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Resolution No. 2021-13 Relating to Wildfire Mitigation- Approved 081021Page 1 of 4 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-13 A RESOLUTION of the City Council of Bainbridge Island, Washington, relating to the City of Bainbridge Island working and coordinating with, on a high-priority basis, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department regarding recommended fire safety measures and wildfire mitigation activities for residents of Bainbridge Island. WHEREAS, on May 7, 2019, the City Council instructed City staff to draft a new ordinance to revise the City’s tree and vegetation regulations; and WHEREAS, on February 25, 2020, the City Council endorsed the continuing work by City staff and the City Arborist to draft an ordinance that would include changes to Chapter 16.18 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code (“BIMC”) (Tree Removal, Forest Stewardship, and Vegetation Maintenance), Chapter 16.32 BIMC (Protection of Landmark Trees), and BIMC 18.15.010 (Development Standards and Guidelines); and WHEREAS, at public meetings of the Planning Commission, City staff provided information and materials to the Planning Commission and the Planning Commission considered draft regulations related to draft Ordinance No. 2020-28 (which was renumbered in 2021 to Ordinance No. 2021-07) on August 13, September 10, October 29, November 11, and December 10, 2020; and WHEREAS, on December 17, 2020, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider draft Ordinance No. 2020-28, including Exhibits A – E, received public input, and after closing the public hearing, made a recommendation of approval of draft Ordinance No. 2020-28 to the City Council; and WHEREAS, included in the draft ordinance was an exemption from permitting requirements related to applicable properties with a primary structure to perform work within a 30-foot defensible space pursuant to minimum standards of Firewise USA®, the Bainbridge Island Community Wildfire Protection Plan, or as recommended by the Bainbridge Island Fire Department; and WHEREAS, the City notified the Department of Commerce on January 21, 2021 of its intent to revise its development regulations relating to tree removals and vegetation management practices; and WHEREAS, the City issued a State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”) Determination of Non-Significance for Ordinance No. 2021-07 (formerly Ordinance No. 2020-28) on January 29, 2021; and WHEREAS, on April 27, 2021 at a regular business meeting, the City Council considered Ordinance No. 2021-07, took no action on the ordinance, and the Council expressed a collective interest in further considering the ordinance at a future meeting; and Page 2 of 4 WHEREAS, on May 13 and 27, 2021, City staff returned to the Planning Commission to discuss additional revisions to draft Ordinance No. 2021-07 based on City Council comments; and WHEREAS, Kitsap County Fire District No. 2, which is commonly known as the Bainbridge Island Fire Department (“Fire Department”), has identified the need for reasonable provisions for wildfire mitigation and forest stewardship that support responsible wildfire mitigation and provide a pathway for wider forest stewardship planning; and WHEREAS, at a public meeting on July 8, 2021, the Planning Commission discussed and requested that the City Council take immediate action on an amendment to Chapter 16.18 BIMC, Tree Removal, Forest Stewardship and Vegetation Maintenance, to adopt the recommended exemption from permitting requirements related to allowing certain fire safety activities within a 30’ defensible space; and WHEREAS, on July 6, 2021, Governor Inslee signed an emergency order declaring a wildfire state of emergency for Washington State; and WHEREAS, on July 14, 2021, the Washington State Department of Ecology issued a drought advisory for numerous counties in Washington State; and WHEREAS, on July 20, 2021 at a regular meeting, the City Council discussed the recommendation of the Planning Commission and directed the City Manager to work with the City Attorney to prepare for the Council’s consideration at its July 27, 2021 meeting an ordinance to adopt the recommendation of the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, on July 27, 2021 at a regular meeting, the City Council deferred taking action on this item and forwarded it to the August 10, 2021 meeting for Council consideration; and WHEREAS, the revisions to the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code recommended by the Planning Commission require additional legal review to ensure that the intended regulations are clear for the public and City staff to understand and for City staff to enforce, as applicable; and WHEREAS, City staff members are working on preparing an ordinance to set forth regulations to meet the City Council’s intent and, in the interim, this Resolution No. 2021-13 has been prepared by City staff for the Council’s consideration to allow the Council to take immediate action to direct the City Manager to work with City staff to work and coordinate with the Fire Department, on a high-priority basis, to provide information and outreach to the Bainbridge Island community regarding the importance of fire safety measures and wildfire mitigation activities, including specific actions residents can take to help protect their property and the community from fires, including vegetation and structure fires; and WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021 at a regular business meeting, the City Council