(03) 2035 LQ GP - CERTIFIED EIR - Section II (2013)Terra Nova/La Quinta General Plan EIR
Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
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LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING II.
Introduction
This Section of the EIR presents the regional and local setting of the General Plan Update, and
sets the stage for the analysis provided in Section III. The environment in which La Quinta is
located is characterized to give the reader a broad description of the issues that influence the City
and its General Plan Update.
Aesthetics A.
The City of La Quinta is located within the Salton Trough, which is a low-lying area that was
once covered by ancient Lake Cahuilla. The topography of the region progresses from the flat
desert floor, where La Quinta is located, to the top of dramatic mountaintops that rise over
10,000 feet. The contrast between the flat desert landscape and the mountain peaks surrounding
it provides views and picturesque landscapes for residents and visitors.
La Quinta is located along the eastern slope of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The Santa Rosa
Mountains are the southern branch of the San Jacinto Mountains. Within these two mountain
ranges is the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The Monument was
created in 2000, in part to preserve the unique biodiversity within the region. The tallest
mountain within this range is Mt. San Jacinto, which rises to an elevation of 10,804 feet. Mt. San
Jacinto is the furthest north peak of the San Jacinto Mountains, and is only visible from the
eastern portion of La Quinta, away from the foothills at the Valley margins.
The Santa Rosa Mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the city’s western boundary. Toro Peak
is the tallest mountain in the Santa Rosa Mountains, rising to 8,717 feet. Closer yet, although
much lower, are the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, known as the Coral Reef Mountains.
The Coral Reef Mountains are located within the La Quinta city boundary and rise about 1,000
feet above sea level. As their name implies, the Coral Reef Mountains look like giant coral reefs
springing up from the valley floor. The Cove area of the City is situated within these mountains.
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Other mountains providing a visual resource for La Quinta include the San Bernardino
Mountains to the northwest, Little San Bernardino Mountains to the north, and the Indio Hills to
the northeast and east.
The General Plan Update will result in growth and development throughout incorporated La
Quinta and the Sphere of Influence, which may cause impacts to existing aesthetic and visual
resources. A detailed analysis of visual impacts is addressed in Section III of this EIR.
Agriculture Resources B.
Agriculture has historically been a major economic sector in the eastern portion of the Coachella
Valley, including La Quinta. Although most of the farms have within the incorporated regions of
La Quinta no longer exist, agriculture is still an economic factor east of the incorporated
boundary, within the proposed Sphere of Influence and beyond.
The Riverside County Important Farmland 2008 Map, developed by the California Department
of Conservation, highlights areas within the Coachella Valley that are important agricultural
producing lands. Prime Farmland includes areas with both good physical and chemical attributes
able to sustain long-term agriculture production. Unique Farmland areas produce crops of
statewide importance; however contain lower quality soils than those within Prime Farmland.
Farmland of Local Importance are lands generally without irrigation, and which produce dry
crops that may be important locally, but are not important for statewide agriculture production.1
A portion of incorporated La Quinta, and land within the proposed Sphere of Influence Planning
Areas, contain lands listed as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, and Farmland of Local
Importance. In total, there are approximately 9,100 acres of such lands within the City limits and
Sphere of Influence.2
The General Plan Update will facilitate new urban development on lands deemed important
agricultural lands by the California Department of Conservation. Section III of this EIR provides
analysis on the potential impacts to agricultural resources from implementation of the proposed
General Plan Update.
1 Riverside County Important Farmland 2008 Map, prepared by California Department of Conservation, 2009. 2 As provided by City of La Quinta Planning Department through Riverside County Important Farmland GIS
Data, http://redirect.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/fmmp/county_info_results.asp.
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Air Quality and Greenhouse Gasses C.
Air quality in a given location is influenced by the type and concentration of pollutants emitted
local and regionally. The Coachella Valley, including the City of La Quinta, is located within
the Salton Sea Air Basin (SSAB). The SSAB shares a boundary with the San Diego Air Basin to
the west, the South Coast Air Basin to the northwest, and the Mojave Desert Air Basin to the
north. The SCAQMD is responsible for establishing the criteria by which air quality is measured
in the Coachella Valley.
In the Coachella Valley, air quality has deteriorated over the last few decades due to increased
development and construction activities both locally and regionally. While local emissions of
pollutants affect air quality in the Coachella Valley, some of the air quality degradation can be
attributed to sources outside of the SSAB, particularly from within the South Coast Air Basin,
located west of the region.
Of all the criteria pollutants, ozone and suspended particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) are the most
prevalent in the Coachella Valley; other pollutants are not believed to constitute significant
threats to public health. Ozone and PM10 concentrations are recorded at monitoring stations in
Indio and the Palm Springs International Airport. Data collected at local monitoring stations
show a downward trend in amount of days over ozone and PM10 thresholds, however the Salton
Sea Basin continues to be classified as a “serious” ozone non-attainment area.
The 2007 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) was prepared to satisfy the State
Implementation Plan requirements of the Clean Air Act, due to non-attainment status. In regards
to PM10 levels, the region has also historically been designated as a serious non-attainment area
for PM10, however due to new monitoring techniques that discount strong wind events, the
SCAQMD has worked on re-designating the area from non-attainment to attainment for PM10. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved SCAQMD’s PM10 Redesignation
Request and Maintenance Plan in February 2010. This Plan details how the Coachella Valley is
to proceed to improve its status from serious non-attainment to attainment for the PM10 National
Ambient Air Quality Standard.
In addition to criteria pollutants, the emission of greenhouse gases also affects local and regional
air quality. The City of La Quinta has prepared a comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction plan
in order to systematically identify emission sources and reduce emission levels. The City, in
keeping with AB 32, has set a reduction target of 10% below 2005 levels for the year 2020. The
2005 inventory estimated that community wide emissions totaled 460,946 metric tons of CO2e.
Therefore, in order to achieve 2020 reduction targets, community wide emissions of GHG’s will
have to be reduced to 414,852 metric tons of CO2e.
The 2035 General Plan Update will facilitate new growth in the region, which may impact air
quality. Section III of this EIR will address the potential impacts on air quality.
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Climate D.
La Quinta is located in a subtropical desert characterized by hot dry summers and cool dry
winters. The City’s climate is a direct result of the local geography and topography of the region.
La Quinta is located in the low-lying Coachella Valley on the eastern side of the San Jacinto and
San Bernardino Mountains. These mountains form a barrier between the moister coastal region
to the west and the dry desert regions to the east and southeast. The mountains create a rain
shadow effect on the Coachella Valley and reduce the amount of precipitation the Valley
receives from winter storms that originate over the Pacific Ocean. Although the region remains
dry most days of the year, the Valley does experience periodic rainfall from strong winter storms
and summer monsoon thunderstorms.
