preservation of Native American artifacts and places. The Proposed Project would adhere to M itigation Measures CR-1a through CR-1d, as identified in the 2010 Certified EIR , which would reduce impacts to less than significant.
The Proposed Project would not include new or substantially greater significant impacts than those analyzed in the 2010 Certified EIR for the existing General Plan , and the Proposed Project does not identify or require the adoption of any further mitigation measures beyond those provided in the 2010 Certified EIR. Because the Proposed Project does not change the development pattern or areas evaluated in the 2010 Certified EIR, there would be no new or substantially greater significant impacts. Therefore, th e Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on tribal cultural resources. ii) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code § 5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resource Code § 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.
Less Than Significant Impact/No Changes or New Information. The. The 2010 Certified EIR did not evaluate tribal cultural resources as a standalone topic since the topic was added after 2010.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 18 (SB 18), the City of Hesperia reached out to the California Native American tribes listed by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) on May 21, 2024. Notification letters were sent to the Desert Cahuilla Indians, Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel responded on May 24, 2024, requesting consultation under SB
18. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation indicated that the Proposed Project is located within Serrano ancestral lands, and that future development under the Proposed Project may impact tribal cultural resources. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation requested additional information, including zoning changes, draft text, maps, a cultural report, and a draft of the Proposed Project to assess potential ground- disturbing developments that might allow by- right development that would preclude the Tribe from consultation pursuant to CEQA/Assembly Bill 52.
The City responded to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation on October 2, 2024, and indicated that project documents would be shared when available. The City provided an overview of the Proposed Project’s focus on implementing the adopted Housing Element pr ograms aimed at expanding housing opportunities, noting that no changes would be made to existing land use designations or zoning. The City sent the Tribe the draft Land Use Plan maps for the Tribe’s review. The City indicated that the Proposed Project would not allow for any ground -disturbing activities that would preclude a project from going through the standard CEQA requirements; the Tribe concluded consultation on October 30, 2024.
Development under the Proposed Project could impact tribal cultural resources due to ground di sturbing activities. The Proposed Project would implement the existing General Plan Policy CN -5.5 which states that through CEQA and other environmental procedures, the City shall notify appropriate Native American
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representatives of possible development and shall comply with all State and Federal requirements concerning the monitoring and preservation of Native American artifacts and places. In the event that future development project s consistent with the Proposed Project impact previously undiscovered tribal cultural resources, Mitigation Measures CR-2a and CR-2b of the 2010 Certified EIR, which require testing the significance of any resources that are found and either avoiding or preparing a Phase III for resources that would be impacted, would reduce impacts.
The Proposed Project would not include new or substantially greater significant impacts than those analyzed in the 2010 Certified EIR for the existing General Plan, and the Proposed Project does not identify or require the adoption of any further mitigation measures beyond those provided in the 2010 Certified EIR. The Proposed Project compared to the existing General Plan would not result in any new impacts or increase the severity of impacts with respect to tribal cultural resources.
5.18.3 Mitigation Measures Identified in the EIR and Applicable to the Proposed Project
Refer to Mitigation Measures CR-1a through CR-1d and CR-2a and CR-2b under Section 5.5, Cultural Resources.
5.19 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
5.19.1 Summary of Impacts Identified in the Program EIR The 2010 Certified EIR determined that the existing General Plan would require new and/or expanded treatment facilities to meet the increased demand for water and wastewater treatment. However, implementation of the General Plan policies and payment of development impact fees would reduce impacts.
The existing General Plan was determined to require the construction of new and/or expanded stormwater drainage facilities, and that, with compliance with State regulations (e.g., NPDES, SWPPP), BMPs, WQMP , payment of development impact fees, and the implementation of the General Plan policies, impacts would be less than significant. The 2010 Certified EIR indicated that compliance with State regulations, payment of connection fees, and implementation of the General Plan goals and policies would reduce impacts on water supplies. The 2010 Certified EIR indicated that additional solid waste would be generated ; however, the Victorville Sanitary Landfill had a remaining capacity of approximately 99 percent; therefore, impacts are less than significant.
