LU
HEALTH AND SAFETY
ELEMENT
Attachment 5
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-1
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Health and Safety Element is a required element of the General Plan.
This element identif ies potential natural and human- caused hazards that could affect the City of Hesperia’s (City’s) residents, businesses, and services; establishes a framework that anticipates these hazards and impacts; and prepares the community to minimize exposure to these risks.
This element is also intended to improve the health of residents by incorporating healthy community policies and programs. These efforts are designed to reduce exposure to environmental pollution and improve air quality and address the need for healthy food physical activity, safe/sanitary housing, public facilities, and meaningful civic engagement. The Health and Safety Element seeks to protect life and property from impacts due to natural and human-made disasters as well as ensuring a healthy community.
To achieve these purposes, the Health and Safety Element: 1) identifies the potential hazards that can significantly affect Hesperia, 2) provides policies that, if implemented, can minimize the potential risk to residents, workers , and visitors; 3) provides policies that, if implemented, can reduce the losses to property resulting from a given disaster; 4) identifies procedures that the City can use to respond to emergency situations ; and 5) addresses contemporary planning issues of community health and wellness. Investing in both public safety and community healt h helps make Hesperia more sustainable, viable, healthy, and prosperous.
The Health and Safety Element provide s the public, decision makers , and City staff with policies that will help create a community that is minimally at risk from natural hazards ; that responds quickly, effectively , and efficiently to hazards; and that is healthier for residents. This involves the design, development , and maintenance of neighborhoods, commercial areas, and industrial districts as safe and healthy places to live, shop, work, and interact. It also involves the development and maintenance of essential facilities that remain fully functional after a disaster. This element identifies disaster preparedness, response, and recovery systems that can reduce loss of life, injury, damage to property and infrastructure, and economic losses and social dislocation, and in the process promote sustainability.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-2 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
BACKGROUND
RELATIONSHIP TO STATE LAW
Section 65302 of the State of California Government Code identifies seven mandatory elements in a general plan, including Health and Safety. Section 65302(g) of the Government Code requires that the Health and Safety Element contain background information and policies to address natural hazards, an analysis of vulnerabilities from climate change, policies to improve climate change adaptation and resilience, and an assessment of residential areas with evacuation constraints. Hesperia’s safety issues are:
Seismic and geologic hazards
Flood and inundation hazards
Urban and wildfire hazards
Hazardous waste and materials
Emergency preparedness and response
Climate change resilience
Section 65302(h) of the California Government Code also requires that a general plan include goals, policies, and objectives to further environmental justice when a city has a disadvantaged area within its jurisdiction. In that event, the general plan must address seven required topics:
Reduction of pollution exposure
Improvement in air quality
Opportunities for physical activity
Access to healthy food
Affordable, safe, and sanitary homes
Access to public facilities and services
Increasing opportunities for resident involvement
This element includes a discussion for each health and safety issue and identifies goals and policies. This element is supported by the Safety and Healthy Community Background Reports (Appendix SF and EJ), which provide detailed information for each issue addressed in this element.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-3
CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN
The Health and Safety Element provides policy direction that complements the policies of other General Plan elements , most notably the Land Use, Conservation, Circulation, Housing, and Open Space E lements. Crucial relationships exist between the Health and Safety Element and the other General Plan elements. How land uses are determined in areas prone to hazards, what regulations limit development in these areas, and how hazards are mitigated for development, are issues that tie the elements together.
For instance, the Open Space Element considers how hazards affect City parks and facilities but also recognizes that parks can provide strategies to reduce flood risks . T he Open Space Element strives to preserve and/or manage development in natural open space (e.g. washes, bluffs, ridges, etc.) that may cause damage to the built environment. The Housing Element is also closely tied to the Health and Safety and Circulation Elements because future d evelopment must be protected from hazards , be able to adapt t o climate change hazards, and have access to evacuation routes.
Table SF-1 identifies the issues discussed in this element and identifies other elements that include discussions that also address these issues.
T
ABLE SF-1
COORDINATION WITH OTHER ELEMENTS
ISSUES
Circulation
Conservation
Housing
Land Use
Noise
Open Space
Safety
Seismic and Geologic Hazards X X X
Flooding Hazards X X X X
Fire Hazards X X X X
Hazardous Materials X X
Emergency Preparation/Response X X X
Climate Change Resilience X X X X
Healthy Community X X X X X X
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-4 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER PLANS
The Health and Safety Element is also consistent with other local plans .
These include the Hesperia Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Emergency Operation Plan , Climate Action Plan , and various local regulations. This ensures that the City has a unified strategy to address the wide range of public safety and resilience issues affecting the community.
Hesperia Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Hesperia’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is prepared in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) hazard mitigation assistance guidance.
Hesperia’s LHMP assesses hazard vulnerabilities from natural and human- caused hazards, including risk to people and facilities, and identifies short- term mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate hazard risks. Hazards evaluated in the LHMP include earthquake/geologic hazards, flooding, severe/extreme weather, dam failure/inundation, wildfire, human -caused hazards, and climate change. The current LHMP, as certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency , is incorporated into this Health and Safety Element by reference, as permitted by California Government Code Section 65302.6. It is available online at:
https://www.cityofhesperia.us/1307/Hazard-Mitigation.
Hesperia Emergency Operations Plan
The City of Hesperia’s Emergency Operations Plan is an all-hazard plan that describes how Hesperia will respond to large- scale emergencies and disasters in the City. The Emergency Operations Plan is used to implement operational procedures and protocols to protect public safety. The Emergency Operations Plan includes a framework for emergency management activities along with responsibilities for the various City departments. The Emergency Operations Plan is a collaborative effort among City departments with input from San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, Hesperia Unified School District, healthcare entities, business es, and local stakeholders. More information about the plan can be found on the City’s website at: http://ca-hesperia.civicplus.com/1446/Emergency-Operations.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-5
Hesperia Climate Action Plan
The Climate Action Plan describes a series of community -wide and municipal measures and actions that will aid the City in reducing GHG emissions to meet community goals. The Climate Action Plan outlines a course of action for the City government and the community of Hesperia to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to effects of climate change. It provides clear guidance to City staff regarding when and how to implement key provisions and sets an implementation and monitoring framework for its strategies. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the General Plan Update policies and Climate Action Plan strategies would reduce emissions to the reduction target. The Climate Action Plan is available online at: https://www.cityofhesperia.us/409/Hesperia-General-Plan.
Healthy Community Technical Report
Hesperia commissioned a Healthy Community Technical Report (Appendix EJ) to provide baseline information that could support the goals, policies, and programs for this general plan element. This report analyzed the health of Hesperia residents ; identified disadvantaged communities using state - and locally defined criteria in Government Code Section 65302; analyzed features of the City’s built and social environment that need to be improved based on a community survey; and concluded with an analysis of unincorporated disadvantaged communities to comply with state law.
The Healthy Community Technical Report documented significant health challenges facing residents of Hesperia, but conditions which are also prevalent in the High Desert as a whole. These include premature adverse health conditions among residents, high prevalence of risk factors that could be reduced, and links to the conditions of the built environment. Equally important, many of the City’s residential neighborhoods have lower resources and could therefore benefit from proactive programs that direct additional investments in infrastructure, housing, and services for them.
Vulnerability Assessment Technical Report
Under California law, the safety element is required to include a vulnerability assessment that looks at how people, buildings, infrastructure, and other key community assets may be affected by climate change. The City’s Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment analyzes how eight different climate-related hazards (air quality and smoke, drought, extreme temperatures, human health hazards, flooding, landslides, severe storms, and wildfire) may affect 4 8 different population groups and community
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-6 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
assets. Each population or asset received a score of low, medium, or high vulnerability for each climate-related hazard.
The Vulnerability Assessment indicates that Hesperia’s populations and assets are most vulnerable to wildfire, extreme temperatures, and severe storms. Populations are specifically most vulnerable to wildfire, extreme temperatures, and severe weather, which directly affect health. The most vulnerable population groups are persons with chronic illness and/or disabilities, seniors, households in poverty, linguistically isolated immigrant communities, and homeless persons. Hazards such as wildfire, extreme temperatures, and severe weather pose heightened risks to these groups due to socioeconomic and health factors, including lack of access to healthcare in the high desert region.
To increase community resilience and help lower vulnerability , the Health and Safety Element includes goals and policies, several of which are particular to the populations and assets that received a score of “high” in the Vulnerability Assessment. Hesperia’s Vulnerability Assessment is included in the Safety Element Background Report, Appendix SF to this element.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-7
ISSUES
SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Seismic and geologic hazards are caused by the movement of different parts of the earth’s surface. Seismic hazards include earthquakes and hazardous events caused by them. Geologic hazards involve land movements that are not linked to seismic activity but can inflict harm to people or property.
Seismic Hazards
Seismic activity occurs along boundaries in the earth’s crust, called faults.
Pressure along the faults builds over time and is ultimately released, resulting in ground shaking, commonly referred to as an earthquake.
Earthquakes can also trigger other hazards, including surface rupture (cracks in the ground surface), liquefaction (causing loose soil to lose its strength), landslides, and subsidence (sinking of the ground surface).
Earthquakes
Earthquakes present the greatest potential for loss of life or property and economic damage in Hesperia. Damaging earthquakes affect widespread areas and trigger many secondary effects that can overwhelm the ability of local jurisdictions to respond. Nearby faults include the San Andreas, North Frontal, Cleghorn, Cucamonga, Helendale, and San Jacinto faults. All of these faults have the potential to generate moderate to large earthquakes.
Southern California is known for the San Andreas Fault, a 400- mile-long fault running from the Mexican border to a point offshore west of San Francisco. The San Andreas Fault is the principal boundary between the Pacific and North American Plates. This fault is the “ master fault ” in Southern California because it has frequent large earthquakes and controls the seismicity of the area.
The closest zoned faults include the North Frontal Fault, which includes the Ord Mountains Fault , approximately two miles east of Hesperia ; the Ord Mountains Fault; and the San Andreas Fault, approximately four miles to the southwest at its closest point. The North Frontal Fault, given its location near Hesperia, has the potential to cause the most severe shaking in the City; loss estimation modeling indicates that a maximum magnitude 7.2 earthquake on this fault would be a worst-case scenario for the City.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-8 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
There are no Alquist -Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones in the City. Exhibit SF-1 shows the location of regional faults and Alquist-Priolo Fault Zones.
