes • Educating on the safe use of power tools near brush • Offering fire preparation training and evacuation planning, such as Ready Set Go programs • Encouraging residents to take Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) • Encouraging enrollment in County Reverse 911 communicatons.
Measures to insure fire safe structures include:
• Establishing rigid Canyon Development Standards minimizing house fires and also hardening the house when faced with a wildfire. • Providing an incentive program encouraging property owners to institute Fire-wise principles in their homes and landscaping • Insuring all water hydrants are maintained and operational • Improving signing and mapping for non-conforming roads.
From the Survey, a tenth of respondents said that resident/training and education is the most important fire safety issue in Carbon Canyon. In addition, almost half of survey respondents believe fire safe education resources are readily available and effective, meaning a little more than half thought it was just acceptable or deficient. Also, all survey respondents believe making a building fire resistant is important.
Accurate Weather Information. Since the weather in Carbon Canyon can be highly variable and unique during a wind-driven fire event, it would be extremely helpful to have Weather Stations in the Canyon so fire agencies could access weather on a real-time basis. Since the last CWPP, the Fire Safe Council obtained and installed a weather station at the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center on the west end of the canyon. There is still a need for connecting all of the available data with the local fire agencies to insure fire commanders are provided accurate information.
Fire Watch Programs. During Red Flag conditions it can be helpful to have some extra eyes on the ground watching for things which could lead to a fire. This program could involve trained members on patrol, possibly including State Park rangers, or just involve residents using binoculars from their homes. This program should also identify the optimal and accessible vantage points within the Canyon as well as the location of water tanks. Since there is only one access road in and out of the canyon, a citizen patrol would be especially useful. Also, the use of fire watch programs in reporting fires early will help slow
11 42/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan down the cycle of native vegetation burning too frequently, which converts the habitat to more dangerous flashy fuels. All survey respondents felt that a volunteer fire watch during red flag conditions is important.
There is a current fire watch program staffed by volunteers from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.
Disaster Communication Programs. Information is critical to residents during disasters. Communication obstacles due to inoperative phone lines and loss of electrical power should be anticipated. An alternate method of communications should be developed reporting information to a central location for dissemination. This alternate communications system should be periodically tested through realistic scenarios, such as by Fire Watch personnel during Red Flag conditions.
The survey asked what communication channel people relied to stay informed in an emergency, with the following responses:
• Local Agency/Next Door 43% • Social Media/Internet 25% • Radio/TV 22% • Fire Safe Council 10%
Gold Spotted Oak Borer/Shot Hole Borer. Due to the potential threat to the oak trees in the canyon from the Gold Spotted Oak Borer (GSOB), an outbreak of this pest would create large stands of dead oak trees constituting a fire threat. Additionally, the Shot Hole Borer has attacked sycamore, willow, and other trees in riparian areas. Therefore, a program insuring the GSOB and other tree pests do not spread to Carbon Canyon should be instituted.
Firestone Boy Scout Reservation. A large portion of the Firestone Boy Scout Reservation is now owned by the City of Industry. This land encompasses over 4,000 acres of undisturbed oak woodlands and grasslands. Recreation and camping use occurs on weekends by the Boy Scouts and other groups. An evacuation and fire safety plan should be developed for this unique setting. In addition, this property could be used as a staging area for fire crews and an ingress/egress route during fires.
Evacuation Plans. Since Carbon Canyon is essentially one long canyon, there are very few viable evacuation routes. Sometimes it can be as simple as determining that since going left is on fire, you need to go right. But it is not always that simple. Plans need to be made, especially where pets or large animals are involved. More than a quarter of survey respondents felt that planning for evacuation is the most important fire safety issue, and all respondents felt that developing plans is important. Therefore, evacuation plans should be developed for both ends of the canyon and then communicated to canyon residents.
12 43/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
SECTION IV – ACTION PLAN AND ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
CARBON CANYON ROAD
Previous Projects
Scheduled vegetation clearing of the roadsides in Carbon Canyon.
Previous Project Outcomes
Both Caltrans districts have cleared roadside vegetation, but it does not appear to be on a routine schedule. Further confirmation from Caltrans is needed.
Proposed Projects
Continue scheduled vegetation clearing of the roadsides in Carbon Canyon.
• Who will provide and do what?
Caltrans will continue to implement the maintenance schedule for Carbon Canyon Road.
• Potential Funding
Potential funding from Caltrans
• Timeline
N/A
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will monitor compliance with agreed upon schedule.
13 44/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS
Previous Projects
Education of residents and Park management of Fire Wise and Emergency Preparedness principles.
Previous Project Outcomes
Provided Fire Wise and Ready, Set, Go information that was specific to manufactured housing to the two manufactured home parks in the Canyon.
Proposed Projects
Continue education of residents and Park management of Fire Wise and Emergency Preparedness principles.
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will provide educational material and distribute that material to the Parks with the assistance of Park management.
• Potential Funding
Potential funding for educational materials from public agencies, grants, or other sources.
• Timeline
By June 30, 2018
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will monitor the results of distributing this information.
14 45/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
FIRE PLANS FOR ALL INSTITUTIONAL/INDUSTRIAL ENTITIES IN THE CANYON
Previous Projects
Identify and collect the Fire Plans for all industrial and institutional entities in the canyon.
Previous Project Outcomes
The State Department of Parks & Recreation is in the process of developing the Fire Management Plan for Chino Hills State Park. The Brea Fire Department provides periodic inspections of the various oil properties in the canyon.
Proposed Projects
Verify the existence of Fire Management Plans for all industrial and institutional entities in the canyon with the appropriate fire agency.
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC will verify with the appropriate fire agency that each industrial and institutional entity has provided its Fire Management Plan.
• Potential Funding
None
• Timeline
By December 31, 2017
• Monitoring and Evaluation
Each Fire Management Plan will be reviewed by the appropriate Fire Agency for completeness and for how it affects the entire canyon.
15 46/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Previous Projects
• Removal of non-native and dead vegetation in Carbon Creek and flood control channels • Thinning of dead vegetation and ladder fuels within 100 feet of structures, including education about defensible space and fire safe landscaping. • Assist residents with disposal of their cut vegetation • Identify existing sensitive species habitat. • Develop a post-fire native habitat restoration plan
Previous Project Outcomes
• Through various funding sources, the CCFSC coordinated and funded removal of non-native and dead vegetation in Carbon Creek and flood control channels, including a major removal of palm trees and other non-native vegetation on City of Chino Hills property. • Provided information to canyon residents about defensible space and fire safe landscaping through the CCFSC newsletter. • Provided semi-annual vegetation disposal days in which the CCFSC and the City of Chino Hills obtained a 40 cubic yard dumpster for residents to dispose of their cut vegetation. • The State Department of Parks & Recreation developed a vegetation management plan for Chino Hills State Park, which is immediately adjacent to the communities in the canyon. • This Vegetation Management Plan can also be used to determine the needs for a post-fire native habitat restoration plan.
Proposed Projects
1) Continue the removal of non-native and dead vegetation in Carbon Creek and flood control channels
o Who will provide and do what?
♦ CCFSC and local Fire Departments will encourage property owners to clear properties that they own, while working to identify funding sources if needed with environmental reporting or to help property owners clear creek.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding from public agencies, grants, or other sources.
o Timeline
♦ This program will have an on-going need without an ending point.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will monitor
16 47/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
2) The CCFSC will continue to encourage the thinning of dead vegetation and ladder fuels within 100 feet of structures, including education about defensible space and fire safe landscaping.
o Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will continue the education of homeowners and business owners about keeping dead vegetation and ladder fuels from their property, with enforcement used as needed. CCFSC and local Fire Departments will also distribute educational material to residents as necessary.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding from Local Fire Departments and potential grant funding for educational materials.
o Timeline
♦ The Weed Abatement Programs are ongoing throughout the year. ♦ Deliver educational materials to residents through the CCFSC semi-annual newsletter.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
FSC and local Fire Departments will monitor the results of distributing the information.
3) Continue to assist residents with disposal of their cut vegetation
o Who will provide and do what?
City of Chino Hills will continue to provide two 40 cubic yard dumpsters two times a year. CCFSC will staff dumpsters on those two occasions.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding from the City of Chino Hills. Potential grant funding.
o Timeline
One event in the fall and one event in the spring.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC will monitor the use of the program and the volume of collected vegetation.
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4) Develop a post-fire native habitat restoration plan
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC will work with State Parks and other public agencies to develop a plan which would identify the methods of habitat restoration after a fire.
• Potential Funding
Potential funding from public agencies, grants, or other sources.
• Timeline
Completion of plan by December 31, 2019.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and State Parks will monitor.
18 49/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
CREATING FIRE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS
Previous Projects
• Offer Fire Safety Training to residents, including use of power tools near brush, use of Reverse 911, knowledge of the Ready Set Go Program, and taking CERT training. • Provide information on fire resistive building products and ways to retrofit existing homes. • Establish tough canyon development standards. • Provide an incentive program that encourages property owners to institute fire wise principles in their homes and landscaping. • Insure that all water hydrants are maintained and operational. • Improved signage and mapping for non-conforming roads.
Previous Project Outcomes
• City of Brea offered Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to canyon residents. • Provided information to canyon residents through the CCFSC semi-annual newsletter about fire safety principles, including use of power tools near brush, use of Reverse 911, knowledge of the Ready Set Go Program. • Due to lack of funding the CCFSC did not provide information on fire resistive building products and ways to retrofit existing homes. • The State Fire Code has increased the requirements for homes in High Hazard Fire areas. • Due to lack of funding the CCFSC did not provide an incentive program that encourages property owners to institute fire wise principles in their homes and landscaping. • The cities of Brea and Chino Hills continue to insure that all water hydrants are maintained and operational. In addition, in the Sleepy Hollow area of Chino Hills, the City has funded a Capital Improvement Project to reconstruct the water and hydrant system in the neighborhood. • The CVIFD has developed maps for non-conforming roads, but signage on those streets is still needed.
Proposed Projects
1) Continue to offer Fire Safety Training to residents, including use of power tools near brush, use of Reverse 911, knowledge of the Ready Set Go Program, and taking CERT training.
o Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC and local fire departments will offer training and distribute educational material to residents for the above items.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding for educational material from public agencies, grants or other sources.
o Timeline
By December 31, 2017.
19 50/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local fire departments will annually identify the number of reverse 911 users and number of residents who received training.
2) Provide information on fire resistive building products and ways to retrofit existing homes
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will provide educational materials to property owners on the best way to harden their structure from fire. CCFSC will also explore possible funding sources to help property owners retrofit their structures.
• Potential Funding
Potential funding for educational materials from public agencies, grants, or other sources. Potential funding for retrofitting structures from grants.
• Timeline
Distribute educational materials by December 31, 2017. Identify potential retrofitting funding by December 31, 2018.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will monitor the number of retrofitted structures.
3) Provide an incentive program that encourages property owners to institute fire wise principles in their homes and landscaping.
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC will continually provide information on Firewise homes and landscaping through newsletters, community meetings, outreach booths, and a Wildfire Awareness Fair. Home assessments will be conducted by CCFSC members and local Fire Departments as requested by property owners.
• Potential Funding
o Landscaping wood chips are available free of charge from the City of Chino Hills. o Potential donation or low cost fire and drought resistant native plants from local nurseries. o Potential CBDG or grant funding to offer as a match for retrofitting existing homes to meet current wildland urban interface standards. o Recognition by the local government with possible insurance incentives. http://www.nationalforestassociation.org/forestcare.php
20 51/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• Timeline
Identify the scope of an incentive program by December 31, 2018.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring would start at initial contact and finish at the final evaluation and would be conducted by CCFSC and local Fire Departments.
4) Improved signage for non-conforming roads
o Who will provide and do what?
♦ CCFSC and City of Chino Hills will develop feasible solutions to any potential traffic safety problems that are identified, and identify needed signage.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding from the City of Chino Hills and CVIFD
o Timeline
♦ Identify signage needs by December 31, 2018. ♦ Implement solutions by December 31, 2019.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and CVIFD will monitor the progress.
21 52/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
ACCURATE WEATHER INFORMATION
Previous Projects
Place and monitor weather stations at various spots within the Canyon.
Previous Project Outcomes
The CCFSC placed a weather station at the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center with internet uplink of information.
Proposed Projects
Insure that surrounding fire agencies are aware of and have a plan to use the information from the various weather stations in the canyon during fire conditions.
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC will coordinate with local Fire Departments to develop a plan to the use the information from the various weather stations on a real-time basis during fire conditions.
• Potential Funding
N/A
• Timeline
By June 30, 2018.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
The CCFSC will maintain the station and provide periodic tests on the equipment to insure its reliability.
22 53/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
FIRE WATCH PROGRAMS
Previous Projects
Implement a Fire Watch program in the canyon and State Park during Red Flag conditions.
Previous Project Outcomes
There is a program from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy that places Fire Watch volunteers on the Brea side of the canyon during red flag conditions. The CCFSC has not implemented its own program or joined and expanded this existing program.
Proposed Projects
Implement a Fire Watch program in the canyon and State Park during Red Flag conditions
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC will coordinate with local Fire Departments, State Parks, and other agencies about the scope of a potential Fire Watch Program. CCFSC will then work with local Fire Departments, State Parks, and other agencies to implement that program.
• Potential Funding
Potential funding of materials costs from Local Fire Departments, State Parks, or grant funding.
• Timeline
♦ Identify program scope by December 31, 2017. ♦ Implement program by June 30, 2018.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC, local Fire Departments, and State Parks will monitor the progress and provide periodic training.
23 54/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
DISASTER COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS
Previous Projects
Develop an alternate method of communications canyon-wide to report information to a central location for dissemination.
Previous Project Outcomes
While canyon residents use various diffuse sources for information during an emergency, there is no single reliable source that residents use, especially if there is no electrical power or cell signal.
Proposed Projects
1) Identify reliable government agency sites which will post timely information to their websites during a fire.
o Who will provide and do what?
° CCFSC will work with local government agencies to determine their policies about posting timely information during a fire. ° Once reliable sites for information are identified, CCFSC will distribute this information to canyon residents through the CCFSC newsletter.
o Potential Funding
° Potential grant funding for CCFSC newsletter.
o Timeline
° Identify government sites which will post information by June 30, 2017. ° Distribute information to canyon residents by December 31, 2017.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
° CCFSC will continue to monitor recommended sites to insure that information will continue to be posted during a fire.
2) Develop an alternate method of communications canyon-wide to report information to a central location for dissemination
o Who will provide and do what?
