Indian Wells City Council
February 13, 2025

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.10 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
RM-6.7 Education. Strengthen education programs related to water protection and conservation.

RM-2.1 Open Space Preservation. Designate and preserve the City's open space and scenic resources, including hillside open space, mature trees, rock outcroppings, ridgelines, watercourse open space, golf courses, and public parks.

Therefore, implementation of the proposed GPU and associated policies is expected to result in less than significant impacts pertaining to water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, or other conditions capable of degrading surface or groundwater quality. b. Substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin
The Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin is the primary groundwater source in the Coachella Valley, with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) being the domestic water purveyor serving the project site.

Based on a 1964 estimate by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin has an approximate storage capacity of 39.2 million acre-feet (AF) of the water within the upper 1,000 feet and is divided into four subbasins: Indio, Mission Creek, Desert Hot Springs, and San Gorgonio. This capacity is widely accepted and used by local water districts that serve the area, including the Coachella Valley Water District. The Coachella Valley Water District is the main water purveyor for the City of Indian Wells. Indian Wells is underlain by the Indio Subbasin, which is estimated to have 29.8 million acre-feet (AF) of water in the first 1,000 feet below the ground surface, or approximately 76 percent of the total groundwater in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin. CVWD works with other local water agencies and Coachella Valley stakeholders to implement water conservation, water reuse, and groundwater recharge strategies to ensure water availability and system capacity to meet the growing needs of the Coachella Valley Cities, including Indian Wells.

Groundwater is pumped by local wells and distributed for drinking and irrigation purposes. To offset the amount of water pumped by local wells, the region's water agencies import water from the Colorado River to replenish the basin, recycle wastewater for irrigation, and incentivize conservation —this is called "groundwater management". Local water agencies have been working on groundwater management since the 1940s when local leaders began importing water to supplement local groundwater supplies.

Historically, more groundwater has been pumped out of the Indio Subbasin each year than the amount of water that naturally replenishes the groundwater basin. Overdraft occurs when a groundwater basin has pumping (demands) that exceed recharge (supplies) over the long term. Agencies within the Indio Subbasin began to actively manage the Subbasin in 2002 with development of the 2002 Coachella Valley Water Management Plan in order to address this issue. This plan was updated in 2010 to document the accomplishments in reducing overdraft and to address changed conditions since 2002. Coachella Valley Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Water District (CVWD), Coachella Water Authority (CWA), Desert Water Agency (DWA), and Indio Water Authority (IWA) collectively represent the Indio Subbasin GSAs. In January 2017, the GSAs submitted to DWR the 2010 Coachella Valley Water Management Plan (2010 CVWMP), accompanied by an Indio Subbasin Bridge Document, as a SGMA-compliant Alternative Plan. On July 17, 2019, DWR approved the Alternative Plan with a requirement to submit an Alternative Plan Update by January 1, 2022 and every five years thereafter. Based on the Indio Subbasin SGMA documentation, the combined strategies have resulted in significant groundwater levels (storage) increases across the subbasin, thus allowing the region to comply with the framework for sustainable management. The largest groundwater level increases are observed in the western Coachella Valley, near the Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility and in the eastern Coachella Valley, near the Thomas E. Levy Groundwater Replenishment Facility, where the level increases have been as much as 200 feet and 100 feet respectively. In the area on or around City of Indian Wells, groundwater level increases have ranged from 7 to 15 feet, reflecting the benefits of source substitution and conservation programs.

CVWD works with other local water agencies and Coachella Valley stakeholders to implement water conservation, water reuse, and groundwater recharge strategy to ensure water availability and system capacity to meet the growing needs of the Coachella Valley. CVWD collaborates with maintenance of three replenishment facilities serving the Indio Subbasin: Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility, the Thomas E. Levy Groundwater Replenishment Facility, and the Palm Desert Groundwater Replenishment Facility.

In 2014, the California Legislature signed a three -bill legislative package into law, collectively known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA allows local agencies to manage groundwater resources in a sustainable manner, with management efforts tailored to the resources and needs of their specific communities. Groundwater management is described as the planned and coordinated monitoring, operation, and administration of a groundwater basin sustainability. The Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin is designated by DWR as a medium priority basin. CVWD is the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the majority of the eastern portion of the Indio Subbasin, including the area that underlies the project area. Since groundwater management has been a historic effort in the Coachella Valley, local agencies have been able to adapt their current measures as part of their sustainability plan.

Artificial replenishment, or recharge, is recognized by the water districts as one of the most effective methods available for preserving local groundwater supplies, reversing aquifer overdraft and meeting demand by domestic consumers. According to the CVWD website on Groundwater Replenishment and Imported Water, local agencies have percolated over 650 billion gallons of water back into the aquifer to date. In the central part of the Coachella Valley, groundwater recharge is provided by the recently constructed first phase of the Palm Desert Groundwater Replenishment Facility. According to the CVWD web site, this facility is expected to add up to 25,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually into the aquifer. Combined with water conservation and efficiency requirements, individual development Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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projects can contribute to groundwater sustainability by implementing the required stormwater runoff retention and infiltration facilities. The proposed project location will not impede or conflict with any existing or planned groundwater recharge facility.

As further explained in the Utilities and Service Systems section of this document, the City of Indian Wells presently receives potable water from CVWD. GPU implementation would involve on -site improvements to accommodate any new development expected to result in a project -wide demand of 25.27 acre-feet per year at buildout condition. The analysis presented in the Utilities and Service Systems section has found that there are sufficient water supplies to meet the GPU buildout demands.

The proposed GPU aligns with the local and regional groundwater recharge strategies and complies with the local retention ordinance by maintaining on -site infiltration requirements applicable to future development plans.

Moreover, the City will continue to implement water conservation measures in accordance with the applicable landscape ordinance requirements pertaining to water efficient irrigation systems and drought -tolerant plant selection (Indian Wells Municipal Code 21.60). Interior fixtures are also expected to be water efficient, thus complying with the local water conservation strategies. Therefore, the implementation of the Indian Wells GPU is not expected to interfere with the regional groundwater recharge efforts or groundwater sustainability for the regional basins. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.

General Plan Policies
The GPU establishes policies and actions designed to support various efforts relevant to water conservation and sustainable groundwater management. The policies and actions contained in the Resource Management Element that are most applicable to this matter are summarized below:

Policies
RM-6.2 Groundwater Management. Protect the underlaying water basin from overextraction by encouraging sustainable groundwater recharge and management.

RM-6.3 Conservation. Encourage the use of water conserving appliances and fixtures in all new developments, as required by state law.

RM-6.4 Water -Saving Design. Incorporate water -wise native landscaping or alternative water saving materials (i.e. artificial turf) whenever feasible within the City.

RM-6.5 Non -Potable Waterlines. Continue to support the extension of non -potable waterlines for irrigation use, especially to Highway 111, local businesses, and Homeowners Associations.

RM-6.6 Reclaimed Water. Encourage water -intensive land uses, such as golf courses, to utilize reclaimed water, where feasible for landscaping and irrigation needs.

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Actions
RM-6a Periodically review and update, as needed, the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to optimize conservation and comply with State Assembly Bill 325.

RM-6b Recommend the establishment incentives/funding and/or rebate programs for projects or residences that implement water conservation measures.

RM-6c Work with CVWD to establish a historical record of Indian Wells water utilization for existing average home, City consumption, gated communities' common area and existing individual businesses.

RM-6d Incorporate water -wise native landscaping or alternative water saving materials in recently constructed medians.

RM-6e Require the installation of water conservation devices in new development pursuant to the Uniform Building, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes.

RM-6f Replace irrigation controllers with weather -based irrigation controllers in landscape areas maintained by the City, A water saving audit will be conducted after one year of the completing of the replacement units.

RM-6g Work with CVWD and private developers to encourage water conservation in the following ways:
• Implementing aquifer and groundwater recharge programs • Participating in water conservation programs operated by the local and regional water districts
• Monitoring citywide water usage on an annual basis and make recommendations to modify or expand water conservation measures to ensure their effectiveness.
• Informing the public about water conservation techniques and available water conservation programs they can utilize via the city's newsletter, website, and Channel 17.
• Developing education materials and programs that encourage and facilitate water conservation throughout the community.
• Requiring the use of drought resistant plant species in landscaping for public and private areas, including parks and recreational facilities, in accordance with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance requirements. • Whenever feasible, requiring the installation and use of reclaimed water systems for irrigation purposes in new developments.

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• Requiring the incorporation of water conservation devices, including low flush toilets, flow restriction devices, and water conserving appliances in both new public and private development projects and rehabilitation projects.

RM-6h Whenever feasible, incorporate improved open space and preservation areas in areas used for groundwater recharge and/or drainage detention.

RM-6i Through the development review process, continue to cooperate with CVWD to ensure adequate water supply is provided and maintained in the community.

Specifically, the City should:
• Require that sufficient water supply and water infrastructure capacity is available to serve the development prior to approval of the project, pursuant to Water Code Section 10910 and Government Code Section 66473.7. • If requested by CVWD or the City Engineer, require proposed developments to include a water quality assessment as part of the application materials, and implement identified mitigation measures during construction and development.
• Ensure the project applicant has paid the required fees prior to occupancy of any new development.
• Periodically review the fee schedules for water connections and revise fees as necessary to cover the cost of related services and facilities.

RM-6j
Cooperate with CVWD to update population projections, water use generation formulas, needed improvements, and programs within the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWM) at least every five years.

RM-6k Work with CVWD to expedite the improvement and expansion of water and reclaimed water facilities when necessary.

Therefore, implementation of the proposed GPU and associated policies is expected to result in less than significant impacts pertaining to groundwater resource management, including supplies, sustainability, and recharge.
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would:
ci. Result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off -site The City of Indian Wells has been largely developed, with residential, commercial, and open space uses throughout the northern portions of the City. Two drainage courses exist within the City: the Deep Canyon Stormwater Channel and Whitewater River (and connecting CVSC). Both channels, along with Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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the other methods of storm water control systems, work to direct runoff away from existing development.

Within a future project area in the City, any proposed land uses would result in an increase in impervious land cover through the introduction of structures, hardscape and streets. Without engineering controls, such land use changes would translate to an increase in total stormwater runoff volume, an increase in runoff velocity, and a greater peak discharge. However, as is required through the City's engineering standards for land subdivision and development, the project will incorporate on -site infrastructure to intercept, convey, and retain stormwater runoff resulting from the worst -case 100 -year storm event.

Chapter 21.70.050, Section G, Stormwater Management, states that stormwater The hydrologic self -containment generally required from new development would prevent the release of runoff into neighboring properties and flood control facilities, therefore preventing off -site siltation and erosion impacts. All on -site impervious and pervious land cover resulting from project implementation, including the storm drain system and surface basins, will be subject to proper operation and maintenance during the life of the project, as mandated by the WQMP agreement that will be required of this project prior to issuance of a grading permit. Therefore, less than significant impacts are expected pertaining to substantial erosion or siltation, on- or off -site.

Implementation of the GPU may allow development and improvement projects that would involve some land clearing, grading, and other ground -disturbing activities that could temporarily increase soil erosion rates during and shortly after project construction. As required by the Clean Water Act, each subsequent development project or improvement project exceeding an acre in disturbance will require an approved Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that includes best management practices for grading and preservation of topsoil. SWPPPs are designed to control storm water quality degradation to the extent practicable using best management practices during and after construction.

As discussed previously, the City of Indian Wells regulates stormwater discharge in according with the NPDES permit through Chapter 16.52 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code that discusses Storm Water Management and Discharge Controls. Additionally, Chapter 22.04 provides erosion control and protection measures, and Chapter 16.36 includes standards for flood damage prevention and floodplain management.

In addition to complying with the NPDES programs and WQMP stormwater requirements, the updated IWGP contains policies to reduce impacts associated with stormwater and drainage including policies to maintain sufficient levels of storm drainage service, improvements to flood control facilities and channel segments, and other best practices in order to protect the community from flood hazards and minimize the discharge of materials into the storm drain system that are toxic. The implementation of the General plan would result in a less than significant impact relative to this topic.

Moreover, the GPU does not propose any development at the time of writing, however, implementation of the GPU may facilitate future development within the City. The vacant portions of the City are Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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primarily located in developed areas and are considered "infill" development. Therefore, the occurrence of substantial erosion or siltation due to site development within these portions is unlikely.

Therefore, implementation of the proposed GPU and associated policies is expected to result in less than significant impacts pertaining to the drainage conditions throughout the City resulting in substantial erosion or siltation.
cii. Substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off -site;
Construction activities are regulated by the NPDES General Construction Storm Water Permit that apply to project -level land development activities. Compliance with the storm water permit during construction activities requires the preparation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that contains BMPs to control the discharge of pollutants, including sediment, into local surface water drainages. Additionally, the City, in accordance with its approved Phase I Storm Water Management Program, must implement Post -Construction Storm Water Management in new development and redevelopment.

A gradual increase in impervious cover associated with new development could increase operational storm water runoff. In addition to complying with the NPDES programs and WQMP stormwater requirements, the General Plan contains policies and actions to reduce impacts associated with stormwater and drainage including policies to maintain sufficient levels of storm drainage service, improvements to flood control facilities, and other best practices in order to protect the community from flood hazard, and minimize the discharge of materials into the storm drain system that are toxic, or which could obstruct flows. Additionally, the governing regulations encourage stormwater be directed towards permeable surfaces, incorporate stormwater capture, and promote BMPs and Low Impact Development measures (LID) to treat stormwater.

Future development under the proposed GPU would result in a progressive reduction in the amount of impervious soil surfaces available for infiltration of rainfall and runoff, but such changes would occur for limited infill areas that have largely been disturbed. The pollutants generally associated with urban runoff from new development would be captured and retained in privately constructed and operated storm drain systems and applicable forms of flood control subject to review and approval at the project level.

Therefore, implementation of the proposed GPU and associated policies is expected to result in less than significant impacts pertaining to increases or changes to surface runoff in a manner which could result in flooding conditions.
ciii. Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff; or
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As noted in the preceding discussions, stormwater runoff volume generated from the City is intercepted and conveyed along existing storm drain infrastructure that is managed and integrated at the regional level under CVWD as the practical flood control manager. The proposed GPU does not propose extensive land use changes or project -level development that would conflict with the existing engineering or regulatory requirements. Additionally, all new development in the City will require the pertinent construction of infrastructure improvements, such as streets, sidewalks, storm drains, sewer lines, water lines, utilities, and associated facilities. At a minimum, development within the City will be required to implement flood protection measures that will protect potential development from the controlling 100 - year storm event runoff volume. Because all the vacant residential land in the City is located in developed areas and is considered "infill" development, the requirement for site improvements will be tailored to those areas under City review. Under these conditions, future development within the City does not involve the excessive release of runoff into the existing stormwater channels. Accordingly, the site does not contribute existing sources of pollutants.

Off -site drainage from mountainside tributary areas is separately handled by the existing formal channels, which are publicly owned and maintained. Similarly, this project does not propose physical improvements that would impair the capacity of these facilities. The Deep Canyon Stormwater Channel and the Whitewater River (and the connecting CVSC) would continue to operate as designed, without receiving any excessive amounts of runoff from the surrounding areas. Additionally, future development within the City will be required to implement flood control infrastructure, thus minimizing the amount of runoff directed towards the existing channels. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. civ. Impede or redirect flood flows?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) serve as the basis for identifying potential hazards and determining the need for and availability of federal flood insurance. As previously mentioned, FEMA flood zone designations rely on a variety of flood risk information based on historic, meteorological, hydrologic and hydraulic data, as well as existing development, open space and topographic conditions within an area. FIRM data and corresponding zone designations are represented in numbered panels. The applicable FIRM Panels to the project site are identified as Panel Numbers 06065C2226H, 06065C2227H, 06065C2231H, 06065C2228H, 06065C2229H, and 06065C2233H, applicable to the site since April 19, 2017.

Approximately 7.7 percent, or 720 acres, of the City is designated by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A, AE, AO). Zone A consists of low-lying areas that are in close proximity to lakes, ponds, and other large bodies of water. Zone AE flood zones are areas that present a 1% annual chance of flooding. Zone AO is the flood zone that corresponds to the areas of 1% shallow flooding where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. Approximately 444 acres of Indian Wells is designated as Zone A, however, most of it is contained in the two primary stormwater channels.

FEMA Zones AO and AE are located in the southwest corner of the city, primarily due to its adjacency to the natural alluvial fan feature, cut by braided stream channels, located southwest of the City.

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Approximately 1,055 acres of the City are designated by FEMA as part of the 500 -year flood zone (Zone X Shaded) and the remaining 7,558 acres are deemed to be areas of minimal hazard or areas with reduced risk due to levee improvements (Zone X).

As previously discussed, the City contains natural and human -made drainage courses along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Infrastructure within the City limits is protected from the drainage by existing public flood control infrastructure consisting of two channels designed to convey flows to the Coachella Valley floor and eventually Whitewater River. The two channels are the Whitewater River ( and the connecting) and the Deep Canyon Stormwater Channel (DCSC). The ephemeral nature of local drainage translates to short-term duration after storm events, rather than continuous or long-term flows. The presence of this flood control infrastructure allows the majority of the City to operate under reduced risk of flooding.

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) outlets assist the drainage of stormwater into the CVSC and the DCSC. CVWD also provides slope protection and service roads within the CVSC and the DCSC, for continual maintenance of the channels.

Implementation of the proposed GPU would establish updated land use designations Recreation to Resort Commercial for the vacant lands located north of Highway 111, on the east and west sides of Miles Avenue. The remaining infill developable lands dispersed throughout the City would maintain their current designations. Implementation of the GPU would not preclude project -level proposals from the requirement to demonstrate the appropriate flood control, storm drain, and hydrology compliance in relation to the existing infrastructure. Existing drainage patterns on protected open space and along the dedicated flood control facilities would not be substantially altered by means of land use designations or policies in a manner that would affect the connectivity and function of local resources. Future efforts toward channel improvements will follow the appropriate environmental review and engineering approval process under CVWD's jurisdiction and other relevant water resource agencies to ensure capacity and consistency with regional facilities. The existing engineering requirements on new project - specific development proposals to adequately convey or retain stormwater runoff while protecting new structures and facilities would not be modified by the proposed GPU. Therefore, the project would not incur planning or project -level modifications capable of impeding or redirecting flood flows. Regarding potential impedances or redirection of flood flows, less than significant impacts are anticipated. d. In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation
As mentioned previously, FIRM Panel Numbers 06065C2226H, 06065C2227H, 06065C2231H, 06065C2228H, 06065C2229H, and 06065C2233H, applicable to the site since April 19, 2017, identify the current FEMA flood zone designations, which are categorized by lettered identifiers with corresponding levels of risk. According to the map panels, the majority of the City is designated as Zone X or other areas, while less than 8% is designated as Zone A, Zone AE, or Zone AO which applies to areas with a 1 -percent Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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annual chance of flooding. These portions include the existing watersheds and drainage channels known as the Deep Canyon Stormwater Channel and the Whitewater River (and connecting CVSC). The watersheds drain towards the Deep Canyon Stormwater Channel (DCSC), where stormwater is collected and distributed towards the Whitewater River and CVSC. The CVSC then distributes flows towards the Salton Sea. As such, there are no existing or proposed habitable structures in Zone A, Zone AE, or Zone AO designations. The GPU does not propose any future development or changes to the existing special flood hazard areas. Future efforts to improve regional stormwater management and flood control infrastructure will continue to be subject to the applicable standards managed by CVWD as the governing flood control agency in the City. The GPU will not conflict with such processes.

Moreover, the City is not located near any coastal areas and therefore is not prone to tsunami hazards.

The project is not located near any large body of water or any area recognized for being susceptible to seiche risk. Existing artificial water features within the project site have been constructed by prior engineering plans and are actively maintained. The flood control channels within the city have been designed for the corresponding off -site tributary flows occurring after storm events and therefore do not involve the permanent or continuous stormwater storage or containment. The existing potable water reservoirs owned by CVWD have been constructed in compliance with the seismic requirements.

On -site inundation conditions are prevented by the previously discussed stormwater retention facilities.

Therefore, pertaining to flood, tsunami, seiche zone, or pollutant releases associated with project inundation, less then significant impacts are expected. e. Conflict or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan
As discussed previously, future development in the City is expected to implement project -specific WQMPs to comply with the most current standards of the Whitewater River Region Water Quality Management Plan for Urban Runoff and the Whitewater River Watershed MS4 Permit. This type of compliance document applies to the post -construction (operational) stage of future projects. The content and methodology of each project -specific WQMP are governed by the Whitewater River Region, Water Quality Management Plan Guidance Document, dated June 2014 and revised in January 2015, but may be updated during the life of the GPU. The primary objective of the WQMP is to ensure that the land development proposals prevent or minimize the impact of Urban Runoff on Receiving Waters to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP). This objective is achieved through the review of project -specific existing and proposed conditions to install desert -appropriate, post -construction Best Management Practices (BMPs) meeting the criteria of Low Impact Development (LID) standards. The LID standards are established in the Riverside County Whitewater River Region Stormwater Quality Best Management Practice Design Handbook for Low Impact Development (Handbook).

The project -specific WQMP is a form of compliance document that is prepared concurrently with the engineering plans (grading, storm drain, street) and the hydrology report for the proposed development.

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Aspects of the WQMP include an evaluation of existing conditions; an assessment of the regional surface water quality impairments; an assessment of the proposed land uses; and identification of source control and site design measures (BMPs) to handle runoff resulting from individual projects. Existing regional stormwater and flood control infrastructure serving the City of Indian Wells will not be impacted by individual development occurring within the GPU framework due to the applicable engineering standards and requirements for on -site retention.

A traditional land development project would need to allocate land for facilities to retain or treat runoff.

Project -specific WQMPs will also include the required operation and maintenance guidelines to ensure that on -site facilities are actively maintained for effectiveness, without placing a burden on the City or regional agency resources. With implementation of project -specific WQMPs, the operational aspects of each project will comply with the regulatory water quality objectives.

Implementation of the GPU includes policies in the Resource Management Element to maintain consistency with the sustainable groundwater management plan strategies applicable at the regional local level. As such, development within the vacant portions of the City are not expected to obstruct the facilities, capacities, or strategies identified in the governing groundwater management and stormwater resources planning.

Therefore, implementation of the proposed GPU and associated policies is expected to result in less than significant impacts pertaining to compliance with water quality control or sustainable groundwater management plans.

