8 Fresno Fire Department (FFD). 2021. Fresno Fire Department 2021 Annual Report. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/fire/wp- content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/2021-Annual-Report-final.pdf. Accessed June 17, 2022. 9 City of Fresno. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/police/policing-district-locator/. Accessed June 8, 2022 City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx and Tarpey.10 Patrol Area 2 is bounded by the San Joaquin River to the north and American Avenue to the south, and from Chatea Fresno east to McCall Avenue, which borders the Plan Area’s eastern- most boundary. The California Highway Patrol, Fresno State Police Department, and the Fresno City College Department also provide law enforcement services in the Fresno area.
Stations
The FPD operates one police station in each of its five policing districts in addition to the Fresno Police Headquarters, for a total of six police stations within the City. The Plan Area lies partially within the Southeast Policing District, with officers operating out of the Southeast Policing District station located at 1617 South Cedar Avenue. A full list of the City’s police stations is below:
• Fresno Police Headquarters: 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA • Southwest Policing District: 1211 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA • Southeast Policing District: 1617 South Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA • Northeast Policing District: 1450 Eeast Teague Avenue, Fresno, CA • Northwest Policing District: 3781 North Hughes Avenue, Fresno, CA • Central Policing District: 3502 North Blackstone Avenue, Fresno, CA
The Plan Area lies within the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Area 2, with a Sheriff’s Office located 1.97 miles to the northwest of the Plan Area at 5717 East Shields Avenue, Fresno, CA. 11 Equipment, Staffing, and Calls for Service
The City has a target staffing ratio of 1.5 unrestricted officers per 1,000 City residents.12 According to the Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget, the Department’s sworn staff will increase to 850, the highest in FPD history.13 The FPD provides additional services and staffs special units including Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, Internal Affairs, K9 Unit, Mounted Patrol, Skywatch, Specialized Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Records Bureau. According to the 2020 Fresno Police Department Annual Report, FPD fielded over 350,000 calls for service, with an average of over 959 calls for service per day.
14 Impact Fees
As previously discussed, development within the City creates demands on exisiting muncial facilities, improvements, and services. Thus, various development fees and charges are imposed on new development in order to mitigate such demands. Payment of those fees and charges is required at various stages of the development process. The Public Facilities Financing Plan describes potential funding mechanisms for infrastructure needed to support the proposed project. Payment of applicable development fees or other funding mechansims would offset the construction and
10 Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Website: https://www.fresnosheriff.org/units/enforcement/patrol-areas/area-2.html. Accessed June 9, 2022.
11 Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Area 2. Website:
https://www.fresnosheriff.org/images/PatrolAreas/A2Cities.pdf. Accessed January 17, 2022. 12 National Police Funding Database. 2024. Fresno, CA. Website: https://policefundingdatabase.org/explore-the- database/locations/california/fresno/. Accessed December 4, 2024. 13 City of Fresno. 2022. Adopted Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, Page B-139. Website: https:// www.fresno.gov/finance/wp- content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/FY2022AdoptedBudgetLINKS.pdf. Accessed June 17, 2022. 14 Fresno Police Department (FPD). 2020. Fresno Police Department 2020 Annual Report. Website: https:// www.fresno.gov/police/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/28947-2020AnnualReport-FINAL-2.pdf. Accessed June 17, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx acquisition costs of required police protection facility improvements or additional personnel required to meet acceptable service levels. The funding mechanisms ultimately adopted by the City Council would also support police services by ensuring that police facilities meet City standards.
Schools
The City is served by multiple school districts: Fresno Unified School District (FUSD), Clovis Unified School District (CUSD), Central Unified School District (Central USD), Sanger Unified School District (Sanger USD), and Washington Unified School District. The majority of the City is served by the FUSD, while the CUSD serves areas of the City north of Herndon Avenue and east of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the Central USD serves north and northwestern portions of the City, the Sanger USD serves the southeastern area of the City, and a large portion of the southwest portion of the City is served by the Washington USD.
School District and Schools in the Area
The Plan Area would be served by both the Sanger USD and CUSD, both of which provide kindergarten through twelfth grade classes. The Plan Area encompases two elementary schools:
Lone Star Elementary in the Sanger USD and Young Elementary in the CUSD. 15, 16 Table 3.15-2 below
features all existing schools within the Plan Area.
Table 3.15-2: School Districts and Schools in the Project Area School District School Name Address
Sanger Unified School
District
Lone Star Elementary School 2617 South Fowler Avenue, Fresno, CA Clovis Unified School
District
Young Elementary School 3140 North Locan Avenue, Fresno, CA Sources: SchoolSite Locator. 2022; Clovis Unified School District (CUSD). 2022.
Enrollment
Table 3.15-3 below shows the enrollment by grade for the 2021-2022 school year in the Sanger USD and in the CUSD as a whole as well as in Lone Star Elementary School and Young Elementary School.17
15 SchoolSite Locator. 2022. Sanger USD. Website: https://portal.schoolsitelocator.com/apps/ssl/?districtcode=79027. Accessed June 17, 2022.
16 Clovis Unified School District (CUSD). 2022. Clovis Unified Boundary Map. Website: https:// maps.cusd.com/address/. Accessed June 17, 2022.
17 California Department of Education. 2021. DataQuest, 2021-2022 Enrollment by Grade. Website: https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest.
Accessed June 9, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx Table 3.15-3: School District and School Enrollment by Grade School District School
Elementary
School (Grades
K–6)
Middle School
(Grades 7–8)
High School
(Grades 9–
12)
Total
Enrollment
Sanger Unified
School District
Lone Star Elementary 569 0 0 569
District Total 7,119 1,989 3,965 13,087
Clovis Unified
School District
Young Elementary School 639 0 0 639
District Total 22,118 6,704 13,835 42,669
Source: California Department of Education. 2021.
Student Generation Rates
As discussed in Section 2.0, Project Description, and Section 3.14, Population and Housing, the existing population in Plan Area is estimated to contain approximately 2,171 persons. According to the General Plan, the Plan Area is expected to be built out with approximately 15,000 housing units by 2035, resulting in a total population of 44,850. The Plan Area’s total housing capacity is 45,000 housing units, resulting in a total population of approximately 134,550. To determine the number of students that would be generated by the proposed project, the State provides a housing unit yield of
0.7 students per unit.
18 Therefore, the proposed project would be expected to generate approximately 10,500 students by 2035 and could generate up to 31,500 students at total buildout.
School Impact Fees
As further discussed in Section 3.15.3, Regulatory Framework, future development under the proposed project would be required to pay applicable development fees, which would offset the cost of developing new or expanded school facilities or additional staff in order to meet acceptable service levels.
Parks
The Parks Master Plan was updated in 2017 pursuant to General Plan Parks, Open Space and Schools Element Policy POSS-1-b. As shown in Table 3.15-4 the updated General Plan classifies six different park types based on acreage and service area: pocket park, neighborhood park, community park, regional park, special use park/facility, and greenbelts/trails.19 The City also has joint-use agreements that allow select school and basin sites to be used for recreation by the public during certain times, including Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) stormwater retention and detention basins.
18 Office of Public School Construction. 2019. School Facility Program Handbook. 19 City of Fresno. 2017. Parks Master Plan. Chapter 3 Park System Overview, Pages 65-69. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/wp- content/themes/cityoffresno/_largefiles/FresnoPMPFinalDocumentwithAppA051818_S.pdf. Accessed December 13, 2024.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx Table 3.15-4: City of Fresno Park Types
Park Type Typical Size Service Area
Pocket Park 0.5 to 2 acres Up to 0.5 mile
Neighborhood Park 2.01 to 10 acres Up to 1 mile radius
Community Park 10.01 to 40 acres Up to 4 mile radius
Regional Park More than 40 acres1 100,000 residents
Greenbelts/Trail Varies Entire City
Notes:
1 Parks that are less than 40 acres may be considered a Regional Park if a unique recreational opportunity, such as river access, is provided.
Source: City of Fresno. 2017.
Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities
The existing Fresno Park System consists of more than 80 parks including pocket parks, public grounds, neighborhood parks, community parks, regional parks, and special use facilities. The Plan Area does not encompass any parks. The nearest park to the Plan Area, Al Radka Park, is located 1.25 miles to the west of the Plan Area boundary.
Service Standards
The General Plan has established service standards by park type. These standards are 3 acres per 1,000 residents for pocket parks, neighborhood parks, and community parks; and 2 acres per 1,000 residents for regional parks, open space/natural areas, and special use parks. As Fresno’s population increases the amount of park land must increase to maintain the established Level of Service (LOS) standards. Fresno must increase its park lands by 1,095 acres in order to meet the LOS goals for current population, and by 1,751 acres to meet the needs of the projected 2035 population. 20 Impact Fees
As previously discussed, development within the City creates demands on exisiting municipal facilities, improvements, and services. Thus, various development fees and charges are imposed on new development in order to mitigate such demands. Payment of those fees and charges is required at various stages of the development process. As previously discussed, future development under the proposed project would be required to pay applicable development fees, which would offset the cost of developing new or expanded park facilities.
Other Public Facilities
Libraries
The Fresno County Library System provides collections and services via 39 library branches and its Central Resource Library. The Fresno County Public Library is part of the San Joaquin Valley Library
20 City of Fresno. 2017. Fresno Parks Master Plan, Introduction, Page 11 Website: https://www.fresno.gov/darm/wp- content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/FresnoPMPFinalDocumentwithAppA051818.pdf. Accessed June 17, 2022. 7 7
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City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx System (SJVLS), a library consortium of 10 public library jurisdictions across Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties.21,22,23
• Woodward Park Regional Library, 994 East Perrin Avenue, Fresno, CA • Pinedale Branch Library, 7170 North San Pablo Avenue, Pinedale, CA • Clovis Regional Library, 1155 5th Street, Clovis, CA
• Politi Branch Library, 5771 North 1st Street, Fresno, CA • Betty Rodriguez Regional Library, 3040 North Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA • Sunnyside Regional Library, 5566 East Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA • Mosqueda Branch Library, 4670 East Butler Avenue, Fresno, CA • Talking Book Library for the Blind, 770 North San Pablo Avenue, Fresno, CA • Fig Garden Regional Library, 3071 West Bullard Avenue, Fresno, CA • Gillis Branch Library, 629 West Dakota Avenue, Fresno, CA • Central Library, 106 East Shields Avenue, Fresno, CA
• West Fresno Branch Library, 188 East California Avenue, Fresno, CA
Library Location
There are no libraries located within the Plan Area. The nearest libraries to the Plan Area are the Sunnyside Regional Library and the Sanger Branch Library. The Sunnyside Regional Library is located at 5566 East Kings Canyon Road in the Sunnyside Square Shopping Center approximately 2.01 miles west of the Plan Area boundary. The Sanger Branch Library is located at 1812 7th Street, 3.60 miles to the east of the Plan Area boundary.
Hospitals
As is shown in Table 3.15-5 there are eight hospitals located within the City, with three providing emergency medical services and one providing Level 1 trauma services. Community Regional Medical Center, located in Downtown Fresno, provides the most comprehensive medical services, including the metropolitan area’s only Level 1 trauma center. 24, 25
Table 3.15-5: City of Fresno Hospitals
Hospital Name Address (Fresno) Services Capacity
Fresno Surgical
Hospital
6125 North Fresno
Street
General Acute Care Hospital 27 Beds
Fresno Heart and
Surgical Hospital
15 East Audubon Drive General Acute Care Hospital, Cardiac, Vascular, and Bariatric Surgical Services
57 Beds
St. Agnes
Medical Center
1303 East Herndon
Avenue
General Acute Care Hospital, Basic
Emergency Services
436 Beds
21 Fresno County Public Library. Website: http://www.fresnolibrary.org/about/index.html. Accessed June 9, 2022.; 22 San Joaquin Valley Library System. Website: https://www.sjvls.org/about. Accessed June 9, 2022. 23 Fresno County Public Library. Map of Fresno Clovis Metro-Area. Website: http://www.fresnolibrary.org/branch/metro.html.
Accessed June 9, 2022.
24 The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. 2020. Facility Finder. Website: www.oshpd.ca.gov/facility‐finder/.
Accessed June 9, 2022.
25 UCSF Department of Emergency Medicine, 2024. UCSF Fresno. Website: https://emergency.ucsf.edu/ucsf- fresno#:~:text=CRMC%20is%20the%20only%20Level,county%20area%20of%20Central%20California. Accessed December 4, 2024.
LL.
LL.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx Hospital Name Address (Fresno) Services Capacity
Kaiser
Foundation
Hospital-Fresno
7300 North Fresno
Street
General Acute Care Hospital, Basic
Emergency Services
169 Beds
Community
Regional Medical
Center
2823 Fresno Street General Acute Care Hospital, Comprehensive Emergency Services, Neuroscience Institute,
Level 3 Neonatal ICU, Level 1 Trauma and
Comprehensive Burns Center
689 Beds
Community
Behavioral
Health Center
7171 North Cedar
Avenue
Inpatient and outpatient acute psychiatric
care
61 Beds
Community
Subacute and
Transitional Care
Center
3003 North Mariposa
Street
Chronic Subacute Conditions 106 Beds
San Joaquin
Valley
Rehabilitation
Hospital
7173 North Sharon
Avenue
Outpatient and Inpatient Rehabilitation
Services
62 Beds
Sources: The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development 2020. City of Fresno. 2020.
Hospital Location
There are no hospitals located within the Plan Area. The nearest hospital to the Plan Area, the Clovis Community Medical Center, lies outside of the City. Clovis Community Medical Center is located at 2755 Herndon Avenue in the City of Clovis, approximately 3.46 miles north of the Plan Area. The hospital is licensed as a General Acute Care Hospital and provides basic emergency room services with a capacity of 208 beds.
3.15.3 - Regulatory Framework
State
California Health and Safety Code
California Health and Safety Code, Sections 13100–13135, establish the following policies related to fire protection:
13100.1 The functions of the office of the State Fire Marshall, including CAL FIRE, shall be to foster, promote, and develop strategies to protect life and property against fire and panic.
13104.6 The Fire Marshall has the authority to require fire hazards to be removed in accordance with the law relating to removal or public nuisances on tax-deeded property.
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SB 50 (funded by Proposition 1A, approved in 1998) limits the power of cities and counties to require mitigation of school facilities impacts as a condition of approving new development, and provides instead for a standardized developer fee. SB 50 generally provides for a 50/50 State and local school facilities funding match. SB 50 also provides for three levels of statutory impact fees. The application level depends on whether State funding is available, whether the school district is eligible for State funding, and whether the school district meets certain additional criteria involving bonding capacity, year-round school, and the percentage of movable classrooms in use.
California Government Code, Section 65995(b) and Education Code, Section 17620 SB 50 amended Section 65995 of the California Government Code, which contains limitations on Section 17620 of the Education Code, the statute that authorizes school districts to assess development fees within school district boundaries. Section 65995(b)(3) of the Government Code requires the maximum square footage assessment for development to be increased every 2 years, according to inflation adjustments. On January 22, 2014, the State approved increasing the allowable amount of statutory school facilities fees (Level I School Fees) from $3.20 to $3.36 per square foot of assessable space for residential development of 500 square feet or more, and from $0.51 to $0.54 per square foot of chargeable covered and enclosed space for commercial/industrial development.
School districts may levy higher fees if they apply to the State and meet certain conditions.
Local
Fresno General Plan
The General Plan outlines a long-range vision for the physical development of the City that reflects the community’s vision to preserve the desirable qualities of the existing community while encouraging the aspirations of the community. The following objectives, policies, and programs are related to public services:
Urban Form, Land Use, and Design
Land Use
Objective LU-11 Encourage coordination with adjacent jurisdictions in providing public services, infrastructure and cooperative economic development.
Policy LU-11-c General Plan Consistency. Pursue coordinated planning and development project reviews with relevant federal, State, and local public agencies to ensure consistency with this General Plan
Public Utilities and Services Element
Police Protection Services
Objective PU-1 Provide the level of law enforcement and crime prevention services necessary to matinain a safe, secure, and stable urban living environment through a Police Department that is dedicated to providing professional, ethical, efficient, and innovative service with integrity, consistency and pride.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx Policy PU-1-b Involvement in General Plan. Facilitate Police Department participation in the implementation of General Plan policies, including citizen participation efforts and the application of crime prevention design measures to reduce the exposure of neighborhoods to crime and to promote community security • Facilitate Police Department communication with citizen advisory committees.
• Refer appropriate development entitlements to the Police Department for review and comment.
Policy PU-1-c Safety Considerations in Development Approval. Continue to identify and apply appropriate safety, design and operational measures as conditions of development approval, including, but not limited to, State control measures, lighting and visibility of access points and common areas, functional and secure on-site recreational and open space improvements within residential developments, and use of State licensed, uniformed security.
Policy PU-1-d New Police Station Locations. Considerations will be given to co-locating new police station facilities with other public property including, but not limited to, schools, parks, playgrounds, and community centers to create a synergy of participation in the neighborhood with the potential result of less vandalism and promotion of a better sense of security for the citizens using these facilities.
Fire Protection Services
Objective PU-2 Ensure that the Fire Department’s staffing and equipment resources are sufficient to meet all fire and emergency service level objectives and are provided in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Policy PU-2-b Maintain Ability. Strive to continually maintain the Fire Department’s ability to provide staffing and equipment resources to effectively prevent and mitigate emergencies in existing and new high-rise buildings and in other high-density residential and commercial development throughout the City.
Policy PU-2-d Station Siting. Use the General Plan, community plans, Specific Plans, neighborhood plans, and Concept Plans, the City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database, and a fire station location program to achieve optimum siting of future fire stations.
Policy PU-2-g Community Facilities District for Emergency Services. Develop strategies on the formation of Community Facilities Districts in new Development Areas to fund emergency services.
Objective PU-3 Enhance the level of fire protection to meet the increasing demand for services from an increasing population.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx Policy PU-3-a Fire Prevention Inspections. Develop strategies to enable the performance of annual fire and life safety inspection of all industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential buildings, in accordance with nationally recognized standards for the level of service necessary for a large Metropolitan Area, including a self-certification program.
Policy PU-3-d Review Development Applications. Continue Fire Department review of development applications, provide comments and recommend conditions of approval that will ensure adequate on-site and off-site fire protection systems and features are provided.
Policy PU-3-e Building Codes. Adopt and enforce amendments to construction and fire codes, as determined appropriate, to systemically reduce the level of risk to life and property from fire, commensurate with the City’s fire suppression capabilities.
Policy PU-3-f Adequate Infrastructure. Continue to pursue the provision of adequate water supplies, hydrants, and appropriate property access to allow for adequate fire suppression throughout the City.
Policy PU-3-g Cost Recovery. Continue to evaluate appropriate codes, policies, and methods to generate fees or other sources of revenue to offset the ongoing personnel and maintenance costs of providing fire prevention and response services.
Policy PU-3-I New Fire Station Locations. Consideration will be given to co-locating new Fire Station facilities with other public property including, but not limited to, police substations, schools, parks, playgrounds, and community centers to create a synergy of participation in the neighborhood with the potential result of less vandalism and promotion of a better sense of security for the citizens using these facilities.
Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities
Schools
Objective POSS-8 Work cooperatively with school districts to find the appropriate locations for schools to meet the needs of students and neighborhoods.
Policy POSS-8-b Appropriate School Locations. Support school locations that facilitate safe and convenient access by pedestrian and bicycle routes, are compatible with surrounding land uses, and contribute to a positive neighborhood identity and Complete Neighborhoods. Commit to the following:
• Work with representatives of public and private schools during the preparation and amendment of plans and the processing of development proposals to ensure that General Plan policies are implemented.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx • Require school districts to provide necessary street improvements, pedestrian facilities, public facilities, and public services at each new school site as authorized by law.
• Continue to designate known school sites on the Land Use Diagram (Figure LU-1), and in community plans, Specific Plans, and other plans compatible with the locational criteria of each school district, and to facilitate safe and convenient walking and biking to schools in neighborhoods. • Meet regularly with school district staff and trustees to provide ongoing communication and coordination of plans, projects, and priorities. • Collaborate with school districts to plan and implement new school sites in a manner that supports and reinforces objectives to develop walkable Complete Neighborhoods.
Policy POSS-8-c Park and School Site Coordination. Pursue the cooperative development and use of school sites with adjacent neighborhood parks for both school activities and non-school related recreational activities.
Parks and Recreation
Objective POSS-1 Provide an expanded, high quality and diversified park system, allowing for varied recreational opportunities for the entire Fresno community.
Policy POSS-1-a Parkland Standard. Implement a standard of at least three acres of public parkland per 1,000 residents for Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community parks throughout the City, while striving for five acres per 1,000 residents for all parks throughout the City, subject to identifying additional funding for regional parks and trails.
Policy POSS-1-b Parks Implementation Planning. Conduct ongoing planning to implement park policies established in this General Plan and continue to strive for well-maintained and fully accessible playgrounds, with accessible amenities, throughout the City. • Keep an up-to-date inventory of existing and planned parks, including locations mapped on the Parks and Open Space Diagram;
• Plan for acquiring new parkland designated in the General Plan, as shown in Figure POSS-1;
• Establish a standard protocol for working with new development to arrange for parkland acquisition and dedication;
• Establish a protocol for working with established neighborhoods to provide needed parks, including the fostering of neighborhood and district associations to help plan, acquire, improve and care for public parks, and coordinating new City service facilities to provide new open space; • Establish detailed design, construction, and maintenance standards; • Prepare an assessment of the recreation needs of existing and future residents;
• Create an action plan defining priorities, timeframes, and responsibilities; City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx • Adopt and implement a comprehensive financing strategy for land acquisition, park development, operations, and maintenance;
• Identify opportunities for using existing or planned park space as passive stormwater storage, treatment, and conservation areas that also provide scenic and/or recreational opportunities;
• Identify opportunities for siting and using existing or planned park space as passive “purple pipe” waste water storage, treatment, and conservation areas that also provide scenic and/or recreational opportunities; and • Update the Parks Master Plan.
Policy POSS-1-c Public Input in Park Planning. Continue to provide opportunities for public participation in the planning and development of park facilities and in creation of social, cultural, and recreational activities in the community.
Policy POSS-1-d Additional Parkland in Certain Areas. Strive to obtain additional parkland of sufficient size to adequately serve underserved neighborhood areas and along BRT [Bus Rapid Transit] corridors in support of new and intense residential and mixed use infill development.
• Identify, where appropriate, joint-use opportunities in siting parks with other City service facility needs.
Policy POSS-1-e Criteria for Parks in Development Areas. Continue to use park size and service area criteria for siting new parks and planning for parks in Development Areas:
Park Type Size Range (Acreage) Population Served Service Area Radius Neighborhood 2.01 to 10 10,000–15,000 Up to 1 mile
Community 10.01 to 40 50,000–80,000 Up to 4 miles
Regional More than 40a 100,000 100,000 residents
Notes:
a Or when amenities provide regional service
Policy POSS-1-f Parks and Open Space Diagram. Require parks to be sited and sized as shown on the Parks and Open Space Diagram (Figure POSS-1) of the General Plan, subject to the following:
• All new park designations carry dual land use designations, so that if a park is not needed, private development consistent with zoning and development standards may be approved. (See Figure LU-2: Dual Designation Diagram in the Urban Form, Land Use, and Design Element).
• Revised and/or additional park sites will be identified through subsequent implementation and planning in established neighborhoods and Development Areas.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx • Locations for future park sites as shown on Figure POSS-1 are schematic to the extent that park sites may be relocated as necessity and opportunity dictate, and a General Plan amendment is not required if the park continues to serve the target areas as determined by the Planning Director. • A park may be located on any suitable land in the general vicinity of the sites depicted. However, the zoning of potential park sites must be made consistent with the General Plan.
Objective POSS-2 Ensure that adequate land, in appropriate locations, is designated and acquired for park and recreation uses in infill and growth areas.
Policy POSS-2-a Identify opportunities to site, develop and co-locate Fire and Police stations with needed parks and open space as joint-use facilities.
• Capital Improvement Plans should be updated to reflect this policy
Policy POSS-2-b Park and Recreation Priorities. Use the following priorities and guidelines in acquiring and developing parks and recreation facilities:
• Acquire and develop neighborhood park space in existing developed neighborhoods that are deficient of such space and in areas along BRT corridors that are designated as priorities for encouraging new mixed use transit-oriented development.
• Provide accessible recreation facilities in established neighborhoods with emphasis on those neighborhoods currently underserved by recreation facilities.
• Improve established neighborhood parks with emphasis on those neighborhoods with the greatest need.
• Acquire and develop neighborhood and community parks in new Development Areas.
• Recognize community parks as a special need in areas that lack these facilities or are planned for transit supportive urban densities, and explore all potential sources of revenue to secure and develop appropriate sites including joint-use facilities.
• Develop new special purpose parks, such as outdoor gym equipment, natural resource based trail parks, equestrian centers, dog parks, and amphitheaters, as well as alternative recreation facilities, such as community recreation centers, passive wildlife observation park, cultural heritage and diversity park, military veterans memorial park, and universal access open space park. • Acquire and develop park and open space in established neighborhoods and Development Areas, prioritizing existing neighborhoods with the greatest deficiencies, so that all residents have access to park or open space within
0.5-mile of their residence. Develop these facilities to be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities as required by law.
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• Require the provision of appropriate outdoor living areas or private open space in multi-family residential developments not subject to the Subdivision Map Act.
• Request open space easements where feasible and warranted to secure appropriate public use of sensitive areas with scenic or recreation values, and for buffering space for sensitive areas.
• Require provision of appropriate open space areas in private projects, in the form of trails, enhanced landscaped setbacks, parks, and water features. • Evaluate the merits of establishing a development bonus entitlement program in which development incentives (i.e., bonus densities, bonus floor area square footage) are provided for contributions to public recreational facilities on-site or in the vicinity of the development project.
Policy POSS-2-e Open Space Dedication for Residential Development. Ensure new residential developments provide adequate land for parks, open space, landscaping, and trails through the dedication of land or otherwise providing for Pocket Parks, planned trails, and other recreational space, maintained by an HOA, CFD, or other such entity.
Objective POSS-3 Ensure that park and recreational facilities make the most efficient use of land; that they are designed and managed to provide for the entire Fresno community; and that they represent positive examples of design and energy conservation.
Policy POSS-3-a Centralized Park Locations. Site parks central and accessible to the population served, while preserving the integrity of the surrounding neighborhood.
Policy POSS-3-b Park Location and Walking Distance. Site Pocket and Neighborhood Parks within a half-mile walking distance of new residential development.
Policy POSS-3-c Link Parks with Walkways. Link public open space to adjacent, schools, and residential uses and Activity Centers through a series of landscaped linear walkways and bikeways that enhance and encourage pedestrian use.
Policy POSS-3-d Sidewalks to Connect Neighborhoods. Sidewalks should be designed for internal neighborhood circulation, and to connect neighborhoods to other residential areas, parks, community trails, shopping, and major streets.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Policy POSS-3-f Park Design Guidelines. Create, maintain, and apply park design guidelines, with provisions for appropriate amenities for each park type, which may include:
• Minimum and maximum shade.
• Protections from shading by adjacent buildings.
• Accessibility to persons with disabilities.
• Street trees and landscaped median strips in adjacent arterial roads. • Art and points of attraction.
• Landscape and hardscape features.
• Street furniture, signage, and lighting.
• Food sales and entertainment.
• Restroom facilities play structures, and picnic shelters. • Landscape design synthesis with input from civil engineers and hydrologists, educators and daycare providers, fitness trainers and coaches, police officers and experts in crime prevention through environmental design, as appropriate.
• Solar panels, new LED lighting, and water efficiency improvements. Sports field areas designed to allow periodic changes in field locations to minimize wear areas and provide sufficient fields to host regional, State, or national tournaments.
• Using topography to create interesting and visually appealing spaces and forms.
• Use of waterways as a key design influence, a focus of restoration, and an opportunity to provide for public enjoyment of views.
• Reflecting the agricultural and horticultural heritage of the site or area. • Connecting with surrounding areas in a way that encourages expanded pedestrian activity.
• Creating individual places within a park that respond to the needs of a broad range of park users, from youth to the elderly.
• Creating places of delight that engage the senses.
• Creating places that engage the mind, by treating park features as opportunities for interpretation and questioning.
• Using sustainable design practices, and highlighting these as opportunities for learning.
Policy POSS-3-g Park Security and Design. Promote safety, attractiveness, and compatibility between parks and adjacent residential areas through design, maintenance, and enforcement of park regulations
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx • Require the installation of security lighting for parking, points of access, and building areas at all public recreation and park sites. • Keep neighborhood eyes on parks to increase security.
Policy POSS-3-h Coordination with School Districts. Continue to coordinate with school districts to explore opportunities for joint-use of both outdoor and indoor recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, play fields, and gymnasiums, for City recreation programs.
Objective POSS-4 Pursue sufficient and dedicated funding for parks acquisition, operations, and maintenance.
Policy POSS-4-a Supplemental Revenue. Seek revenue sources to supplement General Fund support for basic park maintenance and basic recreational services.
Policy POSS-4-b Operation and Maintenance Financing. Continue to require new residential development to form lighting and landscaping maintenance districts or community facility districts or ensure other means of financing to pay for park operations and maintenance.
Policy POSS-4- Improvements in Established Neighborhoods. Seek agreements with formal neighborhood associations and institutions for improvements and ongoing maintenance of parks in established neighborhoods.
Policy POSS-4-d Maintain Adopt-A-Park Program. Continue promoting the City’s Adopt-A-Park program that utilizes partnerships with local organizations to preserve, beautify and maintain Fresno's neighborhood parks.
Noise and Safety Chapter
Objective NS-6 Foster an efficient and coordinated response to emergencies and natural disasters.
Policy NS-6-f Emergency Vehicle Access. Require adequate access for emergency vehicles in all new development, including adequate widths, turning radii, hard standing areas, and vertical clearance.
Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan
The Fresno SEDA Specific Plan is framed within three significant and interrelated goals: fiscal responsibility, social equity, and environmental sustainability. The proposed Plan and policies that form its implementation framework are formulated and coordinated to meet the criteria of these overlapping goals. The proposed Specific Plan contains the following objectives and policies related to public services:
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Objective UF-1 Create complete neighborhoods in the Southeast Development Area that integrate housing, business and retail amenities. Implement a Southeast Development Area plan that balances and mixes housing, jobs, commercial businesses, services, and public facilities to help meet existing thresholds for lower vehicle miles traveled, reduced air pollution, and the efficient use of groundwater resources in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014.
Policy UF-1.5 Public Facilities & Open Spaces. Support the development of public infrastructure, facilities, and parks that meet the needs of Plan Area residents according to the policies and standards set in the Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities Chapter and the General Plan.
Open Space, Schools, and Public Facilities
Objective OS-2 Create and maintain an open space network that serves multiple purposes, including recreation, stormwater management, community farming, and environmental preservation.
Policy OS-2.1 Active Open Space. Maximize active recreational opportunities in the open space network. Active space includes playgrounds, fields, hardcourts, pools, and other facilities for sports and other physical activities.
Objective OS-3 Develop a hierarchy of parks in the SEDA that provides for a diverse range of recreation opportunities for all, and is well served by public transit, bike paths, and dedicated trails.
Policy OS-3.2 Park Design for Safety. Promote the use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in park design. CPTED principles include natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement and space management in promoting safety and discouraging crime. Please see the Fresno Parks Master Plan, Chapter 5, Design Guidelines for Safety starting on page 141 and Chapter 9, Goal 5–Secure on page 268.
Policy OS-3.3 Park Design for Accessibility. Maximize the use of parks and trails by people of all ages and levels of physical ability, following Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards and the Title 24 California Building Code requirements as applicable.
Policy OS-3.4 Concurrent Development. Park acquisition and development should be concurrent with residential development.
Policy OS-3.5 Participatory Park Planning. To the greatest extent possible, engage the public in the parks planning process to ensure that parks respond to community needs.
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Policy OS-4.1 Multiuse Trails. Establish a planned network of multiuse greenway trails. These trails will serve bicyclists, pedestrians, and, where appropriate, equestrians. Cross- sections and width requirements will be provided for specific conditions— including canal side, open space, streetside, and farm side trails.
Policy OS-4.2 Regional Trails. Coordinate regional trail planning with Fresno County, the City of Clovis, and other jurisdictions as appropriate. The City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan calls for Class I Bicycle Paths along each canal in the SEDA. A regional Rails to Trails Bicycle Path is planned to run parallel to California Avenue should existing railroad lines be vacated.
Policy OS-4.3 Trail Standards. Trails shall be designed with features that encourage use, provide safety, and are resource-efficient. Trail standards shall address shading, low-water landscaping, fencing, paving and surface materials, lighting, seating and furniture, ADA access requirements, signage, and intersection treatments.
Policy OS-4.4 Trail Segments. Trail segments will not be constructed until all necessary property or easements are acquired for an entire segment.
Policy OS-4.5 SEDA Trails Master Plan. Prior to the design and construction of the SEDA trail system, a SEDA Trails Master Plan will need to be completed that would define the final location and alignment of trails.
Policy OS-4.6 Trail Security. Trails will be designed with privacy and security in mind for adjacent property owners.
Objective OS-5 Promote the preservation of sensitive natural environments.
Policy OS-5.1 Environmentally Sensitive Design. Design parks and open space areas to respect unique natural features.
Objective OS-6 Ensure that all park, trail, and recreational facilities make the most efficient use of energy, water, and other natural resources.
Policy OS-6.1 Green Building. As important civic structures, park buildings shall conform to green building standards for energy and water efficiency.
Policy OS-6.3 Renewable Energy Systems. Explore developing renewable energy systems to provide power to park facilities.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Policy OS-7.1 School District Coordination Taskforce and Joint Committee. The City of Fresno will work with the Clovis Unified and Sanger Unified school districts to establish specific locations for high schools and middle schools. This Plan will build on the SEDA Plan to identify specific locations for major school facilities, and will coordinate all major open space, trail, and infrastructure systems with this effort.
The City and school districts will also work together closely in all high, middle, and elementary school siting and facilities planning processes to ensure that school site, size, and design decisions respond optimally to community needs. The City of Fresno will:
• Work with the Clovis and Sanger school districts to formalize the collaboration process for school siting and facilities planning.
• Ensure that developers’ contributions align with the SEDA standards for community-oriented schools, as described in this element and as further established through City-school district coordination.
Policy OS-7.2 Joint Use of School and Community Facilities. Pursue agreements to share facilities between schools and other community-serving institutions. Since the provision of shared facilities affects the siting, size, and design of schools, joint- use arrangements should be considered early in the facilities planning process. • Create a master joint-use agreement that establishes the parameters for shared use between the City of Fresno/Fresno PARCS [Parks After School, Recreation and Community Services] and school districts. Thereafter, create site-specific cooperative agreements for each facility. • Establish joint-use agreements with schools to make school grounds (playfields and outdoor recreation areas) available for community use during non-school hours.
• Pursue partnerships among school districts, governmental agencies, higher education, and/or nonprofit organizations to fund and develop joint-use facilities with schools, such as multipurpose rooms, gymnasiums, child care facilities, elder care facilities, adult education facilities, libraries, teacher education facilities, and schoolyard community gardens.
Policy OS-7.3 Location of Civic Facilities. Civic facilities should be located in proximity to parks and schools, even if facilities are not shared.
Objective OS-8 Integrate educational facilities into the urban fabric of centers and communities, where they will be served by public transit, walk and bike routes, and dedicated trails. Encouraging walk, bike, and transit travel through school location and City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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Policy OS-8.1 Location and Accessibility. Educational facilities will be sited in proximity to homes, transit, and civic amenities to promote walk, transit, and bike trips.
1. Elementary Schools: Elementary schools anchor Neighborhood Town Centers and can also be located in or adjacent to Community Town Centers. All new homes in the Southeast Development Area should be located within 0.25 to
0.5 mile (5- and 10-minute walking distances) of the entrance to an elementary school. Elementary schools must be accessible by transit and safe pedestrian and bicycle routes.
2. Middle Schools: Middle schools are located within, or in close proximity to, Regional and Community Town Centers. The SEDA Plan places middle schools within roughly two miles of most homes. Middle schools should be linked to the dedicated trail network, as well as local bike, pedestrian, and transit routes.
3. High Schools: High schools are located within, or in close proximity to, the Regional and Community Town Centers. The SEDA Plan places high schools within roughly two miles of most homes. High schools must be linked to the dedicated trail network, as well as local bike and pedestrian routes. High schools should be located along connector streets and be served by local transit. Middle and high schools share the same standards for accessibility.
4. Other Educational Facilities: Accessibility by transit and non-auto travel options is important for all educational facilities, from early childhood to adult education, and including public and private schools. These facilities should be located in or adjacent to Mixed-Use Districts, with access to transit and local bike and pedestrian routes, and the dedicated trail network, if possible.
Policy OS-8.2 Safe Access. Create safe environments on streets adjacent to schools to promote walk, bike, and transit travel.
• Where warranted, streets shall feature pedestrian crossing lights. • Traffic calming features shall be installed in collaboration with the City of Fresno Public Works Department Streets Division.
• Safe Routes to Schools program development is encouraged. Please see www.saferoutesinfo.org for more information.
• Decrease Distance and Increase Safe Travel to Schools: Far fewer children walk and bike to school today than in generations past. A majority of parents cited distance from school, followed by traffic safety concerns, as the primary reason their children did not walk. The SEDA plan seeks to get more children walking and biking again by centrally locating schools where they can be easily reached by safe walk, bike, and transit routes.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx With elementary schools located within a half-mile walking or biking distance from all homes, and middle and high schools located on transit lines and trail corridors, all students in the SEDA will have a wide array of travel options.
Enabling children to take alternative modes of transportation not only reduces congestion, emissions, and pollution, but increases children’s levels of physical activity and reduces their dependence on parents for car trips.
Policy OS-8.3 Design and Orientation. School environments should be designed to respond to the needs of students, educators, and the broader community. Within the SEDA, the character and orientation of school facilities should be compatible with the centers or districts in which they are located.
School districts have the authority to determine the size, design, and orientation of schools, in compliance with State standards. The criteria noted here are based on existing school buildings and best practice recommendations. • Site size: Schools can be developed within a range of sizes; the optimum size should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Key factors in the site selection process include:
- Community setting
- Projected enrollment
- Educational program needs
- Provision of joint-use facilities
• Building Size and Form: School districts should explore innovative models for community-oriented school design. To ensure that facilities respond to community needs, school districts are encouraged to plan facilities and improvements in collaboration with the City of Fresno and with the participation of stakeholders throughout the community.
State standards dictate square footage requirements based on area per pupil.
School districts are encouraged to use participatory planning to base facilities design on an accurate projection of needs. With respect to form, schools are encouraged to consider these features:
- Compact building design, including multistory buildings, to reduce footprint
- Clustered buildings
- Orientation of main buildings toward the street, with minimal setbacks - Orientation of main campus entrance toward the street, rather than a parking lot or drop-off zone
- Parking lots oriented away from, rather than along, the street to prevent parking from dominating the interface between the school and the street - Bike parking
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx • Parking: Schools should provide minimum amounts of parking as prescribed by State standards to reduce campus footprints and discourage driving.
• Adjacency Issues: School grounds should not be bordered by backyard fences.
• Design Features: Schools should incorporate design features that foster a strong sense of place.
Objective OS-11 Provide the necessary levels of police and fire services in accordance with the City of Fresno General Plan.
Policy OS-11.1 Provision of Police Services. Provide police services in the SEDA in accordance with the policies of the City of Fresno General Plan. If deemed necessary, the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department, through coordination with public safety agencies, can make adjustments to these policies.
Policy OS-11.2 Provision of Fire Services. Provide fire services in the SEDA in accordance with the policies of the City of Fresno General Plan. If deemed necessary, the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department, through coordination with public safety agencies, can make adjustments to these policies.
Policy OS-11.3 Coordination with Police and Fire Departments. The City of Fresno Planning and Development Department shall work with the Police and Fire departments as appropriate to promote safe environments throughout the SEDA and ensure that services can be provided in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the community. Coordination may address:
• Evaluation of design features for safety and crime prevention • Siting of police and fire substations
• Facilitation of citizen involvement processes
Community Farming Element
Objective CF-2 Create a long-term transition zone between urban uses in the City of Fresno and agricultural land in Fresno County. Buffering urban and adjoining agricultural land uses reduce conflicts that can arise due to noise, pollution, or traffic.
Policy CF-2.2 Passive Recreation. Encourage the creation of regional trails and open spaces in Rural Cluster Districts that connect urban uses to agricultural uses with trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.
What is the role of rural cluster development?
A transitional buffer. Urban areas and large agricultural operations cannot always sit side-by-side. Noise, dust, and pesticides from farms can pose health concerns for residents, while farmers need space to move machinery and goods. Rural City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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An attractive residential option. Rural clusters offer a rural lifestyle within an environmentally responsible land use framework that promotes active farming and open space preservation.
A means to preserve land. Rural cluster lands can be used for organic small-scale farming, equestrian activities, or other uses compatible with the nearby homes.
The vast majority of the land is preserved as viable agricultural land or open space.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Conservation
Objective RC-4 Ensure that there will be no adverse effects on regional groundwater levels by minimizing groundwater extraction and replenishing groundwater used to serve the Southeast Development Area. Maximize multiple uses of open space by encouraging new recharge facilities to be accessible to the public.
Policy RC-4.4 Support recreation opportunities with a range of parks and multiuse trails by establishing joint-use agreements with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District to allow access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use, when appropriate (see the Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities Chapter).
Measure B
Measure B is a one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax intended to provide funds for the improvement of library services throughout Fresno County. Voters passed Measure B in November 1998 and again in 2004. As of June 2007, Measure B had provided more than $76 million in funds to provide more library hours, more library materials, and more library services for Fresno County residents. Measure B has also contributed to new building and renovation projects in Kerman, Caruthers, Laton, Fowler, Orange Cove, Tranquility, Mendota, and the Woodward Park area. The Fresno County Measure B library tax has been extended for 16 years until 2029.
3.15.4 - Methodology
This analysis identifies potential impacts to fire protection, police protection, schools, libraries, other public facilities, parks, and recreational facilities based on development anticipated from the proposed project (collectively, the General Plan Update, Zoning Code Amendments, and Climate Action Plan). Impacts to public services, parks, and recreational facilities were assessed using the significance criteria established by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, as well as State, and local plans, regulations, and ordinances.
3.15.5 - Thresholds of Significance
The Lead Agency utilizes the criteria in the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Environmental Checklist as thresholds to determine whether impacts to public services and utilities are significant environmental effects.
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx Appendix G to the CEQA Guidelines is a sample Initial Study Checklist that includes questions for determining whether impacts to resources are significant. These questions reflect the input of planning and environmental professionals at the Governor ’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Natural Resources Agency, based on input from stakeholder groups and experts in various other governmental agencies, nonprofits, and leading environmental consulting firms. Accordingly, the City has derived its significance criteria, based in part on the questions posed in Appendix G.
These significance criteria are as follows:
The proposed project would be considered significant if the project would:
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:
a) Fire protection?
b) Police protection?
c) Schools?
d) Parks?
e) Other public facilities?
3.15.6 - Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
This section discusses potential impacts associated with the development of the project and provides mitigation measures where appropriate.
Fire Protection
Impact PUB-1: The proposed project would not 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 fire protection.
Impact Analysis
As described above, the FFD has a below average emergency response level when compared with other metropolitan cities of about the same size. As of 2022, Fresno employed 0.62 firefighters per 1,000 residents, lower than the Statewide average of 0.82 firefighters per 1,000 residents.26 NFPA standards dictate the first firefighting company should arrive within 4 minutes, while an effective EFF or a commercial EFF should arrive within 8 minutes 90 percent of the time. An EFF for a residential fire consists of 15 firefighters and a commercial EFF consists of 21 firefighters on scene. According to the FFD 2021 Annual Report the FFD met the 4-minute response time 72 percent of the time, while
26 Fresno Fire Department (FFD). 2022. Fresno Fire Department 2022 Annual Report. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/fire/wp- content/uploads/sites/6/2023/01/2022-Annual-Report.pdf. Accessed March 22, 2023.
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-15 Public Services.docx an EFF was assembled within 8 minutes 87 percent of the time, and commercial EFF 88 percent of the time, falling short of target response times.
Implementation of the proposed project would intensify residential, mixed use, and employment land uses within the Plan Area. As discussed in Section 2.0, Project Description, and Section 3.14, Population and Housing, the existing population in the Plan Area is estimated to contain approximately 2,171 persons. According to the General Plan, the Plan Area is expected to be built out with approximately 15,000 housing units by 2035, resulting in a total population of 44,850. The Plan Area’s total housing capacity is 45,000 housing units, resulting in a total population of up to approximately 134,550 persons. This population potential for the Plan Area is within the population growth anticipated by the General Plan.
Implementation of the proposed project would result in an increased demand for fire protection services. The Specific Plan includes a number of proposed policies related to fire protection, including Policy OS-11.2 which requires that fire services are provided in the Plan Area in accordance with the General Plan; and Policy OS-11.3 which requires that the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department work with the Fire Department as appropriate to promote safe environments throughout the Plan Area and ensure that services can be provided in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the community. Coordination with the FFD would address design features for safety, siting of fire stations, and facilitation of citizen involvement processes.
Implementation of the proposed Specific Plan policies would ensure that fire protection services are expanded to meet the needs of the intensified development and population increase in the Plan Area. Additionally, future development within the Plan Area would be required to comply with development fees or other funding mechanisms adopted for the proposed project in order to mitigate the impacts on fire protection facilities caused by future development within the City.
Payment of the applicable development fees would offset the construction and acquisition costs of required fire facility improvements.
The project-specific environmental impacts of constructing new or expanded fire protection facilities to support the growth anticipated under the proposed project cannot be determined at this time because the site-specific locations and designs of future new or expanded facilities are not known.
However, fire protection facilities are allowed within the Community Center, Neighborhood Center, and Institutional land uses as shown in the proposed land use map (Chapter 2, Project Description, Exhibit 2-2). It can be expected that construction and operation of future new or expanded fire protection facilities would have similar impacts as would construction and operation of other types of new development under the proposed project. As the City proceeds with the construction of new or expanded fire protection facilities, those projects will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the objectives and policies of the General Plan, the Specific Plan, the Municipal Code, and the mitigation measures referenced in other sections of this Recirculated Draft PEIR. Therefore, the physical effects on the environment from the construction of new or expanded fire protection facilities would be less than significant.
Furthermore, as the City receives development applications for subsequent development under the proposed project, those applications will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the policies and objectives of the General Plan to ensure that fire protection services keep pace with new City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Police Protection
Impact PUB-2: The proposed project would not 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 police protection.
Impact Analysis
The City has a target staffing ratio of 1.5 unrestricted officers per 1,000 City residents. According to the Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget, the FPD’s sworn staff will increase to 850, the highest in FPD history.
Implementation of the proposed project would intensify residential, mixed use, and employment land uses within the Plan Area following adoption of the SEDA Specific Plan. As previously discussed, the existing population in Plan Area is estimated to contain approximately 2,171 persons. The Plan Area is expected to be built out with approximately 15,000 housing units by 2035, resulting in a total population of 44,850. The Plan Area’s total housing capacity is 45,000 housing units, which would result in a total population of up to approximately 134,550 persons, an increase of approximately 132,379 persons. This population potential for the Plan Area is within the population growth anticipated by the General Plan.
