Item12_Safety-Element — Grover Beach City Council, September 26, 2022

CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: September 26, 2022 FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Bruce Buckingham, Community Development Director A. Rafael Castillo, AICP, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Certification of a Negative Declaration and Adoption of Updated General Plan Safety Element

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolutions to certify the Negative Declaration (SCH 2022080144) and adopt the update of the General Plan Safety Element.

BACKGROUND
A city’s General Plan is defined as a comprehensive, long-term plan for the physical development of a city. All cities in California are required to have a General Plan that includes the following seven elements shown below along with the year that the element was adopted or last updated:
• Land Use (2022)
• Circulation (2005)
• Housing (2020)
• Conservation and Open Space (2020)
• Safety (2000)
• Noise (1993)
In addition to the required elements, the City has a Parks and Recreation Element (2005), which is not a required element of the General Plan. The elements of a General Plan should be internally consistent and updated where needed. As part of the FY 2018-19 budget, the Council indicated the need to update the most outdated General Plan elements. The Conservation, Open Space, and Housing Elements were updated in 2020 and the Land Use Element was updated earlier this year as part of a major Development Code update. The City contracted with Rincon Consultants to prepare the Safety Element using the technical studies that were completed as part of the 2019 County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The purpose of the Safety Element is to include safety considerations in the planning and decision-making process by establishing policies related to future development that will minimize the risk of personal injury, loss of life, property damage, and environmental damage associated with natural and human-made hazards. The existing Safety Element covers the following topic areas: Seismic and Geological Hazards, Flood Hazards, Fire Hazards, Airport Hazards, Public Safety and Emergency Management, and Hazardous Materials.

Agenda Item No. 12
Staff Report: General Plan Amendment – 2022 Safety Element Update Page 2 September 26, 2022
The proposed Safety Element update brings the General Plan into compliance with current State law which requires the City to review, and update as needed, the Safety Element every eight years, concurrent with the City’s adoption of either the General Plan Housing Element or the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City adopted its current Housing Element in 2020 with certification by the State Housing and Community Development, therefore, the Safety Element is required to be updated.

At its September 6, 2022 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended to the City Council approval of the General Plan Amendment to the Safety Element as presented on a 5-0 vote.

There were no comments received from the public.

New State Law Requirements
Government Code Section 65302(g) requires the City to identify and update information related to seismic and geologic hazards, evacuation routes, flood hazards, and fire hazards with each update. Senate Bill (SB) 379 (approved in 2015) requires that the 2022 Safety Element update include a set of goals, policies, and objectives based on a vulnerability assessment that identifies the risks that climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts. Assembly Bill (AB) 747 and SB 99 require local agencies to identify evacuation routes and evaluate their capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios and identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes.

Vulnerability Assessment
Municipalities are required by law to conduct vulnerability assessments as part of their long-range public safety planning efforts and to prepare policies that will protect against harm caused by climate change. SB 379, Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Strategies (2015), requires the safety elements to be reviewed and updated to include climate adaptation and resiliency strategies. The vulnerability assessment is a technical study prepared in accordance with State guidelines, which identifies how the effects of climate change and related hazard events could be harmful to the community, including to the people, buildings and infrastructure, ecosystems, economic drivers, and key services. It also identifies the natural hazards climate change may exacerbate, the damage that these hazards may cause to people and community assets, and the ability of people and assets to effectively resist and recover from these hazards. The Safety Element update includes the required vulnerability assessment and addresses vulnerability related to temperature changes including extreme heat, precipitation events (drought/floods), coastal storms, coastal erosion, and sea level rise.

Overview of 2022 Safety Element Update
The 2022 Safety Element update addresses the following items:

Introduction/Setting/Regional Plans
This section outlines the setting of the city and includes a brief overview of other plans that have been created that work in tandem with the Safety Element including the Hazard Mitigation Plan, San Luis Obispo Urban Water Management Plan, and the County Emergency Operations Plan.

Critical Infrastructure
This section identifies critical infrastructure and facilities within the city including major highways such as State Highway 1, U.S. Highway 101, schools, and other buildings and infrastructure. In Staff Report: General Plan Amendment – 2022 Safety Element Update Page 3 September 26, 2022
addition to the mapping of these identified items, there is an overview of the current water demand within the city.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The Public Safety and Emergency Management section includes updates that meet the regulatory requirements for Government Code Section 65302(g)(1). Also included within the Public Safety and Emergency Management section is the identification and mapping of residential developments located in hazard-prone areas that lack at least two evacuation routes, pursuant to SB 99 (codified by Government Code Section 65302(g)(5)).

Hazards of Concern
This section details potential hazards for Grover Beach. Those include the following:
• Seismic Hazards
• Liquefaction
• Flooding
• Dam Inundation
• Tsunami and Seiche Hazards
• Wildland and Urban Fires
• Hazardous Materials
Each section includes a brief description of the hazard and how it may affect residents and businesses within the city. Previously completed maps have been updated with information from the City’s consultant for consistency with new state laws.

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
As mentioned earlier, SB 379 Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Strategies (2015) requires the Safety Elements of General Plans to include climate adaptation and resiliency strategies. The 2022 Safety Element update includes the following information to meet this requirement:
• Vulnerability assessment that identifies the risks that climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts. • Set of adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and objectives based on the information specified in the vulnerability assessment.
• Set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives.

The assessment includes projected climate impacts that may affect the city in the future including average temperature change, extreme heat events, drought, super storm events, erosion, sea level rise, and wildfires.

Based on the analysis, the Safety Element concludes that the City will experience higher average maximum temperatures, more severe storms, increases in extreme heat events, extended drought conditions, and increasing wildfire risk and associated air quality impacts. Extensive impacts from sea-level rise are not anticipated in the near future. In addition, the city is susceptible to the “heat island” effect, which relates to urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than the edges of the city.

Goals, Policies and Implementation Measures
This section updates the previous goals, policies, and implementation measures for the Safety Element. Many of the implementation measures are carry overs that City staff is currently performing or will begin to perform such as outreach to neighborhoods for emergency preparedness (Five Cities Fire Authority) through grants that were recently received.

Staff Report: General Plan Amendment – 2022 Safety Element Update Page 4 September 26, 2022
Environmental Review
Rincon Consultants, the City’s consultant, has prepared a draft Initial Study and Negative Declaration in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and no comments have been received to date. The Negative Declaration concluded that the proposed General Plan Amendment (2022 Safety Element Update) would not have a significant impact on the environment (reference Attachment 1 Exhibit A).

Tribal Consultation
The City conducted Native American consultation consistent with Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52 for the project to identify potential concerns or issues associated with Native American cultural resources within the project vicinity. The City mailed consultation letters to nine Native American groups and individuals in June and received no comments requesting consultation from local Native American nations.

ALTERNATIVES
The City Council has the following alternatives to consider:

1. Adopt Resolutions to certify the Negative Declaration and adopt the update of the General Plan Safety Element; or

2. Do not adopt Resolutions to certify the Negative Declaration and adopt the updated General Plan Safety Element; or

3. Provide alternative direction to staff.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. A public hearing notice was published in the New Times on September 16, 2022.

Attachments

1. Resolution to Certify the Negative Declaration
Exhibit A: Draft Negative Declaration

2. Resolution General Plan Amendment – Safety Element
Exhibit A: 2022 Safety Element Update
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION NO. 22-__

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH,

CALIFORNIA ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR A GENERAL PLAN

AMENDMENT TO UPDATE THE SAFETY ELEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Grover Beach prepared an Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the 2022 Safety Element Update to the City’s General Plan; and WHEREAS, the notice of the availability and circulation of the Draft Initial Study and Negative Declaration was advertised and circulated in the manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Grover Beach, at its regular meeting of September 6, 2022, conducted a duly noticed public hearing and recommended the City Council adopt the Initial Study and Negative Declaration prepared for the 2022 Safety Element Update; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, at its meeting of September 26, 2022, conducted a duly noticed public hearing to review and consider the Initial Study and Negative Declaration prepared for the 2022 Safety Element Update, attached as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grover Beach makes the following Findings:

SECTION 1. The Initial Study and Negative Declaration has been prepared pursuant to CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines and circulated for a 30-day public comments period.

SECTION 2. The project will not have a significant effect on the environment.

SECTION 3. There is no substantial evidence of any significant adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively, on wildlife resources as defined by Section 711.2 of the Fish and Game Code or on the habitat upon which the wildlife depends as a result of the project.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the above WHEREAS provisions are incorporated herein as if set out in full and the City Council of the City of Grover Beach DOES HEREBY ADOPT the Negative Declaration for the 2022 Safety Element Update to the City’s General Plan .

On motion by _____, seconded by _____, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit:

AYES: Council Members -
NOES: Council Members -
ABSENT: Council Members -
ABSTAIN: Council Members -
Resolution No. 22-__
Negative Declaration for 2022 Safety Element Update Page 2 the foregoing RESOLUTION NO. 22-__ was PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City of Grover Beach City Council on this 26th day of September 2022. ___________________________________

JEFF LEE, MAYOR
Attest:
______________________________

WENDI SIMS, CITY CLERK
** D R A F T **

CITY OF GROVER BEACH

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Notice of Intent to Adopt
Negative Declaration
DA NO. 22-31 Environmental Document No. 2022-02
PROJECT TITLE Safety Element – Update to the City’s previously adopted Safety element

APPLICANT NAME &

PHONE NUMBER
City of Grover Beach
(805) 473-4520
Email [email protected]
MAILING ADDRESS: 154 South 8th Street Grover Beach, CA 93433 STAFF CONTACT: Bruce Buckingham, Community
Development Director
(805) 473-
4520
[email protected]
PROJECT ADDRESS: City Wide Project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Government Code Section 65302 requires that a city’s general plan include the following elements: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, and environmental justice. The goal of the safety element is to reduce the potential short and long-term risk of death, injuries, property damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from fires, floods, droughts, earthquakes, landslides, climate change, and other hazards (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research 2017). In 2019, City staff to begin updates of the City’s existing General Plan Safety Element for consistency with newly enacted state laws.

The Safety Element update includes the following components:

Hazards Assessment
Safety and Hazard Mapping
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
Goals, Policies, and Implementation.

LEAD AGENCY: City of Grover Beach
Community Development Department
154 South 8th Street
Grover Beach, CA 93433
Document Available Online:

State Clearinghouse Review: ☒Yes SCH# 2022080144 ☐ No
Review Period Begins: 8/5/2022 Review Period Ends: 9/5/2022 Public Hearing Required: ☒Yes ☐ No Dates: Planning Commission: 9/6/2022 City Council 9/6/2022
Public Notice:

The City of Grover Beach is releasing a draft initial study and Negative Declaration for a project that is city wide for public review and comment to all effected agencies, organizations, and interested parties. Reviewers should focus on the content and accuracy of the report and the potential impacts upon the environment. The notice for this project is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Persons responding to this notice are urged to submit their comments in writing to the City (Lead Agency) no later than 5pm on the date listed as “review period ends”. Submittal of written comments via email is also accepted and should be directed to the Staff contact at the above email address. This document may be viewed by visiting the Community Development Department listed under the lead agency address, or accessed via the City’s website.

Exhibit A
General Plan Safety Element Update
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration
prepared by
City of Grover Beach
Community Development Department
154 South 8th Street
Grover Beach, California 93433
Contact: Bruce Buckingham, Community Development Director prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
1530 Monterey Street, Suite D
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
August 2022
r RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC.

Environmental Scientists I Planners I Engineers
rinconconsultants.com
General Plan Safety Element Update
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration
prepared by
City of Grover Beach
Community Development Department
154 South 8th Street
Grover Beach, California 93433
Contact: Bruce Buckingham, Community Development Director prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
1530 Monterey Street, Suite D
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
August 2022
This report prepared on 50% recycled paper with 50% post-consumer content.

