Act (CEQA) and determined that mitigation was required. Please see the Environmental Documentation section in this staff report for more information or Attachment A for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
Project Setting:
The 10.93-acre site is currently vacant and is located on seven (7) parcels (419-160- 005, -024, 419-170-016, -017, -018, -022 and -027). Xenia Avenue currently has an existing curb and overhead power lines, and Eighth Street currently has no improvements but does contain overhead power lines. The parcels to the north include several single-family residential lots that contain existing single-family residences. To the west are the Noble Creek apartments and to the east are the Tuscany Villas apartments. Vacant land and the Do It Best Center are located to the south.
The project setting can also be seen in the following materials attached to this staff report:
General Plan Land Use Map (Attachment D)
Zoning Map (Attachment E)
Aerial Photograph (Attachment F)
The land uses, zoning, and General Plan land use designations of the p roject site and surrounding area are shown in the following Table.
LAND USE GENERAL
PLAN ZONING
PROJECT
SITE Vacant Land
DMU
(Downtown
Mixed
Use)
DMF (Downtown
Residential Multiple
Family)
NORTH Single Family Residences
DMU
(Downtown
Mixed
Use)
DMF (Downtown
Residential Multiple
Family)
SOUTH Vacant Land and Do It Best
DMU
(Downtown
Mixed
Use)
SSMU (Sixth Street
Mixed Use)
EAST Tuscany Villas Residential
Multiple Family Residences
DMU
(Downtown
Mixed
Use)
DMF (Downtown
Residential Multiple
Family)
WEST
Noble Creek Apartments
Residential Multiple Family
Residences
DMU
(Downtown
Mixed
Use)
DMF (Downtown
Residential Multiple
Family)
Site Design:
The site currently contains seven (7) separate parcels, all of which are vacant and unimproved. The project is concurrently processing a tentative parcel map to merge the parcels to ensure that no structures or uses straddle property lines. The proposed project consists of constructing 16 apartment buildings, totaling 192 multi-family residential dwelling units and one (1) single story community building, on approximately
10.93 acres.
The residential structures would be two stories in height, of wood framed construction, utilizing conventional shallow foundations and slab on-grade. The proposed project would provide ancillary amenities such as a pool/recreation area, community club, outdoor fitness area and dog park.
The project also includes a water quality basin, parking/drive areas, underground utilities, and other improvements. The Project includes actions necessary to annex approximately 9.08 acres of the 10.93-acre project site to the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) via the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
The development proposes Building 1 and 2 along the Xenia Avenue frontage.
Buildings 3 through 7 are located along the southern boundary of the project side and have a detention/drainage basin between Buildings 5 and 6. The northern portion of the subject property includes Buildings 8 through 17, with two (2) four (4) building clusters that include Buildings 8 through 15. Building 16 is a stand -alone structure in the northwestern portion of the property and is adjacent to the community pool area.
Building 17 is the community building which is located between the pool area and Building 2.
The dog park is located in the southeastern portion of the project site on Assessor’s Parcel Number 490-160-024. An outdoor fitness area is proposed on the 25-foot-wide
parcel (APN: 490-170-017) between 1523 and 1543 E. Eighth Street and will only have pedestrian access.
Parking fields are located on the northern project boundary and on a port ion on the southeastern boundary adjacent to eight (8) foot landscaping buffers. Additional parking is provided throughout the site and carports are situated in several areas of the project site.
The project has been designed with two (2) full access unsignalized, gated driveways with one (1) located on Xenia Avenue and the other driveway located on Eighth Street in the eastern portion of the site on Assessor’s Parcel Number 419-160-024. The Eighth Street driveway is 25 feet in width with 12 feet of lan dscaping on both sides.
The proposal includes providing sewer to the site as well as providing the opportunity for the single-family residences on Eighth Street to connect to sewer if they choose to do so. The homes on Eighth Street adjacent to the project site are currently on septic.
The minimum useable open space requirement for multi-family residential projects in the Downtown Residential Multiple Family (DMF) zone is 200 square feet per unit in projects with more than 20 units, per Beaumont Municip al Code Section 17.19.080.C.5.
The total open space requirement for this project is 38,000 square feet and the project is proposing 13,824 square feet for private open space in the form of patios or balconies.
The common open space provides 27,397 square feet of area for a combined open space total of 41,221 square feet. The common open spaces consist of the following amenities and square footages:
Pool and deck area 4,462 square feet
Community building and fitness area 1,040 square feet Open space court A 5,693 square feet
Open space court B 5,693 square feet
Dog park 6,732 square feet
Fitness amenities 3,777 square feet
On December 14, 2022, the project applicant held a neighborhood meeting and invited 14 property owners. The meeting was attended by five (5) property owners and one (1) letter was provided by an owner that was not able to attend. The discussion primarily focused on the ability for the property owners to have the availability to connect to the sewer system. The applicant will be providing a lateral sewer line that residents have
the opportunity to connect to. The resident letter identified several concerns related to drainage, surveying, and two (2) existing trees (see Attachment H).
The attached Development Plans (Attachment C) include the site layout, grading, floor plans, elevations and conceptual landscaping.
Architecture:
The proposed project will utilize a modern style of architecture that includes varied rooflines and building planes to create visual interest. The exterior accents include decorative scoring in a modern pattern, decorative siding, metal cantilever awnings, wrought iron hand and guard rails powder coated to match the color palette.
The apartment building has nine (9) planes on the front elevatio ns and the side elevations have between seven (7) and eight (8) planes. The community building has nine (9) planes on the front elevation and multiple planes on the side and rear elevations. The buildings consist of stucco, siding and metal materials.
Exterior finish treatments are comprised of a mixture of paint stucco in gray, off white, and blue tones and the siding will be a brown tone. The project is proposing a parapet and sloped roofs with varied heights between 25’2” to 29’10” with metal roof e lements.
Circulation and Parking:
A Traffic Impact Analysis was prepared by RK Engineering Group, Inc., on September 22, 2022. The project as proposed will provide two (2) full access unsignalized, gated driveways with one (1) located on Xenia Avenue and the other driveway located on Eighth Street in the eastern portion of the site. The project is also required to pay the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF), Development Impact Fees (DIF) and/or fair share fees consistent with the City’s requirements.
Per Beaumont Municipal Code Table 17.05-1. Multiple family residential are required to provide 1.25 parking spaces (spaces may be uncovered) for efficiency and one (1) bedroom units and two (2) parking spaces (at least one (1) space must be covered) for two (2) or more bedroom units. The proposal includes 64 one (1) bedroom units and 128 two (2) bedroom units. The project as proposed would require a total of 336 parking spaces, of which 128 spaces are required to be covered.
The proposal is to provide 408 parking spaces which include 128 carports to meet the covered parking requirements established in Beaumont Municipal Code, Chapter 17.05.
Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP):
The project is found to be consistent with the MSHCP. The project is located outside of any MSHCP criteria area and mitigation is provided through payment of the MSHCP Mitigation Fee.
Development Review Committee (DRC):
The Development Review Committee reviewed the project for design on March 10, 2022, and July 14, 2022. Staff from the various City departments provided written comments that have been incorporated into the proposed conditions of approval.
Consistency with Adopted Goals, Plans and Programs:
General Plan Consistency:
The proposed use is in conformance with the General Plan for the City of Beaumont. The land use designation for the project site is Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), as shown in Attachment D. The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan Policy 3.3.1 that supports the development of new housing opportunities, as defined by the Land Use Element contained in the General Plan; and Policy 3.3.2 to develop a variety of housing types at varying densities that meet the needs of the residents of a variety of incomes, lifestyles and needs.
Zoning Consistency:
The use is subject to and is consistent with the Development Standards for the Downtown Residential Multiple Family zone. The use would meet the objectives of the zone and that the use and its operation are compatible with uses permitted in the zone, subject to approval of a plot plan.
The proposed use also complies with zoning code requirements relating to plot plans. Findings required by Beaumont Municipal Code; Section 17.02.070 are found in the Beaumont Municipal Code. The plot plan findings are provided in this staff report under the findings section.
Housing Element
The 6th Cycle Housing Element was certified by the State of California on December 12, 2002. The subject properties are identified in the Site Inventory of the Housing Element for moderate income (see Attachment J).
Environmental Documentation:
An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for the project in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration document was based upon the City standard checklist and addressed a full range of environmental topics (see Attachment A).
The findings of environmental process are that all significant issues can be mitigated to a level of insignificance with respect to local and regional standards and thresholds. In order to achieve the level of insignificance, a series of mitigation measures are proposed (Condition Nos. 130-137).
To ensure that these measures are properly enacted, a mitigation monitoring program is necessary and would be enforced during the construction and operation of the project, if approved.
The Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was circulated for a 30-day public review period from September 13, 2023, through October 13, 2023, and is included as Attachment A to this staff report. Staff received four (4) comment letters from Agua Caliente requesting a tribal monitor during ground disturbing activities, the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Riverside Transit Authority provided a no comment email, and Blair Ball inquiring about sewer connections for the existing single family residential lots on Eighth Street.
Public Communications Received:
Property owners located within a 300-foot radius of the project site were notified of the intended public hearing on September 13, 2023, with a 30 -day hearing notice in addition to a public notice in the Press Enterprise. The CEQA and public hearing notice identified the Planning Commission date as October 25, 2023, and the City Council date as November 7, 2023. Proof of the publication for CEQA and the public hearing proof of publication is included as Attachment I to this staff report.
Staff received four (4) comments were received during the CEQA 30-day public review period. The Planning Department has not received additional letters of comment from the public in favor or opposition to the project. Any additional comments received prior to the time of the scheduled Planning Commission meeting will be provided to the Commission at the time of the public hearing.
Planning Commission Authority:
The Beaumont Municipal Code, Section 16.04.020 designates the Planning Commission as the “advisory agency” charged with reviewing and making recommendations on all proposal parcel map land divisions and tentative subdivision maps in the city. Section 16.24.050.A authorizes the Planning Commission to conditionally approval or disapprove all tentative parcel maps and tentative subdivision maps and land divisions and submit to the City Council for final approval.
When a tentative map is required under the Subdivision Map Act (66463.5(a)), an approved or conditionally approved tentative map shall expire 24 months after its approval or conditional approval. The Subdivision Map Act does allow for up to four (4) years of extensions subject to approval by the original approving body.
A plot plan is required per Section 10.02.070 to establish a new land use, or to assume an existing land use, consistent with the zoning of the proposed location and requires a public hearing conducted by the Planning Commission. The Beaumont Municipal Code Section 17.02.070.F authorizes the Planning Commission to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application.
On October 25, 2023, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and received testimony from the project applicant, Paul Onufer, resident and property owner Romero Cabrera, and property owner Dr. Blair Ball. The comments from the residents were primarily associated with the ability of the Eighth Street residences to connect to sewer. The applicant advised the Planning Commission that the adjacent homes on Eighth Street would have the ability to connect to sewer, except for three (3) lots to the east that have topography issues.
The Planning Commission by a vote of 3-0 recommended approval to the City Council to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, approve Plot Plan PP2022-0427 and approve Tentative Parcel Map No. 38233 (PM2022 -0010) with the incorporation of one condition to address lighting in the outdoor fitness area (see Condition No. 138 in Attachment B).
Plot Plan Findings:
1. The proposed use is permitted, or is substantially similar to a use permitted, within the subject zone and complies with the intent of all applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
The project is subject to and is consistent with the Development Standards for the Downtown Residential Multiple Family (DMF) zone. The zoning allows multiple family apartments and condominiums as permitted uses and requires a Plot Plan per Beaumont Municipal Code Section 10.02.070.
2. The proposed use is consistent with the objectives, policies, general plan land uses and programs of the general plan and any applicable specific plans.
The proposed project is in conformance with the General Plan for the City of Beaumont.
The land use designation for the project site is Downtown Mixed Use (DMU). The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan Policy 3.3.1 that supports the development of new housing opportunities, as defined by the Land Use Element contained in the General Plan; and Policy 3.3.2 to develop a variety of housing types at varying densities that meet the needs of the residents of a variety of incomes, lifestyles and needs.
3. The subject site is physically suitable for the type and intensity of the proposed land use.
The site is vacant and is relatively flat. The proposed project is in a predominantly single and multiple family residential area that is developed and is suitable for multiple family residential development.
4. The location, size, design and operating characteristics of the proposed use are compatible with existing land uses within the general area in which the proposed use is located.
The zoning for the project site is Downtown Residential Multiple Family and the land use designation is Downtown Mixed Use (DMU). The proposed project is surrounded by property that is currently zoned Downtown Multiple Family and designated as Downtown Mixed Use by the current General Plan with exception of the property located to south that has a zoning designation of Sixth Street Mixed Use. The site is surrounded by single family residences to the north, multiple family residences to west and west. To the south of the project site is vacant land and the Do It Best Center. The proposed uses are compatible with the surrounding residential multiple family zoned properties to the west and east. The properties to the north are existing single family residential uses with a zoning designation of Downtown Residential Multiple and provide a transition from single family to multiple family. The commercial operation to the south also provides a logical transition between uses.
5. There are adequate provisions for public access, water, sanitation, and public utilities and services to ensure that the proposed land use would not be detrimental to the public convenience, health, safety or general welfare.
The site will be served by the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District for water services after annexation in the Water District and the City of Beaumont for sewer disposal system. Electricity will be provided by Southern California Edison and natural gas will be provided by the Southern California Gas Company. Solid waste and refuse services are provided by Waste Management, Inc. on behalf of the City of Beaumont. The site can be adequately served and will not be detrimental to public health and safety.
6. The approval of the plot plan permit for the proposed uses is in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and there would be no significant adverse impacts upon environmental quality and natural resources that cannot be reasonably mitigated and monitored.
A Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for the project by ECORP Environmental, Inc. dated May 2023 and determined that any project impacts can be reasonably mitigated as shown in Attachment A.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost to prepare this staff report is approximately $350.00.
Recommended Action:
Hold a public hearing and,
Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for ENV2022-0021, Approve Plot Plan PP2022- 0427 and approve Tentative Parcel Map No. 38233 (PM2022-0010) for a two-year period, subject to the attached conditions of approval.
Attachments:
A. Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) B. Draft Conditions of Approval
C. Development Plan
D. Tentative Parcel Map No. 38233
E. General Plan Land Use Designation Map
F. Zoning Map
G. Aerial Photograph
H. Community Meeting Sign In Sheet and Letter Dated December 14, 2022 I. Proof of Publication
J. 6th Cycle Housing Element Site Inventory
Incorporated herein by Reference:
City of Beaumont General Plan
City of Beaumont Zoning Ordinance
Sixth Cycle Housing Element
Project Site’s Riverside Conservation Authority Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan Informational Map
Contents of City of Beaumont Planning Department Project File PP2022 -0427, PM2022-0010 (TPM38233) and ENV2022-0021
DRAFT
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project
Beaumont, California
Lead Agency:
City of Beaumont
550 East 6th Street
Beaumont, California 92223
Prepared for:
Beaumont Land Partners, LLC
556 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Suite 337
Pasadena, California 91105
Prepared by:
2681 Pullman Street
Santa Ana, California 92705
May 2023
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DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Lead Agency: City of Beaumont
Project Proponent: Beaumont Land Partners, LLC
Project Location: The Project Site is located near the southeast corner of Xenia Avenue and 8th Street in the City of Beaumont. The 10.93-acre Project Site is currently vacant.
Project Description: The Proposed Project consists of constructing 16 apartment buildings, totaling 192 multi-family residential dwelling units, on approximately 10.93 acres. The residential structures would be two stories in height, of wood- framed construction, utilizing conventional shallow foundations and slab- on-grade. The Proposed Project would provide ancillary amenities such as a pool/recreation area, community club, and dog park. The Project also includes a water quality basin, parking/drive areas, underground utilities, and other improvements. The Project includes actions necessary to annex approximately 9.08 acres of the 10.93-acre Project Site to the Beaumont- Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) via the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
Mitigation Measures Incorporated into the Project to Avoid Significant Effects:
Biological Resources
BIO-1: Burrowing Owl Pre-Construction Surveys and Avoidance: The Project Area was determined to be suitable for burrowing owl due to the presence of suitable habitat and recent records of the species that have been recorded near the Project Site. Prior to ground disturbing activities, a qualified wildlife biologist (i.e., a wildlife biologist with previous burrowing owl survey experience) shall conduct pre-construction surveys of the Project Site, plus a 500-foot buffer, to locate active breeding or wintering burrowing owls and burrowing owl burrows between 30 and 14 days prior to construction. The survey methodology will be consistent with the methods outlined in the CDFW Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation (CDFG 2012) and will consist of walking parallel transects 20 – 60 feet apart, adjusting for vegetation height and density as needed, and noting any potential burrows with fresh burrowing owl sign or presence of burrowing.
A qualified biologist shall conduct an additional pre-construction survey of the Project Site plus an approximately 500-foot buffer no more than 24-hours prior to the start of ground- disturbing activities associated with construction activities to identify any additional
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 burrowing owls or burrows necessitating avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures.
The results of the survey should be submitted to the City and CDFW within five days of survey completion.
If no burrowing owls are observed during the survey, Project site preparation and construction activities may begin, and no further action is necessary. If burrowing owls are found to be present, then avoidance or minimization measures shall be undertaken in consultation with the City and CDFW. CDFW shall be sent written notification within 48 hours of detection of burrowing owls. If active burrowing owl burrows are detected, the Project Applicant shall not commence activities until no sign is present that the burrows are being used by adult or juvenile owls or following CDFW approval of a Burrowing Owl Plan as described below. If owl presence is difficult to determine, a qualified biologist shall monitor the burrows with motion-activated trail cameras for at least 24 hours to evaluate burrow occupancy. The onsite qualified biologist will verify the nesting effort has finished according to methods identified in the Burrowing Owl Plan.
The Burrowing Owl Plan shall be prepared in accordance with guidelines in the CDFG Staff Report on Burrowing Owl (March 2012) and MSHCP. The qualified biologist and Project Applicant shall coordinate with the City, CDFW, and USFWS to develop a Burrowing Owl Plan to be approved by the City, CDFW, and USFWS prior to commencing Project activities. The Burrowing Owl Plan shall describe proposed avoidance, relocation, monitoring, minimization, and/or mitigation actions. The Burrowing Owl Plan shall include the number and location of occupied burrow sites and details on proposed buffers if avoiding the burrowing owls or information on the adjacent or nearby suitable habitat available to owls for relocation. If no suitable habitat is available nearby for relocation, details regarding the creation and funding of artificial burrows (numbers, location, and type of burrows) and management activities for relocated owls shall also be included in the Burrowing Owl Plan. The City and Project Applicant shall implement the Burrowing Owl Plan following CDFW and USFWS review and approval.
If burrowing owls are observed within Project site during Project implementation and construction, the Project Applicant shall notify CDFW immediately in writing within 48 hours of detection. A Burrowing Owl Plan shall be submitted to CDFW for review and approval within two weeks of detection and no Project activity shall continue within 1,000 feet of the burrowing owls until CDFW approves the Burrowing Owl Plan. The City and the Project Applicant shall be responsible for implementing appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures, including burrow avoidance, passive or active relocation, or other appropriate mitigation measures as identified in the Burrowing Owl Plan.
If ground-disturbing activities occur but the Project Site is left undisturbed for more than 30 days, a preconstruction survey for burrowing owl shall be conducted and reported to CDFW as described above. If a burrowing owl is found, the same coordination described above shall be necessary.
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BIO-2: Biological Monitoring: A qualified biologist shall be present to monitor all initial ground disturbing and vegetation-clearing activities conducted for the Project. During each monitoring day, the biological monitor shall perform clearance survey “sweeps” at the start of each workday that vegetation clearing takes place to minimize impacts on special-status species with potential to occur. The monitor will be responsible for ensuring that impacts to special-status species, nesting birds, and active nests will be avoided to the greatest extent possible. Biological monitoring shall take place until the Project Site has been completely cleared of any vegetation. If an active nest is identified, the biological monitor shall establish an appropriate disturbance limit buffer around the nest using flagging or staking.
Construction activities shall not occur within any disturbance limit buffer zones until the nest is deemed no longer active by the biologist. If special-status wildlife species are detected during biological monitoring activities, then consultation with the USFWS and/or CDFW shall be conducted, and a mitigation plan shall be developed to avoid and offset impacts to these species. Mitigation measures may consist of work restrictions or additional biological monitoring activities after ground-disturbing activities are complete.
BIO-3: Pre-construction Survey for Nesting Birds: Regardless of the time of year, the Project Applicant shall ensure a nesting bird survey is completed prior to the start of any development activities (such as ground disturbance, construction activities, and/or removal of trees and vegetation) within the Project Site. This will avoid violations of the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513. The pre-construction nesting bird survey shall include the Project Site and adjacent areas where Project activities have the potential to cause nest failure.
The survey results shall be provided to the City’s Planning Department. The Project Applicant shall adhere to the following:
Applicant shall designate a qualified biologist experienced in: identifying local and migratory bird species of special concern; conducting bird surveys using appropriate survey methodology; nesting surveying techniques, recognizing breeding and nesting behaviors, locating nests and breeding territories, and identifying nesting stages and nest success; determining/establishing appropriate avoidance and minimization measures; and monitoring the efficacy of implemented avoidance and minimization measures.
Pre-construction surveys shall be conducted at the appropriate time of day/night, during appropriate weather conditions, no more than 3 days prior to the initiation of Project activities. Surveys shall encompass all suitable areas including trees, shrubs, bare ground, burrows, cavities, and structures. Survey duration shall take into consideration the size of the Project Site; density, and complexity of the habitat;
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 number of survey participants; survey techniques employed; and shall be sufficient to ensure the data collected is complete and accurate.
If no nesting birds are observed during the survey, Project Site preparation and construction activities may begin. If nesting birds (including nesting raptors) are found to be present, then avoidance or minimization measures shall be undertaken in consultation with the City and CDFW. Measures shall include immediate establishment of an appropriate buffer zone to be established by a qualified biologist, based on their best professional judgement and experience. The buffer around the nest shall be delineated and flagged, and no construction activity shall occur within the buffer area until a qualified biologist determines nesting species have fledged and the nest is no longer active, or the nest has failed. The qualified biologist shall monitor the nest at the onset of Project activities, and at the onset of any changes in such Project activities (e.g., increase in number or type of equipment, change in equipment usage, etc.) to determine the efficacy of the buffer. If the qualified biologist determines that such project activities may be causing an adverse reaction, the qualified biologist shall adjust the buffer accordingly or implement alternative avoidance and minimization measures, such as redirecting or rescheduling construction or erecting sound barriers. All work within these buffers will be halted until the nesting effort is finished (i.e., the juveniles are surviving independent from the nest) or failed. The onsite qualified biologist will review and verify compliance with these nesting avoidance buffers and will verify the nesting effort has finished. Work can resume within these avoidance areas when no other active nests are found.
Upon completion of the survey and nesting bird monitoring, a report shall be prepared and submitted to the City for mitigation monitoring compliance record keeping.
Cultural Resources
CUL-1: If subsurface deposits believed to be cultural or human in origin are discovered during construction, all work must halt within a 100-foot radius of the discovery. A qualified professional archaeologist, meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for pre-contact and historic archaeologist, shall be retained to evaluate the significance of the find, and shall have the authority to modify the no-work radius as appropriate, using professional judgment. The following notifications shall apply, depending on the nature of the find:
If the professional archaeologist determines that the find does not represent a cultural resource, work may resume immediately, and no agency notifications are required.
