XV SAFETY
Policy 2
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Fire; State and federal
EPA; County Health
Department; CRWQCB
Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Fire Department continues to coordinate with responsible agencies to monitor cleanup efforts for hazardous sites.
Policy 3 Ongoing
Ongoing; Projects that require CEQA analysis are reviewed for their proximity to facilities or sites identified as meeting the Cortese List requirements. Development proposals for lands directly adjacent or in proximity to known contaminated sites shall be analyzed thoroughly to ensure the site is safe for development.
Policy 4
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Planning; Fire, Police Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The City's Truck Route Map establishes the permitted routes for the transport of hazardous and toxic materials and wastes. Roads not listed in the Truck Route Map shall be avoided for the transport of hazardous materials and wastes.
Program 4.B Enforce roadway access restrictions and consider the implementation of fines or penalties for violations.
Public Works; Fire,
Police
Continuous No Action
Policy 5 Ongoing
Ongoing; In November 2024, the City Council approved a contractor to update the City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan.
Policy 6
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Environmental
Conservation
Manager, County
Environmental Health
Immediate;
Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Recycling, Refuse, Water Conservation & Energy Programs section of the City website includes information regarding the proper management and disposal of household hazardous and toxic wastes. This information is also available in the City's Refuse and Recycling Guide.
Program 6.B
Implement the Household Hazardous Waste Element (HHWE) as prepared by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and its member cities.
Engineering, Public
Works
Immediate;
Continuous No Action
Policy 7 Ongoing
Ongoing; Development proposals for hazardous or toxic waste dumps, landfills, or industrial processes would be carefully reviewed by the City, and would not be approved if the proposed location could result in adverse impacts to the City and its Sphere-of-Influence.
Policy 8
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Planning, Public
Works; DWA; CVWD
Continuous Ongoing Ongoing; Development proposals are reviewed by the Public Works Department to ensure that new projects are connecting go the sewer system whenever possible.
Policy 9 Ongoing
Ongoing; The City's Truck Route Map, as designated by the Engineering Department, also provides the designated routes for the transport of hazardous materials and wastes. The Truck Route has sufficient capacity and avoids residential areas.
Policy 10 Ongoing
Ongoing; Potentially hazardous sites susceptible to leak or collapse during earthquake are analyzed and identified on a project-by-project basis.
Policy 11 Ongoing
Ongoing; The City's General Plan Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance prohibit land uses involving hazardous facilities in residential areas, and generally arrange land uses as to create buffers between sensitive land use districts and industrial land uses that may involve hazardous materials.
Hazardous sites susceptible to leak or collapse during earthquakes shall be identified.
The location and number of the hazardous facilities close to the schools, hospitals, and residential areas shall be regulated properly and introduce buffer zones between the hazardous facilities and sensitive facilities and/or receptors.
The City shall actively oppose plans for hazardous or toxic waste dumps, landfills, or industrial processes that may potentially adversely affect the City and its Sphere-of-Influence, and shall participate in the identification of alternative sites.
Confer and coordinate with the CVWD, DWA, and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board in the regulation, monitoring, and phased removal of subsurface sewage disposal systems.
Program 8.A
The development review process shall be used to assure that all new development connects to the sewage collection systems of the Coachella Valley Water District and Desert Water Agency where that service is available.
Implementation Status
The travel route for the transport of hazardous materials and wastes shall have adequate capacity to safely accommodate additional trucks and shall avoid the residential areas.
Program 4.A
Coordinate with the Fire Department, Police Department, neighboring jurisdictions, and other appropriate agencies to identify segments of highway or local roads that shall be restricted from transporting hazardous and toxic materials.
Implementation Status
The Fire Department shall maintain a citywide Emergency Operations Plan, which provides for emergency services in the event of a hazardous spill or airborne release.
Encourage households and small businesses to dispose of hazardous and toxic wastes in accordance with county, state, and federal regulations.
