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PAC Minutes July 20, 2005 6:00 PM Interpretative Center In Attendance: Barbara Venezia, Mary Slouka , Roger Summers, Peter Macdonald, Greg Carroll, Gary Hall , Harold Klassen, Davis Stieve, Ted Nichols, Rick Dayton, Richard Moriarty Excused absences: 0 Guests: Chief Riley, Dave Kiff, 1: Chairman’s Remarks: I would like to welcome you all here tonight for this Special PAC meeting dealing with the Fire Station over lay language to the Specific Plan and the Draft for the Fire Training Center Operations Procedure. It's important to keep PAC's purpose in focus... We are an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors and also to the City of Newport Beach. We can't make any binding decisions, or set any policies. We can only submit recommendations to both agencies. We have been in existence since 1982. We are not a policing agency and are not a homeowners association. Our primary responsibility is to make suggestions on projects to the City and Board of Supervisors as to how and where to spend the Redevelopment dollars to improve our community, and monitoring those projects as they move forward. We also follow and make sure the Specific Plan is implemented and adhered to. That being said let’s recap our last PAC meeting. At the June PAC meeting the Fire Chief presented the issue that the training tower would require an adjustment to the Specific Plan due to the height of 4 stories tall. Our Specific Plan calls for a maximum of three story structures. After much discussion and concern about adjusting the Specific Plan and how this higher structure would look and impact the direct neighbors to the left, story poles were erected to demonstrate the location and height of the training tower. It is my understanding and the Chief will talk about this later, that the overwhelming majority of folks who checked in had no objection to the height and location. In fact what I heard over and over again was that residents felt more secure knowing a fire station was so close to the neighborhood and hoped the fire fighters who worked there were as well trained as possible. Our job at PAC is to protect our Specific Plan, and though we have made changes in the past, we do not do this lightly. That is why I asked Rick Dayton our Development Committee Chairman and also Chairman of our fire station sub committee to work with Dave Kiff on developing language that will be presented today to adjust the Specific Plan to accommodate the height requirement and protect us in the future as not setting a precedent. Rick and Dave took all the concerns that were voiced at the last PAC meeting and I do believe addressed them in the document we will not hear about. After Rick and Dave present their document, we will open the floor to comments from PAC members and public comments & question. If you wish to speak please raise your hand and I will call on you in an orderly fashion…..afterwards the PAC will be asked to make a motion to vote on this document. ….. Dave Kiff presents this document. The PAC seems to have no issue with the language here. Richard Moriarity asks about the use of fire. ORDINANCE NO. 2005-___ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 20.44.071 TO TITLE 20 OF THE NEWPORT BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO A FIRE FACILITY OVERLAY DISTRICT IN SANTA ANA HEIGHTS NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, HEREBY ORDAINS as follows: SECTION 1: Chapter 20.44.071 of Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows: 20.44.071 Fire Facility Overlay District A. Purpose. The Fire Facility (“FF”) Overlay District shall be established solely to provide for municipal fire protection and a municipal fire training center that serves residents and businesses in and around Newport Beach and surrounding communities. The District shall allow a municipal fire station, a classroom-style fire training room, and a municipal Fire Training Center (“FTC”) that includes one 4-story training tower. The tower may be of a height and design that will allow Fire Department personnel to train for fire suppression and rescue activities that could reasonably occur within the city limits of Newport Beach, given the height and size of residential and commercial buildings in the city. In no instance shall the FF Overlay District be assigned to properties that do not directly involve municipal fire suppression and municipal fire training activities. B. Principal Uses Permitted. A municipal fire station, a fire training classroom, and a municipal FTC only are permitted within the Business Park District when assigned an “FF” overlay designation, subject to approval of a use permit by the Planning Director. C. Site Development Standards. 1. Building Height: The maximum building height for a FTC in the FF overlay shall be forty-five (45) feet above nearest adjacent grade to the top of parapet, top of ridge, and top of miscellaneous building elements such as mechanical roof screens, guardrails, cowels, vents, and antennae. The maximum height for other structures shall be per Specific Plan BP District criteria in Section 20.44.050 F.4. 