° CCFSC, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES), and the Chino Hills Auxiliary Radio Team (CHART) will encourage the recruitment and further development of a canyon-wide amateur radio group for use during disasters.
24 55/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
° CCFSC will develop a social media account, such as Facebook or Twitter, to use during canyon incidents to provide real-time information to residents.
o Potential Funding
Potential grant funding for disaster communications equipment.
o Timeline
o Develop Facebook and/or Twitter accounts by December 31, 2017. o Recruitment and development of amateur radio group will be on-going.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
Social media accounts will be monitored by assigned CCFSC administrators using adopted protocol standards for posting. There will be weekly tests of amateur radio frequency. This alternate communications system should be periodically tested through realistic scenarios, such as by Fire Watch personnel during Red Flag conditions.
25 56/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
GOLD SPOTTED OAK BORER & SHOT HOLE BORER
Previous Projects
• Education of canyon residents about GSOB. • Install GSOB traps within the canyon
Previous Project Outcomes
• The CCFSC published educational information about GSOB in multiple CCFSC newsletters • Due to lack of funding, the CCFSC did not install GSOB traps within the canyon
Proposed Projects
1) Education of canyon residents about GSOB
o Who will provide and do what?
° CCFSC and local Fire Departments will provide educational material to monitor the presence of GSOB and then on how to stop the spread of GSOB to Carbon Canyon. ° CCFSC will work with Caltrans to place a GSOB awareness sign on Carbon Canyon Road.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding from public agencies, grants or other sources.
o Timeline
° Provide information material – On-going. ° Place GSOB Awareness sign by December 31, 2017.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC will monitor the progress.
2) Install GSOB traps within the canyon
o Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC will obtain traps and install them at appropriate places in the canyon.
o Potential Funding
Potential grant funding
o Timeline
26 57/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
By December 31, 2018.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC will monitor the progress.
3) Mapping, Monitoring, Education, and Eradication of Shot Hole Borer
o Who will provide and do what?
° CCFSC, State Parks, and local Fire Departments will provide educational material to monitor the presence of Shot Hole Borer and then on how to stop the spread of Shot Hole Borer in Carbon Canyon and the surrounding area. ° CCFSC will work with State Parks, and local Fire Departments to map the spread of shot hole borer in Carbon Canyon and the surrounding area. ° CCFSC will work with State Parks, and local Fire Departments to monitor the spread of shot hole borer in Carbon Canyon and the surrounding area. ° CCFSC will work with State Parks, and local Fire Departments to remove infested trees in Carbon Canyon and the surrounding area.
o Potential Funding
Potential funding from public agencies, grants or other sources.
o Timeline
° Provide information material – On-going. ° Mapping the spread of Shot Hole Borer by December 31, 2018. ° Monitoring the on-going spread of Shot Hole Borer by December 31, 2019. ° Removal of infested trees – As needed.
o Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and State Parks will monitor the progress.
27 58/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
FIRESTONE BOY SCOUT RESERVATION
Previous Projects
Develop an evacuation and fire safety plan
Previous Project Outcomes
An evacuation and fire safety plan was not identified by the CCFSC.
Proposed Projects
Develop an evacuation and fire safety plan
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will work with the Boy Scouts and City of Industry to develop the evacuation and fire safety plan.
• Potential Funding
Potential funding from public agencies, grants, or other sources.
• Timeline
By December 31, 2018.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will monitor the progress.
28 59/187 Carbon Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
CARBON CANYON EVACUATION PLANS
Previous Projects
None
Previous Project Outcomes
None
Proposed Projects
Develop an evacuation and fire safety plan for Carbon Canyon residents, as well as identify secondary egress points.
• Who will provide and do what?
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will develop an evacuation and fire safety plan for Carbon Canyon residents, and distribute that information to canyon residents. Also, identify secondary evacuation egress points
• Potential Funding
Potential funding from public agencies, grants, or other sources.
• Timeline
By December 31, 2018.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
CCFSC and local Fire Departments will monitor the progress.
29 60/187 THIS PAGE
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61/187 APPENDIX A
CARBON CANYON CWPP STAKEHOLDERS
NAME ORGANIZATION
PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS
George Ullrich CCFSC Eric Johnson CCFSC
Kathy Schaefer Brea Fire Ryan Dacko Chino Valley Fire District Ken Kietzer State Parks Alissa Ing State Parks Ryann Gill State Parks
SECONDARY STAKEHOLDERS
Debbie Chapman Cal Fire George Ewan OCFA J Lopez Los Angeles County Fire David Whitney Los Angeles County Fire Geary Hund US Fish and Wildlife Matt Chirdon Cal Dept of Fish and Game Steve Sowers Caltrans - OC Bob Riddle Caltrans - OC Savat Khamphou Caltrans - SB Bonnie Michaels Chino Hills Emergency Management John Mura Chino Hills Public Works Christopher Izzy San Bernardino Sheriff Lisa Keyworth Brea Emergency Management Tony Olmos Brea Public Works Brian Ingallinera Brea NPDES Cliff Flaugher Brea Info Tech John Ballas City of Industry Engineer John Fogarty BOUSD Operations Mgmt Stephanie Gibson Chino Hills Unified School District Joanne Taylor Orange County Parks Jose Gamboa Orange County Landfill Pat Buttress SCE Tina Javid So Cal Gas Company Lee Reeder Santa Ana Watershed Association James Law Santa Ana Watershed Association
Regional Water Quality Control Board Oscar Abarca AQMD Jay Field Army Corps of Engineers Trudi Loy MWD Plant Manager Claire Schlotterbeck Hills For Everyone Trish Hocking Olinda Village Homeowners Assoc Carl Hostetter Olinda Ranch HOA President Misty Thomas Merit Properties (ORHOA) Empire Management Oak Tree Downs HOA Charley Blank Summit Ranch HOA
Page 1 of 2 62/187 APPENDIX A
CARBON CANYON CWPP STAKEHOLDERS
NAME ORGANIZATION Jose Tovar Carriage Hills HOA Manager Hollydale Mobilehome Park Barbara Causa Western Hills Estates MHP - on-site Bill Poulter Western Hills Estates MHP - off-site Puranatmanandaji Maharaj Bharat Sevashram Sangha Victor Varisco St. Joseph's Hill of Hope Christine Smith Western Hills Golf Course Luz Thompson State Farm Insurance John Ekno Farmers Insurance Kelley Hartranft El Rodeo George Basye Aera Energy Kathleen Maisch Linn Energy Jeff Winkler Breitburn Energy Jessica Okamoto Hata (La Vida) - Asset Advisors Corp Sorat Singh Chino540, LLC Robert Koe Jackie Muro Canyon Crest/Madrona Matt Halsig Firestone Boy Scouts Caretaker Phillip Chen Assemblyman - 55th District Josh Newman State Senator - 29th District Ed Royce Congressman - 39th District Shawn Nelson OC Supervisor - 4th District Curt Hagman SB Supervisor - 4th District
Page 2 of 2 63/187 Carbon Canyon Communities & Wildland Urban Interface Area
yon Chino Hills n Los Angeles County a
Orange County rbon C Ca
Text Chino Hills State Park
Brea
San Bernardino
O r ange C ounty Count
y
Legend
0 0.5 1 µ2 3 4 Wildland Urban Interface Area BDU Pre-Fire Miles 3-30-2011 1:21,120 64/187 Carbon Canyon Fuel Rank & Potential Fire Behavior
Chino Hills yon n Los Angeles County a
Orange County rbon C Ca
Text Chino Hills State Park Brea
San Bernardino
O r ange C ounty Count
y
FUEL RANK Wildland Urban Interface Area
Moderate High 0 0.5 1 µ2 3 4 BDU Pre-Fire Miles 3-30-2011 Very High 1:21,120 65/187 ¬ Carbon Canyon Fire History & Wildland Urban Interface Area
Chino Hills LOS ANGELES
SAN BERNARDINO Carbon Canyon
Chino Hills State Park
Brea
ORANGE
RIVERSIDE
Sources: Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, USGS, Intermap, iPC, NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom, 2012
Freeway Complex 2008 Shell 1947 & 1985 Carbon Canyon Fire 1990 Soquel 1978 0 0.250.5 1 1.5 2
!!!!!! Rose 2007 Wagon Fire 1994 Carbon Fire 1980 !!!!!! !!!!!! Firestone Fire 1967 Miles !!!!!! Yorba Linda 2005 Carbon 1994 Owl 1980 La Vida 1959 Blue Gum 2002 Yorba 1990 Ranch 1979 Wildland Urban Interface Area April 4, 2016 66/187 Carbon Canyon Fire Origin History & Wildland Urban Interface Area
Chino Hills Los Angeles County n
Orange County
bon Canyo r Ca
Text Chino Hills State Park
Brea
San Bernardi
Orange Cou no C ou nty nty
Legend FIRE_NAME Chino Hills Pkwy La Vida Carbon Canyon Feldspar Shell Carbon Canyon (Wagon) Firestone Fire Western Hills Chino Hills Parkway Freeway Complex Wildland Urban Interface Area 0 0.5 1 µ2 3 4 BDU Pre-Fire Miles 8-11-2011 Fire Origin Data compiled by and provided by Hills For Everyone 1:21,120 67/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 8 8 8 10 2016 VERSION FIRE RISK BLDG CONSTR/ FIRE FIRE FUEL SLOPES DENSITY RISK FREQUENCY RISK RISK RISK TOTALS STRUCTURES SINGLE/MULTIFAMILY HOUSING OLINDA RANCH 5 5 3 5 154 OLINDA VILLAGE 8 7 6 6 228 SLEEPY HOLLOW 7 5 7 10 252 MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATES 7 5 10 10 276 OAK TREE DOWNS 8 5 5 2 164 PINE VALLEY ESTATES 8 5 6 2 172 WESTERN HILLS OAKS 8 6 7 5 218 CARRIAGE HILLS 5 5 6 5 178 SUMMIT RANCH 5 5 4 5 162 HILL CREST 6 5 7 2 164 MOBILE HOME HOUSING HOLLYDALE MOBILE HOME PARK 8 8 8 10 292 WESTERN HILLS MOBILEHOME PARK 7 5 5 10 236 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS OLINDA VILLAGE 8 7 6 5 218 SLEEPY HOLLOW 7 5 7 5 202 CIRCLE-K 7 5 4 2 148 FIRE STATIONS BREA FIRE STATION 4 8 6 6 5 210 CHINO VALLEY FIRE STATION 64 8 5 3 1 138 CHURCHES BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA WEST 8 8 8 5 242 ST. JOSEPH'S HILL OF HOPE 8 8 10 5 258 STABLES EL RODEO STABLES 5 7 3 6 180 MANELY FRIENDS STABLES 10 10 10 3 270
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 1 of 8 68/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 8 8 8 10 2016 VERSION FIRE RISK BLDG CONSTR/ FIRE FIRE FUEL SLOPES DENSITY RISK FREQUENCY RISK RISK RISK TOTALS INFRASTRUCTURE ROADS STATE HIGHWAY 142 10 8 8 0 208 ELECTRIC FACILITIES & POWER LINES 10 8 8 0 208 MWD DEIMER PLANT 7 5 10 0 176 WATER FACILITIES & LINES 0 8 8 0 128 SEWER FACILITIES & LINES 0 0 0 0 0 NATURAL GAS LINES 0 0 0 0 0 PHONE EQUIPMENT & LINES 10 8 8 0 208 CELL PHONE EQUIPMENT 10 8 8 0 208 CABLE TV EQUIPMENT & LINES 10 8 8 0 208 COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT/TOWERS 10 8 8 0 208
RECREATIONAL & SCENIC CHINO HILLS STATE PARK 10 8 8 0 208 DISCOVERY CENTER 7 3 2 1 106 CARBON CANYON COUNTY PARK 3 5 3 0 88 OLINDA MUSEUM 5 6 6 5 186 WESTERN HILLS GOLF COURSE 7 5 4 4 168 FIRESTONE BOY SCOUT RESERVATION 9 10 10 0 232
WATERSHEDS CARBON CREEK 10 8 4 0 176 SOQUEL CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 8 7 4 0 152 TELEGRAPH CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 8 7 4 0 152
OTHER OIL DRILLING FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT SHELL/AERA 5 5 3 0 104 BREITBURN 5 5 5 0 120 LINN 5 5 3 0 104 OLINDA COUNTY LANDFILL 4 3 8 0 120
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 2 of 8 69/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 10 8 8 5 5 2016 VERSION PROTECTION CAPABILITIES LACK OF LACK OF LACK OF LACK OF LACK OF PROTECTION RESPONSE RESPONSE RESPONSE PREVENTION ESCAPE CAPABILITIES RESOURCES ACCESS TIME PROGRAMS ROUTES TOTALS STRUCTURES SINGLE/MULTIFAMILY HOUSING OLINDA RANCH 5 3 3 5 4 143 OLINDA VILLAGE 5 4 5 5 7 182 SLEEPY HOLLOW 5 7 3 5 8 195 MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATES 5 7 3 5 8 195 OAK TREE DOWNS 5 4 4 5 7 174 PINE VALLEY ESTATES 5 4 4 5 5 164 WESTERN HILLS OAKS 5 3 2 5 7 150 CARRIAGE HILLS 5 3 2 5 5 140 SUMMIT RANCH 5 3 3 5 5 148 HILL CREST 5 7 3 5 7 190 MOBILE HOME HOUSING HOLLYDALE MOBILE HOME PARK 5 7 7 5 7 222 WESTERN HILLS MOBILEHOME PARK 5 4 2 5 7 158 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS OLINDA VILLAGE 5 4 7 5 7 198 SLEEPY HOLLOW 5 7 3 5 8 195 CIRCLE-K 5 2 2 5 7 142 FIRE STATIONS BREA FIRE STATION 4 0 0 0 0 7 35 CHINO VALLEY FIRE STATION 64 0 0 0 0 7 35 CHURCHES BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA WEST 5 4 7 5 7 198 ST. JOSEPH'S HILL OF HOPE 5 9 8 3 10 251 STABLES EL RODEO STABLES 5 4 3 5 4 151 MANELY FRIENDS STABLES 5 7 8 5 9 240
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 3 of 8 70/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 10 8 8 5 5 2016 VERSION PROTECTION CAPABILITIES LACK OF LACK OF LACK OF LACK OF LACK OF PROTECTION RESPONSE RESPONSE RESPONSE PREVENTION ESCAPE CAPABILITIES RESOURCES ACCESS TIME PROGRAMS ROUTES TOTALS INFRASTRUCTURE ROADS STATE HIGHWAY 142 5 5 5 5 7 190 ELECTRIC FACILITIES & POWER LINES 5 0 0 5 0 75 MWD DEIMER PLANT 5 5 5 5 3 170 WATER FACILITIES & LINES 5 0 0 5 0 75 SEWER FACILITIES & LINES 5 0 0 5 0 75 NATURAL GAS LINES 5 0 0 5 0 75 PHONE EQUIPMENT & LINES 5 0 0 5 0 75 CELL PHONE EQUIPMENT 5 0 0 5 0 75 CABLE TV EQUIPMENT & LINES 5 0 0 5 0 75 COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT/TOWERS 5 0 0 5 0 75
RECREATIONAL & SCENIC CHINO HILLS STATE PARK 5 8 8 5 7 238 DISCOVERY CENTER 5 3 3 5 4 143 CARBON CANYON COUNTY PARK 5 3 3 5 4 143 OLINDA MUSEUM 5 3 3 5 4 143 WESTERN HILLS GOLF COURSE 5 4 2 5 7 158 FIRESTONE BOY SCOUT RESERVATION 5 10 10 7 8 285
