Document Redmond_doc_861656987a

Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 139 Mitigation Strategy CHAPTER 13- Mitigation Strategy 13.1 Introduction This plan is an update of the 2004 City of Redmond Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). Although it is an update, this document has been redesigned so that it looks, feels, and reads differently than the original. This is due to several factors: new hazard information has become available that drives new definitions of risk, the City has matured and new capabilities are now available, and the new format will allow readers to more easily understand the content. In addition, the 2004 HMP included several action items that have been completed, creating an opportunity for developing new mitigation strategies. FEMA requires that a Mitigation Strategy section be included to ensure that the hazard mitigation plan “provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools.”140 The 2009 Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan Update strategies outlined below describe the tools the City will use in order to better mitigate the impacts of hazardous events. The Project Team created strategies and action items to achieve the hazards mitigation goals of Redmond’s Hazards Mitigation Plan and Comprehensive Plan. The strategies and action items were developed by analyzing the most probable scenarios (See Part The scenarios were chosen in a process that included consultation with Redmond City staff and a prioritization of hazards based on their frequency, severity, and impacts on the natural environment, local systems, the built environment, and vulnerable populations. Through this process, the Project Team analyzed hundreds of strategies as possible mitigation efforts for the selected scenarios. These strategies were analyzed using input from the public participation meeting, online questionnaire results, and additional meetings with City staff. Consideration of outstanding action items from previous hazards mitigation plans were also considered to create a robust suite of strategies. As part of this narrowing process, a benefit-cost analysis was completed on every action item. Through this analysis, strategies and action items were chosen to best reflect the hazards mitigation needs and opportunities for the City. The action items, including responsible departments and potential financing mechanisms, are provided in detail below. 140 Title 44 §201.6(c)(3), of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Part 201 Mitigation Planning, http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi- bin/get-cfr.cgi. Mitigation Strategy FEMA Requirements Requirement §201.6(c)(3): Plan content. The plan shall include the following: A mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools. This section shall include: A description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards. (ii) A section that identifies and analyzes a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects being considered to reduce the effects of each hazard, with particular emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure. (iii) An action plan describing how the actions identified in paragraph (ii) of this section will be prioritized, implemented, and administered by the local jurisdiction. Prioritization shall include a special emphasis on the extent to which benefits are maximized according to a cost benefit review of the proposed projects and their associated costs. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 140 Mitigation Strategy 13.2 Goals The goals provided by the Redmond Comprehensive Plan and previous Hazards Mitigation Plan were used to determine the overarching hazard mitigation goals for the 2009 update. The goals, listed below, emphasize protection of the environment, the importance of parks and public facilities, resilient transportation options, and a focus on the importance of the Downtown and Overlake areas. With this in mind, strategies that supported these community desires were weighted more heavily in the selection process. In many cases, a natural overlap existed. For example, having multimodal transportation options contributes to the Comprehensive Plan’s desired high quality of life as well as providing important redundancy in the face of hazards risk. The Redmond Comprehensive Plan goals To conserve agricultural lands and rural areas, and to protect and enhance the 1. quality of the natural environment. To retain and enhance Redmond’s distinctive character and high quality of life, 2. including an abundance of parks, open space, good schools and recreational facilities. To emphasize choices in housing, transportation, stores and services. 3. To support vibrant concentrations of retail, office, service, residential, and 4. recreational activity in Downtown and Overlake. To maintain a strong and diverse economy and to provide a business climate 5. that retains and attracts locally owned companies as well as internationally recognized corporations. To promote a variety of community gathering places and diverse cultural 6. opportunities. To provide convenient, safe and environmentally-friendly transportation 7. connections within Redmond, and between Redmond and other communities for people and goods. To remain a community of good neighbors, working together and with others in 8. the region to implement a common vision for Redmond’s future. The 2004 Hazards Mitigation Plan outlines the following goals Increase community resiliency to large scale regional events (including local 1. government infrastructure, critical facilities, and lifelines) Reduce vulnerability of single-family homes 2. Reduce vulnerability of small businesses 3. Reduce vulnerability of large corporations 4. Reduce potential for isolation-disrupted lifelines and infrastructure 5. Reduce exposure to high-risk facilities and utilities (including local government 6. infrastructure, critical facilities, and lifelines) Preserve and enhance the natural environment 7. Reduce vulnerability of historic and cultural resources 8. Create recovery plan for Redmond historic district 9. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 141 Mitigation Strategy Status Notes Goal 1 Increase Community Resiliency to Large‐Scale Regional Events Ongoing Objective 1 Develop alternative emergency government operations capabilities outside of high‐risk areas. Ongoing 1.1 Decentralize local government operations Ongoing Action item 2‐2 in 2009 Update. 