2. Building Design. All buildings, including the FTC, shall maintain a consistent design theme through the use of similar and compatible building materials, finishes, and colors. A Materials and Colors Palette for all buildings, including the FTC, shall be reviewed by SAHPAC and approved by the City Council. SAHPAC shall be notified and may review any proposed changes to the approved Materials and Colors Palette. 3. Lighting. Fixed or permanent lighting on the site shall comply with the following: a. Lighting shall be in compliance with applicable standards of the Zoning Code. Exterior on-site lighting shall be shielded and confined within site boundaries. No direct rays or glare are permitting to shine onto public streets or adjacent sites or to create a public nuisance. “Walpak” type fixtures are not permitted. Parking area lighting shall have zero cut-off fixtures and light standards shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height. b. The site shall not be excessively illuminated based on the luminance recommendations of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, or, if in the opinion of the Planning Director, the illumination creates an unacceptable negative impact on surrounding land uses or environmental resources. The Planning Director may order the dimming of light sources or other remediation upon finding that the site is excessively illuminated. c. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall prepare a photometric study in conjunction with a final lighting plan for approval by the Planning Department. d. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or final building permits, the applicant shall schedule an evening inspection by the Code and Water Quality Enforcement Division to confirm control of light and glare. 4. Fire water spray. Training operations involving water shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes water overspray on adjacent properties or vehicles. Where overspray has been conclusively determined by the City’s Risk Manager to have impacted property or vehicles, the City shall address potential impacts via the City’s claims process. 5. Facility Operations Policy. The Fire Chief shall develop, subject to the Planning Director’s approval following one public meeting with the surrounding community, an FTC Operations Policy that shall govern the operations of the facility(s). Any changes to or deviations from the approved FTC Operations Policy that constitute an intensification of use or a recurring nuisance to the surrounding community must be approved by the Planning Director after a public meeting and an advisory vote by PAC. The Policy shall generally identify: a. Hours and days of operation for the FTC, including any night-time or weekend training activities; b. The City’s policy regarding allowing outside agencies to use the FTC; c. The Fire Department’s planned use of water, smoke, or imitation smoke; and d. A plan to inform the surrounding community via electronic means, such as a Web site notification, if a specific training exercise may add to noise, traffic, or other activity levels outside of normal training patterns. 6. Other Standards. All other site development standards shall follow the Business Park District’s site development standards as shown in Chapter 20.44.050. D. District Location. The FF Overlay District shall be confined to the properties at 20401 Acacia Street and at 1971 Mesa Drive. If such properties are consolidated into one address, the Overlay shall apply to the single consolidated property. SECTION 2: This Chapter shall become effective thirty (30) days subsequent to its adoption. SECTION 3: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the official newspaper within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. ************************* Public comments on the ordinance: Roger wants the Planning Commission to revue not just the Planning Director any new Fire Station Station Zone changes. John Baile has concerns about possible water overspray on the cars in the office building. Discussion was held on the type of smoke used in the Training Tower and the type of Lighting used at night on the Training Tower Harold A Anderson wanted to know why we needed a Tower at all. The chief addressed that question and explained that we the time the fire fighters train away from the stations is far too much and inefficient. Newport needs its own training facility. Donna Carroll wanted to know where the training was done now. The Fire Chief told her that it was done at many different locations Beverly Waverly wanted to know what other agencies would use the Facility. The Fire Chief told her the police could use it as well as the college and maybe some other cities. Richard Moriarity makes a motion to vote to approve the 20.44.071 Fire Facility Overlay District ordinance with the one change in language “an advisory vote on PAC” in section 5. Mary 2nds 9 in favor 2 against motion carries\ ****************** Fire Chief starts to talk about the training tower and the facility locations. Peter Mac Donald asks about the sight line of the training tower to balance the competing interests/ The Chief feels that the area it is located