(2.3) 2035 LQ General Plan - Chapter II (11.19.13) - LIVABLE COMMUNITY
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐135
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
PURPOSE
The
Livable
Community
Element
is
not
a
state
mandated
element,
but
is
an
element
that
La
Quinta
believes
is
important
to
the
long
term
quality
of
life
of
its
residents.
Many
components
of
the
natural
and
man-‐made
environment
are
a
part
of
creating
a
livable
community:
the
conservation
of
natural
resources,
including
water
conservation;
the
reduction
of
air
pollution
and
greenhouse
gases;
high
quality
community
design
and
the
replacement
of
inefficient
appliances
and
fixtures
in
existing
homes
and
businesses;
efficient
use
of
the
car,
and
the
expansion
of
other,
non
motorized
means
of
transportation;
and
healthy
living
practices
which
help
to
improve
the
health
of
residents.
This
Element
will
help
the
City
build
a
more
cohesive
community
through
the
conservation
of
resources,
enhancement
of
the
built
environment,
encouraging
transportation
options
that
do
not
rely
as
much
on
the
automobile,
and
improving
the
community’s
health.
Many
programs
are
already
being
implemented
in
La
Quinta.
There
are
existing
examples
of
buildings
and
landscapes
that
have
been
designed
using
resource
conserving
techniques,
including
the
Vista
Dunes
Courtyard
Apartments.
The
Vista
Dunes
complex
provides
design
elements
and
features
that
reduce
energy
demands,
provide
renewable
energy,
and
reduce
water
demand.
A
number
of
other
programs
are
described
further
below.
Within
this
General
Plan,
this
Element
relates
to
the
broadest
range
of
elements,
including
Land
Use,
Circulation,
Parks
and
Recreation,
Open
Space,
Air
Quality,
Water
Resources
and
Public
Facilities.
Many
of
the
concepts
and
programs
in
this
Element
are
interconnected
with
State
Building
Codes,
Regional
Water
Plans,
and
the
City’s
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐136
BACKGROUND
The
City
of
La
Quinta
has
grown
for
a
number
of
reasons,
including
its
wide
range
of
housing
stock,
its
varied
economic
base,
and
its
natural
setting.
As
the
City
continues
to
grow,
it
is
important
that
its
assets
be
preserved
and
enhanced,
and
that
future
residents,
visitors
and
business
people
experience
the
same
quality
of
life
as
past
and
current
residents
have.
An
important
tool
available
to
the
City
in
maintaining
and
enhancing
quality
of
life
is
its
ability
to
provide
choices
to
residents,
visitors
or
businesses.
These
choices
include
whether
a
family
wants
to
live
in
a
home,
an
apartment
or
a
condominium;
whether
a
resident
drives,
walks,
bicycles
or
takes
the
bus
to
work;
or
whether
he
shops
for
food
at
a
supermarket
or
a
farmers’
market.
This
Element
addresses
ways
in
which
the
City
can
sustain
and
enhance
the
natural
and
built
environment
to
assure
that
these
choices
are
available
in
the
future,
and
ultimately
improve
the
quality
of
life
for
everyone
in
La
Quinta.
The
quality
of
our
air
and
water,
the
ability
to
reduce
energy
use
and
save
money,
high
quality
development
options
and
the
improvement
of
all
types
of
transportation
systems
are
all
discussed
below
to
provide
the
broadest
menu
of
options
for
the
City’s
decision
makers
in
the
future.
Conservation
of
Natural
Resources
The
conservation
of
natural
resources
is
a
major
component
of
a
livable
community.
Each
new
development
creates
demands
for
water,
energy,
and
contributes
to
air
pollution
in
the
City
and
region.
Implementing
conservation
measures
will
not
only
help
the
environment,
but
will
also
provide
cost
savings
to
residents
and
business
owners,
and
reduce
the
City’s
own
operational
costs.
Water
Resources
The
City
of
La
Quinta
is
located
in
a
desert,
and
averages
only
3.31
inches
of
rain
per
year.2
As
a
result,
La
Quinta
and
all
communities
in
the
Coachella
Valley
rely
on
groundwater
as
the
primary
source
of
potable
drinking
water
and
irrigation.
Continued
growth
in
the
Valley
has
increased
demand
for
groundwater,
and
has
led
to
a
decline
in
groundwater
levels.
When
more
water
is
pumped
out
of
the
aquifer
than
can
be
replenished,
the
resulting
loss
is
called
“overdraft.”
In
2
“Technical
Background
Report
to
the
Safety
Element
of
La
Quinta
2035
General
Plan
Update”,
prepared
by
Earth
Consultants
International,
Inc.,
June
2010.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐137
2009,
the
CVWD
reported
that
a
total
of
160,000
acre-‐feet
of
water
was
pumped
over
water
replenished,
resulting
in
an
overdraft
of
23,912
acre-‐feet,
in
the
Lower
Whitewater
Subbasin,
which
serves
the
City
and
other
communities
in
the
eastern
Coachella
Valley.
3
Imported
water
from
the
Colorado
River
and
new
replenishment
programs
implemented
by
the
CVWD
have
helped
alleviate
declines,
but
both
rely
on
outside
sources
of
water.
In
2010,
approximately
300,000
acre-‐feet
of
water
per
year
have
been
allocated
from
the
Colorado
River
to
the
eastern
Coachella
Valley,
primarily
for
agricultural
irrigation.
Although
continued
importation
of
water
will
help
to
replenish
the
aquifer,
a
more
resourceful
alternative
is
to
reduce
the
amount
of
water
pumped
by
the
CVWD,
which
will
have
a
direct
impact
on
overdraft.
Conservation
techniques
have
already
been
implemented,
and
new
measures
are
being
developed
to
lower
the
amount
of
water
used
by
each
household
and
business
in
the
City.
Some
of
the
existing
programs
include:
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
Urban
Water
Management
Plan:
The
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
has
developed
programs
for
reducing
water
use
throughout
the
Valley.
Implementation
of
conservation
programs
included
in
the
Plan
have
already
helped
reduce
water
demand,
particularly
through
the
use
of
recycled
water
for
irrigation
at
local
golf
courses.
The
CVWD
also
implemented
its
Landscape
and
Irrigation
System
Design
Criteria
Ordinance
as
a
result
of
the
Plan,
which
provides
specific
guidelines
for
local
communities
to
reduce
overall
water
use,
eliminate
water
flowing
down
streets,
and
establish
limited
grass
allowances
at
local
golf
courses.
The
CVWD
will
continue
to
be
a
source
for
new
programs
geared
toward
water
conservation.
The
CVWD
should
continue
to
expand
the
availability
of
recycled
water,
which
will
expand
the
use
of
non-‐potable
water
for
golf
courses
and
landscaping.
City
Landscape
Ordinance:
The
City
has
already
been
proactive
in
water
conservation
by
incorporating
strict
new
outdoor
3
“Engineer’s
Report
on
Water
Supply
and
Replenishment
Assessment:
Lower
Whitewater
River
Subbasin
Area
of
Benefit”,
CVWD,
April
2010.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐138
water
use
standards
through
the
implementation
of
CVWD’s
landscaping
ordinance.
The
City
adopted
Title
8,
Chapter
8.13
of
the
Municipal
Code,
Water
Efficient
Landscaping,
on
February
5,
2010
to
reduce
water
usage
for
new
and
rehabilitated
landscaping
projects.
The
Ordinance
requires
the
use
of
drought
resistant
and
desert
friendly
plants,
reduced
use
of
turf
and
efficient
irrigation
design
and
equipment.
As
new
technology
is
developed,
the
Ordinance
should
be
updated
to
incorporate
its
use.