The City of La Quinta experiences a dry subtropical desert climate. According to the Western
Regional Climate Center, which measures average temperature and rainfall at the nearby Indio
Fire Station, the average annual maximum temperature for the local area is 88.9° degrees, and
average annual minimum temperature is 58.0° degrees.3 The region is characterized by summers
with temperatures reaching well over 100° degrees during the day and staying above 70° degrees
at night. July is the warmest month in La Quinta, with average maximum temperatures reaching
107° degrees. January is the coolest month, with average maximum temperature reaching 70.6°
degrees. The coolest average minimum temperature also occurs in January, and reaches 39.1°
degrees. The surrounding mountain temperatures are cooler than those on the valley floor, and
typically experience a 5° degree Fahrenheit drop per 1,000-foot increase in elevation.4
La Quinta experiences periodic rainfall events primarily during the winter and summer seasons.
The average annual rainfall is 3.31 inches per year. During the winter months, La Quinta
receives an average of 2.01 inches of rainfall, with January typically being the wettest month.
Winter rains are a result of low-pressure systems dropping south from the Gulf of Alaska and
into Southern California. During El Nino years, the region can experience extended days of
strong winter storms.
Summer rainfall in the Valley occurs as a result of the monsoon season, which extends from July
through September when moist southeasterly winds draw moisture into the region from the Gulf
of California and Mexico. La Quinta averages 0.70 inches of rainfall during the summer, with
September averaging the most summer precipitation of 0.30 inches. Summer monsoon storms
tend to be localized thunderstorm events that can drop heavy rainfall over short periods of time.5
3 Western Regional Climate Center, http://www.wrcc.dri.edu 4 “Technical Background Report to the Safety Element of La Quinta 2035 General Plan Update”, prepared by
Earth Consultants, Inc., June 2010. 5 “Technical Background Report to the Safety Element of La Quinta 2035 General Plan Update”, prepared by
Earth Consultants, Inc., June 2010.
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Biological Resources E.
The Planning Area is located within the Colorado Desert Sub-unit of the Sonoran Desert. The
desert climate limits the types of vegetation that can be supported, and native vegetation is
typically sparse. In higher elevations conditions are less extreme, with milder temperatures and
higher annual rainfalls, which support a wider variety of plant and animal life.
In the Planning Area, naturally occurring habitat has largely disappeared as a result of agriculture
and urban development. Vegetation in the City primarily takes the form of non-native landscape
materials. However, native habitat is present on the slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains. In these
areas, development potential has been limited by topography and restrictions on land use applied
by local jurisdictions, including the City and County, through the application of Open Space land
use designations, as well as through the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation
Plan (MSHCP).
The Planning Area is within the boundaries of the MSHCP, a regional planning effort that
addresses the conservation of 27 species and 24 vegetation communities on more than 1.2
million acres in the Coachella Valley. The MSHCP has identified conservation areas throughout
the Coachella Valley. In La Quinta, these are limited to lands in the Santa Rosa Mountains and
its foothills, and are designated as Natural Open Space. Development on lands outside
conservation areas is subject to payment of mitigation fees through the MSHCP. The MSHCP is
further discussed in Section III-D.
As noted above, native vegetation in the City is most common within foothills, drainages and
streams within and near the mountains. The most common native plant community in the
Planning Area is Sonoran Creosote Bush Scrub, dominated by Creosote Bush, Burrobush,
Brittlebush and similar common species. Other native plant communities include Sonoran Mixed
Woody and Succulent Scrub, and Desert Dry Wash Woodland.
In the northern area of the City, windblown sandy habitat, including desert dunes and sand field
habitats, have given way to stabilized sand habitats as a result of development. Natural
communities have been degraded by the dominance of non-native and invasive species, and
remaining vacant parcels are generally isolated. There are no sand field habitats within the City
that have been identified for preservation in the MSHCP.
Desert Saltbush Scrub is prevalent in the Sphere. This plant community generally occurs on
poorly drained soils with high salinity or alkalinity, as is common on agricultural lands which
have lain fallow for long periods.
Common Wildlife Species
There are a variety of common wildlife species in the Planning Area, which are supported by
disturbed sand fields, saltbush scrub, agricultural and urban landscaping. Common species also
occur in habitats on the southern and eastern edges of the Planning Area which have been less
disturbed.
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Common insect species include Harvester Ants, Creosote Bush Grasshopper and Black Widow
Spider. Common amphibians include California Toad and Pacific Tree Frog. Common reptiles
found in the Planning Area include Zebra-tailed Lizard, Desert Horned Lizard, California
Kingsnake and Colorado Desert Sidewinder. A variety of birds are found in La Quinta and its
Sphere; these include the House Finch and House Sparrow, Abert’s Towhee, Mourning Dive and
Red-tailed Hawk. Common mammals include bats, the Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Pocket Mouse
and California Ground Squirrel.
Sensitive Species
Special status species are those that are considered threatened or endangered under the California
or federal Endangered Species Act. Several special status species are known to occur in the City
or Sphere of Influence, most notably the Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard, Burrowing Owl,
and Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. In addition to these species, habitat has been modeled for
Coachella Valley milkvetch, Desert Tortoise and Palm Springs Pocket Mouse, although these
species have not been observed in the City or Sphere. A complete discussion of sensitive species
thought to occur in the Planning Area is included in Section III-D.
Cultural Resources F.
Cultural resources within the La Quinta General Plan Update Planning Area, includes
paleontological remnants, artifacts from prehistoric cultures and more recent cultures, and
culturally important buildings and structures.
During the late Miocene and early Pliocene era, or approximately 5 million years ago, the Salton
Trough was an extension of the Gulf of California. Fossils from this time period have been found
in sediment in the northern portion of the Coachella Valley, including the Painted Hills, Garnet
Hill, and two places in the Indio Hills. In more recent time, repeated inundation of ancient Lake
Cahuilla has resulted in the identification of fossils of snails and mollusks in the City and Sphere.
Early human settlement occurred throughout California approximately 8,000 to 12,000 years
ago, during the beginning of the Holocene period. Native Americans occupied lands throughout
the Coachella Valley during these ancient times. Historical records show that early Native
American peoples in the Coachella Valley were from the Takic speaking Cahuilla tribe. Among
this tribe were separate groups including the Pass Cahuilla, who occupied the modern day San
Gorgonio Pass and Palm Springs area, the Mountain Cahuilla, who occupied the San Jacinto and
Santa Rosa Mountains, and the Desert Cahuilla, who occupied the eastern Coachella Valley,
which includes modern day La Quinta.
The first noted European explorations in the Coachella Valley occurred in 1823-1825 when
Spanish explorers Jose Romero, Jose Maria Estudillo and Romualdo Pacheco led expeditions to
find a route to current day Yuma, Arizona. These explorers traveled through the Coachella
Valley on what was known as the Cocomaricopa Trail, which was an ancient Indian trading
route. By the 1860’s, other European explorers, including William David Bradshaw, began
traveling along the Cocomaricopa Trail and renamed it the Bradshaw Trail. Throughout the late
1800’s, the Bradshaw Trail was a commonly utilized route, until the completion of the Southern
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Pacific Railroad in 1876. By the 1870’s non-native settlements began to occur across the
Coachella Valley, as new federal laws, including the Homestead Act and Desert Land Act,
opened lands for new settlers. The discovery of underground water sources began to increase
farming activities throughout the Valley in the early 20th century. By 1910, the date palm
industry began to flourish in the region.