WATERSHEDS CARBON CREEK 5 6 6 0 6 176 SOQUEL CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 5 7 7 0 7 197 TELEGRAPH CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 5 5 4 0 5 147
OTHER OIL DRILLING FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT SHELL/AERA 5 5 3 5 2 149 BREITBURN 5 5 3 5 4 159 LINN 5 5 3 5 2 149 OLINDA COUNTY LANDFILL 5 4 4 5 5 164
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 4 of 8 71/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 10 5 7 8 2016 VERSION VALUES IMPACT TO IMPACT TO IMPACT TO ECOSYSTEM RECREATION/ COMM. IMPACT TO VALUES VALUES SCENIC INFR. ECONOMICS TOTALS STRUCTURES SINGLE/MULTIFAMILY HOUSING OLINDA RANCH 5 5 0 0 75 OLINDA VILLAGE 7 7 0 0 105 SLEEPY HOLLOW 7 7 0 0 105 MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATES 7 7 0 0 105 OAK TREE DOWNS 7 7 0 0 105 PINE VALLEY ESTATES 7 7 0 0 105 WESTERN HILLS OAKS 6 4 0 0 80 CARRIAGE HILLS 5 5 0 0 75 SUMMIT RANCH 5 5 0 0 75 HILL CREST 7 7 0 0 105 MOBILE HOME HOUSING HOLLYDALE MOBILE HOME PARK 7 7 0 0 105 WESTERN HILLS MOBILEHOME PARK 6 6 0 0 90 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS OLINDA VILLAGE 7 7 0 3 129 SLEEPY HOLLOW 7 7 0 3 129 CIRCLE-K 7 7 0 3 129 FIRE STATIONS BREA FIRE STATION 4 0 0 5 0 35 CHINO VALLEY FIRE STATION 64 0 0 5 0 35 CHURCHES BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA WEST 7 7 0 0 105 ST. JOSEPH'S HILL OF HOPE 8 6 0 0 110 STABLES EL RODEO STABLES 6 8 0 2 116 MANELY FRIENDS STABLES 8 7 0 0 115
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 5 of 8 72/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 10 5 7 8 2016 VERSION VALUES IMPACT TO IMPACT TO IMPACT TO ECOSYSTEM RECREATION/ COMM. IMPACT TO VALUES VALUES SCENIC INFR. ECONOMICS TOTALS INFRASTRUCTURE ROADS STATE HIGHWAY 142 8 8 10 4 222 ELECTRIC FACILITIES & POWER LINES 7 7 10 6 223 MWD DEIMER PLANT 7 7 10 8 239 WATER FACILITIES & LINES 7 6 8 6 204 SEWER FACILITIES & LINES 0 0 0 0 0 NATURAL GAS LINES 0 0 0 0 0 PHONE EQUIPMENT & LINES 0 0 8 6 104 CELL PHONE EQUIPMENT 0 0 8 6 104 CABLE TV EQUIPMENT & LINES 0 0 4 4 60 COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT/TOWERS 0 0 8 4 88
RECREATIONAL & SCENIC CHINO HILLS STATE PARK 9 10 0 2 156 DISCOVERY CENTER 7 10 5 2 171 CARBON CANYON COUNTY PARK 6 10 4 2 154 OLINDA MUSEUM 5 8 4 1 126 WESTERN HILLS GOLF COURSE 6 8 0 2 116 FIRESTONE BOY SCOUT RESERVATION 10 8 0 0 140
WATERSHEDS CARBON CREEK 7 7 0 0 105 SOQUEL CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 7 7 0 0 105 TELEGRAPH CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 7 7 0 0 105
OTHER OIL DRILLING FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT SHELL/AERA 3 3 0 6 93 BREITBURN 5 5 0 6 123 LINN 3 3 0 6 93 OLINDA COUNTY LANDFILL 6 4 5 5 155
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 6 of 8 73/187 APPENDIX D
CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 2016 VERSION TOTALS
FIRE PROTECTION RISK CAPABILITIES VALUES STRUCTURES SINGLE/MULTIFAMILY HOUSING OLINDA RANCH 154 143 75 OLINDA VILLAGE 228 182 105 SLEEPY HOLLOW 252 195 105 MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATES 276 195 105 OAK TREE DOWNS 164 174 105 PINE VALLEY ESTATES 172 164 105 WESTERN HILLS OAKS 218 150 80 CARRIAGE HILLS 178 140 75 SUMMIT RANCH 162 148 75 HILL CREST 164 190 105 MOBILE HOME HOUSING HOLLYDALE MOBILE HOME PARK 292 222 105 WESTERN HILLS MOBILEHOME PARK 236 158 90 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS OLINDA VILLAGE 218 198 129 SLEEPY HOLLOW 202 195 129 CIRCLE-K 148 142 129 FIRE STATIONS BREA FIRE STATION 4 210 35 35 CHINO VALLEY FIRE STATION 64 138 35 35 CHURCHES BHARAT SEVASHRAM SANGHA WEST 242 198 105 ST. JOSEPH'S HILL OF HOPE 258 251 110 STABLES EL RODEO STABLES 180 151 116 MANELY FRIENDS STABLES 270 240 115
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CARBON CANYON COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL OF IMPACT: 2016 VERSION TOTALS
FIRE PROTECTION RISK CAPABILITIES VALUES INFRASTRUCTURE ROADS STATE HIGHWAY 142 208 190 222 ELECTRIC FACILITIES & POWER LINES 208 75 223 MWD DEIMER PLANT 176 170 239 WATER FACILITIES & LINES 128 75 204 SEWER FACILITIES & LINES 0 75 0 NATURAL GAS LINES 0 75 0 PHONE EQUIPMENT & LINES 208 75 104 CELL PHONE EQUIPMENT 208 75 104 CABLE TV EQUIPMENT & LINES 208 75 60 COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT/TOWERS 208 75 88
RECREATIONAL & SCENIC CHINO HILLS STATE PARK 208 238 156 DISCOVERY CENTER 106 143 171 CARBON CANYON COUNTY PARK 88 143 154 OLINDA MUSEUM 186 143 126 WESTERN HILLS GOLF COURSE 168 158 116 FIRESTONE BOY SCOUT RESERVATION 232 285 140
WATERSHEDS CARBON CREEK 176 176 105 SOQUEL CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 152 197 105 TELEGRAPH CREEK/CARBON CREEK HEADWATERS 152 147 105
OTHER OIL DRILLING FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT SHELL/AERA 104 149 93 BREITBURN 120 159 123 LINN 104 149 93 OLINDA COUNTY LANDFILL 120 164 155
RISK ASSESSMENT 2016.xlsx 8 of 8 75/187 APPENDIX E
CARBON CANYON FIRE SAFE COUNCIL CWPP SURVEY RESULTS
What do you think is our overall level of safety Dangerous 25 28.41% Worry Occasionally 42 47.73% Good as Anywhere 10 11.36% Better than Average 10 11.36% No Problem 1 1.14% weighted average 2.09
Do we have adequate resources in case of a fire Not Even Close 9 10.59% A Few Things 32 37.65% Good as Anywhere 22 25.88% Better than Most 20 23.53% No Problem 2 2.35% weighted average 2.69
Are fire safe education resources readily avilable and effective What Education 6 6.98% Could find something 20 23.26% Just OK 20 23.26% Better than Most 30 34.88% Absolutely 10 11.63% weighted average 3.21
I am personally prepared for a Wildfire Not Even Close 8 9.09% Get to it Later 9 10.23% Working on it now 27 30.68% Think I'm Ready 38 43.18% Absolutely 6 6.82% weighted average 3.28
Removing non-native vegetation is important No, it's futile 8 9.76% Guess it helps 24 29.27% Absolutely 50 60.98% weighted average 2.51
Making buildings fire resistant is important No, it's waste of time 1 1.23% Sometimes 22 27.16% Absolutely 58 71.60% weighted average 2.7
Page 1 of 2 76/187 APPENDIX E
CARBON CANYON FIRE SAFE COUNCIL CWPP SURVEY RESULTS
An evacuation plan for people, pets, and large animals is important No 1 1.18% Not sure 3 3.53% Absolutely 81 95.29% weighted average 2.94
Volunteer fire watch during red flag conditions is important No 0 0.00% Not sure 11 12.94% Absolutely 74 87.06% weighted average 2.87
What is most important fire safety issue in canyon Defensible Space/Dry Brush 27 35.53% Traffic 18 23.68% Evacuation Plans 21 27.63% Resident Training/Educ 7 9.21% Response Time 3 3.95%
What do you rely on to stay informed Local Agency/Next Door 30 43.48% Fire Safe Council 7 10.14% Radio 9 13.04% TC 6 8.70% Social Media/Internet 17 24.64%
Page 2 of 2 77/187 78/187 COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:15 SUBJECT:DONATION FROM THE CHINO HILLS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT THE PARK IN LOS SERRANOS
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept a donation from the Chino Hills Community Foundation in the amount of $150,000 for the playground equipment at the new park in Los Serranos. 2. Approve an estimated revenues increase in the General Fund . 3. Approve an appropriations increase in the amount of $150,000 to the park in Los Serranos CIP project.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: The Chino Hills Community Foundation was established in June 2008 to promote and support the cultural and educational needs of the City of Chino Hills. Since its formation, the Foundation has donated almost $500,000 to the City. On July 11, 2016, the Foundation approved a donation in the amount of $150,000 to the City of Chino Hills for playground equipment at the new park in Los Serranos. The City is currently in the design stages of a new park in Los Serranos with an expected completion date in 2017. At the July board meeting, the Foundation discussed making a contribution to this project. They approved a donation to be used for all the play equipment, and as much of the playground surfacing as funding would allow.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: This proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and CEQA regulations (14 California Code Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because it constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, this action does not constitute a "project" that requires environmental review (see specifically 14 CCR § 15378 (b)(4-5)).
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this project is provided by a donation from the Chino Hills Community Foundation.
79/187 REVIEWED BY OTHERS: This item has been reviewed by the Finance Director. Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
80/187 COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:16 SUBJECT:COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR THE SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COORDINATED TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize execution of Cooperative Agreement No. 16-1001387 with San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (AUTHORITY) for the San Bernardino Valley Coordinated Traffic Signal System.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: On September 1, 1999, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (AUTHORITY) approved development of the San Bernardino Valley Coordinated Traffic Signal System (SBVCTSS) to be implemented over a 10-year period. The AUTHORITY worked with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and local agencies to implement a multijurisdictional plan for interconnecting and coordinating traffic signals in the San Bernardino Valley. The goal of the SBVCTSS is to decrease arterial travel times, congestion, and pollution. In 2002, starting with the SBVCTSS Master Plan, the AUTHORITY, Caltrans, and local agencies implemented signal coordination on major corridors on a valley-wide scale in various phases designated as Tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4, and included over 1,250 signalized intersections controlled by 15 cities, the County of San Bernardino, and Caltrans. Both Tiers 1 and 2 phases (completed in 2008) and Tiers 3 and 4 phases (completed in 2012), at system "turn-on," showed significant improvements in arterial travel times and reductions in stops and delays. The SBVCTSS is an intricate system requiring constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure maximum benefits. To obtain maximum benefits of the system, the AUTHORITY and the City would like to enter into this agreement to ensure the SBVCTSS continues to operate in an efficient manner. This includes maintaining traffic signal coordinated timing across jurisdictional boundaries in a continual effort to reduce delays, improve travel times, mobility, and air quality in the San Bernardino Valley. To assist in obtaining the maximum benefit of the system, the AUTHORITY and the City wish to work in a partnership to maintain the system corridors listed in Table 1 of the agreement, by conducting a periodic assessment (Assessment Program). The AUTHORITY will provide a $500 annual reimbursement to the City for each City signal on the SBVCTSS corridors listed in Table 1 found to be coordinated as described in Attachment A during the AUTHORITY's semi-annual assessment. The AUTHORITY will provide the annual reimbursement for three years, with an option at the AUTHORITY's sole discretion, to extend the period by an additional two years from the date the AUTHORITY deems the corridor is coordinated. For a corridor found not coordinated as described in Attachment A (to the agreement) for two consecutive assessments, the City will not receive 81/187 the annual reimbursement for the corridor, and will not have the annual reimbursement reinstated until the corridor is found to be coordinated in a subsequent assessment.
Five corridors in the City are included in Tiers 1 thru 4 projects, and a total of 34 signals are eligible for the Assessment Program reimbursement, which would yield $17,000 reimbursement each year. The City could receive up to five years of reimbursement for a total amount of $85,000. Years four and five reimbursements are optional, at the AUTHORITY'S sole discretion.
The AUTHORITY also requires the City to update and implement revised timing plans for the SBVCTSS corridors listed in Table 2 of the agreement, including Caltrans-owned signals on these corridors (Timing Project). The AUTHORITY will reimburse the City for 50% of the funding for the City-incurred Timing Project costs up to a maximum cost of $2,000 per signal. There are a total of 34 signals included in the Timing Project at an estimated cost of $68,000, which the AUTHORITY will reimburse the City for 50% of expenses, or $34,000, subject to the availability of funds.
The SBVCTSS may require unique support services not normally provided by the City to address major SBVCTSS coordination issues (Support Services). The AUTHORITY will provide and fund 100% of the costs for on-call Support Services to assist the City on a case-by-case basis to address major traffic signal coordination and related communication system issues on the SBVCTSS corridors listed in Table 1 that cannot be resolved by the City. The City and the AUTHORITY will continue operation and maintenance of the SBVCTSS for another three years with an option to extend two more years to ensure the SBVCTSS continues to operate as planned in an efficient manner to maintain the benefits the system affords to the traveling public.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: The project is determined to be exempt as a Class 1(c) Categorical Exemption, (existing highway and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities), pursuant to Section 15301 of Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq. It will improve functioning of existing streets and improve environmental conditions by decreasing traffic delays.
