Community Resilience

People attending Shape SSF sub-are meeting

Where We Want to Be

In the future

The City maintains responsiveness and minimizes impacts to operations from shocks or stressors caused by climate change and natural disasters.
Community assets, infrastructure, and public facilities are prepared for future flood events and sea level rise.
Residents, particularly the most vulnerable residents, are protected from climate and hazard impacts.
The City provides opportunities for all residents and businesses to be better informed about potential hazards and about resources to prepare and collaborate with the community to inform program development and priorities.
The City continuously evaluates risk and will take steps to mitigate potential impacts.

Performance

Metrics

01Performance Metrics:

Shocks and stressors, including climate change in all City plans

Target:

100% of City plans address community resilience and climate change impacts

Data:

City to begin tracking data and provide in the future.

02Performance Metrics:

Emergency preparedness and disaster response

Target:

Train 1,000 individuals in emergency preparedness and disaster response techniques through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program

Data:

City to begin tracking data and provide in the future.

03Perfromance Metrics:

Sea level rise and flooding projects completed

Target:

An increase in the number of sea level rise and flooding projects completed

Data:

City to begin tracking data and provide in the future.

04Performance Metrics:

Resilient housing

Target:

Increase the proportion of housing units that complete weatherization, energy efficiency, and retrofits, particularly in disadvantaged communities

Data:

City to begin tracking data and provide in the future.

How Our Plan

Gets Us There

Benches along a trail next to a body of water

Natural hazards and climate change present South San Francisco with a series of overlapping challenges. Both gradual climate change and hazard events can expose people, infrastructure, transportation, buildings and property, and ecosystems to a wide range of stressors. These hazards and their impacts disproportionately affect the most sensitive populations in the city. The City will prioritize the most disadvantaged populations. The Community Resilience Element includes goals and policies that will proactively advance community resilience, preparing the community for all hazards, including climate disruption, while ensuring a high-quality response and recovery from future disasters. The City will mainstream climate change into capital planning and assessment activities.

Key Issues and Opportunities-

Hazard Profile

The Community Resilience Element identifies known hazards, such as earthquakes, flooding, and other manmade hazards, as well as methods to reduce the potential risk of illness, injury, death, or property damage that can occur because of these hazards. South San Francisco and its people are susceptible to a variety of hazards. Many of those hazards will influence the frequency, magnitude, and duration of those natural hazards in the city. This section summarizes the hazard profile for South San Francisco.

Climate Change Flooding Earthquakes Landslides Wildfires Tsunami Hazardous Materials Airport Hazards Emergency Preparedness

Climate Change

Climate is the long-term behavior of the atmosphere – typically represented as averages – for a given time of year. This includes average annual temperature, snowpack, or rainfall. Human emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gases) are important drivers of global climate change, and recent changes across the climate system are unprecedented. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in warming over time. This atmospheric warming leads to other changes in the earth systems, including changing patterns of rainfall and snow, melting of glaciers and ice, and warming of oceans. Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. Evidence of observed changes include heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and hurricanes.

Likewise, California and South San Francisco are already experiencing the effects of a changing climate. Both gradual climate change (e.g., sea level rise) and climate hazard events (e.g., extreme heat days) expose people, infrastructure, buildings and properties, and ecosystems to a wide range of stress-inducing and hazardous situations. These hazards and their impacts disproportionately affect the most sensitive populations in the city.

Increasing Temperature: During the last century, average surface temperatures in California and the Bay Area rose steadily. Between 1970 and 2006, the average minimum temperature rose by 1.2°F per decade and the average maximum temperature increased by 0.7°F per decade across the region. Climate change models indicate that temperatures will continue to rise in South San Francisco. Annual maximum temperatures are projected to increase between 3.5°F and 4.7°F by mid-century (2040-2060) and between 4.5°F and 9.2°F by end of century (2080-2100).
With climate change, extreme heat events in California and South San Francisco are becoming more frequent, more intense, and longer lasting. The number of extreme heat days is anticipated to increase significantly across the Bay Area region during the next century, but more so in inland areas than coastal cities. Even with lower projections along the coast, by mid-century (2040-2060), the city is expected to have an average of 9 extreme heat days, increasing to an average of 24 extreme heat days per year by the end of century (2080-2100).
Changing Precipitation Patterns: Between 1950 and 2005, the mean annual precipitation in South San Francisco was approximately 24.1 inches with variation from year to year. The variability in Northern California’s annual precipitation comes from fluctuations of the biggest storms – a boom and bust cycle. Precipitation in the Bay Area will continue to exhibit high year-to-year variability - “booms and busts” - with very wet and very dry years. The region’s largest winter storms will likely become more intense, and potentially more damaging, producing heavy rainfall and substantial flood risk, especially along Colma Creek and other water bodies. Future increases in temperature will likely cause longer and deeper California droughts in drier years.

