1. The collection bin operator's contact information, including name, address, email, website (if available), and telephone number.
2. If the operator holds itself out as a non-profit organization, a statement that it meets the definition of nonprofit organization in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code or Section 150(c) of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
3. If the operator holds itself out as a for-profit organization, a statement that it holds a valid certificate of good standing issued by the California Secretary of State.
4. If the operator and the owner of the lot on which the collection bin will be located are the same person or entity, written acknowledgment that the operator understands that they are liable for violations of this subdivision. If the operator and the owner of the lot on which the collection bin will be located are different persons or entities, written acknowledgment signed by both parties that both understand that they are jointly and severally liable for violations of this subdivision.
5. A site plan identifying the following:
i. Boundaries of the parcel on which the bin will be located; ii. Location of all structures on the parcel;
iii. Proposed bin location;
iv. Distance from the proposed bin location to the lot lines and the nearest structures on the parcel; v. Locations and dimensions of all existing and proposed driveways, landscaped areas, easements, and parking space on the parcel.
6. Diagram and/or description of the bin including the height, width, depth, and general appearance of the bin, and the materials of which the bin is fabricated.
7. Diagram and/or description of the proposed locking mechanism.
8. Description of the maintenance plan, including the pick-up schedule to be not less than weekly, and graffiti, litter and trash removal on and around the collection bin;
9. Any other information regarding time, place and manner of the collection bin's operation, placement, and maintenance that the city manager deems reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposal's consistency with the requirements of this Chapter.
D. A person on whose property a collection bin is already located as of the effective date of this ordinance shall legalize the bin by applying for and obtaining director's review and approval as set forth in this Section, or shall remove the bin from the premises, within sixty (60) calendar days from the effective date of this ordinance.
(Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
17.45.060 Location, distance requirements of collection bins.
A. Collection bins are permissible only commercially zoned property on which at least one currently licensed business is operating.
B. No collection bin shall be located within the following distances:
1. 20 feet of any public right-of-way;
2. 10 feet of any lot line adjoining another lot;
3. 100 feet of a residentially zoned parcel.
Created: 2024-08-22 08:37:15 [EST]
(Supp. No. 10-24, Upd 1)
C. No collection bin shall be located on or within the following:
1. The public right-of-way, including alleys and sidewalks;
2. Any area designated for landscaping.
D. No collection bin shall be located in, or block or impede access to any of the following:
1. Required parking or driveway areas;
2. Pedestrian routes;
3. Emergency vehicle routes;
4. Building ingress and egress;
5. Required accessibility routes;
6. Required easements;
7. Trash enclosure areas or access to trash bins or trash enclosures;
8. Any place that would impede the functioning of exhaust, ventilation or fire extinguishing systems.
E. No more than one collection bin shall be located on any lot. (Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
17.45.070 Physical attributes.
A. Collection bins shall be fabricated of durable and waterproof materials.
B. Bins shall be placed on a paved, non-sloping surface.
C. Bins shall have a tamper-resistant locking mechanism.
D. Bins shall not exceed dimensions of 80 inches in height, 50 inches in depth, and 60 inches in width.
E. Collection bins shall be provided a light source to provide illumination between sunset and sunrise.
F. Bins shall have the following information conspicuously displayed in at least two -inch type visible from the front of the collection bin:
1. Bin operator's name, 24-hour telephone number, and address of the lot on which the bin is licensed to be located;
2. A statement that no material shall be left outside the collection bin;
3. A statement that either reads "this collection bin is owned and operated by a for -profit organization" and that clearly describes the charitable cause that will benefit from the donations, or "this collection bin is owned and operated by a nonprofit organization" and that clearly states "this donation is not tax deductible."
(Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
17.45.080 Operational and maintenance standards.
A. Collection bins shall be maintained in good working order, and free from graffiti, removed or damaged requisite signs and notifications, peeling paint, rust, and broken collection operating mechanisms.
Created: 2024-08-22 08:37:15 [EST]
(Supp. No. 10-24, Upd 1)
B. No overflow collection items, litter, debris or dumped materials shall be allowed to accumulate within 20 feet of any collection bin.
C. Collection bins shall be serviced not less than weekly. Servicing includes removal of the collected items, maintenance of the bin, and abatement of any graffiti, litter or other nuisance conditions in, on or around the collection bin.
D. The operator shall maintain an active email address and a telephone with 24 -hour recording capability for the public to register complaints.
E. Any conditions that are in violation of this Chapter must be abated or corrected within 48 hours of being reported to bin operator and/or property owner.
(Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
17.45.090 Violation; public nuisance; penalty; administrative citations.
A. The city council finds and declares that it is unlawful for any responsible person, as defined in this Chapter, to allow, cause, create, suffer or permit the presence of a collection bin on or around his or her property in a location or manner that is in violation of this Chapter.