4.10.5 Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative impacts of hydrology and water quality resulting from policies at the General Plan Update level are typically commensurate with the extent, magnitude, and nature of potential land use changes or new policies that may apply to local resources and future new development. The existing regulatory framework under the CWA and NPDES programs involves robust requirements applicable to project -level land development proposals and to various municipal activities. Implementation of the proposed GPU would not involve a change to land uses or resource management to an extent, magnitude or nature that would conflict with the existing CWA and NPDES programs, or in a manner which would increase the demand for water, groundwater resources, or wastewater operations that are currently managed at the regional level by the utility purveyors. Implementation of the GPU would not grant or otherwise approve project -level development.

The proposed policies and actions in the Resource Management Element of the proposed GPU would continue to promote the protection of local resources to the extent that is applicable at the City level, without precluding new development from subjected to the existing and evolving CWA and NPDES regulations during the life of the GPU. The existing City engineering standards would continue to ensure that future project proposals are reviewed for compliance and compatibility with the local development Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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standards prior to project -level approvals, including those calling for proper water conservation, flood protection, stormwater management and retention, and prohibition of impactful drainage modifications.

Therefore, because of the standards implemented by the City, CVWD and other responsible agencies, cumulative impacts associated with hydrology and water quality will remain less than significant for the cumulative projects under General Plan buildout because all such projects will also be required implement stormwater management respectively.

4.10.6 Mitigation Measures
To the extent the GPU will result in direct, reasonably foreseeable, significant environmental impacts, the policies and actions listed throughout this section, as proposed by the GPU, will serve as mitigation or to the extent the impacts will be less than significant, as improvement measures as it relates to hydrology and water quality. Moreover, State, regional and local regulations will also ensure that buildout of the GPU would result in (or continue to result in) less than significant impacts. Therefore, no additional Mitigation or Improvement Measures are required.

4.10.7 Level of Significance After Mitigation
The aspect of hydrology and water quality do not involve significant impacts requiring mitigation.

4.10.8 Resources

1. City of Indian Wells 1996 General Plan, as Amended

2. Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), Environmental Protection Agency, httas:// www.epa.gov/laws- regulations/summary-clean-water-act

3. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) 06065C2226H, 06065C2227H, 06065C2231H, 06065C2228H, 06065C2229H, and 06065C2233H, effective April 19, 2017.

4. Indio Subbasin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Plan.

5. Water Quality Control Plan for the Colorado River Basin Region (Basin Plan), January 2019.

6. Whitewater River Region Water Quality Management Plan for Urban Runoff and the associated Whitewater River Watershed MS4 Permit, effective June 20, 2013.

7. 2018 Coachella Valley Integrated Regional Water Management and Stormwater Resources Plan, December 2018.

8. Indian Wells Municipal Code

9. United States Geological Survey (USGS) La Quinta 7.5 -minute Quadrangle Topographic Map Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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10. California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

11. Porter -Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter -Cologne)

12. California Code of Regulations (CCR)

13. California State Water Resources Control Board (CSWRCB) Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

4.11 Land Use and Planning

4.11 Land Use and Planning

4.11.1 Introduction
This section of the PDEIR addresses potential impacts associated with land use and planning that may occur with implementation of the proposed Indian Wells General Plan Update (GPU) project ("project").

This section identifies the existing land use conditions, analyzes the GPU's consistency with relevant planning documents and policies adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect, and recommends mitigation measures to avoid or minimize the significance of potential environmental impacts. GPU policies associated with other specific environmental topics are discussed in the relevant sections of this PDEIR.

4.11.2 Existing Conditions
Existing (Baseline) Conditions
The City Limits include the area within the City's corporate boundary, over which the City exercises land use authority and provides public services. A City's Sphere of Influence (SOI) is the probable physical boundary and service area of a local agency, as adopted by a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). An SOI may include both incorporated and unincorporated areas within which a city or special district will have primary responsibility for the provision of public facilities and services. Indian Wells' SOI is contiguous with its City Limits. For the purposes of the Indian Wells General Plan Update, the Planning Area is defined as the area within the City's SOI/City Boundary that is included in the analysis and planning for the approximate 20 -year horizon of the City's GPU.

Indian Wells is characterized by golf courses, private communities, world-renowned resorts, and the Santa Rosa Mountains. The City currently has many mechanisms to ensure development remains consistent with the quality of existing development and aesthetics, including but not limited to: the General Plan, Architecture and Landscape Design Standards, the Zoning Code, and private community Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

There are 9,333 acres within the Planning Area. The table below indicates the existing uses within the Planning Area. Currently, approximately 6,395 acres are developed as open space, parks and golf course uses, 1,403 acres are developed as residential uses, and approximately 187 acres are vacant. These are considered the baseline conditions.

The City currently includes 4,694 single family units and 349 multifamily units, for a total of 5,043 residential units; 1,546,833 square feet of nonresidential space (i.e., office, sports, commercial, etc.); and offers 1,509 jobs within the City.

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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
Table 4.11-1 Existing Development within Indian Wells
Existing Uses
Acres
Commercial
158
Natural Preserve
155
OS, Parks, Golf
6,395
Public Facilities
22 Residential Attached
211
Residential Detached
1,193
Residential/Watercourse Interface
19 Sports Complex
63 Streets
515
Utility/Maintenance Lot
22 Vacant
187
Watercourses, Drainage Channels
391
Total
9,333
The majority of the undeveloped land is open space, which includes private open space in golf course residential communities and the steep terrain of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the southern part of the City. The largest areas of vacant, but potentially developable lands are located at the intersection of Miles Avenue and Washington Street adjacent to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the intersection of Miles Avenue and Highway 111.

Current General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations
Existing (baseline) conditions refer to the existing built environment, which may be different from the land use or zoning designations applied to land in the City for planning purposes. The City's General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1996 and has been amended periodically since that time. A comprehensive land use inventory of all land areas in Indian Wells was conducted between June 2005 and October 2006. The inventory was completed utilizing City base maps, aerial photos and a visual survey of the General Plan Area. The City consists of several types of community and civic land uses.

Large portions of the City are designated as Golf and Open Space areas. The Santa Rosa Mountains are within the southerly portion of the City, and are designated as open space. The Housing Element was updated in 2013 (5th Cycle), and again in 2024, (6th Cycle) as required by State Housing Law.

Figure 4.11-1, Existing General Plan Land Use Designations, shows a map of the Current General Plan land use designations in the Planning Area. Per the Current General Plan Land Use Map, Indian Wells is dominated by large areas of open space, including open space used for golf and recreation, and by low density residential development. Resorts and sports complexes are also prominent in the City. The table below displays the parcel specific acreage for current land uses within the Planning Area. Of the designated land uses, the largest land use designation within the Planning Area is Open Space, with 4,320 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-2 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
acres of land designated for this use. There is also a significant amount of land designated as Very Low Density Residential (2,306 acres).

Buildout of the current General Plan would result in 5,455 single family units and 816 multifamily units, for a total of 6,271 residential units; 5,132,104 square feet of nonresidential space; and 6,217 jobs. The land use designation throughout the City and their acreage are shown in the table below.

Table 4.11-2 General Plan Land Use Designations
Current General Plan Designation
Acres
Civic, Public Facility
29 Commercial, Community Commercial
88 Commercial, Professional Office
7 Commercial, Resort Commercial
185
Commercial, Sports Complex
63 Low Density Residential
162
Medium Density Residential
46 Medium High Density Residential
18 Open Space, Golf and Recreation
1,317
Open Space, Natural Preserve
195
Open Space, Open Space
4,320
Open Space, Public Benefit (PB-1)
34 Open Space, Public Park
6 Open Space, Watercourse
557
Residential, Very Low Density Residential
2,306
Total
9,333
Proposed General Plan Land Use Designations
The GPU includes an update to the City's Land Use Map. The project proposes to change the current land use designation at two locations, as indicated in the table below. Figure 4.11-2, Proposed General Plan Land Use Designations, illustrates the proposed land use designations in the City.

Table 4.11-3 Changes to the Existing GP
Location
APN
Existing Use
Current Land Use
Designation
Proposed Land Use
Designation (GPU)
1 633-150-077 &
633-150-071
Golf Course
Golf and Recreation
Resort Commercial
2 633-310-035 &
633-410-051
Vacant
Community Commercial
Resort Commercial
In addition, changes to the Whitewater River Channel are proposed as part of the proposed project consistent with ongoing efforts to improve the Channel. Approximately 6.82 acres of the Whitewater Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.11-3
November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
River Channel will be removed from the storm channel and added to developable acreage for resort commercial uses.

Buildout of the proposed GPU would result in 5,455 single family units and 816 multifamily units, for a total of 6,271 residential units (consistent with the Current General Plan); 5,159,667 square feet of nonresidential space (27,563 more square feet than the Current General Plan); and 6,310 jobs (93 more jobs than the Current General Plan). The table below lists each of the land use designations in Indian Wells and provides a corresponding indication of maximum density or intensity of development.

Maximum allowable development on individual parcels of land is governed by these measures of density or intensity. For various reasons, many parcels in the community have not been developed to maximum density or intensity and, in the future, maximum development can be expected to occur only on a limited number of parcels.

Table 4.11-4 General Plan Land Use 2040 Potential Buildout Summary Land Use Designation
Acres (1)
Allowed Density
and/or Intensity (2)
Units
Population
Non
Residential
Square Feet
Jobs

RESIDENTIAL LAND USES
Very Low Density
Residential
2,306

1.0-3.0 du/ac
4,807
4,143
-
-
Low Density Residential
162

3.1-4.5 du/ac
547
471
-
-
Medium Density Residential
46 4.6-7.0 du/ac
303
261
-
-
Medium High Density
Residential
18 7.1-12.0 du/ac
221
190
-
-
Residential Subtotal
2,532
-
5,878
5,065
-
-

COMMERCIAL LAND USES
Community Commercial
74 0.75 FAR
-
-
2,295,482
3,061
Professional Office
7 0.50 FAR
-
-
162,341
216
Resort Commercial (3)
214
No FAR restriction
150
129
2,001,444
2,924
Sports Complex
63 -
-
-
685,831
75 Commercial Subtotal
358
-
150
129
5,145,098
6,276

PUBLIC/QUASI-PUBLIC LAND USES
Public Benefit (PB-1)
34 Varies
238
205
-
-
Public Facility
29 -
-
14,570
34 Public Parks/Recreation
6 -
-
-
-
-
Public/Quasi-Public Subtotal
69 -
238
205
14,570
34 OPEN SPACE LAND USES
Golf and Recreation
1,308
-
-
-
-
-
Natural Preserve
195

1.0 du/40 gross ac
5 4
-
-
Watercourse
550
-
-
-
-
-
Open Space
4,320
-
-
-
-
-
Open Space Subtotal
6,373
-
5 4
-
-
Totals
9,332
-
6,271
5,403
5,159,668
6,310

1. Acres are given as adjusted gross acreages, which do not include the right-of-way for major roadways, flood control facilities, or railroads.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.11-4
November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING

2. Density/intensity includes both residential density, expressed as dwelling units per acre, and nonresidential intensity, expressed as floor area ratio (FAR), which is the amount of building square feet in relation to the size of the lot. Historically, citywide buildout levels do not achieve the maximum allowable density/intensity on every parcel, and are, on average, lower than allowed by the General Plan. Accordingly, the projections in this General Plan do not assume buildout at the maximum density or intensity but are adjusted downward to account for variations in development.

3. Residential development potential is consistent with uses allowed within adopted Specific Plans.

Residential
Very Low Densitj Residential: 1.0-3.0 du/ac
The Very Low Density Residential land use designation is intended for the development of very low density single-family detached homes on minimum of 12,000 -square -foot lots at a density between 1 to 3 dwelling units per gross acre of land. This designation is generally most suitable in rural areas and areas where scenic and natural resources should be protected, or where natural hazards limit development potential (such as hillsides).

Low Density Residential: 3.1-4.5 du/ac
The Low Density Residential land use designation is intended for the development of low density single- family detached homes on minimum of 8,500 -square -foot lots at a density between 3.1 and 4.5 dwelling units per gross acre.

Medium Density Residential: 4.6-7.0 du/ac
The Medium Density Residential land use designation is intended for single-family detached homes, cluster developments, and attached units at a density between 4.6 and 7.0 dwelling units per gross acre.

Medium High Density Residential: 7.1-12.0 du/ac
The Medium High Density Residential land use designation is intended for attached dwelling units such as townhouses, condominiums, and congregate care for seniors at a density between 7.1 and 12.0 dwelling units per gross acre.

Commercial
Community Commercial: Maximum FAR 0.75
The Community Commercial land use designation provides the community with attractively designed retail, office, and shopping areas. Uses may include retail shops, offices, restaurants, personal service shops, grocery stores, movie theaters, hotels and resort complexes, and similar uses. The maximum intensity of development is a floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.75.

Professional Office: Maximum FAR 0.50
The Professional Office land use designation is intended for attractively designed professional offices that are compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and adjacent areas. Developments will be a maximum of two stories in height and will have extensive landscaping. Parking areas will be screened from public streets with landscaping, buffer areas, or decorative walls. Typical uses would include Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-5 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
administrative and professional offices, medical and dental offices, and financial institutions. The maximum intensity of development is FAR of 0.50.

Resort Commercial: No FAR Restriction
The Resort Commercial land use designation is intended for attractively designed hotel and resort complexes. The developments will have quality architectural design and extensive landscaping. Parking areas will be screened from public streets with landscaping, buffer areas, or decorative walls. Uses include hotels as the primary use with ancillary tourist commercial uses that may include restaurants, related convention facilities, and supporting retail and personal services.

Sports Complex: Varies (defined by Master Development Plan) The Sports Complex land use designation is intended for publicly and privately owned land and improvements to accommodate professional or amateur sporting events. This includes the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and related facilities. All development and uses in the sports complex (SPX) zone classification shall be in accordance with a Master Development Plan. A Master Development Plan shall establish the basic framework for land use and development standards.

Public/Quasi-Public
Public Benefit; Varies (defined by Public Benefit Zoning Designation) Space for the provision of uses that are beneficial to the public, including affordable housing and supporting uses, such as public park, recreation, open space, and parking.

Public Facility; No FAR Restriction
The Public Facility land use designation is intended for facilities such as the Civic Center, police and fire stations, public utilities, schools, and other governmental or public facilities, such as auditoriums, museums, and libraries.

Public Parks/Recreation; No Development Potential
The Public Park land use designation is intended for publicly owned parkland which is dedicated or reserved for passive recreational use by the public.

Open Space
Golf and Recreation: No Development Potential
The Golf and Recreation land use designation is intended for public and private golf courses, tennis facilities, and other typical country club style amenities.

Natural Preserve: 1.0 du/40 gross ac
The Natural Preserve land use designation includes privately owned lands with limited residential development permitted subject to the restrictions of the Hillside Management Plan (HMP), consistent Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-6 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
with the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). The maximum intensity of development is 1.0 du/40 gross acres.

Watercourse; No Development Potential
The Watercourse land use designation includes the Whitewater River and Deep Canyon flood control channels and other areas subject to flood hazard. Federal standards prohibit development in the floodway. Some Watercourse areas, however, are used for golfing.

Open Space: No Development Potential
The Open Space land use designation includes lands maintained in a natural state comprised predominantly of Federal, State, and City -owned lands in the Santa Rosa Mountains. Development in these areas is subject to the Hillside Management Ordinance.

Overlay Zones
An overlay zone, also known as an overlay district, is a regulatory tool used in land use planning to create a special planning layer on top of an existing base land use or zoning district. Overlay zones can share boundaries with the base designation, cross them, or stand alone. They can include regulations or incentives to protect resources or guide development in a specific area. Overlay zones can control many factors, including building and urban design, permitted land use, and density.

In addition to the land use designations established by the Land Use Element (and corresponding zoning districts established by the Municipal Code), the City of Indian Wells employs the use of four overlays zones to support its unique land use planning priorities.

Golf Course
This overlay zone shall apply to all public and private golf courses within the City to ensure that they are operated and maintained for their intended purpose, the playing of golf.

Within this zone, uses not directly related to the operation and maintenance of the subject golf course shall be prohibited. Areas so designated may be included within the gross acreage of a development for purposes of calculating the communities' density. However, this shall preclude the inclusion of lands having this designation as a part of an adjoining private property so that areas so designated shall not be included within the gross acreage of a single, separate ownership lot for purposes of calculating the size of that lot for zoning and/or building purposes.

Affordable Housing
This overlay zone shall apply to residential properties only and shall indicate the City Council's intent to utilize the developer incentives programs for the development of affordable housing projects as set forth in Government Code Section 65915.

Senior Housing
Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-7 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
This overlay zone shall apply to residential properties only and shall indicate the City Council's intent to utilize the developer incentives programs, negotiated on an individual basis with prospective developers, to provide for senior citizen housing in the City.

Special Study Area
This overlay zone shall apply to properties that offer the City unique planning and/or economic opportunities. The overlay zone establishes the City Council's intent to review alternative land use proposals that differ from those permitted by the base zone.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-8 November 2024

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INDIAN WELLS

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING

4.11.3 Regulatory Setting
State
California General Plan Law
Government Code Section 65300 requires that each county and city adopt a General Plan "for the physical development of the county or city, and any land outside its boundaries which bears relation to its planning."
The General Plan will include a comprehensive set of goals, policies, and actions (implementation measures), as well as a revised Land Use Map. It is a comprehensive long-term plan for the physical development of the county or city and is considered a "blueprint" for development. The General Plan must contain seven state -mandated elements: Land Use, Open Space, Conservation, Housing, Circulation, Noise, and Safety. It may also contain any other elements that the county or city wishes to include. The land use element designates the general location and intensity of buildings and grounds, recreation areas, and other land uses.

The 2017 General Plan Guidelines, established by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to assist local agencies in the preparation of their general plans, further describe the mandatory land use element as a guide to planners, the general public, and decision makers prescribing the ultimate pattern of development for the county or city.

Southern California Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
SCAG's 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) (also known as "Connect SoCal") is a plan for mobility, accessibility, sustainability, and a high quality of life in the region. It is first and foremost, a transportation plan that integrates land use planning into its framework to improve mobility and access to transportation options in response to Senate Bill (SB) 375.

The goals within the RTP/SCS are meant to provide guidance for the project within the context of regional goals and polices. Therefore, the goals in the RTP/SCS may be pertinent to the proposed Project.

The Goals and Guiding Policies set forth in RTP/SCS are listed below. Most of the goals can be adapted and implemented at the local level by the City of Indian Wells such as maximizing mobility and accessibility for all people and goods. This is being achieved by the City's commitment to good roads where intersections can accommodate round-abouts instead of 4 -way stops or traffic signals where vehicles stop and idle; and where streets can be designed to accommodate motor vehicles and non - motorized vehicles such as bicycles and golf carts/neighborhood electric vehicles. 2020-2045 RTP-SCS Goals
Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-11 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
RTP/SCS G1 Encourage regional economic prosperity and global competitiveness.

RTP/SCS G2 Improve mobility, accessibility, reliability, and travel safety for all people and goods.

RTP/SCS G3 Enhance the preservation, security, and resilience of the regional transportation system.

RTP/SCS G4 Increase person and goods movement and travel choices within the transportation system.

RTP/SCS G5 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

RTP/SCS G6 Support healthy and equitable communities.

RTP/SCS G7 Adapt to a changing climate and support an integrated regional development pattern and transportation network.

RTP/SCS G8 Leverage new transportation technologies and data -driven solutions that result in more efficient travel.

RTP/SCS G9 Encourage development of diverse housing types in areas that are supported by multiple transportation options.

RTP/SCS G10 Promote conservation of natural and agricultural lands and restoration habitats.

As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region, SCAG is required by federal law (23 U.S.C. Section 134 et seq.) to prepare and update a Tong -range Regional Transportation Plan every four years. The Plan must provide for the development, integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities that will function as an intermodal transportation network for the SCAG metropolitan planning area. The passage of California Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) in 2008 requires that SCAG prepare and adopt a Sustainable Communities Strategy that sets forth a forecasted regional development pattern which, when integrated with the transportation network, measures and policies, will reduce GHG emissions from automobiles and light -duty trucks and achieve the GHG emissions reduction target for the region set by the California Air Resources Board (Govt. Code Section 65080(b)(2)(B)). In addition, the focus on equity in this Plan supports compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Environmental Justice guidance at the state and federal levels, all of which is further detailed in the Equity Analysis Technical Report.

In April 2024, SCAG updated their RTP/SCS (also referred to as "Connect SoCal 2024"). The 2024 RTP/SCS focuses on buildout of the Southern California region by 2050. The Plan includes four goals that fall into four core categories: mobility, communities, environment and economy. The goals are listed below. 2024-2050 RTP-SCS Goals
RTP/SCS G1 Mobility. Build and maintain and integrated multimodal transportation network.

RTP/SCS G2 Communities. Develop, connect and sustain communities that are livable and thriving.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-12 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
RTP/SCS G3 Environment. Create a healthy region for the people of today and tomorrow.

RTP/SCS G4 Support a sustainable, efficient and productive regional economic environment that provides opportunities for all residents.

California Environmental Quality Act
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was developed to protect the quality of the environment and the health and safety of persons from adverse environmental effects. Discretionary projects are required to be reviewed consisted with the requirements of CEQA to determine if there is potential for the project to cause a significant adverse effect on the environment. Depending on the type of project and its potential effects, technical traffic, noise, air quality, biological resources, and geotechnical reports may be needed. If potential adverse effects can be mitigated to less than significant levels, a mitigated negative declaration may be adopted. If potentially adverse effects cannot be mitigated to less than significant levels, an environmental impact report is required. These documents have mandated content requirements and public review titles. Preparation of CEQA documents can be costly and time-consuming, potentially extending the processing time of a project by a year or longer.

Subdivision Code
A subdivision is any division of land for the purpose of sale, lease, or finance. The State of California Subdivision Map Act (Government Code § 66410) regulates subdivisions throughout the state. The goals of the Subdivision Map Act are as follows:
• To encourage orderly community development by providing for the regulation and control of the design and improvement of a subdivision with proper consideration of its relationship to adjoining areas.
• To ensure that areas within the subdivision that are dedicated for public purposes will be properly improved by the subdivider so that they will not become an undue burden on the community. • To protect the public and individual transferees from fraud and exploitation.

The Map Act allows cities flexibility in the process of subdivisions. Indian Wells controls this process through the subdivision regulations in the Municipal Code Title 20. These regulations ensure that minimum requirements are adopted for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare; and that the subdivision includes adequate community improvements, municipal services, and other public facilities.

Regional
Coachella Valley Association of Governments
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is the regional planning agency coordinating government services in the Coachella Valley. CVAG is composed of several departments, including an Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-13 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
Energy and Environmental Resources Department and Transportation Department. The Energy and Environmental Resources Department promotes sustainable use of natural resources and preserving the natural heritage of the Coachella Valley by implementing plans relating to energy and air quality, waste management, water, habitat conservation, and trails.

