Desert Hot Springs City Council
December 6, 2022

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Water Supply, Treatment and Distribution
Indirect GHG emissions result from the production of electricity used to convey, treat and distribute water and wastewater. The amount of electricity required to convey, treat and distribute water depends on the volume of water as well as the sources of the water. Unless otherwise noted, CalEEMod™ default parameters were used.

The Urban Crossroads GHG Analysis summarizes the total amount of Project related GHG emissions when accounting for applicable regulatory developments and the existing land use GHG emissions would total 8,704.51 MMTCO2e as shown on Table VII-1. The proposed Project would not exceed the SCAQMD’s interim threshold of 10,000 MTCO2e per year. Therefore, Project GHG emissions would result in a less than significant impact and no further analysis is required.

Table VII-1
Project Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Emission Source
Emissions(metric tons per year)
CO2 CH4 N2O Total CO2E
Annual construction-related
emissions amortized over 30 years

72.38 0.003 -- 72.56
Area 0.06 1.64E-4 -- 0.06
Energy 3,257.75 0.13 0.03 3,269.42
Mobile Sources 3,100.18 0.26 0 3,106.69
Waste 216.64 12.80 0 536.72
WaterUsage 1,391.66 10.13 0.25 1,719.04
Total CO2E (All Sources) 8,704.51
Source: CalEEMod™ model output, See Appendix 3.1 of GHG report for detailed model outputs.

Note: Totals obtained from CalEEMod™ and may not total 100% due to rounding.

Table results include scientific notation. e is used to represent times ten raised to the power of (which would be written as x 10 b") and is
followed by the value of the exponent
Mitigation Measures: None
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing
the emissions of greenhouse gases?
Discussion:

California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32) requires California to reduce its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. California Air Resource Board (CARB) has identified measures to achieve this goal as set forth in the CARB Scoping Plan. The SCAQMD adopted the interim GHG significance threshold for stationary/industrial sources on December 5, 2008 which applies to Projects where the SCAQMD is the lead agency. Additionally, the City of Desert Hot Springs has adopted a Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Climate Action Plan (CAP) to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions or support reduction strategies resulting from development.

SB 32 adopted in 2016 requires the state to reduce statewide GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, a reduction target that was first introduced in Executive Order B-30-15. The project will reduce its GHG emissions to the maximum extent feasible through energy conservation measures and implementation of the current California Green Building Standards Code. The Project will include a variety of building, water, and solid waste efficiencies consistent with 2016 CALGREEN requirements.

The Project is also consistent with the City’s adopted Climate Action Plan (CAP) as illustrated in Table VII-2 which illustrates the Project’s consistency with applicable measures from the City’s CAP.

Table VII-2
Desert Hot Springs CAP Consistency Summary
Sphere
GHG
Sector
Focus Area
Consistency
BUILD-1
Commercial
Buildings
The Project is consistent with this measure. The
Project’s landscaping pallet will be designed to
increase parking lot coverings to reduce the heat
island effect.

BUILD-2
Commercial
Buildings
The Project is consistent with this measure. The
Project will be required to adhere to the incumbent
(2016 or better) Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards
at the time of building construction. Furthermore, the
Project would be subject to any adopted City
requirements for new building construction.

BUILD-3
Commercial
Buildings
The Project is consistent with this measure. The
Project will encourage the installation of reflective or light colored roofing material to reduce the heat island effect.

BUILD-10 Water
The Project is consistent with this measure. The
Project will promote storm water capture and retention
for exterior landscape use which will reduce the
amount of water required for irrigation.

The project will not interfere with the state’s implementation of AB 32, SB 32 or the City’s Climate Action Plan. As previously indicated, the project would not exceed the 10,000 MTCO2e threshold, therefore the project’s GHG emissions would not conflict with plans and policies adopted for the purpose of reducing GHGs emissions. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Mitigation Measures: None
VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS --Would the Project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public
or the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials?
Discussion:

As previously discussed, the Project proposes a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus. The location of land uses is divided into three (3) Planning Areas (PA). PA-1 will consist of retail commercial buildings totaling approximately 45,000 sf. in building space on approximately 5.1 acres. PA-2 is comprised of the vertical harvest commercial component and affiliated Desert Harvest market, with a reservoir/retention area totaling approximately 161,000 SF in building space on approximately 8.0 acres. PA-3 is proposed for light industrial uses and consists of a marijuana cultivation campus totaling approximately 1,430,000 sf of building space on approximately 49.4 acres. The marijuana campus will consist of seven (7) singlestory greenhouses each with an attached two-story headhouse, and one (1) four-story building used exclusively for processing and extraction. The greenhouse/headhouse building will have an approximate building ground floor area (GFA) of 158,509 square feet (sf) and a total building area of 185,171 sf. The processing/extraction building will have a GFA of approximately 84,624 sf and a total building area of 185,321 sf. The total combined building area for PA3 is 1,481,518 sf. The proposed marijuana campus would be consistent with the local codes regulating light industrial districts and marijuana facilities, all proposed cultivation operations would only be conducted in the interior of enclosed structures, facilities and buildings. All cultivation operations and all marijuana plants at any stage of growth shall not be visible from the exterior of any structure, facility or building containing the cultivation of medical marijuana.

The Project also proposes an interim cultivation facility while the permanent improvements are being designed and constructed. The interim facility is comprised of approximately 82 pre-engineered, retrofitted “Cultivation EcoPod” containers. The EcoPods will be used for cultivation, processing, administration, and storage. The interim facility will be fully secured and screened with a chain link fence to secure views from outside the structure. Interim cultivation will comply with City standards, conditions, and ordinances. All marijuana cultivation will be conducted in the interior of the interim facility and will not be visible from the exterior of the proposed structures as per Section 17.180 (Interior only) of the City of Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code. As a condition of project approval, the interim facility shall be limited to a term not exceed six-months with no more than one six-month extension, subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director. The interim operations will be discontinued and the EcoPods will be removed upon completion of the permanent facilities.

The nature of this project does not involve the management, routine transport, use or disposal of substantial amounts of hazardous materials as a primary function of operation. It is expected that some storage of hazardous materials would be stored on-site in minor amounts to support on-site operations.

Including organic certified fertilizers and California approved pesticides and fungicides for the cultivation campus and household cleaners for the commercial retails portions. Industry standards would require Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
that such materials be properly stored, handled, and applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to mitigate the potential for incidental release of hazardous materials or explosive reactions.

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR Title 40, Part 261) defines hazardous materials based on ignitability, reactivity, corrosivity, and/or toxicity properties. The State of California defines hazardous materials as substances that are toxic, ignitable or flammable, reactive and/or corrosive, which have the capacity of causing harm or a health hazard during normal exposure or an accidental release. As a result, the use and management of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances is regulated under existing federal, state and local laws. Hazardous wastes require special handling and disposal methods to reduce their potential to damage public health and the environment. Manufacturer’s specifications also dictate the proper use, handling, and disposal methods for the specific substances.

Construction of the Project is expected to involve the temporary management and use of potentially hazardous substances and petroleum products. The nature and quantities of these products would be limited to what is necessary for construction. Some of these materials would be transported to the site periodically by vehicle and would be stored in designated controlled areas on a short-term basis. When handled properly by trained individuals and consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards, the risk involved with handling these materials is considerably reduced.

To prevent a threat to the environment during construction, the management of potentially hazardous materials and other potential pollutant sources will be regulated through the implementation of control measures required in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the Project. The SWPPP requires a list of potential pollutant sources and the identification of construction areas where additional control measures are necessary to prevent pollutants from being discharged. Best management practices are necessary for Material Delivery and Storage; Material Use; and Spill Prevention and Control. These measures outline the required physical improvements and procedures to prevent impacts of pollutants and hazardous materials to workers and the environment during construction. For example all construction materials, including paints, solvents, and petroleum products, must be stored in controlled areas and according to the manufacturer’s specifications. In addition, perimeter controls (fencing with wind screen), linear sediment barriers (gravel bags, fiber rolls, or silt fencing), and access restrictions (gates) would help prevent temporary impacts to the public and environment. With such standard measures in place, less than significant impacts are anticipated during construction.

Natural gas service is provided by The Gas Company (TGC). Natural gas may be extended from a high pressure line in Karen Avenue along the alignment of 19 th Avenue, then south to the northwest corner
of the project where it would be available for use on-site. In the case that gas service is not immediately available the Project would install an on-site liquid propane tanks or diesel tanks to power the backup generator. Construction and installation of the liquid propane tanks will conform to the latest edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code for Pressure Vessels (Section VIII Division 1), and the California Code of Regulations Title 8, Chapter 4 (Department of Industrial Relations), Subchapter 1 (Division of Industrial Safety). The proposed tank facilities will also be required to comply with the National Fire Protection Association Fuel Gas Codes and with the local fire protection regulations. These regulations are applicable to all aspects of the facilities, including the tank’s structural integrity, supporting equipment and safety mechanisms. NFPA requires the installation of control safety devices both on containers and in transfer piping to minimize the accidental release of Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
either fuel. The transport of liquid propane to the Project site will be regulated under the U.S.

Department of Transportation, which establishes mandatory safety procedures for the transport of these materials.

Less than significant impacts related to the routine transport, use or disposal of hazardous materials are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
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?
Discussion:

The Desert Harvest Specific Plan designates the project site as Light Industrial (I-L) and General Commercial (C-G). The Project site is separated from residential or other densely populated land uses.

As previously discussed, the Project is not expected to handle any significant quantities of hazardous materials. The management of propane gas or diesel fuel as a utility service will occur in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association, Fuel Gas Codes and with the fire protection regulations.

Any other use of potentially hazardous substances, is expected to occur in small quantities and managed on-site with the proper containment and facilities, as required by the industry standards.

Cultivation activities from PA-3 would involve plant treatment with organic fertilizers, insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, and other crop protection agents. These substances would be stored and applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions to reduce the potential for incidental release or reactions. The application and management methods of fertilizers and crop protection agents would be required to comply with all manufacturer-specific instructions, precautionary requirements, and accidental release measures. In most cases, it would be a violation of Federal law to apply these products in a manner that is inconsistent with the instructions provided in each corresponding product labeling.

The most common restrictions prohibit the products from being applied directly to water or areas where surface waters are present. Cleaning of equipment shall not result in water contamination. The products shall not be applied either in a way that come in contact with workers or other persons, directly or through drift. Only protected handlers may be present in the area during application. The application and management methods are also subject to requirements pertaining to training, decontamination, notification, and emergency assistance. Any wastes resulting from the use of this product may only be disposed in a landfill approved for pesticide or hazardous material disposal, or in accordance with the applicable federal, state or local procedures.

Toxic cleaning compounds, sanitizing agents, solvents, and potentially flammable materials may also be involved within the proposed facilities. The use of these products would also be subject to the manufacturer’s specifications, as well as local, state, and federal regulations that would help protect against accidental release, explosive reactions, injury and contamination.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
The Project operator would be required to provide the proper storage facilities and containers designed to protect and isolate these substances, therefore minimizing the threat to the public or the environment. Facility employees shall be trained on safety rules to prevent personal or public risk. Solid waste produced by the Project will be stored in a designated staging area with enclosures and less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter
mile of an existing or proposed school?
Discussion:

The Project site is not located within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school. The nearest existing school is Two Bunch Palms Elementary located approximately 3.0 miles northeast of the Project. As previously discussed, the Project site would be developed as a mixed use commercial and industrial project within three Planning Areas. PA-1 will consist of retail commercial, PA-2 is comprised of the vertical harvest commercial component and affiliated Desert Harvest market, with a reservoir/retention area and PA-3 is proposed for light industrial uses and consists of a fenced and secured marijuana cultivation campus. The nature of the Project would not involve the use or handling of hazardous substances in quantities or conditions that would result in the release of hazardous emissions, materials or waste. To further minimize any potential public exposure to accidental risks, proper construction and safety measures will be implemented and temporary impacts during construction will be further mitigated by standard operational procedures and protocols as well as Best Management Practices (BMPs). Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
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?
Discussion:

The project site is not listed as a hazardous material site or as a site with concerns or records. Record searches on the Project property were performed within multiple database platforms compiled pursuant to Government Code 65962.5 and its subsections. The resources consulted included GeoTracker, EnviroStor, and the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO).

GeoTracker is a database maintained by the State of California Water Resources Control Board that provides online access to environmental data. It serves as the management system for tracking regulatory data on sites that can potentially impact groundwater, particularly those requiring Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
groundwater cleanup and permitted facilities, such as operating underground storage tanks and land disposal sites.

EnviroStor is a database maintained by the State of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). The EnviroStor database identifies sites with known contamination or sites for which there may be reasons to investigate further. It includes the identification of formerly contaminated properties that have been released for reuse; properties where environmental deed restrictions have been recorded to prevent inappropriate land uses; and risk characterization information that is used to assess potential impacts to public health and the environment at contaminated sites.

Moreover, the ECHO database focuses on inspection, violation, and enforcement data for the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and also includes Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data.

In July 2017, a search was performed on all three database platforms. The search results did not identify any records or sites in connection with the subject property. The EnviroStor database results did not identify any Land Disposal Sites, Military Sites, DTSC Hazardous Waste Permits, or DTSC Cleanup Sites on or around the subject property.

The GeoTracker and ECHO database search results identified the following sites within a 1,500 foot radius of the Project site.
• 76 Station: 19995 N Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92258 This property is located approximately 1,132 feet west of the Project. It is registered as a Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Cleanup Site. The Local Agency Case Number is 200824965. The case was opened in June 2008 and completed in December 2009. There have been no subsequent reported violations according to available data. • Shell: 20000 N Indian Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92258
This property is located approximately 880 feet west of the Project. It is registered as a Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Cleanup Site. The Local Agency Case Number is 9914939.

The case was opened in February 1999 and completed in October 1999. Another registered LUST Cleanup Site is registered at the same location. The Local Agency Case Number is 200117206, and no subsequent violations have been reported according to available data. This site is also registered under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as an active small quantity generator (SQG). The RCRA identification number is CAR000088500 and the Facility Registry Service (FRS) identification number is 110012246532. There are outstanding violations reported and all registered facilities have been in compliance according to available data.

Less than significant impacts related to a hazardous material site are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
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?
Discussion:

The Project is not located near an existing airport or airport land use plan. The Project is located approximately 4.3 miles north of the Palm Springs International Airport. No impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
f) For a Project within the vicinity of a
private airstrip, would the Project result
in a safety hazard for people residing or
working in the Project area?
Discussion:

The Project is not located in the vicinity of a private airstrip and no impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
g) Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan?
Discussion:

The Emergency Preparedness Element of the City’s General Plan is designed to address concerns regarding the City’s capability to respond to potential natural or man-made disasters. The Element sets forth goals, policies and programs to ensure an effective response. Critical Facilities, Emergency Transportation and Circulation, Emergency Medical Facilities, Emergency Operations Center, Emergency Organization and Chain of Command, and Extended Organizational Structure and Assistance are identified as important components of that strategy.

The City of Desert Hot Springs contracts with Riverside County Fire Department/Cal Fire (RCFD) for a full range of fire protection services provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The RCFD is staffed with a combination of County and State of California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection employees.

They operate 96 fire stations that serve 1,360,000 residents over 6,970 miles of Riverside County. The City of Desert Hot Springs has two RCFD fire stations, Battalion 10, Station 36; located at 11535 Karen Avenue is approximately 5.3 miles from the Project site. Battalion 10, Station 37 is the City’s busiest fire station and is located at 65-958 Pierson Blvd, approximately 6.0 miles from the proposed Project. Both stations are staffed by 8.2 full time personal and each shift has 3 professionals consisting of a Fire Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Captain/and or engineer and one or two Firefighter II / licensed paramedic on duty at all times. Each station is also equipped with a Type I, 1500 GPM fire engine.

In addition to the other RCFD facilities located in the Coachella Valley, the department maintains a cooperative mutual aid agreement with other agencies and communities to assist in suppressing fire or controlling emergency incidents. Mutual aid is an agreement among emergency responders to lend assistance across jurisdictions provided resources are available and is not to the detriment of their own service area. Per the City’s General Plan, agreements are in place with Palm Springs and Cathedral City. Both of these cities provide their own fire services and do not contract with RCFD/Cal Fire. As previously discussed, the nature of the proposed Project is not expected to introduce operations that would hinder the City’s ability to implement its emergency response goals, policies or programs.

The site plan configuration of the proposed development includes fire truck accessible drive aisles and a looped driveway to ensure adequate emergency response access on-site. The proposed design would be subject to a standard review process by the Riverside County Fire Department to ensure that the site-specific emergency access, water pressure, and other pertinent criteria are met by the Project.

Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
h) Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland
fires, including where wildlands are adjacent
to urbanized areas or where residences are
intermixed with wildlands?
Discussion:

Large areas of Southern California are susceptible to Wildfires all year round due to the region’s weather, topography and vegetation conditions. The Coachella Valley’s hot dry summer and autumn weather is ideal to generate the dry vegetation that fuels most wildfires. The California Board of Forestry (CDF) ranks fire hazard of wildland areas of the State using four main criteria: fuels, weather, assets at risk, and level of service. Although the Project site and its general surroundings are undeveloped with scattered vegetation, these conditions have not been recognized to meet the criteria of high or very high fire hazard zones.

Wildland fire protection in California is the responsibility of either the State, local government, or the federal government. Local responsibility areas include incorporated cities where fire protection is typically provided by City fire departments, fire protection districts, counties, and by CAL Fire under contract to local government. As mentioned previously, the City of Desert Hot Springs contracts with Riverside County Fire Department/Cal Fire (RCFD) for a full range of fire protection services provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The responsibility for fire prevention and suppression outside of the City boundaries is under the State and federal agencies.

The Riverside County RCIP and the Cal Fire Maps for Western Riverside County indicate that Project and its surroundings are located outside of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) for Local Responsibility Area and outside of the Very High/High/Moderate FHSZ for State and Federal Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Responsibility Areas. The Project site is not adjacent to or intermixed with wildlands and the Project will include the on-site fire protection facilities necessary to satisfy the local Fire Department requirements.

Less than significant impacts related to wildland fire are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the Project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or
waste discharge requirements?
Discussion:

The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 establishes regulations pertaining to the discharge of pollutants to waters of the U.S. from point sources. Subsequent amendments to the CWA in 1987 established a framework for regulating non-point source stormwater discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Presently in the State of California, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and nine California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) administer the regulation, protection and administration of water quality pursuant to the NPDES. Their regulations encompass storm water discharges from construction sites, municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), and major industrial facilities. The proposed Project is located within the Whitewater River Watershed in the Colorado River Region (Region 7). The City of Desert Hot Springs is a Permittee of the Whitewater River Watershed MS4. Within Region 7, the approved Water Quality Control Plan, prepared by SWRCB, provides guidelines for protecting the beneficial uses of state waters within the Region by preserving and protecting their quality. Receiving waters in the Coachella Valley relevant to the project include Mission Creek, Whitewater River, and the Coachella Valley Storm Water Channel. The nature and size of the proposed development prompts compliance with the existing regulations pertaining to water quality standards and waste discharge requirements.

The proposed Project involves 64.91 acres. As a result, the developer must comply with the State’s most current Construction General Permit (CGP), Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ, as amended by 2010- 0014-DWQ and 2012-006-DWQ. Compliance with the CGP involves the development and implementation of a project-specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) designed to reduce potential adverse impacts to surface water quality during the period of construction. The required plan will identify the limits of construction disturbance with locations and types of construction activities requiring best management practices (BMPs) and other necessary compliance measures. A BMP is defined as measure that is implemented to protect water quality and reduce the potential for pollution associated with stormwater runoff. A BMP may involve a program, technology process, siting criteria, operating method, measure, or device that controls, prevents, removes or reduces pollution.

Consistent with Section XIV of the CGP, the SWPPP must specify BMPs relevant to good site housekeeping requirements, proper waste management, proper material handling and storage, and a spill response plan within the allowable construction limits. The SWPPP must address the interim operations and construction leading to the permanent improvements.

Based on the location and setting of this Project, the SWPPP is required to identify temporary sediment track-out prevention BMP devices at each construction entrance/exit point adjacent to a public roadway. This BMP category will provide temporary stabilization to prevent sediment track-out and fugitive dust emissions. Linear sediment barriers will be warranted along portions of or the entire Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
construction perimeter to prevent soil erosion, siltation, and other pollution impacts onto adjacent (offsite) areas. Any proposed storm drain inlet that becomes operational during construction will require temporary protection to prevent sediment or pollutants from entering the on-site storm drain system.

Furthermore, all construction activities must be restricted to their designated areas within the limits of disturbance while maintaining compliance with the good site housekeeping requirements for waste management, material handling, and storage. Certain compliance activities conducted under the SWPPP are subject to annual and ad-hoc reporting in order to maintain CGP coverage.

During construction of the interim and permanent facilities, the Project will also be required to comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) Rule 403 and 403.1, which prompt the obligation to prepare and implement a Fugitive Dust (PM10) Control Plan. Implementation of the Fugitive Dust Control Plan primarily pertains to air quality, but also supports water quality protection through the requirement of soil stabilization measures to prevent sediment erosion and track-out. The concurrent implementation of the required SWPPP and Dust Control Plan plans will prevent the potential construction-related impacts to water quality at the site and its surroundings, therefore resulting in less than significant impacts.

Project implementation involves permanent site improvements that would introduce impervious surfaces in the form of buildings, paving, and hardscape. The industrial/commercial nature of the project requires ample utilization of the entire property to accommodate the proposed facilities and operations (structures, parking lot, drive aisles, etc.). Based on the Preliminary Hydrology Report prepared for this Project, the proposed site plan includes approximately 52.65 acres of proposed structures, driveways, parking and hardscape (impervious areas) and 9.77 acres in the form of landscape, open space, and retention (pervious areas). The project includes an on-site storm drainage system with Low Impact Development (LID) retention basins and underground storage facilities with the combined capacity to collect and percolate the stormwater volume from the worst-case incremental increase in runoff volume between the pre- and post-development condition resulting from the 100-year controlling storm event. Project-wide, the incremental increase of stormwater quantity is approximately 267,757 cubic feet (6.15 acre feet), which serves as the basis for sizing the proposed storm drain system.

Runoff generated within each drainage management area of the Project will be conveyed primarily via surface flows to storm drain inlets with filter inserts. The runoff will subsequently be carried via piped conveyances to a designated surface retention basin or an underground retention system based on the tributary conditions. Both types of retention facilities are designed to infiltrate runoff within a period of 48 to 72 hours. As such, the storm drain system for this project has been designed to prevent a substantial increase in the rate, velocity, or amount of runoff generated in the proposed facilities compared to the existing undeveloped condition. Consistent with Chapter 13.08 (Stormwater Management and Discharge Controls) of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code (Ordinance #1997-03) the proposed drainage design would prevent the discharge and transport of potential pollutants associated with the new development into its surroundings. Moreover, the Project proponent will be required to develop and implement a Project-Specific Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) to comply with the most current standards of the Whitewater River Region Water Quality Management Plan for Urban Runoff and the Whitewater River Watershed MS4 Permit. The Project-Specific WQMP will identify a strategy of site design, source controls, and treatment controls with a required operation and maintenance program to address post-construction runoff quality and quantity. The site plan, grading design, storm drain design, Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
and retention facilities of the Project must be factored in the Project-Specific WQMP development and documentation.