in now is the perfect location on the property. The Chief feels that there is a balance of competing interests. Rick Dayton stated that he thought where the story poles are , is the best location for this tower. Rick talks about landscape screening. The Chief talks about the screening and has had talks with the building owner next door. Richard Moriarity makes a motion to keep the training tower where the story poles are the highest point of the tower 120 feet from the northern property line. Peter Seconds 10 people vote yes one objection motion passes. There was discussion about the fact that the sub committee will continue to meet with the Fire Chief and the architects and find the proper color for the training tower as well as the lighting and shrubs. The fact is that the training tower will not be very visible from the street as it is located behind the Fire Station. This committee will report back to PAC in Oct. **************************** The following is a Draft that was sent to us on July 13th,2005 by Chief Riley. Since the facility is not built yet, this is only a draft of operations and once the facility is built there maybe some modifications as they begin to operate. Policy 8.C.100 – Fire Training Center Operations Procedure The Newport Beach Fire Training Center (FTC), was developed in partnership with the Rancho Santiago Community College District to provide an appropriate fire training and educational environment within the corporate limits of the City of Newport Beach. It is of the highest importance that our fire and lifeguard personnel have the knowledge, skills and abilities to respond in a safe, effective and expeditious manner to emergencies in our community. The purpose of the FTC is to provide a venue for fire department training and education. However, it may also be used by other city departments or other outside agencies and community groups pursuant to guidelines found in this procedure. The FTC is located at 20401 Acacia Street, adjacent to the Santa Ana Heights’s community’s Business Park area and is within proximity to some Santa Ana Heights residences. It is under the flight path for John Wayne Airport (JWA). All personnel using the FTC or facilitating its use by outside agencies shall strive to be “good neighbors” when traveling to or from the FTC or when using the FTC to conduct training activities that may impact the local environment. All activity at the FTC by the Fire Department or any other approved user shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in this procedure. 8.C.100.02 INTENDED USE OF THE FIRE TRAINING CENTER The FTC is comprised of a fire training classroom, a four-story training tower and training drill ground co-located with a Newport Beach Fire Station on 2.1 acres. The FTC has been designed to accommodate basic fire and rescue training and education. Because of the design of the FTC, its location under the flight path for JWA, and its proximity to neighboring properties, certain training activities are not appropriate at this facility. This would include any training activities that generate products of combustion or by-products of training simulations that would leave the outer perimeter of the FTC and impact neighboring properties, such as: smoke from ordinary combustibles, agents from dry-chemical extinguishers that become airborne, water or other extinguishing agents that may spray into an adjacent property, etc. Any training activity that is inappropriate for this environment shall be conducted at an off-site training center designed to accommodate these activities (i.e Costa Mesa, Central Net, North Net, OCFA, etc.) This also includes any large-volume or extended-duration pumping operations and training which should be conducted at the San Joaquin Reservoir (an Irvine Ranch Water District [IRWD] facility) in Newport Ridge pursuant to Policy 8.C.400 )Pump Operations at the San Joaquin Reservoir). The fire training classroom that has been designed to accommodate 32 persons in a class room setting and up to 80 persons in a theater setting. It may also be used as an alternate Emergency Operations Center should an emergency render the primary EOC (currently located at the Police Headquarters on Santa Barbara) unusable or inappropriate. This class room may be used by non-Fire Department agencies when such use does not conflict with Fire Department needs. The outside training grounds are intended to be used for overflow parking should the classroom be used for an event that attracts non-Fire Department attendance in excess of the public parking located at the front of the Fire Station. 