Coachella Valley Conservation Commission
The Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) is a joint powers authority comprised of members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, an elected official from each of the cities, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, and Mission Springs Water District. Implementation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan is overseen by the CVCC. The CVCC provides policy direction for the plan, and opportunities for public participation in the decision -making process. Additional CVCC responsibilities include overseeing the Monitoring Program Administration, establishing a Reserve Management Unit, participating in the Joint Project Review Process, and preparing an Annual Report.

Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan The Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) is a regional multi -agency conservation plan that provides for the long-term conservation of ecological diversity in the Coachella Valley. The CVMSHCP includes an area of approximately 1.1 million acres in the Coachella Valley. The CVMSCHP ensures the conservation of the covered species and conserved natural communities in perpetuity.

The Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) is a joint powers authority comprised of members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, an elected official from each of the cities, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, and Mission Springs Water District. Implementation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan is overseen by the CVCC. The CVCC provides policy direction for the plan, and opportunities for public participation in the decision -making process. Additional CVCC responsibilities include overseeing the Monitoring Program Administration, establishing a Reserve Management Unit, participating in the Joint Project Review Process, and preparing an Annual Report.

Land Use Adjacency Guidelines
The Land Use Adjacency Guidelines were established by the CVMSHCP for projects adjacent to conservation areas. The purpose of the Guideline is to avoid or minimize indirect effects from development adjacent to or within the Conservation Areas. Such indirect effects are commonly referred to as edge effects, and may include noise, lighting, drainage, intrusion of people, and the introduction of non-native plants and non-native predators such as dogs and cats. The following Land Use Adjacency Guidelines will aid in minimizing edge effects and shall be implemented where applicable.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-14 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING

4.5.1 Drainage
Proposed Development adjacent to or within a Conservation Area shall incorporate plans to ensure that the quantity and quality of runoff discharged to the adjacent Conservation Area is not altered in an adverse way when compared with existing conditions. Stormwater systems shall be designed to prevent the release of toxins, chemicals, petroleum products, exotic plant materials or other elements that might degrade or harm biological resources or ecosystem processes within the adjacent Conservation Area.

4.5.2 Toxics
Land uses proposed adjacent to or within a Conservation Area that use chemicals or generate bioproducts such as manure that are potentially toxic or may adversely affect wildlife and plant species, Habitat, or water quality shall incorporate measures to ensure that application of such chemicals does not result in any discharge to the adjacent Conservation Area.

4.5.3 Lighting
For proposed Development adjacent to or within a Conservation Area, lighting shall be shielded and directed toward the developed area. Landscape shielding or other appropriate methods shall be incorporated in project designs to minimize the effects of lighting adjacent to or within the adjacent Conservation Area in accordance with the guidelines to be included in the Implementation Manual.

4.5.4 Noise
Proposed Development adjacent to or within a Conservation Area that generates noise in excess of 75 dBA Leq hourly shall incorporate setbacks, berms, or walls, as appropriate, to minimize the effects of noise on the adjacent Conservation Area in accordance with the guidelines to be included in the Implementation Manual.

4.5.5 Invasives
Invasive, non-native plant species shall not be incorporated in the landscape for land uses adjacent to or within a Conservation Area. Landscape treatments within or adjacent to a Conservation Area shall incorporate native plant materials to the maximum extent Feasible; recommended native species are listed in the Project -Specific Biology Report. The plants listed in the Biology Report shall not be used within or adjacent to a Conservation Area. This list may be amended from time to time through a Minor Amendment with Wildlife Agency Concurrence.

4.5.6 Barriers
Land uses adjacent to or within a Conservation Area shall incorporate barriers in individual project designs to minimize unauthorized public access, domestic animal predation, illegal trespass, or dumping in a Conservation Area. Such barriers may include native landscaping, rocks/boulders, fencing, walls and/or signage.

4.5.7 Grading/Land Development
Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-15 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
Manufactured slopes associated with site Development shall not extend into adjacent land in a Conservation Area.

Local
Indian Wells Municipal Code
The Indian Wells Municipal Code (IWMC) acts as a regulatory guideline, compliant with state and federal laws, for the City of Indian Wells. The IWMC regulates businesses, zoning, animals, vehicles and traffic, peace and morals, health and safety, and more. Regulations regarding land use and zoning are discussed in great detail within Title 21, Zoning Code, in the IWMC. The purpose of the Zoning Code within the IWMC is to implement the policies of the Indian Wells General Plan by classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the City of Indian Wells. The Zoning Code is adopted to protect and to promote the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of residents, and businesses in the City.

4.11.4 Project Impacts
Thresholds of Significance
The thresholds for this section are derived from Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and are used to determine the level of potential effect. The significant criteria are at based on the recommendations set forth in Section 15064 of the CEQA Guidelines. For analysis purposes, the proposed project would have a significant effect on land use and planning if it is determined that the project will:
a. Physically divide an established community?
b. Cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? Project Impacts
a. Physically divide an established community
The proposed GPU establishes the City's vision for future growth and development. The land uses allowed under the proposed GPU (Figure 4.11-2) provide opportunities for cohesive new growth at vacant in -fill locations within existing urbanized areas of the City, as well as new growth adjacent to existing urbanized areas, but would not create physical division within the community. New development and redevelopment projects would be designed to complement the character of the existing community and neighborhoods and provide connectivity between existing development and new development. The proposed General Plan Land Use Map designates sites for a range of urban and rural developed uses as well as open space. The proposed GPU does not include any new areas Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.11-16 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
designated for urbanization or new roadways, infrastructure, or other features that would divide existing communities. The proposed GPU would have a less than significant impact associated with the physical division of an established community. The policies listed below would ensure that future development is compatible with adjacent communities and land issues. b. Cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating and environmental effect
State Plans
The proposed GPU was prepared in conformance with State laws and regulations associated with the preparation of general plans, including requirements for environmental protection. Discussion of the GPU's consistency with State regulations, plans, and policies associated with specific environmental issues (e.g., air quality, traffic, water quality, etc.) is provided in the relevant chapters of this PDEIR. The State would continue to have authority over any State-owned lands in the vicinity of the City and the GPU would not conflict with continued application of State land use plans, policies, and regulations adopted to avoid or mitigate environmental effects.

General Plan Update
As set forth by State law, the GPU serves as the primary planning document for the City and subordinate documents and plans would be updated to be consistent with the General Plan. The proposed GPU provides for a development and resource conservation pattern that preserves and protects Indian Wells' unique character and celebrates the community's high quality of life. The Community Development Element in the GPU guides where growth and development will occur in the City, and will accommodate land uses to respond to the community's changing needs.

Similar to the existing General Plan, the proposed GPU acts to maintain the City's quality residential and resort character in Goal CD -1. Goal CD -1 intends that existing and future development maintains the well -established residential and resort character of Indian Wells. This is achieved in Policies CD -1.1 through CD -1.8. Policy CD -1.1 focuses on ensuring the land use pattern promotes and enhances community livability and public health, sustains community vitality, relates to the City's resort industry, promotes efficient development and multiple transportation options; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; and ensures compatibility between uses consistent with the land use designations identified in the GPU and Land Use Map.

New development would be required to fund and construct its fair share of improvements in accordance with City requirements, which is consistent with Policy CD -1.2 and CD -1.5, for infrastructure, public services, and community facilities. This would be required in project conditions of approval, depending on the project.

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The revised land use designations in the GPU includes an Affordable Housing Overlay and a Senior Housing Overlay which assist in the development of adequate housing to meet various household incomes, and senior housing. The Affordable Housing Overlay zone shall apply to residential properties only and shall indicate the City Council's intent to utilize the developer incentives programs for the development of affordable housing projects as set forth in Government Code Section 65915. The Senior Housing Overlay zone shall apply to residential properties only and shall indicate the City Council's intent to utilize the developer incentives programs, negotiated on an individual basis with prospective developers, to provide for senior citizen housing in the City. This is consistent with Policy CD -1.3 and CD -

1.4 of the GPU.

The GPU land use map ensures new residential uses are located in areas protected from hazards.

Moreover, the land use map ensures the placement of land uses next to compatible uses. For example, a residential community would not be compatible next to heavy industrial use (although Indian Wells does not include heavy industrial uses). This is consistent with CD -1.6 and CD -1.7. Finally, the GPU land use map will restrict undesirable land uses within the City, consistent with CD -1.8. The Policies CD -1.1 through CD -1.8 is implemented with the associated Actions CD -la through CD -1h.

The GPU enhances policies and actions from the City's existing General Plan that were intended for environmental protection and would not remove or conflict with City plans, policies, or regulations adopted for environmental protection. The proposed GPU would require modifications to the City's Zoning Ordinance to provide consistency between the Genera Plan and zoning; however, these modifications will not remove or adversely modify portions of the Indian Wells Municipal Code that were adopted to mitigate an environmental effect.

Subsequent development and infrastructure projects would be required to be consistent with all applicable policies, standards, and regulations, including those land use plans, policies, and regulations adopted to mitigate environmental effects by the City as well as those adopted by agencies with jurisdiction over components of future development projects. Any potential environmental impact associated with conflicts with land use requirements would be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
CD -1.1 Land Use Pattern. Promote an appropriate land use plan that fosters and enhances community livability and public health; sustains economic vitality; relates to the City's resort industry; promotes efficient development and multiple transportation options; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; and ensures compatibility between uses consistent with the land use designations identified in this Element and Land Use Map.

CD -1.2 Plan for New Development. Ensure that new development corresponds to the provision of infrastructure, public services, and community facilities, and that new Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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development funds and constructs its fair share of improvements in accordance with City requirements.

CD -1.3 Housing for All Incomes. Assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of very low, low, and moderate income households through implementation of the Housing Program set forth in the Housing Element.

CD -1.4 Senior Resident Land Use Needs. Promote land uses and policies that support the needs of Indian Wells' senior community, including those with mobility, sensory and other limitations or who need assistance with activities of daily living.

CD -1.5 Public Services for Quality of Life. Maintain appropriate sites for institutional and public facility uses that can accommodate the infrastructure and facilities needed to serve the community.

CD -1.6 Residential Clustering. Encourage clustering of residential uses to minimize impacts from noise, flooding, slope instability, and other environmental hazards, or to achieve other desirable City objectives.

CD -1.7 Transitions and Buffering. Require the use of appropriate transitions and buffering to help ensure that non-residential uses do not affect the integrity and enjoyment of adjacent residential neighborhoods.

CD -1.8 Prohibited Development Types. Prohibit undesirable development types, including linear or strip commercial development, heavy polluting industry, and billboards.

Actions
CD -la Amend the City's Municipal Code to reflect zoning designations and standards consistent with land use designations included in the General Plan Element.

CD -1b At least biennially, review the City's Municipal Code, including the Zoning Code and Subdivision Code, and update as appropriate to reflect goals, policies, and actions included in the Community Development Element.

CD -lc Ensure all projects are reviewed and processed per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.

CD -1d Through the development review process, evaluate development proposals for land use and transportation network compatibility with existing surrounding or abutting development or neighborhoods.

CD -le Analyze land use compatibility through the development review process to require adequate buffers and/or architectural enhancements that protect sensitive receptors from intrusion of development activities that may cause unwanted nuisances and health risks.

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CD -1f As part of development review process, ensure that residential and non- residential developments fall within the minimum and maximum density requirements and/or allowed floor -area -ratios stipulated on the Land Use Map and included within the Land Use Descriptions. Projects shall also be reviewed for consistency with the development standards and density requirements established by any applicable Specific Plan governing the area in question.

CD -1g
Conduct proactive outreach to property owners and developers to encourage the development of new projects that provide public benefits on vacant parcels.

Specifically focus on developing vacant areas located at the intersection of Miles Avenue and Washington Street, adjacent to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the intersection of Miles Avenue and Highway 111.

CD -1h Assist in the consolidation of contiguous smaller parcels for development purposes.

Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Analysis The City of Indian Wells lies within the boundaries of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). The CVMSHCP covers approximately 1.1 million acres in the Coachella Valley and ensures the conservation of the covered species and conserved natural communities in perpetuity. The Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) oversees and manages the CVMSHCP and has adopted a development impact fee structure which helps fund and implement conservation efforts of the CVMSHCP. The Indian Wells Municipal Code Chapter 22.20, Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Mitigation Fee, enforces the impact fee which helps fund and implement conservation efforts of the CVMSHCP. Future projects within the City would be required to pay the Local Development Mitigation Fee in full at the time of the issuance of a building permit. For further discussion and mitigation, please consult Section 4.4, Biological Resources, of this Draft El R.

Additionally, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area of the CVMSHCP encompasses the southern portion of the City, where developed areas meet the toe of slope of the Santa Rosa Mountains. To ensure consistency with the CVMSHCP and further protect the Conservation Area located within the City, the GPU does not allow development within the Conservation Area. This area is designated for Natural Open Space, per the GPU Land Use Map (Figure 4.11-2). Areas adjacent to the Conservation Area would be required to implement the Adjacency Guidelines. Therefore, implementation of the GPU would not conflict with the CVMSHCP, and impacts would be less than significant.

Southern California Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
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SCAG's 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) (also known as "Connect SoCal") is a plan for mobility, accessibility, sustainability, and a high quality of life in the region. It is first and foremost, a transportation plan that integrates land use planning into its framework to improve mobility and access to transportation options in response to Senate Bill (SB) 375.

The goals within the RTP/SCS are meant to provide guidance for the project within the context of regional goals and polices. Therefore, the goals in the RTP/SCS may be pertinent to the proposed GPU.

The Goals and Guiding Policies set forth in RTP/SCS and the project's consistency with the below goals are listed below.

Table 4.11-5 SCAG Consistency Analysis
Goal
Consistency Analysis
RTP/SCS G1: Encourage
regional economic
prosperity and global
competitiveness.

Consistent: This goal encourages regional economic prosperity and global competitiveness. The City of Indian Wells currently provides a desirable resort destination, with its various hotels and resorts and the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, which hosts the BNP tennis tournament for two weeks in March, attracting thousands of people to the City. Currently, buildout of the General Plan would result in 5,132,104 square feet of nonresidential space. The GPU proposes a total of 5,159,667 square feet of nonresidential space (approximately 27,563 square feet more than the current General Plan). The GPU will provide additional resort, commercial and recreational facilities to continue to attract visitors and employment opportunities.

RTP/SCS G2: Improve
mobility, accessibility,
reliability, and travel
safety for all people and
goods.

Not applicable but consistent: The GPU does not propose changes to the existing circulation pattern throughout the City. The main corridor in the City is Highway 111, which provides regional access to the surrounding cities within the Coachella Valley.

The GPU would not conflict or burden the regional goods mobility across the SCAG region.

RTP/SCS G3: Enhance the
preservation, security, and
resilience of the regional
transportation system.

Not applicable but consistent. As stated above, the GPU does not propose changes to the existing circulation pattern throughout the City. The GPU would not conflict with the security and resilience of the regional transportation system.

RTP/SCS G4: Increase
person and goods
movement and travel
choices within the
transportation system.

Consistent: The aspect of person and goods movement will not change with the development of the GPU, since the GPU does not propose changes to the existing circulation pattern throughout the City. As previously stated, Highway 111 is the main travel corridor throughout the City, connecting Indian Wells to the surrounding cities.

Fred Waring Drive, Washington Street, and Cook Street are also main corridors within the City. Pertaining to travel choices within the transportation system, the GPU will continue to support multi -modal transportation options, such as bicycle lanes, and golf cart access, allowing various travel choices within the City. The GPU would not conflict with the SunLine Transit Agency's periodic adjustments to service coverage or implementation of SunLine Transit network, as these are a function of demand.

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RTP/SCS G5: Reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
and improve air quality.

Consistent: The GPU incorporates project design features aimed at reducing VMT, GHG, and criteria air pollutant emissions, including various options for non -motorized transportation. Combined with any applicable mitigation measures for future development projects, these measures will work toward attainment of the approved Air Quality Management Plan applicable in the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction.

RTP/SCS G6: Support
healthy and equitable
communities.

Consistent: The GPU protects the environment and health of residents by providing extensive non -motorized transportation facilities, including sidewalks, multipurpose trails, bicycle lanes and golf cart/neighborhood electric vehicle lanes throughout the City. The GPU's land use configurations reduce vehicular traffic and vehicles miles traveled by maximizing interactions between adjacent or nearby land uses and providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to adjacent streets to assure that infrastructure and amenities accommodate pedestrian and bicycle use.

RTP/SCS G7: Adapt to a
changing climate and
support an integrated
regional development
pattern and transportation
network.

Not applicable but consistent: This goal relates to adapting to a changing climate and supporting an integrated regional development pattern and transportation network.

The GPU does not propose changes to the existing transportation network throughout the City. Additionally, a majority of the City is built out with residential, resort, recreational, commercial, and office spaces. The remaining properties to be developed will be consistent with the existing development pattern throughout the City by providing more residential and non-residential opportunities.

As previously stated, Highway 111 is the main travel corridor throughout the City, connecting Indian Wells to the surrounding cities. Fred Waring Drive, Washington Street, and Cook Street are also main corridors within the City. Pertaining to travel choices within the transportation system, the GPU will continue to support multi - modal transportation options, such as bicycle lanes, and golf cart access, allowing various travel choices within the City. The GPU land use configurations reduce vehicular traffic and VMTs by maximizing interactions between adjacent or nearby land uses and providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to adjacent streets.

RTP/SCS G8: Leverage new
transportation
technologies and data-
driven solutions that result
in more efficient travel.

Not applicable: The adoption of transportation technologies, primarily pertaining to electric vehicles or emission reductions, will be a function of state and federal requirements to which residents will be required to adapt as applicable.

RTP/SCS G9: Encourage
development of diverse
housing types in areas that
are supported by multiple
transportation options.

Consistent: The GPU encourages the development of diverse housing types within developable areas of the City. As discussed in Section 4.14, Population and Housing, the proposed GPU is intended to accommodate the City's fair share of statewide housing needs, which are allocated by the SCAG, based on regional numbers provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on a regular basis (every five to eight years). State law requires the Housing Element to included quantified objectives for the maximum number of units that can be constructed, Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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rehabilitated or conserved. The new construction objectives shown in Table 4.14-10 (above) represents the City's overall RHNA for the 2021-2029 planning period for all income levels. The objective identified for each income level is based on historic trends and patterns of development; units affordable to lower -income households are historically more difficult to develop due to extremely limited available funding for affordable housing projects. Moderate- and above -moderate income units are more likely to be developed by the private market. As indicated in Table 4.14-10, the City of Indian Wells will develop a total of 382 homes to satisfy the 2021-2029 RHNA allocation, consisting of 58 extremely -low income, 59 very low income, 81 low income, 91 moderate income, and 93 above moderate income units.

The varying residential product types will be integrated with non -motorized transportation facilities consisting of sidewalks, bicycle lanes and golf cart/neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) lanes in addition to the street improvements for motorized travel. Therefore, the GPU would support the integration of housing and diverse transportation options.

RTP/SCS
G10: Promote
Consistent: The GPU does not propose changes to the natural open space or natural conservation of natural
preserve land uses within the City, which occupies 4,320 acres and 195 acres of land and agricultural lands and
in the City, respectively. Therefore, the GPU would promote conservation of natural restoration of habitats.
lands as applicable.

As stated previously, SCAG updated their RTP/SCS in April 2024. The plan includes four goals that fall into four core categories: mobility, communities, environment and economy. The 2024 RTP/SCS is pending approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). However, the Goals and Guiding Policies set forth in RTP/SCS and the project's consistency with the below goals are listed below.

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Table 4.11-6 2024 SCAG Consistency Analysis
Goal
Consistency Analysis
RTP/SCS G1: Mobility. Build and maintain
an integrated multimodal transportation
network.

Support investments that are well
maintained and operated, coordinated,
resilient and result in improved safety,
improved air quality and minimized
greenhouse gases.

Ensure that reliable, accessible,
affordable and appealing travel options
are readily available, while striving to
enhance equity in the offerings in high -
need communities.

Support planning for people of all ages,
abilities and backgrounds.

Consistent: As stated in Table 4.11-5, Goal 4, pertaining to travel choices within the transportation system, the GPU will continue to support multi -modal transportation options, such as bicycle lanes, and golf cart access, allowing various travel choices within the City.

The GPU would not conflict with the SunLine Transit Agency's periodic adjustments to service coverage or implementation of SunLine Transit network, as these are a function of demand.

RTP/SCS G2: Communities. Develop,
connect and sustain communities that are
livable and thriving.

Create human -centered communities in
urban, suburban and rural settings to
increase mobility options and reduce
travel distances.

Produce and preserve diverse housing
types in an effort to improve
affordability, accessibility and
opportunities for all households.

Consistent: A majority of the City is built out with residential, resort, recreational, commercial, and office spaces. The remaining properties to be developed will be consistent with the existing development pattern throughout the City by providing more residential and non-residential opportunities. As indicated in Section

4.13, Population and Housing, the City of Indian Wells forecasts the housing types as required to meet RHNA standards. See also Goal 9 in Table 4.11-5, above.

RTP/SCS G3: Environment. Create a healthy
region for the people of today and
tomorrow.

Develop communities that are resilient
and can mitigate, adapt to and respond
to chronic and acute stresses and
disruptions, such as climate change.

Integrate the region's development
pattern and transportation network to
improve air quality, reduce greenhouse
Consistent. As stated in Table 4.11-5, Goal 6, the GPU protects the environment and health of residents by providing extensive non - motorized transportation facilities, including sidewalks, multipurpose trails, bicycle lanes and golf cart/neighborhood electric vehicle lanes throughout the City. The GPU's land use configurations reduce vehicular traffic and vehicles miles traveled by maximizing interactions between adjacent or nearby land uses and providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to adjacent streets to assure that infrastructure and amenities accommodate pedestrian and bicycle use.

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4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING
gas emissions, and enhance more
sustainable use of energy and water.

Conserve the region's resources.

RTP/SCS G4: Support a sustainable, efficient
and productive regional economic
environment that provides opportunities for
all residents.

Improve access to jobs and educational
resources.

Advance a resilient and efficient goods
movement system that supports the
economic vitality of the region,
attainment of clean air and quality of life
for our communities.

Consistent: As stated in Table 4.11-5, Goal 1, the City of Indian Wells currently provides a desirable resort destination, with its various hotels and resorts and the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, which hosts the BNP tennis tournament for two weeks in March, attracting thousands of people to the City. Currently, buildout of the General Plan would result in 5,132,104 square feet of nonresidential space.

The GPU proposes a total of 5,159,667 square feet of nonresidential space (approximately 27,563 square feet more than the current General Plan). The GPU will provide additional resort, commercial and recreational facilities to continue to attract visitors and employment opportunities.