Program 6.A
Continue to distribute information materials provided by the County and the Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding proper management and disposal of household hazardous and toxic wastes, and also post information on the City web site.
Implementation Status
Encourage and facilitate the adequate and timely cleanup of existing and future contaminated sites within the City and its sphere- of-influence.
Program 2.A
Coordinate with responsible county, state and federal agencies to activate cleanup procedures, and monitor the status of cleanup efforts on an ongoing basis.
Implementation Status
The City shall thoroughly evaluate development proposals for lands directly adjacent or in proximity to sites known to be contaminated with hazardous or toxic materials.
The City shall designate appropriate access routes to facilitate the transport of hazardous and toxic materials and wastes.
XV SAFETY
Policy 12 Ongoing Ongoing; The City continues to minimize the exposure to hazardous substances to the greatest extent practicable.
Policy 13 Ongoing
Ongoing; The Recycling, Refuse, Water Conservation & Energy Programs section of the City website includes information regarding the proper management and disposal of household hazardous and toxic wastes. This information is also available in the City's Refuse and Recycling Guide.
Policy 14 No Action
Policy 15 Ongoing
Ongoing; The City shall support reductions in the use of hazardous fuels in the event that such opportunities arise.
Goal 1
Policy 1
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Fire, Police, All Other
City Departments
On-going;
Comprehensive
update minimum once
every five years
Ongoing
Ongoing; In November 2024, the City Council approved a contractor to update the City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan. The review and updating process may include consideration for fire protection, law enforcement, communications, alternative access, public health services, damage assessment and other parameters.
Policy 2
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Engineering, Public
Works, Fire, Police,
Riverside County
Emergency
Management, Other
City Departments
Annual Report
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Fire Department is currently updating the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan. The process of updating the Emergency Operations Plans may include review for potential constraints to implementation of the plan.
Program 2.B
The City shall coordinate with responsible flood control agencies and shall jointly develop long-term strategies and capital improvement plans that, to the extent practicable, eliminate or minimize significant flooding hazards which threaten lives, property and emergency access.
Engineering, Public
Works, County Flood
Control, CVWD
2019-2020; Update
every five years Ongoing
Ongoing; The Engineering and Public Works Departments coordinate with RCFD and CVWD as needed.
Program 2.C
The City shall ensure that responsible domestic water providers comply with State requirements for water storage and distribution systems to withstand strong ground shaking and other seismic hazards.
Engineering, Public
Works, Desert Water
Agency, CVWD
Ongoing
No Action
Policy 3
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
City Manager,
Engineering, Public
Works, Neighboring
Cities, Riverside
County Emergency
Management,
Caltrans, CVAG
2019; Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Cathedral City Council is represented on the CVAG Public Safety Committee via a Councilmember. This committee facilitates emergency preparedness and cooperation between the City, the County, and neighboring cities, and other relevant agencies.
The City emergency response plans shall recognize and accommodate the physical, environmental and other conditions that could pose potentially significant hazards, and shall take proactive steps to minimize these threats to the community’s residents, businesses, visitors and economy.
Program 2.A
The City shall evaluate the full range of physical and other constraints to the effective implementation of the Emergency Operations Plan, shall develop or update strategic planning to address and minimize the effects of these constraints, and periodically report to the City Council on progress made in addressing these constraints.
Implementation Status
The City shall identify and establish emergency evacuation and supply routes and plans to preserve or reestablish the use of East Palm Canyon Drive, Date Palm Drive, Dinah Shore Drive, Ramon Road, Vista Chino, Interstate-10 and other essential transportation routes.
Program 3.A
Establish and appoint a staff liaison with adjoining cities, Riverside County, CVAG and Caltrans to facilitate the designation of emergency evacuation and supply routes, and for the development of a multi-agency emergency response plan that provides expeditious and timely repair to major streets and highways damaged by earthquakes, flooding or other disasters.