Table of Contents
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration i
Table of Contents
Initial Study.............................................................................................................................................1

1. Project Title.........................................................................................................................1

2. Lead Agency/Project Sponsor Name and Address..............................................................1

3. Contact Person and Phone Number ...................................................................................1

4. Project Location ..................................................................................................................1

5. General Plan Designation....................................................................................................1

6. Zoning..................................................................................................................................1

7. Description of Project .........................................................................................................1

8. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting....................................................................................2

9. Have California Native American Tribes Traditionally and Culturally Affiliated with the Project Area Requested Consultation Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1? ..........................................................................................................................5 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected...........................................................................................7 Determination ........................................................................................................................................7 Environmental Checklist.........................................................................................................................9 1 Aesthetics............................................................................................................................9 2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources..................................................................................11 3 Air Quality .........................................................................................................................13 4 Biological Resources..........................................................................................................15 5 Cultural Resources............................................................................................................19 6 Energy ...............................................................................................................................21 7 Geology and Soils..............................................................................................................23 8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions...............................................................................................27 9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ....................................................................................29 10 Hydrology and Water Quality ...........................................................................................33 11 Land Use and Planning......................................................................................................37 12 Mineral Resources ............................................................................................................39 13 Noise .................................................................................................................................41 14 Population and Housing....................................................................................................43 15 Public Services...................................................................................................................45 16 Recreation.........................................................................................................................47 17 Transportation ..................................................................................................................49 18 Tribal Cultural Resources..................................................................................................51 19 Utilities and Service Systems ............................................................................................53 20 Wildfire..............................................................................................................................57 21 Mandatory Findings of Significance..................................................................................59 References............................................................................................................................................61 City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
ii
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................61 List of Preparers............................................................................................................................61 Figures
Figure 1 Regional Location................................................................................................................3 Figure 2 Project Location and Critical Facilities................................................................................4 Initial Study
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 1
Initial Study

1. Project Title
General Plan Safety Element Update

2. Lead Agency/Project Sponsor Name and Address
City of Grover Beach
Community Development Department
154 South 8th Street
Grover Beach, California 93433

3. Contact Person and Phone Number
Bruce Buckingham, Community Development Director
(805) 473-4520

4. Project Location
The proposed project is the citywide General Plan Safety Element update for the City of Grover Beach and applies to the entire city. The city encompasses approximately 2.25 square miles on a broad coastal plain that stretches from the coastal dunes to the Arroyo Grande Valley within the County of San Luis Obispo (see Figure 1 for regional location). United States Highway 101 (U.S. 101) runs along the city’s northeastern border, while State Route 1 (SR 1) and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) run parallel along the city’s coastal border. The beach and dune area adjacent to the city are located within Pismo State Beach, which is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

5. General Plan Designation
Citywide

6. Zoning
Citywide

7. Description of Project
Government Code Section 65302 requires that a city’s general plan include the following elements:
land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, and environmental justice.

The goal of the safety element is to reduce the potential short and long-term risk of death, injuries, property damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from fires, floods, droughts, earthquakes, landslides, climate change, and other hazards (Governor’s Office of Planning and City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
2 Research 2017). In 2019, City staff to begin updates of the City’s existing General Plan Safety Element for consistency with newly enacted State laws.

The Safety Element evaluates potential risks to Grover Beach by addressing the following topics:
▪ Critical Facilities and Infrastructure (refer to Figure 2) ▪ Peak Load Water Demand
▪ Public Safety Services, Emergency Preparedness, and Emergency Evacuation ▪ Seismic and Geologic Hazards
▪ Flood Hazards
▪ Wildland and Urban Fire Hazards
▪ Hazardous Materials
▪ Climate Change
The Safety Element update includes the following components:
▪ Hazards Assessment: A discussion of the city’s hazards and safety characteristics along with growth and climate change projection for Southern California, and current potential hazards in the city.
▪ Safety and Hazard Mapping: Mapping of unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, groundshaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure, slope instability leading to the mudslides and landslides, subsidence; liquefaction, and other seismic hazards, flooding, and wildland and urban wildfires, and information and mapping related to evacuation routes, military installation, peak-load water supple requirements, and minimum road widths and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and geologic hazards.
▪ Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Information regarding flood hazards, wildfire hazards, climate change vulnerabilities, and potential related risks. ▪ Goals, Policies, and Implementation: A description of the goals and policies of the Safety Element, a list of programs that will help achieve these goals and policies, and summary of hazard mitigation, resiliency, adaptation, and emergency response and evacuation objectives, along with the agency responsible for implementing the program.

8. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting
The city includes a sandy beach backed by low sand dunes runs along the western border. The city is relatively flat with low rolling hills along the northern portion of the city boundary. The climate is similar to a Mediterranean climate, with long, dry, and mild summers followed by a modest wet season during the winter months.

Grover Beach is composed of a diverse collection of neighborhoods interconnected by a grid system of streets. Land use within the city is generally characterized by suburban residential uses, with retail and commercial uses along Grand Avenue. There are also limited industrial uses along Front Street and Fourth Street. The street pattern, the abundance of small neighborhood businesses, and the proximity of housing to the commercial corridor formed along Grand Avenue, make neighborhoods in the city walkable.

Initial Study
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 3
Figure 1 Regional Location
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
4 Figure 2 Project Location and Critical Facilities
Initial Study
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 5
The city is vulnerable to coastal and urban flooding, dam flooding, earthquakes, liquefaction, wildfires, and hazardous material release. The City of Grover Beach emergency response services consist of the Five Cities Fire Authority and the Grover Beach Police Department. The City obtains its water from Lake Lopez and groundwater wells in the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin.

9. Have California Native American Tribes Traditionally and Culturally Affiliated with the Project Area
Requested Consultation Pursuant to Public
Resources Code Section 21080.3.1?
The City conducted Native American consultation consistent with Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52 for the project to identify potential concerns or issues associated with Native American cultural resources within Grover Beach. The City mailed consultation letters to nine Native American groups and individuals on April 14, 2022. The City received no comment letter requesting a consultation.

City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
6 This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 7
Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
This project would potentially affect the environmental factors checked below, involving at least one impact that is “Potentially Significant” or “Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
□ Aesthetics □ Agriculture and
Forestry Resources
□ Air Quality
□ Biological Resources □ Cultural Resources □ Energy
□ Geology/Soils □ Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
□ Hazards & Hazardous
Materials
□ Hydrology/Water Quality □ Land Use/Planning □ Mineral Resources □ Noise □ Population/Housing □ Public Services
□ Recreation □ Transportation □ Tribal Cultural Resources □ Utilities/Service Systems □ Wildfire □ Mandatory Findings of Significance
Determination
Based on this initial evaluation:
■ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
□ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions to the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
□ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
□ I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “less than significant with mitigation incorporated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.

City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
8 □ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potential significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.

Signature Date
Printed Name Title
08/05/2022
Rafael Castillo Senior Planner
Environmental Checklist
Aesthetics
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 9
Environmental Checklist
1 Aesthetics
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section 21099, would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a
scenic vista? □ □ □ ■
b. Substantially damage scenic resources,
including but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within
a state scenic highway? □ □ □ ■
c. In non-urbanized areas, substantially
degrade the existing visual character or
quality of public views of the site and its
surroundings? (Public views are those that
are experienced from a publicly accessible
vantage point). If the project is in an
urbanized area, would the project conflict
with applicable zoning and other
regulations governing scenic quality? □ □ □ ■
d. Create a new source of substantial light or
glare that would adversely affect daytime
or nighttime views in the area? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b. Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? c. Would the project, in non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from a publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality?
d. Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect daytime or nighttime views in the area?
Scenic vistas are typically categorized as either panoramic views (which provide visual access to a large geographic area) or focal views (visual access to a particular object, scene, setting, or feature of interest). In Grover Beach, scenic resources and vistas include views of open spaces (i.e., beaches, coastal dunes, rolling hills, and wetlands). The Safety Element update includes goals, policies, and City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
10 programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element would not result in any change to the City’s existing development review policies, which enable the City to evaluate whether new development substantially degrades the visual environment of a particular site or its surroundings.

Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, including review of a project’s effect on the visual character and quality of the area. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista, substantially damage scenic resources within a state scenic highway, substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings, nor create a new source of substantial light or glare. No impacts associated with aesthetics would occur.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 11
2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland,
or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on maps prepared
pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the California
Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
use or a Williamson Act contract? □ □ □ ■
c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public
Resources Code Section 12220(g));
timberland (as defined by Public Resources
Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by
Government Code Section 51104(g))? □ □ □ ■
d. Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use? □ □ □ ■
e. Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of
Farmland to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract?
c. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)); timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))?
d. Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
12 e. Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
One 40-acre property on the southern boundary of the city remains in agricultural operation. This property is zoned Urban Reserve. No other areas in the city contain soils that are suitable for productive agricultural uses. Grover Beach does not contain any forest land, timberland, or land under Williamson Act contract.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Air Quality
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 13
3 Air Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation
of the applicable air quality plan? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the project region is non-attainment under
an applicable federal or state ambient air
quality standard? □ □ □ ■
c. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations? □ □ □ ■
d. Result in other emissions (such as those
leading to odors) adversely affecting a
substantial number of people? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? b. Would the project result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard?
c. Would the project expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? d. Would the project result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people?
Grover Beach lies within the South Central Coast Air Basin, and air quality in the city is monitored by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (SLOCAPCD) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). SLOCAPCD and CARB maintain ten air quality monitoring stations in San Luis Obispo County, including one station in Grover Beach. These monitoring stations record the ambient pollutant levels for ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and carbon monoxide (CO). The levels of each of these pollutants are compared to state and federal standards in order to determine compliance. SLOCAPCD reports all monitoring data to a comprehensive national database maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

The Safety Element update includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. These goals, policies, and implementation programs of the Safety Element update would have no effect on the SLOCAPCD’s thresholds of significance for air quality. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not create physical growth and would not affect air quality beyond what is anticipated in the City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
14 existing General Plan; projects that are consistent with the General Plan would be consistent with applicable air quality management plans since the regional air quality impacts associated with implementation of the General Plan have already been considered in the formulation of the plan.

Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to air quality. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant, would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations, and would not result in other emissions, such as odors. No impacts associated with air quality would occur.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Biological Resources
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 15
4 Biological Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications, on
any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by
the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? □ □ □ ■
b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
plans, policies, or regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife or
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? □ □ □ ■
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on state or
federally protected wetlands (including, but
not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal,
etc.) through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other means? □ □ □ ■
d. Interfere substantially with the movement of
any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native
resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites? □ □ □ ■
e. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a
tree preservation policy or ordinance? □ □ □ ■
f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other
approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
16 local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? c. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?
d. Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e. Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
f. Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
Grover Beach is home to riparian, wetland, coastal strand, coastal sage scrub, and central foredunes vegetation. While much of Grover Beach is developed with urban uses, some areas include sensitive plant and animal species. Existing undeveloped lands provide open space and support habitats that are considered sensitive to the region. Riparian and dune habitat in the city are related to proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Meadow Creek. The beach and Meadow Creek are dominated by native habitats, some of which are sensitive plant communities. The riparian corridor surrounding the eastern branch of Meadow Creek comprises the majority of the open space area in the northeastern portion of the city. The eastern branch of Meadow Creek feeds the Pismo Lake Ecological Reserve, and the western branch passes through Pismo State Beach before meeting Arroyo Grande Creek outside of the city. Native trees are located within the Meadow Creek area, including coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), western sycamore (Platanus racemosa), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), red willow (Salix laevigata), and arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis).

Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) guidelines and policies. The goals, policies, and programs in the Safety Element update would not be inconsistent with or otherwise impair implementation of any federal, state, or local regulations pertaining to the protection of biological resources. Adopting the Safety Element update would not have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species. The Safety Element update would not adversely affect any riparian habitat or sensitive natural community. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, Environmental Checklist
Biological Resources
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 17
and therefore, would not result in impacts to biological resources. No impacts associated with biological resources would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Cultural Resources
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 19
5 Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource
pursuant to §15064.5? □ □ □ ■
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5? □ □ □ ■
c. Disturb any human remains, including
those interred outside of formal
cemeteries? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to §15064.5?
b. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5?
c. Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
The central coast of California was occupied at least as early as 10,000 years ago and lies within the ethnographic territory of the Chumash, and there is potential for pre-colonization archaeological sites to be present within Grover Beach. The complete California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) inventory is confidential and available for review on a project-by-project basis and would be consulted for future projects within the city.