If the professional archaeologist determines that the find does represent a cultural resource from any time period or cultural affiliation, the archaeologist shall immediately notify the lead federal agency, the lead CEQA agency, and landowner.
The agencies shall consult on a finding of eligibility and implement appropriate treatment measures, if the find is determined to be a Historical Resource under
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 CEQA, as defined in Section 15064.5(a) of the CEQA Guidelines or a historic property under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), if applicable.
Work may not resume within the no-work radius until the lead agencies, through consultation as appropriate, determine that the site either: 1) is not a Historical Resource under CEQA or a Historic Property under Section 106; or 2) that the treatment measures have been completed to their satisfaction. If the find includes human remains, or remains that are potentially human, they shall ensure reasonable protection measures are taken to protect the discovery from disturbance (AB 2641) by maintaining at least 50 feet of buffer in all directions. The archaeologist shall notify the County Coroner (per Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code). The provisions of Section 7050.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, Section 5097.98 of the California PRC, and AB 2641 will be implemented. If the Coroner determines the remains are Native American and not the result of a crime scene, the Coroner will notify the NAHC, which then will designate a Native American Most Likely Descendant (MLD) for the Project (Section 5097.98 of the PRC). The designated MLD will have 48 hours from the time access to the property is granted to make recommendations concerning treatment of the remains. If the landowner does not agree with the recommendations of the MLD, the NAHC can mediate (Section 5097.94 of the PRC). If no agreement is reached, the landowner must rebury the remains where they will not be further disturbed (Section 5097.98 of the PRC). This will also include either recording the site with the NAHC or the appropriate Information Center; using an open space or conservation zoning designation or easement; or recording a reinternment document with the county in which the property is located (AB 2641). Work may not resume within the no-work radius until the lead agencies, through consultation as appropriate, determine that the treatment measures have been completed to their satisfaction.
CUL-2: At the onset of construction, a Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) will be developed by the qualified professional archaeologist. A qualified professional archaeologist with experience with sensitive cultural resources in the region will present the WEAP to all personnel working in the Project Area (either temporarily or permanently) prior to the start of project activities. The WEAP may be videorecorded and used to train newly hired workers or those not present for the initial WEAP. The WEAP could include, but will not be limited to:
discussions of the sensitive cultural resources associated with the project, project-specific measures to avoid or eliminate impacts to these resources, consequences for not complying with project permits and agreements, and contact information for the lead archaeologist.
Logs of personnel who have taken the training will be kept on the site at the construction or project office.
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GEO-1: The Project Applicant shall implement the Conclusions and Recommendations as listed in the final site-specific geotechnical report (Updated Geotechnical and Infiltration Evaluation for Proposed Multi-Family Residential Development: Xenia Apartment Project East of Xenia Avenue and about 200 Feet South of East 8th Street Beaumont, Riverside County, California, GeoTek 2022) or most recent site-specific geotechnical evaluation.
GEO-2: A qualified paleontological professional, as defined by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (2010) standards, will be retained by the Contractor. The qualified paleontological professional will draft the PRMP outlining protocols to be implemented during ground disturbance in case of discoveries. This mitigation and monitoring program shall be in place prior to any ground disturbance, based on the Western Science Center’s findings and recommendations. The qualified paleontological professional will be present to monitor during ground disturbance activities to ensure the protection of paleontological resources, if any. If paleontological resources are discovered during construction, all work must halt within a 100-foot radius of the discovery. The on-site qualified paleontological professional shall notify the contractor and Project Applicant. They shall evaluate the significance of the find and shall have the authority to modify the no-work radius as appropriate, using professional judgement. The qualified paleontological professional will evaluate the significance of the find and recommend appropriate measures for the disposition of the site (e.g., fossil recovery, curation, data recovery, and/or monitoring).
Construction activities may continue on other parts of the construction site while evaluation and treatment of the paleontological resource takes place.
Tribal Cultural Resources
TCR-1: Unanticipated Discovery of Tribal Cultural Resources. If potential TCRs are discovered during ground disturbing construction activities, all work shall cease within 100 feet of the find. A Native American Representative from traditionally and culturally affiliated Native American Tribes shall be immediately contacted and invited to assess the significance of the find and make recommendations for further evaluation and treatment, as necessary. If deemed necessary by the City, a qualified cultural resources specialist meeting the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Qualifications for Archaeology, may also assess the significance of the find in joint consultation with Native American Representatives to ensure that Tribal values are considered. Work at the discovery location cannot resume until the City, in consultation as appropriate and in good faith, determines that the discovery is either not a TCR, or has been subjected to treatment directed by the City.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................................. 1-1
1.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Surrounding Land Uses/Environmental Setting ................................................................................. 1-2
2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................................ 2-1
2.1 Project Characteristics .................................................................................................................................. 2-1
2.2 Project Construction Timing ...................................................................................................................... 2-4
2.3 Regulatory Requirements, Permits, and Approvals .......................................................................... 2-4
2.4 Consultation With California Native American Tribe(s) .................................................................. 2-4
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED AND DETERMINATION ................................... 3-1
3.1 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected......................................................................................... 3-1
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................................ 4-1
4.1 Aesthetics .......................................................................................................................................................... 4-1
4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ........................................................................................................ 4-4
4.3 Air Quality ......................................................................................................................................................... 4-7
4.4 Biological Resources ................................................................................................................................... 4-18
4.5 Cultural Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 4-28
4.6 Energy ............................................................................................................................................................... 4-32
4.7 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................................................ 4-39
4.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...................................................................................................................... 4-45
4.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ......................................................................................................... 4-50
4.10 Hydrology and Water Quality ................................................................................................................. 4-57
4.11 Land Use and Planning .............................................................................................................................. 4-62
4.12 Mineral Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 4-64
4.13 Noise ................................................................................................................................................................. 4-65
4.14 Population and Housing ........................................................................................................................... 4-76
4.15 Public Services ............................................................................................................................................... 4-77
4.16 Recreation ....................................................................................................................................................... 4-80
4.17 Transportation ............................................................................................................................................... 4-82
4.18 Tribal Cultural Resources .......................................................................................................................... 4-85
4.19 Utilities and Service Systems ................................................................................................................... 4-89
4.20 Wildfire ............................................................................................................................................................. 4-99
4.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance .................................................................................................. 4-101
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5.0 LIST OF PREPARERS ....................................................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.1 City of Beaumont ........................................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.2 ECORP Consulting, Inc. ................................................................................................................................ 5-1
5.3 GeoTek, Inc. ...................................................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.4 RK Engineering Group, Inc. ........................................................................................................................ 5-1
5.5 Stevenson Porto & Pierce, Inc. .................................................................................................................. 5-2
5.6 West Coast Environmental and Engineering ....................................................................................... 5-2
5.7 Earth Systems Southwest ............................................................................................................................ 5-2
6.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................................................. 6-1
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.3-1. Surrounding Land Uses ........................................................................................................................................ 1-2 Table 4.3-1. Daily Construction Emissions ........................................................................................................................... 4-12 Table 4.3-2. Localized Construction Emissions .................................................................................................................. 4-13 Table 4.3-3. Daily Operational Emissions ............................................................................................................................. 4-13 Table 4.3-4. Localized Operational Emissions .................................................................................................................... 4-14 Table 4.6-1. Residential Electricity Consumption in Riverside County 2016-2020 .............................................. 4-33 Table 4.6-2. Residential Natural Gas Consumption in Riverside County 2016-2020.......................................... 4-33 Table 4.6-3. Total Operational Energy Consumption ...................................................................................................... 4-35 Table 4.6-4. Compatibility with Sustainable Beaumont Goals ..................................................................................... 4-37 Table 4.6-5. Applicable Energy-Related Policies from the City of Beaumont General Plan ............................ 4-38 Table 4.8-1. Construction Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................................................................................................... 4-47 Table 4.8-2. Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions...................................................................................................... 4-48 Table 4.11-1. Surrounding Land Uses ................................................................................................................................... 4-63 Table 4.13-1. Project Construction Noise Levels – at 180 Feet ................................................................................... 4-69 Table 4.13-2. Interior Noise Analysis – Construction Noise ......................................................................................... 4-70 Table 4.13-3. Stationary Noise Impact Analysis ................................................................................................................ 4-74 Table 4.13-4. Construction Vibration Impact Analysis .................................................................................................... 4-75 Table 4.15-1. Estimated Student Generation Rates ......................................................................................................... 4-79 Table 4.19-1. Projected Future BCVWD Water Demand (AFY) .................................................................................... 4-89 Table 4.19-2. Projected Future BCVWD Water Supply (AFY) ....................................................................................... 4-91 Table 4.19-3. Electricity Consumption in SCE Service Area in 2021 (GWh) ............................................................ 4-93 Table 4.19-4. Natural Gas Consumption in SoCalGas Service Area in 2021 (millions of therms).................. 4-94
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Project Vicinity ............................................................................................................................................................... 1-3 Figure 2. Project Location............................................................................................................................................................. 1-4 Figure 3. Project Site Plan ............................................................................................................................................................ 2-2 Figure 4. Apartment Building Elevations ................................................................................................................................ 2-3
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A – Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Impact Study Appendix B – Biological Technical Report and MSHCP Consistency Analysis Appendix C – Cultural Resources Inventory and Evaluation Report Appendix D – Updated Geotechnical and Infiltration Evaluation Appendix E – Paleontological Site Assessment
Appendix F – Project Specific Water Quality Management Plan Appendix G – Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Appendix H – Report of Phase II Investigation
Appendix I – Xenia Multifamily Residential Project Noise Impact Study Appendix J – Xenia Multifamily Residential Project Traffic Impact Analysis Appendix K – Preliminary Hydrology and Hydraulics Report Appendix L – Energy Conservation Analysis
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Term Definition
AB Assembly Bill
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
AF Acre-Foot/Feet
AFY Acre-Feet per Year
amsl Above Mean Sea Level
APN Assessor’s Parcel Number
AQMP 2016 Air Quality Management Plan
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
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BANL Baseline Ambient Noise Levels
BCVWD Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District
BMC Beaumont Municipal Code
BMPs Best Management Practices
BPD Beaumont Police Department
BSU Beaumont Groundwater Storage Unit
BUSD Beaumont Unified School District
BWTP Beaumont Water Treatment Plant CAAQS California Ambient Air Quality Standards CalEPA California Environmental Protection Agency
CalEEMod California Emissions Estimator Model
CAL FIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection CalRecycle California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CAP Climate Action Plan
CARB California Air Resources Board
CBC California Building Code
CCR California Code of Regulations
CDFG California Department of Fish and Game
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEC California Energy Commission CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CH4 Methane
CHP California Highway Patrol
City City of Beaumont
CIWMP Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan
CNDDB California Natural Diversity Data Base CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level CNPS California Native Plant Society
CO Carbon Monoxide
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
CO2e Carbon Dioxide Equivalent
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
dB Decibel
dBA A-weighted decibel
DDE Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene
DHS California Department of Health Services
DOC Department of Conservation
DPM Diesel Particulate Matter DTSC Department of Toxic Substances Control EIR Environmental Impact Report
ESA Environmental Site Assessment
ESSW Earth Systems Southwest
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
GHG Greenhouse Gas
HCM-6 Highway Capacity Manual Sixth Edition
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HRA Guidelines Guidance Manual for Preparation of Health Risk Assessments HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
I-10 Interstate 10
IS Initial Study
kWh Kilowatt Hours
LAFCO Local Agency Formation Commission
LID Low-Impact Development
Leq Equivalent Noise Level LOS Level of Service
LST Localized Significance Threshold
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
mg/kg Milligrams Per Kilogram
MLD Most Likely Descendent
MND Mitigated Negative Declaration
MRZs Mineral Resource Zones
MSHCP Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
MTCO2e Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent
N2O Nitrous Oxide
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAHC Native American Heritage Commission NEPSSA Narrow Endemic Plant Species Survey Area NESHAP National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants NHPA National Historic Preservation Act
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NOx Nitrogen Oxides
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
O3 Ozone OCP Organochlorine Pesticides
PM2.5 Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less PM10 Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less PPV Peak Particle Velocity
Project Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project
PRC Public Resources Code
PRG Preliminary Remediation Goals
RCA Regional Conservation Authority’s
RCDWR Riverside County Department of Waste Resources
RCFD Riverside County Fire Department
RCTLMA Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SB Senate Bill 100 SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District
SCE Southern California Edison
SF Square Foot/Feet
SGPWA San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
SIP State Implementation Plan
SMARA Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975
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SoCAB South Coast Air Basin
SoCalGas Southern California Gas Company
SOI Sphere of Influence
SR State Route
SRRE Source Reduction and Recycling Element
Sustainable Beaumont Sustainable Beaumont: The City’s Roadmap to Greenhouse Gas Reductions SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board TCRs Tribal Cultural Resources TTLC Total Threshold Limit Concentration
USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
UST Underground Storage Tank
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
VHFHSZ Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled
VOC Volatile Organic Compound
WQMP Water Quality Management Plan
WRCOG Western Riverside Council of Governments
WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant
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1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Summary
Project Title: Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project
Lead Agency Name and Address: City of Beaumont (City)
550 East 6th Street
Beaumont, CA 92223
Contact Person and Phone Number: Carole Kendrick, Planner Manager City of Beaumont
951-769-8520
Project Location: The Project Site comprises 10.93 acres located east of Xenia Avenue and about 200 feet south of East 8th Street in the City of Beaumont
(Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APN):
419-160-005, -024, 419-170-016, -017, -018, -022 and -027) General Plan Designation: Multi-Family Residential
Zoning: Downtown Residential Multi-Family
1.2 Introduction
The City of Beaumont is the Lead Agency for this California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Initial Study (IS). This Initial Study has been prepared to identify and assess the anticipated environmental impacts of the Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project (Project) to satisfy CEQA (Public Resources Code [PRC], Section 21000 et seq.) and state CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, California Code of Regulations [CCR] 15000 et seq.).
CEQA requires that all state and local government agencies consider the environmental consequences before approving those projects. The City of Beaumont will use this CEQA Initial Study to determine which CEQA document is appropriate for the Project: Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
In accordance with CEQA, this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) will be circulated for a 30-day public review and comment period. Written comments on the Draft IS/MND should be submitted to:
Carole Kendrick, Planner Manager
City of Beaumont
550 East 6th Street
Beaumont, CA 92223
[email protected]
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1.3 Surrounding Land Uses/Environmental Setting
The City of Beaumont is located in the westernmost portion of Riverside County and is bounded on the west by the City of Calimesa and unincorporated areas, on the north by unincorporated County areas (e.g., Cherry Valley), on the south by unincorporated County areas and the City of San Jacinto, and on the east by the City of Banning. The Project, as depicted on the U.S. Geological Survey Beaumont 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, is located within Section 11, Township 3 South, Range 1 West.
Major transportation routes through the City include Interstate 10 (I-10), State Route (SR)-60, and SR-79.
The City covers an area of 30.6 square miles and the Sphere of Influence (SOI) covers an additional 11.2 square miles. Urban land uses predominate in the City, while open space and protected habitat areas are located to the south and west of the City and within the SOI. The City is located at the peak of the San Gorgonio Pass, between San Bernardino and Palm Springs, with an elevation range of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 feet above sea level (City of Beaumont 2020a).
The Project Site comprises 10.93 acres, located east of Xenia Avenue and about 200 feet south of East 8th Street. The property consists of vacant land; however, the site was used as agricultural land in the 1990s and earlier. The property has a relatively flat terrain with elevations ranging from 2,607 feet Above Mean Sea Level (amsl) toward the north portion of the site to 2,600 feet amsl in the south portion. Surface drainage is generally to the south, with some minor local variations (Figures 1 and 2). The Project Site has not been previously graded or compacted.
The Project Site and its immediate vicinity is within the 6th Street Corridor Planning Area of the City General Plan, approved in March 2007. Development in this area is largely commercial and industrial in character with many single- and multifamily residences located between commercial parcels. The Project Site is bounded on the north by existing single-family residences; on the west by Xenia Avenue with apartment homes beyond; on the south by commercial properties and vacant land; and on the east by an apartment complex. The zoning designation for the site is Downtown Residential Multi-Family in the City of Beaumont Zoning Map. The City of Beaumont General Plan land use map designates the Project Site as Multi-Family Residential.
Table 1.3-1. Surrounding Land Uses
Location General Plan Land Use Designations Zoning Classifications Site Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multi-Family North Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multifamily South General Commercial Sixth Street Mixed Use
East Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multifamily West Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multifamily Residential Single Family Source: City of Beaumont General Plan Land Use Map, City of Beaumont - Zoning Map Final
Figure 1. Project Vicinity
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Project Location
Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P,NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC,(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community 2021-301 Xenia Apartments
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Map Date: 8/5/2022
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Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P,NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC,(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community Photo Source: NAIP 2021-301 Xenia Apartments
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Project Area
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2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1 Project Characteristics
2.1.1 Residential Units
The Proposed Project consists of constructing 16 apartment buildings, totaling 192 multi-family residential dwelling units, on approximately 10.93 acres (Figures 3 and 4). The proposed residential units would be a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. The residential buildings would be two stories in height, of wood-framed construction, utilizing conventional shallow foundations and slab-on-grade. The Proposed Project would not provide any low income or affordable housing.
2.1.2 Amenities
The Proposed Project would provide ancillary amenities such as a pool/recreation area, a 3,760 Square Foot (SF) community club, a 1,040-SF outdoor fitness center, and dog park. The preliminary plan for the outdoor exercise area includes: a yoga/stretching area and a variety of different pieces of outdoor fitness equipment (squats, inner thigh adductor, triceps press, rower, shoulder press, ab toner and stepper). The outdoor fitness equipment would be located over rubberize surfacing on the ground. The community building would provide space for a leasing office and business center. The Project would provide 92,617 SF of open space. The Project also includes a water quality basin, parking/drive areas, carports, underground utilities, and other improvements. The Project would construct a 6-foot masonry wall on the north, south, and west side of the Project Site, which will be installed after the grading, storm drain, and sewer improvements have been installed. After construction, the Project would retain the 6-foot noise barrier wall along the northern, eastern, and southern Project perimeter and a wrought iron fence is proposed along the western Project Site perimeter.
2.1.3 Parking and Circulation
The Project includes 413 parking spaces including 259 open stalls, 19 compact open stalls, six Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible stalls, 110 carports, 16 compact carports, and four ADA-accessible carports. Vehicular access for the Project is planned via the two gated-accessed ways: one full access unsignalized driveway along Xenia Avenue and one full access unsignalized driveway along 8th Street.
2.1.4 Earthwork and Grading
The site is currently vacant and is not expected to require demolition of any structures or hardscape. The Project is anticipated to require import of approximately 65,000 cubic yards of earthwork material during the grading phase. The water quality basin is planned to be constructed near the south property line and would be excavated to a depth of about five feet. Minor earthwork would be required for utility trench construction and backfill.
Figure 3. Project Site Plan
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Figure 4. Apartment Building Elevations
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2.1.5 Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District Annexation
As of September 2022, the BCVWD service area covers approximately 28 square miles, virtually all of which is in Riverside County and includes the City of Beaumont and the community of Cherry Valley. The Project Site is within the BCVWD SOI boundaries but outside of the water service area boundaries. The Project Site would be serviced by BCVWD after annexation.
The Proposed Project’s discretionary approvals includes actions necessary to annex approximately 9.08 acres of the Project Site to the BCVWD via the Riverside LAFCO. A water main would be extended onto the Project Site from an existing line in 8th Street and a sewer main would be extended onto the Project Site from an existing line in Xenia Avenue. The following parcels would be annexed into the BCVWD:
Parcel 1: APN: 419-170-022-6
Parcel 1: Portion of APN: 419-170-027-1
Parcel 2: APN: 419-170-016-1
Parcel 3: APN: 419-170-017-2
Parcel 4: APN: 419-170-018-3
Parcel 5: APN: 419-160-005-0
Parcel 6: APN: 419-160-024-7
2.2 Project Construction Timing
Construction of the Project is estimated to begin in the year 2023 and last approximately 18 months.
Construction activities are expected to consist of site preparation, grading, building construction, paving, and architectural coating. The Project is expected to be operational in the year 2024 (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2022a).
2.3 Regulatory Requirements, Permits, and Approvals
The Proposed Project would require the following approvals and regulatory permits:
Statewide Construction General Permit by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Project approval by the City of Beaumont
Issuance of building permits by the City of Beaumont
Annexation of portions of the 10.93-acre Project Site to the BCVWD
2.4 Consultation With California Native American Tribe(s) In accordance with Assembly Bill 52, the City contacted ten culturally affiliated Native American tribes in November 7, 2022 to extend the opportunity to consult on the project’s potential effects to tribal cultural resources. The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Aesthetics
4.1.1 Environmental Setting
4.1.1.1 State Scenic Highways
The California Scenic Highway Program protects and enhances the scenic beauty of California’s highways and adjacent corridors. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) can designate a highway as scenic based on how much natural beauty can be seen by users of the highway, the quality of the scenic landscape, and if development impacts the enjoyment of the view.
There are no State Scenic Highways in the City of Beaumont or in the vicinity of the Project Site (Caltrans 2019). The nearest eligible State Scenic Highway is SR-243 approximately 3.8 miles southeast of the Project Site.
4.1.1.2 General Plan
The City of Beaumont is located in north-central Riverside County, at the summit of the San Gorgonio Pass. Beaumont is bounded on the west by the City of Calimesa, on the north by the unincorporated community of Cherry Valley; on the south by I-10; and on the east by the City of Banning. Beaumont is located approximately 70 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, 21 miles northeast of the City of Riverside; and 21 miles southeast of the City of San Bernardino.
The City is located in the San Gorgonio Pass, which serves as a link from the central Inland Empire to the west with the Coachella Valley desert to the east. Primary vistas of the Pass area are the San Gorgonio Mountains and the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the San Jacinto Mountains to the southeast. Intermittent views of the mountains can be seen along major thoroughfares in the area. An open space area referred to as the Badlands is located within the southwestern portion of the City. The Badlands is topographically characterized by deeply dissected ravines with intervening ridgeline (City of Beaumont 2020a; 2020b). The San Timoteo Badlands area is considered a scenic vista according to the City’s General Plan; therefore development proposals within the Badlands area will be given special attention by the City.
4.1.1.3 Visual Character of the Project Site
The Project Site comprises 10.93 acres located east of Xenia Avenue and about 200 feet south of East 8th Street. The property consists of vacant land; however, the site was used for agriculture in the 1980s and earlier (West Coast Environmental and Engineering 2006). The property has a relatively flat terrain with elevations ranging from 2,607 feet amsl toward the north portion of the site to 2,600 feet amsl in the south portion. Surface drainage is generally to the south, with some minor local variations. The Project Site has been repeatedly disturbed through repeated mechanical disturbance for weed abatement as well as off-road vehicle use and trash dumping. There are no standing structures on the Project Site. A
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Near the Project Site, Xenia Avenue offers distant views of the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and San Jacinto Mountains to the southeast. These distant views are partially obscured by intervening structures, landscaping, and above-ground utilities.
4.1.2 Aesthetics (I) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section
21099, would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic
vista?
Less than Significant Impact.
The Project Site has a General Plan designation of Multi-Family Residential. Given the nature of the Proposed Project as a multi-family residential development, the Proposed Project would be consistent with the General Plan designation.
