CC Resolution 1992-080^#B l
RESO*ON 92-80
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ThE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THAT ThE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PREPARED FOR ThE
1992 LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE IS
RECOGNIZED AS ADEQUATE AND COMPLETE;
RECOGNIZING THE OVERRIDING CONSIDE*ONS TO
CERTAIN ADVERSE IMPACTS; AND, RECOGNIZING ThE
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH
CANNOT BE AVOIDED, BUT CAN BE REASONABLY
MITIGATED, IF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS
IMPLEMENTED.
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65302, the 1992
La Quinta General Plan Update has been prepared; and
WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report ereinafter EIR") has been
prepared and circulated, pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality
Act of 1970; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of California and the City of La Quinta,
in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970
*ereinafter CEQA"), as arnended *ublic Resource Code, Section 21000 et. seq.), and the
State Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA, as amended California Administrative Code,
Section 15000 et seq.), that the City shall not approve a project unless there is no feasible way
to lessen or avoid significant effects; meaning all impacts have been avoided to the extent
feasible or substantially lessened and any remaining unavoidable significant impacts are
acceptable baeed on CEQA, Section 15093; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of California and the City of La Quinta,
in accordance with the provisions of the CEQA, as amended *ublic Resources Code, Section
21000 et seq.) and the State Guidelines for implementation of CEQA, as amended California
Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq.) that the City shall balance the benefits of a
proposed project against its avoidable environmental risks prior to project approval; meaning that
if the benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the
adverse environmental effects may be considered acceptable; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta has read and considered
all environmental documentation comprising the EIR, has found that the EIR considers all
potentially significant environmental impacts of the proposed project is complete and adequate,
and fully complies with all requirements of CEQA; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered certain overriding
considerations to adverse impacts, the CEQA Findings and Statement of Facts; and
WHEREAS, prior to action on the project, the City Council has considered all
significant impacts, mitigation measures, and project alternatives identified in the EIR, and has
found that all potentially significant impacts on the project have been lessened or avoided to the
extent feasible; and
WHEREAS, Section 15093*) requires, where the decision of the City Council
allows the occurrences of significant effects which are identified in the EIR, but are not
mitigated, the City must state in writing the reasons to support its action based on the EIR
and/or other information in the record; and
WHEREAS, the CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines provide that no public
agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been completed and which
identifies one or more significant effects of the project unless the public agency makes written
findings for each of the significant effects, accompanied by a statement of facts supporting each
finding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Cou*cil of the City of
La Quinta does hereby certify the EIR for the 1992 La Quinta General Plan Update as adequate
and complete.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of La Quinta
makes the Statement of Overriding Considerations as shown on attached Exhibit A" entided
Statement of Overriding Considerations", which exhibit is incorporated herein as though set
forth at length.
BE IT FURThER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of La Quinta
adopts the CEQA Findings and Statement of Pacts as shown on the attached Exhibit B" entitled
CEQA Findings and Statement of Facts", which exhibit is incorporated herein as though set
forth at length.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of La Quinta
certifies that the EIR for the 1992 La Quinta General Plan Update and the Mitigation Monitoring
Program included in the Final EIR have been completed in compliance with CEQA and are
hereby approved and adopted by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta
City Council, held on this 6th day of October, 1992, by the following vote, to wit:
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AYES: Council Members Franklin, Rushworth, Sniff & Mayor Pena
NOES: Council Members Bohnenberqer
ABSENT: None
ABSTMN: None
JOH PE A, yor
City of * Quinta, California
ATTEST.
AUNDRA L. JUH A, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
APPROVED AS TO FORM
**J)AL *X1*A* *
DAWN HONEYWELL, *ity Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
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^#B RESOL*ON 92-80
EXHIBIT A"
STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
1. The update and adoption of the General Plan is an essential means for the continued
provision of a comprehensive and cohesive statement of policies which Will serve as a
basis for decisions relating to fulfilling current needs and anticipating future directions
for the City.
2. Implementation of the General Plan update will result in the reduction of negative
impacts associated with blight from inappropriate and undirected development within the
City.
3. Within the City of Ia Quinta, orderly expansion of public services and facilities will
improve or provide for public health, safety and welfare and avoid the undesirable
impacts of noncontiguous and uncontrolled development.