Earthquakes are likely to continue to occur on an occasional basis. A major earthquake along any of the nearby faults could result in substantial casualties and damage, although the greatest risk in Hesperia is from the North Frontal Fault and San Andreas Fault due to their proximity and high potential to cause a severe earthquake. A major earthquake on either fault could damage or destroy transportation infrastructure, such as I-15, SR-138, SR-173, SR-395, or bridges, limiting access in and out of the community.
Liquefaction
In addition to ground shaking, earthquakes may generate surface fault rupture and secondary ground failure in the form or liquefaction or slope failure. In addition to the physical damage from the motion of an earthquake, damage can result from liquefaction. Liquefaction happens primarily in saturated, loose, fine- to medium-grained soils in areas where the groundwater table is within 50 feet of the surface . Soils susceptible to liquefaction are typically found in low-lying, current, or former floodplains.
Geologically young, loose, unconsolidated sediments occur throughout the Hesperia area, but shallow groundwater occurs only within the Mojave River floodplain, where water has been recorded at depths of less than 30 feet Therefore, areas along the floodplains of Mojave River are likely to face liquefaction during an earthquake and li quefaction-related lateral spreads, which can occur adjacent to stream channels and deep washes.
Lateral spreads can cause extensive damage to pipelines, utilities, bridges, roads, and other structures.
Slope Failure
Slope failure is a common secondary effect of earthquakes. Although most of Hesperia is on terrain that is basically level or gently sloping, there are a few natural slopes in the southern portion of the City vulnerable to this hazard.
Seiches
Seiches due to seismic shaking could occur in Silverwood Lake, Hesperia Lake, and any recharge basin in the City that is filled with water at the time of the earthquake. In unlined lakes and basins, sloshing of water against the basin sides could result in erosion and surficial slope failures.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-9
Exhibit SF-1 Regional Fault Lines
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-10 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Geologic Hazards
Hesperia lies within the Mojave Desert Province, an arid region of overlapping alluvial fans, desert plains, dry lakebeds, and scattered mountain ranges. Hesperia is underlain by the informally named Victorville Fan, which is shed primarily from the San Gabriel Mountains , and whose composition reflects the rocks eroded by the various streams that enter the valley from the south. Deposition is ongoing, with the youngest alluvium filling drainage channels and the Mojave River floodplain.
Geologic hazards such as landslides, erosion, and subsidence depend on the geologic composition of the area. Landslides and rock falls usually occur in sloped areas, especially areas with steep slopes, and in loose and fragmented soil areas. Landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows occur continuously on all slopes—some processes act very slowly, others are sudden. Groundwater withdrawal is a major cause of subsidence because it can lead to compaction of fine-grained sediments like clay.
The foothills in southern Hesperia are in moderate to very high landslide susceptibility zones. Landslides pose the greatest geologic hazard in the City and are more likely in winter during heavy rainfall years. Exhibit SF- 2 illustrates areas in Hesperia that are most susceptible to landslides.
Climate change may result in heavier rainfall periods and drier dry periods, and rainfall may be concentrated in more intense precipitation events.
Heavy rainfall could increase the number of landslides or make landslides larger than normal. Increased w ildfire frequency can destabilize hillsides due to loss of vegetation and change s in soil composition, contributing to greater runoff and erosion. The combination of drier climate in the future, wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour is likely to cause more mudslides and landslides.
Hesperia is also susceptible to hazards from erosion, which is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces, such as water or wind, causing the soil to deteriorate. Eroded topsoil can be transported into streams and other waterways. Water erosion is when water removes soil and transports it elsewhere. Highly erosive soil can damage roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-11
Exhibit SF-2 Landslide Susceptibility Areas
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-12 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
The following goal and implementation policies aim to reduce the effects of seismic and geologic hazards in the City of Hesperia:
Goal SF-1
Minimize injury, loss of life, property
damage, and economic and social
disruption caused by seismic shaking and
other earthquake-induced hazards, and by
geologic hazards such as slope instability,
compressible and collapsible soils, and
subsidence.
Policy SF-1.1
Require preparation of geotechnical and
engineering geological investigations, prepared by
State-certified professionals (geotechnical
engineers and engineering geologists, as
appropriate) following the most recent guidelines
by the California Geological Survey and similar
organizations, as a condition of approval, for all
projects proposed in areas identified as within
geologic and/or seismic hazard zones (see Exhibits
SF-1 and SF-2). These reports shall provide
mitigation measures to reduce those hazards
identified at a site to an acceptable level. City staff that review geotechnical, geological, and structural
reports submitted by development applicants, and
that review grading operations, shall have the
necessary professional credentials and
certifications in their area of expertise to conduct
these reviews.
Policy SF-1.2
Require development to minimize grading and
other changes to the natural topography to protect
public safety and reduce the potential for property
damage as a result of geologic hazards.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-13
Policy SF-1.3
Require preparation of liquefaction assessment
studies, as a condition of approval, for all projects
proposed in areas identified by the California
Department of Conservation as potentially
susceptible to liquefaction. The studies shall be
prepared by State-certified professionals
(geotechnical engineers and engineering
geologists, as appropriate) following the most
recent guidelines by the California Geological
Survey.
Policy SF-1.4
Encourage owners of unreinforced masonry
buildings to assess the seismic vulnerability of
their structures and conduct seismic retrofitting as
necessary to improve the buildings’ resistance to
seismic shaking.
FLOODING HAZARDS
Flooding is when water rises and overflows onto normally dry land. Floods are one of the most frequent natural hazards in Hesperia and among the costliest natural disasters nationwide in terms of human hardship and economic loss. They cause substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities as well as life and safety issues.
Floods prompt the second-greatest number of disaster declarations in the state and are a regular feature in Hesperia. To maintain flood insurance for properties throughout the City, Hesperia adopts and maintains Flood Hazard Protections Regulations as required by FEMA. On August 20, 2023, tropical Storm Hilary caus ed significant damage in San Bernardino County, including Hesperia, with initial estimates indicating repair costs could reach $26 million. The storm caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and water basins.
Like most of southern California, Hesperia is subject to unpredictable rainfall. Every few years, the region is subjected to periods of intense and sustained precipitation. Most of the flooding happens in the numerous washes, natural drainage courses, drainage easements, and floodways.
Construction of the Mojave Forks Dam in 1971 greatly reduced the impact of flooding along the Mojave River, although a few parcels adjacent to the river are still at risk. Most of Hesperia is on alluvial fans, flat to sloping
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-14 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
areas covered with sediment deposited by shallow, intermittent streams that spread out from their source in the mountains to the south. Alluvial fan flooding is unpredictable, and floodwaters can travel at dangerously high speeds, be highly erosive, and can carry large amounts of sediment and other debris. These characteristics make it difficult to assess the flood risk and develop reliable mitigations for alluvial fans.
Areas at an elevated risk of flooding are divided into 100- and 500-year flood zones. A 100-year flood zone has a 1 percent chance of experiencing a major flood in any given year, and a 500-year flood zone has a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year. The 100- year floodplain in Hesperia is primarily along the Mojave River, Antelope Valley Wash , and Summit Valley, as shown on Exhibit SF-3.
Several structures in the Antelope Valley Wash area are in this zone. In the Summit Valley area, most homes are above the flood plain, but access to these homes can be cut off during severe flooding of the West Fork of the Mojave River. SR -138, SR -173, and several major roadways, including I Avenue, Rock Springs Road, and Ranchero Road, are within the 100-year flood zone. Owners of all structures in the 100-year flood zone are required to purchase and maintain flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally backed mortgage or home equity loan on that structure.
Though climate change may not change average precipitation levels significantly, it is expected to cause more years with extreme precipitation events, that is, more years with intense storm systems that drop substantial volumes of rain over a short period and cause flooding. Because of this, floods are expected to happen more often in Hesperia, and climate change may expand the parts of the City that are considered prone to flooding.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-15
Exhibit SF-3 Flood Hazard Zones
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-16 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Dam Failure
A dam failure is an uncontrolled release of water from a reservoir because of structural failures or deficiencies. Dam failures can range from minor to catastrophic, harming human life and property downstream. In addition, ecosystems and habitats can be destroyed by fast -moving floodwaters, debris, and sedimentation from the inundation. Failures are rare but not unprecedented; they can be caused by overtopping, foundation defects, piping and seepage failures, or conduit and valve failures. Many dam failures are the secondary result of other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, and extreme storms.
Three dams can inundate portions of Hesperia if they fail —the Mojave Forks Dam, owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Cedar Springs Dam; and Lake Arrowhead Da m, owned by the California Department of Water Resources. The Amethyst Basin Dam is to the north of the City limits, and the inundation area would not flood areas within Hesperia.
As shown on Exhibit SF-4, if these dams outside the City’s boundary failed, the inundation zone would generally be confined to land adjacent to the Mojave River along the City’s eastern border. Water released by the Mojave Forks Dam would be confined to the bed of the Mojave River, the mouth of Antelope Valley Wash channel, and several other smaller tributaries. Water released by the Cedar Springs Dam would flood a significant portion of eastern Summit Valley, an area that is mostly undeveloped except for SR- 173. Water from Lake Arrowhead Dam would most like ly be contained in the Mojave Forks reservoir.
As mandated by the National Dam Inspection Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the responsibility to conduct inspections of all dams under federal control, including Mojave Forks Dam. The purpose of these inspections is to check the structural integrity of the dam and appurtenant structures, ensuring protection of human life and property. Periodic inspections disclose conditions that might disrupt operation or dam safety.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Safety of Dams , inspects dams on an annual basis to ensure they are safe and perform as intended. DWR also reviews applications for dam construction, removal, alteration, or repair ; has inspection oversight over dam construction projects ; and periodically reviews the stability of dams and their critical related structures. The Division of Safety of Dams works closely with dam owners to identify and correct issues on an ongoing basis.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-17
Exhibit SF-4 Dam Inundation Areas
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-18 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
To reduce the impacts of flooding and dam inundation, the City will act on the following goal and implementation policies.
Goal SF-2
Minimize injury, loss of life, property
damage, and economic and social
disruption caused by flooding and
inundation hazards.
