The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCC #9 Exhibit AGeneral Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 Proposing 2014 -2021 Housing Element and Land Use Element Amendments to District Plans Section of the General Plan Initial Study / Negative Declaration No. 2013 -01 Prepared for: City of Lake Elsinore Planning Division 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, California 92530 CITY OF LAKE LSI1`�O E DREAM EXTREME Prepared by: MIG I Hogle- Ireland 1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 110 Riverside, California 92507 Hogle- Ireland June 2013 'wM*1w, - This document is d i ned for ou e -sided printing - Table of Contents 1 Introduction ........................................................................... ..............................1 1.1 - Purpose of CEQA ......................................................... ............................ ...1 1.2 - Public Comments ......................................................... ..............................3 1.3 - Availability of Materials ................................................ ..............................3 1.4 - Approach ................................................................... ............................... 3 2 Project Description ................................................................. ..............................5 2.1 - Project Title ................................................................ ..............................5 2.2- Lead Agency Name and Address .................................... ..............................5 2.3 - Contact Person and Phone Number ................................ ..............................5 2.4- Project Location ........................................................... ..............................5 2.5 - Project Sponsor's Name and Address ............................. ..............................5 2.6- General Plan Land Use Designation ................................ ..............................5 2.7- Zoning District ............... ... .................................. ,,...... ...,............,.............6 2.8- Project Description ....................................................... ..............................7 2.9- Project Objectives ..................................................... ............................... 16 2.10- Surrounding Land Uses ............................................. ............................... 16 2.11 - Environmental Setting ............................................... ............................... 19 2.12- Required Approvals ................................................... ............................... 20 2.13 - Other Public Agency Whose Approval is Required .......... ............................... 20 3 Determination ....................................................................... .............................53 3.1 - Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ................... ............................... 53 3.2 - Determination .......................................................... ............................... 53 4 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts .................................... .............................55 4.1- Aesthetics ....................... ...................................... ............................... 55 4.2- Agriculture and Forest Resources ................................ ............................... 57 4.3- Air Quality ............................................................... ............................... 59 4.4- Biological Resources ................................................. ............................... 62 4.5- Cultural Resources .................................................... ............................... 65 4.6- Geology and Soils ..................................................... ............................... 67 4.7- Greenhouse Gas Emissions ........................................ ............................... 71 4.8- Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................... ............................... 77 4.9- Hydrology and Water Quality ..................................... ............................... 81 4.10- Land Use and Planning................................ ...................................... ....... 85 4.11- Mineral Resources ..................................................... ............................... 87 4.12- Noise ...................................................................... ............................... 88 4.13- Population and Housing ............................................. ............................... 94 4.14- Public Services ......................................................... ............................... 96 4.15- Recreation ............................................................... ............................... 98 4.16- Transportation and Traffic .......................................... ............................... 99 4.17- Utilities and Service Systems ................................... ............................... 102 4.18- Mandatory Findings of Significance ........................... ............................... 105 5 References 107 5.1 - List of Preparers ..................................................... ............................... 107 5.2 - Notes .................................................................... ............................... 108 General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 i Table of Contents List of Tables Table 2 -1 Lake Elsinore RHNA ................................................. ..............................9 Table 2 -2 Focus Areas Summary .......... .............. . ... . ...... ..... .... . .... . ...... . ...... ........... 10 Table 2 -3 Focus Areas Land Inventory ................................... ............................... 11 Table 2 -4 Focus Areas Surrounding Land Uses ........................ ............................... 17 Table 4.12.1 Human Response to Groundborne Vibration ......... ............................... 90 Table 4.12.2 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards ........ ............................... 90 Table 4.12.3 Interior and Exterior Noise Standards ................. ............................... 91 Table 4.12.4 Common Construction Vibration ......................... ............................... 92 List of Exhibits Exhibit2 Focus Area 1 ......................................................... ............................... 23 Exhibit3 Focus Area 2 ......................................................... ............................... 25 Exhibit4 Focus Area 3 .................. .................................. ............................... 27 Exhibit5 Focus Area 4 ........................................................ ............................... 29 Exhibit6 Focus Area 5 ........................................................ ............................... 31 Exhibit7 Focus Area 6 ........................................................ ............................... 33 Exhibit8 Focus Area 7 ........................................................ ............................... 35 Exhibit9 Focus Area 8 ....................................................... ............................... 37 Exhibit 10 Focus Area 9 ...................................................... ............................... 39 Exhibit 11 Focus Area 10 ...................................................... .............................41 Exhibit 12 Focus Area 11 .................................................... ............................... 43 Exhibit 13 Focus Area 12 .................................................... ............................... 45 Exhibit 14 Warm Springs Community ..................................... .............................45 Exhibit 15 Lakeland Village Community ................................... .............................49 Exhibit 16 Meadowbrook Community .................................... ............................... 51 ii Initial Study 1 Introduction The City of Lake Elsinore (Lead Agency) completed a draft Housing Element update to comply with State law requiring an update to the Housing Element to occur for the 2014 -2021 planning period. In addition, the City is amending its District Plans Section of the General Plan to address three unincorporated communities (Lakeland Village, Meadowbrook, and Warm Springs) in order to comply with State Law (California Government Code Section 65302.10). The Housing Element and District Plan updates constitute a project that is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 1970 (Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.), and the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Section 15000 et. seq.). This Initial Study has been prepared to assess the short-term, long -term, and cumulative environmental impacts that could result from the proposed 2014 -2021 Housing Element and District Plan Section amendments. This report has been prepared to comply with Section 15063 of the State CEQA Guidelines, which sets forth the required contents of an Initial Study. These include: • A description of the project, including the location of the project (See Section 2); • Identification of the environmental setting (See Section 2.11); • Identification of environmental effects by use of a checklist, matrix, or other methods, provided that entries on the checklist or other form are briefly explained to indicate that there is some evidence to support the entries (See Section 4); • Discussion of ways to mitigate significant effects identified, if any (See Section 4); • Examination of whether the project is compatible with existing zoning, plans, and other applicable land use controls (See Section 4.10); and • The name(s) of the person(s) who prepared or participated in the preparation of the Initial Study (See Section 5). 1,1 - Purpose of CEQA The body of state law known as CEQA was originally enacted in 1970 and has been amended a number of times since then. The legislative intent of these regulations is established in Section 21000 of the California Public Resources Code, as follows: The Legislature finds and declares as follows: a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern. b) It is necessary to provide a high - quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high - quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state. d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such thresholds being reached. e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment. f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 1 Introduction g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which are found to affect the quality of the environment, shall regulate such activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. The Legislature further finds and declares that it is the policy of the State to: a) Develop and maintain a high - quality environment now and in the future, and take all action necessary to protect, rehabilitate, and enhance the environmental quality of the state. b) Take all action necessary to provide the people of this state with clean air and water, enjoyment of aesthetic, natural, scenic, and historic environmental qualities, and freedom from excessive noise. c) Prevent the elimination of fish or wildlife species due to man's activities, insure that fish and wildlife populations do not drop below self- perpetuating levels, and preserve for future generations representations of all plant and animal communities and examples of the major periods of California history. d) Ensure that the long -term protection of the environment, consistent with the provision of a decent home and suitable living environment for every Californian, shall be the guiding criterion in public decisions. e) Create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony to fulfill the social and economic requirements of present and future generations. f) Require governmental agencies at all levels to develop standards and procedures necessary to protect environmental quality. g) Require governmental agencies at all levels to consider qualitative factors as well as economic and technical factors and long -term benefits and costs, in addition to short -term benefits and costs and to consider alternatives to proposed actions affecting the environment. A concise statement of legislative policy, with respect to public agency consideration of projects for some form of approval, is found in Section 21002 of the Public Resources Code, quoted below: The Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state that public agencies should not approve projects as proposed if there are feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures available which would substantially lessen the significant environmental effects of such projects, and that the procedures required by this division are intended to assist public agencies in systematically identifying both the significant effects of proposed projects and the feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures which will avoid or substantially lessen such significant effects. The Legislature further finds and declares that in the event specific economic, social, or other conditions make infeasible such project alternatives or such mitigation measures, individual projects may be approved in spite of one or more significant effects thereof. 2 Initial Study Introduction 1.2 - Public Comments Comments from all agencies and individuals are invited regarding the information contained in this Initial Study. Such comments should explain any perceived deficiencies in the assessment of impacts, identify the information that is purportedly lacking in the Initial Study or indicate where the information may be found. All comments on the Initial Study are to be submitted to: Richard MacHott, Planning Manager City of Lake Elsinore Planning Division 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, California 92530 951 - 674 -3124 x209 rmachott lake- elsinore.org All comments received will be considered by the City of Lake Elsinore prior to adoption. 1.3 - Availability of Materials All materials related to the preparation of this Initial Study are available for public review. To request an appointment to review these materials, please contact: Richard MacHott, Planning Manager City of Lake Elsinore Planning Division 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, California 92530 951 - 674 -3124 x209 1.4 - Approach The environmental analysis contained in this Initial Study is based on the following assumptions: 1. General Plan Consistency: The Housing Element is consistent with the land use policies and all other elements of the City of Lake Elsinore General Plan. As the General Plan is updated and /or amended, the City will ensure that such updates and amendments do not prevent implementation of the policies contained in the Housing Element. 2. Project Specific Environmental Review: In the City of Lake Elsinore, all housing development proposals that are considered "projects" under CEQA are subject to an environmental review process to determine the level of impact and to impose appropriate mitigation measures, if needed, to avoid significant impacts. 3. Purpose of Environmental Review: This project would not authorize any plans for construction of new homes or other land uses, or redevelopment of any properties to produce new homes or other land uses. No direct environmental impacts, therefore, would occur. This Initial Study is limited to assessment of potential environmental impacts resulting from the cumulative effects of potential development facilitated by Housing Element policy and amendments to the General Plan's District Plans section, in accordance with the City's land use policies as set forth in the General Plan and as adjusted through General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 3 Introduction the proposed Housing Element. The purpose of the environmental assessment is to determine whether there are any peculiar types of impacts that could occur as an indirect result of adoption of the proposed General Plan Amendment. 4 Initial Study Project Description 2 Project Description 2.1 - Project Title General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 2.2 - Lead Agency Name and Address City of Lake Elsinore Planning Division 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, California 92530 2.3 - Contact Person and Phone Number Richard MacHott, Planning Manager 951 - 674 -3124 x209 2.4 - Project Location The City of Lake Elsinore 2014 -2021 Housing Element applies to all residential and mixed -use zoning districts and all General Plan land use designations that allow residential or mixed -use development within the municipal boundaries of the City of Lake Elsinore. The proposed amendments to Chapter 10.0 (North Peak District), Chapter 13.0 (Lakeland Village Sphere District) and Chapter 15.0 (North Central Sphere District) of the District Plans Section of the General Plan recognize the existing unincorporated communities of Meadowbrook, Lakeland Village and Warm Springs. Located within western Riverside County, the City of Lake Elsinore is bounded by the City of Canyon Lake to the east and the City of Wildomar to the southeast and the remaining area consisting of unincorporated Riverside County. The City's planning area (including its sphere of influence) encompasses approximately 72 square miles. Exhibit 1 (Regional Location and Vicinity Map) illustrates the City's location within western Riverside County and its local context. 2.5 - Project Sponsor's Name and Address City of Lake Elsinore Planning Division 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, California 92530 2.6 - General Plan Land Use Designation The residential and mixed -use land use designations that support housing development within the City of Lake Elsinore consist of the following: Hillside Residential (0.0 -1.0 DU /Acre): This category of residential use is primarily intended for low- density single - family residential development and small -scale agricultural uses in areas of steep slopes. Minimum lot size is dependent on the average slope of an individual subdivision between one -acre for under 15% slope up to ten -acre minimum for 35% slope and above. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 5 Project Description Lakeside Residential (0.0 -4.0 DU /Acre): This category is primarily intended for custom single - family homes on properties that are oriented and have accessibility to Lake Elsinore. Densities are limited to 1 dwelling unit per 10,000 ,net square foot lot for new subdivisions. Low Density Residential (1.0 -3.0 DU /Acre): This category of residential use is primarily intended to provide for the development of traditional single - family subdivisions with one dwelling permitted per lot at a density between 1 to 3 dwelling units per acre. Low - Medium Density Residential (1.0 -6.0 DU /Acre): This category of residential use is also primarily intended to provide for the development of traditional single - family subdivisions with one dwelling permitted per lot, but with an increased density allowance between 1 to 6 dwelling units per acre. Medium Density Residential (7.0 -18.0 DU /Acre): This category of residential use allows for moderate density housing either as attached or detached single - family or attached multi - family units between 7 to 18 dwelling units per acre. High Density Residential (19.0 -24.0 DU /Acre): This category of residential use allows for a broad range of dwelling unit types that may be either attached single- or multi - family residential units between 19 to 24 dwelling units per acre. Commercial Mixed Use 7.0 -18.0 DU /Acre): This category provides for a mix of residential and non - residential uses within a single development with an emphasis on retail, service, civic, and professional office uses. Residential uses are also allowed as subordinate to non - residential uses at a density between 7 to 18 dwelling units per acre. Residential Mixed Use (19.0 -24.0 DU /Acre): This category also provides for a mix of residential and non - residential uses within a single development with an emphasis on high density residential uses. Residential uses are allowed at a density between 19 to 24 dwelling units per acre. 2.7 - Zoning District The Lake Elsinore Zoning Code presently provides for eight primary residential zoning classifications. The densities of the zones range from 0.1 dwelling units per acre (10 acre minimum lot size) to 24 dwelling units per acre depending on development type as well as affordable and senior housing density bonuses. Each of the classifications is listed below: • Rural Mountainous Residential (R -M -R) • Rural Residential (R -R) • Estate Single - Family Residential (R -E) • Hillside Single - Family Residential (R -H) • Single - Family Residential (R -1) • Medium Density Residential (R -2) • High Density Residential (R -3) • Mobilehome Community (MC) • Residential Mixed Use (RMU) • Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) 6 Initial Study Project Description 2.8 - Project Description The Housing Element and the Land Use Element comprise two of the seven General Plan Elements mandated by the State of California, as expressed in Sections 65580 to 65589.8 of the California Government Code. California State Law requires that the Housing Element consist of "identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. As required by State Housing Law, the City of Lake Elsinore must plan for its share of the region's new housing needs in the five state - defined income categories by identifying an adequate supply of land zoned at appropriate densities to accommodate needs in each income category. The RHNA goals do not explicitly require the City to construct the identified housing need, but rather seek to ensure the City has, or plans to add polices, programs and regulations that will accommodate new housing growth. The proposed Project includes the following entitlements: General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 - Adoption and implementation of the City of Lake Elsinore 2014 -2021 Housing Element; and adoption of amendments to the City of Lake Elsinore General Plan Land Use Element's District Plans Section in order to comply with State Law (California Government Code Section 65302.10) that adds language regarding the unincorporated Meadowbrook Community to Chapter 10.0 (North Peak District), regarding the unincorporated Lakeland Village Community to Chapter 13.0 (Lakeland Village Sphere District) and regarding the unincorporated Warm Springs Community to Chapter 15.0 (North Central Sphere District). The project consists of two components consisting of: 1. The adoption and implementation of the City of Lake Elsinore 2014 -2021 Housing Element, which represents an update of the City's Housing Element. The Housing Element is an integral component of the City's General Plan as it addresses existing and future housing needs of all types for persons in all economic segment groups within the City. The Housing Element serves as a tool for decision - makers and the public in understanding and meeting housing needs in Lake Elsinore. While the law does not require local governments to actually construct housing to meet identified needs, it does require that the community address housing needs in its discretionary planning actions such as creating opportunities for housing in the land use plan and facilitating development through policies. To meet this goal, the Housing Element identifies existing vacant or underdeveloped areas already designated by the General Plan Land Use Element to provide for the City's projected housing needs. 