As previously discussed, the proposed Project includes interim (short-term) cultivation activities housed in a configuration of 84 pre-engineered portable container units (Cultivation EcoPods). The proposed EcoPods will be used for interior cultivation, processing, administration, and storage. Based on a proposed interim site plan, a 24-foot wide access drive stabilized with ¾-inch crushed rock will provide access from 20th Avenue to 21 proposed pod clusters within the Project boundary. Each pod cluster is expected to include four EcoPods (1,280 square feet), four parking stalls on a crushed rock surface, temporary power poles, security cameras, and adequate lighting fixtures. Areas surrounding the EcoPods will also be stabilized crushed rock. Access to these private facilities will be regulated at a temporary security office and restroom, which will also be housed in a temporary container. The interim operations will be discontinued upon construction completion of the permanent buildings. Being temporary in nature, the proposed interim operations are not expected to meet the criteria of a priority development project; therefore, a Project-Specific WQMP will not be required solely for the interim component. As such, temporary stormwater management controls will be identified and implemented as a function of the SWPPP. Maintenance of the crushed rock stabilization provided at the temporary drive aisles, parking stalls, and areas surrounding the EcoPods to prevent erosion will be covered in the SWPPP. The quantity of runoff generated at each pod cluster is proportional to the respective amount of impervious coverage. A configuration of 4 pods with a total impervious footprint of 1,280 square feet has the potential to generate 39 cubic feet of runoff resulting from the 85 th percentile storm events. This
runoff will be intercepted, dissipated, and infiltrated at the 5-foot-wide gravel buffers surrounding the pods. As proposed, the stormwater retention and management strategy are expected to comply with local and regional requirements for protecting surface water quality and preventing waste discharge violations. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures:None
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies
or interfere substantially with groundwater
recharge such that there would be a net
deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of
the local groundwater table level (e.g., the
production rate of pre-existing nearby wells
would drop to a level which would not
support existing land uses or planned uses
for which permits have been granted)?
Discussion:

The Property is underlain by the Garnet Hill Sub-Basin, which constitutes a northwest portion of the greater Coachella Valley Groundwater basin. According to the California Department of Water Resources Groundwater Information Center, one monitored well located within a distance of approximately 2 miles from the Project, had a depth to groundwater of approximately 203 feet in the Spring of 2017. Local groundwater resources are managed under the Missions Springs Water District 2015 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Regionally, groundwater resources are managed by a partnership among MSWD, Coachella Water Authority (CWA), Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Desert Water Agency (DWA), and Indio Water Authority (IWA) under the Coachella Valley Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program. The UWMP acknowledges that continued artificial groundwater recharge efforts are necessary to eliminate or reduce the groundwater overdraft condition.

MSWD, DWA, and CVWD presently manage the Mission Creek Subbasin resources and its replenishment efforts under the terms of a 2004 settlement agreement. Groundwater management is also guided by the evaluation and water use strategies identified in the UWMP. As required by the policies of the General Plan, the City continues to cooperate with MSWD and other agencies in implementing a groundwater replenishment program capable of ensuring the viability of the Garnet Hill Sub-Basin.

Water use and conservation strategies identified in the UWMP incorporate demographic data and planned land use conditions identified in local plans (e.g. City of Desert Hot Springs General Plan) to forecast the development intensities and other growth factors as they relate to achieving the most efficient use of groundwater resources. The Project site design is not expected to interfere with groundwater recharge conditions, but rather align with the local and regional groundwater recharge strategies by implementing on-site retention, infiltration and low impact development improvements as part of the site design. Project’s stormwater management design includes a system of on-site underground retention structures designed to collect and infiltrate stormwater runoff. The expected combined infiltration capacity of this system will be at least 267,757 cubic feet (6.15 acre feet), which represents the incremental increase volume resulting from the controlling 100-year storm event that will be percolated on-site, contributing to groundwater recharge. This information is provided in the ProjectSpecific Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), which is required to comply with the most current standards of the Whitewater River Region Water Quality Management Plan for Urban Runoff and the Whitewater River Watershed MS4 Permit and is subject to review and approval by the City prior to issuance of a grading permit. Moreover, the proposed development will be expected to implement water conservation measures to reduce impacts to public water supplies. These measures must include low-flow plumbing fixtures, drought-tolerant (native) outdoor landscaping, and water-efficient irrigation systems. Additional domestic water improvements necessary to serve this development will be identified by MSWD and included as conditions of approval by the City of Desert Hot Springs during the City’s standard review process. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including through
the alteration of the course of a stream or
river, in a manner which would result in
substantial erosion or siltation on- or
off-site?
Discussion:

The proposed development is located in a light industrial land use sector, which by designation under the Desert Hot Springs General Plan, is planned to support business parks and the development of industrial uses. Existing and prior establishments in this zoning designation include automotive repair shops, storage warehouses, light manufacturing, and other light industrial facilities at various scales.

This zoning district includes undeveloped properties with relatively flat topography and scattered vegetation, similar to the Project site. The undeveloped areas typically lack adequate storm drain Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
conveyance facilities, such as curb-and-gutter improvements, catch basins, and pipes. The local hydromorphology is influenced by the presence of intermittent surface drainages originating from the Little San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Mountains and carrying flows predominantly in a southeastern direction toward the valley floor. In particular, the Project is located approximately 3,500 feet west of Mission Creek, which is protected by the Willow Hole Conservation Area of the CVMSHCP.

In this context, the Project property and its immediate surroundings have a FEMA Zone X (Shaded) designation, which applies to areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood. Insurance purchase is not required in these zones. Project implementation would involve permanent site improvements introducing impervious surfaces in the form of buildings, paving, and hardscape to the previously undeveloped (pervious) land. The light industrial nature of the Project requires ample utilization of the entire property to accommodate the proposed facilities and operations (buildings, parking lot, drive aisles, etc.). As a result, opportunities to minimize imperviousness through the use of landscaping, natural areas or other pervious surfaces are restricted throughout the Project site plan. To prevent changes to local drainage conditions (patterns, quantities, or velocities) and adverse erosion and sedimentation impacts, the Project will implement a storm drain design with flood control facilities sized to handle the Project-specific conditions.

The Preliminary Hydrology Report prepared for this Project indicates that runoff from each on-site drainage area will be conveyed via surface flows to a designated surface retention basin or an underground retention structure sized to retain and infiltrate the largest increase in runoff volume between the pre- and post-construction condition caused by the controlling storm event. The drainage management areas cover the entire proposed development. Only runoff in excess of the storm drain system capacity would be conveyed off-site in a pattern that does not cause erosion or siltation conditions. The Project’s northern and western boundaries will be improved with earthen slopes no steeper than 3:1 from the adjoining land to the curbs and paved surfaces. These slopes will be planted with native and/or drought-tolerant vegetation to increase stability and minimize erosion. The proposed development also includes street frontage improvements with proposed curb-and-gutter facilities, which will help address the existing unimproved condition.

The proposed improvement plans will be subject to agency review and approval and ensure that the proposed grading and drainage conditions are acceptable to the City standards. As a result, following implementation of an approved grading plan, the Project is not anticipated to alter any local drainage course, stream or wash in a manner that would result in erosion or siltation on- or off-site. The interim facilities will occupy a 2.95-acre portion of the Project property, twenty-one percent (.63 acres) of which will consist of impervious cover and seventy-nine percent (2.32 acres) will remain pervious and stabilized. The proposed temporary drive aisles, parking stalls, and portable pod buffers will be stabilized with gravel to prevent runoff erosion impacts from the impervious EcoPod footprints. Any additional flood control protection for necessary these short-term facilities will be subject to review and additional conditions imposed by the City of Desert Hot Springs, as deemed applicable.

Less than significant impacts are expected related to the existing drainage patterns and erosion or siltation conditions.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of
a stream or river, or substantially increase
the rate or amount of surface runoff in a
manner which would result in flooding onor off-site?
Discussion:

The undeveloped ground conditions throughout the Project property are predominantly flat with a gradual slope from north to south. The land supports scattered vegetation coverage associated with the Sonoran creosote bush scrub community. The property lacks any defined natural drainage pattern attributed to a river or stream. The proposed Project would introduce impervious surfaces (hardscape, asphalt, rooftops, etc.) to a presently undeveloped (pervious) ground condition. In particular, it is expected that approximately 85 percent of the post-development project condition will consist of impervious coverage. If uncontrolled, this conversion would typically result in a site-specific increase in the rate and amount of surface runoff. To manage this on-site condition as part of the site planning and engineering design, the Project includes a proposed storm drainage design (subject to approval by the City Engineer) with surface and piped conveyances draining into a system of surface retention basins and underground retention structures. Both types of facilities have been designed and sized according to the tributary conditions. Collectively, the proposed retention system will have the capacity to accept and infiltrate the worst-case increase in runoff volume between the pre- and post-development condition resulting from the controlling storm event, an amount that is approximately 267,575 cubic feet.

Based on these conditions, the project is not expected to alter any existing drainage pattern attributed to a stream or river, nor is the project expected to result in an increase in the rate or quantity of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site. As previously mentioned, an area equivalent to approximately 4 percent of the Project property will be utilized for interim activities housed in portable containers. The access drive aisles, parking stalls, and areas surrounding the pods will be stabilized with crushed rock to provide sufficient stability to prevent erosion without having fully impervious characteristics. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
e) Create or contribute runoff water which
would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or
provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff?
Discussion:

The undeveloped Project property does not contain any stormwater drainage facilities, but is located within the Whitewater River Watershed Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), of which, the City of Desert Hot Springs is a permittee. Based on the local natural topography, runoff from the developed and undeveloped portions of the property would have the propensity to sheet-flow toward Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
the south and southeast, before reaching off-site conveyances and drainage channels tributary to Mission Creek, located approximately 3,500 feet to the east.

The proposed development involves a stormwater drainage system incorporated into the site plan and grading design allowing on-site runoff to drain into proposed retention facilities while properly intercepting and routing off-site street frontage flows to their respective street conveyances. These controlled conditions are demonstrated in the Preliminary Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Preliminary Hydrology Report prepared for this project. The grading design and improvement plans, which are subject to City review and approval, would ensure the Project’s post development runoff flow rates, volumes, velocities, and durations do not exceed the pre-development condition and therefore would not result in impacts to the existing receiving drainages. Less than significant impacts relative to runoff water are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water
quality?
Discussion:

As a standard condition, the Project proponent is required to develop and implement a Project-Specific Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) to comply with the most current standards of the Whitewater River Region Water Quality Management Plan for Urban Runoff and the Whitewater River Watershed MS4 Permit. The proposed on-site storm drainage system includes multiple underground retention/infiltration chambers sized to collect and percolate the worst-case incremental increase in stormwater volume resulting from the 100-year controlling storm event. As a result, the Project design would prevent any substantial increase in the rate, velocity, or quantity of runoff generated in the proposed facility compared to the existing undeveloped condition. Runoff that exceeds the worst-case increase will be allowed to leave the site at properly situated outlets, similar to the historic drainage condition. In accordance with Chapter 13.08 (Stormwater Management and Discharge Controls) of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code (Ordinance #1997-03) the proposed drainage design would prevent the discharge and transport of potential pollutants associated with the new development into its surroundings.

Based on the Preliminary Hydrology Report, the proposed site plan includes approximately 52.65 acres of proposed structures, driveways, parking and hardscape (impervious areas) and 9.77 acres in the form of landscape, open space, and retention (pervious areas). Runoff from the impervious cover will be conveyed to a corresponding retention facility. Retention is one of the compliance methods identified in the Whitewater River Watershed MS4 Permit for preventing runoff. Through this required compliance, the Project will prevent impacts to the local receiving waters and avoid violations to the established water quality standards and waste discharge requirements. As a standard condition for new development Projects, the WQMP must be submitted and approved prior to the first discretionary Project approval or permit. The WQMP will identify the required maintenance practices necessary to ensure that the water quality facilities remain effective during the life of the Project. Short-term runoff controls for the interim cultivation and processing activities will be a function of the SWPPP, which must be developed and implemented until the permanent facilities are fully constructed.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Less than significant impacts relative to the substantial degradation of water quality are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood
hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood
Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate
Map or other flood hazard delineation map?
Discussion:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) evaluates potential flood hazards for the City.

The FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) serve as the basis for identifying those potential hazards and determining the need for and availability of federal flood insurance. According to FIRM panel 06065C0885G, effective August 28, 2008, the entire Project and its immediate surroundings are located within Zone X (Shaded), which applies to areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood. Flood insurance purchase is not required in these zones. The project does not include housing. The proposed improvement plans will be subject to agency review and approval ensure that the proposed grading and drainage conditions are acceptable to the City standards. No impacts relative to placing housing in a 100-year flood hazard area are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area
structures which would impede or redirect
flood flows?
Discussion:

The undeveloped Project site does not exhibit any on-site natural drainage courses subject to permitting or special hydrologic considerations pursuant to the published FIRMs and other authoritative maps, such as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map of Desert Hot Springs, CA and the digital USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). As such, the proposed flood control improvements focus on handling the runoff volumes resulting from the controlling 100-year event. For that purpose, stormwater runoff generated by the Project would be managed by a storm drainage system with the capacity to retain the incremental increase in runoff volume between the pre- and postconstruction conditions resulting from the 100-year controlling storm event.

The proposed grading plan will be designed to prevent excessive diversion or ponding conditions.

Runoff and flood volumes that exceed the storm drain system capacity will be allowed to overflow at locations that maintain the historic drainage conditions. Any necessary flood control protection for the interim facilities and operations will be subject to review and additional conditions imposed by the City of Desert Hot Springs, as necessary. The short-term protection of interim facilities will be a function of the SWPPP. The proposed improvement plans, subject to agency review and approval, will ensure that Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
the proposed grading and drainage conditions are acceptable to the City standards. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
i) Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding,
including flooding as a result of the failure of
a levy or dam?
Discussion:

The project is not located near an existing levee or dam; therefore, no impacts are expected pertaining to this topic. The project is expected to provide the appropriate site improvements to protect the proposed structure without increasing the risk of flooding. Less than significant impacts are expected relative to substantial erosion or siltation on or offsite.

Mitigation Measures: None
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami or mudflow?
Discussion:

The Project site is not located near a body of water that would pose potential seiche or tsunami impacts. The Project site is underlain by Hydrologic Soil Type “A”, which is characterized for having a high infiltration rate (low runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. Type “A” soils consist mainly of deep, well drained to excessively drained sands or gravelly sands. These soils have a high rate of water transmission. Combined with the relatively shallow gradients that characterize the vicinity, the erosive nature and mudflow potential is reduced. The proposed site plan includes retention facilities sized to contain the worst-case scenario runoff volume difference between pre- and post-development conditions. Only flows in excess of the Project’s retention requirements would be allowed to exit the Project area, therefore, less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
X. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the Project:
a) Physically divide an established
community?
Discussion:

The project site sits on approximately 64.91 acres of vacant land on the north side of 20 th Avenue and
east of Indian Canyon Drive. It is surrounded on the north and east by undeveloped vacant land, commercial uses to the west and commercial and Interstate 10 to the north. The Project is proposing a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus, divided into three (3) Planning Areas (PA). PA-1 will consist of retail commercial buildings on approximately 5.1 acres. PA-2 is comprised of the vertical harvest commercial component and affiliated Desert Harvest market, with a reservoir/retention area on approximately 8.0 acres. PA-3 is proposed for light industrial uses and consists of a marijuana cultivation campus on approximately 49.4 Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
acres. The marijuana campus will consist of seven (7) single-story greenhouses each with an attached two-story headhouse, and one (1) four-story building used exclusively for processing and extraction.

The proposed marijuana campus would be consistent with the local codes regulating light industrial districts and marijuana facilities, all proposed cultivation operations would only be conducted in the interior of enclosed structures, facilities and buildings. All cultivation operations and all marijuana plants at any stage of growth shall not be visible from the exterior of any structure, facility or building containing the cultivation of medical marijuana.

The Project also proposes an interim cultivation facility while the permanent improvements are being designed and constructed. The interim facility is comprised of approximately 82 pre-engineered, retrofitted “Cultivation EcoPod” containers. The EcoPods will be used for cultivation, processing, administration, and storage. The interim facility will be fully secured and screened with a chain link fence to secure views from outside the structure. Interim cultivation will comply with City standards, conditions, and ordinances. All marijuana cultivation will be conducted in the interior of the interim facility and will not be visible from the exterior of the proposed structures as per Section 17.180 (Interior only) of the City of Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code. As a condition of project approval, the interim facility shall be limited to a term not exceed six-months with no more than one six-month extension, subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director. The interim operations will be discontinued and the EcoPods will be removed upon completion of the permanent facilities.

The current General Plan Land Use and Zoning designates the site as Light Industrial (I-L), which allows for a broad range of industrial and commercial uses. The Desert Harvest Specific Plan would allow light industrial and commercial uses that are consistent with the current I-L land use and zoning designation. The project would be consistent with the surrounding land uses and development would not disrupt or divide the physical arrangement of an established community. No impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan,
policy, or regulation of an agency with
jurisdiction over the Project (including, but
not limited to the general plan, specific
plan, local coastal program, or zoning
ordinance) adopted for the purpose of
avoiding or mitigating an environmental
effect?
Discussion:

The applicant is proposing to develop approximately 64.91 acres of a single parcel into a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus. The City’s Land Use and Zoning map designates the property as Light Industrial (I-L). This use allows for a broad range of light industrial and commercial uses. The project is proposing a General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone from Light Industrial to a combination of General Commercial/Specific Plan (C-G/SP) and Light Industrial/Specific Plan (I-L/SP). A Specific Plan is being Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
prepared to provide a comprehensive development plan, allowable uses, and development standards for the property.

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Regulatory Permit (RP), and Development Agreement (DA), for the development and operation of the proposed cultivation campus will also be filed with the City in compliance with Sections 5.50 and 17.180 of the City’s Municipal Code. In addition, all medical marijuana cultivation operations and any related activities, such as transportation, manufacturing, and testing, would be subject to existing and proposed State laws including the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (California Health and Safety Code Sections 11362.7 through 11362.83), the California Attorney General’s Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Growth for Medical Use (issued in August, 2008), and any future state laws that may be adopted, such as State Assembly Bill 266 (AB 266) and the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation Safety Act (SB 94).

Project entitlements also include a Tentative Tract Map for Condominium Purposes (TTM). The TTM would subdivide the property into three parcels that conform to the proposed Planning Area.

The proposed project would be consistent with the surrounding uses and the Project’s physical characteristics and internal operations will not conflict with the City’s land use, zoning or other regulatory policies. Site design features will be reviewed and approved by the City relative to compliance with the City’s General Plan and Zoning. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat
conservation plan or natural community
conservation plan?
Discussion:

The proposed Project is not located within a Conservation Area as designated by the Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). Additionally, the site is not located immediately adjacent to a Conservation Area of the plan and is therefore, not subject to Plan requirements regarding lands adjoining Conservation Areas. Moreover, the Project specific Biological Assessment findings conclude that there are no protected biological resources on the property as recognized by the CVMSHCP.As a standard condition, all new development will pay the most current mitigation fees for the implementation of the CVMSHCP and support the acquisition of conservation lands. Therefore, the project will not conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan and less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
XI. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would the Project:
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?
Discussion:

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
In accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA), mineral land classification maps and reports have been developed to assist in the protection and development of mineral resources.

Local agencies, including the City of Desert Hot Springs, utilize the existing information on mineral classifications for land use plan development and decision-making. In the City of Desert Hot Springs General Plan Mineral Resource Element, and the SMARA map of Desert Hot Springs, the Project and its surroundings are located within Mineral Resource Zone 3 (MRZ-3), which applies to areas where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be evaluated from the available data. There are no specific known mineral resource deposits or facilities on or near the Project.

The nature of the Project does not involve the extraction of mineral deposits. Construction of the proposed cultivation facility would rely on existing local and regional aggregate resources from permitted facilities. The Project is not expected to result in a considerable extraction and/or loss of known mineral resources that are considered important to the Coachella Valley Region or residents of California. Less than significant impacts are expected related to the loss of availability of known mineral resources.

Mitigation Measures: None
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?
Discussion:

Mineral resources that are known to exist in the Coachella Valley region primarily consist of sand and gravel (aggregate) typically deposited along and near local drainages. Aggregate material is deemed necessary to the local building industry as a component of asphalt, concrete, road base, stucco and plaster. Local or regional construction industries tend to be dependent on readily available aggregate deposits within reasonable distance to the market region. The Project site is not recognized as a mineral resource recovery site delineated in the County of Riverside General Plan, City of Desert Hot Springs General Plan or the resource maps prepared pursuant to SMARA. Less than significant impacts are expected.

XII. NOISE -- Would the Project result in:
a) Exposure of persons to or generation
of noise levels in excess of standards
established in the local general plan
or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
Discussion:

Noise is defined as unwanted sound that disrupts normal activities or that diminishes the quality of the environment. It is usually caused by human activity that adds to the existing acoustic setting of a locale.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Noise is measured on a logarithmic scale of sound pressure level known as a decibel (dB). The human ear does not respond uniformly to sounds at all frequencies, being less sensitive to low and high frequencies than to medium frequencies that correspond with human speech. In response to this, the A-weighted noise level or scale has been developed to correspond better with peoples’ subjective judgment of sound levels. This A-weighted sound level is called the “noise level” referenced in units of dB(A).

The City of Desert Hot Springs has the authority to establish land use noise standards and corresponding restrictions under the City’s Noise Ordinance. A range of noise standards apply to different receiving land uses based on sensitivity and compatibility. In general, land uses with a higher sensitivity to noise (residential, schools, libraries, churches, hospitals, nursing homes and recreation) are assigned lower ambient noise thresholds than land uses deemed less sensitive (industrial and commercial). The Desert Harvest project proposes to develop 64.91 acres of vacant land into a high quality, mixed-use commercial and industrial facility. The proposed Specific Plan will designate two commercial planning areas along Interstate-10 Freeway and 20th Avenue corridor connected by an open space/retention area containing citrus orchards and date groves. The rear of the site would be occupied by an industrial planning area containing a fenced, secured marijuana cultivation campus.

In reference to Table V-2 of the Noise Element, the Project’s planning areas fit two categories:

Industrial and Commercial. For industrial uses, the normally acceptable noise exposure ranges from 50 to 75 CNEL. The generally unacceptable noise levels range from 70 and 80 CNEL, while construction and development is discouraged where noise levels exceed 75 CNEL. For commercial land uses, the normally acceptable noise exposure ranges from 50 to 65 CNEL. The conditionally acceptable noise levels range from 60 to 70. The generally unacceptable noise levels range from 70 and 80 CNEL, while construction and development is discouraged where noise levels exceed 75 CNEL.

As discussed previously, the Project property forms part of an undeveloped portion of the light industrial district in the City of Desert Hot Springs. This section of the City has been designated in the City’s General Plan to support business parks and light industrial uses. The proposed Desert Harvest Specific Plan will include cultivation and commercial planning areas as part of a unified development. The Noise Element of the City’s General Plan identifies vehicular traffic as the principal source of noise in the community. To understand and evaluate the impacts of land use patterns, traffic and individual developments on the noise environment, a variety of data has been collected and future buildout impacts have been modeled, as part of the General Plan preparation. Computer models and simulations were used to calculate the transportation noise environment along major roadways based upon the operating characteristics and traffic volumes. Table V-5 of the Noise Element identifies the projected noise contours along major roadways at General Plan Buildout, but does not cover the project vicinity.

For reference purposes, the National Transportation Noise Map is being utilized to assess the existing noise exposure levels at the site. This mapping resource has been developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to identify transportation-related noise throughout the United States. The national transportation noise inventory is developed using a 24-hr equivalent sound level (LEQ, denoted by LAeq) noise metric. The results are A-weighted noise levels that represent the approximate average noise energy due to transportation noise sources over the 24 hour period at the defined receptors. In the Project vicinity, the most relevant transportation-related noise can be attributed to Indian Canyon Drive to the west and 20th Avenue and Interstate 10 Freeway to the south.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Based on this source, highest noise levels that can be detected at the first 135 feet along the southerly property boundary (20th Avenue frontage) are between 56 and 61 dBA. Noise levels decrease to 51 dBA at 220 feet and to 41 dBA at 430 feet from the southerly boundary. For reference, U.S. DOT indicates that noise levels between 50 and 59 dBA are comparable to a quiet office setting, while noise levels between 60 and 69 dBA are comparable to converstional speech. As such, traffic noise local roadways, including 20th Avenue, Interstate 10, and Indian Canyon Drive are not deemed to represent an existing source of substantial noise levels, such that would be deemed incompatible with the established thresholds in the City’s General Plan.