The Project Site is surrounded by vacant land to the south and residential uses to the north, west, and east. Xenia Avenue offers distant views of the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and San Jacinto Mountains to the southeast. These distant views are partially obscured by intervening structures, landscaping, and above-ground utilities. The existing foundation on the Project Site is not a scenic resource and its removal would not adversely affect a scenic vista. The Project Site is approximately 10 miles southeast of the San Timoteo Badlands; implementation of the Proposed Project would not have an effect on this scenic resource.
The proposed two-story residential units would reach a maximum of 29 feet 10 inches in height, which would be comparable to the residential developments in the vicinity of the Project Site, including two- - story townhomes located east of the Project Site, and two-story apartment buildings located to the west.
Therefore, the Proposed Project is not anticipated to significantly obstruct natural scenic views or vistas. A less than significant impact would occur and no mitigation measures are required.
Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section
21099, would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including,
but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and
historic buildings within a state scenic highway?
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The Project is not located within or near a state scenic highway. Therefore, no impact would occur.
Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section
21099, would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
c) In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the
existing visual character or quality of public views
of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are
those that are experienced from publicly
accessible vantage point). If the Project is in an
urbanized area, would the Project conflict with
applicable zoning and other regulations
governing scenic quality?
No Impact.
The Project is in an urbanized area and the site is currently zoned for Downtown Multi-Family Residential use and designated in the General Plan for Multi-Family Residential. The surrounding area includes single family and multifamily uses including townhomes and apartments. The Project would alter the vacant character of the Project Site by developing two-story apartment buildings, a pool/recreation area, community club, dog park, and parking areas. The Proposed Project would maintain similar aesthetics and building design as the surrounding land uses and would be consistent with the City General Plan designation. Therefore, no significant adverse impacts are identified or anticipated and no mitigation measures are required.
Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section
21099, would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
d) Would the Project create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?
Less than Significant Impact.
The Project Site is currently undeveloped and therefore contains no sources of existing light or glare. The site is surrounded by residential uses to the north, west and east that produce ambient nighttime light.
Street lighting is located along the northern side of 8th Street, north of the Project Site.
Construction Lighting
No construction would occur at nighttime. Therefore, there would be no impact related to lighting during construction.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-4 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Operational Lighting
The Project would introduce new sources of light and glare to the site from lighting for residential units, community building, parking lots, pedestrian pathways, landscaping, and signage. The amount of lighting proposed would be appropriate for a multi-family residential development, consistent with security purposes, and would be similar to ambient lighting produced by the surrounding residential neighborhoods. As a multifamily residential project, Project lighting is not expected to have a significant impact on the night sky, as it would only incrementally add to the existing background light levels as a result of surrounding residential development. The Proposed Project would comply with City regulations and design standards, including the use of shielding around light fixtures at the edge of the Project Site to minimize spillover effects on surrounding properties. Due to the developed nature of surrounding properties and the shielded design of proposed light fixtures on the site, impacts from lighting would be less than significant.
Construction and Operational Glare
The reflection of sunlight is the primary potential producer of glare from glass and metallic surfaces. New sources of glare would include glare from construction vehicles on site during Project construction. During Project operation, sources of glare include headlights from cars entering and leaving the site at night, as well as windows on cars and buildings, which could reflect sunlight during certain times of the day.
Architectural glass with low glare characteristics, as well as fencing and landscaping around the perimeter of the Project Site, would minimize light and glare impacts on surrounding properties. Adherence to Beaumont Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 8.50 Outdoor Lighting requirements would reduce light and glare impacts to a less than significant level.
4.1.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
4.2.1 Environmental Setting
Forest land, as defined by PRC Section 12220(g), is defined as follows:
“…land that can support 10-percent native tree cover of any species, including hardwoods, under natural conditions, and that allows for management of one or more forest resources, including timber, aesthetics, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, water quality, recreation, and other public benefits.”
Timberland, as defined by PRC Section 4526, is defined as follows:
“…land, other than land owned by the federal government and land designated by the board as experimental forest land, which is available for, and capable of, growing a crop of trees of a commercial species used to produce lumber and other forest products,
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-5 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 including Christmas trees. Commercial species shall be determined by the board on a district basis.”
Timberland zoned Timberland Production, as defined by PRC Section 51104(g), is defined as:
“…an area which has been zoned pursuant to Section 51112 or 51113 and is devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and compatible uses, as defined in subdivision h.”
According to the California Department of Conservation (DOC) Important Farmland Finder, the Project Site is classified as Urban and Built-Up Land. The site is neither located on or near Prime Farmland nor under a Williamson Act Contract (DOC 2022). The Project Site is zoned Downtown Residential Multi- Family and is not zoned as forest land or agriculture (City of Beaumont 2020a). The Project Site and surrounding properties are not currently used for agriculture or timberland production, as defined by the California PRC.
4.2.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources (II) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of
the California Resources Agency, to non-
agricultural use?
No Impact.
According to the Beaumont Land Use Plan, no land in the City is zoned for agricultural uses (City of Beaumont 2020a). The Project Site was historically used for agricultural uses, which may have included crops or livestock grazing, from approximately 1949 into the 1980s (West Coast Environmental and Engineering 2006). The Project Site is currently undeveloped and is surrounded by commercial, industrial, and residential uses. The California Mapping and Monitoring Program Important Farmlands Map lists the Project Site as Urban and Built-Up Land. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not convert Farmland, as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use. No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than Significant
With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use,
or a Williamson Act contract?
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-6 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 No Impact.
The Project Site is not located on land zoned for agricultural use. According to the California Important Farmland Finder, the Project Site is mapped as Urban and Built-Up Land and not an agricultural preserve subject to a Williamson Act contract (DOC 2022). The Proposed Project would not conflict with zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract. No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant With Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public
Resources Code Section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as
defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))?
No Impact.
The Project is located on vacant land surrounded by residential and commercial land uses. The Project Site is not located on land designated for forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production.
No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than Significant
With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of
forest land to non-forest use?
No Impact.
The Project Site is not zoned for forest land, timberland, or Timberland Production (DOC 2022). Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use. No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than Significant
With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
e) Involve other changes in the existing
environment, which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to
non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land
to non-forest use?
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-7 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 No Impact.
The Project Site and surrounding properties are not designated for agriculture use. Areas to the north, east, south, and west of the Project Area are on land designated as Urban and Built-Up Land (DOC 2022).
Development on the Project Site would not result in the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use. No impact would occur.
4.2.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.3 Air Quality
4.3.1 Environmental Setting
This section is based in part on the results of the Xenia Multifamily Residential Project Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Impact Study performed by RK Engineering Group, Inc. in December 2022 (RK Engineering 2022a; Appendix A). The purpose of that assessment was to estimate criteria air pollutants attributable to the Project and determine the level of impact the Project would have on the environment.
The methodology follows the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and City of Beaumont recommendations for quantification of emissions and evaluation of potential impacts.
The Project Site is located near the southeast corner of Xenia Avenue and East 8th Street, in the City of Beaumont. The Project Site is located within the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB), the SCAQMD Banning Pass General Forecast Area, and the Banning Pass Area Air Monitoring Area-29. The SoCAB occupies the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties and all of Orange County. The air basin is on a coastal plain with connecting broad valleys and low hills and is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, with high mountains forming the remainder of the perimeter. The mountain ranges to the east affect the diffusion of pollutants by inhibiting the eastward transport of pollutants. Air quality in the SoCAB generally ranges from fair to poor and is similar to air quality in most of coastal Southern California. The entire region experiences heavy concentrations of air pollutants during prolonged periods of stable atmospheric conditions.
Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and CARB have established ambient air quality standards for common pollutants. These ambient air quality standards are levels of contaminants representing safe levels that avoid specific adverse health effects associated with each pollutant. The ambient air quality standards cover what are called criteria pollutants because the health and other effects of each pollutant are described in criteria documents. The six criteria pollutants are Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and lead. Areas that meet ambient air quality standards are classified as attainment areas, while areas that do not meet these standards are classified as nonattainment areas. The portion of Riverside County encompassing the Project Site is designated as nonattainment areas for O3 and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under the federal standards and O3, course particulate matter (PM10) and PM2.5 under the state standards (CARB 2019).
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-8 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 The SCAQMD is the local air quality regulating authority in the Riverside County portion of the SoCAB.
The SCAQMD’s primary responsibility is ensuring that the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) are attained and maintained in the Riverside County and San Bernardino portions of the SoCAB. The SCAQMD is also responsible for adopting and enforcing rules and regulations concerning air pollutant sources, issuing permits for stationary sources of air pollutants, inspecting stationary sources of air pollutants, responding to citizen complaints, monitoring ambient air quality and meteorological conditions, awarding grants to reduce motor vehicle emissions, and conducting public education campaigns, as well as many other activities. All projects are subject to SCAQMD rules and regulations in effect at the time of construction.
The following is a list of noteworthy SCAQMD rules that are required of construction activities in the Project Area:
Rule 402 (Nuisance) – This rule prohibits the discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material which cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public, or which endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of any such persons or the public, or which cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property. This rule does not apply to odors emanating from agricultural operations necessary for the growing of crops or the raising of fowl or animals.
Rule 403 (Fugitive Dust) – This rule requires fugitive dust sources to implement best available control measures for all sources, and all forms of visible PM are prohibited from crossing any property line. This rule is intended to reduce PM10 emissions from any transportation, handling, construction, or storage activity that has the potential to generate fugitive dust. PM10 suppression techniques are summarized below. a) Portions of a construction site to remain inactive longer than a period of three months will be seeded and watered until grass cover is grown or otherwise stabilized.
b) All onsite roads will be paved as soon as feasible or watered periodically or chemically stabilized.
c) All material transported offsite will be either sufficiently watered or securely covered to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
d) The area disturbed by clearing, grading, earthmoving, or excavation operations will be minimized at all times.
e) Where vehicles leave a construction site and enter adjacent public streets, the streets will be swept daily or washed down at the end of the workday to remove soil tracked onto the paved surface.
Rule 445 restricts wood burning devices from being installed into any new development and is intended to reduce the emissions of particulate matter for wood burning devices.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-9 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Rule 1113 governs the sale, use, and manufacturing of architectural coating and limits the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) content in paints and paint solvents. This rule regulates the VOC content of paints available during construction. Therefore, all paints and solvents used during construction and operation of project must comply with Rule 1113. Rule 1143 governs the manufacture, sale, and use of paint thinners and solvents used in thinning of coating materials, cleaning of coating application equipment, and other solvent cleaning operations by limiting their VOC content. This rule regulates the VOC content of solvents used during construction. Solvents used during the construction phase must comply with this rule.
Rule 1186 limits the presence of fugitive dust on paved and unpaved roads and sets certification protocols and requirements for street sweepers that are under contract to provide sweeping services to any federal, state, county, agency or special district such as water, air, sanitation, transit, or school district.
4.3.2 Air Quality (III) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than Significant
With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?
No Impact.
As part of its enforcement responsibilities, the USEPA requires each state with nonattainment areas to prepare and submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) that demonstrates the means to attain the federal standards. The SIP must integrate federal, state, and local plan components and regulations to identify specific measures to reduce pollution in nonattainment areas, using a combination of performance standards and market-based programs. Similarly, under state law, the California Clean Air Act requires an air quality attainment plan to be prepared for areas designated as nonattainment with regard to the NAAQS and CAAQS. Air quality attainment plans outline emissions limits and control measures to achieve and maintain these standards by the earliest practical date.
The Project Site is located within the Riverside County portion of the SoCAB, which is under the jurisdiction of the SCAQMD. The SCAQMD is required, pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act, to reduce emissions of criteria pollutants for which this region is in nonattainment. To reduce emissions for which the Riverside County portion of the SoCAB is in nonattainment, the SCAQMD has adopted the 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). The 2016 AQMP establishes programs of rules and regulations directed at reducing air pollutant emissions and achieving the NAAQS and CAAQS. The Revised Draft 2022 AQMP is currently available as a public review draft; however, because it has not yet been adopted, the 2016 AQMP is the relevant AQMP for this analysis.
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-10 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Pollutant control strategies are based on the latest scientific and technical information and planning assumptions, including the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) latest Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, updated emission inventory methodologies for various source categories, and SCAG’s latest growth forecasts. SCAG’s latest growth forecasts were defined in consultation with local governments and with reference to local general plans. According to the SCAQMD, in order to determine consistency with SCAQMD’s air quality planning two main criteria must be addressed, which are detailed below.
4.3.2.1 Criterion 1
With respect to the first criterion, SCAQMD methodologies require that an air quality analysis for a project include forecasts of project emissions in relation to contributing to air quality violations and delay of attainment.
a) Would the project result in an increase in the frequency or severity of existing air quality violations or cause or contribute to new air quality violations? As shown in Tables 4.3-1 and 4.3-2 (Threshold b) below), the Proposed Project would result in emissions that would be below the SCAQMD regional and localized thresholds during construction. The Proposed Project would not include the provision of new permanent stationary or significant mobile sources of criteria air pollutant emissions, and therefore, by its very nature, would not generate substantial criteria emissions from Project operations. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in an increase in the frequency or severity of existing air quality violations and would not have the potential to cause or affect a violation of the ambient air quality standards.
b) Would the project delay timely attainment of air quality standards or the interim emissions reductions specified in the AQMP?
As shown in Table 4.3-2, the Proposed Project would generate emissions below the SCAQMD regional thresholds for construction. Because the Project would result in less than significant regional emission impacts, it would not delay the timely attainment of air quality standards or AQMP emissions reductions.
4.3.2.2 Criterion 2
With respect to the second criterion for determining consistency with SCAQMD and SCAG air quality policies, it is important to recognize that air quality planning within the SoCAB focuses on attainment of ambient air quality standards at the earliest feasible date. Projections for achieving air quality goals are based on assumptions regarding population, housing, and growth trends. Thus, the SCAQMD’s second criterion for determining Project consistency focuses on if the Proposed Project exceeds the assumptions utilized in preparing the forecasts presented its air quality planning documents. Determining if a project exceeds the assumptions reflected in the 2016 AQMP involves the evaluation of the three criteria outlined below. The following discussion provides an analysis of each of these criteria. a) Would the project be consistent with the population, housing, and employment growth projections utilized in the preparation of the 2016 AQMP?
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-11 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 The Proposed Project consists of constructing 16 apartment buildings, totaling 192 multi-family residential dwelling units, on approximately 10.93 acres. The Project Site is located within the Downtown Residential Multi-Family zone. Multiple family apartments are a permitted use per Table 17.19-1 Permitted Land Uses for Base Zone Districts in Downtown of the BMC; thus the Project is consistent with land use projections in the City’s General Plan. As such, the Project would not conflict with the land use assumptions or exceed the population or job growth projections used by SCAQMD to develop the 2016 AQMP.
b) Would the project implement all feasible air quality mitigation? To further reduce emissions, the Project would be required to comply with emission reduction measures promulgated by the SCAQMD, such as SCAQMD Rules 402, 403, 445, 1113, and 1143. SCAQMD Rule 402 prohibits the discharge, from any source whatsoever, in such quantities of air contaminants or other material that cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public, or that endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of any such persons or the public, or that cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property. SCAQMD Rule 403 requires fugitive dust sources to implement Best Available Control Measures for all sources, and all forms of visible PM are prohibited from crossing any property line. SCAQMD Rule 403 is intended to reduce PM10 emissions from any transportation, handling, or construction activity that has the potential to generate fugitive dust. As such, the Proposed Project meets this consistency criterion. c) Would the project be consistent with the land use planning strategies set forth by SCAQMD air quality planning efforts?
The determination of AQMP consistency is primarily concerned with the long-term influence of a project on air quality. As shown in Tables 4.3-1 through 4.3-3, the Proposed Project would not exceed applicable SCAQMD thresholds of significance during construction or operation. The Proposed Project would not result in a long-term impact on the region’s ability to meet state and federal air quality standards. The Proposed Project’s long-term influence would also be consistent with the goals, objectives, and strategies of the SCAQMD’s 2016 AQMP. The Project would be consistent with the emission-reduction goals of the 2016 AQMP and no impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase
of any criteria pollutant for which the Project
region is non-attainment under an applicable
federal or state ambient air quality standard?
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-12 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Less than Significant Impact.
4.3.2.3 Construction Impacts
Daily air quality emissions include both on-site and off-site emissions associated with construction of the project. Regional daily emissions of criteria pollutants are compared to the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. As shown in Table 4.3-1, daily emissions of criteria pollutants are expected to be below the allowable thresholds of significance. California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) daily emissions outputs are provided in Appendix A.
Table 4.3-1. Daily Construction Emissions
Activity Maximum Daily Emissions (lbs/day)1
VOC NOx CO SO2 PM10 PM2.5
Site Preparation 0.53 2.06 21.53 0.04 7.78 3.98
Grading 1.43 32.00 41.19 0.21 9.02 3.19
Building Construction 1.09 4.39 24.35 0.05 2.71 0.77
Paving 0.82 1.25 17.81 0.02 0.21 0.08
Architectural Coating 62.51 0.21 3.18 0.01 0.48 0.13
Maximum1 62.51 332.00 41.19 0.21 9.02 3.98
SCAQMD Threshold 75 100 550 150 150 55
Exceeds Threshold No No No No No No
1Maximum daily emission during summer or winter; includes both on-site and off-site project emissions.
The Project must follow mandatory SCAQMD rules and requirements with regards to fugitive dust control, as described in Section 4.3.1. Compliance with the standard dust control measures is considered to be part of the conditions of approval for the project and built into the design features.
Table 4.3-1 shows that the Project’s daily construction emissions would be below the applicable SCAQMD air quality standards and thresholds of significance. As a result, the Project would not contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation.
Furthermore, by complying with the SCAQMD standards, the Project would not contribute to a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the Project region is non- attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors). Based on the analysis above, Project-related short-term (construction) air quality impacts are less than significant.
Localized Construction Emissions
As shown in Table 4.3-2, Project construction emissions would be below the SCAQMD thresholds of significance for localized construction emissions. The Project must follow all standard SCAQMD rules and
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-13 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 requirements with regards to fugitive dust control. Thus, the Project would result in less than significant localized construction emissions impacts.
Table 4.3-2. Localized Construction Emissions
LST Pollutants
Maximum Daily Emissions (lbs/day)1
NOx (lbs/day) CO (lbs/day) PM10 (lbs/day) PM2.5 (lbs/day) On-site Emissions1 3.30 33.00 7.58 3.93
SCAQMD Construction Threshold2 205.7 2,382.8 17.3 9.3
Exceeds Threshold: No No No No
1Maximum daily emission during summer or winter; includes on-site project emissions only. 2Reference 2006-2008 SCAQMD Mass Rate Localized Significant Thresholds for construction and operation. State Responsibility Area-29, Banning Airport, 4-acre site, receptor distance 25 meters. LST=Localized Significance Threshold
4.3.2.4 Long-Term Operational Impacts
Daily Operational Impacts
Table 4.3-3 shows the daily operational emissions and compares the results to SCAQMD thresholds of significance. The Project is not expected to exceed any of the allowable daily emissions thresholds for criteria pollutants at the regional level. California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) daily emissions outputs are provided in Appendix A.
Table 4.3-3. Daily Operational Emissions
Activity Maximum Daily Emissions (lbs/day)1
VOC NOx CO SO2 PM10 PM2.5
Mobile Sources 4.94 5.26 48.50 0.10 11.29 3.05
Energy Sources 0.09 0.73 0.31 0.00 0.06 0.06
Area Sources 4.68 0.18 15.85 0.00 0.09 0.09
Total: 9.71 6.17 64.66 0.11 11.43 3.20
SCAQMD Threshold 55 55 550 150 150 55
Exceeds Threshold: No No No No No No
1Maximum daily emission during summer or winter; includes both on- and off-site Project emissions. 2Daily emissions reports are provided in Appendix A.
The Project’s daily operational emissions will be below the applicable SCAQMD air quality thresholds of significance and the Project would not contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation. Furthermore, by complying with the SCAQMD standards, the Project would not contribute to a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the Project region is non- attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-14 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors). Based on this analysis, Project- related long-term (operational) air quality impacts are less than significant.
Localized Operational Emissions
As shown in Table 4.3-4, Project operational emissions would be below the SCAQMD thresholds of significance for localized operational emissions. Thus, the Project would result in less than significant localized operational emissions impacts.
Table 4.3-4. Localized Operational Emissions
LST Pollutants
Maximum Daily Emissions (lbs/day)1
NOx
(lbs/day)
CO
(lbs/day)
PM10
(lbs/day)
PM2.5
(lbs/day)
On-site Emissions1 1.18 18.59 0.7 0.3
SCAQMD Operation Threshold2 205.7 2,382.8 5.0 2.6
Exceeds Threshold: No No No No
1Maximum daily emission in summer or winter. 2Mobile source emissions include on-site vehicle emissions only. It is estimated that approximately 5% of mobile emissions will occur on the Project Site. LST=Localized Significance Threshold
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations?
Less than Significant Impact.
4.3.2.5 Construction
Fugitive Dust
The Project is required to comply with regional rules that assist in reducing short-term air pollutant emissions associated with suspended particulate matter, also known as fugitive dust. Fugitive dust emissions are commonly associated with land-clearing activities, cut-and-fill grading operations, and exposure of soils to the air and wind. SCAQMD Rule 403 requires that fugitive dust be controlled with best-available control measures so that the presence of such dust does not remain visible in the atmosphere beyond the property line of the emission source. In addition, SCAQMD Rules 402 and 403 require implementation of dust suppression techniques to prevent fugitive dust from creating a nuisance off site.
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-15 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 To ensure full compliance with the applicable dust control standards, the following Project design features are recommended for the Project:
DF-1 The project must follow the standard SCAQMD rules and requirements with regards to fugitive dust control, which includes, but are not limited to the following:
1. All active construction areas shall be watered two times daily.
2. Speed on unpaved roads shall be reduced to less than 15 mph.
3. Any visible dirt deposition on any public roadway shall be swept or washed at the site access points within 30 minutes.
4. Any on-site stockpiles of debris, dirt or other dusty material shall be covered or watered twice daily.
5. All operations on any unpaved surface shall be suspended if winds exceed 15 mph.
6. Access points shall be washed or swept daily.
7. Construction sites shall be sandbagged for erosion control.
8. Apply nontoxic chemical soil stabilizers according to manufacturers’ specifications to all inactive construction areas (previously graded areas inactive for 10 days or more).
9. Cover all trucks hauling dirt, sand, soil, or other loose materials, and maintain at least two feet of freeboard space in accordance with the requirements of California Vehicle Code Section 23114.
10. Pave or gravel construction access roads at least 100 feet onto the site from the main road and use gravel aprons at truck exits.
11. Replace the ground cover of disturbed areas as quickly possible.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a carcinogen and is categorized as a hazardous air pollutant by the USEPA. Asbestos fibers imbedded within construction materials become a health hazard once they are disturbed and rendered airborne, such as through physical contact like building renovation and demolition activities. Asbestos is regulated through the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and SCAQMD is the local enforcement authority for asbestos. The Project would not require the demolition of existing building or structures; therefore, the potential risk from exposure to asbestos during construction is small.