As indicated in Goal 4 above, the aspect of person movement will not change with the development of the GPU, since the GPU does not propose changes to the existing circulation pattern throughout the City. As previously stated, Highway 111 is the main travel corridor throughout the City, connecting Indian Wells to the surrounding cities. Fred Waring Drive, Washington Street, and Cook Street are also main corridors within the City. Pertaining to travel choices within the transportation system, the GPU will continue to support multi -modal transportation options, such as bicycle lanes, and golf cart access, allowing various travel choices within the City. The GPU would not conflict with the SunLine Transit Agency's periodic adjustments to service coverage or implementation of SunLine Transit network, as these are a function of demand.

As stated in Goal 6 above, the GPU protects the environment and health of residents by providing extensive non -motorized transportation facilities, including sidewalks, multipurpose trails, bicycle lanes and golf cart/neighborhood electric vehicle lanes throughout the City. The GPU's land use configurations reduce vehicular traffic and vehicles miles traveled by maximizing interactions between adjacent or nearby land uses and providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to adjacent streets to assure that infrastructure and amenities accommodate pedestrian and bicycle use.

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4.11 LAND USE AND PLANNING

4.11.5 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative land use and planning impacts, such as the potential for conflicts with adjacent land uses and consistency with adopted plans and regulations, are typically site -specific.

The land uses allowed under the proposed GPU provide opportunities for cohesive new growth at in -fill locations within existing urbanized areas, as well as limited new growth within the Planning Area, but would not create physical division within existing communities. Potential new development and redevelopment projects would be designed to complement the character of existing neighborhoods and provide connectivity between existing development and new development within the cumulative analysis area. The proposed GPU does not include any new roadways, infrastructure, or other features that would divide existing communities. Therefore, the proposed GPU's incremental contribution to cumulative land use impacts would be less than cumulative considerable.

The GPU would not divide an established community and is consistent with the City's land use policies and the CVMSHCP. Development of future projects, in conjunction with other cumulative development in the area permitted by the City's GPU, would not result in citywide and regional land use and planning impacts. Upon adoption of future projects, the projects would be reviewed and determined consistent with applicable goals and policies in the City's GPU and Zoning Code.

4.11.6 Mitigation Measures
To the extent the GPU will result in direct, reasonably foreseeable, significant environmental impacts, the policies and actions listed throughout this section, as proposed by the GPU, will serve as mitigation or to the extent the impacts will be less than significant, as improvement measures as it relates to land use and planning. Moreover, State, regional and local regulations, such as SCAG's RTP/SCS, and the CVMSHCP, will also ensure that buildout of the GPU would result in (or continue to result in) less than significant impacts. Therefore, no additional Mitigation or Improvement Measures are required

4.11.7 Level of Significance After Mitigation
No significant impacts have been identified and no mitigation measures are necessary.

4.11.8 References

1. Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, Executive Summary, August 2016; http://www.cvmshcp.org/Plan%20Documents/07.%20CVAG%20MSHCP%20PIan%20Executive% 20Summary.pdf

2. Connect SoCaI (RTP/SCS), Southern California Association of Governments, https://scag.ca.gov/connect-socal
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PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

4.12 Noise

4.12 Noise

4.12.1 Introduction
This section describes the existing acoustic setting for the City of Indian Wells and in the vicinity and evaluates the potential noise exposure that could result from build -out of the Indian Wells General Plan Update (GPU) project. Information for this section was obtained from the General Plan Update Noise Impact Study ("Noise Impact Study"), prepared by MD Acoustics, LLC. in September 2024 (Appendix E).

4.12.2 Existing Conditions
Existing Noise Environment
The City of Indian Wells is largely developed. Primary land uses within the City include residential, resort, and commercial uses. Noise sources associated with existing land uses include residential maintenance, parking lot noise, heating, and cooling system (HVAC) noise, property maintenance noise, trash truck noise, loading and unloading noise, and recreational noise. Additional noise environments are contributed to non -stationary noise, such as vehicle traffic throughout the City, especially Highway 111.

Noise Measurements
Four Tong -term (24 -hour noise) measurements and eleven short-term (15 -minute) noise measurements were collected throughout the Planning Area to document the existing noise environment. Noise measurement locations are shown in Figure 4.12-1.

Short -Term Noise Measurements
Eleven short-term noise measurements (15 -minute) were collected on March 25th, 2024, in order to document the daytime Leq level at different locations throughout the Planning Area. Measured noise levels ranged between 55.2 and 73.5 dBA Leq. Vehicle noise associated with Hovley Lane, Fred Waring Drive, and Washington Street were the primary sources of ambient noise. Noise measurement results are presented in Table 4.12-1.

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4.12 NOISE
Table 4.12-1 Short -Term Noise Measurement Summary
Measurement
Location
Approximate Location
Start Time
A -Weighted Sound Level (dBA)
Leq
Lmax
Lmin
L(2)
L(8)
L(25)
L(50)
L(90)
ST1
3800 Hovley Lane
11:33 AM

73.5 85.0

54.4 81.1

78.6 74.0

66.8 58.3
ST2
Fred Waring Drive
11:18 AM

72.4 82.0

51.4 80.6

77.4 73.0

68.5 58.2
ST3
74980 California 111
11:52 AM

65.4 79.7

49.4 73.9

69.0 64.1

59.7 52.4
ST5
77494 Blackfoot Drive
9:57 AM

55.2 64.1

41.1 62.8

60.4 55.4

50.4 45.9
ST6
75268 Mansfield Drive
12:50 PM

67.1 76.3

47.3 73.0

70.4 67.8

65.8 58.2
ST7
Miles Avenue
10:35 AM

68.0 83.1

41.5 78.1

72.9 63.7

53.0 43.1
ST8
74999 Chateau Circle
12:04 PM

67.3 82.1

41.6 74.7

72.2 66.3

59.2 44.6
ST10
77758 Schubert Way
10:59 AM

67.5 74.2

55.6 71.8

70.6 69.0

67.0 59.5
ST11
75135 Chippewa Drive
12:13 PM

62.3 73.6

43.1 70.4

67.7 62.5

55.9 47.8
ST12
47495 Marrakesh Drive
12:30 PM

65.1 75.6

57.4 72.0

68.4 65.0

62.9 59.8
ST13
Washington Street
10:47 AM

72.1 79.2

51.2 77.8

76.5 74.1

70.1 57.1
Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 10.

Long -Term Noise Measurements
Four long-term noise measurements (24 consecutive hours) were collected in order to document the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) at different locations throughout the Planning Area. A noise receiver or receptor is any location in the noise analysis in which noise might produce an impact. The following criteria are used to select measurement locations and receptors:
• Locations expected to receive the highest noise impacts, such as the first row of houses • Locations that are acoustically representative and equivalent of the area of concern • Human land usage
• Sites clear of major obstruction and contamination
The specific noise measurement locations were determined based on the areas analyzed in the Traffic Study and the anticipated redevelopment areas within the City.

The primary noise source was vehicle traffic. The table below outlines the daytime (7 AM to 7 PM), evening (7 PM to 10 PM), and nighttime (10 PM to 7 AM) Leq levels at each location. These represent the average level over each time period (day/evening/night).

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4.12 NOISE
Table 4.12-2 Long -Term Noise Measurement Summary
Measurement
Location
Approximate
Location
Date
Description
A -Weighted Sound Level (dBA)
Daytime
Leq
Evening
Leq
Nighttime
Leq
CNEL
LT4
75816 Vista Del
Rey
04/10/24-
04/11/24
Hwy 111 & Eldorado
Drive traffic noise

60.9 57.4

52.6 63.1
LT9
Hwy 111 & Miles
Avenue
03/26/24-
03/27/24
Hwy 111 & Miles
Avenue traffic noise

76.8 75.2

67.1 78.4
LT14
78204 Miles
Avenue
03/26/24-
03/27/24
Hwy 111 & Miles
Avenue traffic noise

61.0 57.5

50.8 61.9
LT15
77757 Fred
Waring Drive
04/10/24-
04/11/24
Fred Waring Drive
traffic noise

76.3 75.0

67.9 78.5
Notes: dBA = A -weighted decibels; Leq = equivalent noise level, Lmax = maximum noise level; Lmin = minimum noise level; Ln = noise level exceeded in percent of the measurement period; 24 -hour duration.

Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 11.

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Figure 4.12-1
Measurement Location Map
GENERAL PLAN 2040
Source: Exhibit G, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

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4.12 NOISE
Existing Traffic Noise
The primary sources of noise in Indian Wells are transportation -related noises. Major roadways create ambient noise levels that affect the overall quality of life in the community. Modeled existing noise levels provided in Table 4.12-3 and Figure 4.12-2 confirm that there are currently sensitive land uses in the Planning Area that are exposed to noise levels above 65 dBA CNEL.

It should be noted that the modeled noise contours do not take into account factors such as existing buildings, walls, etc., that may reduce or, in some cases, amplify or reduce noise sources. The model also assumes hard site ground, when in reality, some of the City has soft site ground such as grass or dirt, which will reduce the noise levels. Measured noise levels provided in Table 4.12-3 do take into account existing structures as well as other noise sources.

Areas in the City that currently experience sound levels greater than 65 dBA CNEL are typically near major vehicular traffic corridors. Traffic noise levels typically depend on three factors: (1) the volume of traffic, (2) the average speed of traffic, and (3) the vehicle mix (i.e., the percentage of trucks versus automobiles in the traffic flow). Vehicle noise includes noises produced by the engine, exhaust, tires, and wind generated by taller vehicles. Other factors that affect the perception of traffic noise include the distance from the roadway, terrain, heavy vegetation, and natural and structural obstacles. While tire noise from automobiles is generally located at ground level, some truck noise sources may emanate from 12 feet or more above the ground.

Table 4.12-3 Existing Exterior Noise Levels Along Roadways Roadway
Segment Limits
CNEL, dBA
@50 ft"2
Distance to Contour (feet)
70 dBA
65 dBA
60 dBA
55 dBA
Hovley Lane
East City Boundary to West City Boundary

73.9 123
389
1,231
3,894
Fred Waring Drive
Eldorado Drive to Cook Street

78.7 373
1,178
3,727
11,785
Cook Street
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

72.8 95
299
945
2,989
Cook Street
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

69.9 49
154
487
1,541
Eldorado Drive
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

66.1 20
64 203
642
Eldorado Drive
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

65.3 17
53 168
531
Warner Trail
Fred Waring Drive to Miles Avenue

64.1 13
40 128
404
Highway 111
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

77.4 275
868
2,746
8,685
Highway 111
Miles Street to Washington Street

77.1 257
813
2,571
8,129
Miles Avenue
Warner Trail to Washington Street

70.4 54
171
542
1,714
Fairway Drive
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

63.9 12
39 123
388
Portola Avenue
Mockingbird Trail to South City Limit

69.9 49
156
492
1,557
Notes:
1) Exterior noise levels calculated at 5 -feet above ground. 2) Noise levels calculated from centerline of subject roadway. 3) Contour distances do not take into account potential noise reduction from existing barriers such as buildings, walls or berms as a worst -case scenario for planning screening purposes. Overall levels are likely lower at sensitive receptors.

Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 12.

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Figure 4.12-2
Existing Roadway Noise Level
Contour (CNEL)
Source: Exhibit H-1, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

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Existing Vibration Sources
The main sources of vibration that could be expected in the Planning Area are related to vehicles and construction. Typical roadway traffic, including heavy trucks, rarely generates vibration amplitudes high enough to cause structural or cosmetic damage. However, there have been cases in which heavy trucks traveling over potholes or other discontinuities in the pavement have caused vibration high enough to result in complaints from nearby residents. These types of issues typically can be resolved by smoothing the roadway surface (Caltrans 2020).

Construction activities that produce vibration that can be felt by adjacent land uses include the use of vibratory equipment, large bulldozers, and pile drivers. The primary source of vibration during construction is usually from a bulldozer. A large bulldozer has a peak particle velocity of 0.089 inches per second (87 VdB) at 25 feet.

No rail lines run through the City of Indian Wells. Therefore, the vibration impacts from railroad activities will not affect the Planning Area.

Noise Fundamentals
The following is a discussion of the fundamentals of noise and includes definitions of common and technical terms related to noise.

Sound is a disturbance created by a moving or vibrating source and is capable of being detected by the hearing organs. Sound may be thought of as mechanical energy of a moving object transmitted by pressure waves through a medium to a human ear. For traffic or stationary noise, the medium of concern is air. Noise is defined as sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or unwanted.

Sound pressure amplitude is measured in units of micro -Newton per square meter (µN/m2), also called micro -Pascal (µPa). One µPa is approximately one hundred billionths (0.00000000001) of normal atmospheric pressure. Sound pressure level (SPL or Lp) is used to describe in logarithmic units the ratio of actual sound pressures to a reference pressure squared. These units are called decibels abbreviated dB.

Because decibels are on a logarithmic scale, sound pressure levels cannot be added or subtracted by simple plus or minus addition. When two sounds of equal SPL are combined, they will produce an SPL 3 dB greater than the single SPL. In other words, sound energy that is doubled produces a 3 dB increase. If two sounds differ by approximately 10 dB, the higher sound level is the predominant sound. When combining sound levels, estimates shown in Table 4.12-4 may be utilized.

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Table 4.12-4 Typical A -Weighted Noise Levels
When Two Decibel Values Differ by:

Add This Amount to Higher Value
Example
0 or 1 dB
3 dB
70+69=73 dB
2 or 3 dB
2 dB
74+71=76 dB
4 to 9 dB
1 dB
66+60=67 dB
10 dB or more
0dB
65+55=65 dB
Source: Caltrans Technical Noise Supplement to the Traffic Noise Analysis Protocol. Caltrans, 2013; & Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Table 2 Human Response to Noise
A -scale weighting is typically used and is reported in terms of the A -weighted decibel (dBA). The A - scale was designed to account for the frequency -dependent sensitivity of the human ear. Typical A - weighted noise levels are shown in the table below.

Table 4.12-5 Typical A -Weighted Noise Levels
Common Outdoor Activities
Noise Level (dBA) Common Indoor
Jet flyover at 1,000 feet
Gas lawnmower at 3 feet
Diesel truck at 50 feet at 50 mph
Noisy urban area, daytime
Gas lawnmower, 100 feet
Commercial area
Heavy traffic at 300 feet
Quiet urban daytime
Quiet urban nighttime
Quiet suburban nighttime
Quiet rural nighttime
Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing
110
100
90 Rock Band
Food blender at 3 feet
80 Garbage disposal at 3 feet
70 Vacuum cleaner at 10 feet
Normal speech at 3 feet
60 Large Business Office
50 Dishwasher in next room
40 Theater, large conference room
(background)
30 Library
Bedroom at night, concert hall
(background)
20 10
0 Broadcasting/recording studio
Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing
Source: Caltrans Technical Noise Supplement to the Traffic Noise Analysis Protocol. Caltrans, 2013. & Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Table 3 In general, the human ear can barely perceive a change in the noise level of 3 dB. As shown in the table below, a change in 5 dB is readily perceptible, and a change in 10 dB is perceived as being twice or half as loud. As previously discussed, a doubling of sound energy results in a 3 dB increase in sound, Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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which means that a doubling of sound energy (e.g., doubling the volume of traffic on a highway) would result in a barely perceptible change in sound level.

Table 4.12-6 Perceived Changes in Noise Levels
Changes in Intensity Level, dBA
Changes in Apparent Loudness
1 Not perceptible
3 Just perceptible
5 Clearly noticeable
10 Twice (or half) as loud
Source: Caltrans Technical Noise Supplement to the Traffic Noise Analysis Protocol. Caltrans, 2013. & Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Table 4
Noise Descriptors
Noise in our daily environment fluctuates over time, where some noise levels occur in regular patterns (constant), while others can be random or sporadic. Noise descriptors were created to describe the different time -varying noise levels and are defined below:

A -Weighted Sound Level: The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A -weighted filter network. The A -weighted filter de-emphasizes the very low and very high frequency components of the sound in a manner similar to the response of the human ear. A numerical method of rating human judgement of loudness.

Ambient Noise Level: The composite of noise from all sources, near and far. In this context, the ambient noise level constitutes the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.

Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL): The average equivalent A -weighted sound level during a 24 -hour day, obtained after addition of five (5) decibels to sound levels in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and after the addition of ten (10) decibels to sound levels in the night from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. CNEL does not represent the actual sound level heard at any time, but rather represents the total sound exposure.

Decibel (dB): A unit for measuring the amplitude of a sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micro -pascals.
dB(A): A -weighted sound level.

Equivalent Sound Level Leq): The sound level corresponding to a steady noise level over a given sample period with the same amount of acoustic energy as the actual time varying noise level. The energy average noise level during the sample period. Equivalent sound levels are not measured directly but are calculated from sound pressure levels typically measured in A -weighted decibels. The equivalent sound level represents a steady state sound level containing the same total energy as a Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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time varying signal over a given sample period and is commonly used to describe the "average" noise levels within the environment.

Habitable Room: Any room meeting the requirements of the Uniform Building Code or other applicable regulations which is intended to be used for sleeping, living, cooking or dining purposes, excluding enclosed spaces such as closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, service rooms, connecting corridors, laundries, unfinished attics, foyers, storage spaces, cellars, utility rooms and similar spaces.

L(n): The A -weighted sound level exceeding during a certain percentage of the sample time. For example, L10 is the sound level exceeded 10 percent of the sample time (similarly L50, L90 and L99, etc. are also referred to as Percent Noise Levels.

Noise: Any unwanted sound or sound which is undesirable because it interferes with speech and hearing or is intense enough to damage hearing, or is otherwise annoying. The State Noise Control Act defines noise as "...excessive undesirable sound..." Outdoor Living Area: Outdoor spaces that are associated with residential land uses typically used for passive recreational activities or other noise -sensitive uses. Such spaces include patio areas, barbecue areas, jacuzzi areas, etc., associated with residential uses; outdoor patient recovery or resting areas associated with hospitals, convalescent hospitals, or rest homes; outdoor areas associated with places of worship which have a significant role in services or other noise -sensitive activities; and outdoor school facilities routinely used for educational purposes which may be adversely impacted by noise.

Outdoor areas usually not in this definition includes: front yard areas, driveways, greenbelts, maintenance areas and storage areas associated with residential land uses; exterior areas at hospitals that are not used for patient activities; outdoor areas associated with places of worship and principally used for short-term social gatherings; and outdoor areas associated with school facilities that are not typically associated with educational uses prone to adverse noise impacts (i.e., school play yard areas).

Sound Level (Noise Level): The weighted sound pressure level obtained by use of a sound level meter having a standard frequency -filter for attenuating part of the sound spectrum.

Sound Level Meter: An instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter, and frequency weighting networks for the measurement and determination of noise and sound levels.

Single Event Noise Exposure Level (SENEL): The dB(A) level which, if it lasted for one second, would produce the same A -weighted sound energy as the actual event.

Sound Propagation
As sound propagates from a source it spreads geometrically. Sound from a small, localized source (a point source) radiates outward in a spherical pattern as it travels away from the source. The sound level attenuates at a rate of 6 dB per doubling of distance. The movement of vehicles down a roadway Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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makes the source of the sound appear to propagate from a line (i.e., line source) rather than a point source. This line source results in the noise propagating from a roadway in a cylindrical spreading versus a spherical spreading that results from a point source. The sound level attenuates for a line source at a rate of 3 dB per doubling of distance. Research has demonstrated that atmospheric conditions can have a significant effect on noise levels when noise receivers are located 200 feet from a noise source. Wind, temperature, air humidity, and turbulence can further impact how far sound can travel.

Ground Absorption
As noise propagates from the source, it is affected by the ground and atmosphere. Noise models use hard site (reflective surfaces) and soft site (absorptive surfaces) to help calculate predicted noise levels. Hard site conditions assume no excessive ground absorption between the noise source and the receiver. Soft site conditions such as grass, soft dirt, or landscaping attenuate noise at a rate of

1.5 dB per doubling of distance. When added to the geometric spreading, the excess ground attenuation results in an overall noise attenuation of 4.5 dB per doubling of distance for a line source and 7.5 dB per doubling of distance for a point source.

Sound Attenuation
Noise -related land use issues are typically composed of three basic elements: (1) the noise source, (2) a transmission path, and (3) a receiver.

The appropriate acoustical treatment for a given project should consider the nature of the noise source and the sensitivity of the receiver. When the potential for a noise -related problem is present, either avoidance of the noise -related problem or noise control techniques should be selected to provide an acceptable noise environment for the receiver while remaining consistent with local aesthetic standards and practical structural and economic limits.

Fundamental Noise Control Options
Noise Barriers
Effective noise barriers can reduce noise levels by 10 to 15 dBA, cutting the loudness of traffic noise in half. To achieve that reduction, the barrier must be high enough and long enough to block the line - of -sight of the vehicles on the road. A noise barrier can still achieve a 5 dBA noise level reduction when it is tall enough to barely allow a line -of -sight of the vehicles. A noise barrier is most effective when placed close to the noise source or receiver. When the noise barrier is an earthen berm instead of a wall, the noise attenuation can be increased by another 3 dBA.

Setbacks
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Noise exposure may be reduced by increasing the setback distance between the noise source and the receiving use. Setback areas can take the form of open space, frontage roads, recreational areas, and storage yards. The available noise attenuation from this technique is limited by the characteristics of the noise source but generally ranges between 4 and 6 dBA.

Site Design
Buildings can be placed on a property to shield other structures or areas affected by noise and to prevent an increase in noise levels caused by reflections. The use of one building to shield another can significantly reduce overall noise control costs, particularly if the shielding structure is insensitive to noise. An example would be placing a detached garage nearest the noise source to shield the house or backyard. Site design should guard against creating reflecting surfaces that may increase onsite noise levels. For example, two buildings placed at an angle facing a noise source may cause noise levels within that angle to increase by up to 3 dBA. The open end of U-shaped buildings should point away from noise sources for the same reason. Landscaping walls or noise barriers located within a development may inadvertently reflect noise to a noise -sensitive area unless carefully located.

Building Facades
When interior noise levels are of concern in a noisy environment, noise reduction may be obtained through the acoustical design of building facades. Standard construction practices provide a noise reduction of 10-15 dBA for building facades with open windows and a noise reduction of approximately 25 dBA when windows are closed (Table 4.12-7). An exterior -to -interior noise reduction of 25 dBA can be obtained by requiring that building design include adequate ventilation systems, which would allow windows facing a noise source to remain closed, even during periods of excessively warm weather.