Rising Sea Levels

In the last 100 years, sea level in the Bay Area has risen over 8 inches. Sea levels are rising around the world and are expected to accelerate in the coming decades as oceans continue to warm and glaciers and ice sheets continue to melt. The city is already (as of 2021) seeing impacts of sea level rise with King Tides (extremely high tides) causing greater localized flooding in the Oyster Point Marina.

Increasing Temperatures	Changing Precipitation Patterns	Rising Sea Levels
Extreme heat days will increase considerably in the city	The Bay Area will continue to see larger precipitation fluctuations over the next century with very wet and very dry years	More extensive coastal flooding during storm events
Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can create periods of abnormally dry weather that create drought	Stormwater flooding may increase as high bay levels can impede drainage of stormwater runoff	Higher groundwater table
Warmer, drier summers, high wind events, such as the Diablo winds, and increased vegetation growth, can create conditions suitable for wildfires

King Tide flooding at Oyster Point Marina
Source: California King Tides Project

Flooding

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Flooding is often the result of weather events and may cause substantial damage to buildings and infrastructure, as well as public safety concerns. Periodic flooding occurs in South San Francisco but is confined to certain areas along Colma Creek. The majority of the City of South San Francisco is not located within a flood hazard zone. However, there are some areas located within the 100-year flood zone, including along Colma Creek, Navigable Slough, San Bruno Creek, and the San Francisco Bay. Flood depth during a 100-year storm is 2 to 3 feet. Small portions of the following neighborhoods may be impacted by a 100-year flood: East of 101, Lindenville, Downtown, Orange Park, El Camino, Avalon, and Sunshine Gardens.

Projected sea level rise will worsen existing coastal flood hazards, increasing the depth/elevation of flooding and expanding the flood further inland. These coastal flood hazards will include temporary flooding from storm surge and tide, permanent inundation areas, elevated ground levels, and shoreline erosion. Figure XX shows the projected sea level rise and coastal flooding by 2100 along the coast of South San Francisco. A significant number of public facilities and infrastructure, buildings, and other structures are likely to be affected based on a vulnerability assessment conducted by San Mateo County. Portions of Highway 101, Fire Stations 61 and 62, the former Oyster point landfill, Bay Trail, South San Francisco-San Bruno Water Quality Control Plant, and the San Francisco International Airport are among the large public assets exposed to future sea level rise.

The City continues to participate in multiple studies to understand the potential impact of sea level rise and coastal flooding and how to best adapt. The City, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and San Mateo County, in particular, are continuing to study the impacts and will be recommending engineering solutions to prevent flooding. This includes developing adaptation options for Colma Creek.

Flood Hazard Map

Earthquakes

South San Francisco is in one of the most seismically active regions in the United States. There are approximately 30 known faults in the Bay Area with the potential to generate earthquakes; eleven of which are within forty miles of the city. The Peninsula segment of the San Andreas Fault, the predominant fault system in California, passes through the westernmost corner of the city in the Westborough sub-area. Nearly all South San Francisco’s population, critical facilities, housing, and commercial properties would be exposed to violent or very strong ground shaking from a M7.2 earthquake on the San Andreas fault. East of 101 and Lindenville are in liquefaction areas, both areas expected to see new development in the future.

Ground Shaking: South San Francisco is susceptible to ground shaking. The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) estimates the intensity of shaking from an earthquake at a specific location. Most of the eastern portion of the city is located within Zone VIII (Very Strong) and is estimated to experience moderate structural damage. The remainder of the city, including the portions fronting the San Francisco Bay, are located within Zone IX (Violent).
Liquefaction: Areas near the San Francisco Bay have high ground failure potential, including liquefaction and settlement during earthquake shaking. Most of the lowland areas of South San Francisco have the potential for liquefaction hazards, with very high liquefaction potential in East of 101 and Lindenville, high potential along Colma Creek, and moderate potential in the alluvial fan of Colma Creek and in a narrow strip of land south of Sister Cities Boulevard.