Implementation of the proposed project would result in an increased demand for police protection services. As discussed above, the full buildout of the Plan Area would result in a population increase of up to approximately 132,379 persons. Using the current City staffing goal, at full buildout of the proposed project, approximately 265 additional officers would be required to police services to meet their goal of two officers per 1,000 residents.
The Specific Plan includes proposed policies related to police protection, including Policy OS-11.1 which requires that police services are provided in the Plan Area in accordance with the policies of the General Plan; and Policy OS-11.3 which requires that the City’s Planning and Development Department work with the Police Department as appropriate to promote safe environments throughout the Plan Area and ensure that services can be provided in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the community. Coordination with FPD would address design features for City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Payment of the applicable development fees would offset the construction and acquisition costs of required police facility improvements.
The project-specific environmental impacts of constructing new or expanded police facilities to support the growth anticipated under the proposed project cannot be determined at this time because the site-specific locations and designs of future new or expanded facilities are not known.
However, police facilities are allowed within the Community Center, Neighborhood Center, and Institutional land uses as shown in the proposed land use map (Exhibit 2-2). It can be expected that construction and operation of future new or expanded police facilities would have similar impacts as would construction and operation of other types of new development under the proposed project.
As the City proceeds with the construction of new or expanded police facilities, those projects will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the objectives and policies of the General Plan, the proposed Specific Plan, the Municipal Code, and the mitigation measures referenced in other sections of this Recirculated Draft PEIR. Therefore, the physical effects on the environment from the construction of new or expanded police facilities would be less than significant.
Furthermore, as the City receives development applications for subsequent development under the proposed project, those applications will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the policies and objectives of the General Plan to ensure that police services keep pace with new development.
In addition, the Municipal Code, which implements the General Plan would be reviewed when development applications are received. Therefore, future development under the proposed project would not result in significant adverse effects related to police services and impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Schools
Impact PUB-3: The proposed project would not 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 schools.
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Implementation of the proposed project would intensify residential, mixed use, and employment land uses within the Plan Area. As described above, the Plan Area is expected to be built out with approximately 15,000 housing units by 2035, resulting in a total population of 44,850. The Plan Area’s total housing capacity is 45,000 housing units, resulting in a total population of up to approximately 134,550 persons. To determine the number of students that would be generated by the proposed project, the State of California provides a housing unit yield of 0.7 students per unit.27 Therefore, the Plan Area would be expected to contain approximately 10,500 student by 2035 and contain up to approximately 31,500 new students at total buildout.28 This would create significantly more demand for school services within the Plan Area.
The Specific Plan includes a number of policies that related to school facilities. For example, Policy UF-1.5 requires the construction of public infrastructure facilities that meet the needs of the Plan Area residents according to the policies and standards set in the Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities Chapter and the General Plan. Policy OS-7.1 requires that the City work with the Clovis Unified and Sanger Unified school districts to establish specific locations for high schools and middle schools. The City and school districts will work together to site all new schools and facilities to ensure that the school sites, sizes, and designs meet community needs. This policy also requires the Clovis and Sanger school districts to formalize the collaboration process for school siting and facilities planning. It also ensures that developers’ contributions align with the SEDA standards for community-oriented schools, as described in Open Space, Schools, and Public Facilities, and as further established through City-school district coordination. Policy OS-8.1 requires that educational facilities are sited in proximity to homes, transit, and civic amenities to promote walk, transit, and bike trips. This would reduce environmental impacts related to emissions from transportation. This policy includes specific guidelines for the siting of elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and other educational facilities. Finally, Policy OS-8.3 outlines design guidelines for schools.
Implementation of these proposed Specific Plan policies would ensure that schools meet the needs of the intensified development and population increase in the Plan Area. Additionally, future development within the Plan Area would be required to comply with applicable school development fees in order to mitigate the impacts on school facilities caused by future development within the City. Payment of applicable development fees would offset the construction and acquisition costs of required school facility improvements and additional staff to meet acceptable service levels.
The project-specific environmental impacts of constructing new or expanded school facilities to support the growth anticipated under the proposed project cannot be determined at this time because the site-specific locations and designs of future new or expanded facilities are not known.
However, school facilities are allowed within the Neighborhood Center and Institutional land uses as shown in the proposed land use map (Exhibit 2-2). It can be expected that construction and operation of future new or expanded school facilities would have similar impacts as would construction and operation of other types of new development under the proposed project. As the Clovis Unified and Sanger Unified school districts proceed with the construction of new or expanded school facilities, those projects will be reviewed by the City for compliance with applicable objectives
27 Office of Public School Construction. 2019. School Facility Program Handbook. 28 45,000 housing units * 0.7 students per housing unit = ~31,500 City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Public Services Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Therefore, the physical effects on the environment from the construction of new or expanded school facilities would be less than significant.
Furthermore, as the City receives development applications for subsequent development under the proposed project, those applications will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the policies and objectives of the General Plan to ensure that school services keep pace with new development.
In addition, the Municipal Code, which implements the General Plan would be reviewed when development applications are received. Therefore, future development under the proposed project would not result in significant adverse effects related to school services and impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Parks
Impact PUB-4: The proposed project would not 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 parks.
Impact Analysis
The General Plan has established service standards by park type. These standards are 3 acres per 1,000 residents for pocket parks, neighborhood parks, and community parks and 2 acres per 1,000 residents for regional parks, open space/natural areas, and special use parks.
As the City’s population increases, the amount of park land must increase to maintain the established LOS standards. The City must increase its park lands by 1,095 acres in order to meet the LOS goals for current population, and by 1,751 acres to meet the needs of the projected 2035 population.29
Implementation of the proposed project would intensify residential, mixed use, and employment land uses within the Plan Area. As described in Section 3.14 Population and Housing, the proposed project could result in a population increase of up to 132,379 residents, as the total Plan Area capacity would be approximately 134,550 persons. As such, there would be a corresponding increase in population and an increased demand for park facilities. However, the proposed project would
29 City of Fresno. 2017. Fresno Parks Master Plan. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/wp- content/themes/cityoffresno/_largefiles/FresnoPMPFinalDocumentwithAppA051818_S.pdf. Accessed December 4, 2024.
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The proposed project’s open space system would provide open spaces and parks for active and passive recreation. The proposed project would include corridors for trails and paths that connect many areas of the Plan Area, which would provide recreational opportunities for residents, employees, customers, and visitors. Neighborhood Town Centers would provide for nearly all homes to be located within walking distance of recreation areas.
Development under the proposed project would be required to comply with General Plan objectives and policies related to park facilities. Future development under the proposed project would be required to comply with General Plan Policy POSS-2-c, which requires development applications in order to implement the parks and open space standard, and General Plan Policy POSS-2-e, which ensures that new residential developments provide adequate land for parks and open space.
The Specific Plan includes policies to ensure adequate park access for residents. For example, Objective OS-3 requires that parks in the SEDA are well served by public transit, bike paths, and dedicated trails. Policy OS-4 requires the development and maintenance of a greenway trail network connected to the SEDA circulation network that maximizes daily travel and recreation opportunities by linking Town Centers to destinations within and beyond the SEDA. Policy OS-4.1 require the establishment of a planned network of multiuse greenway trails to serve bicyclists, pedestrians, and, where appropriate, equestrians. Policy CF-2.2 would encourage the creation of regional trails and open spaces in Rural Cluster Districts that connect urban uses to agricultural uses with trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. Policy RC-4.4 would support park access with a range of parks and multiuse trails by establishing joint-use agreements with FMFCD to allow access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use when appropriate. Policy OS-7.3 aims to locate civic facilities in proximity to parks.
Finally, new development that occurs under the proposed project would be required to pay applicable development fees, which would offset the construction and acquisition costs of required recreational facility improvements. This would ensure that any new development provides adequate parks that meet the citywide parks and open space standards, as defined in the General Plan. There are currently no existing parks within the Plan Area. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
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Impact PUB-5: The proposed project would not 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 other public facilities.
Impact Analysis
There are no libraries located within the Plan Area. The nearest libraries to the Plan Area are the Sunnyside Regional Library (approximately 2.01 miles west of the Plan Area Boundary) and the Sanger Branch Library (approximately 3.60 miles to the east of the Plan Area boundary).
Implementation of the proposed project would intensify residential, mixed use, and employment land uses within the Plan Area. As described in Section 3.14 Population and Housing, the proposed project could result in a population increase of up to 132,379 residents. As such, there would be a corresponding increase in population and an increased demand for library facilities. Since 1998, the County of Fresno has expanded its library services, due in part to the success of Measure B. The Measure is a one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax, providing funds for improvement of library services throughout the County. The County has a funding resource available for facility improvements through March 2024, when Measure B is set to expire. The increase in population would create additional tax revenue to support the construction of new or expanded library facilities.
The project-specific environmental impacts of constructing new or expanded library facilities to support the growth anticipated under the proposed project cannot be determined at this time because the site-specific locations and designs of future new or expanded facilities are not known.
However, library facilities are allowed within the Community Center, Neighborhood Center, and Institutional land uses as shown in the proposed land use map (Exhibit 2-2). It can be expected that construction and operation of future new or expanded library facilities would have similar impacts as would construction and operation of other types of new development under the proposed project.
As new or expanded library facilities are constructed, those projects will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the objectives and policies of the General Plan, the proposed Specific Plan, the Municipal Codes, and the mitigation measures for the proposed project. Therefore, the physical effects on the environment from the construction of new or expanded library facilities would be less than significant.
Furthermore, as the City receives development applications for subsequent development those applications will be reviewed by the City for compliance with the policies and objectives of the General Plan to ensure that fire protection services keep pace with new development. In addition, the City’s Municipal Code, which implements the City’s General Plan would be reviewed when development applications are received. Therefore, future development under the proposed project would not result in significant adverse effects related to fire protection services and impacts would be less than significant.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
3.15.7 - Cumulative Impacts
The geographic scope for the analysis of cumulative impacts related to public services generally includes the Plan Area, the rest of the City, and any other communities served by FFD and FPD as well as the school districts, parks, libraries, and hospitals that would be utilized by residents of SEDA.
This analysis evaluates whether impacts of the proposed project, together with impacts of cumulative development, could result in a cumulatively significant impact to public services. This analysis then considers whether the incremental contribution of impacts associated with implementation of the proposed project would be significant. Both conditions must apply for a project’s cumulative effects to rise to the level of significance.
Fire Protection
The geographic scope for the analysis of cumulative impacts related to fire protection facilities includes the FFD service area. A significant cumulative environmental impact would result if cumulative growth exceeded the ability of FFD to adequately serve their service area, thereby requiring construction of new facilities or modification of existing facilities. FFD conducts a regular budgeting process where future facility and staffing needs are identified and addressed. All cumulative projects within the FFD service area would be required to comply with applicable Municipal Code, General Plan, and Specific Plan policies and provisions that address fire protection services, including payment of applicable development fees which would offset the cost of fire equipment, vehicles, and facilities to meet the broad range of needs of Fresno residents and employees. Because past and present development will comply with all ordinances and policies, and there are mechanisms in place to ensure provision of adequate service, there would be no significant cumulative condition with respect to fire protection services. Therefore, cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
Moreover, the proposed project’s incremental contribution to the less than significant cumulative impacts would not be significant. As discussed under Impact PUB-1, implementation of the proposed project would not create a need for new or physically altered facilities for the FFD to provide fire protection services to its service area.
As previously discussed, development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to comply with the policies and actions in the General Plan and Specific Plan and applicable development fees, to ensure that fire protection services are adequate as future development is proposed. Therefore, impacts of the proposed project on fire protection services are not cumulatively considerable and the cumulative impact would be less than significant.
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The geographic context for the analysis of cumulative impacts related to police protection facilities includes the FPD service area. A significant cumulative environmental impact would result if this cumulative growth exceeded the ability of the FPD to adequately serve their service area, thereby requiring construction of new facilities or modification of existing facilities. All cumulative projects within the FPD service area would be required to comply with applicable Municipal Code ordinances, General Plan and Specific Plan policies and provisions, including payment applicable development fees which would offset the cost of police equipment, vehicles, and facilities to meet the broad range of needs of Fresno residents and employees. Therefore, cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
Moreover, the proposed project’s incremental contribution to the less than significant cumulative impacts would not be significant. As discussed under Impact PUB-2, implementation of the proposed project would not create a need for new or physically altered facilities for the FPD to provide police protection services to its service area.
As previously discussed, development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to comply with the policies and actions in the General Plan and Specific Plan as well as the Municipal Code, specifically police facilities fees, to ensure that police protection services are adequate as future development is proposed. Therefore, impacts of the proposed project on police protection services are not cumulatively considerable and the cumulative impact would be less than significant.
School Facilities
The geographic context for the analysis of cumulative impacts related to school facilities includes CUSD, Sanger USD, and the schools that serve the Plan Area and surrounding communities. Regional growth resulting from past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects would result in increased demand for additional school facilities within the CUSD and Sanger USD. Schools are expected to receive development impact fees from cumulative development located outside of the Plan Area that would result in new school-aged residents that would attend CUSD and Sanger USD schools. The payment of school impact fees, per SB 50, would ensure that school facilities can accommodate future students. Therefore, cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
Moreover, the proposed project’s incremental contribution to the less than significant cumulative impacts would not be significant. As discussed under Impact PUB-3, development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to pay applicable school impact fees to fully mitigate the impacts of the proposed project on school facilities. Therefore, impacts of the proposed project on school facilities are not cumulatively considerable and the cumulative impact would be less than significant.
Parks and Recreational Facilities
The geographic context for the analysis of cumulative impacts of parks and recreational facilities includes the Plan Area. A significant cumulative environmental impact would result if this cumulative growth resulted in an increase in the use of existing parks and recreational facilities, such that substantial physical deterioration of the parks or recreational facilities would occur, be accelerated, City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Public Services
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Moreover, the proposed project’s incremental contribution to less than significant cumulative impacts would not be significant. As discussed under Impact PUB-4, implementation of the proposed project would not 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.
The construction or expansion of parks and other recreational facilities are not expected to result in an adverse physical effect on the environment. As such, development anticipated under the proposed project would not create substantial impacts related to parks and other recreational facilities.
Moreover, potential future impacts to parks and recreational facilities would be further reduced through the applicable development fees impact fee to ensure facilities at these locations are adequately maintained and sufficient to accommodate growth associated with cumulative development. Therefore, impacts of the proposed project on parks and other recreational facilities are not cumulatively considerable and the cumulative impact would be less than significant.
Other Public Facilities
The geographic context for analysis of cumulative impacts to other public facilities includes the SEDA Specific Plan Area. Development and growth in the Plan Area would increase demand for other public facilities. A significant cumulative environmental impact would result if cumulative growth exceeded the ability of the City to adequately serve people within their service area, thereby requiring construction of new facilities or modification of existing facilities. All cumulative projects would be required to comply with City ordinances and other policies that address other public facilities. Therefore, cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
Moreover, the proposed project’s incremental contribution to the less than significant cumulative impacts would not be significant. As discussed under Impact PUB-5, would not create a need for new or physically altered other public facilities to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives. Therefore, impacts of the proposed on other public facilities are not cumulatively considerable and the cumulative impact would be less than significant.
Level of Cumulative Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Cumulative Mitigation Measures
None required.
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3.16 - Recreation
3.16.1 - Introduction
This section describes existing parks and recreational facilities in the region and project area as well as the relevant regulatory framework. This section also evaluates the possible impacts related to parks and recreational facilities that could result from the implementation of the proposed project.
Information in this section is based on information obtained from the Fresno General Plan (General Plan) and the Fresno Southeast Development Area (SEDA) Specific Plan (Specific Plan).
Three public comments were received during the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR) scoping period related to recreation, including the following:
• Requests that the Draft PEIR accurately captures and analyzes baseline conditions and potentially significant project-specific and cumulative impacts within and adjacent to the planning area.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR identifies and adopts all feasible and enforceable mitigation measures that avoid and reduce negative impact.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR analyzes and creates mitigation measures consistent with all applicable laws, including state and federal fair housing, civil rights, and climate laws such as Senate Bill (SB) 743.
3.16.2 - Environmental Setting
Existing Parks and Recreational Facilities
The City of Fresno (City) maintains more than 1,000 acres of parks and nearly 230,000 square feet of building space dedicated to recreational/educational purposes, distributed among 115 sites. Other facilities include nine community pools, four splash parks, 518 picnic tables, 153 barbeque grills, three amphitheaters, 54 baseball/softball fields, 53 football/soccer fields, 40 basketball courts, 11 volleyball courts, 40 tennis courts, seven skate parks, and five dog parks. The park system also provides and maintains paths and trails for pedestrians and bicyclists.1 The Plan Area does not contain any parks that are maintained by the City.2 The nearest parks to the Plan Area are Al Radka Park, Centex, Rabe Park, and Sunnyside. Additionally, Fresno County Blossom Trail is located along East Jensen Avenue in the planning area. Table 3.16-1 below identifies the various parks and community facilities located nearest to the Plan Area that are maintained by the City.
1 Chinevere, Edward. Assistant Director, City of Fresno. Personal communication: telephone. June 15, 2023. 2 City of Fresno. 2022. Parks and Recreation Facilities Finder. Website:
https://cityoffresno.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=53f212b20a0f47efb6681df6c8ad2eaa. Accessed December 6, 2024.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx Table 3.16-1: Existing Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community Parks Facility Name Park Type
Distance to Plan
Area Amenities
Al Radka Park Neighborhood Park 1.25 miles Barbecues, Baseball/Softball Fields, Children’s Play Area, Field Lights, Football/Soccer Field,
Parking Lot, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Shade
Structures, Shaded Tot Lot
Rabe Park Pocket Park 0.22 mile Open Space
Centex Pocket Park 0.35 mile Picnic Tables
Sunnyside Neighborhood Park 1.5 miles Barbecues, Baseball/Softball Fields, Children’s Play Area, Football/Soccer Field, Parking Lot,
Picnic Tables, Restrooms
Source: City of Fresno. 2022. Parks and Recreation Facilities Finder. Website:
https://cityoffresno.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=53f212b20a0f47efb6681df6c8ad2eaa.
Accessed December 6, 2024.
3.16.3 - Regulatory Framework
State
Quimby Act
The Quimby Act (California Government Code § 66477) was established by the California Legislature in 1965 to preserve open space and parkland in rapidly urbanizing areas of the State. The Quimby Act allows cities and counties to establish requirements for new development to dedicate land for parks, pay an in lieu fee, or provide a combination of the two.
The Quimby Act provides two standards for the dedication of land for use as parkland. If the existing area of parkland in a community is greater than 3 acres per 1,000 residents, then the community may require dedication based on a standard of up to 5 acres per 1,000 persons residing in the subdivision based on the current ratio of parkland per 1,000 residents. If the existing amount of parkland in a community is less than 3 acres per 1,000 residents, then the community may require dedication based on a standard of only 3 acres per 1,000 persons residing in the subdivision.
The Quimby Act requires a city or county to adopt standards for recreational facilities in its general plan to establish a parkland dedication or fee ordinance.
It should be noted that the Quimby Act applies only to the acquisition of new parkland; it does not apply to the physical development of new park facilities or associated operations and maintenance costs. Therefore, the Quimby Act effectively preserves open space needed to develop park and recreation facilities, but it does not ensure the development of the land or the provision of park and recreation services to residents. In addition, the Quimby Act applies only to residential subdivisions.
Nonresidential projects could contribute to the demand for park and recreation facilities without providing land or funding for such facilities. Quimby Act fees are collected by the local agency (park district, city, or county) in which the new residential development is located.
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Fresno Desirable Park Facility Standard
The City provides Fresno residents with several types of parks and facilities. Parks are defined as land owned, leased, or provided to the City and used for public recreational purposes. Among these are several Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) stormwater retention and detention basins which serve as passive and active parks (from April to November). The City’s General Plan defines various classes of park space and sets standards for the amount of park acreage that should be provided per thousand population. Table 3.16-2 below shows the desirable park facility standards within the City.
Table 3.16-2: Desirable Park Facility Standards
Park Type Size Range (Acreage) Service Area Radius
Pocket 0.5 to 2 Up to 0.5 mile
Neighborhood 2.01 to 10 Up to 1 mile
Community 10.01 to 40 Up to 4 miles
Regional More than 40a 100,00 residents
Trail/Greenway/Parkway Varies Entire City
Notes:
a. Some parks with less than 40 acres may be classified as Regional if they provided a unique opportunity such as river access.
Source: City of Fresno General Plan, 2014. Chapter 5, Parks and Open Space, Table 5-1.
Park types in the General Plan are classified as follows:
• Pocket Park. A park up to 0.5 to 2.0 acres in size and intended to serve the needs of a smaller, specific neighborhood located within a 0.5-mile radius. Pocket Parks should include amenities to draw neighbors to the park such as a tot lot, picnic bench, or shade structure. New Pocket Parks developed within new subdivisions are maintained as part of a Home Owners Association (HOA) or Community Facilities District (CFD). • Neighborhood Park. A park of more than 2.0 acres and up to 10 acres in size, which provides basic recreational activities for neighborhoods located generally within a 0.5-mile radius.
There are two types of Neighborhood parks, active and passive. These parks contribute to neighborhood identity and accommodate a range of facilities, such as play fields and courts, children’s play structures, picnic tables, and restrooms and may include a small center with a multipurpose room, but also may provide passive recreational features such as walking trails, community gardens, or nature areas.
• Community Park. A park of more than 10 acres and up to 40 acres in size (typically at least 20 acres), which helps to define a community or district and is intended to serve the more active recreational needs of persons who live or work up to a 2- to 4-mile radius. These parks typically include facilities such as lighted sport fields and a community center building with a City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx gym, meeting rooms, and restrooms. Other features may include swimming pools, tennis courts, concession stands, community-defining public art, and a courtyard or plaza. • Regional Park. A large park of more than 40 acres in size, which is meant to serve a large number of residents across a broad area of the City or around 100,000 residents. Regional parks typically include community park features that allow for a variety of sports and active recreation. Some are large enough to enable Fresno to host local and regional tournaments or events that bring revenue to the City and local businesses in the form of additional patrons and tax revenue generated. Regional parks also provide unique public facilities, such as the Shinzen Japanese Garden, the Chaffee Zoological Gardens, or natural areas with hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and access to the San Joaquin River. Parks that provide unique opportunities, such as river access, have been categorized as Regional Parks even though they are less than 40 acres in size.
• Trail/Greenway/Parkway. A network of linear open space of varying size, typically intended to accommodate walking and bicycling opportunities for leisure, exercise, and commuting purposes. These parkways typically include paved surfaces for bicyclists and walkers and, in appropriate locations, may include equestrian trails.
The current citywide standard for parks is a ratio of 3.0 acres per 1,000 residents for Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community Parks; this was established under the City’s previous Urban Growth Management Program and current General Plan. The Parks Master Plan also exists to increase growth and management of Fresno’s park system and was updated in 2017. The Parks Master Plan is continuing to be developed and will refine and adjust as necessary General Plan policies, figures, tables, narrative, open space land use designations, and trail alignments, including the General Plan Parks, Open Spaces, and Schools Element described below. Additionally, in 2021, Measure P was established within the Fresno Code of Ordinances to improve Fresno’s existing parks and recreational areas.
Fresno General Plan
Parks, Open Space, and Schools Element
Objective POSS-1 Provide an expanded, high quality and diversified park system, allowing for varied recreational opportunities for the entire Fresno community.
Policy POSS-1-a Parkland Standard. Implement a standard of at least three acres of public parkland per 1,000 residents for Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community Parks throughout the City, while striving for five acres per 1,000 residents for all parks throughout the City, subject to identifying additional funding for regional parks and trails.
Policy POSS-1-b Parks Implementation Planning. Conduct ongoing planning to implement park policies established in this General Plan and continue to strive for well-maintained and fully accessible playgrounds, with accessible amenities, throughout the City. • Keep an up-to-date inventory of existing and planned parks, including locations mapped on the Parks and Open Space Diagram;
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.16-5
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx • Plan for acquiring new parkland designated in the General Plan, as shown in Figure POSS-1;
• Establish a standard protocol for working with new development to arrange for parkland acquisition and dedication;
• Establish a protocol for working with established neighborhoods to provide needed parks, including the fostering of neighborhood and district associations to help plan, acquire, improve, and care for public parks, and coordinating new City service facilities to provide new open space; • Establish detailed design, construction, and maintenance standards; • Prepare an assessment of the recreation needs of existing and future residents;
• Create an action plan defining priorities, timeframes, and responsibilities; • Adopt and implement a comprehensive financing strategy for land acquisition, park development, operations, and maintenance;
• Identify opportunities for using existing or planned park space as passive stormwater storage, treatment, and conservation areas that also provide scenic and/or recreational opportunities;
• Identify opportunities for siting and using existing or planned park space as passive “purple pipe” wastewater storage, treatment, and conservation areas that also provide scenic and/or recreational opportunities; and • Update the Parks Master Plan.
Policy POSS-1-c Public Input in Park Planning. Continue to provide opportunities for public participation in the planning and development of park facilities and in the creation of social, cultural, and recreational activities in the community.
Policy POSS-1-d Additional parkland in certain areas. Strive to obtain additional parkland of sufficient size to adequately serve underserved neighborhood areas and along Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors in support of new and intense residential and mixed- use infill development.
• Identify, where appropriate, joint-use opportunities in siting parks with other City service facility needs.
Policy POSS-1-e Criteria for Parks in Development Areas. Continue to use park size and service area criteria for siting new parks and planning for parks in Development Areas:
Policy POSS-1-f Parks and Open Space Diagram. Require parks to be sited and sized as shown on the Parks and Open Space Diagram (Figure POSS-1) of the General Plan, subject to the following:
• All new park designations carry dual land use designations, so that if a park is not needed, private development consistent with zoning and development standards may be approved. (See Figure LU-2: Dual Designation Diagram in the Urban Form, Land Use, and Design Element).
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.16-6 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx • Revised and/or additional park sites will be identified through subsequent implementation and planning in established neighborhoods and Development Areas.
• Locations for future park sites as shown on Figure POSS-1 are schematic to the extent that park sites may be relocated as necessity and opportunity dictate, and a General Plan amendment is not required if the park continues to serve the target areas as determined by the Planning Director. • A park may be located on any suitable land in the general vicinity of the sites depicted. However, the zoning of potential park sites must be made consistent with the General Plan.
Policy POSS-1-g Regional Urban Forest. Maintain and implement incrementally, through new development projects, additions to Fresno’s urban forest to delineate corridors and the boundaries of urban areas and to provide tree canopy for bike lanes, sidewalks, parking lots, and trails.
Objective POSS-2 Ensure that adequate land, in appropriate locations, is designated and acquired for park and recreation uses in infill and growth areas.
Policy POSS-2-a Identify opportunities to site, develop, and co-locate Fire and Police stations with needed parks and open space as joint-use facilities.
• Capital Improvement Plans should be updated to reflect this policy.
Policy POSS-2-b Park and Recreation Priorities. Use the following priorities and guidelines in acquiring and developing parks and recreation facilities:
• Acquire and develop neighborhood park space in existing developed neighborhoods that are deficient of such space and in areas along BRT corridors that are designated as priorities for encouraging new mixed-use transit-oriented development.
• Provide accessible recreation facilities in established neighborhoods with emphasis on those neighborhoods currently underserved by recreation facilities.
• Improve established neighborhood parks with emphasis on those neighborhoods with the greatest need.
• Acquire and develop neighborhood and community parks in new Development Areas.
• Recognize community parks as a special need in areas that lack these facilities or are planned for transit supportive urban densities, and explore all potential sources of revenue to secure and develop appropriate sites including joint-use facilities.
• Develop new special purpose parks, such as outdoor gym equipment, natural resource based trail parks, equestrian centers, dog parks, and amphitheaters, as well as alternative recreation facilities, such as community recreation City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.16-7
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx centers, passive wildlife observation parks, cultural heritage and diversity parks, military veterans memorial parks, and universal access open space parks.
• Acquire and develop park and open space in established neighborhoods and Development Areas, prioritizing existing neighborhoods with the greatest deficiencies, so that all residents have access to park or open space within 0.5 mile of their residence. Develop these facilities to be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities as required by law.
Policy POSS-2-c Review of Development Applications. Coordinate review of all development applications (i.e., site plans, conditional use permits, and subdivision maps) in order to implement the parks and open space standards of this Plan. • Assure the provision of adequate active and passive open spaces and facilities as appropriate within residential subdivisions through citywide Development Code requirements for mandatory dedication and improvement of land and/or development fees.
• Require the provision of appropriate outdoor living areas or private open space in multifamily residential developments not subject to the Subdivision Map Act.
• Request open space easements where feasible and warranted to secure appropriate public use of sensitive areas with scenic or recreation values and for buffering space for sensitive areas.
• Require provision of appropriate open space areas in private projects, in the form of trails, enhanced landscaped setbacks, parks, and water features. • Evaluate the merits of establishing a development bonus entitlement program in which development incentives (i.e., bonus densities, bonus floor area square footage) are provided for contributions to public recreational facilities on-site or in the vicinity of the development project.
Policy POSS-2-e Open Space Dedication for Residential Development. Ensure new residential developments provide adequate land for parks, open space, landscaping, and trails through the dedication of land or otherwise providing for Pocket Parks, planned trails, and other recreational space maintained by an HOA, CFD, or other such entity.
Objective POSS-3 Ensure that park and recreational facilities make the most efficient use of land; that they are designed and managed to provide for the entire Fresno community; and that they represent positive examples of design and energy conservation.
Policy POSS-3-a Centralized Park Locations. Site parks central and accessible to the population served while preserving the integrity of the surrounding neighborhood.
Policy POSS-3-b Park Location and Walking Distance. Site Pocket and Neighborhood parks within
0.5 mile walking distance of new residential development.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.16-8 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx Policy POSS-3-c Link Parks with Walkways. Link public open space to adjacent, schools, and residential uses and Activity Centers through a series of landscaped linear walkways and bikeways that enhance and encourage pedestrian use.
Policy POSS-3-d Sidewalks to Connect Neighborhoods. Sidewalks should be designed for internal neighborhood circulation and to connect neighborhoods to other residential areas, parks, community trails, shopping, and major streets.
Policy POSS-3-e Minimum Park Size for Active Recreation. Minimize City acquisition or acceptance of dedication of park sites less than two acres in size for active recreational uses, except where maintenance costs are secured through a CFD, HOA, or other such mechanism.
Policy POSS-3-f Park Design Guidelines. Create, maintain, and apply park design guidelines, with provisions for appropriate amenities for each park type, which may include:
• Minimum and maximum shade.
• Protections from shading by adjacent buildings.
• Accessibility to persons with disabilities.
• Street trees and landscaped median strips in adjacent arterial roads. • Art and points of attraction.
• Landscape and hardscape features.
• Street furniture, signage, and lighting.
• Food sales and entertainment.
• Restroom facilities, play structures, and picnic shelters. • Landscape design synthesis with input from civil engineers and hydrologists, educators and daycare providers, fitness trainers and coaches, police officers, and experts in crime prevention through environmental design, as appropriate.
• Solar panels, new LED lighting, and water efficiency improvements. • Sports field areas designed to allow periodic changes in field locations to minimize wear areas and provide sufficient fields to host regional, state, or national tournaments.
• Using topography to create interesting and visually appealing spaces and forms.
• Use of waterways as a key design influence, a focus of restoration, and an opportunity to provide for public enjoyment of views.
• Reflecting the agricultural and horticultural heritage of the site or area. • Connecting with surrounding areas in a way that encourages expanded pedestrian activity.
• Creating individual places within a park that respond to the needs of a broad range of park users, from youth to the elderly.
• Creating places of delight that engage the senses.
• Creating places that engage the mind, by treating park features as opportunities for interpretation and questioning.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.16-9
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx • Using sustainable design practices, and highlighting these as opportunities for learning.
Policy POSS-3-g Park Security and Design. Promote safety, attractiveness, and compatibility between parks and adjacent residential areas through design, maintenance, and enforcement of park regulations.
• Require the installation of security lighting for parking, points of access, and building areas at all public recreation and park sites. • Keep neighborhood eyes on parks to increase security.
Policy POSS-3-h Coordination with School Districts. Continue to coordinate with school districts to explore opportunities for joint-use of both outdoor and indoor recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, play fields, and gymnasiums, for City recreation programs.
Policy POSS-3-I Joint Use with Drainage Facilities. Continue to seek joint-use agreements for use of FMFCD stormwater drainage facilities.
Objective POSS-4 Pursue sufficient and dedicated funding for parks acquisition, operations, and maintenance.
Policy POSS-4-a Supplemental Revenue. Seek revenue sources to supplement General Fund support for basic park maintenance and basic recreational services.
Policy POSS-4-b Operation and Maintenance Financing. Continue to require new residential development to form lighting and landscaping maintenance districts or community facility districts or ensure other means of financing to pay for park operations and maintenance.
Policy POSS-4-c Improvements in Established Neighborhoods. Seek agreements with formal neighborhood associations and institutions for improvements and ongoing maintenance of parks in established neighborhoods.
Policy POSS-4-d Maintain Adopt-A-Park Program. Continue promoting the City’s Adopt-A-Park program that utilizes partnerships with local organizations to preserve, beautify, and maintain Fresno's neighborhood parks.
Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan
According to the SEDA Specific Plan, Neighborhood Town Centers would provide the majority of SEDA residents with essential walk, bike, transit, and short-drive access to civic services and amenities, including elementary schools, local parks, community gardens, and other services. Public gathering places that provide visual relief and passive recreation would be located in the mixed-use centers and should be surrounded by civic buildings and any commercial or mixed-use buildings City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.16-10 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx located in the center. The SEDA Specific Plan contains objectives and policies relevant to the provision of parks and recreation areas, which are shown below:
Urban Form
Objective UF-1 Create complete neighborhoods in the Southeast Development Area that integrate housing, business and retail amenities. Implement a Southeast Development Area plan that balances and mixes housing, jobs, commercial businesses, services, and public facilities to help meet existing thresholds for lower vehicle miles traveled, reduced air pollution, and the efficient use of groundwater resources in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014.
Policy UF-1.5 Public Facilities and Open Spaces. Support the development of public infrastructure, facilities, and parks that meet the needs of Plan Area residents according to the policies and standards set in the Open Space, Schools, and Public Facilities Chapter and the General Plan.
Objective UF-5 Provide a well-balanced transportation network accessible to all users.
Policy UF-5.3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel. Promoting a network of pedestrian and bicycle routes, including dedicated trails, multipurpose paths, and priority Bicycle Boulevards throughout the Plan Area will serve work, school, and recreational trips and provide options for healthier outcomes within the community. In addition, both existing and proposed regional trails will be coordinated in tandem within this walkable and bikeable network. The Fresno General Plan Figure MT-2:
Paths and Trails and the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) identify active trails.
Policy UF-5.6 Performance Standards & Evaluation. Transit will be provided as demand warrants. Upon Plan, buildout or when warranted, 10-minute peak-period headways will be provided along the BRT corridor (e.g., Kings Canyon), and 15- minute peak-period headways shall be provided for high-priority transit routes (e.g., De Wolf, Clovis).
In addition, all other transit routes in the planning area shall be operated at 30- minute headways upon Plan completion. Extended hour or late-night service shall be provided at 60-minute headways.
• Bus stop locations are generally placed at ¼ mile spacing. Bus stop placement will be prioritized at:
- Schools and medical facilities
- Libraries, parks, senior centers, and recreation facilities - Concentrated commercial areas
- Concentrated residential and employment areas
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
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1. Bicycles: A user-friendly bicycle network will be provided to welcome all riders throughout the entire Plan Area. Bicycle lanes including Class II and Class IV facilities should be provided on all Super Arterials, Arterials, and Local Streets.
A Bicycle network should be designated on Neighborhood or Local Streets.
Ensuring the safety of vulnerable users will be an important priority, as the Plan will seek to create a network of easy to use, lower stress amenities that provide the ability to connect riders to key destinations throughout the City, as described in the Fresno Active Transportation Plan (2017).
2. Pedestrians: A first-class pedestrian system shall be provided, including sidewalks on all streets, bicycle/pedestrian trails, and other design elements that prioritize safety and convenience for pedestrians, as described in the Fresno Active Transportation Plan (2017).
3. Vehicles: A highly connected, grid-based roadway system shall be provided for efficient vehicular travel. Please see the Streets and Circulation Standards in the Development Code and the City of Fresno's Department of Public Works Standard Drawings.
Open Space, Schools, and Public Facilities
Objective OS-1 Collaborate with local and regional agencies and organizations to create and support the elements of the SEDA open space network.
Policy OS-1.1 Joint Use of Open Spaces. Establish agreements to share facilities between the City of Fresno and Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District, Fresno Irrigation District, and other local and regional agencies and organizations. At a minimum, and as early as possible with respect to development plans, the City of Fresno shall:
• Establish joint-use agreements with Clovis Unified and Sanger Unified school districts to provide shared community access to school grounds and City- owned facilities.
• Establish joint-use agreements with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District to provide access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use, where appropriate.
• Establish joint-use agreements with the Fresno Irrigation District to provide public access to areas adjacent to canals and creeks. These agreements should address issues associated with the provision of canal side trails, where appropriate.
• Coordinate with Fresno County and the City of Clovis to provide regional recreational opportunities where potential exists.
• Pursue joint-use and partnership opportunities with other public and private agencies to help finance, manage, or provide services within the SEDA open space system.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.16-12 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx Objective OS-2 Create and maintain an open space network that serves multiple purposes, including recreation, stormwater management, community farming, and environmental preservation.
Policy OS-2.1 Active Open Space. Maximize active recreational opportunities in the open space network. Active space includes playgrounds, fields, hardcourts, pools, and other facilities for sports and other physical activities.
Objective OS-4 Develop and maintain a greenway trail network connected to the SEDA circulation network that maximizes daily travel and recreation opportunities by linking Town Centers to destinations within and beyond the Southeast Development Area.
Policy OS-4.1 Multiuse Trails. Establish a planned network of multiuse greenway trails. These trails will serve bicyclists, pedestrians, and, where appropriate, equestrians. Cross- sections and width requirements will be provided for specific conditions- including canal side, open space, streetside and farm side trails.
Policy OS-4.2 Regional Trails. Coordinate regional trail planning with Fresno County, the City of Clovis, and other jurisdictions as appropriate. The City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan calls for Class I Bicycle Paths along each canal in the SEDA. A regional Rails to Trails Bicycle Path is planned to run parallel to California Avenue should existing railroad lines be vacated.
Policy OS-4.3 Trail Standards. Trails shall be designed with features that encourage use, provide safety, and are resource efficient. Trail standards shall address shading, low-water landscaping, fencing, paving and surface materials, lighting, seating and furniture, ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] access requirements, signage, and intersection treatments.
Policy OS-4.4 Trail Segments. Trail segments will not be constructed until all necessary property or easements are acquired for an entire segment.
Policy OS-4.5 SEDA Trails Master Plan. Prior to the design and construction of the SEDA trail system, a SEDA Trails Master Plan will need to be completed that would define the final location and alignment of trails.
Policy OS-4.6 Trail Security. Trails will be designed with privacy and security in mind for adjacent property owners.
Objective OS-7 Collaborate with school districts and local agencies to develop schools and other public facilities that meet the Southeast Development Area’s goals for community, fiscal, and environmental sustainability.
Policy OS-7.2 Joint Use of School and Community Facilities. Pursue agreements to share facilities between schools and other community-serving institutions. Since the City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.16-13
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx provision of shared facilities affects the siting, size, and design of schools, joint- use arrangements should be considered early in the facilities planning process. • Create a master joint-use agreement that establishes the parameters for shared use between the City of Fresno/Fresno PARCS [Parks After School, Recreation and Community Services] and school districts. Thereafter, create site-specific cooperative agreements for each facility. • Establish joint-use agreements with schools to make school grounds (playfields and outdoor recreation areas) available for community use during non-school hours.
• Pursue partnerships among school districts, governmental agencies, higher education, and/or nonprofit organizations to fund and develop joint-use facilities with schools, such as multipurpose rooms, gymnasiums, child care facilities, elder care facilities, adult education facilities, libraries, teacher education facilities, and schoolyard community gardens.
Objective OS-10 Civic facilities, such as libraries, community centers, senior centers, post offices, and other civic buildings, will be integrated into the urban fabric of centers and communities, and will be well-served by public transit, paths, and trails.
Policy OS-10.2 Availability of Civic Facilities. Civic facilities will be located in proximity to homes, transit, and safe pedestrian and bicycle routes and clustered with other facilities (such as parks) and services as appropriate. The SEDA Plan contains standards for the location of civic uses within Mixed-Use Districts and Residential Districts; please refer to the Urban Form Chapter for details on the SEDA Development Code.
All civic facilities must meet accessibility standards as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards and Title 24 California Building Code.
• Community Recreation Centers: All homes within the SEDA will be located within 4 miles of a community recreation center. Community recreation centers must be accessible by safe pedestrian and bicycle routes and be served by local transit.
• Libraries: Libraries must be accessible by safe pedestrian and bicycle routes and be served by local transit.
Community Farming and Agriculture
Objective CF-2 Create a long-term transition zone between urban uses in the City of Fresno and agricultural land in Fresno County. Buffering urban and adjoining agricultural land uses reduce conflicts that can arise due to noise, pollution, or traffic.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.16-14 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx Policy CF-2.2 Passive Recreation. Encourage the creation of regional trails and open spaces in Rural Cluster Districts that connect urban uses to agricultural uses with trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.
• What is the role of rural cluster development?
- A transitional buffer. Urban areas and large agricultural operations cannot always sit side-by-side. Noise, dust, and pesticides from farms can pose health concerns for residents, while farmers need space to move machinery and goods. Rural clusters along the eastern edge of SEDA form a transition between the urban area and the agricultural lands beyond. - An attractive residential option. Rural clusters offer a rural lifestyle within an environmentally responsible land use framework that promotes active farming and open space preservation.
- A means to preserve land. Rural cluster lands can be used for organic small-scale farming, equestrian activities, or other uses compatible with the nearby homes. The vast majority of the land is preserved as viable agricultural land or open space.
Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Conservation
Objective RC-4 Ensure that there will be no adverse effects on regional groundwater levels by minimizing groundwater extraction and replenishing groundwater used to serve the Southeast Development Area. Maximize multiple uses of open space by encouraging new recharge facilities to be accessible to the public.
Policy RC-4.4 Utilization of Recreation and Open Spaces as Groundwater Recharge Areas.
Support recreation opportunities with a range of parks and multiuse trails by establishing joint-use agreements with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District to allow access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use, when appropriate (see the Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities Chapter).
Parks Master Plan
The Fresno Parks Master Plan was created in 2017 and articulates a vision for improving Fresno’s park and open space system based on community engagement and thorough analysis.3 Through the examination of the City’s General Plan parkland acreage goals, population growth, and demographic information, the provision of parks, recreational programs, and recreational amenities by neighborhoods was examined. This information was used to create a master plan that aims to improve the quality of existing parks, improve park safety, and close systematic gaps between park land and resource allocations.
Fresno Municipal Code
Section 12-4.701 of the Fresno Municipal Code (Municipal Code) discusses the park facilities required to implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan and to mitigate the
3 City of Fresno. 2017. Fresno Parks Master Plan. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/darm/wp- content/uploads/sites/10/2016/10/FinalDraftoftheFresnoParksMasterPlanwithAppendixA.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2023.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.16-15
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx impacts caused by future development in the City. The City Council has determined that a Park Facilities Fee is needed in order to pay for (a) land acquisition for and design, engineering, and construction of the public facilities designated in the Council resolution and reasonable costs of outside consultant studies related thereto; (b) to reimburse the City for designated public facilities construction by the City with funds (other than gifts or grants) from other sources together with accrued interest; (c) to reimburse developers who have designed and constructed designated public facilities which are oversized and supplemental size, length, or capacity; and/or (d) to pay for and/or reimburse costs of program development and ongoing administration of the Park Facilities Fee program.
3.16.4 - Methodology
FCS reviewed information about parks and recreation providers in and near the Plan Area and in the City of Fresno. The General Plan, Specific Plan, the Parks Master Plan and City websites were reviewed for relevant information.
3.16.5 - Thresholds of Significance
Recreation
The Lead Agency utilizes the criteria in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Appendix G Environmental Checklist to determine whether impacts to recreation are significant environmental effects. Would the project:
a) 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? b) Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
3.16.6 - Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
This section discusses potential impacts associated with the development of the project and provides mitigation measures where appropriate.
Increase Use of Parks
Impact REC-1: T he proposed project would not 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.
Impact Analysis
The City provides various parks, trails, and community facilities throughout the City. It is estimated that the proposed project would add approximately 45,000 homes and 37,000 jobs within the nearly 9,000-acre Plan Area by the year 2050. As such, there would be a corresponding increase in population and an increased demand for parks and recreational facilities. The proposed project would meet the General Plan standard of 3 acres of neighborhood, community, and pocket parks per 1,000 residents and the General Plan standard of 2 acres of regional parks, open space/natural City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.16-16 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx areas, and special use parks/facilities per 1,000 residents through policies that would encourage new parks and recreational facilities.
The proposed project’s open space system would provide open spaces and parks for active and passive recreation. The proposed project would include corridors for trails and paths that connect many areas of the Plan Area, which would provide recreational opportunities for residents, employees, customers, and visitors. Neighborhood Town Centers would provide for nearly all homes to be located within walking distance of recreation areas. Trail systems would connect regional and sub-regional destinations for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians (where appropriate). Multiuse trails would be parallel to canals and other east–west open space networks within the Plan Area.
There will also be a network of bicycle lanes reflective of the Fresno Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
This will consist of Class I and Class II Bike Lanes and other bicycle facilities as described in the Caltrans Bikeway Classification Guide and Figure MT-2 of the Fresno City General Plan. The bicycle/pedestrian network would at least consist of on-street bike lanes (Class II facilities), and on- street bicycle facilities with a barrier between the bikeway and traffic (Class IV facilities) and sidewalks. Class I Bike/Pedestrian Paths within the Plan Area would exist along East Jensen Avenue, East Kings Canyon Road, parallel to the Fresno Canal near Olive Road, and parallel to the Gould Canal near East Clinton Avenue.
Development under the proposed project would be required to comply with General Plan objectives and policies related to parks and recreational facilities. Future development under the proposed project would be required to comply with General Plan Policy POSS-2-c, which requires review of development applications in order to implement the parks and open space standard, and General Plan Policy POSS-2-e, which ensures that new residential developments provide adequate land for parks and open space, along with other recreational space.
The Specific Plan include policies to create recreational opportunities for residents. For example, Policy OS-2.1 would maximize active recreational opportunities in the open space network. Active space includes playgrounds, fields, hardcourts, pools, and other facilities for sports and other physical activities. Policy CF-2.2 would encourage the creation of regional trails and open spaces in Rural Cluster Districts that connect urban uses to agricultural uses with trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. Policy RC-4.4 would support recreational opportunities with a range of parks and multiuse trails by establishing joint-use agreements with FMFCD to allow access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use, when appropriate.