The Safety Element update includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not facilitate physical growth or development that would result in cultural resource impacts beyond that anticipated by the adopted General Plan. As such, adopting the proposed Safety Element would not cause any substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical, cultural, archaeological, or tribal cultural resource. In addition, future projects in the city would be required to be evaluated on a project-by-project basis for the potential for occurrence of historical resources onsite, and to comply with applicable General Plan Land Use Element and Safety Element policies as well as state and federal guidelines for the preservation of historical, archeological, and paleontological resources. Future projects would also be required to comply with CEQA Guidelines Section 15000 et. seq., which sets procedures for notifying the County Coroner and Native American Heritage Commission for identification and treatment of human remains if they are discovered during construction. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not substantial adverse change in the City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
20 significance of a historical resource pursuant to §15064.5, cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5, nor disturb human remains. No impacts associated with cultural resources would occur.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Energy
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 21
6 Energy
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Result in a potentially significant
environmental impact due to wasteful,
inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of
energy resources, during project
construction or operation? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with or obstruct a state or local
plan for renewable energy or energy
efficiency? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation?
b. Would the project conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency?
The proposed Safety Element update is a policy document and includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. Existing policies and programs for energy efficiency or conservation would not be affected by the implementation and adoption of the Safety Element. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources or otherwise conflict with or obstruct a plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. No impacts associated with energy would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Geology and Soils
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 23
7 Geology and Soils
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Directly or indirectly cause potential
substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving:

1. Rupture of a known earthquake fault,
as delineated on the most recent
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Map issued by the State
Geologist for the area or based on
other substantial evidence of a
known fault? □ □ □ ■

2. Strong seismic ground shaking? □ □ □ ■

3. Seismic-related ground failure,
including liquefaction? □ □ □ ■

4. Landslides? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the
loss of topsoil? □ □ □ ■
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable
as a result of the project, and potentially
result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or
collapse? □ □ □ ■
d. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial direct or
indirect risks to life or property? □ □ □ ■
e. Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative wastewater disposal systems
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater? □ □ □ ■
f. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature? □ □ □ ■
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
24 a.1. Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? a.2. Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving strong seismic ground shaking? a.3. Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? a.4. Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving landslides?
b. Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? c. Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse?
d. Would the project be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property? e. Would the project have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater?
f. Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?
The proposed Safety Element updates identifies geologic hazards of concern, including seismic and liquefactions hazards, and includes hazards maps that depict earthquake hazards and liquefaction risks in the city. Grover Beach is in a seismically active region on the central coast of California, and the city is vulnerable to various types of seismic hazards including fault rupture, ground-shaking, and liquefaction. There are several faults within proximity to the city including the Wilmar Avenue fault, the San Andreas fault, and the offshore Hosgri fault. The areas with the highest risk for liquefaction in the event of an earthquake include the western edge of the city along the coastline, including West Grand Avenue, Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve, and the Pismo Beach Golf Course. As noted in the Safety Element update, in most cases these natural processes cannot be prevented; however, the magnitude of destruction resulting from natural geologic hazards can be reduced through planning policies and measures.

The proposed Safety Element update includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events related to geologic and seismic hazards, including ground shaking, fault rupture, liquefaction and seismic settlement, and slope instability. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. As such, the Safety Element update would not facilitate development or other operations that could result in or exacerbate seismic or other risks. Similarly, the Safety Element update would not directly result in or indirectly induce any development or other activities in the city that could destroy unique paleontological or geologic resources. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to geology and soils. Individual developments would also be subject to requirements of the California Building Code, which would minimize impacts Environmental Checklist
Geology and Soils
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 25
associated with seismic hazards. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not result in impacts to geology and soils. No impacts associated with geology and soils would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 27
8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions,
either directly or indirectly, that may have
a significant impact on the environment? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or
regulation adopted for the purpose of
reducing the emissions of greenhouse
gases? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project generate GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment?
b. Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases?
The proposed Safety Element update is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update also includes a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and establishes goals, policies, and associated implementation programs that are aimed at minimizing hazards from climate change. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not facilitate development or other operations that could result in generation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or otherwise conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to GHG emissions.

The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not result in the generation of GHG emissions. Further, existing GHG reduction policies and plans would not be affected by the implementation and adoption of the Safety Element. No impacts associated with GHG emissions would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 29
9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials? □ □ □ ■
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions
involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment? □ □ □ ■
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within 0.25 mile of
an existing or proposed school? □ □ □ ■
d. Be located on a site that is included on a
list of hazardous material sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or the
environment? □ □ □ ■
e. For a project located in an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard or
excessive noise for people residing or
working in the project area? □ □ □ ■
f. Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan? □ □ □ ■
g. Expose people or structures, either
directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of
loss, injury, or death involving wildland
fires? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
30 b. Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment?
c. Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within 0.25 mile of an existing or proposed school? d. Would the project be located on a site that is included on a list of hazardous material sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment?
e. For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area? The proposed Safety Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events related to hazards and hazardous materials. Specifically, the Safety Element update establishes several goals, policies, and programs related to hazards, including the transport of hazardous materials, aviation hazards, evacuation routes, and fire safety The Safety Element update would not facilitate any new or altered uses in Grover Beach that would introduce new hazards or increase transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials beyond existing conditions. Additionally, the Safety Element update does not involve any changes to land uses or infrastructure that would result in new development or uses that could create airport hazards. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not result in impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials. No impacts associated with hazards and hazardous materials would occur.

NO IMPACT
f. Would the project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
According to the proposed Safety Element update, emergency preparedness efforts in Grover Beach include:
▪ Implementation of risk reduction measures identified in the County of San Luis Obispo Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) for the City of Grover Beach. ▪ Water conservation measures and programs identified in the County of San Luis Obispo Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), including regular updates to the UWMP. ▪ PulsePoint, a county-wide fire emergency alert system, is a dispatch feed used to keep residents informed about fire emergencies.
▪ Deployment of a state of the art Mobile Command Vehicle to operate Unified Command Operations during emergencies.
▪ Distribution of educational materials for emergency preparedness including brochures for various types of emergencies such as tsunamis and evacuation routes. ▪ A one-stop resource called ReadySLO.org operated by the County of San Luis Obispo, which provides preparation tips for emergencies, current information on emergencies, and recovery information.

Environmental Checklist
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 31
The proposed Safety Element update, in accordance with California Government Code Section 65302(g), must identify residential neighborhoods that have fewer than two emergency evacuation routes. The Safety Element identifies two residential neighborhoods with fewer than two access points. The two neighborhoods include the Nacimiento neighborhood in the northern portion of the city adjacent to Highway 101 and La Sage Riviera Mobile Home Park located along the coast and parallel to Highway 1.

The proposed Safety Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. Specifically, the Safety Element update establishes several goals, policies, and programs aimed at emergency preparedness. Additionally, policies and associated implementation programs are intended to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of residents and employees in the event of a disaster event or other emergency. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. Existing safety and emergency response policies and plans, such as the County of San Luis Obispo MJHMP and the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), would not be affected by the implementation and adoption of the Safety Element update. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. No impacts associated with emergency plans would occur related.

NO IMPACT
g. Would the project expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires?
Refer to Section 20, Wildfire, for a discussion of potential impacts of the project relative to wildland fire. As discussed therein, no impacts associated with wildland fires would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
32 This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Checklist
Hydrology and Water Quality
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 33
10 Hydrology and Water Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Violate any water quality standards or
waste discharge requirements or
otherwise substantially degrade surface or
ground water quality? □ □ □ ■
b. Substantially decrease groundwater
supplies or interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that the
project may impede sustainable
groundwater management of the basin? □ □ □ ■
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a
stream or river or through the addition of
impervious surfaces, in a manner which
would:
(i) Result in substantial erosion or
siltation on- or off-site; □ □ □ ■
(ii) Substantially increase the rate or
amount of surface runoff in a manner
which would result in flooding on- or
off-site; □ □ □ ■
(iii) Create or contribute runoff water
which would exceed the capacity of
existing or planned stormwater
drainage systems or provide
substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff; or □ □ □ ■
(iv) Impede or redirect flood flows? □ □ □ ■
d. In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones,
risk release of pollutants due to project
inundation? □ □ □ ■
e. Conflict with or obstruct implementation
of a water quality control plan or
sustainable groundwater management
plan? □ □ □ ■
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
34 a. Would the project violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or ground water quality? b. Would the project substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin?
e. Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan?
The City’s main water supplies are from groundwater and surface water. Grover Beach obtains its water from four groundwater wells in the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin. Grover Beach receives surface water supply from Lopez Lake , which services as the main water supply for the cities of Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Oceano Community Services District, and the County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department County Service Area 12. Lopez Lake includes Lopez Reservoir and Dam, Lopez Terminal Reservoir, Lopez Water Treatment Plant, and associated water conveyance and distribution systems.

The proposed Safety Element update is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not introduce new development or uses in the city that would result in impacts to water quality. In addition, existing surface and applicable City groundwater policies and plans would not be affected by the implementation and adoption of the Safety Element. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to water quality. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements, decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge, degrade surface or ground water quality, or conflict with implementation of a water quality control plan. No impacts associated with water quality would occur.

NO IMPACT
c.(i) Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? c.(ii) Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site? c.(iii)Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner that would create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?
c.(iv)Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would impede or redirect flood flows? Environmental Checklist
Hydrology and Water Quality
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 35
d. In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, would the project risk release of pollutants due to project inundation?
Flood hazards in the city are a result of its close proximity to bodies of water. Areas that would most likely be flooded during a major rain or tsunami event include the western boundary of the city limits near the Pacific Ocean and the northernmost city limits along Meadow Creek and Pismo Lake.

Stormwater infrastructure in the city does not always have the capacity to adequately handle stormwater flows, and stormwater flooding occurs in several locations that are associated with the historic Meadow Creek floodplain.

The proposed Safety Element update is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not introduce new development or uses that would alter drainage patterns, place people in a tsunami zone, or otherwise increase risks associated with flooding. Nevertheless, policies and associated implementation programs in the Safety Element update are aimed at minimizing the impacts of flooding hazards in the community and would provide for enhanced stormwater and floodwater management to avoid potential adverse effects of erosion, stormwater runoff, flooding, and inundation. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to water quality. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not alter drainage patterns, place people in a tsunami zone, or otherwise increase risks associated with flooding. No impacts associated with flooding would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
36 This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Checklist
Land Use and Planning
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 37
11 Land Use and Planning
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Physically divide an established
community? □ □ □ ■
b. Cause a significant environmental impact
due to a conflict with any land use plan,
policy, or regulation adopted for the
purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project physically divide an established community? b. Would the project cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect?
The proposed Safety Element update is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The proposed Safety Element update would not introduce new development or uses that would divide an established community. Existing policies and programs related to land use, such as the General Plan Land Use Element and zoning regulations, would not be affected by the implementation and adoption of the Safety Element.

Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to land use and planning. The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not physically divide an established community. Further, the Safety Element would not cause any significant environmental impacts due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. No impacts associated with land use and planning would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
38 This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Checklist
Mineral Resources
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 39
12 Mineral Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to
the region and the residents of the state? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally
important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific
plan, or other land use plan? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state?
b. Would the project result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan? Grover Beach does not contain any areas identified by the California Department of Conservation as having substantial mineral resources and has no operating mine or quarry operations. Therefore, adoption of the proposed Safety Element would not result in the loss of availability of locally important mineral resources or recovery sites. No impacts associated with mineral resources would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
40 This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Checklist
Noise
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 41
13 Noise
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project result in:
a. Generation of a substantial temporary or
permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the vicinity of the project in
excess of standards established in the
local general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other agencies? □ □ □ ■
b. Generation of excessive groundborne
vibration or groundborne noise levels? □ □ □ ■
c. For a project located within the vicinity of
a private airstrip or an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working
in the project area to excessive noise
levels? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? b. Would the project result in generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?
c. For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
The proposed Safety Element update is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The proposed Safety Element update would not result in any land use changes or include any provisions that would result in the generation of noise or vibration substantially different from that associated with existing uses in the city. Furthermore, project-specific CEQA analysis would be required for all future development to evaluate potential noise and vibration impacts and mitigation, if applicable. No impacts associated with noise or vibration would occur.

NO IMPACT
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General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Population and Housing
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 43
14 Population and Housing
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Induce substantial unplanned population
growth in an area, either directly (e.g., by
proposing new homes and businesses) or
indirectly (e.g., through extension of roads
or other infrastructure)? □ □ □ ■
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing
people or housing, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing
elsewhere? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b. Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
The proposed Safety Element update includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not result in development of new homes or businesses, or other infrastructure changes in the City of Grover Beach. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to population and housing. Therefore, the Safety Element would not induce substantial population growth or displace substantial numbers of people or housing. No impacts associated with population and housing would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Public Services
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 45
15 Public Services
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Would the project result in substantial
adverse physical impacts associated with
the provision of new or physically altered
governmental facilities, or the 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:
1 Fire protection? □ □ □ ■
2 Police protection? □ □ □ ■
3 Schools? □ □ □ ■
4 Parks? □ □ □ ■
5 Other public facilities? □ □ □ ■
a.1. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered fire protection facilities, or the need for new or physically altered fire protection facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives?
a.2. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered police protection facilities, or the need for new or physically altered police protection facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives?
a.3. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered schools, or the need for new or physically altered schools, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives? a.4. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered parks, or the need for new or physically altered parks, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives? City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
46 a.5. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of other new or physically altered public facilities, or the need for other new or physically altered public facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives?
Fire protection for the city is provided by the Five Cities Fire Authority, which also serves the City of Arroyo Grande and the Oceano Community Services District. The Five Cities Fire Authority operates three fire stations with one station located in each of the participating communities (the station in Grover Beach is located at 701 Rockaway Avenue). The City operates its own Police Department, and the police station is located at 711 Rockaway Avenue. The Lucia Mar Unified School District serves Grover Beach and other surrounding communities. Parks and recreation facilities in Grover Beach are operated and managed by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The proposed Safety Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. Specifically, the Safety Element update establishes goals, policies, and associated implementation programs that are aimed at minimizing urban fire hazards and facilitating adequate emergency access. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update entails no land use changes, and would not add any demand for additional fire, police, school, park, or other public facilities. In addition, as future growth in the city occurs, any needs that arise would be addressed and met as each development is proposed and would be funded through the payment of development fees or project specific mitigation, as appropriate and in accordance with Section 65995(h) of the California Government Code (Senate Bill 50, August 27, 1998). Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to public services. Because the Safety Element update does not provide new sites for housing or businesses, nor alters existing land use and zoning designations to facilitate development, there would be no impacts associated with public services.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Recreation
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 47
16 Recreation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Would the project increase the use of
existing neighborhood and regional parks
or other recreational facilities such that
substantial physical deterioration of the
facility would occur or be accelerated? □ □ □ ■
b. Does the project include recreational
facilities or require the construction or
expansion of recreational facilities which
might have an adverse physical effect on
the environment? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? The proposed Safety Element includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. Specifically, the Safety Element update establishes a policy and implementation program that call for engaging with other agencies to address sea level rise on coastal dunes, which support recreational activities. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The proposed Safety Element update would not facilitate or allow future development of residential uses that would increase the population in the city, thereby increasing demand on parks or recreational facilities. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to recreation. No impacts associated with parks and recreational facilities would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Transportation
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 49
17 Transportation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or
policy addressing 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 use (e.g., farm equipment)? □ □ □ ■
d. Result in inadequate emergency access? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities? b. Would the project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
c. Would the project substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible use (e.g., farm equipment)? d. Would the project result in inadequate emergency access? The proposed Safety Element includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The Safety Element update would not facilitate any new or altered uses in the city that would result in increased vehicle trip generation or vehicles miles traveled that would affect the local transportation system. Existing policies and programs related to the circulation system would not be affected by the implementation and adoption of the Safety Element. The Safety Element update does not involve any changes to land uses or infrastructure in the city that would result in roadway design hazards or inadequate emergency access. Specifically, the Safety Element update retains existing policies and implementation measures that reduce or minimize hazards on roadways. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to transportation. No impacts associated with transportation would occur.

