Recent changes in state law – Senate Bill 63 (2021) and Assembly Bill 211 (2022) – have expanded CAL FIRE’s responsibilities to include designation of moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones. In alignment with these changes, the State Fire Marshal released updated maps identifying all three categories on February 24, 2025. Pursuant to Government Code Section 51179, local governments are required to adopt an ordinance designating these zones within their communities no later than 120 days after receiving the updated LRA maps.
Upon receipt of the map (Attachment 2), and in accordance with State regulations, Staff made the map available for public review on the City’s website, with a public comment period running from February 28, 2025 to March 30, 2025. At the time this Staff Report was prepared, the City had received 28 public comments as summarized in Attachment 3. While Staff responded to each comment, state law does not permit local governments to request changes or provide comments on the fire hazard severity zone designations issued by the State Fire Marshal.
The updated LRA map for Dublin designates areas as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones but does not include any very high zones. Notably, the City’s Wildfire Management Plan helps reduce the risk of open land wildfire to the lowest practical level consistent with reasonable protection of wildlife habitat and other open space values. Additionally, since there are no very high fire hazard severity zones designated in Dublin, the 100-foot defensible space clearance requirement per state law is not required. However, properties in the high fire hazard severity zone are subject to requirements outlined in the California Building Code, Chapter 7A – Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure. These requirements are focused on ignition-resistant materials to be used for things like roofing, vents, eaves, exterior walls, windows and glazing, decking, rain gutters, and fences. These requirements would apply to the design and construction of new buildings in this zone. Property owners are also required to make a natural hazard disclosure as part of a real estate transfer. There are no additional requirements for properties in the moderate fire hazard severity zone.
Finally, adopting an ordinance within 120 days of receiving LRA designations from the State Fire Marshal is required by State law and would formally designate moderate and high fire hazard severity zones in the City of Dublin.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Ordinance Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Dublin Based on the Recommendation of the State Fire Marshal
2) City of Dublin Local Response Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map 3) Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map - Public Comments
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Attachment 1
Ord. No. XX-25, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2025 Page 1 of 2 ORDINANCE NO. XX – 25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN THE CITY OF DUBLIN BASED ON
THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
WHEREAS, State law requires the State Fire Marshal to identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard and notify the City, and requires the City, upon receiving the State Fire Marshal’s transmittal of the identifications, to designate by ordinance moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones within the City, which designations cannot decrease the level of level fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal; and WHEREAS, the State Fire Marshal on February 24, 2025 transmitted its identifications to the City, and in accordance with Government Code section 51178.5, the City made the information available for public review and comment on February 28, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City Fire Marshal, after reviewing the Fire Hazard Severity Zones map, concurs with the State’s identifications.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Dublin does ordain as follows:
Section 1. Designation of moderate and high fire hazard severity zones. The City Council, in accordance with Government Code section 51179, hereby designates as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones the zones identified as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal on February 24, 2025. Exhibit A depicts the zones within the City of Dublin, and the official maps are on file with the City’s Geographic Information System Coordinator.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be enforced 30 days following its final adoption.
Section 3. Posting. The City Clerk of the City of Dublin shall cause this Ordinance to be posted in at least three public places in the City of Dublin in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California.
{Signatures on the following page}
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Ord. No. XX-25, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2025 Page 2 of 2 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this th day of 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk
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154
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map – Public Comments
Comment #28
3/26/2025
Tejinder Bains
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Good afternoon - In looking at the new fire maps I see that Ridgeline Drive in Dublin shows as orange. My house does not backup to any vegetation and yet my house is in the orange zone. In fact I have a fire road behind my house that would break up any fire if there was one. Reimers Way in my neighborhood is in yellow zone and backs up to hillside. This doesn't make any sense to me. Also there is a corner house on Ridgeline Drive that has a yellow designation and their neighbor has orange. One does not have more exposure than the other. I have had no exposure to fire in the 15 years that I have lived here. Home on Albert Drive who have had fires up to their fence lines are designated yellow, while my street is in orange. Makes no sense at all. Please update Ridgeline Drive to yellow. I can provide more detail if needed.
Comment #27
3/25/2025
Christina Huang
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
I do not understand how the fire map cuts across blocks. My house appears to be on the border even though we are in the middle of the block and directly in front of Jordan Ranch Park. There seems to be no rhyme and reason to this. There is no more of a hazard for our house as there is for my neighbor to the west. Thus, the borders that cut across blocks appear to be arbitrary especially our block given the proximity to the hills and park. Please reconsider the borders especially those that face the parks and open space. Thank you.