1. CalGreen
Code:
As
of
January
1,
2011,
all
qualifying
new
residential
and
nonresidential
buildings
in
California
will
need
to
abide
by
water
saving
measures
called
out
in
the
2010
California
Green
Building
Standards,
or
CalGreen
Codes.
The
CalGreen
Codes
require
that
indoor
water
use
be
reduced
by
20%
through
the
use
of
water
efficient
fixtures.
CalGreen
also
requires
irrigation
controls
that
monitor
soil
and
weather
conditions
and
eliminate
wasteful
watering.
Over
the
next
25
years,
increasingly
stringent
codes
will
further
reduce
water
use.
2. Federal
Water
Saving
Programs:
The
United
States
Environmental
Protection
Agency
has
created
the
WaterSense
label
for
various
products,
including
toilets,
sinks,
showerheads,
and
urinals
that
save
water.
As
an
example,
replacing
an
older
toilet
with
a
WaterSense
labeled
toilet
can
save
nearly
11
gallons
per
toilet
per
day,
or
4,000
gallons
per
year.
A
home
equipped
entirely
with
WaterSense
fixtures
can
save
approximately
10,000
gallons
of
water
per
year.4
Water
conservation
in
La
Quinta
is
essential
to
reduce
the
overdraft
of
local
groundwater,
and
protect
future
resources.
Water
conservation
must
include
all
types
of
water
use
–
from
landscaping
to
indoor
fixtures,
and
must
include
new
and
existing
development.
The
programs
described
above
provide
the
foundation
for
reducing
water
demand.
This
Element
can
allow
the
City
to
expand
programs
that
promote
water
conservation
now
and
into
the
future.
4
www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/index.html,
December
10,
2010.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐139
Stormwater
Runoff
and
Water
Quality
Protection
The
reduction
of
stormwater
runoff,
which
leads
to
surface
water
pollution
and
groundwater
pollution,
is
also
important
to
the
preservation
of
water
resources.
Increased
runoff
and
pollution
is
caused
by
the
increasing
amount
of
non-‐porous
surfaces
found
throughout
the
built
environment.
Natural
environments
allow
water
to
percolate
through
the
soil.
Roads,
parking
lots,
roofs
and
other
non-‐
porous
structures
cause
runoff
to
flow
into
storm
drains,
channels
and
streams.
Non-‐porous
surfaces
collect
pollutants,
such
as
oil,
pesticides,
and
other
chemicals,
which
are
carried
by
runoff
into
local
watersheds,
threatening
water
quality.
In
La
Quinta,
the
Whitewater
River
Channel
is
the
main
collection
point
of
local
runoff.
This
watercourse
is
also
an
important
source
for
groundwater
replenishment.
Increased
contamination
has
the
potential
to
threaten
groundwater
supplies
and
sensitive
habitat,
especially
in
and
around
the
Salton
Sea,
where
the
Whitewater
River
ends.
Existing
state
and
federal
regulations,
including
the
Federal
Clean
Water
Act,
are
working
to
protect
water
quality
and
reduce
runoff
and
pollution.
The
Clean
Water
Act
regulates
runoff
through
the
National
Pollutant
Discharge
Elimination
System
(NPDES).
The
NPDES
regulates
what
are
called
“point
sources”
of
pollution,
which
include
discharge
from
commercial,
industrial,
municipal,
and
other
buildings.
In
La
Quinta,
the
Colorado
River
Basin
Regional
Water
Control
Board
is
responsible
for
the
NPDES
permit
process.
The
Board
also
requires
that
new
development
use
Stormwater
Pollution
Prevention
Plans
(SWPPP)
and
Best
Management
Practices
(BMP)
to
reduce
impacts
from
runoff
during
construction,
and
also
during
life
of
the
project.
La
Quinta
implements
the
requirements
of
NPDES
with
all
new
development.
In
addition,
design
options
such
as
vegetated
swales,
buffers,
and
detention
basins
in
new
development
projects
can
help
to
reduce
stormwater
pollution.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐140
Bioswales
in
parking
lots
can
be
built
to
help
capture
runoff.
Bioswales
also
provide
opportunities
to
breakup
the
monotony
of
large
parking
lots,
and
provide
healthier
environments
for
plants.
Other
measures
that
should
be
encouraged
at
the
local
level
are
the
use
of
permeable
materials,
such
as
pavers,
cobblestone,
and
crushed
stone
for
the
construction
of
roads,
sidewalks,
parking
lots
and
driveways.
Design
techniques
used
to
reduce
runoff
from
both
residential
and
non-‐residential
will
help
La
Quinta
improve
water
quality.
Air
Quality
Air
is
an
important
natural
resource,
and
human
health
is
dependent
on
clean
air.
Harmful
air
leads
to
health
related
problems
including
lung
disease,
heart
disease,
asthma
and
birth
defects.
Air
quality
issues
have
become
more
common
in
Southern
California
as
it
has
continued
to
grow.
The
combination
of
geography,
the
dependence
on
automobile
travel,
and
growth
have
combined
to
create
high
levels
of
air
pollutants.
The
Coachella
Valley
generally
has
cleaner
air
than
areas
west
of
the
mountains,
but
the
Valley
does
have
air
quality
concerns.
Air
Pollution
is
caused
mainly
by
cars,
diesel
trucks,
and
buses.
Other
sources
include
construction
activities,
heating
and
air
conditioning
units,
lawn
mowers
and
blowers,
and
other
non-‐mobile
sources.
The
Air
Quality
Element
and
the
General
Plan
EIR
provide
detailed
descriptions
of
the
types
of
air
pollutants,
including
carbon
monoxide,
sulfur
oxide,
nitrogen
oxide,
ozone,
lead,
particulate
matter
and
volatile
organic
compounds.
In
more
recent
years,
greenhouse
gases
have
gained
notoriety.
Greenhouse
gases
are
caused
by
the
burning
of
fossil
fuels,
and
include
carbon
dioxide,
methane,
nitrous
oxide,
chlorofluorocarbons,
hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons,
sulfur
hexafluoride,
and
aerosols.
Greenhouse
gases
have
been
linked
to
climate
change,
and
are
believed
to
be
responsible
for
global
warming.
State
legislation,
including
the
Global
Warming
Solutions
Act
(AB32),
calls
for
a
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐141
reduction
in
greenhouse
gases
to
1990
levels
by
2020,
representing
a
30%
reduction
State-‐wide.
As
part
of
its
local
implementation
of
AB32,
La
Quinta
has
developed
a
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan,
and
aims
to
reduce
CO2e
emissions
in
compliance
with
State
mandates.
The
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
includes
a
comprehensive
inventory
of
greenhouse
gas
emissions
generated
City-‐wide,
including
those
generated
by
local
government
activities.
Future
emissions
of
greenhouse
gases
are
projected,
reduction
targets
set,
and
policies
and
programs
are
proposed
to
provide
the
City
with
tools
to
meet
State
requirements.
Improving
air
quality
is
a
regional
problem
and
requires
a
cooperative
effort
of
state,
regional
and
local
agencies.
The
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District
(SCAQMD)
regulates
air
quality
for
the
region,
and
has
adopted
Air
Quality
Management
Plans
to
meet
federal
and
State
Clean
Air
Act
requirements.
The
SCAQMD
also
has
adopted
plans
that
address
toxic
air
pollutants.
The
most
significant
source
of
air
pollution
in
La
Quinta
is
from
automobile
emissions.
Automobile
emissions
create
high
levels
of
ozone,
carbon
monoxide,
and
also
greenhouse
gases.
Efforts
to
reduce
emissions
from
automobiles
can
result
in
significant
improvements
to
air
quality
and
help
reduce
the
greenhouse
gases
that
lead
to
global
warming.
