Council advances ordinance to adopt state—issued fire-hazard severity maps after recusals

Pacifica—s city council voted to introduce an ordinance that would adopt state-produced fire-hazard severity zone maps for areas inside the city that fall under local responsibility. Councilmembers temporarily recused themselves because they own property in the mapped zones, and the council invoked the state—s "rule of necessity" to permit a quorum to act.

The maps were developed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshal using vegetation, topography and fire-history data, North County Fire Authority Chief Ron Myers told the council. "They utilize factors such as the type of vegetation, density, fire history, embers, local weather, topography," Myers said, describing the state—s methodology.

The state law requires local governments to adopt the maps for local responsibility areas within 120 days of map release, Mayor Pro Tem Bowles noted during the meeting. Council agreed to introduce an ordinance adding fire-hazard severity zones to the municipal code; the ordinance also sets the city—s process for addressing related planning and building standards triggered by those designations.

Councilmembers Christine Wright and Sue Beier moved and seconded the introduction of the ordinance; the motion passed 3-0. Mayor Sue Beckmeyer and Mayor Pro Tem Bowles recused themselves because they own property within the mapped zones. To create a voting majority the council drew a name at random under the Political Reform Act—s rule of necessity and selected Councilmember Wright to participate in the decision.

Council and staff discussed what the mapped zones mean for residents. Battalion Chief and fire marshal Craig Whitner said the maps do not themselves impose immediate new requirements for every property, but they do trigger certain consequences in higher tiers: for example, AB 38-style real-estate disclosures and defensible-space inspections tied to sales in the high and very-high designations, and potential later building standards (commonly known as Chapter 7A) in the very-high zones. Whitner said very-high designations carry "stiffer regulations for mandated defensible space and likewise inspections." He emphasized the maps show hazard, not a prediction of specific fires.

City staff told council the maps will be posted publicly and that residents can search state mapping tools to learn whether their property is included. City Manager Kevin Woodhouse said the police department is continuing standard enforcement of parking and other safety issues and that mitigation programs such as outreach and the previously run chipper program remain key parts of local wildfire preparedness.

The council introduced the ordinance and waived further reading; the ordinance will return for adoption at a later meeting. Staff said they will transmit the ordinance and adoption documents to the Board of Forestry and the state once the city adopts the measure. Whitner and Chief Myers said ongoing public education and voluntary defensible-space work remain the primary near-term tools for reducing local risk.

The council—s action came after a presentation by North County Fire Authority staff about how the maps were generated and what consequences the designations could trigger. Councilmembers asked about water supply, evacuation routing and the practicality of mandated inspections. Whitner replied that Pacifica has not historically qualified for many state vegetation-management grants because the formula prioritizes communities with large prior fire losses; he encouraged individual property-level mitigation.

Councilmember Wright said she supported the council—s direction but warned against promising measures the city cannot implement without additional staff and funding. City staff said the ordinance merely adopts the state maps and that the city will evaluate implementation steps and related costs in future planning and budget cycles.

The ordinance introduction passed 3-0 with two recusals; it will return for a future meeting for final adoption and subsequent transmission to state authorities.