4. The proposed update of the General Plan is needed to further enhance the quality of life
sought as essential and beneficial in attracting new residents, business, and visitors to Ia
Quinta and generally promoting increased investment and return on property values.
5. Impacts identified as significant are generally associated with normal growth, progress,
and prosperity, and which would be much more severe without implementation of the
proposed General Plan update.
6. The project will be instrumental in causing new areawide public facilities to be
constructed, which will benefit both existing development and other future adjacent
development.
7. The updated General Plan's implementation will ultimately create new jobs for new
and/or expanded public facilities construction,future development construction and the
provision of public services for a larger population base.
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^#B RESOLUTION 92-80
EXHIBIT IIBN
CEOA FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF FACTS
BACKGROUND
The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines Guidelines)
promulgated pursuant thereto provide: No public agency shall approve or carry out a project
for which an Environmental Impact Report has been completed and which identifies one or more
significant effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more of the following
written fmdings for each of the significant effects, accompanied by a State of Facts supporting
each frnding. The possible findings are:
1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which
avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final
EIR.
2. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public
agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such
other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency.
3. Spocific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation
measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR Section 15091 of the
Guidelines).
The City of La Quinta proposes to approve the Ia Quinta General Plan". Because the proposed
action con constitites a project under CEQA and the Guidelines, the City of Ia Quinta has prepared
a Final Environmental Impact Report *EIR). This FEIR has identified certain significant
effects which may occur as a result of the project, or on a cumulative basis in conjunction with
this project and other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects. Further, the City
desires to approve this project and, after determining that the EIR is complete and has been
prepared in accordance with CEQA and the Guidelines, the findings set forth herein are made:
EFFECTS DETERMINED TO BE INSIGNIFICANT
An Initial Study was not prepared for this EIR as the City of La Quinta intended to prepare an
EIR for the General Plan Update, consistent with CEQA requirements. However, the
Environmental Checklist Form suggested by CEQA Guidelines and utilized by the City of La
Quinta was reviewed to ensure that all environmental topics as required by CEQA were
addressed in this EIR. All environmental impacts included on this list have been addressed
within this EIR with the exception of changes in current, or the course of direction of water
movements in either marina or fresh waters" for which no impacts were identified.
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FINDINGS AND FACTS IN SUPPORT OF FINDINGS FOR
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT
EFFECTS Determined TO BE MITIGABLE TO A LEVEL OF INSIGNIFICANCE
Earth Impacts:
The build out of the City Will result in the loss of prime agricultural soils in the eastern and
northern portions of the City as a result of the City transitioning from a rural to an urban
environment. Many of these areas are currently the location of existing development and
approved*tentative projects. Vacant or recently graded land of Myoma or Carrizo Series and
other soil types located within the City may be subject to high wind erosion when disturbed by
construction grading operations and severe weather conditions. The only known significant
mineral resource in the City is a non-operating sand and gravel mine located in a designated
open space area. The buildout of the City may be significantly impacted due to the underlying
geology of the region and proximity to major fault zones. Because the City is located upon a
large structural depression of alluvial deposits overlain upon granitic strata of the surrounding
mountain ranges, the groundshaking caused by these faults would cause these alluvial sediments
to consolidate, creating the potential for ground rupture, liquefaction and landsliding. Given the
location of the fault zones in relation to the City, the risk of these hazards is less-than-significant
except during high Richter and Modified Mercalli scale rated earthquakes.
Findings:
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been incorporated into the project, or are
otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate these impacts to a level of
insignificance.
a. Areas with steep topographical constraints including alluvial fans); areas subject
to severe land subsidence; areas designated as having significant mineral deposits;
and areas currendy under agricultural production or which have historically been
utilized for agricultural production shall be identified as open space.
b. Development in the City will respect the natural topography and minimize
significant alteration of the natural landform.
c. Hillside areas shall continue to be protected under the City's Hillside
Conservation Zone Ordinance. The City shall work with other governmental
jurisdictions and private parties to ensure the protection of hillside and alluvial fan
areas.
The City will identify and require the use of alternative measures to minimize
pollution from erosion and sedimentation, including the conservation of native
vegetation; use of permeable ground material; careful regulation of grading
practices; and the protection of newly graded slopes through proper irrigation,
straw, wood chips andlor visqueen.