Policy SF-2.1
Require hydrological studies, prepared by a State-
certified engineer with expertise in this area, as a
condition of approval for all projects proposed in
the 100-year or 500-year floodplain, as shown on
Exhibit SF-3. These studies shall assess the impact
that the new development will have on the
flooding potential of existing development down-
gradient. The studies shall provide mitigation
measures to reduce this impact to an acceptable
level. Single-family homes shall be exempt,
except for infill lots with natural drainage courses,
washes, master plan of drainage are subject to
providing hydrology reports.
Policy SF-2.2
Participate in the National Flood Insurance
Program and require that all owners of properties
located within the 100-year floodplain and repeat-
flood properties in the 500-year floodplain
purchase and keep flood insurance for those
properties.
Policy SF-2.3
Maintain, and improve where needed, the storm
drain systems, with an emphasis on those areas
that flood repeatedly. This entails maintaining and
regularly cleaning the storm drains and other
flood-control structures in low-lying areas so
floodwaters can be effectively conveyed away
from structures. Explore the construction of
additional drainage channels where necessary.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-19
Policy SF-2.4
Coordinate with the Hesperia Recreation and Park
District to explore the use of floodplains as parks,
nature trails, equestrian parks, golf courses, or
other types of recreational facilities that can
withstand periodic inundation.
Policy SF-2.5
Encourage new development and existing property
owners to slow or absorb floodwaters, including
through installation of permeable pavements and
green infrastructure.
Policy SF-2.6
Coordinate with the Hesperia Recreation and Park
District and surrounding jurisdictions to conduct
habitat restoration projects in passive recreation
areas to improve the capacity of local ecosystems
to absorb or slow floodwaters.
Policy SF-2.7 Prepare to respond to a potential dam failure from dams shown in Exhibit SF-4.
FIRE HAZARDS
Fire hazards include wildfires, wildland-urban interface fires, and structural fires. The combination of complex terrain, climate, vegetation , and development patterns contributes to an elevated risk of wildfire.
Historically, the fire season extended from early summer through late fall of each year during the hotter, dryer months, although fires can occur year- round. Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and plants, accumulation of vegetation, and high winds.
Wildfire
Wildfires are a necessary part of the natural ecosystem in southern California, but they become a hazard when they extend out of control into developed areas and cause loss of property, injuries, or loss of life.
Wildfires occur on mountains, hillsides, and grasslands. Fuel, weather, and topography are primary factors that affect how wildfires spread. Hesperia is in the lower Mojave section of the Southeastern Deserts Bioregion, an area characterized by isolated, steep -sided mountain ranges separated by broad alluvial basins. The predominant vegetation types in this area are desert
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-20 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
shrub, creosote bush shrub, and succulent shrub. Other important vegetation types include Joshua Tree woodland, shad- scale scrub, blackbrush scrub, and desert scrub-steppe. Approximately one-third of the desert floor in the Mojave section is devoid of vegetation, limiting the surface fuel loads available to burn. However, flammable vegetation exist s in the southern hillsides of Hesperia. The climate of Hesperia keeps the grass dry and more readily combustible during fire season.
Several historic wildfires have impacted Hesperia, shown on Exhibit SF-5.
On June 19, 2024, the Hesperia Fire burned 1,330 acres in southeastern Hesperia. An evacuation warning was ordered for the Lake Arrowhead Equestrian Estates neighborhood.
Changing climate is expected to increase the wildfire risk in and around Hesperia. Warmer temperatures brought on by climate change can exacerbate drought conditions, weakening plants and creating more fuel for wildfires. Increased winds result in more erratic fire behavior, making fires harder to contain. Warmer temperatures are also expected to last until later in the year, extending the wildfire season.
Fire Hazard Severity Zone
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection establishes Fire Hazard Severity Zones, designated as moderate, high, or very high severity.
Incorporated areas such as Hesperia are considered local responsibility areas. Exhibit SF-6 shows the Fire Hazard Severity Zones in and around
Hesperia. California law requires propert ies in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or in a State Responsibility Area to be disclosed in real estate transactions. This is important because the relatively rapid turnover of home ownership can create an information gap; as a result, uninformed homeowners in fire hazard areas may attempt landscaping or other home modifications that could increase the risk of fire hazards.
Wildland-Urban Interface Area
In addition to the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , the City has areas designated as Wildland-Urban Interface. The Wildland -Urban Interface is an area where buildings (e.g., housing) and infrastructure (e.g., cell towers and water supply facilities) mix with flammable wildland vegetation, allowing wildland fires to spread to buildings and structures easily. Exhibit SF-7 identifies the Wildland-Urban Interface in Hesperia.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-21
Exhibit SF-5 Historic Wildfire Perimeters
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-22 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Exhibit SF-6 Fire Hazard Severity Zones
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-23
Exhibit SF-7 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-24 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Structural Fires
Hesperia is also at risk from structural fires. These fires burn in built-up environments, destroying buildings and other human- made structures.
Structural fires are often due to faulty wiring, mechanical equipment, or combustible construction materials. The absence of fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems often exacerbates the damage associated with a structural fire. Structural fires are largely caused by human accidents, although arson causes some events. Older buildings lack modern fire safety features and may face greater risk of fire damage. A small number of structure fires are reported annually in Hesperia, but depending on the size, age , and occupancy of the structure, the economic and social losses can be substantial.
Fire Protection
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District provides fire prevention and suppression services in Hesperia on a contract basis . The County Fire Protection District also provides ambulance service to local High Desert hospitals . In addition to three fire stations near Hesperia, t he San Bernardino County Fire Protection District operates four fire stations in Hesperia (listed below):
Hesperia Fire Station #302 at 17288 Olive Street
Hesperia Fire Station #304 at 15660 Eucalyptus Street Hesperia Fire Station #305 at 8331 Caliente Road
Hesperia Fire Station #306 at 17801 Ranchero Road
Due to the increase in population and associated rise in traffic , emergency calls to the Fire Department have steadily risen . Response times are controlled by the distance between the responding fire station and the site; factors that may affect the response time include obstructions provided by the aqueduct and the railroad lines, multiple alarms, traffic congestion, and availability of personnel and equipment.
If needed, fire stations from nearby communities, such as Victorville and Apple Valley, can respond to emergency calls in Hesperia. All three cities are part of the San Bernardino County Operational Area , which allows for mutual aid agreements among jurisdictions. These agreements enable additional emergency resources to be deployed by unaffected members of the group, as needed.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-25
In addition to local resources, numerous local, state , and federal agencies are available to assist the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District depending on the nature of the incident. Emergency response across all jurisdictions in California adheres to the Standardized Emergency Management System , ensuring a coordinated and efficient approach to managing emergencies.
The following goal and policies aim to reduce fire hazards in Hesperia.
Goal SF-3
Minimize injury, loss of life, property
damage, and economic and social
disruption caused by wildland and urban
fires.
Policy SF-3.1
In cooperation with the San Bernardino County
Fire Protection District, ensure, to the maximum
extent possible, that fire services—such as
firefighting equipment and personnel,
infrastructure, and response times—are adequate
for all sections of the City.
Policy SF-3.2
Encourage new development outside of Very High
Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Development in the
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones shall
demonstrate compliance with applicable state and
local building and fire code regulations as well as
appropriate mitigation measures and design
considerations.
Policy SF-3.3
Require new developments in Very Fire Hazard
Severity Zones (see Exhibit SF-6, Fire Hazard
Severity Zones) to include the following, at a
minimum, in applicable permit applications:
Site plan, planting plan, planting palette, and
irrigation plan to reduce the risk of fire hazards
and with consideration to site conditions,
including slope, structures, and adjacencies.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-26 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Identification of defensible space for all
buildings and plans for maintenance plan of
defensible space.
More than one point of ingress and egress to
improve evacuation, emergency response, and
fire equipment access and adequate water
infrastructure for water supply and fire flow
that meets or exceeds the standards in the
California Fire Safe Regulations. This
specifically includes two sections of the
California Code of Regulations, Title 14,
Division 1.5, Chapter 7: Subchapter 2, Articles
1–5 (commencing with section 1270, SRA Fire
Safe Regulations), and Subchapter 3, Article 3
(commencing with section 1299.01, Fire
Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and
Structures Regulations).
Class A roof materials for new and
replacement roofs.
Location and source of anticipated water
supply.
Fire protection plans for long-term,
comprehensive fuel reduction and
management, consistent with California Fire
Code, Chapter 49. Fire protection plans shall
include a risk analysis, fire response
capabilities, fire safety requirements,
mitigation measures, design considerations for
nonconforming fuel modifications, and
wildfire education maintenance and
limitations.
Policy SF-3.4
All new development in the wildland-urban
interface or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
must comply with fire-resistant landscaping and
defensible space requirements. These standards
shall meet or exceed Title 14 of the California
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-27
Code of Regulations. This specifically includes
Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Articles
1 to 5 (commencing with section 1270, SRA Fire
Safe Regulations), and Division 1.5, Chapter 7,
Subchapter 3, Article 3 (commencing with section
1299.01, Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings
and Structures Regulations). New development
shall also comply with the Public Resource Code
Section 4291 (State Defensible Space
Requirements), which requires the following:
Create a defensible space of at least 100 feet
around the structure.
Remove all dead plants, grass, weeds, and
other flammable vegetation from the
defensible space.
Remove tree limbs that are within 10 feet of
the chimney or stovepipe of the structure.
Trim tree limbs that are within 6 feet of the
ground or within 10 feet of the structure.
Remove all dead branches, leaves, and other
debris from roofs and rain gutters.
Create horizontal and vertical spacing between
trees and shrubs to prevent the spread of fire.
Space trees at least 10 feet apart from each
other.
Maintain the defensible space throughout the
year, not just during fire season.
Obtain any necessary permits from local fire
agencies before conducting any vegetation
management activities.
Provide and maintain access to the property for
emergency vehicles.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-28 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Policy SF-3.5
Require development, including infrastructure, in
the wildland-urban interface or Very High Fire
Hazard Severity Zone, as indicated on Exhibit
SF-6 and SF-7, to establish and maintain
vegetation management practices to reduce the
risk of wildfire ignition and spread. These
practices shall include fire-safe site planning,
home hardening, vegetation management, the use
of native drought-tolerant and fire-resistant
species, and defensible space consistent with State
and San Bernardino County Fire Protection
District regulations.