Tourism reached La Quinta and the Coachella Valley in the 1920’s, as the rich and famous of
Hollywood began coming to the Valley to enjoy the beautiful scenery and climate. The La
Quinta Resort was developed in 1926 and became a focus of the local economy.
The entire Coachella Valley began to boom after World War II, as more residents and visitors
came to the area in pursuit of desert living and to enjoy newly developed golf facilities. Today,
La Quinta continues to experience new growth and development based on this tradition.6
The General Plan Update will facilitate future growth in the City and Sphere of Influence
Planning Areas. New development has the potential to impact cultural resources by both
affecting identified cultural resources and those that may become unearthed due to grading
activities. Section III of this EIR will address the impacts associated with cultural resources
within the City of La Quinta and the Sphere of Influence Planning Areas.
Geology and Soils G.
Geology
The Planning Area is located in a geologically complex and seismically active region. Much of
Southern California, including the Coachella Valley and La Quinta, occurs along the boundary of
the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. These plates slide past each other in a
northwesterly direction at a rate of approximately 2.5 inches annually, forming the San Andreas
Fault system. Based on the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes, and its influence over
seismic hazards in the area, the San Andreas is considered the “Master Fault” in Southern
California. The Southern segment of the San Andreas fault zone passes approximately 4 miles to
the northwest of the Planning Area.
The Planning Area is also located in proximity to other active fault zones, including the San
Jacinto fault zone, which occurs approximately 16 miles to the south, as well as other smaller
faults. The Planning Area is subject to seismic risks from several types of earthquake-producing
faults. In addition to strong groundshaking from earthquakes, geological hazards that may affect
the Planning Area include liquefaction, rockfall, and seismically induced settlement.
Section III-F, Geology and Soils, provides a detailed discussion of faults and associated hazards
with potential to impact the Planning Area.
6 “Cultural Resources Technical Report for City of La Quinta General Plan (2010 Update), prepared by CRM
Tech, July 8,2010.
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Soils
Soils in the Planning Area are generally Holocene-age7 soils, comprised of alluvial, or
waterborne sand and gravel, lacustrine (lake) sediments, and Aeolian (windborne) sandy soils in
the valley portion of the Planning Area. Older, harder, crystalline rock that occurs in the
mountains weathers and forms boulders or further erodes. The latter creates fine particles that are
carried along canyons and drainages downslope, and are deposited as alluvial fans at the base of
mountain slopes.
The Planning Area and region were inundated by ancient Lake Cahuilla as recently as 400 years
ago. Lacustrine deposits may be up to 300 feet thick, and may form clay soils in the valley areas
where these soils alternate in layers with alluvial fan sediments and rock debris from the adjacent
mountains.
There are eleven primary soil series that have been mapped as occurring in the Planning Area.
Nine of these are formed in alluvium: Carrizo Stony Sand, Carsitas Sands, Coachella Sands,
Fluvents, Gravel Pits and Dumps, Gilman Sands and Loams, Indio Loams, Myoma Fine Sands,
Salton Fine Sandy Loam. Except for Salton Fine Sandy Loam, these soils are generally well-
drained. Two other soil types, Rock Outcrop and Rubble Lands dominate the western and
southern portions of the Planning Area, in and near the Santa Rosa Mountains and alluvial fans.
Much of the valley, including the Planning Area, is subject to high winds, which lift soils from
alluvial fans along the base of mountain slopes and canyons and other areas where loose, sandy
soils occur. These sediments are carried along the central axis of the valley, generally from the
northwest to southeast, creating a condition known as “blowsand”. This is further discussed in
Section III-F, Soils/Geology, and in Section III-C, Air Quality. Where these soils are deposited
they are subject to erosion. These soils are also generally considered compressible and
unsuitable for development without the implementation of specialized grading techniques.
A more detailed analysis of constraints and opportunities associated with soils in the Planning
Area is included in Section III-F.
Topography H.
The Coachella Valley and the City of La Quinta are located in a region that is subject to complex
and dynamic geologic forces that have, and continue to shape its dramatically varied topography.
The area is situated at the margin of the Colorado Desert and Peninsular Range physiographic
provinces. Each province comprises a distinct geologic and climatic region that has resulted in
diverse and unique landscapes. The Colorado Desert province, which encompasses the valley
floor portion of the Planning Area, is part of a low-lying basin extending from the Banning Pass
to the border with Mexico. To the southwest, the Planning Area enters the Santa Rosa Mountains
of the Peninsular Ranges province.
7 Deposited within the last 11,000 years.
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Portions of the foothills and eastern and northern facing slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains that
comprise the southern and westernmost Planning Area and create views visible from the lower
elevations. Deeply incised canyons and rocky washes drain the mountains and foothills and
gradually descend into alluvial fans. From the base of the mountains, the Planning Area extends
east and north along the valley floor, gently sloping along a large alluvial fan that forms the Cove
area at the valley margin.
Elevations in the Planning Area range from approximately 190 feet below mean sea level in the
southeastern portion of the eastern Sphere of Influence, to approximately 1,700 feet above mean
sea level on the lower slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Development opportunities and
constraints are informed by the area’s topography, with development generally limited to the
valley floor.
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Exhibit II-1
Topography Map
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Hazards and Hazardous Materials I.
The City of La Quinta is predominantly a residential community with scattered commercial
centers and limited quasi-industrial areas. There are currently no heavy industrial facilities in the
incorporated City or Sphere which generate large quantities of hazardous waste; however smaller
scale hazardous/toxic material generators exist throughout the region. These include dry cleaning
businesses, auto repair shops, gas stations, medical facilities, and pest control companies.
Additionally, many of the large agricultural production areas within the eastern Sphere, and golf
courses found throughout the City, use and store pesticides and fertilizers that can be harmful to
human health. According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, there are no hazardous
waste sites in La Quinta or its Sphere listed under Government Code 65962.5 The closest site
listed is the Foster-Gardner site, which is a fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing plant located in
Coachella.8
There are also numerous transportation corridors running throughout the City and surrounding
area, including Highway 111, State Highway 68, Interstate 10, and the Southern Pacific Railroad.
These routes are used for transporting hazardous materials. The transporting of hazardous
materials along these corridors presents risks associated with the accidental release, spill, or
exposure of hazardous materials on existing and future populations.
The City of La Quinta adopted the Multi-Hazard Functional Plan in 1996 that addresses the
planned response to natural and man-made emergencies, including the release or spill of
hazardous materials.
Section III of this EIR will further discuss the impacts and precautions associated with hazardous
materials.
Hydrology and Water Quality J.
Hydrology
Although the climate in the Coachella Valley and the Planning Area are generally temperate,
seasonal storms can produce significant amounts of precipitation within short periods of time.
