ANAHEIM : Ordinance Targets Quake-Risk Buildings

Possibly as many as 19 unreinforced masonry buildings will have to be reinforced or demolished under an ordinance tentatively approved Tuesday by the City Council.

The old one- and two-story buildings are scattered mostly along the periphery of the downtown area, City Engineer John Quan said Monday after inspecting some of the buildings.

Most of the city’s unreinforced masonry buildings were torn down during 1977-78 redevelopment projects, Quan said.

“Just a few months ago, we found out we have a few unreinforced masonry buildings that hadn’t been demolished yet,” he said.

Building Department officials aren’t certain how many of the 19 buildings will be affected because not all have been inspected for steel reinforcing rods, Quan said.

The ordinance, which awaits final approval, requires owners of commercial unreinforced buildings to submit plans within 270 days for upgrading them or file for a permit to tear them down. Owners who upgrade will have 120 days thereafter to complete the work.

Detached homes and apartments with fewer than five units are not affected.

Under 1986 legislation, all cities in California must require owners of unreinforced buildings to strengthen the buildings to withstand stronger earthquakes.