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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 03-09-2026 PresentationsPC 03-09-2026 #2 Update to the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan Presentations CITY OF CUPERTINO HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION March 9, 2026 Agenda 1.Introductions 2.Health and Safety Element Overview 3.Key Updates 4.Next Steps 5.Questions and Discussion Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 3 Introductions City of Cupertino Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community Development Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager PlaceWorks, Consultant to the City Eli Krispi, Interim Project Manager Tammy L. Seale, Principal Jacqueline Protsman Rohr, Project Manager Miles Barker, Associate HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT OVERVIEW Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 5 What is a Safety Element? Mandatory part of a General Plan. Identifies hazards of concern and related risks to the community. Sets policies to help increase resilience to natural disasters and other hazards. Current element adopted in 2014. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 6 Health and Safety Element Update Required after Housing Element update to ensure compliance with current State law. Addresses new statutory requirements and hazards, such as climate change, wildfire, and extreme heat. Incorporates Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Enhances eligibility for FEMA funding. Health and Safety Element Emergency Operations Plan Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Climate Action Plan 2.0 Short-term, focused plan with implementation actions Details the City’s approach for emergency response and recoveryNet-zero GHG emission roadmap; informs climate resilience policies Reduces fire hazards through increased information, education, and recommendations Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 7 Changes to State Law SB 1241, adopted in 2012 (Govt. Code § 65302(g)(3)) •Update wildfire sections. •Identify responsible agencies. •Minimize risks for new buildings and essential facilities. SB 379, adopted in 2015 (Govt. Code § 65302(g)(4)) •Prepare climate change vulnerability assessment. •Develop goals, policies, and actions to increase adaptation and resilience. AB 2140 (Govt. Code § 65302.6) •Enables incorporation of local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) into a General Plan’s Safety Element. AB 2684, adopted in 2024 (Govt. Code §65302.01) •Requires Safety Element update to address extreme heat upon next General Plan element update on or after January 1, 2028. •Requires ongoing review to identify new information on extreme heat hazards. SB 99, adopted in 2019 (Govt. Code § 65302(g)(5)) •Identify evacuation-constrained residential areas. AB 747, adopted in 2019 and AB 1409, adopted in 2021 (Govt. Code § 65302.15) •Identify evacuation route capacity, safety, viability and evacuation locations. •Evaluate evacuation under multiple hazard scenarios. KEY UPDATES Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 9 Overview of Policy Updates Aligned wildfire standards with updated State law and CAL FIRE mapping. Updated and refined other hazard sections to align with State law and best practices. Enhanced floodplain and critical facility protection standards. Added new evacuation access and route management policies, based on findings from the 2025 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment and Residential Constrained Parcel Analysis. Expanded climate adaptation and resilience policies based on revised Vulnerability Assessment. Reinforced infrastructure resilience and continuity planning. Clarified application of standards to new vs. existing development. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 10 Emergency Preparedness & Infrastructure Resilience Expanded emergency communications policies. Multilingual alert systems emphasized. Strengthened regional coordination. Strengthened evacuation communication and coordination protocols. Reinforced resilience of critical municipal infrastructure systems. Recognized Public Safety Power Shutoffs as an ongoing hazard risk. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 11 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment City-led evacuation study (2025). Evaluated evacuation capacity, safety, and viability under three wildfire scenarios, including post-earthquake conditions and potential road closures. Identified evacuation route constraints and evacuation timing considerations. Capacity Ability of evacuation routes to accommodate traffic volumes during emergency conditions, including roadway throughput and intersection performance. Safety Extent to which evacuation routes remain usable and free from hazard impacts, such as flooding, structural damage, debris, or reduced visibility. Viability Whether transportation infrastructure can reasonably enable evacuation within required timeframes, considering capacity constraints and operational conditions. AB 747 Evacuation Study Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 12 Evacuation Planning & Emergency Access Policy Responses in Updated Element Incorporated study findings into hazard mapping and background analysis. Added policies supporting multiple evacuation routes where feasible for new development. Reinforced ingress and egress standards in development review process. Strengthened coordination with emergency management agencies for effective response planning. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 13 Wildfire Hazard Mapping & Risk Reduction Incorporated updated CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) mapping for Local and State Responsibility Areas. Replaced the prior Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (WUIFA) mapping framework with the adopted LRA FHSZ designations. Revised and added wildfire risk reduction policies to align with State law, consistent with CAL FIRE’s standard recommendations. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 14 Wildfire Risk Reduction Policies Existing Development Strengthened defensible space and vegetation management requirements (Public Resources Code §4291 and Government Code §51182). Roadway repair and maintenance to meet current fire safety and evacuation standards (California Building Code Chapter 7A). Fuel break and emergency access route maintenance coordinated with CAL FIRE and Santa Clara County Fire Department. Discouraged electric security gates that impede emergency access. Recovery and redevelopment standards following major fire events to reduce future risk. New Development Early Fire Department review and response time evaluation. Ignition-resistant construction and Class A roofing (California Building Code Chapter 7A). Fire Protection Plans required for new projects (California Fire Code Chapter 49). Multiple ingress/egress and emergency access standards (California Building Code Chapter 7A). Water service extensions and fire flow verification prior to approval. Restrictions on subdivisions and density increases in High and Very High FHSZs. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 15 Seismic & Geologic Hazards Updated landslide and steep slope hazard discussion and mapping for clarity and consistency with current data. Refined discussion of cascading impacts from seismic events to better reflect potential hazard interactions. Clarified discussion of potential infrastructure disruption affecting emergency access during seismic events. Clarified existing geotechnical review requirements for new development to align with current City and State regulations. Clarified limitations on grading on steep slopes consistent with existing City standards. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 16 Hazardous Waste & Materials Updated regulatory references to reflect current State and County oversight requirements. Reinforced environmental site assessment requirements. Maintained stringent risk reduction measures for development near known hazardous materials sites. Strengthened commitment to coordinate with regulatory agencies for ongoing cleanup and monitoring activities. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 17 Flood & Inundation Hazards Updated FEMA floodplain mapping. Clarified dam failure and inundation areas. Identified critical infrastructure and essential facilities in flood-prone areas. Strengthened standards for new development and redevelopment in flood-prone areas, while existing uses must meet federal and State requirements. Reinforced coordination with flood control agencies. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 18 Climate Vulnerability Assessment Integration Integrated SB 379 Vulnerability Assessment. Flooding, extreme heat, wildfire identified as highest risk. Identified vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure. Added adaptation and resilience strategies. Climate considerations integrated across hazard sections. Added policies and implementation strategies to expand emergency preparedness outreach, education, and support for vulnerable populations. Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 19 New vs. Existing Development Standards Mentions if the requirements apply to new development, redevelopment, or both, consistent with State wildfire planning requirements (Gov. Code §65302(g); SB 1241). Identifies risk reduction strategies for existing neighborhoods where many State building standards apply primarily to new development. Specifies policy triggers (e.g., subdivision size, change of use, site modification thresholds) to clarify when State and local fire safety requirements apply. Improves transparency and predictability in development review. Supports consistent implementation aligned with State wildfire safety and evacuation planning requirements (SB 99; AB 747; PRC §4290–4291; CBC Chapter 7A). Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 20 Noise Element Part of the Health and Safety Element, but not part of the comprehensive update. Minor updates were made to ensure consistency with current municipal requirements. Revisions reflect input from the Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission during the 2025 study sessions. Added implementation strategies to guide review of new noise-generating uses, including public and private recreational activities near residential areas. Added consideration of restrictions on quarry truck operations during designated quiet hours. NEXT STEPS Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 22 Next Steps Incorporate feedback from Planning Commission, City Council, and the public. Public Review Submit draft for mandatory 90-day review prior to public hearings. CAL FIRE Review Prepare Addendum to the certified General Plan EIR. CEQA Planning Commission and City Council public hearings anticipated in Fall 2026. Public Hearings WE ARE HERE Planning Commission Study Session | March 9, 2026 23 Recommended action Receive the presentation and provide input on the Public Draft of the Health and Safety Element. QUESTIONS?