B. The city council finds and declares that a collection bin that does not fully comply with this Chapter constitutes a public nuisance subject to abatement.
C. Any person violating the provisions of this Chapter is subject to the penalty provisions set forth in Chapter
1.12. D. A responsible person violating the provisions of this Chapter may additionally be issued an administrative citation in accordance with the provisions set forth in Chapter 1.16. (Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
17.45.100 Abatement; emergency abatement of an imminently hazardous collection bin.
A. The city manager may cause a nuisance collection bin to be abated, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 8.28 of this code.
B. The city council finds and declares that a collection bin that has encroached into the public right -of-way, including alleys and sidewalks, constitutes a significant hazard to pedestrians and vehicles and therefore is deemed an imminent public safety hazard. The city manager is authorized to utilize the procedures set forth in Section 8.28.170 of this code for the emergency abatement of such a bin. (Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
17.45.110 Remedies not exclusive.
A. Any administrative citation pursuant to this Chapter shall not prejudice or adversely affect any other civil, administrative or criminal action that may be brought to abate a nuisance collection bin or to seek compensation for damages suffered. A criminal or civil action may be brought concurrently with any other process regarding the same violation.
B. A nuisance collection bin may be abated through the revocation or suspension of the director's review approval, in accordance with the provisions set forth in Chapter 17.32, Article VIII of this code. (Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
Created: 2024-08-22 08:37:15 [EST]
(Supp. No. 10-24, Upd 1)
17.45.120 Severability.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter. The city council declares that it would have adopted this Chapter, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Ord. No. 1098, § 3(Exh. A), 1-24-2023)
L ancaster G eneral P lan
Safety Element
What is a Safety Element?
The Safety Element is one of the State-mandated
elements of the General Plan. It presents the City's
overall goals, policies, and action programs to facilitate resilience and prosperity. This Safety Element meets the requirements of California Government Code Section
65302(f) and (g). Under State planning law, this Element identifies and discusses the following hazards of concern for the City:
Geology and Seismicity
Flooding and Drainage
Noise
Air Installation Land Use Compatibility
Hazardous Materials
Crime Prevention and Protection Services
Fire Prevention and Suppression Services
Disaster Preparedness and Evacuation
Emergency Medical Facilities
Climate Adaptation
Consistency with Other Elements
Integrating safety considerations throughout the General Plan creates a consistent framework that prioritizes the well-being of the community. The Lancaster Safety
Element is a key component of the General Plan which
works in conjunction with other Elements, including:
Plan for the Natural Environment: addresses the
use and management of natural resources and
open space lands.
Plan for Active Living: contains plans and
programs for the provision of quality living
environments, addressing parks, recreation, and
other community services.
Plan for Physical Mobility: focuses on
transportation issues and how goods and people
move.
Plan for Municipal Services and Facilities:
addresses the services and facilities needed to
support existing and future residential,
commercial, and industrial development.
Plan for Economic Development and Vitality:
outlines how the community is striving for
economic self-sufficiency and presents a program
to facilitate those efforts.
INTRODUCTION
The City of Lancaster prioritizes the well-being and safety of its community members. Our initiatives and policies prioritize preparation for potential natural and human-caused hazards and emergencies.
Effective emergency management, increased preparation for disasters, and incorporation of resilience in City activities and the development process supports the protection of life and property. This Element of the General Plan provides the context to identify and understand the hazards that could threaten the urban and rural portions of the community. Based on this understanding, better practices and policies enable the continued prosperity and resilience of Lancaster.
Plan for Physical Development: focuses on the
organization of the physical environment into a
local, functional, and aesthetic pattern consistent
with community values. These policies and
programs are illustrated on the General Plan
Land Use Map. The Plan for Physical
Development also contains the Community
Design subsection, which focuses on
strengthening the City's physical image and
identity. The Plan for Community Design provides
direction in the form of policies and action
programs that call for the development and
implementation of comprehensive community
design guidelines that provide guidance for
creating an attractive and enduring physical
environment.
Housing Element: addresses housing needs and
strategies to accommodate population growth
and a variety of income levels. Periodic updates
of the Housing Element are required in
conjunction with the Regional Housing Needs
Allocation prepared by the California Department
of Housing and Community Development.
Consistency with Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan
The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for the City of Lancaster was developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) and follows guidance
provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). The LHMP incorporates a systematic process to
identify and profile hazards, assesses risks to the
community’s people, property, and critical facilities, and develops mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate
those risks. Implementation of the LHMP includes both
short-term and long-term actions, such as planning
initiatives, policy updates, programs, projects, and other efforts to enhance community resilience.