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^#B e. To mitigate seismic hazards, the City will continue to require all structures and
foundations to be designated and constructed to resist seismic forces in accordance
with the criteria of the Uniform Building Code *BC). The City will also
investigate the potential for adjusting site design standards to higher levels than
those required by the UBC for high density residential and employment facilities
located east of Jefferson Street due to the higher risk of soil liquefaction in this
area.
f. The City shall require, as appropriate, the construction of recompacted soil mats
under all building foundations above potentially hazardous soils.
Water Impacts:
Development activities upon undeveloped sites and the intensification of existing improved
properties have the potential to impact the rate, amount, and quality of stormwater runoff
through the construction of impervious surfaces, by concentrating and redirecting surface flow,
and by adding pollutants to off-site discharge. Increased development in the City and in the
lower Coachella Valley will increase demands on already limited groundwater resources.
Residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, agricultural, and landscaping uses will all be
competing for diminishing groundwater supplies.
Findings:
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the
plan, or are otherwise required for subsequent environmental review which will mitigate
this impact to a level of insignificance.
a. The City and the Coachella Valley Water District shall continue to coordinate the
formation and administration of improvement districts to provide adequate
collection, detention/retention and conveyance facilities to protect existing and
future development.
b. Areas subject to severe flooding, facilities which control floodwater, and canals
which convey irrigation water shall be limited to development of recreational
related uses which can withstand periodic flooding.
c. The City will require that new development provide adequate on and off-site
stormwater collection and detention/retention facilities, and dedicate property to
allow for open and closed storm drainage facilities to safely contain and convey
the stormwater generated by the development.
d. The City will coordinate with the Coachella Valley Water District to ensure the
provision of a perpetual supply of potable water to all * Quinta residents; to
coordinate the formation and administration of improvement districts to replace
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undersized, unlined and under pressurized pipes; to assess connection fees to
provide development with adequate potable water distribution facilities and an
assured water facilities, such as pump stations, well sites, water reservoirs, etc.,
within the City.
e. In cooperation with the Coachella Valley Water District, the City will initiate
water conservation efforts to reduce the amount of potable water utilized by City
residents. These measures will include the preparation and adoption of a water
efficient landscape ordinance; the reclamation and reuse of treated wastewater in
future golf course development and other projects; the use of canal water with
soil binders; the use of water saving plumbing fixtures; and public education.
2. Changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Coachella
Valley Water District and such changes have been adopted by the Water District, or can
and should be adopted by the Water District
land Use:
Implementation of the Draft General Plan will allow for an estimated buildout population of
59,779 in the City of La Quinta. land area used for residential purposes will increase from an
existing 1919 acres to an estimated 8047 acres. This will provide approximately 28,095 single
family detached dwelling units and 3368 attached single family/multi-family dwelling units.
land area utilized for commercial uses is expected to quadruple from 158 existing acres to 977
acres. The majority of this increase will be on existing vacant land along Highway 111. The
1905 acres currenfly utilized for agricultural purposes is expected to be converted into very low
and low density residential uses. The amount of land area dedicated as open space *ountain
areas, water courses/flood control and golf courses) is expected to increase from 7514 acres to
7713 acres. The increase is primarily the dedication of additional golf courses.
Findings:
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been incorporated into the plan, or are
otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate this impact to the extent feasible.
a. The City will provide for a variety of housing opportunities: density, type, and
affordability. Density bonuses will be considered on an individual basis where
specific conditions provide for better housing and environmental conditions.
b. The areas currenfly utilized/identified as agricultural will be identified with a
Rural Residential Overlay" to further reduce development densities and preserve
the rural character of this part of the City.
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C. The City will provide for a variety of commercial uses to service the residents of
the City and the region. These will include MixediRegional Commercial uses
restricted to the Highway Ill areas to limit the impact of such facilities on
neighborhood quality of life.
d. Commercial uses will be required to provide adequate buffers between
neighboring land uses and to follow strict urban design criteria. Some
commercial uses, to be located near neighborhoods, will be designed to encourage
travel via walking, bicycling and public transit.
e. Sensitive environmental areas significant cultural resources, threatened or
endangered plant and wildlife species habitat, scenic resources and significant
topographical features) will be protected and preserved under the Open Space land
use category. Maintenance of existing agricultural areas will be encouraged for
as long as possible.