Winter storms are responsible for much of the area’s annual rainfall, and usually occur between
November and April. However, the region and surrounding mountains may also experience
localized thunderstorms at other times, especially during the summer monsoon season. Rapid
snowmelt from the mountains may also result in flooding downslope, including within the
Planning Area.
The Planning Area is subject to flash flooding along natural or man-made channels and sheet
flooding across the valley floor. Although of short duration, flash floods result in high peak
water volumes and velocities, which are frequently intensified by features of the local natural
and built environment. Rocky mountain slopes are steep and generally impervious, allowing for
little infiltration. Water collects rapidly, flowing into channels on the valley floor. Runoff flows
8 www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov, accessed November 2, 2010.
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frequently carry considerable debris such as mud, sand and rock fragments, which may clog
natural or built channels and restrict flow. When channels are impeded by debris or structures, or
when flows exceed channel capacity, sheet flow occurs, with waters overflowing channel banks.
Increased development also diminishes the area available for natural infiltration, replacing them
with buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways.
In addition to rainfall and snowmelt, flooding can also be caused by the failure of water retention
structures such as dams, levees, or above-ground reservoirs as a result of strong groundshaking
from earthquakes. The Planning Area is not considered at risk from inundation from dam
failure. Portions of the Planning Area have potential for flooding hazard from levee damage or
failure along the Whitewater River or from above-ground water storage tanks at higher
elevations within and adjacent to La Quinta. These risks are further discussed in Section III-H,
Hydrology, as well as Section III-F, Geology and Soils.
The Planning Area is characterized by braided, ephemeral streams that disperse at the base of the
mountains, as well as areas of sheet flow, described above. The main watercourse in the valley is
the Whitewater River, which drains an approximate 1,525 square-mile watershed at the Salton
Sea from the San Bernardino, Little San Bernardino, San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains.
The River enters the lowlands near the southern San Gorgonio Pass, flowing southeasterly from
there, and ultimately draining into the Salton Sea, which lies southeast of the Coachella Valley.
In the City of La Quinta, the River is carried within the man-made Coachella Valley Stormwater
Channel.
Historical records collected by the Army Corps of Engineers show that the Whitewater River
experienced numerous large flood events in the 1800s, as well as many damaging floods in the
20th century. In 1965, damaging flood flows in the River in the lower Coachella Valley exceeded
10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). This event stands as the maximum flood of record. The 1939
storm was the largest recorded storm in the Coachella Valley and is considered the standard
project flood for sizing regional flood control facilities. This 1939 storm is roughly considered to
be a 500 year storm.
Based on mapping prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), portions
of the Planning Area are within 100-year flood zones. These primarily include the Coachella
Valley Stormwater Channel as well as other channels and detention basins that serve as
stormwater management facilities. This is further discussed in Section III-H. Areas adjacent to
the stormwater channel, as well as the Cove community, lands south and southeast of Lake
Cahuilla, and portions of the City’s eastern Sphere are FEMA-mapped within the 500-year flood
plain.
Responsibility for analysis and design of flood control structures lies with Riverside County
Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFC&WCD). The Coachella Valley Water
District (CVWD) manages regional facilities, which collect runoff from areas outside the City,
including the mountains. CVWD has broad responsibility for planning, maintenance and
construction of regional facilities’ improvements. Regional facilities in the Planning Area
include the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (Whitewater River Stormwater Channel), the
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La Quinta Evacuation Channel, the Bear Creek System, the East La Quinta Channel and Lake
Cahuilla.
Maintenance of local facilities, which collect runoff from local streets and properties to regional
channels and basins, is the responsibility of the City of La Quinta. The City’s Master Drainage
Plan, updated in 2009, describes local facilities, which include storm drains, culverts and catch
basins within private development and local streets.
There are also several dikes in the Planning Area, which have been constructed to protect
developed areas on the valley floor from runoff from mountain slopes. Three of these dikes were
constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation, and are maintained by CVWD.
Issues related to flooding and hydrology, including a more detailed description of regional and
local flood control facilities, are discussed in Section III-H.
Water Resources/Quality
The Coachella Valley is underlain by a substantial subsurface groundwater basin, or aquifer, in
which groundwater has accumulated over millions of years, primarily from runoff from
surrounding mountains. The aquifer is naturally subdivided by fault barriers into subbasins,
which are further divided into subareas. Most of the Coachella Valley, including the Planning
Area, is underlain by the Whitewater River Subbasin.
Domestic Water Resources
The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provides domestic and irrigation water to the City
and its Sphere. It uses wells to extract groundwater which naturally recharges from runoff from
the mountains. Natural recharge is supplemented by replenishment programs supplying
supplemental water to the Thomas E. Levy Groundwater Recharge Facility near Dike No. 4 and
at the Martinez Canyon Pilot Groundwater Recharge Facility near Martinez Canyon. These
ponds are supplied with imported Colorado River water delivered via the Colorado River
Aqueduct.
Whitewater River Subbasin
The Whitewater River Subbasin generally extends from the Whitewater River in the northwest to
the Salton Sea in the southeast, encompassing approximately 400 square miles. It is estimated
that Subbasin contains approximately 28.9 million acre-feet of water within the first 1,000 feet
below ground surface.9 There are five subareas within the Subbasin: Palm Springs subarea,
Garnet Hill subarea, Thermal subarea, Thousand Palms subarea, and Oasis subarea. The
Thermal subarea underlies the General Plan Planning Area, and is part of the Lower Whitewater
River Subbasin Area of Benefit.10
Since the early 1900s and the growth of agricultural uses in the Coachella Valley, groundwater
use in the Whitewater River Subbasin has been steadily increasing to a point where demand has
9 “Table 1, Engineer’s Report on Water Supply and Replenishment Assessment: Lower Whitewater River
Subbasin Area of Benefit, 2010-2011,” prepared by Coachella Valley Water District, April 2010. 10 “Engineer’s Report on Water Supply and Replenishment Assessment: Lower Whitewater River Subbasin Area
of Benefit, 2010-2011,” prepared by Coachella Valley Water District, April 2010.
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exceeded natural supplies. This condition, known as overdraft, has been exacerbated by
increased development of the Valley, with accompanying demands for water to irrigate
landscaped residential and resort areas and golf courses. CVWD data indicates that total water
demand in the Coachella Valley increased from approximately 96,300 acre-feet per year in 1936,
to 668,900 acre-feet per year in 1999.11 CVWD estimates that in 2009, there was a net loss in
water storage in the lower Whitewater River Subbasin, with total outflows exceeding total
inflows by 23,912 acre-feet.12
Water Quality
The Coachella Valley has generally good to excellent water quality, except where water tables in
the Subbasin are perched or semi-perched and groundwater contains high concentrations of
dissolved solids. Within the Sphere, groundwater quality may also be affected by long-term
discharge associated with septic systems. These impacts are generally less extensive and are
expected to be addressed over the long term as sewer facilities become available to these areas.
These issues are further discussed in Section III-P, Water Resources/Quality.
Existing Land Use K.