Finally, new development that occurs pursuant to the proposed project would be required to pay applicable development fees in order to mitigate the impacts on park facilities caused by future development in the City. This would ensure that new development provides adequate parks and recreational facilities that meet the citywide parks and open space standard of 3 acres per 1,000 residents. There are currently no existing City parks within the Plan Area. The nearest City park to the Plan Area is Melody Park located 1.6 miles from the project site. At this distance, the proposed project would not impact currently existing parks. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
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None required.
Recreational Facilities Physical Effect on Environment
Impact REC-2: The proposed project could include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.
Impact Analysis
Implementation of the proposed project is projected to generate an increase in the population, requiring the dedication of new parks and recreational facilities. As discussed in Section 3.14, Population and Housing, the addition of up to 45,000 new residential units could accommodate 136,800 residents by 2050.
The Plan Area does not currently contain any parkland that is maintained by the City. In order to meet the citywide parks and open space standard of 3 acres per 1,000 residents, the proposed project would require approximately 410.4 acres of parks by 2050. The proposed project would facilitate the creation of parks and recreational facilities. As discussed previously, Policy OS-2.1 would maximize active recreational opportunities in the open space network. Active space includes playgrounds, fields, hardcourts, pools, and other facilities for sports and other physical activities.
Policy CF-2.2 would encourage the creation of regional trails and open spaces in Rural Cluster Districts that connect urban uses to agricultural uses with trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. Policy RC-4.4 would support recreational opportunities with a range of parks and multiuse trails by establishing joint-use agreements with FMFCD to allow access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use, when appropriate. Furthermore, development within the Plan Area would be required pay applicable development fees to finance park facility improvements.
The population increase projected under the proposed project is within the population growth contemplated by the General Plan and would therefore have less than significant impacts related to the provision of new or altered park facilities. However, the proposed project would incorporate new zone districts and planned land use types, resulting in the need for up to 410.4 acres of additional parkland. Therefore, impacts related to the provision of parks and recreation services would require mitigation. Mitigation Measure (MM) REC-1 would require the City to monitor all residential population growth compared to development of new parklands within the Plan Area, in order to ensure compliance with the minimum ratio of 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 population. With implementation of MM REC-1, impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Devlopment Area Specific Plan Project Recreation Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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MM REC-1 As new development occurs in the Plan Area, the City shall periodically (every 5 years) monitor residential population growth compared to development of new parklands for the purpose of evaluating the strength of this Plan to meet the ratio of 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 population. If the ratio is not met, the City shall explore additional ways to increase the amount of dedicated parkland in the Plan Area, including but not limited to designating additional lands for parkland development.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
3.16.7 - Cumulative Impacts
The geographic scope of the cumulative impact analysis for Recreation impacts is the Plan Area and portions of the City of Fresno, City of Clovis, and unincorporated Fresno County adjacent to the Plan Area. This analysis evaluates whether impacts of the Specific Plan, together with impacts of cumulative development, would result in a cumulatively significant impact with respect to lands use and planning. This analysis then considers whether incremental contribution of the impacts associated with implementation of the Specific Plan would be significant. Both conditions must apply for cumulative effects to rise to the level of significance.
As stated above, implementation of the proposed project would result in up to 45,000 new residential units, which could accommodate 136,800 residents by 2050. At full buildout, the proposed project would require approximately 410.4 acres of usable parkland to meet the citywide parks and open space standard of 3 acres per 1,000 residents. Parkland refers to Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community Parks. The Plan Area currently does not have any City-managed parkland.
The General Plan identified the need for nearly 2,313 acres of new Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community Parks by the General Plan horizon year of 2035 in the City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI). As discussed above under Impact REC-2, future development under the proposed project could include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment. Individual development projects would be required to comply with the applicable development fees, which would allow new parks to be constructed at appropriate sites within the cumulative setting and adequately maintained. However, cumulative impacts could be significant, as the proposed project would incorporate new zone districts and planned land use types in the Plan Area, resulting in the need for up to 410.4 acres of parkland to meet the citywide parks and open space standard of 3 acres per 1,000 residents.
Therefore, implementation of MM REC-1, which requires the City to monitor residential population growth compared to development of new parklands to meet the ratio of 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 population, would ensure potential impacts would be addressed and mitigated to meet the parkland requirements. Cumulative impacts would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeasdt Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Recreation
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-16 Recreation.docx Level of Cumulative Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
Cumulative Mitigation Measures
Implement MM REC-1.
Level of Cumulative Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
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3.17 - Transportation and Traffic
3.17.1 - Introduction
This section describes existing conditions related to transportation in the project area as well as the relevant regulatory framework. This section also evaluates the possible impacts related to transportation that could result from implementation of the project. Information in this section is based on the project-specific Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA) (included as Appendix H).
As further discussed in Chapter 1, Introduction, 15 public comments were received during the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR) scoping period related to the project’s potential Transportation and Traffic impacts.
• Recommends that a peak-hour ramp queue is completed at each of the following State Route (SR) 180 intersections to determine potential impacts: De Wolf Avenue, Highland Avenue, and McCall Avenue.
• Requests all future development evaluate traffic safety impacts on the State Highway Systems due to new pedestrian and bicyclist needs due to the proposed project, specifically SR-180 interchanges at Fowler Avenue and Temperance Avenue and intersections at De Wolf Avenue, Highland Avenue, and McCall Avenue.
• Requests that all future development under the proposed project should conduct a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis and determine whether development under the proposed project would be required to pay a VMT Mitigation Impact Fee. • Requests that all future residential development under the proposed project include affordable housing units.
• Recommends that the City establish policies for the installation of Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging for single- and multi-family residential units as well as DC Fast Charging EV charging stations for retail, commercial, park, and public facilities. • Recommends that the Draft PEIR includes implementation guidelines for multimodal strategies, such as those that originate from Transit Oriented Development (TOD), in an effort to further reduce future projects’ traffic-related impacts. • Support of active transportation plans and smart growth efforts that aid the State’s 2050 Climate goals.
• Requests early engagement on all future development under the proposed project that could affect the State right-of-way.
• Recommends that a Traffic Impact Study be prepared.
• States that any work done within the County-road right-of-way to construct a new driveway or improve an existing driveway will require an Encroachment Permit from the Road from the Fresno Department of Public Works.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx • States that any grading will require either an engineered grading and drainage plan, road improvement plan, and permit or voucher and must comply with the City standards/requirements forwarded to the City of Fresno. • Requests that the Draft PEIR accurately captures and analyzes baseline conditions and potentially significant project-specific and cumulative impacts within and adjacent to the planning area.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR identifies and adopts all feasible and enforceable mitigation measures that avoid and reduce negative impact.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR analyzes and creates mitigation measures consistent with all applicable laws, including State and federal fair housing, civil rights, and climate laws such as Senate Bill (SB) 743.
3.17.2 - Environmental Setting
Project Site
The project proposes to develop 9,000 acres of mixed-use development in the southeast corner of the City of Fresno (City). In total, there would be approximately 45,000 housing units (split between 26,000 single-family dwelling units and 19,000 multi-family dwelling units), 12,000 retail employees, 8,000 office employees, and 17,000 civic institutional employees, for a total of 37,000 employees at full buildout.
The location of the nearly 9,000-acre Plan Area is in the southeast portion of the City, in Fresno County, California. The Plan Area is bounded on the north by the Gould Canal, on the east by McCall and Highland Avenues, on the south by Jensen and North Avenues, and on the west by Locan, Temperance, and Minnewawa Avenues.
Roadway Facilities
Regional roadway facilities providing access to the proposed Southeast Development Area (SEDA) are via SR-180. Local access to the SEDA Specific Plan Area (Plan Area) is provided by various arterials and collectors. Exhibit 3.17-1 shows the proposed major street circulation network for the proposed project.
SR-180 is a six-lane, east–west State Highway in Fresno County (County) connecting Centerville to the east and Mendota to the west. It runs through the central portion of SEDA, and its speed limit is 65 miles per hour (mph). The highway merges with Kings Canyon Road when the highway portion ends near De Wolf Avenue.
Kings Canyon Road is a four-lane, east–west arterial that connects downtown Fresno to SR-180 in the east. It runs through the central portion of the SEDA development, and its speed limit is 40 mph.
Clovis Avenue is primarily a four-lane, north–south arterial in eastern Fresno, connecting residents from Clovis to SR-99. It is primarily a six-lane arterial within the Plan Area, and surrounding land uses include single-family and commercial/retail uses. The speed limit along Clovis Avenue is 45 mph. 31680037 • 12/2024 | 3.17-1_proposed_major_st_circ_network.cdr CITY OF FRESNO
FRESNO SOUTHEAST DEVELOPMENT AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
RECIRCULATED PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Exhibit 3.17-1
Proposed Major Street Circulation Network
Source: City of Fresno
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PROPOSED MAJOR STREET CIRCULATION
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■ ■
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Temperance Avenue is a north–south super arterial in Fresno County with an interchange at SR-180.
Temperance Avenue varies from two to four lanes within the Plan Area. Land adjacent to Temperance Avenue consists of mostly rural residential land uses, and the road becomes a two-lane facility south of Hamilton Avenue. The speed limit along Temperance Avenue is 45 to 50 mph. By full buildout of the Specific Plan, Temperance Avenue is expected to be expanded to six lanes.
De Wolf Avenue is a two-lane, north–south collector in eastern Fresno County that runs perpendicular to SR-180. Land adjacent to the road consists of mostly farmland, and the road connects multiple elementary schools. It runs through the central portion of the Plan Area. The speed limit along De Wolf Avenue is 45 mph.
McCall Avenue is a two-lane, north–south collector in eastern Fresno County that intersects with SR- 180. Land adjacent to the road consists of mostly farmland, and the road connects the City of Selma to Fresno. It runs through the eastern edge of the Plan Area. The speed limit along McCall Avenue is 40 mph.
Jensen Avenue is a four-lane, east–west arterial in southern Fresno that connects SR-99 with the City of Sanger. The land adjacent to Jensen Avenue consists mostly of farmland, and the road runs through the southern portion of the SEDA Specific Plan Area. The speed limit along Jensen Avenue is 55 mph from Chestnut Avenue to Clovis Avenue and 60 mph from Clovis Avenue to Fowler Avenue.
Belmont Avenue is a two-lane, east–west collector in eastern Fresno that runs north of and parallel to SR-180. The land adjacent to the road consists of mostly farmland, and the road runs through the central portion of the Plan Area. The speed limit along Belmont Avenue is 45 mph from Peach Avenue to Armstrong Avenue and 50 mph from Armstrong Avenue to Temperance Avenue.
Tulare Avenue is a two-lane, east–west collector in eastern Fresno that runs south of and parallel to SR-180. The land adjacent to the road consists of mostly suburban tracts, and the road runs through the central portion of the Plan Area. The speed limit along Tulare Avenue is 40 mph from First Street to Clovis Avenue.
Armstrong Avenue is a two-lane, north–south collector in eastern Fresno that runs parallel to Temperance Ave. The land adjacent to the road consists of mostly rural tracts, and the road runs through the western portion of the Plan Area. The speed limit along Armstrong Avenue is 45 mph.
Fowler Avenue is a two-lane, north–south collector in eastern Fresno that runs parallel to Temperance Avenue. The land adjacent to the road consists of mostly rural tracts, and the road is located at the western boundary of the Plan Area. The speed limit along Fowler Avenue is 45 mph.
North Avenue is a two-lane, east–west collector in eastern Fresno that runs parallel to Jensen Avenue. The land adjacent to the road consists of mostly rural tracts and agricultural fields, and the road runs through the southern portion of the Plan Area. The speed limit along North Avenue is 40 mph.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Pedestrian Facilities
Walkability is defined as the ability to travel easily, safely, and comfortably between various origins and destinations without having to rely on automobiles or other motorized travel. The ideal “walkable” community includes wide and shaded sidewalks, a mix of vertical and horizontal land uses abutting the street, such as residential, employment, and shopping opportunities, a mix of densities, a limited number of conflict points with vehicle traffic, easy access to transit facilities and services, and a network of pedestrian facilities. Pedestrian facilities consist of crosswalks, sidewalks, bulb-outs, pedestrian refuges, pedestrian signals, and off-street paths, which provide safe and convenient routes for pedestrians to access the destinations such as institutions, businesses, public transportation, and recreation facilities. Pedestrian facilities must be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant.
As this project is a Specific Plan proposed in an area that is currently rural and developed in Fresno County, there are very limited pedestrian facilities in the project vicinity.
Bicycle Facilities
The 2017 City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan (ATP) outlines policies and objectives to improve the current active transportation system that includes walking and biking. The various bicycle facilities throughout the City and its Sphere of Influence are described below. • Class I Shared-Use Path: Class I bikeways are a completely separate right-of-way designed for the exclusive use of cyclists and pedestrians, with minimal crossings for motorists. These paths are often located along creeks, canals, and rail lines. Within the study area, there is Gould Canal Trail at north edge of the study area that connects to Temperance Avenue Trail and one small Class I bike path near Temperance Avenue and Shields Avenue on the northwestern portion of the Plan Area.
• Class II Bike Lanes: Class II Bike Lanes use special lane markings, pavement legends, and signage. Bike lanes provide designated street space for bicyclists, typically adjacent to outer vehicle travel lanes. Buffered bike lanes increase separation through painted buffers between vehicle lanes and/or parking, and green paint at conflict zones (e.g., driveways or intersections). Class II Bike Lanes are present in the study area along Belmont Avenue, portions of Shields Avenue, Locan Avenue, Butler Avenue, and South Temperance Avenue, and there are many more planned in the Fresno General Plan (General Plan) and in the Specific Plan for the project area.
• Class III Bike Routes: Bike routes provide enhanced mixed-traffic conditions for bicyclists through signage, shared arrow (sharrow) striping, and/or traffic calming treatments and provide continuity to a bikeway network. Bike routes are typically designated along gaps between bike trails or bike lanes or along low-volume, low-speed streets. Bicycle boulevards further enhance bike routes by encouraging slower speeds and discouraging non-local vehicle traffic using traffic diverters, chicanes, traffic circles, and speed tables. There are no existing Class III facilities in the project area, but there are many planned in the SEDA plan for the future. Sharrows shall only be implemented on designated streets where speed limits are 30 mph or less.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx • Class IV Bikeway: Bikeways are also known as cycle tracks or separated bikeways and are set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles and physically separated from vehicle traffic. Separated bikeways were adopted by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in 2015.
Separation may include grade separation, flexible posts, physical barriers, or on-street parking.
There are no existing Class IV facilities in the project area, but there are many planned Class IV facilities in the future within SEDA.
Transit Facilities
Fresno Area Express (FAX) is the local bus system for the City. Currently, there are no bus lines that run through the Plan Area. Bus Routes 1, 22, and 35 run on Clovis Street near the Plan Area but do not directly serve the Plan Area. There are plans to extend the Fresno bus rapid transit line (Route 1) into the Plan Area in the future and to add local transit routes to significant origins and destinations with the project area.
Preliminary Safety Assessment
The Preliminary Safety Assessment focuses on the frequency of collisions, providing analysis of their severity, type, and concentration within the Plan Area. Five years of countywide data from 2019 to 2023 was collected from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) for assessment purposes. After thorough analysis, the Plan Area recorded a total of 629 collisions between 2019 and 2023. Please refer to Appendix H for detailed analysis.
Among all the collisions, 12 were fatal, 38 resulted in severe injuries, and 70 caused visible injuries.
Additionally, 122 collisions involved complaints of pain, and the majority of collisions (387) were property damage only with no reported injuries. In terms of injury collisions, a total of 242 collisions occurred over these 5 years. Within Appendix H, the Collision Analysis depicts collisions by severity over the 5-year period. Figure 2 of the Collision Analysis (Appendix H) illustrates the collisions by severity over the 5-year period.
Overall collisions have remained relatively constant over the past 5 years, with a decline in fatalities and severe injuries in 2023. However, the total number of collisions increased from 109 (in 2019) to 148 (in 2023), reflecting a 36 percent increase. This year-on-year increase in total collisions is primarily due to the increase in Property Damage Only (PDO) collisions.
The data indicates there have been fatal collisions on Jensen Avenue, SR-180, Temperance Avenue, and McKinley Avenue. Severe injuries have also been reported on Jensen Avenue, SR-180, Clovis Avenue, Belmont Avenue, Temperance Avenue, and De Wolf Avenue. Please refer to Figures 6 and 7 of the Collision Analysis (Appendix H) for the Severity and Density Map.
The analysis also compares the number of collisions between the intersection and roadway segments. Of the total collisions, 63 percent occurred at intersections, while 37 percent took place on roadway segments. Only specific to injury collisions, approximately 70 percent occurred at intersections, and 30 percent took place on roadway segments. Furthermore, the most common violation leading to injury collisions is automobile right-of-way (35 percent), followed by violation of traffic signals and signs (17 percent). Other significant violations include improper turning, driving City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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The most frequent collision types for injury collisions are broadside (51 percent), hitting an object (17 percent), and rear-end collisions (16 percent). A similar trend is observed for all collisions, with broadside (35 percent), hitting an object (26 percent), and rear-end collisions (21 percent) being the most common. Collisions involving hitting an object and rear-end accidents are more prevalent in all collisions compared to injury collisions. Please refer to Figure 9 of the Collision Analysis (Appendix H) for an illustration of collisions based on type of collision.
Within injury collisions, 57 percent occurred during daylight, while 32 percent took place in dark conditions on streets without streetlights. Additionally, 88 percent of injury collisions involved passenger cars and pickup trucks, while trucks accounted for 6 percent. The least number of injury collisions involved pedestrians and bicycles. Please refer to Figure 10 of the Collision Analysis (Appendix H) for an illustration of collisions based on lighting conditions.
Focusing specifically on pedestrian and bicycle collisions within the project area, a total of seven pedestrian collisions occurred, including one fatality and six resulting in severe injuries. A total of six bicycle collisions occurred, including two fatalities, one resulting in severe injuries, two resulting in visible injuries, and one resulting in PDO. The one pedestrian fatal collision analyzed was reported on Jensen Avenue between Armstrong Avenue and Temperance Avenue. The first fatal bicycle collision was reported on Jensen Avenue between Temperance Avenue and Highland Avenue, and the other fatal collision was reported on Pine Avenue between Temperance Avenue and De Wolf Avenue.
Please refer to Figures 12 and 13 of the Collision Analysis (Appendix H) for illustrations of pedestrian and bicycle collisions.
In terms of safety, the City has been actively participating in improving it through various planning efforts and policy adoptions, such as Complete Streets, the ATP and the Vision Zero Action Plan.
Active Transportation, which encourages non-motorized travel like walking, cycling, and using transit, helps to reduce vehicle congestion and collisions while encouraging healthier, more sustainable habits. It enhances safety by providing dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, enhancing pedestrian infrastructure such as crosswalks and islands, and reducing vehicle speeds in areas with high foot or bike traffic. Complete Streets policies make roads safer for everyone by incorporating bike lanes, wider sidewalks, bus lanes, and traffic calming measures like speed bumps or roundabouts. These policies also improve visibility for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections.
Vision Zero aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by improving road design, addressing hazardous conditions, lowering speed limits in high-risk areas, and promoting safe driving through education and enforcement. Together, these initiatives create safer, more inclusive roadways.
The City adopted its Complete Streets Policy in 2019. The Policy’s intent is to aid in the planning, design, and construction of transportation facilities that balance safety, access, and mobility for users of all abilities and ages. The Complete Streets Policy is implemented in all neighborhoods, with particular attention to areas identified as priority areas in the ATP and corridors with high collision City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx rates. This policy is intended to guide implementation of the complete street and multimodal objectives and policies outlined in the General Plan.
The City’s ATP was initially adopted in 2017 and is now being updated. The goal of the ATP is to enhance accessibility, safety, and connectivity for various modes such as walking, biking, and other human-powered travel modes. The ATP outlines strategies informed by the latest data and community input, aiming to increase active transportation use while supporting public health and social equity. It also aligns with broader city planning efforts in creating a more connected and vibrant community. The updated ATP is expected to be complete by late summer 2025. It will be accompanied by a Vision Zero Action Plan, which specifically focuses on safety.
The Vision Zero Action Plan is crucial to the City’s commitments to systemic change leading to the reduction or elimination of traffic fatalities and serious injuries while increasing health, safety, and equitable mobility for all. The Vision Zero Action Plan will outline a strategic planning framework to prioritize and implement safety enhancements that most effectively improve safety for all users as a step toward reducing traffic deaths. The Vision Zero Action Plan is currently underway, and its completion is expected for fall 2025.
Existing Peak-hour Traffic Volumes For Study Segments
The existing operations of the study roadway segments were evaluated for the highest 1-hour volumes during weekday morning and evening peak periods. In addition to peak-hour, daily volumes were also evaluated. Table 3.17-1, below, shows the list of segments that have count data from Fresno County.
Table 3.17-1: Existing Conditions Study Segment Traffic Volumes Segment Name # AM Peak-hour PM Peak-hour Daily
Clovis Avenue south of American Avenue 1 1,037 1,154 14,404 De Wolf Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 2 472 326 2,766 De Wolf Avenue south of McKinley Avenue 3 282 248 1,881 De Wolf Avenue south of Clinton Avenue 4 332 228 2,271
De Wolf Avenue north of Jensen Avenue 5 187 174 1,693
De Wolf Avenue south of Jensen Avenue 6 95 120 1,139
Jensen Avenue east of Bethel Avenue 7 924 1,057 13,941
Jensen Avenue east of De Wolf Avenue 8 608 718 9,710
Jensen Avenue west of De Wolf Avenue 9 503 715 8,609
Jensen Avenue east of Temperance Avenue 10 1,015 801 9,856 Jensen Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 11 1,019 876 10,748 Kings Canyon Road east of Temperance Avenue 12 4 4 52
Locan Avenue north of Tulare Avenue 13 18 17 162
Locan Avenue south of Tulare Avenue 14 12 19 154
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City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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McCall Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 15 500 382 4,197 McCall Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue 16 390 439 5,167
McCall Avenue north of Belmont Avenue 17 485 518 5,730
Tulare Avenue east of Locan Avenue 18 24 27 248
Tulare Avenue west of Locan Avenue 19 38 54 595
North Street west of Temperance Avenue 20 193 216 2,442 Source: TJKM. 2025.
Existing Vehicle Miles Traveled
For existing conditions VMT, the Plan Area was overlaid on top of the Fresno County Council of Government’s (Fresno COG) Activity Based Travel Demand Model (FresnoABM) loaded vehicle assignment network. Total VMT for the SEDA Specific Plan (Specific Plan) was calculated by multiplying daily volumes on the model’s loaded network by distance traveled. In addition, VMT per Service Population (which is the sum of population and employees) was calculated using the FresnoABM’s land use database. Table 3.17-2 summarizes the existing VMT from the FresnoABM for the Plan Area.
Table 3.17-2: Existing Conditions VMT
Category 2015 Base Year Model
SEDA VMT 330,350
Population 3,410
Employment 2,306
SEDA VMT per Service Population 57.79
Notes:
SEDA = Southeast Development Area
VMT = Vehicle Miles Traveled
Source: TJKM. 2025.
3.17.3 - Regulatory Framework
Federal
Applicable federal regulations pertaining to transportation are addressed in other sections of this Recirculated Draft PEIR, including Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Hazardous Materials.
The federal Clean Air Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the ADA may have some relevance or influence for individual projects or actions as part of subsequent implementation of the proposed project.
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Federal Highway Administration/Federal Transit Administration The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established new requirements for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to set Transportation Performance Management (TPM) targets and to integrate those targets and plans into their planning documents by certain dates. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law carries forward performance-based planning requirements. Beginning in 2018, federal rules require that individual state Departments of Transportation and MPOs implement federal performance measures. In response, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have worked with state and regional agencies to identify performance measures that meet the requirements. In California, Caltrans is directly responsible for submitting performance targets and periodic progress reports to federal agencies in a timely manner. MPOs are required to establish targets for the same performance measures on all public roads in the MPO planning area within 180 days after the State establishes each target. MPOs may elect to support the Statewide targets, establish numerical targets specific to their region, or use a combination of both approaches. Furthermore, each MPO must incorporate these short-range targets into their planning and programming processes, including the long-range plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Transportation performance measures are managed through different metrics, including safety, bridge and pavement conditions, congestion/system performance, Transit Asset Management (TAM), and transit agency safety plan. States and MPOs must integrate performance-based planning and programming into the long-range transportation plans. Regional transportation plans must include performance measures and targets, as well as a description of progress toward the targets. In addition, the TIP must provide a description on how investment in the TIP will contribute toward achieving those targets in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
The FHWA defines TPM as a strategic approach that uses system information to make investment and policy decisions to achieve national performance goals by setting and tracking the targets. TPM is systematically applied, a regular ongoing process that provides key information to help decision- makers, allowing them to understand the investment consequences across transportation assets or modes. It ensures that the targets and measures are developed in cooperative partnerships among decision-makers, stakeholders, and the traveling public, and that those targets are based on data and objective information. The Statewide and Non-metropolitan Transportation Planning and Metropolitan Planning Final Rule establishes that states and MPOs must coordinate their respective targets with each other to ensure consistency to the maximum extent practical. The individual state Departments of Transportation and MPOs are expected to use information and data generated to inform their transportation planning and programming decisions. TPM provides a means to achieve national transportation goals, increase federal aid programs' accountability and transparency, and improve project decision-making through performance-based planning and programming.
State
California Department of Transportation Level of Service Goals Caltrans builds, operates, and maintains the State highway system, including the interstate highway system. Caltrans’s mission is to improve mobility Statewide. The department operates under strategic goals to provide a safe transportation system, optimize throughput and ensure reliable travel times, improve the delivery of State highway projects, provide transportation choices, and City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx improve and enhance the State’s investments and resources. Caltrans controls the planning of the State highway system and accessibility to the system. Caltrans establishes Level of Service (LOS) goals for highways and works with local and regional agencies to assess impacts and develop funding sources for improvements to the State highway system. Caltrans requires encroachment permits from agencies or new development before any construction work may be undertaken within the State’s right-of-way. For projects that would impact traffic flow and levels of services on State highways, Caltrans would review measures to mitigate the traffic impacts. Caltrans has adopted the 2020 Transportation Analysis Framework (TAF), which sets the standards criteria used to identify impacts in the project-specific TIA and this Recirculated Draft PEIR.
California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sets guidelines for interactions between railroad facilities and ground transportation facilities. This includes location and type of crossing guards, design of railroad crossings, and other design criteria in and around railroad facilities. The guidelines come in the form of general orders. General Order No. 75-D: Regulations Governing Standards for Warning Devices for At-Grade Highway-Rail Crossings in the State of California provides regulations that govern the standards for warning devices for at-grade highway-rail crossings for motor vehicles, pedestrians, and/or bicycles. All warning devices shall be in substantial conformance with the applicable Standards, Guidance, and Options set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by Caltrans.
Senate Bill 375
Senate Bill (SB) 375, The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008) provides guidance regarding curbing emissions from cars and light trucks. There are four major components to SB 375. First, SB 375 requires regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. These targets must be updated every 8 years in conjunction with the revision of the housing and transportation elements of local general plans. Second, MPOs are required to create a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that provides a plan for meeting regional targets. Third, SB 375 requires regional housing elements and transportation plans to be synchronized on 8-year schedules. Finally, MPOs must use transportation and air emissions modeling techniques that are consistent with the guidelines prepared by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).
Under SB 375, some development and transportation projects assumed as a part of the proposed project may be eligible to use a streamlined version of the environmental review process. Among other criteria, these projects must be consistent with the land use designation, density, intensity, and policies of the Fresno COG’s RTP and fall within the identified criteria for development and transportation projects.
California Complete Streets Act of 2008
Assembly Bill (AB) 1358, also known as the California Complete Streets Act of 2008, requires cities and counties to include “complete street” policies in their general plans. These policies address the safe accommodation of all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, public transit vehicles City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx and riders, children, the elderly, and the disabled. These policies can apply to new streets as well as the redesign of corridors. The City adopted a Complete Streets Policy (Resolution 2019-205) in 2019.
Senate Bill 743
In November 2017, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released a technical advisory containing recommendations regarding the assessment of VMT, proposed thresholds of significance, and potential mitigation measures for lead agencies to use while implementing the required changes contained in SB 743. Also in November 2017, OPR released the proposed text for Section 15064.3, “Determining the Significance of Transportation Impacts,” which summarized the criteria for analyzing transportation impacts for land use projects and transportation projects and directs lead agencies to “choose the most appropriate methodology to evaluate a project’s VMT, including whether to express the change in absolute terms, per capita, per household or in any other measure.” OPR recommends that, for most instances, a per Service Population threshold should be adopted and that a 15 percent reduction below that of existing development would be a reasonable threshold.
As noted in the OPR Guidelines, agencies are directed to choose metrics that are appropriate for their jurisdiction to evaluate the potential impacts of a project in terms of VMT. The current deadline for adopting policies to implement SB 743 was July 2020; the change to VMT was formally adopted as part of updates to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines in December 2018.
The updated guidelines eliminate the use of automobile delay metrics, such as LOS, from determining significant environmental impacts from vehicle travel. VMT has been identified as the most appropriate metric to evaluate a project’s transportation impacts as projects that result in lower-than-average VMT support goals of reducing GHG emissions, while projects that result in higher-than-average levels of vehicle travel contribute to an increasing rate of GHG emissions.
Projects that are within 0.5-mile of an existing major transit stop, which is defined as a rail transit station, ferry terminal served by bus or rail transit, or at the intersection of two or more major bus routes with service frequencies of 15-minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods, are presumed to be less than significant if the project has the following characteristics:
• Has a floor area ratio (FAR) greater than 0.75.
• Does not include more parking for use by residents, customers, or employees of the project than required by the jurisdiction (if the jurisdiction requires the project to supply parking). • Is consistent with the applicable SCS (as determined by the lead agency, with input from the MPO).
• Does not replace affordable residential units with a smaller number of moderate or high- income residential units.
If a project meets the screening requirements, it is presumed to have a less than significant impact related to VMT.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Evacuation Routes Assembly Bill 747
AB 747 requires local governments, on or after January 1, 2022, to review and update their safety element to identify evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios. A county or city that has adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, emergency operations plan, or other document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives may use that information in the safety element to comply with this section and, in that event, shall summarize and incorporate into the safety element that other plan or document.
Residential Emergency Evacuation Routes Senate Bill 99
SB 99 requires all cities and counties, upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2020, to update the safety element to include information identifying residential developments in any hazard area identified in the safety element that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes.
California Bicycle Transportation Act
The California Bicycle Transportation Act (1994) requires all cities and counties to have an adopted bicycle master plan to apply for the Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funding source. The City’s existing plan, the ATP includes the City’s plans for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Regional Regulations
Fresno Council of Governments
The Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) is an association of local governments in Fresno County. Fresno COG provides transportation planning and funding for the region and serves as a forum for the study and resolution of regional issues. In addition to preparing the region’s long-range transportation plan, Fresno COG assists in planning for transit, bicycle networks, clean air, and airport land uses.
2022-2046 Fresno COG Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy California’s SB 375 (Steinberg, 2008) encourages coordinated transportation and land use planning to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and requires each MPO to prepare an SCS as an integrated element of the RTP that is updated every four years. The SCS is intended to identify integrated land use and transportation strategies that lower per capita GHG emissions from cars and light-duty trucks and to foster communities that are more equitable, healthy, and sustainable.
The 2022-2046 Fresno COG RTP/SCS (Fresno COG 2022) is a federally mandated, long-range, fiscally constrained transportation plan for Fresno County. As a fiscally constrained plan, it includes only those projects which can be delivered with funds expected to be available and that will help attain and maintain air quality standards. The RTP/SCS also includes an integrated land use and transportation plan to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set forth by the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The RTP/SCS comprehensively assesses all forms of transportation available in Fresno County as well as travel and goods movement needs through 2046.
The 2022-2046 RTP/SCS contains the following goals and policies relevant to the proposed project:
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Goal 1 Improved mobility and accessibility for all.
Policy 1 Encourage and prioritize full, fair, and equitable participation by all affected communities in transportation decision-making and planning processes.
Policy 2 Actively work to ensure equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of transportation projects.
Policy 3 Promote the improvement and expansion of accessible transportation options to serve the needs of all residents, especially those who have historically faced disproportionate transportation burdens.
Goal 2 Vibrant communities that are accessible by sustainable transportation options.
Policy 4 Encourage alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles that reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions.
Policy 5 Support investment in and promotion of active transportation and transit to improve public health and mobility, especially in historically underinvested areas.
Policy 6 Encourage sustainable development that focuses growth near activity centers and mobility options that achieve greater location efficiency.
Policy 7 Support local jurisdictions’ efforts to minimize the loss of farmland, environmentally sensitive areas, and natural resources.
Policy 8 Support local jurisdictions’ efforts to facilitate the development of diverse housing choices for all income groups.
Policy 9 Facilitate and promote interagency coordination and consistency across planning efforts.
Policy 10 Incentivize and support efforts to improve air quality and minimize pollutants from transportation.
Goal 3 A safe, well-maintained, efficient, and climate-resilient multimodal transportation network.
Policy 11 Prioritize investment in and promote multimodal safety measures to reduce traffic fatalities and incidents in the region.
Policy 12 Promote enhanced Transportation Systems Management (TSM) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies to reduce congestion and vehicle miles traveled.
Policy 13 Encourage improvements in travel connections across all modes to create an integrated, accessible, and seamless transportation network.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Policy 14 Maximize the cost-effectiveness of transportation improvements.
Policy 15 Encourage investments that increase the system’s resilience to extreme weather events, natural disasters, and pandemics.
Policy 16 Preserve and maintain existing multimodal transportation assets in a state of good repair.
Goal 4 A transportation network that supports a sustainable and vibrant economy.
Policy 17 Support local and regional economic development by leveraging planning and transportation funds that foster public and private investment.
Policy 18 Facilitate efficient, reliable, resilient, and sustainable goods movement.
Goal 5 A region embracing clean transportation, technology, and innovation.
Policy 19 Support innovative mobility solutions that are accessible, affordable, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality.
Policy 20 Support efforts to expand broadband access throughout the region.
Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area Short Range Transit Plan The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 is the biennial update to the operating plans and capital programs of Fresno County’s two urban transit providers—FAX and Clovis Transit. The purpose of the Fresno- Clovis Metropolitan Area (FCMA) Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) is to promote a comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous planning process for transit service in the FCMA over a 5-year planning horizon. This short-range plan proposes specific recommendations for implementing the long-range objectives of Fresno County's 2022-2046 Fresno COG RTP/SCS and will guide the provision of transit services in the FCMA over the next 5 years.
Local Regulations
Fresno County Regional Bicycle and Recreational Trails Master Plan (2013) The Fresno County Regional Bicycle and Recreational Trails Master Plan provides a comprehensive long-range view for the development of an extensive regional bikeway and recreational trails network that connects cities and unincorporated areas countywide. The plan also implements the October 2000 Fresno County General Plan, according to Transportation and Circulation Element Policy TR-D.1–8, and meets the requirements of Proposition 116, the Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act of 1990, as set forth in Section 891.2 (items a–k) of the California Streets and Highways Code. With an approved plan, Fresno County and local municipalities are eligible for non- motorized transportation infrastructure project funding, including BTA grants.
Fresno General Plan
The General Plan (2014) contains the following objectives and policies relevant to the proposed project:
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Objective MT-1 Create and maintain a transportation system that is safe, efficient, provides access in an equitable manner, and optimizes travel by all modes.
Policy MT-1-a Transportation Planning Consistent with the General Plan. Continue to review local, regional and inter-regional transportation plans and capital improvement plans, and advocate for the approval and funding of State highway and rail projects, consistent with the General Plan and discourage projects inconsistent with the General Plan.
Policy MT-1-b Circulation Plan Diagram Implementation. Design and construct planned streets and highways that complement and enhance the existing network, as well as future improvements to the network consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the General Plan, as shown on the Circulation Diagram (Figure MT-1), to ensure that each new and existing roadway continues to function as intended.
Policy MT-1-d Integrate Land Use and Transportation Planning. Plan for and maintain a coordinated and well-integrated land use pattern, local circulation network and transportation system that accommodates planned growth, reduces impacts on adjacent land uses, and preserves the integrity of established neighborhoods.
Policy MT-1-e Ensure Interconnectivity Across Land Uses. Update development standards and design guidelines applicable to public and private property to achieve Activity Centers, neighborhoods and communities which are well connected by pedestrian, bicycle, appropriate public transportation and automobile travel facilities.
Policy MT-1-f Match Travel Demand with Transportation Facilities. Designate the types and intensities of land uses at locations such that related travel demands can be accommodated by a variety of viable transportation modes and support Complete Neighborhoods while avoiding the routing of excessive or incompatible traffic through local residential streets.
Policy MT-1-g Complete Streets Concept Implementation. Provide transportation facilities based upon a Complete Streets concept that facilitates the balanced use of all viable travel modes (pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicle and transit users), meeting the transportation needs of all ages, income groups, and abilities and providing mobility for a variety of trip purposes, while also supporting other City goals.
Policy MT-1-j Transportation Improvements Consistent with Community Character. Prioritize transportation improvements that are consistent with the character of surrounding neighborhoods and supportive of safe, functional and Complete Neighborhoods; minimize negative impacts upon sensitive land uses such as residences, hospitals, schools, natural habitats, open space areas, and historic and cultural resources.
Policy MT-1-k Multimodal Level of Service Standards. Develop and use a tiered system of flexible, multimodal Level of Service standards for streets designated by the Circulation Diagram (Figure MT-1). Strive to accommodate a peak-hour vehicle LOS of D or City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx better on-street segments and at intersections, except where Policies MT-1-m through MT-1-p provide greater specificity. Establish minimum acceptable service levels for other modes and use them in the development and environmental review process.
Objective MT-2 Make efficient use of the City's existing and proposed transportation system and strive to ensure the planning and provision of adequate resources to operate and maintain it.
Policy MT-2-b Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled and Trips. Partner with major employers and other responsible agencies, such the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the Fresno Council of Governments, to implement trip reduction strategies, such as eTRIP , to reduce total vehicle miles traveled and the total number of daily and peak- hour vehicle trips, thereby making better use of the existing transportation system.
Policy MT-2-c Reduce VMT through Infill Development. Provide incentives for infill development that would provide jobs and services closer to housing and multimodal transportations corridors in order to reduce citywide Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
Policy MT-2-f Optimization of Roadway Operations. Optimize roadway operations by continuing to expand the use of techniques such as the City’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to manage traffic signal timing coordination in order to improve traffic operations and increase traffic-carrying capacity, while reducing unnecessary congestion and decreasing air pollution emissions.
Policy MT-2-g Transportation Demand Management and Transportation System Management.
Pursue implementation of Transportation Demand Management and Transportation System Management strategies to reduce peak-hour vehicle traffic and supplement the capacity of the transportation system.
Objective MT-4 Establish and maintain a continuous, safe, and easily accessible bikeways system throughout the metropolitan area to reduce vehicle use, improve air quality and the quality of life, and provide public health benefits.
Policy MT-4-b Bikeway Improvements. Establish and implement property development standards to assure that projects adjacent to designated bikeways provide adequate right-of - way and that necessary improvements are constructed to implement the planned bikeway system shown on Figure MT-2 to provide for bikeways, to the extent feasible, when existing roadways are reconstructed; and alternative bikeway alignments or routes where inadequate right-of-way is available.
Policy MT-4-c Bikeway Linkages. Provide linkages between bikeways, trails and paths, and other regional networks such as the San Joaquin River Trail and adjacent jurisdiction bicycle systems wherever possible.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.17-19
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Policy MT-4-h Bicycle Parking Facilities. Promote the installation of bicycle locking racks and bicycle parking facilities at public buildings, transit facilities, public and private parking lots, and recreational facilities. Establish standards for bicycle parking in the Development Code.
Policy MT-4-I Bicycling and Public Transportation. Promote the integration of bicycling with other forms of transportation, including public transit. Continue to provide bike racks or space for bicycles on FAX buses.
Objective MT-5 Establish a well-integrated network of pedestrian facilities to accommodate safe, convenient, practical, and inviting travel by walking, including for those with physical mobility and vision impairments.
Policy MT-5-a Sidewalk Development. Pursue funding and implement standards for development of sidewalks on public streets, with priority given to meeting the needs of persons with physical and vision limitations; providing safe routes to school; completing pedestrian improvements in established neighborhoods with lower vehicle ownership rates; or providing pedestrian access to public transportation routes.
Policy MT-5-b Sidewalk Requirements. Assure adequate access for pedestrians and people with disabilities in new residential developments per adopted City policies, consistent with the California Building Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Policy MT-5-c New Subdivision Design. Do not approve new single-family residential subdivisions with lots that front and access on to a major roadway, unless the City Traffic Engineer determines that no other feasible alternative means of vehicle access can be provided and that sufficient design measures can be implemented, such as an on- site driveway turnaround, landscaped buffering, or an on-street parking lane to assure a desirable and enduring residential environment.
Policy MT-5-d Pedestrian Safety. Minimize vehicular and pedestrian conflicts on both major and non-roadways through implementation of traffic access design and control standards addressing street intersections, median island openings and access driveways to facilitate accessibility while reducing congestion and increasing safety.
Increase safety and accessibility for pedestrians with vision disabilities through the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals at signalized intersections.
Objective MT-8 Provide public transit options that serve existing and future concentrations of residences, employment, recreation and civic uses and are feasible, efficient, safe, and minimize environmental impacts.
Policy MT-8-a Street Design Coordinated with Transit. Coordinate the planning, design, and construction of the major roadway network with transit operators to facilitate efficient direct transit routing throughout the Planning Area.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Policy MT-8-b Transit Serving Residential and Employment Nodes. Identify the location of current and future residential and employment concentrations and Activity Centers throughout the transit service area in order to facilitate planning and implementation of optimal transit services for these uses. Work with California State University, Fresno to determine locations within the campus core for bus stops.
Policy MT-8-c New Development Facilitating Transit. Continue to review development proposals in transportation corridors to ensure they are designed to facilitate transit.
Coordinate all projects that have residential or employment densities suitable for transit services, so they are located along existing or planned transit corridors or that otherwise have the potential for transit orientation to FAX, and consider FAX’s comments in decision-making.
Objective MT-9 Provide public transit opportunities to the maximum number and diversity of people practicable in balance with providing service that is high in quality, convenient, frequent, reliable, cost- effective, and financially feasible.
Policy MT-9-a Equitable Transit Provision. Provide transit that can serve all residents, including older residents and persons with disabilities.
City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan
The Fresno ATP, adopted in 2017, is a comprehensive guide outlining the vision for active transportation in the City and a roadmap for achieving that vision. The ATP envisions a complete, safe, and comfortable network of trails, sidewalks, and bikeways that serves all residents of Fresno.
This plan seeks to achieve the following goals:
• Equitably improve the safety and perceived safety of walking and bicycling in Fresno • Increase walking and bicycling trips in Fresno by creating user-friendly facilities • Improve the geographic equity of access to walking and bicycling facilities in Fresno • Fill key gaps in Fresno’s walking and bicycling networks
To achieve these goals, the ATP proposes a long-term, comprehensive network of citywide bikeways, trails, and sidewalks that connect all parts of Fresno. Since this buildout network will take many years to complete, the ATP also identifies a priority network of connected bikeways and priority pedestrian areas to focus the City’s efforts in the near-term. These priority networks provide links to key destinations, support existing and future walking and biking activity areas, and equitably serve neighborhoods throughout the City.
The recommended buildout network would add 166 miles of Class I Bike Paths, 691 miles of Class II Bike Lanes, 69 miles of Class III Bike Routes, 21 miles of Class IV Separated Bikeways, and 661 miles of sidewalks. This recommended network only includes planned Class IV facilities in locations identified in the Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan, Fulton Corridor Specific Plan, and on Maroa Avenue and Fresno Street as alternatives to Blackstone Avenue. However, recommendations out of the Fresno Council of Governments Separated Bikeway Feasibility Study may identify City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx additional corridors for Class IV implementation, and some corridors planned for Class II Bike Lanes in this plan may be considered for Class IV treatment during the project development phases.
This plan updates and supersedes the existing City Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Master Plan (CF BMP) that was adopted in 2010. In addition to updating elements of the CF BMP , the ATP includes more robust planning for pedestrian travel and infrastructure than presented in the CF BMP . While the CF BMP focused primarily on bicycling, the ATP includes goals and plans for all forms of active transportation by expanding analysis of pedestrian facilities. Therefore, this plan serves as the City’s bicycle master plan and pedestrian master plan.
The City ATP contains the following goals relevant to transportation and circulation:
• Equitably improve the safety and perceived safety of walking and bicycling in Fresno • Increase walking and bicycling trips in Fresno by creating user-friendly facilities • Improve the geographic equity of access to walking and bicycling facilities in Fresno • Fill key gaps in Fresno’s walking and bicycling networks
As noted above, the City is in the process of updating its current ATP and is also planning to adopt a Vision Zero Action Plan. Please refer to Appendix H for updates on the current planning process.
Fresno Complete Streets Policy
The Fresno Complete Streets Policy’s intent is to aid in the planning, design, and construction of transportation facilities that balance safety, access, and mobility for users of all abilities and ages.
This Complete Streets Policy is implemented in all neighborhoods, with particular attention to areas identified as priority areas in the ATP and corridors with high collision rates. This policy is intended to guide implementation of the complete street and multimodal objectives and policies outlined in the General Plan. Prioritization of projects will be determined using the adopted Active Transportation Project Prioritization Tool. The policy requires that all development—public and private—and new construction projects within the public right-of-way, such as reconstruction/retrofit, resurfacing, repaving, restriping, and rehabilitation transportation projects, shall be planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained so that all modes of transportation allow all users to move safely, comfortably, conveniently, and independently.
CEQA Guidelines for Vehicle Miles Traveled
The City of Fresno adopted SB 743 guidelines in June 2020 and set significance thresholds for land use plans in Chapter 4 of the SB 743 guidance document. It shares that the ARB establishes greenhous gas (GHG) emission targets for 18 MPOs in the State.1 The ARB established a 13 percent GHG reduction target for Fresno County, which can be accomplished by reducing VMT by 13 percent.
Therefore, the City has established a threshold for land use developments of 13 percent reduction or more than existing regional VMT per capita, indicating a significant environmental impact.
1 Fresno Council of Governments. 2021. Fresno County SB 743 Implementation Regional Guidelines. Website:
https://fresnocog.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Fresno-COG-VMT-Report_01-08-2021.pdf. Accessed January 5, 2023.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan
The SEDA Specific Plan is framed within three significant and interrelated goals: fiscal responsibility, social equity, and environmental sustainability. The proposed Plan and policies that form its implementation framework are formulated and coordinated to meet the criteria of these overlapping goals. The proposed Specific Plan contains the following objectives and policies related to traffic and circulation:
Urban Form Element
Objective UF-5 Provide a well-balanced transportation network accessible to all users.
Policy UF-5.1 Circulation Plan and Street Standards. Implement a circulation plan which provides a variety of transportation options necessary to meet the needs of residents and employees within the SEDA.
