Infrastructure Policies

DRAFT

There are 29 policies in the infrastructure chapter of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan. Of these, 11 have been completed, one has been initiated and partially completed, nine are ongoing and eight have not yet been initiated. Ninety-one percent of the policies in the infrastructure chapter of the Plan have been completed, initiated and partially completed or are ongoing and 9% have not been initiated. Click on the plus (+) symbol to expand each policy and its completion status. Priority goals or policies are indicated by a diamond symbol (♦) .

Completed

11

Initiated and Partially Completed

1

Ongoing

9

Not Initiated

8

    • Policy 1C: Require that any future developments that will result in an increase of water usage equivalent or greater than the water usage of 500 dwelling units must complete a Water Supply Assessment (WSA), to determine if adequate water supply is available prior to issuance of any development permits. Status: Complete

    • Policy 1D: Create new landscaping and building design criteria for new developments to reduce water use. The design criteria shall include incentives for all major new developments to provide dual-plumbing for future recycled water use, use the latest water efficient technologies (i.e., low-flow fixtures, infrared detectors, waterless urinals, etc.), and plant drought tolerant and native non-invasive landscaping). Status: Complete

    • Policy 2D: Pursue new standards requiring that each new development minimize infiltration and inflow into the sewer system by contributing to replacement of existing sanitary sewer laterals and/or mains. The extent of the replacements should be based on the new development’s net increase in sewage generation. Status: Complete

    • Policy 2F: Create a new program to share and gather sewage conveyance data from Redwood City and the South Bayside System Authority treatment plant on an annual basis. This information can then be used for planning and determining the basis for cost-sharing and/or fee adjustments. Status: Complete

    • Policy 3B: Create a new program to perform regular inspections of stormwater treatment facilities at all new developments. These inspections should be performed by Public Works, and the frequency and extent of such inspections will depend on the size of new developments and potential for pollutants to enter the storm drain system. Status: Complete

    • ♦ Policy 3C: Create a new program for existing public streets to be redesigned with integrated stormwater treatment areas such as bioretention areas, vegetated swales, rain gardens, and other passive retention and filtration facilities. These stormwater treatment areas will remove pollutants from stormwater runoff that would otherwise have flowed from public street surfaces directly into the storm drain system and then the Bay. The new program should also consider adopting a regional green street program that requires stormwater treatment areas in all new developments. Status: Complete

    • Policy 3D: Pursue new Low Impact Development (LID) standards that promote both treatment and storage of stormwater runoff. These Low Impact Development standards should require new developments to minimize impervious surfaces, use stormwater as a resource (rain water harvesting for irrigation or other select uses),and preserve/re-create natural landscape features. New developments could adhere to these standards through the use of rain gardens/bioretention areas, green roofs, cisterns, permeable pavement, or other tools. Status: Complete

    • Policy 3E: Create new incentive programs for the County’s Planning, Building, and Engineering staff to continue stormwater treatment education, as technology and treatment techniques change continuously. Status: Complete

    • Policy 4A: Pursue new standards that require new developments in areas where there are no existing storm drain lines to install new lines and extend them to downstream connection points. The size and length of the new storm drain lines will vary based on the new development’s location, size, and potential for future development at adjacent parcels. All new developments should also be required to provide on-site detention facilities (tank or oversized pipes) so that the new development does not cause an increase of flow into the storm drain system and contribute to local and regional flooding. Status: Complete

    • Policy 5B: Create a new program for existing public streets to be redesigned with integrated stormwater treatment areas such as bioretention areas, vegetated swales, rain gardens, and other features to reduce the peak storm flows. The new stormwater treatment areas should also be designed to provide stormwater retention, which will hold back stormwater runoff for a period of time so that downstream flooding is reduced. Status: Complete

    • Policy 5D: Pursue new Low Impact Development (LID) standards that require new developments to reduce stormwater runoff. LID strategies include, but are not limited to, the use of permeable pavement, green roofs, rainwater cisterns, and landscaping that is designed appropriately to capture and retain stormwater. Status: Complete

    • ♦ Policy 2A: Negotiate with adjacent sanitary sewer jurisdictions, such as the City of Redwood City and the South Bayside System Authority wastewater treatment plant, to secure additional sewer allocations at the earliest opportunity possible. Obtaining additional sewer allocations will allow larger new developments to be located in North Fair Oaks. Status: Initiated and Partially Completed

    • Policy 2B: Revise existing County water demand and sewer generation standards to reflect the latest water efficient technologies. Incentives programs should also be created for new developments that implement more stringent water demand and sewer generation standards. This will promote water reduction measures and reduce the amount of sewage generated. Status: Ongoing