Implementation Status
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SUB-ELEMENT
A detailed, integrated and effective emergency preparedness plan for the City ensuring a high level of readiness and responsiveness to man-made and natural disasters of any scope, and which maximizes response capabilities of the City, County, State and Federal governments.
The City shall give priority to maintaining and updating of all hazard summaries and responses of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Emergency Operations Plan
Program 1.A
The City shall periodically review and update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Emergency Operations Plan, including but not limited to fire protection, law enforcement, communications, alternative access, public health services, damage assessment and other emergency response parameters of Emergency Operations Plan.
Implementation Status
The City shall minimize exposure to hazardous substances where ever possible.
Encourage and promote practices in the community to reduce the use of hazardous materials and the generation of hazardous waste at their source, recycle the remaining hazardous wastes for reuse, and treat those wastes which cannot be reduced at the source or recycled.
Engage the community in overseeing remediation of toxic sites. Promote the permitting and monitoring of potentially hazardous industrial uses. Develop a response plan to address existing contaminated sites in the city.
The City shall support reductions in the use of hazardous fuels to minimize their impacts to the human health and environment.
XV SAFETY
Policy 4
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Fire, Police, County
Geologist, USGS
2019; Continuous
No Action
Program 4.B
Once available, the City shall take part in the ShakeAlert program developed by the US Geological Service, which will issue public warnings of potentially damaging earthquakes and provide warning parameter data to the City and other government agencies, and private users on a region-by-region basis.
Fire, Police, USGS 2019; Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The City has promoted the ShakeAlert program to residents on the Discover Cathedral City website.
Policy 5
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Police, Riverside
County Emergency
Management, SCE,
SCG, DWA, CVWD
2019; Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Fire Department is currently updating the local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) and emergency operations plan (EOP). This process will involve stakeholder engagement with local government agencies.
Program 5.B
Coordinate with local schools and appropriate public and quasi-public agencies to ensure that they are adequately prepared for and are a part of a city-wide and regional emergency response when disaster strikes.
Fire, Palm Springs
Unified School District
2019; Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Fire Department provides public education and outreach to schools and community organizations to share emergency preparedness information. For example, the Fire Department provides Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for high school students.
Policy 6
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Planning, Engineering,
Public Works, Fire,
Police
Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; As part of the development and environmental review processes, the proposed location for new critical facilities will be reviewed for hazard vulnerability.
Policy 7
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Fire, gated
communities
2019, Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The Fire Department continues to provide CERT classes. The classes are open to the community, including members of private and gated communities. Teen CERT classes are provided to high school students. The Fire Department has also provided disaster preparedness presentations to communities such as the Desert Sands Mobile Home Park, informing senior about how to stay safe and be prepared in the event of disaster.
Program 7.B
Develop and maintain a record-keeping system indicating which private and gated communities have participated in the CERT training, and communicate with those communities on an annual basis to schedule training updates and coordinated response planning.
Fire, private/gated
communities.
2020-22, Annually
No Action
Policy 8 Ongoing
Ongoing; The General Plan Land Use Map is consistent with the land use restrictions established in the Palm Springs ALUCP. Development projects are reviewed for consistency with the ALUCP, and are submittal for ALUC review as required.
Policy 9 Ongoing
Ongoing; In October 2024 the City launched the CodeRED community notification system, beginning with street sweeping alerts. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for Alert RivCo for emergency alerts.
The City shall make every effort to minimize the risk of hazards associated with aircraft operations of the Palm Springs International Airport and through the adoption and implementation of land use plans and policies consistent with the County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
Continue to encourage residents, business-owners and others in the community to sign up for the automated emergency Cathedral City Notification System to get critical information quickly in the event of severe weather alerts, unexpected road closures, missing person alerts, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.
The City shall thoroughly consider and assess vulnerability to natural and manmade disasters or emergencies when reviewing proposals for the siting and development of critical and essential public/quasipublic facilities.