Asbestos also occurs naturally in serpentine and ultramafic rock. Based on the California Division of Mines and Geology General Location Guide for Ultramafic Rocks in California - Areas More Likely to Contain Naturally Occurring Asbestos, naturally occurring asbestos has not been shown to occur within in the vicinity of the Project Site. Therefore, the potential risk for naturally occurring asbestos during Project construction is small (Appendix A).
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-16 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 In the event asbestos is found on the site, the Project would be required to comply with SCAQMD and NESHAP standards and protocols. SCAQMD Rule 1403 establishes the survey requirements, notification, and work practice requirements to prevent asbestos emissions during construction activities. By following the required asbestos abatement protocols, the Project impact from asbestos would be less than significant.
Diesel Particulate Matter
The Project would generate diesel particulate matter (DPM) during construction from off-road diesel equipment and trucks. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment adopted the Guidance Manual for Preparation of Health Risk Assessments (HRA Guidelines) to provide procedures for use in the Air Toxics Hot Spots Program or for the permitting of existing, new, or modified stationary sources.
The HRA Guidelines provide risk factors based on exposure to toxic substances over a 30-year lifetime.
The Proposed Project’s construction activity is not expected to be a long-term (i.e., 30-year) source of toxic air contaminant emissions and short-term risk factors have not been developed. Due the significantly reduced risk from short-term exposure, SCAQMD does not typically require the evaluation of long-term cancer risk or chronic health impacts for construction operations from a project such as the one being proposed. Therefore, potential impacts from short-term exposure to DPM during project construction would be less than significant without the need for a detailed HRA study.
To help further reduce the potential health risks associated with DPM exposure during construction, the following project design features are recommended. Project design features include a recommendation for Tier 4 engines on all off-road diesel equipment. Tier 4 engines, along with the latest national fuel standards, have been shown to yield PM reductions of more than 95 percent from the typical Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines. Thus, ensuring the potential DPM exposure to adjacent sensitive receptors is reduced to the maximum extent feasible.
DF-2 All diesel construction equipment greater than 50 horsepower should have Tier 4 low emission “clean diesel” engines (OEM or retrofit) that include diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters that meet the latest CARB best available control technology.
DF-3 Construction equipment should be maintained in proper tune.
DF-4 All construction vehicles should be prohibited from excessive idling. Excessive idling is defined as five minutes or longer.
DF-5 Minimize the simultaneous operation of multiple construction equipment units, to the maximum extent feasible.
DF-6 The use of heavy construction equipment and earthmoving activity should be suspended during Air Alerts when the Air Quality Index reaches the “Unhealthy” level.
DF-7 Establish an electricity supply to the construction site and use electric powered equipment instead of diesel-powered equipment or generators, where feasible.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-17 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 DF-8 Establish staging areas for the construction equipment as far from adjacent residential homes, as feasible.
DF-9 Use haul trucks with on-road engines instead of off-road engines for on-site hauling.
4.3.2.6 Operation
Toxic Air Contaminants
The Project proposes residential land uses, which do not include major sources of toxic air contaminants emissions that would result in significant exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations. Therefore, the Project would have a less than significant impact in this regard.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
d) Result in other emissions (such as those leading
to odors) adversely affecting a substantial
number of people?
Less than Significant Impact.
4.3.2.7 Construction
Heavy-duty equipment in the Project Area during construction would emit odors; however, construction activity is temporary. The Project is required to comply with Rule 402 during construction, which states that a person shall not discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other materials which cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public, or which endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons or the public, or which cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property. Therefore, the Project impact from construction odor emissions is less than significant.
4.3.2.8 Operation
Land uses that commonly receive odor complaints include agricultural uses (i.e., farming and livestock), chemical plants, composting operations, dairies, fiberglass molding facilities, food processing plants, landfills, refineries, rail yards, and wastewater treatment plants. The Proposed Project does not contain land uses that would typically be associated with significant odor emissions.
Additionally, the Project would be required to comply with standard building code requirements related to exhaust ventilation, as well as comply with SCAQMD Rule 402, described above. Project related odors would be similar to those of existing residential development in the Project vicinity and as such, are not expected to meet the criteria of being a nuisance. Therefore, Project operation would result in less than significant odor impacts.
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4.3.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.4 Biological Resources
This section is based on the analysis and recommendations presented in the Biological Technical Report and MSHCP Consistency Analysis prepared for the Proposed Project (ECORP 2023, Appendix B). ECORP biologists performed a literature review using the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB; California Department of Fish and Wildlife [CDFW] 2021) and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Electronic Inventory (CNPS 2022) to determine the special-status plant and wildlife species that have been documented in the vicinity of the Project Site. ECORP also performed a biological reconnaissance survey, a narrow endemic plant habitat assessment, California burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) habitat assessment, and four protocol-level focused burrowing owl surveys (ECORP 2023; Appendix B).
4.4.1 Environmental Setting
4.4.1.1 Vegetation Communities and Land Cover Types
The Project Site is within a developed environment which is generally subjected to repeated and ongoing disturbance from human activities. Due to the Project Site’s long history of repeated mechanical disturbance (discing), the Project Site did not contain any natural vegetation communities. The Project Site is better characterized as Disturbed. The Disturbed classification includes areas where the native vegetation community has been heavily influenced by human actions, such as grading, discing, trash dumping, and off-road use, but lacks development. Disturbed is not a vegetation classification, but rather a land cover type and is not typically restricted to a known elevation. The entire 10.93-acre Project Site was classified as Disturbed, and a review of historical aerial photographs show that the Project Site has been actively maintained for many years to be free of vegetation. What little vegetation that remained on the Project Site during surveys (ECORP 2023) was sparse and consisted primarily of nonnative species, such as ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Spanish brome (Bromus madritensis), and redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium). The northwest portion of the Project Site contained a few isolated ornamental trees including a nonnative walnut (Juglans sp.), common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), and Shamel ash (Fraxinus uhdei). One golden rain tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) was also observed in the northeast corner of the Project Site.
4.4.1.2 Plants
Plant species observed on the Project Site were generally characteristic of disturbed urban areas.
Dominant plant species observed on the Project Site were nonnative weedy and/or ruderal species including fiddleneck (Amsinckia sp.), ripgut brome, cheatgrass, Spanish brome, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and greater periwinkle (Vinca major). Native plants observed on the Project Site included fiddleneck (Amsinckia sp.), blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), turkey mullein (Croton setiger), and jimsonweed (Datura wrightii). A full list of plant species observed on or immediately adjacent to the Project Site is included in Appendix B.
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4.4.1.3 Wildlife
The Project Site provided habitat for species adapted to disturbances and urban environments. A total of 23 bird species were observed during the reconnaissance survey and focused burrowing owl surveys, including, but not limited to, red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna), house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), and mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). Three mammal species were observed including California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Two reptile species, side blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) and western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), were also observed during the focused burrowing owl surveys. Additionally, California ground squirrel burrows, suitable for use by burrowing owl, were abundant on the Project Site. A full list of wildlife species observed on or immediately adjacent to the Project Site is included in Appendix B.
4.4.1.4 Soils
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey Database, soils on the Project Site consists of Greenfield sandy loam, two to eight percent slopes, eroded, and Ramona sandy loam, two to five percent slopes, eroded (NRCS 2022).
4.4.1.5 Potential Waters of the U.S.
The Project Site does not include any state or federally protected wetlands or Waters of the U.S. (Appendix B). According to the NRCS, no mapped hydric soils are present on the Project Site.
4.4.1.6 Special-Status Plants
There were 20 special-status plant species that appeared in the literature review and database searches as occurring withing five miles of the Project Site (CDFW 2021, CNPS 2022). Of those, two are federally and/or state listed and ten are covered by the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). A list generated from the results of the literature review and the Project Site was evaluated for suitable habitat that could support any of the special-status plant species on the list.
Due to the isolated nature of the Project Site from other natural habitats, the fact that it is surrounded by development, the Project site’s long history of disturbance, and the lack of mobility for plant species, the results of the literature review were limited to plant species occurring within five miles of the Project Site.
4.4.1.7 Special-Status Wildlife
The literature search documented 44 special-status wildlife species in the database search area, 13 of them are federally and/or state listed and/or candidates for state and/or federal listing, and 28 are species covered by the MSHCP (CDFW 2021). A list generated from the results of the literature review and the Project Site was evaluated for suitable habitat that could support any of the special-status wildlife species on the list. Mechanical disturbances on the Project Site, proximity to residential development, and the presence of anthropogenic influences on the Project Site likely preclude many of these species from occurring.
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4.4.2 Biological Resources (IV) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly
or through habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-
status species in local or regional plans, policies,
or regulations, or by the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
The Project Site, which consisted wholly of disturbed land, largely devoid of native vegetation, did not support any natural vegetation communities, as defined by A Manual of California Vegetation, 2nd Edition.
The Project Site is better characterized as Disturbed. The Disturbed classification includes areas where the native vegetation community has been heavily influenced by human actions, such as grading, discing, trash dumping, and off-road use, but lacks development. Disturbed is not a vegetation classification, but rather a land cover type and is not typically restricted to a known elevation. The literature review and database searches identified 20 special-status plant species that occur within five miles of the Project Site.
However, due to the isolated nature of the Project Site from natural habitats, the fact that it is surrounded by development, the Project site’s long history of disturbance, and the lack of mobility for plant species, all of the 20 plant special-status plant species identified within five miles of the Project site were presumed absent due to lack of suitable habitat (including elevation, soils, and vegetation community associations) on the Project site. No special-status, rare or narrow endemic plant species are expected to occur on the Project Site and no impacts to special-status, rare, or narrow endemic species are expected with the development of the Project Site. Therefore, no additional surveys or mitigation measures for special-status plant species are recommended at this time.
Of the 44 special-status wildlife species identified in the literature search, one species was determined to have a high potential to occur, one was determined to have a low potential to occur, and the remaining 42 species were presumed absent. Burrowing owl was found to have a high potential to occur on the Project Site and the Project Site is located within a MSHCP-designated survey area for burrowing owl (Appendix B). The biological reconnaissance survey and habitat assessment determined that suitable burrowing owl habitat was present on the Project Site, including California ground squirrel burrows that provided suitable burrow habitat. Due to the presence of suitable burrowing owl habitat, focused breeding season surveys were required per the MSHCP. Four protocol-level focused surveys for burrowing owl were conducted by ECORP biologists on June 24, July 1, July 29, and August 2, 2022, within the Survey Area according to the MSHCP Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions. Although potentially suitable habitat was present in the Survey Area, no burrowing owls or occupied burrows (e.g., burrowing containing whitewash, pellets, feathers, bones of prey items) were observed during the protocol-level focused surveys for burrowing owl. A total of 15 potential burrowing owl burrows were recorded within the Survey Area; of those 15 potential burrows, 12 were located within the Project Site, and the remaining three were
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-21 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 located south of the Project Site within the 500-foot buffer. However, due to the mobile nature of the species, it is possible that burrowing owls could use the Project Site prior to the start of Project activities.
If burrowing owls are present on the Project Site, direct impacts in the form of ground disturbance, vegetation removal, habitat loss, and mortality and indirect impacts from construction noise and vibrations may occur. Impacts to burrowing owl would be less than significant with the implementation of Mitigation Measures BIO-1 and BIO-2.
Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) was determined to have a low potential to occur due to the presence of suitable foraging and nesting habitat, and historical CNDDB occurrences within five miles of the Project Site. Limited foraging habitat for this species was present within the disturbed land and the presence of small trees could provide nesting habitat for the species. Direct impacts in the form of ground disturbance, vegetation removal, habitat loss, and mortality and indirect impacts from construction noise and vibrations may occur if loggerhead shrike is present on the Project Site. However, impacts to loggerhead shrike would be less than significant with the implementation of Mitigation Measures BIO-2 and BIO-3.
The trees and shrubs immediately adjacent to the Project Site, and the disturbed land on the Project Site could provide nesting habitat for nesting birds and raptors protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and California Fish and Game Code. The timing of the nesting season varies greatly depending on several factors, such as the bird species, weather conditions in any given year, and long-term climate changes (e.g., drought, warming). and changing climate conditions may result in the nesting bird season occurring earlier and later in the year than historical nesting season dates. To ensure compliance with all applicable laws pertaining to nesting birds and to avoid take of nests, a nesting bird survey should be conducted prior to initial ground disturbance regardless of the time of year. If nesting birds are present on the Project Site, ground-disturbing construction activities could directly affect nesting birds and other birds protected by the MBTA and their nests through the removal of habitat on the Project site, and indirectly through increased noise, vibrations, and increased human activity. Impacts to nesting birds would be less than significant with the implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2 and BIO-3.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian
habitat or other sensitive natural community
identified in local or regional plans, policies,
regulations, or by the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
No Impact.
The Project Site consists of disturbed land, which supported nonnative and ruderal species. The Project Site does not contain riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities. No impacts to sensitive natural communities would result from the development of the Proposed Project.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-22 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on state or
federally protected wetlands (including, but not
limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.)
through direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption, or other means?
No Impact.
No federal or state jurisdictional waters or wetlands were observed on the Project Site during the biological reconnaissance survey and no federal or state jurisdictional waters or wetlands were identified on or immediately adjacent to the Project Site during the literature review (USFWS 2022). Therefore, it was determined that the Project Site does not include waters or wetlands that are potentially jurisdictional to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CDFW, or Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). No impacts state or federally protected wetlands and/or water will result from the development of the Project.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife
species or with established native resident or
migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of
native wildlife nursery sites?
No Impact.
The Project Site is located adjacent to areas containing existing disturbances (e.g., roadways, commercial and residential developments). The Project Site could provide wildlife movement opportunities since it consists of open and unimpeded land. However, the Project Site would not be considered a corridor because it is bounded by residential developments to the north, west, and east and has a long history of anthropogenic disturbance. Additionally, there are no features on site that would facilitate wildlife movement and little to no cover for larger animals. No migratory wildlife corridors or native wildlife nursery sites were identified within the Project Site. No impacts to these resources are expected to occur during the development of the Project Site.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-23 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Less than Significant Impact.
The MSHCP provides for the protection and preservation of important and significant biological resources consistent with local, state and federal regulations. As a local permittee, the City has adopted the MSHCP and complies with all applicable requirements when considering actions associated with the General Plan’s implementation.
The City of Beaumont does not have a Tree Preservation Policy or Ordinance. Furthermore, there are no guidelines in the BMC that protect or maintain biological resources. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant and no mitigation is required.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local,
regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
4.4.2.1 Habitat Conservation Plans and Natural Community Conservation Plans The Project Site is located within the planning area for the Western Riverside MSHCP. The Project Site is not located within any Conservation Areas, Criteria Cells, or Subunit designations according to the MSHCP. The Project Site is located within a MSHCP-designated survey area for burrowing owl and two narrow endemic plant species (Yucaipa onion [Marvin’s onion, Allium marvinii] and many-stemmed dudleya [Dudleya multicaulis]). The Project Site contained suitable habitat for burrowing owl, but no suitable habitat for Yucaipa onion or many-stemmed dudleya was present. Implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 would be consistent with the MSHCP requirements, and as detailed below, is required to reduce potential impacts to burrowing owl to a less than significant level.
4.4.2.2 Western Riverside County MSHCP Consistency Analysis The Project Site is located within the planning area for the MSHCP, but outside of any Cell Groups, Criteria Cells, and Subunit designations. Section 6.0 of the MSHCP requires assessment of the potential effects from the Project on biological resources including riparian/riverine areas, vernal pools, and fairy shrimp, burrowing owl, and narrow endemic plant species. In addition, the MSHCP requires an Urban/Wildlands Interface analysis be conducted to address the indirect effects associated with locating proposed development in proximity of MSHCP Conservation Areas. These resources were assessed during the reconnaissance survey and are discussed below in relation to the Project.
The Proposed Project consists of the construction of apartment building development which is a covered activity under the MSHCP for areas outside of Criteria Area (RCTLMA 2022). Since development of the Project site is a covered activity within the MSHCP (see section 7.1 for Covered Activities Outside Criteria
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4.4.2.3 Riparian/Riverine, Vernal Pool, and Fairy Shrimp Habitat Assessment (MSHCP Section 6.1.2)
In accordance with Section 6.1.2 of the MSHCP, a habitat assessment was performed for riparian and riverine communities, vernal pools, and fairy shrimp. The Project Site contained neither vernal pool habitat nor suitable habitat for fairy shrimp. No riparian vegetation was observed and no defined channels or drainages were identified on the Project Site. Additionally, the Project Site did not contain any riverine resources. Therefore, no impacts to these resources are expected.
4.4.2.4 Narrow Endemic Plant Species (MSHCP Section 6.1.3) The Regional Conservation Authority’s (RCA) MSHCP Information Map was reviewed to determine whether the Project Site is located within a Narrow Endemic Plant Species Survey Area (NEPSSA), in accordance with Section 6.1.3 of the MSHCP. The Project Site is located within a NEPSSA for the following narrow endemic plant species: Yucaipa onion (Marvin’s onion) and many-stemmed dudleya. Although the Project Site occurs within the appropriate elevation range for Yucaipa onion and records have been identified within five miles of the Project Site, Yucaipa onion was not observed during any of the surveys, and no chaparral habitat or clay soils suitable for the species were present on the Project Site. The soils on site consist of Greenfield sandy loam and Ramona sandy loam, which are not suitable for the species.
Although the Project Site is located within a designated MSHCP survey area for many-stemmed dudleya, this species was not observed during any of the surveys, and no suitable chaparral, coastal sage scrub, or grassland habitat with clay and/or cobbly clay soils exists on the Project site. The soils on site consist of Greenfield sandy loam and Ramona sandy loam, which are not suitable for the species. Additionally, no records of this species were identified within the database searches. The closest record of this species was from 1981 and was located approximately 27 miles southwest of the Project site near Lake Mathews.
4.4.2.5 Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines (MSHCP Section 6.1.4) The requirements for Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors do not apply to this Project Site because the Project Site is not situated adjacent to any MSHCP-designated conserved lands.
The nearest MSHCP-designated conserved lands area is located approximately 2.0 miles south and 2.9 miles northeast of the Project Site. Therefore, there will be no net long-term increase of edge impacts occurring as a result of Project development.
4.4.2.6 Additional MSHCP Required Surveys (MSHCP Section 6.3.2) The RCA MSHCP Information Map (2021) was reviewed to determine if the Project Site is located with any other MSHCP-designated survey areas. A review of the Information Map determined that the site is not located within an area where additional surveys are required for any amphibian, mammal, or other criteria
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-25 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 area species. However, the search identified that the Project Site is located within the burrowing owl survey area.
The Project Site contains suitable burrowing owl habitat within the disturbed open areas. The soils within the Project Site are also suitable for burrowing owl. California ground squirrel burrows, which could support burrowing owls, were present on the Project Site. Pursuant to MSHCP Section 6.3.2, burrowing owl surveys shall be conducted if the Project Site contains natural or manufactured structures that could potentially support burrowing owls or burrowing owls are observed during the habitat assessment. Due to the presence of suitable California ground squirrel burrows on the Project Site, focused burrowing owl surveys were required.
Four protocol-level focused surveys for burrowing owl were conducted by ECORP biologists on June 24, July 1, July 29, and August 2, 2022, within the survey area. Although potentially suitable habitat was present in the survey area, no burrowing owls or occupied burrows (e.g., burrowing containing whitewash, pellets, feathers, bones of prey items) were observed during the protocol-level focused surveys for burrowing owl. A total of 15 potential burrowing owl burrows were recorded within the Survey Area; of those 15 potential burrows, 12 were located within the Project Site and the remaining three were located south of the Project Site, within the 500-foot buffer. No burrowing owls or occupied burrowing owl burrows were observed or detected during the protocol-level focused surveys for burrowing owl.
Due to the mobile nature of the species, the previous documentation of potential burrows, identified occupied burrow complexes and burrows, and based on the presence of California ground squirrel activity, it is possible for burrowing owl to occupy the Project Site before the start of construction of the Project. Therefore, a pre-construction surveys for burrowing owl will be required prior to initial ground disturbance. The MSHCP Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions (RCTLMA 2006) required a pre-construction survey to be conducted within 30 days prior to ground disturbance activities. However, following the finalization of the MSHCP, CDFW published revised guidance within the CDFW Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation (California Department of Fish and Game [CDFG] 2012), which recommends two surveys be conducted. The first survey should be conducted between 30 and 14 days prior to initiating ground disturbance and the second survey should be conducted within 24 hours prior to ground disturbance.
The Project Site is also located within a NEPSSA for the following narrow endemic plant species: Yucaipa onion (Marvin’s onion) and many-stemmed dudleya. However, no chaparral habitat or clay soils suitable for Yucaipa onion were present on the Project Site and no chaparral, coastal sage scrub, or grassland habitat with clay and/or cobbly clay soils suitable for many-stemmed dudleya were present on the Project Site. The soils on the Project Site consist of Greenfield sandy loam and Ramona sandy loam, which are not suitable for either of these species. Due to the lack of suitable habitat, these species are presumed absent, and no additional surveys will be required for narrow endemic plants.
4.4.3 Mitigation Measures
BIO-1: Burrowing Owl Pre-Construction Surveys and Avoidance: The Project Area was determined to be suitable for burrowing owl due to the presence of suitable habitat and recent records of the species that have been recorded near the Project Site. Prior to ground disturbing activities, a qualified wildlife biologist (i.e., a wildlife biologist with previous
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-26 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 burrowing owl survey experience) shall conduct pre-construction surveys of the Project Site, plus a 500-foot buffer, to locate active breeding or wintering burrowing owls and burrowing owl burrows between 30 and 14 days prior to construction. The survey methodology will be consistent with the methods outlined in the CDFW Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation (CDFG 2012) and will consist of walking parallel transects 20 to 60 feet apart, adjusting for vegetation height and density as needed, and noting any potential burrows with fresh burrowing owl sign or presence of burrowing.
A qualified biologist shall conduct an additional pre-construction survey of the Project Site plus an approximately 500-foot buffer no more than 24 hours prior to the start of ground- disturbing activities associated with construction activities to identify any additional burrowing owls or burrows necessitating avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures.
The results of the survey should be submitted to the City and CDFW within five days of survey completion.
If no burrowing owls are observed during the survey, Project Site preparation and construction activities may begin, and no further action is necessary. If burrowing owls are found to be present, then avoidance or minimization measures shall be undertaken in consultation with the City and CDFW. CDFW shall be sent written notification within 48 hours of detection of burrowing owls. If active burrowing owl burrows are detected, the Project Applicant shall not commence activities until no sign is present that the burrows are being used by adult or juvenile owls or following CDFW approval of a Burrowing Owl Plan as described below. If owl presence is difficult to determine, a qualified biologist shall monitor the burrows with motion-activated trail cameras for at least 24 hours to evaluate burrow occupancy. The onsite qualified biologist will verify the nesting effort has finished according to methods identified in the Burrowing Owl Plan.
The Burrowing Owl Plan shall be prepared in accordance with guidelines in the CDFG Staff Report on Burrowing Owl (March 2012) and MSHCP. The qualified biologist and Project Applicant shall coordinate with the City, CDFW, and USFWS to develop a Burrowing Owl Plan to be approved by the City, CDFW, and USFWS prior to commencing Project activities. The Burrowing Owl Plan shall describe proposed avoidance, relocation, monitoring, minimization, and/or mitigation actions. The Burrowing Owl Plan shall include the number and location of occupied burrow sites and details on proposed buffers if avoiding the burrowing owls or information on the adjacent or nearby suitable habitat available to owls for relocation. If no suitable habitat is available nearby for relocation, details regarding the creation and funding of artificial burrows (numbers, location, and type of burrows) and management activities for relocated owls shall also be included in the Burrowing Owl Plan. The City and Project Applicant shall implement the Burrowing Owl Plan following CDFW and USFWS review and approval.