8.C.100.03 SCHEDULING THE USE OF THE FIRE TRAINING CENTER The FTC is first and foremost to be used for Newport Beach Fire Department training and education activities. All use of the FTC by Fire Department personnel shall be coordinated through the Training Division office or through the on-duty Fire Battalion Chief when the Training Division office is closed. The FTC may also be used by other City Departments when such use is not in conflict with Fire Department use and has been scheduled through the Training Division office. In accordance with the agreement between the City and the Rancho Santiago Community College District, the District may also use the FTC when such use is not in conflict with Fire Department use and has been scheduled through the Training Division office. Certain outside fire agencies may be permitted to use the FTC when such use is not in conflict with Fire Department use and has been scheduled through the Training Division office. The use of the FTC by non-Fire Department agencies will be significantly limited to ensure adequate availability to meet Fire Department training needs. The Training Division office will consider the following priorities when scheduling the use of the FTC: a) Scheduled NB Fire Department Training b) Scheduled NB Fire Department Community Education Programs c)Unscheduled NB Fire Department Training approved by the on-duty Fire Battalion Chief d)Scheduled use by the Santa Ana College Fire Technology Division e) Scheduled use by another City Department f) Scheduled use of the Training Room by a community group g) Scheduled use by outside fire agencies Roger proposes that any non profit organization based in Santa Ana Hts. Be not chargesd for use of the rooms depending on availability. Chief to ask Revenue Dept. and talk with Dave Kiff. Since the fire training classroom, the training tower and the training drill ground may be used simultaneously for different activities, the Training Division office must be sure to avoid any scheduling that could lead to incompatible activities. Care must be taken when scheduling the training room so that any on-site parking requirements do not conflict with training tower and drill ground operations. 8.C.100.04 DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION Every day is a training day. Therefore, the FTC is available for use seven days a week. However, certain days of the week and times of day are preferred in order to reduce the impacts of noise and traffic on the surrounding area. Therefore, the FTC is to be scheduled as follows: Training Tower and Drill Ground Monday through Saturday: from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM* Training Classroom Monday through Saturday: from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM- a suggestion from PAC rather than closing at 9. Sundays and Holidays: from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM** * The use of the training tower and/or drill grounds on Sundays and Holidays shall be Newport Beach Fire Department ONLY. ** The use of the training classroom on Sundays and Holidays shall be Newport Beach Fire Department and Community Groups ONLY. Any training conducted outside of these guidelines (i.e. quarterly night drills) must be approved by the Training Division Chief prior to scheduling. Use of the training tower or drill grounds conducted outside of these scheduling guidelines are to be conducted in such a way as to reduce or eliminate any impacts to neighboring properties from noise, light, or other adverse impacts. The Training Division Chief will endeavor to provide advanced notice (by e-mail) to interested parties of any training planned outside of these guidelines. 8.C.100.05 SITE ACCESS AND ENTRY Although the Fire Station and FTC are co-located on the same site, they are being operated as separate business operations. Therefore, their mutual security is essential in order to maintain a safe and secure environment. The Fire Station and FTC have been designed to restrict access to permitted users. Perimeter security fencing, electronically-operated gates, and controlled-access locks on facility doors have been installed and are expected to be kept secure except when operated for appropriate business needs. Access to the Fire Station is controlled through the use of cyber locks. Only specified City employees shall be issued access cards for this facility. Fire Station personnel are to keep the facility secured except when personnel are physically present and able to observe the affected access point(s). This includes the rear-access electronically-operated gates, the apparatus room doors, and al exterior-accessible man doors. This level of vigilance will restrict any unauthorized user of the Fire Station or FTC from accessing the FTC through the Fire Station. Access to the training grounds or training tower by Fire Department personnel may occur through the rear-access electronically controlled gate, which may be operated by an Opticom strobe emitter or Knox Key switch. When frequent and repeated access is necessary for training activities or a public function, the gate may be kept open by placing the Knox Key switch in the “Stay Open” position. Persons accessing the training grounds or tower through this gate are responsible for ensuring the gate is closed and secured when leaving the premises. Access to the FTC by any non-Fire Department user shall be arranged through the Training Division office. Fire Station personnel are not responsible for ensuring access to the FTC by non-Fire Department users unless such access has been pre-arranged through the Training Division office. 