Program 6.A
In order to assure the maximum possible protection from environmental and manmade hazards, including earthquakes and flooding, the City shall consider vulnerability to natural and manmade disasters and emergencies when reviewing proposals for critical and essential facilities, as well as sensitive land uses.
Implementation Status
Where practicable, the City shall encourage the development of critical facilities within private residential communities, including congregate care and similar facilities, in order to ensure preparedness and maximum safety during periods of disaster which may limit accessibility and resources.
Program 7.A
Coordinate with management within local private and gated communities to train and educate residents, and develop, maintain and implement emergency preparedness plans, including stockpile essential supplies, in accordance with the Citizens Emergency Response Teams (CERT) program, to ensure their self- sufficiency for a period of at least 72 hours following an emergency or disaster.
Implementation Status
Formal lines of communication shall be established and maintained between the City, County Geologist, and the US Geological Service and/or the California Institute of Technology to assure the provision of earthquake predictions and alerts that may help minimize impacts to the City and surrounding area.
Program 4.A
The City shall coordinate with the County Geologist and contact Caltech and the appropriate office of the US Geological Survey and establish a liaison and procedures by which these organizations contact and inform the City of updated earthquake predictions that may affect the community.
Implementation Status
The City shall cooperate and coordinate with Riverside County Emergency Management, local utilities purveyors and other agencies and utilities in the preparation and distribution of public information materials to assist residents, visitors and business owners on how to prepare for and respond to local disasters and emergencies.
Program 5.A
Coordinate and cooperate with Riverside County Emergency Management, Desert Water Agency, CVWD, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, and other agencies and utilities in the development and dissemination of information and instructions on appropriate actions in the event of a local disaster or emergency.
Implementation Status
XV SAFETY
Policy 10 Ongoing
Ongoing; The Fire Department is currently updating the local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) and emergency operations plan (EOP), and may consider the incorporation of programs addressing social and emotional support.
Policy 11 Ongoing
Ongoing; During the summer of 2024, the Cathedral City Library served as the official Riverside County Community Action Partnership (CAP) cooling center. After Tropical Storm Hilary, the library also hosted the Local Assistance Center (LAC) run by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services in partnership with Riverside County.
Policy 12
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Fire, Planning 2020-22, Annually
Ongoing
Ongoing; Information on drought-resistant landscaping are available in the Community and Economic Development Department, and resources on fire-resistant plants are available on the Fire Department website. Through the forthcoming update to the Zoning Ordinance and Design Guidelines, the City may consider the establishment of landscape guidelines for areas subject to fire hazards or soil erosion.
Policy 13 Ongoing
Ongoing; New development proposals, including subdivision maps in SRAs of VHFHSZs, are subject to review by the Fire Department to ensure compliance with local and state fire safety regulations such as the SRA Fire Safe Regulations, as applicable.
Policy 14 No Action
Policy 15 Ongoing
Ongoing; VHFHSZs are limited to the southern portion of the City, most of which is developed.
The location of essential public facilities will be considered during the development review process, and these facilities will either be located outside fire hazard areas or subject to adequate mitigation measures.
Policy 16 No Action
Policy 17 Ongoing
Ongoing; All new development and major rebuilding is subject to the California Building and Fire Codes, including projects within a SRA or VHFHSZ.
Policy 18 Ongoing
Ongoing; An approved site-specific fire management plan shall be required for new development proposed within a SRA or VHFHSZ.
Policy 19 Ongoing
Ongoing; An approved roadside fuel reduction plan shall be required for the approval of new development proposed within a SRA or VHFHSZ.
Policy 20 No Action
Policy 21 Ongoing
Ongoing; The Cathedral City Fire Department has a current Strategic Plan for 2023-2026. The Plan may be reviewed and updated as needed.
Approval of development proposed within a State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) shall require site-specific fire management plans that address fuel modification or incorporate open space and other defensible space areas, as well as multiple points of ingress and egress.