NO IMPACT
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General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Tribal Cultural Resources
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 51
18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in a Public Resources Code Section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, or cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
a. Listed or eligible for listing in the California
Register of Historical Resources, or in a
local register of historical resources as
defined in Public Resources Code Section
5020.1(k), or □ □ □ ■
b. A resource determined by the lead agency,
in its discretion and supported by
substantial evidence, to be significant
pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision
(c) of Public Resources Code Section
5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code
Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall
consider the significance of the resource
to a California Native American tribe. □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21074 that is listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5020.1(k)?
b. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource as defined in Public Resources Code 21074 that is a resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1? The proposed Safety Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. The City of Grover Beach conducted Native American consultation consistent with Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52 for the Safety Element update to identify potential concerns or issues associated with Native American cultural resources. The City mailed consultation letters to nine Native American groups and individuals on April 14, 2022. The City received no consultation request.

The Safety Element update would not result in a physical change to the environment, and therefore, would not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource.

City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
52 Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to tribal cultural resources. Therefore, adoption of the proposed Safety Element would not result in any substantial adverse changes in the significance of tribal cultural resources. No impacts associated with tribal cultural resources would occur.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Utilities and Service Systems
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 53
19 Utilities and Service Systems
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Require or result in the relocation or
construction of new or expanded water,
wastewater treatment or storm water
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
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects?
b. Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years? c. Would the project 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?
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
54 d. Would the project 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. Would the project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
The City’s main water supplies are from groundwater and surface water. Grover Beach obtains its water from four groundwater wells in the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin. Grover Beach receives surface water supply from Lopez Lake , which services as the main water supply for the cities of Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Oceano Community Services District, and the County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department County Service Area 12. Lopez Lake includes Lopez Reservoir and Dam, Lopez Terminal Reservoir, Lopez Water Treatment Plant, and associated water conveyance and distribution systems. Most of the water consumption in Grover Beach is associated with residential properties.

The San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 3 is the wholesale water supplier for the Lopez Project. Zone 3 was created to fund, maintain, and operate Lopez Reservoir for municipal and agricultural water supplies and recreation. The Lopez Reservoir covers an area of about 918 acres and is located primarily within the Arroyo Grande Creek drainage area, consisting of a 67 square mile (43,000 acre) watershed that drains into Lopez Reservoir. According to the San Luis Obispo Council of Government (SLOCOG) report, 2050 Regional Growth Forecast for San Luis Obispo County (2017), the projected water demand in the city is not anticipated to increase over the next 20 to 30 years. The population growth for the city will continue at a modest pace for the next twenty years, growing from an estimated population of 13,550 in 2010 to about 15,000 in 2030, which represents an average annual growth rate of about 0.54 percent.

The City is currently allocated 1,407 Acre Feet per Year (AFY) from the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin and 800 AFY of available imported water from Zone 3. The 2030 supply (a combined 2,207 AFY) is expected to remain the same. San Luis Obispo County’s 2020 UWMP finds that it can meet full service demands of its member agencies, including Grover Beach, with existing supplies from 2025 through 2045 during normal years, single dry year, and multiple dry years.

However, prolonged dry periods may affect the City's imported water supply capacities significantly due to reductions in Zone 3’s storage reservoirs resulting from increases in regional demand (County of San Luis Obispo 2020).

Grover Beach, along with other entities, are participating in the Central Coast Blue Project, a proposed regional recycled water project in the initial planning and design phase that is intended to develop a sustainable water supply and help protect the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin from the risk of seawater intrusion and extended periods of drought. This project aims to upgrade the Pismo Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District WWTPs with advanced methods of water treatment including microfiltration / ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection with advanced oxidation (County of San Luis Obispo 2019). The treated water will be used to replenish the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin.

The Safety Element update would establish a policy and an associated implementation program to provide educational materials and programs to support water conservation efforts. Another policy included in the Safety Element update calls for action to pursue diversifying the City’s water supply.

The proposed Safety Element update would not facilitate or allow future development of residential uses that would increase the population in the city, thereby increasing demand on City utilities and service systems. Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA Environmental Checklist
Utilities and Service Systems
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 55
review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to utilities and service systems. As such, adoption of the proposed Safety Element update would not result in impacts to water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, telecommunications, or solid waste services or facilities in Grover Beach. No impacts associated with utilities and service systems would occur.

NO IMPACT
City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
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Environmental Checklist
Wildfire
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 57
20 Wildfire
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
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 downslopes or
downstream flooding or landslides, as a
result of runoff, post-fire slope instability,
or drainage changes? □ □ □ ■
a. If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
b. If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project, 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. If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project 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? City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
58 d. If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslopes or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
The proposed Safety Element update includes goals, policies, and programs intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. Goals, policies, and implementation programs encourage preparation for and protection from fire hazards and call for pre-fire management and loss prevention, evaluation of evacuation route capacity, safety, and viability, and address fire readiness and response.

The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. However, as shown on General Plan Safety Element Map 4, Fire Hazard Zones, there are no designated high or very high fire hazard zones within Grover Beach.

Moreover, individual developments would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, which would evaluate potential impacts related to wildfire. This would prevent future development in such areas, thereby avoiding risks to people, structures, or the environment associated with wildfire hazards. As such, adoption of the proposed Safety Element would not result in impacts to people, structures, or the environment associated with wildfire hazards. No impacts associated with wildfire would occur.

NO IMPACT
Environmental Checklist
Mandatory Findings of Significance
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 59
21 Mandatory Findings of Significance
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Does the project:
a. Have the potential to substantially
degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, substantially reduce
the number or restrict the range of a rare
or endangered plant or animal or
eliminate important examples of the
major periods of California history or
prehistory? □ □ □ ■
b. Have impacts that are individually limited,
but cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable” means that
the incremental effects of a project are
considerable when viewed in connection
with the effects of past projects, the
effects of other current projects, and the
effects of probable future projects)? □ □ □ ■
c. Have environmental effects which will
cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or
indirectly? □ □ □ ■
a. Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? The Safety Element update would not change land uses, zoning, or otherwise indirectly facilitate development that could degrade the environment or adversely affect biological or cultural resources. The goals, policies, and implementation programs in the proposed Safety Element are intended to provide guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element update does not approve or facilitate any specific development, nor does it grant development entitlements. No impacts associated with biological and cultural resources would occur.

City of Grover Beach
General Plan Safety Element Update
60 NO IMPACT
b. Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)? The Safety Element update would not contribute to cumulative impacts to environmental resources in the City of Grover Beach. As stated previously, the Safety Element update would not change land uses or zoning or otherwise facilitate new development in the city; rather it provides guidance on how to proactively minimize the effects of potential disaster events. In addition, through the City’s development review process, future development would be evaluated for potential cumulative impacts and for consistency with all applicable policies of the City LCP, General Plan, and Development Code. Through this review process, potential cumulative impacts to various natural and man-made resources would be evaluated and mitigated as appropriate. No mitigation measures are necessary as the existing City development review process is adequate to address potential impacts and mitigate such impacts, where necessary, to the extent feasible. No cumulatively considerable impacts would occur.

NO IMPACT
c. Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?
The Safety Element update would not result in substantial direct or indirect adverse impacts on human beings. Through the City’s development review process, future development would be evaluated for potential direct and indirect impacts on human beings. Appropriate mitigation measures would be required to reduce potential impacts to the extent feasible. As the Safety Element update does not facilitate new development in the city, no impact related to environmental effects that would have adverse effects on humans would occur as a result of adoption of the Safety Element.

NO IMPACT
References
Draft Initial Study–Negative Declaration 61
References
Bibliography
County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. Available at:
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plansand-Elements/Elements/Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.aspx (accessed March 29, 2022).

Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. 2017. General Plan Guidelines. Available at:
http://opr.ca.gov/docs/OPR_COMPLETE_7.31.17.pdf (accessed March 28, 2022).

San Luis Obispo Council of Government. 2017. 2050 Regional Growth Forecast for San Luis Obispo County, Population, Housing, and Employment Projections. Available at:
https://www.slocog.org/programs/data-services/regional-growth-forecast (accessed March 29, 2022).

San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 3. 2020 Urban water Management Plan. Available at: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/Forms-Documents/Committees-Programs/Flood-Control-Zones/Zone-3-LopezWater-Project/Plans-Reports/2020-Urban-Water-Management-Plan.pdf (accessed March 29, 2022).

List of Preparers
Rincon Consultants, Inc. prepared this IS-ND under contract to the City of Grover Beach. Persons involved in data gathering, analysis, project management, and quality control are listed below.

RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC.

Richard Daulton, MURP, Principal in Charge
Lilly Rudolph, AICP, Project Manager
Shelby Cramton, Environmental Planner
Gina Gerlich, GIS Analyst
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION NO. 22-__

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH, CALIFORNIA TO ADOPT A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE 2022

SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
WHEREAS, the City of Grover Beach has adopted a General Plan that provides policy guidance for the use of land in the City; and
WHEREAS, State Government Code Section 65302 requires all cities adopt a Safety Element as part of its Genera Plan; and
WHEREAS, public notice has been given in the time and manner required by State law and City code; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Grover Beach, at its regular meeting of September 6, 2022, conducted a duly noticed public hearing and recommended the City Council approve the General Plan Amendment for the 2022 Safety Element Update; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, at its meeting of September 26, 2022, conducted a duly noticed public hearing to consider the 2022 Safety Element Update; and
WHEREAS, an Initial Study and Negative Declaration has been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and determined that the Amendment would not have a significant impact on the environment.

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grover Beach makes the following Findings:

1. The Safety Element is internally consistent with all other General Plan elements.

2. The Safety Element complies with the requirements of Government Code Section 65302.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the above WHEREAS provisions are incorporated herein as if set out in full and that the City Council for the City of Grover Beach DOES HEREBY ADOPT the General Plan Amendment for the 2022 Safety Element Update attached as Exhibit A which shall become effective and in full force on the thirty first day after its final passage.

On motion by ______, seconded by _______, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Resolution No. 22-__
2022 Safety Element General Plan Amendment Page 2
the foregoing Resolution was PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California, this 26th day of September 2022. ___________________________________

JEFF LEE, MAYOR
Attest:
______________________________

WENDI SIMS, CITY CLERK
** D R A F T **
Safety Element Update

PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT
prepared by
City of Grover Beach
Community Development Department
154 South 8th Street
Grover Beach, California 93433
prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
1530 Monterey Street, Suite D
San Luis Obispo, California 93404
August 2022
Exhibit A
2 INTRODUCTION
The Safety Element provides Grover Beach residents, decisionmakers, and staff members with knowledge and tools to prepare for natural and human hazards that have the potential to affect the city. Goals, policies, and programs provide guidance on how to proactively mitigate the worst effects of potential disaster events. The Safety Element evaluates potential risks to Grover Beach by addressing the following:
 Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
 Peak Load Water Demand
 Public Safety Services, Emergency Preparedness, and Emergency Evacuation  Seismic and Geologic Hazards
 Flood Hazards
 Wildland and Urban Fire Hazards
 Hazardous Materials
 Climate Change

SETTING
The city of Grover Beach is a coastal community nestled between the Cities of Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, and the community of Oceano. A sandy beach backed by low sand dunes runs along the western border. The city is relatively flat with low rolling hills along the northern portion of the city boundary. The climate is similar to a Mediterranean climate, with long, dry, and mild summers followed by a modest wet season during the winter months.