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5.19.2 Impacts Associated with the Proposed Project
Would the project:
Environmental Issues
Condition 1:
Substantial
Change in
Project
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 2:
Substantial
Change in
Circum-
stances
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 3:
New
Information
Showing New
or Increased
Significant
Effects
Less Than
Significant
Impact/No
Changes or
New
Information
Requiring
Preparation of
an EIR/MND No Impact
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?
X
b) Have sufficient water supplies available to
serve the project and reasonably
foreseeable future development during
normal, dry, and multiple dry years?
X
c) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider that 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?
X
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?
X
e) Comply with federal, state, and local
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
X
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? No Impact. The 2010 Certified EIR analyzed impacts on wet and dry infrastructure, such as water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, electricity, and natural gas facilities under cumulative impact analysis . The 2010 Certified EIR determined that a less than significant impact would occur for wet and dry utilities with compliance with regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval.
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The Proposed Project would result in an increase of 7,140 housing units and 18,297 residents, and a decrease in 879,349 square feet of non -residential square uses compared to the existing General Plan which would change the development of the Planning Area.
Water
The primary source of water for the Proposed Project would be groundwater extracted by Hesperia’s Water District (District). The 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) included projections of water demand and supply for its entire service area. The current and projected water demands from the District’s 2020 UWMP are provided in Table 9, 2020 UWMP Current and Projected Water Demands for the City of Hesperia.
Table 9 2020 UWMP Current and Projected Water Demands for the City of Hesperia Use Type 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Total Water Demand 14,040 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420 AFY = Acre-feet/year
Source Appendix D.
The water demand shown in Table 9 was extrapolated to calculate a water demand of 19,465 acre-feet per year (AFY) for the year 2050 . The projected water demand with the implementation of the Proposed Project is provided in Table 10, Water Demand – Proposed Project.
Table 10 Water Demand – Proposed Project
Category Unit Water Demand
Rate Total Water Demand (gpd) Total Water Demand (AFY)
Single Family Dwelling Units 47,405 du 92 gpcd 13,083,689 14,654 Multi Family Dwelling Unites 14,166 du 92 gpcd 1,902,822 2,131 Commercial 386 acres 462.4 gpd/ac a 178,385 200
Industrial 713 acres 692.8 gpd/ac a 493,740 553
Office 65 462.4 gpd/ac a 30,091 34
Institutional 368 462.4 gpd/ac a 170,380 191
Parks 89 31.2 gpd/ac a 2,777 3
Water Losses - - 158,6188 1,777
Total - - 1,748,072 19,542
Du = dwelling unit; gpcd = gallons per capita per day; AFY = acre feet per year; gpd/ac = gallons per day per acre. a Includes reduction of 20 percent for commercial uses with compliance with CalGreen and MWELO requirements Source: Appendix D
As shown in Table 10, the water demand associated with the buildout of the Proposed Project is 19,542 AFY .
Therefore, the Proposed Project would result in a net increase in water demand of 77 AFY . However, it should be noted that UWMPs tend to overestimate future water demand. In addition, there is a long -term trend of declining per capita water demand due to the use of water -efficient devices in the residential and commercial sectors, so even as populations increase, the total water demand declines. It is assumed that the development rate would be constant over the 25-year buildout period. Additionally, the Proposed Project would result in an increase in residential use compared to the existing General Plan . The District began receiving recycled water
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as of May 2022, with a reliable supply of 89 AFY as of July 2023. The District has also conducted site surveys at multiple locations and would convert them to recycled water once supplies increase. The current 89 AFY supply of recycled water would be sufficient to accommodate the 77 AFY projected increase in water demand associated with the buildout of the Proposed Project.
Additionally, the Proposed Project would implement the existing policies in the Conservation Element of the existing General Plan, such as Policy CN-1.5, which emphasizes collaborating with local agencies to ensure a safe and reliable water supply, Policy CN-1.6, which promotes low-water consumption fixtures in homes and businesses, and Policy CN-1.7, which mandates that new developments incorporate advanced technologies and methods to reduce water usage. Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on the relocation or construction of new or expanded water systems..