In order to promote connectivity throughout the Plan Area, all SEDA streets rights- of-way shall be publicaly accessible and shall not include gates or access controls, except where permitted through special review by the City of Fresno.
Policy UF-5.2 Transit Service. Safe, convenient and frequent transit service will be provided to and within the SEDA via regional transit connections along Kings Canyon Boulevard alignment and potentially, along existing rail right-of-ways. Local service will be provided along primary internal circulation corridors, including Arterials and Collectors.
• Regional transit planning: Thoughtful transit planning must occur in order to incorporate the primary centers, particularly the Regional Town Center along Kings Canyon. A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) extension study including planning, design, and environmental analysis should be completed to evaluate the potential costs and benefits of extending the BRT to the SEDA Plan Area. • Station location: The location of transit stations and stops will better serve local community members if they are placed within or adjacent to major activity centers, schools, medical facilities, public places such as libraries, parks, senior centers, and recreation facilities, commercial uses and high-density residential and employment areas.
• Station connectivity and accessibility: To provide opportunities for the highest possible transit use, stations will feature a convenient and accessible path of travel and will include pedestrian and bicycle connections to the surrounding street network and transit transfer points. Bus stops and stations will be oriented toward major streets and public spaces, with primary commercial entrances opening directly toward bus stops. Important to ensuring all members within the SEDA community have access to transit opportunities, bus stops and stations will comply with the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Policy UF-5.3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel. Promoting a network of pedestrian and bicycle routes, including dedicated trails, multi-purpose paths, and priority Bicycle Boulevards throughout the Plan Area will serve work, school, and recreational trips and provide options for healthier outcomes within the community. In addition, both existing and proposed regional trails will be coordinated in tandem within this walkable and bikeable network. The Fresno General Plan Figure MT-2: Paths and Trails and the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) identify active trails.
Policy UF-5.4 Safe Streets. Streets are designed for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users within the Southeast Fresno Development Area and will enhance safety within the community. SEDA street design will reflect best practice standards as included in the City of Fresno Complete Streets Policy, adopted by the City in 2019.
Policy UF-5.5 Ranking of Travel Modes. In order to create a cohesive network between all modes of travel within the SEDA, the Plan will prioritize the following travel modes:
1. Pedestrian
2. Bicycle
3. High-capacity transit
4. Automobile
Policy UF-5.6 Performance Standards and Evaluation. Transit will be provided as demand warrants. Upon Plan, buildout or when warranted, 10-minute peak-period headways will be provided along the BRT corridor (e.g., Kings Canyon), and 15-minute peak- period headways shall be provided for high-priority transit routes (e.g., De Wolf, Clovis).
In addition, all other transit routes in the planning area shall be operated at 30- minute headways upon Plan completion. Extended hour or late-night service shall be provided at 60-minute headways.
• Bus stop locations are generally placed at ¼ mile spacing. Bus stop placement will be prioritized at:
- Schools and medical facilities
- Libraries, parks, senior centers, and recreation facilities - Concentrated commercial areas
- Concentrated residential and employment areas
1. Bicycles: A user-friendly bicycle network will be provided to welcome all riders throughout the entire Plan Area. Bicycle lanes including Class II and Class IV facilities should be provided on all Super Arterials, Arterials, and Local Streets. A Bicycle network should be designated on Neighborhood or Local Streets.
Ensuring the safety of vulnerable users will be an important priority, as the Plan will seek to create a network of easy to use, lower stress amenities that provide City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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2. Pedestrians: A first-class pedestrian system shall be provided, including sidewalks on all streets, bicycle/pedestrian trails, and other design elements that prioritize safety and convenience for pedestrians, as described in the Fresno Active Transportation Plan (2017).
3. Vehicles: A highly connected, grid-based roadway system shall be provided for efficient vehicular travel. Please see the Streets and Circulation Standards in the Development Code and the City of Fresno's Department of Public Works Standard Drawings.
Policy UF-5.7 Level of Service (LOS). To promote Complete Streets and provide safe mobility for all users throughout the entire SEDA streets will be designed with no more than four through lanes and a continuous two-way left-turn lane (portions of Jensen and Temperance Avenues may have more than four lanes). In addition, these LOS standards are complemented by several other transportation related policies to reduce overall vehicle miles traveled (such as Complete Streets and Transportation Demand Management). The following LOS standards apply to SEDA roadways:
• LOS E for Arterials, Collectors, and Local (both intersection and segment operations) during peak traffic hours.
• LOS F Exception. LOS F in areas with ample transit, pedestrian, and/or bicycle options, including in and around the Mixed-Use Districts of the SEDA, particularly if achieving a LOS with less delay would violate the four-lane maximum as described above.
Objective UF-6 Integrate urban form with a multimodal transportation network.
Policy UF-6.1 Land Use and Circulation Integration. The network of streets within the Mixed-Use Districts, Residential Districts, and Employment Center Districts will not only link districts to one another, but to other destinations beyond the Plan Area, as shown in Table 2.1 Network of Streets below.
Category Arterial Collector Local
Mixed-Use Districts
Regional Town Center X X X
Community Town Center X X X
Neighborhood Center – X X
Residential Districts
Mixed Residential X X X
Neighborhood Residential – X X
Rural Residential – X X
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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Rural Cluster Residential – X X
Employment Centers
Office Center X X X
Flexible Research and
Development
X X X
Institutional X X X
Source: City of Fresno 2020.
Objective UF-8 Manage transportation demand as it occurs.
Policy UF-8.1 SEDA Transportation Demand Management Program. Develop a TDM Plan consistent with the City’s VMT program. A mix of uses are inteded in the Plan which seek to create a more compact lifestyle and reduce VMT to meet State requirements. The program should include physical design credits (i.e., bicycle storage, on-site showers, shared parking), lifestyle credits (i.e., on-site child care, telecommuting, flex hour programs), and credits for auto-alternative programs (i.e., shuttle service, subsidized transit, guaranteed ride home programs). Please refer to the Transportation Demand Management Programs inset for more information on these credits.
Open Space Element
Objective OS-4 Develop and maintain a greenway trail network connected to the SEDA circulation network that maximizes daily travel and recreation opportunities by linking town centers to destinations within and beyond the Southeast Development Area.
Policy OS-4.1 Multi use Trails. Establish a planned network of multiuse greenway trails. These trails will serve bicyclists, pedestrians, and, where appropriate, equestrians. Cross- sections and width requirements will be provided for specific conditions- including canal side, open space, streetside and farm side trails.
Policy OS-4.2 Regional Trails. Coordinate regional trail planning with Fresno County, the City of Clovis, and other jurisdictions as appropriate. The City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan calls for Class I Bicycle Paths along each canal in the SEDA. A regional Rails to Trails Bicycle Path is planned to run parallel to California Avenue should existing railroad lines be vacated.
Policy OS-4.4 Trail Segments. Trail segments will not be constructed until all necessary property or easements are acquired for an entire segment.
Policy OS-4.5 SEDA Trails Master Plan. Prior to the design and construction of the SEDA trail system, a SEDA Trails Master Plan will need to be completed that would define the final location and alignment of trails.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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Policy OS-14.2 Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Infrastructure. Require all necessary infrastructure, such as curb, gutter, sidewalk, street trees, public benches, bike parking and amenities to be installed prior to the development of new residential neighborhoods and associated facilities.
3.17.4 - Methodology
Study Area
The Traffic Impact Analysis evaluated traffic conditions at 20 study segments during the AM and PM peak hours and daily conditions for a typical weekday. The study segments were based on availability of count data from the County of Fresno count database. From the count data, the AM peak-hour was between 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., while the PM peak-hour was between 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Figure 1 of the TIA (Appendix H) illustrates the Plan Area and the roadways analyzed. The study segments and associated traffic controls are as follows:
• Clovis Avenue south of American Avenue
• De Wolf Avenue north of McKinley Avenue
• De Wolf Avenue south of McKinley Avenue
• De Wolf Avenue south of Clinton Avenue
• De Wolf Avenue north of Jensen Avenue
• De Wolf Avenue south of Jensen Avenue
• Jensen Avenue east of Bethel Avenue
• Jensen Avenue east of De Wolf Avenue
• Jensen Avenue west of De Wolf Avenue
• Jensen Avenue east of Temperance Avenue
• Jensen Avenue west of Temperance Avenue
• Kings Canyon Road east of Temperance Avenue
• Locan Avenue north of Tulare Avenue
• Locan Avenue south of Tulare Avenue
• McCall Avenue north of McKinley Avenue
• McCall Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue
• McCall Avenue north of Belmont Avenue
• Tulare Avenue east of Locan Avenue
• Tulare Avenue west of Locan Avenue
• North Avenue west of Temperance Avenue
Study Area Levels of Service
LOS grades are generally defined as follows:
A represents free-flow travel with excellent level of comfort and convenience and the freedom to maneuver.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx B represents stable operating conditions, but the presence of other road users causes a noticeable, though slight, reduction in comfort, convenience, and maneuvering freedom.
C represents stable operating conditions, but the operation of individual users is substantially affected by the interaction with others in the traffic stream.
D represents high-density, but stable flow. Users experience severe restriction in speed and freedom to maneuver, with poor levels of comfort and convenience.
E represents operating conditions at or near capacity. Speeds are reduced to a low but relatively uniform value. Freedom to maneuver is difficult with users experiencing frustration and poor comfort and convenience. Unstable operation is frequent, and minor disturbances in traffic flow can cause breakdown conditions.
F represents forced or breakdown conditions. This condition exists when volume of traffic exceeds the capacity of the roadways. Long queues form and stop-and-go traffic becomes the norm.
Table 3.17-3 shows the roadway functional class and peak-hour LOS thresholds.
Table 3.17-3: Roadway Functional Class and Peak-hour LOS Thresholds Functional Class Median Lane
Peak-hour Level of Service Capacity Thresholds
A B C D E
Freeway N/A1 4 2,720 4,460 6,630 7,720 8,630
3+Aux2 2,360 3,860 5,640 3,730 7,530
3 2,000 3,270 4,660 5,740 6,430
2+Aux 1,650 2,700 3,850 4,760 5,340
2 1,300 2,130 3,050 3,790 4,260
State Expressway Divided 6 2,410 3,960 5,730 7,450 8,450 4 1,610 2,650 3,810 4,960 5,630
2 810 1,340 1,890 2,470 2,810
City Expressway Raised
Median
6 1,860 6,170 6,520
5 1,520 5,110 5,430
4 1,180 4,050 4,340
2 520 1,910 2,160
Super Arterial Raised
Median
6 4,910 6,240
5 4,040 5,195
4 3,170 4,150
Arterial Raised
Median
8 2,120 7,070 7,490
6 1,560 5,270 5,610
5 1,280 4,370 4,670
4 1,000 3,470 3,730
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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Peak-hour Level of Service Capacity Thresholds
A B C D E
3 720 2,555 2,795
2 440 1,640 1,860
TWLTL 4 940 3,290 3,550
2 420 1,550 1,760
Undivided 4 770 2,740 2,980
2 340 1,270 1,480
Collector TWLTL 4 940 3,290 3,550
2 420 1,550 1,760
Undivided 4 770 2,740 2,980
2 340 1,270 1,480
One-Way Undivided 3 1960 2,240 2,430 2,610
2 1250 1,490 1,620 1,740
1 550 740 800 870
Rural State Highway Undivided 2 310 570 1,020 1,730 2,470 Rural Arterial Divided 4 1,950 3,580 3,780
Undivided 2 570 1,230 1,310
Rural
Collector/Local
Undivided 2 700 930 1,000
Notes:
1 N/A–Not applicable for operational class
2 Aux–Auxiliary Lane
- Level of Service (LOS) is not achievable because of the type of facility.
Source: TJKM. 2025.
For daily segment volume LOS analysis, the Transportation Research Board’s Highway Capacity Manual Special Report 209 was used. Table 3.17-4 shows the LOS criteria for daily segment volumes based on volume-to-capacity ratios.
Table 3.17-4: LOS Thresholds for Daily Segment Volumes based on V/C Ratios Level of Service Description V/C Ratios
A Free-flow conditions with unimpeded maneuverability. Stopped delay at signalized intersection is minimal.
0.00 to 0.60
B Reasonably unimpeded operation with slightly restricted maneuverability. Stopped delays are not bothersome.
0.61 to 0.70
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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C Stable operations with somewhat more restrictions in making mid- block lane changes than LOS B. Motorists will experience appreciable tension while driving.
0.71 to 0.80
D Approaching unstable operations where small increases in volume produce substantial increase in delay and decrease in speed.
0.81 to 0.90
E Operations with significant intersection approach delays and low average speeds.
0.91 to 1.00
F Operations with extremely low speeds caused intersection congestion, high delay, and adverse signal progression.
Greater Than 1.00
Source: Transportation Research Board. Highway Capacity Manual, Special Report 209. 1994.
The City adopted its General Plan in December 2014 and it serves as the community’s guide for continued development, enhancement, and revitalization of the Fresno metropolitan area. The General Plan’s policies and standards for specific plans such as the SEDA project require a transportation impact study to assess the impact on existing and planned streets. Since the SEDA project is located in Traffic Impact Zone III (TIZ-III), the General Plan standards require that the project maintain a LOS standard of D or better for all roadway segments according to General Plan Policies MT-1-k and MT-2-i. However, the SEDA Specific Plan calls for a standard of LOS E or better, which is the standard used in the traffic analysis.
Vehicle Miles Traveled
SB 743, which was signed into law by Governor Brown in 2013 and codified in Public Resources Code (PRC) 21099, tasked OPR with establishing new criteria for determining the significance of transportation impacts under CEQA. SB 743 requires the new criteria to “promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses.” SB 743 changes the way that public agencies evaluate the transportation impacts of projects under CEQA, recognizing that roadway congestion, while an inconvenience to drivers, is not itself an environmental impact (see PRC § 21099(b)(2)). In December 2018, OPR circulated its most recent Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA, which provides recommendations and describes various options for assessing VMT for transportation analysis purposes. “Vehicle miles traveled” refers to the amount and distance of automobile travel “attributable to a project.” Other relevant considerations may include the effects of the project on transit or non-motorized travel. The VMT analysis options described by OPR are primarily tailored toward single-use development residential, office projects, not mixed-use projects and not athletic facility projects. OPR recommends the following methodology and criteria for specific land uses:
• For residential projects, OPR recommends that VMT impacts be considered potentially significant if a residential project is expected to generate VMT per capita (i.e., VMT per resident) at a rate that exceeds 85 percent of a regional average. However, the City’s VMT threshold is 87 percent of a regional average.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx • For office projects, OPR recommends that VMT impacts be considered potentially significant if an office project is expected to generate VMT per employee at a rate that exceeds 85 percent of a regional average. However, the City’s VMT threshold is 87 percent of a regional average. • For retail projects, OPR recommends that VMT impacts be considered potentially significant if a project results in a net increase in total VMT. This approach takes into account the likelihood that retail developments may lead to increases or decreases in VMT, depending on previously existing retail travel patterns. This approach may also be used for other types of projects with customer components.
• OPR also indicates that local serving retail (projects smaller than 50,000 square feet) may be presumed to have a less than significant VMT impact.
• OPR does not provide specific guidance on evaluating other land use types, except to say that other land uses could choose to use the method applicable to the land use with the most similarity to the proposed project.
• For mixed-use projects, OPR describes several options that include (1) evaluating each land use separately; or (2) evaluating mixed-use projects based on the method applicable to the dominant land use. Evaluating each land use separately would potentially fail to measure the positive effects of mixed-use projects in reducing VMT.
OPR also recommends exempting some project types from VMT analysis based on the likelihood that such projects will generate low rates of VMT:
• OPR recommends that projects generating less than 110 trips per day generally may be assumed to cause a less than significant transportation impact. • OPR notes that residential and office projects located in areas with low VMT, and that incorporate similar features, will tend to exhibit similar low VMT and can be screened out. • OPR states that residential, retail, office, and mixed-use projects near transit stations or major transit stops should be screened out based on the likelihood that such projects will have a less than significant impact on VMT.
VMT Screening Criteria
City of Fresno guidelines include the following screening criteria for identifying projects that can be presumed to have a less than significant impact:
• Residential, retail, office projects, or mixed-use projects proposed within 0.5 mile of an existing major transit stop or an existing stop along a high-quality transit corridor. • Projects involving local serving retail space of less than 50,000 square feet. • Projects having a high level of affordable housing units. • Projects generating less than 500 Average Daily Traffic (ADT). • Projects that develop institutional/government and public service uses that support community health, safety, and welfare.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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Fresno Activity Based Travel Demand Model
The latest approved version of the Fresno Activity Based Travel Demand Model (FresnoABM) was obtained for use in travel demand forecasting and VMT analysis for this project. All traffic volume forecasts were adjusted, using the difference (delta) method, to account for the difference between existing counts and base year model forecasts. The FresnoABM has a base year of 2019 and a forecast year of 2035, while the count data collected from the Fresno City count database were from the year 2018.
3.17.5 - Thresholds of Significance
The Lead Agency utilizes the criteria in the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Environmental Checklist to determine whether transportation and traffic impacts are significant environmental effects. Would the project:
a) Conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy of the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
b) Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b)? c) Substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? d) Result in inadequate emergency access?
3.17.6 - Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
This section discusses potential impacts associated with the proposed project and provides mitigation measures where necessary.
Effect to Circulation System
Impact TRANS-1: The proposed project could conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy of the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Impact Analysis
Proposed Project Trip Generation
Table 3.17-5 summarizes daily and PM peak-hour trip generation for the proposed project. Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation 11th Edition was used to generate the trip rates for the four types of land uses in the proposed project.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Table 3.17-5: Proposed Project Trip Generation
Land Use (units) Size
Daily PM Peak-hour
Rate Trips Rate Trips
Housing (dwelling units) 45,274 Dwelling units 8.35 378,038 0.77 34,861 Retail/Commercial
(employees)
12,648 Employees 26.60 336,437 3.49 44,142
Office (employees) 8,069 Employees 3.33 26,870 0.45 3,631 Government/Civic
(employees)
16,681 Employees 7.50 125,108 0.71 11,844
Total Trips 866,452 94,477
Source: Transportation Research Board. Highway Capacity Manual, Special Report 209. 1994.
In total, the proposed project is expected to generate 866,452 total daily trips and 94,477 PM peak- hour trips from the 45,274 total dwelling units and 37,398 total employees at full buildout.
Roadway Impact Analysis–Traffic Increase
The proposed project would not have an impact on the existing roadways within the project area.
Other roadways within the Plan Area would be upgraded into a network of Complete Streets as defined by the Fresno Complete Streets Policy adopted in 2019. A Complete Street is defined as a transportation facility that is planned, designed, operated, and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users—including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit vehicles, trucks, and motorists. In addition to Complete Streets, the safety of the designed roadway network environment would be implemented such that driver, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety are paramount.
The proposed project would be consistent with General Plan Policy MT-1-k, which calls for planning and design of roadway systems to meet LOS D on major roadways. Roadway improvements to increase capacity and maintain LOS standards would be planned and programmed based on consideration of the total overall needs of the roadway system, recognizing the priority of maintenance, rehabilitation, and operation of the existing road system. Convenient transit stops would be provided in the Plan Area, and sidewalks would be constructed pursuant to City standards.
Further, the proposed project would be consistent with the General Plan objectives and policies to create and maintain a transportation system that is safe, efficient, provides access in an equitable manner, and optimizes travel by all modes. The proposed project is a comprehensive planning document for the nearly 9,000-acre growth area and addresses wide-ranging infrastructure and community challenges associated with accommodating a large increment of the City’s growth.
Planning at this scale allows design and phasing of infrastructure improvements that are more efficient, environmentally sensitive, and cost-effective. The plan provides for mobility within and across town centers, neighborhoods, schools, and open spaces by comprehensively planning roadways, high-quality transit service, and safe walking and biking connections. The plan also provides for variety of transportation options necessary to meet the needs of the residents and City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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Because site-specific designs showing driveway locations have not been developed, there are no specific details to review and assess impacts on pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities. As part of the standard development review process, the City will require all future proposed development of parcels to go through a review of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities in the area surrounding the individual development project to ensure that future developments do not conflict with existing or planned facilities supporting those travel modes. All proposed pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities would be designed using the appropriate design standards. The impact on these facilities would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
MM TRANS-1a Provide more options for shorter trips by encouraging vertical mixed uses and locating residential uses in walking distance (0.5 mile) to retail and employment uses.
MM TRANS-1b Provide pedestrian and bicycle network improvements within the development connecting complementary uses (i.e., residential, employment, retail, and transit stops) internally and to existing off-site facilities.
MM TRANS-1c Ensure that design of key intersections and roadways encourage the use of walking, biking, and transit.
MM TRANS-1d Collaborate with the Fresno Area Express (FAX) to provide new transit services to the proposed project and within the proposed project area.
MM TRANS-1e In addition, the following Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies may be applicable at the implementing project level:
• Reduce Parking Supply for Retail Uses (maximum reduction: 12.5 percent) • Add Transit Rerouting and Transit Stops (maximum reduction: 5 percent) • Implementation of Local Shuttle Service (grouped strategy with transit system improvements)
• Mandatory Travel Behavior Change Program, Promotions and Marketing (maximum reduction: 1 percent)
• Promotions and Marketing (maximum reduction: 1 percent) • Emergency Ride Home (ERH) Program (maximum reduction: 3 percent) • School Carpool Program (maximum reduction: 15 percent) City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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• Implement/Improve On-street Bicycle Facility (maximum reduction: 0.625 percent)
• Traffic Calming Improvements (maximum reduction: 1 percent) • Pedestrian Network Improvements (maximum reduction: 2 percent)
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
Conflict with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, Subdivision (b) Impact TRANS-2: The proposed project would not conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b).
Impact Analysis
The primary components of Section 15064.3 include:
• Identifies VMT (amount and distance of automobile traffic attributable to a project) as the most appropriate measure of transportation impacts;
• Declares that a project’s effect on automobile delay shall not constitute a significant environmental impact (except for projects increasing roadway capacity); • Creates a rebuttable presumption of no significant transportation impacts for (a) land use projects within 0.5 mile of either an existing major transit stop or a stop along an existing high-quality transit corridor, (b) land use projects that reduce VMT below existing conditions, and (c) transportation projects that reduce or have no impact on VMT; • Allows a lead agency to qualitatively evaluate VMT if existing models are not available; and • Gives lead agencies discretion to select a methodology to evaluate a proposed project’s VMT but requires lead agencies to document that methodology in the environmental document prepared for the proposed project (OPR’s technical advisory provides recommendation on preferable methodology).
The City of Fresno CEQA standards for land use plans, such as SEDA, states that the project should compare the base year existing VMT per capita and/or VMT per employee with the horizon year with project VMT per capita and/or VMT per employee. If the horizon year with project VMT is higher than the base year, then there will be an impact. The project generates fewer VMT/capita and VMT/employee in the horizon year, and thus the impact would be less than significant.
Year 2035 No Project Conditions Vehicle Miles Traveled
For the Year 2035 baseline no project conditions VMT, the SEDA project area was overlaid on top of the FresnoABM loaded vehicle assignment network and the total VMT for the SEDA project was calculated by multiplying daily volumes by distance traveled. In addition, VMT per Service Population (which is the sum of population and employees) was calculated. Table 3.17-6 summarizes the 2035 baseline no project VMT from the FresnoABM for the SEDA project area. In the forecast year no City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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Based on the model outputs, from 2015 (Base Year) to 2035 No Project, VMT per Service Population decreased from 57.79 to 45.72 due to minor population and employment growth without significant changes to land use or transportation infrastructure.
Table 3.17-6: Year 2035 No Project Conditions VMT
Category 2035 Base Year Model
Plan Area VMT 371,397
Population 5,046
Employment 3,077
SEDA VMT per Service Population 45.72
Notes:
SEDA = Southeast Development Area
VMT = Vehicle Miles Traveled
Source: TJKM. 2025.
Year 2035 With Project Conditions Vehicle Miles Traveled For the Year 2035 with project conditions VMT, the SEDA project area was overlaid on top of the FresnoABM loaded vehicle assignment network and the total VMT for the SEDA project was calculated by multiplying daily volumes by distance traveled. In addition, VMT per Service Population (which is the sum of population and employees) was calculated. Table 3.17-7 summarizes the 2035 baseline with project VMT from the FresnoABM for the project area.
Table 3.17-7: Year 2035 With Project Conditions VMT
Category 2035 With Project Model (SEDA)
Plan Area VMT 974,369
Population 151,670
Employment 40,490
SEDA VMT per Service Population 5.07
Notes:
SEDA = Southeast Development Area
VMT = Vehicle Miles Traveled
Source: TJKM. 2025.
The VMT per Service Population in the project area with the project built out in 2035 drops from
45.72 to 5.07. There is a substantial reduction in VMT per Service Population in the horizon year (2035). While total VMT is projected to increase due to population and employment growth, the City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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The transition from a mostly rural area (which the project area currently is) to a developed urbanized mixed-use site results in a large VMT reduction. This is because trip distances for both the production side (residential) and attraction side (commercial) are shortened since residents and employees are now better connected to jobs and services within the project area. By grouping residential, commercial, and employment land uses, the proposed project minimizes the needs for long vehicular trips. This integration significantly reduces trip lengths, as daily needs can be met within the Plan Area itself. This significant reduction demonstrates the proposed project’s alignment with sustainable land use and transportation principles, as it facilitates shorter and more efficient trips for residents and employees.
The findings conclude that the proposed project would result in less than significant impacts on VMT due to its efficient land use integration. This integration significantly reduces trip lengths, as daily needs can be met within the Plan Area itself.
In addition, with the incorporation of multimodal strategies, the proposed project incorporates a comprehensive transportation network designed to reduce vehicle dependence. Key components include:
• Expansive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
• Integration with regional transit systems, including planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes. • TDM strategies, such as shared parking, transit subsidies, and local shuttle services. These features encourage active and shared transportation modes, further mitigating potential VMT impacts.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Hazards
Impact TRANS-3: The proposed project could substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment).
Impact Analysis
As previously discussed, the proposed project does not approve or entitle any specific development and specific project design is unknown at this time. However, Caltrans comments on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the proposed project requested that peak-hour ramp queue analyses be prepared for specific SR-180 interchanges and intersections at project buildout to determine potential impacts. The requested interchanges include Clovis Avenue, Fowler Avenue, and Temperance Avenue, and the requested intersections include De Wolf Avenue, Highland Avenue, and City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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The queueing analysis was conducted using expected lane geometry and traffic control at the Specific Plan buildout in 2035, which includes the anticipated widening of Temperance Avenue to six lanes, De Wolf Avenue to four lanes, and signal timings obtained from Caltrans. Estimated turning movements at all study locations were extracted from the Fresno Activity Based Model (FresnoABM) and adjusted to projected 2035 No Project and 2035 Proposed Project conditions using current ramp and mainline volumes. Using these volumes, the queueing analysis was conducted using Synchro 11 and SimTraffic 11 software. Simulation results were based on the average results of five one-hour runs, in accordance with Caltrans methodology and are included in Appendix H.
Additionally, through coordination with Caltrans, TJKM updated the queueing analysis to reflect the use of auxiliary lanes for additional storage. All of the interchanges and intersections analyzed, and the results of the queueing analysis, are included in Table 3.17-8 below.
Table 3.17-8: 2035 Project and No Project Queue Analyses Results #
Intersection/
Interchange Direction Lane Group Storage Peak
No Project
Conditions
(2035)
Proposed
Project
Conditions
(2035) Change
1 Clovis Avenue
and SR-180 EB
Ramp
EB Left (pocket)
255
AM 79 9 -70
PM 335 375 40
Left (full lane)
1,270
AM 350 55 -295
PM 1581 1738 157
Right (full lane
plus aux lane) 2,990
AM 717 261 -456
PM 1582 1706 124
Right (pocket)
885
AM 685 245 -440
PM 989 1016 27
2 Clovis Avenue
and SR-180 WB
Ramp
WB Left
440
AM 853 687 -166
PM 66 86 20
Right
1090
AM 1738 1789 51
PM 139 124 -15
3 Fowler Avenue
and SR-180 EB
Ramp
EB Left (pocket)
400
AM 0 5 5
PM 0 0 0
Left (full lane) 1,260 AM 9 18 9
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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Intersection/
Interchange Direction Lane Group Storage Peak
No Project
Conditions
(2035)
Proposed
Project
Conditions
(2035) Change
PM 15 20 5
Right (full lane
plus aux lane) 3,000
AM 111 118 7
PM 207 232 25
Right (pocket)
235
AM 91 102 11
PM 205 237 32
4 Fowler Avenue
and SR-180 WB
Ramp
WB Left
650
AM 31 78 47
PM 33 36 3
Right
1,420
AM 177 112 -65
PM 80 61 -19
5 Temperance
Avenue and SR-
180 EB Ramp
EB Left (pocket)
440
AM 0 0 0
PM 4 604 600
Left (full lane)
1,665
AM 23 27 4
PM 25 2046 2021
Right (full lane)
3,500
AM 124 95 -29
PM 162 2019 1857
Right (pocket)
680
AM 112 78 -34
PM 155 946 791
6 Temperance
Avenue and SR-
180 WB Ramp
WB Left (pocket)
400
AM 82 42 -40
PM 46 41 -5
Left (full lane)
1,485
AM 112 69 -43
PM 90 63 -27
Right (pocket)
840
AM 0 159 159
PM 0 0 0
7 De Wolf
Avenue and SR-
180
EB Left
725
AM 372 806 434
PM 212 663 451
Right
700
AM 482 1110 628
PM 10 681 671
WB Left
690
AM 98 178 80
PM 67 209 142
Right
690
AM 21 43 22
PM 40 39 -1
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Intersection/
Interchange Direction Lane Group Storage Peak
No Project
Conditions
(2035)
Proposed
Project
Conditions
(2035) Change
8 Highland
Avenue and SR-
180
EB Left/Right
965
AM 24 73 49
PM 19 150 131
WB Left
630
AM 11 17 6
PM 11 118 107
9 McCall Avenue
and SR-180
EB Left
555
AM 315 185 -130
PM 100 194 94
Right
510
AM 821 159 -662
PM 65 90 25
WB Left
550
AM 983 737 -246
PM 31 37 6
Right
630
AM 839 1069 230
PM 47 88 41
Notes:
EB = eastbound
WB = westbound
Bold text indicates queues extending beyond available storage Source: TJKM. 2025.
As shown in Table 3.17-8, above, the updated queueing analysis using available storage from the SR- 180 auxiliary lane means that the Clovis and SR-180 interchange would not require any mitigation for the future with project conditions. As noted in the Caltrans letter dated August 16, 2024, auxiliary lanes can be used for additional storage. Interchange 1 (Clovis Avenue and SR-180 eastbound ramp) queueing now does not indicate a deficit (not bold text).
For Interchange 2 (Clovis Avenue and SR-180 westbound ramp), the proposed project already fails in the no project condition, so no mitigation is necessary for the proposed project.
Interchange 5 (Temperance Avenue and SR-180 eastbound ramp), like Interchange 1, utilizes the auxiliary lane to provide enough storage for the left and right turn movements in the project buildout condition. The only mitigation measures needed are for Intersections 7 and 9, where the existing queue length is not enough to accommodate the increased project traffic.
For Intersection 7 (De Wolf Avenue and SR-180 intersection), the proposed project would be required to implement MM TRANS-3a, which requires lengthening the eastbound turning lane to 875 feet and the westbound turning lane to 1,150 feet.
For Intersection 9 (McCall Avenue and SR-180 intersection), the proposed project would be required to implement MM TRANS-3b, which requires lengthening the westbound turning lane to 1,075 feet.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
3.17-40 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx In addition, future development consistent with the proposed project would undergo individual planning review at the time of application and additional project-specific environmental review may be required. It is not anticipated that development would substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature or incompatible uses because the City would require review proposed future developments for consistency with applicable regulations, including the policies in the General Plan, designed to ensure safety, during planning review to eliminate any such hazards. Thus, with implementation of MM TRANS-3a and MM TRANS-3b, impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance
Potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measures shall be implemented as necessary through monitoring and coordination between Caltrans and the City of Fresno:
MM TRANS-3a Lengthen the eastbound turning lane to 875 feet and the westbound turning lane to 1,150 feet for the De Wolf Avenue and State Route (SR) 180 intersection.
MM TRANS-3b Lengthen the westbound turning lane to 1,075 feet for the McCall Avenue and State Route (SR) 180 intersection.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
Emergency Access
Impact TRANS-4: The proposed project could result in inadequate emergency access.
Impact Analysis
The proposed project may require temporary lane closures or detours during construction activity.
However, all lane closures or detours would be coordinated with the sheriff and fire departments to ensure that access to existing businesses and through circulation are maintained as well as emergency access. The construction contractor would provide signage, cones, and/or flag persons as deemed necessary through a project-specific Construction Management Plan (CMP) to ensure adequate emergency access. All development will be required to prepare a CMP to demonstrate to the City and the associated sheriff and fire departments that emergency access would be maintained at all times during construction. Preparation of a CMP , as required by MM TRANS-4, would reduce any impact of temporary lane closures or detours to less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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MM TRANS-4 At the time of planning application submittal, the project applicant shall prepare a Construction Management Plan (CMP) that shall specify traffic controls required to maintain adequate circulation and access throughout the Southeast Development (SEDA) Specific Plan Area. At least one lane shall remain open in each direction during construction and access to all existing businesses shall be maintained. This plan shall be subject to approval by the jurisdictional police and fire departments prior to commencement of construction.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
3.17.7 - Cumulative Impacts
The geographic context for an analysis of cumulative impacts to transportation and circulation is the City of Fresno and the existing transportation network.
Year 2035 Baseline (No Project) Conditions
The following presents the results of the LOS calculations under the year 2035 baseline conditions without the project. LOS analysis at the study segments were conducted for 2035 no project conditions to establish a base to evaluate the impacts due to the addition of traffic from the proposed project. Study segment volumes were forecasted using the Fresno Activity Based Travel Demand Model. Table 3.17-9 shows the forecasted study segment volumes for the year 2035 baseline (no project) conditions.
Table 3.17-9: Year 2035 Baseline (No Project) Conditions Study Segment Traffic Volumes Segment Name # AM Peak-hour PM Peak-hour Daily
Clovis Avenue south of American Avenue 1 1,071 1,163 15,309 De Wolf Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 2 688 495 4,237 De Wolf Avenue south of McKinley Avenue 3 282 258 1,881 De Wolf Avenue south of Clinton Avenue 4 484 347 3,470
De Wolf Avenue north of Jensen Avenue 5 187 174 1,693
De Wolf Avenue south of Jensen Avenue 6 95 137 1,221
Jensen Avenue east of Bethel Avenue 7 1,006 1,105 15,079 Jensen Avenue east of De Wolf Avenue 8 705 830 11,518
Jensen Avenue west of De Wolf Avenue 9 597 850 10,143
Jensen Avenue east of Temperance Avenue 10 1,606 1,095 13,894 Jensen Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 11 1,333 1,107 12,676 Kings Canyon Road east of Temperance Avenue 12 4 4 52
Locan Avenue north of Tulare Avenue 13 18 32 218
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
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Locan Avenue south of Tulare Avenue 14 12 34 199
McCall Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 15 500 382 4,197 McCall Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue 16 390 439 5,167
McCall Avenue north of Belmont Avenue 17 485 518 5,730
Tulare Avenue east of Locan Avenue 18 38 45 363
Tulare Avenue west of Locan Avenue 19 59 90 861
North Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 20 193 216 2,442 Source: TJKM. 2025.
Study Segment Level of Service Analysis–Year 2035 No Project Conditions The study segment LOS analysis for the forecasted volumes are presented in Table 3.17-10. All of the study segments in the year 2035 no project conditions are forecasted to perform at a LOS of D or better.
Table 3.17-10: Year 2035 Baseline (No Project) Conditions Study Segment LOS Segment Name # AM Peak-hour PM Peak-hour Daily
Clovis Avenue south of American Avenue 1 C C B
De Wolf Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 2 D D C
De Wolf Avenue south of McKinley Avenue 3 C C B
De Wolf Avenue south of Clinton Avenue 4 D C B
De Wolf Avenue north of Jensen Avenue 5 C C A
De Wolf Avenue south of Jensen Avenue 6 B B A
Jensen Avenue east of Bethel Avenue 7 C C B
Jensen Avenue east of De Wolf Avenue 8 B B A
Jensen Avenue west of De Wolf Avenue 9 B B A
Jensen Avenue east of Temperance Avenue 10 C C B
Jensen Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 11 C C B
Kings Canyon Road east of Temperance Avenue 12 A A A
Locan Avenue north of Tulare Avenue 13 A A A
Locan Avenue south of Tulare Avenue 14 A A A
McCall Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 15 D D C
McCall Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue 16 D D C
McCall Avenue north of Belmont Avenue 17 D D C
Tulare Avenue east of Locan Avenue 18 A A A
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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Tulare Avenue west of Locan Avenue 19 A A A
North Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 20 A A A
Source: TJKM. 2025.
Level of Service
This analysis presents the results of the LOS calculations for the year 2035 conditions with the proposed project. LOS analysis at the study segments were conducted for 2035 with project conditions. Study segment volumes were forecasted using delta method, using the FresnoABM.
Table 3.17-11 shows the forecasted study segment volumes for the year 2035 with project conditions.
Table 3.17-11: Year 2035 With Project Conditions Study Segment Traffic Volumes Segment Name # AM Peak-hour PM Peak-hour Daily
Clovis Avenue south of American Avenue 1 1,266 1,367 18,223 De Wolf Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 2 838 544 5,510 De Wolf Avenue south of McKinley Avenue 3 457 357 3,614 De Wolf Avenue south of Clinton Avenue 4 610 395 4,678
De Wolf Avenue north of Jensen Avenue 5 322 305 3,549
De Wolf Avenue south of Jensen Avenue 6 178 235 2,166
Jensen Avenue east of Bethel Avenue 7 1,135 1,375 18,813 Jensen Avenue east of De Wolf 8 1,040 1,179 16,757
Jensen Avenue west of De Wolf 9 866 1,180 15,122
Jensen Avenue east of Temperance 10 2,096 1,519 20,017
Jensen Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 11 1,862 1,562 19,744 Kings Canyon Road east of Temperance
Avenue 12 8 8 111
Locan Avenue north of Tulare Avenue 13 44 44 392
Locan Avenue south of Tulare Avenue 14 29 48 320
McCall Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 15 831 651 6,377 McCall Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue 16 562 612 5,662
McCall Avenue north of Belmont Avenue 17 867 919 9,956
Tulare Avenue east of Locan Avenue 18 54 61 582
Tulare Avenue west of Locan Avenue 19 80 118 1,391
North Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 20 193 286 2,442 Source: TJKM. 2025.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Transportation and Traffic Recircualted Draft Program EIR
3.17-44 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-17 Transportation.docx Compared to the 2035 no project condition, Jensen Way and McCall Lane saw the most growth in AM peak-hour, PM peak-hour, and daily volumes with the proposed project built out. Because of the existing low volumes from the City of Fresno count data, the forecasted with project volumes are not as high as raw FresnoABM output volumes.
Study Segment Level of Service Analysis–Year 2035 With Project Conditions The study segment LOS analysis for the forecasted volumes are presented in Table 3.17-12. All of the study segments in the year 2035 with project conditions are forecasted to perform at a LOS of D or better.
Table 3.17-12: Year 2035 With Project Conditions Study Segment LOS Segment Name # AM Peak-hour
PM Peak -
hour Daily
Clovis Avenue south of American Avenue 1 C C B
De Wolf Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 2 D D D
De Wolf Avenue south of McKinley Avenue 3 D D D
De Wolf Avenue south of Clinton Avenue 4 D D D
De Wolf Avenue north of Jensen Avenue 5 D D D
De Wolf Avenue south of Jensen Avenue 6 D D D
Jensen Avenue east of Bethel Avenue 7 C C B
Jensen Avenue east of De Wolf Avenue 8 C C B
Jensen Avenue west of De Wolf Avenue 9 C C B
Jensen Avenue east of Temperance Avenue 10 C C B
Jensen Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 11 C C A
Kings Canyon Road east of Temperance Avenue 12 A A A
Locan Avenue north of Tulare Avenue 13 A A A
Locan Avenue south of Tulare Avenue 14 A A A
McCall Avenue north of McKinley Avenue 15 D D C
McCall Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue 16 D D C
McCall Avenue north of Belmont Avenue 17 D D C
Tulare Avenue east of Locan Avenue 18 A A A
Tulare Avenue west of Locan Avenue 19 A A A
North Avenue west of Temperance Avenue 20 A A A
Source: TJKM. 2025.
Proposed project development in combination with future cumulative development in the City could result in localized impacts on the transportation network in the City. It is anticipated that cumulative City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Transportation and Traffic
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Level of Cumulative Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
Cumulative Mitigation Measures
Implement MM TRANS-1a through MM TRANS-1e, MM TRANS-3a, MM TRANS-3b, and MM TRANS-
4. Level of Cumulative Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
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3.18 - Utilities and Service Systems
3.18.1 - Introduction
This section describes the existing conditions related to utilities and service systems (water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste) in the City of Fresno (City) and Plan Area as well as the relevant regulatory framework. This section also evaluates the possible impacts related to such utilities and service systems that could result from implementation of the proposed project.
Information in this section is based on information provided by the planning documents for each utility type. Water supply and facilities information was obtained from the City of Fresno 2020 Urban Water Management Plan prepared by Water Systems Consulting, Inc. in 2021; the technical memorandum prepared by West Yost Associates in 2013 for the Hydraulic Evaluation of the Proposed 2035 General Plan (General Plan) Land Use Update for the Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR) as part of the City of Fresno General Plan Update MEIR; and the Water Technical Study prepared for the Specific Plan by Blair, Church & Flynn in 2022 (see Appendix I). Recycled water supply and facilities information was obtained from the Recycled Water Master Plan prepared by Carollo in 2010; the Engineering Report for the Production, Distribution and Use of Recycled Water prepared by Blair, Church & Flynn in 2015; and the Recycled Water Technical Study prepared for the Specific Plan by Blair, Church & Flynn in 2022 (see Appendix I). Wastewater collection and facilities information was obtained from the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update prepared by Carollo in association with Blair, Church & Flynn in 2015 and the Wastewater Technical Study prepared for the Specific Plan by Blair, Church & Flynn in 2022 (see Appendix I). Storm drain collection and facilities information was obtained from the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) 2016 District Services Plan; the FMFCD Storm Drain and Flood Control Master Plan; and the Storm Drain Technical Study prepared for the Specific Plan by Blair, Church & Flynn in 2022 (see Appendix I).
As further discussed in Chapter 1, Introduction, 12 public comments were received during the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR) scoping period related to the proposed project’s potential Utilities and System Services impacts:
• States that the County has a water providing Community Service Area (CSA) (CSA 14) which is interested in connecting to the City of Fresno’s (the City’s) water system and that the County has several road CSAs within the Plan Area.
• States that many of the existing facilities will need to be upgraded to meet the current urban standards or relocated by the developer to accommodate new urban developments which will require new pipelines and new exclusive easements.
• Requires that all open channels and existing pipelines impacted by the project area development to be upgraded to meet Fresno Irrigation District’s (FID’s) current standards for urban, rural, and industrial areas. Requires that development impacts to large canal crossings to be designed to protect the canals’ integrity for an urban setting, including the need for access and full right-of-way widths for FID’s operations and maintenance needs.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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• Requests that the Draft PEIR evaluate whether the City’s Water Master Plan needs to be updated and how the Cooperative Agreement between the City and FID may impact development within the Plan Area.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR evaluate whether previous projects proposed under the City’s Water Master Plan resulted in the benefits anticipated. • Requests that the Draft PEIR require that any future development minimize water demand and/or reduce impacts to groundwater.
• Requires that if any future development under the Southeast Development Area (SEDA) uses treated surface water during a period when the City has a deficit water supply or groundwater levels continue to drop, then the City must acquire additional water from a water purveyor as to not impact water supplies or exacerbate the deficit. • Identifies that groundwater overdraft is an issue in the City and requires that the Draft PEIR evaluates the Specific Plan’s impact on groundwater resources. • Requests that the Draft PEIR accurately captures and analyzes baseline conditions and potentially significant project-specific and cumulative impacts within and adjacent to the Planning Area.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR identifies and adopts all feasible and enforceable mitigation measures that avoid and reduce negative impact.
• Requests that the Draft PEIR analyzes and creates mitigation measures consistent with all applicable laws, including State and federal fair housing, civil rights, and climate laws such as Senate Bill (SB) 743.
3.18.2 - Environmental Setting
The study area for project impacts regarding utilities and service systems is the SEDA Specific Plan Area (Plan Area).
Water
This section describes existing City water supply sources, distribution and storage infrastructure, and treatment facilities, as well existing and projected demand and supply for the current General Plan and proposed Specific Plan.
Water Source and Supply
Key planning documents for the City’s water source and supplies include the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP); the City of Fresno General Plan (General Plan); and the City of Fresno Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan Update (Metro Plan).1
1 City of Fresno. 2007. Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan Update. Accessed July 8, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The City’s Water Division manages and operates the City’s water system. The City provides potable water to over 550,000 customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial users, in an approximately 115-square-mile (73,500-acre) area that includes many County islands (unincorporated areas within the City), and areas within the City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI). Fresno’s domestic water supplies include groundwater, surface water, and reclaimed water. According to the most recent available water supply data for 2020, extracted groundwater supply totaled 55,028 acre- feet (AF), surface water supply totaled 108,739 AF, and recycled water supply totaled 912 AF.2 Projected water supply for 2035 is 346,610 AF (149,100 AF of groundwater, 191,600 AF of surface water, and 5,910 AF of recycled water) during normal water years.3 The 2020 UWMP describes current and planned water conservation plans, provides a water shortage contingency plan should it need to be implemented in the event of a severe water shortage or water supply emergency, and includes future water supply plans for a variety of water sources including treated surface water, groundwater, and recycled water. The 2020 UWMP is in accordance with the Urban Water Management Planning Act that stipulates that every urban water supplier in California supplying water directly or indirectly to 3,000 or more customers or supplying more than 3,000 AF of water annually shall adopt and submit an Urban Water Management Plan to the California Department of Water Resources. Failure to submit a plan as required could result in ineligibility to receive certain grants or receive drought assistance from the State.
Groundwater Supply
The City is located within the Kings River Subbasin of the San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin.
Historically, the City has relied heavily on groundwater pumped from the underground basin and aquifers to meet its water demands. The City has a network of over 270 municipal water wells and operates approximately 202 active municipal supply wells that access groundwater from said basin. 4 The production capacity from the active wells is approximately 403 million gallons per day (mgd), and the total capacity including inactive wells is approximately 487 mgd. The wells are located around the City, and most are directly connected into the water distribution system. The City’s water system depended completely on groundwater as a water source until 2004 when the first Surface Water Treatment Facility (SWTF) was commissioned. Today, groundwater is still heavily relied upon as a primary water source for the City; however, the City is working to maximize the use of its surface water supplies to reduce future dependance on groundwater .