Where greater noise reduction is required, acoustical treatment of the building facade may be necessary. Reducing relative window area is the most effective control technique, followed by providing acoustical glazing (e.g., thicker glass or increased air space between panes) within frames with low air infiltration rates, using fixed (i.e., non -movable) acoustical glazing, or eliminating windows. Noise transmitted through walls can be reduced by increasing wall mass (e.g., using stucco or brick in lieu of wood siding), or isolating wall members by using double or staggered stud walls, while noise transmitted through doorways can be lessened by reducing door area, using solid -core doors, or sealing door perimeters with suitable gaskets. Noise -reducing roof treatments include using plywood sheathing under roofing materials.

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Table 4.12-7 Noise Reduction Afforded by Common Building Construction Construction
Type
Typical Occupancy
General Description
Range of Noise
Reduction (dB)1
1 Residential, Commercial,
Schools
Wood frame, stucco, or wood sheathing
exterior. Interior drywall or plaster. Sliding
glass windows, with windows partially open.
15-20
2 Same as 1 above
Same as 1 above, but with windows closed.
25-30
3 Commercial, Schools
Same as 1 above, but with fixed 0.25 -inch
plate glass windows.
30-35
4 Commercial, Industrial
Steel or concrete frame, curtain wall, or
masonry exterior wall. Fixed 0.25 -inch plate
glass windows.
35-40
Source: California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook, 2002; & Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 5.

Landscaping
While the use of trees and other vegetation is often thought to provide significant noise attenuation, approximately 100 feet of dense foliage — with no visual path extending through the foliage — is required to achieve a 5 dBA attenuation of traffic noise. Thus, the use of vegetation as a noise barrier is not considered a practical method of noise control unless large tracts of dense foliage are part of the existing landscape.

Vegetation can be used, however, to acoustically "soften" intervening ground between a noise source and a receiver, increasing ground absorption of sound, and thus, increasing the attenuation of sound with distance. Planting trees and shrubs also offers aesthetic and psychological value, and it may reduce adverse public reaction to a noise source by removing the source from view, even though noise levels would be largely unaffected.

Ground -Borne Vibration Fundamentals
Vibration Descriptors
Ground -borne vibrations consist of rapidly fluctuating motions within the ground that have an average motion of zero. The effects of ground -borne vibrations typically only cause a nuisance to people, but at extreme vibration levels, damage to buildings may occur. Although ground -borne vibration can be felt outdoors, it is typically only an annoyance to people indoors, where the associated effects of the shaking of a building can be notable. Ground -borne noise is an effect of ground -borne vibration and mainly exists indoors since it is produced from noise radiated from the motion of the walls and floors of a room and may also consist of the rattling of windows or dishes on shelves. Several different methods are used to quantify vibration amplitude. Typical human reaction and effect on buildings due to ground -borne vibration is shown in Table 4.12-8. Exhibit E illustrates common vibration sources and the human and structural responses to ground -borne vibration.

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Peak Particle Velocity (PPV): PPV is the maximum instantaneous peak in vibration velocity, typically given in inches per second.

Root Mean Squared (RMS): RMS can be used to denote vibration amplitude.

Vibration Level VdB): VdB is commonly used to measure RMS and serves to reduce the range of numbers used to describe human response to vibration.

Table 4.12-8 Typical Human Reaction and Effect on Buildings Due to Ground -Borne Vibration Vibration Level
Peak Particle Velocity (PPV)
Human Reaction
Effect on Buildings

0.006-0.019 in/sec
Threshold of perception, possibility
of intrusion
Vibrations unlikely to cause damage
of any type

0.08 in/sec
Vibrations readily perceptible
Recommended upper level of
vibration to which ruins and ancient
monuments should be subjected

0.10 in/sec
Level at which continuous vibration
begins to annoy people
Virtually no risk of "architectural"
(i.e., not structural) damage to
normal buildings

0.20 in/sec
Vibrations annoying to people in
buildings
Threshold at which there is a risk to
"architectural" damage to normal
dwelling — houses with plastered
walls and ceilings

0.4-0.6 in/sec
Vibrations considered unpleasant by
people subjected to continuous
vibrations and unacceptable to some
people walking on bridges
Vibrations at a greater level than
normally expected from traffic, but
would cause "architectural" damage
and possibly minor structural
damage
Source: Caltrans Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual, 2020; & Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 6 Vibration Perception
Typically, developed areas are continuously affected by vibration velocities of 50 VdB or lower. These continuous vibrations are not noticeable to humans whose threshold of perception is around 65 VdB.

Outdoor sources that may produce perceptible vibrations are usually caused by construction equipment, steel -wheeled trains, and traffic on rough roads, while smooth roads rarely produce perceptible ground -borne noise or vibration.

The California Department of Transportation has published one of the seminal works for the analysis of ground -borne noise and vibration relating to transportation- and construction -induced vibrations and although the GPU is not subject to these regulations, it serves as useful tools to evaluate vibration impacts (California Department of Transportation, 2020).

Vibration Propagation
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There are three main types of vibration propagation: surface, compression, and shear waves. They are summarized as follows:

Surface waves, or Rayleigh waves, travel along the ground's surface. These waves carry most of their energy along an expanding circular wave front, similar to ripples produced by throwing a rock into a pool of water.

Compression waves, or P -waves, are body waves that carry their energy along an expanding spherical wave front. The particle motion in these waves is longitudinal (i.e., in a "push-pull" fashion). P -waves are analogous to airborne sound waves.

Shear waves, or S -waves, are also body waves that carry energy along an expanding spherical wave front. However, unlike P -waves, the particle motion is transverse, or side -to -side and perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

As vibration waves propagate from a source, the vibration energy decreases in a logarithmic nature and the vibration levels typically decrease by 6 VdB per doubling of the distance from the vibration source. This drop-off rate can vary greatly depending on the soil but has been shown to be effective enough for screening purposes, in order to identify potential vibration impacts that may need to be studied through actual field tests.

4.12.3 Regulatory Setting
Federal
Noise Control Act of 1972
The Federal Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) was originally tasked with implementing the Noise Control Act. However, it was eventually eliminated leaving other federal agencies and committees (including the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Agency, Federal Highway Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to develop noise policies and programs.

The federal government advocates that local jurisdictions use their land use regulatory authority to arrange new development in such a way that "noise sensitive" uses are either prohibited from being constructed adjacent to a highway or that the developments are planned and constructed in such a manner that potential noise impacts are minimized. Since the federal government has preempted the setting of standards for noise levels that can be emitted by the transportation source, the City is restricted to regulating the noise generated by the transportation system through nuisance abatement Codes and land use planning.

The intent of a General Plan Noise Element or Section is to set goals to limit and reduce the effects of noise intrusion and to set acceptable noise levels for varying types of land uses. To this end, the City Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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has the authority to set land use noise standards and restrict private activities that generate excessive or intrusive noise. However, it should be recognized that the City does not have the authority to regulate all sources of noise within the City and various other agencies may supersede City authority.

The following is a summary of some federal agency requirements that apply to noise within the Planning Area.

Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed noise standards that are typically used for analyzing noise generated by roadways. These noise standards are based on Leq and L10 values and are included in Table 4.12-9, FHWA Design Noise Levels.

Table 4.12-9 FHWA Design Noise Levels
Activity Category
Description of Category
Design Noise Levels'
Leq (dBA)
L10 (dBA)
A
Lands on which serenity and quiet are of
extraordinary significance and serve an
important public need and where the
preservation of those qualities is essential if the
area is to continue to serve its intended purpose.

Examples include natural parks or wildlife
habitats.
57 (exterior)
60 (exterior)
B
Picnic areas, recreation areas, playgrounds,
active sports areas, parks, residences, motels,
hotels, schools, churches, libraries, and hospitals.
67 (exterior)
70 (exterior)
C
Developed lands, properties, or activities not
included in Categories A or B, above.
72 (exterior)
75 (exterior)
D
Undeveloped lands.

E
Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting
rooms, schools, churches, libraries, hospitals,
and auditoriums.
52 (interior)
55 (interior)
Source: FHWA Noise Standard. 23 Code of Federal Regulations 772; & Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics Table 7 Notes: Either Leq or L10 (but not both) design noise levels may be used on a project.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issues formal requirements related specifically to standards for exterior noise levels along with policies for approving HUD -supported or assisted housing projects in high noise areas. In general, these requirements established three zones.

These include:
• 65 dBA Ldn or less - an acceptable zone where all projects could be approved, • Exceeding 65 dBA Ldn but not exceeding 75 dBA Ldn - a normally unacceptable zone where mitigation measures would be required, and each Project would have to be individually evaluated for approval or denial. These measures must provide 5 dBA of attenuation above Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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the attenuation provided by standard construction required in a 65 to 70 dBA Ldn area and 10 dBA of attenuation in a 70 to 75 dBA Ldn area, and
• Exceeding 75 dBA Ldn - an unacceptable zone in which projects would not, as a rule, be approved.

Federal Interagency Committee on Noise
The Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) developed guidance for the assessment of airport -generated increases in noise levels that consider the ambient noise level. The FICON recommendations are based on studies of the percentage of persons highly annoyed by aircraft noise.

A readily perceptible 5 dBA or greater project -related noise level increase is considered a significant impact when the noise criteria for a given land use is exceeded. In areas where the existing noise levels range from 60 to 65 dBA Ldn, a 3 dBA barely perceptible noise level increase is considered significant. When the existing noise levels already exceed 65 dBA Ldn, any increase in community noise louder than 1.5 dBA or greater is considered a significant impact since it likely contributes to an existing noise exposure exceedance.

State
California Department of Health Services
The California Department of Health Services (DHS) Office of Noise Control studied the correlation between noise levels and their effects on various land uses. As a result, the DHS established four categories for judging the severity of noise intrusion on specified land uses. These categories are presented in the State Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Exposure (California Office of Noise Control, 2017).

California Building Code
Section 1206.4 of the 2022 California Building Code (Cal. Code Regs., Title 24, Part 2), Chapter 12 (Interior Environment), establishes an interior noise criterion of 45 dBA CNEL in any habitable room.

Per California Building Code, Chapter 2 (Definitions), a habitable space is A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces. This section applies to dwelling and sleeping units.

California Green Building Standards Code
California Green Building Standards Code (2022), Chapter 5 (Non-residential Mandatory Measures) Section 5.507.4 (Acoustical Control), applies to all proposed buildings that people may occupy but are not residential dwelling units, with the exception of factories, stadiums, storage, enclosed parking structures, and utility buildings.

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Buildings must comply with Section 5.507.4.1 or Section 5.507.4.2. Section 5.507.4.1 requires wall and roof -ceiling assemblies exposed to the noise source making up the building, or addition envelope or altered envelope, shall meet a composite Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of at least 50 or a composite Outdoor to Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) rating of no less than 40, with exterior windows of a minimum STC of 40 or OITC of 30 when within the 65 CNEL noise contour of an airport, freeway, expressway, railroad, industrial source, or fixed -guideway source. If contours are not available, buildings exposed to 65 dB Leq(h) must meet a composite STC rating of at least 45 or OITC of 35 with exterior windows of at least STC 40 or OITC 30. Section 5.507.4.2 requires that the interior noise attributable to exterior sources must not exceed 50 dBA Leq(h) during any hour of operation.

Section 5.507.4.3 requires that assemblies separating tenant spaces from tenant spaces or public places must have an STC of at least 40.

Regional and Local
City of Indian Wells Noise/Land Use Compatibility
Figure 4.12-3, Noise and Land Use Compatibility, presents a land use compatibility chart for community noise presented in the Indian Wells 1996 General Plan Noise Element described here for reference only. The table identifies "normally acceptable," "conditionally acceptable," "normally unacceptable," and "clearly unacceptable" exterior noise levels for various land uses. A "conditionally acceptable" designation implies new construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements for each land use is made and needed noise insulation features are incorporated in the design. By comparison, a "normally acceptable" designation indicates that standard construction can occur with no special noise reduction requirements. This land use compatibility chart is based on the 24 -hour descriptor CNEL.

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Figure 4.12-3
Noise Land Use and
Compatibility
Source: Exhibit F, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

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NWiAN WELLS
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4.12 NOISE
Indian Wells Municipal Code
The Noise Ordinance of the Municipal Code is designed to protect people from non -transportation noise sources such as construction activity; commercial, industrial, and agricultural operations; machinery and pumps; and air conditioners. Enforcement of the ordinance ensures that adjacent properties are not exposed to excessive noise from stationary sources. Enforcing the ordinance includes requiring proposed development projects to show compliance with the ordinance, including operating in accordance with noise levels and hours of operations limits placed on the project site.

The City also requires construction activity to comply with established work schedule limits. The ordinance is reviewed periodically for adequacy and amended as needed to address community needs and development patterns.

The City of Indian Wells Noise Ordinance consists of Chapter 9.06 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code.

The zoning code, Title 21, also contains specific noise limits relating to specific uses. The applicable noise ordinances to this analysis are presented below.

SEC. 9.06.040 Noise standards.
(a) Exterior Noise Standards.

1. Standards for Residential Properties. The following exterior noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated in this Chapter for all residential properties shall be:

Table 4.12-10 Exterior Residential Noise Standards
55 dBA
7:01 a.m. to 10 p.m.
50 dBA
10:01 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 8

2. Noise Level Categories. It is unlawful for any person at any location within the City to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, that exceeds, when measured on any other residential property the exterior residential noise standard by:

Decibels
Cumulative Period
(i)
+3
30 minutes/hour
(ii)
+5
15 minutes/hour
(iii)
+10
5 minutes/hour
(iv)
+15
1 minute/hour
(v)
+20
Not to be exceeded

3. Ambient Noise Level. If the ambient noise level exceeds that permitted by the noise limit categories specified in subsections (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this Section, the allowed noise limit shall be increased in five (5) dBA increments in each category to encompass the ambient noise Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.12-20
November 2024

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4.12 NOISE
level. If the ambient noise level exceeds the noise level category set forth in subsection (a)(2)(v), the maximum ambient noise level shall be the noise limit set forth in subsection (a)(2)(v) of this Section.
(a) Interior Noise Standards.

1. Standards for Residential Properties. It is unlawful for any person to create any noise from inside his or her unit that causes the noise level, when measured in a neighboring unit during the period 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., to exceed:

Table 4.12-11 Interior Residential Noise Standards
Decibels
Cumulative Period
(i)
45 dBA
More than 5 min. in any hour
(ii)
50 dBA
More than 1 min. in any hour
(iii)
55 dBA
In any period of time
Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 9.

2. Ambient Noise Level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the noise limit set forth in either subsection (b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(ii) of this Section, the cumulative period applicable to said category shall be increased to reflect said ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the noise limit set forth in subsection (b)(1)(iii) of this Section, the maximum allowable noise level under said category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.

Section 9.06.041 Exceptions. The following activities shall be exempted from the noise standard provisions of Section 9.06.040:
(a) School bands, school athletic and school entertainment events. School entertainment events shall not include events sponsored by student organizations;
(b) Outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and sporting and entertainment events, provided said events are conducted pursuant to a discretionary license or permit by the City; (c) Activities conducted on parks and public playgrounds, provided such parks and public playgrounds are owned and operated by a public entity;
(d) Any mechanical device, apparatus, emergency generator having a maximum generation of fifteen thousand (15,000) kilowatts, equipment related to or connected with emergency activities or emergency work, but only for the period in which there is an emergency and, in the case of emergency generators, only during a power outage and routine testing of generators; (e) Noise sources associated with construction or landscape maintenance activities during the hours specified by Section 9.06.047(b); provided, however, that the operation of an internal combustion engine shall not be exempt pursuant to this subsection if such engine is not equipped with suitable Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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exhaust and intake silencers which are in good working order. The Planning Director may permit work to be done during the hours not exempt by this subsection in the case of urgent necessity and in the interest of public health and welfare for a period not to exceed three (3) days. Application for this exemption may be made in conjunction with the application for the work permit or during progress of the work;
(f) Maintenance of trees and residential property by the property occupant him/herself provided said activities take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; (g) Tree and park and street maintenance activities conducted by the City; (h) Any activity to the extent provisions of Chapter 65 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and Articles 3 and 3.5 of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code of the State of California preempt local control of noise regulations and land use regulations related to noise control of airports and their surrounding geographical areas, any noise source associated with the construction, development, manufacturing, maintenance, testing or operation of any aircraft engine, or of any weapons system or subsystems which are owned, operated or under the jurisdiction of the United States, any other activity to the extent regulation thereof has been preempted by State or Federal law or regulation.

Section 9.06.042 Schools, hospitals, and churches.

It is unlawful for any person to create any noise which causes the noise level at any school, hospital or church while the same is in use to exceed the noise limits as specified in subsection (a) of this Section, or which noise level unreasonably interferes with the use of such institutions or which unreasonably disturbs or annoys patients in the hospital, provided conspicuous signs, conforming to applicable law and as may be required to be approved by applicable authority, are displayed in three (3) separate locations within one -tenth (1/10) of a mile of the institution indicating the presence of a school, church, or hospital.

Section 9.06.043 Residential Jumps, fans, and air conditioners. (a) It is unlawful for any person to operate any residential fans, air conditioners, stationary pumps, stationary cooling towers, stationary compressors, similar mechanical device or any combination thereof installed after August 16, 1991 in any manner so as to create any noise which would cause the maximum noise level to exceed: (i) sixty (60) dBA at any point at least one (1) foot inside the property line of the affected residential property and three (3) to five (5) feet above ground level; (ii) fifty-five (55) dBA in the center of a neighboring patio three (3) to five (5) feet above ground level; (iii) fifty-five (55) dBA outside of the neighboring living area window nearest the equipment location.

Measurements shall be taken with the microphone not more than three (3) feet from the window opening but at least three (3) feet from any other surface.

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(b) Equipment installed after August 18, 1996 must comply with a maximum limit of fifty-five (55) dBA at any point at least one (1) foot inside the property line of the affected residential property and three (3) to five (5) feet above ground level.
(c) Equipment installed before August 18, 1991 must comply with a limit of sixty-five (65) dBA maximum sound level, at any point at least one (1) foot inside the property line of the affected residential property and three (3) to five (5) feet above ground level after the effective date of this Chapter.

Section 9.06.044 Off -road vehicles.

It is unlawful for any person to operate any motorcycle or recreational off -road vehicle on or off a public road in such a manner that the noise level exceeds the exterior noise standards specified in subsection 9.06.040(a).

Section 9.06.045 Waste disposal vehicles.

It is unlawful for any person authorized to engage in waste disposal service or garbage collection to operate any truck mounted waste or garbage loading and/or composting equipment or similar mechanical device in any manner so as to create any noise exceeding the following level, when measured at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the equipment or any residential property:
(a) New equipment purchased or leased on or after February 16, 1992 shall not exceed a noise level of eighty (80) dBA.
(b) New equipment purchased or leased on or after February 16, 1995 shall not exceed a noise level of seventy-five (75) dBA.
(c) No equipment shall exceed a noise level of eighty (80) dBA after August 18, 1996.

Section 9.06.047 Construction or landsca ae maintenance noise.

Construction, landscape maintenance, and similar activities shall be limited to the following hours unless a temporary waiver is granted by the Planning Director or his/her authorized designee:

Monday - Friday
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

No usage on Sundays or National Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

4.12.4 Project Impact Analysis
Thresholds of Significance
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4.12 NOISE
According to the CEQA Guidelines' Appendix G Environmental Checklist, to determine whether impacts to aesthetics are significant environmental effects, the following questions are analyzed and evaluated. Would the project:
a. Generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
b. Generation of excessive ground -borne vibration or ground -borne noise levels? c. For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
Prior to the preparation of this PDEIR, an Initial Study was prepared using Appendix G, Environmental Checklist Form, in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Appendix G assesses the potential impacts associated with noise within the Planning Area. The Indian Wells General Plan Update Initial Study is included in Appendix A of this PDEIR. Following the screening criterion related to noise in the Initial Study, the following does not require additional analysis in this PDEIR.

For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels:

The closest airport to the project site is the Bermuda Dunes Airport, located approximately 2 miles northeast of the City of Indian Wells. The City is located outside of the 65, 60, and 55 CNEL noise contours associated with the airport facility. Furthermore, the City is not located within the Bermuda Dunes Airport Land Use Plan planning area. Therefore, the PDEIR will not analyze the airport's noise impact on the GPU.

Impacts found to be less than significant are further discussed in Chapter 6.0, Effects Not Found to be Significant, of this PDEIR.

Methodology
Project -related noise impacts were analyzed in the Noise Impact Study, prepared by MD Acoustics in September 2024. The methodologies used in the Noise Impact Study are provided in this section.

Noise Measurement Procedure and Criteria
Noise measurements were taken to determine the existing noise levels (see Figure 4.12-1). A noise receiver or receptor is any location in the noise analysis in which noise might produce an impact. The following criteria were used to select measurement locations and receptors:

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• Locations expected to receive the highest noise impacts, such as first row of houses; • Locations that are acoustically representative and equivalent of the area of concern; • Human land usage; and
• Sites clear of major obstruction and contamination.

MD Acoustics conducted the sound level measurements in accordance with the City and Caltrans technical noise specifications. All measurement equipment meets American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for sound level meters (S1.4-1983 identified in Chapter 19.68.020.AA).

The following gives a brief description of the Caltrans Technical Noise Supplement procedures for sound level measurements:
• Microphones for sound level meters were placed 5 feet above the ground for all measurements.
• Sound level meters were calibrated before and after each measurement. • Following the calibration of equipment, a wind screen was placed over the microphone. • Frequency weighting was set on "A" and slow response. • Results of the long-term noise measurements were recorded on field data sheets. • During any short-term noise measurements, any contaminations such as barking dogs, local traffic, lawn mowers, or aircraft fly-overs were noted. • Temperature and sky conditions were observed and documented.

SoundPLAN Noise Modeling
SoundPLAN acoustical modeling software was utilized to create existing (2024), future (2045) without Project (Adopted General Plan), and future (2045) with Project (General Plan Update) traffic noise level contours for the 12 segments analyzed in the Planning Areas traffic impact analysis provided by Kittelson & Associates, Inc. (Appendix E) and 7 segments from Coachella Valley Traffic Counts. For the 7 segments, the 2024 and 2045 counts were projected from the growth observed for the 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 counts. These 7 segments are not used for significance determination and are only for noise contour references. Model parameters included average daily traffic volumes, day/evening/night split, roadway classification, width, speed, and truck mix. All modeled roadways were assumed to have a "hard site", as the majority of analysis occurs at 50 feet from the centerline of the road. Possible reductions in noise levels due to intervening topography and buildings were not accounted for in this analysis. Roadway modeling assumptions utilized for the technical study are provided in Table 4.12-12 and Table 4.12-13. A summary of the model parameters and REMEL adjustments is presented below.
• Roadway classification — (e.g., freeway, major arterial, arterial, secondary, collector, etc.), • Roadway Active Width — (distance between the center of the outermost travel lanes on each side of the roadway)
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• Average Daily Traffic Volumes (ADT), Travel Speeds, Percentages of automobiles, medium trucks, and heavy trucks
• Roadway grade and angle of view
• Site Conditions (e.g., soft vs. hard)
• Percentage of total ADT which flows each hour throughout a 24 -hour period FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model
The FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108) was utilized to model and compare existing traffic noise levels to 2045 Future noise levels. The FHWA model arrives at the predicted noise level through a series of adjustments to the Reference Energy Mean Emission Level (REMEL). The roadways were determined based on the 12 segments analyzed in the Traffic Impact Analysis provided by Kittelson and Associates, Inc.,1 and 7 segments from Coachella Traffic Counts. Traffic segments indicate areas where average daily trips (ADTs) will be increased throughout the City.