Landslides

Portions of the city are hilly and underlain with weak bedrock with slopes greater than 15 percent and have the greatest susceptibility to land sliding. In the Paradise Valley/Terrabay area, slopes required extensive stabilization, drainage improvements, and seismic mitigations when subdivisions were built. The slopes still pose a hazard, with elevated wildfire risk and rockfall risk. The majority of South San Franciso is in the lower risk category for landslides.

Note: The regulatory data shown on the maps were obtained from California Geological Survey (2021), which includes Active Fault Traces, Earthquake Fault Zones, Liquefaction Zones, and Earthquake-Induced Landslide Zones.

Wildfires

Wildfires are a significant concern throughout California. Wildfire risk is determined by a combination of factors including precipitation, winds, temperature, and landscape and vegetation conditions. In addition to the direct impacts of wildfire, smoke can be a significant source of air quality pollution, and emissions from wildfires can lead to excessive levels of particulate matter, ozone, and volatile organic compounds.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones are a measure of the likelihood of an area burning and how it burns. San Bruno Mountain to the north of the city has moderate to high wildfire hazard severity potential. While there are no high or moderate severity zones inside the City limits, Sign Hill is susceptible to wildfires as witnessed by the 2020 fire. Vegetation management programs can be used at the bases of Sign Hill and San Bruno Mountain to reduce wildfire risk.

Tsunami

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials refer to any chemical compound that poses a threat to human or environmental health, ranging from automobile oil to known cancer-causing chemicals. South San Francisco has a history of industrial uses dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, when the large tracts of land east of US-101 were formerly used for heavy industrial uses.

Hazardous material generation is generally concentrated in industrial zones located in East of 101 and in Lindenville and along El Camino Real. The Cortese List includes 960 known sites in the city, 178 of which are listed on the State and Tribal Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) databases. Several of the key sites include the Oyster Point Landfill, Koll Site (former landfill site), Homart Development Corporation (former steel mill and fabrication plant), Wildberg Brothers Site (metal refining and recovery), airport properties, and Caltrans/Union Pacific sites.

Aerial Photo: Industry (East), 1971. Oyster Point Marina and Oyster Point Boulevard. Source.

Airport Hazards

South San Francisco falls within the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) compatibility zones. Portions of the city are subject to frequent overflight from aircraft departures on Runway 28 and less frequent overflight from arrivals on Runway 10. Aircraft accidents pose a risk to persons and property in the city, as well as the occupants of an aircraft involved in an accident that occurs beyond the runway environment.

Emergency Preparedness

The City of South San Franciso’s public safety personnel plan and train for all types of emergency and disaster situations that could affect the health and safety of the city’s residents, visitors, business owners, and pass-through commuters. The Fire Department responds from five fire stations throughout the city. These stations are located to allow for adequate response times and overlapping coverage to multiple emergencies.

The Fire Department’s Emergency Services Manager is responsible for managing the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Emergency Response Plans, regularly training City personnel as disaster service workers and running programs, such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to train citizen volunteers in emergency preparedness and basic disaster response.

Critical Planning Issues

This section highlights the critical issues and exposures across multiple hazards and sectors.

Disadvantaged Populations East of 101 and Lindenville Existing Buildings Housing Transportation Utilities Communication

Disadvantaged Populations

Natural and climate hazards and their impacts are likely to disproportionately affect the most sensitive populations in the city. South San Francisco has seen a significant increase in older adults (age 65+) and a relatively stable youth population (age 18 and under).

More multigenerational households and more people living with roommates, driven in part by higher housing costs, have increased the number of people living within each household. The racial and ethnicity composition of the city’s residents has also changed, with a significant increase in residents who identify as Asian and Pacific Islander or Latino. More than half of all South San Francisco residents speak a language other than English at home. All these populations have an increased sensitivity to climate change that can affect their ability to cope with natural hazards.

For example, the age 65 and older population are at greater risk for adverse health effects from increased heating and cooling costs, and their diminished ability to evacuate in a timely manner. Hazard threats to older adults include heat waves, air pollution, flooding, and sea level rise. This group is also likely to be burdened with multiple non-hazard stressors, such as economic status, technology, and social isolation.