Policy SF-3.6
In coordination with San Bernardino County Fire
Protection District, require that new development
be located where fire and emergency services have
sufficient capacity to meet project needs, and
require existing development be upgraded to
provide necessary capacity as part of the proposed
development activities to ensure new development
has adequate fire protection.
Policy SF-3.7
Require new development to provide adequate
access for fire and emergency vehicles and
equipment that meets or exceeds State standards in
two parts of the California Fire Safe Regulations
(California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division
1.5, Chapter 7): Subchapter 2, Articles 1–5
(commencing with section 1270, SRA Fire Safe
Regulations), and Subchapter 3, Article 3
(commencing with section 1299.01, Fire Hazard
Reduction Around Buildings and Structures
Regulations).
Policy SF-3.8
Ensure that street and building address signage
support firefighting crews and emergency
response teams in their response to fire under low-
visibility conditions, including installation of high-
visibility signage for streets and building
addresses that meet or exceed the standards in the
California Fire Safe Regulations (California Code
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-29
of Regulations Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7,
Articles 2 and 3, Sections 1273 and 1274).
Policy SF-3.9
Coordinate with State and regional partners to
ensure roadways in fire hazard severity zones
comply with current fire safety regulations. The
City will maintain City-owned roadways to meet
current regulations to the extent feasible and given
the absence of other site constraints. These
regulations include standards for evacuation and
emergency vehicle access, vegetation clearance,
and other requirements of the California Fire Safe
Regulations in California Code of Regulations
Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7), specifically
Subchapter 2, Articles 1–5 (commencing with
section 1270, SRA Fire Safe Regulations), and
Subchapter 3, Article 3 (commencing with section
1299.01, Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings
and Structures Regulations).
Policy SF-3.10
Encourage owners of unsprinklered high-
occupancy structures to retrofit their buildings to
include automatic fire sprinklers.
Policy SF-3.11
Make available and share relevant educational and
outreach materials, rebate programs, and
incentives with the public to help residents
understand appropriate fire mitigation and
preparedness activities, such as vegetation
management, home hardening, defensible space,
evacuation routes, and emergency evacuation
procedures during a fire hazard.
Policy SF-3.12
Coordinate with CAL FIRE, San Bernardino
County Fire Protection District, and landowners to
ensure maintenance of existing fuel breaks,
vegetation clearance, and emergency access routes
for effective fire suppression on public and private
roads, especially evacuation routes.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-30 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Policy SF-3.13
Develop programs and provide updates, as
appropriate, that ensure recovery and
redevelopment after a large fire and reduce future
vulnerabilities to fire hazard risks through site
preparation, redevelopment layout design, fire-
resistant landscape planning, and fire-retarding
building design and materials.
Policy SF-3.14
Coordinate with the Hesperia Water District to
maintain an adequate, long-term water supply for
fire suppression needs for the community.
Policy SF-3.15
Coordinate with San Bernardino County Fire
Protection District to provide resources to seniors
and physically disabled residents to assist in
maintaining defensible space around their homes.
Policy SF-3.16 Seek designation as a Fire Risk Reduction Community through CAL FIRE.
Policy SF-3.17
Work with the San Bernardino County Fire
Protection District to monitor Insurance Services
Office ratings for the City of Hesperia and the
sphere of influence.
Policy SF-3.18 Evaluate the feasibility of a fee structure to improve fire response services in the City.
Policy SF-3.19
Work with San Bernardino County Fire Protection
District to minimize risks to existing development
by identifying existing non-conforming
development and support San Bernardino County
Fire Protection District’s Ready, Set, Go, Fire
Program to assist property owners in upgrading
buildings and properties to current fire safe
standards, in terms of road standards and
vegetative hazard, requiring all development to
meet or exceed CCR, division 1.5, chapter 7,
subchapter 2, articles 1 -5 requirements (SRA Fire
Safe Regulations).
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-31
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Hazardous materials are substances that pose a significant risk to public safety, or human and environmental health. Hazardous materials are used every day in industrial, commercial, medical, and residential applications.
The primary concern associated with a hazardous materials release is the short- and/or long -term effect to the public from exposure to these substances.
Several State agencies monitor hazardous materials/waste facilities. The Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control monitor and document potential and known contamination sites. The leaking underground storage tank list produced by the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database indicates 13 cleanup sites (all case closed) and 12 school investigation sites (no action required).
The most serious concern regarding hazardous materials sites in Hesperia is the potential for leaks and reactive chemical interactions as a result of an earthquake compromising their storage containers. H azardous materials spills have happened with past earthquakes, even when the building does not suffer significant damage.
Hazardous materials can also be released accidentally during transportation because of vehicle crashes. The release or spill of bulk hazardous materials could result in fire, explosion, toxic cloud, or direct contamination of water, people, and property . Transportation of m ost hazardous materials in the region occurs on truck routes along major roadways that pass through Hesperia, such as I-15, SR-138, SR-173, and SR-395. The most vulnerable areas along this route are considered the on- /off-ramps and interc hanges.
The State requires vehicles transporting hazardous materials to have placards to identify the chemicals they carry and whether they are corrosive, flammable, and/or explosive. The drivers must carry detailed “material data sheets” for each of the substances on board. These documents help emergency response personnel assess the situation immediately upon arrival at the scene of an accident and take the appropriate precautionary and mitigation measures.
In addition to major roadways , other hazardous materials are transported through Hesperia on the BNSF railway, which bisects the City from north to south. Hazardous materials are shipped via the railway, and though a rail accident in the City is unlikely, it could have devastating effects.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-32 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
The California Department of Transportation regulates the transport of hazardous materials/wastes and explosives through the City. I-15, SR-138, SR-173, and SR -395 are open to vehicles carrying hazardous materials/wastes. San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services, and Hazardous Materials Division of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District are responsible for hazardous materials accidents at all locations in the City. If a hazardous material spill poses an imminent public health threat, the City will support local regulating agencies in notifying the public.
High-pressure gas and hazardous liquid pipelines also extend across the City. Pipeline operators are responsible for the continuous maintenance and monitoring of their pipelines. Excavations or drilling near pipelines should be conducted only after proper clearance by the appropriate utility agencies or companies. This is done locally by the Underground Services Alert of Southern California, or DigAlert.
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, which is the local Certified Unified Program Agency, manages hazardous materials and waste in Hesperia. The Certified Unified Program Agency consolidates, coordinates, and makes consistent the regulatory activities of several hazardous materials and hazardous waste programs, including Hazardous Materials Management, California Accidental Release Prevention, Hazardous Waste Management, Underground Storage Tanks, Aboveground Storage Tanks, and Emergency Response. All businesses that handle more than a specified amount of hazardous or extremely hazardous materials are required to submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan to the local Certified Unified Program Agency . These businesses are also required to prepare Risk Management Plans, detailed engineering analyses that identify the potential accident factors present, and the mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce this accident potential.
The following goal and implementation policies are aimed at reducing the hazards of hazardous materials in Hesperia.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-33
Goal SF-4 Minimize the potential for hazardous
materials contamination in Hesperia.
Policy SF-4.1
In cooperation with the San Bernardino County
Fire Protection District, Hazardous Materials
Division, continue to enforce disclosure laws that
require all users, generators, and transporters of
hazardous materials and wastes to clearly identify
the materials that they store, use, or transport, and
to notify the appropriate city, county, state, and
federal agencies of a change in quantity or type of
materials, and in the event of a violation.
Policy SF-4.2
Identify roadways along which hazardous
materials are routinely transported and maintain
these roadways to prevent vehicle accidents and
the release of hazardous materials. If critical
facilities, such as schools, medical facilities,
childcare centers, or other facilities with special
evacuation needs are located along these routes,
the City, together with these facilities, will identify emergency response plans that can be
implemented in the event of a roadway accident
nearby that results in the release of hazardous
materials.
Policy SF-4.3
Continue to reduce or eliminate the use of
hazardous materials by using nontoxic, safer
alternatives that do not pose a threat to the
environment, or buying and using only the
smallest amount of a hazardous substance to get
the intended job done. Encourage residents and
businesses in the City to do the same.
Policy SF-4.4
Prohibit new facilities that will be involved in the
production, use, storage, transport, or disposal of
hazardous materials within identified hazard zones
or within 1,000 feet of existing land uses that may
be adversely impacted by such activities.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-34 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Policy SF-4.5
Prohibit new sensitive uses within 1,000 feet of
existing facilities that are involved in the
production, use, storage, transport, or disposal of
hazardous materials or in identified hazard zones.
Policy SF-4.6
Prohibit any new facilities that use or store
hazardous materials in quantities that would place
them in the State’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
or Small Quantity Generators (SQG) databases to
be located in a natural hazard zone.
EMERGENCY PREPARATION AND RESPONSE
The California Office of Emergency Services defines a disaster as an event that causes significant disruption to a community or society, leading to severe danger and substantial losses to people and property. When a disaster occurs, the threatened community strives to protect its residents, care for victims, and restore basic services as soon as possible.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District conduct emergency preparedness activities in Hesperia. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provides local police services and leads evacuation efforts in close cooperation with the Fire Protection District. The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District provides fire prevention and suppression as a community-based, all- hazard emergency services provider. If needed, the Apple Valley Fire Protection District may respond to emergency calls in Hesperia.
The Town of Apple Valley and the City of Hesperia are part of the San Bernardino County Operational Area, which has mutual aid agreements allowing additional emergency resources to be deployed from unaffected members of the group as needed. Numerous other local, state, and federal agencies are available to assist the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District depending on the type of incident.
In response to a disaster , the community needs to respond quickly , dynamically, and as effectively as possible. P eople impacted by a disaster generally respond actively to the situation, seeking safety for themselves, their families, and others, improvising if necessary to respond to changing conditions. However, some basic level of preparedness can be very useful.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-35
Emergency managers realize the need to regularly educate and/or remind individuals, families, and businesses about potential hazards and urge them to be prepared. Agencies responsible for emergency response need to review and update their preparedness plans and emergency operations plan as new conditions and requirements develop, which is a continuous process.
Planning can help speed the response to an emergency while ensuring that the response is appropriate to the situation. Coordination between all levels of responders is critical. Direct, clear updates on the situation, provided in a timely manner by public officials, are important and prompt cooperation from the public. The City of Hesperia Alert Center hosts an online webpage for residents to view all alerts and emergencies in the City . Hesperia residents also use the Ready San Bernardino County app to help individuals prepare and plan for how to respond to a disaster in the area.
