(00) 2035 LQ GP - CERTIFIED EIR - Cover & Table of Contents (2013)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
(SCH # 2010111094)
FOR THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA GENERAL
PLAN
Prepared For
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Prepared By
Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc.®
42635 Melanie Place, Suite 101
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Certified February 19, 2013
Terra Nova/La Quinta General Plan
Draft Environmental Impact Report
Table of Contents
i
Table of Contents
List of Exhibits iv
List of Tables v
List of Appendices vii
Environmental Summary Matrix M-1
I. INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION I-1
A. Lead Agency I-1
B. Introduction I-1
C. Document Organization I-2
D. CEQA And Other Requirements I-2
E. Project Location And Description I-4
F. Statistical Summary: General Plan Land Use I-15
II. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING II-1
A. Aesthetics II-1
B. Agriculture ResourcesII-2
C. Air Quality And Greenhouse Gasses II-3
D. Climate II-4
E. Biological Resources II-5
F. Cultural Resources II-6
G. Geology And Soils II-7
H. Topography II-8
I. Hazards And Hazardous Materials II-11
J. Hydrology And Water Quality II-11
K. Existing Land Use II-14
L. Surrounding Land Use II-16
M. Mineral Resources II-17
N. Noise II-17
O. Population And Housing II-18
P. Public Services And Utilities II-19
Q. Recreation II-23
R. Transportation/Traffic II-24
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III. EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, PROJECT IMPACTS AND
MITIGATION MEASURES III-1
A. Aesthetics III-1
1. Existing Conditions III-2
2. Project Impacts III-4
3. Mitigation Measures III-6
B. Agricultural Resources III-7
1. Existing Conditions III-7
2. Project Impacts III-10
3. Mitigation Measures III-12
C. Air Quality And Greenhouse Gases III-13
1. Existing Conditions III-15
2. Project Impacts III-25
3. Mitigation Measures III-33
D. Biological Resources III-36
1. Existing Conditions III-37
2. Project Impacts III-51
3. Mitigation III-53
E. Cultural Resources III-55
1. Existing Conditions III-57
2. Project Impacts III-65
3. Mitigation Measures III-66
F. Geology And Soils III-67
1. Existing Conditions III-68
2. Project Impacts III-88
3. Mitigation Measures III-90
G. Hazards And Hazardous Materials III-91
1. Existing Conditions III-92
2. Project Impacts III-97
3. Mitigation Measures III-100
H. Hydrology III-101
1. Existing Conditions III-102
2. Project Impacts III-113
3. Mitigation Measures III-114
I. Land Use And Planning III-115
1. Existing Conditions III-116
2. Project Impacts III-121
3. Mitigation Measures III-131
J. Mineral Resources III-131
1. Existing Conditions III-131
2. Project Impacts III-134
3. Mitigation Measures III-134
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K. Noise III-135
1. Existing Conditions III-135
2. Project Impacts III-152
3. Mitigation Measures III-163
L. Population And Housing III-165
1. Existing Conditions III-165
2. Project Impacts III-166
3. Mitigation Measures III-169
M. Public Services & Utilities III-170
N. Recreational Resources III-194
1. Existing Conditions III-194
2. Project Impacts III-197
3. Mitigation Measures III-198
O. Transportation/Traffic III-198
1. Existing Conditions III-205
2. Project Impacts III-221
3. Mitigation Measures III-229
P. Water Resources & Quality III-238
1. Existing Conditions III-239
2. Project Impacts III-250
3. Mitigation III-256
IV. UNAVOIDABLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS IV-1
V. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES V-1
A. Introduction V-1
B. Statement Of Project Objectives V-3
C. Alternative Projects Selected For Detailed Analysis V-5
1. No Project Alternative V-5
2. Alternative 1 V-10
3. Alternative 2 V-14
D. Alternative Projects Analysis V-18
E. Environmentally Superior Alternative V-64
VI. SHORT-TERM USE VERSUS LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY VI-1
VII. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES VII-1
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VIII- GROWTH INDUCEMENT AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS VIII-1
IX- ORGANIZATIONS, PERSONS AND DOCUMENTS CONSULTED IX-1
List of Exhibits
Exhibit I-1 Regional Map I-6
Exhibit I-2 Vicinity Map I-7
Exhibit I-3 General Plan Planning Area Boundaries I-8
Exhibit I-4 2002 General Plan Land Use Map I-14
Exhibit I-5 Preferred Alternative Land Use Map I-24
Exhibit II-1 Topography Map II-10
Exhibit III-1 Vegetation Communities III-40