Cultural Resources Impacts:
The build out of the City will potentially result in the loss of archaeological value of historic and
prehistoric sites as land is disturbed and developed. Archaeological sites are in the ground and
their significance lies in their potential to answer archaeological research questions. Sites are
extremely fragile and can be destroyed with just one pass of a bulldozer. Many proposed and
existing development areas are likely to contain significant archaeological sites, namely in the
coves and protected areas at the base of the mountains. Buildout will also result in the loss of
historic agrarian sites within the community as farmland, palm groves, and citrus orchards are
developed into more intensive urban uses.
Findin*s:
1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the project which
avoid the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR.
a. Areas of the City with known, significant cultural resources shall be designated
as open space to provide for their protection and preservation. The City will
incorporate cultural resources into open space areas, including park facilities,
where possible. The City shall also facilitate the preservation of designated
historic landmarks and structures utilizing density transfers, historic preservation
ordinances, and other means.
b. The City will require development applications to be reviewed by a qualified
archaeologist prior to final approval to identify any project-related impacts to
cultural resources. The City shall also establish and maintain contact with the
appropriate governmental agencies, historic and archaeological societies and
Native American concerns to confirm the identification of cultural resources.
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^#B C. Upon the conversion of agricultural uses to more urban uses, elements of the past
agricultural use, such as palm groves, citrus orchards, etc., shall be incorporated
into the remaining open space areas, streetscapes and landscape designs. The
City Will concentrate efforts to preserve the date grove in the Village as a link to
its agricultural past and evaluate the feasibility of its use as an interpretive center
highlighting the City's history.
Aesthetic Impacts:
Development of the City at buildout could have a significant impact on what are considered the
aesthetic qualities of the City of Ia Quinta. While the mountains have been designated as open
space and are protected, the views of the Santa Rosa and Coral Reef Mountains could still be
obstructed through improper site planning and/or building design. In addition, utility lines and
accessory site items such as parking lots, signs, lights, and similar items) may also impact on
the view of the mountains and other natural features, and may detract from the existing natural
and built aesthetics of the area.
1. Changes or alterations have been required in or incorporated into the project which
substantially lessen the significant environmental effects as identified in the Final EIR.
a. The City will require the under-grounding of all existing and proposed overhead
electrical lines of less than 12.5 kilovolts and that new development and
redevelopment projects be served with underground communication facilities.
b. The City will utilize street corridors to provide scenic vistas of the Coral Reef
and Santa Rosa Mountains and will require landscaped setbacks of a minimum of
10 to 50 feet. Roadways will also be utilized as primary, secondary, and agrarian
image corridors for the City. Wall openings to allow views into projects from
these image corridors will be required as one means of minimizing negative visual
impacts of continuous walls.
C. Upon conversion of agricultural uses to other, more urban uses, elements of the
past agricultural use, such as palm groves, citrus orchards, etc., shall be
incorporated into remaining open space areas, streetscapes and landscape designs.
Development within the Rural Residential Overlay area will be required to
conform to design guidelines which evoke a rural character.
d. The City will establish strict urban design development standards for access,
signage, landscaping, setbacks, building facade treatments, pedestrian/employee
amenities, and the like.
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^#B Public Services and Utilities Impacts:
Buildout of the City will require 9.91 million gallons per day MGD) of potable water; 285.6
million kilowatt hours per year of electricity; 24.08 million therms per year of natural gas;
create 7.93 MGD of sanitaay sewage; and produce 43,600 tons per year of solid waste. At
buildout, the City will require 90 law enforcement and 60 Fire Department personnel. The
larger population will also require additional numbers of physicians, extended stay nursing
homes, and emergency medical treatment centers to adequately serve the needs of the
community. In addition, the increased population will provide an increase in the number of
school aged children living in the City. The Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School
District will need to provide additional classroom space teachers, and administrative staff to
support the educational needs of these children. The City will require a total of 29,870 square
feet of library space to hold a minimum of 71,736 volumes. City Administration will require
47,800 square feet of administration space to serve the expanded community. An additional 180
acres of neighborhood and community parks and 598 acres of regional parks will also be
required to meet the needs of the City at buildout.
