DATE: October 28, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CEDAR,
PARADISE, OTAY/DULZURA, AND THE ROBLAR II FIRES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERMIT
FEE WAIVERS
SUMMARY:
Overview
On March 6, 2002 (18) the Board of Supervisors amended the San Diego County
Administrative Code to waive permit fees for rebuilding structures damaged
by natural disasters. As a result, when a natural disaster occurs, the
Board of Supervisors may adopt a resolution identifying the geographic
area affected by the disaster that is eligible for fee waivers.
If approved, this Board Letter will formally declare the area damaged by the Cedar, Paradise, Otay/Dulzura, and the Roblar II Fires eligible for the permit fee waivers. It will also authorize the Director of Planning and Land Use to finalize the eligibility map, since the boundaries of the affected areas are unknown at the time of docketing.
Recommendations
VICE CHAIRWOMAN DIANNE JACOB AND SUPERVISOR BILL HORN
- Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants and Revenue Contracts, Department Responsibility for Full Cost Recovery to eliminate building permit fees related to rebuilding structures damaged by natural disasters.
- Adopt a Resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO DECLARING THE CEDAR, PARADISE, OTAY/DULZURA, AND THE ROBLAR II FIRES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERMIT FEE WAIVERS - Authorize the Director of Planning and Land Use to finalize the map to be used to determine exact boundaries for fee waiver eligibility.
Fiscal Impact
If approved, waiver of the permit fee structure will reduce revenues and
increase the net general fund allocation by an unknown amount, estimated
to be in the range of $2,000,000. There will be no increase in staff years.
BACKGROUND:
This is a request to adopt a resolution that will formally declare the
area damaged by the Cedar, Paradise, Otay/Dulzura, and the Roblar II Fires
to be eligible for the permit fee waivers set forth in item 18 of schedule
F of section 362 of the County Administrative Code.
If approved, the proposed fee waivers would apply only to legally built structures which have been destroyed by fire and are located within the boundaries of the geographic area that has been declared by resolution of the Board of Supervisors to be eligible for the fee waiver.
These devastating fires continue to destroy homes and structures and require the evacuation of thousands of people. As a result, areas of San Diego County have experienced severe disruption to homes, businesses, farms, ranches, and normal services.
As of 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2003, the County's eight damage assessment teams reported the following numbers:
The four major fires have burned more than 328,000 acres across the County of San Diego.
The Cedar Fire, which started at approximately 5:07 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2003 has burned in excess of 206,000 acres; 881 single family dwellings destroyed; 49 single family dwellings damaged.
The Paradise Fire, which started at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2003 has burned in excess of 30,000 acres; 20 single family dwellings destroyed; Four single family dwellings damaged.
The Otay/Dulzura Fire, which started at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2003 has burned in excess of 45,000 acres. No damage to homes or structures has been confirmed.
The Roblar II Fire (Camp Pendleton), which started at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 has burned is excess of 47,000 acres. Structure damage is unknown.
This action will provide critical relief to victims of the recent fires in the unincorporated area, expedite the permitting process and waive permit fees for legally built structures that have been destroyed.
Respectfully submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Vice Chairwoman
BILL HORN
Supervisor, Fifth District