Comment #26
3/12/2025
Steve Hansen
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the revisions to the Fire Severity Zone. I live on Inspiration Circle where the severity has been changed from no rating to 'Red - High' . After reviewing the provided video on the mathematical modeling of non-wildland areas I cannot scientifically argue ember transport rates. However, I do observe that the amount of ember generating trees and forests is limited as most of the land around my home is grassland for grazing of cattle. I also observe that the landscape at my house, which is soon to be in a 'High' zone is similar to that of Valley Christian campus just down the road which has no severity, no risk. And the buffer zone (Moderate) is only a couple lots wide which is easily traversed by embers, which is really no buffer. Based on these observations, I would request a review of these computer modeled results and potentially reduce the severity in Hansen Ranch. I am concerned of the impact that a 'High' rating will have on my ability to insure my house. I have been already dropped by one carrier due to wildfire risk, and a second carrier may likely do the same. This has been a real issue I have to deal with. I am not sure how real the model results are. Thank you for hearing my concerns and considering my inputs.
Comment #25
3/11/2025
Steven Minniear
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Attachment 3
155
I recommend the map be changed in regards to 11902 West Vomac Road to place the entire property within the moderate zone. As it is over half the property is in the moderate zone and a lesser part is in the high hazard zone.
The section of the property in the high hazard area is part of a rock garden with little vegetation and no part of the residence. That section also includes the concrete sidewalk and aggregate concrete median which have no flammable material in them. Also, West Vomac Road acts as a natural fire break.
Comment #24
3/10/2025
Marvi Rijhwani
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Schaefer Ranch Dublin - there has not been any brush fires affecting houses on Ridgeline Dr. Only fires affecting the other side of the community were caused by car accidents on the nearby highway.
Comment #23
3/10/2025
Sean Gilmour
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
The map seems to be backwards, we ( on the inside of our street ) backup to a road, whilst our neighbors backup to a canyon. Yet we are at a higher risk than them. The lines seem drawn with little actual understanding of the area.
There are houses that backup to open land, which has seen fire reach their yards, but they are yellow. Where as we have roads surrounding us, yet we are red....
Comment #22
3/9/2025
John Fiegel
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Correcting my previous comment:
Hi
I live in the Positano hills area. I see a zone of High Severity northeast of Dublin. In the event of a fire emergency there will potentially be hundreds of vehicles attempting to escape via Positano Parkway and then Fallon Rd, creating a bottleneck and a lot of risk. Opening Croak Rd will help, but that is not a major thoroughfare. Is there anything being done to mitigate this risk?
Best
John
Comment #21
3/9/2025
John Fiegel
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Hi
I live in the Positano hills area. I see a zone of High Severity northeast of Dublin. In the event of a fire emergency there will Opening Croak Rd will help, but that is not a major thoroughfare. Is there anything being done to mitigate this risk?
Best
John Fiegel
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Comment #20
3/8/2025
Priya Sugathan
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Hello, the Schaefer ranch area is split into moderate and high severity zones. The area around Ridgeline drive is marked high severity but we have never ever had a fire in that area and there is also a service road acting as a barrier between homes and wilderness. All the past 3-4 fires next to Schaefer ranch started on interstate 580 and then spread to nearby areas as brush fires, but that side of Schaefer ranch is currently zoned as moderate, not high. Can the Ridgeline drive section also be zoned as moderate instead of High? Thank you.
Comment #19
3/7/2025
Mike Grant
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
I think that we need to thin the trees around Dolan park. It’s very dry and houses are around them.
Comment #18
3/2/2025
Rita Patel
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Good afternoon,
Ridgeline Drive in Dublin is currently marked as orange on the map. However, the street should be differentiated between hillside and non-hillside properties. My home does not back up to vegetation, yet it is marked orange, while Reimers Way—where homes do back up to vegetation—is marked yellow. I believe my property should also be yellow.
Additionally, the map inconsistently marks a home on the corner of Ridgeline as yellow while its adjacent neighbor is orange, despite no significant difference in vegetation exposure. The area around Schafer Ranch should be reviewed, as I have had no fire exposure but remain marked orange, whereas homes on Albert Drive, which have had fire reach their fence lines, are marked yellow. This discrepancy does not make sense.
Please update the west side of Ridgeline Drive to yellow.
Comment #17
3/2/2025
Sunita Rajagopal
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
580 has been the cause of fires due to vehicles in yhe past few years including Edien fire 2022 so we need to do everything to prevent vehicle fire from that area. Albert drive is the most dangerous side of the community due to its proximity to 580. So we need to come up with solid fire preventing programs along 580 to prevent all the homes from burning down due to vehicles catching on fire during hot seasons. Else all this is of no use.