Wastewater
The Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) provides wastewater treatment for the City of Hesperia and surrounding jurisdictions. . The Proposed Project would result in an increase in residential use compared to the existing General Plan, which could result in the construction of new or expanded wastewater treatment facilities. However, the existing General Plan includes Policy CN-2.6 which states to coordinate City policies and activities with the VVWRA . In addition, future development would need to comply with Section
14.08.070, Sewer Connection, of the City’s Municipal Code, which requires authorization from the Hesperia Water District to construct sewer connections. Therefore, any additional construction or expansion would need to be reviewed and approved by the VVWRA. Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on the relocation or construction of new or expanded wastewater treatment.
Stormwater
The Proposed Project would result in an increase in residential use compared to the existing General Plan.
Compliance with the provisions as outlined in Section 8.30.200, Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Program, of the City’s Municipal Code, would reduce impacts on stormwater drainage facilities. This Section mandates that the City maintain an updated construction project inventory, requires coverage under the Construction General Permit (CGP) for significant soil disturbances, mandates the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to minimize pollutant discharge, and stipulates that grading permits cannot be issued without proof of CGP coverage or a City-approved erosion and sediment control plan.
Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on the relocation or construction of new or expanded stormwater systems.
Electricity and Telecommunication Facilities
The Proposed Project would result in an increase in residential use compared to the existing General Plan. As mentioned in Section 17.04.060. Subdivision Design and Improvement Standards, of the City’s Municipal Code, utility lines, including but not limited to electric, telephone, communications, street lighting, and cable television, within or directly serving each subdivision, shall be placed underground. As with the existing General Plan, any facilities required under the Proposed Project would be built using fees collected from utility providers and would necessitate the underground extension of electrical facilities, which would be coordinated with the providers to prevent any major disruptions to existing services. Therefore, the Proposed
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Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on the relocation or construction of new or expanded electricity and telecommunication facilities.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is provided to the Planning Area by Southwest Gas Corporation (SGC 2024). As with the existing General Plan, future facilities under the Proposed Project would be constructed with fees collected by the utility providers. As individual developments within the Proposed Project are implemented, these developments would require extensions of natural gas facilities. These future extensions would be coordinated with Southwest Gas Corporation to avoid any notable disruptions to existing services. Impacts would be less than significant.
The Proposed Project would not include new or substantially greater significant impacts than those analyzed in the 2010 Certified EIR for the existing General Plan. Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on the relocation or construction of new or expanded utilities and service systems.
b) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years?
No Impact. The 2010 Certified EIR identified that the existing General Plan would increase water demand, but the City’s 2005 UWMP and Water Master Plan outlined phased provisions for facilities and water sources through 2030 to accommodate future growth. In addition, the goals and policies in the General Plan focused on water conservation, reclamation standards, and monitoring surface water impacts. Impacts on water resources from the existing General Plan were expected to be less than significant.
The 2020 UWMP indicates that the District can meet the water demands of its customers in normal, single dry, and multiple dry years between 2025 and 2045, as shown in Table 11, 2020 UWMP – Normal, Single Dry, and Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand.
Table 11 2020 UWMP – Normal, Single Dry, and Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Normal Year
Supply Totals 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420
Demand Totals 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Single Dry Year
Supply Totals 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420
Demand Totals 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Multiple Dry Year
First Year Supply Totals 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420 Demand Totals 15,250 16,290 16,990 17,740 18,420
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
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Table 11 2020 UWMP – Normal, Single Dry, and Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Second Year Supply Totals 15,460 16,430 17,140 17,880 18,540 Demand Totals 15,460 16,430 17,140 17,880 18,540
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Third Year Supply Totals 15,670 16,570 17,290 18,020 18,660 Demand Totals 15,670 16,570 17,290 18,020 18,660
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Fourth Year Supply Totals 15,880 16,710 17,440 18,160 18,780 Demand Totals 15,880 16,710 17,440 18,160 18,780
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Fifth Year Supply Totals 16,090 16,850 17,590 18,300 18,900 Demand Totals 16,090 16,850 17,590 18,300 18,900
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Source: Appendix D
According to the District’s 2020 UWMP, the District has adequate supplies to serve 100 percent of its customers during normal, dry year, and multiple dry year demand through 2045. The UWMP’s extra polated water demand of 19,465 AFY by 2050 is less than the amount projected for the buildout of the Proposed Project (19,542 AFY).