When an incident occurs anywhere in Hesperia, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office and/or the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is typically the first to arrive at the scene, where they secure the area and determine if other agencies need to be involved.
Emergency Shelters
Earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, and other disasters can render housing uninhabitable. Displaced households need alternative short -term shelter provided by family and friends, temporary rentals, or public shelters established by relief organizations such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army in facilities around the City.
Potential short-term shelter locations in Hesperia include parks, schools , and churches. These locations are generally ideal for short-term emergency shelters because they have open space where people can set up tents, restroom facilities and possibly kitchens, and large parking lots where displaced families can park their cars and recreational vehicles, which can be used for housing. Because not all of these facilities may be available or fully functional after a disaster, having several options is ideal. The selection of which sites to open during an emergency should be made after consideration of the hazard involved, and the potential for that hazard to progress (e.g., a northward-moving wildfire) into the area of a shelter. These are short-term shelter facilities to be used for a few hours to a few days.
Long-term alternative housing may require import of manufactured homes; occupancy of vacant units ; and eventually, the repair or reconstruction of new private and public housing.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-36 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Emergency Evacuation
Evacuation refers to moving people that are at risk during a disaster to a safer location, using routes that do not pose a significant danger to the evacuees. The Sheriff’s Department typically serves as the lead organization in issuing and carrying out evacuations, supported by the Fire Protection District as appropriate. The Public Works department typically assists in identifying the best evacuation routes and barricading the evacuated areas.
With advanced warning, evacuation can effectively reduce injury and loss of life during a catastrophic event. Primary emergency access and evacuation routes include I-15, which intersects the City from north to south through the western portion of the City; SR-395, which intersects the City from north to south through the western portion of the City, and other local roadways that connect to these primary evacuation routes. In certain disaster situations, Hesperia may experience an influx of evacuees living in the mountains to the south and southwest of the City when emergencies, such as wildfires or severe weather events, threaten those mountain communities.
Exhibit SF-8 shows the results of an evacuation route analysis conducted through the Resilient IE project, illustrating the water crossings under potential evacuation routes identified by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. These are a critical concern because they can endanger lives during floods, delay and compromise evacuation and response efforts, and damage infrastructure. All evacuation routes in Hesperia face potential disruption from flooding or earthquake if they block roadways, damage the roadway surface, or collapse bridges and overpasses.
Exhibit SF-9 shows residential parcels with evacuation constraints in compliance with California Government Code Section 65302(g)(5) , and evacuation routes identified by the City. Exhibit SF-9 identifies residential developments in any hazard area that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes , as well as parcels that are at l east a half mile from a designated potential evacuation route . The lack of multiple emergency access points may create difficulties if there is a need to evacuate.
The City is participating in the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s Emergency Evacuation Network Resilience Study, which will meet the requirements of California Government Code Section 65302.15 when completed. The Emergency Evacuation Network Resilience Study is anticipated to be completed in February 2026.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-37
Exhibit SF-8 Evacuation Routes with Water Crossings
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-38 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Exhibit SF-9 Evacuation Constrained Residential Parcels
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-39
Recovery
Many communities are well prepared for a disaster but ill prepared for recovery. They may hope that if their pre -disaster planning is effective, long-term damages will be small. However, some post -disaster recovery efforts are necessary to restore community life. This includes the re- establishment of essential services and the rebuilding and repair of damaged properties. Recovery is an opportunity to improve the community so that it becomes more sustainable and less likely to be impacted by a future, similar disaster. Having a recovery plan in place can help with the decision-making process of reconstruction and improve communication with other levels of government that were involved in the disaster response phase and now have a vested interest in the recovery process.
The following goal and implementation policies aim to make Hesperia more disaster resistant.
Goal SF-5
A community prepared to withstand and
recover from natural disasters and other
emergencies.
Policy SF-5.1
Consistent with Public Resources Code Section
4290.5, require new development of 30 units or
more in Fire Hazard Severity Zones, as shown on
Exhibit SF-6, to have two ingress and egress
routes that account for existing and proposed
traffic evacuation volumes at buildout.
Policy SF-5.2
Coordinate 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
as needed to support safe evacuations.
Policy SF-5.3
Continue to participate in the countywide Ready
San Bernardino County emergency alert system
and Storm Ready Program with the National
Weather Service, issuing evacuation notices for
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-40 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
affected neighborhoods in a timely manner in
languages and formats accessible to all residents.
Policy SF-5.4
Maintain a FEMA-certified and adopted Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). Implement and
regularly update the LHMP through a partnership
consisting of representatives from all City
departments, the San Bernardino County Fire
Protection District and Sheriff’s Department, local
quasi-governmental agencies, private businesses,
citizens, and other community partners involved in
emergency relief and/or community-wide services.
Policy SF-5.5
Upon update and certification by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, incorporate the
Hesperia Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
into this Health and Safety Element by reference,
as permitted by California Government Code
Section 65302.6.
Policy SF-5.6
Continue to support the development of local
preparedness plans and multi-jurisdictional
cooperation and communication for emergency
situations consistent with regional, state (SIMS),
and federal standards, guidelines, and/or
recommendations (NIMS).
Policy SF-5.7
Maintain mutual aid agreements with neighboring
cities and the San Bernardino County Operational
Area. Cooperate with other public agencies to
ensure adequate medical and other emergency
services, including assessing and projecting future
emergency service needs.
Policy SF-5.8
Ensure to the fullest possible extent that, in the
event of a major disaster, including extreme
weather events, critical, dependent care, and high-
occupancy facilities remain functional.
Policy SF-5.9
To the greatest extent possible, locate new
essential public and critical facilities, such as
police stations, schools, and community centers,
outside of mapped hazard zones. If essential
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-41
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. Require all essential and critical
facilities in an identified hazard zone (100-
year/500-year flood zone, dam inundation zone,
fire hazard severity zone, landslide susceptibility
zone, or others), to develop disaster response and
evacuation plans that address the actions that will
be taken in the event of an emergency.
Policy SF-5.10
Coordinate with local and regional agencies to
establish resilience centers to support residents, in
accordance with State guidance. Resilience centers
consist of well-used, existing, community-serving
facilities that are equipped to provide residents and
workers with shelter, water, restrooms, showers,
and electricity during poor air quality events,
extreme heat events, or disasters. Ensure that
resilience centers are not in areas at risk from
hazards and equitably located to the extent
possible, are equipped with renewable energy
generation and backup power supplies, and
accessible by the City's most vulnerable residents.
Work with transit, dial-a-ride, and paratransit
services to provide transit services to and from
resilience centers for seniors and people with
disabilities in the community.
Policy SF-5.11
Coordinate with the Victor Valley Transit
Authority and community service organizations to
assist with evacuation efforts for those with
limited English proficiency, who lack access to a
vehicle, and/or who have limited mobility.
Policy SF-5.12
Offer educational programs to promote measures
that residents and businesses should take prior to,
during, and after an emergency. Promote public
awareness of City emergency response plans,
resources, risk reduction, and preparation of
emergency kits. Provide emergency preparedness
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-42 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
educational programs in languages and formats
accessible to all Hesperia residents and businesses.
Policy SF-5.13
In cooperation with the San Bernardino County
Fire Protection District, develop and hold regular
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
training exercises to residents and members of the
business community to empower individuals and
neighborhoods and increase disaster awareness
and emergency response capability.
Policy SF-5.14
Support and participate in San Bernardino County
Transportation Authority’s regional evacuation
study to identify evacuation route capacity, safety,
and viability and evacuation locations under a
range of hazard scenarios.
CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE
Changes to the global climate system are expected to affect future occurrences of natural hazards in and around Hesperia. Many hazards are projected to become more frequent and intense in coming years and decades, and in some cases, these trends have already begun. Key climate change considerations that affect Hesperia include increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation. Overall, precipitation levels are expected to increase slightly, with more years of extreme precipitation events and droughts that last longer and are more intense. According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, Hesperia can expect to experience various climate-related hazard events.
Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in wildfires across San Bernardino County due to hotter and drier conditions. M ore frequent and intense wildfires may also create poor air quality for Hesperia. As the climate changes, warmer temperatures will create more pollutants, such as ozone, wildfire smoke, dust, and pollen, contributing to poor air quality.
Warmer temperatures are projected to cause an increase in extreme heat events. The number of extreme heat days, defined in Hesperia as a day when the high temperature is at least 98°F, is expected to rise from a historical annual average of 5 days to 36 days by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and an average of 59 days by the end of the century (2070 to 2099).
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-43
Both droughts and floods are expected to become more frequent because climate change is expected to cause rainfall in fewer, more intense storms.
Although Hesperia is likely to experience minimal change in overall annual rainfall levels from climate change, the region is also expected to see an increase in the number of extreme rainfall events. Also, climate change can increase infection rates from various diseases because many of the animals that carry diseases are more active during warmer weather. W hen temperatures are warmer earlier in the spring and later in the winter, animals are active for longer, increasing the time that diseases can be transmitted.
Resilient IE
The Resilient IE project is a joint effort between the Western Riverside Council of Governments and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to prepare the western Riverside County‐San Bernardino County region for the increasing climate‐related hazards . Resilient IE supports regional and local efforts to prepare for and mitigate risks on the region's transportation infrastructure associated with climate adaptation.
The Resilient IE Toolkit is a collection of resources that provide data on the risk from climate‐related hazards and tools and resources for developing and implementing climate adaptation and resilience strategies to reduce these risks. The toolkit specifically addresses the anticipated increasing risks and impacts of climate‐related hazards on the inland areas of southern California. The primary function of this toolkit is to facilitate greater resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate‐related impacts in the western Riverside County‐San Bernardino County region. It is available online at: https://wrcog.us/285/Resilient-IE.
Air Quality
Air quality is determined by the composition of gases and particles in the atmosphere, and it is a critical aspect of environmental health. Air pollution comes from mobile sources (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes) and stationary sources (e.g., agricultural and industrial uses). The Mojave Air Quality Management District has the responsibility to create strategies and monitor the targets set by State and federal standards for San Bernardino County’s High Desert.