The construction activities of the Project are expected to generate short-term noise increases compared to the existing levels. A temporary incremental increase in noise levels along local roadways is expected to occur during the transport of workers and equipment to and from the site. Noise increases will also be generated by the actual on-site construction activities. As a standard requirement, the Project is expected to abide by the Municipal Code regulations on construction hours, which limit activities to the less sensitive times of the day. Construction activities are only permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. During daylight savings time, construction is permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Construction is not permitted on Sundays. During construction, the Project is also expected to follow common industry standards that will help limit noise level increases. For example, all construction equipment, fixed or mobile, should be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers and the engines should be equipped with shrouds. Approved haul routes shall be used to minimize exposure of sensitive receptors to potential adverse levels from hauling operations. All construction equipment shall be in proper working order and maintained to reduce backfires.

Operation of the Project, including its contribution of ADT by employees and other activities to the local road system, will result in incremental increases to traffic-related noise. During the life of the Project, all interim and permanent operations shall be conducted in the interior of enclosed structures, facilities, and buildings, as mandated by the local zoning ordinance. All cultivation operations, including materials management, will occur indoors and within the fenced limits. Outdoor activities associated with the commercial component of the Project are expected to be limited. These include vehicular access and circulation in the Project’s parking lot and drive aisles; access to the trash enclosures for waste management (disposal and pick-up); access to the outdoor utilities for maintenance purposes (e.g. chillers, septic or sewer systems, storm drain system components). While the Project would result in an increase in noise levels compared to the existing undeveloped condition, the nature and intensity of operations that would occur in the proposed structures are not expected to result in the generation of noise levels that would surpass the community noise and land use compatibility standards. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of
excessive groundborne vibration or
groundborne noise levels?
Discussion:

Groundborne vibration also referred to as earthborne vibration, can be described as perceptible rumbling, movement, shaking or rattling of structures and items within a structure. Groundborne Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
vibration can generate a heightened disturbance in residential areas. These vibrations can disturb residential structures and household items while creating difficulty for residential activities such as reading or other tasks. Although groundborne vibration is sometimes perceptible in an outdoor environment, it is not a problem as it is when this form of disturbance is experienced inside a building.

Groundborne vibration can be measured in terms of amplitude and frequency or vibration decibels (VdB). Trains, buses, large trucks and construction activities that include pile driving, blasting, earth moving and heavy vehicle operation commonly cause these vibrations. Other factors that influence the disturbance of groundborne vibration include distance to source, foundation materials, soil and surface types.

The vacant Project property is surrounded by a combination of vacant and developed land, including relatively close proximity to the Interstate 10 Freeway. The Project is not located near any existing residential uses or sensitive noise receptors. In the local vicinity, an existing source of groundborne vibration can be attributed to the circulation of large vehicles and trucks along 20 th Avenue and
Interstate 10 Freeway to the south, and Indian Canyon Drive to the west. When referenced against the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Transportation Noise Map, the existing noise levels experienced at the Project property do not reach the threshold of being incompatible with the proposed light industrial and commercial uses.

Construction of the Project is expected to involve the temporary use of vehicles and equipment that would result in short-term groundborne vibration increases within the permitted construction hours established by the City. The short-term delivery of materials and equipment to the construction site by trucks would incur temporary increase in groundborne vibration on local streets. Operation of construction equipment would be strictly limited to the fenced limits of construction. During the life of the Project, all routine Project operations will occur within the proposed structure and during the permitted hours, as mandated by the local ordinance and conditioned by the City. The routine operation of vehicles accessing the Project would cause an incremental increase in groundborne vibration, but not in levels that would be deemed inconsistent with the existing industrial setting or substantial in nature.

Less than significant impacts related to excessive groundborne vibration noise levels are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) A substantial permanent increase in
ambient noise levels in the Project vicinity
above levels existing without the Project?
Discussion:

As discussed previously, the vacant Project property is surrounded by a combination of vacant and developed land, including relatively close proximity to the Interstate 10 Freeway. Existing ambient noise levels detected on-site are largely attributed to off-site traffic. Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Transportation Noise Map, these levels range from 35 dBA to 61 dBA. Noise resulting from the Project operations is anticipated to be largely contained in the proposed structures or facilities, while noise increases resulting from project-related traffic is not expected to impact any sensitive noise receptor uses, as none are located near the Project. Less than significant impacts related to permanent increase in ambient noise levels are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
d) A substantial temporary or periodic
increase in ambient noise levels in the
Project vicinity above levels existing
without the Project?
Discussion:

As discussed previously, the proposed cultivation site will produce a temporary increase in ambient noise levels during construction. During Project site preparation, grading and construction, the contractors will be expected to utilize properly maintained construction equipment consistent with the manufacturer’s standards. Construction activities are required to take place within the designated hours established by the City of Desert Hot Springs. Less than significant impacts related to temporary or periodic ambient noise levels are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
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 expose
people residing or working in the Project
area to excessive noise levels?
Discussion:

The Project is located approximately 4.3 miles north of the Palm Springs International Airport and is not located within its airport land use plan. No impacts are expected to result related to Projects located within an airport land use plan.

Mitigation Measures: None
f) For a Project within the vicinity of a
private airstrip, would the Project expose
people residing or working in the Project
area to excessive noise levels?
Discussion:

The Project is not located within the vicinity of a private airstrip. No impacts are expected to result the Project located in the vicinity of a private airstrip and no mitigation measures are required.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING – Would the Project:
a) Induce substantial 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)?
Discussion:

The Project proposes a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus developed in four Phases and three Planning Areas on 64.91 acres. No residential uses are proposed as part of the project. Approval and development of the Desert Harvest project is not expected to significantly increase population growth in the area because the proposed project would be consistent with the underlying land use and zoning designations of Light Industrial (I-L). A General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone request will amend the land use and zoning from Light Industrial to a combination of General Commercial/Specific Plan and Light Industrial/Specific Plan. This will allow for a combination of commercial and light industrial uses in conformance with the General Plan.

Per the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) May 2017 local profile of the City of Desert Hot Springs, the total jobs numbered in the City is 5,066 which is an increase of 44.4 percent from the 3,508 jobs in 2007. The proposed Desert Harvest development anticipates up to 520 employees. Employment is anticipated to be filled with local residents or regional commuters and potential employees are not anticipated to relocate for the type of commercial and light industrial opportunities provided by the project.

The City’s 2000 General Plan under the Land Use Element, projects the City could add an additional 178,058 people to the City’s population at the buildout scenario. The SCAG 2017 local profile report for the City of Desert Hot Springs shows the City has seen a steady increase in the population and has a current population of 29,048 people, which is still below the City’s projected population and growth buildout scenario.

The project has vehicular access to the Interstate10 Freeway via Indian Canyon Drive and 20 th Avenue
and indirect growth from extension of roads and infrastructure is not anticipated. The project will be served by existing roads and infrastructure with minor proposed upgrades and connections.

Therefore, the project is not anticipated to induce substantial population growth for either directly or indirectly and less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
Discussion:

The project is a mixed use retail commercial and light industrial project and is currently vacant land designated by the City General Plan and zoning for light industrial activity and would not displace any Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
existing housing or require replacement housing. No impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
Discussion:

As mentioned above, the site has a light industrial land use and zoning designation and is currently undeveloped, vacant desert land. The Project does not propose any residential uses that would necessitate the construction of replacement housing. No impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES
a) Would the Project result in substantial
adverse physical impacts associated
with the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities, need for
new or physically altered governmental
facilities, the construction of which could
cause significant environmental impacts,
in order to maintain acceptable service
ratios, response times or other performance
objectives for any of the public services:

Fire protection?
Discussion:

The City of Desert Hot Springs contracts with Riverside County Fire Department/Cal Fire (RCFD) for a full range of fire protection services provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The RCFD is staffed with a combination of County and State of California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection employees.

They operate 96 fire stations that serve 1,360,000 residents over 6,970 miles of Riverside County. The City of Desert Hot Springs has two RCFD fire stations, Battalion 10, Station 36; located at 11535 Karen Avenue is approximately 5.3 miles from the Project site. Battalion 10, Station 37 is the City’s busiest fire station and is located at 65-958 Pierson Blvd, approximately 6.0 miles from the proposed Project. Both stations are staffed by 8.2 full time personal and each shift has 3 professionals consisting of a Fire Captain/and or engineer and one or two Firefighter II / licensed paramedic on duty at all times. Each station is also equipped with a Type I, 1500 GPM fire engine.

In addition to the other RCFD located in the Coachella Valley, the department maintains a cooperative mutual aid agreement with other agencies and communities to assist in suppressing fire or controlling emergency incidents. Mutual aid is an agreement among emergency responders to lend assistance across jurisdictions provided resources are available and is not to the detriment of their own service area. Per the City’s General Plan, agreements are in place with both Palm Springs and Cathedral City.

These cities provide their own fire services and do not contract with RCFD/Cal Fire.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
The Project proposes a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus developed in four Phases and three Planning Areas on 64.91 acres. An interim cultivation facility is also being proposed while the design and construction of the permanent medical marijuana cultivation campus is being completed. The interim facility is comprised of approximately 84 pre-engineered, retrofitted “Cultivation EcoPod” containers. The EcoPods will be used for cultivation, processing, administration, and storage. The interim facility will be fully secured and screened with a chain link fence to secure views from outside the structure. Interim cultivation will comply with City standards, conditions, and ordinances. A temporary parking lot with four stalls and access from 20
th Avenue will be stabilized with class II crushed rock. Access to the interim facility will be gate controlled with full time security personnel and temporary security lighting and cameras. The interim facilities would be installed within the 64.91 acre development footprint and would not extend beyond the property boundaries. As a condition of project approval, the interim facility shall be limited to a term not exceed six-months with no more than one six-month extension, subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director. The interim operations will be discontinued and the EcoPods will be removed upon completion of the permanent cultivation campus.

The project will add a new commercial/light industrial land use which would add to the demand on fire services. However, the Project would be required to implement all applicable and current California Fire Code Standards. This would include installation of fire hydrants as well as sprinkler systems inside all buildings. Furthermore, the Project will be reviewed by City and Fire officials to ensure adequate fire service and safety as a result of Project implementation. The Project will also be required to comply with the City’s Development Impact Fees (DIF) to assist with the funding of public facilities and services, including fire, therefore, less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
Police protection?
Discussion:

Police services are provided to the Project area by the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. The police department operates out of a single location and is located at 65-950 Pierson Blvd, approximately 6.0 miles from the Project site. Per communication with City of DHS police department, the DHSPD has 27 sworn officers and 6 support staff, totaling 33 positions. Based on the 2013 City population of 27,903 persons, the resulting officer to resident ratio is 0.96 per 1,000 population.

The Project proposes a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus developed in four Phases and three Planning Areas on 64.91 acres. All of the cultivation development in Planning Area 3 will be secured with 8’ tubular steel fencing and a security manned guard house. Security cameras will be mounted on all exterior doors, perimeter fencing and entry gates. A more detailed, comprehensive security plan is required by the City during the regulatory permit phase. This will include specific locations and areas of coverage by security cameras; location of audible interior and exterior alarms; location of exterior lighting; name and contact information of Security Company monitoring the site and any additional information required by the City.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
An interim cultivation facility is also being proposed while the design and construction of the permanent medical marijuana cultivation campus is being completed. The interim facility is comprised of approximately 84 pre-engineered, retrofitted “Cultivation EcoPod” containers. The EcoPods will be used for cultivation, processing, administration, and storage. The interim facility will be fully secured and screened with a chain link fence to secure views from outside the structure. Interim cultivation will comply with City standards, conditions, and ordinances. A temporary parking lot with four stalls and access from 20th Avenue will be stabilized with class II crushed rock. Access to the interim facility will be gate controlled with full time security personnel and temporary security lighting and cameras. The interim facilities would be installed within the 64.91 acre development footprint and would not extend beyond the property boundaries. As a condition of project approval, the interim facility shall be limited to a term not exceed six-months with no more than one six-month extension, subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director. The interim operations will be discontinued and the EcoPods will be removed upon completion of the permanent cultivation campus.

Although the Project may require additional demand for police services, the demand is not expected to hinder the City’s ability to provide police protection services and adequate response times would be met. Furthermore, the Project will be reviewed by City and Police officials to ensure adequate fire service and safety as a result of Project implementation. The Project will also be required to comply with the City’s Development Impact Fees (DIF) to assist with the funding of public facilities and services, including police, therefore, less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
Schools?
Discussion:

The proposed Project falls under the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD). Development of the Project would not create a direct demand for school service. The Project is proposing a mixed use commercial and light industrial development on 64.91 acres. Employment generated by the Project would not be expected to draw a substantial number of new residents that would generate school age children requiring public education or substantially alter school facilities or the demand for public education and no new facilities would need to be constructed. Additionally, any future development will be required to pay PSUSD, developer impact fees to assist in offsetting impacts to school facilities. At the time of writing, current development fees are $3.48 a square foot for residential and $.56 a square foot for commercial projects. Less than significant impacts to school services are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
Parks?
Discussion:

As discussed below in Section XV(a) and XV(b), the proposed Project would not create additional demand for public park facilities, nor result in the need to modify existing or construct new park facilities. No impacts are expected to parks.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Other public facilities?
Discussion:

No increase in demand for government services and other public facilities is expected beyond those discussed in this section. No impacts to other public facilities are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
XV. RECREATION
a) Would the Project increase the use
of existing neighborhood and regional
parks or other recreational facilities such
that substantial physical deterioration
of the facility would occur or
be accelerated?
Discussion:

As previously discussed the Project proposes to construct a mixed-use commercial and light industrial development on approximately 64.91 acres of vacant land. In general, residential development directly generates demand for recreation and park facilities. As discussed throughout this document, the Project does not propose residential development. The type or employment offered from the construction and operation of the Project would not cause a substantial number of people to relocate to the Project area. The project could potentially have up to 520 employees, however it is not expected that they would use local park and recreation facilities to the extent that would cause the substantial deterioration of any of the City’s existing neighborhood community, regional or pocket parks. Therefore, no impacts are expected relative to use or deterioration of existing parks.

Mitigation Measures: None
b) Does the Project include recreational
facilities or require the construction
or expansion of recreational facilities
which might have an adverse physical
effect on the environment?
Discussion:

The construction of the Desert Harvest mixed use commercial and light industrial project will not involve a recreational facility. No construction or expansion of other recreational facilities is required for Project implementation and no impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
XVI. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC -- Would the Project:
a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance
or Policy establishing measures of effectiveness
for the performance of the circulation system,
taking into account all modes of transportation
including mass transit and non-motorized travel
and relevant components of the circulation system,
including but not limited to intersections, streets,
highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle
paths, and mass transit?
Discussion:

The Project proposes to construct a mixed use development on approximately 65 acres that includes retail uses, medical marijuana facilities and infrastructure improvements. The portion of the property designated for medical marijuana facilities is approximately 57 acres. The remainder of the Project consists of approximately 59,000 square feet of retail uses and approximately 9,000 square feet of Drive Thru buildings.

The proposed project is located north of 20th Avenue, approximately 1000 feet east of North Indian Canyon Drive. The Project site will have five points of access and a system of internal loop drive aisles.

Two access points are proposed to be located on 20th Avenue and three are proposed to be located on the future Calle De Los Romos. 20th Avenue is currently partially paved along the project’s frontage with no curb or gutter. Calle De Los Romos is currently an unimproved dirt roadway. The primary access point will be located on 20
th Avenue, at the approximate center of the southern boundary.

The portion of the site that contains medical marijuana cultivation and processing will be entirely enclosed within perimeter security fencing. The gated entry/exit drives will control vehicular access onto and off of this portion of the property. Circulation and parking will be consistent with City parking standards as determined by City Staff.

The cultivation structures will include truck access to an internal loading area for each of the units. A paved surface is proposed for the main drive aisles and parking areas. The Project will be developed in three Phases. Cultivation operations are anticipated to be similar to that of a standard wholesale nursery. Hours will be consistent with Ordinance 552. Medical marijuana facilities may operate between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm up to seven days per week. The cultivation of marijuana requires staff to be present on premises 24 hours per day. Only authorized staff and delivery personnel will be allowed to enter the cultivation portion of the project.

Average Daily Trips (ADT) refers to the total number of vehicles that travel a defined segment of roadway over a twenty-four hour period. The standard most often used to evaluate the operating conditions of the transportation system is called level of service (LOS). LOS is a qualitative assessment of the quantitative effect of factors such as: speed and travel time, traffic volume, geometric features, traffic interruptions, delays, and freedom to maneuver, driver comfort and convenience, and vehicle operating costs. LOS allows operating conditions to be categorized as LOS “A” through LOS “F”, where LOS “A” represents the most favorable free flow condition and LOS “F” the least favorable forced flow driving condition. The LOS categories are based on relative levels of driver Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
acceptability of various delays. A given lane or roadway may provide a wide range of service levels, depending upon traffic volumes and speeds.

Roadway capacity has been defined as the maximum number of vehicles that can pass over a given roadway during a given time period under prevailing roadway and traffic conditions. The capacity of a roadway used for design purposes (generally defined as LOS D) is the level at which the facility is handling the maximum traffic volume that it can accommodate while maintaining an acceptable level of driver satisfaction. The City of Desert Hot Springs has defined Level of Service "D" as the minimum adequate intersection service level during peak hours for planning and design purposes.

The Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Ordinance became effective July 1, 1989. The TUMF program is a component of the twenty year Measure Α, sales tax program managed by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and approved by voters in November, 1988. In 2002, a thirty year extension was approved by Riverside County voters and resulted in an expiration date of 2039.

Under the TUMF, developers of residential, industrial and commercial property pay a development fee to fund transportation Projects that will be required as a result of the growth the Projects create. TUMF will be required as a Condition of Approval.

A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) was prepared for the Indian Canyon Drive / I-10 Retail and Cultivation Site by Urban Crossroads, July 25, 2017. The proposed project is not expected to conflict with local plans pertaining to traffic and circulation following the implementation of recommendations found in the TIA.

According to the TIA, 20
th Avenue, a generally east/west roadway, is designated as a Major Arterial with an ultimate right of way of 110 feet. This road forms the southern boundary of the Project. Calle De Los Romos, a proposed north/south roadway, is designated as an Industrial Collector with an ultimate right of way of 78 feet. This road forms the eastern boundary of the Project.

According to the TIA, the Project is expected to contribute 4601 daily trip-ends to the area with 448 vehicles per hour (VPH) during the AM peak hour, and 413 VPH during the PM peak hour.

Fourteen study area intersections were selected for the TIA based on consultation with City of Desert Hot Springs staff.

1. Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue

2. Indian Canyon Drive/Commercial Plaza Access

3. Indian Canyon Drive/20
th Avenue

4. Indian Canyon Drive/I-10 Westbound On-Ramps

5. Indian Canyon Drive/I-10 Eastbound On-Ramp

6. Indian Canyon Drive/Garnet Avenue

7. I-10 Eastbound Ramps/Garnet Avenue

8. I-10 Westbound Ramps/20th Avenue
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact

9. Commercial Plaza Access/20th Avenue

10. PA 1 Driveway/20th Avenue

11. Main Driveway/20th Avenue

12. Calle De Los Romos/20th Avenue

13. Calle De Los Romos/PA 2 Driveway

14. Calle De Los Romos/PA 3 Driveway
The TIA states that, in accordance with the Riverside County traffic study guidelines and discussions with City of Desert Hot Springs staff, the following scenarios were analyzed:
• Existing (2017) Conditions
• Existing plus Project (E+P) Conditions
• Existing plus Ambient plus Project (EAP 2019) Conditions o Existing 2017 counts
o Ambient growth traffic (4.04%)
o Project traffic
• Existing plus Ambient plus Project plus Cumulative (EAPC 2019) Conditions o Existing 2017 counts
o Ambient growth traffic (7.102%)
o Cumulative Development Project traffic
o Project traffic
For the purposes of the TIA discussion, a significant impact would occur (a) if the proposed Project caused the level of service to degrade to below LOS D, or (b) if the proposed Project caused the level of service to change from LOS E to LOS F. Additionally, significant impact would occur at the intersection level if the proposed Project caused an increase in delay of 2 seconds or more to an intersection already operating at LOS E; or 1 second or more to an intersection operating at LOS F.

The following is a summary of the TIA analysis results:

Existing Intersection Conditions
All the existing (2017) study area intersections operated at an acceptable LOS (i.e., LOS D or better) during the peak hours.

Existing Plus Project (E+P) Conditions
The intersection analysis results indicate that the addition of Project traffic is not anticipated to result in LOS deficiency. For E+P conditions, the study area intersections are projected to continue to operate at an acceptable LOS (i.e., LOS D or better) during the peak hours.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Existing Plus Ambient Plus Project (EAP 2019) Conditions Based on a comparison of the Existing and EAP (2019) traffic conditions, the addition of 4.04% total ambient growth along with the addition of Project traffic is not anticipated to result in LOS deficiency.

Existing Plus Ambient Plus Project Plus Cumulative (EAPC 2019) Conditions Based on a comparison of Existing and EAPC (2019) traffic conditions, the addition of 7.102% total ambient growth, cumulative traffic, and addition of Project traffic is anticipated to result in the following LOS deficiencies during the peak hours:
• Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue (#1) – LOS F AM & PM peak hours • Indian Canyon Drive/20th Avenue (#2) – LOS F AM & PM peak hours The following table summarizes the results of the TIA. The data represents the LOS at the study intersections for the buildout year 2019 EAPC conditions. The table compares two scenarios of conditions per intersection at buildout. The first is the LOS without the project’s improvements, and the second is LOS with the proposed improvements and recommendations within the TIA.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
As indicated in the previous table, all intersections will operate at LOS D or better following implementation of project improvements and additional recommendations within the TIA. Improvement strategies have been recommended as follows to address potential impacts. Construction of on-site and site adjacent intersections shall occur in conjunction with adjacent Project development activity or as needed for Project Access purposes.

Roadway and Site Access Improvements:

Project access to North Indian Canyon Drive will be provided via 20 th Avenue and future Calle De Los
Romos. Two full access driveways are proposed along 20
th Avenue (PA 1 Driveway and Main
Driveway.) Two full access driveways are also proposed along the future Calle De Los Romos (PA 2 Driveway and PA 3 Driveway.) Roadway improvements are expected to occur in conjunction with site development and should be in place prior to occupancy. Improvements are described below.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
Recommended Improvements considered Standard Conditions (On-site and Site Adjacent) 20th Avenue - This roadway is an east-west oriented street located adjacent to the Project’s southern boundary. 20th Avenue shall be constructed from the Project’s western boundary to the eastern boundary at its ultimate half section width as a Major Arterial (110-foot right-of-way) in compliance with the applicable City of Desert Hot Springs standards.

PA 1 Driveway/20th Avenue (#10)- Install a stop control on the southbound approach and construct the intersection to provide the following geometrics:
• Northbound Approach: Not Applicable (N/A)
• Southbound Approach: One shared left/right turn lane. • Eastbound Approach: One left turn lane with a minimum of 150 feet of storage and one through lane.
• Westbound Approach: Two through lanes and one right turn lane.

Main Driveway/20
th Avenue (#11)- Install a stop control on the southbound approach and construct the intersection to provide the following geometrics:
• Northbound Approach: Not Applicable (N/A)
• Southbound Approach: One left turn lane and one right turn lane. • Eastbound Approach: One left turn lane with a minimum of 150 feet of storage and one through lane.
• Westbound Approach: One through lane and one shared through/right turn lane.

Commercial Plaza/20
th Avenue (#9) – in conjunction with the construction of 20th Avenue, modify striping on the westbound approach to provide a 2
nd
through lane which will also serve as a 2
nd
westbound receiving lane at the PA1 Driveway/20th Avenue (#10) intersection.