The District began receiving recycled water as of May 2022, with a reliable supply of 89 AFY as of July 2023.
The District has also conducted site surveys at multiple locations and would convert them to recycled water once supplies increase. The current 89 AFY supply of recycled water would be sufficient to accommodate the 77 AFY projected increase in water demand associated with the buildout of the Proposed Project. Therefore impacts would be less than significant.
Additionally, the Proposed Project would implement the existing policies in the Conservation Element of the existing General Plan, such as Policy CN-1.5, which emphasizes collaboration with local agencies to ensure a safe and reliable water supply, Policy CN-1.6, which promotes low-water consumption fixtures in homes and businesses, and Policy CN-1.7, which mandates that new developments incorporate advanced technologies and methods to reduce water usage.
The Proposed Project would not include new or substantially greater significant impacts than those analyzed in the 2010 Certified EIR for the existing General Plan, and the Proposed Project does not identify or require the adoption of any further mitigation measures beyond those provided in the 2010 Certified EIR. Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on the relocation or construction of new or expanded concerning water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry , and multiple dry years. Furthermore, future environmental review of development projects would ensure minimal impacts to water supplies.
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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?
No Impact. The 2010 Certified EIR identified that the existing General Plan ’s developments in undeveloped areas would increase the demand for wastewater services from the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA). To address this demand, the 2010 Certified EIR stated that new facilities and expansions of existing ones and enhanced treatment capacity would reduce overall treatment needs. Additionally, payment of development fees for sewer connections would help mitigate impacts. The 2010 Certified EIR determined that a less than-significant impact would occur.
The Proposed Project would result in increased residential uses compared to the existing General Plan, thereby potentially necessitating new or expanded wastewater treatment facilities. However, the existing General Plan includes Policy CN-2.6, which calls for coordination with the VVWRA. Additionally, any future development must comply with Section 14.08.070, Sewer Connection, of the City’s Municipal Code, which requires authorization from the District for sewer connections. Therefore, any new construction or expansion would require review and approval from the VVWRA. Consequently, the Proposed Project would not necessitate the relocation or construction of new or expanded wastewater treatment facilities, and impacts would be less than significant.
The Proposed Project would not include new or substantially greater significant impacts than those analyzed in the 2016 Certified EIR for the existing General Plan. Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments. Furthermore, future environmental review of development projects would ensure minimal impacts to wastewater treatment.
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? No Impact. The 2010 Certified EIR identified that the existing General Plan would result in an increase in solid-waste disposal in the City. The 2010 Certified EIR determined that the designated landfill, Victorville Sanitary Landfill, has sufficient capacity to accept municipal solid waste associated with the existing General Plan and impacts would be less than significant.
The Victorville Sanitary Landfill has a maximum permit capacity of 93,400,000 cubic yards, a maximum permitted throughput of 3,000 tons per day, and a remaining capacity of 79,400,000 cubic yards as of March 31, 2020 (CalRecycle 2024a). The cease operation date for the facility is October 2047. As shown in Table 1, Focused General Plan Buildout, the Proposed Project would result in 162,835 residents by 2050.
The Proposed Project would result in an increase of 6,703 tons per year of solid waste compared to the existing General Plan. Therefore, the Proposed Project would result in approximately 167,575 tons by 2050 5, which is
5 CalEEMod default values for solid waste generation were applied for each land use type (regional shopping centers, single-family housing, and general office buildings) to calculate the total annual solid waste in tons. For further details and calculations, refer to Appendix A.
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less than one percent of the total remaining capacity of the Victorville Sanitary Landfill. As with the existing General Plan, the landfill is equipped to meet the future demands of the Proposed Project. As with the existing General Plan, the development consistent with the Proposed Project would be required to comply with all applicable state regulations regarding solid waste generation, such as the AB 939. Impacts would be less than significant.
Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on landfill s with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project’s solid -waste disposal needs. Furthermore, future environmental review of development projects would ensure adequate capacity for solid waste. e) Comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
No Impact. The 2010 Certified EIR identified that there would be a net increase in solid waste from buildout of the existing General Plan ; however, the Victorville Sanitary Landfill would adequately serve the Planning Area. In addition, the City complied with AB 939 which requires every California City and county to divert 50 percent of its waste from landfills. Impacts were less than significant.