The i ncreasing frequency of fire statewide creates more frequent degradation of air quality, leading to respiratory health effects. Wildfire smoke consists of a mix of gases and fine particulate matter from burning vegetation and materials. The pollutant of most concern from wildfire
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-44 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
smoke is PM2.5, which can deeply penetrate lung tissue and affect the heart and circulatory system. Although wildfire smoke is a health risk to everyone, sensitive groups experience more severe acute and chronic symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke . Sensitive groups include children (particularly younger children), older adults, people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, and low-resourced persons.
In many regions of the United States, climate -driven changes in weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation, are expected to increase ground-level ozone and particulate matter (such as windblown dust or smoke from wildfires). These changes worsen existing air pollution.
More wildfires will release particulate matter and other pollutants into the air. Possible changes in wind patterns may also trap air pollutants in Victor Valley, increasing exposure to air pollution.
Drought
A drought is an extended period when precipitation levels are well below normal. Drought may affect domestic water supply, regional energy production, public health, and wildlife and contribute to wildfire. Like most of California and the western United States, Hesperia chronically experiences drought cycles.
The US Drought Monitor recognizes a five -point scale for drought events:
D0 (abnormally dry), D1 ( moderate drought), D2 (severe drought), D3 (extreme drought), and D4 (exceptional drought). According to the US Drought Monitor, the most intensive recent drought was during most of 2022, when all of San Bernardino County was classified as “severe” drought. As of June 2024, San Bernardino County, including Hesperia, was not classified in a drought. During severe drought, water shortages are common, and water re strictions may be imposed to meet essential community needs. The Hesperia Water District’s 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan contains actions to implement and enforce regulations and restrictions for managing a water shortage when it declares a water shortage emergency under the authority of the California Water Code.
Given Hesperia’s desert climate and reliance on groundwater, the City is generally not considered especially vulnerable to drought. However, chronic drought can affect groundwater levels if decreased basin inflow and increased demand for water are not managed effectively.
Although droughts are a regular feature of California’s climate, climate change will likely lead to more frequent and intense droughts statewide.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-45
Overall, precipitation levels are expected to stay similar to historic levels in Hesperia, potentially increasing by the end of the century.
Extreme Heat
Extreme heat has no universal definition, but California guidance documents define extreme heat as hotter than 98 percent of the historical high temperatures for the area measured between April and October of 1961 to 1990. In Hesperia, the extreme heat threshold is 98°F. A heat wave is an event with five extreme heat days in a row , so in Hesperia, a heat wave would be five days in a row over 98°F.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes extreme heat as a serious public health concern. The most vulnerable to extreme heat are children and youth, households in poverty, immigrant/linguistically isolated communities, low -resourced people of color, outdoor workers, persons experiencing homelessness, persons living in mobile homes, persons with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, persons without access to lifelines, and older adults.
According to the US Census, roughly a quarter of all housing in the City was built before 1980 and is unlikely to have air conditioning or effective insulation to regulate indoor temperatures. During extreme heat days, temperatures in poorly insulated homes may reach unhealthy temperatures.
Therefore, people living in these homes, especially vulnerable populations, are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses during extreme heat events.
The warmer temperatures brought by climate change are likely to cause more extreme heat events locally. Depending on the location and emissions levels, the state Cal -Adapt database indicates the number of extreme heat days is expected to rise from a historical annual average of 5 to 36 days by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and an average of 59 days by the end of the century (2070 to 2099).
Severe Weather
Severe weather is generally any destructive weather event, but in Hesperia it manifests as localized storms that bring heavy rain, hail, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Severe weather is usually caused by intense storm systems, although strong winds can occur without a storm. The dangers posed by severe weather vary widely —injuries or deaths, damage to buildings and structures, fallen trees, roads, and railways blocked by debris, and fires sparked by lightning. Severe weather often produces high winds
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-46 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
and lightning that can damage structures and cause power outages.
Lightning can ignite wildfires and structure fires that can damage buildings and endanger people.
In Hesperia, most severe weather is linked to high winds, often accompanying severe storms, that can cause significant property damage, threaten public safety, and have adverse economic impacts from business closures and power loss. Santa Ana winds have caused extensive damage and increased the fire damage level dramatically. Santa Ana winds are warm, dry winds that blow from the east or northeast (offshore). Santa Ana winds often blow with exceptional speed through the Cajon Pass, beginning in Hesperia. Wind speeds are typically east to west at 40 miles per hour (mph) through and below passes and canyons , with gusts to 74 mph.
Additionally, an “atmospheric river” is a relatively common weather pattern that brings southwest winds and heavy rain. Atmospheric rivers can be associated with heavy precipitation, landslides, and high winds.
Electricity utilities throughout California, including Edison, have begun to occasionally “de-energize” or turn off the electricity for power lines that run through areas with an elevated fire risk. Public Safety Power Shutoff s are intended to reduce the risk of power lines sparking or being damaged and starting a wildfire. As previously described, these activities result in a loss of power for customers served by the affected power lines. A Public Safety Power Shutoff can happen at any time of year, but usually during high wind events and dry conditions. Public Safety Power Shutoffs may be limited to specific communities or affect broad swaths of the state.
Climate change is expected to cause an increase in intense rainfall and strong storm systems, such as atmospheric rivers. However, the frequency of Santa Ana winds is expected to decrease, particularly in the fall and spring months. An increase in intense rainfall and strong storm systems means that Hesperia could see more intense weather in the coming years and decades, although not all forms of severe weather may increase.
However, heavy rainfall can increase the frequency and severity of other hazards, including flooding.
Human Health Hazards
Human health hazards are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms that cause diseases and illness in people. Some of these diseases may cause only mild inconvenience, but others are potentially life threatening. These diseases are often carried by animals, such as mice and rats, ticks, and mosquitos. Warmer temperatures and high precipitation levels can lead to
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-47
larger populations of disease-carrying animals and therefore a greater risk of disease and higher rates of infection.
Populations most vulnerable to human health hazards are those who spend a disproportionate amount of time outdoors (such as outdoor workers or persons experiencing homelessness), those with fragile immune systems or existing illnesses (which may include persons with chronic illnesses and seniors), and those who live in substandard housing or do not have access to health insurance and medical care (households in poverty, low-resourced people of color, immigrant/linguistically isolated communities, and cost - burdened/low-income/overcrowded households). Many of the vector - carrying organisms thrive in warmer and wetter conditions, and therefore the overall risk of human health hazards is expected to increase.
The following goal and policies aim to make Hesperia more resilient to climate change.
Goal SF-6 A resilient community able to adapt to
climate change hazards.
Policy SF-6.1 Promote water conservation measures in all public and private development.
Policy SF-6.2
Work with regional water providers to implement
extensive water conservation measures and ensure
sustainable water supplies, including for fire
suppression needs.
Policy SF-6.3
Support local agencies to promote public
awareness on resilience initiatives related to poor
air quality, drought, extreme heat, severe weather,
water conservation, and human health hazards.
Policy SF-6.4
Coordinate with the Victor Valley Transit
Authority to increase shading and use of heat-
mitigating materials on pedestrian walkways and
at transit stops.
Policy SF-6.5 Develop and maintain an Extreme Heat Action Plan in accordance with State guidance.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-48 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Policy SF-6.6 Promote the use of drought‐tolerant green infrastructure, including landscaped areas, as part
of cooling strategies in public and private spaces.
Policy SF-6.7
Encourage local businesses to develop workplace
heat safety protocols and provide training for
employers and employees in heat-exposed
occupations.
Policy SF-6.8
Improve the resiliency of City-owned structures to
severe weather events and support homeowners
and business owners to improve the resilience of
their buildings and properties through retrofits,
weatherization, and other improvements.
Policy SF-6.9
Coordinate with the City’s utility service providers
to upgrade, harden, and/or underground their
facilities and infrastructure in Hesperia, to
improve their survivability of a natural or human-
caused hazard event.
Policy SF-6.10
Participate in regional partnerships that support
increased community resilience, such as the Inland
Southern California Climate Collaborative.
Policy SF-6.11
Coordinate with the San Bernardino County
Department of Public Health and healthcare
providers to support free or reduced-cost medical
care for low-resourced households.
Policy SF-6.12
Coordinate with local agencies, healthcare
providers, and community-based organizations
that provide resources to help residents respond to
poor air quality events (e.g., transportation to
resilience centers and supply free N95 masks).
Policy SF-6.13
Work with local contractors and community-based
organizations to help low-income households and
community service providers obtain or upgrade
indoor air filtration systems.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-49
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
A City’s physical environment—its parks, public facilities, environmental pollution, housing, and so forth— affect the health and wellbeing of residents of a community. As a result, planners incorporate into general plans policy guidance and programs that are designed to improve the built environment and health and wellness. This section of the Health and Safety Element reflects the City’s recognition of the importance of residents’ health and its commitment to create a healthier living environment.
While many cities have long implemented healthy community programs, the “Planning for Healthy Communities Act” formalized that approach.
State law requires that cities with a “disadvantaged community” must adopt goals, policies, and objectives to address e nvironmental justice. The element must: a) identify objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities; b) promote civic engagement in the public decision- making process; and c) prioritize improvements and programs that address disadvantaged communities.
Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental regulations and policies. Fair treatment means that no group should bear disproportionate conse quences from the operations of industrial, commercial, and governmental land uses. In short, environmental justice requires that all residents be treated in an equitable and fair manner with respect to environmental regulations and policies.
The Health and Safety Element establishes a broader healthy community framework that addresses SB 1000 topics, including:
Reduction of pollution exposure
Improvement of air quality
Promotion of physical activity
Promotion of access to healthy food choices
Ensuring of safe, sanitary, and healthy housing
Promotion of equitable access to public facilities and services Promotion of civic involvement in public decision-making
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-50 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
DISADV ANTAGED COMMUNITY
The Planning for Healthy Communities Act requires local governments to identify disadvantaged communities in their planning area and to develop policies and programs that improve health conditions in those areas.
SB 1000 defines “disadvantaged communities” as those disproportionally burdened by environmental pollution and with population characteristics that make these areas more sensitive to poor health. Policies must be designed to “reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities” (Gov. Code, § 65302 (h)(1)(A).