157
Comment #16
3/2/2025
Vinod Alluri
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
1) The home that we live in is a new community developed less than 7 years ago. I see that area is designated as fire danger zone. Wanted to check whether city has included any conditions in the development that builder have to adhere to for fire prevention. 2) The builder has included fire breaks within the hills for fire prevention, is there any plan for city to continue that(weed trimming or vegetation management. 3) There is a charge for GHAD (Geological Hazard abatement district) in our property tax, is city/GHAD going to take care of vegetation management as part of that charge. 4) Finally, this map might be used by the home insurance companies to increase the premiums, can city provide the home insurance companies insight into the fire hazard or prevention that has been incorporated within the structures?
Comment #15
3/2/2025
Carolyn Suzuki
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
No fire has ever been reported on Ridgeline Drive, in 15 years. We should not be on the orange classified map.
Please reconsider and change the fire maps. Thank you
Comment #14
3/2/2025
Thiru Annadi
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
I live at 7536 marshall canyon drive, dublin, homes on left of my house on reimers ct are classified as yellow, but my house is classified as orange. Area behind my house didn't have any fires or not prone to fires as there is not log of plants or brushes and also my backyard is big so any grass in this area is far away from my house. So please reclassify my house as yellow
Comment #13
3/2/2025
Paula de Leon
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
I disagree that Ridgeline Drive should be orange on the map as there is no vegetation on the hills behind us. In fact, I have an emergency road right behind my fence line. Furthermore, Albert Street and Reimers are in the yellow and, therefore, it makes no sense why Ridgeline would be in Orange. Please call me if you need additional information.
Kind regards, Paula de Leon
Comment #12
3/2/2025
Rochelle Gilmour
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
158
Good afternoon, Ridgeline drive in Dublin shows as orange. The street should be divided between hillside and non hillside, I don’t back up to vegetation and yet I’m Orange, where reimers way who does is yellow, I believe I should be yellow not orange?? This map shows a home on the corner of Ridgeline yellow and his neighbor orange and there is no more vegetation to one than the other, so why the orange color assignment…maps needs updated to be yellow around Schafer ranch, I have had no exposure to fire and I’m orange, yet homes on Albert drive who have had fire up to their fence line are yellow??? Makes no sense, please update Ridgeline drive west side to yellow at least. I’d love to provide further detail with images.
Regards
Comment #10
3/2/2025
M Leung
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Great website! Appreciate the new info, but wish it was mobile responsive, it is hard to use on a phone
Comment #9
3/2/2025
Pawan Kumar
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Fire risk is NOT along Ridgeline Drive in Dublin west side rather it has only come from west bound 580 freeway from cars climbing Dublin grade. Thus shoukd reflect in maps and remedied. Thanks
Comment #8
3/1/2025
Hugh Gregg
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Hello. We live at 7477 Hansen Drive in Dublin. In looking at the proposed fire severity zone map around our house, we notice several “pixels” that likely should not be in the “moderate” zone. We understand that pixels may have to cover a portion of our home due to the side of the pixels, however, it appears that several pixels are coded moderate when they are likely should not be moderate.
There are 4 pixels that likely should not be in the moderate category:
1) The pixel whose bottom right corner is in the middle of our cul-de-sac 2) The 3 pixels starting from the pixel whose upper left corner is in the middle of our house and the two adjacent pixels to the right.
This would leave our back yards in/near the moderate hazard zone (open field north of our home), but exclude the majority of our homes.
Kind regards,
Hugh.
Comment #7
3/1/2025
159
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Past few fires in our area started as vehicle fires from 580, so requesting to help mitigate it’s reoccurrence.
Thank you.
Comment #6
2/28/2025
Pawan Kumar
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Will like to see automobile fires hazard from 580 freeway.
Comment #5
2/28/2025
Ridhima
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Is there an explanation about how these maps were developed?
Comment #4
2/28/2025
Maria Theren
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
I live near the Alamo Creek Park and Path. It is a moderate fire zone but I walk on the path quite a bit and there's quite a bit of dead leaves, branches and debris that accumulates in the culverts along the path. The maintenance people clean it periodically, but maybe more often? Can someone work with DSRSD on that?
Comment #3
2/28/2025
Suhas Sadanandan
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
The past 3 brush fires in the Schaefer Ranch area of Dublin, including the big one in 2022, started as vehicle fires from interstate 580. Requesting the city and state to help mitigate it’s recurrence. Given the past, we know it will happen again, it is just a matter of time. The city and state spent a lot of money during the fires in that area 2022.