Findings:
1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which
substantially lessen significant environmental effects as identified in the Final EIR.
a. The City will coordinate with the Coachella Valley Water District to ensure the
provision of a perpetual supply of potable water for La Quinta residents,
including the replacement and expansion of the water delivery system, use of
water conservation measures, and support of groundwater recharge activities.
b. The City will coordinate with the CVWD to ensure the provision of an adequate
and comprehensive sewage collection and treatment system, including the
replacement and expansion of the sewage collection and transport system,
formation and administration of improvement districts, use of connection fees,
and the utilization of tertiary treated wastewater to provide large, water based
recreation amenities and to irrigate expansive turf and landscaped areas.
c. The City shall coordinate with the Southern California Gas Company, Imperial
Irrigation District and the General Telephone Electronics Company, Inc. GTE)
to ensure the perpetual delivery and accessibility of natural gas, electricity, and
telephone service within the City.
d. The City shall develop programs which reduce the demand for electricity and
natural gas by encouraging the use of active solar, passive solar and other energy
conservation opportunities. The City will also utilize planning and building
standards which minimize consumption of non-renewable resources such as
natural gas and fossil fuels.
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^#B e. The City shall coordinate with the Riverside County Waste Management
Department and Coachella Valley Association of Governments to promote solid
waste source reduction and recycling activities with the City; and sponsor an
annual clean-Up day to reduce the litter, blight and household haaardous waste in
the City. The City shall regulate hazardous waste facilities within the City and
the storage and transportation of haaardous materials through the City.
f. The City shall coordinate with the Riverside County Sheriff Department and Fire
Department to provide high levels of law enforcement and fire protection within
the City. This includes an evaluation for the siting of a third fire station in the
northern areas in La Quinta.
g. The City shall coordinate with the Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified
School Districts to provide high quality education and recreation facilities to
adequately serve the buildout population. The City shall encourage the location
of these schools within close proximity of the residential areas containing the
largest proportion of students in the City.
h. The City shall coordinate with the Riverside County Library System to provide
adequate space and facilities to serve the literary and educational needs of
residents, including future facilities in the northern and/or southeastern portions
of the incorporated area.
1. The City shall utilize a variety of means to ensure that a total of 3.0 acres of
improved neighborhood and community park lands are provided per 1000 City
residents, including the dedication of land and/or the payment of fees. The City
shall coordinate with the County of Riverside to provide regional parks that range
from 31 to more than 100 acres in size, serve a radius of 10 miles and provide
10 acres of parkland per 1000 residents at full buildout of the City.
j. The City shall prepare a multi-year Capital Improvement Program to prioritize
needed improvements within La Quinta on an annual basis.
Noise Impacts:
Noise impacts will be generated primarily from two sources * noise associated with construction
activities, and noise associated with the increase in traffic on City streets. Noise associated with
construction activities will typically be short term in nature, and the duration of the exposure
will last only as long as the construction activity. Noise associated with the increase in traffic
on City streets is long term in nature and will result in an increase of the ambient noise levels
in the City. These impacts are considered significant because of the long term nature of the
noise, excessive exposure levels and the resulting effects on the ambient noise levels in the
community.
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Findings:*s:
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the
plan, or are otherwise required for subsequent environmental review which will mitigate
this impact to the extent feasible.
a. A non-residential overlay shall be established and designated to restrict residential
uses from locating within areas with excessive traffic, noise and other unsuitable
environmental conditions along Highway ill. Primary image corridors streets)
shall include design criteria including noise berms and barriers.
b. The City will prepare and adopt a noise control ordinance with quantified limits
and shall train/equip its staff to enforce the ordinance.
c. Noise control plans will be required for new development along major and
primary arterials, and for all non-residential uses located within 1000 feet of
residential uses.
d. Require subsequent focused environmental review, including noise assessments,
for site-specific developments to determine the direct effect on area ambient noise
levels, and the impact of existing and future noise sources on the development.
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED IF THE
PROJECT IS IMPLEMENTED
Traffic/Circulation Impacts:
Under buildout conditions, Washington Street from Highway 111 to 48th Avenue is expected
to see greater than a 200% increase in traffic, from the existing count of 21,500 to over 78,000
vehicles per day. The majority of roadways in * Quinta will experience the same high
percentage increases in daily traffic volumes at buildout. To compensate for the demand on
Washington and Jefferson Streets, Madison Street is expected to absorb an increase in traffic
volurnes of over 1000% from 1500 to 22,200). Also of note is 54th Avenue from Jefferson
Street to Madison Street, which is projected to experience an increase in traffic from 2350 to
22,900 vehicles per day at buildout. Due to the physical constraints imposed by the mountains
and the large resort developments throughout the City, opportunities for construction of new
roadways to augment the existing grid system and relieve existing arterials is limited. Within
* Quinta, the primary option to satisfy the growth in future travel demands is to widen and
improve existing roadways.