A
reduction
in
auto
emissions
can
be
achieved
in
two
ways:
by
reducing
the
number
of
trips
people
take
in
their
automobiles;
and
by
improving
the
technology
which
runs
those
automobiles.
Reducing
vehicle
trips
requires
developing
pedestrian
friendly
environments
and
encouraging
alternative
modes
of
transportation.
The
City
can
expand
alternative
transportation
in
a
number
of
ways:
Improving
and
expanding
the
multi-‐use
path
network
that
exists
currently
throughout
the
City,
and
making
it
accessible
to
multiple
users,
including
pedestrians,
bicyclists
and
golf
cart
riders.
Expanding
the
City’s
golf
cart
routes.
Facilitating
the
use
of
Neighborhood
Electric
Vehicles.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐142
Improving
and
expanding
sidewalks
and
pedestrian
trails
to
assure
safe
travel
for
pedestrians.
Including
bike
racks
in
development
plans
for
both
private
and
public
development.
Encouraging
the
expansion
of
bus
service
through
the
SunLine
Transit
Agency.
Implementing
Transportation
Demand
Management
for
large
employers
(please
see
the
Circulation
Element
for
a
description
of
Transportation
Demand
Management).
The
technological
improvements
to
the
automobile,
including
better
emissions
control
for
gasoline
and
diesel
vehicles,
and
hybrid,
natural
gas
and
electric
vehicles,
will
come
from
elsewhere.
The
City
can,
however,
facilitate
and
encourage
these
technological
advances
by
making
it
easier
to
operate
an
alternative
fuel
vehicle
in
the
City
through:
Installation
of
charging
stations
at
public
parking
lots.
Encouraging
the
installation
of
charging
stations
at
commercial
shopping
centers
and
employment
centers.
Encouraging
alternative
fuel
fueling
stations
in
the
City.
Providing
incentives
for
alternatively
fueled
vehicles,
such
as
preferred
or
covered
parking,
at
public
facilities.
Energy
Resources
The
conservation
of
energy
resources
is
another
important
component
of
the
Livable
Community
Element.
Although
there
are
no
electric
or
natural
gas
power
plants
in
La
Quinta,
the
demand
for
electricity
and
natural
gas
from
City
residents
and
businesses
increases
air
pollution
elsewhere.
The
production
of
electricity
and
natural
gas
is
dependent
on
the
burning
of
fossil
fuels.
The
higher
the
demand
for
electricity
and
natural
gas,
the
higher
the
emissions
from
the
plants
that
produce
them.
A
reduction
in
energy
use
will
help
reduce
the
amount
of
air
pollutants
and
greenhouses
gases
generated
by
electricity
and
natural
gas
production.
Another
important
way
in
which
to
reduce
the
pollution
generated
by
energy
production
is
the
use
of
alternative
energy
–
solar
and
wind
power
–
to
generate
electricity.
Current
Electric
and
Gas
Use
The
average
household’s
electricity
demand
is
16,798
(kilowatt
hours)
kwh
per
year
in
La
Quinta.
There
are
currently
approximately
23,489
households
within
the
City,
and
801
households
in
the
Sphere
of
Influence.
These
households
use
approximately
408,023,420
kwh
of
electricity
in
one
year.
Commercial
uses,
such
as
retail
stores
and
office
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐143
buildings,
have
an
estimated
demand
of
57.88
kwh
per
square
foot
per
year.
In
La
Quinta,
commercial
uses
consume
371,244,404
kwh
of
electricity
annually.
Natural
gas
demand
for
a
household
in
La
Quinta
is
approximately
29,093
cubic
feet
per
year,
and
the
average
commercial
demand
is
approximately
53.22
cubic
feet
per
square
foot
per
year.
The
City
generates
a
need
for
approximately
1,024,720,473
cubic
feet
of
natural
gas
annually.
The
City
has
little
control
over
either
the
production
or
the
consumption
of
energy.
It
can,
however,
take
advantage
of
State
regulations
aimed
at
reducing
energy
demand,
which
will
benefit
La
Quinta:
Executive
Order
S-‐20-‐04:
Governor
Schwazernegger
signed
Executive
Order
S-‐20-‐04
in
2004
to
reduce
energy
use
in
state-‐
owned
buildings
by
20%
by
2015
from
2003
levels,
and
encourage
the
private
commercial
sector
to
do
the
same.
It
created
the
Green
Building
Action
Plan
to
establish
specific
measures
to
attain
the
targeted
energy
use
reduction,
including
requiring
all
new
State
buildings
and
major
renovations
to
abide
to
certain
LEED
standards;
meet
Energy
Star
rating
of
at
least
75
by
2015;
and
reduce
the
volume
of
energy
purchased
from
the
grid.
The
Action
Plan
also
calls
on
the
California
Public
Utilities
Commission
to
fund
a
campaign
to
inform
the
private
sector
on
ways
to
reduce
energy
use
by
20%.5
Although
private
residential
and
nonresidential
buildings
are
only
encouraged,
and
not
mandated
to
abide
by
policies
of
the
Green
Building
Action
Plan,
they
are
required
to
abide
by
new
Energy
Efficiency
Standards
adopted
by
the
California
Energy
Commission.
CEC
Energy
Efficient
Standards:
The
California
Energy
Commission
adopted
Energy
Efficiency
Standards
for
all
new
residential
and
nonresidential
construction
to
reduce
greenhouse
gases.
All
new
construction
of
residential
and
non-‐
residential
buildings
in
La
Quinta
as
of
January
1,
2010
are
required
to
abide
by
the
Energy
Efficiency
Standards
implemented
through
California
Building
Code
Title
24.
New
homes,
are
required
to
include
at
least
50%
of
kitchen
lighting
be
LED,
compact
fluorescent
or
similar
high
efficiency
fixtures;
5
“State
of
California
Green
Building
Action
Plan,
http://www.energy.ca.gov/greenbuilding/,
accessed
December
10,
2010
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐144
double
pane
windows;
cool
roofs,
and
other
design
techniques
to
reduce
heat
loss.
Non-‐residential
development
is
also
subject
to
new
more
efficient
requirements
for
mechanic
systems,
outdoor
lighting,
sign
lighting
and
refrigerated
warehouses.
CalGreen
Code:
The
CalGreen
Code
was
developed
as
part
of
the
California
Building
Code’s
Title
24,
which
addresses
energy
efficiency.
The
Code
began
as
a
voluntary
program,
but
now
imposes
standards
on
new
construction.
The
2010
CalGreen
Code
provides
voluntary
measures
for
energy
efficiency
for
both
residential
and
nonresidential
construction.
Energy
Reduction
Measures
Reducing
energy
use
in
La
Quinta
will
require
efforts
to
reduce
both
the
demand,
and
change
the
source
of
the
supply.
Programs
to
reduce
demand
must
be
considered
for
both
existing
and
future
development.
Within
the
City,
the
vast
majority
of
land
is
already
built
out.
As
a
result,
the
demand
for
energy
is
generated
by
existing
equipment
and
fixtures,
which
are
older
and
less
efficient.
The
City
can
see
considerable
reductions
in
energy
use
if
older
appliances
and
incandescent
lighting
fixtures
are
replaced
with
high
efficiency
ones.
The
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
has
been
completed
with
just
those
targets
in
mind.
The
Plan
includes
a
number
of
measures
which
could
significantly
reduce
the
City’s
use
of
energy:
Completing
energy
audits
for
larger
users,
in
conjunction
with
the
Imperial
Irrigation
District.
Installation
of
solar
panels
at
City
facilities.