If burrowing owls are observed within Project Site during Project implementation and construction, the Project Applicant shall notify CDFW immediately in writing within 48 hours of detection. A Burrowing Owl Plan shall be submitted to CDFW for review and approval
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-27 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 within two weeks of detection and no Project activity shall continue within 1,000 feet of the burrowing owls until CDFW approves the Burrowing Owl Plan. The City and the Project Applicant shall be responsible for implementing appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures, including burrow avoidance, passive or active relocation, or other appropriate mitigation measures as identified in the Burrowing Owl Plan.
If ground-disturbing activities occur but the Project Site is left undisturbed for more than 30 days, a preconstruction survey for burrowing owl shall be conducted and reported to CDFW as described above. If a burrowing owl is found, the same coordination described above shall be necessary.
A final letter report shall be prepared by the qualified biologist documenting the results of the passive relocation. The letter shall be submitted to CDFW prior to the start of Project activities.
BIO-2: Biological Monitoring: A qualified biologist shall be present to monitor all initial ground- disturbing and vegetation-clearing activities conducted for the Project. During each monitoring day, the biological monitor shall perform clearance survey “sweeps” at the start of each workday that vegetation clearing takes place to minimize impacts on special-status species with potential to occur. The monitor will be responsible for ensuring that impacts to special-status species, nesting birds, and active nests will be avoided to the greatest extent possible. Biological monitoring shall take place until the Project Site has been completely cleared of any vegetation. If an active nest is identified, the biological monitor shall establish an appropriate disturbance limit buffer around the nest using flagging or staking.
Construction activities shall not occur within any disturbance limit buffer zones until the nest is deemed no longer active by the biologist. If special-status wildlife species are detected during biological monitoring activities, then consultation with the USFWS and/or CDFW shall be conducted, and a mitigation plan shall be developed to avoid and offset impacts to these species. Mitigation measures may consist of work restrictions or additional biological monitoring activities after ground-disturbing activities are complete.
BIO-3: Pre-Construction Survey for Nesting Birds: Regardless of the time of year, the Project Applicant shall ensure a nesting bird survey is completed prior to the start of any development activities (such as ground disturbance, construction activities, and/or removal of trees and vegetation) within the Project Site. This will avoid violations of the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513. The pre-construction nesting bird survey shall include the Project Site and adjacent areas where Project activities have the potential to cause nest failure.
The survey results shall be provided to the City’s Planning Department. The Project Applicant shall adhere to the following:
Applicant shall designate a qualified biologist experienced in: identifying local and migratory bird species of special concern; conducting bird surveys using appropriate survey methodology; nesting surveying techniques, recognizing breeding and
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-28 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 nesting behaviors, locating nests and breeding territories, and identifying nesting stages and nest success; determining/establishing appropriate avoidance and minimization measures; and monitoring the efficacy of implemented avoidance and minimization measures.
Pre-construction surveys shall be conducted at the appropriate time of day/night, during appropriate weather conditions, no more than three days prior to the initiation of Project activities. Surveys shall encompass all suitable areas including trees, shrubs, bare ground, burrows, cavities, and structures. Survey duration shall take into consideration the size of the Project Site; density, and complexity of the habitat; number of survey participants; survey techniques employed; and shall be sufficient to ensure the data collected is complete and accurate.
If no nesting birds are observed during the survey, Project Site preparation and construction activities may begin. If nesting birds (including nesting raptors) are found to be present, then avoidance or minimization measures shall be undertaken in consultation with the City and CDFW. Measures shall include immediate establishment of an appropriate buffer zone to be established by a qualified biologist, based on their best professional judgement and experience. The buffer around the nest shall be delineated and flagged, and no construction activity shall occur within the buffer area until a qualified biologist determines nesting species have fledged and the nest is no longer active, or the nest has failed. The qualified biologist shall monitor the nest at the onset of Project activities, and at the onset of any changes in such Project activities (e.g., increase in number or type of equipment, change in equipment usage, etc.) to determine the efficacy of the buffer. If the qualified biologist determines that such project activities may be causing an adverse reaction, the qualified biologist shall adjust the buffer accordingly or implement alternative avoidance and minimization measures, such as redirecting or rescheduling construction or erecting sound barriers. All work within these buffers will be halted until the nesting effort is finished (i.e., the juveniles are surviving independent from the nest) or failed. The onsite qualified biologist will review and verify compliance with these nesting avoidance buffers and will verify the nesting effort has finished. Work can resume within these avoidance areas when no other active nests are found.
Upon completion of the survey and nesting bird monitoring, a report shall be prepared and submitted to the City for mitigation monitoring compliance record keeping.
4.5 Cultural Resources
ECORP Consulting, Inc. prepared the Cultural Resources Inventory and History Evaluation Report (ECORP 2022; Appendix C) for the Proposed Project to determine if cultural resources were present in or adjacent to the Project Area and assess the sensitivity of the Project Area for undiscovered or buried cultural resources. Cultural resources include prehistoric archaeological sites, historic archaeological sites, and historic structures, and generally consist of artifacts, food waste, structures, and facilities made by people in the past. Prehistoric archaeological sites are places that contain the material remains of activities carried
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-29 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 out by the native population of the area (i.e., Native Americans) prior to the arrival of Europeans in Southern California. Places that contain the material remains of activities carried out by people during the period when written records were produced after the arrival of Europeans are considered historic archaeological sites. Historic structures include houses, garages, barns, commercial structures, industrial facilities, community buildings, and other structures and facilities that are more than 50 years old. Historic structures may also have associated archaeological deposits, such as abandoned wells, cellars, privies, refuse deposits, and foundations of former outbuildings.
4.5.1 Cultural Resources (V) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
The records search indicated that 33 previous cultural resource studies have been conducted within one mile of the Project Area, none of which encompass the Project Site. No resources have previously been recorded within the Project Area as a result of those studies. However, 15 historic-period resources have been recorded within one mile of the Project Area. These include eight single-family properties, two transmission lines, one highway/trail, one railroad, one water conveyance system, one area of landscaping with associated refuse scatter, and one cemetery (ECORP 2022).
As a result of the field survey, one historic-period resource was recorded on the Project Area: a historic- period concrete foundation with vault and a concrete pad measuring. The entire feature is approximately eight inches above ground surface. The site is disturbed from weed abatement and possible discing, and structures are no longer located in the Project Area. Historic maps and aerial photographs indicate the foundation was likely constructed between 1967 and 1972 as two structures are visible adjacent to the site. Although it is not clear in the aerial photographs to discern what the structures were used for, it is likely they were used for agricultural purposes. The structures were no longer visible by 2002 (ECORP 2022).
The historic-period concrete foundation with vault has been evaluated as not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources under any criteria (ECORP 2023b; Appendix C). No impact to known historical resources would occur; however, the potential always exists for ground-disturbing activities to reveal previously unknown archaeological deposits that may represent historical resources. Compliance with the unanticipated discovery procedures in Mitigation Measures CUL-1 and CUL-2 will reduce that impact to less than significant.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-30 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
The cultural resources inventory for the project (ECORP 2023b) resulted in the identification of one archaeological resource (historic-era concrete foundation and vault) that was evaluated for significance and found to be not a historical resource. Similarly, this resource does not constitute a unique archaeological resource, as defined in Section 21083.2 of the Public Resources Code.
In addition, ECORP received the results of the Sacred Lands File search by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) on April 10, 2022. The search of the Scared Lands File was negative and failed to indicate the presence of Native American cultural resources in the Project Area. While the search of the Sacred Lands File failed to indicate the presence of sacred lands, the search results alone do not preclude the presence of resources of important to Native American groups in the vicinity and further data gathering efforts as part of tribal consultation were completed by the lead agency to ensure the potential sensitivity for Native American resources was understood. Correspondence between the NAHC and ECORP is included in Appendix C and information regarding the City’s Native American outreach under Assembly Bill (AB) 52 and Tribal Cultural Resources is provided in Section 4.18.
The Project Area contains Pleistocene and Holocene sediments that can be contemporaneous with human occupation of the region. Although no precontact resources were identified during the field survey, due to the presence of Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial deposits within the Project Area, there exists a low to moderate potential for buried precontact archaeological sites within the Project Site. Implementation of mitigation measures CUL-1 and CUL-2 would ensure that impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
c) Disturb any human remains, including those
interred outside of dedicated cemeteries?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
No human remains or dedicated cemeteries were identified during the background research, field survey, and property significance evaluation. However, compliance with California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 governing the discovery, notification, disposition and treatment of discovered human remains and related grave goods would be adhered to during Project construction. The discovery of human remains would require handling in accordance with PRC 5097.98, which states that in the event that human remains are discovered during construction, construction activity shall be halted and the area shall be
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-31 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 protected until consultation and treatment can occur as prescribed by law. In the event that human remains are unearthed during construction or demolition activities, implementation of mitigation measures CUL-1 and CUL-1 would ensure that impacts to unanticipated human remains are less than significant.
4.5.2 Mitigation Measures
CUL-1: If subsurface deposits believed to be cultural or human in origin are discovered during construction, all work must halt within a 100-foot radius of the discovery. A qualified professional archaeologist, meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for pre-contact and historic archaeologist, shall be retained to evaluate the significance of the find, and shall have the authority to modify the no-work radius as appropriate, using professional judgment. The following notifications shall apply, depending on the nature of the find:
If the professional archaeologist determines that the find does not represent a cultural resource, work may resume immediately, and no agency notifications are required.
If the professional archaeologist determines that the find does represent a cultural resource from any time period or cultural affiliation, the archaeologist shall immediately notify the lead federal agency, the lead CEQA agency, and landowner.
The agencies shall consult on a finding of eligibility and implement appropriate treatment measures, if the find is determined to be a Historical Resource under CEQA, as defined in Section 15064.5(a) of the CEQA Guidelines or a historic property under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), if applicable.
Work may not resume within the no-work radius until the lead agencies, through consultation as appropriate, determine that the site either: 1) is not a Historical Resource under CEQA or a Historic Property under Section 106; or 2) that the treatment measures have been completed to their satisfaction. If the find includes human remains, or remains that are potentially human, they shall ensure reasonable protection measures are taken to protect the discovery from disturbance (AB 2641) by maintaining at least 50 feet of buffer in all directions. The archaeologist shall notify the County Coroner (per Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code). The provisions of Section 7050.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, Section 5097.98 of the California PRC, and AB 2641 will be implemented. If the Coroner determines the remains are Native American and not the result of a crime scene, the Coroner will notify the NAHC, which then will designate a Native American Most Likely Descendant (MLD) for the Project (Section 5097.98 of the PRC). The designated MLD will have 48 hours from the time access to the property is granted to make recommendations concerning treatment of the remains. If the landowner does not agree with the recommendations of the MLD, the NAHC can mediate (Section 5097.94 of the PRC). If no agreement is reached, the landowner must rebury the remains where they will not be further disturbed (Section 5097.98 of
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-32 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 the PRC). This will also include either recording the site with the NAHC or the appropriate Information Center; using an open space or conservation zoning designation or easement; or recording a reinternment document with the county in which the property is located (AB 2641). Work may not resume within the no-work radius until the lead agencies, through consultation as appropriate, determine that the treatment measures have been completed to their satisfaction.
CUL-2: At the onset of construction, a Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) will be developed by the qualified professional archaeologist. A qualified professional archaeologist with experience with sensitive cultural resources in the region will present the WEAP to all personnel working in the Project Area (either temporarily or permanently) prior to the start of project activities. The WEAP may be videorecorded and used to train newly hired workers or those not present for the initial WEAP. The WEAP could include, but will not be limited to:
discussions of the sensitive cultural resources associated with the project, project-specific measures to avoid or eliminate impacts to these resources, consequences for not complying with project permits and agreements, and contact information for the lead archaeologist.
Logs of personnel who have taken the training will be kept on the site at the construction or project office.
4.6 Energy
This section analyzes energy consumption due to the potential direct and indirect environmental impacts associated with the Project. Such impacts include the depletion of nonrenewable resources (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal) and emissions of pollutants during the construction and operational phases. The impact analysis below focuses on the four sources of energy that are relevant to the Proposed Project: electricity, natural gas, the equipment-fuel necessary for Project construction, and the automotive fuel necessary for Project operations.
4.6.1 Environmental Setting
4.6.1.1 Introduction
Energy usage includes both direct and indirect sources of emissions. Direct sources of emissions include onsite natural gas usage (non-hearth) for heating, while indirect emissions include electricity generated by offsite power plants. Natural gas use is measured in units of a thousand British thermal units per size metric for each land use subtype and electricity use is measured in Kilowatt Hours (kWh) per size metric for each land use subtype.
CalEEMod divides building electricity and natural gas use into uses that are subject to Title 24 standards and those that are not. Lighting electricity usage is also calculated as a separate category in CalEEMod.
For electricity, Title 24 uses include the major building envelope systems covered by Part 6 (California Energy Code) of Title 24, such as space heating, space cooling, water heating, and ventilation. Non-Title 24 uses include all other end uses, such as appliances, electronics, and other miscellaneous plug-in uses.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-33 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 CalEEMod makes lighting a separate category because some lighting is not considered as part of the building envelope energy budget.
For natural gas, uses are likewise categorized as Title 24 or Non-Title 24. Title 24 uses include building heating and hot water end uses. Non-Title 24 natural gas uses include cooking and appliances (including pool/spa heaters).
Electricity use is measured in kWh, and natural gas use is measured in therms. Vehicle fuel use is typically measured in gallons (e.g., of gasoline or diesel fuel), although energy use for electric vehicles is measured in kWh. The electricity consumption associated with all nonresidential uses in Riverside County from 2016 to 2020 is shown in Table 4.6-1. As indicated, the demand has increased since 2016.
Table 4.6-1. Residential Electricity Consumption in Riverside County 2016-2020 Year Electricity Consumption
(kilowatt hours)
2020 8,843,231,701
2019 7,681,424,150
2018 7,646,485,987
2017 7,636,566,993
2016 7,171,695,160
Source: California Energy Commission (CEC) 2021
The natural gas consumption associated with all nonresidential uses in Riverside County from 2016 to 2020 is shown in Table 4.6-2. As indicated, the demand has increased since 2016.
Table 4.6-2. Residential Natural Gas Consumption in Riverside County 2016-2020 Year Natural Gas Consumption (therms)
2020 302,049,299
2019 304,776,599
2018 259,344,553
2017 254,095,676
2016 252,688,320
Source: CEC 2021
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4.6.2 Energy (VI) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) Result in potentially significant environmental
impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or
unnecessary consumption of energy resources,
during Project construction or operation?
Less than Significant Impact.
The Project would be required to provide onsite renewable energy photovoltaic installations (solar panels), as required by the latest 2019 CA Energy Code requirements. The Energy Code requires all new residential construction to achieve net-zero emissions associated with electricity usage through the use of onsite renewable sources. However, this analysis is conservative and does not include emissions reductions from renewables (Appendix A). The three main types of energy expected to be consumed by the Project include electricity, natural gas, and petroleum products in the form of gasoline and diesel fuel.
The California Emissions Estimator Model Version 2020.4.4 (CalEEMod) was used to calculate energy usage from project construction and operational activities (Refer to Appendix L for the CalEEMod calculations) (RK Engineering Group, Inc., 2023).
Electricity Consumption
Construction
Electricity usage during Project construction may include lighting, electric equipment, and mobile office uses, however, CalEEMod does not calculate electricity usage during construction. During construction electricity usage is anticipated to be short-term and relatively minor compared to the operational demand, and therefore electricity usage during this phase is not factored into this analysis (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023).
Operation
Electricity usage during Project operations would include building heating and cooling, lighting, appliances, electronics, mechanical equipment, parking lot lighting, and electric vehicle charging. Indirect electricity usage would also be utilized to supply, distribute, and treat water and wastewater. Electricity would be provided by Southern California Edison (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023).
Natural Gas Consumption
The Project would use natural gas for building heating and cooling and gas water heaters. Natural gas is not expected to be used during construction in any significant quantities and is not included in the overall calculation of the Project’s natural gas consumption (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023).
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-35 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Petroleum Consumption
The Project’s consumption of energy from petroleum products is primarily from transportation-related activities, which include gasoline and diesel fuel usage for auto and truck trips during construction and operation and off-road equipment usage during construction. CalEEMod was used to estimate the Project’s petroleum energy consumption.
Construction
Construction of the project is estimated to last approximately 18 months and include site preparation, grading, building construction, paving, and architectural coating phases. Construction activities would consume energy in the form of motor vehicle fuel (gasoline and diesel) for off-road construction equipment and on-road vehicle trips. Vehicle trips include workers, vendors, and haulers traveling to and from the Project Site (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023).
Table 6 in Appendix L shows the project’s energy consumption for all off-road equipment during construction. All off-road equipment is assumed to run on diesel fuel. As shown in Table 6 the Project is anticipated to consume approximately 50,680 gallons of diesel fuel for construction off-road equipment usage. Table 7 in Appendix L shows the Project’s energy consumption from on-road vehicle trips during construction, of which approximately 33,996 gallons would be gasoline consumption and approximately 683,702 gallons would be for diesel fuel usage (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023).
Operation
The Project would consume energy from auto and truck trips generated by the proposed land use.
Operational vehicle trips are associated with workers, residents, and vendors/non-workers (i.e., delivery, service, maintenance vehicles, etc.) traveling to and from the Project Site. Table 8 in Appendix L shows the annual operational trips energy consumption data, which is estimated to be approximately 166,355 gallons of gasoline consumption and approximately 12,446 gallons of diesel consumption annually Analysis (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023.
Appendix L of this document provides a detailed breakdown of Project energy consumption for electricity usage, natural gas consumption, construction petroleum consumption, and operational petroleum consumption. Refer to Appendix L for the detailed tables. Table 4.6-1 provides a summary of the Project’s estimated annual operational energy consumption.
Table 4.6-3. Total Operational Energy Consumption
Activity Annual Energy Consumption (MBtu/yr)
Electricity 5,429.76
Natural Gas 2,904.17
Petroleum 21,743.78
Total Annual Energy Consumption 30,077.71
Source: Table 9 of the Energy Conservation Analysis (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023 )
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-36 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 As shown in Table 4.6-3, the total operational energy consumption would be approximately 30,078 MBtu/year. The Project is required to comply with the mandatory requirements of California’s Building Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6) to reduce energy consumption. California’s building standards are some of the strictest in the nation and the Project’s compliance with the Building Code will ensure that the Project would not result in the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy. The California Building Code is designed to reduce the amount of energy used to heat or cool a building, reduce energy usage for lighting and appliances and promote usage of energy from renewable sources. Additionally, the Project would provide solar installations to satisfy the prescribed Energy Design Ratings from the Energy Code and in doing so would significantly reduce the Project’s reliance on fossil fuels for building energy (RK Engineering Group, Inc, 2023).
Compliance with the California Green Building Standards Code would ensure that modern energy efficiency standards are met for the Project’s energy-demanding components. In addition, Sustainable Beaumont: The City’s Roadmap to Greenhouse Gas Reductions (Sustainable Beaumont), Goal 10, requires project applicants to demonstrate sufficient consistency with the City’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals by way of energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and other options that provide predictable GHG reductions. Compliance with the California Green Building Standards Code and the City’s GHG reduction plan would prevent wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Petroleum fuel (such a diesel and gasoline) necessary for Project construction would be required for the operation and maintenance of construction equipment and the transportation of materials to the Project Site. The fuel expenditure necessary to construct the physical building and infrastructure would be temporary, lasting only as long as Project construction. As such, Project construction would have a nominal effect on local and regional energy supplies. No unusual Project characteristics would necessitate the use of construction equipment that would be less energy efficient than at comparable construction sites in the region or the state. Construction contractors would purchase their own gasoline and diesel fuel from local suppliers and would judiciously use fuel supplies to minimize costs due to waste and subsequently maximize profits. Additionally, construction equipment fleet turnover and increasingly stringent state and federal regulations on engine efficiency combined with state regulations limiting engine idling times and requiring recycling of construction debris, would further reduce the amount of transportation fuel demand during Project construction. For these reasons, it is expected that construction fuel consumption associated with the Project would not be any more inefficient, wasteful, or unnecessary than other similar development projects of this nature. Impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for
renewable energy or energy efficiency?
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The Project would be required to comply with the mandatory requirements of the latest 2019 California Building Standards Code, including Title 24, Part 11, CALGreen and Title 24, Part 6, Energy Code. The purpose of the building standards is to reduce negative impacts on the environment through improved planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation and material and resource conservation. The California Building Standards were developed to help meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). Southern California Edison (SCE) would provide electricity for Project operations. SCE is subject to the requirements of California Senate Bill 100 (SB 100), which is the most stringent and current energy legislation in the state. SB 100 requires that renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources supply 100 percent of retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers and 100 percent of electricity acquired to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2045 (RK Engineering Group, Inc. 2023).
Additionally, the Project would be designed in a manner that is consistent with relevant energy conservation plans designed to encourage development that results in the efficient use of energy resources. The Project would include solar panels for each building. Relevant energy conservation plans specific to Beaumont include Sustainable Beaumont: The City’s Roadmap to Greenhouse Gas Reductions, which establishes goals and policies that incorporate environmental responsibility into daily management of community and municipal operations. The City has set a goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, and to 41.7 percent below 2012 levels by 2030 (City of Beaumont 2015). The specific Sustainable Beaumont goals listed in Table 4.6-4 below, require project applicants to demonstrate sufficient consistency with the City’s GHG reduction goals by way of energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and other options.
Table 4.6-4. Compatibility with Sustainable Beaumont Goals Goal Project Compatibility
Goal 2: Increase Energy Efficiency in New Residential Development Compatible. The Project will comply with the mandatory requirements of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code) and Part 11 (CALGreen), including, but not limited to:
• Install low flow fixtures and toilets, water efficient irrigation systems, drought tolerant/native landscaping, and reduce the amount of turf.
• Provide the necessary infrastructure to support
electric vehicle charging.
• Provide solar installations per the prescribed Energy Design Ratings.
Goal 5: Increase Energy Efficiency through Water Efficiency Compatible. The Project will install low flow fixtures and toilets, water efficient irrigation systems, drought tolerant/native landscaping, and reduce the amount of turf.
Goal 8: Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Reducing Solid Waste Generation Compatible. The Project will participate in the local waste management recycling and composting programs.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-38 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Table 4.6-4. Compatibility with Sustainable Beaumont Goals Goal Project Compatibility
Goal 9: Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Increasing Clean Energy Use Compatible. As part of the latest Energy Code requirements, the Project would be required to include rooftop solar panels, community solar panels, and/or other sources of onsite renewable energy capable of meeting the required California Energy Code Energy Design Rating.
Goal 10: Decrease GHG Emissions from New
Development through Performance Standards
Compatible. In addition to the measures described above, the Project will encourage the property management
company and landscape maintenance crews to use electric powered landscaping equipment for landscape maintenance. No wood-burning or natural gas fireplaces will be included in the Project.