East of 101 and Lindenville

South San Francisco’s East of 101 and Lindenville sub-areas may be exposed to multiple hazards, including flooding, sea level rise, liquefaction, and tsunami, and other environmental hazards. Currently, these areas include a mix of commercial businesses, including life sciences; production, distribution, and repair business; and critical assets like Highway 101 and the San Bruno Water Quality Control Plant. These areas could have citywide or regional consequences if impacted by a hazard event.

Major development projects are planned in East of 101 and Lindenville sub-areas that may be exposed to hazards. New construction will be built to modern building standards and will be more resilient than older buildings. Building standards, however, need to consider future climate hazards, including sea level rise.

Existing Buildings

Much of San Francisco has an aging building stock with nearly 60% of the housing units constructed before 1970. While the City encourages upgrades through State programs like Earthquake Brace and Bolt and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), many older buildings were not designed to be resilient to natural and climate hazards. Likewise, these buildings may also benefit from energy and water retrofit programs.

Housing

Natural hazards and climate change will put additional burdens on South San Francisco residents. Housing costs have rapidly increased in South San Francisco and are outpacing income growth, just as they are across the county and region. Some residents may have limited resources for coping with hazards, including disruptions in housing, employment, childcare, and transportation. Renters are especially vulnerable due to potential rent increases, lower median household incomes, and a higher share of renter households that pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing expenses.

Transportation

Natural and climate hazards expose several regional and local transportation assets to disruption. This includes BART, Caltrain, Highway 101, 280, and 380. Assets like Highway 101 are exposed to multiple hazards including seismic and flooding. These regional transportation assets connect South San Francisco residents to employment opportunities, daily needs, and critical services. Impacts to these transportation assets could have citywide and regional consequences.

Utilities

While nearly invisible, utilities (water, sanitary sewer, electricity, and natural gas) are essential to daily life, public health, and the regional and local economy. More frequent and intense storm events and rising sea levels expose utility assets to disruption, but also change the demand and availability of energy and water supplies and may increase costs. Post-disaster utility restoration is critical for recovery as are redundancies to reduce damage and disruption.

Communication

Aeriel view of construction work happening on the Orange Memorial Park Stormwater Capture Project

policy

framework

Goal CR-1 Goal CR-2 Goal CR-3 Goal CR-4 Goal CR-5 Goal CR-6 Goal CR-7

Goal CR-1

Goal CR-1:

The City proactively advances community resilience and is prepared for all hazards, including climate disruption.

Intent:

To increase preparedness and resilience to respond to and recover from the shocks or stresses that impact South San Francisco through regional, countywide, and cross jurisdictional collaboration and proactive planning and assessment. To adopt the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan by reference, consistent with California Assembly Bill 2140.

Policy CR-1.1: Prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations.

Prioritize the needs of disadvantaged communities affected disproportionately by hazards and disasters. Engage disadvantaged communities in identifying potential hazards and program responses and priorities through the Community Emergency Response Team and promotores programs.

Policy CR-1.2: Participate in regional hazard planning initiatives.

Participate in collaborative hazard planning and preparedness work.

Action CR-1.2.1: Continue funding regional sea level rise and flood protection agency.
Continue to fund and contribute to the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District.
Action CR-1.2.2. Coordinate utility redundancy.
Continue to work with regional water and energy agencies to ensure redundant water and energy supplies in case of an emergency.

Policy CR-1.3: Mainstream municipal climate preparedness planning and assessment.

Implement climate preparedness planning across City departments, programs, and operations.

Action CR-1.3.1: Participate in the countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Actively participate in the San Mateo County Hazard Mitigation Plan maintenance protocols and County-wide initiatives. Adopt the Hazard Mitigation Plan by reference upon update. Update emergency operations plans and protocols to account for regularly updated hazard information.
Action CR-1.3.2: Conduct municipal building and facility sea level rise studies.
Conduct site-specific vulnerability assessments of municipal buildings and facilities at risk to sea level rise and flooding, including the Water Quality Control Plant and Oyster Point Marina.
Action CR-1.3.3: Require multi-hazard real estate disclosure.
Enact an ordinance to require real estate disclosures of all hazards identified in the Hazard Mitigation Plan, including hazards associated with anticipatory sea level rise and flooding, geologic hazards, groundwater inundation, or wildfire for commercial and residential properties, including ownership and rental.