FISCAL IMPACT: This action has no impact to the General Fund. However, when awarding a contract to a consultant for the Timing Project, staff will request an appropriations budget amendment in the amount of $68,000 from the Gas Tax 7360 fund. The City is anticipated to pay the consultant a total of $68,000 but, under this agreement, will receive up to $85,000 reimbursement for the Assessment Program, and $34,000 for the Timing Project, for a total of $119,000 from the AUTHORITY.
82/187 REVIEWED BY OTHERS: This item has been reviewed by the Finance Director and the City Attorney. Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
Attachments Cooperative Agreement
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TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:17 SUBJECT:AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO WEST COAST ARBORIST AGREEMENT NO. A14-49
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the execution of Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. A14-49 with West Coast Arborists (WCA) to increase the annual not-to-exceed amount from $591,600 to $641,600 for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: In an effort to renew all contracts exceeding five years and ensure that the City is receiving excellent service and competitive pricing, staff developed a Request for Proposal for Urban Forest Management Services. As a result of this process, WCA was selected and the City Council authorized Agreement No. A14-49 on April 22, 2014. The term of this agreement is May 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017 without renewable options. The contract covers the maintenance of over 42,000 trees in the City's parks and open space and streetscape. At the time of the award of contract, the budget for tree maintenance was $475,000. In the FY 2015-16 budget, Council authorized a budget of $591,600 for the maintenance of the trees in order to relieve some of the backlog of tree work orders accumulating from the leaner budget years. Amendment No. 1, in the amount of $25,000, was issued to manage the urgent trimming and removals. Staff requested Amendment No. 2 to increase contract authority to allow the continuation of needed tree maintenance up to the budget limit of $591,600. The recent winter storms caused a number of tree failures. WCA and staff responded to the emergency work by trimming and removing damaged trees thereby exhausting the balance of the tree trimming services contract. Consequently, staff is requesting Amendment No. 3 to increase the not-to-exceed amount of the contract by $50,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: The proposed project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations § 15301 (h) as a Class 1 categorical exemption (Existing Facilities). The project involves maintenance of existing landscape and is not anticipated to have any significant impacts with regard to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality.
FISCAL IMPACT: This is not a commitment to spend, rather an increase in the contract authority. The costs will be funded by the various Parks and Landscape and General Fund fiscal year 2016-17 budgets in accordance with the work needed in those areas.
96/187 REVIEWED BY OTHERS: This item has been reviewed by the Finance Director and Contract Compliance Officer.
Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
Attachments Amendment #3
97/187 98/187 COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:18 SUBJECT:AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO HAAKER EQUIPMENT COMPANY AGREEMENT NO. A2014-93
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the execution of Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. A2014-93 with Haaker Equipment Company to increase the annual not-to-exceed amount from $50,000 to $60,000.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: The City owns and operates large equipment, which is heavily utilized by the Sanitation and Water Sections on a daily basis to keep the storm drains, sewer system, and water systems clean and in compliance with State and Federal environmental and health regulations. The equipment is unique and requires proprietary replacement parts which are only available through factory authorized dealers, which for Southern California is Haaker Equipment Company. On July 22, 2014 the Council authorized execution of an agreement with Haaker Equipment Company, in the amount of $50,000 annually, for the purchase of proprietary parts and services for the maintenance of City-owned equipment. The term of the agreement is through June 30, 2017. Staff is requesting Amendment No. 1 to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $10,000. This proposed increase is needed primarily due to an extensive repair of the older Vactor as well as smaller repairs to other equipment. The proposed increase to the agreement is also intended to address any additional repairs which may be required during the remainder of this fiscal year.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: This action is not a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and CEQA Guidelines (Title 14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) Section 15300 and is therefore exempt from CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this agenda item is included in the Fiscal Year 2016/17 Water Utility Fund Operations budget and Fiscal Year 2016/17 Sewer Utility Fund Operations budget as approved by Council.
99/187 Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
Attachments Haaker Equipment Amendment
100/187 101/187 COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:19 SUBJECT:NAME FOR NEW PARK IN LOS SERRANOS
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the name "Bird Farm Park" for the new park in Los Serranos per the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: At the November 16, 2016, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission approved to recommend the name "Bird Farm Park" on a vote of 3-2 for the soon-to-be- built park in the Los Serranos neighborhood, located adjacent to Chaparral Elementary School at 15450 Pomona-Rincon Road. At the December 13, 2016, City Council Meeting the Council discussed the naming of the park in Los Serranos and it was decided at that time to table the item until a later date. Staff is bringing forward the item again at this time for Council's consideration. The following three names were originally presented to the Commission for their consideration, which are consistent with the City Council adopted Parks and Trail Naming Policy. The Council can choose "Bird Farm Park," one of the other name options, or come up with one of their own. Bird Farm Park -- Through the years the site has been referred to as "Bird Farm Park" by City staff as the street that fronts the school is Bird Farm Road. Los Serranos Park -- The neighborhood surrounding the park is known as Los Serranos.
Chaparral Park -- The school adjacent to the park is named Chaparral Elementary School.
ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: This proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and CEQA regulations (14 California Code Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because it constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, this action does not constitute a "project" that requires environmental review (see specifically 14 CCR § 15378 (b)(4-5)).
102/187 FISCAL IMPACT: None. Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
103/187 Date: 03-28-2017
Item No.: 20
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TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2017 MEMBERS FROM: CITY MANAGER ITEM NO:22 SUBJECT:SIGN ORDINANCE UPDATE - MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT NO. 17MCA03
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Municipal Code Amendment No. 17MCA03, an Ordinance amending Chapters 12.28 (Banners and Attachments in Public Rights-Of-Way) and 16.38 (Signs) of the Chino Hills Municipal Code, repealing Chapter 7 (Sign Regulations) of Appendix D of the Chino Hills Municipal Code, and determining the Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS: The City's existing sign ordinance is split between various chapters within the Municipal Code. Portions of the sign ordinance date back to when Chino Hills was part of the County of San Bernardino. This proposed Code amendment is the first comprehensive sign ordinance update the City has undertaken. It addresses a number of important sign issues for the City: Updates regulations for all signs on private property, both permanent and temporary. Consolidates regulations for both temporary signs and permanent signs in one chapter of the Code. Modifies all sign provisions within the Municipal Code that could potentially be viewed as impermissibly content-based in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which is the June 18, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down several provisions of the town's sign ordinance that imposed different time, place and manner restrictions depending entirely on the communicative content of the sign. The Supreme Court ruling requires the City to treat like signs in a similar manner and limits the City's ability to regulate the content of signs. Adds provisions to address a City Council request to facilitate the readability of exterior business signs regarding the location and identification of premises. 12.28 (Banners and Attachments in Public Rights-Of-Way) This Chapter of the Municipal Code has been revised to focus only on banners and signs in the public right-of-way. The revisions retain the existing Code policy that no banner or sign may be placed on any City property or public right-of-way. Provisions regarding banners on private property are fully contained in the proposed Chapter 16.38 Signs. Chapter 16.38 "Signs"
This Chapter of the Municipal Code has been revised to clarify language in the existing Code and incorporate provisions from Chapter 7 of Appendix D which have been carried over from the County. A definitions section has been added to ensure that terminology used in the Chapter is defined. Major provisions regarding standards for window signs, temporary election season signs and freeway signs portions have been reorganized but remain mostly unchanged. The most notable changes to Chapter 16.38 are summarized below: 133/187 Permanent Exterior Business Sign Requirements
Recently, City Council directed staff to review sign policies to facilitate the readability of exterior business signs regarding the location and identification of premises. Readable business signage protects and serves the public health, safety and welfare by allowing residents, visitors and emergency service personnel identify businesses by name or service provided. The proposed amendment will require that every business must have at least one exterior business sign consisting of a business tenant sign, freestanding sign, project identification wall sign and/or freeway-oriented sign.
The City retained the services of Michael Baker International (MBI) to assist staff determine the minimum required letter height required for sign readability. MBI's Minimum Letter Height Analysis, attached as Exhibit 1, recommends that for signs oriented to a vehicular way, such signs should have a minimum letter height in accordance with the following:
Minimum Letter Vehicular Way Legibility Distance Height (inches Drive aisle, Driveway <200 5 Local or Private Street 200 7 Collector Street 280 9 Arterial Street 360 12 Highway or Freeway ≥445 17
For each additional 30 feet from the street right-of-way, the minimum letter height should be increased by one inch in order to be legible from the street. For example, if a sign is located 60 feet from the right-of-way along a street with a speed limit of 35 mph, the minimum letter height would be: 9 inches + (60 feet -- 30 feet) X 1 inch/30 feet = 10 inches. For signs oriented to a pedestrian pathway, the MBI analysis recommends that if the required exterior business sign is within 50 feet of the pedestrian pathway, such sign should have a minimum letter height of three inches. If further than 50 feet from a pedestrian pathway, for each additional 30 feet, the minimum height of the letters should increase by one inch. These recommendations are included in the proposed sign Code amendment. Additional input regarding the readability of business signs was provided in correspondence by the City Police Chief and the Fire Chief for the Chino Valley Fire District. These correspondences, attached as Exhibit 2 and 3, discuss the importance of having both readable addresses and business names when responding to emergency calls. As discussed in the correspondences, unlike 911 calls from "landlines," a dispatcher does not automatically see a location from most 911 calls that originate via cellular phone. In these cases, the emergency dispatcher must rely on the caller to provide their location which can lead to delays in dispatching resources. Although there is technology available that can assist the emergency dispatcher in determining the location of a cellular caller, utilizing that software can be a time consuming process that may yield inaccurate results which is highly problematic during an emergency. Each year the number of 911 calls that originate via cellular phone increases. In instances where a person calls 911 to report an emergency at or near a business via a cellular phone, it is far easier for the caller to provide a business name and general location rather than the caller having to locate and provide a specific address to the emergency dispatcher. The business name and general location of the incident can provide the emergency dispatcher with enough information to begin processing the incident via the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system. Requiring businesses to utilize the Modern Latin alphabet in their signage will help reduce delays in determining the location of the incident because more people will be able to read the signs. This is absolutely critical during an emergency where the difference between life and death can be 134/187 measured in seconds. The Chiefs indicated that signs can be read by more people when lettering in the Modern Latin alphabet and numbers in the Hindu-Arabic numerals are included on the sign.
In addition to these public safety reasons, signs with the Modern Latin alphabet promote economic development in the City by making restaurants, goods and services accessible to more residents and visitors.
Definitions of Modern Latin alphabet and Hindu-Arabic numerals are included in the proposed sign Code amendment and provided below: "Hindu-Arabic numerals" means a positional decimal numeral system utilizing ten different glyphs, 0 through 9. "Modern Latin Alphabet" means the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world utilizing 26 letters in upper and lower case type. These recommendations regarding letter height and inclusion of Modern Latin alphabet and Hindu-Arabic numerals are included in the proposed sign Code amendment as follows:
Section 16.38.030 -- Permanent Exterior Business Sign Requirements To protect and serve the public health, safety and welfare by facilitating the location and identification of premises, every business must have at least one exterior business sign consisting of a business tenant sign, freestanding sign, project identification wall sign and/or freeway-oriented sign as permitted by this Code that complies with all of the following: A. Shall be oriented to a vehicular way or pedestrian pathway. B. For signs oriented to a vehicular way, such signs shall have a minimum letter height in accordance with Table 1. For each additional 30 feet from the street right-of-way, the minimum letter height shall be increased by one inch in order to be legible from the street. For example, if a sign is located 60 feet from the right-of-way along a street with a speed limit of 35 mph, the minimum letter height would be: 9 inches + (60 feet -- 30 feet) X 1 inch/30 feet = 10 inches. Table 1 Minimum Letter Height for Street and Highway-Oriented Signs Legibility Distance (feet) Vehicular Way (for informational purposes Minimum Letter only) Height (inches) Drive aisle, Driveway <200 5 Local or Private Street 200 7 Collector Street 280 9 Arterial Street 360 12 Highway or Freeway ≥445 17
C. For signs oriented to a pedestrian pathway, if the required exterior business sign is within 50 feet of the pedestrian pathway, such sign shall have a minimum letter height of three inches. If further than 50 feet from a pedestrian pathway, for each additional 30 feet, the minimum height of the letters must increase by one inch. 135/187 D. Regardless of the above, for businesses oriented to both vehicular way and pedestrian pathway but for which the vehicular sign is not visible in the pedestrian pathway, such business shall have at least one sign oriented to the vehicular way and one sign visible to the pedestrian way.
E. If the required exterior business sign does not contain a word or words in the Modern Latin alphabet, the sign shall also contain a translation or interpretation into words comprised of letters from the Modern Latin alphabet and, if numbers are used, Hindu-Arabic numerals. Such translation or interpretation shall be chosen by the business and contain the business name.
Permanent Exterior Sign General Number and Size Standards
Since before its incorporation, businesses in Chino Hills have been required to provide a comprehensive sign program that specifies type, size, location, style, color and material. As a result, about 92% of all business signage in the City is governed by a comprehensive sign program. This process has been largely successful in ensuring that permanent signs within a development project are coordinated with the project's design and in harmony with adjacent properties and the surrounding area. There are a few commercial and business park centers as well as numerous multifamily and institutional facilities that do not have comprehensive sign programs. The existing sign Code contains general sign provisions that have been carried over from the County, but these do not provide standards regarding size or number of signs. MBI also assisted staff review the City's existing comprehensive sign programs and other City codes to determine general sign standards for Chino Hills' businesses and facilities. MBI's Nonresidential Sign Standard Allowances, attached as Exhibit 4, recommends standards for freestanding and business tenant signage. The proposed sign Code amendment incorporates the recommendations for general freestanding and business tenant signs. Planning Commission Review
At their meeting on February 21, 2017, the Planning Commission considered the Sign Ordinance amendment 17MCA03. The amendment included all of the items included in the proposed Ordinance as well as provisions for realtor open house signs. The existing Code does not contain specific provisions regarding realtor open house signs; however existing Chapter 12.28.010 Code provisions prohibit banners or signs on any City property or public right-of-way. During the past year, Council had directed staff to review the City's realtor open house sign regulations. As part of this review, City staff had three meetings with local realtors to discuss for-sale and open house signs. Staff provided the local realtors information about the City's existing Code provisions and examples from other cities that have recently updated their realtor related sign codes in response to the limitations created by Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
Six persons speaking on behalf of local realtors attended the February 21, 2017, Planning Commission meeting and expressed their desire to place open house signs in the public right-of-way. The Commission voted (5-0) to continue the open house provisions of the proposed Sign Ordinance amendment to allow staff to work with the local realtors on specific open house sign provisions. The Commission expressed support for the sign Code provisions to require business identification signage in the Modern Latin alphabet, noting that the provisions would assist with emergency services. The Commission voted (5-0) to recommend approval of the balance of the Sign Ordinance amendment.