Table 4.6-5 shows the applicable energy-related policies from the applicable elements of the City of Beaumont General Plan and how the Project would comply with those applicable policies.
Table 4.6-5. Applicable Energy-Related Policies from the City of Beaumont General Plan Energy-Related Policy from the City’s General
Plan Project Compatibility
Conservation and Open Space Element
Policy 8.1.5 Encourage new development to reduce building energy use by adopting passive solar techniques and heat island reduction strategies:
• Maximizing interior daylighting.
• Using cool exterior siding, cool roofing, and paving materials with relatively high solar reflectivity to reduce solar heat gain. • Planting shade trees on south- and west-facing
sides of new buildings to reduce energy loads.
• Installing water efficient vegetative cover and planting, substantial tree canopy coverage.
Compatible. As part of the latest Energy Code
requirements, the Project would be required to include rooftop solar panels, community solar panels, and/or other sources of onsite renewable energy capable of meeting the required California Energy Code Energy Design Rating.
Policy 8.2.1 Promote the incorporation of alternative energy generation (e.g., solar, wind, biomass) in public and private development.
Compatible. As part of the latest Energy Code requirements, the Project would be required to include rooftop solar panels, community solar panels, and/or other sources of onsite renewable energy capable of meeting the required California Energy Code Energy Design Rating.
Policy 8.2.2 Establish clear guidance for new solar residential mandate established by the California Energy Commission as part of the 2019 California Building Code update.
Compatible. The Project will comply with the
mandatory requirements of the California Building
Standards Code, Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code) and
Part 11 (CALGreen), including, but not limited to:
• Install low flow fixtures and toilets, water efficient irrigation systems, drought tolerant/native landscaping, and reduce
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-39 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Table 4.6-5. Applicable Energy-Related Policies from the City of Beaumont General Plan Energy-Related Policy from the City’s General Plan Project Compatibility the amount of turf.
• Provide the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging. • Provide solar installations per the
prescribed Energy Design Ratings.
Compliance with the California Green Building Standards Code, he City’s GHG reduction plan, and the City’s General Plan demonstrates that the Project would be consistent with the energy efficiency strategies included in Sustainable Beaumont. The Project would not interfere with the City’s GHG Reduction Strategy or the City’s General Plan and would not conflict with or obstruct the state plan for renewable energy.
Based on the analysis above, the Project would have a less than significant impact with regards to state or local plans for renewable energy or energy efficiency.
4.6.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.7 Geology and Soils
A site-specific geotechnical investigation was conducted for the Project by GeoTek, Inc. in July 2021 and revised on September 28, 2022 (GeoTek 2022; Appendix D). The report presents findings based on the results of field and laboratory programs, data review, and engineering analyses. The field exploration program consisted of drilling 10 exploratory borings to depths of 20 to 50 feet.
4.7.1.1 Geomorphic Setting
Beaumont is located along the northern boundary of the Peninsular Ranges in the San Gorgonio Pass. The City is located within a seismically active region at the junction of the Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular Ranges. The City could be affected by the San Jacinto Fault, the San Andreas Fault Zone in the San Gorgonio pass area, the Banning Fault, and Beaumont Plains Fault Zone. The City and its designated spheres of influence are mostly undeveloped; nearly one half of the City’s land area consists of vacant land (City of Beaumont 2020a).
4.7.1.2 Regional Seismicity and Fault Zones
The California DOC, Division of Mines and Geology, defines an active fault as one that has been subjected to surface displacement within the last 11,000 years. A fault is considered inactive if it has not shown geologic evidence of surface displacement in the last 11,000 years.
The geologic structure of the entire Southern California area is dominated mainly by northwest-trending faults associated with the San Andreas system. The site is in a seismically active region. No active or
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-40 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 potentially active fault is presently known to exist at this site nor is the site situated within an Alquist- Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. The County of Riverside has designated the site area as not in fault zone, not in a fault line, having a low potential for liquefaction, and susceptible to subsidence. According to the California Geological Survey 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, the nearest known active faults are the San Gorgonio Pass Fault Zone located 2.7 miles to the northeast of the site and the Banning Fault located 2.6 miles to the north of the site (GeoTek 2022).
4.7.1.3 Soils
The geotechnical explorations noted that the upper approximately one foot of soil is loose and disturbed due to the past agricultural activities at the site. The topsoil mostly consists of dry to slightly moist, light brown silty sand. According to the NRCS Web Soil Survey Database, soils on the Project Site consist of Greenfield sandy loam, two to eight percent slopes, eroded, and Ramona sandy loam, two to five percent slopes, eroded (NRCS 2022).
4.7.1.4 Paleontological Resources
In September 2022, ECORP requested a paleontological records search for the Proposed Project from the Western Science Center (2022) to determine if paleontological resources were present in or adjacent to the Project Area and assess the area for undiscovered paleontological resources. The paleontological database search included the paleontology locality and specimen collection records for the Project Area and surrounding area (one-mile radius). The records search is included as Appendix E.
4.7.2 Geology and Soils (VII) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) Directly or indirectly cause substantial adverse
effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death
involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on
other substantial evidence of a known fault?
Refer to Division of Mines and Geology
Special Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
iv) Landslides?
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i. The San Jacinto Fault, considered to be one of the most active faults in Southern California, crosses the southern portion of the City and SOI. The San Andreas Fault is approximately six miles northeast of the City. The branch of the Banning Fault closest to Beaumont is inactive. The Project Site is not within a state designated Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone (City of Beaumont 2020a; 2020b). The nearest fault zone is the Beaumont Plain Fault Zone, which is located approximately 1.5 miles west of the Project Site. The likelihood for onsite rupture is considered low due to the absence of known faults and fault zones within the vicinity. Therefore, no significant impacts are identified or anticipated and no mitigation measures are required.
Less than Significant Impact.
ii. The Project Site is in Southern California, which is prone to ground shaking during earthquakes.
Therefore, due to its location is Southern California the Project Site is also subject to ground shaking during an earthquake, as is any other proposed development project. However, as detailed in Threshold i) directly above, the Project Site is not within a state designated Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone (City of Beaumont 2020a; 2020b). The nearest fault zone is the Beaumont Plain Fault Zone, which is located approximately 1.5 miles west of the Project Site.
Additionally, the City of Beaumont adopted the Uniform Building Code, which requires that the construction of structures comply with the California Building Code (CBC) to reduce the hazard risks posed by earthquakes. Adhering to these codes would ensure that potential ground-shaking impacts are reduced to less than significant level. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
No Impact.
iii. Due to the anticipated depth to groundwater (greater than 200 feet), the potential for liquefaction at the site is extremely low (GeoTek 2022; Appendix D). No impact would occur.
No Impact.
iv. Landslides and slope failure can result from ground motion generated by earthquakes. The slopes within the San Timoteo Badlands are the most susceptible to landslides in the City. These slopes are approximately 10 miles northwest of the Project Site. The Project Site and its surrounding areas are relatively flat. The Project Site is not on or close to areas with existing landslides or with high susceptibility to seismically induced landslides and rockfalls. No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil?
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All excavation, grading, and construction activities would be conducted according to the CBC 2019. The Project would be required to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) standards to ensure that pollutants are not discharged in the storm drain system. The applicant has submitted a Preliminary Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP, Appendix F) that incorporates the foregoing water quality treatment features and Low Impact Development (LID) site design, source control and treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address the NPDES requirements as part of the review process. This plan is intended to bring the Project into compliance with Riverside County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Ordinance and the Statewide NPDES. Examples of construction phase BMPs implemented with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) include sandbags, silt fences, and detention basins. Prior to the issuance of building permits, a final WQMP will have to be submitted by the applicant and approved by the City’s Engineering Division, and strict adherence to the program will be required. All treatment proposals would be consistent with the Riverside County Stormwater Quality Best Management Practice Design Handbook.
Implementation of the SWPPP, including the use of storm water quality BMPs, would prevent erosion of soil from storm water runoff during Project construction (see Section 4.10 Hydrology and Water Quality).
Once construction is completed, soils would be stabilized and monitored according to the SWPPP until a Notice of Termination for the NPDES construction permit is filed with the RWQCB. Consequently, the Proposed Project would not result in substantial erosion and/or unstable earth conditions from Project construction or operation. For these reasons, erosion-related impacts are considered to be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as a
result of the Project, and potentially result in
onsite or offsite landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
Several factors impact earthwork balancing on the site, including shrinkage, subsidence, trench spoil from utilities and footing excavations, as well as the accuracy of topography. Shrinkage is primarily dependent upon the degree of compactive effort achieved during construction. For planning purposes, a shrinkage factor of approximately five to 15 percent may be considered for the materials requiring recompaction.
Subsidence of up to 0.1 foot may occur (GeoTek 2022).
The site surficial soils possess very low expansion potential in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 4829, as noted by the soils data and data by past consultants. However, verification testing should be performed after site remedial grading. The foundation elements for the
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To address the potential for unstable soils that are prone to collapse or subsidence, the design and engineering of the Proposed Project would adhere to the applicable ordinances of the City of Beaumont/County of Riverside and CBC, and incorporate recommendations from the Proposed Project’s site-specific geotechnical investigation. With Mitigation Measure GEO-1, impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table
18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994),
creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life
or property?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
Expansive soils can shrink and swell with drying and wetting. The shrink-swell potential of expansive soils can result in differential movement beneath foundations. According to the site-specific Geotechnical and Infiltration Evaluation performed by GeoTek, the near-surface earth materials on the Project Site exhibit very low expansion potential (GeoTek 2022; Appendix D).
The Proposed Project would be required to comply with CBC requirements related to expansive soils. The Project’s foundation and structural design would be required to incorporate measures prescribed in the CBC to address these design considerations and minimize related Project impacts. Appropriate construction plans would be reviewed by the City’s Building Official for consistency with current building codes and implementation of the recommendations contained in the Project’s geotechnical study. The geotechnical study includes recommendations for over excavation with pre-saturation of subgrade soil (Appendix D). With implementation of mitigation measure GEO-1, which includes standard design measures required in the CBC and inclusion of the recommendations contained in the Geotechnical and Infiltration Evaluation, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting
the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater
disposal systems where sewers are not available
for the disposal of wastewater?
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The Project does not propose the use of septic tanks. The proposed structures would be connected to the existing sewer system for disposal and treatment of wastewater. No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
f) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated.
The Western Science Center conducted a thorough search of their paleontology collection and data for the Project Area. The geologic units underlying the Project Site are mapped entirely as alluvial sediments from San Gorgonio Pass, dating from the Pleistocene epoch (Western Science Center 2022; Appendix E).
Pleistocene alluvial units are considered to be fossiliferous (fossil-containing) and highly paleontologically sensitive. The Western Science Center’s records do not have any fossil localities within the Project Area or within a one-mile radius, although they do have localities from similarly mapped units from across Southern California.
Any fossil specimens recovered from the Project Site would be scientifically significant. Excavation activity associated with the development of the Project Site has the potential to impact the paleontologically sensitive Pleistocene units, and it is the recommendation of the Western Science Center that a paleontological resource mitigation program be put in place to monitor, salvage, and curate any recovered fossils from the study area. With the implementation of Mitigation Measure GEO-2, impacts would be less than significant.
4.7.3 Mitigation Measures
GEO-1: The Project Applicant shall implement the Conclusions and Recommendations as listed in the final site-specific geotechnical report (Updated Geotechnical and Infiltration Evaluation for Proposed Multi-Family Residential Development: Xenia Apartment Project East of Xenia Avenue and about 200 Feet South of East 8th Street Beaumont, Riverside County, California, GeoTek 2022) or most recent site-specific geotechnical evaluation.
GEO-2: A qualified paleontological professional, as defined by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (2010) standards, will be retained by the Contractor. The qualified paleontological professional will draft the PRMP outlining protocols to be implemented during ground disturbance in case of discoveries. This mitigation and monitoring program shall be in place prior to any ground disturbance, based on the Western Science Center’s findings and recommendations. The qualified paleontological professional will be present to monitor during ground-disturbance activities to ensure the protection of paleontological resources, if any. If paleontological resources are discovered during construction, all work
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Construction activities may continue on other parts of the construction site while evaluation and treatment of the paleontological resource takes place.
4.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This section is based in part on the results of the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Impact Study conducted for the Project (RK Engineering 2022a; Appendix A). The methodology follows CARB, SCAQMD, and City of Beaumont recommendations for quantification of emissions and evaluation of potential impacts. This section presents regional and local existing conditions in addition to pertinent GHG emissions-related standards and regulations. The purpose of this assessment is to estimate Project-generated GHG emissions and to determine the level of impact the Project would have on the environment.
4.8.1 Environmental Setting
GHG emissions are released as byproducts of fossil fuel combustion, waste disposal, energy use, land use changes, and other human activities. This release of gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and chlorofluorocarbons, creates a blanket around the earth that allows light to pass through but traps heat at the surface, preventing its escape into space. While this is a naturally occurring process known as the greenhouse effect, human activities have accelerated the generation of GHGs beyond natural levels. The overabundance of GHGs in the atmosphere has led to an unexpected warming of the earth and has the potential to severely impact the earth’s climate system.
Each GHG differs in its ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere based on the lifetime, or persistence, of the gas molecule in the atmosphere. CH4 traps more than 25 times more heat per molecule than CO2, and N2O absorbs 298 times more heat per molecule than CO2. Often, estimates of GHG emissions are presented in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). Expressing GHG emissions in CO2e takes the contribution of all GHG emissions to the greenhouse effect and converts them to a single unit equivalent to the effect that would occur if only CO2 were being emitted.
The local air quality agency regulating the Riverside County portion of the SoCAB is the SCAQMD. To provide guidance to local lead agencies on determining significance for GHG emissions in CEQA documents, SCAQMD staff convened a GHG CEQA Significance Threshold Working Group. The Working Group was formed to assist the SCAQMD’s efforts to develop a GHG significance threshold and is composed of a wide variety of stakeholders including the State Office of Planning and Research, CARB, the Attorney General’s Office, a variety of city and county planning departments in the Basin, various utilities such as sanitation and power companies throughout the Basin, industry groups, and environmental and professional organizations. The GHG CEQA Significance Threshold Working Group recommended the options of a numeric bright-line threshold of 3,000 metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e)
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In Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015) 62 Cal. 4th 2014, 213, 221, 227, following its review of various potential GHG thresholds proposed in an academic study [Crockett, Addressing the Significance of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: California's Search for Regulatory Certainty in an Uncertain World (July 2011), 4 Golden Gate U. Envtl. L. J. 203], the California Supreme Court identified the use of numeric bright-line thresholds as a potential pathway for compliance with CEQA GHG requirements. The study found numeric bright line thresholds designed to determine when small projects were so small as to not cause a cumulatively considerable impact on global climate change was consistent with CEQA. Specifically, PRC section 21003(f) provides it is a policy of the state that“ "[a]ll persons and public agencies involved in the environmental review process be responsible for carrying out the process in the most efficient, expeditious manner in order to conserve the available financial, governmental, physical and social resources with the objective that those resources may be better applied toward the mitigation of actual significant effects on the environment."
The Supreme Court-reviewed study noted“
"[s]ubjecting the smallest projects to the full panoply of CEQA requirements, even though the public benefit would be minimal, would not be consistent with implementing the statute in the most efficient, expeditious manner. Nor would it be consistent with applying lead agency’s' scarce resources toward mitigating actual significant climate change impact" (Crockett, Addressing the Significance of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
California’s Search for Regulatory Certainty in an Uncertain World (July 2011), 4 Golden Gate U. Envtl. L. J. 203, 221, 227.)
The significance of the Project’s GHG emissions is evaluated consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4(b)(2) by considering whether the Project complies with applicable plans, policies, regulations and requirements adopted to implement a statewide, regional, or local plan for the reduction or mitigation of GHG emissions. For the Proposed Project, the SCAQMD’s 3,000 MTCO2e per year threshold is used as the significance threshold in addition to the qualitative thresholds of significance set forth below from Section VII of CEQA Guidelines Appendix G. The 3,000 MTCO2e per year threshold represents a 90 percent capture rate (i.e., this threshold captures projects that represent approximately 90 percent of GHG emissions from new sources). The 3,000 MTCO2e per year value is typically used in defining small projects within this air basin that are considered less than significant because it represents less than one percent of future 2050 statewide GHG emissions target and the lead agency can provide more efficient implementation of CEQA by focusing its scarce resources on the top 90 percent. This threshold is correlated to the 90 percent capture rate for development projects within the air basin. Land use projects above the 3,000 MTCO2e per year level would fall within the percentage of largest projects that are worth mitigating without wasting
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4.8.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (VIII) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a significant
impact on the environment?
Less than Significant Impact.
4.8.2.1 Greenhouse Gas Emission - Construction
Greenhouse gas emissions are estimated for on- and off-site construction activity using CalEEMod.
Table 4.8-1 shows the construction greenhouse gas emissions, including equipment and worker vehicle emissions for all phases of construction. Construction emissions are averaged over 30 years and added to the long-term operational emissions, pursuant to SCAQMD recommendations. CalEEMod annual GHG output calculations are provided in Appendix A.
Table 4.8-1. Construction Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Activity Emissions (MTC02e)1
Onsite Offsite Total
Site Preparation 16.86 0.77 17.63
Grading 82.46 229.20 311.66
Building Construction 349.82 386.89 736.71
Paving 20.18 1.23 21.41
Architectural Coating 2.56 3.41 5.97
Total 471.88 621.50 1,093.38
Amortized over 30 years2 15.73 20.72 36.45
1MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (includes CO2, O3, N2O, and/or hydrofluorocarbon). 2The emissions are amortized over 30 years and added to the operational emissions, pursuant to SCAQMD recommendations.
Because impacts from construction activities occur over a relatively short period of time, they contribute a relatively small portion of the overall lifetime Project GHG emissions. By itself, the construction activities
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However, SCAQMD recommends that construction emissions be amortized over a 30-year project lifetime and added to the overall project operational emissions. In doing so, construction GHG emissions are included in the overall contribution of the Project, as further discussed in the following section.
4.8.2.2 Greenhouse Gas Emission– - Operation
Greenhouse gas emissions are estimated for on- and off-site operational activity using CalEEMod.
Greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources, area sources and energy sources are shown in Table
4.8-2. CalEEMod annual GHG output calculations are provided in Appendix A.
Table 4.8-2. Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Emission Source GHG Emissions (MTC02e)1
Mobile Source 1,523.22
Energy Source 308.82
Area Source 3.32
Water 62.97
Waste 57.20
Construction (30-year average) 36.45
Total Annual Emissions 1,991.97
SCAQMD Tier 3 Screening Threshold2 3,000
Exceed Tier 3 Threshold? No
1MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents 2Per South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Draft Guidance Document– - Interim CEQA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Significance Threshold, October 2008 As shown in Table 4.8-2, the project GHG emissions are expected to be below the SCAQMD’s Tier 3 approach, which limits GHG emissions to 3,000 MTCO2e for residential projects. The Project related long- term GHG impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing
the emissions of greenhouse gases?
Less than Significant Impact.
The City of Beaumont has adopted the Sustainable Beaumont Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the Building Energy Sector to reduce the energy and GHG footprint across the City. However, the CAP does not
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The Project would be required to comply with the mandatory requirements of the latest 2019 California Building Standards Code, including Title 24, Part 11, CALGreen and Title 24, Part 6, Energy Code. The purpose of the building standards is to reduce negative impacts on the environment through improved planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation and material and resource conservation. The California Building Standards were developed to help meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32).
As part of the latest Energy Code requirements, the Project would be required to include rooftop solar panels, community solar panels, and/or other sources of onsite renewable energy capable of meeting the required California Energy Code Energy Design Rating.
The following Project Operational Design Features would be implemented to ensure the Project is consistent with applicable GHG reduction standards:
DF-10 The project will comply with the mandatory requirements of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code) and Part 11 (CALGreen), including, but not limited to:
• Install low flow fixtures and toilets, water efficient irrigation systems, drought tolerant/native landscaping, and reduce the amount of turf.
• Provide the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging. • Provide solar installations per the prescribed Energy Design Ratings.
DF-11 No wood-burning or natural gas fireplaces will be included in the Project.
DF-12 Participate in the local waste management recycling and composting programs.
DF-13 Encourage the property management company and landscape maintenance crews to use electric- powered landscaping equipment for landscape maintenance.
With the recommended Project Operational Design Features described here, the Project would not conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and the impact is considered less than significant.
4.8.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified, no mitigation measures are required.
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4.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
4.9.1 Environmental Setting
A material is considered hazardous if it appears on a list of hazardous materials prepared by a federal, state, or local agency, or if it has characteristics defined as hazardous by such an agency. A hazardous material is defined by the California Health and Safety Code, Section 25501 as follows:
Hazardous material means any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to, hazardous substances, hazardous waste, and any material that a handler or the administering agency has a reasonable basis for believing that it would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or harmful to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment.
A hazardous material is defined in 22 CCR Section 662601.10 as follows:
A substance or combination of substances which, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may either (1) cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or (2) pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of or otherwise managed.
Transporters of hazardous waste in California are subject to several federal and state regulations. They must register with the California Department of Health Services (DHS) and ensure that vehicle and waste container operators have been trained in the proper handling of hazardous waste. Vehicles used for the transportation of hazardous waste must pass an annual inspection by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Transporters must allow the CHP or DHS to inspect its vehicles and must make certain required inspection records available to both agencies. The transport of hazardous materials that are not wastes is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation through national safety standards.
Under Government Code Section 65962.5, both the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the SWRCB are required to maintain lists of sites known to have hazardous substances present in the environment. Both agencies maintain up-to-date lists on their websites.
4.9.2 Historic Conditions
The site was historically devoted to agricultural uses which may have included crops and livestock grazing.
Use of the Project Site for agricultural purposes indicates the potential for agricultural chemicals (e.g., pesticides, herbicides) to have been applied that may still be present in Project Site soils. Pesticide sampling did not identify any concentrations of concern. Debris and soil piles investigated on the site did not contain concentrations of concern of metals, pesticides or petroleum hydrocarbons (West Coast Environmental and Engineering 2006; Appendix G).
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4.9.3 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Earth Systems Southwest (ESSW) completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the site in December 2005 that identified several issues of potential concern, including the following:
1. Sixteen dirt piles and two excavations were observed northeast of the slab foundation, adjacent to the northern boundary. It was not clear whether the dirt piles originated onsite.
2. The site had been used for agriculture or grazing from at least 1949, the earliest historical reference available. Therefore, the potential exists for residues of presently banned Organochlorine Pesticides (OCP) such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), to be present in soils at the site.
3. Based on an historical aerial photograph review, at least six buildings and/or sheds have been onsite. Four of the buildings/sheds were in the northwest quarter of the site; one building was within a fenced enclosure cast or the center of the site; and a shed was near the center of the south boundary. Rural residences and farms often have onsite fuel storage tanks, either above ground or underground (ASTs and Underground Storage Tank [USTs], respectively), The concern with USTs is that a release can occur and go unnoticed until the UST is removed.
West Coast Environmental and Engineering performed a Phase I ESA for the site in June 2006 to update the Phase I completed by ESSW, dated December 28, 2005, to meet the ASTM Practice E 1527-05 for Phase I ESAs (Appendix G). The assessment revealed no evidence of Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC) or historic RECs association with the property.