Policy CR-1.4: Develop and maintain resilient infrastructure standards.

Periodically adjust infrastructure design standards to address asset-specific vulnerabilities associated with the hazards.

Policy CR-1.5: Require capital projects in high hazard areas to adhere to risk assessment guidance.

As part of the capital planning and budgeting process, require all projects located within high hazard areas and sea level rise inundation zones to adhere to risk assessment guidance and identify appropriate resilience strategies.

Policy CR-1.6: Continually strengthen emergency management and operations.

Continually strengthen emergency management capacity and coordination with the San Mateo County Emergency Operations Center.

Action CR-1.6.1: Develop a resiliency hub program.
Develop a resiliency hub program to help community members with disaster planning assistance and supplies.
Action CR-1.6.2: Upgrade the Emergency Operations Center.
Add second floor to the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and a warehouse to store supplies to support the city in the event of a disaster. Ensure the EOC has the necessary capabilities and can continue operations after all future hazards.
Action CR-1.6.3: Establish a resilience education program.
Establish a community resilience education program in collaboration with San Mateo County and local community partners. Work with the Community Emergency Response Team and promotores programs to disseminate the information.
Action CR-1.6.4: Identify locations for post-disaster emergency housing.
Identify locations for emergency housing, siting locations in areas with lower hazard risk.
Action CR-1.6.5: Maintain evaluation route plans.
Maintain and communicate evacuation route plans for businesses and residents.

Policy CR-1.7: Expand Community Emergency Response Team.

Continue expanding the reach of the Community Emergency Response Team program to strengthen community cohesion and emergency preparedness through community engagement efforts.

Action CR-1.7.1: Foster Community Emergency Response Team – Promotores collaboration.

Work closely with the promotores program to deepen and expand relationships and partnerships with community members and organizations that serve diverse South San Francisco community members including those who do not speak English as their first language, the Latinx, and faith-based communities. Collaboration can serve to identify needs and solutions and communicate on programs.

Action CR-1.7.2: Increase Community Emergency Response Team outreach in community.
Target outreach for South San Francisco CERT offerings in specific South San Francisco neighborhoods, such as Downtown.
Action CR-1.7.3: Expand Community Emergency Response Team outreach at the library.
Partner with library to ensure that key populations have access to information about Community Emergency Response Team and other South San Francisco programs and resources.

Policy CR-1.8: Enhance post-disaster recovery planning.

Ensure the city is ready for post-disaster recovery through proactive planning.

Action CR-1.8.1: Prepare a post-disaster recovery plan.
Create a post-disaster recovery framework that establishes post-disaster policies and programs designating when, where, and how rebuilding will occur.
Action CR-1.8.2: Adopt post-disaster repair standards for existing buildings.
Develop and adopt special repair and upgrade standards for existing buildings, in the case of post-disaster reconstruction and/or conversion to mixed use or more compact residential use.

Policy CR-1.9: Assess needs and resources for future pandemic response.

Regularly assess needs and identify resources to prepare for pandemic response.

Goal CR-2

Goal CR-2:

A resilient community that protects existing and future development and people from sea level rise and flooding.

Intent:

Through a continuum of adaptation solutions, including constructing levees / seawalls, expanding green infrastructure, and elevating new development, the City collaborates with federal, State, and regional agencies to develop comprehensive solutions to sea level rise and flooding.

Policy CR-2.1: Use best available sea level rise projections.

Use the best available science for sea level rise projections from the State and regional efforts in accordance with the State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance. Define the lifespan of development for temporary structures, residential or commercial structures, and critical infrastructure. Identify the range of sea level rise projections for the site and evaluate the potential impacts based on the project type and risk tolerances.

Policy CR-2.2: Implement a variety of adaptation solutions.

Pursue a comprehensive shoreline management plan that uses a variety of adaptation solutions to protect the shoreline and enhance ecosystem resilience.

Action CR-2.2.1: Pursue shoreline protection for existing and future development.

Continue ongoing collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect existing and future development by raising levees or seawalls in accordance with the Continuing Authorities Program Study. Implement any future City-prepared sea level rise adaptation plan for the Oyster Point Marina and landfill.
Action CR-2.2.2: Use nature-based solutions for ecosystem resilience.

