Saticoy & Wells Community Plan & Development ... - City Of Ventura

Saticoy & Wells Community Plan and Code EIRSection 4.13 Public Servicesunder construction (Memo, City of Ventura Public Works, 3/14/2007). When complete, thoseimprovements will resolve the fire flow deficiencies in both the Wells and Saticoy communities.Saticoy Well # 3 is planned to serve additional growth in the vicinity of the Project Area and isanticipated for operation in late 2009 (Biennial Water Supply Report, 2008). Thus, althoughSaticoy Well #3 is not yet constructed, the City is planning the construction of that wellregardless of whether the Project is implemented. In addition, the Project indicates that alldevelopment and land use proposals would be reviewed by emergency service staff to ensurethat the appropriate requirements area applied. Any additional specific requirements for theProject and any improvements in the water supply system necessary to meet thoserequirements, would be verified by the VFD and accomplished prior to occupancy of newdevelopment.Funding of Fire Services. As with most municipal fire departments, the VFD isprimarily funded by the City’s general fund. Section 4.220 of the City’s Municipal Code setsforth the reasoning for, and methodology for, assessing development mitigation impact fees forfire service. Fees are assessed and levied upon the owner of the property that proposesdevelopment. For residential property, the amount of fees are based on the type ofdevelopment and the number of dwelling units proposed to be added to the property. Fornonresidential property, the amount of fees are based on the kind of development and thesquare footage of any new building or structure on the property, the square footage beingadded to any existing building or structure on the property and/or the square footage of anyexisting residential building or structure on the property or portion of an existing building orstructure being changed to residential use or to a different nonresidential use. Fees are used tofund the additional fire facilities and equipment required to provide fire prevention andsuppression services, hazardous waste containment, identification and cleanup services, andparamedic services to new development occurring within the City. Fees are only used for thepurpose of acquiring and constructing fire facilities and/or purchasing or fabricating fireequipment necessary to provide a level of fire suppression and prevention services, hazardouswaste containment, identification and cleanup services, and paramedic services for the residentsand other inhabitants of new residential and nonresidential development that is at leastequivalent to the level of service provided to the City’s existing residents and other inhabitants.Existing Conditions in the Project Area. The Project Area currently includes firefightinginfrastructure, including a fire station (Station 6) within a three-minute response distance, andan established hydrant network. The station is equipped with a fire pumper, a hazmat unit andother specialized equipment for managing hazardous materials spills. The apparent staffingshortage is an ongoing concern for the Fire Department. The Project Area is not located withinmapped high fire hazard zones, although wildfires on the hillsides surrounding Ventura pose apotential threat to the developed portions of the City.b. Police Services. Public safety in the Project Area is managed by the Ventura PoliceDepartment (VPD). The VPD is headquartered at 1425 Dowell Drive, approximately five mileswest of the Project Area. The VPD currently has 128 sworn personnel or 1.18 officers per 1,000residents. The response time within the City for emergency calls averages less than 6 minutes,and for all other calls average less than 20 minutes. The City’s response times are consideredrapid by state standards.4.13-2City of Ventura