The city is vulnerable to coastal and urban flooding, dam flooding, earthquakes, liquefaction, wildfires, tsunamis, and hazardous material release. Climate change is anticipated to worsen existing hazards, including flooding and wildfires, and result in a higher frequency of extreme heat days and warm nights. The City of Grover Beach emergency response services consist of the Five Cities Fire Authority and the Grover Beach Police Department. The city obtains its water from Lake Lopez and groundwater wells in the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin.

REGIONAL PLANS

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (MJHMP) The City of Grover Beach is one of the participating jurisdictions that develops the County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The goal of this plan is to arrive at practical, meaningful, attainable, and cost-effective mitigation solutions to reduce vulnerability to hazards and ultimately reduce both human and financial losses from hazard events. The Plan is updated every five years and is prepared in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and follows FEMA’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Guidance. The MJHMP addresses the following hazards: coastal storm/coastal erosion/sea level rise, dam incidents, drought and water shortage, earthquake, flood, tsunami and seiche, wildfire, and hazardous materials. Annex C of the 2019 MJHMP identifies information specific to Grover Beach.1

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District prepared the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) for the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) Zone 3. Zone 3 funds the operations of the Lopez Project, which includes Lopez Reservoir and Dam, Lopez Terminal Reservoir, Lopez Water Treatment Plant, and the water transmission system, which conveys wholesale water to its contracting retail water agencies, including the City of Grover Beach. The UWMP identifies water supplies necessary to meet existing and future demands. It also evaluates water supply reliability under normal, dry-year, and multiple-dry year conditions. The UWMP includes a water shortage contingency plan that establishes steps the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District can take should there be a supply shortage of greater than 50 percent.2

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN (EOP)
The San Luis Obispo County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is the master planning document for emergency management preparedness, response, and recovery activities for the County of San Luis Obispo. Grover Beach is a participating member of the EOP. The EOP directs its participating members to have specific field response actions and other duties associated with responding to emergencies. This plan serves to coordinate participating agencies and ensure consistencies in member strategies to comply with national regulations. In addition to the EOP, the City of Grover Beach utilizes Pulsepoint Alerts for monitoring emergencies for the public and ReadySLO.org for sharing emergency preparedness resources with the public.3

CRITICAL FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The County of San Luis Obispo identified critical and transportation facilities present in Grover Beach in the MJHMP. Figure 1 below shows the Critical and Transportation Facilities in Grover Beach, which include major roadways, community centers, emergency response facilities, major infrastructure, schools, and transit facilities.
1 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/PlanningBuilding/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 2 County of San Luis Obispo Urban Water Management Plan. 2020. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/Forms-Documents/Committees-Programs/Flood-Control-Zones/Zone-3-Lopez-Water-Project/Plans-Reports/2020-UrbanWater-Management-Plan.pdf Accessed 3/4/2022. 3 San Luis Obispo County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). 2016. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/AdministrativeOffice/Emergency-Management/Forms-Documents/General-Emergency-Plans/County-Emergency-Operations-Plan-(EOP).pdf Accessed 3/4/2022.
4 Figure 1 Critical Facilities

PEAK LOAD WATER DEMAND
The city of Grover Beach’s main water supplies are from groundwater and surface water.

Grover Beach obtains its water from four groundwater wells in the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin. Grover Beach also receives surface water supply from Lopez Lake, which serves as the main water supply for the cities of Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Oceano Community Services District, and the County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department County Service Area 12. The Lopez Lake area includes Lopez Reservoir and Dam, Lopez Terminal Reservoir, Lopez Water Treatment Plant, and associated water conveyance and distribution systems. Most of the water consumption in Grover Beach is associated with residential properties.

The San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 3 is the wholesale water supplier for the Lopez Lake and was created to fund, maintain, and operate Lopez Reservoir for municipal and agricultural water supplies and recreation. According to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) report, 2050 Regional Growth Forecast for San Luis Obispo County (2017), the projected water demand in the city of Grover Beach is not anticipated to increase over the next 20 to 30 years.4 The population growth for the city will continue at a modest pace for the next twenty years, growing from an estimated population of 13,550 in 2010 to about 15,000 in 2030, which represents an average annual growth rate of about 0.54 percent.5
The City is currently allocated 1,407 Acre Feet per Year (AFY) from the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin and 800 AFY of available imported water from Zone 3. The 2030 supply (a combined 2,207 AFY) is expected to remain the same. San Luis Obispo County’s 2020 UWMP finds that it can meet full service demands of its member agencies, including Grover Beach, with existing supplies from 2025 through 2045 during normal years, single dry year, and multiple dry years. However, prolonged dry periods may affect the city's imported water supply capacities significantly due to reductions in Zone 3’s storage reservoirs resulting from increases in regional demand.6
Grover Beach along with other entities are participating in the Central Coast Blue Project, a proposed regional recycled water project in the initial planning and design phase that is intended to develop a sustainable water supply and help protect the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin from the risk of seawater intrusion and extended periods of drought. This project aims to upgrade the Pismo Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District WWTPs with advanced methods of water treatment including microfiltration / ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection with advanced oxidation.7 The treated water will be used to replenish the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin. 4 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/PlanningBuilding/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 5 City of Grover Beach Land Use Element. 2010. https://www.grover.org/380/Land-Use-Element Accessed 7/28/2022. 6 County of San Luis Obispo Urban Water Management Plan. 2020. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/Forms-Documents/Committees-Programs/Flood-Control-Zones/Zone-3-Lopez-Water-Project/Plans-Reports/2020-UrbanWater-Management-Plan.pdf Accessed 3/4/2022. 7 Central Coast Blue Project. https://centralcoastblue.com/our-project/ Accessed 3/14/2022. 6 PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Fire protection for Grover
Beach is provided by the
Five Cities Fire Authority,
which also serves the City
of Arroyo Grande and the
Oceano Community
Services District. The Five
Cities Fire Authority
operates three fire stations
with one station located in
each of the participating
communities (the station in
Grover Beach is located at
701 Rockaway Avenue).

The City operates its own
Police Department. The
police station is located at
711 Rockaway Avenue.

Emergency preparedness efforts in Grover Beach include:
 Implementation of risk reduction measures identified in the County of San Luis Obispo Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Grover Beach.  Water conservation measures and programs identified in the County of San Luis Obispo Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), including regular updates to the UWMP.  PulsePoint, a county-wide fire emergency alert system, is a dispatch feed used to keep residents informed about fire emergencies.
 Deployment of a state of the art Mobile Command Vehicle to operate Unified Command Operations during emergencies.
 Distribution of educational materials for emergency preparedness including brochures for various types of emergencies such as tsunamis and evacuation routes.  The County of San Luis Obispo operates a one-stop resource called ReadySLO.org, which provides preparation tips for emergencies, current information on emergencies, and recovery information.

Grover Beach is a participating member of multiple emergency planning documents to prepare for regional emergency events and hazard risks. The City of Grover Beach is a participating member of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services (OES), Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The County OES provides services and support by mitigating, preparing, responding, and recovering from hazards.8 Emergency-related resources are available on the ReadySLO.org webpage.
8 San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services. 2022. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/AdministrativeOffice/Emergency-Management.aspx Accessed 3/18/2022.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION
The City’s General Plan Safety Element, in accordance with California Government Code Section 65302(g), must identify residential neighborhoods that have fewer than two emergency evacuation routes. Two neighborhoods (see Figure 2 below) have been identified as residential development with fewer than two access points. The two neighborhoods include the Nacimiento neighborhood in the northern portion of the city adjacent to Highway 101 and Le Sage Riviera Mobile Home Park located along the coast and parallel to Highway 1. While the Le Sage Riviera Mobile Home Park has a secondary exit gate to Highway 1, it is considered a single access neighborhood because the unpaved road to the exit may result in a slower evacuation process, and mobile home residents are identified as vulnerable populations. 8 Figure 2 Residential Developments with Limited Evacuation Routes

HAZARDS OF CONCERN
Geologic Hazards
Geologic processes that pose a threat to life, health, property, or infrastructure are considered geologic hazards. Natural geologic hazards that have the potential to affect Grover Beach include seismic hazards and liquefaction. In most cases, these natural processes cannot be prevented; however, the magnitude of destruction resulting from natural geologic hazards can be reduced through planning policies and measures.

Seismic Hazards
Grover Beach is in a seismically active region on the central coast of California as shown in Figure 3. The city is vulnerable to various types of seismic hazards including fault rupture, ground-shaking, and liquefaction. There are several faults within proximity to the city including the Wilmar Avenue fault, which runs along the northern portion of the city limits. The fault is potentially active, with a moderate fault rupture hazard to the city of Grover Beach.9 In addition to the Wilmar Avenue fault several other active and potentially active faults in can produce strong ground-shaking within the city limits.10 The San Andreas fault and the offshore Hosgri fault present the most likely sources of ground-shaking for Grover Beach (located outside Figure 3 map limits).11
Liquefaction Hazards
Geologic hazards associated with ground shaking include liquefaction and ground failure.

Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking. Liquefaction occurring beneath buildings and other structures can cause major damage during earthquakes.12 As a coastal community, portions of Grover Beach are underlain by layers of unconsolidated sand and young alluvium, which have a high potential to become liquefied during ground-shaking events. Shown in Figure 4 below, the areas with the highest risk for liquefaction in the event of an earthquake include the western edge of the city along the coastline. This area includes West Grand Avenue, Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve, and the Pismo Beach Golf Course. In addition, nearly the entire city is included in a moderate risk for liquefaction posing risks to critical facilities and residents.13
9 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/PlanningBuilding/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 10 Active faults are classified as having proved activity or associated with an historical earthquake. Potentially active faults have probable activity who show physical evidence of rupture within the last 125,000 years. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-021- 00802-4#:~:text=Active%20faults%20and%20folds%20are,Probable%20faults)%2C%20those%20that%20exhibit Accessed 3/10/2022
11 Technical Background Report of the County Safety Element (1999), 12 USGS. 2022. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-liquefaction Accessed: 3/7/2022 13 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-HazardMitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 10 Figure 3 Earthquake Faults and Ground-shaking in Grover Beach Figure 4 Liquefaction Risk in Grover Beach
12 Flooding Hazards
Portions of Grover Beach are susceptible to regular flooding in isolated areas caused by heavy rainfall events in FEMA flood zones as shown in Figure 5. Climate change is affecting the behavior of precipitation patterns, resulting in more variable weather patterns and more intense precipitation events, which can increase flood occurrence and severity. A dam failure resulting from a significant earthquake could also cause an extreme flooding event in the city.

Recognizing and preparing for such occurrences allow the City to mitigate associated risks.

Flooding
Grover Beach participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program. As shown in Figure 5 below, FEMA flood zones are mapped primarily along the coastal areas and northern portions of the city. The map references Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels, which is FEMA’s official map that identifies risk premium zones applicable to flood insurance. Flood hazard areas identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHAs are defined as areas that will be inundated by a flood event with a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1 percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood, and the areas between the limits of the base flood and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (or 500- year) flood.14 As discussed in the projected climate impacts sections in this document, more extreme precipitation events are anticipated for Grover Beach. This combined with projected sea level rise will exacerbate flood risk in low-lying coastal areas.

The Arroyo Grande Creek, which splits from Meadow Creek, poses a risk of overtopping and causing Meadow Creek to flood along the western and northern portions of the city. Flooding along Meadow Creek has caused roads to be blocked by flood waters, causing difficulties in access to and egress from portions of the city. The northern and western portions of the city adjacent to Meadow Creek are at the greatest risk of being affected by the 1 percent-annualchance floodplain. The areas at risk of flooding in the northern portions of the city are isolated to an area south of U.S. 101 and north of Nacimiento Avenue where a mobile home subdivision is located. The South Grover Beach and West Grover Beach neighborhoods are also reported to experience flooding issues. Flooding in the western portion of the city is isolated to areas west of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and areas just east of the railroad tracks in the southwest corner of the city where drainage is trapped by the railroad grade.15 14 FEMA. 2022. https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/work-with-nfip/community-status-book Accessed 3/8/2022. 15 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-HazardMitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022.