La Quinta is located in the desert region of Southern California, about 130 miles east of Los
Angeles in central Riverside County. The City lies in the south central region of the Coachella
Valley, in an area known as the Salton Trough, which is a fault-controlled valley basin with
expansive and varying geography and biological habitats. The City is located approximately two
miles south of Interstate 10, and can be generally described as being bound on the north by
Hovley Lane East, on the south by Avenue 64, on the west and southwest by the Santa Rosa
Mountains, and on the east by Harrison Street.
La Quinta historically has been a resort community attracting visitors from all parts of the
country. Recent growth, however, has focused on residential and retail development, providing
both a permanent home for year-round residents, and a second home for seasonal residents. The
City of La Quinta, and the Coachella Valley in general, are winter destinations for “snowbird”
residents who move to the desert from northern regions to escape the cold. As a result, a large
number of homes built throughout the City are considered second homes.
The existing land uses are indicative of the typical low-density residential neighborhoods,
country club communities, and resort developments across the Coachella Valley. Commercial,
industrial, and community uses also exist, but represent a smaller portion of the city. La Quinta
has set aside almost half of the land uses for open space, parks, and golf course facilities. These
areas provide numerous recreational opportunities and improve the quality of life for all
residents.
11 Table 3-1, “Coachella Valley Urban Water Management Plan,” Coachella Valley Water District, November
2000. 12 “Table 2, Engineer’s Report on Water Supply and Replenishment Assessment: Lower Whitewater River
Subbasin Area of Benefit, 2010-2011,” prepared by Coachella Valley Water District, April 2010.
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The 2002 General Plan currently includes three areas, including incorporated lands, two planning
areas, and the Sphere. Approximately 60% of these lands are designated residential, with 85%
designated as low density residential. The oldest neighborhoods are found in the Cove area, and
include a mixture of single-family and multi-family residences built around a north/south street
grid pattern. Vacant lots are still found in the Cove, and are likely to be developed as residential
in the future. More recent residential development has occurred in the southern portion of La
Quinta, and includes large country club communities, such as PGA West and Trilogy. The
northern residential communities include neighborhoods built at low and medium densities. The
northern subdivisions are more traditional neighborhoods without gates, as opposed to the new
developments found in south La Quinta, that tend to be primarily gated communities. The City’s
high-density residential land uses occur in the northern portion of the City. Areas within the two
planning areas covered by the 2002 General Plan to the east of the City are designated for low
density residential, and include large lot single family development and agricultural activities.
Commercial and office land use designations represent 4% of all land uses within La Quinta.
Mixed/Regional Commercial, Community Commercial and Tourist Commercial designations are
the most prevalent commercial uses, and make up 29%, 22%, and 21% respectively, of all
commercial lands. Commercial uses are located primarily along Washington Street, Highway
111, Jefferson Street, Monroe Street, and within the Village. Land uses found in the
Mixed/Regional Commercial designation include major retail centers with multiple anchor
tenants such as Walmart Supercenter, Costco, Home Depot, Target and Kohls department stores.
Small coffee shops, restaurants banks, service stations and boutique stores also are found in
Mixed/Regional Commercial. Land uses in Community Commercial include larger retail centers,
but have less acreage than retail centers in Mixed/Regional Commercial. Tourist Commercial is
associated with the hospitality and service industry and includes resorts, hotels, timeshares and
tourist commercial. An example of the Tourist Commercial land use is the La Quinta Resort,
which is a historic development in the Cove featuring suites, villas, casitas, pool & spa facilities,
tennis courts, five championship golf courses, and resort dining facilities.
La Quinta provides numerous passive and active recreational opportunities throughout the City,
in the form of open space, parks, and golf courses. Approximately 35% of all lands within La
Quinta are designated areas for community sporting events, golfing, hiking, picnicking,
mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. Lake Cahuilla is a Riverside County operated regional
park located in the southwestern portion of the City, and provides residents with equestrian
facilities, fishing, camping, and a seasonal pool. The open space areas throughout the western
portion of La Quinta include the Santa Rosa and Coral Reef Mountain areas, which provide
passive recreational opportunities.
The City of La Quinta currently does not have industrial designations in its incorporated limits,
however industrial lands are designated in surrounding planning areas. Major community
facilities are also distributed throughout the City, and include fire stations, schools, civic uses,
and major utility facilities.
The 2035 General Plan Update is proposing to consolidate land use designations from the current
2002 General Plan, and will also reduce the existing planning areas into two areas, consisting of
incorporated lands within City Limits and the Sphere of Influence.
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Section III of this EIR will discuss the environmental impacts associated with new 2035 General
Plan Update.
Surrounding Land Use L.
The City of La Quinta and its Sphere are located in the eastern Coachella Valley, along the base
of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The City is surrounded by other local jurisdictions, including the
cities of Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Indio, Coachella, and unincorporated areas of Riverside
County. Land uses within these jurisdictions are very similar to the existing land uses found in
La Quinta. Urban development has spread through the Valley primarily in a northwest to
southeast direction. Therefore areas surrounding the northern portion of the City tend to be more
urbanized than areas surrounding the eastern and southern portions of La Quinta.
The surrounding land uses in the northern portion of La Quinta fall within the jurisdictions of
Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and a small portion of unincorporated Riverside County. The land
uses within these jurisdictions include low-density residential neighborhoods, commercial uses,
and recreation facilities. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which is a 55-acre tennis and
entertainment facility, is located on the west side of Washington Street, between Fred Waring
Drive and Miles Avenue, in the City of Indian Wells.
The cities of Indio and Coachella abut La Quinta to the east and northeast. Land uses include
commercial, residential, and agricultural uses. The City of Indio has numerous large commercial
centers, including the Indio Plaza Shopping Center and the Indio Fashion Mall along Highway
111. Residential uses in Indio and Coachella tend to be more traditional open neighborhoods,
similar to those found in north La Quinta.
The unincorporated communities of Thermal and Vista Santa Rosa lie east of La Quinta. The
Vista Santa Rosa Community is a community recognized on the Riverside County General Plan
as an important producer of date palms, and also provides rural residential uses, equestrian uses
and polo facilities. The Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is located in the westerly portion of
Thermal, just east of the La Quinta Planning Area. Land uses in Thermal include light industrial,
which is generally associated with agriculture production and the airport, as well as scattered
residential and commercial uses.
The lands to the southeast and south of La Quinta are within the County of Riverside, and
include areas subject to Native American Tribal jurisdiction. These lands are primarily used for
agriculture production, rural residential, and open space.
Finally, the land uses surrounding the western border of La Quinta are within the County of
Riverside, and are designated for open space conservation. These lands are located in the Santa
Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, which is a 271,400-acre reserve created in
2000 to preserve important biological resources. The Monument spans from the low desert to
artic alpine lands found on the 10,834-foot San Jacinto Peak. The National Monument provides
hiking opportunities and mountain vistas overlooking the City of La Quinta and the Coachella
Valley.
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Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
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Mineral Resources M.