As mentioned in Impact d) above, the Proposed Project would result in additional solid waste demand; however, the Victorville Sanitary Landfill would adequately serve the Planning Area. In addition, the City would continue to comply with existing regulations regarding diversion and disposal of municipal solid waste.
Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on compliance with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste. Furthermore, future environmental review of development projects would ensure that solid waste reduction goals would be met.
5.19.3 Mitigation Measures Identified in the EIR and Applicable to the Proposed Project
The 2010 Certified EIR did not identify significant utilities and service systems impacts, and therefore no mitigation measures were identified.
5.20 WILDFIRE
5.20.1 Summary of Impacts Identified in the Program EIR The 2010 Certified EIR did not evaluate the wildfire as a standalone topic since the topic was added after 2010.
The 2010 Certified EIR did discuss wildfire-related issues under Section 5.9, Hazards and Hazardous Materials.
The 2010 Certified EIR determined that the City is not within a fire threatened community, and with the implementation of the CBC, CFC, State laws, and the General Plan policies, impacts would be less than significant. Additionally, the 2010 Certified EIR indicated that every proposed project in the City would be reviewed by the San Bernardino County Fire Department for compliance with the most recent version of the CFC.
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5.20.2 Impacts Associated with the Proposed Project
Would the project:
Environmental Issues
Condition 1:
Substantial
Change in
Project
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 2:
Substantial
Change in
Circum-
stances
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 3:
New
Information
Showing New
or Increased
Significant
Effects
Less Than
Significant
Impact/No
Changes or
New
Information
Requiring
Preparation of
an EIR/MND No Impact
a) Substantially impair an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan.?
X
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?
X
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?
X
d) Expose people or structures to significant
risks, including downslope or downstream
flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff,
post-fire slope instability, or drainage
changes?
X
a) Substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? No Impact. The 2010 Certified EIR identified that the existing General Plan would not impair the implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan, as development under the existing General Plan would be required to comply with the applicable emergency response and evacuation plans. The 2010 Certified EIR indicated that impacts would be less than significant.
The southern portion of the Planning Area is within a VHFHSZ for State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Area, according to CAL FIRE (CAL FIRE 2024b ). Future development under the Proposed Project could introduce new buildings and people into these areas. The City of Hesperia has a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan that provides strategies and mitigation measures to address local fire hazards. Development under the Proposed Project would need to adhere to the adopted emergency response plan and emergency evacuation plan set by the San Bernardino County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), the City of Hesperia’s OES, and the San Bernardino County Fire Department. The Proposed Project, as with the existing General Plan, would not interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
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Buildout would not result in changes to the circulation patterns or emergency access routes in the Planning Area. Future development may be subjected to conditions of approval which would include review of ingress and egress points, as indicated in Section 16.12.120, Approval Requirements, of the City’s Municipal Code. As with the existing General Plan, the Proposed Project would be required to comply with all applicable regulations and plans governing emergency response and evacuation. In addition, the Proposed Project must comply with the existing emergency response and evacuation plans established by the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services, the City of Hesperia’s Office of Emergency Services, and the San Bernardino County Fire Department. In addition, as mentioned in Section 17.04.060, Subdivision Design and Improvement Standards, in the City’s Municipal Code, future development under the Proposed Project s hall provide for safe and ready access for fire and other emergency equipment and for routes of escape to safely handle evacuations.
The Proposed Project would also include Policy SF -3.9 which calls for coordinating with State and regional partners to ensure roadways in fire hazard severity zones meet current fire safety regulations; Policy SF -5.1 which requires that new development with 30 units or more in Fire Hazard Severity Zones to have two ingress and egress routes that account for existing and proposed traffic evacuation volumes at buildout; and Policy SF-
5.2 which calls for coordinating with emergency responders and Caltrans to maintain potential evacuation routes to ensure adequate capacity, safety, and viability of those routes in the event of an emergency, including making improvements to existing roads to support safe evacuations as needed.