Exhibit III-2 CNDDB, Critical Habitat & Modeled Habitat III-47
Exhibit III-3 Land Ownership And Conservation Areas III-49
Exhibit III-4 Paleontological Sensitivity Map III-60
Exhibit III-5 Cultural Resources Survey Map III-64
Exhibit III-6 Geologic Map Of The Planning Area III-72
Exhibit III-7 Wind Erosion Susceptibility Map III-78
Exhibit III-8 Faults And Historical Seismicity Map III-83
Exhibit III-9 Seismic Hazards III-87
Exhibit III-10 FEMA Flood Hazard Zones And Flood Control Facilities III-108
Exhibit III-11 Mineral Resource Zone Map III-133
Exhibit III-12 Land Use And Noise Compatibility III-138
Exhibit III-13 Noise Monitoring Locations In The Study Area III-143
Exhibit III-14 Existing Truck And Bus Routes III-146
Exhibit III-15 Existing Airport Noise Contours III-150
Exhibit III-16 Future Airport Noise Contours (Jacqueline Cochran Airport) III-161
Exhibit III-17 Existing (2010) Average Daily Traffic Volumes III-212
Exhibit III-18 General Plan Roadway Classifications III-214
Exhibit III-19 General Plan Street Cross Sections III-215
Exhibit III-20 General Plan Build Out (2035) Average Daily Volumes III-226
Exhibit III-21 Prescribed Intersection Improvement III-233
Exhibit V-1 No Project Alternative Land Use Map V-6
Exhibit V-2 Alternative 1 Land Use Map V-13
Exhibit V-3 Alternative 2 Land Use Map V-17
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List of Tables
Table I-1 Preferred Alternative General Plan Update Land Use Acreage Summary I-16
Table I-2 General Plan Update Build Out Summary: City Limits I-17
Table I-3 General Plan Update Build Out Summary: Sphere of Influence I-17
Table I-4 General Plan Update Build Out Summary: Entire Planning Area I-18
Table I-5 City of La Quinta General Plan Proposed Land Use Designations I-19
Table III-1 Emissions Thresholds For SCAQMD III-14
Table III-2 State And Federal Ambient Air Quality Standards III-19
Table III-3 Pm10 Monitoring Data For The Coachella Valley III-20
Table III-4 Pm2.5 Monitoring Data For The Coachella Valley III-21
Table III-5 Ozone Monitoring Data III-22
Table III-6 Construction Emissions For The Planning Area III-27
Table III-7 Projected Daily Emissions At General Plan Build Out III-29
Table III-8 GHG Emissions From Construction Of The General Plan III-31
Table III-9 GHG Emissions From Operation At General Plan Build Out III-31
Table III-10 Air Quality Control Methods III-34
Table III-11 Special Status Plants In The La Quinta General Plan Area And Vicinity III-43
Table III-12 Special Status Reptiles In The La Quinta General Plan Area And Vicinity III-43
Table III-13 Special Status Bird Species In The La Quinta General Plan Area
And Vicinity III-43
Table III-14 Special Status Mammal In The La Quinta General Plan Area And Vicinity III-44
Table III-15 Horizontal Peak Ground Accelerations And Seismic Intensities III-80
Table III-16 Existing Land Use Designations Within City Limits III-118
Table III-17 2002 Land Use Designations Within Sphere Of Influence III-119
Table III-18 2002 Land Use Designations Within Planning Areas III-120
Table III-19 Existing Land Use Summary III-121
Table III-20 Proposed Land Use For City Limits III-123
Table III-21 Riverside County Vista Santa Rosa Land Use III-124
Table III-22 Riverside County Land Use North Sphere III-125
Table III-23 Riverside County Land Use Sphere Summary III-125
Table III-24 General Plan Update East Sphere Land Use III-126
Table III-25 General Plan Update Land Use North Sphere III-126
Table III-26 General Plan Update Land Use Sphere Summary III-127
Table III-27 Proposed Land Use Summary III-129
Table III-28 Exterior Noise Limits III-139
Table III-29 Existing (Ambient) Short-Term Noise Level Measurements III-140
Table III-30 Existing (Ambient24-Hour Noise Level Measurements III-142
Table III-31 City Of La Quinta Hourly Traffic Flow Distribution III-144
Table III-32 Existing Noise Exposure Adjacent To General Plan Update Study
Area Roadways III-147
Table III-33 Year 2035 Build Out Conditions Noise Contours III-153
Table III-34 Year 2035 Preferred Alternative Noise Contour Comparison III-157
Table III-35 Desert Sands Unified School District Enrollment And Capacity III-172
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Table III-36 Coachella Valley Unified School District Enrollment And Capacity III-173
Table III-37 Potential Student Generation La Quinta City Limits III-174
Table III-38 Potential Student Generation Sphere Of Influence III-175
Table III-39 Potential Student Generation Planning Area Summary III-175
Table III-40 Estimated Electricity Usage Rates III-183
Table III-41 Natural Gas Consumption Factors III-185