Solar
panel
retrofitting
programs
for
single
family
homes
and
commercial
projects.
Requiring
Energy
Star
appliances
in
new
homes,
and
partnering
with
other
agencies
to
provide
rebates
for
Energy
Star
appliances
in
existing
homes.
Encouraging
cool
roofs
and
green
roofs
for
new
commercial
projects.
Requiring
that
commercial
buildings
be
wired
for
solar
roof
panels,
to
allow
future
installation.
The
solar
panel
installation
programs
described
above
tie
directly
to
the
needed
change
in
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐145
the
way
power
companies
secure
their
supply.
The
installation
of
solar
panels
in
the
City
will
have
a
direct
impact
on
Imperial
Irrigation
District’s
(IID)
supply.
As
large
scale
solar
farms
are
developed
in
the
southern
California
deserts,
they
will
also
reduce
the
amount
of
energy
generated
by
oil
and
coal.
IID
also
has
invested
in
geo-‐thermal
power
generation
in
Imperial
County,
and
other
alternative
energy
sources.
The
western
Coachella
Valley
has
been,
and
will
continue
to
be
a
source
of
wind
energy.
These
projects
are
likely
to
be
expanded
in
the
future,
and
further
reduce
dependence
on
polluting
power
generation.
Although
the
City
has
limited
direct
ability
to
change
the
power
grid,
it
can
continue
to
educate
and
inform
the
use
of
alternative
power
generation
through
its
intergovernmental
contacts,
including
CVAG,
State
representatives,
and
federal
elected
officials.
The
Built
Environment
The
built
environment
includes
all
roads,
buildings,
and
infrastructure
in
the
City.
How
these
are
designed
and
constructed
directly
affects
how
the
City
impacts
the
environment,
natural
resources,
and
its
residents’
health.
The
General
Plan,
and
this
Element
in
particular,
encourage
a
built
environment
that
promotes
quality
community
design;
and
respect
for
natural
resources.
Community
Design
Community
design
focuses
primarily
on
quality
of
life
issues
–
the
pleasing
appearance
of
a
project;
having
sufficient
parks
to
accommodate
everyone’s
needs;
the
ability
of
residents
to
travel
from
one
location
to
the
other
without
delay
or
impediment;
and
a
balanced
economy
which
provides
jobs
for
residents,
and
sufficient
revenues
to
pay
for
City
services.
Livable
community
design
is
an
extension
of
these
principles,
and
focuses
on
assuring
that
the
City
“lives
within
its
means”
in
all
aspects.
That
is
to
say
that
the
use
of
any
resource
is
balanced
with
its
replenishment.
In
this
case,
“resource”
is
used
in
the
broadest
sense:
water
and
air
are
both
traditional
resources;
and
a
healthy
economy
is
also
considered
a
resource.
Land
Use
The
most
important
commodity
to
any
community
is
land.
Historically,
land
has
been
developed
using
regulations
that
encourage
land
use
segregation,
to
protect
residential
uses
from
more
intense
and
potentially
conflicting
uses.
The
result
is
a
separation
between
residential
areas
and
the
daily
functions
of
life,
including
working,
shopping,
and
recreation.
The
use
of
automobiles
has
encouraged
this
type
of
development
pattern,
and
over
time
has
had
negative
effects
–
air
pollution,
more
and
more
paved
roadways,
and
the
isolation
of
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐146
people
in
the
community.
The
resurgence
of
old
principles
in
land
use
–
principles
by
which
most
European
and
older
American
cities
were
built
-‐-‐
call
for
land
uses
that
are
more
interconnected,
compact,
and
that
offer
a
mix
of
uses,
providing
opportunities
for
people
to
live,
work,
and
shop
within
the
same
area
or
building.
Mixed
use
development
can
be
built
vertically
or
horizontally.
Many
vertically
integrated
mixed-‐use
buildings
provide
for
commercial
retail
on
the
ground
floor,
sometimes
offices
on
the
second
floor,
and
residential
units
above.
Mixed-‐use
developments
can
also
provide
for
retail
and
offices
mixes,
as
well
as
live/work
environments.
Horizontal
mixed
use
projects
are
either
attached
or
detached,
and
are
located
in
a
compact
development.
Many
times
this
includes
commercial
buildings
along
a
main
road,
with
residential
units
directly
behind
the
commercial
building.
The
key
to
any
successful
mixed
use
project
is
the
development
of
inter-‐connections
between
uses,
allowing
residents
and
businesses
to
co-‐exist
without
conflict,
and
providing
residents
with
work
and
shopping
opportunities
that
do
not
include
their
cars.
In
order
for
mixed
use
buildings
to
create
an
environment
which
is
comfortable
for
a
pedestrian,
buildings
should
be
located
next
to
the
sidewalk
or
walkway,
rather
than
behind
large
parking
lots.
Another
key
component
of
pedestrian
friendly
buildings
is
good
building
design
and
proper
scale.
The
combination
of
various
roof
lines,
protecting
storefront
windows,
building
mass
which
does
not
overwhelm
the
pedestrian,
and
unique
architectural
elements
that
provide
visual
relief
are
all
important
to
encourage
pedestrian
activity.
Successful
mixed
use
developments
promote
a
sense
of
place,
and
become
gathering
places
for
residents
and
visitors
to
enjoy.
As
described
in
the
Land
Use
Element,
this
General
Plan
creates
the
Mixed
Use
zoning
designation
for
commercial
lands
along
Highway
111
and
in
the
Village.
Mixed
Use
projects
proposed
in
the
future
must
incorporate
attractive,
useable
and
safe
public
spaces
in
order
to
be
successful.
It
is
also
important
to
note
that
existing
development
can
be
adapted
to
incorporate
these
principles,
and
that
because
the
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐147
majority
of
the
City
is
already
developed,
redevelopment
of
existing
projects
to
incorporate
these
principles
will
be
an
important
component
of
a
successful
livable
La
Quinta
(please
see
“Retrofitting
Existing
Development,”
below).
Resource
Efficient
Building
Design
The
design
and
construction
of
new
buildings
has
been
changing
at
a
rapid
pace.
Technologies
have
evolved
and
changed
to
broadly
expand
the
options
available
to
architects,
designers
and
contractors
when
they
create
a
new
structure.
More
and
more,
designs
incorporate
recycled
materials,
high
efficiency
windows,
alternative
energy
and
other
techniques
which
reduce
the
impact
these
new
buildings
have
on
natural
resources,
and
make
them
more
self-‐sustaining.
Such
building
designs
are
energy
efficient,
conserve
water,
and
are
multi-‐functional.
The
design
innovations
which
have
been
developed
have
also
evolved
into
building
standards
and
guidelines,
including
privately
run
programs
and
adopted
building
codes.
Structured
programs
are
available
for
both
residential
and
commercial/industrial/institutional
designs,
which
provide
a
rating
system
for
the
level
of
sustainability
built
into
a
structure.
The
most
commonly
used
programs
are
currently
the
LEED
(Leadership
in
Energy
and
Environmental
Design)
program
for
non-‐residential
development,
and
the
Green
Building
program
for
residential
structures.
These
programs
are
voluntary,
and
are
likely
to
change
and
evolve
as
new
technologies
are
developed.
The
State
of
California
has
also
amended
its
building
codes
and
developed
the
CalGreen
Codes
to
improve
resource
efficiency
in
building
design.
This
program
is
mandatory,
and
will
lead
to
highly
efficient
building
construction
throughout
the
State,
including
La
Quinta.
The
City’s
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
also
relies
on
the
use
of
these
improved
efficiency
systems
to
reduce
emissions
in
buildings
in
the
future.