136/187 ENVIRONMENTAL (CEQA) REVIEW: Adoption of the proposed ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") for the following reasons: (1) it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15060(c)(2)), (2) there is no possibility that the ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3), and (3) the ordinance does not constitute a "project" as defined in the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15378), and the project is exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §§ 15301(Existing Facilities which consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination); and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment which consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment).
FISCAL IMPACT: None. Respectfully Submitted, Recommended By:
Attachments Exhibit 1 Exhibit 2 Exhibit 3 Exhibit 4 Exhibit 4 - Appendix A Exhibit 4 Appendix B Ordinance
137/187 November 8, 2016
Joann Lombardo, Community Development Director Community Development Department CITY OF CHINO HILLS 14000 City Center Drive Chino Hills, CA 91709
RE: MINIMUM LETTER HEIGHT ANALYSIS
Dear Ms. Lombardo:
This memorandum summarizes the key findings and recommendations from our analysis of the minimum letter height required to ensure signs are readable by motorists and pedestrians.
PURPOSE
The purpose of our research was to determine the minimum letter height required to ensure sign legibility for motorists and pedestrians at various distances from a street or pathway.
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH
The purpose of any sign is to convey a message. For that message to be understood, it needs to be clearly visible and readable. In order for it to be seen, read, and comprehended, a sign should be allowed sufficient size, height, placement, and illumination. Among other factors, the height of letters, symbols, and graphics greatly impacts sign legibility.
Before determining the minimum letter height for signs, it is essential to determine the distance from which the sign must be legible. Because of the time it takes to perceive and read a sign, the legible distance will vary according to a number of factors including the speed of an approaching vehicle, sign placement, complexity, and illumination. The research identified three main sources of information on sign letter height: national and international sign organizations, transportation organizations, and commercial sign manufacturers. Each of these sources is summarized in turn.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGN ORGANIZATIONS
SOURCE 1: INTERNATIONAL SIGN ASSOCIATION Distance and speed are two key factors in determining the legibility of a sign. For auto-oriented signs, a driver will be seated in a moving vehicle, with the distance between the motorist and the sign quickly diminishing. In addition, the driver must be able to notice and read the sign in sufficient time to make a decision and safely stop at an establishment or business. Therefore, sign legibility will depend on the speed at which the motorist is traveling and the duration of time the motorist needs to read and react to a sign.
MBAKERINTL .COM One Kaiser Plaza, Suite 1150, Oakland, CA 94612
138/187 CITY OF CHINO HILLS RE: MINIMUM LETTER HEIGHT ANALYSIS Page 2
According to the International Sign Association (ISA), an organization devoted to supporting, promoting, and improving the sign industry through advocacy, education and training programs, technical resources, and outreach, Minimum Required Legibility Distance (MRLD) is a measure for the minimum sign distance at which a sign must be located to be legible to the average driver with good vision. MRLD is important because it determines the size of the letters and size of the sign necessary for legibility to take place over that distance. This distance will vary according to the speed of the approaching vehicle. At higher speeds, a vehicle will cover more distance within a given reaction time than at lower speeds, which means that a sign will have to be legible from a greater distance.
Table 1 lists the minimum distance at which a sign must be located to be legible to the average driver, as referenced by the ISA in its 2007 Signline publication “Conspicuity and Readability.” As explained above, the MRLD goes up with increasing vehicle speed.
Table 1 The Standard Relationship Between Vehicle Speed and Legibility Distance In Feet and Meters
Vehicle Speed MRLD 55 mph (88 kph) 81’ / sec (25 m/sec) 440’ (134 m) 50 mph (90 kph) 70’ / sec (22.25 m/sec) 400’ (122 m) 45 mph (72 kph) 66’ / sec (20 m/sec) 360’ (110 m) 40 mph (64 kph) 59’ / sec (18 m/sec) 320’ (98 m) 35 mph (56 kph) 51’ / sec (15.5 m/sec) 280’ (85 m) 30 mph (48 kph) 44’ / sec (13.4 m/sec) 240’ (73 m) 25 mph (40 kph) 37’ / sec (11.3 m/sec) 200’ (61 m)
Early research by Forbes and Holmes in the 1930s, which was reviewed and cited by the ISA, indicated that for every 50 feet of distance, lettering needs 1 inch in height to be read by a person with 20/23 visual acuity. Although this standard was used for many years, the Federal Highway Administration later reduced the standard to 1-inch letter height for every 35 feet of distance to take into account the needs of drivers with lower visual acuity. However, these early studies were conducted on test tracks with low- complexity signs. In reality, commercial signs are extremely varied in font, color, size, and design, which can greatly impact legibility. Later studies under real-life environmental conditions (different times of day, signs of varying complexity) revealed a Legibility Index (LI) of 30 feet per inch under the best conditions (daytime, with a sign of low complexity) and a mean LI of 25 feet per inch.
Based on an LI between 25 to 30 feet per inch, the ISA (2007) provides the standard letter height guidelines for signs as shown in Table 2.
139/187 CITY OF CHINO HILLS RE: MINIMUM LETTER HEIGHT ANALYSIS Page 3
Table 2 Standard Letter Height Guidelines for On-Premise Signs
Speed Limit Speed Limit MRLD MRLD Letter Height Letter Height (mph) (kph) (Feet) (Meters) (Inches) (Centimeters) 25 40 200 61 7 18 35 55 280 85 9 23 45 70 360 110 12 30 55 90 445 136 15 38
SOURCE 2: UNITED STATES SIGN COUNCIL Since 1996, the United States Sign Council (USSC), a sign industry association that offers education, training, and technical publications, has also funded an array of studies on the legibility of signs and the manner in which motorists react to signs under various conditions. The USSC uses a standard legibility index of 30 feet per inch and, similar to the ISA, calculates minimum letter height based on speed, viewer reaction time, and distance. Table 3 provides standard letter height guidance using the USSC’s (2006) calculation method, assumptions, and legibility index of 30 feet per inch.
TABLE 3 USSC Letter Height Guidelines
Viewer Reaction Time Viewer Reaction Minimum Letter Height Speed Limit (mph) (seconds) Distance (feet) (inches) < 35 8 280 9.3 >35 11 385 12.8
TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZATIONS In addition to guidance from the two sign organizations referenced above, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2014 Edition, published by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), recommends “a minimum specific ratio of 1 inch of letter height per 30 feet of legibility distance” for traffic and highway signs.
COMMERCIAL SIGN MANUFACTURERS Most commercial sign companies use a standard visibility chart to determine letter height by distance. The guideline used by many sign companies is that every 1 inch of letter height provides 10 feet of readability with the best impact, although the sign can be seen and read from a longer distance. Table 4 presents the readable distance from the sign for maximum impact, the maximum readable distance, and the letter height needed. While we were unable to track down the primary source data for this information, it is an additional standard by which to evaluate minimum letter height options.
140/187 CITY OF CHINO HILLS RE: MINIMUM LETTER HEIGHT ANALYSIS Page 4
TABLE 4 Appropriate Letter Height for Readability by Distance
Letter Height Distance for Maximum Readable (inches) Best Impact (feet) Distance (feet) 3 30 100 4 40 150 6 60 200 8 80 350 9 90 400 10 100 450 12 120 525 15 150 630 18 180 750 24 240 1,000 30 300 1,250 36 360 1,500 42 420 1,750 48 480 2,000 54 540 2,250 60 600 2,500 Source: California Institute of Technology (source date unknown)
OTHER COMMUNITIES Based on our experience preparing zoning ordinances and sign regulations for communities around California, most jurisdictions do not codify a minimum letter height as part of their community sign regulations. However, we have found that uniform or master sign programs for large commercial or office developments within a community may include minimum or maximum letter height regulations for particular sign types.
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS
Based on the research reviewed, both distance and speed are key factors in determining the minimum letter height to ensure sign legibility. While their calculation methods vary slightly, both the ISA and the USSC recommend a standard legibility index of 1 inch of letter height per 30 feet of distance. This standard is also supported by guidance in the California MUTCD.
141/187 CITY OF CHINO HILLS RE: MINIMUM LETTER HEIGHT ANALYSIS Page 5
RECOMMENDATION
In order to address community-identified issues of public safety and legibility, and reflect current standards and best practices, Michael Baker International recommends that the Chino Hills Sign Code update include the following minimum letter height requirements:
Pedestrian-Oriented Signs
For pedestrian-oriented signs that are typically located within 50 feet of a pedestrian pathway (e.g., public sidewalk, internal pedestrian circulation path), the minimum letter height should be 3 inches. For each additional 30 feet from the pedestrian pathway, the minimum height of the letters should increase by 1 inch in order to be legible.
Street and Highway-Oriented Signs
For street and highway-oriented signs, minimum letter height should be in accordance with Table 5 based on a formula of vehicle speed and distance from the sign. This recommendation assumes that the sign is located within 30 feet of the edge of the street right-of-way. For each additional 30 feet from the street right-of-way, the minimum letter height should be increased by 1 inch in order to be legible from the street.
For example, if a sign is located 60 feet from the right-of-way along a street with a speed limit of 35 mph, the minimum letter height would be: 9 inches + (60 ft – 30 ft) * 1 inch/30 ft = 10 inches.
Table 5 Minimum Letter Height for Street and Highway-Oriented Signs
Street or Highway Legibility Distance (feet) Minimum Letter Speed Limit (mph) (for informational purposes only) Height (inches) <25 <200 5 25 200 7 35 280 9 45 360 12 55 445 15 >55 >445 17
If you have any questions about the findings above or the data sources used, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or (510) 213-7912.
Sincerely,
Alessandra Lundin
142/187 CITY OF CHINO HILLS RE: MINIMUM LETTER HEIGHT ANALYSIS Page 6
WORKS CITED
California Department of Transportation. 2014. California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2014 Edition. Section 2A.13, Word Messages Standard. http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/camutcd/docs/CAMUTCD2014-Part2_rev1.pdf.
International Sign Association. 2007. Signline, Issue 51. https://www.signs.org/Portals/0/docs/signline/signline_51.pdf.
Signazon.com. 2016. Sign Letter Height Visibility Chart. http://www.signazon.com/help-center/sign- letter-height-visibility-chart.aspx.
Signs Now. 2016. Legibility Chart. http://www.signsnow.com/distance-and-visibility.
USSC (United States Sign Council). 2006. “Sign Legibility Rules of Thumb.” http://www.usscfoundation.org/USSCSignLegiRulesThumb.pdf.
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149/187
150/187 151/187 152/187 153/187 FIGURE 2 SIGN SCALE AND PROPORTIONALITY
154/187 FIGURE 3 MULTIPLE-ELEMENT SIGNS
155/187 TABLE 1 RECOMMENDED ALLOWED PERMANENT ON-SITE SIGNS BY LAND USE
156/187 157/187 APPENDIX A: SIGN ALLOWANCE BEST PRACTICES – ANALYSIS AND EXAMPLES FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES
The table below provides a sign code excerpt and summary of various approaches adopted by similar, nearby, and/or exemplary California communities.
Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: Colton primarily uses Overall sign area varies by broad land use categories. prescriptive sign regulations, with a 1. Residential signs: 1 wall sign not to exceed 6 square feet. basic proportionality calculation for 2. Multiple-family residential signs: total sign area not to exceed 10 square feet; 4 square feet for wall signs based on wall area/length one wall sign per tenant, 6 square feet for either one wall sign or identification sign per frontage for wall signs. 3. Nonresidential signs: Proportionality Standard (if a. Wall sign: 1 per public frontage not to exceed 30% of wall area and 70% of wall length Colton applicable): Based on wall area/length b. Freestanding monument and freestanding pylon sign: 1 of either type per street frontage, 30% of wall area and 70% of wall not to exceed 50 square feet length c. Window sign: 1 per establishment not to exceed 20% of window area Limits: Number limit based on d. Freestanding sign, freeway-oriented, pylon: 1 per site with minimum of 150 feet freeway frontage or site, area limit based on frontage not to exceed 325 square feet sign type
158/187 Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: Pasadena primarily uses a Maximum size area varies by zoning district. Complex regulations based on sign type and building proportional approach for frontage. nonresidential signs allowances. For signs in the Commercial Office District: Proportionality Standard (if 1. Business identification sign on primary building frontage and business identification sign on applicable): Based on linear feet of secondary building frontage: building frontage a. Allowed one wall or monument sign per property frontage 1 square foot per linear foot of b. Maximum area: 1 square foot per 1 foot of building frontage building frontage c. Maximum height: below edge of roof, 5 feet for monument sign Pasadena Limits: Number limit based on frontage, either no area limit or based 2. Building or project identification signs: on type a. Allowed one wall or monument sign per property frontage b. Maximum area: 1 square foot per 1 foot of building frontage c. Maximum sign height: 20 feet or bottom of second-story windows, 5 feet for monument sign 3. Tenant directory for multi-tenant buildings: a. Allowed one wall sign per property frontage b. Maximum area: 1 square foot per 1 foot of building frontage, 8 square feet maximum per sign
159/187 Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: Rancho Cordova primarily Maximum sign area varies by land use and sign type. For signs for commercial land uses: uses a proportional approach for 1. Building-attached signs: nonresidential sign allowances. a. All types allowed, with no maximum number Proportionality Standard (if b. Maximum area for all signs less than 50 feet from the right-of-way: 2 square feet for every 1 applicable): Based on linear feet of linear foot of building frontage building frontage c. Maximum area for all signs greater than 50 feet from the right-of-way: 3 square feet for every 2 square feet per linear foot of linear foot of building frontage, maximum of 300 square feet frontage for signs <50 feet from the right-of-way d. Maximum height: not extending above the roofline of the building 3 square feet per linear foot of 2. Freestanding signs: Rancho frontage for signs > 50 feet from the a. For individual businesses: 1 monument sign per project entrance, maximum 50 square feet Cordova right-of-way b. For businesses that are part of an integrated development: 1 monument sign per project Limits: No number limit for building- entrance, maximum 150 square feet attached signs, number limit based on For signs for office land uses: project entrances for freestanding 3. Building-attached signs: signs, area limit based on sign type and development type a. 1 per establishment per building frontage b. Maximum area: 1 square foot per linear foot of building frontage 4. Freestanding signs: a. For individual businesses: 1 monument sign per project entrance, maximum 25 square feet b. For businesses that are part of an integrated development: 1 monument sign per project entrance, maximum 50 square feet
160/187 Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: Rancho Cucamonga uses a Sign area varies by land use. In commercial, office, and mixed-use zoning districts, for retail hybrid approach to sign area establishments not in a multi-tenant center: regulations. The city generally uses a 1. Wall signs: proportional method of calculation for a. 1 sign per establishment per building face, maximum of 3 signs wall signs for nonresidential uses, and a prescriptive method for monument b. Maximum area: 2 square feet per 1 linear foot of building frontage, up to a maximum of 150 and pedestrian traffic signs. square feet Proportionality Standard (if 2. Monument signs: applicable): Based on linear feet of a. 1 monument sign per street, maximum of 2 signs (maximum of 3 signs total between wall building frontage and monument signs) 2 square feet per linear foot of b. Maximum area: 24 square feet frontage 3. Pedestrian traffic signs: Limits: Number limit based on street, Rancho a. 1 per establishment building face, or establishment, area Cucamonga b. Maximum area: 6 square feet limit based on sign type For office establishments in a multi-tenant center: 1. Wall signs: a. 1 sign per establishment per building face, 2 maximum b. Maximum area: 2 square feet per 1 linear foot of building frontage, up to a maximum of 50 square feet per establishment 2. Monument signs: a. 1 monument sign per street frontage b. Maximum area: 24 square feet 3. Pedestrian traffic signs: a. 1 per establishment b. Maximum area: 6 square feet
161/187 Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: Brea uses a hybrid approach Sign area varies by zoning district. For commercial and industrial zones: to sign area regulations. The city 1. Wall-affixed signs: generally uses a proportional a. Maximum sign area: 1 square foot per each linear foot of building frontage approach for wall-attached signs, and a combination of proportional and b. Maximum sign length: 75% of building frontage or 75% of tenant space frontage prescriptive sign regulations for c. Maximum letter height: 24 inches, except for major tenants for which letter height shall not freestanding signs, depending on the exceed 5 feet size of the development. d. Maximum number: 1 sign per building face or tenant space, not to exceed 3 signs per tenant Proportionality Standard (if 2. Freestanding signs: applicable): Based on linear feet of a. Small project: 24 square feet maximum area, maximum 1 per street frontage Brea building frontage b. Midsize project: 0.2 x f, where f equals the linear feet of street frontage, maximum 1 per 1 square foot per linear foot of street frontage frontage for wall-attached signs c. Midsize project with less than 120 linear feet of street frontage: 24 square feet, maximum 1 0.2 square foot per linear foot of per street frontage frontage for freestanding signs in midsize and large projects d. Large project: 0.2 x f, where f equals the linear feet of street frontage, provided no one sign copy per face shall exceed eighty 80 square feet; maximum 3 signs per street frontage; signs Limits: Number limit based on shall be placed a minimum of 300 feet apart building face or tenant space, area limit based on sign type and size of project
162/187 Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: Eastvale primarily uses Eastvale does not vary sign regulations by land use or district. Instead, sign allowances apply to all prescriptive sign regulations, uses and areas of the city and are broken out into freestanding and building-attached signs. particularly for freestanding signs, Freestanding signs: with a few proportional standards 1. Located within 660 feet of the nearest edge of a freeway right-of-way line based on total building floor area or wall area. a. Maximum height 45 feet Proportionality Standard (if b. Maximum surface area of a sign shall not exceed 150 square feet applicable): Based on percentage of 2. In shopping centers—all locations: floor area or wall surface area a. Maximum surface area of a sign shall not exceed 50 square feet or 0.25% (1/4 of 1 percent) of Maximum 0.25% of floor area for a the total existing building floor area in a shopping center, whichever is greater, except that shopping center for freestanding in any event, no sign shall exceed 200 square feet in surface area signs b. Maximum height 20 feet For building-attached signs: 3. All other locations: maximum 10% of the surface area for a. Maximum height 20 feet front and side faces, 5% rear wall face Eastvale b. Maximum surface area of a sign shall not exceed 50 square feet Limits: Number limit based on parcel or frontage, area limit based on sign 4. Number of freestanding signs—all locations: type/location or development type a. Not more than 1 freestanding sign shall be permitted on a parcel of land, except that if a shopping center has frontage on two or more streets, the shopping center shall be permitted 2 freestanding signs, provided that the 2 signs are not located on the same street; are at least 100 feet apart; and the second sign does not exceed 100 square feet in surface area and 20 feet in height Signs affixed to building—all areas: 1. The maximum surface area of signs affixed to a building shall be as follows: a. Front wall of building— surface area of the sign shall not exceed 10% of the surface area of the front face of the building b. Side walls of a building— surface area of the sign shall not exceed 10% of the surface area of the side face of the building c. Rear wall of a building— surface area of the sign shall not exceed 5% of the surface area of the rear face of the building
163/187 Sign Allowance Best Practices
Jurisdiction Method & Standards Regulation Excerpt Method: El Dorado County uses a Sign area varies by zoning district. hybrid approach to sign area For commercial and general commercial districts: regulations. The county uses a Building-attached signs: proportional approach for wall- attached signs, and a prescriptive 1. 1 or more signs per establishment approach for freestanding signs. 2. Maximum area based on floor area as follows: Proportionality Standard (if a. <10,000 square feet of floor area = 50 square feet maximum applicable): Based on floor area ratio b. 10,001–25,000 square feet of floor area = 75 square feet maximum Limits: Number limit based on sign c. >25,001 square feet of floor area = 100 square feet maximum type, area limit based on floor area Freestanding signs: ratio and development type El Dorado 1. Individual establishment: County a. 1 per street frontage b. Maximum area 50 square feet for primary frontage sign, maximum area 30 square feet for secondary frontage sign 2. Integrated development: a. 1 multi-tenant sign per street frontage b. Maximum area 80 square feet for primary frontage sign, maximum area of 40 square feet for secondary frontage sign For commercial office and industrial districts: Building-attached signs: 1. 1 or more signs, combined total of 50 square feet per establishment
164/187 APPENDIX B: ANALYSIS OF CHINO HILLS APPROVED SIGN PROGRAMS – CALCULATIONS
To get a better understanding of the characteristics and appropriate method for sign regulations for the Chino Hills community, we analyzed approved sign allowances for several recent nonresidential developments within the city. The calculations and results are provided below.
Note: All sign area calculations are approximate.
COUNTRY CLUB MEDICAL AND DENTAL PLAZA Land use: Office
Building name/address sign: 26 sf Directory monument sign: 57 sf Additional building attached signs: 2 signs x 25 sf = 50 sf
Total building attached signage = approximately 76 sf Building frontage = 200 linear feet Building-attached signage as a proportion of building frontage = 1/3:1
CVS/NWC CHINO HILLS & PEYTON SIGN PROGRAM Land use: Commercial
Allowed Sign Area: Wall Signs – Anchor Tenant: Maximum sign area 1.5 sf per linear foot of leased premises, maximum 300 sf total per building Signs cannot exceed 42" in height
Wall Signs – Major Tenants (>4800 sf): Maximum sign area 1.5 sf per linear foot of leased premises, maximum 300 sf total per building Signs cannot exceed 36" in height and 80% of the sign space
Wall Signs – Retail Shops: Signs cannot exceed 24" in height and cannot exceed 80% of the sign space
Freestanding Signs: One monument sign per street frontage. Maximum sign area 36 sf. Monument signs cannot exceed 6' in height. One pylon sign per development. Maximum sign area 150 square feet. Pylon signs cannot exceed 25' in height.
Actual Building Sign Area for CVS: Total area of all building-attached signs = 188 sf Primary building frontage = 136.5 ft Secondary building frontage = 96 ft Total linear feet of building frontage = 232.5 ft Building-attached signage as a proportion of building frontage = approximately 4/5:1
The sign program allows a maximum sign area of 1.5 sf per linear foot of building frontage. Even with 7 building- attached signs, the CVS is using less than 1 sf of sign area per linear foot of building frontage.
165/187 GATEWAY VILLAGE SIGN PROGRAM Land Use: Commercial
Inline Tenant Sign Allowance: 1. Tenant is allowed one primary identification sign located in the designated sign zone just above the store entrance. 2. Specific suites with building elevations facing multiple exposures may incorporate one additional primary identification sign per exposure, subject to landlord's approval. 3. Unless treated as the primary identification sign, blade signs, flags, banners and window text signs, where permitted, shall not count against the tenant's overall sign square footage allowance. 4. Tenants are allowed 1 sf of primary sign area per linear foot of store frontage. 5. The overall width of any sign shall not exceed 70% of any uninterrupted architectural treatment.
Pad Tenant Sign Allowance: 1. Tenant is allowed one primary identification sign on each elevation subject to landlord’s approval; maximum of 3 signs. 2. Unless treated as the primary identification sign, blade signs, flags, banners and window text signs, where permitted, shall not count against the tenant's overall sign square footage allowance. 3. Tenants are allowed 1 sf primary sign area per linear foot of store frontage. 4. The overall width of any sign shall not exceed 70% of any uninterrupted architectural treatment.
Freestanding Signs: Freeway pylon = 387 sf Gateway monument sign = 42.5 sf Gas station monument sign = 22 sf Single-tenant monument sign = 27 sf Multi-tenant monument sign = 27 sf Project identification & clock = 5.5 sf
166/187 ORDINANCE NO. _____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHINO HILLS APPROVING MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT NO. 17MCA03, TO AMEND CHAPTERS 12.28 (BANNERS AND ATTACHMENTS IN PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY) AND 16.38 (SIGNS) OF THE CHINO HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE, REPEAL CHAPTER 7 OF APPENDIX D (SIGN REGULATIONS) OF THE CHINO HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE, AND DETERMINE THE MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHINO HILLS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby makes the following findings of fact:
A. On June 18, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in the case of Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) 576 U.S., wherein the Court struck down several provisions of the town’s sign Ordinance that imposed different time, place and manner restrictions depending entirely on the communicative content of the sign. In response, staff has reviewed all of the sign regulations in the Municipal Code for provisions that could potentially run afoul of the holding in Reed. The Municipal Code amendments proposed herein seek to eliminate or otherwise rectify provisions of the City’s sign regulations that may be perceived as impermissibly content-based in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
B. The proposed Municipal Code amendment recognizes that certain existing sections within the City Municipal Code relative to permanent and temporary signs require modification to ensure compliance with the content-based in requirements of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
C. The proposed Municipal Code amendment modifies sign provisions within the Municipal Code that could potentially be viewed as impermissibly content-based in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
D. The proposed Municipal Code amendment adds provisions to require exterior business signs regarding the identification of premises and
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167/187 increase their readability in order to protect and serve the public health, safety and welfare.
E. To help ensure the most widespread understanding of signage, the City Council believes it is in the public interest to require at least one sign on a business bear the legal name of the business on which they are placed in the Modern Latin alphabet.
F. The City Police Chief and the Fire Chief for the Chino Valley Fire District have both provided written memoranda supporting signage in the Modern Latin alphabet and numbers in the Hindu-Arabic numerals, emphasizing the importance of having both readable addresses and business names when responding to emergency calls. Unlike 911 calls from “landlines,” a dispatcher does not automatically see a location from most 911 calls that originate via cellular phone. Requiring businesses to utilize the Modern Latin alphabet and numbers in the Hindu-Arabic numerals in their signage will help reduce delays in determining the location of the incident because more people will be able to read the signs.
G. In addition to public safety reasons, signs with the Modern Latin alphabet promote economic development in the City by making restaurants, goods and services accessible to more residents and visitors.
H. The City Council takes notice of the findings and holdings of the courts in Demarest v. City of Leavenworth (2012) 876 F.Supp.2d 1186 and Asian American Business Group v. City of Pomona (1989) 716 F.Supp. 1328.
I. The City Council finds that the regulations in this Ordinance will: 1. Maintain and improve the aesthetic environment and overall community appearance to foster the City's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth; 2. Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City and reduce possible traffic and safety hazards from confusing or distracting signs; 3. Implement quality sign design standards that are consistent with the City's General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and appearance review guidelines; 4. Enable fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations; 5. Enhance traffic safety by ensuring that signage does not distract, obstruct or otherwise impede traffic circulation and to safeguard and preserve the health, property, and public welfare of residents.
J. At their meeting on February 21, 2017, the Planning Commission considered the Sign Ordinance Amendment 17MCA03. The Commission expressed support for the sign Code provisions to require business identification signage in the Modern Latin alphabet, noting that the
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168/187 provisions would assist with emergency services. The Commission voted (5-0) to recommend approval to City Council of the Sign Ordinance amendment and the determination that the Ordinance is exempt from CEQA.
K. When adopting this Ordinance, the City considered the entire administrative record concerning sign regulation including, without limitation, information set forth in staff reports presented to the Chino Hills City Council;
L. Should any part of this Ordinance inadvertently regulate signs in a manner that does not conform to applicable laws, the Council intends that such regulation be interpreted and enforced in a manner that brings this Ordinance into conformance with such laws;
M. Where particular signs are defined based on their use, the Council intends that such signs be regulated based upon use, placement, design, construction and other similar reasons rather than the content of such signs.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The City Council finds that this Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq. (“CEQA”)) for the following reasons: (1) it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15060(c)(2)), (2) there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3)), and (3) the Ordinance does not constitute a “project” as defined in the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15378) and the project is exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §§ 15301, 15305 and 15308.
SECTION 3. As required under Government Code § 65860, the City Council finds and declares that the proposed Municipal Code Amendment No. 17MCA03 is consistent with applicable laws as follows:
A. The proposed amendment to the Chino Hills Municipal Code conforms to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that restricts governments from imposing laws that prohibit or abridge the freedom of speech by modifying Municipal Code regulations relative to signs to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
B. The proposed amendment to the Chino Hills Municipal Code conforms to Government Code § 65860 which enables local government to regulate signs.
C. The proposed amendment to the Chino Hills Municipal Code conforms to General Plan Goals LU-2, LU-3 and LU-4, which require a balanced 3 of 21
169/187 community, maintenance and promotion of the character, integrity, and excellence of design of the City’s neighborhoods.