4.9.4 Phase II Investigation Report
In February 2006, ESSW prepared a Phase II Investigation to evaluate the issues stated above (ESSW 2006; Appendix H). Buried metallic objects were not identified during the geophysical survey. Other indications of USTs were not observed. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and OCPs were not detected in the samples from the dirt piles. Heavy metals were detected below the regulatory limits for hazardous waste (Total Threshold Limit Concentration [TTLC]) and residential Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG). The heavy metals appear consistent with naturally occurring background concentrations. Trace concentrations of OCPs were detected in two of the agricultural area and building area samples. Chlordane was detected at
0.036 Milligrams Per Kilogram (mg/kg) in building area sample SS-10. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE, a breakdown product of DDT) was detected at 0.002 mg/kg in agricultural area sample SS-112.
These results are well below the TTLCs and PRGs. Issues beyond those identified during the Phase I Investigation were not observed. Further investigations were not warranted based on the activities and findings.
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4.9.5 Hazards and Hazardous Materials (IX) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use,
or disposal of hazardous materials?
Less than Significant Impact.
4.9.5.1 Construction
Construction of the Project would involve the use of various products that contain materials classified as hazardous (e.g., gasoline/diesel fuel, oils and lubricants, solvents, adhesives and cements, certain paints, cleaning agents, and degreasers). No equipment maintenance or fueling would occur on the site. Project construction would be required to comply with applicable building, health, fire, and safety codes.
CCR Title 8 addresses workplace regulations involving the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, and specific applications for construction workers. CCR Titles 22 and 26 set forth environmental health standards for hazardous materials management. California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 sets forth enabling legislation for the application of CCR Titles 8, 22, and 26. Safety precautions for the prevention of fire hazards associated with the use and storage of hazardous materials are addressed in the Uniform Fire Code. Compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations including, but not limited to, CCR Titles 8 and 22, the Uniform Fire Code, and California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 would ensure that the Project would not create a significant hazard to the public or to the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant impact in this regard.
4.9.5.2 Operation
Operation of the Proposed Project would result in uses of hazardous materials associated with a multifamily apartment complex. It is likely that the Project would use small amounts of commercial cleaning materials, paints and solvents for building maintenance, pool chemicals, and pesticides/herbicides for Project landscaping could be considered hazardous materials. However, an apartment complex, such as the Proposed Project, would not use hazardous materials in a quantity great enough to cause significant hazard to the public or the environment. Nor would a project of this type, once operational, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials in an amount to cause significant hazard to the public or the environment.
The use, storage, and transportation of hazardous materials are subject to local, state, and federal regulations, the intent of which is to minimize the public’s risk of exposure. Based on the uses that would be part of the Project and the existing regulatory structure related to these materials, the Proposed Project would not cause a threat to public safety during Project construction or operation. Therefore, because the transport, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials pertaining to the Project would
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Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable
upset and accident conditions involving the
release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
Less than Significant Impact.
As discussed above, no vehicle maintenance or refueling would occur onsite. Construction BMPs shall be implemented to prevent construction and demolition pollutants and products from violating any water quality standard or waste discharge requirements. BMPs would consist of measures such as a stabilized construction entrance to avoid tracking soils offsite and straw wattles and silt filter bags to prevent offsite runoff onto public roadways or into drainage outlets. During operation, onsite uses would be typical of a multifamily apartment complex and would not include routine transport or maintenance of hazardous materials and vehicles . Impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste
within one-quarter mile of an existing or
proposed school?
Less Than Significant Impact.
The Project Site is located approximately 0.1 mile from Sundance Elementary School, located at 1520 East 8th Street. The Proposed Project would be required to comply with all federal, state, and local laws regulating the management and use of hazardous materials which would minimize or eliminate potential impacts to schools. The Proposed Project would adhere to all local ordinances with approval from the pertinent City departments.
Section 4.3 of this IS/MND shows that the Project’s daily construction emissions (which would be temporary) and operational emissions would be below the applicable SCAQMD air quality standards and thresholds of significance. As a result, the Project would not contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation that could affect the school.
Construction of the Project would involve the use of various products that contain materials classified as hazardous, however construction activities would be temporary in nature. Project construction would be required to comply with applicable building, health, fire, and safety codes. An apartment complex, such as
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Therefore, there would be a less than significant impact in this regard.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a
result, would it create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment?
Less than Significant Impact.
Government Code Section 65962.5 requires the DTSC, the State Department of Health Services, the SWRCB, and the California Integrated Waste Management Board to compile and annually update lists of hazardous waste sites and land designated as hazardous waste property throughout the state.
California Environmental Protection Agency’s (CalEPA) Cortese List Data Resources records were reviewed to help determine whether hazardous materials have been handled, stored, or generated on the Project Site or the adjacent properties and businesses (CalEPA 2022). The list, although covering the requirements of Section 65962.5, has always been incomplete because it does not indicate if a specific site was at one time included in the abandoned site program.
The list is a compilation of the following five separate websites:
1. DTSC’s EnviroStor – identifies waste or hazardous substances sites.
2. SWRCB’s GeoTracker – identifies underground storage tanks for which an unauthorized release report was filed, cleanup sites, and all solid waste disposal facilities from which there is a mitigation of hazardous waste for which a regional board has notified DTSC.
3. A PDF of solid waste disposal sites identified by the SWRCB with waste constituents above hazardous waste levels outside the waste management unit.
4. A list of cease-and-desist orders and clean up and abatement orders.
5. A list of hazardous waste facilities subject to corrective action.
DTSC’s EnviroStor indicated that that Project Site was not identified as a hazardous waste or substances site (DTSC 2022).
GeoTracker did not identify the site as an underground storage tank for which an unauthorized release report was filed, a cleanup site, or a solid waste disposal facility from which there is a mitigation of hazardous waste for which a regional board has notified DTSC (SWRCB 2022). The database indicates that the nearest hazardous site is an ARCO gas station located approximately 0.2 mile from the Project Site at
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-55 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 1696 6th Street. This gas station is the site of a former leaking underground storage tank. The cleanup status is complete and the case was closed in 1994.
A list of solid waste disposal sites with waste constitutes above hazardous waste levels outside the waste management unit was also checked. No records were listed.
The list of cease-and-desist orders and clean up and abatement orders did not include the Project Site.
The list of hazardous facilities subject to corrective action does not include the Project Site.
As the Proposed Project is not listed on one of the five websites provided to fulfill the Cortese List, the Proposed Project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment. There are no hazardous waste facilities and sites with known contamination, or sites where there may be reasons to investigate further located on the Project Site or in its vicinity.
The Phase I ESA and Phase II investigation for the Project Site indicated trace contaminants from previous agricultural operations. However, these trace materials were below the regulatory limits for hazardous waste (TTLC and PRG). Further investigations were not warranted based on the findings of these reports.
Impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
e) For a Project located within an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted,
within two miles of a public airport or public use
airport, would the Project result in a safety hazard
for people residing or working in the Project
Area?
No Impact.
The Project Site is located approximately 5.2 miles northwest of the Banning Municipal Airport. The Project Site is neither within an airport land use plan nor located within 2miles of a public airport or public use airport. The Proposed Project would not result in a substantial safety hazard related to airports.
Therefore, no impacts are identified or anticipated.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
f) Impair implementation of or physically interfere
with an adopted emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-56 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Less than Significant Impact.
Highland Springs Road is a major roadway identified as an evacuation route. This road is located approximately 1,000 feet east of the Project Site (Figure 2) and would be utilized by future residents in the event of an emergency. The Proposed Project does not include any alterations to this evacuation route.
The Proposed Project would be required to comply with the City’s Multi-Hazard Functional Plan, which outlines responsibilities and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency or citywide disaster.
The City and the Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD) established certain design standards to ensure that site planning and building design consider public safety and fire prevention; these standards include requirements governing emergency access. During construction, the contractor would be required to maintain adequate emergency access for emergency vehicles as required by the City. Site access for operations would be subject to approval of the Site Plan by the City.
Development facilitated by the Project would accommodate future population growth and would increase vehicle miles travelled in the City. This could lead to increased congestion during emergency evacuations.
However, the City reviews and approves projects to ensure that emergency access meets City standards.
This Project must comply with road standards and are reviewed by the City to ensure development would not interfere with evacuation routes and would not impede the effectiveness of evacuation plans.
Therefore, the Project would not impair implementation of or physically interfere with evacuation or emergency response plans. Therefore, the Project would have a less than significant impact in this regard.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
g) Expose people or structures, either directly or
indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or
death involving wildland fires?
Less than Significant Impact.
Proposed development under the General Plan is subject to environmental and building permit review procedures to ensure adequate and appropriate site design and construction methods are implemented to reduce the risk of wildland fires. For new development, the creation of defensible areas around building structures, and use of fire-resistant building materials would provide protection from wildland fires. The Project Site is not located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) and is not in an area considered a wildland fire risk (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection [CAL FIRE] 2022a).
Therefore, there would be a less than significant impact in this regard.
4.9.6 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
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4.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
This section is partially based on the Project-specific WQMP for the Proposed Project (Stevenson, Porto & Pierce 2022a; Appendix F).
4.10.1 Environmental Setting
4.10.1.1 Regional Hydrology
According to the City General Plan, the City’s water supply has been sourced from groundwater supplies within the Beaumont Groundwater Storage Unit (BSU). The BSU is part of the Beaumont Hydrologic Subarea of the San Timoteo Hydrologic Area and the northern portion of the Santa Ana River Hydrologic Unit. The City is serviced by the BCVWD. The BCVWD draws groundwater from shallow wells in Little San Gorgonio Canyon. The increase in urban runoff due to increasing urban/suburban growth has resulted in the degradation of the surface water quality. The Project Site is part of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Master Drainage Plan for the Beaumont Area (Zone 5) tributary to the Santa Ana River, located approximately 24 miles west of the Project Site (City of Beaumont 2020a).
4.10.1.2 Existing Site Hydrology and Onsite Drainage
The site is vacant and contains bare soil with sparse vegetation. The site’s topography generally slopes from north to south with no definitive historical concentrated drainage paths. Under existing conditions, the runoff that leaves the Project Site flows through the neighboring properties along the south property line and eventually reaches the inlets along East 6th Street. These inlets connect to the City storm drain system within East 6th Street and proceeds eastward. The runoff from the northern properties sheet flows onto the Project Site with no discernable concentrated flow path towards the south to City storm drain system (Stevenson, Porto & Pierce 2022b; Appendix F).
4.10.2 Hydrology and Water Quality (X) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements or otherwise substantially
degrade surface or groundwater quality?
Less than Significant Impact.
The Proposed Project would disturb approximately 10.93 acres and is therefore subject to NPDES permit requirements. Construction activities covered under the State’s General Construction permit include removal of vegetation, grading excavating, or any other activity that causes the disturbance of at least one acre. The General Construction permit requires recipients to reduce or eliminate non-storm water discharges into storm water systems, and to develop and implement a SWPPP.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-58 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 The applicant has submitted a preliminary WQMP (Appendix F) that incorporates water quality treatment features and LID site design, source control and treatment BMPs to address the NPDES requirements as part of the review process. The WQMP is intended to comply with the requirements of the City of Beaumont, which includes the requirement for the preparation and implementation of a Project-Specific WQMP. The implementation of the WQMP is enforceable under the City of Beaumont Water Quality Ordinance. Review and approval of the WQMP by the City would ensure that all potential pollutants of concern are minimized or otherwise appropriately treated prior to being discharged from the Project Site.
The Project would be required to comply with the NPDES standards to ensure that pollutants are not discharged in the storm drain system. The applicant has submitted a preliminary WQMP that incorporates the foregoing water quality treatment features and LID site design, source control and treatment BMPs to address the NPDES requirements as part of the review process. Examples of construction phase BMPs implemented with the SWPPP include sandbags, silt fences, and detention basins. Prior to the issuance of building permits, a final WQMP will have to be submitted by the applicant and approved by the City’s Engineering Division, and strict adherence to the program would be required. This plan is intended to satisfy the Riverside County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Ordinance and the Statewide NPDES.
No additional requirements are necessary with adherence to provisions of the NPDES, SWPPP, WQMP. No violations of water quality standards or waste discharge requirements would occur and impacts to surface and ground water quality would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Substantially decrease groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater recharge
such that the Project may impede sustainable
groundwater management of the basin?
Less than Significant Impact.
According to the City General Plan, the City of Beaumont historically has drawn from groundwater supplies available within the BSU, which underlies the City and surrounding areas. The BSU is within Area 4 of the Beaumont and Banning Hydrologic Subarea of the San Timoteo Hydrologic Area, and within the northern portion of the Santa Ana River Hydrologic Unit (City of Beaumont 2020a).
The BCVWD prepared an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in 2020. This document accounts for water demands within the BCVWD service area. The Proposed Project includes actions necessary to annex portions of the 10.93-acre Project Site to the BCVWD. The BCVWD draws groundwater from shallow wells in Little San Gorgonio Canyon. The Beaumont Groundwater Basin has a large storage capacity for banked water. As of the end of 2020, BCVWD had 39,750 Acre-Feet (AF) of water banked in storage for use during dry years. During wet years, BCVWD can bank State Water Program water for dry years (BCVWD 2021).
The BCVWD projected water demand in the year 2025 would be 17,265 Acre-Feet Per Year (AFY). The 2020 UWMP water demand projections are based on a portion of a uniform per capita water use per day
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-59 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 (gpcd) of 162 gpcd (BCVWD 2021). Based on the water demand projection of 162 gpcd, the Project would consume approximately 112 AFY. This represents a 0.6 percent increase in BCVWD’s annual demand for 2025.
The Project would also incorporate various features to reduce water demand onsite. Water-wise, California-friendly shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers would complement the architectural theme and also reduce overall water use in the landscape. An automatic irrigation system with low volume equipment would minimize water loss due to run-off. Groundcovers or bark mulch would help conserve water, lower the soil temperature, and reduce evapotranspiration. The Project would also comply with the Water Shortage Contingency Plan outlined in the UWMP. For example, limits may be applied to the number of days, frequency and duration of outdoor watering.
Water would be required during construction of the Project for dust suppression. Water usage for construction purposes would be temporary and would be considerably smaller than that required once facilities are operational. It is possible that reclaimed water could be used for dust suppression, reducing the quantity of potable water required. During Project operation, the Project would result in a nominal increase in water consumption. Impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river or
through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a
manner that would:
i) result in substantial erosion or siltation onsite
or offsite;
ii) substantially increase the rate or amount of
surface runoff in a manner which would
result in flooding onsite or offsite;
iii) create or contribute runoff water which
would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned storm water drainage systems or
provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff; or
iv) impede or redirect flood flows?
Less than Significant Impact.
i) The Project would be subject to the NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit and would implement a SWPPP, which would help minimize erosion and sedimentation from construction activity. The Project proposes a bioretention basin along the southern border to retain storm
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-60 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 water on the site. The Project would also implement a WQMP that would include construction and post-construction BMPs to further minimize erosion and sedimentation. In addition to the SWPPP and WQMP, the Project is also subject to the applicable federal, state, regional, and local regulatory framework concerning water quality. Therefore, with implementation of the SWPPP, WQMP, and applicable regulatory framework, the Project is not anticipated to result in substantial erosion or siltation. Thus, impacts would be less than significant.
Less than Significant Impact.
ii) In its developed condition, the Project would contribute additional peak flow runoff due to new impervious surfaces. However, the proposed onsite catch basin inlets, storm water conveyance pipeline, and storm water treatment basin are designed to mitigate the developed peak runoff via detention and a restricted outlet structure. As detailed in Appendix K, the stormwater treatment basin is designed to mitigate runoff to within 110% of the pre-developed peak 100-year runoff(Stevenson, Porto & Pierce, Inc. 2022b). The proposed on-site basin would hold a maximum (i.e., 100 year storm) amount of 1.35 AF (personal communication with Alexander Jaramillo 2023).
The rate or volume of surface runoff would not increase in a manner which would result in flooding on- or offsite. A less than significant impact would occur.
Less than Significant Impact.
iii) In its developed condition, the Project Site would continue to accept and intercept the offsite run on via an interception channel and onsite inlets. The run on would comingle with the onsite runoff and would be diverted to the onsite detention basin, which is designed to mitigate the developed peak runoff via detention and a restricted outlet structure. The treated runoff from the basin would be conveyed to the proposed extension of a 30-inch storm drain to the existing City storm drain line at the intersection of Xenia and East 6th Street. Treatment of first flush waters from the development would be accomplished by routing them through the proposed water quality basins for each drainage area. These treatment proposals would be consistent with Riverside County Stormwater Quality Best Management Practice Design Handbook.
The Project Applicant has submitted a preliminary WQMP that incorporates water quality treatment features and LID site design, source control and treatment BMPs to address the NPDES requirements as part of the review process. These permanent and operational source control measures are outlined in Table G.1 of the WQMP. Measures include but are not limited to:
Maintain landscaping using minimum or no pesticides.
Provide Intergraded Pest Management information to owners, lessees, and operators. Provide an adequate number of refuse receptacles.
Inspect receptacles regularly; repair or replace leaky receptacles. Keep receptacles covered.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-61 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Prohibit/ prevent dumping of liquid or hazardous wastes. Post “no hazardous materials” signs.
Inspect and pick-up spills immediately.
Keep spill control materials available on-site.
Maintain onsite storm drain inlets regularly, and provide educational material to residents (good practices and discharge prohibitions).
Sweep sidewalks and streets regularly and prevent litter from accumulating (no cleaning agents or degreasers discharging to storm drain system).
With the incorporation of LID BMP measures listed above, the Project would not contribute runoff water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage systems, or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff.
Impacts would be less than significant.
No Impact.
iv) The Project is located in the following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map: Riverside County, California and incorporated areas, Panel 811 of 3805, on map number 06065C0812G, effective date 8/28/2002. Per these maps, the site is located entirely in Zone X Area of Minimal Flood Hazard. This area is determined to be outside the 0.2 percent annual chance floodplain (FEMA 2002). No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
d) In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk
release of pollutants due to Project inundation?
No Impact.
A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water. Seiches and seiche-related phenomena have been observed on lakes, reservoirs, swimming pools, bays, and seas. The key requirement for formation of a seiche is that the body of water be at least partially bounded, allowing the formation of the standing wave. The City of Beaumont is not subject to seiche because no significant water bodies exist within the City limits (City of Beaumont 2020a). No impact would occur regarding seiches.
A tsunami is a great sea wave, commonly referred to as a tidal wave, produced by a significant undersea disturbance such as tectonic displacement of a sea floor associated with large, shallow earthquakes. The Project Site is approximately 52 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean coastline and is therefore not subject to a tsunami. No impact would occur.
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-62 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Furthermore, the Project Site is located on Zone X, which is outside of the 100- or 500-year floodplain (FEMA 2002). No impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
e) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of a
water quality control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan?
Less than Significant Impact.
Please refer to previous Response 4.10.2 a). The Project would be required to comply with the NPDES standards to ensure that pollutants are not discharged in the storm drain system. The applicant has submitted a preliminary WQMP that incorporates water quality treatment features and LID site design, source control and treatment BMPs to address the NPDES requirements as part of the review process. This plan is intended to satisfy Riverside County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Ordinance and the Statewide NPDES. BMPs would be prepared for the Proposed Project and would be implemented to manage erosion and release of pollutants during construction-related activities. BMPs would consist of measures such as a stabilized construction entrance to avoid tracking soils offsite and straw wattles and silt filter bags to prevent offsite runoff onto public roadways or into drainage outlets. The Proposed Project’s grading plan would also ensure that earthwork is designed to avoid soil erosion. Thus, the Project would not conflict with implementation of an applicable water quality control plan.
As the Project is consistent with the City of Beaumont General Plan, and the City’s water supply projections that indicate there are sufficient water supplies to serve the Project within established safe yield amounts, the Project would not conflict with sustainability objectives of a groundwater management plan (City of Beaumont 2020a). Impacts would be less than significant.
4.10.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.11 Land Use and Planning
4.11.1 Environmental Setting
The Project Site and its immediate vicinity is within the 6th Street Corridor Planning Area of the City General Plan, approved in March 2007. Development in this area is largely commercial and industrial in character with many single-family and multifamily residences located between commercial parcels. The Project Site is bounded on the north by existing single-family residences, on the west by Xenia Avenue with apartment homes beyond, on the south by commercial properties and vacant land, and on the east by an apartment complex. The zoning designation for the site is Downtown Residential Multi-Family in the City of Beaumont Zoning Map. The City of Beaumont General Plan land use map designates the Project
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Table 4.11-1. Surrounding Land Uses
Location General Plan Land Use Designations Zoning Classifications Site Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multi-Family North Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multifamily South General Commercial Sixth Street Mixed Use
East Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multifamily West Multi-Family Residential Downtown Residential Multifamily Residential Single Family
Source: City of Beaumont– - General Plan Land Use Map, City of Beaumon– - Zoning Map Final
4.11.2 Land Use and Planning (XI) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
a) Physically divide an established community?
No Impact.
Lands that surround the Project Site are developed with single- and multi-family residences to the north, east, and west. The Project would construct 192 multifamily apartment units and additional facilities including a clubhouse, a swimming pool and recreation area, dog park, and associated infrastructure.
Although the Project Site is predominantly surrounded by residential development, no part of the Project would extend beyond the existing site boundaries, and no part of the Project would create a barrier within the established communities. Therefore, the Project would not physically divide an established community and no impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Cause a significant environmental impact due to
a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or
regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding
or mitigating an environmental effect?
No Impact.
The Proposed Project Site is zoned Downtown Residential Multi-Family and it has a land use designation of Multi-Family Residential in the City of Beaumont General Plan. Appropriate uses in this designation include single-family attached townhouses, condominiums, and apartments. The Project would comply
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4.11.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.12 Mineral Resources
4.12.1 Environmental Setting
Minerals are defined as any naturally occurring chemical elements or compounds formed by inorganic processes and organic substances. Minable minerals are defined as a deposit of ore or minerals having a value materially in excess of the cost of developing, mining, and processing the mineral and reclaiming the Project Area. The conservation, extraction, and processing of mineral resources is essential to meeting the needs of society.
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) states that cities and counties shall adopt ordinances “...that establish procedures for the review and approval of reclamation plans and financial assurances and the issuance of a permit to conduct surface mining operations..” (PRC Section 2774). The intent of this legislation is to ensure the prevention or mitigation of the adverse environmental impacts of mining, the reclamation of mined lands, and the production and conservation of mineral resources are consistent with recreation, watershed, wildlife, and public safety objectives (PRC Section 2712).
SMARA requires the State Geologist to classify land into Mineral Resource Zones (MRZs) according to the known or inferred mineral potential of that land. The process is based solely on geology, without regard to existing land use or land ownership. The primary goal of mineral land classification is to ensure that the mineral potential of land is recognized by local government decision makers and considered before land use decisions, which could preclude mining, are made. Areas subject to California mineral land classification studies are divided into the following MRZ categories that reflect varying degrees of mineral potential:
MRZ-1: Areas of no mineral resource significance
MRZ-2: Areas of identified mineral resource significance MRZ-3: Areas of undetermined mineral resource significance MRZ-4: Areas of unknown mineral resource significance There have been no significant mineral deposits found in the City of Beaumont. There are no delineated sites or locations of mineral resources within the City. However, since much of the area is flat and characterized by alluvial materials, which eroded and washed down from the mountains, extracting aggregate resources from open spaces adjacent to the flood channel in the western portion of the City and its SOI may be possible. Also, there are likely accretions of aggregate along watercourses and drainage ways within the City or Sphere boundaries (City of Beaumont 2020a).