    • ♦ Policy 2C: Perform regular inspections of sanitary sewer facilities to identify leaks within the system. Identify priority lines and structures within the sanitary sewer system, on an annual basis, that need repair and/or replacement. High priority should be given to existing facilities that receive high infiltration and inflow, to mitigate unnecessary flows downstream. In addition, continue existing routine and maintenance repairs of the collection system. Status: Ongoing

    • Policy 2E: Reassess sanitary sewer maintenance costs annually and update connection and usage fees accordingly, to ensure that both new and existing users of the sanitary sewer system contribute their fair share of sanitary sewer costs. Status: Ongoing

    • ♦ Policy 3A: Continue to implement all local and state mandated stormwater treatment controls(C.3 requirements), including requiring that all new developments adhere to the current thresholds for requiring stormwater treatment and that all new developments provide a Stormwater Maintenance Agreement that will be recorded with the property deed to ensure on-going maintenance of these private stormwater treatment areas is being performed. Continue to require all new developments to comply with the Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) and to provide erosion and sediment control plans and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for all construction activities. Status: Ongoing

    • Policy 4C: Discuss joint upgrades of regional storm drainage facilities with the City of Redwood City, the Town of Atherton, and other appropriate jurisdictions. These regional upgrades, such as improvements at the Bayfront Canal located downstream from North Fair Oaks, are a necessary component of any efforts to reduce local flooding in North Fair Oaks. Status: Ongoing

    • Policy 4D: Continue to implement all local and state mandated stormwater treatment controls (C.3 requirements), ensuring that new developments implement stormwater treatment measures to reduce peak flows in the storm drain system and maximize on-site retention and reuse of storm water for irrigation purposes. Status: Ongoing

    • ♦ Policy 5A: Work with adjacent jurisdictions to find workable solutions to mitigate regional flooding. Since several factors outside of North Fair Oaks contribute to local and regional flooding, working closely with these adjacent jurisdictions is critical to implementing a solution to the existing flooding issues. Status: Ongoing

    • Policy 5C: Continue to require new developments that might result in an increase in stormwater runoff to provide onsite detention facilities to address increased flows. The on-site detention facilities (tank, oversized pipes, or other facilities) shall be sized so that the new development does not cause an increase of flow into the storm drain system. Status: Ongoing

    • Policy 6D: Create new incentive programs to encourage new developments to use gray water or harvested rainwater for irrigation purposes. Status: Ongoing

    • ♦ Policy 1A: Pursue agreements with the City of Redwood City and California Water Service Company to ensure that emergency water storage is available in North Fair Oaks. The agreements should include a discussion of both the timing and funding of any future emergency water storage facilities. Any such new storage or distribution systems should be located such that cost and environmental impact to surrounding areas is minimized. A separate study should be undertaken for any future water tank locations. Status: Not Initiated

    • Policy 1B: Pursue a new standard to ensure that any future street improvements within North Fair Oaks include replacing existing water lines with new cast iron (or non-asbestos containing water line materials suitable for the existing soil condition) water lines. Since water service is provided by the City of Redwood City and California Water Service Company, the County should coordinate the new standard with these water purveyors. Status: Not Initiated

    • ♦ Policy 1E: Engage in discussions with the California Water Service Company and the City of Redwood City to develop a suitable, proactive replacement plan for the existing water distribution system. This replacement plan should identify older and/or undersized water lines that need to be repaired or replaced, and ensure that such lines within North Fair Oaks are prioritized for replacement. Status: Not Initiated

    • Policy 4B: Support increasing the capacity of the current Athlone storm drain pump/lift stations to increase conveyance capability. The increased capacity should take into account both existing conditions and potential future improvements to the storm drain system. This will allow future storm drain lines to be connected to the upgraded pump station. Status: Not Initiated

    • Policy 6A: Pursue new standards that require new developments to provide dual plumbing in anticipation of available recycled water. Status: Not Initiated

    • Policy 6B: Negotiate with the City of Redwood City and South Bayside System Authority (SBSA) regarding the timing of improvements and proposed pipe routing to address the possibility of bringing recycled water to North Fair Oaks. Status: Not Initiated

    • Policy 6C: Create a new program to provide funding sources to bring recycled water to North Fair Oaks. Status: Not Initiated

    • Policy 6E: Create a new program to identify existing users with large water demands who would benefit from the availability of recycled water. These users should be on a high priority list of recycled water users and should be considered when planning future recycled water line expansion. Status: Not Initiated