OUTCOME: Community Health and Safety

Problem

Competing priorities, lack of sustained funding, unwillingness to constrain new development, and lack of effective tools such as those envisioned in the Regional Conservation Investment Strategies have prevented counties from maintaining state-of-the-art General Plan Safety Elements (GPSE) and land use regulations addressing fire safety, mitigation, and recovery. Outdated land use policies and practices increase wildfire risk to communities.

Solution

Land Use Policies - Prepare model wildfire mitigation policies and regulations for all counties in the region and support their adoption.

Background and Context

In the wake of unprecedented wildfire destruction and continued development pressure in rural areas, local jurisdictions understand the need for modern policies and regulations to manage development in high wildfire risk and hazard areas. Local jurisdictions however, particularly those in rural areas, require funding and capacity assistance to make updates to their General Plan and land use regulations, especially when faced with statewide unfunded mandates. If funding is made available, local political leadership can make a significant difference in the long-term protection of communities and resources from wildfire and other climate-related hazards. Providing incentives to local jurisdictions to engage their communities and update local standards consistent with state policies will reduce the need for state encroachment into local land use regulation.

Public pressure to address wildfire issues through land-use planning and zoning is growing (Flavelle 2020). While each county is required to include a Safety Element as part of its General Plan, most are outdated, especially given recent changes in state law, such as the need to incorporate climate change vulnerability and resilience. GPSE policy development relating to wildfire hazards and climate change vulnerability should be closely coordinated with an examination of the land use maps and policy of the Land Use Elements and may trigger the need for changes. There is also a need to integrate local fire safety planning with state and federal agency planning to provide a coherent matrix of policies and practices. Actionable regulations are also needed to implement the GPSE policies. Unfortunately, there is also an increasing need to address rebuilding after fires. Fire Safe Recovery regulations can facilitate recovery and fire-safe re-development.

An adequately funded, multi-year regional program would serve as a springboard for local political leadership and result in locally appropriate wildfire-related General Plan land use maps and policies, zoning maps and regulations, and long-range planning and project review practices that are consistent with state law and that reflect the local environment. Necessary support includes training for decision-makers and planners in current wildfire policy and assistance with public outreach, plan preparation, and the adoption of implementing regulations. State laws that mandate incorporating fire planning into the planning process (i.e. AB 747 and AB 2911) generally do not provide funding.  However, given the importance and cost-effectiveness of increasing local-jurisdiction regulation of land-use development in fire hazard areas, direct financial support for updates to plans and regulations may be forthcoming. Funding was included in the 2019 budget specifically to reimburse counties for providing training to local planners on land use planning issues in the WUI. To assist local planners with General Plan updates, the Community Wildfire Planning Center (CWPC) is also currently working on a Best Practices Inventory for the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), as recommended in the California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan (Section 2.5).

Recommendations

NCRP will pursue and coordinate multi-year funding for a regional land use wildfire planning initiative. This will include preparation of model fire mitigation policies for GPSEs that address climate vulnerabilities and that integrate federal, state, and local strategies, plans, and polices. It will also include the preparation of clear and objective model fire-mitigation regulations that are needed to implement the GPSE policies and fire-recovery standards based on statewide best practices. This process will utilize data, mapping, and recommendations from the Community Health & Safety: Community Preparedness Solution and the Climate Action: Adaptation Planning Solution to support GPSE planners to address the required wildfire evacuation planning requirements for residential areas with limited access and prepare climate change vulnerability assessments relating to wildfire and the development of applicable policies.

County boards of supervisors and city councils should support the update of the General Plan maps and policies and zoning maps and regulations within their jurisdictions. The model ordinances for Wildfire Risk Reduction Overlay Zoning developed as part of the California Resource & Habitat Zone Demonstration Project are tools that can be used to identify communities at unreasonable risk of wildfire and take steps to mitigate that risk by implementing a customized suite of risk reduction measures on a community-by-community basis. One of the models is a step-by-step guide in what local jurisdictions should consider when developing land use policies to address wildfire risk. It consists of both policy recommendations as well as steps the local jurisdiction should undertake to ensure the support systems are in place to facilitate new policies. City and county staff should assist in the regional pursuit of state funding by preparing an assessment of wildfire planning and implementation priorities, and funding and staffing requirements. Depending upon state interest and funding availability, General Fund matching support may be necessary to secure grant funds and supplement the project.

Actions

Pursue multi-year funding for a regional land use wildfire planning initiative.

Support wildfire and multi-hazard evacuation planning for GPSE updates through NCRP Actions relating to Community Preparedness (See Community Health & Safety – Community Planning Solution).

Support the preparation of climate change vulnerability assessment, especially relating to wildfire for GPSE updates through NCRP Actions relating to resilience and adaptation planning in the built environment (See Climate Action – Adaptation Planning Solution).

  • Prepare standard templates for site-specific wildfire risk assessments and fire safety and protection plans for new development.
  • Evaluate the feasibility and benefit of creating Community Wildfire Protection Zones (CWPZ), establishing appropriate buffers around communities where development is limited, open space is conserved, public recreation is allowed, and long-term maintenance is prioritized.
  • Create maps showing potential CWPZs around vulnerable communities in the North Coast region and the existing land use and ownership within these areas.
  • Implement pilot funding and assessment programs for road improvements, vegetation management, and fuel breaks in designated WUI areas. (e.g. Mitigation Fees, Fee for Service, and County Service Areas).

Prepare model fire mitigation and Fire Recovery regulations with separate standards for WUI areas for all counties in the region.

Identify properties or specific communities where wildfire risk is too high to manage and support changes to General Plan land use maps, GPSE policies, and programs for purchasing land or conservation easements in these areas.

  • Where Local Hazard Mitigation Plans and community level Firewise® Community Assessments and/or Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) planning are not yet adopted, the need for these should be prioritized in General Plan Safety Elements as implementation measures.
  • Prepare model fire mitigation policies that also address changes in wildfire risk due to climate change for General Plan Safety Elements that integrate federal, state, and local strategies, plans, and polices with locally suitable best-practice implementation measures.

Prepare model wildfire evacuation performance standards and mitigations for new development, which may include special standards for new development in areas with limited evacuation routes, and provide local planners with the results of evacuation planning from Actions relating to evacuation planning to support GPSE updates (See Community Health & Safety – Community Planning Solution).

  • Help local planners to be well-prepared for SFM trainings being developed by CWPC, so planners can get the most out of those trainings.
  • Explore additional land-use planner training programs and workshops in the region for land use planning and development in fire-adapted ecosystems, see training and workshop programs of the 5C Roads Programs as model.
  • Create peer-learning and information exchange opportunities in the region for planners to specifically share resources, questions, best practices, challenges, and opportunities. This could be built around the RFFC California Peer Connect model in Podio. A similar network could be created for Planners and Planning Commissioners.
  • Create opportunities and staff support for Planning Directors and planning staff in all 7 NCRP counties and interested municipalities. Work with elected officials to help them understand the opportunities through planning, such as how to use best practices, how to build versus not build, etc.
  • Increase training on fire behavior and site selection in subdivision design for planners, Planning Commissioners, surveyors, engineers, and consultants.
  • Increase trainings for local planners for how to apply resources such as Cal Adapt and other tools of the California Climate Change Assessment.
  • Fully leverage in-house land use planning expertise at CAL FIRE. Facilitate relationships between county and city planners and the OSFM Land Use Planning Program and its staff.
  • Share wildfire resilience planning resources with local planners and planning commissioners.
  • Share NCRP risk assessment results with all local planners. Provide a guide to interpret the results and resources to answer questions or for more information.
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