The LHMP is a dynamic, regularly updated document that
supplements the Safety Element of the General Plan. It is incorporated by reference in accordance with California Government Code Section 65302(g). The current, FEMA-
approved LHMP, as adopted by the City Council, can be
accessed in its entirety on the City’s website at:
https://www.cityoflancasterca.gov/emergencyplans
Regulatory Environment
California Government Code 65302(g)(1):
California Government Code Section 65302(g)(1)
establishes the legislative framework for California's
Safety Elements. This framework consolidates the
requirements from relevant federal and state agencies,
ensuring that all jurisdictions are compliant with the
numerous statutory mandates. These mandates include:
Protecting against significant risks related to
earthquakes, tsunamis, seiches, dam failure,
landslides, subsidence, flooding, and fires as
applicable.
Including maps of known seismic and other
geologic hazards.
Addressing evacuation routes, military
installations, peak-load water supply
requirements, and minimum road widths and
clearances around structures as related to fire
and geologic hazards, where applicable.
Identifying areas subject to flooding and
wildfires.
Avoiding locating critical facilities within areas of high risk.
Assessing the community's vulnerability to
climate change and including adaptation and
resilience goals, policies, and implementation
actions.
California Government Code Sections 8685.9 and
65302.6:
California Government Code Section 8685.9 (also known
as Assembly Bill 2140 or AB 2140) limits California's share of disaster relief funds paid out to local governments to 75 percent of the funds not paid for by federal disaster relief efforts. However, if the jurisdiction has adopted a valid LHMP consistent with DMA 2000 and has
incorporated the LHMP into the jurisdiction's General
Plan, the State may cover more than 75 percent of the
remaining disaster relief costs. All cities and counties in California must prepare a General Plan, including a Safety Element that addresses various hazard conditions and
other public safety issues. The Safety Element may be a standalone chapter or incorporated into another section as the community wishes. California Government Code
Section 65302.6 indicates that a community may adopt
an LHMP into its Safety Element if the LHMP meets
applicable State requirements. As the General Plan is an overarching long-term plan for community growth and
development, incorporating the LHMP into it creates a
stronger mechanism for implementing risk reduction
strategies and hazard mitigation projects.
California Government Code 65302(g)(3) adopted
through SB 1241 (2012):
California Government Code Section 65302(g)(3) requires the Safety Element to identify and update mapping,
information, and goals and policies to address wildfire hazards. As part of this requirement, any jurisdiction that includes State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire
Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Areas (LRA), as defined by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board), is required to transmit the
updated Element to the Board for review and approval.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are not located
within city limits; therefore, compliance with Section
65302(g)(3) is not required at this time.
California Government Code 65302(g)(4) adopted
through SB 379 (2015):
California Government Code Section 65302(g)(4) requires the Safety Element to address potential impacts of
climate change and develop potential strategies to
adapt/mitigate these hazards. Analysis of these potential effects should rely on a jurisdiction's LHMP or data and analysis from the State of California's Cal-Adapt website.
This Element relies on the City's adopted LHMP, and
supplemental information from Cal Adapt to ensure
compliance with this requirement.
California Government Code 65302(g)(5) adopted
through S.B. 99 (2019):
California Government Code Section 65302(g)(5) requires the Safety Element to identify evacuation constraints
associated with residential developments, specifically
focused on areas served by a single roadway.
National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 to help communities adopt more effective
floodplain management programs and regulations. FEMA
is responsible for implementing the NFIP and approves
the floodplain management plans for participating cities and counties. Lancaster participates in the NFIP and uses Chapter 17, Title 40, Section 190 of the Lancaster
Municipal Code to administer flood management
regulations.
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (California Public Resources Code [PRC], Chapter 7.5, Section 2621- 2699.6) was intended to reduce the risks associated with surface faults and requires that the designated State
Geologist identify and map "Earthquake Fault Zones"
around known active faults. Per PRC Section 2623(a),
cities and counties shall require a geologic report
defining and delineating any hazard of surface fault
rupture before the approval of a project. If the
jurisdiction finds no undue hazard of that kind exists, the geologic report on the hazard may be waived, with the
State Geologist's approval. For a list of project types, please refer to PRC Section 2621.6.
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (California Public
Resources Code, Chapter 7.8, Section 2690-2699.6)
created a statewide seismic hazard mapping and
technical advisory program in 1990 to help cities and
counties more effectively address the effects of geologic and seismic hazards caused by earthquakes. Under PRC
2697, cities and counties shall require a geotechnical
report defining and delineating any seismic hazard before approving a project located in a seismic hazard zone. If the jurisdiction finds that no undue hazard of this kind exists based on information resulting from studies
conducted on sites near the project and of similar soil composition to the project site, the geotechnical report may be waived. After a report has been approved or a
waiver granted, subsequent geotechnical reports shall
not be required, provided that new geologic datum, or
data, warranting further investigation is not recorded.