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Findings:
Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the
plan, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate this impact to the extent
feasible.
a. The City shall plan, design and implement a roadway system based upon roadway
*nctional classification. Roadway classifications for the City include Major
Arterials, Primary Arterials, Secondary Arterials, Collector Streets, and Local
Streets.
b. The City shall utilize Level of Service as a measure of acceptable traffic flow and
operational conditions at intersections. The minimum acceptable Level of Service
will be LOS NDW during the A.M. or P.M. peak hours without further mitigation.
c. The City shall monitor traffic conditions to identify and implement Transportation
System Management strategies as warranted. These strategies include intersection
geometric and signalization improvements, spot roadway widenings, directional
control, access control, land use controls and Transportation Demand
Management.
d. The City will continue to work jointly with Caltrans and the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments to identify and implement improvement plans for the
Highway 111 Corridor.
e. The City will institute street access guidelines consistent with the functional
roadway classifications. The City will restrict access to all major and primary
arterials, except at intersection locations and other approved points of ingress and
egress.
f. The City will coordinate with Sunline Transit to attain a balance of transportation
opportunities, including development of short/long range service plans and the
implementation of transit improvements, potential park and ride facilities, bus
pullouts; and the establishment of transit stops adjacent to medical facilities,
senior citizen facilities, major areas of employment and shopping centers, and
parks.
g. Bicycling, walking and horseback riding will be encouraged as alternative forms
of transportation.
2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been reduced by
virtue of mitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise incorporated into the Plan
as set forth in 1" above.
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3. The remaining unavoidable significant effects are acceptable when balanced against the
facts set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations, giving greater weight to the
remaining unavoidable significant effect, and in view of the following fact:
a. Impacts identified from the proposed General Plan are considered significant only
on a cumulative basis in association with other projects occurring on a local and
regional scale.
Air Ouality Impacts:
The proposed project will generate both short term and long term mobile emissions and long
term stationary source emissions. The primary source of short term emissions will be
oonstruction equipment operation in the course of developing project-identified land uses. The
primary source of long term emissions will be project-generated traffic and the on-site emissions
from residential and commercial natural gas consumption.
Findin*s:
1. Changes and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the plan, or are
otherwise required for subsequent environmental review, which will partially mitigate to
the extent feasible this significant impact, including the following:
a. The City will require the use of low particulate emitting construction materials
and methods such as pre-primed and sanded wood molding and trim products;
pre-primed wallboard; and vacuuming in lieu of pneumatic debris removal to help
control particulate emissions associated with construction.
b. Disturbance to the natural vegetation and topography will be kept at a minimum
to minimize particulate emissions from construction site preparation. Dust
palliative measures will be required during site preparation to reduce fugitive dust
emissions.
c. The City will support measures to reduce the number of person and vehicle trips
to reduce regional air pollutant emissions. These include having public and
private employers implement programs which eliminate person work trips, such
as alternative work schedules, flextime and telecommuting, carpooling,
vanpooling, and the like. The City will also support improved transit service
through transit bus time, schedule, performance and connection upgrades.
d. Mixed-use development will be encouraged to reduce external vehicle trips and
increase non-vehicular internal trips.
e. Parking lot and internal circulation systems of new developments shall be
designed so as to minimize internal travel and vehicle idling times.
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^#B f. Traffic conditions at high volume intersections and roadway locations will be *
monitored to reduce mobile source emissions related to vehicle idling time and
traffic congestion.
g. Energy conservation will be practiced in order to minimize the impacts of
increased natural gas and electrical consumption associated with the
implementation of the General Plan over buildout time frame.
2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been
substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise
incorporated into the plan as set forth in 1" above.
3. The remaining unavoidable significant effects are acceptable when balanced against the
facts set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations, giving greater weight to the
remaining unavoidable significant effect, and in view of the following fact:
a. Impacts identified from the proposed General Plan are considered significant only
on a cumulative basis in association with other projects occurring on a local and
regional scale.