The root cause seems to be that cars with engine problems tend to slow down or stop on 580 next to that area because of aggravation due to uphill drive in that area + there is some space to park there on the road side. Can a wall similar to the one between 580 and California Highlands community down the road from us, be considered? If aesthetics is an issue, can there be some other sort of fire barrier between 580 and the brushy hill next to it be considered? For example, a smaller designated parking space, and only in that area, a wall or barrier? Dublin boulevard splits the whole area into two, and the split that lies next to 580 is always that gets burnt. Dublin boulevard acts as an excellent barrier, but winds make it easy for embers to cross over to the other side. So the barrier needs to be closer to the source (interstate 580). I appreciate you reading my suggestion. Thank you!
Comment #2
2/28/2025
Karen Chung
160
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
Is it still true that all of Boulevard is under federal responsibility even though it is obviously no longer part of the base?
Comment #1
2/28/2025
Rahul Zutshi
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
placing any residential area adjacent of an open space which has no bushes/trees as a moderate fire seems to be excessive. What is this categorization based on ? in the 10 years i have lived here grass fire had happened only once and that too far away in open spaces.
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April 1, 2025
SB 343
Senate Bill 343 mandates supplemental materials
that have been received by the City Clerk’s office that relate to an agenda item after the agenda packets
have been distributed to the City Council be available
to the public.
The attached documents were received in the City
Clerk’s office after distribution of the April 1 , 2025, Regular City Council meeting agenda packet.
Item 8.1
162
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 31, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager
SUBJECT: Item 8.1: Introduction of an Ordinance Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Dublin
The April 1, 2025 City Council Meeting includes the introduction of an Ordinance Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Dublin.
The public comment period closed on March 30, after the agenda was posted. One additional public comment was received, and that correspondence is attached here.
163
Correspondence
Comment #29
3/28/2025
Debbie Wagner
Please provide comments regarding the Fire Severity Zone Maps:
I live in the Positano master planned community at We were changed from moderate to high risk. I would like to understand what criteria pushed us into the high risk category. We are stucco homes with tile roofs and underground utilities. We have extremely small front yards and there is very little shrubbery and very few, small trees. Most of the backyards are also small and most people have cement, patios, or pavers. There is very minimal shrubbery and trees.
In Danville, the communities out off Blackhawk Road across from Blackhawk, is considered moderate. These are homes have asphalt or composition roofs, wood front porches, with wood pillars, and the homes are wood sided. They have very dense foliage, with lots of mature redwood trees. Also, in Alamo, and Diablo, these areas are very old and they have huge trees, and a lot of these neighborhoods have overhead wiring with wood sided homes. Yet both of these areas are either moderate risk or no risk at all. It does not make sense why the Positano community was put into the high risk category. I have studied this map over and over and compared our area to multiple areas and I just cannot understand why we are high risk except for the fact that maybe this is political and people with high importance live in the other areas and they want to make sure they’re home is not in a designated high risk area so their insurance does not get canceled.
Yes, Positano does back up to open space and we did have a fire back and I believe 2017.
But if you check the records, no homes or fences were damaged. So if we can go through one Fire without any damage, you cannot use that against us. Several of the other areas mentioned above also back to space . The only thing this map is doing is handing the homeowners over to our insurance companies on a silver platter to be canceled. I believe all the major fires we have had in the the past five years have been historic because of the extreme winds that took place at the time. Areas that normally don’t get extreme winds were experiencing up to 80 mile an hour winds. Anytime you have unprecedented winds, any neighborhood is prone to fire as ember can fly for miles. I don’t see how you can take a particular neighborhood and say oh you have a higher probability of catching on fire, but yet other neighborhoods that have more material that is more combustible is not put in the same category.
I am just praying that homeowners here don’t lose their insurance, but one person has already commented on Nextdoor that they have been cancelled due to risk. If we are in an area where our insurance prices skyrocket, or we cannot get insurance because of this high risk designation, not only are you killing our resale value, you are ruining peoples lives.
164
Cal Fire should be educating all of California on how to better protect your home with shrubbery away from your home, don’t store piles of garbage, tires on your property, keep trees trimmed from power lines, etc. That’s what they should be spending their time doing not creating a map that unfairly classifies some areas as riskier than others.
Again, I would like to know what in Positano is pushing us into the high category. If I cannot get this answer, I will probably be taking this to channel 7 news because they have the means to dig deeper into this situation.
165
Local Responsibility Area
Fire Hazard Severity Zone
Maps
April 1, 2025
166
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
• What are the zones?
– The maps are required by Government Code
51178 & 51179.