Calle De Los Romos – this roadway is a north-south oriented street located adjacent to the Project’s eastern boundary. Calle De Los Romos shall be constructed from the Project’s northern boundary to 20th Avenue at its ultimate half section width as an Industrial Collector (78-foot right-of-way) in compliance with the applicable City of Desert Hot Springs standards and provide one lane in each direction of travel.

Calle De Los Romos/20
th Avenue (#12)- Install a stop control on the southbound approach and construct the intersection to provide the following geometrics:
• Northbound Approach: Not Applicable (N/A)
• Southbound Approach: One right turn lane.
• Eastbound Approach: One left turn lane with a minimum of 150 feet of storage. • Westbound Approach: Not Applicable (N/A)
Calle De Los Romos/PA 2 Driveway (#13)- Install a stop control on the eastbound approach and construct the intersection to provide the following geometrics:
• Northbound Approach: One shared left/through lane.
• Southbound Approach: One shared through/right turn lane.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact
• Eastbound Approach: One shared left/right turn lane.
• Westbound Approach: Not applicable (N/A.)
Calle De Los Romos/PA 3 Driveway (#14)- Install a stop control on the eastbound approach and construct the intersection to provide the following geometrics:
• Northbound Approach: One shared left/through lane.
• Southbound Approach: One shared through/right turn lane. • Eastbound Approach: One shared left/right turn lane.
• Westbound Approach: Not applicable (N/A.)
Recommended Improvements considered Mitigation
Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue (#1) – Install a traffic signal, construct a southbound left turn lane and construct a westbound shared left/through right lane. These improvements are not currently included in the City’s Development Impact Fees. (e.g., Project fair share is 9%.) Indian Canyon Drive/Commercial Plaza (#2) – Modify striping on Indian Canyon Drive to provide a two-way left turn lane (TWLTL) median and serve as a refuge area for the westbound left vehicles.

This improvement is not currently included in the City’s DIF. As such the Project would be subject to a fair share contribution towards the recommended median striping improvements (e.g., Project fair share is 10%.)
Fair Share Contribution
The Project’s fair share contribution at an off-site study area intersection was determined based on the following equation, which is the ratio of Project traffic to new traffic, and new traffic total is derived when the existing baseline traffic is subtracted from future traffic.

Project Fair Share % = Project Traffic / (2019 With Project Total Traffic – Existing 2017 Traffic) Item Number: 2.

Intersection E+P EAP (2019) EAPC(2019)
Improvements in
CVAG
2 TUMF/OFI ?
Fair
Share%'

CUMULATIVE FUTURE OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS
1 IndianCyn.Dr./19thAv. -None -None
- Contribute to the future Installation
of a traffic signal em a fair sharebasis
No 9%
Cumulative Oevlopment Access Improvements:
- Provide a Southbound (SB) left turnlane
•Provide a WB shared left/through/right turn lane
No
2 Indian Cyn.Or./CommercialPlaza
Access
-None -None
• Modify median striping on IndianCanyon Drive to provide a two-way left turnlane (TWLTL) median and serve as a refuge area for westbound left turn vehicles.

No 10%
9 CommercialPlaza Access I
20th Av
1 • Modify striping to provide a 2nd
Westbound (WB) throughlane
- Same - Same No 100%

PROJECT ACCESSIMPROVEMENTS
10 PA 1Dwy./20thAv. - Install stop controlon the SB approach • Widening of 20th Avenue to its
ultimatehalf-section for additionallanes
(See Exhibits 1-3 and 14· )
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
100%
100%
11 Main Dwy./ 20th Av. - Install stop controlon the SB approach • Wideningof 20th Avenue to its
ultimatehalf-section for additionallanes
(See Exhibits 1-3 and 14· )
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
100%
100%
12 Calle De Los Romos I
20th Av.
·Install stop controlon the SB approach
• Widening of 20th Avenue toits
ultimatehalf-section for additional lanes
(See Exhibits 1-3 and 14· )
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
-Same
- Same
100%
100%
13 Calle De Los Romos IPA 2 Owy.
- Install stop controlon the EB approach
(See Exhibit1-3)
-Same -Same -Same 100%
14 Calle De Los Romos IPA 3 Owy.
- Install stop controlon the EBapproach
(See Exhibitl-3)
-Same -Same -Same 100%
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Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code Standard Conditions of Approval The following items a reflect Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code or City of Desert Hot Springs policy requirements that apply to all developments as Conditions of Approval.

1. 20
th Avenue and Calle De Los Romos shall be improved on and adjacent to the site per the design standards specified by the City of Desert Hot Springs

2. Clear unobstructed sight distances shall be provided at the site access points and at all internal intersections. Sight distance should be reviewed at the project access points with respect to City of Desert Hot Springs sight distance standards at the time of preparation of final grading, landscape and street improvement plans.

3. The site access design shall accommodate the largest vehicles expected to negotiate the access and internal circulation system. Landscaping, monuments, and other objects shall be avoided in the off-tracking area at the site access connections.

4. The project proponent shall provide accessible routes of travel (including compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, and other improvements) along all public streets and within all public spaces and common areas, in accordance with current ADA guidelines and standards.

5. To ensure compliance with City of Desert Hot Springs roadway and access design standards, the final layout and site access design shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Traffic Engineer during the development review process. Entry drives, the internal circulation design, and other features may require additional street widths, as determined by the City Traffic Engineer.

6. A traffic signing and striping plan shall be developed in conjunction with detailed construction plans for the project site and submitted to the City of Desert Hot Springs for review and approval.

7. The project proponent shall contribute various development fees, as required by the City of Desert Hot Springs.

8. The project proponent shall contribute traffic impact mitigation fees, by participating in the Traffic Uniform ion Fee (TUMF) program (see additional discussion in the following section b).)
The interim facility shall be conditioned to comply with the applicable recommendations contained within the TIA and the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code. Circulation Design for the interim facility will require City review and approval.

Therefore the implementation of the recommendations within the TIA and the project’s conditions of approval during design, approval and construction will ensure that the Project results in less than Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
significant impacts relative to the applicable plan, ordinance or Policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system.

Mitigation Measures:

TRA-1: The project applicant shall participate on a fair share basis in the construction of the currently warranted traffic signal and the median striping improvements identified in the TIA prior to the year 2019.
b) Conflict with an applicable congestion
Management Program, including, but
but not limited to level of service standards
and travel demand measures, or other
standards established by the county
congestion management agency for
designated roads or highways?
Discussion:

The Congestion Management Program (CMP,) prepared by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC,) is intended to link land use, transportation and air quality with reasonable growth management methods, strategies and programs that effectively utilize new transportation funds to alleviate traffic congestion and related impacts. As the designated Congestion Management Agency (CMA), the RCTC prepares the CMP that designates a system of highways and roadways to include all State Highway facilities within Riverside County and a system of “principal arterials” to be included as the Congestion Management System (CMS.) Program updates include consultation with local agencies, the County of Riverside, transit agencies and sub-regional agencies like the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG).

It is the responsibility of local agencies, when reviewing and approving development proposals to consider the traffic impacts to the CMS. All development proposals and circulation Projects to be included within the City of Desert Hot Springs are required to comply with the current policies and procedures set forth by the RCTC’s CMP. The CMA provides a uniform database of traffic impacts for use in a countywide transportation computer model. The RCTC has recognized use of the Coachella Valley Area Transportation System (CVATS) sub-regional transportation model and the Riverside Transportation Analysis Model (RIVTAM) to analyze traffic impacts associated with development proposals or land use plans. The methodology for measuring LOS must be that contained in the most recent version of the Highway Capacity Manual. Traffic standards must be set no lower than LOS E for any segment or intersection on the CMP system unless the current LOS is lower (i.e., LOS F).

Interstate 10 is identified as a CMP corridor however the TIA identifies no CMP intersections in the area. Traffic resulting from the Project, in compliance with the General Plan, is not anticipated to individually or cumulatively contribute to an exceedance of a level of service standard established in the CMP.

Under the TUMF, developers of residential, industrial and commercial property pay a development fee to fund transportation projects that will be required as a result of the growth the projects create. TUMF Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
will be required as a Condition of Approval for any future development project.

The project is required to implement the payment of TUMF fees and established LOS requirements. Project implementation is not anticipated to conflict with the regional congestion management program if the project description combined with standard conditions described in this discussion, including the payment of TUMF fees, are implemented prior to project construction. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns,
including either an increase in traffic levels
or a change in location that results in
substantial safety risks?
Discussion:

The proposed project is not of such a size or nature to cause noticeable changes in air traffic levels, patterns or a change in traffic location. The project is not located near any airport facility or within an airport influence area. No impact is anticipated.

Mitigation Measures: None
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a
design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
dangerous intersections) or incompatible
uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
Discussion:

In its current condition, the undeveloped Project property is bordered by the partially improved alignment of 20th Avenue to the south and the future Calle De Los Romos to the east.

To provide proper access to the facility, off-site design and the proposed off-site improvements include street paving on portions of 20th Avenue and Calle De Los Romos along the Project’s frontage.

Circulation design will undergo City and Fire Department review before approval to ensure that the local development standards for roadways, in interior and exterior circulation designs, are met without resulting in traffic safety impacts including hazardous design features. The Project and the interim facility will not include sharp curves or dangerous intersections. No incompatible uses will result from the proposed or interim Project.

Driveways shall incorporate proper stacking, sight distance and intersection control (e.g. left turn pockets) features. Consequently, the project design will not substantially increase vehicular hazards.

A traffic control plan will be prepared prior to construction to reduce the potential for temporary hazards associated with construction activities. This requirement will work to coordinate traffic associated with the interim facility staff, construction traffic and existing users along 20 th Avenue. All project plans shall
be reviewed and approved by the City Engineering Department. Impacts are expected to be less than significant.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Mitigation Measures: None
e) Result in inadequate emergency access?
Discussion:

The proposed Project will provide adequate access to emergency response vehicles, as required by the City of Desert Hot Springs and in accordance with the Fire Department review and requirements. Site plan review would include in-depth analysis of emergency access to the site to ensure proper access to facilities. As mentioned previously, the proposed site plan provides vehicular access points, both on 20th Avenue and Calle De Los Romos. The design details of the vehicular driveways will be reviewed and approved by the Fire Department and the City.

The Project is anticipated to provide proper premises identification with legible site name, address numbers, and clear signage indicating the site access points. Security gates, controlled access key boxes, operational fire hydrants and extinguishers are also required in accordance with Chapter 15.24 of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code.

Emergency access for the interim facility will also be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer and RCFD for confirmation of proper features/design.

The interim facility will temporarily allow up to approximately 26,880 square feet of cultivation space inside refurbished shipping containers referred to as Ecopods. These would be fully secured within temporary screened eight (8) foot chain link fences to obscure views from outside the structures.

Interim cultivation will comply with City standards, conditions, and ordinances.

Following implementation of standard conditions, the Project is anticipated to result in less than significant impact related to emergency access.

Mitigation Measures: None
f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or
programs regarding public transit, bicycle,
or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise
decrease the performance or safety of such
facilities?
Discussion:

SunLine Transit Agency provides bus services to the City of Desert Hot Springs through Lines 14, 15 and 20 (line 20 is available on weekdays only.) The TIA states that these line run on Palm Drive to the East. There are currently no transit routes that serve roadways in the immediate vicinity of the Project.

SunLine Transit Agency buses are wheelchair accessible and include bicycle racks accommodating two or three bicycles. The potential use of local bus services by future Project employees is not expected to conflict with or substantially increase the demand for this transit service. Project implementation is not anticipated to interfere with the existing service or performance at bus stop facilities. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
If future demand warrants, expansion of available services may be appropriate. Transit services are monitored by both the City and SunLine. Additional services are periodically considered in response to anticipated increase in use.

The proposed Project would improve pedestrian mobility by incorporating pedestrian sidewalks along the frontage of the proposed adjacent streets (outside of the proposed property fencing), where currently none exist. The widening and improvements of the roadways do not include bicycle lanes however improvements resulting from the Project are expected to enhance, rather than obstruct or conflict with, the City’s established goals on bicycle transportation or with any existing facilities. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
XVII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the Project:
a) Would the project cause a substantial
Adverse change in the significance of a
Tribal cultural resource, defined in Public
Resource Code Section 21074 as either
a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is
geographically defined in terms of the size
scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object
with cultural value to a California Native
American tribe, and that is:
i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California
Register of Historical Resources, or in a local
Register of historical resources as defined
in Public Resource Code Section 5020.1(k), or:

Discussion:

As previously discussed in the Cultural discussion of this document, CRM Tech conducted a project and site specific study on historical and archaeological resources. The assessment included records searches, Native American scoping, historical background research, and field survey. The field survey results were negative for cultural resources. The entire project area was closely inspected for any evidence of human activities dating to the prehistoric or historic period, but none was found. No buildings, structures, objects, sites, features, or artifacts more than 50 years of age were encountered.

The 2008 survey previously prepared noted the presence of two small, rectangular-shaped concrete pads that appeared to be of modern origin, but their location is no longer a part of the project area for this study. No other sites, buildings, structures, objects, features, or artifacts of prehistoric or historical origin were encountered during the survey. Furthermore, the NAHC reported that the sacred land research yielded negative results for Native American Cultural Resources within the Project area.

Therefore, less than significant impacts are expected. However, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, has identified the project location to be a part of their Tribes Traditional Use Area (TUA) and requested Native American Cultural Resources monitors from their respective Tribes are present during all ground disturbing activities in the project area. Therefore, less than significant impacts are expected following the recommended mitigation measure CR-2 if this implemented.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Mitigation Measures: CR-2
ii) A resource determined by the lead agency,
in its discretion and supported by substantial
evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria
set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources
Code Section 5024.1. In applying the criteria
set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources
Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall
consider the significance of the resource to a
California Native American Tribe.

Discussion:

Public Resource Code 21074 identifies “Tribal Cultural Resources” as “sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American Tribe” and that are either included or determined to be eligible for inclusion on the national, state, or local register of historic resources, or that are determined by the lead agency, in its discretion, to be significant when taking into consideration the significance of the resource to a California Native American Tribe. To ensure that all significant Tribal Resources are identified and fully considered, the City of Desert Hot Springs initiated a 30-day government to government Tribal consultation period with local tribes on August 1, 2017 to conclude on August 31, 2017. Any Tribal Cultural Resources identified during this consultation period will be made part of the public record and disclosed to the decision making bodies along with their significance to the relevant Tribe.

As previously discussed, the NAHC was contacted by CRM TECH as part of their research for the Project and site specific historical and archaeological study. The Native American sacred land research did not indicate the presence of Native American resources with a half-mile radius of the Project site.

However, it was recommended that other local Native American groups be contacted for further information. CRM Tech contacted 18 local Native American representatives and Six (6) Tribal representatives contacted have responded in writing, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, have identified the project location to be a part of their Tribes Traditional Use Area (TUA).

The Cabazon and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians did not identify any specific cultural resources and deferred to Tribes in closer proximity. The Agua Caliente Tribal Historic Preservation Office and the Morongo and Soboba Band of Mission have requested Native American Cultural Resources monitors from their respective Tribes be present during all ground disturbing activities in the project area. Therefore, less than significant impacts are expected following the recommended mitigation measures CR-1 and CR-2 of this Initial Study are implemented. Should any new mitigation measures be necessary beyond CR-1 and CR-2 already listed, they will be incorporated into the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the project prior to final approvals by the City.

Mitigation Measures: CR-1 and CR-2
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
XVIII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS -- Would the Project:
a) Exceed wastewater treatment
requirements of the applicable Regional
Water Quality Control Board?
Discussion:

The Project falls under the Mission Springs Water District’s (MSWD) sewer service area. Public sewer and water is provided to the Project area by the Mission Springs Water District. MSWD does not currently have infrastructure in place for sewer services. MSWD operates two wastewater treatment plants serving 7,300 parcels and a population of approximately 20,400. The Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant (Horton WWTP), located on Verbena Drive about a half mile south of Two Bunch Palms Trail, has a capacity of 2.3 million gallons per day (mgd) (2,800 AFY). The Project proposes a mixed-use development containing retail commercial, vertical harvest commercial, and a marijuana cultivation campus developed in four Phases and three Planning Areas on 64.91. A sewer package plant will be installed at the Project entry to the east of the Project area to serve the initial Phase of the development. As additional Phases are ready to construct the package plant can be expanded to accommodate the additional wastewater flows. The Project is not expected to exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board (SRWQCB) (Colorado River Basin). In addition, City and other local and governmental agency review will ensure compliance with all current and applicable wastewater treatment requirements. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
b) Require or result in the construction of
new water or wastewater treatment
facilities or expansion of existing facilities,
the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects?
Discussion:

MSWD provides domestic water and wastewater service in the Project vicinity. The site is currently vacant and undeveloped land and currently not served by existing utilities. The Project proposes to connect to the existing 12” and 26” inch water mains in 20 th Avenue. The Project site does not have
access to wastewater service at this time. MSWD operates two wastewater treatment plants serving 7,300 parcels and a population of approximately 20,400. The Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant (Horton WWTP), located on Verbena Drive about a half mile south of Two Bunch Palms Trail, has a capacity of 2.3 million gallons per day (mgd) (2,800 AFY).

As part of the overall sewer improvements, MSWD has installed approximately 65,700 linear feet of sewer since 2010 and has abated approximately 1,275 septic tanks. The District is continuing to make additional sewer improvements and when complete will result in 31,300 linear feet of new sewer and service to 695 parcels and approximately 518 additional active septic tanks will be abated.

The 2007 MSWD Sewer Master Plan identifies the need for a Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant (RWWTP) which is proposed at the northeast intersection of I-10 and Indian Ave. At this location, a majority of the MSWD service area can be served and wastewater collected and conveyed to the Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
proposed RWWTP via a gravity system. The Sewer Master Plan states that this RWWTP should have been planned, designed and constructed and operational by 2012. However, the District is still awaiting further study and adequate funding sources. Per the 2015 MSWD Urban Water Management Plan, the RWWTP is expected to be in operation by 2018.

The Proposed project is designed to connect into sewer infrastructure contingent upon on the MSWD proposed RWWTP and a 21’” sewer line proposed on Little Morongo Road as outlined in the 2007 MSWD Sewer Master Plan. However, the development of the proposed project is not reliant on the installation of sewer and as an alternative is designed with a private sewer package plan with the ability to initially process up to 10,000 gallons of waste water per day on site, the package plant would be located just east of the Projects entrance. This plant will be designed to expand as the project proceeds into its other phases, with the intent of ultimately moving it to the MSWD proposed RWWTP property once this site is up and running and they are ready to accept it. The discharge from this package plant will be used for subsurface irrigation of the landscaping around the entrance to our project.

This facility will connect to the sewer drain pipes being constructed in their final locations, expanding to accommodate further phases if necessary. This will occur either in its existing location the Projects entrance or as agreed upon with MSWD. Once the new Treatment Plant is brought on-line, these plants can then be transferred to MSWD and used for overflow or backup facilities as they build and operate their RWTTP plant.

The wastewater from the proposed project is expected to be accommodated with the proposed package plan and the RWWTP once it is constructed. The operation and construction of the package plant will comply with the requirements of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board and Riverside County Health Department along with MSWD and the City. The sewer master planned facilities will comply with CEQA protocols prior to construction, to include environmental analysis.

Connections into sewer infrastructure once installed will undergo review by MSWD and City Staff to ensure wastewater capacity and compliance. Additionally, sewer installation and connection fees in place at the time of development or connection would be collected by MSWD. The Therefore, less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Require or result in the construction of
new storm water drainage facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the
construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects?
Discussion:

The flood plain in the Project vicinity has a FEMA Zone X (Shaded) designation, which applies to areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood. Project implementation would involve permanent site improvements introducing impervious surfaces in the form of buildings, paving, and hardscape to the previously undeveloped (pervious) land.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
The light industrial nature of the Project requires ample utilization of the entire property to accommodate the proposed facilities and operations (buildings, parking lot, drive aisles, etc.). As a result, opportunities to minimize imperviousness through the use of landscaping, natural areas or other pervious surfaces are restricted throughout the Project site plan. To prevent changes to local drainage conditions (patterns, quantities, or velocities) and adverse erosion and sedimentation impacts, the Project will implement a storm drain design with flood control facilities sized to handle the Projectspecific conditions.

The Preliminary Hydrology Report prepared for this Project indicates that runoff from each on-site drainage area will be conveyed via surface flows to a designated surface retention basin or an underground retention structure sized to retain and infiltrate the largest increase in runoff volume between the pre- and post-construction condition caused by the controlling storm event. The drainage management areas cover the entire proposed development. Only runoff in excess of the storm drain system capacity would be conveyed off-site in a pattern that does not cause erosion or siltation conditions. The Project’s northern and western boundaries will be improved with earthen slopes no steeper than 3:1 from the adjoining land to the curbs and paved surfaces. These slopes will be planted with native and/or drought-tolerant vegetation to increase stability and minimize erosion. The proposed development also includes street frontage improvements with proposed curb-and-gutter facilities, which will help address the existing unimproved condition.

The Project will be required to comply with all construction requirements and best management practices through the life of the Project. Standard engineering procedures currently in place require that all final grading and hydrology plans be submitted to the City of Desert Hot Springs for review and approval prior to the issuance of a grading permit. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
d) Have sufficient water supplies available
to serve the Project from existing
entitlements and resources, or are new
or expanded entitlements needed?
Discussion:

Groundwater is the primary source of domestic water supply in the Coachella Valley; the Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) provides potable water to the City by extracting groundwater from the Mission Creek subbasin. The existing MSWD distribution system consist of three independent water distribution systems: 1) Desert Hot Springs and surrounding area system – encompasses the City of DHS, a portion of the City of Palm Springs and surrounding unincorporated area of Riverside County, 2) Palm Springs Crest System, and 3) West Palm Springs Village System.

Per the MSWD 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, the MSWD system, inclusive of all three distribution systems, has approximately 1.26 million linear feet of pipeline. The District’s service area currently includes 9 active wells that supply the Desert Hot Springs System and two wells each for the Palm Springs Crest System and West Palm Springs Village System. The MSWD 2015 UWMP states the Mission Springs subbasin is currently in overdraft condition. MSWD, DWA, and CVWD now jointly manage the Mission Creek Subbasin under the terms of the Mission Creek Settlement Agreement (December, 2004). This agreement and the 2003 Mission Creek Groundwater Replenishment Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
Agreement between CVWD and DWA specify that the available SWP water will be allocated between the Mission Creek and Whitewater River Subbasins in proportion to the amount of water produced or diverted from each Subbasin during the preceding year. In 2014, production from the Mission Creek Subbasin was about 7.4 percent of the combined production from these two Subbasins.

As required by the policies of the General Plan, the City will continue to cooperate with MSWD and other agencies/jurisdictions in implementing a groundwater replenishment program capable of ensuring the viability of the Mission Creek subbasin.

The proposed development will be expected to follow water conservation guidelines to mitigate impacts to public water supplies. Examples of these water conservation methods include water conserving plumbing fixtures, drought tolerant landscaping, and drip irrigation systems. The Project proposes to connect to the existing 12” and 26” inch water mains in 20 th Avenue. Additional domestic water
improvements necessary to serve this development will be identified by MSWD and included as conditions of approval by the City of Desert Hot Springs during the City’s standard review process. Less than significant impacts to water supply are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
e) Result in a determination by the
wastewater treatment provider which
serves or may serve the Project that it
has adequate capacity to serve the
Project’s projected demand in addition
to the provider’s existing commitments?
Discussion:

MSWD operates two wastewater treatment plants serving 7,300 parcels and a population of approximately 20,400. The Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant (Horton WWTP), located on Verbena Drive about a half mile south of Two Bunch Palms Trail, has a capacity of 2.3 million gallons per day (mgd) (2,800 AFY). As part of the overall sewer improvements, MSWD has installed approximately 65,700 linear feet of sewer since 2010 and has abated approximately 1,275 septic tanks. The District is continuing to make additional sewer improvements and when complete will result in 31,300 linear feet of new sewer and service to 695 parcels and approximately 518 additional active septic tanks will be abated.