Explore nature-based solutions appropriate for the South San Francisco shoreline, particularly at the mouth of Colma Creek, to provide protection for the built environment and ecosystems.

Policy CR-2.3: Use green infrastructure to reduce flooding.

Prioritize green infrastructure in the Colma Creek watershed to reduce flooding in developed areas through continually updated site-specific design guidelines, low impact development, and design standards for public infrastructure projects.

Policy CR-2.4: Site municipal buildings and facilities at higher elevations.

Site new municipal buildings, facilities, and critical infrastructure at higher elevations, consistent with the State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance.

Action CR-2.4.1: Conduct Fire Station 61 and 62 relocation feasibility study.

Evaluate the feasibility of relocating Fire Station 61 and 62 outside of the flood zone.

Policy CR-2.5: Require floodproofing for new development in sea level rise inundation zones.

Require new development to account for sea level rise in all project applications. This includes:

Identifying areas of a parcel subject to flooding by type of flooding, including inundation, creek, and groundwater and by the potential depth of flooding.
Raising base floor elevation above the Federal Emergency Management Agency Base Flood Elevation to include sea level rise projections expected for the lifetime of the project.
Locating mechanical equipment, such as boilers, chillers, and air handlers for ventilation on the roof to ensure operation during flooding.
As needed, implement additional adaptation measures or pathways based on the sea level rise projections, project type, and risk tolerance.

Policy CR-2.6: Require redevelopment in sea level rise inundation zones to adhere to sea level rise policies.

For redevelopment where demolition, renovation, or replacement is greater than 50% and the project is within a sea level rise inundation zone, allow additions and improvements if an entire structure is brought into conformance with the City’s current sea level policies.

Policy CR-2.7: Require rebuilding of flood-damaged properties to meet sea level rise policies.

Allow redevelopment of properties that have sustained damage and for which a flood insurance claim has been filed if brought into conformance with the current sea level rise policies.

Policy CR-2.8: Partner with public and quasi-public agencies to minimize the impacts of sea level rise.

Partner with regional agencies to evaluate and address sea level rise and flooding on critical infrastructure, including but not limited to:

With Pacific Gas & Electric and Peninsula Clean Energy to assess vulnerability of electricity and natural gas infrastructure.
With Caltrans and neighboring jurisdictions on measures to protect US-101.
With Caltrain and BART on measures to protect the rail corridors.
With the regional groundwater study to understand how and where groundwater change may impact future development and infrastructure.

Policy CR-2.9: Prioritize landward relocation of the Bay Trail realignment after flooding.

In the event of damage to the San Francisco Bay Trail, prioritize landward relocation of the trail’s alignment and avoid the installation of any types of hard shoreline protection structures.

Policy CR-2.10: Explore sea level rise adaptation financing options.

Explore financial incentives and fee programs to implement nature-based and conventional physical adaptation, including a Development Impact Fee Program, Community Facilities District, and repeat flooding buyout program.

Goal CR-3

Goal CR-3:

A transformed Colma Creek.

Intent:

To improve Colma Creek through a comprehensive strategy that mitigates flooding and sea level rise, restores native ecologies, and increases access to and along the creek.

Policy CR-3.1: Develop Colma Creek adaptation solutions.

Continue to work with San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District on developing and implementing adaptation options for Colma Creek. Restore creek ecologies and create transitional habitat zones to build resilience and ecosystem services.

Action CR-3.1.1: Implement Colma Creek adaptation pilot.

Develop a program to work with public and private landowners to decrease the risk of flooding by implementing engineered and nature-based shoreline protection projects in coordination with watershed management projects that reduce and/or store runoff during rainfall events and improve the condition of the flood plain.
For related policies and implementation actions related to Colma Creek resilience, see Goal ES-3.

Goal CR-4

Goal CR-4:

The City minimizes the risk to life and property from seismic activity and geologic hazards in South San Francisco.

Intent:

To lessen the impacts of earthquakes, geologic threats, and other natural disasters on residents, workers, and structures.

Policy CR-4.1: Protect buildings, infrastructure, and other assets from seismic hazards.

Protect existing and new buildings, infrastructure, and other assets from seismic hazards.

Action CR-4.1.1: Conduct seismic assessments for municipal assets.