As outlined in the healthy community technical report (Appendix EJ), three broad approaches are used to identify disadvantaged neighborhoods in Hesperia. These methods and results are summarized, followed by a map of the disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Method 1: Mandated criteria under CalEnviroScreen
The first methodology for identifying a disadvantaged tract is based solely on “mandated” criteria provided by CalEnviroScreen. According to this method, only one census tract in Hesperia qualifies as “disadvantaged” based on population and environmental c haracteristics in 2017 (CalEnviroScreen ver. 3). Compared to most communities, Hesperia has a cleaner physical environment, and no particular census tract is designated as disadvantaged due to environmental pollution. However, when CalEnviroScreen is updat ed in 2025, the number of census tracts that qualify as disadvantaged may change based on more recent data.
Method 2: Cumulative burden based on local data
Cumulative health risks can also be used to identify a disadvantaged tract.
Cumulative risk refers to the impact of multiple pollution sources in an area.
Hesperia’s industrial district along the I-15 will eventually have millions of square feet of warehou sing to capitalize on freeway access. Health risk assessments suggests that two census tracts zoned for industrial and commercial uses may result in a high enough pollution burden to make that tract disadvantaged once the tracts are fully developed. Because of the potential for cumulative pollution burden in the future, the City has designated both tracts as disadvantaged for planning purposes.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-51
Method 3: Population Characteristics
While the prior two methods addressed environmental pollution, the third method for identifying a disadvantaged tract is based solely on population characteristics:
Tracts scoring as a low resourced tract based on economic, education, and income characteristics of the household.
Tracts scoring in the worst quartile statewide for the healthy places index and population characteristics according to CalEnviroScreen 4. Tracts scoring in the worst quartile for physical or mental health due in part to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
When the tracts identified earlier are included, most of Hesperia has some level of disadvantaged status; the issues just vary by location.
The Silverwood Master Plan in southern Hesperia will accommodate more than 15,000 homes and 50,000 new residents. Silverwood will be a full - service community, with new water and sewer service, park and recreation facilities, new roadways, and other key amenities. While future residents of Silverwood will receive a very high quality of new services, original Hesperia will still need housing, water, sewer, park facilities, roads and infrastructure, and other community amenities.
In contrast to Silverwood, Hesperia’s existing built environment will continue to need significant investment in community amenities—housing, parks, roadways, sewer service, sidewalks, etc. Provision of these services will be essential to maintaining quality of life, preserving property values, and creating a healthy community for residents.
Exhibit 11 identifies the disadvantaged census tracts in Hesperia that provide the basis for the issues, goals, and policies that follow.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-52 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Exhibit 11 Disadvantaged Communities
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-53
This page intentionally left blank
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-54 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
REDUCTION IN POLLUTION EXPOSURE
The State of California requires that all local governments, especially those with disadvantaged communities, focus on reducing exposure to pollution and improving air quality in their planning area. This task can be daunting for cities like Hesperia, whose local air quality is influenced by pollution emanating from the San Bernardino Valley that is transported to the High Desert with prevailing winds.
CalEnviroScreen notes several sources of pollutants that affect certain residential neighborhoods and nonresidential areas in Hesperia. Pollution sources include, but are not limited to:
Criteria pollutants from heavy vehicle traffic along the I-15. Diesel emissions from warehousing and associated trucking. Potential exposure to lead in housing and from industrial uses. High levels of noise from freeways, railroads, and industry. Industries known to store, handle, or transport hazardous wastes.
Hesperia also has more localized sources of pollution in the community.
These include dumping of trash and debris, unkempt residential and nonresidential properties that pose health and safety concerns, and airborne dust that contains biological allergens and irritants. Areas along the I-15 are also susceptible to cumulative health risks due to land use policies and the concentration of industrial uses in that area.
Finally, though the City’s drinking water currently meets all state and federal water quality standards, there are potential threats to the City’s groundwater. These include elevated nitrate due to septic tanks, hexavalent chromium due to natural deposits, and arsenic around the freeway area. As required by state law, the City regularly tests groundwater and takes appropriate actions to ensure that drinking water is in compliance.
The City takes a multifaceted approach to reducing exposure to pollution and improving air quality for residents. This includes enforcing land use policies that separate incompatible land uses; funding community programs to clean up local sources of pollut ants; requiring new projects to mitigate their impacts as required by CEQA; regularly testing water quality and
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-55
protecting the water supply; and enforcing local ordinances for noise, vibration, and other public nuisances.
The following goals and policies are intended to protect residents from unnecessary exposure to pollution and to improve air quality in Hesperia, which will improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
Goal HC-1
Minimize exposure to sources of pollution and
improve air quality in Hesperia to benefit the
health of the community
Policy HC-1.1
Create and maintain land use patterns that protect
residences and other sensitive receptors from
exposure to pollution, dust, noise, odor, vibration,
and other detrimental conditions to public health.
Policy HC-1.2
Require new commercial and industrial projects
west of the I-15 Freeway Corridor area to prepare a
cumulative health risk assessment and appropriate
mitigation plan prior to approval.
Policy HC-1.3
Work with residents, neighborhood groups, and
local agencies to reduce the occurrence of illegal
dumping, trash and debris accumulation, and
ensure the maintenance of private property.
Policy HC-1.4
Facilitate opportunities to increase landscaping and
tree canopy in public and private projects and
infrastructure, where appropriate, focusing on
underserved areas of Hesperia.
Policy HC-1.5
Require buffers, landscaping, and other mitigation
to minimize noise and vibration from railroads,
airports, trucking, warehousing, industry, and other
noise sources to acceptable levels.
Policy HC-1.6
Encourage the use of renewable sources of energy
that will improve air quality; work with regional
agencies to control and reduce potential
contaminants and threats to Hesperia’s aquifer.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-56 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Expanding and implementing the opportunities for physical activity are important ways to improve residents’ health. Key opportunities include park and recreational facilities, pedestrian routes, and bicycle routes, among others. These amenities offer opportunities for those who live, work, or visit Hesperia to experience nature, gather with friends and family, and improve physical fitness in a recreational setting.
Parks and Recreational Facilities
Hesperia’s 25 parks and recreational facilities offer nearly 400 acres of land for recreational use. Useable acres excludes parking lots, washes, and facilities requiring fees. Hesperia parks are generally classified as follows:
Private parks serving a subdivision
Neighborhood parks that are 2 to 5 acres
Community parks of 10 acres or more
Special use parks that focus on specific activities
Joint use facilities open after school hours
Regional facilities that serve the entire City
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-57
Despite this acreage, Hesperia faces a shortfall of parks and limited convenient access to parks that are free and open to the public. The City’s goal is to have five acres of parkland for 1,000 residents, which includes three acres for parks and two acres for open space. When undeveloped washes are excluded due to flood control concerns or fee -for service facilities, the City has 113 acres of usable parkland. Based on 113 park acres and a population of 100,000, Hesperia needs at least 187 acres of parkland to address the existing deficit and increase access to areas in southern and northern Hesperia. This deficit will grow over time.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes
Hesperia has been gradually developing a bicycle and pedestrian network.
The City’s proposed bicycle network offers 190 miles of bicycle routes at buildout, with two- thirds of the bicycle routes yet to be constructed. The current network includes three types of bicycle routes: Class 1 protected routes, which are separate from the street right of way; Class 2 bike lanes, which are striped lanes along the side of roadways; and Class 3 routes, which are not striped and share the same right-of-way as vehicles.
As provided for in the Circulation Element, goals and policies further clarify the intent of the City’s developing bicycle network. Emphasis is on ensuring that the bicycle network connects residents to key destinations, is designed to promote safe travel, and makes use of creative opportunities (e.g., flood control channels and easements) to expand the bicycle network. The bicycle plan, when implemented, will provide 90 percent of Hesperia’s housing units with a bicycle path, lane, or route within one-half a mile.
Because Hesperia was originally developed as a rural community, most of the City today does not include sidewalks, curb, or gutters. Sidewalks line only 15 percent of C ity streets. The majority of sidewalks are in western Hesperia where the City has seen a large number of tracts developed, the township area of the City across from the Civic Center, and south of Ranchero Road where tracts have been developed. As new devel opment projects are proposed, the City’s General Plan requires sidewalks that comply with City standards, except for older, built-out neighborhoods.
Sidewalks and bicycle routes also give residents additional opportunities for physical activity. A well -developed network of routes can also be an excellent investment in improving public safety. Approximately 32 pedestrian and bicycle collisions occur annually, the vast majority of which involve pedestrians. Main Street, Bear Valley Road, and Ranchero Road
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-58 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
have the most collisions. Though sidewalks and bicycle routes will not eliminate all safety threats, they will help reduce the number of collisions.
The following goal and implementation policies aim to improve the availability and equity of parks, bicycle, and pedestrian routes in Hesperia and improve the health and well-being of residents.
Goal HC-2
Ample parks, trails, community facilities, and
services that meet community needs, are well
maintained, distributed equitably, and provide
opportunities for active living.
Policy HC-2.1
Create an integrated system of bike, trail, and
pedestrian routes that connect neighborhoods,
corridors, recreation, and other major facilities.
Policy HC-2.2
Collaborate with the Hesperia Recreation and Park
District to assess development impact fees of five
acres of parkland for every 1,000 new residents
served by new residential developments.
Policy HC-2.3
Work with the Hesperia Recreation and Park
District to provide an appropriately designed public
park within a 15-minute walk of all homes to ensure
equitable access from all neighborhoods.
Policy HC-2.4
Support partnerships that provide active and
passive recreational activities that are affordable
and accessible and sensitive to the needs of
different ages and abilities.
Policy HC-2.5
Work with local schools in the community to ensure
that all public schools have safe and walkable
routes to school that can encourage youth to be
physically active.
Policy HC-2.6
Ensure that the function and design of parks,
bicycle routes, and sidewalks meet the needs of
residents of different age groups and abilities, and
also serve northern and southern Hesperia.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-59
Healthy Food
When healthy food is available, affordable, and accessible in a community, it helps residents make healthier food choices. The High Desert, including Hesperia, has a demonstrated need to improve the health and well-being of residents—nutrition and lifestyle choices make a difference. At the same time, there are also opportunities to improve residents’ health through responsible tobacco and alcohol regulations that can discourage the use of products that can harm health.
Grocery Stores and Healthy Food
Hesperia is home to many full-service grocers—one of the highest ratios in San Bernardino County. Most grocery stores are along Main Street or along Bear Valley Road. Despite the abundance of stores, many residential neighborhoods still have limited access to food (i.e., a condition often called a food desert) and residents must travel more than three miles—sometimes much more—to shop at a full-service grocery. Food security remains a real concern for residents with lower or fixed incomes.