Because the Proposed Project does not change the development pattern or areas evaluated in the 2010 Certified EIR, there would be no new or substantially greater significant impacts. Therefore, the Proposed Project has no impact on the 2010 Certified EIR conclusions on substantially impairing an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
d) 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?
Less Than Significant Impact/No Changes or New Information. The 2010 Certified EIR did not evaluate wildfire as a standalone topic since the topic was added after 2010.
While most of Hesperia is relatively flat, there are a few natural slopes in the City that could be vulnerable to landslides. The high desert experiences daily winds of 10.9 mph ; high winds and low humidity weather conditions can pose a greater risk of fire damage (Hesperia 2017). CAL FIRE mapped VHFHSZs in the southern portion of the Planning Area. The VHFHSZ includes areas potentially threatened by wildfires based on historical fire activity and prevalent vegetation types. Development associated with the buildout of the Proposed Project could result in new development in VHFHSZs.
To protect development in the VHFHSZ, the City requires adherence to a wide range of state and local codes, such as the CBC and CFC. Because development in these areas presents challenges for fire protection and suppression, development would be required to abide by the requirements of the CBC and CFC. Additionally, as outlined in Section 17.04.060 of the City’s Municipal Code, which covers subdivision design and improvement standards in hazardous fire areas, all flammable or combustible vegetation must be cleared from around structures following the Uniform Fire Code and where erosion is likely, slopes must be planted with fire-resistant ground cover. In addition, future development may be subjected to conditions of approval which
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would include a review of ingress and egress points, as indicated in Section 16.12.120, Approval Requirements, of the City’s Municipal Code.
Additionally, several policies in the proposed Health and Safety Element emphasize and require fire- safe development in the City. Proposed General Plan Policy SF-5.10 calls for locating new essential public and critical facilities, such as police stations, schools, and community centers, outside of mapped hazard zones , and if essential facilities must be located in these zones, site and design them to minimize the risk of damage and maintain their operational capacity during and after a hazard.
Adherence to these building practices, fire safety regulations, local regulations, and the Proposed Project’s policies would reduce the potential for exacerbating wildfire risks. Impacts would be less than significant. e) 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? Less Than Significant Impact/No Changes or New Information. The 2010 Certified EIR did not evaluate wildfire as a standalone topic since the topic was added after 2010.
The Proposed Project would result in structures and people compared to the existing General Plan which would require additional infrastructure, such as roadways and transmission lines. Some of this new infrastructure could be constructed in the areas classified in the VHFHSZ. These types of improvements would involve temporary construction and result in changes to the ex isting built environment. The installation and operation of new aboveground power transmission lines would create a higher risk of exacerbating wildfire risks compared to other infrastructure. However, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requ ires maintenance of vegetation around power lines, strict wire- to-wire clearances, annual inspections of aboveground power lines, and the preparation of fire prevention plans for aboveground power lines in high fire- threat districts (CPUC 2024). These measures would reduce the wildfire risks associated with the installation and maintenance of power lines. Any development or redevelopment in wildfire -prone areas of the Planning Area would also be required to comply with building and design standards in the CBC and CFC, which include provisions for fire- resistant building materials, the clearance of debris, and fire safety requirements during demolition and construction activities. Public Resources Code Section 4291 also requires vegetation around buildings or structures to maintain defensible space within 100 feet of a structure and an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of a structure (CAL FIRE 2024c). Section 14.02.090, District Connections Required, of the City’s Municipal Code, states that all new buildings intended for any human occupancy shall be connected to District water and sewer facilities and the general manger shall determine whether facilities are available. With the compliance with applicable regulations impacts would be less than significant.
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f) Expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes? Less Than Significant Impact/No Changes or New Information. The 2010 Certified EIR did not evaluate wildfire as a standalone topic since the topic was added after 2010.
The southern portion of the Planning Area is within a VHFHSZ for State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Area according to CAL FIRE (CAL FIRE 2024b). Development under the Proposed Project could expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope, downstream flooding, landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes. As with the existing General Plan, the Proposed Project could introduce new buildings and people into fire-hazard areas that may be impacted by slope- instability or flooding. The Proposed General Plan includes Policy SF-5.10 mandates locating new essential public and critical facilities outside mapped hazard zones, or if unavoidable, designing them to minimize risk and maintain functionality while requiring disaster response and evacuation plans for those within identified hazard areas such as flood, inundation, fire hazard, and landslide susceptibility zone.. In addition, future development would need to adhere to the most recent version of the CBC and CFC.