– They identify levels of fire hazard:
• Three levels (Moderate, High, and Very High).
–Dublin’s map only has High and Moderate
167
Model Updates
• Updated fire environment footprints
(urban/developed).
• Updated vegetation density for urban areas.
• Inclusion of slope in the urban zoning model.
• Localized fire weather used.
• New firebrand production and transport model
using discrete local wind vector distribution.
168
Wildland vs. Non-Wildland Zones
• Zones are areas with relatively homogeneous slope
and vegetation.
• Hazard map is produced at 30m resolution.
• Scores are averaged within a zone.
• Wildland is scored independently of urban and
agricultural.
• Urban zones scored using additional model steps.
169
Urban Fire Hazard Severity Zones
• Minimum size of 20 acres for isolated islands or vegetation embedded in non-wildland.
• Based on distance to wildland and hazard level of adjacent wildland.
• Ember production based on vegetation type and fire
weather.
• Ember transport based on wind speed/direction observed under the most extreme fire weather at a given location. • Width of moderate, high and very high bands in urban are based on ember load, urban tree cover, and slope.
170
Map Purpose
• What is the map for?
– Serves as a planning tool.
– Building standards for new construction in the
Wildland-Urban Interface (CBC Chapter 7A).
– Property development standards.
– Defensible Space Requirements (Government Code
51182).
– Natural hazard real estate disclosure.
171
Map
172
Map, 2
• High Severity Zones (Orange on Map).
– New construction subject to applicable sections of
CBC Chapter 7A.
– Hazard Disclosure subject to real estate transfer
inspection by fire staff.
• Moderate Severity Zone (Yellow on Map).
– No impact other than on the map.
173
State Mandated Adoption Process
• Senate Bill 63 (Stern, 2021) now requires all zones to be adopted. • Maps Released on February 24, 2025.
• City of Dublin has 30 days to make maps available for the public (Government Code 51178.5).
• Maps made available on February 28, 2025.
• City has 120 days from receiving maps to adopt an ordinance (Government Code 51179).
• Local agency shall transmit a copy of the adopted ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection with 30 days of adoption.
174
Ordinance Restrictions
• The law does not allow for a local jurisdiction to
request changes or provide comments to the State
Fire Marshal on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone
designations.
• The local municipality shall not decrease the level
of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the
State Fire Marshal for any area within the
jurisdiction.
175
Effect on Insurance
• Fire Hazard and Fire Risk are separate processes.
• Insurance companies measure risk and they each
use their own models to measure risk.
• Risk is not being measured with this process.
• Contact your insurance company if you have
questions regarding what they measure and how
you can reduce the risk in their eyes.
176
City Fire Safety Efforts
• Annual Defensible Space Inspections of parcels
adjacent to open space or vacant parcels.
• Defensible Space standards used the same as CAL
FIRE.
• Fire hardening rear of homes that abut open space.
• Genasys Evacuation Planning, Zones, and Routes.
• Community Preparedness Training.
177
Questions?
178
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
Agenda Item 8.2
DATE: April 1, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager
SUBJECT: Eastern Dublin Wireless Telecommunication Facility Survey Results and Proposed Next Steps
Prepared by: Jordan Foss, Management Analyst II
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In spring 2024, following resident complaints about poor cellular service in eastern Dublin, the City Council asked Staff to explore solutions to improve connectivity. In response, Staff solicited proposals from vendors and conducted a community survey to gather feedback on current service levels and potential wireless telecommunication facilities (cell towers). The City Council will receive a report on survey responses and consider a proposed monopine (faux tree) facility at Fallon Sports Park.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the report and provide direction on a monopine (faux tree) wireless telecommunication facility to be located at Fallon Sports Park.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Under the terms of the proposals received, the City would not bear any financial responsibility for the construction or operation of the facility. Upon approval of the concept plan provided in this Staff Report, the City would enter into either a Site Lease Agreement or a Revenue Sharing Agreement with the selected contractor. These agreements would generate revenue for the City, with the final amount subject to negotiation.
DESCRIPTION:
Background
The gap in wireless telecommunications coverage has long been a concern for residents of eastern Dublin, despite the existence of various wireless carriers in that area. Currently, Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) has three leases with carriers for structures adjacent to the water tower off Fallon Road in the northeastern portion of the City. At this location, AT&T, Dish, 179
and T-Mobile have wireless telecommunication equipment installed. Additionally, the City has permitted the installation of wireless telecommunication facilities (cell towers) on privately owned businesses, facilities, or land in Dublin. However, even with these existing facilities, significant coverage and service reliability issues remain, and the need will continue to grow as the planned, nearby development projects are completed.