Approval of development proposed or to be rebuilt in a State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) shall be contingent upon a City-approved roadside fuel reduction plan, and otherwise provide for the long-term maintenance of defensible space clearances around structures, subdivisions and other development, and include fire breaks in the VHFHSZ where appropriate.
The City Fire Department shall periodically survey, monitor and plan to address conditions within the City’s State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) zones to identify and plan for the evacuation of at-risk occupants or residents and meet their special needs.
The City Fire Department Strategic Plan shall be periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate to ensure that its goals, standards and training programs and regimes are current with state requirements and the needs of the department and the community.
Implementation Status
Pursuant to Gov. Code 66474.02, prior to approval of subdivision maps in State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), the City shall condition the map to meet SRA Fire Safe Regulations and other fire hazard reduction regulations, particularly those regulations that ensure adequate and maintainable roadways for ingress, egress, and fire and other emergency equipment access.
The City shall make every effort to direct development away from State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), and minimize the extension of services and facilities that induce development in these areas.
Every effort shall be made to avoid the location of essential public facilities outside State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) without comprehensive mitigation that precludes or minimizes the threat to these facilities.
As resources are available, the Planning Department shall incrementally develop a database that identifies properties that are not in conformance with the City’s building and fire codes in terms of roads standards and vegetative hazard, and make an ongoing effort to bring such properties or structures into conformance.
New development and major rebuilding within a State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) shall be constructed according to current building standards and fire safe design in accordance with the California Building and Fire Codes, including but not limited to Gov. Code Section 51175-51189 and Public Resources Code 4290.
The City shall review its emergency preparedness plans and ensure that it includes programs that address the need for social and emotional support following an emergency or major disaster.
The City shall coordinate with the Palm Springs School District, City Senior Center, Library and the Salvation Army, and other organizations that can serve as emergency shelters for displaced residents in the event of a major disaster.
The City shall require all new development in areas within or adjacent to a very high fire hazard severity zone to use retardant landscaping, non-flammable roofing materials and other construction materials and techniques that reduce their fire hazard.
Program 12.A
The City shall provide information on and encourage residents to plant and maintain drought-resistant, fire-retardant landscape species to reduce the risk of brush fire and soil erosion in areas adjacent to canyons; and to develop stringent site design and maintenance standards for areas with high fire hazard or soil erosion potential.
XV SAFETY
Goal 1
Policy 1
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Planning; Public Works Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; A Noise and Vibration Impact Analysis was prepared as part of the EIR for the General Plan Update, including analysis of transportation, operational, and construction noise resulting from implementation of the Land Use Map. The Noise and Vibration Impact Analysis also established mitigation measures where necessary to noise to acceptable levels.
Program 1.B
Prior to development plan approvals for new noise-sensitive development projects, require submittal of noise impact and mitigation analyses to the Planning Department identifying practicable noise mitigation measures ensuring compliance with City standards.
Planning, Public Works Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; Development proposals for noise-sensitive uses that are subject to CEQA analysis shall be required to prepare noise impact analyses when noise might be a significant concern (e.g., when the sensitive use is proposed in proximity to sources of significant transportation or operational noise).
Program 1.C
Prior to development plan approvals for new residential and similar noise sensitive projects, require submittal of noise impact and mitigation analyses to the Planning Department that demonstrates that the interior noise levels in all habitable rooms will satisfy the 45 dBA CNEL interior noise level standard of the General Plan and Title 24, Part 2, of the California Building Code.
Planning, Public Works Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; Development proposals for residential and other noise-sensitive uses that are subject to CEQA analysis shall be required to prepare noise impact analyses when noise might be a significant concern (e.g., when the sensitive use is proposed in proximity to sources of significant transportation or operational noise). Demonstration of compliance with the 45 dBA CNEL interior noise level standard may also be required as a condition of approval.