Table III-42 Solid Waste Generation At General Plan Build Out III-192
Table III-43 Level Of Service Description III-201
Table III-44 Intersection Level Of Service Descriptions III-202
Table III-45 City Roadway Classifications Level of Service Volumes/Capacity Values
(Average Daily Trips – ADT) III-203
Table III-46 Existing Daily Volumes And Capacity Summary III-216
Table III-47 Existing Peak Hour Intersection LOS III-219
Table III-48 General Plan Build Out (2035) Roadway Segment Analysis III-222
Table III-49 General Plan Build Out (2035) Intersection Analysis III-227
Table III-50 Coachella Valley Water District Annual Water Production III-242
Table III-51 Estimate Of Existing Water Service Demands III-251
Table III-52 Estimate Of Water Service Demands At Build Out III-252
Table III-53 Estimate Of Water Service Demands From New Development III-253
Table V-1 Preferred Alternative Build Out Summary: City Limits V-2
Table V-2 Preferred Alternative Build Out Summary: Sphere of Influence V-2
Table V-3 Preferred Alternative Build Out Summary: Entire Planning Area V-3
Table V-4 No Project Alternative Build Out Summary: City Limits Only V-7
Table V-5 No Project Alternative Build Out Summary: Sphere-of-Influence V-8
Table V-6 No Project Alternative Build Out Summary: Planning Area Total V-9
Table V-7 Alternative 1 Build Out Summary: City Limits Only V-10
Table V-8 Alternative 1 Build Out Summary: Sphere-of-Influence V-11
Table V-9 Alternative 1 Build Out Summary: Planning Area Total V-12
Table V-10 Alternative 2 Build Out Summary: City Limits Only V-14
Table V-11 Alternative 2 Build Out Summary: Sphere-of-Influence V-15
Table V-12 Alternative 2 Build Out Summary: Planning Area Total V-16
Table V-13 Cumulative Daily Emissions No Project Alternative (Lbs./day) V-24
Table V-14 GHG Emissions for the No Project Alternative V-25
Table V-15 Cumulative Daily Emissions Alternative 1 (Lbs./day) V-26
Table V-16 GHG Emissions for Alternative 1 V-27
Table V-17 Cumulative Daily Emissions Alternative 2 (Lbs./day) V-28
Table V-18 GHG Emissions for Alternative 2 V-29
Table V-19 Year 2035 Preferred Alternative Noise Contour Comparison V-39
Table V-20 Potential School Enrollment at General Plan Build Out,
No Project Alternative V-44
Table V-21 School Enrollment at General Plan Build Out, Alternative 1 V-44
Table V-22 School Enrollment at General Plan Build Out Alternative 2 V-45
Table V-23 Estimated Solid Waste Generation for La Quinta Planning Area No Project V-52
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Table V-24 Solid Waste Generation for Planning Area Alternative 1 V-52
Table V-25 Solid Waste Generation for Planning Area Alternative 2 V-53
Table V-26 Comparison of Land Use Alternatives V-55
Table V-27 No Project Alternative Forecast Year 2035 Peak Season V-57
Table V-28 Alternative 1 Forecast Year 2035 Peak Season V-58
Table V-29 Alternative 2 Forecast Year 2035 Peak Season V-59
Table V-30 No Project Alternative Water Demand V-61
Table V-31 Alternative 1 Water Demand V-62
Table V-32 Alternative 2 Water Demand V-64
List of Appendices
A. Draft Environmental Impact Report, Notice of Preparation (NOP) and Responses to
NOP. Prepared by Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc., November 22, 2010.
B. Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Impact Analysis for the La Quinta General Plan Update
2010. Prepared by Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc., May 2012.
C. City of La Quinta General Plan Update: Biological Resources. Prepared by AMEC
Earth & Environmental Inc., June 2010.
D. Cultural Resources Technical Report City of La Quinta General Plan 2010 Update.
Prepared by CRM TECH, July 8, 2010.
E. Technical Background Report to the Safety Element of the La Quinta 2035 General Plan
Update, Seismic Hazards, Geologic Hazards, Flooding Hazards. Prepared by Earth
Consultants International, Inc., June 2010 Revised September 7, 2010.
F. City of La Quinta General Plan Update Noise Element Technical Report. Prepared by
Urban Crossroads, June 3, 2011.
G. Paleontologic Resources Technical Report City of La Quinta General Plan 2010 Update.
Prepared by CRM TECH, August 12, 2010.
H. City of La Quinta General Plan Circulation Element Update Traffic Impact Analysis.
Prepared by ITERIS, May 14, 2012.
I. Water Supply Study for the proposed La Quinta General Plan update 2010. Prepared by
Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc. June 21, 2011.
J. Final Environmental Impact Report (Response to Comments). Prepared by Terra Nova
Planning & Research, Inc. November 2012.