1.2 Consider stringent retrofits and protective measures if relocation is not feasible, to ensure that its essential facilities are resilient to multiple types of hazards. Ongoing Action items 3‐1, 3‐2, and 3‐3 in 2009 Update. 1.3 Construct an alternative EOC (Emergency Operations Center) outside of the known hazard zone Ongoing Action item 2‐1 in 2009 Update. Objective 2 Strengthen the local emergency response system to limit the need for, and reliance upon mutual aid agreements and outside assistance during the initial stages of a disaster. Ongoing 2.1 Identify "weak spots" in the City's emergency response system within the context of mutual aid dependencies. Prioritize these weaknesses and make plans for strengthening them through local initiatives. Ongoing 2.2 Work with neighboring cities and the county in updating the existing Emergency Response Plan to include guidelines for dealing with inadequate resources/personnel during the initial stages of a disaster. Complete Objective 3 Make full use of current technologies in the development of goal to create safer, more resilient communities. Ongoing 3.1 Enhance the City's ability to identify and understand the hazards they face by investing in the development of computer technologies. Complete 3.2 Enhance the City's existing "Disaster Preparedness" website to include a real‐time disaster information center to provide important information to, and communicate with, the public during all stages of a disaster. Ongoing Objective 4 Support a region‐based focus on mitigation and sustainability through working with neighboring cities and the county in strengthening public education and outreach programs. Complete 4 1 Increase public awareness and preparedness by developing a series of Ongoing 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items 4.1 Increase public awareness and preparedness by developing a series of regionally available public workshops or seminars to educate homeowners and local businesses on earthquake‐resilient practices. Ongoing 4.2 Increase community recovery capabilities by creating a system whereby local residents and businesses can immediately submit damage information to responders and the proper authorities. Ongoing Objective 5 Identify and protect critical facilities in the City of Redmond No Change 5.1 Re‐evaluate the risks and demands to critical facilities in light of a regional event to facilitate prioritizing structural and non‐structural retrofits based on vulnerability. Ongoing Action item 3‐2 in 2009 Update. 5.2 Continue hazards mapping efforts and distribute data to local officials, as it develops to enhance incorporation of mitigation into Land Use Planning. Ongoing 5.3 Review hazard zones and critical areas in Washington wetlands, aquifer recharge areas for potable water, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas) and develop draft legislation to restrict building of critical facilities in these areas. Complete 5.4 Develop infrastructure development policies that will limit the placement of critical infrastructure facilities in hazard‐prone areas or served by vulnerable lifelines. Ongoing Action items 2‐2 and 2‐3 in 2009 Update. Objective 6 Support regional efforts to provide financial incentives to encourage local business owners and residents to conduct seismic upgrades in their facilities. No Change 6.1 Provide incentives to policyholders to undertake structural and non‐ structural seismic retrofits. No Change Table 19: Status of 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items (continued on next page) ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 142 Mitigation Strategy Status Notes 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items 6.2 Encourage lending institutions to provide low‐interest mitigation loans for businesses and homeowners. No Change 6.3 Allow homeowners to apply a portion of their property tax to retrofit their residence. No Change Goal 2 Reduce Vulnerability of Single‐Family Homes and Home‐ Based Businesses to a Variety of Hazards Ongoing Objective 1 To reduce the vulnerability of single‐family homes in high risk neighborhoods to a variety of hazards Ongoing 1.1 Implement neighborhood‐based risk reduction programs Ongoing Action item 1‐1 in 2009 Update. Objective 2 To reduce the vulnerability of single‐family homes located on, above, or below steep slopes to damage from landslides. Ongoing 2.1 Restore stability of degraded slopes through re‐vegetation and slope stabilization efforts. Ongoing Objective 3 To reduce the vulnerability of single‐family homes located in flood hazard areas to damage from isolated flooding. Ongoing 3.1 The city will apply the new International Building Codes requiring flood‐ proofed homes in the floodplain and regulations specifying no‐fill floodplain, zero‐rise floodway analysis, and vegetation retention standards throughout Bear Creek. These regulations will be expanded and applied in all flood‐prone areas of Redmond. Complete Objective 4 Increase safety and disaster resilience in Redmond communities by training local residents to be self‐sufficient for the initial 72 hours of a disaster. Ongoing 4.1 Develop partnerships with FEMA and local organizations to promote disaster preparedness and emergency planning strategies. Ongoing Action items 1‐1 and 1‐4 in 2009 Update. 4.2 Supplement communities' response capability after a disaster by recruiting civilians to be trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. Ongoing Action item 1‐1 in 2009 Update. Objective 5 Develop Community Disaster Preparedness Plans tailored to each specific Redmond community, promoting citizen and small business involvement to encourage a locally driven, community‐based effort. Ongoing 5.1 Develop partnerships with FEMA and local organizations to promote disaster preparedness and emergency planning strategies. Ongoing Action items 1‐1 and 1‐4 in 2009 Update. 5.2 Establish a Local Steering Committee to assist in the development of the program. The committee could hold meetings to monitor the progress of individual neighborhoods, identify shortcomings, and determine future goals. No Change Goal 3 Reduce Vulnerability of Small Businesses Ongoing Objective 1 To ensure survivability and expedite business resumption following a dis Ongoing 1.1 Design events to promote business continuity Ongoing Action item 5‐1 in 2009 Update. 