These
programs
and
standards
provide
the
City
with
an
opportunity
to
build
resource
efficiency
into
all
future
building
designs.
Two
energy
reducing
techniques
particularly
effective
in
La
Quinta
are
active
and
passive
solar
design.
Passive
solar
design
relies
on
the
design
and
placement
of
a
building
to
take
advantage
of
the
sun
in
the
winter,
and
to
provide
shade
in
the
summer.
Energy
Star
windows
that
insulate
homes;
the
use
of
thermal
chimneys
to
help
with
air
circulation;
solar
tubes
to
capture
natural
light;
the
use
of
green
roofs
(roofs
that
are
planted
to
insulate
from
heat;
or
white
roofs
that
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐148
reflect
the
sun
and
reduce
heat
gain
are
all
passive
solar
techniques).
Active
solar
design
is
the
use
of
renewable
energy
sources,
such
as
solar
panels,
to
produce
power
and
reduce
energy
consumption.
At
the
City’s
Vista
Dunes
Apartments
project,
solar
panels
were
installed
on
the
roofs
to
reduce
the
tenant
costs
for
electricity.
In
addition
to
residential
roofs,
carports
in
apartment
or
commercial
projects
provide
excellent
places
to
install
solar
panels.
They
are
also
an
excellent
way
to
shade
vehicles
from
the
sun,
and
help
reduce
the
“heat
island”
effect
–
the
increase
in
temperature
that
occurs
when
asphalt
absorbs
the
sun’s
energy.
Promoting
passive
and
active
solar
design
can
result
in
energy
cost-‐savings
for
the
home
or
building
owner,
and
provide
local
opportunities
for
alternative
electricity
production
to
the
IID
system.
Public
Spaces
One
of
the
most
important
features
of
livable
community
design
are
attractive,
engaging,
and
safe
public
spaces.
These
include
walkways
or
sidewalks,
plazas
and
courtyards,
parks
and
public
facilities,
and
the
“in-‐between”
places
or
public
areas
between
buildings
and
private
property.
These
areas
need
to
be
vibrant,
dynamic,
and
active,
and
perhaps
most
importantly,
need
to
make
people
feel
safe.
Public
spaces
should
emphasize
a
destination
or
place,
rather
than
leftover
space.
Creating
place
requires
many
of
the
elements
discussed
earlier,
including
appropriate
land
uses,
and
good
building
design.
The
scale
and
placement
of
buildings
must
define
the
space,
and
also
create
a
sense
of
excitement
or
curiosity
for
the
people
entering
it.
These
spaces
include
the
roadways
that
connect
projects.
As
a
result,
lane
widths,
parking
aisles,
bike
lanes
and
sidewalks
must
be
appropriately
sized
in
relation
to
the
vertical
facades
of
buildings.
Street
trees,
light
standards,
street
furniture
and
signage
must
convey
an
invitation
to
stay
within
that
space.
Storefronts
that
appear
to
be
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐149
part
of
the
walkway
–
with
much
use
of
glass,
or
open
doors
which
blur
the
boundary
between
the
store
and
the
walkway,
the
shade
of
awnings
or
canopies,
and
the
interest
created
by
varying
storefronts
lead
people
from
one
store
to
the
next.
This
also
creates
a
safe
and
comfortable
atmosphere
for
pedestrians
or
bicyclists.
A
plaza
or
square
brings
people
together,
and
should
be
accessed
from
multiple
directions,
which
further
enhances
a
pedestrian’s
ability
to
travel
from
one
place
to
the
other.
Appropriate
design
of
public
spaces
can
also
lead
to
conserving
energy
and
water,
and
enhancing
community
character.
A
livable
public
space
provides
improved
safety
and
security
in
the
community
improves
the
health
of
residents
by
encouraging
more
walking
and
exercise;
and
reduces
impacts
on
air,
energy
and
water
resources.
Transportation
The
emissions
from
automobiles
are
the
single
largest
contributor
to
the
City’s
air
pollution.
As
the
City
works
toward
being
more
self-‐
sustaining,
protecting
its
air
quality
must
be
considered.
The
City’s
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
includes
a
number
of
strategies
to
reduce
the
amount
of
air
emissions
from
motor
vehicles,
all
of
which
are
designed
to
help
to
reduce
emissions.
A
sample
of
the
measures
considered
in
the
Plan
include:
The
replacement
of
City
and
private
gasoline
vehicles
with
electric
vehicles.
Synchronizing
traffic
signals
to
improve
traffic
flow
and
reduce
idling.
Expending
multiuse
paths
and
golf
cart
routes.
A
large
part
of
the
effort
toward
reducing
impacts
on
air
quality
involves
enabling
alternative
modes
of
transportation
(such
as
trails
for
pedestrians
and
bicyclists,
golf
cart
and
Neighborhood
Electric
Vehicles),
enhancing
access
to
public
transit,
and
improving
connections
between
residences
and
these
alternative
modes
of
transportation.
Alternative
Modes
of
Transportation
One
of
the
best
and
effective
ways
to
reduce
traffic,
and
air
pollution,
in
a
community
is
to
promote
alternative
modes
of
transportation.
Alternative
transportation
includes
ride-‐sharing,
carpooling,
vanpooling,
public
transit,
bicycling,
walking,
using
hybrid
or
electric
vehicles,
golf
carts
and
Neighborhood
Electric
Vehicles
(NEV’s).
NEV’s
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐150
and
golf
carts
are
practical
on
low
volume
streets,
within
gated
communities,
and
for
local
trips.
There
are
two
primary
methods
to
promote
alternative
modes
of
transportation:
providing
infrastructure
to
support
it,
and
promoting
programs
to
encourage
it.
Existing
multi-‐use
paths
throughout
the
city
and
Sphere
of
Influence
can
be
used
for
bicycle,
golf
carts,
and
walking.
Class
I
bicycle
and
golf
cart
lanes,
which
are
off-‐
road
facilities,
are
safe
and
separated
from
traffic,
and
often
used
by
pedestrians
as
well.
The
majority
of
bicycle
and
golf
cart
lanes
in
the
City
currently,
however,
are
Class
II
lanes,
which
are
on-‐road
lanes.
These
are
not
appropriate
for
pedestrians,
but
are
often
located
next
to
sidewalks.
The
City’s
existing
Golf
Cart
Transportation
Program
includes
long
term
plans
for
additional
routes
which
would
connect
much
of
the
City
by
golf
cart.
The
expansion
of
Golf
Cart
Routes
and
multi-‐use
paths,
especially
those
which
interconnect,
is
critical
to
encouraging
people
to
use
them.
It
is
important
that
new
routes
be
safe,
easily
accessible,
and
that
new
and
existing
development
accommodate
the
use
of
alternative
vehicles.
State
legislation
now
requires
that
the
City
consider
all
forms
of
transportation
in
its
street
design,
to
assure
that
alternative
transportation
routes
are
available
and
interconnect
in
the
community.
This
is
an
important
new
development
in
encouraging
alternative
transportation.
(Please
see
the
Circulation
Element
for
a
detailed
discussion
of
Golf
Cart
Routes,
Trails
and
Complete
Streets.)
During
the
life
of
this
General
Plan,
new
technologies
will
evolve
which
will
expand
the
possibilities
for
alternative
vehicles.
Flexibility
in
the
City’s
development
standards
and
policies
will
assure
that
new
development
will
be
able
to
take
advantage
of
these
new
technologies.
Public
transit
is
another
form
of
transportation
which
has
great
potential
for
reducing
air
pollution.
The
City’s
and
region’s
transit
provider
currently
(2010)
operates
an
all-‐alternative
fuel
fleet,
and
has
been
a
leader
in
developing
alternative
fuel
technologies
for
buses.