Biota Impacts:
Further development of the City will have significant direct and indirect impacts on the resident
indigenous plant and animal communities. the physical action of development will require that
natural habitat areas be altered to provide for human habitation. Even where habitat areas are
not direcfly distressed, the natural migration and foraging patterns of the animal species will be
affected by human habitation. In addition, the proximity of humans with their accompanying
lifestyles including noise, pollution and pets), may have a secondary impact on la Quinta's
wildlife.
Findings:
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the
plan, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate these impacts to the extent
feasible.
a. Designation of the Coral Reef and Santa Rosa Mountains as open space will
protect the habitat areas of the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, Magic Gecko, Prairie
Falcon and Golden Eagle.
b. The City will continue to support the maintenance and perpetuation of wildlife
refuges and preserves, including the Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Liaard Habitat
Conservation Preserve and the Santa Rosa Mountain State Game Refuge, for the
protection of habitat areas of multiple threatened and endangered wildlife species.
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^#B 1
C. The City will require development applications to be reviewed by a qualified
wildlife biologist and horticulturist to identify any project related impacts on
habitat areas. Where appropriate, the City will designate portions of proposed
project areas as Open Space to protect rare, threatened and endangered flora and
fauna habitat areas and will incorporate these areas in public park facilities.
2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated
or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise
incorporated into the policies of the General Plan.
3. The remaining unavoidable significant effect is acceptable when balanced against the facts
set forth in the Overriding Considerations, giving weight to the remaining unavoidable
significant effect.
FINDINGS CONCERNING ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION:
Prior to adopting the 1992 La Quinta General Plan Update, the City Council bas considered all
of the alternatives presented in the Draft EIR and Final EIR and finds that the alternatives other
than the preferred alternative are infeasible based on economic, social and other considerations
as set forth below.
Infeasibility of the No Project Alternative" The Existing General Plan)
This alternative would require that the City continue to use the existing General Plan document
and make development decisions in the City based on that document as if no 1992 La Quinta
General Plan Update were completed. Under the No Project Alternative", known as
Alternative A in the EIR, a greater number of dwelling units will likely be developed on a
greater number of acres within the City. In addition, Alternative A requires greater increases
in the number of police and fire personnel, public building space, and parkiand. Alternative A
also consumes greater amounts of resources, i.e., portable water, natural gas, electric power)
and requires the treatment of more sanitary sewer waste and the disposal of more solid waste.
Alternative A fails to meet the City's objective of maintaining a lower density life style
complimented with neighborhood and community commercial uses. Based on these
considerations, the City Council finds that Alternative A is infeasible.
Infeasibility of Alternative B Approved/tentative Projects Alternative)
Alternative B includes the assessment of existing conditions in the City plus projects currently
under construction and approved/tentative specific plans and tract maps. Under Alternative B,
a decrease in the number of commercial acres to be developed is expected. If non commercial
projects were developed within commercially designated areas, the City would experience a loss
of land on which to expand its tax base and may subsequently allow building intensities to be
increased on the reduced commercial acreage to replace this loss. Demands upon public
facilities and infrastructure are essentially the same as Alternative A and, therefore, greater than
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^#B 5
the demands under the preferred alternative. Although Alternative B may still provide a plan
which stimulates and generates revenues to the City, resulting in a solid economic and fiscal tax
base, the development of major commercial nodes at locations surrounded by lower density
residential areas may ultimately contribute to the decline in livability in many affected
neighborhoods. Based on these considerations, the City Council finds that Alternative B is
infeasible.
Infeasibility of Alternative C Commercial Cate*ories*land use Pattern Alternatives*
Alternative C comprises the incorporation of existing conditions, projects under construction and
approved specific plans, like Alternative B, but includes land use pattern changes derived from
comments received in workshops held in preparation of developing a new general plan for the
City. Alternative C results in a substantial decrease in commercial acreage. It also allows for
higher density residential uses, particularly in the Highway 111 corridor, which will effect
opportunities for providing adequate commercial acreage to support an expanding tax base for
the City. The demand on public facilities and infrastructure are similar to Alternative B, greater
than those demands under the preferred alternative. Because Alternative C does not provide the
City with a plan which stimulates and generates revenues, resulting in a solid, economic and
fiscal tax base, the City Council finds this alternative infeasible.
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