1.2 Facilitate partnerships and sharing of resources between small businesses and large corporations (refer to Vulnerability of Corporations, action item 1.4) Ongoing Action item 5‐2 in 2009 Update. Objective 2 To encourage small businesses to reduce their vulnerability to a potentially disastrous event Ongoing 2.1 Provide incentives for property owners to retrofit un‐reinforced masonry buildings and buildings on soft soils that are not tied to their foundations in hazard areas. No Change 2.2 Train business owners to properly secure all non‐structural items that could be a hazard through non‐structural retrofit training. No Change 2.3 Host forums for small businesses on mitigation and preparedness practices. No Change Goal 4 Reduce Vulnerability of Large Corporations Ongoing Objective 1 To facilitate partnerships between large corporations and local small bu Ongoing Table 19: Status of 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items (continued on next page) ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 143 Mitigation Strategy Status Notes 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items 1.1 Use hazard scenarios and involve the business community in risk assessment. Conduct an economic impact analysis. The analysis will act as a springboard for action. Ongoing 1.2 Develop a Project Impact‐style program that focuses on raising citywide public awareness of business Mitigation Planning. No Change 1.3 Partner with the Redmond Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Administration to plan and develop a Business Resource Center. No Change 1.4 Encourage large corporations to include their small business vendors and tenant businesses in their emergency management planning. Ongoing Action item 5‐2 in 2009 Update. 1.5 Facilitate cooperative agreements between large corporations and local small businesses in a recovery scenario. Ongoing Action item 5‐2 in 2009 Update. Goal 5 Reduce Isolation Resulting From Disruption to Lifelines and Infrastructure Ongoing Objective 1 To reduce the disruption to transportation infrastructure from hazard events, Redmond should reduce the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure to hazard events. Complete Routes hardened within Redmond. City staff is on three regional committees. 1.1 Cooperate with neighboring jurisdictions and planning and transportation agencies to harden vulnerabilities of transportation routes. Regional planning should reduce transportation disruption between jurisdictions. The inter‐connection of businesses and transportation networks in this region amplifies the effects of disruption of goods and commuters across the region. Adjacent jurisdictions, the county, and the state must coordinate prevention and response to transportation disruption from hazard events on all scales. Ongoing 1.2 Reduce vulnerability of key transportation routes within Redmond to natural hazard events. The key transportation routes that may be vulnerable to flooding and landslides include portions of Redmond‐ Woodinville Road, Avondale Road, Redmond‐Fall City Road, Union Hill Road, Sahalee Way, East Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., and West Lake Sammamish Parkway N E Ongoing Sammamish Parkway N.E. 1.3 Perform seismic upgrades of bridges and roadways. Ongoing 1.4 Increase travel route redundancy. Ongoing 1.5 Support transit systems through transportation improvements. Ongoing Objective 2 To minimize utility service disruption from hazard events, the City of Redmond should reduce the vulnerability of utility production and distribution systems. Ongoing 2.1 Reduce the vulnerability of utility infrastructure, hubs and distributions systems. Ongoing Action item 3‐2 in 2009 Update. 2.2 Ensure adequate function of citywide Tolt water distribution. Ongoing 2.3 Preserve the open and uncontaminated state of key aquifer recharge areas. Ongoing 2.4 Assess the vulnerability of the electricity transmission center. No Change 2.5 Reduce the vulnerability of wire‐dependent utility systems. Ongoing 2.6 Identify and mitigate points of vulnerability for sewer infrastructure. Ongoing 2.7 Prepare for adequate waste storage and management in response to a hazard event. Ongoing Objective 3 Ensure adequate public sector, inter‐jurisdictional, and private sector response capability to overall infrastructure disruption. Ongoing 3.1 Ensure public sector response capability. Ongoing 3.2 Develop response strategies based on route priorities. Ongoing Action items 4‐2 and 4‐3 in 2009 Update. 3.3 Strengthen private sector role in response capability. Ongoing Goal 6 Reduce Hazards Presented By High‐Risk Utilities and Facilities Ongoing Table 19: Status of 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items (continued on next page) ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 144 Mitigation Strategy Status Notes 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items Objective 1 To reduce the risk posed by high‐risk utilities and facilities and address the vulnerability of these systems. Complete No other politically acceptable options at this time. 1.1 Reduce the risk surrounding an Olympic Pipeline rupture. No Change 1.2 Reduce the vulnerability of high‐risk utility and facility infrastructure to hazard events in order to reduce the risk to life and property of Redmond's residents and businesses. No Change 1.3 Ensure adequate response capability No Change 1.4 Educate neighboring residents about hazard and associated risks. Ongoing Goal 7 Preserve and Enhance the Natural Environment Ongoing Objective 1 To protect the future quality of life and environment for its residents, the City of Redmond should reduce vulnerability to changing hazard regimes. Ongoing 1.1 Restore natural drainage capacity and structure of streams and wetlands to address future changes in flows. Complete 1.2 Identify areas of opportunity for stream and floodplain restoration following hazard events. Complete 1.3 Identify areas of opportunity for storm water retrofitting to maximize drainage infrastructure. Complete 1.4 Target landslide‐prone areas for pre‐ or post‐event restoration and acquisition. Ongoing 1.5 Pursue public land acquisition strategies and landscape‐level habitat coordination efforts. Ongoing Goal 8 Reduce Vulnerability of Historic and Cultural Resources Ongoing Objective 1 Retrofit designated historic landmarks. Ongoing 1.1 Create an inventory of un‐reinforced masonry and wood‐frame historic landmarks. Ongoing Action item 3‐2 in 2009 Update. 