Figure 5 Flood Hazards in Grover Beach
14 Dam Inundation
According to the 2019 MJHMP, dam inundation risk from a failure of the Lopez Dam would inundate large portions of the city. The Lopez Dam, an earthen dam located upstream from the community, poses a great risk to Grover Beach if an incident was to occur. Lopez Dam has a capacity of approximately 51,000 acre-feet of water. Failure of the Lopez Dam would follow the Arroyo Grande Creek in a westerly direction approximately 3,000 feet in each direction of the centerline of the creek channel. As seen in Figure 6 below, nearly the entire city south of West Grand Avenue would be inundated in a dam failure event. A failure of the Lopez Dam would also affect Highway 101, impeding or reducing flows of goods, people, and resources into and out of Grover Beach and potentially causing flood damage throughout the entire region. There have been no past dam incidents or failures in Grover Beach. The San Luis Obispo County HMP has identified two critical facilities at risk to dam inundation in Grover Beach: the Train Station and the Front Street Sanitary Sewer Lift Station.

Tsunami and Seiche Hazards
Grover Beach is a coastal community that has the potential to be affected by tsunami hazards as shown in Figure 7 below. Offshore faults and related seismic activity could cause a tsunami event off the city’s coast, even if the faults are thousands of miles away. Grover Beach’s wide beaches and coastal dunes in general provide protection from coastal hazards, although the low-lying areas, including the Le Sage Riviera Mobile Home Park, where Meadow Creek meets the ocean is at moderate risk of tsunami hazards. There are no critical facilities at risk to tsunami inundation. As climate change, and resulting sea level rise continues, the tsunami hazard zone will increasingly extend further inland into the city.

Pismo State Beach along the city’s western border
16 Figure 6 Dam Inundation in Grover Beach
Safety Element Update 17
Figure 7 Tsunami Inundation Zone in Grover Beach
18 Wildland and Urban Fires
California law requires the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to assess and identify fire hazard severity zones (FHSZ) across the state and assigns responsibility for each zone to either the State or local jurisdictions16. CAL FIRE high FHSZs are primarily in the northern and western portions of the city, with a very high FHSZ at the northernmost edge parallel to Highway 101, as seen in Figure 8 below.

Regionally, Grover Beach is near other fire zones of high or very high wildfire severity. The city’s proximity to the hills to the north, which are classified as VHFHZs, pose a threat of wildfire spreading into the city. Windstorms can increase the risk of wildland fires in the wildland urban interface (WUI) spreading into the city when strong winds and wildland fires co-occur. Strong winds can increase the speed and reach of flames and carry embers to adjacent areas.

According to the MJHMP, wildfire is a limited hazard for the city of Grover Beach, although the city is vulnerable to worsening air quality and embers from nearby fire occurrences. Figure 9 below shows historical burn areas from previous fires including the Morretti, Gay, Las Pilitas, Campindonico, and SLU-730 fires. None of these fires reached Grover Beach. 16 CAL FIRE identified Fire Hazard Severity Zones are based on factors that influence the likelihood and behavior of fire. Such factors include fire history, existing and potential fuel, predicted flame height, slope of the land and fire weather. There are three levels of hazard: moderate, high, and very high. Urban and wildland areas are treated differently in the model, but it does recognize the influence of embers traveling into urban areas, which is a major cause of the spread of fire.

Safety Element Update 19
Figure 8 Fire Hazard Severity in Grover Beach
20 Figure 9 Historical Fires near Grover Beach
Safety Element Update 21
Hazardous Materials
The California Government Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Warning Center reports 21 hazardous materials incidents in Grover Beach from 1994 through October 24, 2018. This likely excludes a large number of unreported minor spills. This constitutes 1 percent of the hazardous materials incidents reported countywide during the same time frame and averages out to roughly 0.8 incidents per year. According to the GeoTracker, the city has no active clean-up sites and no significant hazardous materials facilities.17 However, Grover Beach sits within the Emergency Planning Zone for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.18

RADIATION HAZARDS
Diablo Canyon Power Plant, which is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), has been generating nuclear power since 1985. The plant currently provides electricity to more than

1.6 million homes through two 1,100 megawatt reactors. The plant is near Avila Beach and is surrounded by approximately 12,000 acres of land that are managed by PG&E. Grover Beach is approximately 13 miles from the plant. Although the construction and operation of nuclear power plants are closely monitored and regulated, the potential for accidents exists. Local, State, and Federal agencies, as well as PG&E, have emergency plans in place that will prevent, prepare for, or mitigate the consequences should an accident occur.19 The Diablo Canyon Emergency Planning Zone is divided into 12 Protective Action Zones (PAZ) and a 5 and 10 nautical mile safety zone. PAZs help organize emergency planning and response actions into areas that are familiar to emergency response agencies and the public. If there is a major emergency, residents in a PAZ may be directed to take protective actions, such as evacuation or shelter in place.20In the event of a nuclear incident, Grover Beach is identified as part of Zone 10 within the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Evacuation. The Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant is slated for decommissioning with operating licenses set to expire in November 2024 and August 2025.

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
The Diablo Canyon Power Plant has high voltage transmission lines that span out from the power plant across parts of the county. Electric and magnetic fields are created by high voltage electric transmission lines, distribution lines that bring electricity into structures, and from all common household appliances that use electricity. None of the high voltage transmission lines are located within Grover Beach.

RADON
Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, color, or taste. Radon is produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium, which is found in all rocks and soils. Radon can also be found in water. Radon escapes from the ground into the air, where it decays and produces further 17 State Water Resources Control Board. GeoTracker. 2022. https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/?CMD=runreport&myaddress=Grover+Beach Accessed 3/4/2022. 18 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-HazardMitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 19 PrepareSLO. County of San Luis Obispo. 2022. https://www.prepareslo.org/en/nuclear-incidents.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 20 PrepareSLO County of San Luis Obispo 2022. https://www.prepareslo.org/en/nuclear-incidents.aspx Accessed 3/14/2022. 22 radioactive particles. As we breathe, these particles are deposited on the cells lining the airways, where they can damage DNA and potentially cause lung cancer. Outdoors, radon quickly dilutes to very low concentrations and is generally not a problem. The average outdoor radon level varies from 5 Bq/m3 to 15 Bq/m3 (Becquerel per cubic meter). However, radon concentrations are higher indoors and in areas with minimal ventilation, with highest levels found in places like mines, caves, and water treatment facilities. In buildings such as homes, schools, offices, radon levels can vary substantially from 10 Bq/m3 to more than 10 000 Bq/m3.

Given the properties of radon, occupants of such buildings could unknowingly be living or working in very high radon levels.21 According to the Department of Conservation, there is low potential for indoor radon in Grover Beach.

HAZARDOUS TREES
Some trees species can be potentially hazardous due to a higher risk of tree damage.

Eucalyptus trees tend to be brittle and have shallow roots. Eucalyptus trees line parts of Highway 1, Front Street, and South 4th Street, and have the potential to succumb to strong winds losing large limbs or even toppling over, causing disruptions and the potential for injury and damages. In addition, pine pitch canker, a disease that can result in the death of pine trees, has been threatening pine tree health in the region.22

OIL PIPELINES
Two crude oil pipelines (12-inch summit line and 8-inch Orcutt line) are located within the city limits. The franchise agreement for these pipelines was continued in 2015 after the City Council adopted a franchise agreement with Phillips 66 Pipeline LLC. Historically, the lines were used to move Santa Maria Crude from the tank farm in Avila Beach to the refinery on the Nipomo Mesa.

AIRPORTS
The community of Oceano has an airport south of Grover Beach. The operating airport has designated hazard zones extending from the end of each active runway. Safety hazards associated with the County’s airport are principally related to the risk of an aircraft accident and are addressed by each airport's land use plan adopted in compliance with Section 21675 of the California Public Utilities Code. Noise occurring at these airports is addressed in the Noise Element.

CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
Methodology
Climate change adaptation and resilience strategies must be included in the City’s General Plan via its Safety Element in accordance with California Government Code Section 65302(g) (as updated by SB 379). The review and update must consist of the following components:
21 World Health Organization (WHO). 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/radon-and-health Accessed 3/8/2022. 22 City of Grover Beach Safety Element. 2000. https://www.grover.org/DocumentCenter/View/4136/Safety-Element?bidId= Accessed 3/8/2022.

Safety Element Update 23

1. A vulnerability assessment that identifies the risks climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts.

2. Set of adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and objectives based on the information specified in the vulnerability assessment.

3. Set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives.

Climate change is driven by the human contribution of certain gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases, commonly known as greenhouse gases or GHGs, absorb and re-emit heat that has been discharged from the earth’s surface. This works to trap heat near the earth’s surface, increasing the natural greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases from human activities have been collecting in the atmosphere since the 1800s and are warming the climate more and more every year. This rise in average temperatures across the globe affects precipitation patterns, temperature, and ocean water levels. Grover Beach is expected to experience increased temperatures, including longer and more frequent extreme heat events, extreme precipitation events, extended drought and water shortages, coastal storm and sea level rise-related flooding, accelerated rates of coastal erosion, and increased risk of wildfires and associated air quality degradation as a result of climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations subgroup responsible with global advancement and communication of climate change, has established several GHG emissions scenarios used to describe possible future GHG emissions and associated warming. Two of these scenarios are commonly used to compare possible future conditions and have been selected for this assessment, consistent with guidance from Cal OES California Adaptation Planning Guide.23
 The Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 represents a “medium emissions” scenario in which emissions peak around 2040 and then decline at the end of the century. This scenario assumes global agreement and implementation of aggressive GHG reduction strategies.
 RCP 8.5 represents a “high emissions” scenario in which emissions continue to rise throughout the 21st century.

The State provides the Cal-Adapt tool to local jurisdictions for climate adaptation and resilience planning. Cal-Adapt is a web-based platform that provides climate change projections and climate impact research that are downscaled to the local level based on different GHG scenarios. The projections are based on the extensive body of climate research described in California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment.24 The Safety Element includes climate change projections for the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios taken from Cal-Adapt for temperature, precipitation, and wildfire. These climate change projections provide an understanding of possible future climate change impacts and help to prioritize policies to increase community resilience to climate change.

The sea level rise data from Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) was used to project sea level rise scenarios in the city. CoSMoS is a dynamic modeling tool developed by U.S. 23 California Office of Emergency Services (OES). 2020. https://www.caloes.ca.gov/HazardMitigationSite/Documents/CAAdaptation-Planning-Guide-FINAL-June-2020-Accessible.pdf Accessed 3/14/2022. 24 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. 2018. https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/Reg_Report-SUMCCCA4-2018-006_CentralCoast_ADA.pdf Accessed 3/8/2022. 24 Geological Survey to allow more detailed predictions of coastal flooding due to both future sealevel rise and storms integrated with long-term coastal evolution.25 CoSMoS data provides detailed projections for tidal inundation and coastal flood hazards along San Luis Obispo County’s coastline. This data was used by the MJHMP to conduct a GIS analysis of potentially affected critical facilities from a variety of sea level rise scenarios. This modeling is used to illustrate coastal flooding hazardous events under both existing conditions and future sea level rise projections. In this case, three scenarios were used to evaluate the potential impacts on critical facilities as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Sea Level Rise Projections Used in this Report1 Low SLR
(centimeters/feet)
Medium SLR
(centimeters/feet)
High SLR
(centimeters/feet)
Projected Sea
Level Rise
25cm (1 feet) 75cm (2.6 feet) 300cm (9.9 feet)
Source: CoSMoS 3.1 Data, 2021.

Additional information on climate change vulnerability for Grover Beach are available in the San Luis Obispo County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Projected Climate Impacts

TEMPERATURE
According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, average temperatures, both minimum and maximum, are expected to increase in the central coast region. Since 1901, average temperatures across the country have increased, with eight of the top ten warmest years on record having occurred over the past 30 years.26 Average trends are increasing at both the local scale and the global scale.

Compared to the modeled historical 30-year average (1961-1990), the average maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to increase in the coming decades in Grover Beach. The average maximum temperatures under RCP 4.5 are projected to increase by 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) by mid-century and 4.2°F by the late century. Average maximum temperatures are expected to rise between 4.2°F (RCP 4.5) and 6.7°F (RCP 8.5) by the end of the century.27 In addition, average minimum temperatures are expected to rise similarly, between 4.1°F (RCP

4.5) and 6.7°F (RCP 8.5) by the end of the century as seen in Figure 10 and Figure 11.

Figure 10 shows average maximum temperatures in Grover Beach based on the RCP 4.5 (medium emissions) and RCP 8.5 (high emissions) emissions scenario. The purple line shows high emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), the blue line shows the medium emissions scenario (RCP

4.5), and the grey line illustrates the current trend (observed). The shaded areas indicate the 25 U.S. Geological Survey Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS). 2021. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/science/coastalstorm-modeling-system-cosmos#overview Accessed 3/16/2022. 26 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2021. Climate Change Indicators: Weather and Climate 27 California Energy Commission. N.d. Cal-Adapt. Available: <https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/>.

Accessed March 3, 2022.

Safety Element Update 25
range for the emissions scenario. For example, the blue shaded area represents the range of data for the medium emissions scenario (RCP 4.5).