The Coachella Valley contains valued mineral resources due to the region’s highly active
geologic nature. The numerous earthquake faults throughout the region create massive uplifting
and folding of the land, and expose mineral resources on the surface. Mineral resources found
throughout the region include sand, gravel, crushed stone, copper, limestone, and tungsten. Many
of these resources are important for common construction projects including asphalt, concrete,
road base, stucco and plaster.
The State of California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, identified
areas in the Coachella Valley with important mineral resources, and classified areas into Mineral
Resources Zones. La Quinta and surrounding areas are classified into three zones, including
MRZ-1, MRZ-2, and MRZ-3. The majority of lands within the City and Sphere fall into MRZ-1,
which are areas where no significant mineral deposits are present, or are less likely to occur.
Many of these areas are already developed.
A small area of the City, near Lake Cahuilla, is located in MRZ-2, which includes areas where
significant mineral deposits are present. This area is no longer used for gravel and sand mining
production, but has been developed as The Quarry golf community. The third zone found in La
Quinta includes the MRZ-3 area, which includes the Santa Rosa Mountains, foothills, and the
Cove portion of La Quinta. Lands within this zone contain mineral deposits, however the
significance of these deposits has not been evaluated.13
Future mining within the City of La Quinta and surrounding Sphere of Influence is unlikely due
to the establishment of conservation areas, such as the Santa Rosa Wilderness Area, and due to
existing urbanization.
Section III of this EIR will assess the potential impacts on mineral resources as a result of the
2035 General Plan Update.
Noise N.
Noise pollution is an unseen pollutant created by unwanted or undesired sounds. Excessive noise
levels can create physical and psychological distress and harm to human beings, leading to
temporary or permanent hearing loss, anxiety, high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, and overall
reduction in quality of life. Due to the detrimental effects of excessive noise levels, the State of
California has required local municipalities to include a Noise Element in their General Plans.
Municipalities are also required to have noise ordinances to establish maximum ambient noise
levels for sensitive areas.
13 City of La Quinta General Plan/Master Environmental Assessment, prepared by Terra Nova Planning &
Research, March 20,2002.
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The City of La Quinta currently has a Noise Ordinance and Noise Element within the 2002
General Plan to prevent excessive sound levels, which are detrimental to the public health,
welfare and safety of residents. The Noise Ordinance and Noise Element establish exterior noise
standards for various land uses, and appropriate time periods for construction other types of
noise.
Noise is measured using the decibel (dB) as a unit of measurement, which describes the
amplitude or strength of sound. Most common sounds range from 40 decibels (dB) to 100 dB. A
normal conversation, for example, usually measures around 60 dB at a distance of 3-feet. A jet
engine, on the other hand, can measure up to 110 dB, which is considered very loud and
discomforting. Within the built environment, noise is created from various sources, including
traffic, construction equipment, machinery, and people. The combination of sounds created by
these various sources is called the ambient noise level.
Most municipalities analyze ambient noise levels to accurately measure the amount of noise
affecting sensitive receptors, such as schools, residential units, or hospitals. Ambient noise is
measured using Community Noise Equivalency Level (CNEL) units, which is a weighted
average of the intensity of sounds over a 24-hour period. CNEL accounts for time of day and
adds additional decibels during sensitive periods, such as between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The CNEL
weighted decibel unit is called dBA. The City of La Quinta has determined that a CNEL of less
than 65 dBA of exterior noise is acceptable for sensitive receptors.14
The City and Sphere are affected by noise from both mobile and stationary sources. Noise
generated from vehicular traffic is the largest contributor of ambient noise in the City, however
noise levels are also elevated due to nearby railway traffic, airplanes, construction activities and
mechanical equipment. These noises can present a nuisance to sensitive receptors, including
residential uses, hospitals, day care facilities, and schools. Various noise attenuation methods,
including the use of double paned windows, walls, landscaping, and other construction
techniques can help reduce the amount of exterior noise reaching sensitive receptors.
Future development proposed by the General Plan Update will continue to increase ambient
noise levels within the La Quinta Planning Area. Section III of this EIR further addresses the
existing and build out noise environment, and potential noise impacts associated with the
implementation of the General Plan Update.
Population and Housing O.
The 2010 Census accounted for a total of 23,489 dwelling units within the City of La Quinta, and
an estimated population of 37,467. The total number of occupied dwelling units within the City
was identified as 14,820. Thus, nearly 37 percent of all housing units within La Quinta were
unoccupied in 2010. The relatively high vacancy rate is largely due to seasonal, recreational, or
occasional use homes, which account for 27.5% of all housing units. Although seasonal,
14 City of La Quinta General Plan/Master Environmental Assessment, prepared by Terra Nova Planning &
Research, March 20, 2002.
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Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
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recreational, and occasional residents generate a demand for services and utilize local
infrastructure and utilities, they are not accounted for in the La Quinta population figure of
37,467.
The 2010 population size of 37,467 and the 14,820 occupied dwelling units yield an average
household size of 2.53. In order to estimate the full occupancy population for the City of La
Quinta, the per household population size of 2.53 was multiplied by the existing number of
dwelling units (23,489). Thus, the full occupancy population size of La Quinta in 2010 was
approximately 59,427 people.
In 2010, the Sphere of Influence contained 801 dwelling units. Assuming a population size of
2.53 and full occupancy, the Sphere’s 2010 population was 2,027 people.
The overall Planning Area contained an estimated 24,290 dwelling units in 2010, which could
support a total population size of 61,454 people.
Public Services and Utilities P.
The City of La Quinta and its and Sphere of Influence are served by a range of public service and
facilities, such as local and regional governmental services, special districts, public utilities, and
associated services and facilities. The following identifies the various public services and utilities
that are available within the City of La Quinta and the Sphere.
Fire Protection
Fire protection services within the City and Sphere are provided by the Riverside County Fire
Department through a contractual agreement with the City. There are a total of six stations
available to respond to calls within the Planning Area, all staffed by full-time, paid firefighters as
well as volunteers. There are three City-owned stations in the City of La Quinta. Three additional
stations within the County Fire Department system are available for emergency response: one in
Indian Wells, one in Indio, and a third at the Jacqueline Cochran Airport, east of the City’s
eastern Sphere. The County dispatches calls through its centralized Emergency Command
Center, which determines the responding station(s) based on location and need. In 2010, stations
averaged a response time of between 5 and 7 minutes. The County also uses its dispatch system
to provide ambulance services through its service provider, American Medical Response (AMR).
Police Protection
The City contracts annually with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for police services,
as it has since its incorporation in 1982. Within City limits, the Department operates as the La
Quinta Police Department, and utilizes dedicated facilities, equipment and personnel. Police
protection through the Sheriff’s Department also extends to the City’s Sphere. The Sheriff’s
Department provides police protection throughout the Planning Area on a 24-hour basis. There
are two Police Department offices in the City. The Sheriff’s Department also uses a third
location, within the community of Thermal, for police services as well as jail facilities. The
City’s 2010 contract with the Sheriff’s Department provides for the equivalent of 50.75 sworn
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Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
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officers and 5 community service officers. The Department provides a variety of services within
the Planning Area. These are further described in Section III-M.