Each jurisdiction shall submit one copy of each approved geotechnical report, including the mitigation measures to be taken, if any, to the State Geologist within 30 days of its approval of the report. For a list of project types, please refer to PRC Section 2693.
Cortese List
Government Code Section 65962.5 (typically referred to
as the "Cortese List") identifies sites that require
additional oversight during the local permitting process as well as compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The list is generally a compilation of properties and businesses that generate, store, and/or
have been impacted by the presence of hazardous
materials/wastes. Many properties identified on this list may be undergoing corrective action, cleanup, or
abandoned and in need of these activities. The City of
Lancaster has a variety of sites identified on this list that range from permitted underground storage tanks,
leaking underground storage tanks, sites meeting waste
discharge requirements, and land disposal sites. No
cleanup sites that meet state or federal thresholds are located within the City according to this list.
Potential Hazards/Trends
The City of Lancaster is situated in an area of Southern California that is vulnerable to seismic and geologic
hazards, flooding, fires, climate adaptation, hazardous material releases, and noise.
Geology and Seismicity
Lancaster is located within the high desert area of Los Angeles County, which is prone to geologic and seismic
hazards. Due to these conditions, precautions are
established through this Safety Element to protect lives and property against seismic shaking, surface rupture,
liquefaction, and landslide.
Seismic Shaking
Seismic shaking is the identifiable movement caused by
the energy released during an earthquake. The energy
that emanates through the ground from the epicenter
(origin of the event at the Earth's surface) of an
earthquake can travel hundreds of miles. Damage and
destruction from seismic shaking affects buildings,
infrastructure (roads, power lines, and pipelines), and bridges, leading to further safety concerns. Areas closest to an earthquake's epicenter are subject to the greatest shaking, which typically decreases as distance increases.
The two faults with highest potential to cause significant shaking in and around Lancaster include the San Andreas Fault (approximately nine miles south of the city's center) and Garlock Fault (approximately 28 miles
north/northwest of the city's center), both of which can generate earthquakes in excess of M7.0. According to the Third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast,
the San Andreas Fault has a 17 percent probability of
generating an earthquake greater than M6.7 in the next
30 years. During the same time period, the Garlock Fault has a two percent probability of generating a similar
quake.
Surface Rupture
The sudden movement and release of energy from an
earthquake can cause the Earth to fracture and displace the land surrounding it, creating an earthquake fault.
Some faults are deep beneath the surface, while others
can be found at Earth's surface. Surface rupture is
especially dangerous if structures were constructed on
top of the fault or if city infrastructure crosses the fault, as they can be damaged and even destroyed (Figure 4-1).
If a surface rupture occurs, the movement can burst
natural gas and water pipelines, damage roads and
bridges, rendering them useless after the event. Areas of known surface rupture hazard in California are identified in Alquist-Priolo Special Study Zones. Figure 4-2 identifies active faults near the vicinity of Lancaster that could experience a rupture. The only fault meeting this criteria is the San Andreas Fault, which is located outside the city limits.
Liquefaction
Liquefaction occurs when intense vibrations from an
earthquake cause soils that are saturated to lose stability and act as a liquid. This phenomenon poses a significant problem for structures in areas where liquefaction can
occur, as the ground might give way under the weight of the structure and its foundation. The California
Department of Conservation has identified potential
liquefaction zones within the Lancaster area: along the length of Little Rock Wash, the area of Amargosa Creek
extending from north of Quartz Hill to the northeast to the Los Angeles-Kern County line, and at Apollo
Community Regional Park; there is also a small
liquefaction zone near Avenue M and 40
th St. West.
Landslide
A landslide is the movement of earth materials down
slopes and areas of steep topography. Generally caused
by earthquakes, landslides can occur when any sloped
surface can no longer support the material contained
within the slope or material sitting above the slope itself.
The instability can simply be the sheer weight of the
loose material, or it can be helped by other natural
events like a heavy rainstorm. Figure 4-3 identifies the areas of the city susceptible to deep-seated landslides.
These areas are predominantly located in the southwest
portion of the city.
Figure 4-1: Damage to a road near Edwards Airforce Base after a seismic shaking event.
Photo Courtesy: USGS
The following issues of concern should be considered
when addressing geologic and seismic hazards:
The City of Lancaster is located within a
seismically active area, near the San Andreas and
Garlock faults.
A major earthquake could result in multiple
casualties, extensive property damage and loss,
and further catastrophes.