Groundwater quality generally meets primary and secondary drinking water standards for municipal water use; however, the groundwater basin has been impacted by several chemical contaminant plumes, as well as nitrates, all of which require monitoring and wellhead treatment. Treatment efforts and removal of specific wells from service are conducted as required to maintain drinking water supply quality and standards.
Fresno is located within the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), which is working to reach groundwater sustainability in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA requires governments and water agencies of “critically overdrafted” basins to
2 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July. 3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
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As a result, the City has placed a higher priority on developing its surface water supply and decreasing its reliability on groundwater to allow the basin to recharge. The City actively works to recharge the groundwater basin. As a result of the City’s investment in other water supplies, groundwater levels in Fresno have already begun to recover from low levels experienced during the recent droughts.5
The City replenishes groundwater by three methods: natural recharge, subsurface inflow, and intentional recharge.
Natural recharge occurs as precipitation, irrigation, canal, and/or stream flows infiltrate the soils and seep down to the water table to replenish the aquifer. Per the 2020 UWMP, the Kings Basin Integrated Groundwater and Surface Water Model (IGSM), completed in 2007, provides the best available information on the City’s groundwater yield. As such, the annual natural recharge from 1964 to 2004 was determined to be 42,700 acre-feet per year (AFY), however, this was projected to decline steadily from 2005 to General Plan buildout within the City’s SOI due to increased urbanization and development and a reduction in pervious surfaces. It can be noted though that as future growth areas are annexed, the amount of natural recharge may increase. The UWMP estimated a total of 24,970 AFY of natural recharge for 2020, and projects that natural recharge will total 26,280 AFY in the General Plan buildout year of 2035, and 26,790 AFY by 2045 assuming groundwater characteristics are not altered due to climatic events or regulatory influences from SGMA.
6 Subsurface recharge occurs from the movement of groundwater from external sources into the local aquifer. Subsurface water tends to flow from surrounding areas with a higher groundwater table than the City’s into the aquifer within the City SOI, including the Plan Area. It is likely that the subsurface inflow will increase with future annexation and development as the SOI is built out. Per the 2020 UWMP , net annual subsurface inflow into the City SOI was determined to be 64,800 AFY for the period of 1964-2004. The UWMP estimated a total subsurface inflow for 2020 of 47,510 AFY and projects that the total will reach 54,720 AFY in 2035 and 59,530 AFY in 2045 assuming groundwater characteristics are not altered due to climatic events or regulatory influences from SGMA. 6 Intentional recharge occurs by directing surface water into the underground aquifer with the use of groundwater recharge basins or wells. Fresno mainly uses recharge basins, which are located throughout the City, in an effort to offset declining groundwater levels and overdraft conditions. The City’s primary recharge facility is Leaky Acres, located northwest of the Fresno–Yosemite International Airport. It consists of 26 basins covering approximately 225 acres. Additionally, the City has agreements with the FMFCD and the FID to utilize their facilities (basins, canals, etc.) for additional groundwater recharge activities. According to the 2020 UWMP , the City recharged an average of approximately 60,000 AFY from 2000 to 2019. However, the amount has not historically been consistent and can fluctuate based on available surface water. This amount dropped to 34,700 AFY in 2014 and to 19,800 AFY in 2015. In 2019 though, the City recharged 82,993 AF, the highest
5 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan., July. 6 Ibid.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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The total groundwater recharge amount for 2020 was 132,480 AFY (24,970 AFY of natural recharge, 47,510 AFY of subsurface inflow, and 60,000 AFY of intentional recharge); the total projected groundwater recharge amount for 2035 is 149,100 AFY (26,280 AFY of natural recharge, 54,720 AFY of subsurface inflow, and 68,100 AFY of intentional recharge) and for 2045 is 159,820 AFY (26,790 AFY of natural recharge, 59,530 AFY of subsurface inflow, and 73,500 AFY of intentional recharge) during normal water years and assuming groundwater characteristics are not altered due to climatic events or regulatory influences from SGMA. Groundwater pumping has been greatly reduced since the activation of the first SWTF in 2004 and has only further declined as a result of a second SWTF; per the 2020 UWMP , groundwater pumping has decreased from 165,200 AFY in 2003 to 55,000 AFY in 2020.
8 Surface water has allowed the City to reduce its dependance on groundwater as a water supply. Prior to 2004, 100 percent of Fresno’s water demand was met with groundwater. In 2004, the City’s first SWTF, the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility (NESWTF), was constructed and activated; it provided 10-15 percent of the City’s potable water demand from 2005-2014 and 15 percent from 2016-2020. With the addition of the T-3 Water Storage and modular SWTF (T-3 SWTF) in 2015 and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility (SESWTF) in 2018, the City was able to provide greater than 50 percent of its potable water supply with surface water in 2019 and 2020.9 The City plans on expanding surface water treatment capacities and groundwater recharge activities to maintain the reduction in groundwater reliance.
Surface Water Supply
As stated in the Groundwater Supply section, the City owns and operates two main SWTFs in Fresno.
In 2004, the City commissioned the NESWTF. The facility, located at Chestnut and Behymer Avenues, is designed for a 30-mgd capacity and is planned to be expanded to a total of 60 mgd as development in Fresno continues.
10 The NESWTF has reduced the City’s dependance on
groundwater and allowed an increased degree of groundwater recharge to occur. The City also constructed the T-3 SWTF in 2015 in southeast Fresno, which has a design capacity of 8 mgd.
Most recently, the City completed construction of the SESWTF in 2018, which is a 54-mgd facility with an ultimate capacity of 80 mgd.
11 This included a 72-inch raw water transmission main to convey surface water from the FID’s Fresno Canal to the SESWTF. T-3 was shut down after the SESWTF was activated; however, the City has indicated that there are future plans to reactivate the site.
7 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan July 8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid.
11 Ibid.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The surface water available to the City is supplied via agreements that the City maintains with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the FID.
In the 1960s, the City contracted with the USBR Central Valley Project (CVP) Friant Division to receive 60,000 AF of Class 1 surface water per year. Per the 2020 UWMP , this agreement was last renewed in 2010 to provide water from the San Joaquin River in perpetuity.12 The USBR CVP Friant Division facilities include the Friant Dam (Millerton Reservoir), the Friant-Kern Canal, and the Madera Canal.
Class 1 water (intended to be a supply that would be dependable every year regardless of the type of hydrologic water year) has historically been very reliable until the 2006 San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Agreement; projected availability of surface water to the City is determined by the USBR based on simulations for the 2006 settlement agreement, with an average simulated delivery of 53,680 AFY and a median simulated delivery of 60,000 AFY . However, there have been extremely dry years in which no water is supplied; this previously occurred in 2014 and 2015. The most recent data available for USBR deliveries shows that in 2020, the City received 37,447 AF. 13 The City signed an agreement with FID in 1976 for the delivery of surface water supplies from the Kings River based on the City’s pro rata share of FID’s water entitlements. The agreement pertained only to natural flows in the Kings River and excludes Class 2 entitlement water provided to FID by the USBR, as well as water stored in Pine Flat Reservoir. The agreement identifies the City’s contracted percentage of FID’s King’s River water based on the City’s water service area located within FID’s service area as a percentage of the FID land area. FID land area varies each year because it is dependent upon the acreage receiving water deliveries that year rather than the total acreage within FID. Thus, as the City incorporates new land areas (including SEDA) into its service area, the percentage of FID supply will increase. However, the most recent agreement with FID made in 2016 placed a maximum percentage of FID water at 29 percent, even though the City’s service area is expected to surpass 29 percent of FID’s service area between 2025 and 2030. 14 In 2020, the City’s
percentage of FID water was 25.79 percent. The City has historically not used all of its available allocation in any given year, and the remaining unused water is reallocated by FID to its other customers. The average FID delivery between 1964 and 2019 was 452,541 AF, which equates to an average potential City supply of 131,237 AF, assuming the maximum 29 percent City supply percentage.14 The average total FID water supply from the King’s River is 453,800 AFY , and by buildout, the 2020 UWMP projects that the City will be projected to receive 131,600 AFY . The most recent data available shows that in 2020, the City received 71,292 AF. Nonetheless, potential impacts to water supply and demand would be evaluated prior to the annexation of specific parcels is approved.
The City also has maintained another agreement with FID since 1974 for the exchange of recycled water for surface water. The Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) discharges secondary-treated wastewater into recharge basins surrounding the facility for percolation into the groundwater aquifer. The RWRF owns and operates a number of groundwater wells that extract the percolated water from under the RWRF. As part of this agreement, the extracted water is conveyed to FID’s Dry Creek and Houghton Canals for delivery to growers west of
12 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July. 13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx the City. In exchange, FID agreed to deliver 46 percent of the total from either its Kings River entitlement or USBR Class 2 supply to growers or basins in the eastern portion of FID “insofar as is feasible and practical.” The agreement includes a minimum of 100,000 AF delivered over a 10-year period and no more than 30,000 AF in any given year.15 Since 2016, the City has reduced RWRF groundwater exchange deliveries and is currently discussing an update to the agreement with FID, while exploring other beneficial uses for the RWRF’s percolated effluent. Per the 2020 UWMP , the most recent data available shows that in 2020, 5,809 AF was delivered.16 Project Site
The City Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan (Metro Plan) and UWMP include several objectives, goals, and policies to improve and develop water infrastructure as development progresses in the City. The critical focal points of the water system development are the implementation of further water conservation measures, installation of new municipal groundwater wells, increased groundwater recharge efforts to bring the City’s groundwater pumpage into balance with its recharge rate, maximized use of available surface water, increased use of recycled water for landscape irrigation and other nonpotable uses, and the acquisition of future water supplies when available.
Water supply for the Specific Plan Area will be met with existing supplies initially but will require additional supplies to meet buildout demands. The City is developing an update to the Metro Plan, which will include revised and updated recommendations for water supply facilities to supply the Plan Area with water. Among these proposed improvements are new municipal groundwater wells to be drilled in the Plan Area to supply new developments with groundwater. 17 The City will also construct expansions to the SWTFs to allow higher capacities of surface water to be treated and delivered to City customers, including those in the Plan Area, as well as multiple recharge inter-ties to FMFCD basins to facilitate groundwater recharge in the Plan Area.
Recycled Water
Recycled water, an important water source for the City in conserving potable water supplies, is not yet utilized in the Plan Area. However, there are existing recycled water facilities throughout the City that may contribute to the future delivery of recycled water to the Plan Area.
With the completion of various portions of the City’s recycled water distribution system, and the upgrades at the Fresno-Clovis RWRF to allow disinfected tertiary treatment of collected wastewater, the City has been using recycled water for beneficial uses in an effort to reduce reliance on potable water for nonpotable uses. Disinfected tertiary treated wastewater can be used for a number of nonpotable uses, including but not limited to landscaping irrigation, industrial processes, golf course irrigation, and agricultural irrigation.
15 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July. 16 Ibid.
17 Buche, Brock. Department of Public Utilities Director, City of Fresno. Personal communication: email. May 23, 2022.
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In partnership with the City of Clovis, the City of Fresno owns and operates the Fresno-Clovis RWRF located near the intersection of Jensen and Cornelia Avenues in southwest Fresno. The RWRF receives and treats the majority of domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater generated within the Cities of Fresno and Clovis, as well as some unincorporated areas of Fresno County. The RWRF is currently operated by the City, who holds responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance with Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Order No. 5-01-254, “Waste Discharge Requirements for Cities of Fresno and Clovis Wastewater Treatment Facility, Fresno County.”
The RWRF has a rated annual monthly average daily discharge flow of 80 MGD and an maximum monthly average daily discharge flow of 88 MGD,18but the average annual flow is approximately 68 mgd.19 The RWRF produces undisinfected secondary-treated wastewater and disinfected tertiary treated wastewater. The undisinfected secondary-treated wastewater is disposed of into on-site disposal ponds and conveyed to farmers for restricted irrigation of non-food crops on agricultural land on surrounding properties. The City also allows the secondary-treated wastewater to percolate through the soil into the aquifer, which is then extracted for delivery through FID facilities for agricultural users, as stated in the Water Supply section.
The disinfected tertiary treated wastewater is delivered through a network of pipelines to various recycled water use areas around the City, mainly for irrigation of landscaping at sites including, but not limited to, parks, median landscape strips, and cemeteries.
The City also owns and operates the North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (NFWRF) located in northeast Fresno on the north side of Copper Avenue between Cedar and Maple Avenues. This facility receives and treats wastewater generated within a small area of the City generally bound by Copper, Friant, and Willow Avenues, including wastewater generated from Copper River Ranch. The NFWRF is a tertiary level treatment facility and the treated wastewater is mainly used for irrigation of the Copper River Country Club and Golf Course. The permitted capacity of the plant is 0.71 mgd average monthly flow and 1.07 mgd maximum daily flow.
20 Flows received at the Fresno-Clovis RWRF have averaged approximately 63,000 AFY over the last 5 years, and the City projects that recycled water deliveries will increase to 5,800 AFY per year of nonpotable demand.21 These supplies will continue to help reduced potable water demand and lend themselves to water conservation efforts.
18 City of Fresno, “Engineering Report for the Production, Distribution and Use of Recycled Water,” prepared by Blair, Church & Flynn.
September 18, 2015.
19 City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities. Wastewater Facilities and Infrastructure, Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF). Website: https://www.fresno.gov/publicutilities/sewer-wastewater/wastewater-facilities- infrastructure/#tab-2. Accessed April 8, 2022.
20 City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities. Wastewater Facilities and Infrastructure, North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (NFWRF). Website: https://www.fresno.gov/publicutilities/sewer-wastewater/wastewater-facilities-infrastructure/#tab-3.
Accessed April 8, 2022.
21 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July.
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The primary use of recycled water in Fresno is that of irrigation. The undisinfected secondary-treated wastewater produced by the Fresno-Clovis RWRF is used to irrigate non-food crops in the areas adjacent to the facility and is discharged into on-site basins for percolation to the aquifer and subsequent extraction for use by FID customers for irrigation. The disinfected tertiary treated wastewater produced by the RWRF is used to irrigate landscape for users served by the City’s recycled water distribution system. The disinfected tertiary treated wastewater produced by the NFWRF is used to irrigate the nearby Copper River golf course.
Recycled water use has varied over the last few years due to fluctuations in the number of customers utilizing recycled water services. Per the 2020 UWMP , total recycled water use in 2020 was 4,757 AFY (3,845 AFY of undisinfected secondary-treated wastewater for non-food crop irrigation, 858 AFY of disinfected tertiary treated wastewater from the Fresno-Clovis RWRF, and 54 AFY of disinfected tertiary treated wastewater from the NFWRF), with an average from 2015 to 2020 of 6,568 AFY .22 Undisinfected secondary-treated wastewater reuse is projected to continue to be used to irrigate non-food crops adjacent to the RWRF for the foreseeable future. It is predicted that disinfected tertiary treated wastewater use will increase as the City’s recycled water distribution system continues to be built out and the number of customers increases. The use of recycled water for the Copper River golf course is assumed to remain constant through buildout of the City’s General Plan.
Per the 2020 UWMP , recycled water use is projected to be 14,220 AFY in any given year from 2025 through buildout of the City’s General Plan, comprised of 7,900 AFY of secondary undisinfected recycled water for use as agricultural irrigation, and 6,320 AFY of tertiary treated recycled water to be used for landscape irrigation and limited agricultural irrigation (5,800 AFY for landscape irrigation excluding golf courses, 410 AFY for limited agricultural irrigation, and 110 AFY for golf course irrigation).
23 As noted in the UWMP , recycled water for agricultural irrigation does not offset the City’s potable water demands, and as such is excluded from projected recycled water. Thus, the total projected recycled water available to offset potable water demands is 5,910 AFY (5,800 AFY for landscape irrigation excluding golf courses, and 110 AFY for golf course irrigation).
Recycled Water Distribution
Since the adoption of the City’s Recycled Water Master Plan in 2010, a number of recycled water facilities have been constructed and are currently in service throughout the Fresno area. Segments of the recycled water distribution system outlined in the Recycled Water Master Plan have been designed and constructed over the last several years, mainly within the southwest quadrant of the distribution system as well as some small portions of the Northeast and Northwest systems. The southwest quadrant of the recycled water system includes a 3.2 million gallon recycled water reservoir at the RWRF, a 6,000 gallons per minute (gpm) (8.64 mgd) recycled water pump station located at the RWRF, a 640 gpm booster pump station at Roeding Park, and 15.7 miles of 10-inch to 54-inch recycled water pipeline; approximately 7.5 miles of pipeline remain to be constructed as part of the southwest quadrant.
24 22 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July. 23 Ibid.
24 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July.
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Recycled water is not yet utilized in the Plan Area; however, Master Plan documents include proposed improvements to facilitate the availability of recycled water in the Plan Area.
Two alternatives for recycled water supply and distribution systems were presented in the Recycled Water Master Plan,25 both with proposed improvements that provided a path to conveying recycled water to the Plan Area. The first alternative was based on the idea that the Fresno-Clovis RWRF would be the main source of recycled water for the City and would supply recycled water to all four quadrants of the recycled water distribution system via numerous pipelines and pump stations. The second alternative assumed that a number of satellite recycled water facilities would be built around the City to assist in providing recycled water supplies, thereby alleviating the Fresno-Clovis RWRF of the requirement to supply the entire system.
The Southeast Quadrant includes southeast Fresno and the Plan Area. Alternative 1 of the Master Plan included backbone piping only up to the intersection of Butler and Fowler Avenues, stopping short of the Plan Area. Alternative 2 included backbone piping leading to a proposed satellite recycled water facility (wastewater scalping facility) near the intersection of North and Temperance Avenues, within the limits of the Plan Area. Per the Engineering Report prepared by Blair, Church & Flynn,
26 it would appear that Alternative 2 is the recommended option. The construction of a satellite facility within SEDA would allow the area to be self-sustaining and provide a path for wastewater collection and treatment that would directly benefit the Plan Area. However, the City is still analyzing the two alternatives presented in the Recycled Water Master Plan as well as other options for use of recycled water in the Plan Area.
Per the Recycled Water Master Plan, urban reuse provides the City with the best opportunity to implement recycled water projects that directly offset potable water and are highly visible to the community. However, urban reuse is much more distribution system-intensive than other alternatives, like groundwater recharge, since potential recycled water users are spread out around the City. The Recycled Water Master Plan recommended aligning the distribution system to serve large water users first to ensure efficient use of the recycled water supply. Smaller users can then be connected to the main distribution system at a later time.
The Recycled Water Master Plan includes assumptions of recycled water capacities and demands for each quadrant of the distribution system based on whether they were supplied via the RWRF or satellite Regional Wastewater Facilities (RWFs) (Alternative 1 versus Alternative 2, respectively). The Southeast Quadrant was projected to have a treatment capacity of 2.8/5.1 mgd (2.8 mgd without residential or commercial reuse/5.8 mgd with residential and commercial reuse) for Alternative 1 and 3.0 mgd for Alternative 2, and a demand of 995/1,820 AFY for Alternative 1 and 951 AFY for Alternative 2.
27 It should be noted that the Master Plan Alternative 1 does not include any delivery of recycled water to the SEDA area, and thus the demands presented are not accurate for planning purposes. Alternative 2 includes the proposed satellite facility potentially located within SEDA
25 Carollo Engineers. 2010. City of Fresno Recycled Water Master Plan. December. 26 Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineer, Inc. 2015. Engineering Report for the Production, Distribution and Use of Recycled Water.
September.
27 Carollo Engineers. 2010. City of Fresno Recycled Water Master Plan. December.
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Water Demand and Use
The previous version of the UWMP (2015) established baseline daily per capita water use values for a 10-year and 5-year average, as well as a 2020 target for per capita water use. The 2020 target was based on the requirements of SB x7-7 for a reduction in urban per capita water use Statewide by 20 percent. Per the 2020 UWMP , the 10-year baseline per capita water use (from 1999-2008) was 309 gallons per capita per day (GPCD), and the 5-year baseline per capita water use (from 2003-2007) was 304 GPDC.28 The confirmed 2020 target per capita water use was 247 GPDC; the actual per capita water use for the City in 2020 was 198 GPCD, meeting and exceeding the 2020 target. Water use reduction can be accredited to substantial water conservation measures and the metering of all water services served by the City system.
The City breaks its water usage into five customer classes: single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial/institutional, industrial, and landscape irrigation. Per the 2020 UWMP , total water consumption for the City was 121,993 AFY in 2020 (60,065 AFY for single-family residential, 18,842 AFY for multi-family residential, 16,971 AFY for commercial/institutional, 5,729 AFY for industrial, 10,478 AFY for landscape irrigation, 340 AFY for travel meters, and 9,568 AFY for distribution system losses).29 Single-family and multi-family residential are historically the largest users of potable water in Fresno. The UWMP also presents projected water demands for the City.
Projected total potable water demands are 154,210 AFY for 2035 and 167,947 AFY for 2045; projected total nonpotable water demands are 68,100 AFY for 2035 and 73,500 AFY for 2045.
Project Site
An analysis of the water demand for the Plan Area was completed as part of the Water Technical Study prepared for this Recirculated Draft PEIR (see Appendix F). The analysis was completed based on land use classifications proposed for the Plan Area and compared to the water demand for the Plan Area as defined in the General Plan. The total water demand for the Plan Area under General Plan conditions was obtained from the technical memorandum prepared for the City’s General Plan Update MEIR.
30 The total water demand projected for the Plan Area under General Plan buildout conditions was found to be 21,843 AFY (19.5 mgd).
The analysis to determine the projected water demand for the Plan Area under the Specific Plan conditions was completed using updated water demand factors for the General Plan land use classifications,
31 and correlating each land use water demand factor with the proposed SEDA Specific Plan land use classification. Each water demand factor was used in conjunction with the total area of each land use classification to determine a baseline projected water demand for the Plan Area under
28 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July. 29 Ibid.
30 West Yost Associates. 2013. Hydraulic Evaluation of the Proposed 2035 General Plan Land Use Update for the Master Environmental Impact Report. January.
31 Akel Engineering Group Inc. 2020. Water and Wastewater Unit Factor Update for Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan Update. October.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx the proposed Specific Plan. The projected water demand for the Plan Area under the Specific Plan was determined to be 19.83 mgd; this results in an increase in water demand from the General Plan of 0.33 mgd, or 1.7 percent. This increase can be considered minimal, and the existing and planned water supplies and facilities should be sufficient for the Plan Area.
Per the 2020 UWMP , total projected water demand for Fresno in 2035 is 222,310 AF (154,210 potable demand and 68,100 AF nonpotable demand), and total water supply for Fresno in 2035 is 346,610 AF (149,100 AF of groundwater, 191,600 AF of surface water [60,000 AF from USBR and 131,600 AF from FID], and 5,910 AF of recycled water).
32 Excluding recycled water, the available
water supply for potable use for Fresno in 2035 is 340,700 AF. A Water Supply Assessment (WSA) was prepared for the proposed Specific Plan and is included Appendix I. Per the WSA, there will be sufficient water supply to compensate for the 1.7 percent increase in water demand as a result of the Specific Plan. With the additional 0.33 mgd (370 AFY) of water demand for SEDA, the total water demand for Fresno in 2035 becomes 222,680 AFY, with a potable demand of 154,580 AFY. There will be sufficient water supply to compensate for the 1.7 percent increase in water demand as a result of the Specific Plan. See the prepared WSA for additional information.
Water Distribution
The City’s water distribution system consists of approximately 1,800 miles of distribution pipeline ranging in size from 0.75-inch to 66 inches, 140,000+ service connections, 12,000+ fire hydrants, 18,000+ main line valves, and several booster pumps and storage tanks.
Generally, the Transmission Grid Mains (TGMs) convey water directly from municipal supply wells to customers, and Regional Transmission Mains (RTMs) convey water from surface water treatment plants to TGMs. TGM pipes range in size from 10 to 16 inches in diameter, and RTM pipes are 18 inches and larger. There is also a network of smaller distribution mains that serve individual customers via TGMs. Fire hydrants are located at regular intervals throughout the City and served from the same distribution mains as all other customers. Main line valves are located at regular intervals and are used to shut down and isolate sections of the distribution system for emergency repairs, regular maintenance, or replacement projects. These valves are also used to regulate flows between the pressure zones. Booster pump stations help maintain the pressure within the system.
There are a number of other miscellaneous appurtenances associated with the distribution system designed to assist regular operation, including air release/vacuum breaker assemblies, blow-off valves, backflow preventers, and access manways.
Project Site
The City’s Metro Plan includes a number of recommended improvements to the water distribution system to account for future development. As mentioned, the City is currently updating the Metro Plan. Per the City, some of the proposed improvements to the water distribution system in the Plan Area include: new water storage tanks and booster pump stations, the extension of the 48-inch diameter RTM in Olive Avenue, and new TGMs.33
32 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July. 33 Buche, Brock. Department of Public Utilities Director, City of Fresno. Personal communication: email. May 23, 2022.
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This section describes existing City wastewater collection infrastructure and treatment facilities, as well as existing and projected wastewater generation for the current General Plan and proposed Specific Plan.
Wastewater Collection System
The City owns, operates, and maintains the majority of the wastewater collection system that conveys wastewater to the Fresno-Clovis RWRF and all of the wastewater collection system that conveys wastewater to the NFWRF. The wastewater collection system serves Fresno and other participating agencies, including the County of Fresno, the City of Clovis, the Pinedale Public Utility District, and the Pinedale Water District. The area served by the City’s collection system includes residential, commercial, and industrial uses. A majority of the City’s wastewater is collected and conveyed to the RWRF for treatment, with a small portion being treated by the NFWRF. Wastewater service for Clovis is also provided by City facilities and the RWRF, however a small portion of Clovis is served by their own wastewater treatment facility. The Wastewater Management Division (WMD) of the City’s Department of Public Utilities is responsible for the collection, conveyance, treatment, and reclamation of wastewater generated by users in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area.
The City’s wastewater collection system consists of approximately 1,500 miles of gravity sewer lines ranging from 8 inches to 84 inches in diameter, 15 active lift stations, 1.7 miles of force mains, 23,000+ manholes, and 54 junction structures. The wastewater collection system primarily conveys wastewater via gravity flow from the northeast to the southwest, ultimately to the Fresno-Clovis RWRF. The system consists of pipe of varying material, with the majority being composed of either vitrified clay pipe (VCP) (56.2 percent of system piping) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe (30.8 percent of system piping).
34 Wastewater collection begins at each user/land type, in which a house branch connects the user to the wastewater collection system. The house branches (typically 4 to 12 inches in size) will normally connect to a sewer lateral (collection pipelines, typically 13 to 33 inches in size), which will convey wastewater to a main or trunk sewer (typically 34 inches or larger in size). Main or trunk sewers collect wastewater from a number of services as they make their way toward a treatment plant.
Manholes are placed within runs of sewer mains at regular intervals to facilitate access for maintenance of the mains, as well as at changes in direction of the sewer main. Lift stations may be located strategically throughout the system to provide the necessary lift when the natural alignment of a gravity pipeline becomes inefficient (e.g., too deep or insufficient slope). The City has a number of monitoring stations that actively collect and log flow data for the wastewater system. Additionally, the City has many junction structures/special structures that can be used to control flow distribution between downstream sewers.
Since 1968, the City has administered a Mandatory Sewering Ordinance which is included in the City’s Municipal Code (Section 6-303, “Sewer Connection Required”), which requires that all properties within the City’s service area shall be connected to the City’s sanitary sewer system if it is
34 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-14 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx available, and all septic tank/cesspool systems shall be abandoned. A sewer system is considered “available” if a sewer main has been constructed and is available for use in a public street, alley, or right-of-way within 100 feet for the first unit plus 50 feet for each additional unit, to be measured along the public street, alley, or right-of-way from the nearest property line to the sewer main. Any existing development within the Plan Area currently served by a septic tank system will be required to connect to the future sewer mains constructed to serve the area within 3 years after the sewer system becomes available and pay all associated fees.
The most recent version of the Wastewater Master Plan is the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update (Wastewater Master Plan), completed in September 2015.35 The Wastewater Master Plan is intended to be the guiding document in planning and implementing sewer system improvements to accommodate future growth to buildout of the General Plan. The Wastewater Master Plan includes in depth analysis of the existing and projected wastewater flows of the City based on the General Plan development buildout conditions and includes a number of proposed facilities to accommodate future development, including those for the Plan Area.
Under the Statewide General Wastewater Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems, the City was required to develop and maintain a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) to provide a mechanism to properly manage, operate, and maintain all parts of the sanitary sewer system with the goal of reducing and preventing sanitary system overflows (SSOs), which is a release of untreated or partially treated wastewater resulting in public exposure, regardless of whether the wastewater reaches waters of the United States or not, or wastewater backups into buildings and onto private property that are caused by blockages in the City’s portion of the sanitary sewer system. The City’s first SSMP was approved in 2009 and several revisions have been issued since; the latest revision was approved in 2019.
36 The City’s SSMP must:
• Establish the legal authority to prevent illicit discharges into its sanitary sewer system; • Require that sewers and connections be properly designed and constructed; • Ensure access for maintenance, inspection, or repairs for those portions of the lateral owned or maintained by the City;
• Limit the discharge of fats, oils, and grease and other debris that may cause blockages; and • Enforce any violation of its sewer ordinances.
Project Site
The SEDA Specific Plan Area is referred to as an “Area of Change” in the Wastewater Master Plan (specifically as a “New Growth Area”) and is characterized as a growth area that will contribute to an expansion of the service area and increased wastewater flows.
35 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
36 City of Fresno Wastewater Management Division. 2019. Sewer System Management Plan. March.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-15
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx Several new sewer pipelines were proposed to accommodate projected wastewater flows analyzed in the Wastewater Master Plan. These included a number of proposed sewer mains and related facilities for the Plan Area. These include a series of trunk sewers and laterals, as well as a satellite wastewater reclamation/scalping plant.
The proposed improvements for the Plan Area included in the Wastewater Master Plan were determined based on wastewater modeling and analysis of the General Plan buildout condition, which assumes full development of all developable sites within the General Plan boundary. The Wastewater Master Plan defined its study area boundary as the City’s SOI as defined in the General Plan, which includes all land within the city limits (excluding the RWRF), County islands (unincorporated land surrounded by the City), and lands that are expected to be annexed by the City, which include the land beyond the outer city limits on all sides. The Wastewater Master Plan study area was intended to include the existing city limits and development that could occur through buildout of the City’s General Plan. The proposed improvements in the Plan Area were developed to accommodate future growth as identified by the hydraulic analysis completed as part of the Wastewater Master Plan.
Long-Term Treatment Capacity Plans
In partnership with the City of Clovis, the City of Fresno owns and operates the Fresno-Clovis RWRF located near the intersection of Jensen and Cornelia Avenues in southwest Fresno. The RWRF receives and treats the majority of domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater generated within the Cities of Fresno and Clovis, as well was some unincorporated areas of Fresno County. The RWRF is currently operated by the City, who holds responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance with WDRs and the Central Valley RWQCB Order No. 5-01-254, “Waste Discharge Requirements for Cities of Fresno and Clovis Wastewater Treatment Facility, Fresno County.” The City also owns and operates the NFWRF located in northeast Fresno on the north side of Copper Avenue between Cedar and Maple Avenues. This facility receives and treats wastewater generated within a small area of the City generally bound by Copper, Friant, and Willow Avenues, including wastewater generated from Copper River Ranch.
Wastewater is treated via primary (removal of materials that will float or settle) and secondary (biological processes to remove suspended and dissolved solids) treatment, after which it is deposited into infiltration ponds to allow percolation through the soil, serving as another level of treatment. The City operates federally mandated industrial pretreatment programs to prevent the introduction of pollutants into publicly owned treatment works that could impact the collection infrastructure and pass through to receiving waters. Industries are also billed for sewer service depending on the amount of water used or effluent discharged, and the strength of their wastewater measured as pounds of biochemical oxygen demand and pounds of total suspended solids. Reducing the strength of their wastewater to reduce sewerage costs becomes an incentive for industries to improve the water quality of their wastewater effluent.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-16 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility
The RWRF has a rated annual monthly average daily discharge flow of 80 MGD and an maximum monthly average daily discharge flow of 88 MGD,37 but the average annual flow is approximately 68 mgd.38 The RWRF uses an activated sludge wastewater treatment process which produces undisinfected secondary-treated wastewater. Most of the treated wastewater is disposed into on- site disposal ponds for percolation through the underlying soils and into the groundwater basin.
Some of the treated wastewater is also conveyed to farmers for restricted irrigation of non-food crops on agricultural land on surrounding properties. The RWRF also owns and operates a number of reclamation wells that extract water from on-site percolation ponds and discharges that water into FID canals for irrigation use of farmland downstream of the RWRF.
The RWRF also generates disinfected tertiary treated wastewater. The disinfected tertiary treated wastewater is delivered through a network of pipelines to various recycled water use areas around the City, mainly for irrigation of landscaping at sites including but not limited to parks, median landscape strips, and cemeteries.
North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility
The NFWRF is a tertiary level treatment facility, and the treated wastewater is mainly used for irrigation of the Copper River Country Club and Golf Course. The permitted capacity of the plant is
0.71 mgd average monthly flow and 1.07 mgd maximum daily flow.39 Wastewater Generation
Generally, wastewater consists of base wastewater flow and wet weather flow. Base wastewater flow is generated by routine water usage in the residential, commercial, business, and industrial sectors of the collection system. Wet weather flow includes stormwater inflow, trench infiltration, and wet weather ground water infiltration. Base wastewater flow also includes dry weather groundwater infiltration, which is groundwater that enters the sewer system when the relative depth of the groundwater table is higher than the depth of the pipeline and defects exist in the pipe, such as cracks, misaligned joints, or breaks which allows infiltration into the system. In Fresno, the depth to groundwater table is substantial, and therefore dry weather groundwater infiltration has little to no influence on the collection system.
40 Wet weather flow includes those flows listed above; the stormwater inflow and trench infiltration comprise the term “Infiltration and Inflow,” also known as I/I. Wet weather flow can also be affected by groundwater infiltration in that the groundwater table elevation may rise during storm events. As mentioned though, the depth to groundwater level in the City is very large and thus has no noticeable effect on wastewater flow.
37 Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineer, Inc. 2015. Engineering Report for the Production, Distribution and Use of Recycled Water.
September.
38 City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities. Wastewater Facilities and Infrastructure, Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF). Website: https://www.fresno.gov/publicutilities/sewer-wastewater/wastewater-facilities- infrastructure/#tab-2. Accessed April 8, 2022.
39 City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities. Wastewater Facilities and & Infrastructure, North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility (NFWRF). Website https://www.fresno.gov/publicutilities/sewer-wastewater/wastewater-facilities-infrastructure/#tab-3.
Accessed April 8, 2022.
40 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-17
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx Base wastewater flows are diurnal in nature, taking on patterns of generation that depend on the type of use and hours of use. Commercial and industrial patterns typically have higher flows during business hours and lower flows at night, and weekend flow patterns may vary when compared to weekday flows.
I/I affects all sewer systems. Infiltration occurs when stormwater slowly seeps into the sewer system by percolating through the soil and entering through defects in the pipes, manholes, and joints.
Inflow occurs when stormwater rapidly flows into the sewer system through more readily available entrances, such as storm drain cross connections, leaky manhole covers, illegal storm drain connections, and sewer cleanouts. I/I increases the flow volume and peak flows and can cause overflows if the sewer system is operating at capacity at the time of I/I occurrence. Per the Wastewater Master Plan, the City’s wastewater collection system exhibits relatively low I/I as a whole, though some areas experience higher rates of I/I.
Per the Wastewater Master Plan, the peak wet weather flow (PWWF) is the highest observed hourly flow that occurs following the design storm event, and that the City’s sewer and lift stations were evaluated based on their capacity to convey this flow, referred to synonymously as the “design flow.” Analysis was also completed for the base wastewater flow. The Wastewater Master Plan indicates that the buildout base wastewater flow will be 129.9 mgd, 41 and that the PWWF will be 202.4 mgd.
The peak dry weather flow (PDWF) was also calculated as 164.7 mgd at buildout.41 The base wastewater flow, also known as the average dry wastewater flow, will be used for analysis of the General Plan and Specific Plan wastewater capacities presented in this report. The RWRF has a buildout capacity of 88 mgd.
Project Site
The proposed improvements for the Plan Area included in the Wastewater Master Plan were determined based on wastewater modeling and analysis of the General Plan buildout condition, which assumes full development of all developable sites within the General Plan boundary. The Wastewater Master Plan defined its study area boundary as the City’s SOI as defined in the General Plan, which includes all land within the city limits (excluding the RWRF), County islands (unincorporated land surrounded by the City), and lands that are expected to be annexed by the City, which include the land beyond the outer city limits on all sides. The Wastewater Master Plan study area was intended to include the existing city limits and development that could occur through buildout of the City’s General Plan. The proposed improvements in the Plan Area were developed to accommodate future growth as identified by the hydraulic analysis completed as part of the Wastewater Master Plan.
The land use assumptions in the Wastewater Master Plan were based on the General Plan and projected future developments within the City’s proposed growth boundary. The Wastewater Master Plan includes wastewater flow factors that were established based on the average wastewater flow generated for each existing land use type in Fresno and calculated from the General Plan land use
41 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-18 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx classifications in gallons per day per acre (gpd/ac).42 These factors were used to project the estimated wastewater flow through buildout of the City’s General Plan boundary and were used in the analysis of the Plan Area wastewater generation.
The technical analysis of the impacts of land use changes in the Plan Area was focused on comparing the change in wastewater flow generation from the General Plan land use case to the Specific Plan land use case to determine potential impacts to the wastewater collection system as completed in the Wastewater Technical Study (See Appendix I). The SEDA Specific Plan does not use the same land use classifications as defined in the General Plan and instead has developed SEDA-specific land use classifications. The SEDA-specific land uses are similar in nature to many of the General Plan land uses, and similarities can be drawn between the two land use categories. Thus, a number of reasonable assumptions were made to determine equivalent General Plan land uses for each SEDA- specific land use in order to utilize the wastewater flow factors for General Plan land uses previously established in the Wastewater Master Plan.
Total wastewater generations were determined by utilizing the wastewater generation rates in the Wastewater Master Plan, and the land use classification areas for the General Plan and the Specific Plan. The total wastewater produced by the Plan Area based on the General Plan case was compared to that of the Specific Plan case, resulting in the total change in wastewater generation for the Plan Area. The total General Plan base wastewater flow for the Specific Plan Area was found to be 9.86 mgd, and the Specific Plan base wastewater flow for the Specific Plan Area was found to be 11.32 mgd, resulting in an increase of wastewater flow of approximately 1.46 mgd, or 15 percent.
Stormwater
This section describes existing City of Fresno stormwater collection infrastructure, as well as existing and projected stormwater runoff for the current General Plan and proposed Specific Plan.
Generation and Collection
Stormwater runoff collection and disposal for the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area is provided by the FMFCD. The FMFCD provides flood control within an approximately 400 square mile watershed in Fresno County, generally located between the Kings River and San Joaquin River, and extending up into the Sierra Nevada foothills. FMFCD also provides urban storm drainage, groundwater recharge, and recreation spaces in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area, as well as Clean Water Act (CWA) pollution prevention compliance assistance.
FMFCD’s flood control program consists of a system of major facilities and operations that control flows from a number of low-elevation streams that drain a portion of the west slope of the Sierra Nevada between the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers. The system consists of numerous flood control facilities including various dams and reservoirs, as well as many related streams and channels. The FMFCD is responsible for flood control and stormwater planning and management; the District Services Plan (DSP)
43 provides comprehensive policies and implementation actions for flood control,
42 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
43 Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. 2016. District Services Plan.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-19
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx rural streams management, local stormwater drainage, stormwater quality management, water conservation, recreation, and related wildlife management. The FMFCD coordinates with cities and the County of Fresno via a framework provided in the Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan (Storm Drain Master Plan), which is prepared by the FMFCD as a specific element within the general plan of each agency. The Storm Drain Master Plan identifies urban and rural drainage area boundaries, computes runoff flows based on planned land use, identifies facility size and location, establishes street grades necessary to accomplish drainage of the runoff from the point of origin to the nearest collector facility, and identifies natural channels requiring preservation.
Stormwater collection in the City is typically completed via FMFCD facilities. It begins with street gutters that collect and convey stormwater runoff to storm drain inlets. The runoff is collected in these inlets and delivered to FMFCD’s pipe networks, pump stations, and infiltration basins for groundwater recharge. Most runoff is discharged into recharge basins, but during heavy rainfall events, excess runoff overflows into a system of relief channels and canals that discharge to the San Joaquin River, its tributary streams, local agricultural canals, and FID facilities.
The Storm Drain Master Plan divides FMFCD’s service area into many local drainage areas of one to two square miles throughout the City. All inlets, pipes, and pump stations within each drainage area are maintained by the FMFCD. The gutters, along with public streets and sidewalks, are maintained by the City’s Street Maintenance Division. It is assumed that this maintenance agreement will remain in place for the foreseeable future. The FMFCD’s Storm Drain Master Plan includes 165 adopted or proposed drainage areas, with all but five areas served by a retention or detention facility. FMFCD basins have been sized for capacities not less than 60 percent of average annual runoff; 44 FMFCD
allows a 20 percent change in volume before basins need to be resized or relocated.45 Retention basins are designed to provide storage for up to 6 inches of rainfall on the drainage area watershed given typical runoff to rainfall ratios used for urban drainage design.
FMFCD pipes range in size from 15 to 108 inches, and basins range in size from 5 to 25 acres. The drainage areas are delineated along topographic boundaries and are limited in size from 200 to 600 acres. This size limitation helps reduce the size requirements of the collection and disposal facilities.
FMFCD utilizes three means to implement drainage systems for the Metropolitan Area. One method is the use of Community Block Grants from the federal and State governments and low interest infrastructure loans from the State of California to construct drainage facilities in the older, previously developed areas of the City. A second method is to form assessment districts under the provisions of the 1915 Bond Act; assessment districts were formed based on drainage area boundaries, the parcels within the assessment districts were assessed a proportional share of the cost of the collection and disposal system, and the drainage system for the drainage area was constructed. The third and currently employed method is to collect drainage fees from parcels as they develop based on their prorated share of the cost of the drainage area collection and disposal systems. The implementing ordinance for the drainage fee structure is adopted by the City, and the drainage fees are collected by the City when entitlements are granted or building permits are issued.
44 Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. 2016. District Services Plan. 45 Placeworks. 2017. Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report. August.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-20 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx FMFCD is also a primary participant in groundwater recharge for the City. Unlined retention basins provide recharge of both stormwater runoff and imported water from the San Joaquin River and Kings River. Through a cooperative agreement, the City uses FID canals to deliver allocated water from the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers to these basins for groundwater recharge.
Flood Control
FMFCD provides flood control measures on major creeks and waterways that drain to the City; these waterways include Big Dry Creek, Alluvial Drain, Pup Creek, Dog Creek, Redbank Creek, Mud Creek, and Fancher Creek. The flood control measures maintained are designed for the 0.5 percent exceedance interval (i.e., 200-year-return frequency) flood flow event, which include a series of dams and detention basins. These include the Big Dry Creek Dam, Fancher Creek Dam, Redbank Dam, Friant Dam, Alluvial Drainage Detention Basin, Pup Creek Detention Basin, Redbank Creek Detention Basin, Fancher Creek Detention Basin, and Big Dry Creek Detention Basin.
Project Site
In accordance with the Storm Drain Master Plan and other planning documents, the FMFCD is developing improvements for the Specific Plan Area for storm drain facilities. The Specific Plan Area encompasses all or part of the following existing drainage areas: BG, BL, BM, BS, CS, DS and, DV.
Proposed drainage areas for SEDA include DT, DU, DW, DX, DY , and DZ. Most of the existing drainage areas include existing storm drain collection facilities, while the proposed drainage areas generally have no existing storm drain facilities. Areas DS and DV are the exceptions in that they are existing drainage areas with basins but have not yet been built out to Master Plan conditions.
FMFCD improvements include storm drain inlets and piping, which are being analyzed and developed in conjunction with the proposed land uses within the Plan Area. Those portions of the Plan Area encompassed in existing drainage areas include master planned utilities designed by FMFCD.
There are seven existing basins contributing to stormwater collection for the Plan Area, and six proposed basins within the Plan Area. There are also two existing basins outside of the Plan Area that are not part of existing drainage areas, including the Redbank Basin and the Fancher Creek Basin, that may contribute to additional drainage capacity; however, these two basins were not considered in the analyses completed as part of the Storm Drain Technical Study (Appendix I).
FMFCD basins are designed for a capacity not less than 60 percent of average annual runoff. Per the FMFCD, the proposed drainage areas for SEDA have not been adopted yet and the basin locations have not been finalized; those presented here have been placed by FMFCD staff. 46 The Specific Plan
must be analyzed and evaluated for impacts on the aggregate area and each planned basin area.
An area’s runoff rate and volume are heavily affected by the amount of impervious surfaces within the area. Imperviousness is directly related to the type of land use and can either positively or negatively affect an area’s drainage capabilities with a change in impervious surfaces. A common characteristic that can define an area’s imperviousness, i.e., its ability to handle drainage during storm events, is its Equivalent Area, also known as the CA value. An area’s CA value is the product of
46 Wade, Denise. FMFCD Master Plan Special Projects Manager, FMFCD. Personal communication: email. February 22, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-21
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx a unique runoff coefficient (C) and its area (A). Runoff coefficients vary based on land use depending on a perceived level of imperviousness, i.e., areas with higher levels of impervious surfaces (e.g., shopping centers) will have higher runoff coefficients than those with less impervious surfaces (e.g., rural residential areas).
The analysis completed in the Storm Drain Technical Study compared the CA value of each existing and proposed drainage area within SEDA between the General Plan Land Uses and the SEDA Specific Plan Land Uses. For the General Plan land use analysis, the FMFCD’s “Recommended Design C- Factors for the City of Fresno” was used, and a set of preliminary C-values developed for SEDA land uses by FMFCD were used in completing the SEDA Specific Plan analysis. See the Storm Drain Technical Study for a full explanation of the analysis process and subsequent results.
The total runoff volume was determined for each drainage area under the General Plan and Specific Plan. In general, all drainage areas experienced some amount of increase in runoff volume. The proposed Specific Plan resulted in a total increase in stormwater runoff of 248 AF (23 AF of additional runoff to existing drainage areas, and 225 AF of additional runoff to proposed drainage areas). None of the existing basins experienced an increase of more than 20 percent, and all existing basins have sufficient capacity to accommodate the increase in runoff.
With regards to the proposed basins, there are two basins of concern – Basin DW and Basin DX.
Basin DW experiences a 16.2 percent increase in runoff volume, and while this does not exceed the 20 percent threshold, it does exceed the available volume of the proposed basin by 12.8 AF, meaning that FMFCD will need to reevaluate Basin DW’s capacity. The total runoff volume for Basin DX increased by 25.4 percent, which exceeds the 20 percent threshold. FMFCD will need to reevaluate either the basin’s size or location to accommodate this increase in runoff.