The Proposed project is designed to connect into sewer infrastructure contingent upon on the MSWD proposed RWWTP and a 21’” sewer line proposed on Little Morongo Road as outlined in the 2007 MSWD Sewer Master Plan. However, the development of the proposed project is not reliant on the installation of sewer and as an alternative is designed with a private package plant with the ability to initially process up to 10,000 gallons of waste water per day on site, the package plant would be located just east of the Projects entrance. This plant will be designed to expand as the project proceeds into its other phases, with the intent of ultimately moving it to the MSWD proposed RWWTP property once this site is up and running and they are ready to accept it. The discharge from this package plant will be used for subsurface irrigation of the landscaping around the entrance to our project.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
This facility will connect to the sewer drain pipes being constructed in their final locations, expanding to accommodate further phases if necessary. This will occur either in its existing location the Projects entrance or as agreed upon with MSWD. Once the new Treatment Plant is brought on-line, these plants can then be transferred to MSWD and used for overflow or backup facilities as they build and operate their RWTTP plant.

The operation and construction of the package plant will comply with the requirements of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board and Riverside County Health Department along with MSWD and the City. The sewer master planned facilities will comply with CEQA protocols prior to construction, to include environmental analysis. The project’s connections into sewer infrastructure once installed will undergo review by MSWD and City Staff to ensure wastewater capacity and compliance. Additionally, sewer installation and connection fees in place at the time of development or connection would be collected by MSWD. Less than significant impacts to wastewater treatment are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient
permitted capacity to accommodate the
Project’s solid waste disposal needs?
Discussion:

Solid waste disposal and recycling services for the City of Desert Hot Springs are provided by Desert Valley Disposal (DVD). Solid waste generated by the project would consist of standard household/office waste. Unused plant material derived from the cultivation campus will be composted and reintroduced into soil composite. Commercial waste and recycling collected from the proposed Project will be hauled to the Edom Hill Transfer Station. Waste from this transfer station is then sent to a permitted landfill or recycling facility outside of the Coachella Valley. These include Badlands Disposal Site, El Sobrante Sanitary Landfill and Lamb Canyon Disposal Site. CalRecycle data indicates that these landfills have 40-50% of their remaining estimated capacity. Less than significant impacts to solid waste are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
g) Comply with federal, state, and local
statutes and regulations related to
solid waste?
Discussion:

The City of Desert Hot Springs contracts with Desert Valley Disposal to serve the solid waste disposal needs of the city, including the Project. The Project will comply with all applicable solid waste statutes and guidelines. No impacts are expected relative to solid waste statues and regulations.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
XIX. MANDATORY FINDINGS

OF SIGNIFICANCE --
a) Does the Project have the potential
to degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a
fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or
wildlife population to drop below
self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate
a plant or animal community, reduce the
number or restrict the range of a rare or
endangered plant or animal or eliminate
important examples of the major periods
of California history or prehistory?
Discussion:

As concluded in the Biological, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources sections of this Initial Study, the proposed Project would result in no impacts or less than significant impacts to these resources. The project is compatible with the City of Desert Hot Springs Zoning and its surroundings. The project will not significantly degrade the overall quality of the regions environment, or substantially reduce the habitat if a wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California History or pre-history. Based upon the information and mitigation measures provided within this Initial Study and independent studies prepared for Biological and Cultural Resources, approval and implementation of the Project is not expected to substantially alter or degrade the quality of the environment, including biological, cultural or historical resources. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
b) Does the Project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable"
means that the incremental effects of a
Project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past Projects,
the effects of other current Projects, and
the effects of probable future Projects)?
Discussion:

The Project is located in a partially developed setting designated for light industrial uses. The project is proposing a General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone from Light Industrial to a combination of General Commercial/Specific Plan (C-G/SP) and Light Industrial/Specific Plan (I-L/SP). A Specific Plan is being prepared to provide a comprehensive development plan, allowable uses, and development standards for the property.

Cultivation is a conditionally permitted use with the City’s Light Industrial zone with a Conditional Use Permit and Regulatory Permit. The facility would be compatible with the existing and future land uses Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17

August, 2017
within the Light Industrial and General Commercial zone. Based upon the information and mitigation measures provided within this Initial Study, approval and implementation of the proposed Project is not expected to result in impacts that, when considered in relation to other past, current or probable future Projects, would be cumulatively considerable. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
c) Does the Project have environmental
effects which will cause substantial
adverse effects on human beings,
either directly or indirectly?
Discussion:

The proposed Project would not result in substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. As discussed throughout this document, all impacts can be mitigated to a level of less than significant, with the implementation of standard conditions and mitigation measures outlined in Table

2.1. Less than significant impacts are expected.

Mitigation Measures: None
Item Number: 2.

Sources
City of Desert Hot Springs Comprehensive General Plan, adopted September 5, 2000 City of Desert Hot Springs Comprehensive General Plan Draft EIR, June 2001 City of Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code
Riverside County General Plan (RCIP), adopted October 7, 2003 Mission Springs Water District 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, June 2016 Mission Springs Water District Wastewater System Comprehensive Master Plan, April 2007 Special Studies
Biological Site Assessment, prepared by Dudek, July 2017 Phase 1 Archaeological Assessment, prepared by CRM Tech, June 2008 Phase 1 Archaeological Assessment Update, prepared by CRM Tech, July 2017 Geotechnical Analysis, prepared by Sladden Engineering, June 2017 Air Quality Report, prepared by Urban Crossroads, August 2017 Greenhouse Gas Analysis, prepared by Urban Crossroads, August 2017 Traffic Impact Analysis, prepared by Urban Crossroads, July 2017 Preliminary Hydrology Report, prepared by MSA Consulting, Inc., July 2017 City of Desert Hot Springs
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration Page 109 SP 02-17 / GPA 03-17 / ZMA 01-17 /CUP 28-17/ DA 18-17 August, 2017 Item Number: 2.

SAN GORGONIO CHAPTER

Regional Groups Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties: Los Serranos, Tahquitz, San Bernardino Mountains, Mojave, Moreno Valley, Big Bear November 21, 2022
Planning Commission
Community Development
City of Desert Hot Springs
11999 Palm Drive
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Re: Item 1 Amendment to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan Resolution of the Planning Commission Recommending That the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs, California, 1) Adopt the Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration; 2) Approve Desert Gateway Specific Plan Amendment No. SP 22-3, Amending the Desert Harvest Specific Plan in the City; 3) Approve Design Review No. 22-1; 4) Approve Tract Map No. 22-3 And; 5) Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.190” an Application to Amend the Desert Harvest Specific Plan and Develop a Logistics Center; IRI DHS Land, LLC
Dear Planning Commissioners:

The Sierra Club urges you to not adopt the Addendum to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan MND at this time. The Addendum is inadequate in that it fails to consider and adequately address energy, traffic, air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts, particularly on a cumulative basis.

The Desert Harvest Specific Plan, as approved in 2017, proposed a series of greenhouses on the bulk of the subject property, and a limited amount of commercial use. The project was proposed to consist of approximately 57 acres of cultivation, processing, and administration facilities, 59,000 square feet of Retail, and 9,000 square feet of Drive Through buildings.

The proposed revisions would replace the greenhouses with 53 acres of warehouse facilities and 11 acres of commercial use, including hotels1. Development of the revised project may occur as a single mixed-use project by a single developer or incrementally as multiple developers propose individual component projects. Phasing is allowed so long as each phase accommodates future phases with the orderly extension of circulation, parking, utilities, and infrastructure in accordance with the final conditions of approval for each project and the City’s Public Works Department. 1 Exhibit 1 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment
Item Number: 2.

The Addendum concludes that “Although the revised project will reduce the area allotted for commercial retail and increase the acreage of light industrial uses, compared to the previous project, the land uses proposed for the site would remain the same (commercial retail and light industrial).” (Addendum, Page 12) The fact that the uses are categorized in both the existing and proposed project as industrial and commercial is misleading, because the proposed uses are much more intense with regard to traffic, air quality and green house gases, primarily due to the increase in car and truck traffic associated with the proposed revised project. The approved project would have been expected to generate approximately 4,601 average daily trips (ADT) on a typical weekday. (Addendum, page 50) The revised project will introduce 2,580 more trips than the approved project. (Addendum, page 51.) That equates to over 7 thousand trips for the Indian Canyon area. The Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue intersection is currently operating at an unacceptable LOS during the PM peak hour. The Addendum concludes that the installation of offsite traffic signal at the Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue intersection would address operational deficiencies for opening year (2024) conditions.

However, the Addendum did not address the freeway interchanges. The project entails a large number of trucks exiting and entering I-10 at the Indian Canyon Drive interchange, which could have significant impacts. Similarly, trucks heading to or from the high desert would impact Highway 62. Consider that EIRs prepared for similar warehouse projects in the Inland Empire have assumed a high average truck trip length, since the typical purpose of these warehouse facilities is regional goods distribution and most facilities involve the receipt of goods from the Ports of Long Beach and Los 10 Angeles. A July 2017 UC Davis study found that for warehouse projects in the Inland Empire “most goods have an origin at the Ports of Long Beach and LA and the main destination of all goods is within the State of California, confirming what SCAG reports have shown.” (https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/NCST-Caltrans-JallerWarehouse-and- Distribution-Logistics-Sprawl-FINAL-July-19-2017.pdf) CEQA generally requires the evaluation of the “worst case” scenario to ensure that impacts are fully disclosed and appropriately mitigated. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are located approximately 120 miles from the project site. Accordingly, the assessment of GHG emissions, as well as air quality and transportation, must utilize realistic truck trip length assumptions that were not part of the Addendum. Otherwise, air quality, GHG emissions, and transportation impacts for the project are significantly understated and not mitigated. The City must take all steps to ensure that feasible mitigation is imposed, going beyond existing regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, the Addendum has failed to adequately analyze cumulative impacts. In order to address traffic into the future, the traffic study was done using an estimate of growth for the area:

Future year traffic forecasts have been based upon background (ambient) growth at 2% per year for 2024 traffic conditions. The total ambient growth is 4.04% for 2024 traffic conditions. The ambient growth factor is intended to approximate regional traffic growth. (Urban Crossroads Traffic Impact Analysis, page 30)
However, earlier this year, the 94 acre property directly adjacent to the subject site was approved for the Viento Logistics Center and was purchased by Amazon2. The Addendum makes no mention of this new facility3. The Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum fails to address the potentially 2 Exhibit 2 News Article regarding Amazon purchase. 3
Exhibit 3 Cumulative Project Map and Description showing nearby projects considered as part of the cumulative analysis for the Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum make no mention of the Viento Logistics Center.

Item Number: 2.

significant cumulative impacts of locating two warehouses directly adjacent to each other4 . In
fact, there does not appear to be any attempt to analyze the cumulative truck transport impacts, or even coordination of driveway access between the two developments5. The Addendum fails to address the potentially significant impacts of having two warehouse distribution centers within close proximity of each other6. These projects represent a significant concentration of warehouse industrial uses for the City, the magnitude of which has not been previously studied, and the cumulative air quality, energy use and green house gas impacts of these projects in close proximity to each other has not been addressed.

The CalEEMod model determined that the Desert Gateway project would consume approximately 8,648,881 kWh of electricity per year during operation. (Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum, page 25) Operation of the Viento Logistics Center would consume an estimated 8,799,625 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity on an annual basis. (Project Viento Addendum, Page 68).

According to the Desert Hot Springs General Plan (DHSGP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Desert Hot Springs will consume approximately 575,687,510 kWh of electricity annually at buildout (year 2040) (Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum, page 25) The energy consumption for the additional warehouse in the area was not available, but together, these 2 projects will consume almost 4% of the City’s total energy usage. Project Viento includes rooftop solar in order to offset its energy consumption. The Viento Logistics Center will house one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in California7. At a minimum, the Desert Harvest Amendment should require rooftop solar on all of its buildings.

Furthermore, the City does not appear to be consistent in its analysis and mitigation. Mitigation measures between the two projects do not seem to match up, even though they are similar uses on adjacent properties.

Conclusion:

The Planning Commission should not adopt the Addendum at this time, due to the potential significant impacts that have not been addressed.

Very truly yours,
Chair, Tahquitz Group of the Sierra Club
4 Exhibit 4 Aerial photo showing the two locations side by side, and additional proposed uses for the area. 5 Exhibit 5 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment and Project Viento. Note that both projects will use Calle Los Romos but the driveways do not appear to be coordinated along Calle Los Romos. 6 In fact, according to the cumulative list, there is another warehouse planned in close proximity to these two warehouses (see Exhibit 3).
7 Exhibit 6 News Article regarding Solar Array and Attachment 2, Viento Settlement Agreement Item Number: 2.

Attachment 1:

Exhibit 1 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment
Exhibit 2 News Article regarding Amazon purchase.

Exhibit 3 Cumulative Project Map and Description showing nearby projects considered as part of the cumulative analysis for the Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum make no mention of the Viento Logistics Center.

Exhibit 4 Aerial photo showing the two locations side by side, and additional proposed uses for the area.

Exhibit 5 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment and Project Viento.

Exhibit 6 News Article regarding Solar Array
Attachment 2: Settlement agreement, Viento project
Item Number: 2.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH
EXHIBIT 2

PROJECT SITE
0400
FT

DESERT GATEWAY
APN 666-370-019
Item Number: 2.

DESERT GATEWAY SITE PLAN

DESERT GATEWAY
EXHIBIT 
Item Number: 2.

Desert Gateway Air Quality Impact Analysis
14748-02 AQ Report
6 EXHIBIT 1-B: SITE PLAN
Item Number: 2.

Item Number: 2.

33 Item Number: 2.

Desert Gateway Traffic Analysis
14748-03 TA Report.docx
34 TABLE 4-2: CUMULATIVE DEVELOPMENT LAND USE SUMMARY
ID Project Name Land Use1 Quantity Units2
1 Angel View Salvage & Recycling Facility
Gen. Light Industrial 13.650 TSF
Factory Outlet Center 9.000 TSF
General Office 3.600 TSF
2 Cultivation Center Nursery (Wholesale) 38.00 AC
3 The Desert Commerce Center High-Cube Warehouse 2,952.000 TSF 4 Blackstar Industrial Properties Business Park 621.920 TSF 5 DHS Light Industrial w/
Cannabis Overlay
Marijuana Cultivation
and Processing Facility 116.00 TSF
6 Palm Springs Business Park Business Park 37.874 TSF
7 Skyborne Active Adult Community
at Stoneridge
Senior Adult Housing – Detached 1,141 DU
SFDR 801 DU
Clubhouse 5.000 TSF
8 Vista Rosa Residential (Phase 1) Senior Adult Housing – Detached 702 DU Passive Parks 21.78 AC
9 PM32692 SFDR 3 DU
10 Oxford Properties Cultivation Center Nursery (Wholesale) 70.26 AC 1 SFDR = Single Family Detached Residential
2 DU = Dwelling Unit; RM = Room; TSF = Thousand Square Feet; AC = Acre

34 Item Number: 2.

Item Number: 2.

41150035 • 02/2022 | 4_existing_zoning.mxd
Exhibit 4
Existing Zoning Designations
Source: ESRI Aerial Imagery. Riverside County, City of Desert Hot Springs.

SEEFRIED INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, INC.

PROJECT VIENTO

ADDENDUM
Indian Ave
19th Ave
Little Morongo Rd
20th Ave
Garnet Ave
10 1188tthhAAvvee 18th Ave
SP
I-L
I-L
R-RD
R-RD
OS-C
OS-C
I-L
R-RD
R-RD
R-RD
R-RD
R-RD
OS-C
I-L
SP
C-BP
C-H
C-H
I-L
1,000 500 0 1,000
Feet
Legend
Project Site
Off-site Roadway and Frontage Improvements
Zoning Designations
C-BP: Business Park
C-H: Highway Commercial
I-L: Light Industrial
OS-C: Open Space - Conservation
R-RD: Residential Rural Desert
SP: Specific Plan
Item Number: 2.

I
41150035 • 02/2022 | 5_site_plan.cdr
Exhibit 5
Site Plan
SEEFRIED INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, INC.

PROJECT VIENTO

ADDENDUM
Source: Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., 12/14/2021.

Item Number: 2.

By City News Service, Jesus Reyes
Published June 15, 2022 5:04 PM
Desert Hot Springs to house one of largest rooftop solar arrays in California Desert Hot Springs will soon be home to a warehouse with one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in California, officials announced today.

The Viento logistics center will be located by Interstate 10 near Little Morongo Road. A sortable multi-story e-commerce warehouse and distribution center for consumer products, it will encompass about 3.5 million square feet, taking up more than 94 acres, and stand approximately 105 feet high.

As we reported back in March, it's set to be one of the largest distribution centers in the U.S. The proposal was praised for its job growth potential, with more than 1,800 people expected to be employed when the warehouse is operational, according to the development permit request.

However, there were some who raised concerns about the warehouse's impact on the environment, traffic, and health.

Two environmental groups, Oswit Land Trust and the Tahquitz group of the Sierra Club, had filed an appeal against the project, asking the City Council to require a new initial study to determine if the project requires a mitigated negative declaration or an environmental impact report, but the two groups settled with the city recently. "If this project had been proposed on land that is zoned and designated for residential, open space, recreation, or was near or joining wildlife habitat or wildlife corridors, we would not have settled,'' Oswit Land Trust President Jane Garrison told City News Service.

Garrison said she thinks all industrial warehouses should have solar on rooftops.

According to the project's development permit request, it would be used primarily for the storage and consolidation of goods before they're distributed. It will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"We are pleased that the facility will be built in a sustainable way that is friendly to the environment and which will provide thousands of jobs to our residents and revenue to the city of Desert Hot Springs," Mayor Scott Matas said.

Construction on the Viento logistics center is planned to begin in June. If all things go according to plan, construction would be finished by Sept. 2023 and be operational in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Item Number: 2.

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Via Email
November 21, 2022
Richard Duffle, Chairman
James Nindel, Vice Chair
Chris Wagstaff, Commissioner
Requita Grant, Commissioner
Derward Cook, Commissioner
Planning Commission
City of Desert Hot Springs
11999 Palm Dr.

Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
[email protected]
Patricia Villagomez, Associate Planner
City of Desert Hot Springs
11999 Palm Dr.

Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
[email protected]
Re: Comment on Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum for the Desert Gateway Specific Plan Amendment Project (Specific Plan Amendment No. SP-22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3); November 21, 2022 Planning Commission Agenda Item 1
Dear Honorable Planning Commissioners and Ms. Villagomez:

I am writing on behalf of Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (“SAFER”) regarding the Desert Gateway Specific Plan (Specific Plan Amendment No. SP22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3), including all actions related or referring to the proposed Amendment to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan for the development of a mixed-use project uses that would include hospitality uses up to 150 hotel keys, commercial retail uses up to 42,000 square feet, and logistics/warehouse/distribution and light industrial uses up to 1,060,000 square feet, located within two distinct planning areas on a 64.91-acre site located on the north side of 20th Avenue and Interstate 10, slightly east of Indian Canyon Drive, in the City of Desert Hot Springs (“Project”), which is being heard as Agenda Item 1 at the Planning Commission’s November 21, 2022 meeting.

SAFER objects to the use of the Addendum to the 2017 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Desert Harvest Specific Plan (SP 02-17) (“2017 MND”) prepared for the Project. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), an addendum is not appropriate because there is a fair argument the Project is not within the scope of the 2017 MND and may result in significant impacts that were not accounted for in the 2017 MND and for which there are new mitigation measures available since 2017. (See Friends of Coll. of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo Cnty. Comm.Coll. Dist. (2016) 1 Cal.5th 937, 958 [fair Item Number: 2.

November 21, 2022
Comment on MND Addendum for the Desert Gateway Specific Plan Amendment ((Specific Plan Amendment No. SP-22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3)

argument standard applies to addendum to MND; see also 14 CCR §§ 15162(a)(3), 15164(b) 15168(c).). Therefore, SAFER requests that the Planning Commission decline to approve the Project at this time until an EIR or MND is prepared for the Project rather than an Addendum.

Sincerely,
Brian B. Flynn
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 1
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum
Application for
Desert Gateway
Response to Comments
Lead Agency:

City of Desert Hot Springs
Planning Department
Patricia Villagomez, Associate Planner
11999 Palm Drive
Desert Hot Springs, California 92240
760-329-6411
Prepared by:

MSA Consulting, Inc.
34200 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 2
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Comments and Reponses on the Draft MND Addendum
List of Commenters
The following is a list of individuals, representatives, organizations and agencies that submitted written comments on the Draft IS/MND. The City received a total of 2 comments letter from the public. Table 1, Comment Letters Received on the Draft IS/MND, provides a list of all comment letters received. Table 1 lists the ID number assigned to each comment letter, the date it was received, and commenter’s name.

Table 1
Comment Letters Received on the IS/MND
Letter
ID Date Agency Commenter
1 November 21, 2022 Sierra Club Joan Taylor
2 November 21, 2022
Lozeau-Drury for Supporters
Alliance for Environmental
Responsibility (SAFER)
Brian B. Flynn
CEQA Requirements Regarding Comments and Responses
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15204(b), outlines parameters for submitting comments on negative declarations. Persons and public agencies should focus the on the proposed finding that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment. If persons and public agencies believe that the project may have a significant effect, they should:

1. Identify the specific effect,

2. Explain why they believe the effect would occur, and

3. Explain why they believe the effect would be significant.

CEQA Guidelines, Section 15204(c), further advises that reviewers should explain the basis for their comments, and should submit data or references offering facts, reasonable assumptions based on facts, or expert opinion supported by facts in support of the comments. Pursuant to Section 15064, an effect shall not be considered significant in the absence of substantial evidence.

CEQA does not require a lead agency to conduct every test or perform all research, study, and experimentation recommended or demanded by commenters. Lead agencies need to respond to potentially significant issues and do not need to provide all information requested by reviewers if good faith efforts at full disclosure are made in the environmental document.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 3
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Responses to Comment Letters
Written comments on the Addendum to the MND are reproduced on the following pages, along with responses to those comments. The responses were prepared by MSA Consulting, Inc. on behalf of City staff.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 4
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Letter 1 – Sierra Club
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 5
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 6
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 7
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 8
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Letter 1 Comments and Responses
Comment 1: The Sierra Club urges you to not adopt the Addendum to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan MND at this time. The Addendum is inadequate in that it fails to consider and adequately address energy, traffic, air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts, particularly on a cumulative basis.

The Desert Harvest Specific Plan, as approved in 2017, proposed a series of greenhouses on the bulk of the subject property, and a limited amount of commercial use.

The project was proposed to consist of approximately 57 acres of cultivation, processing, and administration facilities, 59,000 square feet of Retail, and 9,000 square feet of Drive Through buildings.

The proposed revisions would replace the greenhouses with 53 acres of warehouse facilities and 11 acres of commercial use, including hotels1. Development of the revised project may occur as a single mixed-use project by a single developer or incrementally as multiple developers propose individual component projects. Phasing is allowed so long as each phase accommodates future phases with the orderly extension of circulation, parking, utilities, and infrastructure in accordance with the final conditions of approval for each project and the City’s Public Works Department.

Response 1: The City thanks the Sierra Club for their participation in this process. This is a narrative of the project description.