The City first considered options to address this gap in 2014; however, for various reasons, there was a lack of community support to install a wireless telecommunication facility (cell tower) in the area at that time. Over the past two years, both residents and cellular carriers have become more vocal about the need to improve service in eastern Dublin. The issue came up again at the April 16, 2024 City Council meeting during a presentation on the five-year Capital Improvement Program.
Since that meeting, Staff has worked on addressing this issue, which included soliciting proposals from vendors to gauge carrier interest, identify potential site locations, and determine the type of facility that could best address service gaps in eastern Dublin. In addition, Staff completed a community survey to better understand residents’ concerns and gather input on preferences related to wireless infrastructure. This Staff Report presents the results of the work that has been done and Staff’s recommended solution.
City Actions and Findings
Vendor Proposals
In July 2024, Staff issued a Notice Accepting Proposals on the City’s website, inviting interested contractors to submit proposals for constructing a cell tower in eastern Dublin, specifically in and around Fallon Sports Park. The City received four proposals focused on two preferred locations:
Dublin Fire Station #18 and Fallon Sports Park. The proposals included options for both single- carrier and multi-carrier structures, and identified various facility types, including a flagpole, stadium lights, and monopine (faux tree) for the City’s consideration.
Community Survey
In November 2024, a postcard with a link to a community survey (Attachment 1) was mailed to 9,424 residences in the defined study area (Figure 1 below). The survey closed on December 10, 2024. Additionally, the survey was announced via the City’s social media channels and was included in the Dublin Digest weekly newsletter.
180
Figure 1. Study Area
A total of 2,127 survey responses were received, with 2,108 submitted by Dublin residents (1,899 of which, or 93%, came from the defined study area). Those who indicated they were not Dublin residents were not allowed to complete the survey, so only data from Dublin residents was collected.
In summary, the survey results show that the respondents are overwhelmingly in favor of a wireless telecommunication facility (cell tower) being installed in the eastern Dublin study area.
Most respondents find that coverage and service are extremely or very important to them, and there is a significant lack of service within the study area. The following section provides a summary of the data collected through the survey.
181
a. Residents’ Carriers.The chart below shows the different carriers currently utilized by the survey respondents. The percentages total over 100%, as the survey allowed for the selection of multiple carriers. Note that Xfinity cellular services utilize the Verizon cellular network.
b. Coverage Concerns.The chart below reflects that respondents highly value coverage quality and a strong majority have issues with both signal strength and call service quality. 182
c. Community Support. The survey reflects overwhelming support (92%) among respondents for the construction of a cell tower if it enhances cellular coverage and connectivity in the study area.
d. Design Preferences. Respondents were also asked to select their preferred design for a potential new cell tower and its location. A flagpole, stadium lights, and monopine (faux tree) were the top three choices. Note that the survey allowed for multiple responses to the design and location preference questions.
62.20%
54.80% 50.80%
42.30% 37.80%
F L A G P O L E S T A D I U M
L I G H T S
M O N O P I N E
( F A U X T R E E )
T R E E T O P C O N C E A L E D
M O N O P O L E
PERCENTAGE
FACILITY TYPE
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e. Location Preferences. Respondents indicated a strong preference for a cell tower located near Fire Station #18, with open space and a City park also scoring over 50%.
Analysis
Location:
In assessing potential locations for the facility, Staff utilized the vendor proposals received and considered resident feedback from the survey. Staff also surveyed the area in person and via the City’s Geographic Information Systemand considered the feasibility of construction. Staff’s findings are summarized below.
- Location 1: Near a Government Building identified as Fire Station #18 Assessment: This location is not ideal due to aesthetic concerns. Vendor proposals placed the facility directly adjacent to the Fire Station located along Fallon Road. However, there are few large trees and natural topography that help screen the facility from view. Staff’s assessment is that this location is not ideal.
- Location 2: Open Space
Assessment: The open space land owned by Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) north of Dublin Ranch Golf Course along Fallon Road is not a suitable location for the facility due to three main concerns:
Its proximity to the southern region of the study area would limit coverage and service levels.
The required height of any structure to meet service needs would exceed that of other proposed locations.
A facility here would not require a Site Lease Agreement with the City, resulting in no revenue for the City.
- Location 3: City Park
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Assessment: The identified location is the strongest option for the following reasons:
It allows the facility to blend into the natural surroundings. It is sufficiently removed from street frontage.
Most importantly, it is centrally located, offering the best coverage and service.