Increased traffic results in increased noise. Model parameters included average daily traffic volumes, day/evening/night split, roadway classification, width, speed, and truck mix. All modeled roadways were assumed to have a "hard site", as the majority of analysis occurs at 50 feet from the centerline of the road. Possible reductions in noise levels due to intervening topography and buildings were not accounted for in this analysis. Roadway modeling assumptions utilized for the technical study are provided in Tables 4.12-12 and 4.12-13.

Table 4.12-12 Roadway Noise Modeling Parameters
Roadway
Segment
2024
ADT1
2045 No
Project
ADT'
2045 With
Project
ADT1
Speed2
Vehicle
Mix3
Hovley Lane
East City Boundary to West City Boundary
15,630
15,100
15,080
50 Arterial
Fred Waring Drive
Eldorado Drive to Cook Street
37,930
42,700
42,550
50 Arterial
Cook Street
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111
18,990
22,200
22,090
40 Arterial
Cook Street
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive
13,080
14,300
14,270
35 Arterial
Eldorado Drive
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111
4,870
5,400
5,340
40 Collector
Eldorado Drive
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive
5,210
5,400
5,420
35 Collector
Warner Trail
Fred Waring Drive to Miles Avenue
4,330
6,300
6,200
35 Collector
Highway 111
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive
34,610
46,800
46,310
45 Arterial
Highway 111
Miles Street to Washington Street
37,330
48,200
47,830
45 Arterial
Miles Avenue
Warner Trail to Washington Street
6,970
10,500
10,340
50 Arterial
Fairway Drive
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive
4,160
4,300
4,260
35 Collector
Portola Avenue
Mockingbird Trail to South City Limit
12,340
13,500
13,430
40 Collector
Notes:
1) Kittelson & Associates, Inc., August 2024.; Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Table 8 2) Speed was modeled as posted.
'Study intersections and roadways were selected in consultation with City Public Words and Planning Staff.

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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.12 NOISE
Table 4.12-13 Vehicle Mix Data
Motor -Vehicle
Type1'2
Daytime %
(7AM to 7 PM)
Evening %
(7 PM to 10 PM)
Night %
(10 PM to 7 AM)
Total % of
Traffic Flow
Arterial
Automobiles

77.5%

12.4%

10.2%

81.4%
Medium Trucks

82.4%

5.8%

11.8%

18.0%
Heavy Trucks

77.1%

1.2%

21.7%

0.6%
Collector
Automobiles

87.9%

7.2%

5.0%

75.7%
Medium Trucks

92.0%

2.3%

5.7%

23.4%
Heavy Trucks

92.4%

0.4%

7.2%

0.9%
Notes:
1 Indian Wells 24hr traffic counts, Counts Unlimited, Inc. 2024.

Source: Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Table 9.

Project Impacts
a. Generation of substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies Construction Noise
The amount, or degree, of construction -related noise at a project site may vary depending on the location of the construction activities, as well as the construction stage occurring. Noise levels associated with the construction will vary with the different phases of construction. Per Section

9.06.047 of the City of Indian Wells Municipal Code, construction shall only occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Construction noise is exempt from the noise ordinance during those times per Section 9.06.041(e) with the use of construction mufflers. Construction is not permitted on Sundays or national holidays.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has compiled data regarding the noise generated characteristics of typical construction activities. The data is presented in the table below:

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4.12 NOISE
Table 4.12-14 Typical Construction Noise Levels
Type
Noise Levels (dBA) at 50 feet
Earth Moving
Compactors (Rollers)
73 - 76
Front Loaders
73 - 84
Backholes
73 - 92
Tractors
75 - 95
Scrapers, Graders
78 - 92
Pavers
85 - 87
Trucks
81 - 94
Materials Handling
Concrete Mixers
72 - 87
Concrete Pumps
81 - 83
Cranes (Movable)
72 - 86
Cranes (Derrick)
85 -87
Stationary
Pumps
68-71
Generators
71- 83
Compressors
75 - 86
Impact Equipment
Saws
71 - 82
Vibrators
68 - 82
Source: Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Table 47.

Notes: Referenced Noise Levels from the Environmental Protection Agency The construction noise levels would diminish rapidly with distance from the construction site at a rate of 6 dBA per doubling of distance. For example, a noise level of 86 dBA measured 50 feet from the noise source would reduce to 80 dBA at 100 feet. At 200 feet from the noise source, the noise level would reduce to 74 dBA. At 400 feet, the noise source would reduce by another 6 dBA to 68 dBA.

Construction Traffic
Individual projects within the scope of the Planning Area would result in two types of short-term construction noise impacts. First, the construction crew commute and the transport of construction equipment and materials to the site for a future project within the City would incrementally increase noise levels on access roads leading to the site. Per City Municipal Code Section 9.06.047, truck traffic associated with construction should be limited to within the permitted construction hours. This is also required by Action PS -6g in the GPU. Although there would be a relatively high single -event noise exposure potential at a maximum of 87 dBA Lmax at 50 feet from passing trucks, causing possible short-term intermittent annoyances, the effect on ambient noise levels would be less than 1 dBA when averaged over one hour or 24 hours. In other words, the changes in noise levels over 1 hour or 24 hours attributable to passing trucks would not be perceptible to the normal human ear. The impact is less than significant with the implementation of Sections 9.06.041(e) and 9.06.047 of the Municipal Code and GPU Action PS -6g.

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4.12 NOISE
On -Site Construction Activities
The site preparation phase, which includes grading and paving, tends to generate the highest noise levels since the noisiest construction equipment is earthmoving equipment. Earthmoving equipment includes excavating machinery such as backhoes, bulldozers, and front loaders. Earthmoving and compacting equipment includes compactors, scrapers, and graders. Typical operating cycles for these types of construction equipment may involve 1 or 2 minutes of full power operation followed by 3 or 4 minutes at lower power settings. Site -specific construction activities associated with future development are expected to require the use of scrapers, bulldozers, motor graders, and water and pickup trucks. The maximum noise level generated by each scraper is assumed to be approximately 87 dBA Lmax at 50 feet from the scraper in operation. Each bulldozer would also generate approximately 85 dBA Lmax at 50 feet. The maximum noise level generated by the sound sources with equal strength increases the noise level by 3 dBA. Noise reduction potential will be project and site -specific. Construction noise would be an impact if construction occurred outside of the hours outlined in Section 9.06.047 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code. This is also required by GPU Policy 6-6. Potential impacts would be site -specific, depending on the equipment used and distances to sensitive receptors. The impact is less than significant with the implementation of Section 9.06.047 of the Municipal Code and GPU Policy PS -6.6.

Operational Noise
Transportation Noise
Transportation noise includes noise from aircraft, railways, and roadways. The Planning Area is outside of any airport 65 dBA CNEL contours, and therefore, there is no aircraft impact. There are no railways within a mile of the City.

The primary noise source in the Planning Area will continue to be vehicle traffic. Future traffic noise level contours are presented in Figures 4.12-4 through 4.12-7. Tables 4.12-15 and 4.12-16 show the future noise levels at a distance of 50 feet from the centerline of studied roadways by the year 2045 for No Project (existing General Plan) and With Project (proposed GPU). The distances to the 55, 60, 65, and 70 dBA CNEL noise contours are also provided.

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Figure 4.12-4
No Project Noise Contours
(CNEL) (Entire City)
GENERAL PLAN 2040
Source: Exhibit I-1, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

Phi
NDI-'ag 36o 1 61

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Figure 4.12-5
No Project Noise Contours
(CNEL) (Zoomed In)
GENERAL PLAN 2040
Source: Exhibit 1-2, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

Phi
NDPag 37_o1361

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Figure 4.12-6
2045 Project Noise Contours
(CNEL) (Entire City)
Source: Exhibit J-1, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

GENERAL PLAN 2040
Ni i�
DPag or1361

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Figure 4.12-7
2045 Project Noise Contours
(CNEL) (Zoomed In)
Source: Exhibit J-2, Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, LLC. September 2024.

GENERAL PLAN 2040
II 41
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4.12 NOISE
Table 4.12-15 2045 No Project Traffic Noise Levels (dBA, CNEL) Roadway
Segment Limits
CNEL, dBA
@50 ft1,2
Distance to Contour (feet)3
70 dBA
65 dBA
60 dBA
55 dBA
Hovley Lane
East City Boundary to West City Boundary

73.8 119
376
1,190
3,762
Fred Waring Drive
Eldorado Drive to Cook Street

79.2 420
1,327
4,195
13,267
Cook Street
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

73.4 111
349
1,105
3,495
Cook Street
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

70.3 53
168
533
1,685
Eldorado Drive
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

66.5 23
71 225
712
Eldorado Drive
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

65.4 17
55 174
550
Warner Trail
Fred Waring Drive to Miles Avenue

65.7 19
59 186
587
Highway 111
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

78.7 371
1,174
3,714
11,743
Highway 111
Miles Street to Washington Street

78.2 332
1,050
3,319
10,497
Miles Avenue
Warner Trail to Washington Street

72.1 82
258
817
2,583
Fairway Drive
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

64.0 13
40 127
401
Portola Avenue
Mockingbird Trail to South City Limit

70.3 54
170
539
1,703
Notes:
1) Exterior noise levels calculated at 5 -feet above ground. 2) Noise levels calculated from centerline of subject roadway. 3) Contour distances do not take into account potential noise reduction from existing barriers such as buildings, walls or berms as a worst -case scenario for planning screening purposes. Overall levels are likely lower at sensitive receptors.

Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 14
Table 4.12-16 2045 Plus Project Traffic Noise Levels (dBA, CNEL) Roadway
Segment Limits
CNEL, dBA
@50 ft1,2
Distance to Contour (feet)3
70 dBA
65 dBA
60 dBA
55 dBA
Hovley Lane
East City Boundary to West City Boundary

73.8 119
376
1,188
3,757
Fred Waring Drive
Eldorado Drive to Cook Street

79.2 418
1,322
4,181
13,220
Cook Street
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

73.4 110
348
1,100
3,477
Cook Street
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

70.3 53
168
532
1,681
Eldorado Drive
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

66.5 22
70 223
704
Eldorado Drive
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

65.4 17
55 175
552
Warner Trail
Fred Waring Drive to Miles Avenue

65.6 18
58 183
578
Highway 111
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

78.7 367
1,162
3,675
11,620
Highway 111
Miles Street to Washington Street

78.2 329
1,042
3,294
10,416
Miles Avenue
Warner Trail to Washington Street

72.1 80
254
804
2,543
Fairway Drive
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

64.0 13
40 126
397
Portola Avenue
Mockingbird Trail to South City Limit

70.3 54
169
536
1,695
Notes:
1) Exterior noise levels calculated at 5 -feet above ground. 2) Noise levels calculated from centerline of subject roadway. 3) Contour distances do not take into account potential noise reduction from existing barriers such as buildings, walls or berms as a worst -case scenario for planning screening purposes. Overall levels are likely lower at sensitive receptors.

Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 15
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November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.12 NOISE
As shown in the tables above and Figures 4.12-4 through 4.12-7, by the year 2045, existing land uses within 50 -feet of the studied roadways (except for Fairway Drive) will be exposed to noise levels that exceed the City's exterior standards of 65 dBA CNEL for noise -sensitive uses. A significant impact would occur if the GPU resulted in levels higher than 65 dBA CNEL at sensitive uses and increased the overall roadway noise level by 3 dBA CNEL, which is a noticeable change in noise level. The table below outlines the change in noise level from 2024 to 2045 with and without the GPU.

Table 4.12-17 Change in Noise Along Roadways (dBA, CNEL @ 50') Roadway
Segment
Existing
2045 No Project
2045 With Project
CNEL @
50' dBA1
CNEL @
50' dBA
Change in
Noise Level
CNEL @
50' dBA
Change in
Noise Level2
Hovley Lane
East City Boundary to West City Boundary

73.9 73.8
-0.1

73.8 -0.1
Fred Waring Drive
Eldorado Drive to Cook Street

78.7 79.2

0.5 79.2

0.5 Cook Street
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

72.8 73.4

0.6 73.4

0.6 Cook Street
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

69.9 70.3

0.4 70.3

0.4 Eldorado Drive
Fred Waring Drive to Highway 111

66.1 66.5

0.4 66.5

0.4 Eldorado Drive
Highway 111 to Fairway Drive

65.3 65.4

0.1 65.4

0.1 Warner Trail
Fred Waring Drive to Miles Avenue

64.1 65.7

1.6 65.6

1.5 Highway 111
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

77.4 78.7

1.3 78.7

1.3 Highway 111
Miles Street to Washington Street

77.1 78.2

1.1 78.2

1.1 Miles Avenue
Warner Trail to Washington Street

70.4 72.1

1.7 72.1

1.7 Fairway Drive
Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive

63.9 64.0

0.1 64.0

0.1 Portola Avenue
Mockingbird Trail to South City Limit

69.9 70.3

0.4 70.3

0.4 Notes:
1) Existing and Future traffic volumes compiled by Kittelson & Associates, Inc. 2024. 2) An impact would occur if the Project increased the roadway segment level by 3 dB or more (an audible difference) and resulting in a future level above 65 dBA CNEL.

Source: Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 16
Compared to existing traffic noise levels, 2045 without Project traffic volumes are expected to be increased to a maximum of 1.7 dBA CNEL louder (at Miles Avenue between Warner Trail and Washington Street) than existing ambient noise levels at existing land uses and will result in inaudible increases in ambient noise along the analyzed roadways (see Table 4.12-17). Note that Miles Avenue from Warner Trail to Washington Street does not have any adjacent noise -sensitive uses.

Compared to existing traffic noise levels, 2045 with Project traffic volumes are expected to increase to a maximum of 1.7 dBA CNEL louder than existing ambient noise levels at existing land uses and will result in inaudible increases in ambient noise. Implementation of the GPU will, therefore, result in a less than significant impact to roadway noise levels.

Where proposed land uses are expected to be exposed to noise levels that exceed the land use compatibility criteria in Figure 4.12-3, Existing Noise and Land Use Compatibility, and 65 dBA CNEL residential limit outlined in the GPU, impacts can be mitigated to a level that is less than significant Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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with the implementation of noise control measures, such as relocating residential outdoor recreational areas away from 65 dBA CNEL or greater areas or shielding outdoor areas using noise barriers. This is implemented by GPU Policy PS -6.2 and Action PS -6a and 6k. Per the existing General Plan, future residential or noise -sensitive development associated with implementation of the proposed GPU requires a noise study and mitigation implemented if exterior noise levels exceed 65 dBA CNEL. This is implemented by GPU Policy PS -6.1 and Actions PS -6a, PS -6b, PS -6c, and PS -6f. For residential developments, the study must ensure that interior levels in livable areas do not exceed 45 dBA CNEL, as implemented by GPU Policy PS -6.3 and Actions PS -6a, PS -6b, and PS -6f. The impact is less than significant with the proposed GPU policies and actions listed above.

In addition to the policies and actions listed above, the City will encourage the development of alternative travel options (including bus, bicycle, golf car, and pedestrian) to minimize single - occupancy vehicle trips and the implementation of noise sensitivity measures in the public realm.

Noise sensitivity measures include traffic -calming road design, lateral separation, natural buffers, synchronized intersections, the identification of specific truck routes, and setback to decrease excessive motor vehicle noise, as implemented by GPU Policy PS -6.4 and Actions PS -6d, PS -6-e, and PS -6g.

Stationary Noise
Implementation of the GPU could result in the future development of land uses that generate noise levels in excess of applicable City noise standards for non -transportation noise sources. While the GPU does not explicitly propose any new noise -generating uses, implementation of the GPU would allow for the development of mixed -uses, increased residential development at higher densities, and new commercial development, which may result in new noise sources. Specific development projects and the details of future noise -generating land uses that may be located in the Planning Area in the future are not known at this time. Additionally, noise from existing stationary sources, as identified in Section 4.12.2, Existing Conditions, (above) would continue to impact noise -sensitive land uses in the vicinity of the noise sources.

While no specific projects are proposed under the GPU, changes in land use may allow for more intensive noise -generating uses in closer proximity to noise -sensitive uses. Where this occurs, detailed noise studies would be required to ensure that noise control measures are implemented into the project design (GPU Policy PS -6.3 and Action PS -6b). Such measures could include the redesign of stationary noise sources away from sensitive uses, construction of sound walls or berms between noise generating uses and sensitive uses, using buildings to create additional buffer distance and screening, or other site design measures to ensure that non -transportation (stationary) noise sources do not cause exterior and interior noise levels to exceed allowable standards at sensitive receptors, as implemented by Policy PS -6.1, PS -6.2, and PS -6.8 and Actions PS -6a, PS -6b, PS -6c, PS -6f, PS -6h, PS - 6i and PS -6k. Commercial uses would also implement noise attenuation measures, as required by Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Policy PS -6.5. The impact is less than significant with the implementation of the Indian Wells Noise Ordinance and the proposed GPU Policies PS -6.1, PS -6.2, PS -6.3, PS -6.5, PS -6.8 and Actions PS -6a, PS - 6b, PS -6c, PS -6f, PS -6h, PS -6i, and PS -6k.

Stationary noise will be significant if it exceeds the levels outlined in the Indian Wells Municipal Code.

Implementation of the Project may result in stationary noise impacts from future uses.

Implementation of effective land use planning and policies and actions can minimize noise impacts related to these sources by avoiding the placement of noise generating equipment near noise - sensitive land uses and where unavoidable, include design measures to the degree practical to avoid violating the noise criteria. Stationary noise impacts can be mitigated to "less than significant" with implementation of Indian Wells Noise Ordinance and the proposed GPU policies and actions listed below.

General Plan Policies
Policies
PS -6.1 Noise Exposure. Consider the noise compatibility of existing and future development when making land use planning decisions. Require development and infrastructure projects to be consistent with the noise standards in this element and the Indian Wells Municipal Code to facilitate acceptable noise exposure levels for existing and future development.

PS -6.2 Noise Mitigation. Require new developments or the expansion of existing developments to mitigate excessive noise through best practices, including building location and orientation, building design features, placement of noise - generating equipment away from sensitive receptors, shielding of noise - generating equipment, placement of noise -tolerant features between noise sources and sensitive receptors, and use of noise -minimizing materials, to reduce noise levels at sensitive uses, including residential uses, to 65 dB CNEL or less in outdoor activity areas and 45 dB CNEL or less in interior living spaces.

PS -6.3 Acoustical Studies. Require acoustical studies for new discretionary developments and transportation improvements that have the potential to affect existing noise - sensitive uses such as schools, hospitals, libraries, care facilities, and residential areas; and for projects that would introduce new noise -sensitive uses into an area where existing noise levels may exceed the thresholds identified in this element.

For projects that are required to prepare an acoustical study, the study shall include mitigation measures to attain the noise standards in this element and the City's Noise Ordinance.

PS -6.4 Roadway Noise. Encourage the development of alternative travel options including bus transit, and bicycle, golf cart, and pedestrian paths to minimize Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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single -occupancy vehicle trips and the implementation of noise sensitivity measures in the public realm, including traffic -calming road design, lateral separation, natural buffers, and setback to decrease excessive motor vehicle noise.

PS -6.5 Commercial Noise. Require the use of noise attenuation measures, including screening and buffering techniques, for all new or expansion of existing commercial developments expected to produce excess noise; in existing cases where the City's noise standards are exceeded, work with Code Enforcement to require compliance.

PS -6.6 Short -Term Noise. Require construction activities and other short-term noise events (i.e., concerts, sporting events) to reduce noise impacts on adjacent uses and comply with the City's Noise Ordinance.

PS -6.7 Vibration Studies. Require vibration impact studies for new discretionary development and transportation improvements whose construction utilizes pile drivers within 200 feet of existing buildings or vibratory rollers within 50 feet of existing buildings.

PS -6.8 California Building Code. Adhere to the latest standards related to noise in the most current edition of the California Building Code to avoid or minimize noise pollution in the community.

PS -6.9 Interjurisdictional and Multiagency Coordination. Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and transportation providers such as Caltrans to minimize noise conflicts between land uses along the City's boundaries.

Actions
PS -6a
PS -6b
Review new development and transportation projects for compliance with the noise requirements established in this General Plan, including the standards established in the Indian Wells Municipal Code. Where necessary, require new development to mitigate excessive noise through best practices, including building location and orientation, building design features, placement of noise - generating equipment away from sensitive receptors, shielding of noise - generating equipment, placement of noise -tolerant features between noise sources and sensitive receptors, and use of noise -minimizing materials such as rubberized asphalt.

Require acoustical studies for all new discretionary projects, including those related to development and transportation, which have the potential to generate noise impacts which exceed the standards identified in this element.

The studies shall include representative noise measurements, estimates of Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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existing and projected noise levels, and mitigation measures necessary to ensure compliance with this element and the City's Noise Ordinance.

PS -6c
PS -6d
PS -6e
PS -6f
Actively enforce the standards identified in the City's Noise Ordinance in order to reduce impacts to the extent feasible. Update and amend the Noise Ordinance as appropriate.

Coordinate with Caltrans to reduce the speed limit on State Highway 111, in concert with synchronized intersections, to reduce noise levels along the corridor.

Implement provisions of the Highway 111 Specific Plan which establishes special noise attenuation standards to maintain the corridor's quiet residential character. A minimum 50 -foot landscaped parkway in residential areas shall be required along both sides of the corridor, which will be augmented by walls, berms, and other structures which will attenuate ambient noise levels.

Prohibit residential development in areas of greater than 65 Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) unless effective mitigation measures can be incorporated into the project design to reduce noise levels to 65 CNEL in outdoor activity areas and 45 CNEL in indoor areas.

PS -6g Truck traffic shall be limited to specific routes and designated hours of travel, as defined by the City Planning and Engineering Departments.

PS -6h Use cul-de-sacs in new residential developments to discourage through traffic in residential neighborhoods.