Comment 2: The Addendum concludes that “Although the revised project will reduce the area allotted for commercial retail and increase the acreage of light industrial uses, compared to the previous project, the land uses proposed for the site would remain the same (commercial retail and light industrial).” (Addendum, Page 12) The fact that the uses are categorized in both the existing and proposed project as industrial and commercial is misleading, because the proposed uses are much more intense with regard to traffic, air quality and green house gases, primarily due to the increase in car and truck traffic associated with the proposed revised project. The approved project would have been expected to generate approximately 4,601 average daily trips (ADT) on a typical weekday. (Addendum, page 50) The revised project will introduce 2,580 more trips than the approved project. (Addendum, page 51.) That equates to over 7 thousand trips for the Indian Canyon area. The Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue intersection is currently operating at an unacceptable LOS during the PM peak hour. The Addendum concludes that the installation of offsite traffic signal at the Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue intersection would address operational deficiencies for opening year (2024) conditions.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 9
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Response 2: The approved and proposed projects each resulted in less than significant impacts for all CEQA topics. There are projected to be changes between the numbers generated by the previous and proposed project however both the previous and proposed project resulted in less than significant impacts when compared with the baseline. The Desert Gateway Traffic Analysis (TA) prepared by Urban Crossroads 06.10.22 included all I-10 interchanges (intersections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) within the Traffic Analysis Study Area.

See Table 1-1 Intersection Analysis Locations of the TA. All I-10 Intersections were determined to have acceptable LOS. LOS is not a CEQA required topic but is used to assist the City in determining if the project is consistent with the General Plan.

Comment 3: However, the Addendum did not address the freeway interchanges. The project entails a large number of trucks exiting and entering I-10 at the Indian Canyon Drive interchange, which could have significant impacts. Similarly, trucks heading to or from the high desert would impact Highway 62. Consider that EIRs prepared for similar warehouse projects in the Inland Empire have assumed a high average truck trip length, since the typical purpose of these warehouse facilities is regional goods distribution and most facilities involve the receipt of goods from the Ports of Long Beach and Los 10 Angeles. A July 2017 UC Davis study found that for warehouse projects in the Inland Empire “most goods have an origin at the Ports of Long Beach and LA and the main destination of all goods is within the State of California, confirming what SCAG reports have shown.” (https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/NCST-CaltransJaller-Warehouse-and- Distribution-Logistics-Sprawl-FINAL-July-19-2017.pdf).

CEQA generally requires the evaluation of the “worst case” scenario to ensure that impacts are fully disclosed and appropriately mitigated. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are located approximately 120 miles from the project site. Accordingly, the assessment of GHG emissions, as well as air quality and transportation, must utilize realistic truck trip length assumptions that were not part of the Addendum. Otherwise, air quality, GHG emissions, and transportation impacts for the project are significantly understated and not mitigated. The City must take all steps to ensure that feasible mitigation is imposed, going beyond existing regulatory requirements.

Response 3: The Desert Gateway Traffic Analysis prepared by Urban Crossroads

06.10.22 included all I-10 interchanges (intersections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) within the Traffic Analysis Study Area. See Table 1-1 Intersection Analysis Locations of the TA. All I-10 Intersections were determined to have acceptable Level of Service (LOS.) LOS is not a CEQA required topic but is used to assist the City in determining if the project is consistent with the General Plan.

The GHG and VMT analysis uses a truck trip length of 14.2 miles for 2- and 3-axle trucks and 40 miles for 4+-axle trucks per the statistical data compiled by SCAQMD from Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 10
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
SCAG’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan modeling analysis. Specifically, the lengths were compiled in a final staff report utilized toward the approval of SCAQMD Rule 2305 - Warehouse Indirect Source Rule – Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program, adopted May 7, 2021.

Additionally, the project was screened from further VMT Analysis because the MapBased screening criteria was met for the industrial land uses and Local Essential Service screening criteria was met for the hotel land uses and Small Projects screening criteria was met for the retail land uses.
(Per the Project specific VMT Analysis prepared by Urban Crossroads, June 10,2022, the Project’s TAZ was identified in the Riverside County Transportation Analysis Model (RIVTAM) as TAZ 4500. The County’s data table identifies the Project’s TAZ 4500 to generate 14.05 VMT per employee. Whereas the County regional threshold is 14.2 VMT per employee6. The Project is located in a low VMT area.) Comment 4: Furthermore, the Addendum has failed to adequately analyze cumulative impacts. In order to address traffic into the future, the traffic study was done using an estimate of growth for the area:

Future year traffic forecasts have been based upon background (ambient) growth at 2% per year for 2024 traffic conditions. The total ambient growth is 4.04% for 2024 traffic conditions. The ambient growth factor is intended to approximate regional traffic growth. (Urban Crossroads Traffic Impact Analysis, page 30) Response 4: As stated, the TA assumed a 2% growth rate per year for a 2024 4.04% growth rate total. In addition, the TA analyzed a list of cumulative developments in the area to be considered as directed in the Scoping Agreement. See Table 4-2 Cumulative Development Land Use Summary of the TA. The A/Q, Energy, GHG and Noise analyses are consistent with the TA as required and utilized the same CalEEMod data. Special studies were prepared in a conservative manner and did in fact address cumulative impacts.

Comment 5: However, earlier this year, the 94 acre property directly adjacent to the subject site was approved for the Viento Logistics Center and was purchased by Amazon.

The Addendum makes no mention of this new facility. The Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum fails to address the potentially significant cumulative impacts of locating two warehouses directly adjacent to each other. In fact, there does not appear to be any attempt to analyze the cumulative truck transport impacts, or even coordination of driveway access between the two developments. The Addendum fails to address the potentially significant impacts of having two warehouse distribution centers within close proximity of each other. These projects represent a significant concentration of warehouse industrial uses for the City, the magnitude of which has not been previously Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 11
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
studied, and the cumulative air quality, energy use and green house gas impacts of these projects in close proximity to each other has not been addressed.

Response 5: A scoping process was conducted prior to the preparation of the TA. A total of 10 cumulative projects were to be included in the TA for forecast future traffic conditions. The TA included The Desert Commerce Center, described as a High-Cube Warehouse 2,952,000 sf. See Table 4-2 Cumulative Development Land Use Summary.

This was the information provided to the Traffic Engineer at the time.

According to Urban Crossroads, the cumulative traffic estimates were conservative enough to encompass the nearby proposed Warehouse Distribution Center. Air quality, energy use, and greenhouse gas estimates are tied directly to the transportation modelling and would therefore also be considered conservative. This area consists primarily of light industrial uses. Warehouses and distribution centers are currently located in the project vicinity. Design review of access points and adjacent roadway improvements will ensure that proper design, offsets and stacking distances are incorporated for roadway safety.

Comment 6: The CalEEMod model determined that the Desert Gateway project would consume approximately 8,648,881 kWh of electricity per year during operation. (Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum, page 25) Operation of the Viento Logistics Center would consume an estimated 8,799,625 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity on an annual basis. (Project Viento Addendum, Page 68). According to the Desert Hot Springs General Plan (DHSGP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Desert Hot Springs will consume approximately 575,687,510 kWh of electricity annually at buildout (year 2040) (Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum, page 25) The energy consumption for the additional warehouse in the area was not available, but together, these 2 projects will consume almost 4% of the City’s total energy usage. Project Viento includes rooftop solar in order to offset its energy consumption. The Viento Logistics Center will house one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in California. At a minimum, the Desert Harvest Amendment should require rooftop solar on all of its buildings.

Response 6: The revised project energy impact was analyzed for informational purposes.

When compared with the anticipated energy uses of the former Cultivation Project, the proposed project would reduce the energy consumption in the area compared to the Approved Project. The table below is provided to illustrate the reduction in energy use that was anticipated due to the change in uses. The approved Cannabis Cultivation use would have consumed approximately an additional 2,000,000 kWH per year. Both projects were determined to be less than significant compared to the baseline conditions.

As stated previously, estimates are extremely conservative and based on the CalEEMod data produced by the TA.

Electricity Use 2732 Desert Gateway - Old 2732 Desert Gateway - New MWh 10,199.1 Mwh 8,648.9 MWh
kWh 10,199,110 kWh 8,648,881 kWh
Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 12
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
The project will install solar panels as required by the City through the municipal code.

Comment 7: Furthermore, the City does not appear to be consistent in its analysis and mitigation. Mitigation measures between the two projects do not seem to match up, even though they are similar uses on adjacent properties.

Response 7: The mitigation measure TRA – 1 included in the original Desert Harvest Analysis (payment of the fair share contribution to the installation of an off-site traffic signal at Indian Canyon Drive and 19th Avenue) was included as a Condition of the project in the Addendum. The required Fair Share Contribution for transportation improvements will be determined by the City.

Comment 8: Conclusion:

The Planning Commission should not adopt the Addendum at this time, due to the potential significant impacts that have not been addressed.

Response 8: Based on the findings established in the Addendum and as stated in the responses above, the project would not result in potential significant impacts, and no changes to the document are necessary.

Comment 9: Attachment 1:

Exhibit 1 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment
Exhibit 2 News Article regarding Amazon purchase.

Exhibit 3 Cumulative Project Map and Description showing nearby projects considered as part of the cumulative analysis for the Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum make no mention of the Viento Logistics Center.

Exhibit 4 Aerial photo showing the two locations side by side, and additional proposed uses for the area.

Exhibit 5 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment and Project Viento.

Exhibit 6 News Article regarding Solar Array
Attachment 2: Settlement agreement, Viento project
Response 9: This comment includes attachments referenced in the comment letter. No comment.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 13
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Letter 2 – Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 14
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 15
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
Letter 2 Comments and Responses
Comment 1: I am writing on behalf of Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (“SAFER”) regarding the Desert Gateway Specific Plan (Specific Plan Amendment No. SP- 22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3), including all actions related or referring to the proposed Amendment to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan for the development of a mixed-use project uses that would include hospitality uses up to 150 hotel keys, commercial retail uses up to 42,000 square feet, and logistics/warehouse/distribution and light industrial uses up to 1,060,000 square feet, located within two distinct planning areas on a 64.91-acre site located on the north side of 20th Avenue and Interstate 10, slightly east of Indian Canyon Drive, in the City of Desert Hot Springs (“Project”), which is being heard as Agenda Item 1 at the Planning Commission’s November 21, 2022 meeting.

SAFER objects to the use of the Addendum to the 2017 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Desert Harvest Specific Plan (SP 02-17) (“2017 MND”) prepared for the Project.

Under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), an addendum is not appropriate because there is a fair argument the Project is not within the scope of the 2017 MND and may result in significant impacts that were not accounted for in the 2017 MND and for which there are new mitigation measures available since 2017. (See Friends of Coll. of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo Cnty. Comm.Coll. Dist. (2016) 1 Cal.5th 937, 958 [fair argument standard applies to addendum to MND; see also 14 CCR §§ 15162(a)(3), 15164(b) 15168(c).). Therefore, SAFER requests that the Planning Commission decline to approve the Project at this time until an EIR or MND is prepared for the Project rather than an Addendum.

Response 1: The underlying land uses to the project remain the same. All special studies were updated to include the most recent methodology and mitigation at the date of preparation of the Addendum. The original and updated projects modelling results were compared and included both higher and lower figures based on the resource topic. No new significant impacts were identified. All impacts were determined to be less than significant for both the approved and proposed projects following implementation of standard conditions and mitigation. No new mitigation measures were required as a result of project revisions. The Specific CEQA Language is as follows:
15164. Addendum to an EIR or Negative Declaration
(b) An addendum to an adopted negative declaration may be prepared if only minor technical changes or additions are necessary or none of the conditions described in Section 15162 calling for the preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration have occurred.

Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 16
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
15162. Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations
(a) When an EIR has been certified or a negative declaration adopted for a project, no subsequent EIR shall be prepared for that project unless the lead agency determines, on the basis of substantial evidence in the light of the whole record, one or more of the following:
(1) Substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions of the previous EIR or negative declaration due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects;
No new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects were identified during the Addendum process.
(2) Substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken which will require major revisions of the previous EIR or Negative Declaration due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; or
No new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects were identified during the Addendum process.
(3) New information of substantial importance, which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the previous EIR was certified as complete or the Negative Declaration was adopted, shows any of the following:
(A) The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous EIR or negative declaration;
No significant effects were identified that were not discussed in the previous negative declaration.
(B) Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the previous EIR;
Significant effects previously examined will not be substantially more severe than shown in the previous MND.
(C) Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible, and would substantially reduce one or more Item Number: 2.

City of Desert Hot Springs Page 17
Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum November 2022
significant effects of the project, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or
No new mitigation measures or alternatives were identified during the Addendum process.
(D) Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed in the previous EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative.

No new mitigation measures or alternatives were identified that would substantially reduce one of more significant effects on the environment.
(b) If changes to a project or its circumstances occur or new information becomes available after adoption of a negative declaration, the lead agency shall prepare a subsequent EIR if required under subdivision (a). Otherwise the lead agency shall determine whether to prepare a subsequent negative declaration, an addendum, or no further documentation.

A subsequent MND is not required under subdivision (a)
Item Number: 2.

SAN GORGONIO CHAPTER

Regional Groups Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties: Los Serranos, Tahquitz, San Bernardino Mountains, Mojave, Moreno Valley, Big Bear November 21, 2022
Planning Commission
Community Development
City of Desert Hot Springs
11999 Palm Drive
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Re: Item 1 Amendment to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan Resolution of the Planning Commission Recommending That the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs, California, 1) Adopt the Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration; 2) Approve Desert Gateway Specific Plan Amendment No. SP 22-3, Amending the Desert Harvest Specific Plan in the City; 3) Approve Design Review No. 22-1; 4) Approve Tract Map No. 22-3 And; 5) Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.190” an Application to Amend the Desert Harvest Specific Plan and Develop a Logistics Center; IRI DHS Land, LLC
Dear Planning Commissioners:

The Sierra Club urges you to not adopt the Addendum to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan MND at this time. The Addendum is inadequate in that it fails to consider and adequately address energy, traffic, air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts, particularly on a cumulative basis.

The Desert Harvest Specific Plan, as approved in 2017, proposed a series of greenhouses on the bulk of the subject property, and a limited amount of commercial use. The project was proposed to consist of approximately 57 acres of cultivation, processing, and administration facilities, 59,000 square feet of Retail, and 9,000 square feet of Drive Through buildings.

The proposed revisions would replace the greenhouses with 53 acres of warehouse facilities and 11 acres of commercial use, including hotels1. Development of the revised project may occur as a single mixed-use project by a single developer or incrementally as multiple developers propose individual component projects. Phasing is allowed so long as each phase accommodates future phases with the orderly extension of circulation, parking, utilities, and infrastructure in accordance with the final conditions of approval for each project and the City’s Public Works Department. 1 Exhibit 1 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment
Item Number: 2.

The Addendum concludes that “Although the revised project will reduce the area allotted for commercial retail and increase the acreage of light industrial uses, compared to the previous project, the land uses proposed for the site would remain the same (commercial retail and light industrial).” (Addendum, Page 12) The fact that the uses are categorized in both the existing and proposed project as industrial and commercial is misleading, because the proposed uses are much more intense with regard to traffic, air quality and green house gases, primarily due to the increase in car and truck traffic associated with the proposed revised project. The approved project would have been expected to generate approximately 4,601 average daily trips (ADT) on a typical weekday. (Addendum, page 50) The revised project will introduce 2,580 more trips than the approved project. (Addendum, page 51.) That equates to over 7 thousand trips for the Indian Canyon area. The Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue intersection is currently operating at an unacceptable LOS during the PM peak hour. The Addendum concludes that the installation of offsite traffic signal at the Indian Canyon Drive/19th Avenue intersection would address operational deficiencies for opening year (2024) conditions.

However, the Addendum did not address the freeway interchanges. The project entails a large number of trucks exiting and entering I-10 at the Indian Canyon Drive interchange, which could have significant impacts. Similarly, trucks heading to or from the high desert would impact Highway 62. Consider that EIRs prepared for similar warehouse projects in the Inland Empire have assumed a high average truck trip length, since the typical purpose of these warehouse facilities is regional goods distribution and most facilities involve the receipt of goods from the Ports of Long Beach and Los 10 Angeles. A July 2017 UC Davis study found that for warehouse projects in the Inland Empire “most goods have an origin at the Ports of Long Beach and LA and the main destination of all goods is within the State of California, confirming what SCAG reports have shown.” (https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/NCST-Caltrans-JallerWarehouse-and- Distribution-Logistics-Sprawl-FINAL-July-19-2017.pdf) CEQA generally requires the evaluation of the “worst case” scenario to ensure that impacts are fully disclosed and appropriately mitigated. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are located approximately 120 miles from the project site. Accordingly, the assessment of GHG emissions, as well as air quality and transportation, must utilize realistic truck trip length assumptions that were not part of the Addendum. Otherwise, air quality, GHG emissions, and transportation impacts for the project are significantly understated and not mitigated. The City must take all steps to ensure that feasible mitigation is imposed, going beyond existing regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, the Addendum has failed to adequately analyze cumulative impacts. In order to address traffic into the future, the traffic study was done using an estimate of growth for the area:

Future year traffic forecasts have been based upon background (ambient) growth at 2% per year for 2024 traffic conditions. The total ambient growth is 4.04% for 2024 traffic conditions. The ambient growth factor is intended to approximate regional traffic growth. (Urban Crossroads Traffic Impact Analysis, page 30)
However, earlier this year, the 94 acre property directly adjacent to the subject site was approved for the Viento Logistics Center and was purchased by Amazon2. The Addendum makes no mention of this new facility3. The Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum fails to address the potentially 2 Exhibit 2 News Article regarding Amazon purchase. 3
Exhibit 3 Cumulative Project Map and Description showing nearby projects considered as part of the cumulative analysis for the Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum make no mention of the Viento Logistics Center.

Item Number: 2.

significant cumulative impacts of locating two warehouses directly adjacent to each other4 . In
fact, there does not appear to be any attempt to analyze the cumulative truck transport impacts, or even coordination of driveway access between the two developments5. The Addendum fails to address the potentially significant impacts of having two warehouse distribution centers within close proximity of each other6. These projects represent a significant concentration of warehouse industrial uses for the City, the magnitude of which has not been previously studied, and the cumulative air quality, energy use and green house gas impacts of these projects in close proximity to each other has not been addressed.

The CalEEMod model determined that the Desert Gateway project would consume approximately 8,648,881 kWh of electricity per year during operation. (Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum, page 25) Operation of the Viento Logistics Center would consume an estimated 8,799,625 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity on an annual basis. (Project Viento Addendum, Page 68).

According to the Desert Hot Springs General Plan (DHSGP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Desert Hot Springs will consume approximately 575,687,510 kWh of electricity annually at buildout (year 2040) (Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum, page 25) The energy consumption for the additional warehouse in the area was not available, but together, these 2 projects will consume almost 4% of the City’s total energy usage. Project Viento includes rooftop solar in order to offset its energy consumption. The Viento Logistics Center will house one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in California7. At a minimum, the Desert Harvest Amendment should require rooftop solar on all of its buildings.

Furthermore, the City does not appear to be consistent in its analysis and mitigation. Mitigation measures between the two projects do not seem to match up, even though they are similar uses on adjacent properties.

Conclusion:

The Planning Commission should not adopt the Addendum at this time, due to the potential significant impacts that have not been addressed.

Very truly yours,
Chair, Tahquitz Group of the Sierra Club
4 Exhibit 4 Aerial photo showing the two locations side by side, and additional proposed uses for the area. 5 Exhibit 5 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment and Project Viento. Note that both projects will use Calle Los Romos but the driveways do not appear to be coordinated along Calle Los Romos. 6 In fact, according to the cumulative list, there is another warehouse planned in close proximity to these two warehouses (see Exhibit 3).
7 Exhibit 6 News Article regarding Solar Array and Attachment 2, Viento Settlement Agreement Item Number: 2.

Attachment 1:

Exhibit 1 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment
Exhibit 2 News Article regarding Amazon purchase.

Exhibit 3 Cumulative Project Map and Description showing nearby projects considered as part of the cumulative analysis for the Desert Harvest Amendment Addendum make no mention of the Viento Logistics Center.

Exhibit 4 Aerial photo showing the two locations side by side, and additional proposed uses for the area.

Exhibit 5 Site Plan for Desert Harvest Amendment and Project Viento.

Exhibit 6 News Article regarding Solar Array
Attachment 2: Settlement agreement, Viento project
Item Number: 2.

Via Email
November 21, 2022
Richard Duffle, Chairman
James Nindel, Vice Chair
Chris Wagstaff, Commissioner
Requita Grant, Commissioner
Derward Cook, Commissioner
Planning Commission
City of Desert Hot Springs
11999 Palm Dr.

Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
[email protected]
Patricia Villagomez, Associate Planner
City of Desert Hot Springs
11999 Palm Dr.

Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
[email protected]
Re: Comment on Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum for the Desert Gateway Specific Plan Amendment Project (Specific Plan Amendment No. SP-22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3); November 21, 2022 Planning Commission Agenda Item 1
Dear Honorable Planning Commissioners and Ms. Villagomez:

I am writing on behalf of Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (“SAFER”) regarding the Desert Gateway Specific Plan (Specific Plan Amendment No. SP22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3), including all actions related or referring to the proposed Amendment to the Desert Harvest Specific Plan for the development of a mixed-use project uses that would include hospitality uses up to 150 hotel keys, commercial retail uses up to 42,000 square feet, and logistics/warehouse/distribution and light industrial uses up to 1,060,000 square feet, located within two distinct planning areas on a 64.91-acre site located on the north side of 20th Avenue and Interstate 10, slightly east of Indian Canyon Drive, in the City of Desert Hot Springs (“Project”), which is being heard as Agenda Item 1 at the Planning Commission’s November 21, 2022 meeting.

SAFER objects to the use of the Addendum to the 2017 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Desert Harvest Specific Plan (SP 02-17) (“2017 MND”) prepared for the Project. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), an addendum is not appropriate because there is a fair argument the Project is not within the scope of the 2017 MND and may result in significant impacts that were not accounted for in the 2017 MND and for which there are new mitigation measures available since 2017. (See Friends of Coll. of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo Cnty. Comm.Coll. Dist. (2016) 1 Cal.5th 937, 958 [fair Item Number: 2.

November 21, 2022
Comment on MND Addendum for the Desert Gateway Specific Plan Amendment ((Specific Plan Amendment No. SP-22-3, Design Review No. 22-1, Tract Map No. 22-3)

argument standard applies to addendum to MND; see also 14 CCR §§ 15162(a)(3), 15164(b) 15168(c).). Therefore, SAFER requests that the Planning Commission decline to approve the Project at this time until an EIR or MND is prepared for the Project rather than an Addendum.

Sincerely,
Brian B. Flynn
Item Number: 2.

SR-22-254
City of Desert Hot Springs
City Council

AGENDA ITEM REPORT
To: City Council
Date: December 6, 2022
Department: Public Works
Prepared by: Jilleen Ferris, City Engineer
Subject: Resolution Approving the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs, California, approving the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP).

BACKGROUND:

Each year the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) accepts applications for grant funding for the Highway Safety Improvement Program. This program is a federal grant program that provides funding for construction of street and traffic related improvement projects, that improve safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries.

In order for agencies to be eligible to submit grant applications for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, they must have an adopted Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP). The LRSP identifies factors that contribute most to local traffic collisions and develops countermeasures that can be implemented to reduce the risk of collisions on City streets.

On March 4, 2021, Caltrans approved the City’s LRSP funding application in the amount of $42,000, with a City match of $5,000, for a total amount of $47,000.

On April 11, 2022, the City released a Request for Proposal for Professional Engineering Consulting Services for the development and preparation of the Local Roadway Safety Plan.

On July 20th, 2022, the City entered into a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn for the preparation of the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP). And since then the LRSP has been completed.

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of the Local Roadway Safety PLan is to enhance the transportation network and reduce traffic fatalities and serious injury related crashes. The goals for the LRSP include the following:
1) Identify areas with high risk for crashes.
2) Illustrate the value of a comprehensive safety program and the system process.

Item Number: 3.

SR-22-254
3) Plan future safety improvements for near, mid, and long-term. 4) Define safety projects for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and other program funding consideration.

The LRSP analyzed the most recent range of crash data from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021, as well as roadway improvements to assess historic trends, patterns, and areas of increasing concern.

Locations were then identified within the City that will most likely benefit from safety enhancements.