1.2 Develop incentives to encourage retrofitting. Ongoing 1.3 Use hazard scenarios and involve the community in risk assessment. Conduct an economic impact analysis. The analysis will act as a springboard for action. Complete 1.4 Create venues to encourage community participation in retrofitting. Ongoing 1.5 Integrate Hazard Mitigation Planning into other future planning and program efforts such as the Washington State Downtown Revitalization ‐ Main Street Program. Ongoing Action item 2‐3 in 2009 Update. 1.6 Enter into an Interlocal Agreement with King County. Complete 1.6a 1.6a. Pursue funding for retrofitting from King County. (This action item is contingent upon item 1.6.) Ongoing 1.7 Ensure that historic landmarks located in Redmond's 100‐year floodplain participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and pursue funding from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program for mitigation projects. Complete Goal 9 Create a Long‐Range Recovery Plan for Redmond's Old Town District Ongoing Objective 1 Ensure recovery planning efforts are consistent with Redmond's values and long‐term vision for the Old Town district. No Change 1.1 Develop a post‐disaster recovery plan as a sub‐element of the Comprehensive Plan and the Mitigation Plan for how Old Town will rebuild following a major event, seeking agreement on process and priorities before the event. Ongoing 1.2 Form a task force to develop the plan, assign a lead agency and public official, and identify all stakeholders to provide adequate consideration of all relevant issues. Ongoing Objective 2 Plan proactively to take advantage of post‐disaster funding opportunities Ongoing 2.1 Identify resources, timing, and priorities for funding and technical assistance. Develop justification for items and criteria rationale. Ongoing Table 19: Status of 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items (continued on next page) ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 145 Mitigation Strategy Status Notes 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items Objective 3 Ensure short‐term recovery process and related decisions will implement long‐term reconstruction goals in the City Center. Ongoing 3.1 Adopt an interim development moratorium so recovery plan alternatives can be considered, while streamlining repair permits and exempting needs for public health and safety provisions. Ongoing 3.2 Identify potential properties or sites in or near downtown for temporary housing, business resumption, and debris recycling/dumping, with the awareness that they could remain in place for longer than originally planned. Ongoing Objective 4 Seize opportunities for ecological and urban design improvements for Old Town. Ongoing 4.1 Assess need and consider integrating "Green Infrastructure" design solutions to detain, filter, and/or cool surface runoff in developed areas upstream from the Sammamish River. Ongoing 4.2 Ensure Recovery Plan is consistent with community and stakeholder desires for the use of the Burlington ROW land, balancing recovery needs and long‐term vision. Competing land use needs should be reviewed post‐disaster to ensure priorities are met. Ongoing Objective 5 Support business recovery with Main Street Vision and urban design improvements. Ongoing 5.1 Preserve building height limits and any strategic open space by employing existing "Transfer of Development Rights" regulations to shift the density where it best serves the needs of the community, natural resources, and transportation efficiency. Ongoing 5.2 Actively pursue the vision of Old Town as Redmond's Main Street be encouraging pedestrian uses, character, and activity, and develop specific urban design improvements. Ongoing 5.3 Evaluate the relocating of public employees to generate more daytime population and/or investigate an anchor tenant, such as a cinema, to stimulate nighttime activity. Ongoing Table 19: Status of 2004 Goals, Objectives, and Action Items ---PAGE BREAK--- [This page intentionally left blank] ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 147 Mitigation Strategy 13.3 2009 Strategies Combining the Redmond Comprehensive Plan Goals and unattained goals from the 2004 Hazards Mitigation Plan, we have designed the following strategies for Redmond’s 2009 Hazards Mitigation Plan update. This plan recognizes that hazard events are unavoidable. Given the distribution of vulnerabilities across the City and the potential magnitude of events, parts of Redmond will be isolated. Therefore, the strategies outlined in this section are intended to simultaneously increase the self- sufficiency of Redmond’s residents and strengthen City resiliency to minimize the duration of that isolation. The strategies are as follows: Strategy 1 To mitigate impacts involved with isolation following a severe hazard event, Redmond will develop outreach activities to enable Redmond residents, businesses and visitors to survive in-place for more than three days. Strategy 2 To ensure provision of vital services following a hazard event, Redmond will develop alternative service centers in less hazardous areas. Strategy 3 To mitigate damage to vulnerable structures and infrastructure, Redmond will promote retrofitting with safe-to-fail mechanisms. Strategy 4 To mitigate against the loss of major transportation facilities in and around the City, Redmond will invest resources in building more resilient transportation networks. Strategy 5 To mitigate against the functional loss of business communities, Redmond will develop and deliver business outreach programs. Strategy 6 To mitigate impacts from expected increases in incidences of shallow flooding, Redmond will build a flood tolerant community able to accommodate increases in low impact flooding ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 148 Mitigation Strategy These strategies and the action items necessary for their implementation, along with the methodology by which they were derived, are discussed in detail in the next section. 