Following federal, state, and local requirements and the Proposed General Plan policies, impacts would be less than significant.
5.20.3 Mitigation Measures Identified in the EIR and Applicable to the Proposed Project
The 2010 Certified EIR did not identify significant wildfire impacts upon implementation of regulatory requirements, and therefore no mitigation measures were identified.
5.21 MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Environmental Issues
Condition 1:
Substantial
Change in
Project
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 2:
Substantial
Change in
Circum-
stances
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 3:
New
Information
Showing New
or Increased
Significant
Effects
Less Than
Significant
Impact/No
Changes or
New
Information
Requiring
Preparation of
an EIR/MND No Impact
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?
X
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July 2025 Page 115
Environmental Issues
Condition 1:
Substantial
Change in
Project
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 2:
Substantial
Change in
Circum-
stances
Requiring
Major
Revisions
Condition 3:
New
Information
Showing New
or Increased
Significant
Effects
Less Than
Significant
Impact/No
Changes or
New
Information
Requiring
Preparation of
an EIR/MND 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.)
X
c) Does the project have environmental effects
which will cause substantial adverse effects
on human beings, either directly or
indirectly?
X
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? Less Than Significant Impact/ No Changes or New Information Requiring Preparation of an EIR/MND. The geographic range and severity of impacts to biological resources , cultural resources, and tribal cultural resources resulting from the Proposed Project would be similar to those that would result from implementation of the existing General Plan, as the Proposed Project would not result in physical land use or zoning designation changes. The Proposed Project would incorporate all applicable mitigation measures and existing General Plan po licies identified in 2010 Certified EIR as discussed in Sections 5.4, Biological Resources ,
5.5, Cultural Resources, and 5.18, Tribal Cultural Resources, above. The Proposed Project would not result in any new impacts or substantially increase the severity of previously disclosed impacts related to biological, cultural resources, or tribal cultural resources . Therefore, preparation of supplemental or subsequent EIR is not required by CEQA.
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.)
Less Than Significant Impact/ No Changes or New Information Requiring Preparation of an EIR/MND. Changes proposed by the Proposed Project compared to the existing General Plan would not result in any new cumulatively considerable impacts or substantially increase the severity of previously disclosed cumulatively considerable impacts. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 (b)(1), the information used in an analysis of cumulative impacts should come from one of two sources:
CITY OF HESPERIA FOCUSED GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADDENDUM
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5. Environmental Analysis
1) A list of past, present, and probable future projects producing related cumulative impacts, including, if necessary, those projects outside the control of the agency; or 2) A summary of projections contained in an adopted general plan or related planning document designed to evaluate regional or area-wide conditions.
The cumulative impacts identified in the 2010 Certified EIR used a combination of methods No. 1 and 2. The 2010 Certified EIR and this Addendum address the cumulative impacts of development in Hesperia. The Proposed Project would not result in impacts beyond what was previously analyzed in the 2010 Certified EIR.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not generate a new cumulatively considerable impact. The preparation of supplemental or subsequent EIR is not required by CEQA. c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?
Less Than Significant Impact/ No Changes or New Information Requiring Preparation of an EIR/MND. The Proposed Project is not expected to result in significant adverse impacts to humans, either directly or indirectly. While some impacts were identified that could potentially affect human health, as with the existing General Plan , implementation of mitigation measures related to air quality and noise would reduce impacts to a less- than-significant level . As a result, the implementation of these mitigation measures is anticipated to prevent significant adverse impacts on human health.
This analysis considers both long-term and short-term impacts, ensuring that all potential effects are mitigated to a less-than-significant level. Overall, any potential impacts are deemed less than significant when appropriate mitigation measures are incorporated..