Service
routes
are
directly
linked
to
demand,
and
have
generally
been
limited
to
major
arterial
roadways.
It
is
important
that
the
City
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐151
encourage
the
expansion
of
the
route
system
to
make
transit
easier
to
access
throughout
the
City.
In
the
short
term,
the
City
may
need
to
consider
locating
park
and
ride
lots
in
existing
or
future
parking
lots
adjacent
to
existing
bus
stops
in
order
to
facilitate
the
interconnection
between
un-‐served
areas
and
major
arterials.
Increased
ridership
will
be
dependent
on
quick
and
easy
access
that
links
neighborhoods
to
local
destinations
such
as
employment
and
recreation
centers.
Alternative
transportation
programs
extend
beyond
bus
service
expansion.
Transportation
Demand
Management,
which
requires
large
employers
to
provide
incentives
and
facilities
to
reduce
the
number
of
employee
vehicle
trips
they
create,
is
described
in
more
detail
in
the
Circulation
Element.
The
City
can
also
develop
programs,
and
require
private
development
to
include
programs,
which
support
alternative
transportation,
including
alternative
fuel
or
charging
stations,
golf
cart
or
NEV
parking,
or
preferred
carpool
parking
areas.
Transit
Oriented
Development
Transit
oriented
developments
are
meant
to
be
dynamic
places
that
provide
mixed
uses,
compact
development,
and
enhanced
public
spaces.
These
features
reinforce
the
positive
experience
for
pedestrians
by
providing
visual
stimulating
environments,
a
sense
of
place,
and
a
sense
of
security.
In
order
to
create
dynamic
places,
transit
oriented
development
should
offer
mixed
uses
that
provide
services
at
all
times
of
the
day,
and
provide
multiple
housing
options
to
encourage
residential
uses.
Existing
shopping
centers
with
large
parking
lots,
and
underutilized
areas
are
perfect
places
to
create
these
environments,
particularly
since
access
to
major
transportation
corridors
are
critical
to
their
success.
Retrofitting
Existing
Development
The
majority
of
the
lands
within
the
City
are
built
out.
Older
buildings
were
developed
with
inefficient
technology.
Existing
residential,
commercial
and
institutional
facilities
can
gradually
become
more
efficient
by
retrofitting
buildings
with
new
water
and
energy
saving
technologies.
There
are
many
incentive
programs
available
for
helping
convert
to
newer
technologies
today,
and
these
types
of
programs
are
sure
to
expand
in
the
future,
as
demand
increases
and
costs
for
alternative
technology
decreases.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐152
Retrofitting
for
Water
Conservation
Many
developments
were
built
prior
to
the
need
for
conserving
water,
and
include
landscaping
and
irrigation
systems
that
have
a
high
water
demand.
The
CVWD
reports
that
80%
of
water
usage
comes
from
outdoor
landscaping.
The
District
has
created
incentives
for
the
conversion
of
lawns
to
drought
tolerant
ground
covers,
sprinkler
nozzle
replacement,
and
“smart
controllers.”
Smart
Controllers
can
cut
water
usage
by
30%
by
automatically
adjusting
irrigation
systems
based
on
historic
weather
data.
The
City
is
participating
in
the
program
by
fast-‐tracking
the
review
of
landscape
designs
for
these
conversions
in
master
planned
communities
and
commercial
projects.
The
expansion
of
these
programs
will
continue
through
the
buildout
of
the
City,
and
can
be
implemented
as
Sphere
of
Influence
lands
are
annexed
into
the
City.
Retrofitting
Energy
Systems
There
are
many
incentives
available
for
residents
and
businesses
that
install
energy
efficient
appliances,
lights,
and
active
solar
systems.
The
City
and
IID
provide
programs
for
reducing
electricity,
including
energy
audits,
rebates
for
Energy
Star
appliances
and
air
conditioning
units.
Commercial
rebates
are
also
available
for
Energy
Start
thermostats,
commercial
and
industrial
HVAC
equipment,
lighting
and
energy
efficient
motors.
Federal
programs
also
provide
tax
credits
for
business
and
residents
using
Energy
Star
products.
These
rebates
and
tax
incentives
may
change
over
the
years,
but
can
be
effectively
used
to
retrofit
existing
development.
Installing
solar
systems
or
other
renewable
energy
systems
on
buildings
is
another
method
becoming
increasingly
accessible
for
individual
residents
and
businesses.
The
year-‐round
sunshine
in
La
Quinta
makes
it
an
ideal
location
for
solar
technologies.
IID
offers
rebate
incentives
to
qualifying
projects
to
help
reduce
the
initial
cost
of
installing
these
systems.
State
and
federal
programs
also
provide
rebates
and
tax
credits
to
consumers
who
install
solar
energy
systems,
as
well
as
geothermal
pumps,
small
wind
systems,
and
residential
fuel
cell
and
micro-‐turbine
systems.6
The
City
can
continue
to
encourage
the
use
of
energy
saving
incentives
today
and
in
the
future
to
reduce
dependence
on
traditional
electric
power
generation.
6
www.iid.com
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐153
Retrofitting
Building
Design
As
described
above,
the
development
of
mixed
use
projects,
which
bring
residents
closer
to
their
jobs
and
shopping,
can
have
a
tremendous
impact
on
improving
the
City’s
livability.
Although
new
projects
are
the
simplest
way
to
achieve
this
goal,
it
is
also
possible
to
retrofit
existing
projects
to
achieve
the
same
positive
result.
The
range
of
options
is
extensive,
and
can
include
the
conversion
of
a
single
family
home
in
the
Village
to
an
office,
to
major
changes
to
an
existing
shopping
center
to
provide
a
better
environment,
and
incorporate
residential
development.
Existing
development
on
Highway
111,
for
example,
may
have
an
opportunity
to
change
in
the
coming
years.
That
change
may
not
require
demolition,
but
may
occur
through
the
addition
of
buildings
which
provide
greater
flexibility
of
use.
By
adding
to
existing
projects,
the
City
can
expand
its
development
options,
both
residential
and
commercial,
and
reduce
its
dependence
on
the
automobile
at
the
same
time.
New
structures
can
be
wrapped
around
existing
commercial
buildings
to
create
completely
new
environments,
and
create
a
residential
development
next
to
existing
commercial
uses.
Driveways
between
projects
can
be
enhanced
to
provide
better
pedestrian
access,
and
buildings
constructed
adjacent
to
these
new
sidewalks
to
provide
a
pedestrian
scaled
environment.
These
projects
can
also
be
connected,
even
across
Highway
111,
by
street
trees
and
other
landscaping
elements
which
make
the
area
more
pedestrian
friendly.
Please
also
see
the
Land
Use
Element
for
a
more
detailed
description
of
the
potential
for
mixed
use
development
in
existing
commercial
areas,
including
the
Village
and
Highway
111.
The
City
also
has
a
number
of
walled
and
gated
communities,
many
of
which
are
adjacent
to
existing
commercial
development,
schools
or
other
public
facilities.
In
most
cases,
however,
these
adjacent
facilities
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐154
are
not
directly
accessible.
A
simple
design
retrofit
can
encourage
pedestrian
and
bicycle
access
to
these
facilities:
the
creation
of
a
pedestrian
gate
in
a
wall
can
eliminate
the
need
to
drive
through
and
around
to
that
same
adjacent
commercial,
school
or
public
use.
Retrofitting
City
Facilities
The
City
has
an
opportunity
to
lead
by
example
in
developing
and
implementing
resource
efficient
policies
and
programs.
La
Quinta
has
made
strides
towards
this
goal
by
implementing
its
Landscaping
Ordinance,
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
and
Sustainability
Program.