Based on the analysis, Staff believes that the preferred location for a wireless telecommunication facility in eastern Dublin is the northern part of Fallon Sports Park, near Field C (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Proposed Location
Facility Type:
In addition to evaluating potential locations, Staff reviewed and analyzed the design options presented in the proposals, including a flagpole, stadium lights, monopine (faux tree), monopole, and tree top. Staff focused on aesthetics, height concerns, site impact, and the number of facilities required to achieve adequate service levels. Images of the facility types are provided in Figure 3, and a detailed analysis of each proposed wireless design is provided in Attachment 2. 185
Figure 3. Facility Types
After careful review and consideration of the proposed designs and locations, Staff recommends the monopine (faux tree) as the preferred option for the wireless facility, based on its aesthetic compatibility, functional capacity, and minimal visual impact. The monopine blends more naturally into the surrounding landscape and can support three to four carriers on a single structure, reducing the need for multiple towers. The proposed location – near Field C at the northern edge of Fallon Sports Park – would be partially screened by trees from view from Fallon Road and out of view from Gleason Road, limiting visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. While the facility would be visible from the nearby ball fields, the carrier equipment would be concealed within the tree’s canopy, preserving visual harmony within the park. The structure would also be set back from adjacent residential neighborhoods, further minimizing its impact. Figures 4 and 5 below show two different perspectives of the proposed monopine – one from Fallon Road, traveling north, and the other from within Fallon Sports Park. 186
Figure 4. Proposed Monopine
(view travelling north on Fallon Road past Fire Station 18) 187
Figure 5. Proposed Monopine
(view from within Fallon Sports Park – Field C)
Community Benefits:
Beyond addressing infrastructure needs, the proposed wireless telecommunication facility will deliver meaningful benefits to eastern Dublin. As the area continues to grow, reliable wireless service has become increasingly important for residents, businesses, and visitors. The new facility will improve service by addressing existing coverage limitations, reducing dropped calls, and increasing data speeds.
An additional community benefit would be the generation of revenue through a lease or revenue sharing agreement with the selected contractor. The City has seen similar benefits in the past. For example, in 2001, the City entered into a site lease agreement with Sprint (now STC Five LLC) for the construction and operation of a wireless telecommunication facility at Shannon Park.
Beginning July 2002, the City began receiving monthly lease payments, which included annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments. In 2020, the City executed a third amendment to the agreement, increasing the monthly rent to $2,653 and securing a one-time community benefit payment of $10,000.
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Next Steps
Depending on City Council’s direction, Staff is prepared to move forward with the selection of a contractor from the submitted proposals and begin negotiations on a site lease or revenue sharing agreement, which will also include a community benefit payment. The finalized agreement will be brought to a future City Council meeting for approval.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Community Survey Example
2) Wireless Design Facility Matrix
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�
D 1UBLIN
CALIFORNIA
Cellular Service Coverage Survey
INTRODUCTION
The City of Dublin is asking residents in parts of Eastern Dublin to take a survey about their cellular service coverage. The City would like to better understand if the current service coverage meets your needs or if more cellular towers are needed to improve the service coverage in the study area. Please see the map for the area being studied.
This is only a survey to collect data, and no project has been permitted or approved.
Before you begin: You can only respond to the survey once per device; this means no one else in your household can answer the survey using the same computer, phone, tablet, or device you are currently using. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Attachment 1
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Attachment 2
Structure Photo Simulation Aesthetics Height Concerns Impact on Location Facilities Needed Flagpole Individual flagpole structures
would need to be 40+" in
diameter, making them bulky
and inconsistent with other
City flagpoles.
To accommodate equipment
and multiple carriers, the
tower would need to be 100+'.
Structure could be shorter if
hosting a single carrier.
If single structure, there would
be limited impact. If multiple
structures needed, for multiple
carriers, more facilities and
equipment sheds would be
required.
Likely multiple flagpoles
needed to achieve service
needs of community. Three to
four structures would be
needed, with multiple
equipment sheds.
Stadium Lighting Equipment is concealed but
held within a large cyclinder
above the light fixture.
Light structures would be
replaced with new lights
topped with cellular
equipment, topping out at
approximately 100'.
Each light fixture would be
limited to one carrier, meaning
each carrier would require an
individual light structure.
Replacing light structures
could be disruptive to park and
sports activities.
One light structure with topped
cellular equipment and one
equipment shed per carrier.
Monopine (Faux Tree) Blends into natural
surroundings and conceals
equipment.
Structure would need to be 75'
in height, depending on
installation location. Could
accommodate multiple
carriers in one structure.
Facility footprint would be
limited to the structure and
equipment shed. The faux
canopy would create wider
footprint, but would be off the
ground.