Solid Waste
Solid Waste Collection
The City diverts a majority of its solid waste away from landfills and into recycling and composting programs. Diversion conserves limited landfill space, keeps toxic chemicals and materials from contaminating landfills, and enhances the reuse of materials. A Council resolution commits the City to the goal of Zero Waste by the year 2025. The City’s Construction and Demolition Ordinance requires that the recycling of construction and demolition is required for any City-issued building, relocation or demolition permitted project that generates at least 8 cubic yards of material by volume and all waste must be hauled to a City-approved facility. 47 The City’s Solid Waste Division provides the following services: collection of residential and commercial solid waste, recyclables, and green waste throughout the community at least once a week; disposal of solid waste at the designated locations; provision and maintenance of containers; response to customer complaints/concerns; and provision of roll-off and compactor services to
47 City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities. Trash Disposal and Recycling, Multi-Family and Commercial Services, Construction and Demolition Waste. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/publicutilities/trash-disposal-recycling/multi-family-commercial-services/#tab-
3. Accessed June 17, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-22 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx residential customers. They also collect residential bulky goods through operation cleanup, as well as waste oil and waste oil filters.
In 2011, the City granted franchises for non-exclusive roll-off services to 16 roll-off companies for bins which were 10 cubic yards or greater. The City has also granted exclusive franchise agreements for the collection of commercial solid waste, recyclables and green waste to two franchises: Republic Services (formerly Allied Waste Services) is responsible for all commercial services north of Ashlan Avenue, and Mid Valley has all commercial locations south of Ashlan.48 Both haulers are responsible for Commercial, Multi-family, and Industrial up to 8 cubic yards, which fall into City jurisdiction. Both City and non-exclusive/exclusive franchise haulers provide and maintain containers, respond to customer complaints/concerns, and provide roll-off and compactor services to residential, multi- family, and commercial customers respective to their agreements. Garbage disposed of in the City of Fresno is taken to Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station (CARTS). Once trash has been off- loaded to the transfer station, it is sorted and non-recyclable solid waste is loaded onto large trucks and taken to the American Avenue Landfill.
The City and Fresno County co-sponsor two household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off events each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Additionally, the County provides a door-to-door program that provides HHW pickup for individuals who, because of special circumstances, cannot participate in the HHW drop-off events.
Project Site
Solid waste collection in the Specific Plan Area will continue as currently planned for City residents, and collection routes will be extended to the Plan Area. Solid waste generation will increase with the buildout of the Specific Plan Area, and thus solid waste collection systems will need to accommodate this increase in demand for service.
All new developments will need to abide by the City’s Construction and Diversion Ordinance. New developments may also need to create a Waste Management Plan per CALGreen requirements for on-site sorting of construction debris to be submitted to the City for approval.
Landfills
The American Avenue Landfill (American Avenue Disposal Site, Site Solid Waste Information System [SWIS] Number 10-AA-0009) is located approximately six miles southwest of Kerman. American Avenue Landfill is owned and operated by Fresno County and began operations in 1992 for both public and commercial solid waste haulers. The American Avenue Landfill is a sanitary landfill, meaning that it is a disposal site for non-hazardous solid waste spread in layers, compacted to the smallest practical volume, and covered by material applied at the end of each operating day.49
48 LSA. 2020. City of Fresno Program Environmental Impact Report. March. 49 City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities. Facilities & Infrastructure, American Avenue Landfill. Website:
https://www.fresno.gov/publicutilities/facilities-infrastructure__trashed/american-avenue-landfill/. Accessed June 17, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-23
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The American Avenue Landfill has a maximum permitted capacity of 32,700,000 cubic yards and a remaining capacity of 29,358,535 cubic yards, with an estimated closure date of August 31, 2031.
The maximum permitted throughput is 2,200 tons per day.50 One other active disposal site is located in Fresno County. The City of Clovis Landfill (SWIS Number 10-AA-0004) has a maximum permitted capacity of 7,800,000 cubic yards and a remaining capacity of 7,740,000 cubic yards, with an estimated closure date of April 30, 2047. The maximum throughput is 2,000 tons per day .51
Green waste hauled by the residential solid waste operations is delivered to one of two locations:
Earthwise/Green Valley Recycling located at 2365 North Avenue or West Coast Waste at 30777 Golden State Frontage Road, both of which are located within 0.25 mile of one another in southwest Fresno.
Commercial green waste and organics are delivered to Elm Avenue Recycling by Mid Valley and are then transferred to the Kerman facility and composted with organic compost, which is then used by organic farms in the region. Commercial green waste and organics being delivered by Allied Waste are taken to the Rice Road Transfer Station and trans-loaded into trucks to be delivered to Kochergen Farms for composting and land application.
Recycling collected by residential service is delivered to both CARTS and Elm Avenue Recycling. Both facilities have Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) which sort through the co-mingled recycling stream of materials. Commercial franchises deliver recycling to Elm Avenue Recycling only. The City and franchise haulers continue to work with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to educate customers and refine the various waste streams.
Project Site
Solid waste service will be extended to the Plan Area, and similar collection processes will be followed to collect refuse and deliver it to the proper locations, whether that be to a landfill or other sorting facility. Solid waste generation will increase with the buildout of the Specific Plan Area, and thus solid waste collection facilities will need to accommodate this increase in demand for service.
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications
Electricity
The State of California generates approximately 206,336 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity.
Approximately 43.0 percent of the energy generation is sourced from natural gas, 32.1 percent from renewable sources (i.e., solar, wind, and geothermal), 16.5 percent from large hydroelectric sources, and the remaining 8.4 percent is sourced from coal, nuclear, oil, and other nonrenewable sources.52
50 California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). 2019. Solid Waste Information System. Website:
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/Site/Search. Accessed July 8, 2022. 51 Ibid.
52 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2022. 2019 Total System Electric Generation. Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov/data- reports/energy-almanac/california-electricity-data/2020-total-system-electric-generation/2019. Accessed June 30, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-24 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx In 2022, California was the nation’s top producer of electricity from solar and geothermal, and second in production of biomass energy. The State was fourth in the nation in conventional hydroelectric power generation and was the second-largest state overall in total electricity generation from renewable sources. In 2022, California was the fourth-largest electricity producer in the nation, and the third-largest electricity consumer among the states, but its per capita energy consumption was less than in all other states except Hawaii, due in part to its mild climate and its energy efficiency programs.53
Electricity and natural gas are distributed through the various electric load-serving entities (LSEs) in California. These entities include investor-owned utilities (IOUs), publicly owned LSEs, rural electric cooperatives, community choice aggregators, and electric service providers.54 End-use electricity and gas customers in Fresno County are served solely by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to meet electrical power demands. As of 2022, PG&E’s portfolio contains 48 percent electricity generated from renewable sources.55 The smallest scale at which electricity consumption information is readily available is the County level. Therefore, electricity consumption in Fresno County is used herein to generally characterize the City’s existing electricity consumption. Fresno County includes several incorporated cities and a large unincorporated area. According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), Fresno County consumed approximately 8,378.0 GWh in 2021.
56 Natural Gas
Natural gas is used for everything from generating electricity to cooking and space heating to an alternative transportation fuel. In 2021, total natural gas demand in California for residential, commercial, industrial, vehicle fuel, and electric power generation was 2,033 billion cubic feet per year (BCF/year), up from 2,055 BCF/year in 2017. Demand in all sectors has fluctuated over the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
57 Natural gas-fired generation has become the dominant source of electricity in California, as it fuels about 45 percent of electricity consumption followed by hydroelectric power. Because natural gas is a resource that provides load when the availability of hydroelectric power generation and/or other sources decrease, use varies greatly from year to year. The availability of hydroelectric resources, the emergence of renewable resources for electricity generation, and overall consumer demand are the variables that shape natural gas use in electric generation.58
53 Energy Information Administration (EIA). 2022. California State Profile and Energy Estimates. Website:
https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CA. Accessed June 26, 2023. 54 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2019. Electric Load-Serving Entities (LSEs) in California. Website:
https://www.energy.ca.gov/almanac/electricity_data/utilities.html. Accessed June 24, 2022. 55 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). 2020. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report. 56 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2020. “Electricity Consumption by County.” Website:
https://ecdms.energy.ca.gov/elecbycounty.aspx. Accessed June 23, 2023. 57 United States Energy Information Administration (EIA). 2022. Natural Gas Consumption by End Use. Website:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/NG_CONS_SUM_DCU_SCA_A.htm. Accessed June 26, 2023. 58 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2022. Supply and Demand of Natural Gas in California. Website:
https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/californias-natural-gas-market/supply-and-demand-natural-gas-california.
Accessed June 26, 2023.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-25
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The City is served solely by PG&E to meet natural gas demands. PG&E has detailed information regarding a commitment to use renewable gas sources in the future but has not provided a current figure for renewable gas in their portfolio.
The smallest scale at which natural gas consumption information is readily available is at the County level; therefore, natural gas consumption in Fresno County is used herein to also characterize the City’s existing natural gas consumption. According to the CEC, Fresno County consumed approximately 318.9 million U.S. therms of natural gas in 2021, or approximately 31,890 billion BTU.59
Telecommunications
Various telecommunications companies provide internet and cellular service in the City of Fresno, including Xfinity, AT&T, Earthlink, Unwired, and Frontier. 60 Project Site
Electrical, natural gas, and telecommunications services will be extended to the Plan Area, and be served by the same suppliers. New utility facilities will be required to accommodate the increase in demand for service resulting from future development in accordance with the Specific Plan.
3.18.3 - Regulatory Framework
Federal
Water, Recycled Water, Wastewater, and Storm Drainage
Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national standards for drinking water, called the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, to protect against both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants (42 United States Code [USC] § 300f et seq). These standards set enforceable maximum contaminant levels in drinking water and require all water providers in the United States to treat water to remove contaminants, except for private wells serving fewer than 25 people. In California, the State Department of Health Services conducts most enforcement activities.
Clean Water Act (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) The Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, more commonly known as the CWA, regulates the discharge of pollutants into watersheds throughout the nation (33 USC § 1251 et seq.). Under the CWA, the EPA implements pollution control programs and sets wastewater standards.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was established within the CWA to regulate municipal and industrial discharges to surface waters of the United States.
Federal NPDES permit regulations have been established for broad categories of discharges, including point-source municipal waste discharges and nonpoint-source stormwater runoff. NPDES permits generally identify effluent and receiving water limits on allowable concentrations and/or
59 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2020. Gas Consumption by County. Website: https://ecdms.energy.ca.gov/gasbycounty.aspx.
Accessed June 23, 2023.
60 Top 5 Internet Service Providers Fresno. Website: Website: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/ca/fresno. Accessed June 30, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx mass emissions of pollutants contained in the discharge; prohibitions on discharges not specifically allowed under the permit; and provisions that describe required actions by the discharger, including industrial pretreatment, pollution prevention, self-monitoring, and other activities. Wastewater discharge is regulated under the NPDES permit program for direct discharges into receiving waters and by the National Pretreatment Program for indirect discharges to a sewage treatment plant.
Energy
Energy Independence and Security Act
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created the Renewable Fuel Standard program (2 USC § 13201 et seq.) The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) (Public Law 109-58. 42 USC §13201 et seq.) expanded this program by:
• Expanding the Renewable Fuel Standard program to include diesel in addition to gasoline; • Increasing the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into transportation fuel from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022; • Establishing new categories of renewable fuel, and setting separate volume requirements for each one; and
• Requiring the EPA to apply lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions performance threshold standards to ensure that each category of renewable fuel emits fewer GHGs than the petroleum fuel it replaces.
This expanded Renewable Fuel Standard program lays the foundation for achieving substantial reductions of GHG emissions from the use of renewable fuels, reducing the use of imported petroleum, and encouraging the development and expansion of the nation’s renewable fuels sector.
Signed on December 19, 2007, the EISA aims to:
• Move the United States toward greater energy independence and security. • Increase the production of clean renewable fuels.
• Protect consumers.
• Increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles. • Promote research on and deploy GHG capture and storage options. • Improve the energy performance of the federal government. • Increase U.S. energy security, develop renewable fuel production, and improve vehicle fuel economy.
EISA reinforces the energy reduction goals for federal agencies put forth in Executive Order 13423, as well as introduces more aggressive requirements. The three key provisions enacted are the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and appliance/lighting efficiency standards.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-27
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The EPA is committed to developing, implementing, and revising both regulations and voluntary programs under the following subtitles in EISA, among others:
• Increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
• Federal Vehicle Fleets
• Renewable Fuel Standard
• Biofuels Infrastructure
• Carbon Capture and Sequestration61
State
Water
California Water Code
The California Water Code, a section of the California Code of Regulations, is the governing law for all aspects of water management in California.
California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act
Under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne Act), which was passed in California in 1969, the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has the ultimate authority over State water rights and water quality policy (California Water Code Div. 7 § 13000 et seq.). The Porter-Cologne Act also established nine RWQCBs to oversee water quality on a day-to-day basis at the local and regional level. The RWQCBs engage in a number of water quality functions in their respective regions and regulate all pollutant or nuisance discharges that may affect either surface water or groundwater.
California Urban Water Management Planning Act
The Urban Water Management Planning Act requires that all urban water suppliers with at least 3,000 customers prepare UWMPs and update them every 5 years (California Water Code §§ 10610– 10656, 10608). The act requires that UWMPs include a description of water management tools and options used by that entity that will maximize resources and minimize the need to import water from other regions. Specifically, UWMPs must:
• Provide current and projected population, climate, and other demographic factors affecting the supplier’s water management planning;
• Identify and quantify, to the extent practicable, the existing and planned sources of water available to the supplier;
• Describe the reliability of the water supply and vulnerability to seasonal or climatic shortage; • Describe plans to supplement or replace that source with alternative sources or water demand management measures;
• Describe the opportunities for exchanges or transfers of water on a short-term or long-term basis (associated with systems that use surface water);
61 United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA). 2022. Summary of the Energy Independence and Security Act. Website:
https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-energy-independence-and-security-act. Accessed June 24, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-28 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx • Quantify past and current water use;
• Provide a description of the supplier’s water demand management measures, including schedule of implementation, program to measure effectiveness of measures, and anticipated water demand reductions associated with the measures; and • Assess the water supply reliability.
California Health and Safety Code
Section 64562 of the California Health and Safety Code establishes water supply requirements for service connections to public water systems. Before additional service connections can be permitted, enough water must be available to the public water system from its water sources and distribution reservoirs to adequately, dependably, and safely meet the total requirements of all water users under maximum-demand conditions.
California Senate Bills 610 and 221
SB 610 and SB 221 (Water Code § 10910(c)(2)) amended State law, effective January 1, 2002, to improve the link between information on water supply availability and certain land use decisions made by cities and counties.
62 SB 610 and SB 221 seek to promote more collaborative planning between local water suppliers and cities and counties by requiring that detailed information regarding water availability be provided to decision-makers prior to approval of specified large development projects. SB 610 requires that detailed information be included in a WSA, which is then included in the administrative record that serves as the evidentiary basis for an approval action by a city or county. SB 221 requires that the detailed information be included in a verification of water supply. Under SB 610, WSAs must be furnished to local governments for inclusion in any environmental documentation for certain projects (as defined in Water Code Section 10912(a)) subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
California Water Conservation Act
The California Water Conservation Act (SB X7-7) was enacted in November 2009 and requires each urban water supplier to select one of four water conservation targets contained in California Water Code Section 10608.20 with the Statewide goal of achieving a 20 percent reduction in urban per capita water use by 2020.63 Under SBX7-7, urban retail water suppliers were required to develop water use targets and submit a water management plan to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) by July 2011. The plan must include the baseline daily per capita water use, water use target, interim water use target, and compliance daily per capita water use.
California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
The California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) was adopted by the California Office of Administrative Law in September 2009 and requires local agencies to implement water efficiency measures as part of its review of landscaping plans.64 Local agencies can either adopt the MWELO or incorporate provisions of the ordinance into its own code requirements for landscaping.
62 Senate Bill 610 Water Supply Planning, Chapter 643, Statutes of 2001, Costa; SB 221 Land Use: Water Supplies, Chapter 642, Statutes of 2001, Kuehl.
63 Water Conservation Act of 2009, Senate Bill SB X7-7, Steinberg, 2009. 64 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), Title 23 CCR, Div. 2, Chap. 2.7 §490 et seq.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.18-29
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The County has not adopted a local ordinance, but the City has incorporated the requirements of the MWELO into their municipal code (Chapter 11, “Building Permits and Regulations,” and Chapter 15, “Citywide Development Code;” see Local Regulations section below).
California Groundwater Management Act of 1992
The California Groundwater Management Act (GWMA) was signed into law in 1992 and made groundwater management part of the California Water Code (California Water Code Division 6, Part
2.75, Chapters 1-5, §§ 10750-10755.4). First introduced as Assembly Bill (AB) 3030, the GWMA established specific procedures on how Groundwater Management Plans (GWMPs) are to be developed and adopted by local agencies. The intent of the GWMA is to encourage local agencies to work cooperatively to manage groundwater resources within their jurisdictions and to provide a methodology for developing a GWMP . The GWMA has since been modified by SB 1938 in 2002 and AB 359 in 2011.
• AB 3030 provided a systematic procedure for existing local agencies to develop GWMPs. • SB 1938 modified the GWMA by requiring any public agency seeking State funds administered through the DWR for the construction of groundwater projects to prepare and implement a GWMP.
• AB359 further modified the GWMA by requiring public agencies to prepare and implement GWMPs with an additional required component that focused on identifying groundwater recharge areas. It also included several plan adoption procedural changes, requires GWMPs to be submitted to DWR, and requires DWR to provide public access to this information.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
SGMA includes a three-bill legislative package composed of AB 1739, SB 1168, and SB 1319 (Division. 6, Part 2.74 §§ 10720-10737.8). SGMA requires local agencies to form GSAs for high and medium priority basins and develop and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) to avoid and mitigate overdraft of groundwater within 20 years. SGMA places the authority of groundwater management with local agencies; it establishes a definition of sustainable groundwater management, establishes a framework for local agencies to develop plans and implement strategies to sustainably manage groundwater resources, prioritizes basins with the greatest problems, and sets a 20-year timeline for implementation.
CALGreen Building Code
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) adopted the nation’s first green building standards in 2008 (Title 25 California Code of Regulations [CCR] Part 11). The standards code was adopted to apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use, and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure, unless otherwise indicated in the California Code of Regulations, throughout California. CALGreen established planning and design standards for sustainable site development including water conservation. CALGreen provisions became effective on January 1, 2011. The purpose of the CALGreen provisions is to improve public health, safety, and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of concepts City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-30 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx having reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices.
California Plumbing Code
The California Plumbing Code serves to prevent disorder in the industry and to consolidate plumbing codes utilized by local jurisdictions to reduce confusion and conflicts among varying practices (Title 24 CCR Part 5). The California Plumbing Code covers water fixtures, potable and nonpotable water systems, and recycled water systems, among other topics. Recycled water supply and distribution shall comply with all applicable provisions of the current edition of the California Plumbing Code.
Recycled Water
State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water The State Water Board adopted their Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water on December 11, 2018, and it became effective on April 8, 2019.65 The policy was adopted to encourage the safe use of recycled water from wastewater sources that implement State and federal water quality laws and protects public health and the environment. It is designed to provide direction to the State and RWQCBs when issuing permits for recycled water projects; it describes the circumstances under which permittees may enroll under Statewide water reclamation requirements for recycled water use or choose an alternate permitting mechanism. The intent of the policy is to expedite the permitting of recycled water projects in a manner that implements State and federal water quality laws while allowing the RWQCBs to focus their resources on projects that require substantial regulatory review due to unique site-specific conditions.
Title 22, California Code of Regulations
Title 22 “Social Security,” of the California Code of Regulations contains a number of requirements and regulations for the production, distribution, and use of recycled water. This section of the California Code of Regulations includes numerous requirements for the use of recycled water.
Recycled water intended for nonpotable reuse can be used in many ways depending on the level of treatment. Such uses include irrigation (parks, schools, roadway medians, etc.), cooling, impoundments, toilets, industrial processes, decorative fountains, structural firefighting, commercial laundries, etc. Areas that utilize recycled water must meet certain use area requirements included in Title 22, including proper marking of recycled water improvements and appropriate cross- connection facilities. Title 22 also includes provisions for dual use sites and required reporting and monitoring for all use cases. Any sites utilizing recycled water are required to meet all regulations and requirements of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
Wastewater
Sanitary District Act of 1923
The Sanitary District Act of 1923 (California Health and Safety Code § 6400, et seq.) authorized the formation of sanitation districts and enforces the districts to construct, operate, and maintain facilities for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater. The Sanitary District Act was
65 Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water, State Water Resources Control Board California Environmental Protection Agency.
December 11, 2018.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx amended in 1949 to allow the districts to also provide solid waste management and disposal services, including refuse transfer and resource recovery.
Storm Drainage
National Flood Insurance Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is mandated to evaluate flood hazards as a result of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973.
FEMA provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for local and regional planners to promote efficient land and floodplain development and to identify potential flood areas based on current conditions. The National Flood Insurance Program provides flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and businesses, and works with communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding effects. FEMA completes Flood Insurance Studies to delineate a FIRMs.
Statewide General Construction Permit
The State Water Board issued the General Construction Permit (GCP), Order No. 2012-0006-DWQ, which requires construction projects of one (1) acre or larger to file specific Permit Registration Documents with the State Water Board prior to beginning construction.66 The documents include a Notice of Intent (NOI), risk assessment, site map, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), annual fee, and a signed certification statement. The SWPPP must include applicable Best Management Practices (BMP) to be enacted during construction to prevent soil erosion and discharge of other construction-related pollutants that could contaminate nearby water resources.
The SWPPP must also include a visual monitoring plan, a chemical monitoring program for nonvisible pollutants, and a sediment monitoring plan. The GCP also includes post-construction runoff reduction requirements.
Solid Waste
California Integrated Waste Management Act
To minimize the amount of solid waste that must be disposed of by transformation and land disposal, the State Legislature passed AB 939, the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, effective January 1990. The legislation required each local jurisdiction in the State to set diversion requirements of 25 percent in 1995 and 50 percent in 2000; established a comprehensive Statewide system of permitting, inspections, enforcement, and maintenance for solid waste facilities; and authorized local jurisdictions to impose fees based on the types or amounts of solid waste generated. In 2007, amendments to the California Integrated Waste Management Act introduced a new per capita disposal and goal measurement system that moves the emphasis from an estimated diversion measurement number to using an actual disposal measurement number as a per capita disposal rate factor. As such, the new disposal-based indicator (pounds per person per year) uses only two factors: a jurisdiction’s population (or in some cases employment) and its disposal as reported by disposal facilities.
66 California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board). Order No. 2012-0006-DWQ, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities. 2012.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx Assembly Bill 341
In 2011, AB 341 was passed, which set a State policy goal of not less than 75 percent of solid waste that is generated to be source reduced, recycled, or composted by the year 2020, and annually thereafter. The bill requires all businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of garbage per week and multi-family dwellings with five or more units to recycle/create a recycling program.
CalRecycle was required to submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2014, outlining the strategy to be used to achieve this policy goal. This bill affects local governments in that each jurisdiction is required to implement a commercial solid waste recycling program that consists of education, outreach, and monitoring of businesses. An annual report of the progress of such efforts is required by law. CalRecycle is responsible for reviewing each jurisdiction’s commercial recycling program.
California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act of 1991 The California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act requires areas in development projects to be set aside for collecting and loading recyclable materials (Public Resources Code [PRC] 30 Part 3, Chapter 18). The California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act requires CalRecycle to develop a model ordinance for adoption by any local agency relating to adequate areas for collection and loading of recyclable materials as part of development projects. Local agencies are required to adopt the model, or an ordinance of their own, providing for adequate areas in development projects for the collection and locating of recyclable materials.
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Scoping Plan
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (also known as AB 32) Scoping Plan, which was adopted by the California Air Resources Board (ARB), included a Mandatory Commercial Recycling Measure. The Mandatory Commercial Recycling Measure focuses on diverting commercial waste as a means to reduce GHG emissions, with the goal of reducing GHG emissions by 5 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), consistent with the 2020 targets set by AB 32. To achieve this objective, the commercial sector needed to recycle an additional 2 to 3 million tons of materials annually by the year 2020.
CalRecycle adopted this measure at its January 17, 2012, monthly public meeting. The regulation was approved by the Office of Administrative Law on May 7, 2012, and became effective immediately. On June 27, 2012, the Governor signed SB 1018, which included an amendment requiring both businesses that generate four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week and multi-family residences with five or more units to arrange for recycling services. This requirement became effective on July 1, 2012.
CALGreen Building Code
The purpose of CALGreen is to improve public health, safety, and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts having a reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices related to material conservation and resource efficiency (Title 24 CCR Part 11). The provisions of this code apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use, and occupancy of every newly City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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Section 4.408, Construction Waste Reduction Disposal and Recycling, of the CALGreen Building Code mandates that, in the absence of a more stringent local ordinance, a minimum of 50 percent of non- hazardous construction and demolition debris must be recycled or salvaged. CALGreen requires the applicant to have a Waste Management Plan for on-site sorting of construction debris, which is submitted to the City for approval.
The Waste Management Plan does the following:
• Identifies the materials to be diverted from disposal by recycling, reuse on the project, or salvage for future use or sale.
• Specifies if materials will be sorted on-site or mixed for transportation to a diversion facility. • Identifies the diversion facility where the material collected can be taken. • Identifies construction methods employed to reduce the amount of waste generated. • Specifies that the amount of materials diverted shall be calculated by weight or volume, but not by both.
Energy
California Senate Bill 1078: Renewable Electricity Standards On September 12, 2002, former Governor Gray Davis signed SB 1078, requiring California to generate 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2017. SB 107 changed the due date to 2010 instead of 2017. On November 17, 2008, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-14-08, which established a Renewable Portfolio Standard target for California requiring that all retail sellers of electricity serve 33 percent of their load with renewable energy by 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger also directed the ARB (Executive Order S-21-09) to adopt a regulation by July 31, 2010, requiring the State’s LSEs to meet a 33 percent renewable energy target by 2020. The CARB Board approved the Renewable Electricity Standard on September 23, 2010, by Resolution 10-23.
California Code of Regulations Title 24
California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6 (California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings) of the California Code of Regulations was first adopted in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California’s energy consumption. The standards are updated periodically to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy-efficient technologies and methods. Energy-efficient buildings require less electricity; therefore, increased energy efficiency reduces fossil fuel consumption and decreases GHG emissions. The 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards went into effect on January 1, 2017. 67 The 2019 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards went into effect on January 1, 2020.
67 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2016. 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards Frequently Asked Questions.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx California Public Utilities Code
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates privately owned telecommunication, electric, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. It is the responsibility of the CPUC to (1) assure California utility customers safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates; (2) protect utility customers from fraud; and (3) promote a healthy California economy. The Public Utilities Code, adopted by the legislature, defines the jurisdiction of the CPUC.
Local
Water
Fresno General Plan68
The City’s General Plan contains the following goals, policies, and objectives relevant to the provision of water service and facilities:
Objective PU-3 Enhance the level of fire protection to meet the increasing demand for services from an increasing population.
Policy PU-3-f Adequate Infrastructure. Continue to pursue the provision of adequate water supplies, hydrants, and appropriate property access to allow for adequate fire suppression throughout the City.
Objective PU-8 Manage and Develop the City’s water facilities on a strategic timeline basis that recognizes the long life cycle of the assets and the duration of the resources, to ensure a safe, economical, and reliable water supply for existing customers and planned urban development and economic diversification.
Policy PU-8-a Forecast Need. Use available and innovative tools, such as computerized flow modeling to determine system capacity, as necessary to forecast demand on water production and distribution systems by urban development, and to determine appropriate facility needs.
Policy PU-8-b Potable Water Supply and Cost Recovery. Prepare for provision of increased potable water capacity (including surface water treatment capacity) in a timely manner to facilitate planned urban development consistent with the General Plan.
Accommodate increase in water demand from the existing community with the capital costs and benefits allocated equitably and fairly between existing users and new users, as authorized by law, and recognizing the differences in terms of quantity, quality and reliability of the various types of water in the City’s portfolio.
Policy PU-8-c Conditions of Approval. Set appropriate conditions of approval for each new development proposal to ensure that the necessary potable water production and supply facilities and water resources are in place prior to occupancy.
68 Dyett & Bhatia Urban and Regional Planners, Fresno General Plan. December 2014.
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Policy PU-8-f Water Quality. Continue to evaluate and implement measures determined to be appropriate and consistent with water system policies, including prioritizing the use of groundwater, installing wellhead treatment facilities, and enhancing Transmission Grid Mains to promote adequate water quality and quantity.
Policy PU-8-g Review Project Impact on Supply. Mitigate the effects of development and capital improvement projects on the long-range water budget to ensure an adequate water supply for current and future users.
Objective RC-6 Ensure that Fresno has a reliable, long-range source of drinkable water.
Policy RC-6-a Regional Efforts. Support cooperative, multi-agency regional water resource planning efforts and activities on developing and implementing the Upper Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.
Policy RC-6-b Water Plans. Adopt and Implement ordinances, standards, and policies to achieve the intent of the City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan, Fresno-Area Regional Groundwater management Plan, and City of Fresno Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan to ensure a dependable supply of water.
Policy RC-6-c Land Use and Development Compliance. Ensure that land use and development projects adhere to the objective of the Fresno Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan to provide sustainable and reliable water supplies to meet the demand of existing and future customers through 2025.
Objective RC-7 Promote water conservation through standards, incentives and capital investments.
County of Fresno Revised 2000 General Plan69
Goal PF-C To ensure the availability of an adequate and safe water supply for domestic and agricultural consumption.
Policy PF-C.1 Retain Existing Water Supplies. The County shall actively engage in efforts and support the efforts of others within Fresno County to retain existing water supplies and to restore the water supplies that have diminished to the extent possible.
Policy PF-C.3 Surface Water Use. To reduce demand on the County’s groundwater resources, the County shall encourage the use of surface water to the maximum extent feasible.
69 Fresno County, Fresno County General Plan Policy Document, General Plan Update. October 2000.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Policy PF-C.12 Adequate Sustainable Water Supply. The County shall approve new development only if an adequate sustainable water supply to serve such development is demonstrated.
Fresno Municipal Code–Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance As mentioned, the MWELO requires local agencies to implement water efficiency measures as part of its review of landscaping plans. Local agencies can either adopt the MWELO or incorporate provisions of the ordinance into its own code requirements for landscaping. Section 11 of Chapter 11, “Building Permits and Regulations,” and Section 23 of Chapter 15, “Citywide Development Code,” of the City Municipal Code, include requirements for landscape design and incorporates the requirements of the California MWELO, among other State codes and regulations. For new landscaping projects of 2,500 square feet of more that require a discretionary or ministerial approval, the applicant is required to submit a detailed “Landscape Documentation Package” that discusses water efficiency, soil management, and landscape design elements.
City of Fresno Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan The City of Fresno’s Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan (Metro Plan) was prepared to document the existing conditions of the City’s water system and facilitate future water resources decisions and facilities improvements. Phase 1
70 consists of a baseline system characterization,
Phase 271 consists of the development and evaluation of future water supplies, Phase 372 consists of implementation of the management plan, and Phase 473 included the preparation of an EIR for the City. Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 8 of Phase 2 discuss objectives, goals, and policies related to potable water, including water conservation (Chapter 4), groundwater (Chapter 5), surface water (Chapter 6), and future water supplies (Chapter 8). It should be noted that this plan was prepared in 2011, and a number of the stated objectives/goals/policies have already been completed. The City is currently in the process of updating the Metro Plan.
Urban Water Management Plan
The City’s UWMP was prepared as a requirement of the Urban Water Management Planning Act (UWMPA) (California Water Code, Division 6, Part 2.6, §§ 10610–10656). The UWMP outlines a water supplier’s long-term water resource planning to ensure sufficient water supplies for existing and future demands; it essentially sets the roadmap for how the City will utilize water over the coming years. UWMPs are updated and submitted to the DWR every 5 years. The UWMPA applies to urban water suppliers with 3,000 or more connections being serve or supplying more than 3,000 AF of water annually.
70 City of Fresno. Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan, Phase 1 Baseline System Characterization. December 2007. 71 City of Fresno. Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan, Phase 2 Alternative Development and Evaluation of Future Water Supply Plan. January 2011.
72 City of Fresno. Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan, Phase 3 Implementation Plan. January 2011. 73 City of Fresno. Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan Update, Final Environmental Impact Report. May 2014.
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Fresno General Plan
Policy PU-7-d Wastewater Recycling. Pursue the development of a recycled water system and the expansion of beneficial wastewater recycling opportunities, including a timely technical, practicable, and institutional evaluation of treatment, facility siting, and water exchange elements.
Objective PU-8 Manage and develop the City’s water facilities on a strategic timeline basis that recognizes the long life cycle of the assets and the duration of the resources, to ensure a safe, economical, and reliable water supply for existing customers and planned urban development and economic diversification.
Policy PU-8-a Forecast Need. Use available and innovative tools, such as computerized flow modeling to determine system capacity, as necessary to forecast demand on water production and distribution systems by urban development, and to determine appropriate facility needs.
Policy PU-8-c Conditions of Approval. Set appropriate conditions of approval for each new development proposal to ensure that the necessary potable water production and supply facilities and water resources are in place prior to occupancy.
Policy PU-8-g Review Project Impact on Supply. Mitigate the effects of development and capital improvement projects on the long-range water budget to ensure an adequate water supply for current and future uses.
Policy RC-6-d Recycled Water. Prepare, adopt, and implement a City of Fresno Recycled Water Master Plan.
City of Fresno Recycled Water Ordinance
The City adopted a Recycled Water Ordinance concurrently with its Recycled Water Master Plan to require the use of recycled water by existing and future potential users in areas where recycled water is available.
74 It regulates the use and distribution of recycled water in a manner that complies with any and all applicable federal, State, and local standards.
City of Fresno Rules and Regulations of Recycled Water Use The City published the Rules and Regulations of Recycled Water Use to govern the design, construction, and use of recycled water within the City.75 These Rules and Regulations aim to provide customers with the necessary information needed to comply with relevant codes, laws, statutes, and regulations concerning the use of recycled water. The Rules and Regulations are prepared and administered by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) WMD and apply to all customers and distributors of recycled water.
74 Bill No. B-18, Ordinance No. 2021-026. An Ordinance of the City of Fresno, California, Amending Chapter 6, Article 9, of the Fresno Municipal Code, the Recycled Water Ordinance. June 17, 2021. 75 City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities. Rules and Regulations of Recycled Water Use.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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The City’s Metro Plan was prepared to document the existing conditions of the City’s water system and facilitate future water resources decisions and facilities improvements. Chapter 7 of Phase 2 discusses the City’s anticipated future use of recycled water, and includes a list of proposed objectives, goals, and policies related to recycled water.76 Wastewater
Fresno General Plan
The City’s General Plan contains the following goals, policies, and objectives relevant to the provision of wastewater service and facilities:
Objective PU-4 Ensure provision of adequate trunk sewer and collector main capacities to serve existing and planned urban development, consistent with the Wastewater Master Plan.
Policy PU-4-b New Trunk Facilities. Pursue construction of new or replacement sewer trunk facilities or other alternatives consistent with the Wastewater Master Plan to accommodate the uses as envisions in this General Plan.
Policy NS-4-c System Extension and Cost Recovery. Pursue enlargement or extension of the sewage collection system where necessary to serve planned urban development, with the capital costs and benefits allocated equitably and fairly between the existing users and new users.
Objective PU-5 Preserve groundwater quality and ensure that the health and safety of the entire Fresno community is not impaired by use of private, on-site disposal systems.
Policy PU-5-b Non-Regional Treatment. Discourage, and when determined appropriate, oppose the use of private wastewater (septic) disposal systems, community wastewater disposal systems, or other non-regional sewage treatment and disposal systems within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Area if these types of wastewater treatment facilities would cause discharges that could result in groundwater degradation.
Policy PU-5-c Satellite Facilities. Work with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure that approval if any satellite treatment and reclamation facility proposal is consistent with governing statutes and regulations.
Objective PU-6 Ensure the provision of adequate sewage treatment and disposal by utilizing the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility as the primary facility, when economically feasible, for all existing and new development within the Metropolitan Area.
76 City of Fresno. Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan, Phase 2 Alternative Development and Evaluation of Future Water Supply Plan. January 2011.
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Policy PU-6-b Consider Capacity in Plan Amendments. Monitor wastewater treatment plant flows and loadings to the extent feasible. Consider the effects on wastewater treatment capacity and availability of potable water when evaluating proposed General Plan amendment proposals, community plans, Specific Plans, neighborhood plans, and Concept Plans.
Objective PU-7 Promote reduction in wastewater flows and develop facilities for beneficial reuse of reclaimed water and biosolids for management and distribution of treated wastewater.
Policy PU-7-a Reduce Wastewater. Identify and consider implementing water conservation standards and other programs and policies, to reduce wastewater flows.
Policy PU-7-b Reduce Stormwater Leakage. Reduce stormwater infiltration into the sewer collection system, where feasible, through a program of replacing old and deteriorated sewer collection pipeline; eliminating existing stormwater sewer cut-ins to the sanitary sewer system; and avoiding any new sewer cut-ins except when required to protect health and safety.
Policy PU-7-c Biosolid Disposal. Investigate and consider implementing economically effective and environmentally beneficial methods of biosolids handling and disposal.
Policy PU-7-d Wastewater Recycling. Pursue the development of a recycled water system and the expansion of beneficial wastewater recycling opportunities, including a timely technical, practicable, and institutional evaluation of treatment, facility siting, and water exchange elements.
Policy PU-7-e Infiltration Basins. Continue to rehabilitate existing infiltration basins, and if determined appropriate, pursue acquiring additional sites for infiltration basins, as needed.
Policy PU-7-f Food and Drink Industry. Ensure adequate provision of facilities for the appropriate management of wastewater from wineries and food processing and beverage facilities, including conformance with Waste Discharge Requirements issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Goal PF-D To ensure adequate wastewater collection and treatment and the safe disposal of wastewater.
Policy PR-D.4 Available Wastewater Treatment Capacity. The County shall limit the expansion of unincorporated, urban density communities to areas where community wastewater treatment facilities can be provided.
Policy PR-D.7 Sewer Master Plans. The County shall require preparation of sewer master plans for wastewater treatment facilities for areas experiencing urban growth.
City of Fresno Municipal Code
Article 3, “Sewage and Water Disposal,” of Chapter 6, “Municipal Services and Utilities,” of the Municipal Code includes provisions regarding wastewater collection and discharge for the City. The purpose of the “Sewage and Water Disposal” Ordinance is to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens; protect the water quality of water courses, water bodies, and groundwater in accordance with the CWA and the NPDES permitting program; and provide requirements for wastewater collection, conveyance, treatment, and disposal/recycling.
Sewer System Management Plan
Under the Statewide General Wastewater Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (see State Water Resources Control Board above), the City was required to develop and maintain a SSMP to provide a mechanism to properly manage, operate, and maintain all parts of the sanitary sewer system with the goal of reducing and preventing SSOs, which is a release of untreated or partially treated wastewater resulting in public exposure, regardless of whether the wastewater reaches waters of the United States or not, or wastewater backups into buildings and onto private property that are caused by blockages in the City’s portion of the sanitary sewer system. 78 The City’s first
SSMP was approved in 2009 and several revisions have been issued since; the latest revision was approved in 2019.
Drainage and Flood Control
Fresno General Plan
The City’s General Plan contains the following goals, policies, and objectives relevant to the provision of drainage and flood control service and facilities:
Policy NS-2-b Soil Analysis Requirement. Identify areas with potential geologic and/or soils hazards and require development in these areas to conduct a soil analysis and mitigation plan by a registered civil engineer (or engineering geologist specializing in soil geology) prior to allowing on-site drainage or disposal for wastewater, stormwater runoff, or swimming pool/spa water.
77 Fresno County, Fresno County General Plan Policy Document, General Plan Update. October 2000. 78 City of Fresno. Sewer System Management Plan. 2019.
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Policy NS-3-a Stormwater Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan. Support the full implementation of the FMFCD Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan, the completion of planned flood control and drainage system facilities, and the continued maintenance of stormwater and flood water retention and conveyance facilities and capacities. Work with the FMFCD to make sure that its Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan is consistent with the General Plan.
Policy NS-3-b Curb and Gutter Installation. Coordinate with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) to install curbing, gutters, and other drainage facilities with priority to existing neighborhoods with the greatest deficiencies and consistent with the Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan.
Policy NS-3-c Dual Use Facilities. Support multiple uses of flood control and drainage facilities as follows:
• Use, wherever practical, FMFCD facilities for groundwater management and recharge; and
• Promote recreational development of ponding basin facilities located within or near residential areas, compatible with the stormwater and groundwater recharge functions.
Policy NS-3-e Pollutants. Work with FMFCD to prevent and reduce the existence of urban stormwater pollutants pursuant to the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems Act.
Policy NS-3-f Flooding Emergency Response Plans. Work with responsible agencies to update emergency dam failure inundation plans, evacuation plans and other emergency response plans for designated flood-prone areas, including the San Joaquin River bottom.
Policy NS-3-g Essential Facilities Siting Outside of Floodplains. Avoid siting emergency response and essential public facilities, such as fire and police stations, within a 100-year floodplain, unless it can be demonstrated that the facility can be safely operated and accessed during flood events.
Policy NS-3-h Runoff Controls. Implement grading regulations and related development policies that protect area residents from flooding caused by urban runoff produced from events that exceed capacity of the Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan system of facilities. Place all structures and/or flood-proofing in a manner that does not cause floodwaters to be diverted onto adjacent property, increase flood hazards to other property, or otherwise adversely affect other property.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Policy NS-3-k 100-Year Floodplain Policy. Require developers of residential subdivisions to preserve those portions of development sites as open space that may be subject to 100-year flood events, unless the flood hazard can be substantially mitigated by development project design.
Policy NS-3-l 200-Year Floodplain Protection. Promote flood control measures that maintain natural conditions within the 200-year floodplain of rivers and streams and, to the extent possible, combine flood control, recreation, water quality, and open space functions. Discourage construction of permanent improvements that would be adversely affected by periodic floods within the 200-year floodplain, particularly in the San Joaquin River bottom.
Policy NS-3-m Flood Risk Public Awareness. Continue public awareness programs to inform the general public and potentially affected property owners of flood hazards and potential dam failure inundation. Remind households and businesses located in flood-prone areas of opportunities to purchase flood insurance.
Policy RC-6-f Regulate Sewage Disposal Facilities. Oppose development of new sewage disposal facilities either within the Planning Area or upgradient (north and east) of the Planning Area, unless the treatment facilities produce effluent that:
• Will not degrade the aquifer in the long term.
• Will not introduce contaminants into surface water that would negatively affect its potential economic use for drinking water.
• Will not deleteriously affect downstream agricultural and urban uses. • Will not degrade sensitive riparian habitat.
County of Fresno Revised 2000 General Plan79
Goal PF-E To provide efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound storm drainage and flood control facilities that protect both life and property and to divert and retain stormwater runoff for groundwater replenishment.
Policy PF-E.1 Flood Control Coordination. The County shall coordinate with the agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to assure that construction and
79 Fresno County. Fresno County General Plan Policy Document. General Plan Update. October 2000.
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Policy PF-E.4 Storm Drainage System Capacity. The County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to require that storm drainage systems be developed and expanded to meet the needs of existing and planned development.
Policy PF-E.10 Drainage Facility Design. In growth areas within the jurisdiction of a local agency responsible for flood control or storm drainage, the County shall encourage that agency to design drainage facilities as if the entire areas of service were developed to the pattern reflected in the adopted general plans to assure that the facilities will be adequate as the land use intensifies.
City of Fresno Municipal Code
Article 7, “Urban Storm Water Quality Management and Discharge Control,” of Chapter 6, “Municipal Services and Utilities,” of the Municipal Code includes provisions regarding stormwater discharge for the City. The purpose of the “Storm Water Quality Management and Discharge Control” Ordinance is to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens, and protect the water quality of water courses and water bodies in accordance with the CWA by reducing pollutants in urban stormwater discharges to the maximum practicable extent and by prohibiting non- stormwater discharges to the storm drain system.
FMFCD Post-Development Standards Technical Manual
The FMFCD published a Post-Development Standards Technical Manual in 2014 to provide development and redevelopment standards to address stormwater quality requirements for projects in areas that do not drain to the Regional Stormwater Management Basin System.80 Per the manual, five drainage areas in the FMFCD service area do not drain into a stormwater management basin, and two areas outside the service area do not drain into a regional stormwater management basin.
These post-development requirements were developed to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit maintained for stormwater and non-stormwater discharges from MS4 to waters of the United States. The manual provides guidance and recommendations for implementing stormwater quality BMPs with the intention of improving water quality and mitigating potential water quality impacts from stormwater and non-stormwater discharges.
FMFCD Standard Plans and Specifications
The FMFCD maintains and publishes a set of standard specifications and plans intended to serve as requirements for FMFCD improvements and projects intended for use by designers and Contractors.
80 Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. Post-Development Standards Technical Manual prepared by Larry Walker Associates, June 2014.
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Fresno General Plan
The City’s General Plan contains the following goals, policies, and objectives relevant to the provision of solid waste service and facilities:
Objective PU-9 Provide adequate solid waste facilities and services for the collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal of refuse.
Policy PU-9-a New Techniques. Continue to collaborate with affected stakeholders and partners to identify and support programs and new techniques of solid waste disposal, such as recycling, composting, waste to energy technology, and waste separation, to reduce the volume and toxicity of solid wastes that must be sent to landfill facilities.
Policy PU-9-b Compliance with State Law. Continue to pursue programs to maintain conformance with the Solid Waste Management Act of 1989 or as otherwise required by law and mandated diversion goals.
Policy PU-9-c Cleanup and Nuisance Abatement. Continue and enhance, where feasible, community sanitation programs that provide services to neighborhoods for cleanup, illegal dumping, and nuisance abatement services.
Policy PU-9-d Facility Siting. Locate private or public waste facilities and recycling facilities in conformance with City zoning and State and federal regulations, so that the transportation, processing, and disposal of these materials are not detrimental to the public health, safety, welfare, and aesthetic well-being of the surrounding community.
County of Fresno Revised 2000 General Plan
Goal PF-F To ensure the safe and efficient disposal or recycling of solid waste generated in the County in an effort to protect the public health and safety.
Policy PF-F.1 Solid Waste Source Reduction. The County shall continue to promote maximum use of solid waste source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and environmentally safe transformation of wastes.
Policy PF-F.5 County Integrated Waste Management Plan. The County shall ensure that all new development complies with applicable provisions of the County Integrated Waste Management Plan.
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications
Fresno General Plan
The City’s General Plan contains the following goals, policies, and objectives relevant to the provision of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications facilities:
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Objective RC-8 Reduce the consumption of nonrenewable energy resources by requiring and encouraging conservation measures and the use of alternative energy sources.
Policy RC-8-a Existing Standards and Programs. Continue existing beneficial energy conservation programs, including adhering to the California Energy Code in new construction and major renovations.
Policy RC-8-b Energy Reduction Targets. Strive to reduce per capita residential electricity use to 1,800 kWh per year and nonresidential electricity use to 2,700 kWh per year per capita by developing and implementing incentives, design and operation standards, promoting alternative energy sources, and cost-effective savings.