These
programs
must
be
flexible
and
have
the
ability
to
evolve
and
grow
over
time,
as
funds
permit
and
opportunities
arise.
Please
also
see
the
Air
Quality
Element.
The
City
should
regularly
monitor
and
amend
the
Landscape
Ordinance
to
abide
by
new
technologies
and
requirements
of
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District,
and
should
retrofit
existing
City
properties
and
new
buildings
with
water
saving
irrigation
technology,
recycled
water
when
possible,
and
reduced
use
of
turf
in
landscaping.
The
City
can
also
reduce
indoor
water
use
by
installing
water
efficient
fixtures,
such
as
low
flow
toilets,
sinks,
and
showers,
provided
in
California
GreenCodes.
Energy
conservation
should
also
be
a
priority.
Many
of
the
measures
used
to
conserve
energy
will
also
help
the
City
meet
the
targeted
reductions
in
the
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan.
The
Plan
provides
a
list
of
measures,
such
as
the
installation
of
solar
panels
on
building
rooftops
and
carports,
upgrading
HVAC
units
with
energy
efficient
systems,
and
converting
the
City’s
fleet
of
vehicles
to
alternative
energy
vehicles.
The
City
can
capitalize
on
rebate
programs
and
other
incentives
to
reduce
costs
associated
with
these
programs.
The
City
should
encourage
carpooling
and
bicycling
to
work
for
City
employees,
and
work
with
SunLine
Transit
to
improve
bus
routes.
Incentives
such
as
priority
parking
for
carpools,
or
free
bus
passes
for
transit
travelers
can
change
the
staff’s
behavior
and
help
to
reduce
air
pollution
in
the
City.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐155
A
Healthy
City
Across
California,
families
are
continuing
to
face
rising
health
care
costs
and
diminished
quality
of
life
associated
with
poor
dietary
habits,
which
have
led
to
health
problems
such
as
obesity
and
increased
diabetes
and
related
illness,
particularly
in
children.
As
a
result
of
these
escalating
costs,
cities
are
beginning
to
understand
their
role
in
helping
promote
healthier
lifestyles
for
their
residents.
There
has
been
a
growing
awareness
that
land
use
policy
and
the
built
environment
are
linked
to
public
health
issues,
and
that
cities
have
the
ability
to
positively
influence
both.
The
effort
centers
on
the
principle
that
cities
can
influence
comprehensive
policy
to
address
improving
the
health
of
their
residents.
The
principles
emphasize
that
a
healthy
city
requires
a
multi-‐
disciplinary
approach
which
ranges
from
project
design
to
access
to
healthy
food.
The
issues
associated
with
a
healthy
city
are
far
ranging,
and
include:
1. Parks
and
recreation
facilities
in
all
neighborhoods,
accessible
to
all
residents.
2. Quality
housing
for
all
residents,
at
prices
all
income
groups
can
afford.
3. Access
to
allow
all
residents
adequate
medical
services.
4. Access
to
healthy
foods.
5. Jobs
in
reasonable
proximity
to
residents’
homes.
6. Neighborhoods
and
public
places.
7. An
interconnected,
complete
and
varied
transportation
system
that
provides
access
to
transit,
walking
and
bicycling
options.
8. A
healthy
environment
free
of
pollution
or
health
hazards.
Access
to
healthy
foods,
pedestrian
friendly
environments
and
adequate
recreation
are
all
factors
related
to
improving
the
health
of
residents.
For
example,
a
city
can
improve
its
residents’
health
by
encouraging
inter-‐connected
walking
paths
in
and
through
proposed
projects;
developing
a
community
garden
in
a
city
park;
and
implementing
exercise
classes
at
its
community
center.
Cities
can
also
influence
other
agencies
to
improve
health
–
working
with
school
districts
to
change
lunch
options
in
schools
to
include
more
fresh
fruit
and
vegetables;
or
encouraging
major
employers
to
include
workout
rooms
in
their
buildings.
Of
particular
concern
in
cities
is
the
access
to
fresh
and
healthy
foods
for
poorer
populations.
Reaching
those
economic
segments
through
community
gardens
and
farmers
markets,
as
well
as
school
lunch
programs,
is
critical
to
the
effort.
The
principles
of
a
healthy
city
tie
closely
to
those
of
resource
efficient
development
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐156
and
a
livable
community,
and
should
all
work
together
to
improve
the
quality
of
life
for
all
residents.
On
a
more
local
level,
the
Healthy
Eating
Active
Living
(HEAL)
Cities
Campaign
was
recently
established
to
help
city
officials
adopt
policies
that
promote
healthy
environments
and
physical
activity
within
their
community.
In
2010,
La
Quinta
joined
HEAL,
and
committed
to
promoting
the
Campaign’s
healthy
living
policies.
The
City
has
committed
to
promoting
healthier
food
choices,
providing
adequate
recreation
and
wellness
opportunities,
and
regulating
the
built
environment
to
encourage
physical
activity.
A
number
of
programs
and
activities
can
be
implemented
to
promote
and
expand
the
HEAL
program
in
La
Quinta,
including:
Promoting
farmers’
markets.
Farmers
markets
bring
fresh
fruits,
vegetables,
meats,
and
fresh
baked
goods
directly
to
their
consumers.
The
City
currently
has
a
Farmers
Market
in
Old
Town,
and
should
encourage
others
in
activity
centers
in
other
parts
of
the
City,
to
broaden
their
reach.
Creating
a
community
garden.
Community
gardens
provide
space
in
public
parks
(or
at
the
Civic
Center)
for
residents
to
grow
their
own
fruits
and
vegetables.
They
are
also
great
public
spaces
for
social
interaction
and
learning.
Promoting
recreational
activity.
La
Quinta
provides
numerous
parks,
trails
and
open
spaces
for
residents
to
walk,
play
sports,
and
enjoy
the
outdoors.
The
Fitness
Center
and
Senior
Center
also
provide
a
range
of
options,
both
through
organized
classes
and
individual
exercise.
Pedestrian
connectivity
with
residential
areas
is
vital
for
encouraging
residents
to
use
these
facilities.
Providing
safe
routes
to
school.
The
State’s
Safe
Routes
to
School
Program
provides
funding
for
improvements
which
make
children’s
walk
or
bicycle
ride
to
school
safer.
The
City
has
constructed
several
such
improvements,
and
will
continue
to
apply
for
funding
in
the
future.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐157
The
City
is
also
implementing
HEAL
with
its
own
staff,
and
has
offered:
Employee
Health
Fairs
and
Health
Education
Information.
Fitness
programs
for
employees
that
may
include
exercise,
physical
activity
through
walking,
and
weight
loss
components.
Daily
15
minute
walking
breaks
in
the
Civic
Center
Campus.
An
Employee
Assistance
Program
for
help
with
addictions,
work
or
relationship
conflicts,
emotional,
legal,
financial
and
health
issues.
Use
of
the
La
Quinta
Fitness
Center.
The
employee
wellness
programs
enacted
by
the
City
can
spread
throughout
the
community.
City
employees
who
participate
in
health
programs
will
be
able
to
share
their
experiences
and
the
benefits
of
healthy
living
with
friends
and
family.
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
Expanding
the
City’s
livability
will
be
an
ongoing
challenge
throughout
the
build
out
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence.
It
will
require
a
multi-‐pronged
approach
which
affects
and
improves
all
components
of
the
community,
existing
and
future.
Implementing
such
principles
in
the
City
will
change
and
improve
its
character,
providing
the
opportunity
to
tie
existing
neighborhoods
to
new
mixed
use
and
commercial
projects.