A total of 10 case study locations were identified to be representative of the corridor and intersection configurations throughout the City. These locations were identified through the analysis process based on their crash histories, stakeholder engagement, the observed crash patterns, and their different characteristics to provide the most insight into potential systemic safety countermeasures that the City can employ to achieve the most cost-effective benefits.

The table summarized below includes the countermeasure along with its ID number listed. The Crash Reduction Factor is a multiplicative factor used to estimate the expected reduction in the number of crashes after implementing a given countermeasure at a specific sight. A planning level benefit/cost analysis was also completed and is factored out to a 20-year lifecyle savings.

ID Potential
Countermeasures
Where to
apply?
Crash
Reduction
Factor
Per Unit
Cost
Unit
S02 Improve signal
hardware: backplates with
reflective borders
Signalized
intersections
with
significant
right-angle
and rear-end
collisions due
to signal
visibility
15% $12,000 Per
Intersection
S03 Improve signal
timing
(coordination,
phases, red, yellow
or operation)
Signalized
intersections
with a history
of collisions,
where signal
operations
can be
improved
15% $7,000 Per
Intersection
S04 Provide Advanced
Dilemma Zone
Detection for
high-speed
approaches
Signalized
intersections
with
significant
right-angle
and rear-end
collisions due
to unsafe
stopping
40% $34,000 Per
Intersection
Item Number: 3.

SR-22-254
and illegal
turns during
stop phase
S05 Install emergency
vehicle preemption systems
Signalized
intersections
that have
potential for
collisions or
significant
collisions with
emergency
vehicles due
to traffic
conditions
70% $40,000 Per
Intersection
S10 Install flashing
beacons as
advance warning
Signalized
intersections
where driver
awareness
and visibility
can be
increased
30% $20,000 Per
Intersection
S21PB Modify signal
phasing to
implement a
Leading
Pedestrian Interval
(LPI) with new
controller
Signalized
Intersections
– especially
those with
high
pedestrian
activity
60% $8,000 Per
Intersection
S18PB Install high visibility
crosswalk
Signalized
intersections
with high
pedestrian
traffic and no
marked
crossing
25% $32,000 Per
intersection
R33PB Install Separated
Bike Lanes
Roadway
segments that
have high
bicyclist
activity
35% $250,000 Per Mile
S17PB Install pedestrian
countdown signal
heads
Signalized
intersections
with no
pedestrian
countdown
heads and
high
pedestrian
activity
25% $16,400 Per
Intersection
Item Number: 3.

SR-22-254
NS01 Add intersection
lighting
Unsignalized
intersections
with a history
of night-time
collisions and
lack of
sufficient
lighting
40% $28,000 Per
Intersection
NS03 Install signals Unsignalized
intersections
with a history
of fatal or
severe injury
collisions
30% $275,000 Per
Intersection
NS05 Convert
intersection to
roundabout (from
2-way stop or Yield
control)
Unsignalized
intersections
with a high
number of leftturn type
collisions
15% Varies Varies
NS06 Upgrade signage -
Install LED stop
signs
Stopcontrolled
intersections
which can be
improved with
more
noticeable
signs
15% $12,000 Per
Intersection
NS08 Install flashing
beacons at stopcontrolled
intersections
Unsignalized
intersections
where driver
awareness
can be
increased
15% $10,000 Per
Intersection
NS21PB Install/upgrade
pedestrian crossing
at uncontrolled
locations (with
enhanced safety
features)
Unsignalized
intersections
with
pedestrian
crossing that
needs to be
upgraded
35% $30,000 Per Location
NS23PB Install Pedestrian
Signal (including
pedestrian Hybrid
Beacon (HAWK))
Unsignalized
intersections
with a history
of collision
involving
pedestrians
55% $150,000 Per
Intersection
R01 Add segment
lighting
Roadway
segments with
35% $900,000 Per Mile
Item Number: 3.

SR-22-254
a history of
night-time
collisions and
lack of
sufficient
lighting
R26 Install dynamic
speed feedback
signs
Roadway
segments with
a history of
collisions due
to excessive
speeds
30% $16,000 Per Sign
R28 Mark off parking
areas
Roadway
segments
where parking
areas are not
clearly defined
25% $1.55 Per Linear
Foot
R34PB Install
sidewalk/pathway
(to avoid walking
along roadway)
Roadway
segments with
a history of
pedestrians
walking along
the roadway
due to lack of
sidewalk
80% $80 Per Linear
Foot
R35PB Install/upgrade
pedestrian crossing
(with enhanced
safety features)
Roadway
segments with
pedestrian
crossing that
needs to be
upgraded
35% $15,000 Per Crossing
CMF 89 Restripe the
intersection
Intersections
where striping
is fading
18% $5,000 Per
Intersection
* Install haptic
audible pedestrian
push buttons
Signalized
intersections
with high
pedestrian
activity
5% Varies Varies
* Remove stopcontrolled left turn
lanes and restripe
the intersection
Intersections
where left turn
lanes can
potentially add
to driver
confusion
5% Varies Varies
* Restrict parking
near driveway
Roadway
segments
where cars
partially/fully
5% $2.35 Per Linear
Foot
Item Number: 3.

SR-22-254
block
driveways
* Relocating NB bus
stop to far side of
intersection
Near
intersections
with bus stops
across the
street from
one another
5% Varies Varies
* Install curb
extensions
Intersections
where curb
can be
extended to
allow more
room for
pedestrians
and cyclists
5% $80,000 Per
Intersection
* Add tracking to
help drivers stay in
their lanes
Intersections
with a history
of
misalignment
when turning
5% $2,500 Per
Intersection
* Upgrade traffic
controller
Signalized
intersections
with
controllers
that need to
be upgraded
5% $6,200 Per
Intersection
* Install battery
backup system
Signalized
intersections
with missing
battery
backup
systems
5% $25,000 Per
Intersection
*These locations did not have an approved Crash Reduction Factor, so a conservative 5% CRF was assumed to calculate benefit.

The LRSP should be monitored and updated every 5 years in order to maintain eligibility for HSIP grant funding.

With the adoption of this Local Roadway Safety Plan, the City will be eligible to submit for grant funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There are no fiscal impacts for adopting the Local Roadway Safety Plan.

ATTACHMENTS:

Exhibit 1 - Resolution
Exhibit 2 - Local Roadway Safety Plan
Item Number: 3.

RESOLUTION NO. 2022-_______

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESERT

HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE CITY OF DESERT

HOT SPRINGS LOCAL ROADWAY SAFETY PLAN (LRSP)
WHEREAS, the City of Desert Hot Springs (“City”) is a charter city, duly organized under the laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, on December 21, 2020 the City submitted the Local Road Safety Plan (“LRSP”) grant funding request to the State; and
WHEREAS, a LRSP provides a framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements on local roads; and WHEREAS, the LRSP development process and content are tailored to local issues and needs; and
WHEREAS, the process results in a prioritized list of issues, risks, actions, and improvements that can be used to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on local roads; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2021, the State approved funding in the amount of $47,000 with a local match requirement of $5,000; and
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2022, the City Council awarded a professional services agreement to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the preparation of the LRSP; and WHEREAS, a LRSP is a road safety planning document that provides a holistic analysis of vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle crash data, and provides a roadmap for implementation of safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, it is required that all state, county, and local agencies adopt an LRSP to be eligible to receive Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and other grants such as Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A); and WHEREAS, the LRSP attached herein as Exhibit A was developed using outreach and the process outlined by Caltrans to provide a systematic approach to providing safety improvements and guide the City to look at ways to set goals and measures that encourage a safe, well-connected transportation network for people using all modes of transportation and prioritizes safe travel of people over expeditious travel of motor vehicles that will achieve significant declines in roadway fatalities and serious injuries by the year 2050; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Resolution is in the best interest of the City’s public health, safety and welfare.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Item Number: 3.

Section 1. RECITALS.

That the Recitals set forth above are true and correct and are hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF LRSP.

That the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs, California approves the Local Roadway Safety Plan attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.

Section 3. CERTIFICATION.

That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution, enter the same in the book of original resolutions of the City and make a minute of passage and adoption thereof in the records of the proceedings of the City Council in the minutes of the meeting at which the same is passed and adopted.

Section 4. SEVERABILITY.

That if any provision, section, paragraph, sentence or word of this Resolution be rendered or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences or words of this Resolution as hereby adopted shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

That this Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs at a regular meeting held on the ___ day of ______, 2022 by the following vote:

AYES:

NAYS:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

ATTEST: APPROVED:
_________________________________ _______________________________ Jerryl Soriano, City Clerk Scott Matas, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
Jennifer A. Mizrahi, City Attorney
Item Number: 3.

EXHIBIT A
Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP)
Item Number: 3.

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z
Item Number: 3.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................1

2. Vision and Goals .......................................................................................................................................2

3. Process .....................................................................................................................................................4

3.1 Guiding Manuals..................................................................................................................................4

3.1.1 Local Roadway Safety Manual .....................................................................................................5

3.1.2 Highway Safety Manual ................................................................................................................5

3.2 Analysis Techniques............................................................................................................................6

3.2.1 Collision and Network Screening Analysis ...................................................................................6

3.2.2 Statistical Performance Measures ................................................................................................7

3.3 Future Analysis....................................................................................................................................1

4. Safety Partners .........................................................................................................................................1

4.1 Stakeholder Meeting............................................................................................................................1

4.2 Field Tour ............................................................................................................................................1

5. Existing Efforts ..........................................................................................................................................1

6. Data Summary ..........................................................................................................................................4

6.1 Roadway Network ...............................................................................................................................4

6.2 Collision Data ......................................................................................................................................4

7. Crash Safety Trends .................................................................................................................................7

7.1 All Collisions ........................................................................................................................................7

7.2 Fatalities & Severe Injuries..................................................................................................................8

7.3 Injury Levels ........................................................................................................................................9

7.4 Cause of Collision..............................................................................................................................10

7.5 Vulnerable Users ...............................................................................................................................10

7.5.1 Pedestrian Collisions ..................................................................................................................10

7.5.2 Bicycle Collisions ........................................................................................................................11

7.6 Other Significant Trends .............................................................................................................12

7.7 Statewide Comparison ................................................................................................................12

7.9 Collision Network Screening Analysis Results ..................................................................................13

8. Best Practices Evaluation and Emphasis Areas .....................................................................................29

8.1 Best Practices Evaluation..................................................................................................................29

8.2 Emphasis Areas ................................................................................................................................32

8.2.1 Emphasis Area #1: Aggressive Driving ......................................................................................32

8.2.2 Emphasis Area #2: Pedestrian ...................................................................................................32

8.2.3 Emphasis Area #3: Impaired Driving ..........................................................................................33 Item Number: 3.

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8.2.4 Emphasis Area #4: Driver Licensing...........................................................................................33

9. Countermeasure Toolbox........................................................................................................................34

9.1 Infrastructure Improvements .............................................................................................................34

9.1.1 Countermeasure Selection Process ...........................................................................................34

9.1.2 Safety Project Case Studies .......................................................................................................35

9.2 City-wide Countermeasure Toolbox ..................................................................................................65

10. Funding Sources & Next Steps.............................................................................................................69

10.1 Funding............................................................................................................................................69

10.1.1 Highway Safety Improvement Program....................................................................................69

10.1.2 Caltrans Active Transportation Program ..................................................................................69

10.1.3 California SB 1..........................................................................................................................70

10.1.4 California Office of Traffic Safety Grants ..................................................................................70

10.1.5 SCAG Sustainable Communities Program...............................................................................71

10.1.6 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program............................................................71

10.1.7 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ....................................................................................71

10.2 Next Steps .......................................................................................................................................72

10.2.1 Monitoring .................................................................................................................................72

10.2.2 Analysis Update........................................................................................................................72 Item Number: 3.

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Probability of Specific Crash Types Exceeding Threshold Proportion..........Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 2: Functional Classification & Signalized Intersections............................................ 5 Figure 3: All Collisions (2017-2021)........................................................................................ 6 Figure 4: Fatal & Severe Injury Collisions (2017-2021).......................................................... 7 Figure 5: Collision Type by Year (2017-2021)......................................................................... 8 Figure 6: Collisions by Injury Levels (2017-2021).................................................................. 9 Figure 7: Cause of Collisions (2017-2021).............................................................................10 Figure 8: Pedestrian Collisions (2017-2021)..........................................................................11 Figure 9: Bicycle Collisions (2017-2021) ...............................................................................12 Figure 10: Collision Network Screening Analysis Results (2017-2021) ..............................14

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 – Citywide Countermeasure Toolbox ...................................................................ES-7 Table 2 – Review of Existing City Plans ................................................................................. 1 Table 3 – Review of Existing City Projects............................................................................. 3 Table 4 – Fatal & Severe Injury Collisions Categorized by Modes Involved (2017-2021).... 9 Table 5 – Comparison of Statewide and Desert Hot Spring’s Fatal & Severe Injury Crashes....................................................................................................................................13 Table 6 – Analysis Results: Intersections (Top 10 Per Type) ..............................................28 Table 7 - Analysis Results: Segments (Top 10 Per Type) ....................................................28 Table 8 – Summary of Program, Policies, and Practices .....................................................29 Table 9 - Citywide Safety Countermeasure Toolbox ............................................................66 Item Number: 3.

ES-5
Executive Summary
The City of Desert Hot Springs Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) identifies emphasis areas to inform and guide further safety evaluation of the City’s transportation network. The emphasis areas include type of crash, certain locations, and notable relationships between current efforts and crash history. The LRSP analyzes crash data on an aggregate basis as well as at specific locations to identify high-crash locations, high-risk locations, as well as city-wide trends and patterns. The analysis of crash history throughout the City’s transportation network allows for opportunities to:

1. Identify factors in the transportation network that inhibit safety for all roadway users,

2. Improve safety at specific high-crash locations, and

3. Develop safety measures using the four E’s of safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Response to encourage safer driver behavior and better severity outcomes.

With this LRSP, the City continues its safety efforts by identifying areas of emphasis and systemic
recommendations to enhance safety.

The City’s vision is to enhance the transportation network and reduce traffic fatalities and serious injury related crashes, and the goals for the City of Desert Hot Springs include the following:

Goal #1: Identify areas with a high risk for crashes.

Goal #2: Illustrate the value of a comprehensive safety program and the systemic process.

Goal #3: Plan future safety improvements for near-, midand long-term.

Goal #4: Define safety projects for High Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) and other program
funding consideration.

This LRSP analyzes the most recent range of crash data
(January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2021) and roadway
improvements to assess historic trends, patterns, and areas of increasing concern.

Further, the collision history was analyzed to identify locations with elevated risk of collisions either through their collision histories or their similarities to other locations with more active collision patterns. Using a network screening process, locations were identified within the City that will 725 5-year
collisions
Fatalities 23
23 Serious
Injuries
18%
Occurred at
Signalized
Intersections
64%
Occurred at
Unsignalized
Intersections
27%
Due to
Agressive
Driving

39.7% Impaired
Driving

9.4%
Involving
Pedestrians &
Bicyclists
Source: Desert Hot Springs Collision Database (2017-2021) Item Number: 3.

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most likely benefit from safety enhancements. Using historic collision data, collision risk factors for the entire network were derived. The outcomes informed the identification and prioritization of engineering and non-infrastructure safety measures to address certain roadway characteristics and related behaviors that contribute to motor vehicle collisions with active transportation users.

Emphasis areas were developed by revisiting the vision and goals developed at the onset of the planning process and comparing them with the trends and patterns identified in the crash analysis.

Emphasis Area #1: Aggressive Driving
Emphasis Area #2: Pedestrian
Emphasis Area #3: Impaired Driving
Emphasis Area #4: Driver Licensing
The following 10 case study locations were chosen to be representative of the corridor and intersection configurations throughout the City.

1. Signalized Intersection: Palm Dr & Pierson Blvd

2. Unsignalized Intersection: Palm Dr & Buena Vista Ave

3. Signalized Intersection: Palm Dr & Hacienda Ave

4. Signalized Intersection: Mountain View Rd & Hacienda Ave

5. Signalized Intersection: Palm Dr & Ironwood Dr

6. Signalized Intersection: Palm Dr & Two Bunch Palms Trail

7. Roadway Segment: Palm Dr: Park Ln to Two Bunch Palms Trail

8. Roadway Segment: 5th St: Palm Dr to Cactus Dr

9. Unsignalized Intersection: Cactus Dr & Pierson Blvd

10. Unsignalized Intersection: Sh-62 & Pierson Blvd
These locations were identified through the analysis process based on their crash histories, stakeholder engagement, the observed crash patterns, and their different characteristics to provide the most insight into potential systemic safety countermeasures that the City can employ to achieve the most cost-effective safety benefits. Countermeasures were subjected to a benefit/cost assessment and scored according to their potential return on investment. These case studies can be used to select the most appropriate countermeasure, and to potentially phase improvements over the longer-term. The potential benefit of these countermeasures at locations with similar design characteristics can then be extrapolated regardless of crash history, allowing for proactive safety enhancements that can prevent future safety challenges from developing.

Additionally, this information can be used to help the City apply for grants and other funding opportunities to implement these safety improvements. These opportunities were assembled into the “countermeasure toolbox” shown below.

Item Number: 3.

ES-7
Table 1 – Citywide Countermeasure Toolbox
Potential Countermeasures Where to apply?
Crash
Reduction
Factor
Per Unit
Cost Unit
S02 Improve signal hardware: back-plates with
retroreflective borders
Signalized intersections with significant right-angle
and rear-end collisions due to signal visibility
15% $12,000 per intersection
S03 Improve signal timing (coordination, phases, red,
yellow, or operation)
Signalized intersections with a history of collisions,
where signal operations can be improved
15% $7,000 per intersection
S04** Provide Advanced Dilemma Zone Detection for
high-speed approaches
Signalized intersections with significant right-angle
and rear-end collisions due to unsafe stopping
and illegal turns during stop phase.
40% $34,000 per intersection
S05 Install emergency vehicle pre-emption systems Signalized intersections that have potential for collisions or significant collisions with emergency
vehicles due to traffic conditions
70% $40,000 per Intersection
S10 Install flashing beacons as advance warning Signalized intersections where driver awareness and visibility can be increased
30% $20,000 per intersection
S21PB Modify signal phasing to implement a Leading
Pedestrian Interval (LPI) with new controller
Signalized Intersections – especially those with
high pedestrian activity
60% $8,000 per intersection
S18PB Install high visibility crosswalks Signalized intersections with high pedestrian traffic and no marked crossing.
25% $32,000 per intersection
R33PB Install Separated Bike Lanes Roadway segments that have high bicyclist activity
35% $250,000 per mile
S17PB Install pedestrian countdown signal heads Signalized intersections with no pedestrian countdown heads and high pedestrian activity
25% $16,400 per Intersection
NS01 Add intersection lighting Unsignalized intersections with a history of nighttime collisions and lack of sufficient lighting40% $28,000 per intersection NS03 Install signals Unsignalized intersections with a history of fatal or severe injury collisions
30% $275,000 per intersection
NS05 Convert intersection to roundabout (from 2-way
stop or Yield control)
Unsignalized intersections with a high number of
left-turn type collisions
15% varies varies
Item Number: 3.

ES-8
Potential Countermeasures Where to apply?
Crash
Reduction
Factor
Per Unit
Cost Unit
NS06 Upgrade signage – Install LED stop signs Stop-controlled intersections which can be improved with more noticeable signs
15% $12,000 per intersection
NS08 Install flashing beacons at stop-controlled
intersections
Unsignalized intersections where driver
awareness can be increased
15% $10,000 per intersection
NS21PB Install/upgrade pedestrian crossing at
uncontrolled locations (with enhanced safety
features)
Unsignalized intersections with pedestrian
crossing that needs to be upgraded
35% $30,000 per location
NS23PB Install Pedestrian Signal (including pedestrian
Hybrid Beacon (HAWK))
Unsignalized intersections with a history of
collisions involving pedestrians
55% $150,000 per intersection
R01 Add segment lighting Roadway segments with a history of night-time collisions and lack of sufficient lighting
35% $900,000 per mile
R26 Install dynamic speed feedback signs Roadway segments with a history of collisions due to excessive speeds
30% $16,000 per sign
R28 Mark off parking areas Roadway segments where parking areas are not clearly defined
25% $1.55 per linear foot
R34PB Install sidewalk/pathway (to avoid walking along
roadway)
Roadway segments with a history of pedestrians
walking along the roadway due to lack of sidewalk
80% $80 per linear foot
R35PB Install/upgrade pedestrian crossing (with
enhanced safety features)
Roadway segment with pedestrian crossing that
needs to be upgraded
35% $15,000 per crossing
CMF 89 Restripe the intersection Intersections where striping is fading 18% $5,000 per intersection -* Install haptic audible pedestrian push buttons Signalized intersections with high pedestrian activity
5% varies varies
-* Remove stop-controlled left turn lanes and
restripe the intersection
Intersections where left turn lanes can potentially
add to driver confusion
5% varies varies
-* Restrict parking near driveways Roadway segments where cars partially/fully block driveways
5% $2.35 per linear foot
-* Relocating NB bus stop to far side of intersection Near intersections with bus stops across the street from one another
5% varies varies
Item Number: 3.

ES-9
Potential Countermeasures Where to apply?
Crash
Reduction
Factor
Per Unit
Cost Unit
-* Install curb extensions Intersections where curb can be extended to allow more room for pedestrians and cyclists
5% $80,000 per intersection
-* Add tracking to help drivers stay in their lanes Intersections with a history of misalignment when turning
5% $2,500 per intersection
-* Upgrade traffic controller Signalized intersections with controllers that need to be upgraded
5% $6,200 per intersection
-* Install battery backup system Signalized intersections with missing battery backup systems
5% $25,000 per intersection
*There were not approved countermeasures for these improvements in the Local Roadway Safety Manual, so a conservative Crash Reduction Factor (CRF) was assumed ** Ineligible for HSIP Cycle 11 Funding
Item Number: 3.

ES-10
Near-term action items were identified to accelerate the City’s achievement of the goals and vision of this LRSP. The City can:
• Actively seek other funding opportunities to improve safety for all modal users, • Collaborate with established safety partners & neighboring municipalities as improvements are made to create a cohesive transportation network, and • Iteratively evaluate existing and proposed transportation safety programs and capital improvements to design a safer transportation network in Desert Hot Springs.

The City will regularly monitor and update the analysis performed in this plan. A full plan update will be due five years from the City Council’s adoption of this plan which will maintain eligibility for HSIP funding.

Item Number: 3.

1 1. Introduction
Located in Coachella Valley in Riverside County, the City of Desert Hot Springs and is known as a home to a significant amount of hot mineral water spas and popular tourist destination. The City is a growing community of families and retirees with a population of 32,512 according to the 2020 census. Based on University of California Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Vehicle Operation Cost Parameters, Desert Hot Spring’s economic losses due to traffic injuries amounted to approximately $180M from 2017 to 2021. This report identifies factors associated with the most vehicle crashes particular to the City and proposes matching countermeasures to reduce or eliminate those crashes.

This Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) identifies emphasis areas to inform and guide further safety evaluation of the City’s transportation network. The emphasis areas include the type of crash, certain locations, and notable relationships between current efforts and crash history. The LRSP analyzes crash data on an aggregate basis as well as at specific locations to identify high-crash locations, high-risk locations, and city-wide trends and patterns. The analysis of crash history throughout the City’s transportation network allows for the following opportunities:

1. Identify factors in the transportation network that inhibit safety for all roadway users,

2. Improve safety at specific high-crash locations, and

3. Develop safety measures using the four E’s of safety (Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Response) to encourage safer driver behavior and better severity outcomes.

Desert Hot Springs has taken steps to enhance all modal safety throughout the City and with this LRSP, Desert Hot Springs is continuing to prioritize safety in its planning processes. The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) most recently ranked Desert Hot Springs 42 out of 97 peer cities for traffic injuries after normalizing for population and VMT in 2019. With number one (1) in the OTS crash rankings considered the highest, or “worst,” this positions the City at slightly above average for roadway safety performance. This LRSP analyzes the most recent range of Crossroads crash data from January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2021 and roadway improvements to assess historic trends, patterns, and areas of increasing concern.