PS -6i Review the locations of proposed projects with the potential to generate stationary noise in relation to sensitive receptors through the discretionary project review process. Require that automobile and truck access to commercial properties be located adjacent to residential parcels be located at the maximum practical distance from the residential parcel.

PS -6j
Require vibration impact studies for all new discretionary projects, including those related to development and transportation, whose construction utilizes pile drivers within 200 feet of existing buildings or vibratory rollers within 50 feet of existing buildings. The studies shall include a detailed mitigation plan to avoid any potential significant impacts to existing structures due to groundborne vibrations, based on the California Department of Transportation's Construction Vibration Guidance Manual.

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PS -6k
Monitor changes in the California Building Code and other federal and State laws and regulations related to noise and incorporate necessary changes into the Municipal Code and building codes as required.
b. Generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels The main sources of vibration in the project area are related to vehicles and construction. Typical roadway traffic, including heavy trucks, rarely generates vibration amplitudes high enough to cause structural or cosmetic damage. However, there have been cases in which heavy trucks traveling over potholes or other discontinuities in the pavement have caused vibration high enough to result in complaints from nearby residents. These types of issues typically can be resolved by smoothing the roadway surface (Caltrans 2020). Therefore, implementation of the GPU would not result in excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels during operation of the GPU.

Construction activities that produce vibration that can be felt by adjacent land uses include the use of vibratory equipment, large bulldozers, and pile drivers. The primary sources of vibration during construction are usually vibratory rollers and large bulldozers. As shown in Table 4.12-18, a vibratory roller has a peak particle velocity (inches/second) of 0.21, and a large bulldozer has a peak particle velocity of 0.089 (inches per second) at 25 feet. The use of pile -driving equipment can generate a peak particle velocity of 1.5 (inches per second) depending on the size and model.

Table 4.12-18 Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment Equipment
Peak Particle Velocity
Approximate Vibration Level
(inches/second) at 25 feet
LV (VdB) at 25 feet
Pile driver (impact)

1.518 (upper range)
112

0.644 (typical)
104
Pile driver (sonic)

0.734 upper range
105

0.170 typical
93 Clam shovel drop (slurry wall)

0.202
94 Hydromill

0.008 in soil
66 (slurry wall)

0.017 in rock
75 Vibratory Roller

0.21 94
Hoe Ram

0.089
87 Large bulldozer

0.089
87 Caisson drill

0.089
87 Loaded trucks

0.076
86 Jackhammer

0.035
79 Small bulldozer

0.003
58 Source: Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, Federal Transit Administration, May 2006; Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 18 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.12-40
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The California Department of Transportation has published one of the seminal works for the analysis of ground -borne noise and vibration relating to transportation- and construction -induced vibrations and, although the GPU is not subject to these regulations, it serves as a useful tool to evaluate vibration impacts (California Department of Transportation, 2013). Table 4.12-19 provides maximum PPV levels (inches/second) to be used to determine if groundborne vibration may result in damage, depending on the type of structure. When evaluated in light of the estimated groundborne vibration levels presented in Table 4.12-18, it can be determined that construction activities in the Planning Area have the potential to result in significant impacts related to groundborne vibration associated with construction activities. These impacts would be determined to be less than significant by requiring vibration impact studies (and mitigation plan if necessary) when construction utilizes pile drivers within 200 feet of existing buildings or vibratory rollers within 50 feet of existing buildings as required in proposed GPU Policy PS -6.7 and Action PS -6j.

Table 4.12-19 Guideline Vibration Damage Potential Threshold Criteria Structure and Condition
Maximum PPV (inches/second)
Transient Sources
Continuous/Frequent
Intermittent Source
Extremely fragile historic buildings, ruins, ancient monuments

0.1 0.1
Fragile buildings

0.2 0.1
Historic and some old buildings

0.5 0.3
Older residential structures

0.5 0.3
New residential structures

1.0 0.5
Modern industrial/commercial buildings

2.0 0.5
Source: California Department of Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual. April 2020; Noise Impact Analysis, MD Acoustics, Table 19
Note: transient sources create a single isolated vibration event, such as blasting or drop balls. Continuous/frequent intermittent sources include impact pile drivers, pogo -stick compactors, crack -and -seat equipment, vibratory pile drivers, and vibratory compaction equipment.

Construction vibration within the Planning Area is not anticipated to be significant unless an individual development uses pile driving or vibratory rollers. These impacts can be avoided by requiring vibration impact studies (and appropriate mitigation if necessary) when construction utilizes pile drivers within 200 feet of existing buildings or vibratory rollers within 50 feet of existing buildings.

This impact would be less than significant with the implementation of GPU Policy PS -6.7 and Action PS -6j.

General Plan Policies
Policies
PS -6.7 Vibration Studies. Require vibration impact studies for new discretionary development and transportation improvements whose construction utilizes pile Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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drivers within 200 feet of existing buildings or vibratory rollers within 50 feet of existing buildings.

Actions
PS -6j
Require vibration impact studies for all new discretionary projects, including those related to development and transportation, whose construction utilizes pile drivers within 200 feet of existing buildings or vibratory rollers within 50 feet of existing buildings. The studies shall include a detailed mitigation plan to avoid any potential significant impacts to existing structures due to groundborne vibrations, based on the California Department of Transportation's Construction Vibration Guidance Manual. c. For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels
The closest airport to the project site is the Bermuda Dunes Airport, located approximately 2 miles northeast of the City of Indian Wells. The City is located outside of the 65, 60, and 55 CNEL noise contours associated with the airport facility. Furthermore, the City is not located within the Bermuda Dunes Airport Land Use Plan planning area. Therefore, the PDEIR will not analyze the airport's noise impact on the GPU. Impacts found to be less than significant are further discussed in Chapter 6.0, Effects Not Found to be Significant, of this PDEIR.

4.12.5 Cumulative Impacts
Tables 4.12-15 and 4.12-16 show the existing and cumulative noise levels associated with traffic on the local roadway network, including projects within the Planning Area. Cumulative conditions include traffic due to buildout of the General Plan Update in addition to pass -through traffic from other jurisdictions. Table 4.12-17 shows the estimated noise level increases which may occur under cumulative conditions. As shown in the above -referenced tables, cumulative conditions would not contribute to an exceedance of the City's transportation noise standards and would not result in significant increases in traffic noise levels at existing sensitive receptors.

GPU Policies PS -6.1 through PS -6.9, and Actions PS -6a through PS -6k, are intended to minimize exposure to excessive noise, including noise associated with traffic. Specifically, Policies PS -6.1 and PS - 6a support noise -compatible land uses in the vicinity of traffic noise sources and require that new development and infrastructure projects be reviewed for consistency with the noise standards established by the City GPU and Municipal Code. Acoustical studies and noise mitigation shall be required for new discretionary development and transportation improvements that could impact Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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sensitive uses, as required by Policies PS -6.2 and PS -6.3 and Action PS -6b. Land use considerations as it relates to noise is also considered in Actions PS -6c, PS -6f, PS -6h and PS -6i. Future projects would be required to adhere to the latest standards related to noise in the most current edition of the California Building Code to avoid or minimize noise levels in the community, as stated in Policy PS -6.8 and Action PS -6k. Policies PS -6.4 and PS -6.5, and Actions PS -6d, PS -6e, PS -6g consider roadway and commercial noise. Roadway noise due to GPU buildout would not result in an increase in ambient noise to levels that are considered cumulatively considerable. This is illustrated in Table 4.12-17 (above).

4.12.6 Mitigation Measures
To the extent the GPU will result in direct, reasonably foreseeable, significant environmental impacts, the policies and actions listed throughout this section, as proposed by the GPU, will serve as mitigation or to the extent the impacts will be less than significant, as improvement measures as it relates to noise. Moreover, local regulations, as enforced by the Indian Wells Municipal Code, will also ensure that buildout of the GPU would result in (or continue to result in) less than significant impacts. Therefore, no additional Mitigation or Improvement Measures are required.

4.12.7 Level of Impact Significance after Mitigation
With the implementation of Policies PS -6.1 through PS -6.9 and Actions PS -6a through PS -6k, impacts would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

4.12.8 Resources

1. Indian Wells General Plan Update Noise Impact Study, MD Acoustics, Inc., September 2024.

2. Indian Wells Municipal Code, https://ecode360.com/IN4940 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

4.13 Population and Housing

4.13 Population and Housing

4.13.1 Introduction
This section of the Programmatic Draft Environmental Impact Report (PDEIR) describes the existing setting regarding population and housing and the potential effects associated with implementation of the Indian Wells General Plan Update project ("GPU"). The consistency of the project with current growth projections is assessed in order to determine if the project would result in substantial population or housing growth. Descriptions and analysis in this section are based on population and housing information provided by the United States Census Bureau, California State Department of Finance (DOF), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Riverside County General Plan, and the City of Indian Wells.

4.13.2 Existing Conditions
City of Indian Wells
Population
The City of Indian Wells (City) had a population of 3,816 in 2000 and 4,958 people in 2010. The City's population in 2020 increased 41.6 percent from 2000's population, to 5,403 people. The City of Indian Wells' population accounts for approximately 0.2 percent of the County's total population. The median age in the City is 68.3 (2022 US Census data), compared to the median age in California (37.9) and the Nation (38.9).

Table 4.13-1 Population, 2000 to 2020
Jurisdiction
2000
2010
2020
Change
2000-20
% Change
2000-20
City of Indian Wells
3,816
4,958
5,403
1,587

41.6%
County of Riverside
1,545,387
2,189,641
2,442,304
896,917

58.0%
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, Table 3-1, Population Trends, Indian Wells; US Census, 2000 and 2010; DOF, 2020.

Housing
According to the Census, a household is defined as all persons living in a housing unit. This definition includes families (related individuals living together), unrelated individuals living together, and individuals living alone.

A housing unit is defined as a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters.

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Table 4.13-2, Total Households, 2018, shows the households in Indian Wells and Riverside County in 2018, according to ACS data from 2014-2018. Homeowner households are generally headed by someone above middle -age, with 65.3 percent of homeowner households headed by a resident over 65 years of age; however, about a fifth (20.3 percent) are headed by early middle-aged to middle- aged residents (35-39 years of age). Households who rent their homes trend slightly older; about 91.9 percent of renter households are headed by a person over 65 years of age, with the remaining 8.1 percent falling within the 25-54 age range.

Table 4.13-2 Total Households, 2018
City of Indian Wells
County of Riverside
Number
%
Number
%
Owner Occupied
2,354

85.3%
472,401

65.8%
Renter Occupied
405

14.7%
245,948

34.2%
Total
2,759
100%
718,349
100%
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, Table 3-9, Households by Tenure and Age (2018); US Census, 2014- 2018 ACS 5 -Year Data Profile.

There are three basic types of housing units in the City of Indian Wells: single family, which include both detached and attached units; multifamily units, which include apartments, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and more; and mobile homes. In 2020, there were 5,395 units. Together, detached and attached single-family dwelling units comprised approximately 88 percent of all units in the City. As shown in Table 4.13-3, Housing Stock by Type and Vacancy (2020), the majority of housing in Indian Wells is single-family detached housing, which accounted for 67.1 percent of units in 2020. Mobile homes represent none of the housing stock. Multifamily units represent 11.7 percent of the housing stock, with duplex through fourplex units accounting for 4.9 percent and multifamily developments with five or more units accounting for 6.8 percent. Single-family attached homes represent 21.1 percent of housing units.

Table 4.13-3 Housing Stock by Type and Vacancy (2020)
Total
Single Family
Multifamily
Mobile
Homes
Occupied
Vacant
Detached
Attached
2-4
5 + Units
Units
5,395
3,622
1,140
266
267
0 2,905
2,490
Percent
100%

67.1%

21.1%

4.9%

6.8%
0%

53.8%

46.2%
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, Table 3-15, Housing Stock by Type and Vacancy (2020); SCAG 6th Cycle Data Package; DOF E-5 Report 2020.

Table 4.13-3 also shows the number and percentage of occupied units and the percentage of vacant units, which is 46.2 percent of the total units in the City. It is important to note that this count includes units recently constructed and not yet occupied. Nonetheless, the 46.2 percent vacancy rate is Indian Wells is considered extremely high.

The 2014-2018 American Community Survey data indicates that there were 2,935 vacant units in 2018. As shown in Table 4.13-4, of the total vacant units in 2018, the vast majority (2,438 or 83.1%) Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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were for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use. Of the remainder, 26 were for rent, 268 were for sale, and 70 were rented or sold but not yet occupied. The overall vacancy rate in Indian Wells in 2018 was 51.5%, revealing a feature atypical of most California communities in that only roughly half of the total population resides in the City on a year-round basis.

Table 4.13-4 Total Vacant Units (2018)
Vacancy Type
Number
Percent
For Rent
26 0.9%
Rented, Not Occupied
0 0.0%
For Sale Only
268

9.1%
Sold, Not Occupied
70 2.4%
For Seasonal, Recreational, or Occasional Use
2,438

83.1%
For Migrant Workers
0 0.0%
Other Vacant
133

4.5%
Total
2,935
100%
Employment
The table below shows the employment and unemployment rates for persons 16 years and older that were in the labor force between 2010 to 2018. In 2018, the US Census data indicated that there were 1,697 employed persons in the Indian Wells labor force and that the unemployment rate was approximately 7.2 percent, an increase from 5.8 percent in 2010. According to the labor report data compiled by the California EDD, the Riverside -San Bernardino -Ontario Metropolitan Area's average annual unemployment rate in 2018 was estimated at 4.3 percent, Riverside County's rate was 4.5 percent, while California's was 4.1 percent.

Table 4.13-5 Job Growth and Employment Status
2010
2018
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Persons in Labor Force
1,668
100%
1,828
100%
Employed
1,571

94.2%
1,697

92.8%
Unemployed
97 5.8%
131

7.2%
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, Table 3-4, Job Growth and Employment Status, Indian Wells; US Census, 2006-2010 ACS and 2014-2018 ACS.

In Indian Wells, the major sector for jobs was the leisure sector, which accounted for 47.1 percent of total jobs in the City in 2017. Other large sectors include professional (9.8 percent), finance (9.1 percent) and other (10.6 percent). The table below shows the largest employers in Indian Wells.

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Table 4.13-6 Top Employers in Indian Wells 2018
Organization
Sector
Number of Employees
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort
Accommodation
445
Hyatt Regency
Accommodation
375
Toscana Country Club
Recreation
241
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Accommodation/ Recreation
218
Miramonte Resort and Spa
Accommodation
109
Eldorado Country Club
Recreation
100
Indian Wells Country Club
Recreation
95 Desert Horizons Country Club
Recreation
85 Indian Wells Resort Hotel
Accommodation
76 Merril Lynch Wealth Management
Financial Services
38 Source: City of Indian Wells General Plan Update: Demographic, Economic, and Real Estate Profile, Table 14.

4.13.3 Regulatory Setting
State
California Housing Element Law
California State law requires that local governments revise the housing elements in their general plan periodically. California legislature adopted the Housing Element Law in 1969 to promote a statewide policy of providing housing opportunities for all Californians. According to Government Code Section 65580, State law declares "that the availability of housing is of vital statewide importance and the early attainment of decent housing and suitable living environment for every Californian is a priority of the highest order".5
Before a jurisdiction updates their General Plan Housing Element, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines the overall housing need and total number or goal for additional units for each region. In a process called the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA), the council of governments (a planning body representing the cities and counties in a given metropolitan area) must allocate this total number of housing units among the cities and unincorporated county areas in its region. Each city and county share of the RHNA specifies the housing needs of all income levels— "very low," "low," "moderate," and "above moderate," as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 50093. The determinations are based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance (DOF) and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans.

In determining housing needs, local planners must consider data regarding the existing number of households and housing units, the number of households overpaying for housing, overcrowding, Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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rehabilitation and replacement needs. Government Code Section 65583 requires the Housing Element to include the following components:

1. A review of the previous element's goals, policies, programs, and objectives to ascertain the effectiveness of each of these components, as well as the overall effectiveness of the Housing Element.

2. An assessment of housing needs and an inventory of resources and constraints related to meeting these needs.

3. An analysis and program for preserving assisted housing developments.

4. A statement of community goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the maintenance, preservation, improvement and development of housing.

5. A program which sets forth an eight -year planning period schedule of actions that the County is undertaking, or intends to undertake, in implementing the policies set forth in the Housing Element.

Once a local Housing Element update has been drafted, the HCD reviews it to gauge whether the city and county housing plans conform with statutory requirements and meet its goal for new units. If it conforms with the requirements, the HCD certifies the housing element. However, if it does not, the jurisdiction may change its plan to incorporate the HCD's suggestions. Jurisdictions that do not make necessary changes or satisfy the HCD are designated as non -compliant and are more vulnerable to lawsuits on development matters. The Housing Element is required to be updated every eight years to ensure decent and suitable housing is provided to every Californian.

Regional and Local
Southern California Association of Governments
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is an association of local governments and agencies that meet and coordinate to address regional issues. The SCAG region encompasses six counties: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura, and is the largest Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the nation. It is also made up of 191 cities and covers approximately 38,618 square miles. SCAG's Community, Economic and Human Development Committee (CEHD) studies problems, programs and regional issues regarding community, economic and human development, and growth. The Committee has oversight of Growth Visioning and Growth Forecasting processes, as well as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, the Intergovernmental Review effort and the monitoring and analysis of the Regional Economy.

SCAG generates Local Profiles for the cities within its region. The Local Profiles are updated every two years and provide a variety of demographic, economic, education, housing, and transportation information about each member jurisdiction. SCAG prepared a Local Profile report on the City of Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Indian Wells in May 2019. Data used for the report was primarily gathered from the U.S. Census and California Department of Finance.
2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) (also known as "Connect SoCal") was published in September 2020 and outlines the long-term vision (20+ years) of how the region will address regional transportation and land use challenges and opportunities. The RTP/SCS was prepared through a collaborative continuous and comprehensive process by SCAG to analyze the integration of land use and transportation in the SCAG region to influence sustainable growth. The Plan strives to reach state -mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at the regional level through reduced per -capita vehicles miles traveled (VMT). In order to estimate the future of regional transportation and sustainability, the RTC/SCS outlines a regional vision, policies, and performance measures. According to SCAG's growth forecasts, the City of Indian Wells will reach a population of 6,400 people by 2045, which is approximately 0.2 percent of the projected 2045 Riverside County total population. The number of households in the City of Indian Wells is projected to increase approximately 19 percent between 2016 and 2045. Tables 4.13-7 through 4.13-9 display the regional, County and City growth forecasts, respectively.

Table 4.13-7 SCAG Regional Growth Forecast
2016
2045
Population
18,832,000
22,504,000
Households
6,012,000
7,633,000
Employment
8,389,000
10,049,000
Table 4.13-8 SCAG Riverside County Growth Forecast
2016
2045
Population
2,364,000
3,252,000
Households
716,000
1,086,000
Employment
743,000
1,103,000
Table 4.13-9 SCAG Indian Wells Growth Forecast
2016
2045
Population
5,400
6,400
Households
2,900
3,400
Employment
5,200
6,800
Source: SCAG 2020-2045 Growth Forecasts
Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000.

Regional Housing Needs Assessment
SCAG is responsible for identifying future housing needs in each jurisdiction, including the City of Indian Wells. To meet this mandate, SCAG develops the RHNA to establish the projected need for Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.13-6
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housing and the fair share distribution of the projected need. A local jurisdiction's "fair share" of regional housing need is the number of additional dwelling units that will need to be constructed to accommodate the forecast growth, to replace expected demolitions and conversion of dwelling units to non -dwelling uses, and to achieve a vacancy rate that allows for healthy functioning of the housing market. The allocation is divided into four income categories: Very Low, Low, Moderate, and Above Moderate. The allocation is further adjusted to avoid an over -concentration of lower -income households in any one jurisdiction. Table 4.13-10, Regional Housing Needs Assessment, 2021-2029, shows the RHNA for the City of Indian Wells. As presented in this table, the City must be able to accommodate 382 dwelling units, representing a 7 percent increase in the number of units in the City.

Table 4.13-10 Regional Housing Needs Allocation, 2021-2029 Household Income Levels
Income as a Percent of
County Median
RHNA Allocation
Extremely Low
Up to 30%
58 Very Low
Less than 50%
59 Low
51%-80%
81 Moderate
81%-120%
91 Above Moderate
Over 120%
93 Total
382
Source: Indian Wells 6t" Cycle Housing Element, Table 3-28.

Coachella Valley Association of Governments
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is the regional planning agency coordinating government services in the Coachella Valley. CVAG, acting as a subregional organization within SCAG, supports the residents of Central and Eastern Riverside County and is made up of ten cities, Riverside County and two Native American tribes. CVAG is governed by a 65 -member General Assembly that includes Riverside County Board of Supervisors, all mayors and council members of the incorporated cities in Eastern Riverside County, and five tribal members. The three departments that make up CVAG include the Administration Department, Energy and Environmental Resources Department, and Transportation Department.

Riverside County General Plan
In compliance with the Housing Element Law, the County of Riverside adopted their updated Housing Element (2021-2029) of the County General Plan on June 2, 2022. The 2021-2029 Housing Element of the General Plan identifies and establishes the County's policies to meet the needs of existing and future residents of Riverside County. It establishes policies that will guide County decision -making and sets forth an action plan to implement its housing goals through year 2029. As previously stated, State law requires that jurisdictions evaluate their housing elements every eight years to determine their effectiveness in achieving county and State housing goals and objectives. With the updated Housing Element, amendments to applicable General Plan elements, such as the Land Use Element, Safety Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Element, and Healthy Communities Element, were adopted to ensure internal consistency between the General Plan Elements.

Between 2015 and 2020 Riverside County grew by over 126,598 people, or approximately 5.5 percent, compared to the State of California, which had a population increase of 2.3 percent. This is displayed in Table 4.13-11.

Table 4.13-11 Regional and Local Population Growth Trends, 2000-2016 Area
2015
2020
Percent Change
California
38,870,150
39,782,870

2.3%
Riverside County
2,315,706
2,442,304

5.5%
Cities*
1,949,841
2,056,916

5.5%
Unincorporated*
365,865
385,388

5.3%
Indian Wells
5,400**
5,403

0.05%
Source: Riverside County General Plan, Housing Element (2021-2029 , Table P-1 and P-2. * Cities and Unincorporated areas in Riverside County.
** 2016 data from SCAG 2020-2045 Growth Forecasts.

According to the Housing Element, approximately 40,647 housing units are needed to accommodate anticipated population growth in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County during the eight -year period from 2021 to 2029.