2. The identification of each unincorporated community within or adjacent to the City's sphere of influence. Pursuant to Section 65302.10(b) of the California Government Code the City is required to update its Land Use Element to identify each unincorporated "island" or "fringe" community within its sphere of influence and include an analysis of water, wastewater, stormwater drainage, and structural needs or deficiencies and financing alternatives that could make the extension of services to identified communities financially feasible. This update of the Land Use Element consists of the above - identified amendments to the District Plans Section of the General Plan. Statutory Requirements State law requires the Housing Element be updated at least every eight years, on a timeline consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan, unless extended by the legislature. Article 10.6, Section 65580 - 65589.8, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code sets forth General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 7 Project Description the legal requirements for a housing element and encourages the provision of affordable and decent housing in suitable living environments for all communities to meet statewide goals. This 2014 -2021 Housing Element update is a policy document by the City of Lake Elsinore regarding its current and projected future housing needs (as identified by the State Housing and Community Development Department [HCD] and the Southern California Association of Governments [SCAG]), and the City's goals, policies, and programs to address those identified needs. Government Code Section 65583 requires that housing elements include the following main components: • An assessment of housing needs (including the needs of special needs groups), analysis of constraints to housing development, and an inventory of resources related to the meeting of these needs. • A review of the previous Housing Element's goals, policies, programs, and objectives to ascertain the effectiveness of each of these components, as well as the overall effectiveness of the programs in the previous Housing Element. • A Statement of community goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the maintenance, preservation, improvement, and development of housing. • Actions that the City is undertaking or intends to undertake, in implementing the policies set forth in the Housing Element. Government Code Section 65302.10 requires the City to address "Fringe" and "Island" communities that are either within its sphere of influence or adjacent to it within its Land Use Element upon its next adoption of its Housing Element. State law requires that the City's Land Use Element address existing and planned water, wastewater, flood control, and fire protection services within these communities and potential funding mechanisms that may be utilized for expansion of each of these services. Housing Needs The Lake Elsinore 2014 -2021 Housing Element profiles key community demographics and examines the related housing needs of various groups, including owners versus renters, lower - income households, overcrowded households, elderly households, special needs groups, and homeless persons, among others. This information is detailed in the Housing Element. California housing element law requires that each city and county develop local housing programs designed to meet their "fair share" of housing needs for all income groups, based on projected population growth. HCD Housing Policy Division develops the Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA) for each region of the State, represented by councils of governments. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) determines the housing allocation for each city and county within its six - county jurisdiction. SCAG has assigned , Lake Elsinore a housing allocation of 4,929 units for the 2014 -2021 planning period. Lake Elsinore previously adopted an updated element for the 2008 -2014 planning period. Table 2 -1 (Lake Elsinore RHNA) identifies the total projected housing needs for the 2014 -2021 Housing Element. 8 Initial Study Project Description Table 2 -1 Lake Elsinore RHNA _Qrou 0/0 of County Area Median Income AMI _ 2012 Total Housing Units Allocated- Percent of Units Very Low' __ 0 -50% 1,196 24% Low >50 -80% 801 16% Moderate Above Moderate >80- 120% 120 %+ 897 18% 41% 2,035 Total - -- 4,929 100% Source: Southern California Association of Governments, 2012 'State law allows local jurisdictions to use 50 percent of the very low income category to represent households of extremely low- income (less than 30 percent of the AMI). State law requires that a community provide an adequate number of sites to allow for and facilitate production of the City's regional share of housing. To determine whether the City has sufficient land to accommodate its share of regional housing needs for all income groups, the City must identify "adequate sites." Under State law (California Government Code Section 65583.c.1), adequate sites are those with appropriate zoning and development standards, with services and facilities, needed to facilitate and encourage the development of a variety of housing for all income levels. Land considered suitable for residential development includes the following: • Vacant residentially zoned sites; • Vacant non - residentially zoned sites that allow residential uses (such as mixed - use); • Underutilized residentially zoned sites that are capable of being developed at a higher density or with greater intensity; and • Non - residential zoned sites that can be redeveloped for, and /or rezoned for, residential use (via program actions). Focus Areas An important component of the Lake Elsinore Housing Element is the identification of sites and future housing development opportunities for the 2014 -2021 planning period. Since Lake Elsinore has a sufficient amount of undeveloped land, the majority of what is identified in the Sites Inventory section focuses on vacant sites zoned for residential or mixed -use. Underutilized sites are also analyzed. Opportunities for residential development in the City fall into one of these categories: • Vacant land that is designated for residential or mixed -use • Underutilized sites that permit residential or mixed -use where the current use of the property is less than the maximum allowed by the general plan designation, and where infrastructure needs for additional development can be met by existing or proposed systems The sites identified are locations determined to be ideal for accommodating future housing, including affordable housing. Analyses based on potential environmental constraints, infrastructure, and realistic development capacity calculations are discussed. Also included is an analysis of non - vacant and underutilized lands. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 9 Project Description The sites inventory includes properties within the Commercial Mixed Use, High Density, and Residential Mixed Use designations, as well as two specific plan areas. A total of 823.17 acres of vacant and underutilized land has been identified as most suitable for accommodating the City's remaining housing need, in twelve Focus Areas. The twelve focus areas have a potential combined capacity for 5,925 dwelling units. Table 2 -2 Focus Areas Summary Land Use Density Acres Density Dwelling Units- Range (DU/AC) High Density 19 -24+ 84 24 1,598 Residential Mixed Use 19 -24+ 43 24 825 Commercial Mixed Use 7 -18 238 18 1,501 Alberhill Ranch - Brighton Specific Varies 400 Varies 1,401 Plan Diamond Specific Plan <18 87 <18 600' Total 5,925 1. Acreage reduced to 80- percent and multiplied by density to calculate total dwelling units in High Density and Residential Mixed Use Designations; Median density utilized for Commercial Mixed Use; Specific Plan unit count pursuant to adopted Specific Plans and maps For the purposes of this Initial Study and the Housing Element, these twelve focus areas are specifically identified. The proposed project would not permit any additional allowance for commercial space or residential units beyond that which is currently permitted under existing development regulations. The sites presented below represent the most realistic opportunities for recycling to residential uses based on underutilized character of the site, developer interest, ease of access from major roads, size of sites, and location near transit and services. Sites are detailed below and summary information is included in Table 2 -3 (Focus Areas Land Inventory). Sites are further illustrated in Exhibits 2 through 13. To calculate the number of potential residential units, an expected maximum residential density of per each land use designation has been applied to all areas based on recent approved mixed -use and high density residential development projects within the City that have achieved or exceeded these densities. 10 Initial Study Project Description Table 2 -3 Focus Areas Land Inventory The Focus Areas will serve as the primary basis for environmental impact analysis in this Initial Study. This is based on the fact that specific policies and direction within the proposed Housing Element are guiding these parcels to be developed or recycled and therefore could lead to a future physical change in the environment. Constraints to Housing Production The housing constraints section of the Housing Element analyzes barriers that may hinder the City's ability to achieve its housing objectives or to obtain the necessary resources to assist in the production, maintenance, and improvement of the overall housing stock. A number of different dynamics that include governmental, market, infrastructure, and environmental factors may constrain the provision of adequate and affordable housing in a city. Consequently, State law requires that Housing Elements analyze potential and actual governmental and non - governmental constraints to the production, maintenance, and improvement of housing for persons of all income levels and disabilities. In instances where barriers exist, State law requires the local jurisdiction to demonstrate efforts to remove, where General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 11 Capacity Residential Under- w/o Focus Density Estimated Vacant utilized density Area Land Use Designation Range Density Acreage Acreage bonus' Lake Elsinore Hills District 1 Commercial Mixed Use 7 -18 du /ac 18 143.64 1.96 923 Lake View District 2 Residential Mixed Use 19 -24 du /ac 24 18.24 350 Lake Edge /Lake View District 3 High Density Residential 19 -24 du /ac 24 9.62 185 Commercial Mixed Use 7 -18 du /ac 18 39.93 1.22 257 Lake Edge /Lake View District 4 High Density Residential 19 -24 du /ac 24 26.38 2.82 561 Commercial Mixed Use 7 -18 du /ac 18 28.37 18.65 294 Riverview District 5 High Density Residential _19 -24 du /ac 24 9.85 - 189 Historic District 6 High Density Residential 19 -24 du /ac 24 5.24 1.00 120 Residential Mixed Use 19 -24 du /ac 24 3.93 1.66 107 Commercial Mixed Use 7 -18 du /ac 18 0.62 -° 4 Historic District 7 High Density Residential 19 -24 du /ac 24 5.06 4.57 185 Residential Mixed Use 19 -24 du /ac 24 2.30 -- 44 Historic District 8 Residential Mixed Use 19 -24 du /ac 24 8.91 170 Commercial Mixed Use 7 -18 du /ac 18 1.86__ -- 23 Business District 9 High Density Residential 19 -24 du /ac 24 18.57 356 Business District 10 Residential Mixed Use 19-24-du/ac _ 24 8.7 156 Alberhill Ranch - Brighton 11 Specific Plan _ 5 -30 du /ac varies 400 1,401 Diamond Specific Plan 12 Mixed Use max 24 du <_ 18 87 - 600 TOTAL: - 791.3 31.87 5,925 The Focus Areas will serve as the primary basis for environmental impact analysis in this Initial Study. This is based on the fact that specific policies and direction within the proposed Housing Element are guiding these parcels to be developed or recycled and therefore could lead to a future physical change in the environment. Constraints to Housing Production The housing constraints section of the Housing Element analyzes barriers that may hinder the City's ability to achieve its housing objectives or to obtain the necessary resources to assist in the production, maintenance, and improvement of the overall housing stock. A number of different dynamics that include governmental, market, infrastructure, and environmental factors may constrain the provision of adequate and affordable housing in a city. Consequently, State law requires that Housing Elements analyze potential and actual governmental and non - governmental constraints to the production, maintenance, and improvement of housing for persons of all income levels and disabilities. In instances where barriers exist, State law requires the local jurisdiction to demonstrate efforts to remove, where General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 11 Project Description appropriate and legally possible, governmental constraints that hinder the achievement of housing goals. The City has established a goal within the Housing Plan to remove governmental constraints on to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing. State and Federal regulations, which are beyond' local jurisdiction control, can also add to governmental constraints. Regulations related to environmental protection, building codes, and other topics have significant, often adverse, impacts on housing costs and availability. Although Federal and State agencies play a role in the imposition of governmental constraints, the actions of these agencies are, for the most part, beyond the influence of local government and are therefore not addressed in this document. Housing Plan The Housing Plan is established to guide the development and preservation of a balanced inventory of housing to meet the needs of present and future residents of the City. To achieve this goal, the Housing Plan identifies long -term housing goals and shorter -term policies to address the identified housing needs. The goals and policies are then implemented through a series of housing programs. Programs identify specific actions the City plans to undertake toward achieving each goal and policy. The following goals, policies, and implementation programs represent the policy direction of the 2014 -2021 Housing Element. Goal Preservation, maintenance, and improvement of the existing housing stock to provide decent housing opportunities and a satisfying living environment for the residents of Lake Elsinore. Policy 1.1 Continue to enforce building, land use, and property maintenance codes. Policy 1.2 Facilitate the removal or rehabilitation of housing units that pose serious health and safety hazards to residents and adjacent structures. Policy 1.3 Continue programs directed at preserving the physical quality of housing and neighborhood environments and maintaining compliance with established standards. Policy 1.4 Encourage the incorporation of energy conservation features in the design of all new housing developments and the addition of energy conservation devices /practices in existing developments. Program 1: Code Enforcement - Enforce City codes to remedy unsightly or hazardous conditions in residential neighborhoods. Provide information and technical assistance to property owners regarding housing maintenance. Program 2: Removal of Substandard Housing - Eliminate, through demolition, unsafe and dilapidated housing units that cannot be rehabilitated. Program 3: Abandoned Properties - Enforce the City's Abandoned Residential Property Registration Program (Ordinance 1252), and encourage owners of houses and properties that become vacant and abandoned due to foreclosure to maintain or rehabilitate the properties. Program 4: Housing Rehabilitation Programs CDBG Home Repair Program: Utilize CDBG or other funds, as available, to provide financial assistance for minor repairs of homes owned and occupied by 12 Initial Study Project Description lower- income residents. Eligible repairs include plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, roof repairs, and masonry work. Provide assistance to approximately 10 -15 very low- and low- income households. In -Lieu Fee Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program: Institute a pilot housing rehabilitation program funded with in -lieu fees received, providing loans and /or grants up to $5,000 for exterior improvements. Provide assistance to approximately 10 very low- and low- income households. Program 5: Energy Conservation - Implement the Climate Action Plan (CAP) to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with State law. Carry out the housing related strategies and measures identified in the CAP to meet GHG emissions targets over the next two decades. Goal The provision of affordable housing to accommodate the local housing needs. Policy 2.1 Preserve and expand the City's supply of affordable (low- and /or moderate - income) rental and ownership housing for lower- income households. Policy 2.2 Use incentives and regulatory concessions to promote the development of housing for lower- income persons and those with special needs including, but not limited to, large families, persons with physical or developmental disabilities, families with children, the elderly, and the homeless. Policy 2.3 Encourage partnerships to maximize resources available for the provision of affordable housing. Policy 2.4 Actively pursue federal and state housing program funds to provide housing assistance and to support the development of housing affordable to lower - income households. Policy 2.5 Discourage the conversion of existing apartment units to condominiums where such conversion will diminish the supply of very low, low- and moderate - income housing. Policy 2.6 Promote coordination and cooperation between the City, developers, and neighborhood residents early and throughout the process for affordable housing developments. Program 6: Density Bonus - Encourage the use of the Density Bonus Ordinance to obtain higher densities in residential developments and increase the availability of affordable housing units in exchange for exceptional architecture and amenities. A copy of the Density Bonus Ordinance shall be attached to Residential Design Review Applications. Program 7: Affordable Housing Sites - Make available on the City website and distribute to interested developers a list of City -owned property suitable for affordable housing projects and the Housing Element which includes a Residential Sites Inventory and Site Suitability Analysis. Update the City - owned property list annually. Provide Habitat for Humanity - Inland Valley with information on residential sites suitable for affordable housing development. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 13 Project Description Program 8: Affordable Housing Partnerships - Work with agencies and organizations to increase affordable housing activities such as construction, rehabilitation, or financial assistance to renters and owners. Provide a link to available housing programs for residents and developers on the City website. Partnerships and programs to continue and /or pursue include but are not limited to: County of Riverside Housing Authority (City /County Mortgage Revenue Bonds), County of Riverside Economic Development Agency (First Time Home Buyer and Mortgage Certificate Program), California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), Habitat for Humanity. Endeavor to facilitate at least one affordable housing project during the planning period. Program 9: Rental Assistance - Continue to support the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Direct eligible households to the Section 8 rental assistance program managed by the Housing Authority of Riverside County. Provide information to landlords regarding participation in the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. Program 10: Special Needs Housing Partnerships - Encourage non - profit organizations to pursue funding for the construction of elderly, disabled, or other special needs housing. Provide referrals to programs such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and the California Department of Mental Health /CaIHFA Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Housing Program. Program 11: Homeless Need - Consistent with' available funding, address the needs of at -risk and homeless individuals and families through assistance to non- profits serving the homeless population. Goal 3 Adequate sites to accommodate the City's housing need. Policy 3.1 Use the City's General Plan, Municipal Code, other land use and development plans, and the development process to provide housing sites that meet the identified local need. Policy 3.2 Promote a balance of housing types, including mixed -use development, to meet the needs of the community. Policy 3.3 Maintain an inventory of vacant and underutilized land and make available to the development community. Policy 3.4 Promote the provision of housing for special needs households. Program 12: Consistency Zoning - Continue with subsequent phases of the Consistency Zoning Project to bring zoning consistent with the General Plan Land Use Designations, in accordance with the Compatibility Matrix shown in Appendix B of the General Plan. As part of Zoning Code amendments, incorporate a matrix of permitted uses in residential zones into Title 17 - Zoning of the Municipal Code to facilitate understanding of allowed uses. 14 Initial Study Project Description Program 13: Specific Plans - Promote development within existing and future specific plans to produce planned community environments with a variety of housing types and densities. Program 14: Development Agreements - Work toward the incorporation of a wide range of housing types (including special needs housing), densities, and affordability levels during the negotiation or renegotiation of development agreements with residential developers. Encourage developers to construct a percentage of affordable housing concurrently with market rate housing in each phase of development. During the Development Agreement process, facilitate and incentivize, as feasible, the development of housing projects on small sites, lot consolidation of adjacent small sites, and development of large parcels sizes that facilitate multi - family developments affordable to lower income households. Goal Remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing. Policy 4.1 Periodically review residential development standards and regulations, ordinances, processing procedures, and fees to identify and mitigate constraints that may impede the development, improvement, and conservation of housing. Policy 4.2 Provide avenues for the development of housing for extremely low- income and special needs persons. Program 15: Special Needs and Extremely Low - Income Housing - Support the housing needs of special needs households by prioritizing projects that include special needs housing or housing for extremely /very low- income households and by referring residents to the Inland Regional Center for housing and services available for persons with developmental disabilities. Review the Zoning Code to ensure compliance with Government Code Section 65583(a)(5) relating to transitional and supportive housing as a residential use of property, subject to only those restrictions applicable to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone. Goal 5 Equal access to housing for all residents. Policy 5.1 Continue to enforce fair housing laws prohibiting discrimination in the building, financing, selling, or renting of housing on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, familial status, source of income, sexual orientation, or any other arbitrary factor. Program 16: Fair Housing - Work towards ensuring fair housing choices for all residents by advertising resident rights under federal and State fair housing laws and providing access to local fair housing service providers. Make this information available on the City website. Amend Title 17 of the Municipal Code to revise or remove the definition of family to be flexible for a variety of household types, consistent with State and federal laws. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 15 Project Description Program 17: Reasonable Accommodation - Adopt a process to address requests for reasonable accommodation, and develop procedures regulating siting, funding, development and use of housing for people with disabilities. Amendments to District Plans Section of General Plan As required by Government Code Section 65302.10, the City has identified existing "fringe" and "island" communities that are either within its sphere of influence or adjacent to it. Communities that meet the Government Code Section 65302.10 definition of "Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities" (DUCs) were previously identified by the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) as being communities that are below 80% of the State Median Household Income (MHI) based on the latest census data. Three communities meeting this definition were identified in or adjacent to the City of Lake Elsinore and its sphere of influence. The Warm Springs and Lakeland Village communities are located within the City's sphere of influence and the community of Meadowbrook is adjacent to the City's sphere of influence. The amendment to the General Plan's District Plan component of the Land Use Element addresses existing and planned water, wastewater, flood control, and fire protection services within these communities and potential funding mechanisms that may be utilized for expansion of each of these services pursuant to State law; based on already existing plans for expansion of these services and does not make any specific obligation or expansion of existing plans to extend these services to these communities. The proposed amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. 