Regularly complete seismic assessments of critical municipal buildings, facilities, and infrastructure. Develop locally specific seismic hazard maps to improve mapping resolution and support more informed and nuanced decision-making about development and hazard mitigation, particularly where other hazards like sea level rise compound the risk.
Action CR-4.1.2: Continually update the Building Code for seismic and other hazard safety.

Regularly update the City’s Building Code to incorporate current earthquake standards.
Action CR-4.1.3: Maintain a soft-story buildings inventory.

Maintain and regularly update a database of soft story / fragile housing.
Action CR-4.1.4: Expand seismic retrofit incentive program expansion.

Expand efforts to incentivize retrofits of buildings and other mitigation measures in seismic and geologic hazards zones. Explore developing a specific program to address seismic retrofit needs within South San Francisco’s affordable housing stock.

Policy CR-4.2: Maintain emergency response capabilities.

Maintain the capability to quickly respond to natural and human caused disasters and minimize damage and injury caused by these events.

Policy CR-4.3: Discourage hillside area development on slopes more than 30 percent.

Discourage development on steep hillside areas more than 30 percent grade. Development of hillside sites should follow existing contours to the greatest extent possible. Grading should be kept to a minimum.

Policy CR-4.4: Protect buildings, infrastructure, and other assets from other geologic hazards.

Protect existing and new buildings, infrastructure, and other assets from other geologic hazards, including landslides, slope instability, liquefaction, settlement, subsidence, unstable geologic units, unstable soils, and expansive soils.

Action CR-4.4.1: Require site-specific soils and geologic reports for projects located in high-hazard areas.

On a parcel-by-parcel basis, require that permit applications for projects located within areas susceptible to geologic hazards, as shown on Figure XX, prepare site-specific soils and geologic reports for review and approval by the City Engineer, and incorporation of the recommended actions during construction.

Goal CR-5

Goal CR-5:

The City minimizes the risk to life and property from wildfire in South San Francisco.

Intent:

To encourage planning and design strategies that mitigates wildfire risk.

Policy CR-5.1: Implement Sign Hill wildfire mitigation measures.

Continue to implement Sign Hill wildfire mitigation measures (i.e., restoration and maintenance of native grass and scrubland habitat, removal of non-native trees and trees killed in October 2020 fire, removal of dead trees due to drought and disease and maintenance of existing trails to function as fire breaks).

Policy CR-5.2: Maintain a comprehensive fire management program.

Maintain a comprehensive fire hazard management program to reduce fire hazards on other public lands.

Policy CR-5.3: Expand access to evacuation and early warning technology for wildfire.

Increase community participation and understanding of evacuation and early warning software programs to minimize threat to life and be better prepared in case of a wildfire event.

Policy CR-5.4: Maintain adequate emergency response resources.

Continue to train and coordinate emergency response to wildfire emergencies with neighboring fire agencies and State wildfire resources. Continue to acquire and maintain adequate vehicles and equipment to respond to wildfire incidents throughout the city.

Goal CR-6

Goal CR-6:

A City prepared for the combined impacts of extreme heat and poor air quality.

Intent:

To reduce the likelihood of harmful impacts from extreme heat and poor air quality.

Policy CR-6.1: Support resilient building design.

Support resilient building design by helping residents weatherize homes to keep them cooler and more energy efficient and to improve indoor air quality.

Action CR-6.1.1: Review and update funding programs for resilient building design.

Review and update existing funding programs, such as the Property-Assessed Clean Energy program to promote climate-resilient design and retrofits.
Action CR-6.1.1: Create a community engagement for weatherization programs.

Develop a targeted outreach regarding weatherization assistance program for low-income households.

Policy CR-6.2: Maintain clear and high-quality hazard communications.

Inform residents and businesses about hazards.

Action CR-6.2.1: Develop an early warning systems for heat and air quality.

Develop early warning systems for heat and air quality alerts, in multiple languages and through culturally relevant media.
Action CR-6.2.2: Work with utilities to prevent shutoff during extreme events.

Work with Pacific Gas & Electric and Peninsula Clean Energy to prevent utility shutoff during extreme heat events.

Policy CR-6.3: Reduce heat island impacts through adaption strategies.

Reduce the heat island effect by implementing a variety of adaptation solutions.

Action CR-6.3.1: Identify heat island priority areas.

Identify areas of greatest risk of urban heat island effect and target resources in these areas, including tree planting, cool roofs, and installation of cool pavement.