Figure 10 Annual Average Maximum Temperatures in Grover Beach 26 Figure 11 shows average minimum temperatures in Grover Beach based on the RCP 4.5 (medium emissions) and RCP 8.5 (high emissions) emissions scenario. The purple line shows high emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), the blue line shows the medium emissions scenario (RCP

4.5), and the grey line illustrates the current trend (observed). The shaded areas indicate the range for the emissions scenario. For example, the blue shaded area represents the range of data for the medium emissions scenario (RCP 4.5).

Figure 11 Annual Average Minimum Temperatures in Grover Beach Safety Element Update 27
Extreme Heat
In addition to warming temperatures, the number of extreme heat days per year is also expected to increase. In Grover Beach an extreme heat day is when the maximum temperature exceeds 88.0°F, which is defined as the 98th percentile value of historical daily maximum/minimum temperatures (from 1961–1990, between April and October) observed at a location. 28 Compared to the modeled historical 30-year average (1961-1990), the annual number of extreme heat days may increase by 5 to 12 days by the end of the century depending on the emissions scenario.29 Figure 12 shows the number of extreme heat days in Grover Beach for the medium and high emissions scenarios.

Figure 12 Extreme Heat Days in Grover Beach
Precipitation
According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, the Central Coast Region Report (2018), is projected to experience an increase in the number of days each year for which atmospheric river precipitation events result in extreme precipitation. Along the central coast, atmospheric rivers (long and narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics) are the dominant drivers of locally extreme rainfall events and are 28 California Energy Commission. N.d. Cal-Adapt. Available: <https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/>.

Accessed March 3, 2022.
29 Ibid.
28 associated with most major inland foods in California.30 Estimates project the wettest day of the year to increase up to 35 percent. Model projections suggest that potential changes in average precipitation range between an increase of 3 and 10 inches annually (see Figure 13). However, both wet and dry periods are expected to become more extreme and frequent, leading to overall increased variability in the region and in California. Currently, the region receives approximately 25 to 40 days of precipitation from atmospheric rivers each year. Late-century projections show an increase of approximately a third from current conditions to between 35 and 55 days each year.31

ANNUAL PRECIPITATION
Compared with modeled historical data (1961-1990), mid-century projections predict annual precipitation to increase between 0.1 inches and 0.2 inches by late-century (2070-2099). While average annual precipitation is not expected to change significantly, precipitation will likely fall in more intense storms within a shorter wet season. For much of the state, research suggests that wet years will become wetter and dry years will become drier and will extend for longer stretches of time, increasing the risk of extended drought.32 Annual projected precipitation in Grover Beach is shown in Figure 13 below. 30 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. 2018. https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/Reg_Report-SUMCCCA4-2018-006_CentralCoast_ADA.pdf Accessed 3/8/2022. 31 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-HazardMitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 32 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. 2018. https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/Reg_Report-SUMCCCA4-2018-006_CentralCoast_ADA.pdf Accessed 3/8/2022.

Safety Element Update 29
Figure 13 Annual Precipitation in Grover Beach
Extreme Precipitation Events
Extreme precipitation events are projected to become more frequent and intense in the coming decades. Maximum 1-day precipitation models for Grover Beach have a current 30-year average of approximately 1.277 inches. Mid-century projections predict an increase to about

1.365 inches in both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. By the end of the century, projections predict an increase to about 1.375 inches (RCP4.5) to 1.442 inches (RCP8.5) as shown in Figure 14. These projections indicate a trend in weather and rain events becoming more extreme and variable.33
33 California Energy Commission. N.d. Cal-Adapt. Available: <https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/>.

Accessed March 3, 2022.
30 Figure 14 Maximum 1-day Precipitation in Grover Beach Drought and Water Shortage
According to California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy, climate change is likely to significantly alter California’s future water supply, and therefore, change the way water is managed because of a more limited and varied supply.34 Grover Beach experiences episodic weather and climate patterns resulting in long dry year to multi-year droughts followed by wet years. The 30-year modeled historical average for maximum length dry spells is 132 days. Like the patterns in future precipitation some of the annual variability is obscured within 30-year averages. It is projected that the maximum lengths of consecutive days without precipitation or dry spells, may increase through the end of century. Mid-century projections predict an increase of six days in the RCP4.5 scenario and seven days in the RCP8.5 scenario. By the end of the century, projections predict an increase of eight days (RCP4.5) to 13 days (RCP8.5) as seen in Figure

15.35 34 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-HazardMitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 35 California Energy Commission. N.d. Cal-Adapt. Available: <https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/>.

Accessed March 3, 2022.

Safety Element Update 31
Figure 15 Maximum Length of Dry Spell (days)
Coastal Storm, Coastal Erosion, and Sea Level Rise
Grover Beach is a coastal community with a long sandy beach backed by low sand dunes covered with dense vegetation. The sandy beaches provide moderate protection from storm waves. Active erosion of beaches and dunes currently affect low-lying coastal recreation uses, commercial and residential structures.

As part of the 2019 MJHMP planning effort, a sea level rise risk assessment was completed to determine how sea level rise may affect coastal jurisdictions and critical facilities and how coastal flooding might be exacerbated in the future. Shown in Figure 16 below, utilizing data and methods from CoSMos, projections for sea level rise are illustrated at 25cm sea level rise (SLR), 75cm SLR, and 300cm SLR. The city is projected to have minimal impact at 25cm and 75cm SLR scenarios. Once sea levels reach 300cm, according to the MJHMP, several critical facilities, commercial, residential, and industrial properties would experience daily flooding.

Additional properties would be affected or damaged during a 1 percent coastal storm event (See Figure 17).
32 Figure 16 Sea Level Rise (No Flood Event) in Grover Beach Safety Element Update 33
Figure 17 Sea Level Rise (1% Storm Event) in Grover Beach 34 Wildfire and Air Quality
Current scientific models project that California will be affected by increased numbers of forest fires with added intensity due to longer warmer seasons, reduced distribution of biodiversity, lack of moisture, changes in ecosystems, drought impacts (e.g. pest diseases and continued spread of invasive species), and other impacts in coming years. In addition to changes in wildfire behavior, urban development has expanded and is anticipated to grow more, which will increase the potential risk to wildfire exposure.36 Wildfire is a frequent occurrence within the Central Coast region. The last decade saw a series of dramatic fires, each with substantial impacts on ecosystems and human infrastructure. Several of the largest fires in California have occurred within the last 10 years including the Thomas Fire, one of the largest fires in California history. Future projections using statistical models indicate that central California may experience a larger number of wildfires and burned area by the mid-21st century under RCP

8.5. Overall burned area is projected to increase over 30 percent in the RCP 4.5 and more than 35 percent in RCP 8.5 scenarios by mid-century. Overall burned area is projected to increase over 40 percent in the RCP 4.5 and more than 35 percent in RCP 8.5 scenarios by endcentury.37 Many factors affect projected future occurrence of wildfire because of climate change.

There are significant uncertainties associated with the influence of climate change on the future occurrence of wildfire in or near the city.

In addition to the threat of wildfire, air quality can be greatly affected by nearby wildfires. Smoke can cause numerous health effects, from mild eye burning to irritated air ways and even cardiac issues. When smoke levels are high enough even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.38

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND ASSETS
Community members will be affected by climate change to varying degrees depending on their sensitivity to its impacts including populations with access and functional needs, which is defined as community members who need assistance due to any condition (temporary or permanent) that limits their ability to act regardless of a formal diagnosis or specific evaluation.39 Social vulnerabilities can greatly inhibit the adaptive capacity of a community and can be remedied by implementing the Resilience Hubs concept, which are community-serving facilities that have been adapted to support residents before, during, and after a natural hazard event.40 On a larger scale, communities may be more vulnerable because of limited access to financial capital and resources, various institutional barriers, social network limitations, and compromised access to critical infrastructure. Adaptive capacity is largely influenced by governance, management, and institutions, thus making it imperative that adaptive capacity is 36 County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2019. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/Forms-Documents/Plans-and-Elements/Elements/Local-HazardMitigation-Plan.aspx Accessed 3/4/2022. 37 California Energy Commission. N.d. Cal-Adapt. Available: <https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/>.

Accessed March 3, 2022.
38 San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD). 2022. https://www.slocleanair.org/air-quality/wildfire.php Accessed 3/8/2022.
39 FEMA. 2021. FEMA Reaches Out to People with Disabilities, Access and Functional Need. https://www.fema.gov/pressrelease/20210318/fema-reaches-out-people-disabilities-access-and-functional-need Accessed 7/29/2022. 40 Urban Sustainability Directors Network. 2022. http://resilience-hub.org/ Accessed 3/22/2022.

Safety Element Update 35
addressed through effective policy implementation. On a more local level, the sensitivity of a community depends more on the specific makeup of the community (i.e., specific populations and assets).

The most likely impacts of climate change that Grover Beach may experience include increases in average maximum temperatures, more severe storms, increases in extreme heat events, extended drought conditions, and increasing wildfire risk and associated air quality impacts.

Extensive impacts from sea-level rise are not anticipated in the near future. In addition, the city is susceptible to the heat island effect, which relates to urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures then the edges of the city.41
Populations
Certain population groups may be disproportionately harmed by the impacts of climate change.

As part of the 2019 MJHMP, San Luis Obispo County identified a social vulnerability index based on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Agency Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and their Geospatial Research, Analysis & Services Program teams. Grover Beach, along with Oceano, southwestern San Luis Obispo County, southeastern Atascadero, southeastern and western Paso Robles, San Miguel, and the Adelaida region, ranked highest for social vulnerability. The tool groups indicators by the following themes: socioeconomic status, household composition, race/ethnicity/language, and housing/transportation. Grover Beach was identified as high for overall social vulnerability, socioeconomic status, household composition & disability, and housing & transportation themes, and moderate for minority status & language theme.

The California Adaptation Planning Guide (APG) establishes a process for identifying populations groups that are vulnerable to climate change. Based on the APG, the populations most at-risk to climate change that are present in Grover Beach, include:
 People experiencing homelessness
 Children
 Seniors
 Outdoor workers
 Low-income
 Renters
 Unemployed
 Non-white communities
 Non-English speakers
 Individuals with impaired health/disabilities
 Individuals with educational attainment less than 4 years of college  Individuals with no healthcare
 Veterans
41 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2022. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands Accessed 3/22/2022. 36  Single female heads of households
 Mobile home communities
These populations were identified using the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator Maps, California Healthy Places Index tool, and the U.S. Census.42 ,
External factors present in the community that also contribute to climate change vulnerability include high housing cost burden and exposure to poor air quality related to diesel particulate matter. The city experiences widespread housing cost burden. Housing-burdened low-income households are households that are both low income and highly burdened by housings costs.

The city is within the 60th and 80th percentile, which means that it experiences a higher housing cost burden than between 60 and 80 percent of the rest of the state. In addition to housing cost burden, the city experiences widespread exposure to diesel particulate matter. Diesel particulate matter comes from exhaust from trucks, buses, trains, ships and other equipment with diesel engines contains a mixture of gases and solid particles. These particulates are harmful to public health and the largest concentrations are along Highway 1 and Highway 101 in the city. Grover Beach has diesel particulate matter concentrations within the 45th and 52nd percentile, which means it is between 45 and 52 percent higher than the rest of state.43 Residents and businesses rely on various infrastructure and services such as water systems, electricity, natural gas, and roads. These systems and assets are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which in turn puts the wellbeing of community members at risk. Those with preexisting and chronic health conditions that rely on services and systems, are particularly vulnerable in situations where hazard events impact access to electricity, food, water supplies, healthcare, sanitary resources, transportation, and communication platforms. To help reduce negative impacts on vulnerable populations and increase adaptive capacity, it is vital that strategies and policies are implemented that ensure continuity of systems and services in the event of climate hazard events.

GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS
Community safety is critical to fostering a healthy and livable environment for residents to thrive and enjoy a good quality of life. Adequate emergency response, hazardous material mitigation, and disaster preparedness are among the major contributors to community safety. The Grover Beach Safety Element provides the following goals, policies, and implementations programs related to creating a safe environment and hazard risk reduction in the city.

Goal-S-1 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
A prepared and responsive community resilient against emergency situations. 42 CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator Maps. 2021. https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-40 Accessed on 3/15/2022. California Healthy Places Index (HPI). 2018. https://healthyplacesindex.org/ Accessed 3/14/2022. U.S. Census. 2020. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/advanced Accessed on 3/15/2022. 43 CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator Maps. 2021. https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-40 Accessed on 3/15/2022.

Safety Element Update 37
Policy S-1.1 Emergency Response and Preparedness
Prepare the City of Grover Beach and its residents for a wide variety of emergency situations through support and engagement with City Departments, the Five Cities Fire Department (or successor agencies), and coordinate emergency resources as directed in the City’s Emergency Response Plan. Target emergency preparedness information and resources towards vulnerable populations, including access and functional needs populations climate change related hazards, through potential partnerships with emergency service providers, educational and training programs, disaster preparedness groups, community-based organizations, and volunteer organizations.