13.4 Benefit-Cost Analysis After identifying strategies, the Project Team completed a benefit-cost analysis approximating the costs and benefits associated with each action item. The criterion used to evaluate each item was based on a classification of high, medium, or low for benefit and cost. This process provided financial analysis that contributed to the decision of which action items to include in the final plan. To approximate benefit, the savings in future expected damage considered the following: Frequency of the hazardous event • Longevity of the benefit • Discounted present value of future benefits • 141 Per FEMA requirements, the estimation of benefits did not include the value of human lives or cultural values. However, these items were considered when selecting final action items to include in the plan. To approximate benefit: Low 1. = Less than 1 million dollars in damage prevented Medium 2. = Between 1 and 10 million dollars of damage prevented High 3. = More than 10 million dollars of damage prevented To approximate cost: Low 1. = Within Redmond’s existing budget Medium 2. = Less than 1 million dollars in additional funds required High 3. = More than 1 million dollars in additional funds required Action items that provided a Medium or High net benefit and supported the strategies were favored for inclusion in the plan. Items were then reevaluated considering non-monetary values such as health and safety, human lives saved, cultural values, and political feasibility to determine the final list. See Appendix B for the results of the full benefit-cost analysis. Appendix B is divided into four sections: action items included in the plan, action items that address hazards currently regulated or monitored by external agencies, action items that 141 A seven percent discount rate was used on future value for this benefit-cost analysis. This is consistent with FEMA’s requirement, (Appendix C: DMA 2000 Job Aid C.3 ESMP ii. §201.5[b][2]) to use values in accordance with the Office of Management of Budget (OMB) Circular A-94, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ circulars/a094/a094.html#8. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 149 Mitigation Strategy regard emerging hazards that may be more appropriate in the next HMP update, and action items that were discarded for one or more reasons (e.g. not financially viable). 13.5 Selected Strategies and Action Items Strategy 1 To mitigate impacts involved with isolation following a severe hazard event, Redmond will develop outreach activities to enable Redmond residents, businesses and visitors to survive in-place for more than three days. Hazards Addressed by this Strategy Severe Storms Earthquakes Floods Wildfires Landslides Pandemics Heat Waves Drought Hazardous Materials x X X X X X X X X Risks Addressed by Strategy 1 There are ten neighborhoods in Redmond. Three sets of neighborhoods are located on distinct hills, or are separated by the alluvial, liquefiable Bear Creek and Sammamish River valley floors. The remaining area is located on the flat river valley. Severe winter storms limit access to hill communities (see Chapter 4 and Map 2 for specific locations). Flooding events would make traversing the valley floor difficult. A Crustal Earthquake along the South Whidbey Island Fault to the north or the Seattle Fault to the south will interrupt accessibility. There will be damage to both access roads crossing the valleys and major arterials servicing Redmond as a whole. Either of these hazard events will isolate residential and business communities for many days. Hill communities include: Education Hill and North Redmond (Residential) • Overlake, Willows and Grasslawn (Mixed uses within Overlake Community) • Southeast Redmond (higher neighborhoods) (Mixed uses) • Valley floor communities include: Sammamish Valley (Mixed use) • Downtown (Mixed use) • Bear Creek (Mixed use) • Southeast Redmond (lower neighborhoods) (Mixed use) • The Redmond Comprehensive Plan includes a goal to emphasize choices in housing and transportation. The geographic variety creates a context in which subpopulations are at risk of short-term isolation during a major hazard event. Many people can manage this type of isolation with only minor enhancements to current supplies and ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 150 Mitigation Strategy preparations. The City of Redmond will support opportunities that prepare individuals and communities for isolation through the development or enhancement of outreach activities that build upon existing mutual aid systems. Outreach efforts should leverage information technologies, such as the City’s website, and direct contact through community organizations, such as schools, businesses, and faith communities. Some educational materials should be community specific. The City should provide information on the following topics in several of the most commonly spoken languages: Locating and shutting off home and business utility services • Testing for contamination of private well water • Installation of sump pumps or other flood mitigation technologies • Proper storage of home hazardous materials • Designated channels and alternative techniques for emergency • communications Building material upgrades for withstanding extreme weather and other hazard • conditions Further in line with Redmond’s desire to afford all residents housing choices, the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Map Your Neighborhood programs and Block Watch should be expanded with a focus on serving neighborhoods with vulnerable populations. The Redmond Comprehensive Plan also includes goals to create a community of supportive good neighbors while promoting a variety of gathering places and cultural opportunities. It is likely that subpopulations will find themselves isolated from the general public immediately after an event. A properly implemented response plan can provide a small community with the resources necessary to manage being cut off from the rest of the City. A primary aspect of this strategy is also the identification of potential safe locations, such as parks, open spaces, schools, homes, or faith communities that are accessible by foot and capable of providing basic necessities. Along with stocking safe locations with resources for human needs – food, water, first aid, and medical facilities – these locations should have, or be fitted with, kitchen facilities and emergency power generating equipment. Multiple routes to designated areas should be established with clear, easily understood signage. Finally, as Redmond moves forward with new planning and development, it should encourage mixed-uses as much as possible. Neighborhoods that provide a variety of services will be able to better accommodate residents in the case of extended temporary isolation. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 151 Mitigation Strategy Action Items Lead Agencies Other Agencies/ Partners Funding 1-1 Develop an enhanced neighborhood based outreach program to better prepare visitors, residents and business owners to be isolated from expected services for extended periods (over 3 days). Program will be built on three successful programs. Map-your-neighborhood Block Watch CERT Emergency Management Fire Department Police Department Faith based partners Redmond Operating Budget 1-2 Initiate a discussion of amending Comprehensive Plan to allow mixed uses within communities that may be isolated Planning Department Emergency Management Redmond Operating Budget 1-3 Identify communities that would be isolated during a probable event, their available private and public services and existing mutual aid systems. Planning Department Redmond Operating Budget 1-4 Work with community to identify, implement and promote safe locations that will stock basic human needs. Emergency Management King County Public Health, School District, Houses of Worship , Community Groups Redmond Operating Budget 1-5 Identify and create parks trail and open spaces for meeting places following hazards events. Parks and Recreation Emergency Management, School District Redmond Operating Budget Table 20: Action Items for Strategy 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 152 Mitigation Strategy Strategy 2 To ensure provision of vital services following a hazard event, Redmond will develop alternative service centers in less hazardous areas. Hazards Addressed by this Strategy Severe Storms Earthquakes Floods Wildfires Landslides Pandemics Heat Waves Drought Hazardous Materials x X X X X X X X X Risks Addressed by Strategy 2 The Redmond built environment includes three hill communities (see neighborhood listing above) and several built on the valley floor. While each community is threatened by different risks, the varied topography and neighborhood characteristics provide resiliency opportunities. The Overlake neighborhood is a mixed-use neighborhood located on the southern side of the City, furthest from the South Whidbey Island fault. It is located on soils less vulnerable to ground shaking, off the floodplain. The neighborhood has the greatest exposure to a Seattle Fault event. The Education Hill neighborhood is located to the north of Downtown closer to the South Whidbey Island Fault escarpments, but farther from the Seattle Fault. It is also off the floodplain. The City of Redmond is currently designing Fire Station 17; the location of this station is outside of the liquefaction zone for a quake along the Seattle Fault. An alternate emergency operation and command center has been proposed for Station 17 to harden the City’s response capabilities in the event of a Seattle Fault earthquake. The valley communities (including the neighborhoods of Sammamish Valley, Downtown, Southeast Redmond and Bear Creek) are relatively equally vulnerable to earthquake events along either fault. These communities are also vulnerable to severe flooding. Despite the liquefaction and flooding threats, the large, flat valley topography has remained accessible during historical heavy snow conditions and following Benioff earthquakes with distant epicenters. There are many services available in the valley communities. The majority of Redmond’s commercial and retail establishments, City Hall, a major community center, Fire and Police headquarters are located within these neighborhoods. The Redmond Comprehensive Plan includes a goal to support the vitality of both the Downtown and Overlake areas through concentrations of business, residential, and recreational activities in both areas. Aligned with this idea of multiple community cores, this strategy envisions locating redundant, vital City services in two or three of the following distinct areas of the City: ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 153 Mitigation Strategy Overlake commercial area • Education Hill – Fire Station 17 • Downtown Emergency Operation Center (EOC) • The current placement of first responders and City operations centers within earthquake liquefaction areas and flood hazards zone will restrict capabilities under probable scenarios. A large-scale earthquake that causes severe damage to business and residential interests throughout Redmond could also completely disable existing emergency response and recovery capabilities. Alternative capabilities do not currently exist. Action Items Lead Agencies Other Agencies/ Partners Funding 2-1 Develop alternative redundant services off floodprone, liquefiable lands. Planning Department Public Works Emergency Management Fire Department Redmond Operating Budget Funds will have to be sought to develop Fire Station 17 and an Overlake facility. 2-2 Until alternative sites can be developed, continue partnership with Microsoft. Develop new City command center(s) away from downtown liquefaction and flood zones. Emergency Management Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department, Microsoft GMA fund requests via Comprehensive Plan Updates 2-3 Integrate the HMP goal of creating decentralized centers into the comprehensive plan to provide further support for existing policies supporting multiple centers and consider hazards in general planning decisions Planning Department Redmond Operating Budget Table 21: Action Items for Strategy 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 154 Mitigation Strategy Strategy 3 To mitigate damage to vulnerable structures and infrastructure, Redmond will promote retrofitting with safe-to-fail mechanisms. Hazards Addressed by this Strategy Severe Storms Earthquakes Floods Wildfires Landslides Pandemics Heat Waves Drought Hazardous Materials x X X X Risks Addressed by Strategy 3 The Redmond built environment is among the newest of the Seattle metropolitan communities. Most infrastructure and buildings were built in compliance to rigorous earthquake and national flood insurance codes and ordinances with the exception of: Unreinforced Buildings • Homes built before 1970 that predate the International Building Code earthquake • and National Flood Insurance regulations Securing utility lines and facilities to avoid secondary hazards such as power outages or fire is an important aspect of mitigating hazard damage. Retrofitting structures and equipment can be a cost effective way to mitigate damage to the built environment. Action Items Lead Agencies Other Agencies/ Partners Funding 3-1 