SECTION 4. In accordance with Chino Hills Municipal Code § 16.62.040, the City Council makes the following findings of fact:
A. FINDING: That the proposed Municipal Code Amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan.
FACT: The proposed amendment to the Chino Hills Municipal Code conforms to recent Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert to ensure that City Municipal Code regulations relative to permanent and temporary signs is consistent with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that restricts governments from imposing laws that prohibit or abridge the freedom of speech. Further the proposed amendment is consistent with Government Code § 65860 which enables local government to regulate signs, including temporary election season signs. The proposed amendment is also consistent with Goals LU-2, LU-3 and LU-4, which require a balanced community, maintenance and promotion of the character, integrity, and excellence of design of the City’s neighborhoods. The proposed amendment would allow for signs in a manner that is content neutral while providing for their installation in an orderly fashion that maintains the character and integrity of the Chino Hills community.
B. FINDING: That the proposed Municipal Code Amendment will not adversely affect surrounding properties.
FACT: That proposed Municipal Code Amendment relative to signs would be effective citywide and provides reasonable regulation of uses to further enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the community and will not adversely affect surrounding properties.
SECTION 5. The City Council hereby deletes Chapter 12.28 “Banners and Signs in the Public Rights of Way” of the Municipal Code in its entirety except for 12.28.010 which shall be amended to read as follows: Chapter 12.28 - Banners and Signs on City property. Section 12.28.010 A. No banner or sign may be placed on any City property or public right-of- way, nor on any structure (including trees and utility poles) owned or operated by the City, nor upon any structure (including trees and utility poles) installed on any City property or public right-of-way. B. The following signs are exempt from this requirement: 1. Signs, flags, banners, emblems or notices issued or endorsed by a
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170/187 constituted governmental body, public agency, court, person or officer in performance of a public duty, including traffic or highway signs or similar regulatory or warning devices and legal notices. 2. Utility company signs identifying conduits, cables, any dangerous condition or providing other such similar notice if a permit is obtained pursuant to Chapter 12.12.
SECTION 6. The City Council hereby amends Chapter 16.38 “Signs” of the Municipal Code by replacing it in its entirety with the following:
Chapter 16.38 - SIGNS
Sections:
16.38.010 - Intent and purpose.
A. The provisions of this chapter establish general regulations for the use of signs and other exterior advertising formats within the City. B. Sign regulations are established to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by safeguarding and enhancing property values; protecting public and private investment in buildings and open spaces; improving the appearance of the City as a place in which to live and work, and as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit or trade; encouraging sound signing practices as an aid to business, and to provide information to the traveling public; preventing excessive and confusing sign displays; reducing hazards to motorists and pedestrians, and reducing visual blight. C. No person may erect any sign regulated by this chapter without first obtaining appropriate permits, where required. Such signs must be erected in conformance with the provisions of this Code and any applicable approved sign program.
16.38.012 - Definitions.
A. "Business" for purposes of this chapter has the same meaning as set forth in Section 5.04.010 of this Code and means any employment avocation, occupation, profession, trade, calling, lawful game, show, exhibition, event, venture, fund-raising activity, commercial enterprise, company, corporation, joint enterprise, place of business, partnership or other activity or enterprise engaged in for gain, profit, benefit, advantage or livelihood, whether or not a gain, profit, benefit, advantage or livelihood is earned by such business. B. “Business tenant sign” means a sign that is attached to the exterior of the building entry that a business occupies. C. “Cabinet sign” (also known as a “box sign” or “can” sign) means a sign structure consisting of the frame and face(s), not including the internal components, embellishments or support structure.
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171/187 D. “Copy” means the words, letters, numbers, figures, designs, or other symbolic representations incorporated into the visually communicative elements of a sign. E. “Freestanding sign” means a monument sign or pylon sign as defined in this Code. F. “Freeway-oriented sign” means a sign on a commercial use on a parcel immediately adjacent to the Chino Valley Freeway and as regulated by this Code. G. "Hindu-Arabic numerals" means a positional decimal numeral system utilizing ten different glyphs, 0 through 9. H. "Modern Latin Alphabet" means the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world utilizing 26 letters in upper and lower case type. I. “Monument sign” means a freestanding sign that is detached from a building and having a support structure that is a solid-appearing base constructed of a permanent material, such as concrete block or brick. J. “Neighborhood Identification Sign” means a sign located at the entry to a single family neighborhood for the purpose of identifying the location of the neighborhood within the community. K. “Pedestrian Pathway” means a public sidewalk, private sidewalk or internal pedestrian circulation path. L. “Vehicular Way” means a highway, street, drive aisle or driveway. M. “Project Identification Entry Wall Sign” means a sign face incorporated within the street facing entry wall of a commercial, business park, industrial or multifamily development or a single family neighborhood. N. “Pylon Sign” means a freestanding sign with a visible support structure such as a pole or post. O. "Public right-of-way" for purposes of this chapter has the same meaning as set forth in this Code in Chapter 12.44.020 and means any place of any nature which is dedicated to use by the public for pedestrian and/or vehicular travel, and includes, but is not limited to, a street, sidewalk, curb, gutter, crossing, intersection, parkway, highway, alley, lane, mall, court, way, avenue, boulevard, road, roadway, viaduct, subway, tunnel, bridge, thoroughfare, park, square, and any other similar public way. P. “Sign” means the entire sign, including structure, sign face, lettering and logo. Q. “Sign Face” means the area or portion of a sign on which copy is intended to be placed. R. “Temporary sign” means a sign that is intended to display information to the public for a limited period of time.
16.38.015 - Exempt Signs.
The following signs are exempt from the requirements of this Code and any applicable plan: A. Signs, flags, banners, emblems or notices issued or endorsed by a constituted governmental body, public agency, court, government employee
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172/187 or agent or officer in performance of a public duty, including traffic or highway signs, railroad crossing signs or similar regulatory or warning devices and legal notices. B. Signs located inside a building, courtyard, mall or other similar structure, provided such signs are not conspicuously visible and readable from a public street or adjacent properties not under the same ownership.
16.38.020 - Sign construction and maintenance standards.
All permanent signs shall comply with the following criteria:
A. The sign must be legible to the intended audience under normal viewing conditions, based on its proposed location, and the design of its visual element. B. The sign must not obscure the view of, or detract from, existing signs, based on its location, shape, color, and other considerations. C. Materials and Structure. 1. Sign materials (including those for framing and support) should be representative of the type and scale of materials used on the building or buildings that the sign identifies. To the extent feasible, sign materials should match the materials used on the building and on other signs. 2. Materials selected for permanent signs must be durable and capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance. 3. Cabinet signs are not permitted. D. The sign must be in harmony with adjacent properties and surroundings, based on the size, shape, height, color, placement, and the proximity of the proposed signs to adjacent properties and surroundings; E. Size of signs must be proportional to the scale of the building and the surface they are affixed to. F. The height of a sign is measured from its highest point to its lowest adjacent grade. G. A sign may only be lit by steady, stationary, shielded light directed only at the sign, by light inside the sign, by direct neon or similar lighting. H. External light sources must be directed and shielded to limit direct illumination of any object other than the sign. I. All transformers, equipment, programmers, and other related items must be screened or concealed within the sign structure. J. All permanent signs must be constructed of quality, low-maintenance materials such as metal, concrete, natural stone, glass, acrylics or comparable material. Techniques must be incorporated during construction to reduce fading and damage caused by exposure to sunlight. K. All signs must be constructed in compliance with any applicable building, electrical, or other Code in effect at the time of construction or maintenance.
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173/187 L. Signs must be cleaned and/or repaired as necessary to maintain an attractive appearance and to ensure safe operation of the sign. Unacceptable sign conditions include: broken or missing sign faces, broken or missing letters, chipped or peeling paint, missing or inoperative lights, exposed mechanical or electrical components, and missing or broken fasteners. Failure to respond to a written request from the City to perform maintenance work shall be grounds for revocation of the sign's permit. M. All signs of a discontinued business must be removed within 30 days and the underlying façade shall be restored to its pre-sign condition with no indication of previous signage on the facade.
16.38.023 - Sign design guidelines.
The following design criteria apply to individual signs: A. Colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious with one another and consistent with the dominant colors of the building or buildings being identified. B. The size of the structural members (e.g. columns, crossbeams, and braces) should be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting. In general, fewer larger supporting members are preferable to many smaller supports. C. The use of individual letters incorporated into the building design is encouraged, rather than signs with background and framing other than the building wall. D. Logos should be three-dimensional whenever possible. E. These guidelines do not regulate the message content (copy) of signs; however, the following are principles of copy design and layout that can enhance the readability and attractiveness of signs. Copy design and layout consistent with these principles is encouraged, but not required. 1. Sign copy should relate to the name and/or nature of the business or commercial center. 2. Permanent signs that advertise continuous sales, special prices, etc. should be avoided. 3. Information should be conveyed briefly or by logo, symbol, or other graphic manner. The intent should be to increase the readability of the sign and thereby enhance the identity of the business. 4. Freestanding signs should contain the street address of the parcel or the range of addresses for a multi-tenant center.
16.38.025 - Sign Placement.
A. Signs may be placed on private property only and the property owner must consent to the placement of the sign(s). B. No sign or any portion thereof may extend over the public right-of-way or over a property line onto an adjacent property unless consent is obtained from the adjacent property owner.
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174/187 C. No portion of a sign may be located closer than one foot from the existing public right-of-way line. D. No sign may interfere with a driver's or pedestrian's view of public rights-of- way or in any other manner impair public safety, or interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle on public streets. This includes, without limitation, the driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic. E. No signs may be allowed within clear sight triangles as established by Section 16.06.80 of the Municipal Code. F. Signs may not be erected in any location where the City determines the sign may cause a safety hazard or interfere with any authorized traffic sign. G. No sign may be attached to or painted on natural features such as trees, shrubs or rocks. H. No sign may be attached to or painted on a public utility pole or street light. I. No sign may be painted on a wall, roof or door of a building. J. Signs placed on walls may project no more than eight inches from the wall, and may not project above the roof line or extend over a sidewalk or right-of- way. K. Sign letters may not project below the façade upon which it is placed.
Section 16.38.030 - Permanent Exterior Business Sign Requirements.
To protect and serve the public health, safety and welfare by facilitating the location and identification of premises, every business must have at least one exterior business sign consisting of a business tenant sign, freestanding sign, project identification wall sign and/or freeway-oriented sign as permitted by this Code that complies with all of the following:
A. Shall be oriented to a vehicular way or pedestrian pathway. B. For signs oriented to a vehicular way, such signs shall have a minimum letter height in accordance with Table 1. For each additional thirty feet from the street right-of-way, the minimum letter height shall be increased by one inch in order to be legible from the street. For example, if a sign is located sixty feet from the right-of-way along a street with a speed limit of 35 mph, the minimum letter height would be: 9 inches + (60 feet – 30 feet) X 1 inch/30 feet = 10 inches.
Table 1 Minimum Letter Height for Street and Highway-Oriented Signs
Vehicular Way Legibility Distance (feet) Minimum Letter
(for informational purposes only) Height (inches)
Drive aisle, <200 5 Driveway
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175/187 Local or Private Street 200 7
Collector Street 280 9
Arterial Street 360 12
Highway or ≥445 17 Freeway
C. For signs oriented to a pedestrian pathway, if the required exterior business sign is within fifty feet of the pedestrian pathway, such sign shall have a minimum letter height of three inches. If further than fifty feet from a pedestrian pathway, for each additional thirty feet, the minimum height of the letters must increase by one inch. D. Regardless of the above, for businesses oriented to both vehicular way and pedestrian pathway but for which the vehicular sign is not visible in the pedestrian pathway, such business shall have at least one sign oriented to the vehicular way and one sign visible to the pedestrian way. E. If the required exterior business sign does not contain a word or words in the Modern Latin alphabet, the sign shall also contain a translation or interpretation into words comprised of letters from the Modern Latin alphabet and, if numbers are used, Hindu-Arabic numerals. Such translation or interpretation shall be chosen by the business and contain the business name.
16.38.032 - Permanent Exterior Sign General Number and Size Standards.
The following standards apply to permanent business tenant signs, freestanding signs and project identification wall signs:
A. In all Nonresidential Districts and Mixed Use Districts, building tenant signage shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one building tenant sign per business per vehicular way or pedestrian pathway frontage. 2. Maximum area of a building tenant sign shall be one square foot per one foot of linear lease space frontage, provided the maximum length of a sign shall be no greater than seventy percent of linear lease space frontage. 3. Maximum height of a building tenant sign shall be two feet. B. In all Nonresidential Districts and Mixed Use Districts, freestanding signs shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one freestanding sign per street frontage. 2. Maximum area of a freestanding sign shall be one square foot per one foot of linear street frontage, provided the maximum size of a sign shall be no greater than sixty square feet. 3. Maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be eight feet.
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176/187 C. In all Nonresidential and Mixed Use Districts, project identification wall signs shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one project identification wall sign per street frontage or single family neighborhood entry. 2. A project identification wall sign shall be permitted in lieu of a freestanding sign but not in addition to a freestanding sign. 3. Maximum area of the sign face shall be fifty square feet. 4. Dimensions of the entry wall shall be consistent with the underlying zone. D. In all Residential Districts, project identification wall signs shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one project identification wall sign per street frontage or single family neighborhood entry. 2. A project identification wall sign shall be permitted in lieu of a freestanding sign but not in addition to a freestanding sign. 3. Maximum area of the sign face shall be forty square feet. 4. Dimensions of the entry wall shall be consistent with the underlying zone. E. In all Multifamily Districts, freestanding signs shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one freestanding sign per street frontage. 2. Maximum area of a freestanding sign shall be one square foot per one foot of linear street frontage, provided the maximum size of a sign shall be no greater than sixty square feet. 3. Maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be eight feet. F. For Neighborhood Identification Signs in Single Family Residential Districts, freestanding signs shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one freestanding sign per street frontage. 2. Maximum area of a freestanding sign shall be one square foot per one foot of linear street frontage, provided the maximum size of a sign shall be no greater than sixty square feet. 3. Maximum height of a sign shall be eight feet. G. For all Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts, freestanding signs shall comply with the following standards: 1. Maximum of one freestanding sign per street frontage. 2. Maximum height of a sign shall be four feet. 3. Maximum size of a sign shall be thirty-two square feet. 4. Lettering of a sign shall be centered on the sign face. H. Freestanding signs shall be no closer than fifty feet from another freestanding sign.
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177/187 16.38.034 - Comprehensive Sign Programs.