Policy RC-8-c Energy Conservation in New Development. Consider providing an incentive program for new buildings that exceed California Energy Code requirements by 15 percent.
Policy RC-8-d Incentives. Establish an incentive program for residential developers who commit to building all of their homes to ENERGY STAR performance guidelines.
Policy RC-8-e Energy Use Disclosure. Promote compliance with State law mandating disclosure of a building’s energy data and rating of the previous year to prospective buyers and lessees of the entire building or lenders financing the entire building.
Policy RC-8-f City Heating and Cooling. Reduce energy use at City facilities by updating heating and cooling equipment and installing “smart lighting” where feasible and economically viable.
Policy RC-8-g Revolving Energy Fund. Create a City Energy Fund which uses first year savings and rebates from completed City-owned energy efficiency projects to provide resources for additional energy projects. Dedicate this revolving fund to the sole use of energy efficiency projects that will pay back into the fund.
Policy RC-8-h Solar Assistance. Identify and publicize information about financial mechanisms for private solar installations and provide over-the-counter permitting for solar installations meeting specified standards, which may include maximum size (in kV) of units that can be so approved.
Policy RC-8-i Renewable Target. Adopt and implement a program to increase the use of renewable energy to meet a given percentage of the City’s peak electrical load within a given time frame.
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County of Fresno Revised 2000 General Plan
Goal PF-J To provide efficient and cost-effective utilities that serve the existing and future needs of people in the unincorporated areas of the County.
Policy PF-J.1 The County shall encourage the provision of adequate gas and electric, communications, and telecommunications service and facilities to serve existing and future needs.
Policy PF-J.2 The County shall work with local gas and electric utility companies to design and locate appropriate expansion of gas and electric systems, while minimizing impacts to agriculture and minimizing noise, electromagnetic, visual, and other impacts on existing and future residents.
Policy PF-J.3 The County shall require all new residential development along with new urban commercial and industrial development to underground utility lines on-site.
Policy PF-J.4 The County shall require compliance with the Wireless Communications Guidelines.
Solar Valley Initiative
This initiative envisions Fresno as becoming a leader in renewable energy use by maximizing new renewable sources. With its abundant sunshine, the opportunity exists to improve air quality, reduce dependence on foreign energy, and provide attractive new jobs by harnessing solar power. Three initiatives work toward this vision:
• Increase use of renewable energy to meet 50 percent of annual electrical consumption for City operations.
• Reduce the City’s peak electrical load by 10 percent through energy efficiency and conservation measures and shifting the timing of energy demands. • Reduce citywide GHG emissions to meet requirements of AB 32.
Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan
The Fresno SEDA Specific Plan is framed within three significant and interrelated goals: fiscal responsibility, social equity, and environmental sustainability. The proposed Plan and policies that form its implementation framework are formulated and coordinated to meet the criteria of these overlapping goals. The proposed Specific Plan contains the following objectives and policies related to utilities and service systems:
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Objective OS-2 Create and maintain an open space network that serves multiple purposes, including recreation, stormwater management, community farming, and environmental preservation.
Policy OS-2.3 Stormwater Management Features. Maximize the use of green stormwater management infrastructure—such as ponds, basins, swales, and other low-impact systems—within the open space system.
• Coordinate with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) to incorporate green infrastructure within city parks and trails.
Objective OS-12 Provide solid waste services and facilities in accordance with the City of Fresno General Plan.
Policy OS-12.1 Solid Waste Facilities and Services. Provide solid waste facilities and services for the collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal of refuse in accordance with the policies of the City of Fresno General Plan.
Objective OS-13 Provide electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications infrastructure necessary to serve development in the SEDA.
Policy OS-13.1 Provision of Electricity and Natural Gas Infrastructure. The City of Fresno shall work with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to provide the necessary electricity and gas infrastructure to serve development in the SEDA.
Policy OS-13.3 Provision of Telecommunications Infrastructure. The City of Fresno shall work with service providers to establish the telecommunications infrastructure necessary to serve the residents and employers of the SEDA.
Objective OS-14 Provide water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure necessary to serve development in the SEDA.
Policy OS-14.1 Provision of Water, Stormwater, and Wastewater Infrastructure. Provide water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure in accordance with the policies of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Conservation Chapter.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Conservation
Objective RC-2 Integrate water supply, treatment and delivery, and flood control and stormwater planning in the Southeast Development Area.
Policy RC-2.2 Shared Water Resources and Infrastructure. Develop methods and systems to share water resources and infrastructure to capture the highest possible value for all planning, water delivery, and water-using agencies.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Policy RC-3.2 Site and Building Efficiency Standards from Water Use. Green building standards contain a spectrum of strategies to conserve water, including site measures to encourage the planting of species that require minimal water. All new construction in the SEDA is required to meet existing local and State laws with regard to water conservation and any additional measures needed locally to respond to drought conditions as determined by the City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities.
Policy RC-3.3 Water Recycling. Use treated wastewater for irrigation and other uses, consistent with applicable regulations, to minimize the required surface and groundwater needs of SEDA homes and businesses.
• Public Facilities: Require the use of tertiary treated wastewater to irrigate parks, golf courses, and public landscaping, as specified in the Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities Chapter.
- Municipal purple pipe. Establish a site- or district-wide purple pipe system that conveys recycled water.
- Water treatment facilities. Available to serve the SEDA, the Southeast Service Water Treatment Facility was constructed in 2018 and is designed with the latest energy conservation and renewable energy technology. • Commercial Landscaping: Require the use of treated wastewater to irrigate commercial landscaping, adhering to the standards included in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22.
• Residential Landscaping: Where appropriate, encourage the use of tertiary treated wastewater to irrigate residential landscaping. Specific policy considerations should be addressed in the pending SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan and EIR-related water infrastructure planning tasks. • Small Farms and Community Farming: Use secondary- and tertiary treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation in the SEDA and within the immediate vicinity, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. Specific policy considerations should be addressed in the pending SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan and EIR-related water infrastructure planning tasks.
Policy RC-3.4 Implementation and Monitoring. Support and monitor water conservation policies and programs. Developer shall abide by all state and local requirements for water use efficiency standards.
Objective RC-4 Ensure that there will be no adverse effects on regional groundwater levels by minimizing groundwater extraction and replenishing groundwater used to serve the Southeast Development Area. Maximize multiple uses of open space by encouraging new recharge facilities to be accessible to the public.
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Policy RC-4.2 Replacement of Extracted Groundwater. The North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Plan (approved in 2019) illustrates the decrease in groundwater levels in the region as a result of pumping. All groundwater drawn to serve development in the SEDA shall be replaced with at least an equal volume via infiltration, pumping, or other means. Recharge need not necessarily occur the same year as withdrawals, however, over time, total recharge must at least match total withdrawals. Recharge and withdrawals need not occur within the same groundwater aquifer but must be within the same groundwater basin. The pending SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan shall address this issue in detail.
Policy RC-4.3 Maximizing Groundwater Recharge. Establish integrated systems within the SEDA open space network to maximize recharge using stormwater, treated wastewater, and excess surface water supplies. Facilitate increased porosity and stormwater recharge through the use of porous conveyance methods such as bioswales, naturalized channels, and layered basins. Recharge and related systems shall be addressed in the SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan.
Policy RC-4.4 Utilization of Recreation and Open Spaces as Groundwater Recharge Areas.
Support recreation opportunities with a range of parks and multiuse trails by establishing joint-use agreements with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District to allow access to storm drainage/recharge basins for recreational use, when appropriate (see the Open Space, Schools and Public Facilities Chapter).
Objective RC-5 Protect surface and groundwater supplies from major sources of pollution.
Policy RC-5.1 Stormwater Runoff. Implement stormwater management practices that minimize stormwater runoff impacts on the Tulare Lake Watershed. • Compact Development: Limit impervious cover by clustering new, higher density development within the SEDA, directing growth away from undeveloped portions of the watershed.
- Compact development. Reduce the building footprint and overall impervious surface in order to minimize lot coverage on a per unit basis. - Parking demand management. Reduce the demand for parking stalls to lower the amount of impervious surface (and environmental impacts). • Low Impact Development Practices: Implement development practices such as natural conveyance, bioswales, raingardens and xeriscape that minimize, slow, and filter street runoff and remove pollutants, lowering peak volume and reducing the size and cost of stormwater infrastructure.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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• Signage: Install appropriate signage to deter the discharge of hazardous materials into storm drains.
• Pollution Prevention: Provide information to SEDA residents on appropriate ways to dispose of hazardous materials and chemicals.
• Pesticide Reduction: Discourage all pesticide use for agricultural and landscaping uses within the SEDA.
• Remediation: Encourage rapid cleanup of contaminated groundwater consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Policy RC-5.3 Construction Erosion.
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan: Require all construction projects to create and implement a plan using State and local best management practices for erosion and sedimentation control.
• Runoff Control: Prevent loss of soil by stormwater runoff and sedimentation of storm sewers or receiving streams.
Objective RC-6 Develop sufficient wet utility infrastructure to meet the demand created by new development within the Southeast Development Area, applying cost-effective and low-impact strategies to the extent possible.
Policy RC-6.1 Water Supply and Delivery. Evaluate the potential surface water, groundwater resources and infrastructure needs necessary to meet the Southeast Development Area demand. Assessments shall be included in the pending SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan and EIR-related water infrastructure planning tasks. • Site and Development-Level Water Supply: Utilizing the pending SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan as a basis, establish estimates for water supply and demand for all development proposals, reducing demand (as appropriate) through site design and efficiency measures.
• Delivery Systems: Proposed water supplies and delivery systems shall be identified at the time of development project approval to the satisfaction of the City of Fresno. Systems must work within the schematic designs established in the pending EIR-related water infrastructure planning tasks, and the SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan.
- Water demand reductions. The City of Fresno and the developer or builder will identify specific demand reduction measures required for the development proposal to move forward. Technical assistance will be provided by the City as needed.
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Policy RC-6.2 Wastewater Treatment and Delivery. Evaluate the potential wastewater treatment and infrastructure needs necessary to meet Southeast Development Area demand and require treatment facilities to separate wastewater solids for energy generation and water for irrigation in the SEDA.
• Site Water Treatment: Establish site-wide estimates for water treatment demand, reducing demand (as appropriate) after incorporating site design and efficiency measures.
• Site Plan Delivery. Proposed wastewater supplies and delivery systems shall be identified at the time of development project approval to the satisfaction of the City of Fresno.
- Wastewater reductions. The City of Fresno and the developer will identify specific wastewater reduction measures required for the development proposal to move forward. Technical assistance will be provided by the City as needed.
Infrastructure planning and engineering will be conducted with the proposed demand reduction factors included.
Policy RC-6.3 Flood Control and Stormwater Management. Evaluate and provide infrastructure to minimize community flood risk, enhance water quality, and provide locations for active recreation.
• Sub-Area or Development Proposal Delivery: Proposed stormwater systems shall be identified at the time of development project approval to the satisfaction of the City of Fresno. Systems must work within the requirements established in the pending EIR-related water infrastructure planning tasks and the SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan.
- Stormwater runoff reductions. The City of Fresno and the developer will identify specific reduction measures required for the development proposal to move forward.
- Detailed engineering. Infrastructure planning and engineering will be conducted with the proposed demand reduction factors included.
Policy RC-6.4 Shared Resources and Infrastructure. Develop methods and systems to share resources, infrastructure, and to capture the highest possible value for all public agencies. Resource-sharing strategies and plans shall be included in the SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan.
• Energy Generation: Evaluate the potential to generate energy and heat from wastewater treatment facilities.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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• Wastewater Treatment Plants: Require treatment facilities to separate wastewater solids for energy generation and water for irrigation in the SEDA. • Safety and Access Standards for Facilities: Develop facilities design and management standards that address public safety and access issues.
3.18.4 - Methodology
The potential project-related impacts related to utilities and service systems were evaluated on a qualitative basis due to the programmatic nature of this Recirculated Draft PEIR. Qualitative impacts were assessed by evaluating the proposed project’s potential for impacting utilities and service systems within the Planning Area based on information regarding the current service commitments and capacities of public service providers within the Planning Area.
Technical studies were developed to analyze the impacts of development under the proposed Specific Plan versus the approved General Plan. General Plan land use classifications and Specific Plan land use classifications were provided by the City’s Planning and Development Department in the form of GIS (Geographic Information System) and Shape files. GIS and Shape files were also obtained from the City’s Department of Public Utilities for the existing facilities in Fresno, including the Plan Area.
The Water Technical Study (Appendix F) focused on the analysis of water demand in the Plan Area, and how it may change based on Specific Plan development. For the General Plan land use case, the technical memorandum prepared by West Yost Associates for the City of Fresno General Plan Update MEIR
81 was used in obtaining projected water demand data for SEDA. For the Specific Plan analysis, the water demand factors used were prepared by Akel Engineering as part of the Metro Plan Update.
82 The GIS files for the General and Specific Plan land uses were used to determine the total areas of each land use classification. The water demand factors were then used with the area of the corresponding land use classification to determine a total water demand for the Plan Area based on the General Plan and the Specific Plan developments. The total water demand for the Plan Area based on the General Plan case was compared to that of the Specific Plan case, resulting in the total change in water demand for the Plan Area.
The Recycled Water Technical Study (Appendix I) focused on the analysis of potential recycled water demand in the Plan Area, and how it may affect development in accordance with the Specific Plan.
The Plan Area presents a unique opportunity to develop the recycled water distribution system along with the area-wide development, allowing recycled water use to be engrained into the Plan Area.
However, recycled water is not yet utilized in the Plan Area, and the Recycled Water planning documents do not account for the development of a recycled water distribution system within the
81 West Yost Associates. Hydraulic Evaluation of the Proposed 2035 General Plan Land Use Update for the Master Environmental Impact Report. January 21, 2013.
82 Akel Engineering Group Inc. Water and Wastewater Unit Factor Update for Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan Update. October 2020.
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The Wastewater Technical Study (Appendix I) focused on the analysis of wastewater production in the Plan Area, and how it may change based on Specific Plan development. The wastewater flow factors were taken from the Wastewater Master Plan
83 for each General Plan land use. The GIS files
for the General and Specific Plan land uses were used to determine the total areas of each land use classification. The wastewater flow factors were then multiplied by the area of the corresponding land use classification to determine a total wastewater flow for the Plan Area based on the General Plan and the Specific Plan developments. The total wastewater produced by the Plan Area based on the General Plan case was compared to that of the Specific Plan case, resulting in the total change in wastewater generation for the Plan Area.
The Storm Drain Technical Study (Appendix I) focused on comparing the changes in the Equivalent Area for each drainage area of the General Plan to the Specific Plan to determine potential impacts to future storm drain collection systems. The methodology used to calculate the CA values for each case utilized land use data obtained from the City and design data from FMFCD. For the General Plan land use analysis, the FMFCD’s “Recommended Design C-Factors for the City of Fresno” was used.
Not all land uses described in the General Plan are listed in this table, so some C-Factors were estimated based on their description, while others were taken from FMFCD’s hydraulic and hydrology spreadsheets when possible. The FMFCD is currently developing updated C-Factors for the SEDA Specific Plan land use classifications; a set of preliminary values have been developed, and these were used in completing the SEDA Specific Plan analysis. The Equivalent Area data was used to evaluate the required storage capacity for each drainage area and how this compared to the existing/proposed drainage basins in the Plan Area.
The results from the Technical Studies, along with various City, State, and federal planning documents, were used to analyze and assess the impacts of all utilities systems within the Specific Plan Area and to determine the thresholds of significance for each impact.
83 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
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3.18.5 - Thresholds of Significance
The Lead Agency utilizes the criteria in the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Environmental Checklist to determine whether impacts to utilities and service systems are significant environmental effects.
Would the project:
a) Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or stormwater drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects?
b) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years? c) 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?
d) Generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals? e) Comply with federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
3.18.6 - Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
This section discusses potential impacts associated with the development of the proposed project and provides mitigation measures where appropriate.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Impact UTIL-1: The proposed project could require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or stormwater drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects.
Impact Analysis
The potential long-term impacts to utility services and facilities are based on the potential increase in development as a result of the implementation of the proposed Specific Plan. The Specific Plan for SEDA provides implementation mechanisms for development in the Plan Area that accommodate for increased density and accelerate housing production. As part of the City’s General Plan, SEDA was designated with land use classifications as defined in the General Plan. The Specific Plan presents alternative land use classifications for SEDA and seeks to propose how the Plan Area will develop over time to complete buildout conditions with these newly defined land use categories. As such, utility infrastructure will need to accommodate the increased development and densities among the Specific Plan land use classifications when compared to the previously approved General Plan land uses and developments.
The proposed project would involve the relocation, construction, or expansion of numerous utility facilities in order to provide utilities services for the new land uses associated with the proposed City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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Construction
The construction of expanded and new water, wastewater treatment, stormwater drainage, and other utility facilities could result in short-term environmental effects. These temporary effects include traffic, air emissions, GHG emissions, and noise from construction equipment and vehicles as well as water quality effects during construction. The following is a discussion of each potential impact.
• Traffic–Construction of these facilities may require lane closures or other traffic control measures along the adjacent roadway and could result in lower levels of service on nearby roadways and intersections. These effects would be potentially significant. • Air emissions–Construction activities would result in the generation of criteria pollutants, such as reactive organic gases (ROGs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) (ozone precursors) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) pollutant emissions. The implementation of the proposed Specific Plan policies as well as existing San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (Valley Air District) regulations identified in Section 3.3, Air Quality, would reduce potential construction emissions. However, since the timing of the construction of the expanded and new facilities is not known, there could be more than one facility under construction at one time. Therefore, there is a possibility that emission standards for the criteria pollutants identified above could be exceeded and significant impacts could occur. In addition, the operation of treatment plants and construction of other utility infrastructure (pipes, basins, etc.) would contribute to emissions associated with the buildout of the proposed Specific Plan. These emissions could be criteria pollutants, toxic pollutants, and odors. These emissions would be potentially significant.
• GHG Emissions–Construction of utility facilities and treatment plants would result in the generation of GHG emissions. Construction emissions would occur only in the short-term; however, since the timing of the construction of the expanded and new facilities is not known, there could be more than one facility under construction at one time. Therefore, there is a possibility that a substantial amount of GHG emissions could occur. In addition, the operation of treatment plants and construction of other utility infrastructure (pipes, basins, etc.) could contribute to emissions associated with the buildout of the proposed Specific Plan. These emissions would be potentially significant.
• Noise–Construction and operation of expanded and new treatment plants and other utility infrastructure (pipes, basins, etc.) would increase noise levels in the vicinity of each improvement and facility location. Various proposed Specific Plan policies (see Section 3.13, Noise), and existing General Plan policies would reduce potential noise levels to meet City City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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• Water Quality–Construction activities associated with expanded and new utility facilities and infrastructure could result in potential water quality issues. However, projects that disturb more than one acre of soil must obtain coverage under the Construction General Permit and implement BMPs to protect surface water flows from sources of pollution at the construction site. With the implementation of the proposed Specific Plan policies, existing General Plan policies, and the required BMPs, short-term construction impacts on surface water quality would be less than significant. In addition, the operations of any treatment facilities would discharge treated water to approved locations. The approval of these locations would require consistency with the regulatory requirements identified in a waste discharge permit.
Consistency with these discharge permits would result in a less than significant impact on long-term water quality.
There may also be construction impacts as a result of new or expanded utility infrastructure that could result in long-term effects related to aesthetics, agricultural resources, biological resources, and cultural resources. The following is a discussion of these potential impacts. • Aesthetics–Impacts to aesthetics may be adverse on the Specific Plan Area. The construction of expanded or new utility facilities, infrastructure, or treatment facilities could alter the current visual characteristics of the area. However, the proposed Specific Plan includes various policies (see Section 3.2 Aesthetics) to reduce potential aesthetic impacts, and the expanded or new facilities would not substantially alter the visual characteristic of the area. These potential facilities may add lighting systems in the area; however, the increases in lighting are anticipated to be less than significant with the implementation of the proposed Specific Plan policies and mitigation measures identified in Section 3.2, Aesthetics. • Agricultural Resources–The general locations of proposed expanded or new utility facilities or infrastructure could result in impacts to current Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) designated areas. The removal of FMMP lands would result in significant impacts; therefore, the construction of expanded or new utility facilities and infrastructure could result in significant farmlands impacts.
• Biological Resources–The future construction of expanded or new utility facilities and infrastructure could result in impacts to biological resources. Proposed Specific Plan policies and mitigation measures identified in Section 3.4, Biological Resources, would reduce potential impacts to biological resources to less than significant. • Cultural Resources–The future construction of expanded or new utility facilities and infrastructure could result in impacts to cultural resources. There is a potential for unknown cultural resources (i.e., archaeological, paleontological, and human remains) to be located at the future sites of the proposed utilities. Although there is a potential for unknown resources, the implementation of the proposed Specific Plan policies and mitigation measures identified in Section 3.5, Cultural Resources, would reduce the potential impacts to cultural resources to less than significant.
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The potential long-term impacts related to water supply requirements of the baseline General Plan conditions for the Plan Area versus the proposed Specific Plan conditions for the Plan Area differ by
1.7 percent and are considered less than significant for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan with mitigations incorporated. The results of the water demand analysis are shown in Table
3.18-1 and Table 3.18-2.
Per the Water Technical Study prepared for this Recirculated Draft PEIR, projected water demand for the Plan Area under General Plan conditions was 19.50 mgd, and the projected water demand for the Plan Area under Specific Plan conditions was 19.83 mgd, resulting in an increase of 0.33 mgd (370 AFY), or 1.7 percent. Though this increase is not substantial, there may still be a need for expansion of water supply and treatment facilities, and construction of new distribution facilities to serve future land uses in the Plan Area is still required as there are no existing City water distribution facilities in the Plan Area. Thus, development of the Plan Area could result in significant impacts to the existing water supply and distribution system. See the Technical Study for a full explanation of the analysis process and subsequent results.
A summary of master planned proposed water supply, treatment, and distribution infrastructure that would accommodate future development associated with the Specific Plan include the following:
• New municipal groundwater wells.
- Wellhead treatment as needed.
• Expansion of the NESWTF.
• New water storage tanks and booster pump stations.
• Extension of 48-inch diameter RTM.
• New Transmission Grid Mains of various sizes.
• New recharge inter-ties to FMFCD basins.
Table 3.18-1: Specific Plan Anticipated Water Demand per Land Use Classification General Plan Land Classification Specific Plan Equivalent Land Use Classification Specific Plan Base
Water Demand
(mgd)
Residential–Low Density Residential–Rural Residential 4.18 Residential–Medium Density Residential–Neighborhood Residential 4.03 Residential–Urban Neighborhood Residential–Mixed Residential 5.27 Employment–Office Employment–Office Center 0.38
Employment–Business Park Employment–Flexible Research and Development
0.04 Employment–Regional Business Park 2.17
Mixed Use -Corridor/Center Mixed Use Mixed Used–Community Center 0.53 Mixed Use–Regional Mixed Use Mixed Use–Regional Center 0.61 City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Water Demand
(mgd)
Open Space–Open Space N/A 0.00
Open Space–Community Park N/A 0.00
Open Space–Ponding Basin Other–Flood Control Basin 0.00 Public Facilities–College
Employment–Institutional
0.19 Public Facilities–School with Park 0.43
Public Facilities–School with Park Mixed Use–Neighborhood Center 0.91 Buffer–Buffer Residential–Rural Cluster Residential 1.08 Other–Street/Rail/ Canal, etc. Other 0.00
Totals – 19.83
Notes:
mgd = million gallons per day
Source: Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers. SEDA Specific Plan Water Technical Study. June 9, 2022.
Table 3.18-2: Difference Between General Plan and Specific Plan Anticipated Water Demand
SEDA General Plan Total Base Water
Demand (mgd)
SEDA Specific Plan Total Base Water
Demand (mgd) Usage ∆ (mgd) Usage ∆ (%)
19.5 19.83 0.33 1.7%
Notes:
mgd = million gallons per day
Source: Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers. SEDA Specific Plan Water Technical Study. June 9, 2022.
Recycled Water Supply
Improvements within the Plan Area will be required to facilitate the use of recycled water. Since the recycled water distribution system has not yet been planned for the area, it has been assumed that all land uses that would be eligible for recycled water use will utilize potable water until the recycled water supply and distribution system are available. However, these potable water facilities should be installed in accordance with all recycled water regulations and requirements, allowing a seamless transition to recycled water. This includes installing purple pipe, purple valve boxes, purple irrigation facilities, and maintaining required clearances with other adjacent utilities.
If the Plan Area is expected to be supplied with recycled water from the Fresno-Clovis RWRF, considerable infrastructure will be needed to convey the water from the facility to the Plan Area at a usable flow rate and pressure. Piping of various sizes and booster pump stations will be required, among other improvements. If a satellite RWRF is planned, then the infrastructure required would likely mainly consist of a distribution system of pipelines to convey the recycled water to the users.
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The following paragraphs provide a baseline analysis of the Plan Area to understand a preliminary recycled water demand based solely on estimated area of open space presented in the Specific Plan buildout plan, and only accounting for recycled water that may be used for irrigation of said open space. According to the Specific Plan, each land use classification will encompass some percentage of open space, or “Park Acres.”
The total minimum park acres in the Plan Area equal 464 acres. Utilizing precipitation data obtained from the Western Regional Climate Center for Fresno,84 preliminary irrigation calculations were completed to determine the ETWU of the park acres in the Plan Area. Assuming the landscaping would be warm-season turf, and irrigation would mainly be applied via overhead spray/rotors, an annual ETWU with rainfall included of approximately 283 AF (0.3 mgd) was found for the Plan Area (without rainfall yields an ETWU of 1,572 AF, or 1.4 mgd). This represents the minimum required recycled water demand for the park acres included in each of the land use classifications and does not account for any designated open spaces, agricultural areas, or other miscellaneous potential recycled water uses. This has also been completed without knowledge about the available supply of recycled water for the Plan Area and demands will need to be reassessed once a supply is available.
This demand is not a clear indicator of how much recycled water the Plan Area will actually use.
Updates to the Recycled Water Master Plan will be required to fully develop the recycled water distribution system for the Plan Area. Determinations of potential recycled water users will need to be made to accurately estimate the anticipated recycled water demand.
Recycled water may be a considerable contributor to the Plan Area’s water supply system. The principal impact of providing recycled water is the overall water supply rather than direct shortages for end users because the ability exists to trade off and supplement recycled water supply from other sources. The recycled water planning documents do not delve into detailed plans for improvements for the Plan Area. Recycled water is not currently utilized in the Plan Area, and there are no portions of the recycled water distribution system that have been constructed within the area. Thus, any proposed recycled water use would necessitate the expansion of the existing recycled water system and installation of new recycled water pipelines, and potentially new treatment and storage facilities to provide sufficient recycled water at buildout conditions.
Because of the lack of planning document details, and the absence of recycled water supply currently in the Plan Area, it is difficult to assess the necessary mitigation measures to accommodate the impacts of new facilities. Continued evaluation of available capacity and construction of improvements is required. Construction and operation of potential improvements could result in project-specific impacts that are not currently known because recycled water facilities have not yet been designed or planned. Until further environmental evaluations have occurred, and further planning is completed, potential impacts would be considered significant without any mitigations.
Therefore, impacts related to the construction of new recycled water treatment facilities or
84 Western Regional Climate Center. Website: https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca3257. Accessed April 12, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Wastewater Treatment
The Specific Plan proposes a transfer of density from the General Plan conditions to the Specific Plan conditions, which will modify the distribution of wastewater generation in the Plan Area from that originally planned. Generally, wastewater generation is predicted to increase as growth occurs, both in the General Plan and this Specific Plan. For the purposes of this analysis, it was assumed that development of the Plan Area would proceed as described in the Wastewater Technical Study prepared for this Recirculated Draft PEIR–from the General Plan to the Specific Plan land conditions, resulting in new or reoccupied dwelling units and new or repurposed commercial/mixed use space within the Plan Area. Per the proposed Specific Plan, the Plan Area has capacity for 45,000 dwelling units and 5,580 acres of residential space, 1,120 acres of commercial/mixed use space, and 1,820 acres of office/employment space.
As shown in Table 3.18-3, there would be an increase in baseline wastewater generation of 1.46 mgd, or 15 percent when compared to the buildout General Plan conditions. The Plan Area is projected to produce an estimated 11.32 mgd at buildout with Specific Plan land uses compared to
9.86 mgd under the General Plan land uses. Given that the Master Plan utilities were designed based on General Plan buildout conditions, a 15 percent increase would impact associated wastewater treatment requirements and WDRs, and the impacts would be significant without mitigation.
The City would be required to increase wastewater treatment capacity and obtain revised and/or new waste discharge permits. The policies included in the General Plan and the Wastewater Master Plan would reduce the potential impacts associated with increased wastewater generation and treatment requirements; however, these improvements will need to be reevaluated given the projected increase in wastewater generation in the Plan Area, and the City will need to update the Wastewater Master Plan. The implementation of the proposed Specific Plan will result in the need for expansion of the existing wastewater treatment facilities, and new wastewater collection and treatment facilities to serve future land uses in the Plan Area.
A summary of master planned proposed wastewater treatment facilities and collection infrastructure that should accommodate future development associated with the Specific Plan include:
• Wastewater Master Plan Update:85
- Large-diameter trunk sewers, arterial lateral sewer mains, and a satellite wastewater reclamation/scalping plant.
• Expansion of Fresno-Clovis RWRF wastewater treatment capacity. • Increased size of planned wastewater collection facilities. • Various wastewater improvement/rehabilitation plans within the City to improve overall wastewater collection and treatment system conditions.
85 Carollo Engineers, and Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2015. City of Fresno Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Update. September.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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GP Land Use Classification
GP Base
Wastewater
(mgd)
SP Equivalent Land Use
Classification
SP Base
Wastewater
(mgd)
Usage
∆
(mgd)
Usage
∆
(%)
Residential–Low Density 1.02 Residential–Rural Residential 1.22 0.20 19.8% Residential–Medium Density 2.50 Residential–Neighborhood Residential
2.44 -0.07 -2.6%
Residential–Urban Neighborhood 3.12 Residential–Mixed Residential 3.59 0.47 15.1% Employment–Office 0.14 Employment–Office Center 0.15 0.01 7.0% Employment–Business Park 0.01
Employment–Flexible
Research and Development 1.04 0.06 5.8% Employment–Regional Business Park
0.98 Mixed Use -Corridor/Center
Mixed Use
0.88 Mixed Used–Community
Center
0.77 -0.12 -13.2%
Mixed Use–Regional Mixed Use 0.69 Mixed Use–Regional Center 0.96 0.27 39.1% Open Space–Open Space 0.00 N/A 0.00 0.00 0.0%
Open Space–Community Park 0.00 N/A 0.00 0.00 0.0%
Open Space–Ponding Basin 0.00 Other–Flood Control Basin 0.00 0.00 0.0% Public Facilities–College 0.08
Employment–Institutional 0.19 0.00 0.00%
Public Facilities–School with Park 0.10
Public Facilities–School with Park 0.29 Mixed Use–Neighborhood Center
0.49 0.20 69.8%
Buffer–Buffer 0.04 Residential–Rural Cluster
Residential
0.46 0.42 1,186.3%
Other–Street/Rail/ Canal, etc. 0.00 Other 0.00 0.00 0.0% Totals 9.86 Totals 11.32 1.46 15%
Notes:
GP = General Plan; mgd = million gallons per day; SP = Specific Plan Source: Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers. SEDA Specific Plan Wastewater Technical Study. May 13, 2022.
Stormwater Drainage
As development of the Plan Area occurs under the Specific Plan, new and expanded storm drain facilities will be necessary to adequately accommodate the increase in stormwater flows due to an increase in impervious surfaces. Implementation of the Specific Plan would result in a significant impact on existing drainage facilities. The transition from General Plan to Specific Plan, though, proposes a modest transfer of density and land uses throughout the Plan Area, which will modify the distribution of stormwater generation. Under both the General Plan and Specific Plan, stormwater generation will continue to increase as growth continues.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-62 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The buildout of the Specific Plan when compared to the General Plan would result in a net increase of 248 AF in expected runoff; FMFCD allows a 20 percent change in required basin volumes before the basin must be modified. Table 3.18-4 shows that all existing basins that are encompassed in or serve SEDA do not exceed a 20 percent change in volume or exceed its capacity.
Table 3.18-5 shows that the buildout of the Specific Plan results in a change in required volume of more than 20 percent in one basin (Basin DX), and the exceedance of one basin’s proposed capacity (Basin DW). These two basins will need to be revised by resizing or relocating.
The Plan Area does have master planned FMFCD utilities, including inlets, pipelines, basins, and drainage areas, which have been designed to accommodate the General Plan developments, and are being modified for the SEDA Specific Plan developments by FMFCD. The majority of the planned facilities will be sufficient to provide drainage for the Specific Plan improvements without significant environmental impacts, except for Basin DW and DX which will require reassessment and possibly resizing or relocation. FMFCD plans for drainage facilities but does not construct facilities until such time as development. Therefore, impacts related to the construction of new storm drain treatment facilities or expansion of baseline facilities would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated. See the Storm Drain Technical Study for a full explanation of the analysis process and subsequent results.
Mitigation measures related to storm drain systems are established and required in the Storm Drain Master Plan and other applicable City planning documents. Stormwater collection and handling must adhere to these mitigation measures.
A summary of master planned proposed storm drain facilities and collection infrastructure that should accommodate future development associated with the Specific Plan include the design and construction of Basins DS, DT, DU, DV, DW, DX, DY , DZ, and their associated collection facilities, including but not limited to inlets, manholes, catch basins, pipelines, and pump stations.
Table 3.18-4: General Plan and Specific Plan Anticipated Runoff Volume for Existing Basins Encompassed within SEDA Specific Plan Area
Drainage Area
GP FMFCD Design
Runoff Volume
(acre-feet)
SP Runoff
Volume
Increase
(acre-feet)
SP Runoff
Volume Increase
(%)
GP FMFCD Basin
Design Volume
(acre-feet)
Remaining Basin
Volume
(acre-feet)
BG 213.2 8.50 4.0% 232.1 10.4
BL 274.0 4.00 1.5% 301.1 23.1
BM 379.3 0.46 0.1% 390.4 10.7
BS 332.2 5.34 1.6% 396.7 59.2
CS 310.4 4.75 1.5% 346.5 31.3
Notes:
FMFCD = Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
GP = General Plan
SP = Specific Plan
Source: Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers. SEDA Specific Plan Storm Drain Technical Study. June 10, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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Drainage Area
GP FMFCD Design
Runoff Volume
(acre-feet)
SP Runoff
Volume
Increase
(acre-feet)
SP Runoff
Volume Increase
(%)
GP FMFCD Basin
Design Volume
(acre-feet)
Remaining Basin
Volume
(acre-feet)
DS 433.8 85.2 19.6% 1,383.3 864.3
DT 207.3 18.7 9.0% 232.4 6.4
DU 305.0 3.8 1.3% 323.8 15.0
DV 171.7 6.6 3.8% 230.0 51.7
DW 212.3 34.4 16.2% 233.9 -12.8
DX 215.7 54.8 25.4% 304.5 34.0
DY 279.9 10.4 3.7% 295.2 4.9
DZ 237.4 11.1 4.7% 263.6 15.1
Notes:
FMFCD = Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
GP = General Plan
SP = Specific Plan
Source: Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers. SEDA Specific Plan Storm Drain Technical Study. June 10, 2022.
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications
Electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications utilities respond to increased demands in various ways. These may include temporary stoppages or rolling blackouts, extension of existing infrastructure, or construction of new facilities.
Each of these utility providers prepares long-range plans to accommodate projected growth in their service areas. For example, PG&E provides annual sustainability reports that outline strategies to accommodate future growth and ensure reliability of electrical and natural gas service. As indicated in the 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report, PG&E has requested approval for 387 megawatts of additional energy storage from six projects slated for completion by August 2023. These projects will provide “system reliability procurement that will help integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy and meet peak summer demand.” Telecommunications companies continually expand infrastructure to serve the growing population. These planning efforts take into account growth projections, including the growth under the proposed project. Because the proposed project would not result in unplanned growth, the majority of growth would be infill, and because the utility providers take into consideration all future growth projections in their planning efforts, the proposed project would not be expected to require or result in new or expanded electricity, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities beyond those already planned. Impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Implementation of all other mitigation measures in this Recirculated Draft PEIR would be required for all construction activities. Therefore, construction of new utilities would cause less than significant impacts with mitigation incorporated, with regard to the other potential environmental impacts discussed in this Recirculated Draft PEIR. See the Executive Summary for a summary of all mitigation measures. Mitigation measures for all resource topics in this Recirculated Draft PEIR would be applicable to construction of new or expanded utility infrastructure.
Specific mitigation measures include the following:
MM UTIL-1a The City shall evaluate the water conveyance system at the time that discretionary projects are submitted for approval by the City, and the City shall not approve development that would demand additional water and exceed the capacity of a facility until additional capacity is provided. The City shall evaluate proposed water capacity and conveyance improvements provided in the City Metro Plan and General Plan for potential environmental impacts, and shall construct such improvements prior to exceedance of capacity to accommodate full buildout of the Specific Plan.
MM UTIL-1b The City shall evaluate the water supply system at the time that discretionary projects are submitted for approval by the City, and the City shall not approve development that would demand additional water until additional sources are secured and provided for future development. The City shall evaluate proposed water supply improvements for potential environmental impacts, and shall construct such improvements prior to exceedance of demand to accommodate full buildout of the Specific Plan.
MM UTIL-1c The City shall evaluate the wastewater system at the time that discretionary projects are submitted for approval by the City, and the City shall not approve development that would contribute wastewater to the wastewater treatment system that would exceed capacity until additional capacity is provided. The City shall evaluate proposed wastewater treatment improvements provided in the City Wastewater Master Plan and General Plan for potential environmental impacts, and shall construct such improvements prior to exceedance of capacity to accommodate full buildout of the Specific Plan.
MM UTIL-1d Consistent with the Sewer System Management Plan, the City shall evaluate the wastewater collection system at the time that discretionary projects are submitted for approval by the City, the City shall not approve development that would generate additional wastewater and exceed the capacity of a facility until additional capacity is provided. The City shall evaluate proposed wastewater collection improvements provided in the City Wastewater Master Plan and General Plan for potential environmental impacts, and shall construct such improvements prior to exceedance of capacity to accommodate full buildout of the Specific Plan.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx MM UTIL-1e The City shall support the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) in evaluating the stormwater collection system and implementing the District Services Plan and Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan, and in constructing such improvements to the storm drain system prior to exceedance of capacity to accommodate full buildout of the Specific Plan. The City shall complete these evaluations prior to approving any new project applications for future development in the Plan Area that require a discretionary approval and shall confirm that each project has incorporated any resulting standards prior to issuing approval.
MM UTIL-1f At the time discretionary projects are submitted, the City shall require project- specific environmental evaluations for the expansion or relocation of electric, natural gas, or telecommunication facilities be completed prior to project approval.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
Water Supplies
Impact UTIL-2: The proposed project could have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years.
Impact Analysis
As shown by the 1.7 percent increase in water demand, existing City water supplies could be sufficient to supply the future development in SEDA in addition to the existing demands. Current City water supply sources are as follows:
• Groundwater–The City owns and operates 270 municipal water wells with 202 active wells; projected groundwater supply for the City of Fresno in 2035 is 149,100 AFY. • Surface Water–The City owns and operates two (2) surface water treatment facilities–the NESWTF and the SESWTF. The NESWTF has a design capacity of 30 mgd expandable to 60 mgd, and the SESWTF has a design capacity of 54 mgd expandable to 80 mgd. The surface water is obtained from the Kings River via an agreement with FID, and from the Friant-Kern Canal through an agreement with the USBR. Treated surface water is used for potable uses and groundwater recharge. The projected surface water supply for the City of Fresno in 2035 is 191,600 AFY (60,000 via USBR, 131,600 via FID).
• Recycled Water–The City owns and operates the Fresno-Clovis RWRF and the NFWRF, which collects and treats wastewater from City users to various levels of treatment for nonpotable uses. The Fresno-Clovis RWRF produces undisinfected secondary effluent for use as restricted irrigation water for farmland and for groundwater recharge via discharge into adjacent percolation ponds, and disinfected tertiary effluent for distribution through the City’s recycled water distribution system for nonpotable uses, including landscape irrigation and industrial processes. The NFWRF collects and treats wastewater to a disinfected tertiary level for use as landscape irrigation supply for the Copper River Ranch Golf Course. The projected supply of recycled water for the City of Fresno in 2035 is 5,910 AFY .
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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The UWMP presents actual data available for water supply and demand for the year 2020, as well as projected water usage. For 2020, the actual total potable water demand for the City was 121,993 AFY, and the projected potable water demand for the City in 2035 is 154,210 AFY. Additionally, the projected nonpotable water demand for the City for groundwater recharge is 68,100 AFY for 2035.
The estimated groundwater yield for the City in 2035 was projected to be 149,100 AF, assuming groundwater characteristics are not altered due to climatic events or regulatory influences from SGMA, indicating that groundwater alone will not be sufficient to meet future City demands, including those for SEDA.
86 However, estimated surface water supplies for the City are projected to be 191,600 AF for 2035 (60,000 via USBR, 131,600 via FID) during normal water years, as well as 5,910 AF of recycled water.
Total projected water supply for the City in 2035 is 346,610 AF during normal water years and assuming groundwater characteristics are not altered due to climatic events or regulatory influences from SGMA, and total projected demand is 222,310 AF. The estimated increase in total water use for SEDA in accordance with the Specific Plan selected alternative is 0.33 mgd, or 370 AFY. This results in a modified projected potable demand for the City of 154,580 AFY, with a total water demand (potable and nonpotable) of 222,680 AFY .
In the event of a single dry year, the projected water supply for 2035 is 200,862 AF assuming groundwater characteristics are not altered due to climatic events or regulatory influences from SGMA and the projected demand is 184,174 AF; for multiple dry years, the projected water supplies and demands are shown in Table 3.18-6.
Table 3.18-6: Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparisons (DWR 7-4R) (2020 UWMP Table 7-3)
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
First Year
Supply Total (AFY) 273,725 279,265 284,735 290,125 295,455 Demand Total (AFY) 199,204 212,756 222,310 231,876 241,447 Difference (AFY) 74,521 66,509 62,425 58,249 54,008
Second Year
Supply Total (AFY) 274,626 280,166 285,636 291,026 296,356 Demand Total (AFY) 199,204 212,756 222,310 231,876 241,447 Difference (AFY) 75,422 67,410 63,326 59,150 54,909
Third Year
Supply Total (AFY) 217,568 223,108 228,578 233,968 239,298 Demand Total (AFY) 190,267 193,637 197,736 201,753 205,708 Difference (AFY) 27,301 29,471 30,842 32,215 33,589
Fourth Year
Supply Total (AFY) 189,852 195,392 200,862 206,252 211,582 Demand Total (AFY) 162,551 165,920 170,020 174,036 177,992 Difference (AFY) 27,301 29,471 30,842 32,215 33,589
86 Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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Fifth Year
Supply Total (AFY) 314,840 320,380 325,850 331,240 336,570 Demand Total (AFY) 199,204 212,756 222,310 231,876 241,447 Difference (AFY) 115,636 107,624 103,540 99,364 95,123
Source: Water Systems Consulting, Inc. 2021. City of Fresno Urban Water Management Plan. July.
The City Metro Plan Update will include proposed infrastructure improvements necessary to sustain development in SEDA, including the construction of new groundwater wells, surface water treatment plant expansions, and expansion of the Regional Transmission water distribution system.
Impacts would be less than significant with the incorporation of mitigation and compliance with all regulatory requirements and proposed policies for the proposed Specific Plan.
Implementation of the proposed plan would result in a total buildout of approximately 45,000 dwelling units and over 3,000 acres (130+ million square feet) of mixed use, commercial, office, retail, public, and open spaces throughout the Plan Area. The General Plan anticipated that approximately 15,000 dwelling units would be built out in the Plan Area by 2035. The proposed increase in development would result in a long-term increase in water demand with each new land use. Additionally, construction activities associated with development will require the use of water for various purposes. Operations of construction equipment and tools, and construction operations such as excavation, grading, and demolition would increase impacts as well.
Future planned improvements to the water conveyance and treatment infrastructure in the Plan Area, include:
• New municipal groundwater wells.
- Wellhead treatment as needed.
• Expansion of the NESWTF.
• New water storage tanks and booster pump stations.
• Extension of 48-inch diameter RTM in Olive Avenue.
• New Transmission Grid Mains.
• New recharge inter-ties to FMFCD basins.
Additionally, updates to the Recycled Water Master Plan would help ensure that adequate water is available to serve the development under the Specific Plan.
Since the increase in water demand for the Specific Plan Area is 1.7 percent from the General Plan condition, the impacts to water supply could be potentially significant; upon compliance with regulatory requirements, proposed policies for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan, proposed mitigation measures, and construction of proposed water supply and distribution system infrastructure, the impact could be reduced. The normal water year supply projected for the City of Fresno in 2035 is 346,610 AF, and total projected demand is 222,310 AF. All water supply scenarios for dry years for 2035 are sufficient to accommodate the increase in water demand for the Specific City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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A WSA has been completed for the proposed project and is included in Appendix I. As shown in the WSA, the total projected water supplies for the proposed project during normal, single dry, and multiple dry water years during a 20-year projection will meet the projected water demand associated with the proposed project in addition to existing and planned future uses. As shown in Table 7.1 of the WSA, demand within the City’s service area is not expected to exceed the City’s supplies in any normal, single dry, or multiple dry year between 2020 and 2045. The projected increase in water demand for the proposed project is 0.33 MGD, or approximately 370 AFY . As shown in the WSA, the increase in water demand due to the proposed project would not exceed the projected available water supplies for the normal, single dry, and multiple dry years. See the WSA for additional information and further analysis.
Continued implementation of Objective PU-8 and Policies PU-8-a through PU-8-g of the approved General Plan would apply to the proposed project.
Level of Significance
Potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
Implement MM HYD-2b, MM HYD-2c, MM UTIL-1a, MM UTIL-1b, and the following:
MM UTIL-2a The City shall develop and implement water conservation measures to reduce the per capita water use, and continue to refine and implement water saving and conservation standards for new developments approved under the Specific Plan.
The City shall complete these measures and standards prior to approving any new project applications for future development in the Plan Area that require a discretionary approval and shall confirm that each project has incorporated the refined measures and standards prior to issuing approval.
MM UTIL-2b The City shall continue to implement the City of Fresno Water Conservation Program, as may be updated, and periodically update restrictions on water uses, and evaluate the feasibility of the conservation target identified as part of the Fresno General Plan. The City shall complete these measures prior to approving any new project applications for future development in the Plan Area that require a discretionary approval and shall confirm that each project has incorporated any resulting standards prior to issuing approval. The City shall continue to implement Objective RC-7 and Policies RC-7-a through RC-7-I of Chapter 7, “Resource Conservation and Resilience,” and Objective PU-8 and Policies PU-8-a through PU-8- g of Chapter 6, “Public Utilities and Services,” of the approved Fresno General Plan.