July 2025 Page 117
6. List of Preparers
6.1 PLACEWORKS
Mark Teague AICP, Managing Principal
Jasmine Osman, Associate II
Jessica Mendoza, Project Planner
Nicole Vermilion, Principal
Lexie Zimny, Associate I
Chris Shields, Senior Associate II, Noise & Vibration
6.2 CITY OF HESPERIA
Ryan Leonard, Principal Planner
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7. References
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). 2023, April. 2022 California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Chapters. https://www.baaqmd.gov/plans-and-climate/california-environmental- quality-act-ceqa/updated-ceqa-guidelines.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 2004. West Mojave Plan. https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/lup/72544/97517/117675/wemo_plan_vol-1_2004.pdf California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). 2024, August 7 (accessed). California State Scenic Highway System Map.
https://caltrans.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=465dfd3d807c46cc8e8057116f 1aacaa.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2024a. California Vegetation – WHR13 Types. https://gis.data.ca.gov/maps/CALFIRE-Forestry::california-vegetation-whr13-types/about ______.2024b. Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/03beab8511814e79a0e4eabf0d3e7247/. ______. 2024c, August 7 (accessed). Defensible Space. https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). 2024, August 7 (accessed). Tree Trimming and Vegetation Management Information. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/safety/electric-safety-and- reliability-branch/electric-and-cip-audits-introduction/tree-trimming-and-vegetation-management- information
CalRecycle. 2024a, September 16 (accessed). SWIS Facility/Site Activity Details. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/SiteActivity/Details/1870?siteID=2652. ______.2024b, September 16 (accessed). Estimated Solid Waste Generation Rates. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/WasteCharacterization/General/Rates.
Department of Conservation (DOC). 1993. Mineral Land Classification of Concrete Aggregate Resources in the Barstow-Victorville Area.
https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/informationwarehouse/index.html?map=regulatorymaps ______. 2024, September 9 (accessed). California Important Farmland Finder. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/.
Department of Finance (DOF). 2024, September 5 (accessed). Table E-5: Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2020-2024.
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https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/e-5-population-and-housing-estimates-for- cities-counties-and-the-state-2020-2024/.
Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC). 2024, September 5 (accessed). Envirostor. https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/search?CMD=search&city=Hesperia&zip=&county=&c ase_number=&business_name=&FEDERAL_SUPERFUND=True&STATE_RESPONSE=True& VOLUNTARY_CLEANUP=True&SCHOOL_CLEANUP=True&CORRECTIVE_ACTION=Tru e&tiered_permit=True&evaluation=True&operating=True&post_closure=True&non_operating=Tr ue&inspections=True&inspectionsother=True.
Department of Water Resources (DWR). 2024, August 7 (accessed). SGMA Portal. https://sgma.water.ca.gov/portal/gsp/status.
Fehr and Peers. 2024, October. Draft Transportation Study for Hesperia General Plan.
Hesperia Water District (HWD). 2021. Hesperia Water District 2020 Urban Water Management. https://www.cityofhesperia.us/DocumentCenter/View/17573/Draft-2020-Urban-Water- Management-Plan?bidId=.
Hesperia, City of. 2010. July 20. Hesperia Climate Action Plan. https://www.cityofhesperia.us/DocumentCenter/View/1587/Climate-Action-Plan-7210?bidId= ______. 2017. Hazard Mitigation Plan. https://www.cityofhesperia.us/DocumentCenter/View/14830/2017- Hazard-Mitigation-Plan?bidId=
Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD). 2020, February. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Federal Conformity Guidelines.
https://www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8510/638126583450270000.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). 2024a, August 7 (accessed). A Plan for a Brighter Future. https://scag.ca.gov/connect-socal.
______. 2024b. Connect SoCal. https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/23-2987-connect- socal-2024-final-complete-040424.pdf?1714175547.
Southwest Gas Corporation (SCG). 2024. Maps. https://www.swgas.com/1409184639136/MAPS---Eff-May- 23-2024.pdf
State Water Resources Control Board. 2024, September 5 (accessed). Geotracker. https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/?CMD=runreport&myaddress=hesperia.
United States Geological Survey (USGS). 2024, September 5 (accessed). Land Subsidence in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California, 2014–2019. https://ca.water.usgs.gov/mojave/mojave-subsidence-2014-2019.html.
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