DANA POINT : City Spares Area From Fire Hazard Designation

Council members have unanimously rejected placing 38 homes at Monarch Bay Terrace in a state-mandated brush-fire hazard zone, saying that they are concerned about increased fire insurance costs to homeowners as well as a decline in property values.

The state law--which was enacted as a result of the devastating 1991 Oakland fires--requires local fire authorities to identify areas that are at high risk for brush fires and to establish criteria for preventing fires.

In an effort to bypass the state regulation, the City Council instead decided Tuesday to work out a plan that meets the state’s criteria without actually designating the area as a brush-fire hazard zone.

The alternative plan would enforce codes requiring brush clearance around houses and fire-retardant roofs and would create brush-free areas between residents’ properties and nearby woodlands.

“Our goal is to try to meet the criteria but not have to designate anyone in that zone,” said Mayor Karen Lloreda. “Once you get into that zone, it’s a whole lot harder to get out.”

Residents, whose homes border Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Park, told the council that they would have no problem meeting fire prevention criteria because they have been taking steps over the years to deal with potential fire hazards. Those include cutting down prized eucalyptus trees near houses and continually clearing brush.

“Just declaring a certain area a higher risk than others is not the answer,” said resident Robert Moore.