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4.12.2 Mineral Resources (XII) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to the
region and the residents of the state?
No Impact.
According to the California DOC, Mineral Land Classification map, the Project Site and its immediate vicinity are located within MRZ-3. There are no known or identified mineral resources of regional or Statewide importance within the General Plan Area (City of Beaumont 2020a). Development of the Proposed Project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource of value.
Additionally, mineral resource mining would not be compatible with the surrounding land uses and the General Plan designation for the Project Site. Therefore, no impact would occur.
Would the Project:
Potentially
Significant Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than
Significant Impact No Impact
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-
important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan
or other land use plan?
No Impact.
There are no delineated sites of mineral resources within the General Plan Area. Undeveloped parts of the General Plan Area may yield sand, gravel and aggregate that can be used for local construction activities as long as mineral extraction does not conflict with other policies or land uses. The Project Site has a zoning designation of Downtown Residential Multi-Family and a General Plan land use designation of Multi-Family Residential. Development of the Proposed Project would not result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site. Therefore, no impact would occur.
4.12.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.13 Noise
This section documents the results of a Project Noise Impact Study, prepared by RK Engineering in September 2022 (RK Engineering 2022b; Appendix I), as a comparison of predicted Proposed Project noise levels to noise standards promulgated by BMC. The City’s Municipal Code (Title 9, Chapter 9.02) includes detailed noise regulations intended to protect the welfare of its residents from excessive,
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ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-66 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 unnecessary, or unusually loud noises by any and all sources in the community. The noise regulations in this chapter establish criteria and standards for the regulation of noise levels within the City.
The purpose of this section is to estimate Project-generated noise levels and determine the level of impact the Proposed Project would have on the environment. This section describes the existing environmental and regulatory conditions specific to noise and addresses the potential impact of the Proposed Project.
4.13.1 Environmental Setting
4.13.1.1 Noise Fundamentals
Noise is generally defined as sound that is loud, disagreeable, or unexpected. The selection of a proper noise descriptor for a specific source is dependent on the spatial and temporal distribution, duration, and fluctuation of the noise. The noise descriptors most often encountered when dealing with traffic, community, and environmental noise include the average hourly noise level (in Leq) and the average daily noise levels/community noise equivalent level (in Ldn/CNEL). The Leq is a measure of ambient noise, while the Ldn and CNEL are measures of community noise. Each is applicable to this analysis and defined as follows 1:
Equivalent Noise Level (Leq) is the sound level corresponding to a steady noise level over a given sample period with the same amount of acoustic energy as the actual time-varying noise level. The energy average noise level during the sample period. Day-Night Average (Ldn) is a 24-hour average Leq with a 10-dBA weighting added to noise during the hours of 10:00 p.m.. to 7:00 a.m. to account for noise sensitivity in the nighttime.
The logarithmic effect of these additions is that a 60 dBA 24-hour Leq would result in a measurement of 66.4 dBA Ldn.
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) is the average equivalent A-weighted sound level during a 24-hour day, obtained after addition of five (5) decibels (dB) to sound levels in the evening from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and after addition of ten (10) decibels to sound levels in the night before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m..
Noise can be generated by a number of sources, including mobile sources, such as automobiles, trucks and airplanes, and stationary sources, such as construction sites, machinery, and industrial operations.
Sound spreads (propagates) uniformly outward in a spherical pattern, and the sound level decreases (attenuates) at a rate of approximately six dB for each doubling of distance from a stationary or point source. Sound from a line source, such as a highway, propagates outward in a cylindrical pattern, often referred to as cylindrical spreading. Sound levels attenuate at a rate of approximately three dB for each doubling of distance from a line source, such as a roadway, depending on ground surface characteristics (Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] 2011). Soft surfaces, such as soft dirt or grass, can absorb sound,
1 RK Engineering 2022b; Appendix H
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The manner in which older structures in California were constructed generally provides a reduction of exterior-to-interior noise levels of about 20 to 25 dBA with closed windows (Caltrans 2002). The exterior- to-interior reduction of newer structures is generally 30 dBA or more (Harris, Miller, Miller and Hansen 2006).
4.13.1.2 Human Response to Noise
The human response to environmental noise is subjective and varies considerably from individual to individual. Noise in the community has often been cited as a health problem, not in terms of actual physiological damage, such as hearing impairment, but in terms of inhibiting general well-being and contributing to undue stress and annoyance. The health effects of noise in the community arise from interference with human activities, including sleep, speech, recreation, and tasks that demand concentration or coordination. Hearing loss can occur at the highest noise intensity levels.
Noise environments and consequences of human activities are usually well represented by median noise levels during the day or night or over a 24-hour period. Environmental noise levels are generally considered low when the CNEL is below 60 dBA, moderate in the 60- to 70-dBA range, and high, above 70 dBA. Examples of low daytime levels are isolated, natural settings with noise levels as low as 20 dBA and quiet, suburban, residential streets with noise levels around 40 dBA. Noise levels above 45 dBA at night can disrupt sleep. Examples of moderate-level noise environments are urban residential or semi- commercial areas (typically 55 to 60 dBA) and commercial locations (typically 60 dBA). People may consider louder environments adverse, but most will accept the higher levels associated with noisier urban residential or residential-commercial areas (60 to 75 dBA) or dense urban or industrial areas (65 to 80 dBA). The following relationships should be noted in understanding this analysis regarding increases in dBA:
Except in carefully controlled laboratory experiments, a change of 1.0 dBA cannot be perceived by humans.
Outside of the laboratory, a 3.0-dBA change is considered a just-perceivable difference. A change in level of at least 5.0 dBA is required before any noticeable change in community response would be expected. An increase of 5.0 dBA is typically considered substantial. A 10.0-dBA change is subjectively heard as an approximate doubling in loudness and would almost certainly cause an adverse change in community response.
4.13.1.3 Noise Sensitive Land Uses
Noise-sensitive land uses are generally considered to include those uses where noise exposure could result in health-related risks to individuals, as well as places where quiet is an essential element of their intended purpose. Residential dwellings are of primary concern because of the potential for increased and prolonged exposure of individuals to both interior and exterior noise levels. Additional land uses such as
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-68 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 hospitals, historic sites, cemeteries, and certain recreation areas are considered sensitive to increases in exterior noise levels. Schools, churches, hotels, libraries, and other places where low interior noise levels are essential are also considered noise-sensitive land uses.
Several noise sensitive land use areas are present surrounding the Project Site, including; Existing single family residential uses located adjacent to the Project Site to the north, approximately 50 feet from the nearest building façade (Building 2). Existing multifamily residential uses located adjacent to the Project Site to the east, approximately 100 feet from the nearest building façade (Building 8). Existing multifamily residential uses located across Xenia Avenue approximately 149 feet to the west from the nearest building façade (Building 2). Existing Sundance Elementary School located across 8th Street approximately 250 feet to the north of the Project Site.
4.13.1.4 Vibration Fundamentals
Ground vibration can be measured several ways to quantify the amplitude of vibration produced. This can be through peak particle velocity (PPV) or root mean square velocity. These velocity measurements measure maximum particle at one point or the average of the squared amplitude of the signal, respectively.
Vibration impacts on people can be described as the level of annoyance and can vary depending on an individual’s sensitivity. Generally, low-level vibrations may cause window rattling but do not pose any threats to the integrity of buildings or structures.
4.13.2 Noise (XIII) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
a) Result in generation of a substantial temporary or
permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the
vicinity of the Project in excess of standards
established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
Less than Significant Impact.
4.13.2.1 Construction Noise Impacts
Temporary construction noise and vibration impacts have been assessed from the Project Site to the surrounding adjacent land uses. The degree of construction noise will vary depending on the type of construction activity taking place and the location of the activity relative to the surrounding properties.
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-69 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 The City of BMC Chapter 9.02 establishes City-wide standards regulating noise for residential zones, public places, and motor vehicles. BMC Chapter 9.02.110 states that no construction activities may occur within 0.25 mile from an occupied residential dwelling between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. during the months of June through September, and between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. between the months of October through May, unless such activities are permitted under written consent of the City’s Building Official.
The site-specific noise impact study analyzes potential noise impacts during all expected phases of construction, including; site preparation, grading, building construction, paving, and architectural coating.
Noise levels are calculated based on an average distance of equipment over an 8-hour period to the nearest adjacent property. The Project’s estimated construction noise levels have been calculated using the FHWA’s Roadway Construction Noise Model Version 1.1. Table 4.13-1 shows the noise level impacts to the receptor at 180 feet. Noise levels were projected at an average distance of 180 feet for equipment operating over an eight-hour period from to the nearest sensitive receptor property line. While some construction noise activity may occur closer than 180 feet from the property line, noise levels are averaged over an eight-hour period for purposes of assessing impacts.
Table 4.13-1. Project Construction Noise Levels – at 180 Feet Phase Equipment Quantity
Equipment
Noise Level
at 180feet
(dBA Leq)
Combined
Noise Level
(dBA Leq)
Site Preparation Rubber Tired Dozers 3 70.6 80.5 Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 4 72.9 Grading
Excavators 2 69.6
81.1 Graders 1 73.9
Rubber Tired Dozers 1 70.6
Scrapers 2 72.5
Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 2 72.9
Building Construction
Cranes 1 69.5
79.3 Forklifts 3 63.9
Generator Sets 1 69.5
Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 3 72.9
Welders 1 62.9
Paving
Cement and Mortar Mixer 2 67.7
74.5 Pavers 2 66.1
Paving Equipment 2 66.1
Architectural Coating Air Compressors 1 66.6 66.6
Worst Case Construction Phase Noise L–vel - Leq (dBA) – without wall 81.1 Worst Case Construction Phase Noise L–vel - Leq (dBA) – with wall 70.8
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-70 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 As shown in Table 4.13-1, the Project is expected to generate noise levels of approximately 70.8 dBA at 180 feet with the proposed noise barrier wall. Construction noise calculation worksheets are provided in Appendix I.
Per the City of Beaumont Municipal Code Section 9.02.110(F), construction-related noise shall not exceed 55 dBA for more than 15 minutes per hour as measured in the interior of the nearest occupied residence or school. Based on the construction noise levels in Table 4.13-1 above, the Proposed Project may expose adjacent sensitive receptors to noise levels that exceed the City’s maximum allowable standards for interior noise exposure. Therefore, to ensure that interior noise levels fall within allowable levels, the following preliminary interior noise analysis has been performed.
The preliminary interior noise analysis has been prepared for the nearest off-site sensitive receptor locations using a typical “windows closed” condition (Table 4.13-2). A minimum of 20 dBA noise reduction is assumed with the windows closed condition and standard California construction windows (Sound Transmission Class ≥25).
Based on the interior noise analysis, adjacent sensitive receptor locations will not experience interior noise levels greater than 55 dBA during project construction. Therefore, the construction noise-related impacts are considered less than significant.
Table 4.13-2. Interior Noise Analysis – Construction Noise Receptor Location
Exterior Noise Level at
Building Façade (dBA Leq)
Interior Noise
Standard1
(dBA Leq)
Interior Noise Level
with “Windows
Closed2” Conditions
(dBA Leq)
Existing residential land uses located north of the Project Site
70.8 55.0 50.8
1Source: City of Beaumont Municipal Code Section 9.02.110(F). 2A minimum of 20 dBA noise reduction is assumed with the windows closed condition and standard California construction windows (Sound Transmission Class >25).
The following recommended design features are provided to help ensure the Project’s noise levels remain less than significant and do not adversely impact the adjacent noise sensitive land uses. Design features are typically included in the conditions of approval for the Project and are not considered mitigation under CEQA.
DF-1 Prior to the issuance of building permits, the project shall demonstrate building construction will achieve the minimum interior noise standard of 45 dBA CNEL for all residential units, per the California Building Standards Code.
DF-2 The project shall comply with California Title 24 building insulation requirements for exterior walls, roofs and common separating assemblies (e.g.. floor/ceiling assemblies and demising walls).
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-71 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 DF-3 For proper acoustical performance, all exterior windows, doors, and sliding glass doors should have a positive seal and leaks/cracks must be kept to a minimum.
DF-4 All HVAC equipment shall be shielded behind parapet walls or enclosed from the line of sight of all adjacent residential properties.
DF-5 Deliveries, loading and unloading activities, and trash pick-up hours should be limited to daytime hours only (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.).
DF-6 Hours of operation for the pool and spa recreation area and dog park should be limited to daytime hours only (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.).
DF-7 Construct a six (6) foot high noise barrier wall along the property lines in the beginning phases of construction to provide shielding to the adjacent noise sensitive receptors. The designed noise screening will only be accomplished if the barrier’s weight is at least 3.5 pounds per square foot of face area without decorative cutouts or line-of-site openings between the shielded areas and the Project Site. All gaps (except for weep holes) should be filled with grout or caulking to avoid flanking.
Noise control barrier may be constructed using one, or any combination of the following materials:
Masonry block;
Stucco veneer over wood framing (or foam core), or 1-inch-thick tongue and groove wood of sufficient weight per square foot;
Transparent glass (3/8-inch-thick), acrylic, polycarbonate, or other transparent material with sufficient weight per square foot.
DF-8 All pool/spa equipment will be enclosed from line of sight behind a solid block wall.
DF-9 Prepare a construction management plan and obtain a construction work permit from the City of Beaumont prior to starting construction. The construction management plan shall ensure all contractors implement construction best management practices to reduce construction noise levels, such as:
Construction activities shall not take place between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, including Saturday, or at any time on Sunday or a Federal holiday. All construction equipment shall be equipped with muffles and other suitable noise attenuation devices (e.g., engine shields).
Grading and construction contractors shall use quieter equipment as opposed to noisier equipment (such as rubber-tired equipment rather than track equipment), to the maximum extent feasible.
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-72 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 If feasible, electric hook-ups shall be provided to avoid the use of generators. If electric service is determined to be infeasible for the site, only whisper-quiet generators shall be used (i.e., inverter generators capable of providing variable load. Use electric air compressors and similar power tools rather than diesel equipment, where feasible.
Locate staging area, generators and stationary construction equipment as far from the adjacent residential homes as feasible.
Construction-related equipment, including heavy-duty equipment, motor vehicles, and portable equipment, shall be turned off when not in use for more than five minutes. Provide notifications and signage in readily visible locations along the perimeter of construction sites that indicate the dates and duration of construction activities, as well as provide a telephone number where neighbors can enquire about the construction process and register complaints to a designated construction noise disturbance coordinator.
DF-10 No impact pile driving or blasting activities will be performed on the Project Site during construction.
4.13.2.2 Operational Noise Impacts
The Project is not expected to consist of significant sources of stationary noise. The main sources of potential stationary noise impacts from the Project would mainly include onsite noise from vehicular circulation, parking lot noise, outdoor fitness center, the dog park, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units. The preliminary plan for the outdoor exercise area includes: a yoga/stretching area and a variety of different pieces of outdoor fitness equipment (squats, inner thigh adductor, triceps press, rower, shoulder press, ab toner and stepper).
The types of onsite noise from the Project are typically considered compatible with other adjacent residential uses and would not typically be categorized as loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, or that causes discomfort or annoyance to any person of normal sensitiveness. In particular, social activities and vehicular related noise are generally substantially less during the noise sensitive nighttime hours.
Mechanical HVAC would be located on the rooftop of each building and would be shielded behind parapet walls. The nearest noise sensitive receptors are existing single-family residential homes located approximately 50 feet away from the Building 2 façade. All other adjacent noise sensitive receptors are located farther than 50 feet from the nearest building façade. Therefore, this evaluation provides a worst- case assessment of HVAC noise impacts at 50 feet.
The dog park will be located at the northeast corner of the property. The nearest noise sensitive receptors are existing residential land uses located approximately 44 feet from the center of the proposed dog park.
All other adjacent noise sensitive receptors are located farther than 44 feet from the center of the
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-73 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 proposed dog park. Therefore, this evaluation provides a worst-case assessment of dog park noise at 44 feet.
Onsite vehicular noise would occur from vehicle engine idling and exhaust, doors slamming, tires screeching, people talking, and the occasional horn honking. The vehicular noise would occur approximately 20 feet from the northern and eastern property line of the Project Site.
The Project will also include an on-site community club/swimming pool that is a potential source of operational noise. The club and swimming pool will be located near the center of the western end of the site, approximately 130 feet from the nearest property line, and will be blocked from sensitive receptors by the surrounding on-site buildings and equipment will be enclosed within an equipment room. Due to the location of the proposed on-site community club/swimming pool the noise impacts to adjacent properties surrounding the site would be less than significant.
The Project includes a six-foot noise barrier wall along the northern, southern, eastern and western property lines and the noise study has taken the applicable noise barrier shielding into account during the analysis.
It should be noted that the existing daytime noise levels at the Project Site and surrounding uses are approximately 59.6 dBA and currently exceeding the City of Beaumont Baseline Ambient Noise Levels (BANL) of 55 dBA for residential uses. Therefore, the daytime BANL threshold used in this analysis has been increased to the measured 59.6 dBA noise level. Because no noise measurements were taken during nighttime hours, nighttime noise impacts are analyzed using the City of Beaumont Nighttime Baseline Ambient Noise Levels of 45 dBA.
As shown in Table 4.13-3, operational noise levels generated by the Project are not expected to cause an increase in the Baseline Ambient Noise Level by more than five dBA. As a result, the Project would not exceed the City’s daytime or nighttime noise standards at the nearest adjacent noise sensitive land uses and the impact is considered less than significant.
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-74 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Table 4.13-3. Stationary Noise Impact Analysis
Noise Source
Exterior Noise Level (Leq) dBA1
Daytime
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Nighttime
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
HVAC Unit 39.6 39.6
Dog Park 56.9 0.02
Parking Lot 41.4 41.4
Base Ambient Noise Level (BANL)3 59.6 45.0
Combined Noise Level 61.5 47.4
Increase in BANL 1.9 2.4
Beaumont Noise Level Criteria 5 dBA above BANL 5 dBA above BANL Noise Level Exceeds Standard: No No
1Stationary HVAC noise calculation worksheets are shown in Appendix I. 2The proposed dog park will not be permitted to run during nighttime hours. Therefore, there is assumed to be no nighttime noise impact. 3Daytime Baseline Ambient Noise Levels reflect ambient noise measurements performed by RK Engineering Group, Inc. Nighttime Baseline Ambient Noise Levels reflect the City of Beaumont standards.
4.13.2.3 Noise/Land Use Compatibility
The Project’s noise/land use compatibility setting is evaluated to determine future noise levels to habitable exterior and interior areas on the Project Site, and is intended to satisfy the City of Beaumont General Plan Noise Element Objectives and Policies which help ensure resident's quality of life is not affected adversely by high noise levels. The Project’s noise/land use compatibility is not necessarily applicable to CEQA, as recent court rulings have indicated that CEQA is primarily concerned with the project’s impact of the environment, not the environment’s impact on a project.
Based on the Beaumont General Plan Chapter 10: Noise, Figure 10.2 Future Noise Contours from Transportation, the Project Site is located within a 65-dBA CNEL noise contour. According to the City of Beaumont General Plan, the standard used for maximum outdoor noise levels in residential areas in California, and the City specifically, is a CNEL of 65 dBA. Therefore, the Project is considered compatible with the surrounding land use and noise environment. Impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
b) Result in generation of excessive ground-borne
vibration or ground-borne noise levels?
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-75 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 Less than Significant Impact.
Table 4.13-4 shows the Project’s construction-related vibration analysis at the nearest structures to the Project construction area. Construction impacts are assessed from the closest area on the Project Site to the nearest adjacent structure.
Table 4.13-4. Construction Vibration Impact Analysis
Construction
Activity
Distance
to Nearest
Structure
(feet)
Duration
Calculated
Vibration Level
PPV (inches/
second)
Damage
Potential Level
Annoyance
Criteria
Level
Large Bulldozer 25 Continuous/Frequent 0.089
Extremely fragile
historic buildings,
ruins ancient monuments
Barely
Perceptible
Vibratory Roller 25 Continuous/Frequent 0.210 Fragile Buildings Distinctly Perceptible Loaded Trucks 25 Continuous/Frequent 0.076
Extremely fragile historic buildings, ruins ancient monuments Barely Perceptible
As shown in Table 4.13-4, Project related construction activity is not expected to cause any potential damage to the nearest structures. The annoyance potential of vibration from construction activities would range from distinctly perceptible to barely perceptible. Impacts would be less than significant.
Would the Project:
Potentially Significant
Impact
Less than Significant with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than Significant
Impact
No
Impact
c) For a Project located within the vicinity of a
private airstrip or an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not been adopted, within
two miles of a public airport or public use airport,
would the Project expose people residing or
working in the Project Area to excessive noise
levels?
Less Than Significant Impact.
In addition to roadway noise, air traffic periodically contributes to the noise environment. There are no airports in the City of Beaumont. However, the Banning Municipal Airport is located approximately five miles east of the City’s eastern boundary. Interstate 10 is a regularly traveled route for private aircraft to follow. Therefore, aircraft noise may intermittently affect noise-sensitive receptors in the City, but noise
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
ECORP Consulting, Inc. 4-76 May 2023 Xenia Multi-Family Residential Project 2021-301.01 levels would be outside of all identified 55-, 60-, and 65-dBA airport noise contours (Appendix I). A less than significant impact would occur.
4.13.3 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts were identified; no mitigation measures are required.
4.14 Population and Housing
4.14.1 Environmental Setting
The City of Beaumont has seen tremendous demographic changes in the last several decades including a population that has more than quadrupled over the last 25 years, reaching over 48,000 in 2018. Younger people and families comprise a larger proportion of the community compared to the State of California, with median age 1.2 years below that of the state and an average household size of 3.21 people, larger than the state average of 2.97. Beaumont has a larger proportion of youth nine years old and younger (18 percent of the population) than Riverside County (15 percent) and the State (14 percent). The population of retirees (individuals 55 to 69 years of age) has increased most rapidly since 2000 and comprises approximately 15 percent of the population, slightly higher than state levels. Beaumont residents are attaining higher levels of education with 64 percent of those 25 years old and older having some college education or higher, an increase from 56 percent in 2010. Median household income has more than doubled over 15 years, from $29,721 in 2000 to $64,830 in 2015. As of 2018, there were 14,000 existing households in the City of Beaumont. Residential development is primarily found north of SR-60 and I-10 in the flatter areas of the City (City of Beaumont 2020a).
According to SCAG’s 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, significant growth is anticipated to occur within the City as well as the County in the next two decades.
Population in the City is forecasted to increase to 80,200 persons by 2045, an approximately 55.2 percent difference from 2016. Households within the City are forecasted to increase to 25,100 households by 2045, an approximately 55.4 percent difference from 2016. SCAG also forecasts that the number of jobs in the City will increase to 15,900 by 2045, an approximately 52.3 percentage difference.
4.14.2 Population and Housing (XIV) Environmental Checklist and Discussion Would the Project:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less than
Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
a) Induce substantial unplanned population growth
in an area, either directly (for example, by
proposing new homes and businesses) or
indirectly (for example, through extension of
roads or other infrastructure)?