The
built
environment
has
a
tremendous
effect
on
residents’
health
and
safety,
and
planning
for
and
constructing
a
built
environment
that
encourages
walking,
biking,
and
other
forms
of
activity
is
critical
to
improving
the
quality
of
life
for
everyone
in
La
Quinta.
The
success
of
future
projects
is
entirely
tied
to
their
safety
and
connectivity
–
paths,
trails
and
sidewalks
that
are
unsafe,
do
not
connect
to
interesting
places
or
do
not
connect
at
all
are
of
no
value.
The
City
can
play
an
important
role
in
assessing
the
safety
and
connectivity
of
public
trails
and
sidewalks,
and
including
the
construction
of
missing
or
damaged
sections/connections
in
the
Capital
Improvement
Program.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐158
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
SC-‐1
A
community
that
provides
the
best
possible
quality
of
life
for
all
its
residents.
v Policy
SC-‐1.1
Continue
to
work
with
the
CVWD
on
water
conservation
measures.
Program
SC-‐1.1.a:
Review
the
Landscape
Ordinance
every
two
years,
and
update
as
necessary
to
maintain
consistency
with
State
and
CVWD
standards.
Program
SC
1.1.b:
Develop
joint
incentive
programs
with
CVWD
for
water
conservation
programs,
including
landscaping
retrofits
for
individual
homes
and
master
planned
projects,
irrigation
improvements
and
indoor
plumbing
fixtures.
Consider
allocating
City
funds
to
these
incentive
programs
on
a
matching
basis
with
CVWD.
v Policy
SC-‐1.2
Reduce
water
consumption
at
a
minimum
consistent
with
the
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
(also
see
Air
Quality
Element).
Program
SC-‐1.2.a:
Implement
quantifiable
water
conservation
measures
at
all
City
facilities.
Program
SC-‐1.2.b:
Consider
financial
incentives
for
new
development
and
existing
homes
and
projects
as
funds
allow.
Program
SC-‐1.2.c:
Aggressively
pursue
grants
and
other
outside
funding
sources
for
City-‐funded
and
private
sector
water
conservation
improvements.
v Policy
SC-‐1.3
Encourage
the
use
of
more
environmentally
friendly
storm
water
management
techniques
such
as
bioswales,
permeable
surfaces
and
other
methods
as
they
are
developed,
in
all
new
development.
Program
SC-‐1.3.a:
The
Public
Works
Department
shall
prepare
and
distribute
materials
on
environmentally
friendly
storm
water
management
techniques
for
new
development.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐159
v Policy
SC-‐1.4
Reduce
Greenhouse
Gas
emissions
at
a
minimum
consistent
with
the
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
(also
see
Air
Quality
Element)..
Program
SC-‐1.4.a:
Require
all
new
development
proposals
to
demonstrate
consistency
with
the
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan.
Program
SC-‐1.4.b:
Revise
the
Transportation
Demand
Ordinance
to
current
standards,
and
implement
it
with
all
new
qualifying
projects.
Program
SC-‐1.4.c:
Develop
programs
to
encourage
and
incentivize
the
installation
of
energy
efficient
appliances
and
fixtures,
green
roofs,
white
roofs
and
solar
panels
on
residential,
commercial,
institutional
and
resort
buildings.
v Policy
SC-‐1.5
All
new
development
shall
include
resource
efficient
development
principles.
Program
SC-‐1.5.a:
All
new
development
shall
be
constructed
to
meet
or
exceed
CalGreen
Building
Codes.
Program
SC-‐1.5.b:
Amend
the
Zoning
Ordinance
to
provide
incentives
and
development
standard
concessions
for
mixed
use
or
energy
efficient
design.
Program
SC-‐1.5.c:
New
development
projects
shall
include
vehicular,
pedestrian
and
bicycle
connections
to
the
greatest
extent
possible,
both
through
the
project
and
connecting
to
adjacent
projects.
Program
SC-‐1.5.d:
New
commercial
and
mixed
use
projects
shall
incorporate
useable
public
spaces,
and
interconnect
those
public
spaces
consistent
with
resource
efficient
design
principles.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐160
v Policy
SC-‐1.6
Expand
the
City’s
alternative
transportation
network.
Program
SC-‐1.6.a:
Assess
the
current
gaps
in
the
City’s
multi-‐use
path
and
sidewalk
system,
and
program
improvements
to
connect
those
gaps
into
the
Capital
Improvement
Program.
Program
SC-‐1.6.b:
Encourage
existing
walled
communities
to
include
pedestrian
gates
and
paths
to
adjacent
development
to
improve
connectivity.
Program
SC-‐1.6.c:
Expand
the
Golf
Cart
Routes
to
interconnect
throughout
the
City
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Program
SC-‐1.6.d:
Work
with
SunLine
Transit
Agency
to
expand
service
into
La
Quinta
neighborhoods
ahead
of
demand.
v Policy
SC-‐1.7
Encourage
the
retrofitting
of
existing
buildings
and
projects
with
resource
efficient
design
principles
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Program
SC-‐1.7.a:
Amend
the
Zoning
Ordinance
to
provide
incentives
for
the
redevelopment
of
existing
projects
to
include
residential
development,
pedestrian
and
alternative
transportation
connections
and
improvements,
and
other
design
features.
Program
SC-‐1.7.b:
Develop
an
enhanced
program
for
the
processing
of
entitlements
for
redevelopment
projects
which
incorporates
substantial
resource
efficient
components,
or
propose
conversion
to
mixed
use.
Program
SC-‐1.7.c:
Develop
a
financial
incentive
program
for
creative
redevelopment
of
commercial
projects
into
mixed
use
projects,
particularly
those
that
provide
added
economic
development
benefit
to
the
City.
v Policy
SC-‐1.8
Expand
the
City’s
participation
in
Healthy
City
programs.
Program
SC-‐1.8.a:
Implement
Healthy
City
principles
throughout
the
community,
to
the
greatest
extent
feasible.
LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
II-‐161
Program
SC-‐1.8.b:
Coordinate
park
and
trail
improvement
plans
to
assure
connectivity
between
parks
and
the
neighborhoods
they
serve.
Program
SC-‐1.8.c:
Encourage
farmers’
markets
outside
the
Village,
accessible
to
all
parts
of
the
City.
Program
SC-‐1.8.d:
Plan
and
implement
a
community
garden
project
at
the
Civic
Center.
Monitor
its
success,
and
implement
at
other
City
parks
if
successful.
Program
SC-‐1.8.e:
Work
with
Desert
Sands
and
Coachella
Valley
School
Districts
to
improve
food
selection
in
lunch
programs,
exercise
programs,
and
Safe
Routes
to
School
programs.
RELATED
GOALS
As
described
above,
this
Element
relates
to
others
in
this
General
Plan.
The
following
Goals,
and
their
associated
policies
and
programs,
are
closely
related
to
those
of
this
Element.
GOAL
LU-‐2:
High
quality
design
that
complements
and
enhances
the
City.
GOAL
LU-‐3:
Safe
and
identifiable
neighborhoods
that
provide
a
sense
of
place.
GOAL
ED-‐3:
Innovative
land
uses
in
the
Village
and
on
Highway
111.
GOAL
CIR-‐2:
A
circulation
system
that
includes
connected
transit,
alternative
vehicle,
bicycle
and
pedestrian
networks.
GOAL
PR-‐1:
A
comprehensive
system
of
parks,
and
recreation
facilities
and
services
that
meet
the
active
and
passive
needs
of
all
residents
and
visitors.
GOAL
AQ-‐1:
A
reduction
in
all
air
emissions
generated
within
the
City.
GOAL
WR-‐1:
The
efficient
use
and
conservation
of
the
City’s
water
resources.