ORD 1894 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ordinance No. 1894 Page 2 3. Local topographical conditions include hills on the western boarder and flat area on the eastern boarder. Interstate 680 divides the City into two sections, and circulation between areas of the City rely on freeway overpasses. In addition, local traffic must also pass over railroad tracks, creeks, and bridges (to cross arroyos). During peak a.m. and p.m. traffic periods, the City experiences heavy traffic congestion at key intersections, and near many freeway on-ramp and off-ramps. In the event of an accident or emergency at one of these key intersections, bridges, or other circulation corridors, sections of the City could become isolated and response times increased beyond ideal levels. 4. Based on the local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions outlined above, there is a real risk that emergency response could be significantly delayed in the event of an accident or emergency. Therefore, it is necessary to address this problem through the requirement of additional mitigation measures to prevent the chance of accident or injury by requiring standards more stringent than required by the current code. WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City, before making any modifications or changes pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 17958 and Section 17958.5, shall make an express finding that such modification of change is needed; and WHEREAS, such findings must be made available as a public record and a copy thereof with each such modification or change shall be filed with the California Building Standards Commission; and WHEREAS, on September 16, 2003, the City Council hereby made factual findings set forth in respective section of Title 20 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code relating to the amendments made to the uniform code; and WHEREAS, the factual findings made then continue to be valid and relate to the amendments made to the uniform code in this adoption; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby determines that the proposed ordinance, presented herewith, establishes requirements greater than those set forth in the 2001 Edition of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (24 C.C.R.), as adopted by the City of Pleasanton and set forth in Section 20.08.056 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the aforementioned change which is set forth in this ordinance is reasonably necessary, and said Council further finds that the following factors support the local necessity for the aforementioned proposed change; As to Section 20.08.056 (Design Methods), the City of Pleasanton is located in a very active seismic area (seismic zone 4) and is located roughly between the Calavaras and Greenville faults. The topography of the City of Pleasanton is such that significant areas of the City are either in an ancient swamp basin or on hill slopes. The great majority of soils (based on soils reports on file) in the City are of a clayey material. This clayey material is susceptible to constant expansion and shrinkage, which adversely affects the foundation of any structure. Recent seismic events such as Loma Preita and in Southern