discussed and considered this Resolution No. 2021-13 and adopted the resolution. Page 3 of 4 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager to work with City staff, including the City’s Department of Planning and Community Development, to work and coordinate with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department (“Fire Department”), on a high-priority basis, to provide information and outreach to the Bainbridge Island community regarding the importance of fire safety measures and wildfire mitigation activities and specific actions residents can take to help protect their property and the community from fires, including vegetation and structure fires. Section 2. As part of this effort, the City Council directs the City Manager to work with City staff to work on a high-priority basis with the Fire Department to raise awareness through information-sharing, education, and outreach in the community and encourage measures by residents related to fire safety, including those described in the attached document entitled, “What is the Home Ignition Zone?” That document is included as Exhibit A and is incorporated herein by reference. Section 3. Also as part of this effort, the City Council directs the City Manager to work with City staff on a high-priority basis with the Fire Department to raise awareness in the community and encourage measures by residents related to wildfire mitigation activities within a 30-foot defensible space around primary structures that bring properties up to the current minimum standards of Firewise USA®, the Bainbridge Island Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and as recommended by the Fire Department. Section 4. Pursuant to the direction provided by motion of the City Council at its meeting on July 20, 2021 (as above described in the recitals), the City Manager will work with the City Attorney and other City staff to proceed with developing specific regulations for the Council to consider that would revise the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code to include provisions that will result in enhanced fire safety measures and wildfire mitigation activities on Bainbridge Island, and for the City Manager to work with City staff to bring a proposed ordinance to the Council in the future for the Council’s consideration in that regard. Section 5. Severability. If any one or more sections, subsections, or sentences of this resolution are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution and the same shall remain in full force and effect. Section 6. This resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage. PASSED by the City Council this 10th day of August, 2021. APPROVED by the Mayor this 10th day of August, 2021. Page 4 of 4 Rasham Nassar, Mayor ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE: FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: July 22, 2021 (Updated August 5, 2021) PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: August 10, 2021 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-13 Exhibit A: “What is the Home Ignition Zone?” What is the Home Ignition Zone? The concept of the home ignition zone was developed by retired USDA Forest Service fire scientist Jack Cohen in the late 1990s, following some breakthrough experimental research into how homes ignite due to the effects of radiant heat. The HIZ is divided into three zones. Immediate zone The home and the area 0-5’ from the furthest attached exterior point of the home; defined as a non- combustible area. Science tells us this is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. START WITH THE HOUSE ITSELF then move into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone. • Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers. • Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration. • Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening. • Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers. • Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating. • Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches. Exhibit A to Resolution No. 2021-13 Intermediate zone 5-30’ from the furthest exterior point of the home. Landscaping/hardscaping- employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior • Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks. • Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks. • Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches. • Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height. • Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope. • Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure. • Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape. Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape. Extended zone 30-100 feet, out to 200 feet. Landscaping – the goal here is not to eliminate fire but to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames smaller and on the ground. • Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris. • Remove dead plant and tree material. • Remove small conifers growing between mature trees. • Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area. • Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.* • Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.* *The distances listed for crown spacing are suggested based on NFPA 1144. However, the crown spacing needed to reduce/prevent crown fire potential could be significantly greater due to slope, the species of trees involved and other site specific conditions. Check with your local forestry professional to get advice on what is appropriate for your property.