2.9 - Project Objectives The goals, policies, and programs within the Housing Plan build upon the identified housing needs in the community, constraints confronting the City, and resources available to address the housing needs. This Plan will guide City housing policy through the 2014 -2021 planning period. Lake Elsinore's housing goals, policies, and programs as noted above address the following five major areas: 1. Conserve and Improve Existing Housing Stock; 2. Remove Barriers to Housing Development; 3. Provision of Adequate Housing Sites; 4. Assist in the Development of Affordable Housing; and 5. Promote Fair Housing Practices. 2,10 - Surrounding Land Uses The Focus Areas identified in the Housing Element each must be noted because those conditions will serve as a analysis in this Initial Study. The existing surrounding Table 2 -4 (Focus Areas Surrounding Land Uses). have specific surrounding land uses that portion of the baseline for environmental land uses for each site are summarized in 16 Initial Study CL v IA d V .o L a qT 1' N d 70 F�- rl N O M O N O Z C d E �o d a C t0 io L ci C = = C C C c f0 C = C C C LL f0 C "� f0. C LL U (0 C LL U f0 C LL U U LLvU C a) U E b U fo U U (0 = LLa)U. Lf L a..i C a) .� 01 a) � f0 f f (n > a) � f0 O f N> a) � f0 C 1 > f0 > a) � f0 C f> (0 > E (0 C> f0 > (0 > y (0... ]> 'L'... U C� cam. cfY U) cfY U) C� U ►..� �� > U) ro w T E ° T E f0 E `-°� �'E.o41 ^ �E ° � u E `0� E fO� O � '° cc LL (0 C "" f0 C C " a) U E f0 C C LL a) U C U (0 C C LL (V (0 U� L f0 C N LL C U E 10 C C LL a) U C U f0 C C LL w U =_ C U a) E •gyp }, c a�._ fs� a)v o('�n> E a)v (uo rn(n> rua > a)� rn(n> E a,� Erna) > E acv rnA> fuo > �v (uo-0 rn(n> =min o cLL En U c� U7 c� U (n c� (n c� in o c� U UI U c� (n c� (n oL )Y f0 U 'E U E 24 4, E RO4 E Lo4'E O 41 a..i E O Y E.24,E N T34, 4. 4 (0 3 f0 > a..� <D C C LL (0 N 10 G C LL N N (0 G C LL fo N (0 C C LL f0 L'. (0 C C LL (D f0 C C LL f0 mu f0 C C LL f0 �� f0 C C LL f0 au C fo C (0 a+ vu a) '0 (p 0u a) , f0 wu WO U a)u a) � f0 a) in> E.. a) (0 a) f0 72 fo U f0 u f0 LL O pl (n> a(n> D1 �> p1 (n> COC O1 p)a> G� O)(n> COC D1 (A> C� > > L U C� COC cfY U) U) COC U U) U) U) U) U) >• a) � E T E;°��> ° >• E °�' 41 �? °,4°c T E+ E•,'1 C �fu° aviE L LL °*' f0 G C U- m °a' (0 C C LLNU f0 C C LLvUa C f0 C= LLNU C a- i�a1LLNU (0 C C (0 C LLa)LLNU f0 C C m> N y, = a) ,� 5fn> }, c U a) fo D1 fn> (Up fo D1 a> -+Ea) c ,� ULL a) o ,o Clw> c ULL a) '0 (o O1 UI> a) D1� a) �_ fo D1 UI> (n E m 7 U C� (0 C� C� (n f0 OC > C� f0 > C� U) C� N C� V) fo In > (n (n > in °1 2_+ + 2� > + ' T_+ -.:.2, (o fo N �p fo U) T C E '° fo C= E !° +� f0 C C E !0 +� f0 C C E !° �, f0 C C E !° �, 10 C C E `° }, (0 C C fo E •- 4, (0 C= _ O fo E •- +� f0 C C '� E 41 L 10 C rc�._ E�LL NU c LLa)U LLWULL a)U vv(o LLa)U WD LLB,ULL a)v�a)pm V U LLL�U. v2p� a)LLN Ea)o �LL a�vmu rn(n> a��m cm vv(o a rn�> fJ1 (n> rn�> rn(n >. U) EM E rnv U C f0 > C Q) C Fn C a) Ch C C_ Ch C U) C U) o C U U) > U) U) U) _. _.. 41 C 4 E E� E E� 'E 4, Ez E -T4, C 4 C E;-°,4 I0 C ERO4. 10 C > 4 C u }J V! C U (0 C LL a) U f0 G LL a) U (0 C LL U C L C U a1 LL u f0 LL Q) U U LL a) U LL (U U (0 U E fo > a) o (o rnN> () -o m rn�> a) p fs� >> E E (V v fo 0 fo > a) rnw> a� fo rn(n> c 41 fo > E C a) cam' in c(U in 0 U c� V) _� v) Eao' in U v) rr FL v a) c U".4 U LLa) U LL U- U- "a) U U U E > oiaci ° o)�> rn� c o(v> 3� �> > > > 3 0 C Z v1 o (n (n fn U F a rY fY v U U > LL LL 3 y m E E ,�- + C .Y E ,��+ a°Ji Luc c (° > (n }f0, iorn 10 'L > - C m > c u > C fo f0 C '�� (o C LL f0 = LL L LL p U_>ff C r �- Ea) U a) E D U a) v a)'0 fo v ,o C ,, a) fo fo '0 ro E c m v �-° ro ro Z > �+v �'�> aJ �,`� U v = m oo c 3:LL a`ni> o Uu a) 1 > o �� (v ��> > LL U a U> (n C U LL r: li L-) 00 0 0 rl N O M O N O Z C d E �o d a C t0 io L ci C O a u H d D U O O L a 'o �o 'c N co 14 Project Description 2.11 - Environmental Setting The City of Lake Elsinore is located in southwestern Riverside County. The City lies on either side of Interstate 15 and is pocketed by the surrounding hillsides, including the Cleveland National Forest to the west. Interstate 15 provides access to the regional highway network. The City has seen substantial development in the past twenty years, however large amounts of vacant areas still exist within the City. The topography of the City varies between flat areas amongst the core and downtown areas of the City north and east of Lake Elsinore and transitions to steeper terrain elsewhere in the City. The Focus Areas identified in the Housing Element each have specific environmental settings that must be noted because those conditions will serve as the primary baseline for environmental analysis in this Initial Study. The existing environmental settings on these sites are summarized in Table 2 -5 (Focus Areas Existing Conditions). Table 2 -5 Focus Areas Existing Conditions Focus Area Existing Land Use _ . —. vacant Zoning /GP Etesignatfion CMU 1 2 vacant, industrial _ vacant RMU 3 HDR, CMU 4 vacant HDR, CMU 5 vacant HDR 6 single family residential, vacant HDR, RMU, CMU 7 single family residential, vacant HDR, RMU g vacant RMU CMU 9 single family residential vacant HDR_ 10 vacant RMU 11 mining, vacant SP 12 vacant, parking lot SP The Warm Springs community generally consists of rural residential land uses typically on lot sizes 1/2-acre or greater, with some smaller size lots. Commercial land uses exist to the south of the community along Central Avenue and Temescal Canyon High School is located to the west of the community. Areas to the southeast and east between the community and Central Avenue contain a mix of vacant and similar rural residential development. Areas to the north of the community generally consist of vacant land or lower density rural residential. The area is generally relatively flat, sloping downward to the south, with some steeper terrain as it transitions to the hillsides to the north. The Lakeland Village community generally consists of rural residential development with 1/2- acre or larger size lots with some minor commercial or light industrial land uses. The community lies between Lake Elsinore on the northeast and hillsides to the northwest that transition into the Cleveland National Forest. Areas to the northwest and southeast generally consist of single - family residential land uses. Areas to the southwest and partially to the south of the Meadowbrook community consist of recent single family residential developments and the remaining areas to the west, north, east, and south generally consist of either similar rural residential or vacant hillside areas. The topography in the community is relatively flat generally sloping downward to the south and east along State Highway 74, with some isolated areas with steep slopes and where it General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 19 Project Description transitions to the surrounding hillsides to the north, west, and southeast that generally border the community. 2.12 - Required Approvals The City Council must approve General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 that incorporates the 2014 -2021 Housing Element into the current General Plan and includes Land Use Element amendments to Chapter 10.0 (North Peak District), Chapter 13.0 (Lakeland Village Sphere District) and Chapter 15.0 (North Central Sphere District) of the District Plans Section of the General Plan. 2.13 - Other Public Agency Whose Approval is Required The State of California, Department of Housing and Community Development will review the Housing Element for compliance with State law and indicate whether the adopted Element is consistent with State Housing Element Law (Article 10.6 of the Government Code). However, no permits are required from that department. 20 Initial Study Exhibit 1 Regional Context - Vicinity Regional Context Map u of[,p �Isfnnre Vicinity Map I � NW 05'r.da Regional/Vicinity Map City of Lake Elsinore, California General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 21 _t .... Lake re iaq Fd1{Yf XI.. F.: . �,�.•., -fir � Regional Context Map u of[,p �Isfnnre Vicinity Map I � NW 05'r.da Regional/Vicinity Map City of Lake Elsinore, California General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 21 Project Description 22 Initial Study c O Zj Q .L U N O 0 V O O L a N m �+ Gl L Ma sm X W U O LL EZ vi N O W N co J V.- M N i U O H T cu W L cn U N O (n LL Z) N X O O N N ` W E ' o C � U U 0 r--j d J rl M N c 0 +1 CL. •L u a� 0 u d 0 L a 'o ul m 'C N N c O CL •L u N d a.+ u d 0 L a M � �+ G1 L � Q s U) K W u O LL 7 J O co J �I L U O H Ln N N M � N N c cn U CD CD o X �� CD o LL i _ N (B N a�i E C `u o Co o > 0 m Q o o N D a- � N l, m a, a) w a a v r V Ln N c O ++ CL 'L u U) u .n O V IL V 3 �o I 'c N �O N c O z CL U N C1 0 U N O L CL a) M M co J i Q C'7 x M LU U a) O L LL U O LL t ti affir 4 epw f` ; Pip; v '. ti D O N O o IQ llc t t cn (0 U c9 D a E a ° rJl X X N C � N N cn X N U U) C N a E ° 'C � o C U U 2 DOO J N N �o 'c c 0 4a CL. •L u d u 0 L a a 0 'ra CL V U) W In GJ 0 L. IL qT Ln M B = X UA 0 LL a) S-ell cu cu a) D 0 0 11 0 F�4 4 D o cn X (L) ry Co CO in < a) d) cn E E 0 o LL C) Q 0 r= c O 41 CL v N d 0 41 V d O L a V of �o ta O M c O r CL �L v FA a� 0 v a� 'o L CL IA LL. CIO X U W V O W 10 LL L_ I FJ m C 3 G o 0 o 0 o 0 A � L m ? LO v N i Q N v O O w Ly Q ,M O O O 3 � a o in C ) a) c C 2 N N N C 0 J 0 =w�2 ci w M N O i M O N O Z 41 c O V C d Q c m �o L d C d t7 c O CL �L u O D u O 0 L CL a 'o �o �c w N M c O CL u m d D u .o L IL .L N C) U .L O cc m � L � B Q, CO W u O L 0 LL �'TI,�P CLL �,�til� hl— l®ri2: �i� Y �' �' � "" :�d. -f' /.- ,:f ;•��1, ' -',lam 1�''� j�� C °o Y T o _ m N. � � X OD .ri o L, PC L c P m m c 4 E C a E m U 2 � N D cj� M C)�_� Ev a) E (D v -0 'Vi Gf co X :2 � 000 U J N M N O Z c 0 E V c d Q c m a �o L d c d 'o m �o c 0 +1 CL •L v U) a� v a� .r, 0 L IL c O Iri a �L V N d 4w V .O L a U �L U 00 m � Q LU 0 LL cn 0 LL � J f� / f' `71'y1Sy� f � 1� %,�� 1�j�1 � 3 'r 1 4-- �''_•- -w ` _,. f �`� ��+ �r .�p ,fir, _�'- Ct.- •�1,�� ]- ``JJ �y':_ �� f '��. - •:1��1 � �,��'`- _��' -� —1 f�� "' - if _ /77 1 -� . v FI �I o c <p M O N 0) N i V Q � X °7 zwZ)C)� a n a� in CC N ❑ Vi in L 0 cu _ 0- J ®® Ln M N O i M rl O N O Z c d E v c d E c �o a �o L d c d C 0 Z CL •L u a� 0 u d 0 L a 3 f0 M M c O CL •L U N r U d O L a co � L �a t ul K = W U O LL U �L W 0 C.) L O N i; Key M Q U O LL X X cu E �' v Q U .O g g _ � o O W U d 000� n M N O i M O N O Z C d C d C 10 a �o L c O 14 a u m a� D u a� 0 L a V �o �c N co M c O a v d O v a� 0 L a U Cl) 0 U) cn O C .cn 01 m om � L W N O L LL 3 U O LL 75 .N o ro � a o 2 U a a% M c 0 I 0. .` u d 0 u a� 0 L a �o 'c O c 0 CL •L u H O a u O O L a s x W 0 �o a� L N u O LL V 'i N N vw O Ir- cu O L_ Q U O H wh N _x <D w C N N a Q1 cu L W U i On RT C O r+ CL •L U W C U d �O L CL 3 10 �C w N IT C O CL •L U rn a� D U 0 0 L CL c O O) AML W 1 U O ry C df{ p lt7 N L t�j V U W CL (� rl Q N � H i rl M 1 � Q r X W U O L LL C/) U O i, LL C df{ p lt7 N 43 (D t�j V U W CL (� H i Nt LO C i, a Q N ja C a Q �2 Ir c m a � 0� w m m � = 0 v'� Cl) ran J M qT c O 41 CL v d O v d 0 a m �o 'c N qT qT 0 CL •L v m d D v d 0 L a N rl f0 � Q = V1 X 7 W V O LL 0) C d w 3 C 0 00 G O O tO O N V O 0 O Q O 00 O C dN O � d 'D Q L 5 d 0) J 2 2 Ln it c 0 a u a� 0 u d 0 L CL �o c 0 CL u d D u d �O L CL .c E 0 N G1 s c K 'r. uU o. U) E L m L o c N E W E V J � p1 O �� V) fG nl i O 1° 8 J� a �z N O i M rl O N O Z 4a c w 0 E a c m a �o L as a, c O a u d D u d O L a �o 'c w co le c O I CL v W d a.+ V d �O L a c 2 E E Lnv :fl c+ W c 10 d Y m J 0 E W E � U J Gl tm © �3 G m 4 Q R o z � t 0% It N O i M rl O N O Z C d c Q C f0 a �o L d C ci c 0 +d CL v a� 0 v d 0 L. IL V �o 0 Ln c 0 CL V FA 0 L. IL c E E 0 u 0 .0 0 X LU 0 V m E E 0 u J � 0 0 'o V 0 -0 fu 74 Ln c 0 CL •L v a� 0 v a� .r, 0 L a �o 'c N Ln 3 Determination 3.1 - Environmental Factors Potentially Affected The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a Potentially Significant Impact' as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. . -- . , - 3.2 - Determination U I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the proposed project MAY have a `potentially significant impact' or `potentially significant unless mitigated' impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. ❑ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required. Name: Zhar J. MacHott, Planning Manager to General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 53 Aesthetics ❑ Agriculture Resources ❑ Air Quality I ❑ Biological Resources ❑ Cultural Resources ❑ Geology /Soils ❑ Hazards & Hazardous ❑ Materials ❑ Hydrology / Water Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions ® ❑ Land Use / Planning ❑ Mineral Resources Noise ❑ ❑ Population / Housing ❑ `d Public Services Recreation �] Transportation /Traffic P Utilities / Service ❑ Systems ❑ Mandatory Findings of Significance 3.2 - Determination U I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the proposed project MAY have a `potentially significant impact' or `potentially significant unless mitigated' impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. ❑ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required. Name: Zhar J. MacHott, Planning Manager to General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 53 Determination 54 Initial Study 4 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.1 - Aesthetics Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within view from a state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Potentially Significant Impact u ■❑ A Less Than Less Than Significant with Significant Mitigation Impact Incorporation El ❑ I El No Impact a) Less than Significant Impact. Scenic vistas can be impacted by development in two ways. First, a structure may be constructed that blocks the view of a vista. Second, the vista itself may be altered (i.e., development on a scenic hillside). The primary scenic vistas in the City of Lake Elsinore are of the surrounding hillsides and Lake Elsinore. In some cases, these views of the hillsides and in particular the lake are generally obstructed by trees, utility poles, and other buildings. The proposed project would adopt and implement housing policies which could encourage new housing production, in particular within the identified Focus Areas. The Focus Areas generally are not considered to be within or to comprise a portion of a scenic vista. Development of vacant sites with potential future housing developments guided by the policies of the Housing Element update would have no significant effect on a scenic vista. The City of Lake Elsinore has identified certain scenic areas within the City and has adopted the Scenic Overlay Zone, Lakeshore Overlay Zone, and Hillside Planned Development Overlay for the purposes of preserving these individual recognized scenic vista and viewshed areas. Each of these overlays provides certain additional use and /or development standards restrictions specific to each vista or viewshed overlay area. Application of these overlay restrictions, whether as applied directly to any Focus Area that may be located within an overlay or to any other housing development pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element, would ensure that these recognized vistas and viewsheds would continue to be preserved through the development review process and would thus result in a less than significant impact to scenic vistas. In addition, as determined by the City of Lake Elsinore's General Plan EIR, development pursuant to the General Plan would result in less than significant impacts to scenic vistas with the implementation of existing General General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 55 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Plan policies requiring or encouraging the preservation of scenic vistas and viewsheds and General Plan EIR mitigation requiring the preparation of visual simulations for development located within the scenic viewshed of Interstate -15. 1 The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. Therefore, these amendments will not result in any impacts that were not addressed in the General Plan EIR. b) Less Than Significant Impact. No designated state scenic highways or eligible state scenic highways, as identified on the California Scenic Highway Mapping System, are located in the City of Lake Elsinore.2 However, Interstate 15 and State Highway 74, both of which are located within the City are listed as eligible (but not designated) state scenic highways. Although no designated scenic highways would be impacted, the eligible state scenic highways could be designated in the future when development may occur and be impacted then. Impacts related to potentially designated state scenic highways would be analyzed on an individual project basis and would utilize the applicable Corridor Protection Program, including land use density, site planning, landscaping, and structure appearance if these were to be adopted as designated state scenic highways. With the implementation of this program to protect the local scenic resources if these were to be designated state scenic highways, a less than significant impact will occur. c) Less Than Significant Impact. Development of the proposed project could result in a significant impact if it resulted in substantial degradation of the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings. Degradation of visual character or quality is defined by substantial changes to the existing site appearance through construction of structures such that they are poorly designed or conflict with the site's existing surroundings. Future housing development could change the on- and off -site visual character of the area in which it is constructed. The proposed Focus Areas could potentially change vacant or already developed land for residential or mixed -use development. This type of development and buildings and architecture typically associated are generally similar in visual character as what currently exists in Lake Elsinore. Implementation of these City -wide and district specific goals and policies for residential development within each Focus Area or any residential development pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element or within the Warm Springs, Lakeland Village and Meadowbrook communities will ensure that the visual character of the City and each Land Use District is addressed through the development review process. Adherence to these existing General Plan goals and policies will result in a less than significant impact on the visual character and quality of the City and individual Land Use Districts related to future housing constructed pursuant to the Housing Element. d) Less Than Significant Impact. Future housing development would result in new sources of lighting. Typical light sources from a single - family home would be outdoor security lighting. Multiple - family residential and mixed -use developments would generally include outdoor security lighting and parking lot lights, depending on the type of development. Review of lighting associated with future housing development will be required through the development review process. Light spillover and glare is typically prevented by requiring lights to be designed to prevent the light from shining directly onto surrounding property. Compliance with existing City practices, procedures, and policies for lighting will ensure that lighting and glare impacts associated with potential new development are less than significant. 56 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.2 - Agriculture and Forest Resources In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state's inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non - agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104 (g))? d) Result in loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non - forest use? e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non- agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non - forest use? Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) No Impact. Housing development pursuan t undeveloped properties. The map of Important Department of Conservation does not identify to the Housing Element will primarily occur on Farmland in California (2010) prepared 'by the any area within Lake Elsinore as being Prime General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 57 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance.3 Therefore, there will be no conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, and Farmland of Statewide Importance to a non- agricultural use as a result of this project. No impact will occur. b) No Impact. The California Department of Conservation indicates that no Williamson Act contracts are active for any area within Lake Elsinore.4 The Lake Elsinore General Plan does not identify any specific designation for agricultural uses, but does note that small scale agricultural uses may be appropriate in the Hillside Residential land use designation. The Lake Elsinore Zoning Code does not contain any agricultural zones or any zone that principally allows agricultural uses. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element updates do not propose any changes to uses allowed or development standards within the General Plan or Zoning Code related to agricultural uses. Therefore, there will be no conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract. No impact will occur. c -d) No Impact. Public Resources Code Section 12220(g) identifies forest land as land that can support 10- percent native tree cover of any species, including hardwoods, under natural conditions, and that allows for management of one or more forest resources, including timber, aesthetics, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, water quality, recreation, and other public benefits. No area within Lake Elsinore is currently being managed or used for forest land as identified in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g). The USDA Forest Service vegetation maps identify most of the city as urban, herbaceous, or shrub type indicating that it is not capable of growing industrial wood tree species.s Portions of the City are designated as hardwood forest /woodland. These areas of vegetation are primarily located within drainage, hillside, and other similar areas within the City. No new development opportunities to these areas would be facilitated due to the Housing Element and Land Use Element updates beyond that which is currently allowed. All of the identified Focus Areas are located entirely or primarily within areas designated as urban, herbaceous, or shrub type. Therefore, this project will have no impact to any timberland zoning or loss of forest land. e) No Impact. There are no agricultural operations or timberland production operations within the City. The project does not propose any changes to land use policies or zoning that protects hillside areas. No impact related to the conversion of agricultural lands or forest land could occur. 58 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.3 - Air Quality Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? b) Violate any air quality standard of contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non- attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standarc (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) No Impact. The City of Lake Elsinore is located within the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) under the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District ( SCAQMD). SCAQMD and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) are responsible for formulating and implementing the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for the SCAB. The AQMP is a series of plans adopted for the purpose of reaching short- and long -term goals for those pollutants. The SCAB is designated as a 'nonattainment' area because the District does not meet Federal and /or State Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS). To determine consistency between the project and the AQMP, the project must comply with all applicable District rules and regulations, comply with all proposed or adopted control measures, and be consistent with the growth forecasts utilized in preparation of the'Plan.b The Housing Element identifies twelve Focus Areas for future residential development. The Census indicated that the City had a population of 28,930 in 2000 and 51,821 in 2010, which would represent an approximately 79% increase. Based on a realistic estimation of density based on location and site conditions (including limitations), the Focus Areas identified in the Housing General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 59 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Element would result in approximately 5,925 new dwelling units and 20,145 new residents (based on 2010 Census 51,821 people in 15,239 households for 3.4 persons per household). SCAG provides population projection estimates in five -year increments from 2005 to 2035. According to the latest Growth Forecast (2012), SCAG estimates that the City would have a population of 70,500 in 2020 and a population of 93,800 in 2035.' Buildout of the General Plan would result in a total of 94,616 dwelling units for a total buildout population of 321,694 persons, which provides for a substantially higher capacity than actual estimated population by SCAG for either 2020 or 2035. In addition, the proposed Housing Element and Focus Areas are projected to meet the City's allocated Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which is a function of the City's projected long -term growth. Therefore, by complying with the RHNA, the Housing Element is contributing short -term towards consistency with long -term growth projections and the 2012 AQMP. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element updates do not propose densities higher than is already permitted in the existing General Plan that could result in a greater increase in population and households over that contemplated in the RTP and AQMP. These increases are within the growth assumptions estimated by SCAG and therefore would not result in a substantial conflict with or obstruction of the AQMP. Impacts will be less than significant. b) Less than Significant Impact. Because the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element updates do not authorize any development project or land altering activity that would involve construction of new or redevelopment housing it will not result in any direct emissions that could contribute to an existing or potential violation of an air quality standard. The Housing Element and Land Use Element updates would have no effect on the City's rules and procedures governing assessment or control of air pollutant emissions. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element update will not directly result in construction of any development or infrastructure; however, future residential development supported by the policies of the updated Housing Element and Land Use Element will result in short -term criteria pollutant emissions. Short -term criteria pollutant emissions will occur during site preparation, grading, building construction, paving, and painting activities associated with new development. Emissions will occur from use of equipment, worker, vendor, and hauling trips, and disturbance of onsite soils (fugitive dust). Pursuant to CEQA, short -term, project specific construction - related emissions will be analyzed as development proposals are submitted. Mitigation will be applied, where necessary, and typically includes requirements for use of low - VOC paints, installation of diesel particulate filters on older construction equipment, and limitations on hauling distances and or daily trips. To address operational emissions from a typical development project, an air quality modeling analysis is typically performed to determine if a project could regionally or locally cause a violation of any air quality standard. This analysis has already been performed associated with the City's current General Plan and EIR. The EIR quantifies the operational emissions that would occur from the buildout of the General Plan Land Use Plan.$ Although the operational emissions from buildout of the General Plan would exceed SCAQMD thresholds, the EIR determined as a program level analysis these thresholds are not applicable and that implementation of General Plan policies, requirement for development air quality analysis, as well as SCAQMD implemented pollutant control measures would ensure that development that occurs pursuant to the General Plan would analyze the individual impacts of projects. However, the EIR determined that no mitigation is available to guarantee that operational emissions anticipated with buildout of the General Plan would not violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation and found that a potentially significant impact could occur. Since the Housing Element and Land Use Element update would not alter any land use designations that would alter the quantified emissions presented in the EIR or the determination of a potentially 60 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts significant impact, no additional impacts beyond those analyzed in the General Plan would occur. Therefore, no new or more significant impacts relative to air quality standards would result from implementation of the Housing Element and Land Use Element updates than those analyzed in the General Plan EIR. c) Less Than Significant Impact. The SCAQMD has prepared an Air Quality Management Plan to set forth a comprehensive and integrated program that will lead the Basin into compliance with the federal 24 -hour PM2.5 air quality standard, and to provide an update to the Basin's commitments toward meeting the federal 8 -hour ozone standards. The SCAB is currently in non - attainment for State and Federal criteria pollutants Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10).9 New development facilitated by the Housing Element and Land Use Element updates will be required to comply with SCAQMD rules and regulations aimed at reducing construction - related pollutant emissions, including fugitive dust and other particulates, as well as reactive organic compounds and other ozone precursors found in paints and a variety of coatings. Considering that the proposed Housing Element and the Land Use Element updates are consistent with the development projections of the Lake Elsinore General Plan and the breadth of existing standards and regulations, implementation of the proposed housing policies and implementation programs of the Housing Element update and the proposed Land Use Element update would not change or otherwise interfere with the regional pollutant control strategies of the AQMP. The project's impact on cumulative levels of regional ozone or particulates is therefore less than significant. d) Less Than Significant Impact. Common sensitive receptors include children under age 14, the elderly over age 65, athletes, and people with cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. The project promotes development of housing for single - family households as well as the elderly; however the Housing Element and Land Use Element updates do not authorize construction or redevelopment of any housing units. Through its standard development review process that includes review pursuant to State CEQA statutes and guidelines, the City will ensure that any future housing projects developed pursuant to proposed Housing Element policies and programs provide adequate protection for project residents from any local air pollution sources. The project's impacts on sensitive receptors would be less than significant. e) Less than Significant Impact. Residential land uses typically do not create objectionable odors. Objectionable odors are typically associated with agricultural and heavy- manufacturing activities. A common potential source of odor from residential development projects comes from outdoor solid waste disposal bins. In accordance with current practices, all residential waste will be disposed of in covered receptacles and routinely removed, thereby limiting the escape of odors to the open air. No new odor sources would result from adoption of the Housing Element or the amendments to the Land Use Element because they do not authorize construction of any new housing project or redevelopment of existing housing. Furthermore, the updated elements would not authorize any relaxation or elimination of current requirements for proper waste storage and disposal for housing - related development projects. Therefore, the potential for the project to create objectionable odors is considered less than significant. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 61 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.4 - Biological Resources Would the project: Potentially Significant Impact a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species ❑ in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by ❑ the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, ❑ coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native ❑ resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? Less Than Less Than Significant Significant with Mitigation Impact Incorporation FO-11 No Impact 1111111 � i o 62 Initial Study El f Li � i o 62 Initial Study f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? U Evaluation of Environmental Impacts a i n a) Less Than Significant Impact. The City of Lake Elsinore has numerous sites that are vacant and undeveloped, including the identified Focus Areas. The potential does exist for residential development pursuant to the proposed Housing Element policies and the Land Use Element to impact sensitive species or sensitive species habitat. As was analyzed in the City of Lake Elsinore's General Plan EIR, these impacts are potentially significant, but would be reduced to a less than significant level with the implementation of existing federal, State, regional, and local habitat and species protection programs as well as the policies of the General Plan and mitigation included in the EIR that would require analysis of development impact on sensitive species and habitat.10 The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not designate any sites that are not already designated for residential development, nor increase the intensity of development in any area. Therefore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not increase any impacts on sensitive species or habitat beyond what was already analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR. Less than significant impacts will result from the Housing Element and overall General Plan with the implementation of these existing programs and policies, most importantly the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) which will require project - specific analysis of plant and wildlife impacts and habitat impacts. b -c) Less Than Significant Impact. A variety of drainages cross the City of Lake Elsinore originating from the surrounding hills and generally draining towards Lake Elsinore. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, wetlands are present within the City primarily around Lake Elsinore, but no riparian areas exist within the City." However, no wetlands are located within or near the identified Focus Areas. These impacts were analyzed in the City of Lake Elsinore's General Plan EIR and were determined to be less than significant with the implementation of existing Federal and State programs, in particular Sections 401 and 404 of the U.S. Clean Water Act and Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not designate any sites that are not already designated for residential development, nor increase the intensity of development in any area. Therefore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not increase any impacts on riparian habitat or wetlands beyond what was already analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR. Less than significant impacts will result from the Housing Element and overall General Plan with the implementation of these existing programs on individual development projects. d) Less Than Significant Impact. Given the location of Lake Elsinore within the City, there are a variety of birds that migrate seasonally through the City on the Pacific flyway as well as certain birds that permanently reside locally. Pursuant to the Migratory Birds Treaty Act (MBTA) any construction that occurs during breeding season (between February 15 and August 15) would require surveys for MBTA species and other special status species to determine if any such species exist on an individual development site and appropriate mitigation measures if deemed necessary. These impacts were previously analyzed by the City's General Plan EIR and determined to be less than significant with the implementation of this program, formalized as mitigation measures in the EIR. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not designate any sites that are not already designated for residential development, nor increase the intensity of development in any area. Therefore, the proposed General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 63 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Housing Element and amended Land Use Element would not increase any impacts on migration beyond what was already analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR. Less than significant impacts will result from the Housing Element and overall General Plan with the implementation of these existing programs on individual development projects. e) Less Than Significant Impact. The City of Lake Elsinore does have a local palm tree preservation program. However, its purpose is primarily for preservation of aesthetic and City character. The City does not have any other local policies protecting biological resources. Continued implementation of the palm tree preservation program on individual projects would ensure that future housing developed pursuant to Housing Element policy would not conflict with any local policies and less than significant impacts will occur. f) Less Than Significant Impact. As previously noted, the City is located within and is a co- permittee to the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan ( MSHCP). The plan is intended to conserve biological resources within the western Riverside County region by establishing a network of conservation areas. This network would comprise lands already publicly owned and set aside for conservation as well as additional lands identified for conservation on individual development projects located within conservation Criteria Cells. Any development located within MSHCP conservation Criteria Cells will require review for determining if conservation is required within the project area to contribute to the conservation network. In addition, as discussed previously in sections 4.4.a, individual development projects will require review for sensitive species and habitat in accordance with the MSHCP. Focus Areas 1, 8, 10, 11, and 12 and the Meadowbrook community are all located partially or entirely within MSHCP conservation Criteria Cells. The City is also located partially within the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan (SKR HCP), which is intended to preserve habitat for the federally - listed endangered species and state - listed threatened species. The plan requires development specific analysis for presence of the species or habitat and the payment of an impact mitigation fee for properties located within the SKR HCP area. No other Habitat Conservation Plan,12 Natural Community Conservation Plan area, 13 or other approved local, regional or state habitat conservation plan are located within the City. With the continued implementation of the MSHCP by the City through the development review process, less than significant impacts will occur. 64 Initial Study 4,5 - Cultural Resources Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in '15064.5? b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to '15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Potentially Less Than Less Than Significant Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation ►Jij No Impact a) Less Than Significant Impact. A variety of historical resources exist within the City as identified in the City's General Plan EIR. As is analyzed in the EIR, development pursuant to the General Plan would result in less than significant impacts with implementation of existing federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to historical resources as well as policies included within the General Plan.14 The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not designate any sites that are not already designated for residential development, nor increase the intensity of development in any area. Therefore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not increase any potential impacts on historical resources beyond what was already analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR. Less than significant impacts will result from the Housing Element and overall General Plan with the implementation of these existing programs and policies on individual development projects. b -d) Less than Significant Impact. As is noted in the City's General Plan EIR, given the area's previous habitation by the Luiseno people and geological conditions, there is a moderate to high likelihood for both archaeological and paleontological resources to exist within undeveloped areas within the City. The analysis in the EIR notes that less than significant impacts would occur from development pursuant to the General Plan with the implementation of existing policies and programs as well as mitigation included in the EIR and policies of the General Plan, which generally require surveying of sites for archaeological and paleontological resources and mitigation if appropriate for individual development projects. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not designate any sites that are not already designated for residential development, nor increase the intensity of development in any area. Therefore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not increase any potential impacts on archaeological or paleontological resources beyond what was already analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR. Less than significant impacts will result from the Housing Element and overall General Plan with the implementation of the mitigation General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 65 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts measures of the General Plan EIR and General Plan policies on individual development projects. It is possible that unknown human remains could be located in undeveloped areas that could be unearthed by development. If proper care is not taken during future housing project construction completed pursuant to Housing Element and Land Use Element policies, particularly during excavation activities, damage to or destruction of these unknown remains could occur. To ensure that any such materials or human remains, if found, are properly identified (and the resource recovered, if necessary), before grading or other earthmoving activities proceed in that immediate area, the City's General Plan EIR provides mitigation for halting grading activities and proper notification pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 would occur. With the implementation of this existing regulation and General Plan EIR mitigation measure, impacts to buried remains would be less than significant. 66 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.6 - Geology and Soils Would the project: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist - Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? iii) Seismic - related ground failure, including liquefaction? iv) Landslides? b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off -site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse? d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18 -1 -B of the Uniform Building Code (1997), creating substantial risks to life or property? General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 67 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not ❑ ❑ D available for the disposal of waste water? a.i) Less Than Significant Impact. Lake Elsinore is located in seismically active southern California and does contain Alquist - Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones and other identified faults associated with the Elsinore fault system.i5 Future housing development constructed pursuant to Housing Element policy and the Land Use Element would be subject to all applicable City, State, and local building regulations, including the California Building Code (CBC) seismic standards as approved by the Lake Elsinore Building & Safety Division. Impacts will be less than significant with the implementation of the CBC. a.ii) Less Than Significant Impact. Ground shaking can vary greatly due to the variation in earth properties. The City is subject to strong ground shaking, as is the entirety of southern California. Various strands of the Elsinore fault underlie the City as previously noted. These faults, in addition to other regional faults, are likely to produce earthquakes during the life of the project. All future projects would be susceptible to ground shaking during a seismic event and could expose persons and structure to potentially medium to strong seismic ground motion. As such, all future projects could result in a potentially significant impact with respect to strong ground shaking. Nonetheless, as discussed above in Section VI(a)(i), all future projects would be designed and constructed in compliance with all applicable City and State codes and requirements, including those established in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, Volume 2. The CBC regulations are designed to protect building occupants and limit the damage sustained by buildings during seismic events. Use of these requirements is further supported by policies in the General Plan. Application of these codes and policies reduce impacts to residential development due to strong ground shaking to a less- than - significant level. a.iii) Less Than Significant Impact. Liquefaction is a phenomenon that occurs when soil undergoes transformation from a solid state to a liquefied condition due to the effects of increased pore -water pressure. This typically occurs where susceptible soils (particularly the medium sand to silt range) are located over a high groundwater table. Affected soils lose all strength during liquefaction and foundation failure can occur. Portions of the City with high groundwater are noted as being rated very high and high for susceptibility to possible ground failure due to liquefaction hazards as noted in the City's General Plan with other areas rated as moderate to very low. The City recognizes the potential impacts to housing and therefore Municipal Code Chapters 17.28 and 17.32 require site specific studies for liquefaction potential and analysis of site specific design measures to limit liquefaction potential to an acceptable level in accordance with the CBC. The proposed Focus Areas and identified communities are located in areas with liquefaction susceptibility rated between very low to moderate. However, if analysis on a specific site determines liquefaction may be potential, appropriate measures that reduce the ground- shaking and liquefaction effects of earthquakes are identified in the CBC. The project does not itself involve new construction in any area of the City. All future developments will be subject to the City's standard environmental review process for evaluation of liquefaction potential and other geologic hazards. Considering implementation of existing policies and standards, impacts associated with liquefaction or other ground failure will be less than significant. 