Provide incentives for seismic retrofitting of historic buildings, including tax credits, low interest revolving loans, code compliance, grants, and/or municipal bonds. Planning Department Public Works Emergency Management Grants, Loans, National Register, Community Development Block Grant 3-2 Create an inventory of susceptible buildings, culverts, roads and other critical utilities. Use inventory to prioritize retrofits of City assets. Public Works Puget Sound Energy Puget Sound Energy 3-3 Locate emergency response and operation centers north, in Fire Station 17 and south of Downtown in the Overlake neighborhood. Once appropriate facilities have been determined they should be retrofitted, if necessary, to withstand severe ground shaking. Planning Department Emergency Management FEMA Grants Table 22: Action Items for Strategy 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 155 Mitigation Strategy Strategy 4 To mitigate against the loss of major transportation facilities in and around the City, Redmond will invest resources in building more resilient transportation networks. Hazards Addressed by this Strategy Severe Storms Earthquakes Floods Wildfires Landslides Pandemics Heat Waves Drought Hazardous Materials x X X X X X Risks Addressed by Strategy 4 The loss of functional transportation systems cannot be avoided in the scenarios driving this Mitigation Plan. Due to this, it is important that the City reinforce connections to service centers with hardened infrastructure and alternate multi- modal routes. Connections between service centers under consideration include: Southern Center Overlake neighborhood • Central Center City Hall and City ECC • Northern Center Fire Station 17 • Establishing an emergency conditions roadway management plan would mitigate the impacts of hazards to current roadways. Providing these hardened and alternative transportation facilities will provide better access to and from emergency service centers. This is particularly important given the absence of major medical facilities within City limits. Another key part of this strategy is the provision of a comprehensive non-motorized trail network that can facilitate travel when traditional roads are not usable. This relates closely with Comprehensive Plan goals pertaining to open space and recreational opportunities, as well as Hazards Mitigation Plan goals to decrease vulnerabilities and minimize isolation. For example, the Sammamish River Trail can serve as secondary route to transport emergency supplies when traditional routes are impassable. Along with an emergency conditions roadway management plan, design guidelines can help mitigate impacts to transportation networks. Guidelines could use incentives such as density and height bonuses, as well as departures from zoning requirements, to achieve hazard mitigating urban design. Examples of hazard sensitive urban design include designing plazas at key intersections to reduce the vulnerability to street blockage from fallen structures and trees. This would involve establishing a policy that considers building clearance in the redevelopment of streets within Downtown, Overlake and routes servicing the Fire Station 17. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 156 Mitigation Strategy Action Items Lead Agencies Other Agencies/ Partners Funding 4-1 Harden multi-modal connections between Downtown and Overlake to provide access to protected emergency centers. Public Works Planning Department, Metro Parks District, Safe Routes to School 4-2 Develop bicycle and pedestrian network that can serve as secondary route to transport emergency supplies. Public Works Parks and Recreation Parks District, Safe Routes to School 4-3 Develop an emergency conditions roadway management plan. The plan will address installing traffic signals not reliant on the power grid, preemptively applying de-icer to roads and sidewalks at the time of major storm warnings, prioritize street clearing by key access points and community vulnerability (not road hierarchy), and other relevant issues. Public Works Emergency Response Safe Routes to School, Federal grants 4-4 Modify design guidelines to promote incorporation of hazard sensitive urban design. Planning Department Federal grants Table 23: Action Items for Strategy 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 157 Mitigation Strategy Strategy 5 To mitigate against the functional loss of business communities, Redmond will develop and deliver business outreach programs. Hazards Addressed by this Strategy Severe Storms Earthquakes Floods Wildfires Landslides Pandemics Heat Waves Drought Hazardous Materials x X X X X X X X X Risks Addressed by Strategy 5 Redmond is home to several major corporations, including Microsoft, Nintendo and Genie Industries. These corporations have vendor relationships with many local small businesses. The systemic interdependencies among these business networks are as vulnerable to significant earthquakes and winter storms as is the physical built environment. Small businesses are located throughout Redmond within existing commercial centers and from home-based operations located within residential neighborhoods. Action Items Lead Agencies Other Agencies/ Partners Funding 5-1 Develop a specific outreach program promoting existing contingency planning tools available through the Washington EMD Business Portal Emergency Management Planning department, Faith-based organizations, Chamber of Commerce City Operating Budget 5-2 Encourage businesses to partner, thereby sharing resources and risks (e.g. cold storage, alternative power). Emergency Management Planning department, Faith-based organizations, Chamber of Commerce City Operating Budget Table 24: Action Items for Strategy 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 158 Mitigation Strategy Strategy 6 To mitigate impacts from expected increases in incidences of shallow flooding, Redmond will build a flood tolerant community able to accommodate increases in low impact flooding Hazards Addressed by this Strategy Severe Storms Earthquakes Floods Wildfires Landslides Pandemics Heat Waves Drought Hazardous Materials x X X X X X X Risks Addressed by Strategy 6 As stated in the City of Redmond of the 2009 Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan: “because of the flood modifications to the Sammamish River channel made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the current impacts of flooding within the