Program 1.D
Prior to development plan approvals for new noise-sensitive development projects within 150 feet of UPRR railroad tracks, require submittal of a final vibration study, which identifies all practicable mitigation measures to satisfy the 72 VdB noise- sensitive and 75 VdB non-noise-sensitive vibration level standards, as defined by the FTA for frequent rail events.
Planning, Public Works Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; Development projects proposing noise-sensitive uses within 150 feet of the UPRR railroad tracks shall require submittal of a final noise vibration study.
Program 1.E
Maintain, update and enforce the City’s Noise Ordinance that establishes community-wide noise standards and identifies measures designed to resolve noise complaints.
Planning Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; The City continues to maintain and enforce the Noise Ordinance as set forth in Chapter 11.96 of the CCMC, both during the development review process and through code enforcement responses to noise complaints.
Program 1.F
Require major stationary noise-generating sources throughout the City to install additional noise buffering or reduction mechanisms on development sites and/or within facilities to reduce noise generation levels to the lowest extent practicable prior to the renewal of conditional use permits or business licenses or prior to the approval and/or issuance of new conditional use permits for said facilities.
Planning Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; Noise impacts shall be considered during the issuance or renewal of conditional use permits for major sources of stationary noise, and mitigation measures shall be included in the conditions of approval as needed.
Program 1.G
Parking lots, loading zones, and large trash bins shall be located the greatest distance practicable from adjacent residential properties, and designed is a manner that reduces associated noise impacts to levels allowable by the City’s Noise Ordinance.
Planning Immediate;
Continuous Ongoing
Ongoing; The location of parking lots, loading zones, and large trash bins in relation to sensitive uses shall be considered during the development review process. These noise sources shall be located as the greatest practicable from sensitive uses to ensure compliance with the City's Noise Ordinance.
Policy 2
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Planning Immediate;
Continuous
Ongoing
Ongoing; The General Plan Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance both account for land use compatibility , including noise generation and sensitivity. The forthcoming Zoning Ordinance update will continue to consider noise compatibility.
Program 2.B
Develop guidelines and minimal criteria requirements for noise analyses for future development projects and in compliance with the General Plan Noise Study.
Studies shall evaluate project impacts and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.
Planning, Public Works 2020; Every five years
Ongoing
Ongoing; The City continues to implement the requirements for the preparation of noise analyses for new developments as set forth in the mitigation measures in the Cathedral City General Plan update Noise and Vibration Impact Analysis.
Program 2.C Periodically review and amend the Land Use map as appropriate to assure reasonable land use/noise level compatibility.
Planning Annually No Action
Protect noise sensitive land uses, including residential neighborhoods, schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities, libraries, churches, resorts and community open space, from high noise levels generated along major transportation corridors.
Program 1.A
Develop and maintain an inventory of existing and future noise sources and areas of incompatibility and establish procedures, methods and standards to reduce the noise levels in these areas to acceptable levels.
Implementation Status
The relationship between land use designations in the Land Use Element and changes in the circulation pattern of the City, as well as individual developments, shall be monitored and mitigated.
Program 2.A
The City Zoning Ordinance and development review standards shall be used to limit land use patterns and project designs to those that are compatible with the existing and long-term noise environment.
Implementation Status
NOISE SUB-ELEMENT
A community noise environment that complements the City’s low density, resort residential character and its various land uses.
XV SAFETY
Policy 3 Ongoing Ongoing; Through the development review and plan check processes, the City ensures that new development proposals comply with the California Noise Insulation Standards.
Policy 4
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Planning, Public
Works, Engineering
2021
Ongoing
Ongoing; The City's truck routes are designated on the Truck Route Map, updated in August 2020, available in the Engineering section of the City's website. The designated truck routes are also available on the Staff GeoHub GIS map.
Program 4.B
Development projects which result in through-traffic in residential neighborhoods shall be discouraged through the development review process, and most viable alternative routes shall be identified and adhered to.