Solid Waste Management
Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services, LLC (Burrtec), provides solid waste disposal in the City
through a franchise agreement with the City. Solid waste collected in La Quinta is transported to
the Edom Hill Transfer Station to the west in the City of Cathedral City. From Edom Hill, waste
is transported to one of three regional landfills: Lamb Canyon, Badlands or El Sobrante, each of
which has remaining long-term capacity. Burrtec also provides solid waste recycling in the City
to residential and commercial customers; green waste recycling is also available.
Domestic Water
Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is the domestic and irrigation water provider to the
City and most of the Sphere of Influence. It sources most of its water supplies from groundwater,
which is extracted through a system of wells located throughout the region, including La Quinta.
CVWD also imports water to recharge the aquifer, using recharge basins located near Palm
Springs and south and east of the Planning Area at the Thomas E. Levy Groundwater Recharge
Facility near Dike No. 4 and at the Martinez Canyon Pilot Groundwater Recharge Facility near
Martinez Canyon. CVWD’s water distribution system is generally located in public rights of way
under existing streets. There are 10 existing or planned CVWD water storage tanks in the
Planning Area.
California Water Code requires that CVWD prepare and periodically update an Urban Water
Management Plan (UWMP) to analyze its current and future water supply. The UWMP is
intended to ensure that sufficient supplies are available to serve land uses within its management
area.
Wastewater Services
In addition to domestic water services, CVWD provides the City with wastewater collection and
treatment facilities. Sewer collection facilities are available in most areas of the City and Sphere
of Influence, although septic systems are still utilized in some areas, primarily in the Sphere.
CVWD has a system of wastewater lines throughout local streets, as well as force mains within
major roadways. There are two CVWD wastewater treatment plants serving the City. Water
Reclamation Plant 7 (WRP-7), serves the portion of the City north of Miles Avenue. Lands in the
City and Sphere located south of Miles Avenue are served by Water Reclamation Plant No. 4.
WRP-7 has the added capability to process wastewater to tertiary levels (suitable for irrigation).
There is no tertiary treatment available at Water Reclamation Plant No. 4.
Schools
The Planning Area lies within the boundaries of two public school districts. The Desert Sands
and the Coachella Valley Unified School Districts (DSUSD and CVUSD, respectively) each
provide public education for students in grades Kindergarten through 12 to students within their
district boundaries.
DSUSD serves students located west of Jefferson Street and north of Avenue 48. This includes
the City’s northern Sphere of Influence. There are seven DSUSD schools in La Quinta, including
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Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
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three elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and one alternative school. In
addition, the District’s administrative offices are located in the City, on Dune Palms Road, south
of Highway 111. DSUSD also provides early childhood education, after school programs. and
special education services. It further serves adult GED, English as a second language, and
citizenship students.
Students residing east of Jefferson Street and south of Avenue 48, including the City’s eastern
Sphere of Influence, are served by CVUSD. There are two CVUSD schools in the Planning
Area, including one elementary school and one middle school. Additional schools are located
outside the Planning Area. CVUSD also operates an adult school that offers special education
and tutoring services, as well as vocational training, preparation for GED testing, and citizenship
classes.
There are three regional higher education institutions located in the nearby City of Palm Desert.
These include the College of the Desert, a community college with associates degree and adult
education programs; California State University, San Bernardino and the University of
California, Riverside, each of which offers undergraduate and Master’s degree programs.
Libraries
The La Quinta Library is located at 78-275 Calle Tampico. The City owns the library facility,
which is operated by Riverside County. The Library contains 89,060 volumes within a 20,000
square foot space. Although the City has not established a standard for library facilities, the
County Library system aims for an un-adopted standard of two volumes per capita. Based on this
standard, existing library facilities are sufficient to serve the current population.
Medical Facilities
In addition to a variety of small clinics and local physician’s offices throughout the Coachella
Valley, there are three major regional health care facilities, all available to serve the Planning
Area. These are briefly described below:
John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in the City of Indio is a 158-bed facility. It has a 24-
hour emergency room, maternity care and pediatric services, an ambulatory surgery center, and
an outpatient rehabilitation center. It also offers imaging services, orthopedic and joint
replacement services, cardiovascular services, and a sports medicine program.
Eisenhower Medical Center
The Eisenhower Medical Center (EMC) in Rancho Mirage includes a 313-bed hospital on its
130-acre campus. EMC also houses an emergency room, as well as the Annenberg Center for
Health Sciences, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, and the Betty Ford Center.
EMC recently completed the 92,000 square foot Eisenhower George and Julia Argyros Health
Center in La Quinta, which includes an outpatient facility, express clinic, a pharmacy, laboratory,
primary care physicians’ offices, an executive wellness program, and an imaging center.
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Desert Regional Medical Center
The Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Palm Springs is located approximately 20 miles
east of La Quinta. DRMC houses 367 beds, providing general medical facilities, inpatient and
outpatient rehabilitation services and the Level II Richards Emergency Trauma Center staffed 24
hours a day, seven days a week with at least one physician. DRMC is the only designated
Trauma Center in the Coachella Valley.
Municipal Facilities
The City provides municipal services and programs to the community through a variety of
municipal facilities. These include City Hall, the Senior Center, the La Quinta Library and the La
Quinta Museum. With the exception of the Museum, these facilities are clustered within or near
the City Civic Center complex, located at 78-495 Calle Tampico. The City also owns a
municipal golf course and several parks facilities, which are further described in Sections II-Q
and III-N, Recreational Resources.
Telephone and Telecommunications
Verizon serves as the primary telephone (land line) provider in the City. Given improvements in
technology and decreased regulation in telephone service, the public now has access to a variety
of choices, including cable-based and cellular services. New technologies are expected to
continue to develop that will ensure the adequate provision of telephone and telecommunications
to residences, businesses and other users in the Planning Area.
Electricity
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) provides electric power to the Planning Area. IID delivers
power through generation as well as through contractual agreements with other providers. It has
substations throughout the City, from which it steps down voltage for distribution to its
customers. Residential uses account for the highest demand for electric power in the Planning
Area.
Natural Gas
The Gas Company provides natural gas where facilities are available within the Planning Area.
Although there are major supply lines in Washington Street and Highway 111, service is limited
in some portions of La Quinta and its Sphere. This is true of areas south of Airport Boulevard
and east of Monroe Street, as well as parts of the Cove community, and some older
developments in the Sphere. Residents in these areas rely on propane gas purchased from private
firms.
Potential impacts to public services and utilities from implementation of the proposed General
Plan Update are analyzed in Section III-M.
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Recreation Q.
Approximately 35% of all lands in the 2002 General Plan planning area are designated for open
space, parks, and/or golf courses. Approximately 53% of lands within incorporated La Quinta
alone are designated with land uses that support recreation.15 Recreational services and facilities
are operated and maintained by four agencies, including the Riverside County Regional Parks
and Open Space District, the City of La Quinta Community Services Department, the Desert
Recreation District, and the Bureau of Land Management. In addition, there are many privately
owned golf courses throughout the City.