City of Redmond (City) pose little risk to public safety and relatively low risk to existing public and private development…however Redmond, faces the potential for an increase in flood hazard risks as a result of the tremendous population and development growth within the watersheds and the expected loss of key floodplain functions.” Generalized flooding is not a current problem; however, climate change was not addressed in the 2009 Final Draft Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan and projected changes in rainfall frequency and intensity, along with increases in upstream development, create a more problematic flood scenario. Climate models for the region forecast increases in winter rainfall intensity, duration and frequency resulting in increasing shallow valley floor flooding. Summers will be drier. Winter flooding will become more frequent as the watershed built environment becomes increasingly impermeable. The low gradient of valley rivers will not provide the energy to discharge surface water quickly and ponding will occur throughout the Downtown, Sammamish Valley, Bear Creek and SE Redmond neighborhoods. With the valley floor being extremely permeable, sub-surface interflow processes will have a greater effect in removing ponding water than will surface drainages. A secondary risk resulting from surface flooding will be from pollutants stored in garages and stores contaminating shallow aquifers and contaminating wells. This Hazards Mitigation Plan incorporates the goals, principles and recommendation of City of Redmond Final Draft Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan and its emphasis on stormwater and habitat management specifically to: ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 159 Mitigation Strategy Prevent the loss of life, creation of public health or safety problems, and damage 1. to public and private property from floods. Maintain the varied uses of existing drainage pathways and floodplains within 2. the City. Minimize pollution hazards to surface and groundwater during flood events. 3. Promote watershed-based flood management strategies that balance 4. engineering, economic, environmental, and social factors. Restore properly functioning conditions for degraded floodplains. 5. Coordinate flood hazard planning and management with interested and affected 6. parties in both public and private sectors. Increase the public understanding of flood hazard issues. 7. Promote a comprehensive understanding of Redmond’s floodplains and flood 8. hazards. Promote a stable, adequate, and publicly acceptable long-term source of 9. financing flood hazard management work. Reduce the long-term costs of flood hazard management. 10. Maintain an updated and accurate plan over time. 11. The Hazards Mitigation Plan differs from the Flood Hazard Management Plan in that it focuses on less frequent events that have a higher probable impact. Increases in watershed impermeability and global warming will increase the likelihood, albeit infrequent, of extensive shallow valley floor flooding. The probable flooding will not have an adverse impact if developments are made to be safe to fail. If pollutants are kept from entering the groundwater and homes are built above the base flood elevation (factoring future development and climate conditions), flooding will have a minimal adverse impact while preserving the natural beneficial floodplain processes. In adapting to climate change the City and its residents should expect that in rare, though increasingly probable, flood events, shallow water will cover the land and understand that this flooding is both appropriate and beneficial. The following steps can be taken to minimize the adverse impacts of flooding: Simultaneously protecting existing development from flood and protecting 1. ground water from harmful chemicals through localized ring dikes and berms. Accommodating flooding through structure elevation and wet floodproofing. 2. Retreating off the floodplain where alternative sites are practicable. 3. Each of these strategies is mentioned in the draft Flood Hazards Management Plan. Not mentioned in that plan, or action items that should receive greater emphasis, include: ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 4 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 160 Mitigation Strategy Action Items Lead Agencies Other Agencies/ Partners Funding 6-1 Monitoring localized climate change impacts. Public Works Planning department City Operating Budget 6-2 Performing hydrologic and hydraulic analyses that factor in climate change scenarios as well as future land use. Public Works Planning department Stormwater Utility Fund 6-3 Add flood storage lands to floodplain delineations that accommodate climate change scenarios and identify impacts. This may result in amending the Flood Hazards Management Plan. Public Works Planning department Stormwater Utility Fund 6-4 Promote a discussion of the beneficial impacts of flooding within valley communities Public Works Planning Department, Parks Department, Board of Education Stormwater Utility Fund NFIP Continued Compliance The City of Redmond is a member in good standing of the National Flood Insurance Program. Redmond entered the NFIP in March, 1974. The City’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps became effective in April, 2005. The maps are in paper form only. There are no repetitive loss or severe loss properties or structures currently located in the 100 year floodplain. The City has a dedicated Floodplain Manager. This is an auxiliary duty for this position. There is currently no certified Floodplain Manager on the City staff. Redmond participates regularly in Community Assistance Visits (CAV) or Community Assistance Contacts (CAC). The last visit was conducted by the Department of Ecology in 2003. The next scheduled CAV visit will be in December 2009. In 2004, code changes took effect in Redmond to bring the permitting procedures into compliance with NFIP regulations. Redmond employs a zero rise floodplain requirement for all building. This exceeds the current NFIP requirement. Redmond does not participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) at the time of this writing. King County is a participant in the CRS and the draft Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan for the City recommends that Redmond pursue participating in the CRS in the future. Table 25: Action Items for Strategy 6