Implementation S-1.1.1 Fund emergency services to ensure Emergency Response Plan levels of service.

Implementation S-1.1.2 Work with emergency service providers and the County Office of Emergency Services as part of City-run outreach programs to disseminate information on preparedness to vulnerable populations, including populations with access and functional needs. Explore development of a voluntary inventory of
contact information of Grover Beach residents to streamline communication during emergency events.

Implementation S-1.1.3 Coordinate with state agencies to enhance disaster awareness and preparedness through programs for residents.

Implementation S-1.1.4 Coordinate with key agencies at the County, regional, state, and national level to ensure the ability to adapt to increased disaster frequency and potency as a result of climate change.

Implementation S-1.1.5 Develop and implement information distribution systems and networks in coordination with existing emergency services through a designated Public Information Officer and utilize resources such as PulsePoint Alerts and ReadySLO.org to deliver accurate and prompt updates during a disaster
situation.

Policy S-1.2 Information Systems and Research
Adapt to or avoid hazards in future planning activities, maintain data bases of Geographic Information Systems programs and maps with comprehensive safety and disaster information in coordination with relevant disaster preparedness agencies, governments, academic institutions, and others as needed.

Implementation S-1.2.1 Maintain and implement an updated Emergency Operations Plan satisfying California Emergency Services Act
Requirements in coordination with the County Office of
Emergency Services and review local agency responsibility in 38 coordination with relevant local and regional emergency service providers.

Policy S-1.3 Risk Assessment
Investigate and support programs that reduce long term risks to development and resources through the best available information.

Implementation S-1.3.1 Continue to adopt a best management practice approach to reduce risk including the following:
 Adopt tri-annual building code regulations
 Review the Land Use Element and amend, as necessary,
to minimize development of land within hazard areas.
 Develop adaptation strategies to reduce risk and increase resilience. Prioritize programs and funding for populations and critical assets most likely to be impacted by climate change.

Policy S-1.4 Critical Facilities, Recovery, and Reconstruction Assist public and private recovery and rebuilding efforts in the short and long term to house displaced persons and resume critical services and government functions as necessary after an emergency.

Implementation S-1.4.1 Maintain critical facilities to provide appropriate levels of emergency responsiveness within city limits and provide mutual aid assistance to agencies and organizations involved in disaster recovery.

Implementation S-1.4.2 Work with partner agencies or firms to advocate expansion of State and Federal relocation assistance funds and programs to aid residents and businesses displaced from hazardous buildings and neighborhoods.

Goal-S-2 WATER HAZARDS
Reduce potential damage to structures and danger to life caused by flooding, dam inundation, tsunami, seismic seiche, and other water hazards as applicable.

Policy S-2.1 Flood Hazards
The City shall implement all adopted local ordinances pertaining to development within a flood zone as well as pertinent State and Federal regulations.

Implementation S-2.1.1 Maintain a database of FEMA base flood elevation locations and prioritize infrastructure upgrades through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Safety Element Update 39
Policy S-2.2 Reduce Flood Damage
Reduce potential flood damage in areas of the city subject to flood conditions through the CIP process, the development review process, or other means as applicable.

Implementation S-2.2.1 Evaluate new development plans to reduce the potential for flood damage and support CIP projects that protect the city from flood damage.

Implementation S-2.2.2 Review development proposals on parcels with existing structures in flood zones so that proposed new development does not displace flood water, or accelerate water, more than previous structures on the site.

Policy S-2.3 Dam Failure and Inundation
Minimize the risk to life and property posed by dam failure and inundation.

Implementation S-2.3.1 Maintain a dam failure evacuation plan with emergency service providers in cooperation with the County of San Luis Obispo, and other emergency service agencies based on the best available dam inundation information and guidance.

Goal-S-3 FIRE SAFETY
A community prepared for and protected from urban and wildland fire hazards.

Policy S-3.1 Pre-Fire Management and Loss Prevention
Implement fire and life safety standards that minimize urban fire hazards, ensure adequate emergency access and defensible space through implementation of objective development standards, and conform development to relevant tri-annual California Fire Code and Building Code provisions.

Implementation S-3.1.1 Work with the Five Cities Fire Authority in outreach and education programs related to fire safety to increase
community awareness and preparedness for urban and
wildland fire hazards.

Implementation S-3.1.2 Reduce flammable vegetative material through the annual weed abatement program and code compliance program.

Implementation S-3.1.3 Periodically have Five Cities Fire Authority prepare a Strategic Plan to assess future equipment and staffing needs.

Implementation S-3.1.4 Implement the City’s Water Master Plan to upgrade fire flow deficiencies.
40 Policy S-3.2 Adequate Evacuation Routes
Ensure the swift and safe evacuation of residents and employees in the event of a disaster event or other emergency.

Implementation S-3.2.1 Review and update the emergency response and evacuation plans as part of the LHMP update.

Implementation S-3.2.2 Evaluate evacuation route capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios as part of the next update to the LHMP or emergency operation plan, in accordance with Sections 65302.15 (a) (AB 747) and 65302.15 (a) (AB 1409 of the Government Code.

Implementation S-3.2.3 Promote evacuation emergency preparedness for single access neighborhoods as identified through distribution of information and neighborhood meetings.

Implementation S-3.2.4 Develop and employ evacuation alternatives and/or alternative emergency access routes in neighborhoods that have single ingress/egress.

Implementation S-3.2.5 Develop and maintain evacuation options for vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, outdoor workers, individuals that are linguistically isolated, visitors, and individuals with access and functional needs
Policy S-3.3 Wildfire Readiness and Response
Collaborate with the Five Cities Fire Authority and utility companies to maintain and improve emergency response services in the city of Grover Beach in case of wildfire event.

Implementation S-3.3.1 Partner with state or other emergency service providers for the latest training measures and capabilities available for training and enhancing local fire and emergency services.

Implementation S-3.3.2 Maintain and provide information regarding fire hazard zones, inform homeowners and residents of fire dangers associated with common activities and methods to reduce fire danger, and distribute available data on resources for home or
structure hardening to reduce the impact of wildland and urban fires in applicable areas.

Goal-S-4 GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS
A community that minimizes potential impacts of geologic and seismic hazards through advanced planning and critical facility investments.

Policy S-4.1 Fault and Geologic Hazard Information
Minimize the risk to life and property damage due to geologic and seismic hazards.

Safety Element Update 41
Implementation S-4.1.1 Implement the California Building Code to address geologic and seismic hazards.

Implementation S-4.1.2 Promote the strengthening of planned utilities, the retrofit and rehabilitation of existing weak structures and lifeline utilities, and the relocation or strengthening of certain critical facilities to increase public safety and minimize potential damage from seismic and geologic hazards as part of the CIP process.

Goal-S-5 OTHER HAZARDS
A community protected from the potential impacts of other natural, artificial, and climate hazards with the potential to affect the city of Grover Beach.

Policy S-5.1 Radiation Hazards
Maintain a high level of emergency preparedness through coordination with the County Office of Emergency Services and distribute information to the public regarding potential radiation hazards.

Implementation S-5.1.1 City staff shall periodically review relevant emergency preparedness and evacuation information for radiation
hazards provided by PG&E to anticipate emergency services needed in the event of a radiological incident at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

Implementation S-5.1.2 Maintain relationships with mutual aid partners and the County of San Luis Obispo Office of Emergency Services to address radiological emergency planning and other
operations as required.

Policy S-5.2 Hazardous Materials
Reduce the potential impact of Hazardous Materials within the city of Grover Beach.

Implementation S-5.2.1 Review uses that propose to use, store, or transport hazardous materials to protect public health and safety Implementation S-5.2.2 Coordinate with Union Pacific Railroad to prepare for and respond to hazardous materials incidents in the case of derailment.

Implementation S-5.2.3 Partner with the County Integrated Waste Management Agency to distribute educational material to the public on safety issues posed by illegally disposed hazardous wastes, help distribute information on household hazardous waste dump sites and events and encourage responsible use of
household hazardous chemicals through IWMA programs and post educational materials on the City website.
42 Policy S-5.3 Hazardous Trees
Reduce danger from hazardous trees on city property and rights-of-way through maintenance and replacement programs.

Implementation S-5.3.1 Identify and trim or remove trees that are determined to be hazards. If trees are located within Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas as defined by the Coastal Act, engage with the Coastal Commission and other resource agencies to
determine if trimming and/or removal is feasible.

Policy S-5.4 Oil Pipelines
Reduce potential damage to people and property from idle or abandoned pipelines within the city of Grover Beach.

Implementation S-5.4.1 Work with pipeline owners and relevant agencies to ensure proper maintenance and management of idle or abandoned
pipelines within the city, consistent with state policy.

Policy S-5.5 Public Safety Facilities
The City should periodically evaluate if new or upgraded public safety facilities and utilities are needed as part of the CIP process. The anticipated effects from climate change should be considered, including more extreme weather events and increased severity and frequency of wildfires and flooding.

Implementation S-5.5.1 Incorporate needed public facilities as part of the CIP.

Prioritize improvements in neighborhoods with vulnerable populations.

Goal-S-6 AVIATION HAZARDS
A community prepared for aviation hazards.

Policy S-6.1 Airport Land Use Plan Compatibility
Ensure development proposals within the city are compatibility with the Oceano Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.

Implementation S-6.1.1 Review development projects to ensure consistency with the Oceano Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.

Goal-S-7 CLIMATE HAZARDS
A community that is resilient against climate hazards including extreme heat, extreme precipitation events, extended drought, sea level rise, and more frequent and severe wildfires and flood events.

Policy S-7.1 Resilience Hubs
Establish Resilience Hubs to provide alternatives to critical facilities to support vulnerable populations during emergencies.

Safety Element Update 43
Implementation S-7.1.1 Identify and establish appropriate multipurpose public facilities that are not currently equipped as emergency disaster
facilities as designated Resilience Hubs to supplement
response efforts using existing infrastructure. Utilize these facilities in the event of a declared state or federal disaster to provide essential services and resources to displaced
residents.

Policy S-7.2 Home Weatherization
Support modernization of residential and commercial buildings to increase resilience to climate change.

Implementation S-7.2.1 Promote 3C-REN and other organizations using public information platforms to raise community awareness of the rebate incentives for heat pumps and microgrid energy
storage components to increase power reliability that are provided. Prioritize at-risk vulnerable populations for retrofit incentives.

Implementation S-7.2.3 Explore opportunities to provide funding assistance to households and populations that are in greatest need of weatherization.

Policy S-7.3 Green Infrastructure
Require drought-tolerant landscaping and encourage installation of green roof systems as part of cooling strategies to help reduce the heat island effect and energy demand during extreme heat events.

Implementation S-7.3.1 Establish an inventory of street trees throughout the city to identify areas with disproportionately fewer trees and consider programs to promote additional street tree plantings; consider preparing an Urban Forest Master Plan to identify areas within the city that need additional tree canopy, to mitigate the impacts of the urban heat island effect.

Implementation S-7.3.2 Review development projects to ensure compliance with low water usage consistent with the Development Code and State law.

Implementation S-7.3.3 Encourage developers of large buildings to incorporate green roof systems.

Policy S-7.4 Coastal Flood and Erosion Resilience
Encourage regional and state entities to increase resilience to sea-level rise related impacts.

Implementation S-7.4.1 Engage with California State Parks and Caltrans in efforts to address sea level rise impacts on coastal dunes and State Route 1.
44 Policy S-7.5 Mobile Home Park Hazard Risk Reduction
Work with Le Sage Mobile Home Park to identify and implement strategies to address the community's high risk to coastal and stream flooding, evacuation constraints, and elevated vulnerabilities to climate change hazards.

Implementation S-7.5.1 Proactively engage with the Le Sage Mobile Home Park neighborhood to conduct emergency preparedness trainings to address the limitations of single points of entry and exit.

Implementation S-7.5.2 Develop a neighborhood Evacuation Plan for the Le Sage Mobile Home Park to address the community’s high risk to multiple hazards.

Policy S-7.5 Promote Water Conservation Efforts
Provide educational materials and programs to support water conservation efforts that take into account extended drought conditions associated with climate change.

Implementation S-7.4.1 Educate the community on water conservation practices and water usage restrictions during periods of extreme and
prolonged drought.

Implementation S-7.4.2 Continue to provide City incentives for water conservation to reduce water demand
Policy S-7.5 Resilient Water Supply
Pursue regional solutions with public and private partners to diversify the city’s water supply through utilizing alternative sources, including recycled water.

Implementation S-7.5.1 Continue the City’s partnership with the Cities of Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande in permitting, constructing, and operating the Central Coast Blue advanced water treatment facility.

Implementation S-7.5.2 Support the on-going risk of saltwater intrusion into the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin including the four active wells used by the City of Grover Beach.

Safety Element Update 45
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Grover Beach City CouncilSeptember 26, 2022

Grover Beach City Council
September 26, 2022