Sabha, Tamer
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John Fauvre
Sunday, July 13, 2025 8:16 PM
Sabha, Tamer
Public Safety Committee July 16 Cal Fire Hazard Map adoption. ^\] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. For more information about the Phish Alert Button view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
Greetings:
Adoption of the hazard map has costs and consequences, largely unwarranted.
The map entails new, expensive building code requirements for new and existing houses. Chief Sell explained to me that these requirements may be delayed for 3 years for existing houses and 1 year for new buildings, maybe new permits.
Costs for affected homeowners depend on circumstances, but $5,000 for each house to much more is likely.
There is no apparent need for them on the east bank of the Arroyo according to the fire safety map by Pasadena Water and Power (p.22) or First State, a national fire risk rating agency used by realtors, which gives the area a moderate risk rating, meaning a 1 to 3% risk of fire in the next 30 years.
The State requires that the map be adopted. But enforcement is unfunded and left up to individual cities. Pasadena could focus only on extreme violations and offer financial support as needed. The costs of 4800 home owners at maybe $7,000 each are significant, offer little benefit for the city as a whole (high wind fires, though unusual, are practically uncontrollable, are are no less likely to spread if some houses are"hardened ," and imposition of the costs on homeowners who simply don't see the need appears unpopular and unfair.) The issue deserves clarification and your careful consideration.
Regards,
John Fauvre
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