Policy CR-6.4: Maintain adequate cooling and warming centers.

Review, update, and maintain facilities that can be used as refuge during excessive heat and cold days.

Action CR-6.4.1: Prepare a cooling and warming centers distribution plan.

Maintain the capability to operated cooling and warming centers equitably throughout the city when needed.

Policy CR-6.5: Coordinate transportation system with air quality improvements.

Promote a transportation system coordinated with air quality improvements. For related policies and implementation actions related to environmental justice and air quality, see Goal CHEJ-3. For related policies and implementation actions related to urban forestry, see Goal ES-4.

Goal CR-7

Goal CR-7:

Strong coordination with regulatory agencies to ensure safe and effective remediation of hazardous and toxic materials.

Intent:

To clean-up and remove hazardous and toxic materials, including above and below ground storage facilities, and buildings with asbestos and/or lead-based paint.

Policy CR-7.1: Minimize risk from hazardous materials.

Minimize the risk to the community associated with hazardous materials by continually integrating updated remediation strategies in coordination with regulating agencies. Continue annual emergency training and coordinated emergency response plans to hazardous materials.

Policy CR-7.2: Coordinate hazardous material regulation and management.

Continue to cooperate with federal, State, and County agencies to effectively regulate the management of hazardous materials and hazardous waste.

Policy CR-7.3: Assess hazardous materials management during development review.

Assess the use of hazardous materials as part of a development’s environmental review and/or include the development of a hazardous management and disposal plan, as a condition of project approval, subject to review by the San Mateo County Health Department.

Policy CR-7.4: Maintain awareness of hazardous waste handling and awareness.

Develop an awareness program to expand public engagement in the handling and disposal of hazardous waste in the community, especially at home.

Action CR-7.4.1: Offer educational programing on hazardous materials disposal and pesticides.

Continue to offer educational programming on the harmful effects and proper disposal of hazardous materials and pesticides and recommend alternatives that can be used at home and in businesses.

For related policies and implementation actions related to environmental justice and hazardous materials, see Goal CHEJ-4.

Community Resilience

Where We Want to Be

In the future

Performance

Metrics

01Performance Metrics:

Target:

Data:

02Performance Metrics:

Target:

Data:

03Perfromance Metrics:

Target:

Data:

04Performance Metrics:

Target:

Data:

How Our Plan

Gets Us There

Key Issues and Opportunities-

Hazard Profile

Climate Change

Rising Sea Levels

Critical Planning Issues

Disadvantaged Populations

policy

framework

Goal CR-1:

The City proactively advances community resilience and is prepared for all hazards, including climate disruption.

Intent:

Policy CR-1.1: Prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations.

Policy CR-1.2: Participate in regional hazard planning initiatives.

Action CR-1.2.1: Continue funding regional sea level rise and flood protection agency.

Action CR-1.2.2. Coordinate utility redundancy.

Policy CR-1.3: Mainstream municipal climate preparedness planning and assessment.

Action CR-1.3.1: Participate in the countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Action CR-1.3.2: Conduct municipal building and facility sea level rise studies.

Action CR-1.3.3: Require multi-hazard real estate disclosure.

Policy CR-1.4: Develop and maintain resilient infrastructure standards.

Policy CR-1.5: Require capital projects in high hazard areas to adhere to risk assessment guidance.

Policy CR-1.6: Continually strengthen emergency management and operations.

Action CR-1.6.1: Develop a resiliency hub program.

Action CR-1.6.2: Upgrade the Emergency Operations Center.

Action CR-1.6.3: Establish a resilience education program.

Action CR-1.6.4: Identify locations for post-disaster emergency housing.

Action CR-1.6.5: Maintain evaluation route plans.

Policy CR-1.7: Expand Community Emergency Response Team.

Action CR-1.7.1: Foster Community Emergency Response Team – Promotores collaboration.

Action CR-1.7.2: Increase Community Emergency Response Team outreach in community.

Action CR-1.7.3: Expand Community Emergency Response Team outreach at the library.

Policy CR-1.8: Enhance post-disaster recovery planning.

Action CR-1.8.1: Prepare a post-disaster recovery plan.

Action CR-1.8.2: Adopt post-disaster repair standards for existing buildings.

Policy CR-1.9: Assess needs and resources for future pandemic response.

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