Opportunities to improve access to healthy food are many. Local schools offer healthy breakfasts and lunches to all students, from kindergarten to high school, regardless of income. Local community- based agencies, like the High Desert Food Collaborative, provide low cost food to families.
Hesperia seniors can obtain low cost meals at the Senior Center. And the City of Hesperia has begun approving development proposals for commercial uses, such as grocery stores, in southern Hesperia.
Residents are also at risk of poor health due to tobacco and alcohol.
Approximately one in five Hesperia adults consumes alcohol or tobacco.
Local school surveys also suggest a high prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use among youth and adolescents that is comparable to adults in Hesperia.
Alcohol and tobacco are known to significantly increase health risks, including from increased vehicle accidents.
Hesperia is proactive in addressing tobacco and alcohol health concerns.
The municipal code prohibits smoking lounges and shops, prohibits retail tobacco unless the business has been issued an off-sale alcohol license, and regulates tobacco sales. The City also enforces a social host and deemed - approved ordinance and requires the approval of a conditional use permit for any business that has an off-sale or on-sale alcohol permit.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-60 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
The following goal and implementation policies aim to improve the health of residents through nutrition, education, and land use policy.
Goal HC-3
Ample access to affordable, healthy food
choices, and appropriate regulations that curb
alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.
Policy HC-3.1
Prioritize the attraction of healthy food stores in
City economic development efforts, especially
where a retail store, farmers’ market, or community
garden is beyond a 10-minute drive from homes.
Policy HC-3.2
Support nonprofits, local healthcare providers, for-
profit organizations, and public agencies in
providing affordable food, nutrition assistance, and
related assistance to reduce food insecurity.
Policy HC-3.3
Support community efforts to expand farmers’
markets, community -supported agriculture,
community gardens, or other means to increase
opportunities to access healthy food options.
Policy HC-3.4
Allow for the cultivation and farming of plants,
including orchards; tree, field, berry, and bush
crops; and commercial flower and vegetable
gardens consistent with municipal code regulations.
Policy HC-3.5
Continue updating and enforcing regulations that
pertain to the location and practices of tobacco
retailers, prohibitions of smoking, and support
tobacco education and prevention.
Policy HC-3.6
Continue updating and enforcing controls that
pertain to the permitting, location, density, and
operation of alcohol retailers, and support alcohol
use education and prevention efforts.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-61
HOUSING SECURITY
The Housing Element is the primary chapter within the general plan for the City’s goals, policies, and objectives for housing. However, State law also requires that the environmental justice element improve the availability of safe and sanitary housing in the community because of its relationship to the health and wellbeing of residents. As demonstrated in the housing element, Hesperia residents experience high levels of overpayment and overcrowding which presents larger housing insecurity issues as well.
While a detail parcel survey is not available, windshield surveys indicate the need for improving residential properties and structures. Approximately 40 percent of the City ’s homes are approaching 50 years old, the point at which significant rehabilitation of plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other features are typically required. In addition, resident surveys indicate the need for better property and yard maintenance.
Achieving healthier homes for residents is an important goal for Hesperia.
According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, a healthy home is one that is dry, clean, safe, ventilated, free of pests, contaminant -free, well maintained, and thermally comfortable. In addition, homes should be affordable and accessible to all people, regardless of age or ability. Homes that satisfactorily address these issues provide the best chance of residents to live healthier and longer lives with less chance of illness.
In addition to housing conditions and the need for housing rehabilitation, Hesperia residents, like many in California, experience a high level of housing insecurity due to a long- standing shortage of affordable housing.
Due to the high cost of housing relative to residents’ income, many Hesperia residents double up (e.g., families living together in a home) or overpay (e.g., spend more than 30 percent of their income) for housing. These conditions make it more difficult to maintain a stable residence.
Hesperia’s mix of residential neighborhoods includes agricultural lots, standard residential subdivisions, higher density small lot areas, and developing mixed use districts. In some areas, older neighborhoods have aged, have a lower level of resources (e. g., amenities and income), and require greater investment to offer the desired quality of life to residents. As noted in the Housing Element, place-based efforts are needed across many of Hesperia’s neighborhoods to ensure their long-term viability.
Hesperia aspires to provide quality housing opportunities for residents. To achieve this goal, efforts will be directed at improving housing conditions.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-62 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Code enforcement efforts will assist in furthering property maintenance.
Zoning regulations will allow a range of housing types and products to meet the affordability and lifestyle needs of residents. And finally, for neighborhoods of greater need, place -based efforts will be focused on improving conditions present in those neighborhoods.
The following goal and implementation policies aim to improve housing security, promote fair housing, and reinvest in neighborhoods.
Goal HC-4
Affordable, safe, and sanitary housing choices
and stable neighborhoods that contribute to a
high quality of life and enhance resident
security.
Policy HC-4.1
Facilitate opportunities for the provision,
construction, and improvement of affordable rental
and ownership housing, focusing on lower and
moderate income households.
Policy HC-4.2
Continue to inspect residential buildings; enforce
building, safety, and property maintenance codes;
and encourage the maintenance and repair of
housing in neighborhoods.
Policy HC-4.3
Collaborate with property owners to preserve the
structural quality and long- term affordability of
publicly assisted affordable housing, mobile home
properties, and special needs housing.
Policy HC-4.4
Direct place-based (e.g., neighborhood) efforts on
the provision of affordable housing, housing
rehabilitation, support services, and public services
in lower resource neighborhoods.
Policy HC-4.5
Administer municipal programs and activities
relating to housing and community development in
a manner consistent with the obligation to
affirmatively further fair housing.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-63
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Quality of life is often defined by the public facilities and services available to residents (e.g., public improvements, public services, and other amenities). Public facilities and services include transit, streets and roadways, water and sanitation, fire and police, and other essential services.
These amenities should be distributed to neighborhoods and districts in an equitable manner rather than concentrated in fewer neighborhoods.
As a fast-growing community, Hesperia has significant needs for new and improved roadways, education and library services, park and recreational facilities, and other services for residents and the business community. New residential, commercial, and indus trial development proposed in the community requires a continued realignment of service delivery to meet the changing demand. At the same time, however, existing levels of services provided to the community must be maintained and adjusted as necessary.
Many of Hesperia’s public services are provided by a combination of special districts, County agencies, or local organizations. In other instances, the City contracts with service organizations or private business to provide services. Some of the organizat ions that provide public facilities and services include but are not limited to:
Transit: Victor Valley Transit Authority
Police Services: San Bernardino County Sheriff
Fire Protection: San Bernardino County Fire District
Parks and Recreation: Hesperia Recreation and Park District Sanitation: Victor Valley Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) Human Services: Various nonprofit organizations
Education and Workforce Training: Hesperia Unified
Social Services: San Bernardino County
The healthy community technical report that underpins this element documented improvements that are needed to park facilities, public safety, transit, and health care for neighborhoods in Hesperia. Because of the many agencies that serve Hesperia residents and business es, the City needs to monitor the output of services and where gaps exist. Establishing a more formal reporting and monitoring program would enable City decision- makers to better align services to meet community needs.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-64 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
The following goal and implementation policies aim to improve the public facilities and services and coordination between responsible agencies.
Goal HC-5
Equitable access to quality public facilities and
services for all neighborhoods, including lower
resource areas.
Policy HC-5.1
Regularly repair and maintain streets in residential
neighborhoods and other locations to provide safe
and convenient access to homes, community
amenities, and other destinations.
Policy HC-5.2
Provide responsive public safety service, including
fire and police service, to all residential,
commercial, and industrial areas, regardless of
location.
Policy HC-5.3
Work with the Victor V alley Transit Authority to
establish, maintain, and increase the frequency of
transit routes to provide improved access to all
areas of the community.
Policy HC-5.4
Explore strategies to attract healthcare providers to
Hesperia who will address the shortage of primary,
mental health, and dental care and support schools,
healthcare providers, County, and community-
based groups to expand medical care.
Policy HC-5.5
Collaborate with schools and businesses to improve
the educational attainment of residents and to
attract new businesses that expand the opportunities
for living wage jobs for residents.
Policy HC-5.6
Ensure that an adequate level of water, sanitation,
and drainage service is provided to meet the needs
of homes, business, and public uses, with a focus
on addressing areas
that are underserved with
respect to infrastructure and services.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
City of Hesperia General Plan 2025 HS-65
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Creating a healthy community that furthers environmental justice is best achieved when community stakeholders (residents, businesses, etc.) participate in the process. All community members should have the opportunity to provide meaningful input into decis ions that affect their health and well -being. Civic engagement is particularly important in Hesperia because the City relies on a wide array of private and nonprofit organizations and outside government agencies to provide services.
Inclusive and meaningful participation can be achieved in different ways— by ensuring that meetings are accessible in terms of language, time, and location; by addressing the public’s concerns soon after they arise; and by using facilitation methods that en courage all participants’ contributions.
Continued engagement after a policy decision is also important to ensure that land use decisions, specific projects, and programs achieve the environmental justice objectives that were intended with legislative actions.
Internal and external communication can be a vehicle for engagement.
Internally, the City of Hesperia needs to be capable of anticipating issues and problems and making decisions in a timely manner. Information should be regularly available through formal channels, so that residents can understand key issues and how the City will address them. The City’s “State of the City” address, website, social media channels, budgeting process, and monitoring are important tools to “report” progress to the community.
The following goal and policies aim to improve opportunities for meaningful participation in creating a healthier community.
Goal HC-6
Meaningful opportunities for civic engagement
in the public decision- making process and
implementation of programs.
Policy HC-6.1
Use broad communication techniques and social
media tools, including virtual participation, to
convey and receive information from the public.
Policy HC-6.2
Continue to raise the public’s and decisionmakers ’
awareness of the importance of a healthy
environment, the issues affecting a healthy city, and
the opportunities to improve health.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HS-66 City of Hesperia General Plan 2025
Policy HC-6.3
Provide appropriate aids and services leading to
effective communication for persons with
disabilities so they can participate in the City
programs, services, and activities.
Policy HC-6.4
Encourage and support public -private partnerships
that assist in providing services that meet a range of
health, social service, and wellness needs of
residents of Hesperia.
Policy HC-6.5
Establish and maintain a performance monitoring
system for health and safety goals, policies, and
metrics to ensure that adequate service levels are
provided for each planning area of the City.