68 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts a. iv) Less than Significant Impact. Portions of the City are susceptible to landslides since a substantial portion is located on slopes of 30 percent or greater. Landslides have historically occurred during rainstorms and earthquakes, causing steep slopes to fail. Slope failure can cause damage to structures above and below the toe of a slope. Residential development on slopes is subject to Policy 3.1 of the Land Use section and Policy 6.2 of the Seismic Activity section of the General Plan which generally require the consideration of geologic features and hazards in proposed developments. No land use changes or additional density allowances are proposed by the Housing Element or as a result of the Land Use Element amendments; let alone in the hillside areas where landslides are identified as a risk. Implementation of existing California Building Code and City practices and policies related to landslides during the environmental review process will assure that appropriate design measures and mitigation is incorporated where necessary. Implementation of these existing regulations and policies would reduce potential landslide impacts to be less than significant. b) Less Than Significant Impact. Topsoil is used to cover surface areas for the establishment and maintenance of vegetation due to its high concentrations of organic matter and microorganisms. The project does not propose or authorize any particular housing development. All future residential projects are subject to environmental and engineering review, including assessment and mitigation of soil erosion. During construction activities of housing proposed pursuant to Housing Element policy or of development in accordance with the Land Use Element, there is the potential to expose surficial soils to wind and water erosion during construction activities. Wind erosion is required to be minimized through soil stabilization measures required by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 403 (Fugitive Dust), such as daily watering. Water erosion will be prevented through the City's standard erosion control practices required pursuant to the California Building Code and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), such as silt fencing or sandbags. Impacts related to soil erosion would be less than significant with implementation of existing regulations. c) Less Than Significant Impact. Impacts related to liquefaction and landslides are discussed above in Section 4.6.a. Lateral spreading is the downslope movement of surface sediment due to liquefaction in a subsurface layer. The downslope movement is due to gravity and earthquake shaking combined. Such movement can occur on slope gradients of as little as one degree. Lateral spreading typically damages pipelines, utilities, bridges, and structures. As discussed in Section 4.6.a.iii, future development within the City would be subject to less than significant impacts from liquefaction and other settlement hazards due to the requirement for geotechnical engineering and soils reports for future development. The CBC includes a requirement that any City- approved recommendations contained in a development's soil report be made conditions of the building permit. Standard engineering techniques are required, as appropriate, to guard against seismic - related hazards. Such techniques include excavation of collapsible soils and import of suitable fill material and foundation design methods that remain stable under settlement conditions. Impacts related to soil instability will be less than significant with the continued implementation of these regulations and practices. d) Less Than Significant Impact. The CBC requires special design considerations for foundations of structures built on soils with expansion indices greater than 20. Presence of such soils, and identification of measures to eliminate this constraint such as removal and replacement with suitable engineered materials, will be determined through site - specific geotechnical evaluations to be conducted as part of the City's routine development review procedures. Such routine procedures will apply to all future development projects including residential projects. Compliance with CBC requirements would limit hazards related to expansive soil to less than significant, and no mitigation is required. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 69 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts e) Less Than Significant Impact. Lake Elsinore has been developed with urban uses for many years, and a sewer system has been integrated into the infrastructure of much of the City. However, some more rural portions of the City are currently served by individual septic systems. Development in the Focus Areas at the intensities allowed by the General Plan would require that these projects connect to and utilize public sewer systems. Other lower density residential development pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element and the Land Use Element may develop in areas where sewer service is not readily available and would utilize individual septic systems as appropriate. These septic systems would be required to meet City requirements for septic systems as included in Chapters 16.24, 16.34, and 16.56 of the City's Municipal Code. Thus, less than significant impacts relative to the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems will result. 70 Initial Study 4.7 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Potentially Significant Impact a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions 71 of greenhouse gases? Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) Less Than Significant Impact. Climate change is the distinct change in measures of climate for a long period of time. Climate change is the result of numerous, cumulative sources of greenhouse gas emissions all over the world. Natural changes in climate can be caused by indirect processes such as changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun or direct changes within the climate system itself (i.e. changes in ocean circulation). Human activities can affect the atmosphere through emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and changes to the planet's surface. Human activities that produce GHGs are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas for heating and electricity, gasoline and diesel for transportation); methane from landfill wastes and raising livestock, deforestation activities; and some agricultural practices." Greenhouse gases differ from other emissions in that they contribute to the "greenhouse effect." The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence that helps regulate the temperature of the planet. The majority of radiation from the Sun hits the Earth's surface and warms it. The surface in turn radiates heat back towards the atmosphere, known as infrared radiation. -Gases and clouds in the atmosphere trap and prevent some of this heat from escaping back into space and re- radiate it in all directions. This process is essential to supporting life on Earth because it warms the planet by approximately 60° Fahrenheit. Emissions from human activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution (approximately 250 years ago) are adding to the natural greenhouse effect by increasing the gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, thereby contributing to an average increase in the Earth's temperature. Greenhouse gases occur naturally and from human activities. Greenhouse gases produced by human activities include carbon dioxide (COA, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Since 1750, it is estimated that the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere have increased over 36 percent, 148 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, primarily due to human activity. Emissions of greenhouse gases affect the atmosphere directly by changing its chemical composition while changes to the land surface indirectly affect the atmosphere by changing the way the Earth absorbs gases from the atmosphere. A summary of short- and long -term emissions and the analysis for each are included below. Short -Term Emissions Future development projects will result in short -term greenhouse gas emissions from construction. Greenhouse gas emissions will be released by equipment used for demolition, grading, paving, and other building construction activities. GHG emissions will also result from General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 71 J_ El 11 a) Less Than Significant Impact. Climate change is the distinct change in measures of climate for a long period of time. Climate change is the result of numerous, cumulative sources of greenhouse gas emissions all over the world. Natural changes in climate can be caused by indirect processes such as changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun or direct changes within the climate system itself (i.e. changes in ocean circulation). Human activities can affect the atmosphere through emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and changes to the planet's surface. Human activities that produce GHGs are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas for heating and electricity, gasoline and diesel for transportation); methane from landfill wastes and raising livestock, deforestation activities; and some agricultural practices." Greenhouse gases differ from other emissions in that they contribute to the "greenhouse effect." The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence that helps regulate the temperature of the planet. The majority of radiation from the Sun hits the Earth's surface and warms it. The surface in turn radiates heat back towards the atmosphere, known as infrared radiation. -Gases and clouds in the atmosphere trap and prevent some of this heat from escaping back into space and re- radiate it in all directions. This process is essential to supporting life on Earth because it warms the planet by approximately 60° Fahrenheit. Emissions from human activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution (approximately 250 years ago) are adding to the natural greenhouse effect by increasing the gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, thereby contributing to an average increase in the Earth's temperature. Greenhouse gases occur naturally and from human activities. Greenhouse gases produced by human activities include carbon dioxide (COA, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Since 1750, it is estimated that the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere have increased over 36 percent, 148 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, primarily due to human activity. Emissions of greenhouse gases affect the atmosphere directly by changing its chemical composition while changes to the land surface indirectly affect the atmosphere by changing the way the Earth absorbs gases from the atmosphere. A summary of short- and long -term emissions and the analysis for each are included below. Short -Term Emissions Future development projects will result in short -term greenhouse gas emissions from construction. Greenhouse gas emissions will be released by equipment used for demolition, grading, paving, and other building construction activities. GHG emissions will also result from General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 71 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts worker and vendor trips to and from project sites and from demolition and soil hauling trips. Construction activities are short -term and cease to emit greenhouse gases upon completion, unlike operational emissions that are continuous year after year until operation of the use ceases. Because of this difference, SCAQMD recommends in its draft threshold to amortize construction emissions over a 30 -year operational lifetime. This normalizes construction emissions so that they can be grouped with operational emissions in order to generate a precise project GHG inventory. Typically, construction - related GHG emissions contribute unsubstantially (less than one percent) to a project's annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory and mitigation is not effective in reducing a project's overall contribution to climate change. Implementation of AB32 and SB375 through California Air Resources Board's (ARB) Scoping Plan and SCAG's RTP /SCS are designed to achieve the required reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as is further discussed in Section 4.7.b. With the cooperation and support of these plans, short -term climate change impacts due to future construction activities will be less than significant. Long -Term Emissions Future development projects will result in continuous GHG emissions from mobile, area, and other operational sources. Mobile sources, including vehicle trips to and from development projects, will result primarily in emissions of CO2, with minor emissions of CH4 and N2O. The most significant GHG emission from natural gas usage will be methane. Electricity usage by future development and indirect usage of electricity for water and wastewater conveyance will result primarily in emissions of carbon dioxide. Disposal of solid waste will result in emissions of methane from the decomposition of waste at landfills coupled with CO2 emission from the handling and transport of solid waste. These sources combine to define the long -term greenhouse gas inventory for typical development projects. To address operational emissions from a typical development project, an air quality modeling analysis is typically performed to determine if a project could regionally or locally cause a violation of any air quality standard. This analysis has already been performed associated with the City's current General Plan and its related EIR. The General Plan EIR quantifies the 2020 and 2030 operational emissions that would occur based on growth projections for the City.l' The analysis in the EIR is based on the baseline and forecasted emissions and emission reduction strategies included in the City's Climate Action Plan. Based on the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and its emission reduction strategies, the EIR determined that the General Plan would result in a less than significant impact from GHG emissions. Furthermore, GHG emissions will be evaluated during the City's standard environmental review process as required by CEQA to determine if GHG emissions from individual projects will require mitigation. Since the Housing Element and the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element would not alter any land use designations or growth projections that would alter the quantified emissions presented in the EIR, no additional impacts beyond those analyzed in the General Plan would occur. Therefore, no new or more significant impacts relative to GHG emissions would result from implementation of the Housing Element and Land Use Element update than those analyzed in the General Plan EIR. b) No Impact. Significant impacts would occur if the proposed project conflicted with or interfered with implementation of any existing greenhouse gas reduction plan that is projected to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets. The two primary reduction plans are California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan and Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan /Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP /SCS) as discussed below. In addition, the City of Lake Elsinore has adopted a Climate Action Plan that determined the City's baseline and forecasted GHG emissions and established GHG emission reduction strategies to meet the City's proportionate share of statewide emission reduction targets. 72 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts California Air Resources Board Scoping Plan (AB32) The CARB Scoping Plan is the comprehensive plan to reach the GHG reduction targets stipulated in A632. The key elements of the plan are to expand and strengthen energy efficiency programs, achieve a statewide renewable energy mix of 33 percent, develop a cap- and -trade program with other partners in the Western Climate Initiative (includes seven states in the United States and four territories in Canada), establish transportation - related targets, and establish fees. 18 CARB estimates that implementation of these measures will reduce GHG emissions in the state by 136 MMTCO2E by 2020; therefore, implementation of the Scoping Plan will meet the 2020 reduction target of 80 MMTCO2E, which is a reduction of 27 percent compared to the projected business as usual 507 MMTCO2E. Many of the strategies identified in the Scoping Plan are not applicable at the General Plan or project - level, such as long -term technological improvements to reduce emissions from vehicles. Some measures are applicable and supported by the project. Finally, while some measures are not directly applicable, the project would not conflict with their implementation. Reduction measures are grouped into 18 action categories, as follows: 1. California Cap- and -Trade Program Linked to Western Climate Initiative Partner Jurisdictions. Implement a broad -based California cap- and -trade program to provide a firm limit on emissions. Link the California cap- and -trade program with other Western Climate Initiative Partner programs to create a regional market system to achieve greater environmental and economic benefits for California.19 Ensure California's program meets all applicable AB 32 requirements for market -based mechanisms. These programs involve capping emissions from electricity generation, industrial facilities, and broad scoped fuels. While it is unlikely that a qualifying heavy industrial facility such as these would be located in the City, if one were, it would be subject to these state requirements, and the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not interfere with their implementation. 2. California Light -Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Standards. Implement adopted Pavley standards and planned second phase of the program. Align zero - emission vehicle, alternative and renewable fuel and vehicle technology programs with long -term climate change goals. This is not applicable as this is a statewide measure establishing vehicle emissions standards. 3. Energy Efficiency. Maximize energy efficiency building and appliance standards, and pursue additional efficiency efforts including new technologies, and new policy and implementation mechanisms. Pursue comparable investment in energy efficiency from all retail providers of electricity in California (including both investor -owned and publicly owned utilities). The City's General Plan (including Land Use Element) and proposed Housing Element promotes energy efficient building design, as well as implementation of existing building and other codes regulating minimum energy, water, and waste efficiency consistent with 2011 CALGREEN requirements and would thus be consistent and not interfere with this program. 4. Renewables Portfolio Standards. Achieve 33 percent renewable energy mix statewide by 2020. This establishes the minimum statewide renewable energy mix and is not applicable at a City level or below for implementation. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not interfere with the implementation of this program. 5. Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Develop and adopt the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. This is not applicable to a City as this establishes reduced carbon intensity of transportation fuels. 6. Regional Transportation - Related Greenhouse Gas Targets. Develop regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for passenger vehicles. As is detailed following, the General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 73 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts proposed Housing Element Update would not potentially conflict with and would support the implementation of SCAG's RTP /SCS to achieve the required GHG reduction goals by 2020 and 2035 based on an inconsistency with growth projections. The existing General Plan includes policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled by encouraging mixed -use, infill, and improved jobs - housing balance, and alternative modes of transportation. 7. Vehicle Efficiency Measures. Implement light -duty vehicle efficiency measures. This is not applicable to a City as this identifies measures such as minimum tire -fuel efficiency, lower friction oil, and reduction in air conditioning use. 8. Goods Movement. Implement adopted regulations for the use of shore power for ships at berth. Improve efficiency in goods movement activities. Identifies measures to improve goods movement efficiencies such as advanced combustion strategies, friction reduction, waste heat recovery, and electrification of accessories. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not directly result in facilities such as distribution warehouses that are associated with goods movement. In addition, these measures are yet to be implemented and will be voluntary. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not interfere with their eventual implementation. 9. Million Solar Roofs Program. Install 3,000 megawatts of solar - electric capacity under California's existing solar programs. Sets goal for use of solar systems throughout the state. The proposed Housing Element would not interfere with but instead would directly support installation of alternative energy sources through its and existing General Plan policies and programs. 10. Medium- and Heavy -Duty Vehicles. Adopt medium -duty (MD) and heavy -duty (HD) vehicle efficiencies. Aerodynamic efficiency measures for HD trucks pulling trailers 53 -feet or longer that include improvements in trailer aerodynamics and use of rolling resistance tires were adopted in 2008 and went into effect in 2010.20 Future, yet to be determined improvements, includes hybridization of MD and HD trucks. The proposed Housing Element and changes to the Land Use Element would not directly result in development of industrial uses that utilize large MD and HD truck fleets. In addition, this type of development would be required to have their fleet equipment be consistent with the current applicable efficiency measures at the time of operation. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not interfere with implementation of this program. 11. Industrial Emissions. Require assessment of large industrial sources to determine whether individual sources within a facility can cost - effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide other pollution reduction co- benefits. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fugitive emissions from oil and gas extraction and gas transmission. Adopt and implement regulations to control fugitive methane emissions and reduce flaring at refineries. These measures are applicable to large industrial facilities (> 500,000 MTCO2E /YR) and other intensive uses such as refineries. While it is unlikely that a qualifying heavy industrial facility such as these would be located in the City, if one were, it would be subject to these state requirements; the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not interfere with their implementation. 12. High Speed Rail. Support implementation of a high speed rail system. This is not applicable inasmuch as no high speed rail facilities are planned within the City. 13. Green Building Strategy. Expand the use of green building practices to reduce the carbon footprint of California's new and existing inventory of buildings. The existing General Plan and proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments promotes energy efficient 74 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts building design as well as implementation of existing building and other codes regulating minimum energy, water, and waste efficiency consistent with 2011 CALGREEN requirements and would thus be consistent and not interfere with this program. 14. High Global Warming Potential Gases. Adopt measures to reduce high global warming potential gases. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not directly result in generation of high global warming potential gases, and would not interfere with implementation of any future changes in air conditioning, fire protection suppressant, and other emission requirements. 15. Recycling and Waste. Reduce methane emissions at landfills. Increase waste diversion, composting and other beneficial uses of organic materials, and mandate commercial recycling to move toward zero - waste. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments are consistent since implementing development will be required to recycle a minimum of 50 percent from construction activities per state requirements. 16. Sustainable Forests. Preserve forest sequestration and encourage the use of forest biomass for sustainable energy generation. The 2020 target for carbon sequestration is 5 million MTCO2E /YR. This is not applicable as the City does not contain any areas defined as forest. 17. Water. Continue efficiency programs and use cleaner energy sources to move and treat water. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments are consistent since implementing development will include use of low -flow fixtures and water efficient landscaping per state requirements. 18. Agriculture. In the near -term, encourage investment in manure digesters and at the five -year Scoping Plan update determine if the program should be made mandatory by 2020. The City does not contain any agricultural land use designations, and any policies related to agriculture land uses would not be applicable. As summarized above, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments will not potentially conflict with Regional Transportation - Related GHG targets and would not conflict with any of the other provisions of the Scoping Plan. The existing General Plan and proposed Housing Element and proposed Land Use Element amendments in fact support four of the action categories through energy efficiency, green building, recycling /waste, and water conservation through these proposed and current policies: Regional Transportation Plan /Sustainable Communities Strategy (SB375) The 2012 Regional Transportation Plan /Sustainable Communities Strategy and the goals, policies, and programs included within it are projected to obtain and exceed applicable GHG reduction targets of eight percent by 2020 and 13 percent by 2035. Projected reductions by the RTP /SCS are nine percent by 2020 and 16 percent by 2035. Ultimately, the RTP /SCS is keyed to implement the requirements of AB32 at the regional level. For a program -level analysis, if the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments are consistent with the assumptions of the RTP /SCS, then long -term development within the planning area will meet regional reduction targets. Furthermore, the long -term development would meet the broader statewide reduction goals of 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent beyond that by 2050. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would, therefore, not contribute substantially to climate change impacts if they are consistent with the regional and statewide climate change planning efforts. As assumed in the RTP /SCS, based on current City boundaries, Lake Elsinore is forecast to grow to a total population of 70,500 by 2020 and 83,800 by 2035. Buildout of the General Plan would General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 75 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts result in a total of 94,616 dwelling units for a total buildout population of 321,694 persons, which provides for a substantially higher capacity than actual estimated population by SCAG for either 2020 or 2035. In addition, the proposed Housing Element and Focus Areas are projected to meet the City's allocated Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which is a function of the City's projected long -term growth. Therefore, by complying with the RHNA, the Housing Element is contributing short -term towards consistency with long -term growth projections and the RTP /SCS. Therefore, the existing General Plan and proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments are consistent with the population growth forecasts of the RTP /SCS because they provide the capacity for residential development to accommodate the projected population growth and not direct growth elsewhere, which would interfere with implementation of the RTP /SCS. The existing General Plan and proposed Housing Element will directly support the implementation of the RTP /SCS in achieving mandated GHG reduction targets through its policies oriented towards improvements in the region's multimodal transportation system and coordinating land use patterns around high quality transit corridors. These policies are intended to reduce reliance on automobile use and improve the jobs housing balance in more suburban communities to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not conflict with and would actually support the RTP /SCS in achieving its greenhouse gas reduction targets. In addition to these state and regional plans, the Lake Elsinore General Plan contains various programs related to energy conservation, improving air quality, reducing automobile use, and reduction of greenhouse gases. The Housing Element includes a section discussing potential energy conservation opportunities. Additionally, Southern California Edison offers various rebate programs for energy efficient appliances and makes available to residents energy efficient kits at no cost. Housing implementation programs include efforts to promote energy efficiency improvements to households, as well as energy efficient housing design and practices in City ordinances. No impact will occur. Lake Elsinore Climate Action Plan The City's Climate Action Plan forecasted emissions is based on the projected growth within the City as well as the land use plan included in the General Plan. Since the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not alter any land use designations, no changes from the forecasted emissions would occur. In addition, implementation of the Housing Element and Land Use Element would not conflict with the reduction strategies included within the City's Climate Action Plan relative to transportation, energy, solid waste, community education and outreach, and the state -wide reduction strategies previously discussed under CARB's Scoping Plan. 76 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.8 - Hazards and Hazardous Materials Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) b) c) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? Emit hazardous emissions or handle ❑ ❑ hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one - quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section ❑ 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the ❑ project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people ❑ residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or ❑ emergency evacuation plan? ❑ j ❑ Se ❑ 1 Se i ❑ General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 77 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? Potentially Less Than Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation Less Than No Significant Impact Impact a) No Impact. The Lake Elsinore 2014 -2021 Housing Element is a policy and programmatic document intended to facilitate maintenance of the existing housing stock and production' of new housing to meet the targeted housing needs of the community. Residential development does not require and is not expected to require the manufacturing, use, transportation, disposal, or storage of dangerous quantities of hazardous materials. Residential uses do not generate hazardous wastes or emissions, except for very small quantities of typical household cleaning agents, automotive maintenance products, paints, pesticides, and herbicides. The proposed Housing Element update and the Land Use Element amendments would not conflict with any hazardous materials regulations and would not exempt any future housing from the City's programs to control and safely dispose of hazardous materials and wastes or to reduce the volume of wastes requiring landfill disposal. Thus, no impact will result. b) Less Than Significant Impact. Upon completion of construction, future residential development that may be facilitated by this Housing Element update would not generate hazardous air emissions, and would not involve the handling of any acutely hazardous substances or wastes. With regard to construction, development pursuant to Housing Element policy and the Land Use Element may involve demolition of existing structures. SCAQMD Rule 1403 (Asbestos Emissions from Demolition /Renovation Activities) requires work practices that limit asbestos emissions from building demolition and renovation activities, including the removal and disturbance of asbestos containing materials (ACM) .21 This rule is generally designed to protect uses and persons adjacent to demolition or renovation activity from exposure to asbestos emissions. Rule 1403 requires surveys of any facility being demolished or renovated for the presence of all friable and Class I and Class II non - friable ACM. Rule 1403 also establishes notification procedures, removal procedures, handling operations, and warning label requirements, including HEPA filtration, the g/ovebag method, wetting, and some methods of dry removal that must be implemented when disturbing appreciable amounts of ACM (more than 100 square feet of surface area). All future developments will be subject to the City's standard environmental review process for evaluation of hazards. Considering implementation of existing policies and standards, impacts associated with asbestos hazards will be less than significant. Exposure of construction workers to lead -based paint during demolition activities is also of concern, similar to exposure to asbestos. Exposure of surrounding land uses to lead from demolition activities is generally not a concern because demolition activities do not result in appreciable emissions of lead.22 If lead contamination exists on future housing sites, 8 CCR Section 1532.1 (California Construction Safety Orders for Lead) is applicable to the demolition of all existing structures requiring exposure assessment and compliance measures to keep worker exposure below action levels. The project is also subject to Title 22 requirements for the disposal 78 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts of solid waste contaminated with excessive levels of lead. Impacts due to lead exposure and contamination will be less than significant with adherence to existing regulations. c) Less than Significant Impact. There are approximately twelve public schools located within the incorporated City boundaries, some of which are located within 1/4-mile of proposed Focus Areas and community areas. Residential development does not require and is not expected to require the manufacturing, use, transportation, disposal, or storage of dangerous quantities of hazardous materials. As discussed in Section 4.8.b, existing regulations address potential off -site construction - related hazards associated with demolition of the existing onsite structures. Impact would be less than significant with implementation of existing regulations listed in Section 4.8.b. d) Less Than Significant Impact. According to the databases maintained as the Cortese List', the Focus Areas identified in the Housing Element update are not: • listed as a hazardous waste and substance site by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC),zs • listed as an open case leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB),za • listed as a hazardous solid waste disposal site by the SWRCB and CalEPA,25 • currently subject to a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) or a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) as issued by the SWRCB,26 or • developed with a hazardous waste facility subject to corrective action by the DTSC.Z' Any future development pursuant to the amended Land Use Element and Housing Element policies will be subject to the City's standard environmental review that will include identification of any contaminated site possibly not already identified and implementation of appropriate cleanup and disposal procedures; therefore, less than significant impacts related to contaminated sites will occur. This is consistent with the policies of the General Plan Public Safety and Welfare Element and the Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments which propose no changes to these safety measures. Impacts will be less than significant. e) No Impact. There are no public airports within two miles of Lake Elsinore. The nearest public airports are Perris Valley Airport located approximately 7 miles to the northeast and Hemet -Ryan Airport and French Valley Airport located both approximately 10 miles to the east and southeast respectively. No impact would result from any public airport. f) Less Than Significant Impact. Skylark Field is a private airstrip located within the southeast portion of the City. The airstrip is located within 2 miles of Focus Area 12 and the Lakeland Village community, but not within 2 miles of the other Focus Areas or communities. The area surrounding Skylark Field is primarily designated for open space or recreational uses with some areas designated for commercial, industrial or residential land uses along Mission Trail. Individual development projects would be required to analyze the potential project specific impacts related to the hazards of the private airstrip pursuant to FAA standards and guidelines for obstruction evaluation and any other pertinent standards and guidelines as is noted in the City's General Plan EIR.28 With the implementation of these existing standards and guidelines, impacts from this airstrip would be less than significant to Focus Area 12, the Lakeland Village community and any residential development within the vicinity of the airstrip pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element and Land Use Element. g) Less Than Significant Impact. The Housing Element update and amendments to the Land Use Element would not change or interfere with the emergency response plans of the City and the project components do not propose any alteration to vehicle circulation routes that could interfere with such plans. In accordance with City policies, the City will review all development proposals General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 79 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts to determine the possible impacts of each development on emergency services. Impacts will be less than significant. h) Less Than Significant Impact. A large portion of the City of Lake Elsinore is located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) pursuant to the latest maps prepared by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE).29 Construction of residences within Very High FHSZs will be required to comply with California Building Code requirements for fire protection in areas prone to wildfires, in particular Section 701A that will require construction with fire resistant materials and methods to minimize property damage. Fire protection services would also continue to be provided for residences in the City and is further discussed in Section 4.14. With the implementation of existing building code requirements and adequate fire protection services, impacts from wildfire on future residential development pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element and in accordance with the Land Use Element would be less than significant. 80 Initial Study 4.9 - Hydrology and Water Quality a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre- existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off -site? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off -site? e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Potentially Less Than Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation Less Than No Significant Impact Impact General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 81 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts g) Place housing within a 100 -year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? h) Place within a 100 -year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows? i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation I � FE] 0 i o o i o I � to j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? ❑ El [] a) Less Than Significant Impact. The project is a policy document that facilitates the production of housing and does not include any components that would change or conflict with water quality regulations or any waste discharge standards. All new development projects must comply with the City's local procedures to control storm water runoff to prevent violations of regional water quality standards, in accordance with its co- permittee obligations under the countywide municipal storm water permit program, a component of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program of the federal Clean Water Act. All future residential development must connect to sewer or adequate septic system as appropriate; direct discharges of wastewater to surface or ground waters would not be permitted. A less than significant impact will occur from development pursuant to the Housing Element and Land Use Element with the implementation of these existing requirements and procedures. b) Less Than Significant Impact. If the project removed an existing groundwater recharge area or substantially reduced runoff that results in groundwater recharge, a potentially significant impact could occur. The proposed project is composed of policy documents that would not authorize any specific development project, nor would it install any groundwater wells, and would not otherwise directly withdraw any groundwater. Future development is not anticipated to substantially interfere with groundwater recharge, because the City requires that storm water run -off in excess of existing conditions be directed to retention basins where the water will percolate into the ground, thereby recharging subsurface aquifers. Impacts related to groundwater recharge and depletion will be less than significant. c) Less Than Significant Impact. A significant impact would occur if the proposed project substantially altered the drainage pattern of an existing stream or river so that erosion or siltation would result. Various drainages traverse the City of Lake Elsinore originating from the surrounding hillsides generally towards Lake Elsinore. The project would propose no changes to any stream, river or other drainage path. With regard to future development projects proposed pursuant to Housing Element policy, site drainage plans are required by the City of Lake Elsinore and would be reviewed by the City Engineer. The final grading and drainage plans would be approved by the City Engineer during plan check review. Erosion and siltation reduction 82 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts measures would be required during construction consistent with an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), in order to demonstrate compliance with the City's NPDES permit. Development adherence to General Plan policies and NPDES and construction and operational Best Management Practices (BMPs) will address and reduce impacts of potential erosion. With the implementation of these existing regulations and practices, impacts will be less than significant to drainage patterns and erosion. d -e) Less Than Significant Impact. Development on vacant lands has the potential to substantially alter drainage patterns that could result in flooding on- or off -site by increasing the rate of flow from the incorporation of impervious surfaces as well as grading that may alter drainage patterns. These potential increases in runoff also have the potential to exceed the capacity of storm drain facilities. Portions of the City are located within Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District's (RCFCWCD) Sedco and West Elsinore Master Drainage Plans (MDPs). In addition, RCFCWCD is developing a new Lakeland Village MDP. These MDPs establish plans for flood control facilities that would be implemented as development occurs. Requirement for these improvements to be implemented and payment of fees by development is required by Chapters 16.34 and 16.72 of the City's Municipal Code: These also address necessary flood control and storm drain improvements where a MDP may not be adopted. Residential development typically does not generate significant water pollutants through point discharges but does contribute to water quality impacts due to community -wide and regional urban runoff. Implementation of existing and future MDPs along with the requirements of the City's municipal code will ensure that adequate infrastructure is provided to serve future residential development pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element and the Land Use Element and would thus result in a less than significant impact from on- or off -site flooding or exceeding the capacity of storm drains. f) No Impact. The project does not propose any uses that will have the potential to otherwise degrade water quality beyond those issues discussed in Section 4.9 herein. The updated Lake Elsinore Housing Element and the amendments to the Land Use Element do not authorize construction or redevelopment of any housing, and would not result in any new or more extensive sources of water pollutants. g -h) Less Than Significant Impact. Portions of the City, primarily around Lake Elsinore and major drainages, are located within 100 -year flood hazard areas.30 Portions of Focus Areas 2, 3, 4, and 6, and the Lakeland Village and Warm Springs communities are located within 100 -year flood hazard areas. Development within these areas or any other residentially- designated area would be required to provide adequate flood protection for the development either through elevating the site through grading to bring it out of the floodplain or through improvements to drainages or channels to reduce flooding impacts on a given site pursuant to General Plan policies and General Plan EIR mitigation as well as the National Flood Insurance Program. Such alteration to drainages to flood hazard areas would be required to submit and have a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to FEMA to officially bring the area out of the flood hazard area. With implementation of standard City and RCFCWCD requirements for review of flood hazards, including potentially restricting development within flood hazard areas, implementation of the Land Use Element amendments and of the policies of the Housing Element would be less than significant. i) Less than Significant Impact. Portions of the City of Lake Elsinore are subject to inundation if the Railroad Canyon dam or Diamond Valley Lake dams were to fail.31 Inundation from failure of the Railroad Canyon dam would be relatively limited to the drainage area between the dam and Lake Elsinore within the 100 -year flood hazard area. Inundation from the failure of one of the Diamond Valley Lake dams would be much more widespread and would exceed the 100 -year flood hazard areas in most areas. Portions of Focus Areas 2, 3, 4, and 6 would be located within the inundation areas of the Diamond Valley Lake dams. The risks associated with General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 83 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts dam inundation have affected the City in these same areas since the completion of the lake in 2003. In addition, the approximately 14 mile distance from the dams would provide time for emergency evacuations to occur if failure of the dams was imminent or occurred. Since dam failure can have severe consequences, FEMA requires that all dam owners develop Emergency Action Plans (EAP) for warning, evacuation, and post -flood actions. The County of Riverside's emergency response plans as administered by the County of Riverside Fire Department Office of Emergency Services along with mutual aid from local jurisdictions would implement their evacuation plans should such a dam inundation threaten the area. In addition, the National Dam Safety Act of 2006 authorized a program to reduce the risks to life and property from dam failure by establishing a safety and maintenance program. The program requires regular inspection of dams to reduce the risks associated with dam failures. Impacts due to risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, due to dam inundation will be less than significant pursuant to existing regulations on dam safety. j) Less than Significant Impact. Lake Elsinore is not subject to tsunami due to its elevation, intervening topography, and distance (over 20 miles) from the ocean. Canyon Lake is an open reservoir located to the northeast of the City. Although portions of the City may be subject to dam inundation from this reservoir, due to the distance from the reservoir and the relatively lower amount of water, impacts from potential inundation from seiche at the reservoir would likely not occur. Mudflows require a slope, water, and unconsolidated soil to occur. Portions of the City are located within or adjacent to areas of steep slopes, including Focus Areas 1, 5, 8, and 10. Standard requirements for grading design and slope stability as well as for flood protection as previously discussed in Sections 4.6 and 4.9 herein would limit any potential mudflow hazards that may be present on these areas or any other area within the City. Impacts from seiche and mudflow would thus be less than significant with the implementation of these standard requirements. 84 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.10 - Land Use and Planning Would the project: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Physically divide an established community? ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, ❑ ❑ ❑ local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural ! ❑ ❑ community conservation plan? a) No Impact. A significant impact would occur if the proposed project were sufficiently large or configured in such a way so as to create a physical barrier within an established community. The proposed Focus Areas are surrounded primarily by existing or planned residential land uses as well as industrial and commercial land uses and the proposed Land Use Element amendments recognize the boundaries of existing communities. The proposed Housing Element, which relies on existing land use designations for medium and high density residential and mixed -use development, and the Land Use Element amendments would not create any sort of physical barrier within the community. Rather, the mix of uses where allowed may serve to facilitate pedestrian connections in these areas. Furthermore, project implementation would not provide for infrastructure systems such as new roadways or flood control channels that would divide or disrupt neighborhoods or any other established community elements in this previously developed and urbanized area. Therefore, no impact will occur. b) Less than Significant Impact. A significant impact would occur if the proposed project were inconsistent with applicable plans, policies, and zoning designations. The proposed Housing Element update and Land Use Element amendments are consistent with existing General Plan goals and policies and the City's adopted Land Use Plan. In general, the intent of the goals and policies remains the same from the previous housing element. As required by California Housing Element law, the update provides current data on housing in the community and an analysis of the land available to meet the community's anticipated housing needs, as determined by HCD and SCAG in the RHNA. The update also includes programs for providing housing assistance and facilitating housing development. All sites and intensities identified to meet the City's RHNA are consistent with the existing Land Use Plan designations and all other pertinent policies of the General Plan and the Zoning Code. There will be no significant impact on any plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. Impacts will be less than significant. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 85 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts c) Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed in Checklist Response 4.4.f above, The City is located within both the MSHCP and Stephens' Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan and implementing development pursuant to the Housing Element and overall General Plan (including the amended Land Use Element) would be consistent with these plans. As such, a less than significant impact will occur. 86 Initial Study 4.11 - Mineral Resources Would the project: Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Potentially Less Than Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the ❑ ❑ residents of the state? b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally- important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local ❑ ❑ general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? Less Than No Significant Impact Impact a -b) Less Than Significant Impact. Substantial mineral resources have been identified within the City of Lake Elsinore and are noted within the City's General Plan, in particular aggregate type mineral resources. These resource areas are primarily designated as MRZ -2 pursuant to the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) and California Mineral Land Classification System Diagram based on available geological information. Areas located within MRZ -2 indicated the area is underlain by mineral deposits where geologic data shows that significant measured or indicated resources are present. Some of these areas are currently being mined, such as the Pacific Clay Products area that is located within the Alberhill Specific Plan and Focus Area 11. Other identified resource areas have already been developed with residential land uses. The mining in Focus Area 11 is being phased out in accordance with approved permits and ultimate reclamation of the area and would be developed eventually pursuant to the specific plan. The phasing out of these mining operations and designation of alternate future land uses has already occurred through the currently adopted General Plan. The proposed Housing Element and the proposed Land Use Element amendments would not further alter these designations or plans for phasing out existing mining operations. In addition, the City's General Plan EIR determined that impacts to mineral resources would be less than significant from implementation of the General Plan and its designated land uses with its policie .,s for protection of mineral resources. 32 With the implementation of these existing plans as well as General Plan policies to protect mineral resources in other areas of the City, less than significant impacts will occur. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 87 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.12 - Noise Would the project result in: 88 Initial Study Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or ❑ ❑ ❑ applicable standards of other agencies? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or El groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing ❑ ❑ ❑ without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels ❑ ❑ ❑ existing without the project? e) For a project located within an j airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the ❑ ❑ ❑ project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working ❑ El the project area to excessive noise levels? Fundamentals of Sound and Environmental Noise The primary sources of noise affecting Lake Elsinore stem from various modes of transportation. Because the City is divided by Interstate 15 and various arterial streets, most areas of the City are affected by traffic noise. Noise can be defined as unwanted sound. Sound (and therefore noise) consists of energy waves that people receive and interpret. Sound pressure levels are described in logarithmic units of 88 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts ratios of sound pressures to a reference pressure, squared. These units are called bets. In order to provide a finer description of sound, a bel is subdivided into ten decibels, abbreviated dB. To account for the range of sound that human hearing perceives, a modified scale is utilized known as the A- weighted decibel (dBA). Since decibels are logarithmic units, sound pressure levels cannot be added or subtracted by ordinary arithmetic means. For example, if one automobile produces a sound pressure level of 70 dBA when it passes an observer, two cars passing simultaneously would not produce 140 dB. In fact; they would combine to produce 73 dBA. This same principle can be applied to other traffic quantities as well. In other words, doubling the traffic volume on a street or the speed of the traffic will increase the traffic noise level by 3 dBA. Conversely, halving the traffic volume or speed will reduce the traffic noise level by 3 dBA. A 3 dBA change in sound is the level where humans generally notice a barely perceptible change in sound and a 5 dBA change is generally readily perceptible.33 Noise consists of pitch, loudness, and duration; therefore, a variety of methods for measuring noise has been developed. According to the California General Plan Guidelines for Noise Elements, the following are common metrics for measuring noise :34 LEQ (Equivalent Energy Noise Level): The sound level corresponding to a steady -state sound level containing the same total energy as a time - varying signal over given sample periods. LEQ is typically computed over 1 -, 8 -, and 24 -hour sample periods. CNEL (Community Noise Equivalent Level): The average equivalent A- weighted sound level during a 24 -hour day, obtained after addition of five decibels to sound levels in the evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm and after addition of ten decibels to sound levels in the night from 10:00pm to 7:00am. LDN (Day -Night Average Level): The average equivalent A- weighted sound level during a 24- hour day, obtained after the addition of ten decibels to sound levels in the night after 10:00pm and before 7:00am. CNEL and LpN are utilized for describing ambient noise levels because they account for all noise sources over an extended period of time and account for the heightened sensitivity of people to noise during the night. LEQ is better utilized for describing specific and consistent sources because of the shorter reference period. Fundamentals of Environmental Groundborne Vibration Vibration is sound radiated through the ground. The rumbling sound caused by the vibration of room surfaces is called groundborne noise. The ground motion caused by vibration is measured as particle velocity in inches per second, and in the U.S. is referenced as vibration decibels (VdB). The background vibration velocity level in residential and educational areas is usually around 50 VdB. The vibration velocity level threshold of perception for humans is approximately 65 VdB. A vibration velocity level of 75 VdB is the approximate dividing line between barely perceptible and distinctly perceptible levels for many people. Sources within buildings such as operation of mechanical equipment, movement of people, or the slamming of doors causes most perceptible indoor vibration. Typical outdoor sources of perceptible groundborne vibration are construction equipment, steel - wheeled trains, and traffic on rough roads. If a roadway is smooth, the groundborne vibration from traffic is rarely perceptible. The range of interest is from approximately 50 VdB, which is the typical background vibration velocity level, and 100 VdB, which is the general threshold where minor damage can occur in fragile buildings. The general human response to different levels of groundborne vibration velocity levels is described in Table 4.12.1 (Human Reaction to Groundborne Vibration). General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 89 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Table 4.12.1 Human Response to Groundborne Vibration Vibration Velocity Level 65 VdB 75 VdB 85 VdB Human Reaction _ Approximate threshold of perception for many people. Approximate dividing line between barely perceptible and distinctly perceptible. Many people find that transportation- related vibration at this level in unacceptable. _ Vibration acceptable only if there are an infrequent number of events per day. Source: Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, May 2006 a) Less Than Significant Impact. The Lake Elsinore General Plan identifies standards for land uses and noise compatibility, as summarized in Table 4.12.2 (Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards). In addition, the General Plan establishes additional interior and exterior noise standards as shown in Table 4.12.3 (Interior and Exterior Noise Standards). Table 4.12.2 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standardc Land Use Cate pries Day-Night Noise Level LDN Categories Uses <55 60 65 70 75, 80> Single, Family, Duplex, Multiple Residential Family A A B B_ C D D Residential Mobile Homes A A B C C D D Commercial Regional District Hotel Motel Transient Lodging A A B B C C D Commercial Regional Commercial, Retail, Bank, Village, District Special Restaurant, Movie Theatre A A A A B B C Office Building, Research and Commercial, Industrial Development, Professional Institutional Offices City Office Building A A A B B C D Commercial Regional, Institutional Civic Amphitheatre, Concert Hall, Center Auditorium,-Meeting Hall B B C C D D D Children's Amusement Park, Miniature Golf Course, Go -cart Track, Equestrian Center, Commercial Recreation Sorts Club A A A B B D D Automobile Service Station, ' Commercial General, Auto Dealership, Special Industrial Manufacturing, Warehousing, Institutional Wholesale, Utilities A A A_ A B B B Hospital, Church, Library, Institutional General Schools, Classroom_ A A A A B A C B I C C D D D D open Space Parks 90 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Land Use Categories Day-Night Noise Level LDN Categories Uses <55 60 65 70 75 80> Golf Course, Cemeteries, Nature Centers, Wildlife Open Space _ Reserves, Wildlife Habitat A A A A B C C Agriculture Agriculture A A A A A A A tion Zone A Clearly Compatible Zone B Normally Compatible Zone C Normally Income Zone D Clearly Income ble Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements. New construction or development should be undertaken only after detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements are made and needed nose insulation features in the design are determined. Conventional construction, with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice. New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. _ ble New construction,or development should general Table 4.12.3 Interior and Exterior Noise Standards not be undertaken. Energy Average Land Use Categories LDN Cate oriel Uses Interior Exterior Single Family, Duplex, Multiple Family Mobile Homes 45 s' s 60 Residential Mobile Homes - 1 6 04 Hotel Motel Transient Lod in 45' Commercial, _Hospital, School s classroom 45 - Institutional Church Library 45 - Interpretation 1. Indoor environment excluding: Bathrooms, toilets, closets, corridors. 2. Outdoor environment limited to: Private yard of single family, multi - family private patio or balcony which is served by a means of exit from inside, Mobile Home Park. 3. Noise level requirement with closed windows. Mechanical ventilating system or other means of natural ventilation shall be provided as of Chapter 12, Section 1205 of UBC. 4. Exterior noise level should be such that interior noise level will not exceed 45 CNEL. 5. As per California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 6, Division T25, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Article 4, Section T25 -28. The primary contributor to ambient noise in the planning area is traffic, particularly from Interstate 15 and major roadways. Since the proposed Housing Element and the proposed General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 91 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts amendments to the Land Use Element would not make any additional land use changes that are not already designated by the General Plan, nor result in any substantial traffic or other noise sources as analyzed in the General Plan EIR, the analysis included within the General Plan EIR would also apply to the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments. Future developments in the proposed Focus Areas and in other areas of the City are subject to the policies of the existing General Plan designed to minimize noise impacts to residential properties. The General Plan EIR determined that existing and proposed residential land use areas may be subject to noise levels higher than the acceptable levels based on buildout conditions and projected future traffic conditions. The EIR determined that these impacts could result in significant noise impacts on existing land uses. However, policies incorporated into the General Plan and mitigation in the EIR would require new residential development to address potential noise, in particular traffic noise, impacts on new dwelling units and residents and provide adequate mitigation where necessary on a project specific basis.35 Since the Housing Element and the proposed Land Use Element amendments would not increase any of the impacts as analyzed in the General Plan EIR, with the implementation of the General Plan policies and mitigation included in the EIR, impacts will be less than significant in potential exceedances of noise standards. b) Less Than Significant Impact. Groundborne vibration can result in impacts from minor annoyances to people to major shaking that damages buildings. There are no railways within the City. The primary source of groundborne vibration within the City would be heavy construction activities. According to the Caltrans "Transportation - and Construction - Induced Vibration Guidance Manual ", transportation sources are not a significant source of vibration and therefore are not discussed below. Groundborne vibration generated by construction projects is usually highest during pile driving, rock blasting, soil compacting, jack- hammering, and demolition - related activities. Next to pile driving, grading activity has the greatest potential for vibration impacts if large bulldozers or large trucks are used. Housing does not utilize machinery that would generate substantial amounts of vibration. The construction of future potential housing developments could utilize machinery that would generate substantial amounts of ground vibration because multiple -lot housing developments generally require mass grading. Construction of future development could require rock blasting considering certain areas may contain large rocks or require substantial grading as well as piling driving since various areas within the City may be subject to liquefaction hazards. Table 4.12.4 (Common Construction Vibration) summarizes vibration levels from common construction equipment. Impacts to structures can occur from 0.08 PPV to 2.00 PPV depending on the duration of the vibration and the age of the structure. Similarly, human annoyance to vibration can occur from 0.01 PPV to 2.00 PPV depending on the duration. Table 4.12.4 CoMnmon Construction Vibration _ -- Equipment _ PPV (in /sec_at 25 ft.) Crack - and -Seat Operations 2.400 Vibratory Roller _ 0.210 Large Bulldozer 0.089 Caisson Drilling 0.089 Loaded Trucks 0.076 Jackhammer 0.035 Small Bulldozer 0.003 Source: California Department of Transportation 2004 92 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Vibration impacts are temporary and rare except in cases where large equipment is used near existing, occupied development. Construction noise and associated vibration will be controlled through the time restrictions currently established in the City's Noise Control requirements. Section 17.176 of the City's Municipal Code establishes noise standards for construction activity that occurs between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. based on various impacted land use types in place of the normal noise standards as shown previously in Table 4.12.3. Therefore, potential construction - related vibration impacts would be minimized to daytime hours. Per standard practice and City policy for noise analysis, future development projects that utilize vibration - inducing equipment, in particular when located near sensitive uses /buildings, will be analyzed individually for potential vibration impacts. Typical vibration mitigation includes routing and placement of equipment to maximize distance to receptors and use of alternative equipment, such as use of drilled, sonic, or vibratory pile drivers as opposed to impact drivers. Subsurface dampeners can also be utilized to reduce groundborne vibration. With implementation of existing regulations, policies, and practices, impacts related to exposure to groundborne vibration will be less than significant. C) Less Than Significant Impact. Residential land uses do not typically produce excessive noise either individually or cumulatively that could substantially increase existing, ambient noise levels. The future development of the Focus Areas and other development that is consistent with the Land Use Element will increase ambient noise levels due to increased traffic generation in the project vicinity. Project specific increases in ambient noise levels due to future development on residential designated properties will be evaluated as development is proposed over the long -term pursuant to existing policies and procedures. With these existing policies and procedures, impacts related to increases in ambient noise levels will be less than significant. d) Less Than Significant Impact. The updated Housing Element and the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element do not authorize development or the redevelopment of housing units on any particular site but does include policies that could facilitate future development. Temporary increases in local noise levels would be associated with construction activities related to development. Construction noise will be controlled through the time restrictions and construction noise standards currently established in the City's noise control requirements. The updated Housing Element and amendments to the Land Use Element would not result in any new or more severe temporary noise impacts associated with construction than was already analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR. Continued enforcement of the City's noise restrictions will reduce temporary noise impacts associated with new housing construction to a less- than - significant level. e) No Impact. The City is not located within two miles of any existing public airport or within any airport land use plan; therefore, the City, the proposed Focus Areas and the identified communities are not anticipated on being affected from noise generated from any public airport. No impact would occur. f) Less Than Significant Impact. Skylark Field is a private airstrip located within the southeast portion of the City. The airstrip is located within 2 miles of Focus Area 12 and the Lakeland Village community, but not within 2 miles of the other Focus Areas and communities. The area surrounding Skylark Field is primarily designated for open space or recreational uses with some areas designated for commercial or residential land uses along Mission Trail. Individual development projects would be required to analyze the potential project specific impacts related to noise from the private airstrip pursuant to the City's noise standards as noted in General Plan policies and the General Plan EIR. With the implementation of these existing standards and policies, noise impacts from this airstrip would be less than significant to Focus Area 12, the Lakeland Village community and any residential development within the vicinity of the airstrip pursuant to the policies of the Housing Element. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 93 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.13 - Population and Housing Would the project: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement ❑ 0 housing elsewhere? c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement El Q ❑ housing elsewhere? a) Less than Significant Impact. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments will not directly result in population growth. Population growth is a complex interaction between immigration, emigration, birth, deaths, and economic factors. The proposed Housing Element is designed to guide and accommodate the inevitable population growth the community will face over the short- and long -term. The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. The Census indicated that the City had a population of 28,930 in 2000 and 51,821 as of 2010, which would represent an approximately 79% increase. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan /Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP /SCS) estimated a 2008 population for Lake Elsinore of 50,200 and projects an estimated population of 70,500 and 93,800 by 2020 and 2035, respectively. The Focus Areas identified in the Housing Element would result in a net increase of approximately 5,925 new dwelling units and 20,145 new residents (5,925 dwelling units at 3.4 persons per household). This increase is within the growth assumptions estimated by SCAG and therefore will be adequate in accommodating future residential growth. In addition, the proposed Housing Element and Focus Areas are projected to meet the City's allocated Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which is a function of the City's long -term growth projected by SCAG. Impacts will be less than significant. b) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed Housing Element is designed to encourage and facilitate housing development and preserve and enhance existing housing stock. The City is far from built -out and has numerous vacant properties that would likely accommodate the vast majority of development pursuant to the Housing Element, including the Focus Areas which are vacant. Therefore, future development of the Focus Areas and other housing development constructed pursuant to the Housing Element update will have less than significant impacts on the 94 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts displacing a substantial number of housing units. The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. Therefore, these amendments will not result in any impacts that were not addressed in the General Plan EIR. C) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed Housing Element will not displace any people because the project does not authorize the demolition or conversion of any housing unit. No housing units currently exist within the Focus Areas. In addition, the Housing Element does not authorize the acquisition of any existing residential dwelling unit. Furthermore, the proposed Housing Element will have a less than significant effect on economic factors that could require the construction of new housing such as the relocation of a large employment base to a different region. The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. Therefore, these amendments will not result in any impacts that were not addressed in the General Plan EIR. The impact will be less than significant. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 95 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.14 - Public Services Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: a) Fire protection? b) Police protection? c) Schools? d) Parks? e) Other public facilities? Potentially Less Than Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation El INK n n Less Than No Significant Impact Impact a -e) Less Than Significant Impact. The Lake Elsinore Housing Element update sets forth policies and programs to encourage housing development consistent with adopted land use polices of the existing General Plan. Residential development constructed pursuant to Housing Element policy will incrementally increase the need for fire and police protection, schools, and parks. SCAG estimates that the City's population will be 93;800 in 2035. The Housing Element's goal to facilitate 5,925 very low to above moderate income units by 2021 would increase the local housing stock from 16,253 as of 2010 (2010 Census count) to 22,178 units and would increase the resident population by approximately 20,145 persons (5,925 dwelling units at 3.4 persons per household). The General Plan EIR indicates that buildout of the land use plan would result in less than significant impacts to parks, schools, fire, or police services. 36 The provision of parks is guided by the policies of the General Plan Community Form Element and parks and Recreation Master Plan that promotes additional parks to support the City's growing population that will ensure that adequate parks public services are provided. The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. Therefore, these amendments will not result in any impacts that were not addressed in the General Plan EIR. The provision of school services is completely mitigated through the payment of development impact fees pursuant to the Leroy F. Green School Facilities Act. Future potential plans for development will be reviewed by City staff to determine any impacts of development on emergency services and are also subject to review by Lake Elsinore's Police and Fire Departments for compliance with applicable standards and policies. Future potential plans for development are also subject to the policies of the General Plan Public Safety and Welfare Element, The Public 96 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Safety and Welfare Element policies are designed to ensure adequate provision of public services in response to long -term growth. Property taxes and other special taxes paid by future property owners will also support the incremental expansion of public services as the population in the City grows. Impacts to public services will be less than significant with the implementation of these impact fees and review of individual development projects. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 97 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.15 - Recreation a) Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed in Section 4.14.d, the project has the potential to result in the indirect need for recreational facilities due to the promotion of housing development. However, Lake Elsinore requires development to either dedicate land or pay a fee in lieu of dedication to offset incremental impacts of development on existing parks pursuant to Municipal Code Chapters 16.12 and 16.34. Any future housing development will be required to pay development impact fees in accordance with this existing regulation; thus deterioration of existing parks and recreation facilities will be less than significant as a result of future housing development because parks and recreation facilities will be incrementally expanded to meet future residential demand. b) Less than Significant Impact. The updated Housing Element and the Land Use Element amendments would not result in the direct construction of any recreation facilities. Future potential construction of recreation facilities in response to incremental, long -term population increases will be subject to the City's standard environmental review process pursuant to CEQA. Local recreation facilities typically do not result in significant impacts. Impacts related to the potential construction of future recreation facilities will be less than significant. 98 Initial Study Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial ❑ ❑ El physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? i b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might ❑ ❑ ❑ have an adverse physical effect on the environment? a) Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed in Section 4.14.d, the project has the potential to result in the indirect need for recreational facilities due to the promotion of housing development. However, Lake Elsinore requires development to either dedicate land or pay a fee in lieu of dedication to offset incremental impacts of development on existing parks pursuant to Municipal Code Chapters 16.12 and 16.34. Any future housing development will be required to pay development impact fees in accordance with this existing regulation; thus deterioration of existing parks and recreation facilities will be less than significant as a result of future housing development because parks and recreation facilities will be incrementally expanded to meet future residential demand. b) Less than Significant Impact. The updated Housing Element and the Land Use Element amendments would not result in the direct construction of any recreation facilities. Future potential construction of recreation facilities in response to incremental, long -term population increases will be subject to the City's standard environmental review process pursuant to CEQA. Local recreation facilities typically do not result in significant impacts. Impacts related to the potential construction of future recreation facilities will be less than significant. 98 Initial Study 4.16 - Transportation and Traffic Would the project: a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass transit and non - motorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit? b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management program, including, but not limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency access? Potentially Significant Impact U INK 7 0 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporation Less Than No Significant Impact Impact FO-1 0 Ll General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 99 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the ❑ performance or safety of such facilities? El a -b) Less than Significant Impact. The proposed Housing Element and the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element will not directly result in construction of any development or infrastructure; however, future development supported by the policies of the updated Housing Element and the Land Use Element will result in additional traffic. Since the Housing Element and the proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans would not alter any land use designations that would alter the traffic impacts presented in the General Plan EIR, no additional impacts beyond those analyzed in the General Plan would occur. The General Plan EIR found that with the recommended roadway and intersection improvements that all roadways and intersections would have an acceptable Level of Service (LOS). Although, since the improvements cannot be guaranteed the EIR determined that a potentially significant impact could occur from buildout of the General Plan without all of the recommended improvements implemented and would thus also potentially conflict with the Riverside County Transportation Commission Congestion Management Plan for provision of adequate LOS.37 Individual residential development pursuant to the existing General Plan and proposed Housing Element will be required to analyze their individual and cumulative traffic impacts and provide for the necessary traffic improvements related to their individual project as recommended by the General Plan and mitigation in the EIR. With the implementation of these, impacts from the Housing Element and the amendments to the Land Use Element would not exceed those analyzed in the General Plan EIR determined to be potentially significant and would thus be less than significant. c) No Impact. The updated Housing Element is focused on achieving local housing objectives and does not authorize any construction that would result in the need to redirect or otherwise alter air traffic patterns. The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. Furthermore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments will not result in substantial population growth that could significantly increase air traffic. Therefore, the project will have no air traffic impacts. d) No Impact. The project does not involve the construction of any roadway and would have no effect on the City's street and site design standards. e) Less than Significant Impact. The project does not involve any road construction or any development activity and thus will not obstruct or restrict emergency access to or through the City. Future housing development facilitated by implementation of Housing Element policies will be subject to site plan review. In conjunction with the review and approval of building permits, the Fire Department reviews all plans to ensure compliance with all applicable emergency access and safety requirements. With continued application of project review procedures, impacts involving emergency access will be less than significant. f) No Impact. The project includes programs and policies to encourage the development of new housing units to meet the City's regional fair share of housing and to identify "fringe" and "island" communities, as required by State law; but would not authorize any design, plans, or projects for construction of new development or redevelopment housing. Thus, the project itself will not conflict with any policy regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities. Individual 100 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts development projects will be required to analyze their specific impacts and consistency with the policies and plans. The project will have no impact on policies or plans regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 101 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.17 - Utilities and Service Systems Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and F-1 resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? Potentially Less Than Significant Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? Less Than No Significant Impact Impact u io i W u EI a) No Impact. Wastewater treatment services for Lake Elsinore are provided by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD). Wastewater discharge requirements (WDR) are issued by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). These treatment requirements 102 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts establish pollutant limits for effluent discharges to receiving waters. Future development will result in typical wastewater discharges and will not require new methods or equipment for treatment that are not currently permitted. Furthermore, residential development is not subject to point- source discharge requirements. The project will not impact compliance with RWQCB treatment requirements. Future development will not interfere with compliance with RWQCB wastewater treatment requirements, thus no impact will occur. b) Less than Significant Impact. Future development will incrementally increase water demand and wastewater discharges. As determined by the City's General Plan EIR, less than significant impacts would occur to existing water and wastewater treatment facilities.38 The proposed Housing Element and Focus Areas and identification of "fringe" and "island" communities would not alter any land use that could increase development intensity that could potentially create a greater impact than was already analyzed by the General Plan EIR. The City and EVMWD will continue to identify the need for expansion of water and wastewater facilities, such as water and sewer mains, as needed, on a project -by- project basis during its standard environmental review process. Any environmental impacts related to the construction or expansion of water or wastewater facilities will be analyzed and mitigated for at the time of development. Adherence to existing practices and procedures will result in impacts related to the expansion of water and wastewater facilities that are less than significant. c) Less than Significant Impact. The updated Housing Element is focused on achieving local housing objectives and does not authorize any construction that would result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. The proposed Land Use Element amendments to the District Plans do not change any applicable land use designations and do not propose or anticipate any specific development proposals. Therefore, these amendments will not result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Drainage improvements are constructed on a project -by- project basis. This typically involves routing a major drainage course through a project by concentrating the flow into an acceptable drainage facility. Construction of drainage devices will be entirely on- site and will be subject to standard construction requirements for erosion control and water quality requirements. Future development will comply with existing standards and regulations for conveyance of storm water, thus a less than significant impact to the environment from construction of storm drain infrastructure will occur. d) Less than Significant Impact. EVMWD is responsible for the production and distribution of domestic water and maintenance of the overall water system facilities throughout the City. The City's General Plan EIR determined that adequate existing water entitlements would be adequate to serve the land uses anticipated by the General Plan land use plan. The proposed Housing Element and Focus Areas and the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element would not alter any land use that could increase development intensity that could potentially create a greater impact than was already analyzed by the General Plan EIR. The proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not result in any population growth or additional demand on water supplies but rather will guide development to accommodate anticipated growth in the community through the year 2021; therefore, the proposed Housing Element and Land Use Element amendments would not result in the need for new or expanded water supplies and impacts will be less than significant. e) Less Than Significant Impact. Wastewater treatment requirements are established by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board ( RWQCB). The City will review future housing development as part of their standard environmental review process to determine adequate capacity to serve the discharge needs in comparison to treatment plant capacity. Impacts related to wastewater treatment capacity are anticipated to be less than significant. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 103 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts f) Less Than Significant Impact. Lake Elsinore is served by a number of landfills, including El Sobrante Landfill, Badlands landfill, and Lamb Canyon Landfill. El Sobrante Landfill is expected to reach capacity by 2045. Badlands Landfill is expected to reach capacity by 2024 and Lamb Canyon Landfill by 2021. Both Badlands and Lamb Canyon Landfills have the potential to expand their facilities and capacity. Solid waste disposal is managed at the regional level; therefore, generation of solid waste within the City and SOI is one part of a regional issue. Compliance with City and County waste reduction programs and policies would reduce the volume of solid waste entering landfills. Individual development projects within the City would be required to comply with applicable State and local regulations, thus reducing the amount of landfill waste by at least 50 percent. Future development would increase the volume of solid waste generated in the City that is diverted to existing landfills, thus contributing to the acceleration of landfill closures or the use of more distant sites. The City will continue to implement solid waste reduction programs in compliance with Section 40050 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code. Each development will be required to comply with federal, State, and local statues and regulations related to the disposal of solid waste. Impacts will be less than significant. g) No Impact. Waste collection in Lake Elsinore is disposed of in regional landfills, as described above. All new development will be required to comply with State mandates and City regulations regarding reduction /recycling of household waste. None of the proposed housing strategies inherent in the proposed Housing Element or amendments to the Land Use Element would have any effect upon or result in any conflicts with solid waste disposal regulations. No impact will occur. 104 Initial Study Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.18 - Mandatory Findings of Significance a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self - sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation U K■ ❑■ a U X a) Less Than Significant Impact. The results of the preceding analyses and discussions of responses in the preceding analysis have determined that the proposed project would have no effect upon sensitive biological resources and would not result in significant impacts to historical, archaeological, or paleontological resources. Impacts related to scenic resources will be less than significant. The project is a policy document that will not have any direct environmental impacts. All residential development facilitated by Housing Element policy will occur pursuant to adopted General Plan land use policy and other General Plan policies intended to minimize environmental impacts. Impact would be less than significant with the implementation of these existing General Plan policies. b) Less Than Significant Impact. Cumulative impacts can result from the interactions of environmental changes resulting from one proposed project with changes resulting from other past, present, and future projects that affect the same resources, utilities and infrastructure systems, public services, transportation network elements, air basin, watershed, or other physical conditions. Such impacts could be short -term and temporary, usually consisting of overlapping construction impacts, as well as long term, due to the permanent land use changes involved in the project. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 105 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Overall, the long term development of the Housing Opportunity sites is consistent with the growth projections identified in the regional population growth forecast completed by SCAG. As such, the proposed Housing Element update would not result in new or additional cumulative impacts. The proposed amendments to the General Plan's Land Use Element District Plans do not change any land use designations set forth in the General Plan. With the implementation of General Plan policies and mitigation included in the General Plan EIR at the project - level, the cumulative impacts would be less than significant. c) Less Than Significant Impact. Based on the analysis of the project's impacts in the responses to items 4.1 thru 4.17, there is no indication that this project could result in substantial adverse effects on human beings. The analysis herein concludes that direct and indirect environmental effects will at worst require implementation of existing General Plan policies and General Plan EIR mitigation measures to reduce to less than significant levels. Under each environmental consideration addressed in the preceding analysis, the proposed project is considered to have little or no adverse impacts on people and the environment. 106 Initial Study 5 References 5.1 - List of Preparers City of Lake Elsinore (Lead Agency) Planning Division 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, California 92530 951- 674 -3124 ■ Richard J. MacHott, Planning Manager MIG I Hogle- Ireland (Environmental Analysis) 1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 110 Riverside, California 92507 951 - 787 -9222 • Christopher Brown, Director of Environmental Services • Russell Brady, Project Associate General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 107 5.2 - Notes 1 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 2 California Department of Transportation. California Scenic Highway Mapping System: Riverside County. http: / /www. dot.ca.gov /hq/LandArch /scenic highways /index,htm [Accessed May 9, 2013] 3 California Department of Conservation. Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program, 2008. The City of Lake Elsinore is indicated either as Other Land, Urban and Built -Up Land, Grazing Land, or Farmland of Local Importance in 2010 maps of western Riverside County. 4 California Department of Conservation. Williamson Act Program, 2011/2012. 5 USDA Forest Service. Pacific Southwest Region. EvegTile53B_02_03_v2 and EvegTi le54_02_03_v2. 2007. 6 South Coast Air Quality Management District. Air Quality Management Plan. December 2012. 7 Southern California Association of Governments. Integrated Growth Forecast. hitp-LLwww.scaci.ca.gov/forecastlindex,htm [Accessed May 13, 2013] B City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 9 United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Green Book Nonattainment Areas for Criteria Pollutants. www.el2a.ciov /oar /oagps /greenbk /index.htm] [Accessed May 13, 2013] 10 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 11 United States Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory. http: // 107. 20 .228.18,/W�etlands /WetlandsMao er. tml# [Accessed May 14, 2013] 12 US Fish & Wildlife Services. Conservation Plans and Agreements Database. http:Lecos.fws.Qov /consery plans /public.jsp [Accessed May 14, 2013] 13 California Department of Fish and Game. Summary of Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs). httL / /www.dfg.ca.clov /habcon /nccp/ [Accessed May 14, 2013] 14 City of Lake Elsinore, General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 15 California State Department of Conservation. California Geological Survey; Alquist - Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps. 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency. Frequently Asked Questions About Global Warming and Climate Change. Back to Basics. April 2009. 17 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 18 California Air Resources Board. Climate Change Scoping Plan. December 2008 19 California Air Resources Board. California GHG Emissions - Forecast (2002- 2020). October. 2010 20 California Air Resources Board. Scoping Plan Measures Implementation Timeline. October 2010 21 South Coast Air Quality Management District. Rule 1403: Asbestos Emissions from Demolition /Renovation Activities. Amended October 5, 2007 22 California Department of Toxic Substances. Draft Lead Report. June 2004 23 California Department of Toxic Substances Control. EnviroStor. <www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov /public /search.asp> [Accessed May 14, 2013] 24 California State Water Resources Control Board. GeoTracker. <geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov> [Accessed May 14, 2013] 25 California State Water Resources Control Board. Sites Identified with Waste Constituents Above Hazardous Waste Levels Outside the Waste Management Unit. <www.calepa.ca. gov/ SiteCleanup /CorteseList /CurrentList.pdf> [Accessed May 14, 2013] 26 California State Water Resources Control Board. List of Active CDO and CAO. < http : / /www.calepa.ca. gov/ sitecleanup /corteseIist /CDOCAOList.xlsx > [Accessed May 14, 2013] 108 Initial Study 27 California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Hazardous Facilities Subject to Corrective Action. < www. calepa. ca. gov/ SiteCleanup/ CorteseList /SectionA.htm #Facilities> [Accessed May 14, 2013] 28 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 29 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps. <http: // www .fire.ca.gov /fire_prevention/ fire _prevention_wildland_zones.php> [Accessed May 14, 2013] 30 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan. Public Safety and Welfare Element. 2011 31 Riverside County GIS Data. 2011. 32 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 33 California Department of Transportation. Basics of Highway Noise: Technical Noise Supplement. November 2009 34 California Governor's Office of Planning and Research. General Plan Guidelines. 2003 35 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 36 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 37 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. 38 City of Lake Elsinore. General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report. 2011. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -02 109