MM UTIL-2c The City shall refine landscape water conservation standards that will apply to new development installed landscapes, building on the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) and other State regulations. The City shall complete City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
Wastewater Treatment Capacity
Impact UTIL-3: The proposed project could result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the proposed project that it has inadequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments.
Impact Analysis
The potential long-term impacts related to wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal requirements of the General Plan versus the Specific Plan differ by 15 percent, or 1.46 mgd, and are considered significant for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan. Development in accordance with the proposed Specific Plan would result in a significant impact on the existing wastewater treatment facilities and their capacities and require an increase of wastewater treatment capacities in the form of expansions to existing facilities or the construction of new facilities.
The following proposed Wastewater Master Plan improvements could help accommodate future development associated with the Specific Plan:
• Expansion of Fresno-Clovis RWRF wastewater treatment capacity. • SEDA Reclamation Facility–A satellite treatment facility in the southeast portion of the City to serve the SEDA Plan Area.
• Increased size of planned wastewater collection facilities. • Various wastewater improvement/rehabilitation plans within the City to improve overall wastewater collection and treatment system conditions.
Other additional proposed Wastewater Master Plan improvements would help with conveyance of wastewater to treatment facilities, including:
• New trunk sewers and arterial lateral sewer mains.
Additionally, the implementation of the Specific Plan policies and improvements would result in significant impacts associated with wastewater treatment requirements and WDRs.
The policies in the General Plan are designed to reduce potential effects associated with expansion of wastewater treatment capacity, including those associated with the proposed Specific Plan. The measures required by the General Plan and the Wastewater Master Plan (listed above) also include surface water treatment facilities, additional wastewater collection system infrastructure, water conveyance facilities, and additional pipeline and storage facilities.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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Additionally, construction activities associated with development would generate wastewater.
The proposed Specific Plan would require new connections to and expansion of the existing wastewater infrastructure to serve future development. Construction of this expansion and new connections have been evaluated as part of this Recirculated Draft PEIR, and the implementation of these capital improvements would ensure that the City’s wastewater conveyance and treatment infrastructure would be sufficient to accommodate the needs of the Specific Plan development.
Compliance with all regulatory requirements and policies in the General Plan and the Specific Plan would further ensure adequate wastewater treatment and conveyance capacity. The impact would be less than significant with mitigations incorporated.
Level of Significance
Potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
Implement MM UTIL-1c and MM UTIL-1d.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
Attainment of Solid Waste Reduction Goals
Impact UTIL-4: The proposed project could generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals.
Impact Analysis
New residential, commercial, mixed use, and public land uses in the Specific Plan Area would increase the amount of solid waste generated by residents and businesses. The increase in growth and development as a result of the implementation of the proposed Specific Plan would result in an increase of solid waste to transfer stations and landfills and contribute to an increased demand for solid waste services throughout the Plan Area.
Based on the estimated closure dates of the American Avenue Landfill in 2031 and the Clovis Landfill in 2047, there is a potential for additional landfill capacity needed to accommodate the additional development from this Specific Plan. Therefore, development under the proposed Specific Plan could result in a significant impact on landfill capacity.
Implementation of the proposed plan would result in a total buildout of approximately 45,000 dwelling units and over 3,000 acres (130+ million square feet) of mixed use, commercial, office, retail, public, and open spaces throughout the Specific Plan Area. The proposed increase in development would result in a long-term increase in solid waste generation with each new land use.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx To reduce the significant impacts associated with the solid waste disposal, the City will need to increase disposal capacity. The policies in the General Plan are designed to reduce the potential effect associated with solid waste disposal including those associated with the proposed Specific Plan. The City is responsible for evaluating additional landfill locations to ensure adequate landfill capacity for future development, and MM UTIL-4 requires that the City shall not approve development that could contribute solid waste to a landfill that is at capacity until such additional capacity has been provided.
All future development under the Specific Plan would be required to comply with State and local requirements for reduction of solid waste going to landfills.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
MM UTIL-4 The City shall evaluate additional landfill locations at the time discretionary projects are submitted and shall not approve development that could contribute solid waste to a landfill that is at capacity until additional capacity is provided.
Level of Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
Solid Waste Regulations
Impact UTIL-5: The proposed project would comply with federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste.
Impact Analysis
Construction and operational activities that generate solid waste are handled, transported, and disposed of in accordance with applicable federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to municipal waste. With development in accordance with the proposed Specific Plan, solid waste would continue to be handled, transported, and disposed of in accordance with all applicable federal, State, and local regulations. The City currently has a number of provisions that require or promote recycling and waste reduction. See Section 3.18.3 above for a discussion of regulations related to solid waste. Because all development projects within SEDA would be required to comply with regulations related to solid waste, the proposed project would not include any activities or components that would conflict with federal, State, or local statutes or regulations related to solid waste. Solid waste disposal service impacts would be less than significant upon compliance with regulatory requirements and proposed policies for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan.
All construction and operational activities would be required to comply with regulations related to solid waste. The proposed project does not include any activities or components that would conflict with regulations related to solid waste. Therefore, construction impacts would be less than significant.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
3.18.7 - Cumulative Impacts
The geographic context for evaluation of cumulative impacts related to utilities varies for the different utility providers and is specified below for each utility.
Past and present development in the geographic context has resulted in an increase in demand for water, wastewater treatment and stormwater capacity, landfill capacity, and energy facilities to adequately serve the development. The respective service providers have responded to these increasing demands by constructing new infrastructure. In addition, each utility type has a management plan in place that addresses future projected demands for planned development.
These management plans are routinely updated to account for this development. Construction of individual infrastructure projects has likely resulted in discrete impacts in various issue areas, such as aesthetics, air quality, biological resources, etc. Therefore, there could be a cumulatively significant impact from construction of past and present infrastructure projects. Future development could contribute to this cumulative impact.
The purpose of the SEDA Specific Plan is to identify and develop utilities and service systems within the project area, and to generally eliminate cumulative impacts outside of it. The impacts of anticipated development and projects resulting from the Specific Plan have been analyzed in this Recirculated Draft PEIR. Most impacts are localized and would occur at different times as the Specific Plan is built out. The proposed project would comply with all State and local regulations related to utilities. Therefore, the proposed project would generally not combine with other projects to result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to cumulative impacts. Where there are regional impacts, they would occur on a scale and of a difficulty that cannot be addressed within a Specific Plan and are being addressed with long-term planning by regional groups and State agencies.
However, some potential cumulative impacts were identified and are discussed below.
Water
The geographic context for cumulative impacts regarding water supply and water distribution system infrastructure is the Specific Plan Area and the groundwater basins from which the Plan Area derives water. As discussed, the potential long-term impacts related to water supply requirements of the baseline General Plan conditions for the Plan Area versus the proposed Specific Plan conditions for the Plan Area differ by 1.7 percent. Water supply and water treatment impacts would be less than significant upon compliance with regulatory requirements and proposed policies for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan, and incorporation of all mitigation measures.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx Recycled Water
The geographic context for cumulative impacts regarding recycled water supply and recycled water distribution system infrastructure is the Specific Plan Area and the City of Fresno which will all be recipients of the recycled water supply. As discussed, the potential long-term impacts related to recycled water supply requirements of the Plan Area cannot be fully determined at this time because recycled water is not yet utilized in the Plan Area, and the Recycled Water planning documents do not account for the development of a recycled water distribution system within the Plan Area until after the planned development of the City’s growth areas. Improvements within the Plan Area will be required to facilitate the use of recycled water. Preliminary irrigation calculations were completed to determine the ETWU of the park acres in the Plan Area. Assuming the landscaping would be warm-season turf, and irrigation would mainly be applied via overhead spray/rotors, an annual ETWU with rainfall included of approximately 283 AF (0.3 MGD) was found for the Plan Area.
Recycled water supply and wastewater treatment impacts would be less than significant upon compliance with regulatory requirements and proposed policies for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan, and incorporation of all mitigation measures.
Wastewater
The study area for cumulative impacts regarding wastewater is the Specific Plan Area, the City of Fresno, and the City of Clovis because the City of Fresno acts as the Regional Sewering Agency and is responsible for operating the Fresno-Clovis RWRF, and the RWRF serves Clovis. As discussed, there would be an increase in baseline wastewater generation for the Specific Plan of 1.46 mgd, or 15 percent when compared to the buildout General Plan conditions. Given that the Master Plan utilities were designed based on General Plan buildout conditions, a 15 percent increase would impact associated wastewater treatment requirements and WDRs, and the impacts would be significant without mitigation, as would the cumulative impacts.
There are also a number of public utility districts, water districts, and other municipalities near the Specific Plan Area, including the Pinedale Public Utility District, the Pinedale County Water District, the Malaga Water District, and the Bakman Water Company. These entities could have construction projects of new wastewater treatment facilities or other urban development that could cause similar significant environmental impacts as discussed above. Since the proposed Specific Plan would result in less than significant environmental effects from the construction of expanded and new wastewater treatment and conveyance facilities, the proposed project’s contribution to cumulative environmental impacts would not be considerable, and the proposed project would result in a less than significant cumulative environmental impact with the incorporation of all mitigation measures.
Storm Drainage
The study area for cumulative impacts regarding stormwater drainage is the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area because the FMFCD service area includes almost the entire portion of the Fresno- Clovis Metropolitan Area. Stormwater and flood control system impacts would be less than significant upon compliance with regulatory requirements and proposed policies for full implementation of the proposed Specific Plan.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development AreaSpecific Plan Project Utilities and Service Systems Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.18-74 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx The buildout of the Specific Plan when compared to the General Plan would result in a net increase of 248 AF in expected runoff; FMFCD allows a 20 percent change in required basin volumes before the basin must be modified. The buildout of the Specific Plan would result in a change in required volume of more than 20 percent in one proposed basin (Basin DX), and the exceedance of one proposed basin’s capacity (Basin DW). These two basins will need to be revised by resizing or relocating.
Mitigation measures related to storm drain systems are established in the Storm Drain Master Plan and have become standard operating practices. Stormwater collection and handling must adhere to the mitigation measures identified in the 2014 City of Fresno Master Plan EIR as well as regulatory requirements that codify the same fundamental practices.
Construction projects that are located immediately adjacent to the FMFCD boundary could cause similar significant environmental impacts as discussed above. Since the proposed Specific Plan would result in less than significant environmental effects from the construction of new stormwater drainage facilities, the proposed project’s contribution to cumulative environmental impacts would not be cumulatively considerable, and the proposed project would result in a less than significant cumulative environmental impact with the incorporation of all mitigation measures.
Solid Waste
The study area for cumulative impacts regarding solid waste is the entire County of Fresno because waste from throughout the County could be accommodated at primarily three landfills within the County including the American Avenue Landfill in Kerman, the Clovis Landfill in Clovis, and the Coalinga Landfill in Coalinga.
Shortage of waste disposal capacity can have significant impacts on adjacent areas. If refuse is exported to adjacent areas with existing spare capacity, significant impacts due to increased travel distances can result in additional transportation related impacts. The cumulative impact would be less than significant with incorporation of all mitigation measures, including MM UTIL-4.
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications
The geographic context for an analysis of cumulative impacts to electricity and natural gas is the PG&E service area. The context for telecommunications is the City of Fresno and the Specific Plan Area.
Past and present development has resulted in increased demand for electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications services. Electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications utilities respond to increased demands in various ways. These may include temporary stoppages or rolling blackouts, extension of existing infrastructure, or construction of new facilities. Each of these utility providers prepares long-range plans to accommodate projected growth in their service areas. For example, PG&E provides annual sustainability reports that outline strategies to accommodate future growth and ensure reliability of electrical and natural gas service. As indicated in the 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report, PG&E has requested approval for 387 megawatts of additional energy storage from six projects slated for completion by August 2023. These projects will provide “system reliability City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Utilities and Service Systems
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-18 Utilities.docx procurement that will help integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy and meet peak summer demand.” Telecommunications companies continually expand infrastructure to serve the growing population. These planning efforts take into account growth projections, including the growth under the proposed project. Past, present, and future development has been and will continue to be accounted for in the utility plans, which are updated regularly to ensure continuity of service.
Because the proposed project would not result in unplanned growth, the majority of growth would be infill, and because the utility providers take into consideration all future growth projections in their planning efforts, the proposed project would not be expected to require or result in new or expanded electricity, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities beyond those already planned.
Cumulative projects would be included in planned growth, and impacts would be less than significant.
Level of Cumulative Significance Before Mitigation
Water–Potentially significant impact.
Wastewater–Potentially significant impact.
Storm Drainage–Potentially significant impact.
Solid Waste–Potentially significant impact.
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications–Less than significant impact.
Cumulative Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures identified for the various resource topics in this Recirculated Draft PEIR would reduce the cumulative impacts of construction of utility infrastructure to less than significant.
Implement MM HYD-2b, MMHYD-2c, MM UTIL-1a, MM UTIL-1b, MM UTIL-1c, MM UTIL-1d, MM UTIL-1e, MM UTIL-1f, MM UTIL-2a, MM UTIL-2b, MM UTIL-2c, and MM UTIL-4.
Level of Cumulative Significance After Mitigation
Less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated.
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City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
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3.19 - Wildfire
3.19.1 - Introduction
This section describes the existing wildfire conditions in the project area as well as the relevant regulatory framework. This section also evaluates the possible impacts related to wildfire that could result from implementation of the proposed project. Information in this section is based on information provided by the Fresno General Plan (General Plan), Fresno Southeast Development Area (SEDA) Specific Plan (Specific Plan), and the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection (CAL FIRE). Four public comments were received during the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping period related to wildfire:
• Request that the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR) identifies the locations within the Plan Area that are within Special Flood Hazard Areas, which would be subject to Fresno County Ordinance Code Title 15, Chapter 15.48, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood elevation requirements as applicable.
3.19.2 - Environmental Setting
Wildfire Hazard Area Designations
According to the CAL FIRE Fire and Resource Assessment Program, the Plan Area does not contain any lands within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) or lands classified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA). The nearest Very High FHSZ to the Plan Area is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the Plan Area near Pine Flat Lake. 1 There
are no wildlands located within or adjacent to the Plan Area.2 Wildfire-conducive Conditions
The Plan Area is located within the Central Valley and is relatively flat. The majority of the Plan Area is located within agricultural lands. Similar uses surround the Plan Area with mostly agricultural properties and rural residential uses to the north, west, and south. The Sierra Nevada foothills to the north and east of the City provide the nearest areas where large expanses of undeveloped properties occur. Because of the topography and the distance between the Plan Area and undeveloped areas, the primary fire hazard concern within the City consists of the potential for structure fires in developed areas.
Emergency and Evacuation Routes/Access
Both the City and County of Fresno implement programs to facilitate emergency preparedness for other types of incidents within the Plan Area, such as fires. Specifically, the City has an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that describes what the City’s actions will be during a response to an emergency. This plan also describes the role of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the
1 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2007. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in SRA. Website:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/6671/fhszs_map10.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2022. 2 City of Fresno. 2018. Fresno County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Figure 4.53 Fresno County’s Wildfire Severity Zones. Website:
https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=24743. Accessed May 17, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx coordination that occurs between the EOC, City departments, and other response agencies. The plan establishes a requirement for the emergency management organization to mitigate any significant emergencies affecting the City. The plan also identifies the policies, responsibilities, and procedures required to protect the health and safety of City communities, public and private property, and the environmental effects of natural or technological disasters. In addition, the plan establishes the operation concepts and procedures associated within initial response operations (field response) to emergencies, the extended response operations (City of Fresno EOC Activities), and the recovery process. Furthermore, the plan complies with the State of California EOP “Cross Walk” checklist for determining whether an emergency plan has addressed critical elements of California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office determines the need for evacuations and notifies the public regarding evacuation warnings and orders. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office coordinates the evacuation of the public as well as animals and livestock from hazardous areas during an emergency or disaster.
The County of Fresno (County) has a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), which is a plan that aims to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people or property from natural hazards. The MJHMP was developed in 2007-2008 and FEMA approved it in 2009. The MJHMP was comprehensively updated in 2017-2018 and was adopted by the City in May 2018. The MJHMP was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 so that the County and the jurisdictions within it would be eligible for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants. The MJHMP identifies goals and objectives for reducing the County’s vulnerability to hazards and recommends actions to meet them. The MJHMP contains the following mitigation actions for the City of Fresno:
• Establish a post-disaster action plan for the City’s continuity of its Operations Plan. • Improve the City’s capabilities for sheltering animals in a disaster. • Train and certify City inspectors to conduct a post-disaster damage assessment. • Implement a flood awareness program for the public.
• Develop a recycled water distribution system in the southwest portion of the City. • Comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, including groundwater sustainability planning and implementation.
The MJHMP does not have any mitigation actions for the City related to wildlife. However, the County does contain a mitigation action for CAL FIRE to develop wildfire Defensible Fuel Modification Zones in area of tree mortality. The foothill and mountain areas of the County have been severely impacted by the drought and subsequent bark beetle outbreak since 2014. This has caused tree mortality across 216,000 acres and over 21 million trees have died, creating an additional fuel load.
All the communities in these areas are at an increased risk of a damaging wildland fire due to the mortality and fuel loading. These areas need increased Defensible Fuel Modification Zones and hazard tree removal to reduce the damaging effects of a wildland fire.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
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3.19.3 - Regulatory Framework
Federal
United States Department of Interior
Review and Update of the 1995 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy
1. Safety—Firefighter and public safety is the first priority. All Fire Management Plans and activities must reflect this commitment
2. Fire Management and Ecosystem Sustainability—The full range of fire management activities will be used to help achieve ecosystem sustainability, including its interrelated ecological, economic, and social components
3. Response to Wildland Fire—Fire, as a critical natural process, will be integrated into land and resource management plans and activities on a landscape scale and across agency boundaries. Response to wildland fire is based on ecological, social, and legal consequences of the fire. The circumstances under which a fire occurs, and the likely consequences on firefighter and public safety and welfare, natural and cultural resources, and values to be protected, dictate the appropriate management response to the fire.
4. Use of Wildland Fire—Wildland fire will be used to protect, maintain, and enhance resources and, as nearly as possible, be allowed to function in its natural ecological role. Use of fire will be based on approved Fire Management Plans and will follow specific prescriptions contained in operational plans.
5. Rehabilitation and Restoration—Rehabilitation and restoration efforts will be undertaken to protect and sustain ecosystems, public health, and safety and to help communities protect infrastructure.
6. Protection Priorities—The protection of human life is the single, overriding priority. Setting priorities among protecting human communities and community infrastructure, other property and improvements, and natural and cultural resources will be based on the values to be protected, human health and safety, and the costs of protection. Once people have been committed to an incident, these human resources become the highest value to be protected.
7. Wildland Urban Interface—The operational roles of federal agencies as partners in the Wildland Urban Interface are wildland firefighting, hazardous fuels reduction, cooperative prevention and education, and technical assistance. Structural fire suppression is the responsibility of tribal, State, or local governments. Federal agencies may assist with exterior structural protection activities under formal Fire Protection Agreements that specify the mutual responsibilities of the partners, including funding. (Some federal agencies have full structural protection authority for their facilities on lands they administer and may also enter into formal agreements to assist State and local governments with full structural protection.)
8. Planning—Every area with burnable vegetation must have an approved Fire Management Plan. Fire Management Plans are strategic plans that define a program to manage wildland and prescribed fires based on the area’s approved land management plan. Fire Management City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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9. Science—Fire Management Plans and programs will be based on a foundation of sound science. Research will support ongoing efforts to increase our scientific knowledge of biological, physical, and sociological factors. Information needed to support fire management will be developed through an integrated interagency fire science program.
Scientific results must be made available to managers in a timely manner and must be used in the development of land management plans, Fire Management Plans, and implementation plans.
10. Preparedness—Agencies will ensure their capability to provide safe, cost-effective fire management programs in support of land and resource management plans through appropriate planning, staffing, training, equipment, and management oversight.
11. Suppression—Fires are suppressed at minimum cost, considering firefighter and public safety, benefits, and values to be protected, consistent with resource objectives.
12. Prevention—Agencies will work together and with their partners and other affected groups and individuals to prevent unauthorized ignition of wildland fires.
13. Standardization—Agencies will use compatible planning processes, funding mechanisms, training and qualification requirements, operational procedures, values to be protected methodologies, and public education programs for all fire management activities.
14. Interagency Cooperation and Coordination—Fire management planning, preparedness, prevention, suppression, fire use, restoration and rehabilitation, monitoring, research, and education will be conducted on an interagency basis with the involvement of cooperators and partners.
15. Communication and Education—Agencies will enhance knowledge and understanding of wildland fire management policies and practices through internal and external communication and education programs. These programs will be continuously improved through the timely and effective exchange of information among all affected agencies and organizations.
16. Agency Administrator and Employee Roles—Agency administrators will ensure that their employees are trained, certified, and made available to participate in the wildland fire program locally, regionally, and nationally as the situation demands. Employees with operational, administrative, or other skills will support the wildland fire program as necessary. Agency administrators are responsible and will be held accountable for making employees available.
17. Evaluation—Agencies will develop and implement a systematic method of evaluation to determine effectiveness of projects through implementation of the 2001 Federal Fire Policy.
The evaluation will assure accountability, facilitate resolution of areas of conflict, and identify resource shortages and agency priorities.
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California Emergency Response Plan
California has developed an emergency response plan to coordinate emergency services provided by federal, State, and local governments and private agencies. Responding to hazardous-materials incidents is one part of this plan. The plan is administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, which coordinates the responses of other agencies. When Contra Costa County experiences an emergency, an EOC may be opened. In the event an EOC is opened, emergency response team members coordinate efforts and work with local fire and police agencies, emergency medical providers, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), CAL FIRE, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Threat Potential Mapping CAL FIRE has mapped fire threat potential throughout California. CAL FIRE maps fire threat based on the availability of fuel and the likelihood of an area burning (based on topography, fire history, and climate). The threat levels include no fire threat, moderate, high, and very high fire threat. Further, the maps designate the City as the LRA of the project site. Additionally, CAL FIRE produced a 2010 Strategic Fire Plan for California which contains goals, objectives, and policies to prepare for and mitigate the effects of fire on California’s natural and built environments. The CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal provides oversight of enforcement of the California Fire Code as well as overseeing hazardous liquid pipeline safety.
California Building Code
The State of California provided a minimum standard for building design through the 2022 California Building Standards Code (CBC), which is located in Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. The 2022 CBC is based on the International Building Code but has been modified for California conditions. It is generally adopted on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, subject to further modification based on local conditions. Commercial and residential buildings are plan-checked by local City and County building officials for compliance with the CBC. Typical fire safety requirements of the CBC include the installation of sprinklers in all new high-rise buildings and residential buildings; the establishment of fire resistance standards for fire doors and building material; and particular types of construction.
California Public Resources Code
The California Public Resources Code includes fire safety regulations that restrict the use of equipment that may produce a spark, flame, or fire; require the use of spark arrestors 3 on
construction equipment that use an internal combustion engine; specify requirements for the safe use of gasoline-powered tools in fire hazard areas; and specify fire suppression equipment that must be provided on-site for various types of work in fire-prone areas.
These regulations include the following:
3 A spark arrestor is any device that prevents the emission of flammable debris from a combustion source (i.e., fireplaces, internal combustion engines, and wood burning stoves).
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx • Earthmoving and portable equipment with internal combustion engines would be equipped with a spark arrestor to reduce the potential for igniting a wildland fire (California Public Resources Code [PRC] § 4442);
• Appropriate fire suppression equipment would be maintained during the highest fire danger period—from April 1 to December 1 (PRC § 4428);
• On days when a burning permit is required, flammable materials would be removed to a distance of 10 feet from any equipment that could produce a spark, fire, or flame, and the construction contractor would maintain the appropriate fire suppression equipment (PRC § 4427); and • On days when a burning permit is required, portable tools powered by gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines would not be used within 25 feet of any flammable materials (PRC § 4431).
Regional
County of Fresno Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan The purpose of a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property resulting from hazards. A Local Hazard Mitigation Plan recognizes risks before they occur, as well as identifies resources, information, and strategies for emergency response. Fresno County, with participation from 17 jurisdictions, is the Lead Agency on the MJHMP. In 2018, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors adopted the MJHMP, which includes a portion listing information most relevant to the City in the areas of health, infrastructure, housing, government, environment, and land use.
Local
City of Fresno Emergency Operation Plan
The California Emergency Services Act requires cities to prepare and maintain an emergency plan for emergencies that are natural or caused by man. The City’s adopted EOP plans for emergencies including natural hazards. The EOP does not designate any evacuation routes within the Planning Area.
City of Fresno General Plan
Noise and Safety Element
Objective NS-6 Foster an efficient and coordinated response to emergencies and natural disasters.
Policy NS-6-a County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. Adopt and implement the Fresno County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Fresno Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex.
Policy NS-6-b Disaster Response Coordination. Maintain coordination with other local, State, and federal agencies to provide coordinated disaster response.
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Policy NS-6-d Evacuation Planning. Maintain an emergency evacuation plan in consultation with the Police and Fire Departments and other emergency service providers, which shows potential evacuation routes and a list of emergency shelters to be used in case of catastrophic emergencies.
Policy NS-6-e Critical Use Facilities. Ensure critical use facilities (e.g., City Hall, police and fire stations, schools, hospitals, public assembly facilities, transportation services) and other structures that are important to protecting health and safety in the community remain operational during an emergency.
• Site and design these facilities to minimize their exposure and susceptibility to flooding, seismic and geological effects, fire, and explosions. • Work with the owners and operators of critical use facilities to ensure they can provide alternate sources of electricity, water, and sewerage in the event that regular utilities are interrupted in a disaster.
Policy NS-6-f Emergency Vehicle Access. Require adequate access for emergency vehicles in all new development, including adequate widths, turning radii, hard standing areas, and vertical clearance.
Policy NS-6-g Emergency Preparedness Public Awareness Programs. Continue to conduct programs to inform the general public, including people with access and functional needs, of the City’s emergency preparedness and disaster response procedures.
Public Utilities and Services Element
Objective PU-2 Ensure that the Fire Department’s staffing and equipment resources are sufficient to meet all fire and emergency service level objectives and are provided in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Policy PU-2-a Unify Fire Protection. Pursue long-range transfer of fire protection service agreements with adjacent fire districts that, in concert with existing automatic aid agreements, will lead to the eventual unification of fire protection services in the greater Fresno area.
Policy PU-2-b Maintain Ability. Strive to continually maintain the Fire Department’s ability to provide staffing and equipment resources to effectively prevent and mitigate emergencies in existing and new high-rise buildings and in other high-density residential and commercial development throughout the City.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
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https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx Policy PU-2-c Rescue Standards. Develop appropriate standards, as necessary, for rescue operations, including, but not limited to, confined space, high angle, swift water rescues, and the unique challenges of a high speed train corridor.
Policy PU-2-d Station Siting. Use the General Plan, community plans, Specific Plans, neighborhood plans, and Concept Plans, the City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database, and a fire station location program to achieve optimum siting of future fire stations.
Policy PU-2-e Service Standards. Strive to achieve a community-wide risk management plan that include the following service level objectives 90 percent of the time:
• First Unit on Scene–First fire unit arriving with minimum of three firefighters within 5 minutes and 20 seconds from the time the unit was alerted to the emergency incident.
• Effective Response Force–Provide sufficient number of firefighters on the scene of an emergency within 9 minutes and 20 seconds from the time of unit alert to arrival. The effective response force is measured as 15 firefighters for low-risk fire incidents and 21 firefighters for high-risk fire incidents and is the number of personnel necessary to complete specific tasks required to contain and control fire minimizing loss of life and property.
Objective PU-3 Enhance the level of fire protection to meet the increasing demand for services from an increasing population.
Policy PU-3-a Fire Prevention Inspections. Develop strategies to enable the performance of annual fire and life safety inspection of all industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential buildings, in accordance with nationally recognized standards for the level of service necessary for a large Metropolitan Area, including a self-certification program.
Policy PU-3-b Reduction Strategies. Develop community risk reduction strategies that target high service demand areas, vulnerable populations (e.g., young children, older adults, non-English speaking residents, persons with disabilities, etc.), and high life hazard occupancies.
Policy PU-3-d Review All Development Applications. Continue Fire Department review of development applications, provide comments, and recommend conditions of approval that will ensure adequate on-site and off-site fire protection systems and features are provided.
Policy PU-3-e Building Codes. Adopt and enforce amendments to construction and fire codes, as determined appropriate, to systematically reduce the level of risk to life and property from fire, commensurate with the City’s fire suppression capabilities.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.19-9
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx Policy PU-3-f Adequate Infrastructure. Continue to pursue the provision of adequate water supplies, hydrants, and appropriate property access to allow for adequate fire suppression throughout the City.
Policy PU-3-g Cost Recovery. Continue to evaluate appropriate codes, policies, and methods to generate fees or other sources of revenue to offset the ongoing personnel and maintenance costs of providing fire prevention and response services.
Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan
The Fresno SEDA Specific Plan is framed within three significant and interrelated goals: fiscal responsibility, social equity, and environmental sustainability. The proposed Plan and policies that form its implementation framework are formulated and coordinated to meet the criteria of these overlapping goals. The proposed Specific Plan contains the following objectives and policies related to wildfire:
Open Space, Schools, and Public Facilities
Objective OS-2 Create and maintain an open space network that serves multiple purposes, including recreation, stormwater management, community farming, and environmental preservation.
Policy OS-2.3 Stormwater Management Features. Maximize the use of green stormwater management infrastructure—such as ponds, basins, swales, and other low-impact systems—within the open space system.
• Coordinate with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) to incorporate green infrastructure within City parks and trails.
Objective OS-11 Provide the necessary levels of police and fire services in accordance with the City of Fresno General Plan.
Policy OS-11.2 Provision of Fire Services. Provide fire services in the SEDA in accordance with the policies of the City of Fresno General Plan. If deemed necessary, the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department, through coordination with public safety agencies, can make adjustments to these policies.
Policy OS-11.3 Coordination with Police and Fire Departments. The City of Fresno Planning and Development Department shall work with the Police and Fire departments as appropriate to promote safe environments throughout the SEDA and ensure that services can be provided in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the community. Coordination may address:
• Evaluation of design features for safety and crime prevention • Siting of police and fire substations
• Facilitation of citizen involvement processes
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.19-10 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx Objective OS-13 Provide electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications infrastructure necessary to serve development in the SEDA.
Policy OS-13.1 Provision of Electricity and Natural Gas Infrastructure. The City of Fresno shall work with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to provide the necessary electricity and gas infrastructure to serve development in the SEDA.
Policy OS-13.3 Provision of Telecommunications Infrastructure. The City shall work with service providers to establish the telecommunications infrastructure necessary to serve the residents and employers of the SEDA.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Conservation
Objective RC-1 Meet Statewide targets set for greenhouse gas emissions reductions as set forth in the City’s updated GHG Reduction Plan, adopted in 2021.
Policy RC-1.6 Municipal Facilities. SEDA will include a range of municipal facilities from streetlights to parks and open spaces to community centers and police and fire facilities will be constructed. It is important to include greenhouse gas reductions and energy conservation at City facilities, over which the City has direct control and can allocate resources for this purpose. In addition, implementing these measures at City facilities also establishes the City as a leader in GHG reduction and conservation, which is important as it implements these measures on a citywide basis. The following are potential citywide actions that can be initiated within the SEDA as opportunity allows:
A. Improve energy efficiency in City operations.
B. Exceed Title 24 energy efficiency standards for new City buildings.
C. Install renewable energy systems on City facilities.
D. Implement City operated transportation demand management for City employees.
E. Purchase green vehicles for City fleets.
F. Enhance reduction, reuse and recycling efforts at City facilities.
G. Implement water efficient landscaping in City parks and facilities.
H. Establish a green purchasing program.
Objective RC-6 Develop sufficient wet utility infrastructure to meet the demand created by new development within the Southeast Development Area, applying cost-effective and low-impact strategies to the extent possible.
Policy RC-6.3 Flood Control and Stormwater Management. Evaluate and provide infrastructure to minimize community flood risk, enhance water quality, and provide locations for active recreation.
• Sub-Area or Development Proposal Delivery: Proposed stormwater systems shall be identified at the time of development project approval to the City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.19-11
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx satisfaction of the City of Fresno. Systems must work within the requirements established in the pending EIR-related water infrastructure planning tasks and the SEDA Infrastructure Financing Plan.
- Stormwater runoff reductions. The City of Fresno and the developer will identify specific reduction measures required for the development proposal to move forward.
- Detailed engineering. Infrastructure planning and engineering will be conducted with the proposed demand reduction factors included.
3.19.4 - Methodology
This evaluation focuses on whether the proposed project would result in changes to the physical environment that would cause or exacerbate adverse effects related to wildfires or whether the proposed project would be placed in a location susceptible to wildfire or post-wildfire conditions.
The evaluation also includes a determination of whether changes to the physical environment caused by the proposed project would impair or interfere with emergency response plans, expose people to pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or uncontrolled spread of a wildfire, expose people/structures to downslope flooding or landslides, or include installation or maintenance of infrastructure that may exacerbate fire risk. The following analysis is based, in part, on information provided by the General Plan, the SEDA Specific Plan, and the CAL FIRE website.
3.19.5 - Thresholds of Significance
The Lead Agency utilizes the criteria in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Appendix G Environmental Checklist to determine whether wildfire impacts would be considered significant from implementation of the proposed project.
If located in or near State Responsibility Areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project:
a) Substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
b) Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
c) Require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment? d) Expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.19-12 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx
3.19.6 - Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
This section discusses potential impacts associated with the development of the proposed project and provides mitigation measures where appropriate.
Emergency Response/Evacuation Plan Consistency
Impact WILD-1: The proposed project would not substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
Impact Analysis
A significant impact would occur if future development under the Specific Plan would impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. The proposed project does not approve, propose, or authorize development in an SRA or FHSZ. The nearest Very High FHSZ to the Plan Area is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the Plan Area near Pine Flat Lake.4 The Sierra Nevada foothills to the north and east of the City provide the nearest areas where large expanses of undeveloped properties occur. Because of the flat topography of the Plan Area and the distance between developed portions of the City and undeveloped areas, the primary fire hazard concern within the City consists of the potential for structure fires in developed areas.
The City’s Police and Fire Departments are the lead agencies for all local emergency response efforts.
In addition, the City’s full-time Emergency Preparedness Officer (EPO) is responsible for ensuring that Fresno’s emergency response plans are up-to-date and implemented properly. The EPO also facilitates cooperation between City departments and other local, State, and federal agencies that would be involved in emergency response operations.5
Development of the Plan Area would increase the development of residential, mixed use, research and development, institutional, and office land uses, creating a higher intensity of development within the Plan Area. These types of land uses are not expected to impair implementation of or physically interfere with adopted emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans in the City.
Furthermore, the Specific Plan includes various policies that would reduce impacts in case of an emergency. Policy UF-5.1 requires implementation of the Major Circulation Plan, which would improve traffic circulation within the Plan Area in case of an emergency. Policy UF-5.6 sets criteria for vehicle travel facilities. Policy UF-5.7 sets Level of Service (LOS) standards. Policy PF-5.1, and Policy PF-5.2, and Policy PF-5.2 require the provision of adequate police and fire services in the SEDA in accordance with the policies of the General Plan and require that the Planning Department work with police and fire departments during buildout of the SEDA Specific Pan to ensure services are responsive to community needs.
4 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2007. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in SRA. Website:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/6671/fhszs_map10.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2022. 5 City of Fresno. Mayor’s Office. Emergency Preparedness. Website: https://www.fresno.gov/mayor/emergency-preparedness/.
Accessed May 19, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.19-13
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx In the event of an evacuation, major freeways including State Route (SR) 180, SR-168, or SR-99 can be used. Major roadway access corridors such as Temperance, Clovis, and Jensen Avenues can also be used for emergency access. Each of these major roadway access corridors accommodates four lanes of traffic with a central turning lane.
At the programmatic level, impacts to the Plan Area would be reduced to a less than significant level.
Consistent with the General Plan and Specific Plan policies, individual development projects would be required to undergo project-specific environmental review, which may require additional site- specific or project-specific measures to reduce any potential impacts and would ensure that impacts remain less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Expose Project Occupants to Pollutant Concentrations from Wildfire Impact WILD-2: The proposed project would not due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire.
Impact Analysis
A significant impact would occur if future development under the Specific Plan would exacerbate wildfire risk, exposing project occupants to pollutants. The proposed project does not approve, propose, or authorize development in an SRA or FHSZ. The nearest Very High FHSZ to the Plan Area is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the Plan Area.6 Additionally, SR-168 separates this area from the Plan Area, serving as a fire break.
The proposed project would primarily facilitate infill development, creating a higher intensity of development within the Plan Area. The Sierra Nevada foothills to the north and east of the City provide the nearest areas where large expanses of undeveloped properties occur. Because of the flat topography of the Plan Area and the distance between developed portions of the City and undeveloped areas, the primary fire hazard concern within the City consists of the potential for structure fires in developed areas.
According to the General Plan Noise and Safety Element, the City’s high temperatures and sunlight during summer months combined with low rainfall could create an environment prone to wildfires by drying and pre-heating combustible material, which would encourage the spontaneous combustion of such material. The City’s estimated maximum wind speed is 70 miles per hour (mph),
6 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2007. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in SRA. Website:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/6671/fhszs_map10.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.19-14 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx which could exacerbate wildfire risks.7 The Specific Plan would result in more urbanization and paved areas, which would reduce the threat of wildfires in the area.
Development under the proposed project would be consistent with the County and City plans and policies in place to reduce the risks associated with wildland fires. For example, General Plan Policy NS-6-f requires adequate access for emergency vehicles in all new development, including adequate widths, turning radii, hard standing areas, and vertical clearance. General Plan Policy PU-2-c requires the development of appropriate standards, as necessary, for rescue operations. General Plan Policy PU-2-d requires the use of Specific Plans and a fire station location program to achieve optimum siting of future fire stations. General Plan Policy PU-2-e requires that the community-wide risk management plan includes service level objectives for 90 percent of the time. General Plan Policy PU-3-3 requires that the Fire Department review all development applications, provide comments, and recommend conditions of approval that ensure adequate on-site and off-site fire protection systems and features are provided.
Specific Plan Policy OS-13.1 and OS-13.3 include the provision of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications infrastructure, which may increase fire risks in the area. However, the General Plan policies listed above in additional to compliance with the CBC would reduce these potential impacts to a less than significant level.
Because the Plan Area is relatively flat and is not located adjacent to or a near a Very High FHSZ, the potential for wildland fire hazard would not substantially change with adoption of the proposed project, and current hazards would not be exacerbated or significantly increased. Additionally, consistent with the General Plan and Specific Plan policies, individual development projects would be required to undergo project-specific environmental review, which may require additional site- specific or project- specific measures to reduce any potential impacts and would ensure that impacts remain less than significant. Therefore, impacts under this topic would be less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Infrastructure That Exacerbates Fire Risk
Impact WILD-3: The proposed project would not require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment.
Impact Analysis
A significant impact would occur if future development under the Specific Plan would occur if the installation or maintenance of project infrastructure would exacerbate fire risk. The proposed project
7 City of Fresno. 2020. Fresno General Plan Environmental Impact Report.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.19-15
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx does not approve, propose, or authorize development in an SRA or FHSZ. The nearest Very High FHSZ to the Plan Area is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the Plan Area near Pine Flat Lake.8 Additionally, SR-168 separates this area from the Plan Area, serving as a fire break.
As previously stated, the proposed project would primarily facilitate infill development, creating a higher intensity of development within the Plan Area. The Sierra Nevada foothills to the north and east of the City provide the nearest areas where large expanses of undeveloped properties occur.
Because of the flat topography and the distance between developed portions of the City and undeveloped areas, the primary fire hazard concern within the City consists of the potential for structure fires in developed areas.
As described above, Specific Plan Policy OS-13.1 and OS-13.3 include the provision of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications infrastructure, which may increase fire risks in the area.
Additionally, as discussed in WILD-2, General Plan policies (such as General Plan Policy PU-3-3) as well as compliance with the CBC would ensure that fire risks are not exacerbated, and impacts would remain less than significant. Additionally, consistent with the General Plan and Specific Plan policies, individual development projects would be required to undergo project-specific environmental review, which may require additional site-specific or project-specific measures to reduce any potential impacts and would ensure that impacts remain less than significant.
Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
Flooding and Landslide Hazards Due To Post-fire Slope Instability/Drainage Changes Impact WILD-4: The proposed project would not expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes.
Impact Analysis
A significant impact would occur if future development under the Specific Plan would expose people or structures to significant risks related to flooding, landslides, instability, and drainage changes. The proposed project does not approve, propose, or authorize development in an SRA or FHSZ. The nearest Very High FHSZ to the Plan Area is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the Plan Area near Pine Flat Lake.9 Additionally, SR-168 separates this area from the Plan Area, serving as a fire break.
According to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that include SEDA, a majority of the SEDA Specific Plan Area is outside the 100-year flood zones; most areas are located within Zone X
8 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2007. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in SRA. Website:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/6671/fhszs_map10.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2022. 9 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2007. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in SRA. Website:
https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/6671/fhszs_map10.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2022.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.19-16 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx (unshaded) (outside the 500-year floodplain with minimal risk of flooding) (see Exhibit 3.10-1 included in Chapter 3.10, Hydrology and Water Quality). However, several areas in the northern portion of SEDA (north of SR-180) are within zones of higher flood risk, including Zones X (shaded) (between the 100-year and 500-year floodplain with moderate risk of flooding), Zone A (Special Flood Hazard Area [SFHA] within the 100-year floodplain with high risk of flooding, but base flood elevations have not been determined), Zone AE (SFHA within the 100-year floodplain with high risk of flooding, and with determined base flood elevations), and Zone A/AE Regulatory Floodplains (SFHA with high risk of flooding, the channel of a waterway and adjacent area which must be reserved to discharge base flood without increasing surface water elevation); these areas are mainly adjacent to existing rivers, creeks, canals, or detention basins.
As discussed in Chapter 3.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, the City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which adopts FIRMs, appoints a trained Floodplain Administrator, adopts a floodplain ordinance modeled after the Flood Insurance Program model ordinance, and enforces the ordinance and the requirements of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Protection of Environment), Subchapter D (Water Programs, Parts 100– 149). The City enforces these requirements through Chapter 11, Article 6 of the Fresno Municipal Code (Fresno Flood Plain Ordinance), which outlines specific requirements for floodproofing of structures. The proposed Specific Plan includes developments that would be located within these SFHAs; development within these areas would require substantial floodproofing, and any required review and approval of the developments by the City, FMFCD, FEMA, and any other governing body.
If developments follow the floodplain ordinance and General Plan objectives and policies are implemented, impacts associated with flooding of developments within the 100-year floodplain would be less than significant.
As previously stated, the proposed project would primarily facilitate infill development, creating a higher intensity of development within the Plan Area. The Sierra Nevada foothills to the north and east of the City provide the nearest areas where large expanses of undeveloped properties occur.
Because of the flat topography and the distance between the developed portions of the City and undeveloped areas, the primary fire hazard concern within the City consists of the potential for structure fires in developed areas.
Additionally, as described above, Specific Plan Policy OS-13.1 and OS-13.3 include the provision of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications infrastructure, which may increase fire risks in the area. However, as discussed in WILD-2, General Plan policies as well as compliance with the CBC would ensure that fire risks are not exacerbated, and impacts would remain less than significant.
The Plan Area is relatively flat and does not contain any FHSZs or contemplate any land use changes in areas adjacent to FHSZs and, therefore, the risk of the proposed project exacerbating post-fire slope instability and drainage changes resulting in landslides or flooding is low. However, any new development facilitated by the proposed project would be subject to General Plan Update policies and actions as well as other local regulations that reduce flood and landslide risks. As such, impacts would be less than significant.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Wildfire
FirstCarbon Solutions 3.19-17
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures
None required.
3.19.7 - Cumulative Impacts
The geographic scope of the cumulative impact analysis for wildfire impacts is the Plan Area, the City of Fresno, and the portions of Fresno County located outside the Plan Area that could contribute to wildfire risks.
The proposed project would convert primarily agricultural land to residential and mixed-use land uses, creating a higher intensity of development within the Plan Area. The Sierra Nevada foothills to the north and east of the City provide the nearest areas where large expanses of undeveloped properties occur. Because of the topography and the distance between the developed portions of the City and undeveloped areas, the primary fire hazard concern within the City consists of the potential for structure fires in developed areas.
According to the General Plan Noise and Safety Element, the City’s high temperatures and sunlight during summer months combined with low rainfall could create an environment prone to wildfires by drying and pre-heating combustible material, which would encourage the spontaneous combustion of such material. The City’s estimated maximum wind speed is 70 mph, which could exacerbate wildfire risks. The SEDA Specific Plan would result in more urbanization and paved areas, which would reduce the threat of wildfires in the area.
Development of the Plan Area would increase the development of residential, mixed use, research and development, institutional, and office land uses. These types of land uses are not expected to impair implementation of or physically interfere with adopted emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans in the City.
In the event of an evacuation, major freeways, including SR-180, SR-168, or SR-99 could be used.
Major roadway access corridors such as Temperance, Clovis and Jensen, Avenues could also be used for emergency access. Each of these major roadway access corridors accommodates four lanes of traffic with a central turning lane.
According to CAL FIRE’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program, the Plan Area does not contain any lands within the SRA or lands classified as Very High FHSZ within the LRA. The County of Fresno SRA lands closest to the Plan Area that are classified as Very High FHSZ are located approximately 25 miles to the northeast near Pine Flat Lake.
Since the Plan Area and surrounding areas do not contain any lands classified as Very High FHSZ, and because no potentially significant impacts related to wildfires have been identified, cumulative impacts would be less than significant. Further, as discussed in Impact Discussion WILD-1 through WILD-4, the continued implementation of the above objectives and policies from the approved General Plan would ensure potential impacts from wildfire remain less than significant. Accordingly, City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Wildfire Recirculated Draft Program EIR
3.19-18 FirstCarbon Solutions
https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec03-19 Wildfire.docx implementation of the proposed project would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to the less than significant impact. No mitigation would be required.
Level of Cumulative Significance Before Mitigation
Less than significant impact.
Cumulative Mitigation Measures
None required.
City of Fresno—Fresno Southeast Development Area Specific Plan Project Recirculated Draft Program EIR Other CEQA Considerations
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Https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN -JN)/3168/31680037/EIR/1 - Recirculated Draft PEIR/31680037 Sec04-00 Other CEQA.docx CHAPTER 4: OTHER CEQA CONSIDERATIONS
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15126 requires that all aspects of a project must be considered when evaluating its impact on the environment, including planning, acquisition, development, and operation. As part of this analysis, the Recirculated Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Recirculated Draft PEIR) must also identify (1) significant environmental effects of the proposed project; (2) significant environmental effects which cannot be avoided if the proposed project is implemented; (3) significant irreversible environmental changes which would be involved in the proposed project should it be implemented; (4) growth-inducing impact of the proposed project; (5) mitigation measures proposed to minimize the significant effects; and (6) alternatives to the proposed project.