The largest recreational opportunity in La Quinta is golf. Golf courses and golf clubs in the City
hold various tournaments throughout the year, including the Humana Challenge, formerly the
Bob Hope Classic.16
One of the largest parks within the City of La Quinta is the Lake Cahuilla County Park. Lake
Cahuilla is an 845-acre park located in the southwestern portion of incorporated La Quinta. The
County of Riverside operates and maintains the facility. Recreational opportunities at Lake
Cahuilla include fishing, equestrian trails, camping, horse camps, and hiking. There is no
swimming allowed at the lake, however a seasonal swimming pool is open during the summer.
The Desert Recreation District owns and operates the La Quinta Community Park in La Quinta.
This 6.5-acre park includes a 5,000 square foot community center, baseball diamonds, basketball
courts, a playground and picnic pavilion.
The La Quinta Senior Center is owned and operated by the City, and was built in 1994 to provide
educational and recreational opportunities for local seniors. The 10,500 square foot facility
includes multi-purpose rooms, kitchen, computer lab, health center, and other senior serving
amenities.
The City of La Quinta Community Services Department maintains numerous small pocket parks,
neighborhood parks, community parks, and trails throughout incorporated portions of the City.
Pocket parks are generally less than one acre, and provide small playgrounds, tot lots, and
passive seating areas. These small parks tend to be built within neighborhoods and serve local
residents. Neighborhood parks are larger than pocket parks, but also are built to serve residents
in local neighborhoods. These parks are generally two to ten acres and offer walkways, benches,
and picnic areas, as well as active recreational opportunities such as playing fields, basketball
courts, and playgrounds.
Community parks are larger scale parks and provide regional recreational opportunities for
residents in La Quinta as well as the surrounding region. These parks generally range in size
from twenty to forty acres and include large sport complexes that provide lighted multi-purpose
fields, public restrooms, snack bars and shade structures. The City has joint ownership with
15 “City of La Quinta General Plan/Master Environmental Assessment”, prepared by Terra Nova Planning &
Research, March 20, 2002. 16 http://www.playinlaquinta.com/golf.html
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Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
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Desert Sand Unified School District for the La Quinta Sports Complex, which is an 18.2-acre
community park located off Avenue 50 near Washington Street.
The City has also coordinated with Family YMCA of the Desert to maintain the swimming pool
at Fritz Burns Park, located near Avenue 52 and Avenida Bermudas.
The City has developed Class I, II, and III facilities for cyclists and pedestrian use. Existing bike
routes link all portions of the city, including from the southern boundary to the northern city
limits.
Bear Creek Path, located in the western portion of the Cove provides a popular paved walking
trail along Bear Creek. In addition, there are numerous unpaved trails that provide access to open
space areas. The Bear Creek Canyon Trail in the southern portion of the Cove provides hikers
with approximately 4.5 miles of trail into the Santa Rosa Wilderness Area. Other trails in the
region include the Boo Hoff Trail and the Cove to Lake Trail, which links Lake Cahuilla Park
with the Cove.17
The City of La Quinta is located adjacent to some of the most expansive open space areas within
the Coachella Valley. The southwestern portion of the City borders the Santa Rosa Wilderness
Area, which is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.
The General Plan Update will facilitate new growth and development in incorporated La Quinta
and its Sphere of Influence. As growth and development occur, additional park and recreation
facilities will be needed. Section III of this EIR further discusses the impacts that growth will
have on recreation resources.
Transportation/Traffic R.
The pattern of the regional transportation network in the Coachella Valley has been affected by
geographic orientation, topography and climate. Several major roadways accommodate regional
traffic in the Coachella Valley, and include the U.S. Interstate-10 freeway, and Highways 111,
86, 74 and 62. U.S. Interstate-10 connects the Coachella Valley with the Los Angeles-Riverside-
San Bernardino metropolitan areas to the west, and Phoenix to the east. Highway 111 is an
essential intra-valley roadway which connects the Coachella Valley with the Imperial Valley to
the southeast. Highway 74 connects the central Coachella Valley with mountain communities,
southwestern Riverside County and northern San Diego County. State Highway 86 also provides
important regional access to the eastern Coachella Valley and the Imperial Valley, while
Highway 62 connects the valley to communities in the high desert Morongo Basin to the
northwest.
The City of La Quinta and the Coachella Valley have continued to be one of the fastest growing
regions in California. Major traffic corridors in the General Plan study area include Highways
17 “Parks and Trails”, http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=19, accessed June 28, 2011.
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111 and 86, and other planning area roadways such as Washington Street, Fred Waring Drive
and Jefferson Street.
Within the City and planning area, the road network essentially follows a north-south/east-west
grid with interconnections to major arterials. North-south traffic is channeled through major
arterials such as Washington Street and Jefferson Street, while other arterial streets such as Fred
Waring Drive and Avenue 52 convey east-west traffic. The roadway network in the City and
unincorporated portions of the planning area is only partially built out.
Roadway Segments and Intersections
A wide range of City and planning area roadways have been analyzed in the General Plan Traffic
Study, which is reproduced in Appendix H of this EIR. This analysis shows that several roadway
segments in the planning area are heavily congested, including portions of Washington Street,
Fred Waring Drive and Highway 111.
The General Plan traffic analysis studied existing conditions along sixty-three (63) roadway
segments and at thirty-seven (37) of the major intersections in the planning area. The assessment
of existing conditions indicates that all but two of the 37 intersections analyzed are operating at
Level of Service (LOS) C or better. The exceptions are the intersections of Washington Street at
Highway 111 and Madison Street at 50th Avenue, which are currently operating at LOS D. An
analysis of current operations along the 63 roadway segments analyzed indicates that all are
operating at LOS A, with the exception of three segments on Washington Street and one segment
on Highway 111 that are operating at LOS B.
Current and future traffic conditions and demand are further addressed in Section III-O.
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Section II. Regional Environmental Setting
II-1
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ............................................................................................. II-1
II.
AESTHETICS ................................................................................................................................................... II-1
A.
AGRICULTURE RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................ II-2
B.
AIR QUALITY AND GREENHOUSE GASSES ...................................................................................................... II-3
C.
CLIMATE ........................................................................................................................................................ II-4
D.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................ II-5
E.
CULTURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................. II-6
F.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS ..................................................................................................................................... II-7
G.
TOPOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................................. II-8
H.
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ...................................................................................................... II-11
I.
HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................. II-11
J.
EXISTING LAND USE .................................................................................................................................... II-14
K.
SURROUNDING LAND USE ............................................................................................................................ II-16
L.
MINERAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. II-17
M.
NOISE ........................................................................................................................................................... II-17
N.
POPULATION AND HOUSING ......................................................................................................................... II-18
O.
PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES ................................................................................................................. II-19
P.
RECREATION ................................................................................................................................................ II-23
Q.
TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC ......................................................................................................................... II-24
R.
Exhibit II-1 Topography Map ................................................................................................... II-10