The intent of the LRSP is to:
• Create a greater awareness of road safety and risks
• Identify measures to reduce the number of fatal and severe-injury crashes • Develop lasting partnerships between the City and safety partners • Support for grant/funding applications, and
• Helping to prioritize investments in traffic safety.

Item Number: 3.

2 2. Vision and Goals
The Desert Hot Springs LRSP evaluates the transportation network as well as non-infrastructure programs and policies within the City. Mitigation measures are evaluated using criteria to analyze the safety of road users (drivers, bicyclist, and pedestrians), the interaction of modes, the influences on the roadway network from adjacent municipalities, and the potential benefits of safety countermeasures. Through historical data and trends, proactive identification and safety opportunities can be identified and implemented without relying solely on a reaction and response to crashes as they occur.

As cities across the country have implemented LRSPs and systemically addressed the conditions leading to fatal and severe-injury crashes, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has found that LRSPs effectively improve safety. LRSPs provide a locally developed and customized roadmap to directly address the most common safety challenges in the given jurisdiction. This project’s vision, goals, and objectives have been established to reflect discussions with Desert Hot Springs staff, various stakeholders identified by City staff, and a review of existing plans/policies in the area.

VISION: To enhance the transportation network for all users to move towards zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by the year 2050 (Vision Zero).

The City is planning to adopt a Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2050. The implementation of this goal will be led by City departments. While the identified improvements in this report will be helpful in working toward achieving Vision Zero, improvements in driver education and a culture shift towards roadway safety will be necessary.

Goal #1: Identify areas with a high risk for crashes.

Objectives:
• Identify intersections and segments that would most benefit from mitigation. • Identify areas of interest with respect to safety concerns for vulnerable users (pedestrians and bicyclists).

Goal #2: Illustrate the value of a comprehensive safety program and the systemic process.

Objectives:
• Demonstrate the systemic process’ ability to identify locations with higher risk for crashes based on present characteristics closely associated with severe crashes. • Demonstrate, through the systemic process, the gaps and data collection activities that can be improved upon.

Goal #3: Plan future safety improvements for near-, mid- and long-term.

Objectives:
• Identify safety countermeasures for specific locations (case studies). • Identify safety countermeasures that can be applied city-wide.

Item Number: 3.

3 Goal #4: Define safety projects for future Highway Safety Improvement Plan (HSIP) and other program funding consideration.

Objectives:
• Create the outline for a prioritization process that can be used in this and forth-coming cycles to apply for funding.
• Use the systemic process to create Project Case Studies. • Use Case Studies to apply for HSIP and other funding consideration. • Demonstrate the correlation between the proposed safety countermeasures with the Vision Zero Initiative and the California State Highway Safety Plan.

Item Number: 3.

4 3. Process
The primary target for the City of Desert Hot Springs and it’s safety partners is to provide safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility choices for their residents and visitors. Through the development and implementation of this LRSP, the City will continue its collaboration with its safety partners to identify and discuss safety issues within the community.

Guidance on the LRSP process is provided at both the national (FHWA) and state (Caltrans) level, and both agencies have developed a general framework of data and recommendations for a LRSP.

FHWA encourages the following:
• The establishment of a working group (stakeholders) to participate in developing an LRSP • A review of crash, traffic, and roadway data to identify areas of concern • The identification of goals, priorities, and countermeasures to recommend improvements at spot locations, systemically, and comprehensively
Caltrans guidance follows a similar outline with the following steps:
• Establish leadership
• Analyze the safety data
• Determine emphasis areas
• Identify strategies
• Prioritize and incorporate strategies
• Evaluate and update the LRSP
This LRSP documents the results of data and information obtained, including the preliminary vision and goals for the LRSP, existing safety efforts, initial crash analysis, and developed emphasis areas. The LRSP recommendations consider the four E's of traffic safety defined by the California Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP): Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Response.

3.1 Guiding Manuals
This section describes the analysis process undertaken to evaluate safety within Desert Hot Springs at a systemic level. This report identifies specific locations within the City that will benefit from safety enhancements and derives crash risk factors based on historic crash data using a network screening process. The outcome will inform the identification and prioritization of engineering and non-infrastructure safety measures by addressing certain roadway characteristics and related driving behaviors contributing to crashes. This process uses the latest national and state best practices for statistical roadway analysis described.

Item Number: 3.

5 3.1.1 Local Roadway Safety Manual
The Local Roadway Safety Manual: A Manual for California’s Local Road Owners (Version 1.5, April 2020) encourages local agencies to pursue a proactive approach when identifying and analyzing safety issues and preparing to compete for project funding opportunities. A proactive approach is the analyzation of safety in an entire roadway network through either a one-time network wide analysis or a routine analysis of the roadway network.1 According to the Local Roadway Safety Manual (LRSM), “the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) – Division of Local Assistance is responsible for administering California’s federal safety funding intended for local safety improvements.” To provide the most beneficial and competitive funding approach, the analysis leading to countermeasure selection should focus on both intersections and roadway segments and maintain consideration of roadway characteristics and traffic volumes. The result should reflect a list of locations that are most likely to benefit from cost-effective countermeasures, preferably prioritized by benefit/cost ratio. The manual suggests using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative measures to identify and rank locations using both crash frequency and crash rates.

These findings should then be screened for crash type and severity patterns to determine the cause of crashes and the potential effective countermeasures. Qualitative analysis should include field visits and a review of existing roadway characteristics and devices. The specific roadway context can then be used to assess conditions that may decrease safety at the site and at systematic levels.

Countermeasure selection should be supported using Crash Modification Factors (CMFs). These factors are a peer reviewed product of research quantifying the expected rate of crash reduction expected from a given countermeasure. If more than one countermeasure is under consideration, the LRSM provides guidance on appropriate application of CMFs.

3.1.2 Highway Safety Manual
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Highway Safety Manual (HSM), published in 2010, presents a variety of methods for quantitatively estimating crash frequency or severity at a variety of locations.2 This four-part manual is divided into the following parts: A) Introduction, Human Factors, and Fundamentals, B) Roadway Safety Management Process, C) Predictive Method, D) Crash Modification Factors.

In Chapter 4 of Part B in the HSM, the “Network Screening Process” is a tool for an agency to analyze the entire network and identify/rank locations that are most likely or least likely to realize a reduction in the frequency of crashes.
1 Local Roadway Safety Manual (Version 1.5) 2020. Page 5. 2 AASHTO, Highway Safety Manual, 2010, Washington D.C., http://www.highwaysafetymanual.org/Pages/About.aspx
Item Number: 3.

6 The HSM identifies five steps in this process:3

1. Establish Focus: Identify the purpose or intended outcome of the network screening analysis. This decision will influence data needs, the selection of performance measures and the screening method that can be applied.

2. Identify Network and Establish Reference Populations: Specify the types of sites or facilities being screened (i.e., segments, intersections, geometrics) and identify groupings of similar sites or facilities.

3. Select Performance Measures: There are a variety of performance measures available to evaluate the potential to reduce crash frequency at a site. In this step, the performance measure is selected as a function of the screening focus and the data and analytical tools available.

4. Select Screening Method: There are three principal screening methods described in this chapter (i.e., ranking, sliding window, peak searching). Each method has advantages and disadvantages; the most appropriate method for a given situation should be selected.

5. Screen and Evaluate Results: The final step in the process is to conduct the screening and analysis and evaluate the results.

The HSM provides several statistical methods for screening roadway networks and identifying high risk locations based on overall crash histories.

3.2 Analysis Techniques

3.2.1 Collision and Network Screening Analysis
Intersections and roadways were analyzed using the following collision metrics:
• Number of Collisions
• Probability of Specific Crash Types Exceeding Threshold Proportion (HSM Ch.4)_ • Equivalent Property Damage Only (HSM Ch.4)
The initial steps of a collision analysis involve establishing sub-populations of roadway segments and intersections that have similar characteristics. For this LRSP, intersections were grouped by their control type (Signalized and Unsignalized), and segments were grouped by their roadway category (Primary Arterial, Secondary Arterial, Collector Arterial, Local). Individual collision rates were then calculated for each sub-population. The population level collision rates were used to assess whether a specific location has more or fewer crashes than expected. These subpopulations were also used to determine typical collision patterns to highlight locations where an unusual number of specific collision types occurred.
3 AASHTO. Highway Safety Manual. 2010. Washington, DC. Page 4-2.

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7 The network screening process ranks intersections and roadway segments by the number of collisions over the analysis period, and then identifies areas with a higher number of a given collision type than would be expected for the location.

The different collisions were organized by the following categories:

1. Collision injury (fatal, serious injury, other visible injury, complaint of pain, property damage only),

2. Collision type (broadside, rear-end, sideswipe, head-on, hit object, overturned, bicycle, pedestrian, other),

3. Environmental factors (lighting, wet roads), and

4. Driver behavior (impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving).

From the results of the network screening analyses, a short-list of locations was chosen based on crash activity, crash severity, crash patterns, location type, and area of the City of Desert Hot Springs to provide the greatest variety of locations covering the widest range of safety opportunities for safety toolbox development. The intent is to populate the safety toolbox with mitigation measures that will be applicable to most of the crash activity in the city. Ten locations will ultimately be selected for mitigation analysis.

3.2.2 Statistical Performance Measures
Equivalent Property Damage Only (EPDO)
The equivalent property damage only (EPDO) method is described in the Highway Safety Manual. This method assigns weighting factors to crashes based on injury level (severe, injury, property damage only) to develop a property damage only score. In this analysis, the injury crash costs were calculated for each location (based on the latest Caltrans injury costs). This figure is then divided by the injury cost for a property damage only crash. The resulting number is the equivalent number of property damage only crashes at each site. This figure allows all locations to be compared based on injury crash costs. (Highway Safety Manual, Chapter 4).

Probability
The Highway Safety Manual describes the methodology for determining the probability that crash type is greater than an identified threshold proportion. This helps to identify locations where a crash type is more likely to occur.

DATA NEEDS
The probability of a specific crash type can be determined using collisions records with location data, and classifications of the locations (intersections or segments) studied.

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1 STRENGTHS
• Can be used as a diagnostic tool
• Considers variance in data
• Not affected by selection bias
The HSM methodology first determines the frequency of a specific collision type at an individual location, then determines the observed proportion of that collision type relative to all collision types at that location. A threshold proportion is then determined for the specific collision type; HSM suggests utilizing the proportion of the collision type observed in the entire reference population (e.g. throughout the entire City of Desert Hot Springs).

These proportions are then utilized to determine the probability that the proportion of a specific crash type is greater than the long-term expected proportion of that crash type.

Figure 1: Probability of Specific Crash Types Exceeding Threshold Proportion SOURCE: HIGHWAY SAFETY MANUAL

3.3 Future Analysis
The City can plan to conduct regular collision monitoring as described in Section 10.2. The City will then refresh the analysis and update the LRSP every 5 years to maintain eligibility for HSIP funding, as described in Section 10.2.

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1 4. Safety Partners
Local stakeholders were included in the development of this report to ensure the local perspective was maintained at the forefront of planning efforts. A stakeholder group of City staff and external partners consisted of representatives from the Desert Hot Springs Police Department, Mizell Center, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The local stakeholders were called together to offer insight on the safety issues present in the City’s transportation network. After the initial network screening and safety analysis, the stakeholder group met to discuss potential countermeasures and challenge areas through a field visit. The summary of the stakeholder meeting is outlined below.

4.1 Stakeholder Meeting
The stakeholder meeting was conducted virtually on August 24, 2022. At the meeting, stakeholders were introduced to the project and provided an overview of the data used, the required outputs, and the potential outcomes of the study.

In addition to the overview, stakeholders were asked to provide local insight and knowledge at ten “case study” locations that were identified after the initial network screening and crash analysis process.

4.2 Field Tour
On September 1, 2022, the stakeholder group visited each of the 10 “case study” locations to identify potential issues that are contributing to the collision patterns. Potential countermeasures were identified and discussed.

Stakeholder feedback was reviewed and incorporated into the study process for the development of the LRSP.

5. Existing Efforts
Existing plans, policies, and projects that were recently completed, planned, or on-going were compiled at the start of the LRSP process to gain perspective on the existing efforts for transportation-related improvements within the City. High-level key points regarding transportation improvements and safety-related topics were identified to inform decision making in this LRSP. outlines the relevant existing City plans and their improvements and funding sources. Table 2 outlines the relevant existing City plans and their improvements.

Table 3 outlines the relevant existing City projects and their timelines.

Item Number: 3.

1 Table 2 – Review of Existing City Plans
Document
Name
Document
Year Agency Document Description Transportation Policies/Improvements General Plan 2020 City of Desert
Hot Springs
Long-Term
Planning
• Mixed-Use and Commercial Corridors, and Freeway
Commercial guide the Land Use Plan (LU)
• Establish and maintain a multimodal mobility plan when implementing infrastructure (MI-1)
• Balanced transportation system using complete streets (MI2) • Street and sidewalks that prioritize safety (MI-3)
• Connected pedestrian and bicycle network (MI-4)
• Reduction in total vehicle miles traveled to help improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (MI5) • Comprehensive transit system that provides convenient and reliable transit access to residential neighborhood and activity destination (MI-7)
• Efficient and safe movement of goods (MI-8)
• Leverage promising technological advances and changes in use of mobility services (MI-9)
• Sustainable Revenues to fund transportation improvement and maintain existing network (MI-10)
Bicycle and
Pedestrian
Master Plan
2016 City of Desert
Hot Springs
Final Master
Plan
• Bicycle low-stress facilities off-street, on-street, shared-street, and multi-lane path infrastructure improvements along key routes (Mission Lakes Blvd, Little Morongo Rd, Pierson Blvd, Palm Dr, Mesquite Ave, Verbena Dr, Hacienda Ave,
Mountain View Rd, Little Morongo Rd, Two Bunch Palms
Trail, Camino Campanero, Dillon Rd)
• Pedestrian infrastructure improvements through refuge islands, mid-block crossings, curb extensions, at key
locations (Mission Lakes Blvd, Little Morongo Rd, Pierson Blvd, Palm Dr, Mesquite Ave, Verbena Dr, Hacienda Ave,
Mountain View Rd, Little Morongo Rd, Two Bunch Palms
Trail, Camino Campanero, Dillon Rd)
• Safe routes to schools implementations at key school and park locations
• Improve lighting, add traffic calming features, connections to Coachella Valley (CV) link, gap closure, and create paths through open spaces
Item Number: 3.

2 Document
Name
Document
Year Agency Document Description Transportation Policies/Improvements Capital
Improvement
Fund
2020 City of Desert
Hot Springs
Capital
Improvement
Budgets
• Bus shelters and new locations (ST63)
• Desert view sidewalk project south design and construction • Design/engineering of bridge on Dillon Rd (ST63)
• Roads widening improvements
• Curb and shoulder road improvements
• Traffic signals/street lightning installation
• SB1 Palm Dr bicycle pedestrian improvement project
• Palm Dr entryway and highway entrance upgrade
• Additional city signage, lighting, and speed hump (2) • Palm Dr Camino Aventura Traffic Signal - Phase I
• Pavement Management Plan (PMP)
• Palm Dr improvement: I-10 to Camino Aventura and Pierson to Mission Lake
• CVLink – DHS extension project
• Citywide asphalt overlay, paving, and road reconstruction • Citywide annual street repairs, striping and sidewalk repairs Safe Routes to
School Plan 2008 City of Desert Hot Springs
Safe Routes to
School Plan
• Safe routes to schools implementations at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the City
• Pedestrian infrastructure improvements through high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions/bulb-outs, new sidewalks, raised crosswalks, countdown and audible signals, and extra wide crossing islands
• Bicycle infrastructure improvements through bike paths, bike lanes, bike routes, and bicycle parking
• Lighting improvements to improve visibility, especially for vulnerable road users
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3 Table 3 – Review of Existing City Projects
Document Name Timeline Transportation Policies/Improvements HSIP Cycle 9: Palm Drive from Dillon Rd to Pierson Blvd August 2018 • Upgrade standard pedestrian signal heads to countdown style pedestrian signal heads
• Upgrade pedestrian push buttons to accessible pedestrian signal (APS)
• Construct continental style crosswalks with limit lines HSIP Cycle 9: Palm Drive at 8th Street August 2018
• Construct median refuges and curb bulb outs
• Upgrade stop signs to LED bordered stop signs
• Upgrade existing crosswalks to continental crosswalks ATP Cycle 3: Palm Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian
Improvement Project June 2017
• Pedestrian infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, ADA ramps and driveways, driveway crosswalks and striping, and signage markings
• Bicycle infrastructure improvements including buffered bike lane striping and signage markings
• Additional safety improvements including street lights, raised medians, and bus stop warning signs and lights
• Improvements provide safer pedestrian and bicycle access route to various schools, parks, transit route shops,
commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods
ATP Cycle 4: Hacienda Avenue SRTS Improvement Project May 2019 • Construction of new sidewalks, bike lanes, ADA ramps, and street lights
• Improvements provide pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements which will increase alternate modes of
transportation of walking and biking along the project
segment
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4 6. Data Summary
This section describes the data sources used for the analysis process of this LRSP.

6.1 Roadway Network
The Caltrans California Road System (CRS) GIS database was used to build the base roadway network used for this analysis. Functional Classifications were then imported from the City’s General Plan. Traffic volumes and signal locations were provided by the City and were included in the analysis network. Intersections and roadway segments were divided into control and classification categories so that each set could have its own crash rates and be evaluated against similar facilities. Figure 2 illustrates Desert Hot Spring’s roadway network and intersections as classified for this study.

6.2 Collision Data
Collision data was collected from Crossroads software for the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021, displayed in Figure 3. Five years of data are utilized instead of the standard three years to provide more history to evaluate trends or patterns. Analysis of the raw collision data is the first step in understanding the specific and systemic challenges faced throughout the city. Analyzing the five years of data provided insight on the collision trends and patterns detailed in Section 7. The locations of fatal and severe injury collisions are displayed in Figure 4.

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5 Figure 2: Functional Classification & Signalized Intersections Item Number: 3.

6 Figure 3: All Collisions (2017-2021)
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7 Figure 4: Fatal & Severe Injury Collisions (2017-2021)

7. Crash Safety Trends
The analysis was conducted using a network screening process for the City-maintained roadway system based on collision records spanning from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021.

This section contains the results of the analysis, which included the evaluation of Desert Hot Springs’ fatal and serious injury (generally denoted as K+SI) collisions, statewide K+SI collisions, pedestrian collisions, bicycle collisions, collision severity levels, and collision causes.

7.1 All Collisions
This report utilized collision data for a five-year period to provide a better understanding of trends and to reflect the patterns in crashes that have occurred on City streets. New data is added to the system in an ongoing basis which means that each time the City updates the analysis, a full 5- year draw from the database, rather than just adding records from the last query should be standard practice. Data used for this report were extracted from Crossroads Software analytics from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021 as reported to Crossroads from the local Item Number: 3.

8 enforcement indicated that during this time there were 725 collisions recorded within Desert Hot Springs.

During this time, the most common occurring collision types were Broadsides (29%), Rear-ends (23%), and Hit Objects (20%). The total number of collisions stayed consistent, with a drop in 2020 explainable by the pandemic impacts, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Collision Type by Year (2017-2021)
Source: Desert Hot Springs Crossroads Database (2017-2021)

7.2 Fatalities & Severe Injuries
During the study period, 23 fatal collisions and 23 severe injury collisions occurred during the study period, as seen in Figure 4. Table 4 outlines the fatal collisions categorized by modes involved.

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9 Table 4 – Fatal & Severe Injury Collisions Categorized by Modes Involved (2017- 2021)
Involved With # of Fatal Injury
Collisions
# of Severe Injury
Collisions
Other Motor Vehicle 11 4
Fixed Object 2 4
Pedestrian 7 11
Bicycle 1 2
Other Object 2 1
Parked Motor Vehicle 0 1

7.3 Injury Levels
As shown in Figure 6, 46% of the collisions reported during the time-period resulted in property damage only. Fatalities and severe injuries totaled 6% of all collisions.

Figure 6: Collisions by Injury Levels (2017-2021)
Source: Desert Hot Springs Crossroads Database (2017 – 2021) 46%
28%
20%
3% 3%
Property Damage Only
Complaint of Pain
Other Visible Injury
Severe Injury
Fatal
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10 7.4 Cause of Collision
The highest recorded cause of collisions in Desert Hot Springs during this time period is Unsafe Speed at 30%, followed by Auto Right-of-Way Violation at 19% and Driving Under Influence at 13%. Issues with Improper Turning also had a substantial impact on the City, comprising 13% of the collisions.

Figure 7: Cause of Collisions (2017-2021)
Source: Desert Hot Springs Crossroads Database (2017 – 2021)

7.5 Vulnerable Users

7.5.1 Pedestrian Collisions
56 pedestrian involved collisions occurred during the study period, resulting in 7 fatal collisions, 11 severe injury, and 36 collisions with some form of reported injury or pain. 61% of the collisions occurred at night, with 14 of them occurring in locations noted as having no streetlights. Figure 8 shows the locations of pedestrian collisions during the study period.

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11 7.5.2 Bicycle Collisions
During the study period, 12 collisions involving bicycles were reported. Of these, 1 was fatal, 2 resulted in severe injuries, and 8 resulted in some form of reported injury or pain. The collision history shows 58% of the collisions occurred at night, with 3 of them occurring in locations noted as having no streetlights. 25% of these collisions were attributed to automobile right-of-way violations. Figure 9 shows the location of bicycle collisions during the study period Figure 8: Pedestrian Collisions (2017-2021)
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12 Figure 9: Bicycle Collisions (2017-2021)

7.6 Other Significant Trends
• 45 percent of collisions (328) occurred either at night or during dusk/dawn. 39% (128) of these collisions still occurred at or near intersections. • 29 percent of the total collisions (725) were broadsides. • Drivers aged 65 or older were found to be at fault in 9 percent of collisions. Drivers aged 55 and older were found to be at fault in 18 percent of collisions. • Drivers aged between 20 and 25 years old were found to be at fault in 27 percent of collisions.

7.7 Statewide Comparison
A comparison of fatal and severe injury collision data to the State averages were conducted for data from 2015-2018 (the most recent statewide data available). These numbers may vary slightly from those mentioned previously, due to the differences in the years of the study period.

The following are areas where Desert Hot Spring’s collision rates are higher or lower than those of the State. These numbers specifically compare the proportion of fatal and serious injury crashes that have the characteristics listed in Table 5.

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13 Table 5 – Comparison of Statewide and Desert Hot Spring’s Fatal & Severe Injury Crashes
Challenge Areas
Statewide Desert Hot Springs
% of F+SI Collisions
(2015-2018)
% of F+SI Collisions
(2015-2018) % Point Difference
Occupant Protection 14.20% 26.67% 12.47%
Impaired Driving 25.30% 36.19% 10.89%
Driver Licensing** 24.70% 35.29% 10.59%
Intersections 23.60% 33.33% 9.73%
Aggressive Driving 33.10% 40.95% 7.85%
Distracted Driving 5.00% 8.57% 3.57%
Pedestrians 19.20% 20.95% 1.75%
Commercial Vehicles 6.40% 7.62% 1.22%
Lane Departure 43.30% 41.90% -1.40%
Work Zones 1.40% 0.00% -1.40%
Young Drivers 13.10% 10.48% -2.62%
Bicyclists 8.30% 4.76% -3.54%
Aging Drivers 12.40% 6.67% -5.73%
Motorcyclists 21.00% 6.67% -14.33%
*Available for Fatal Only

7.9 Collision Network Screening Analysis Results
Figure 10 below show the results of the collision network screening analysis, with the number of collisions at both intersections and mid-block roadway segments.

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