8.C.100.06 USE OF WATER FOR FIRE TRAINING ACTIVTIES Basic and advanced fire training evolutions include the deployment of large and small diameter hose streams and master stream devices. The FTC has been designed to collect and recycle water used during such evolutions. The collection drains installed in the drill ground return storm water and water used during training evolutions to a collection tank, where it is picked up and returned to the drill ground hydrant system via an electric pump. The fire hydrant located next to the FTC entrance gate is a domestic fire hydrant supplied by IRWD. The IRWD will charge us for any water used from this hydrant. Therefore, personnel are encouraged to use the drill ground hydrant system and refrain from using the IRWD hydrant unless it is necessary for training purposes or to replenish the drill ground system. When operating hose streams or master stream devices on the drill ground, the following things shall be considered: 1. The use of foam is inconsistent with the efficient operation of the drill ground hydrant system. Do NOT use foam during training evolutions at the FTC. 2. Do NOT direct hose streams or master stream devices at the training tower for extended periods of time. It is not designed to withstand high-pressure applications of water. 3.Be AWARE of the proximity of our neighbors to the north of the FTC and cars that may be parked on Acacia. Take all necessary precautions to prevent hose streams or master streams from straying over the fences and onto offsite buildings or vehicles. 4.Water spray into the golf course driving range is permitted but discouraged. 8.C.100.07 USE OF SMOKE FOR FIRE TRAINING ACTIVTIES The training tower has been designed to use theatrical smoke or alcohol-based smoke to simulate an obscured vision environment caused by the products of combustion. Such theatrical smoke is cooler than air, will not rise into the air like regular products of combustion, and should dissipate in a short period of time without the need for mechanical ventilation. Due to our location under JWA’s flight path, we are prohibited from generating any smoke that will rise into the air and create a hazard to navigation. Therefore, the creation of fire using any combustible material that creates smoke is strictly forbidden. The only exception is the use of small amounts of hydrocarbon-based fuel for fire extinguisher training associated with programs like our Community Emergency Response Training ( (i.e. CERT). All fire extinguisher training shall be conducted at the most bayward part of the drill ground to minimize the risk of smoke or dry chemical powder impacting our neighbors to the north. 8.C.100.08 USE OF LIGHT AT THE FTC The exterior lighting at the FTC has been designed to comply with applicable standards of the City’s Zoning Code. Exterior on-site lighting shall be shielded and confined within site boundaries. No direct rays or glare are permitted to shine onto public streets or adjacent sites or to create a public nuisance. Personnel are to prevent scene lighting from shining in such a way as to impair aircraft operations. Since the majority of our fire training activities on the drill ground take place during daylight hours, this does not constitute a significant impediment. However, when lighting needs to be increased during night drills, personnel are to be considerate of the effect of said lighting on the surrounding areas. The use of additional lighting at the FTC associated with any deployment of resources affiliated with an actual emergency shall not be constrained by this section. 8.C.100.09 NOISE AFFILIATED WITH TRAINING ACTIVITIES Most of our training activities do not create excessive levels of noise. Certain activities, such as training on the use of gas-powered chain saws or the use of warning devices as fire ground signals, may create noise that impacts our neighbors. Personnel are encouraged to conduct training activities that produce high levels of noise Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM. (Chief will look at some language here to work on noise on weekends and holidays.) 8.C.100.10 TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE FTC Although the FTC is located in the Santa Ana Heights’ Business Park area, it is in reasonable proximity to residences. Personnel are to avoid traveling through residential neighborhoods when traveling to and from the FTC whenever possible. 8.C.100.11 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FTC The FTC is an important physical resource for our City, our Fire Department and our community. It has taken us many years to acquire such a resource and it is expected to last for many years to come. It is everyone’s responsibility to take every appropriate action to maintain this facility in the best possible condition. When you are finished with your training, follow these procedures: 1.Replace all training props, devices and appliances where they are intended to be stored. 2.Police the area and pick up any trash. 3.Clean-up any priming oil discharge you may have left. Exit the same way you came in and leave the gates the same way you found them when you arrived. Report any problems you may have encountered to the Training Office. |
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