Planning, Public
Works, Engineering
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing; The development review process includes consideration for traffic impacts, particularly for residential neighborhoods. To the greatest extent practicable, the City requires traffic to be directed to arterial roads.
Policy 5 Ongoing
Ongoing; The City's representative on the Palm Springs International Airport Commission shall continue to ensure that flight paths and airport improvements and operations are generally consistent with those established in the ALUCP and analyzed in the City's General Plan EIR.
Policy 6 No Action
Policy 7 Ongoing Ongoing; The City continues to enforce the permitted hours for construction work as established in Section 11.96.070 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
Coordinate with adjoining municipalities to ensure noise-compatible land uses across jurisdictional boundaries.
The City shall restrict grading and construction activities that may impact residential neighborhoods to specified days of the week and times of day as set forth in the City Noise Ordinance.
Private sector project proposals shall include measures that assure that noise exposures levels comply with State of California noise insulation standards as defined in Title 25 (California Noise Insulation Standards).
Maintain a circulation map which ensures low levels of traffic within residential neighborhoods, and assigns truck routes to major roadways only.
Program 4.A
Designate primary truck routes and ensure that they are clearly marked throughout the community and properly identified on mobile apps and other web-based platforms. Except for traffic providing location-specific services and deliveries, construction and delivery trucks shall be limited to those truck routes identified in the Circulation and Mobility Element.
Implementation Status
Maintain an ongoing contact with the Palm Springs Airport to ensure that flight paths and airport improvements and operations do not impact or extend noise contours into the City.
XV SAFETY
Policy 8
Responsible Parties Schedule Description
Ongoing; As applicable and determined through the development review process, the City requires the submittal of construction noise impact analysis and/or the implementation of construction noise mitigation measures.
The City shall evaluate and condition all development and other construction projects that have the potential to impact sensitive nearby land uses.
Program 8.A
Where applicable, prior to the issuance of building permits for new development or other construction projects, when sensitive receiver locations are within 100 feet of proposed construction activities the City shall require the submittal of construction noise impact analysis and management plans that demonstrate:
• Exterior construction noise levels at the closest sensitive receiver locations will satisfy the FTA 80 dBA Leq residential and 85 dBA Leq commercial 8-hour construction noise level standards and the 0.01 in/sec RMS vibration standard for sensitive uses. The site-specific study shall identify the necessary noise and/or vibration mitigation measures, if any, required to reduce exterior noise and vibration levels to below FTA noise and City vibration thresholds; and • Measures to reduce construction noise and vibration levels, such as those provided below, shall be incorporated in the final noise management plan, if necessary:
▪ Install temporary construction noise barriers at the development site boundary which break the line of sight for occupied sensitive uses for the duration of construction activities. The noise control barrier(s) must provide a solid face from top to bottom and shall:
o Provide a minimum transmission loss of 20 dBA and be constructed with an acoustical blanket (e.g. vinyl acoustic curtains or quilted blankets) attached to the construction site perimeter fence or equivalent temporary fence posts; o Properly maintained with any damage promptly repaired. Gaps, holes, or weaknesses in the barrier or openings between the barrier and the ground shall be promptly repaired.
▪ Install sound dampening mats or blankets to the engine compartments of heavy mobile equipment (e.g. graders, dozers, heavy trucks). The dampening materials must be capable of a 5 dBA minimum noise reduction, must be installed prior to the use of heavy mobile construction equipment, and must remain installed for the duration of the equipment use.
▪ Construction activities requiring loaded trucks, large bulldozers, and jackhammers within 50 feet of nearby sensitive land uses (e.g. residential, school, etc.) shall be minimized, or alternative equipment or methods shall be used, unless the vibration levels are shown to be less than the City threshold of 0.01 in/sec RMS.
Implementation Status
Planning, Public
Works, Engineering
Immediate; Ongoing
Ongoing