One tower and one equipment
shed required for four
carriers.
Monopole Sleek, but more industrial
looking design. Would stand
out in any location and not
blend into natural
surroundings.
65' structure proposed, but
would only accommodate one
carrier. If additional carriers
were added, the height would
need to be increased.
Small footprint with only one
structure and equipment shed
needed.
One tower and one equipment
shed required for single
carrier.
Concealed Building
Façade
Structure would not blend in to
natural surroundings nor fully
match the aesthetics of
surrounding buildings.
Structure proposed was 86' in
height. Could accommodate
multiple carriers in one
structure.
Structure would only fit near at
Fire Station #18. No flexibility
for other locations with
aesthetic concerns.
One structure and one
equipment shed required for
four carriers.
Wireless Facility Design Matrix
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Eastern Dublin Wireless
T elecommunication Facility
Survey Results and Proposed
Next Steps
April 1, 2025
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Background
Ongoing
Telecommunications
Coverage Concerns
2014 project to address
gaps in coverage
Existing Facilities Spring 2024 – City Council
Request
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Vendor Proposals
• July 2024 – Notice Accepting Proposals
• Four proposals were received
– Preferred locations
• Fire Station #18 and Fallon Sports Park
– Design Considerations
• Single and multi-carrier options
– Flagpole
– Stadium Lights
– Monopine (Faux Tree)
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Survey Results and Analysis
• November 2024 – Community Survey Launched
– Mailers
– Social Media
– Dublin Digest
• 2,108 Dublin Resident Responses
– 93% from defined study area.
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Survey Results and Analysis, 2
• Overall, respondents were in
favor of a wireless
telecommunication facility.
• Coverage and service are
extremely or very important
to majority of respondents.
• Survey allowed for multiple
selections on certain
questions.
Residents’ Carriers
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Survey Results and Analysis, 3
Coverage Concerns
Community Support
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Survey Results and Analysis, 4
Design Preferences
Location Preferences
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Facility Location Analysis
Location 1: Near a
Government Building
(Fire Station #18).
• Aesthetic Concerns
– Situated on Fallon Road
– Viewable from street
frontage and residences
• Centrally located in eastern
Dublin.
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Facility Location Analysis
Location 2: Open Space
• DSRSD Open Space off Fallon
Road
• Concerns:
– Proximity to southern region
would limit coverage and
service levels.
– Required height would exceed
that of the other proposed
locations.
– No Site Lease Agreement – No
Revenue.
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Facility Location Analysis
Location 3: City Park
• Facility blends into natural
surroundings.
• Sufficiently removed from street
frontage.
• Limited visual impact from street
and residences.
• Centrally located in eastern Dublin.
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Design Analysis
Option 1: Flagpole
• Size concerns:
– Up to 100 ft tall
– Up to 40 in diameter
• Single carrier per flagpole.
• T o accommodate need, would
require multiple poles.
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Design Analysis, 2
Option 2: Stadium Lighting
• Concealed above light fixtures.
• Height concerns – up to 100 ft tall.
• Single carrier per fixture.
• T o accommodate need, would require
multiple light fixtures.
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Design Analysis, 3
Option 3: Monopine (Faux Tree)
• Conceals equipment and blends into
surroundings.
• Multiple carriers on one facility –
limited footprint.
• Height – up to 75 ft tall.
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Design Analysis, 4
Option 4: Monopole
• Industrial looking – does not blend into
surroundings.
• Multiple carriers on one facility –
limited footprint.
• Height concerns with multiple carriers
– up to 100 ft with 3+ carriers or 65 ft
with one carrier.
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Design and Location Recommendation
Design Recommendation
• Monopine (Faux Tree) option
– Aesthetic compatibility
• Blends into natural landscape
• Minimal visual impact
– Functional capacity
• Multiple carriers on one structure
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Design and Location Recommendation, 2
Location Recommendation
• Fallon Sports Park
– Near Field C at northern end
of park.
– Minimal visual impact to
pedestrians and drivers.
– Set back from residences.
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Design and Location Recommendation, 3
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Community Benefits
• Reliable wireless service for many residents, businesses, and visitors:
– Reduction in dropped calls
– Increase in data speeds
– Increase in call reliability
• Site Lease / Revenue Sharing Agreement
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Next Steps
• If direction is provided to move forward:
– Selection of contractor from submitted proposals.
– Negotiation of Site Lease or Revenue Sharing Agreement. – Final agreement brought to future City Council meeting for approval.
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Staff Recommendation
• Receive the report and provide direction on a Monopine (Faux) Treewireless telecommunication facility at Fallon Sports Park.
• Questions?
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