A. The purpose of a Comprehensive Sign Program is to ensure that permanent signs within a development project are coordinated with the project’s design and in harmony with adjacent properties and the surrounding area. B. A Comprehensive Sign Program is required for every new and substantially remodeled commercial, business park or light industrial project in order to create a coordinated project theme of uniform design elements, such as color, lettering style, and placement. A substantially remodeled project is a physical change to the project façade affecting 25% or more of the entire project building façade; or a physical change to the buildings affecting 25% or more of the total project building area and requiring a building permit pursuant to the Municipal Code. C. An application for a Comprehensive Sign Program shall include a plot plan and elevations that show the location of all proposed signs and detailed designs for all proposed signs, including without limitation, dimensions, materials, colors, font, and illumination and logo. D. Application and processing requirements for Comprehensive Sign Programs shall be the same as set forth in Chapter 16.78 of the Municipal Code.
16.38.035 - Freeway-oriented signs.
Commercial uses on parcels immediately adjacent to the Chino Valley Freeway may install signs that meet the following criteria:
A. Maximum height of freeway-oriented signs shall be one hundred feet. An illustration of maximum sign height is shown in Figure 70-1 of this chapter. B. Maximum sign area for each sign face shall be four hundred square feet. Each sign shall have a maximum of two faces. An illustration of maximum sign size is shown in Figure 70-1. C. Developments of up to ten acres may erect no more than one freeway- oriented sign. Developments of more than ten acres may erect a maximum of two signs. D. Freeway-oriented signs shall not rotate or be animated in any way. E. Freeway-oriented signs consistent with this section may be placed on parcels not immediately adjacent to the freeway. F. The design and location of all freeway-oriented signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission. G. Application and processing requirements for freeway-oriented signs shall be the same as set forth in Chapter 16.78 of the Municipal Code.
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178/187 16.38.070 - Window signs.
Non-residential uses may install or display signage within the windows of an establishment subject to the following criteria:
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179/187 A. No more than twenty-five percent of the window area of a commercial establishment may be covered with signage. 1. Window area shall be defined as the transparent area of all exterior windows and doors of a commercial establishment. 2. Indoor signs and displays located within three feet of a window or door and which are oriented so as to be visible from the exterior of the establishment shall be considered window signage pursuant to this section. B. Window signs shall be located in a manner that does not unreasonably impede visibility into the public areas of the establishment (e.g. lobbies, queuing areas, etc.). C. Visibility may be obscured for windows providing a view of areas intended to be private (e.g. offices, exam rooms, etc.), where restaurant patrons are seated adjacent to windows, where equipment (e.g. coolers, ovens, etc.) is stored or operated, and preparation and maintenance areas. 1. Obscured window area shall not be used for advertising purposes in a manner that results in window signage exceeding twenty-five (25) percent of the window area of the establishment. D. An aggregate of up to four square feet of window signage may be steadily illuminated (neon, LED, or equivalent illumination system). 1. Illumination systems shall not be used to create a border around doors or windows. 2. Signs or illumination systems that flash, change in illumination color or intensity, or are otherwise animated are prohibited. E. Up to an aggregate of five square feet of window area may be used for the posting of flyers by residents and non-profit organizations and shall not be included in the window signage area.
16.38.040 - Temporary Signs - General.
The following standards apply to all temporary signs permitted by this Code:
A. Temporary signs are not restricted by content, but are customarily used to advertise real estate sales, political or ideological positions, garage sales, special events, promotional events, home construction or remodeling. Temporary signs are only allowed as set forth in this section. B. Temporary signs may not be erected within any street intersection, clear sight triangle as established by Section 16.06.80 of the Municipal Code or at any location where the sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign. C. Temporary signs may not be nailed or affixed to any tree, fence post or City public utility pole and shall not be located in the public right-of-way, City parkway or on City-owned land. D. Temporary signs that have an adhesive backing may not be affixed directly to any structure, and must be affixed in a manner that allows for easy removal without damaging the structure and without the need for specialized tools.
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180/187 E. Temporary signs may not be illuminated. F. All temporary signs and banners must be made of a material designed to maintain an attractive appearance for as long as the sign is displayed. G. Temporary signs, if permitted by this Code to exceed thirty-two square feet and/or six feet in height, may require a permit through the City Building Division. H. Temporary flags erected on a building if permitted by this Code that exceed four feet by six feet in size or temporary flags if permitted by this Code erected on a ground mounted pole that exceed fifteen feet in height require a permit through the City Building Division. I. Temporary signs posted in violation of this section are subject to removal by the City. Each violation of this section constitutes an infraction.
16.38.042 - Temporary Real Estate Signs authorized by Civil Code Section 713.
A. Temporary real estate signs are permitted in any zoning district when placed on real property that is for sale, lease, or exchange by the owner or his or her agent. B. In Single Family Zoning districts, temporary real estate signs shall have a maximum area of six square feet and a maximum height of five feet per sign. For double-sided signs, only the area of one side shall be counted toward the maximum area allowed. C. In Non-Residential and Multifamily Zoning districts, temporary real estate signs shall have a maximum area of thirty-two square feet and a maximum height of eight feet per sign. For double-sided signs, only the area of one side shall be counted toward the maximum area allowed. D. Only one temporary real estate sign is permitted on a parcel at one time except that one additional sign of the same size is permitted if the parcel borders a second street and the copy on each sign is not visible simultaneously from either street. E. Temporary real estate signs must be removed within ten days from the sale, lease or exchange of the property.
16.38.045 - Temporary Real Estate Signs and Flags placed in connection with new residential development projects consisting of multiple single family residential units or multifamily units, or an approved increment or phase.
A. A maximum of two temporary real estate signs placed in connection with new residential development projects are permitted within the development project boundaries. These signs may be located at the entrances to the residential development project and at the sales office site. B. Temporary real estate signs placed in connection with new residential development projects may have a maximum area of thirty-two square feet per lot in all zoning districts. For double-sided signs, only the area of one side shall be counted toward the maximum area allowed. Maximum height
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181/187 of temporary real estate signs placed in connection with new residential development projects may be no more than ten feet in all zoning districts. C. Temporary real estate flags placed in connection with new residential development projects may have a maximum area of twenty-four square feet per lot in all zoning districts. Maximum height of temporary real estate flags placed in connection with new residential development projects may be no more than fifteen feet in all zoning districts. D. A maximum of fifteen temporary real estate flags placed in connection with new residential development projects may be permitted. E. Temporary real estate signs and flags placed in connection with a new residential development must be removed within ten days from the sale of the last unit within the residential development.
16.38.046 - Temporary Election Season Signs.
Temporary election season signs are permitted in any zoning district subject to the following limitations:
A. Temporary election season signs may contain any noncommercial or commercial message. B. Temporary election season signs shall have a maximum area of eight square feet per sign in residential zoning districts and thirty-two square feet per sign in all other zoning districts. For double-sided signs, only the area of one side shall be counted toward the maximum area allowed. C. Maximum height of temporary election season signs shall be no more than five feet in residential zoning districts and eight feet in all other zoning districts. D. In residential zoning districts, the maximum total sign area shall be thirty-two (32) square feet per parcel, provided the maximum individual sign size is not exceeded. In all other zoning districts, there is no limit to the number of signs. E. Temporary election season signs may not be placed more than forty-five days before an election at which residents of Chino Hills are eligible to vote. All such signs must be removed within ten days after the election is held.
16.38.047 Temporary Banners and Flags placed in connection with a special event or promotional event.
A. A special event is as defined in Section 12.36.020 of the Municipal Code. B. A promotional event is an occasion that draws attention to a particular business activity or product, such as a grand opening, sale or new product. C. Temporary banners and flags in connection with a special event or promotional event may be placed only on the private properties and only in non-residential districts.
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182/187 D. Temporary banners and flags placed in connection with a special event or promotional event shall be limited to the following: At no time shall a business display more than one banner or two flags per street frontage. E. Temporary banners in connection with a special event or promotional event may not exceed forty-five square feet. Banners may be displayed on wall or fence areas only of leased/owned space. F. Temporary flags for a special event or promotional event may not exceed ten feet in height and fourteen square feet in total area. Flags may be displayed within the front or side yard setback area. G. All temporary banners and flags displayed in connection with a special event or promotional event are subject to the approval of a Temporary Banner and Flag Permit. The maximum time period for display of a banner or flag approved in connection with a special event or promotional event shall be sixty days within a ninety day period, and a maximum of four events per calendar year. H. Temporary banners and flags placed in connection with a special event or promotional event shall be displayed no sooner than thirty days prior to the event and shall be removed no later than five days after the event. I. Temporary banners and flags placed in connection with a special event or promotional event shall not be used in lieu of permanent business tenant signage, except for a sixty day period following the businesses grand opening. J. All temporary banners and flags displayed in connection with a special event or promotional event must, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director or designee, be compatible with the design of the existing nonresidential facility and its signs, except that banners and flags may feature seasonal design themes. K. All temporary banners or flags for a special event or promotional event must display an approved city banner permit sticker. L. Temporary banners or flags for a special event or promotional event must be removed within ten days from the end of the special event or promotional event.
16.38.050 - Additional Signs.
A. The following additional signs may be permitted: 1. Service station product price signs, provided such signs do not exceed twenty four square feet in area per sign. One such sign shall be allowed per street frontage. For double-sided signs, only the area of one side shall be counted toward the maximum area allowed. 2. Drive-in restaurant menu boards, including those with speakers, provided each sign does not exceed thirty square feet. For double-sided signs, only the area of one side shall be counted toward the maximum area allowed. No more than two such signs shall be permitted per site. 3. Movable or portable A-frame and H-frame signs placed on commercial, business park, and light industrial zoned parcels, provided that such
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183/187 signs do not exceed six square feet in area per side or face. Movable or portable A-frame and H-frame signs cannot have more than two sides or faces and shall not exceed four feet in height. One such sign is allowed per business storefront, and may be placed immediately adjacent to the main entrance of that business. The sign is intended to be visible from the interior of the commercial, business park or light industrial parcel in which the business is located. The sign may not be visible from the public rights-of-way and shall not impede pedestrian or vehicular travel or pathways. All portable A-frame or H-frame signs must be removed from public display at the end of each business day.
Section 16.38.060 - Message substitution.
Noncommercial copy may be substituted for any commercial or noncommercial copy on any sign that is allowed by this Code, whether permitted or exempt. Message substitution may be made without any additional City approval or permitting. This section prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary within this Code. The purpose of this Section is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message. This section does not create a right to increase the total amount of signage on property, does not affect the permitting requirements of this Code, and does not override terms and conditions in private contracts.
16.38.080 - Prohibited Signs.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A. Signs that make sounds. B. Signs that obscure, imitate or otherwise limit the effectiveness of official traffic control signs or devices. C. Signs that display any statement or symbol of an obscene nature as to offend the public morals or decency. D. Tethered balloons or other inflatable devices used to draw attention to a use or event, except as follows: 1. Inflatable devices (those filled with pressurized air) may be displayed on private property for commercial and noncommercial purposes, only in conjunction with a special event as defined in Chapter 12.36.020 of the Chino Hills Municipal Code, subject to the requirements listed below. a. Inflatable devices must be placed on and tethered to the ground only. These devices may not be displayed on a rooftop. b. A maximum of one inflatable device is permitted per business or within a shopping center at any given time. c. Inflatable devices may not exceed a height or width of twenty feet. E. Signs with flashing elements.
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184/187 F. Signs that are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light being directed at any portion of the traveled way or that are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or that may otherwise interfere with the operation of a motor vehicle.
16.38.090 - Enforcement.
A. In addition to the following provisions, violations of this Chapter are subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1.36. B. The following signs are hereby declared to be public nuisances: 1. Any sign or advertising structure, including flags, unlawfully constructed, placed on, or unlawfully projecting over land owned in fee simple by a governmental entity, or unlawfully on or over a public right-of-way without a permit as provided in the Chino Hills Municipal Code Chapter 12.12. 2. Any sign declared to be hazardous or unsafe by the City. Hazardous or unsafe signs shall include those which are determined to be capable of causing harm to the public or to property (a) directly, through collapse or deterioration, or (b) indirectly, by obscuring sight lines or creating a hazard to pedestrians, motorists, or other persons. C. A city enforcement officer may move, remove, and/or dispose of a sign or advertising structure that has been declared a public nuisance pursuant to the Municipal Code. In addition, an enforcement officer may authorize any work required to correct a hazardous or unsafe condition. D. A city enforcement officer shall charge the cost of moving, removing, disposing, correcting, storing, repairing, or working on a sign or sign structure to any one or all of the following, each of which shall be jointly and individually liable for such expense: 1. The permittee; 2. The owner of the sign; 3. The owner of the premises on which the sign is located; 4. The sign lessee or lessor. E. The charge for expenses shall be in addition to any penalty for the violation. F. Signs removed by the City which are made of paper, cardboard, lightweight plastic, or similar materials may be discarded immediately. All other removed signs shall be held no less than thirty days after notice and hearing (as provided in the Municipal Code) by the City, during which period it may be recovered by the owner upon paying the City for costs of removal and storage. If not recovered within the allowed thirty day period, the sign and structure is declared abandoned and title to such sign and structure shall vest in the City.
SECTION 7. The City Council hereby repeals Chapter 7 of Appendix D “Sign Regulations” of the Chino Hills Municipal Code in its entirety.
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185/187 SECTION 8. If any part of this Ordinance or its application is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the City Council states its intention that such invalidity will not affect the effectiveness of the remaining provisions or applications and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
SECTION 9. This Ordinance must be broadly construed in order to achieve the purposes stated in this Ordinance. The City Council states its intension intention that the provisions of this Ordinance be interpreted or implemented by the City and others in a manner that facilitates the purposes set forth in this Ordinance.
SECTION 10. The City Clerk is directed to certify the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, cause it to be entered into the City of Chino Hill’s book of original ordinances, make a note of the passage and adoption in the records of this meeting, and, within fifteen days after the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, cause it to be published or posted in accordance with California law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ______day of ______, 2017
______RAY MARQUEZ, MAYOR
ATTEST:
______CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______MARK D. HENSLEY, CITY ATTORNEY
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186/187 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO ) ss CITY OF CHINO HILLS )
I, CHERYL BALZ, City Clerk of the City of Chino Hills, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that Ordinance No. ______was duly introduced at a regular meeting held ______; and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the ___ day of ______, 2017 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
______CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK
I hereby certify that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance No. _____ duly passed and adopted by the Chino Hills City Council at their regular meeting held on ______and that summaries of the Ordinance were published on ______and ______in the Chino Hills Champion newspaper.
______CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK
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