4.13.4 Project Impact Analysis
Thresholds of Significance
The following thresholds are derived from Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and are used to determine the level of potential effect. The significance determination is based on the recommended criteria set forth in Section 15064 of the CEQA Guidelines. Implementation of the Travertine Specific Plan would have a significant effect on population and housing if it is determined that the project will:
a. Induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
There is no standard methodology set forth in CEQA to assess the population and housing impacts of a proposed project. However, CEQA Section 15064(e) does offer guidance for the assessment of socio- economic impacts:

Economic and social changes resulting from a project shall not be treated as significant effects on the environment. Economic or social changes may be used, however, to determine Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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that a physical change shall be regarded as a significant effect on the environment. Where a physical change is caused by economic or social effects of a project, the physical change may be regarded as a significant effect in the same manner as any other physical change resulting from the project. Alternatively, economic and social effects of a physical change may be used to determine that the physical change is a significant effect on the environment. If the physical change causes adverse economic or social effects on people, those adverse effects may be used as a factor in determining whether the physical change is significant. For example, if a project would cause overcrowding of a public facility and the overcrowding causes an adverse effect on people, the overcrowding would be regarded as a significant effect.

Impacts on population and housing were assessed by reviewing existing and anticipated population and housing figures provided by the DOF, SCAG, and the City of Indian Wells Housing Element. The proposed General Plan Update's impacts were evaluated by determining their consistency with these estimates and projections, as well as consistency with the General Plan goals and policies set forth in the Housing Element.
a) Induce the substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly or indirectly
Direct population growth occurs from the development of new residential units. Indirect population growth occurs from the creation of new employment opportunities or the removal of a barrier to growth such as the adoption of a Specific Plan. The proposed General Plan Update has the potential to induce both direct and indirect population growth within the project area with the development of the remaining vacant areas within the City. At full buildout, the proposed GPU could accommodate a total of 6,271 housing units, 5,159,667 square feet of non-residential building square footage, and 6,310 jobs within the Planning Area. Depending on growth rates, the actual growth during the life of the GPU could be lower or higher, but would not exceed the theoretical buildout of the GPU.

Employment
In 2017, 5,282 jobs were counted in the City of Indian Wells, an increase of 33.6 percent from 2007'.

According to the SCAG Integrated Growth Forecast, it is projected that the City of Indian Wells is projected to contain 6,800 jobs by 2045.

The leisure sector was the major sector for jobs in Indian Wells and accounted for 47.1 percent of total jobs in the City in 2017. Other large sectors include professional (9.8 percent), finance (9.1 percent), and other (10.6 percent). The largest employers of the City include the Renaissance 1 SCAG Local Profile of Indian Wells, 2019, https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file- attachments/indianwells localprofile.pdf?1606013543
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Esmeralda Resort, Hyatt Regency, Toscana Country Club, and Indian Wells Golf Resort. However, most of the City's jobs are held by non -Indian Wells residents. Overall, only 4.5 percent of Indian Well's working residents are employed within the City. Therefore, Indian Wells has a high proportion of jobs to households at 1.23, as indicated in the table below. An employment to housing ratio in the range of 0.75 to 1.5 is considered beneficial for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMTs). An imbalance in jobs and housing creates longer commute times, more single driver commutes, loss of job opportunities for workers without vehicles, traffic congestion, and poor air quality2.

Table 4.13-12 Jobs to Household Ratio (2017)
Indian Wells
Trade Area2
Jobs'
3,390
131,339
Households'
2,759
153,435
Jobs/HH Ratio

1.23 0.86
Source: City of Indian Wells General Plan Update: Demographic, Economic, and Real Estate Profile, Table 6.

Note: 1. 2017 jobs estimates and 2018 household estimates

2. Trade Area Is the cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage.

Buildout of the GPU could result in a total of 6,310 jobs. Therefore, the City's projected jobs/housing ratio would be approximately 1.01 by 2045 upon full development of the GPU.

Implementation of the GPU would result in direct employment growth from the proposed mix of employment -generating land uses within the Planning Area. This includes approximately 5,159,667 total square feet of nonresidential space. Approximately 6,310 jobs are anticipated at buildout of the project. Jobs required for the project site will primarily consist of commercial, retail, resort, and service jobs, which could be filled by workers already residing within the City or the Coachella Valley region. Employment growth resulting from buildout of the GPU would result in a less than significant impacts because this increase is consistent with projected employment growth for the City.

Population Growth
As stated previously, the City of Indian Wells had a total population of 5,403 people in 2020. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) forecasts that by 2045, the City of Indian Wells will have a population of approximately 6,400 people.

The proposed GPU accommodates future growth in Indian Wells, including the development of new residential uses, commercial buildings, and resort uses. At full buildout, the City of Indian Wells could accommodate a total of 6,271 housing units, 5,405 residents, 5,159,667 square feet of new non- residential building space, and 6,310 jobs within the Planning Area. Buildout of the current General Plan would result in a total of 6,271 residential units; 5,405 residents; 5,132,104 square feet of 2 Employment to Housing Ratio, EPA EnviroAtlas,
https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/Data FactSheets/pdf/Supplemental/EmploymentHousin�Ratio. Ddf Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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nonresidential space; and 6,217 jobs. Since the number of residential units and residents will not change between the current General Plan and the proposed GPU, the GPU will not result in unplanned population growth.

Public services and utilities proposed for the project property are discussed in greater detail in Section

4.14, Public Services, and Section 4.17, Utilities and Service Systems, respectively.

Population projections as a result of buildout of the GPU is consistent with City and regional growth projections, and public service providers and utilities will be able to adequately accommodate this growth. Therefore, the project would not result in a substantial population increase unanticipated by the City. Impacts would be less than significant.

Housing
The number of estimated housing units in the City of Indian Wells was 5,395 housing units, according to Indian Wells' 2021-2029 Housing Element; however, approximately 2,905 (53.8 percent) were occupied (see Table 4.13-3, Housing Stock by Type and Vacancy (2020), above). Buildout of the current General Plan would result in 5,455 single family units and 816 multifamily units, for a total of 6,271 residential units. The proposed GPU also proposes 6,217 residential units at total buildout of the Planning Area.

The proposed General Plan Update is intended to accommodate the City's fair share of statewide housing needs, which are allocated by the SCAG, based on regional numbers provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on a regular basis (every five to eight years). State law requires the Housing Element to included quantified objectives for the maximum number of units that can be constructed, rehabilitated or conserved. The new construction objectives shown in Table 4.13-10 (above) represents the City's overall RHNA for the 2021-2029 planning period for all income levels. The objective identified for each income level is based on historic trends and patterns of development; affordable to lower -income households are historically more difficult to develop due to extremely limited available funding for affordable housing projects. Moderate- and above -moderate income units are more likely to be developed by the private market. As indicated in Table 4.13-10, the City of Indian Wells will develop a total of 382 homes to satisfy the 2021-2029 RHNA allocation, consisting of 58 extremely -low income, 59 very low income, 81 low income, 91 moderate income, and 93 above moderate income units.

Jurisdictions may count projects that are approved/entitled but not yet built or under construction. 233 units serving moderate- and above -moderate income households are expected to be developed during the planning period. An additional 17 units are under construction or have building permits issued for accessory dwelling units and various single family lots. The table below illustrates City's progress towards the RHNA allocation.

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Table 4.13-13 City Progress Towards RHNA
Project
Extremely Low/
Very Low
Income
Low Income
Moderate
Income
Above
Moderate
Income
Total
Units Constructed/Under Construction/Building Permits Issued since June 30, 2021 Various Single Family Lots
0 0
0 12
12 Accessory Dwelling Units
2 1
1 1
5 Subtotal
2 1
1 13
17 Approved/Entitled Units Not Yet Under Construction
Province
0 0
0 119
119
Toscana
0 0
0 60
60 Indian Wells Crossing
0 0
54 0
54 Subtotal
0 0
54 179
233
Total
2 1
55 192
250
Source: Indian Wells 6th Cycle Housing Element, Table 5-2.

The City has a remaining RHNA of 231 units (115 extremely low/very low-income units, 80 low-income units, and 36 moderate -income units). As previously stated, buildout of the GPU could accommodate approximately 876 new residential units, which is 494 more than the RHNA allocated units for the 2021-2029 planning period. Therefore, buildout of the GPU would not result in unplanned growth as housing is allocated in the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element approved by SCAG.

Therefore, while implementation of the GPU would result in a direct increase in population and housing, this increase is consistent with projected residential growth for the City.

Similar to the current General Plan, the proposed General Plan Update can accommodate 6,217 housing units. This complies with Goal 1 and its policies, which require the conservation and improvement of the condition of the existing housing stock. The GPU will also develop extremely low, low-, moderate-, and above moderate -income levels, diversifying the housing stock within the City, which is compliant with Policy 1.3, Goal2 and Policies 2.1 through 2.7. The GPU will also comply with California Building Code standards for residential buildings, as well as fair housing laws within the City, in compliance with Goals 3 and 4, and their associated policies.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Goal 1: Conserve and improve the condition of the existing housing stock.

Policies

1.1 Continue enforcement of the codes and regulations establishing minimum construction standards.

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1.2 Encourage maintenance and repair of existing housing to prevent deterioration within the City.

1.3 Monitor the status of at -risk affordable rental housing units, proactively work with potential nonprofit purchasers/managers as appropriate and explore funding sources available to preserve the at -risk units.

Goal 2: Support and encourage the development of housing affordable for all income segments of the population.

Policies

2.1 Maintain adequate capacity to accommodate the City's unmet Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for all income categories throughout the planning period.

2.2 Continue to provide affordable housing opportunities in Indian Wells through a density bonus incentive for the development of lower and moderate -income units.

2.3 Encourage private entities (both non-profit and for-profit) to participate in attaining housing goals.

2.4 Encourage residential development that provides a range of housing types in terms of cost, density, unit size, and configuration.

2.5 Continue to allow accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units as a means of providing additional affordable rental housing opportunities.

2.6 Assist with the development of housing that targets the needs of special populations, including the elderly, disabled, farmworkers, and homeless.

2.7 Allow by -right approval for housing developments proposed for non -vacant sites included in one previous housing element inventory and vacant sites included in two previous housing elements, provided that the proposed housing development consists of at least 20 percent lower income and affordable housing units.

Goal 3: Address and, where appropriate and legally possible, remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement and development of housing.

Policies

3.1 Continue to utilize zoning standards and overlay districts that facilitate the development of affordable housing units.

3.2 Provide reasonable accommodation for housing for persons with disabilities.

3.3 Periodically review City development standards to ensure consistency with the General Plan and to ensure high -quality affordable housing.

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3.4 Monitor State and federal housing -related legislation, and update City plans, ordinances, and processes as appropriate to remove or reduce governmental constraints.

3.5 Regularly identify and evaluate the impact of nongovernmental constraints on housing development and implement programs to reduce negative impacts.

Goal 4: Promote housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, age, marital status, familial status, ancestry, national origin, color, source of income, sexual orientation, or any other arbitrary factors.

Policies

4.1 Promote fair housing practices throughout the City.

4.2 Promote a variety of housing types to meet the special needs of persons with physical and developmental disabilities, elderly households, and others who may need specialized residential living arrangements.

4.3 Strengthen opportunities for participation in the approval process for all housing projects, including affordable housing.

4.4 Assist in affirmatively furthering and enforcing fair housing laws by providing support to organizations that provide outreach and education regarding fair housing rights, receive and investigate fair housing allegations, monitor compliance with fair housing laws, and refer possible violations to enforcing agencies.
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere
The proposed project does not include the demolition or conversion of existing residential dwelling units to non-residential uses. New development will be on vacant lots or underutilized properties dispersed throughout the Planning Area.

The majority of developed land in the Planning Area is comprised of residential uses, which are not anticipated to undergo significant land use changes under the GPU. The GPU focuses infill development opportunities in vacant and underutilized areas in Indian Wells. The General Plan Land Use Map was developed to preserve existing neighborhoods throughout the City. Throughout the Planning Area, the GPU is projected to increase the number of existing dwelling units (5,395 units to 6,271 units at buildout) and provide housing to serve the diverse needs of the community at various socioeconomic levels (see discussion of RHNA in discussion a, above).

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There will be no impact to the current population of the area as it is vacant land, and the population will increase based on new development. Therefore, impacts of the proposed GPU on the displacement of people or housing are considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.

The policies listed below would further ensure that a range of housing types are provided in the City, and that housing conditions are evaluated as the housing supply ages.

General Plan Policies and Actions
See Goal 1 and Policies 1.1 to 1.3 listed above.

4.13.5 Cumulative Impacts
The Planning Area considered for population and housing cumulative impact analysis is the Coachella Valley, including the City of Indian Wells and surrounding jurisdictions. As discussed above, the GPU would accommodate and manage future growth based upon the 2045 -year forecast horizon in which growth may occur. The GPU includes goals, policies, and land use and mobility plans that intend to help ensure the City's future population and housing needs are adequately met in the forthcoming years. Goal 1 in the Housing Element strives to conserve and improve the condition of the existing housing stock in the City. Additionally, the GPU includes goals and policies to reduce the environmental impacts that would result from growth. The forecasted population growth in the City is accounted for in SCAG's 2020-2045 RTP/SCS, and total population would be below SCAG's 2045 forecasts. Thus, the GPU's contribution to cumulative impacts related to population and housing would not be considerable.

Additionally, the GPU would not displace a substantial number of people or housing because growth facilitated by the GPU would result in the development of vacant and undeveloped areas within the City. Moreover, the City of Indian Wells is largely developed. Implementation of the GPU would result in an increase in housing units that would accommodate projected population growth. Thus, the GPU would not contribute to any cumulative impacts related to displacement of people or housing.

4.13.6 Mitigation Measures
To the extent the GPU will result in direct, reasonably foreseeable, significant environmental impacts, the policies and actions listed throughout this section, as proposed by the GPU, will serve as mitigation or to the extent the impacts will be less than significant, as improvement measures as it relates to population and housing. Moreover, State, regional and local regulations will also ensure that buildout of the GPU would result in (or continue to result in) less than significant impacts.

Therefore, no additional Mitigation or Improvement Measures are required.

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4.13.7 Level of Significance after Mitigation
No significant impacts have been identified and no mitigation measures are necessary.

4.13.8 Resources

1. California Department of Finance (DOF), Estimates: E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2010-2020 and 2020-2023, https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/

2. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Profile of the City of Indian Wells — Local Profiles Report 2019, May 2019, https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file- attachments/indianwells Iocalprofile.pdf?1606013543

3. California Legislative Information, Government Code, Title 7 Planning and Land Use, Division 1, Planning and Zoning, January 2018,
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes displaySection.xhtml?IawCode=GOV&section Num=65580

4. Connect SoCal (RTP/SCS), Southern California Association of Governments, https://scag.ca.gov/connect-socal

5. American Community Survey (ACS) 2018 ACS 5 -Year Estimates Data Profiles, accessed January 2020, available at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

6. US EPA, EnviroAtlas, Employment to Housing Ratio, November 2014, https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/DataFactSheets/pdf/Supplemental/EmploymentHou singRatio.pdf.

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PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

4.14 Public Services

4.14 Public Services

4.14.1 Introduction
This section of the Indian Wells General Plan Update ("GPU") Programmatic Draft Environmental Impact Report ("PDEIR") provides an overview of existing public services in the City and evaluates the potential for the implementation of the GPU to affect public services, including fire and police protection services, public schools, parks, and other public utilities. If an effect is determined to occur, this section will evaluate whether new or expanded facilities would be required, potentially creating a significant impact to the environment. Other publicly provided utility services, such as water and wastewater treatment, stormwater management, electricity, natural gas, and solid waste services, are addressed in Section

4.17, Utilities and Service Systems.

4.14.2 Existing Conditions
Fire Protection Services
The City of Indian Wells contracts with Riverside County Fire Department/ Cal Fire (RCFD) for a full range of fire and emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 -days a week. The City entered into a cooperative agreement with the County of Riverside, through its Cooperative Fire Programs Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement. This agreement ensures the City is provided with an array of full services from fire protection to hazardous materials discharge and medical emergencies. The fire department operates under a Regional Fire Protection Program, which allows all fire stations to provide support as needed regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.

Cal-Fire/Riverside County Fire Department has one fire station located within the City of Indian Wells.

Fire Station No. 55 is located within the Civic Center Complex at 44900 Eldorado Drive with paramedic unit housing at the station that provides no -cost treatment and emergency transportation for City residents. Fire Station No. 55 provides services within a 5 — 7 -minute response time. Five Fire Fighters are staffed at Fire Station No. 55 daily. In total, the City's Fire Department is made up of 15.5 personnel, 15 sworn personnel and 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) non -sworn personnel. Six of the 15 sworn personnel are also paramedics.

There are three additional fire stations in the cities surrounding Indian Wells (Station No. 71, 67 and 93).

Station No. 71 is approximately 2.5 miles northwest of City limits off Country Club Drive and Portola Avenue, Station No. 67 is approximately 1.5 miles west of City limits near the southern portion of the City off Portola Avenue, and Station No. 93 is approximately 0.9 miles east of City limits from Washington Street and Miles Avenue. The fire station within the City, Station No. 55, is currently the first responder to the City, and Station No. 93 is the next closest Fire Station that would respond in the event Station Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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No. 55 is out responding to an emergency call. Station No. 93 is equipped with a Paramedic Engine, Ambulance, and one ladder truck.

Police Protection
Law enforcement services are provided to the City of Indian Wells through a contractual agreement with Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department provides 24 -hour municipal police services associated with a City police department and the entire 14.6 square miles of the City. In 2019, the Sheriff's Department responded to over 3,014 calls for service. The station is located at the center of Indian Wells, adjacent to the Indian Wells Fire Station No. 55, at 44-850 Eldorado Drive.

The Sheriff's Department provides emergency and non -emergency responses, police patrol and traffic enforcement. According to a 2021 Matrix Studyl which included analyzing the Indian Wells Police Department, there were approximately 13 staff members at the Indian Wells Police Department in 2020.

In 2020 based off daily patrol hours, there were 4.9 patrol officers serving the City. Police response times vary and are dependent on the location of patrol cars. According to the Matrix Study, the overall average response time for the first Indian Wells Police Department unit to arrive at the scene of a call for service is 15.9 minutes. This is an excellent overall response time to all calls and shows that even lower priority calls (Priority 3 and 4) in Indian Wells receive a response of 17.8 — 20.9 minutes. Officers' response time to the most serious calls for service are Priority 1 and 1A type calls. The Priority 1 call response is a very good 6.7 minutes, within the 5 - 7 -minute range of response times.

Community Oriented Policing
The City's Police Department practices "Community -Oriented Policing". Community -Oriented Policing is a philosophy of full -service, personalized policing where the same officer is assigned to a specific geographical area on a permanent basis, working in a proactive partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems. Officers work closely with other organizations and community groups to educate community members about potential hazards they may encounter and how to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime; to identify the problems, concerns and fears of community members; to identify and eliminate hazards that may promote crime or disorder; and to improve the overall quality of life in the community.

Traffic Division
The Indian Wells Motorcycle Enforcement Officer performs several different functions. Their primary function is to enforce traffic laws as defined by the California Vehicle Code with a goal of making our roadways safe for all commuters. Secondly, they are tasked with investigating major traffic collisions that occur within the City of Indian Wells. On rare occasions, investigations include vehicular manslaughter 1 Final Report on the Feasibility of Developing a Shared Police Services Contract, Matrix Consulting Group, June 2021; https://www.cityofi nd is nwel ls.org/home/showpu bl isheddocu ment/7416/637811469054070000 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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and homicide cases. Finally, Traffic Services is responsible for developing traffic plans for all major events held in Indian Wells.

Patrol Division
As explained above, basic law enforcement protection is provided to the City of Indian Wells by contractual agreement with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. This agreement provides the City with a cost-effective way to provide police services to the residents, businesses, and visitors. The patrol deputies are the Department's most visible element. They are the first to respond in emergency situations and all have training in basic life-saving measures.

Special Enforcement Team Division
The Special Enforcement Team (SET) serves as an adjunct to patrol staff with an emphasis on providing enhanced patrol services in Indian Wells. Two SET Deputies are specifically assigned to serve in the City of Indian Wells.

The Special Enforcement Team actively investigates various crimes including burglaries, thefts, and other localized crimes. In addition to investigations, the SET utilizes Community -Oriented Policing concepts in an effort to provide education and problem -solving ideas to Indian Wells citizens. By functioning in these capacities, patrol officers can remain in the field and available for service calls.

The SET also conducts specifically targeted enforcement programs to combat identified problems within the city. The SET is also responsible for specialized enforcement and security for Indian Wells civic and community events, such as the tennis tournament and Desert Town Hall —Indian Wells lecture series.

Community Service Officers Division
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, under contract with the City of Indian Wells, provides the City with Community Service Officers (CSO's). These officers are not sworn deputies and do not carry firearms or other defensive weapons other than pepper spray. Under general supervision, CSO's perform the most responsible law enforcement support duties involving a variety of civil and criminal issues that do not require the authority of a sworn law enforcement officer. However, their duties have a high factor of responsibility, liability, and criticality. Their role is to provide services to the residents and visitors in the City directly or by assisting deputies. For example, CSO's investigate and complete crime reports wherein the suspect is not known. They will also investigate and complete non -injury traffic accidents.

CSO's provide a cost-effective method to "free up" deputies who can then investigate, follow-up and complete more serious investigations and reports. CSO's assist the deputies at crime scenes and traffic collisions by directing traffic, setting up flare patterns and coordinating vehicle towing. Also, if the deputies make an arrest, a CSO can transport the suspect to jail, which allows the deputy to concentrate on the criminal investigation and required reports. Basically, the role of the CSO's is to assist the deputies and other department personnel in completing their assignments.

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Schools
The City of Indian Wells is served by Desert Sands United School District (DSUSD), a K-12 school district.

DSUSD serves the communities of Indian Wells, Coachella, Indio, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Bermuda Dunes.

DSUSD's current capacity and enrollment were reviewed to identify existing facilities that may be available to house future students. DSUSD conducted a capacity analysis, the result of which are shown below in Table 4.14-1.

Table 4.14-1 Existing DSUSD School Capacity 2023/2024
School Level
FaII 2023
Capacity
Fall 2023
Enrollment
Existing Capacity
Surplus/(Deficit)
Elementary School (Grades K-5)
11,097
11,184
(87)
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
6,412
5,978
434
High School (Grades 9-12)
9,255
8,641
614
Total
26,764
25,803
961
Source: DSUSD Fee Justification Study for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development, June 2024.

DSUSD is funded through a number of sources, including a portion of local property tax, bond issues, Redevelopment Agency pass -through payments, State funds and developer fees. Developer fees were established by Assembly Bill 2926 (AB 2926), effective 1986, which authorizes Districts to charge developers an impact fee that is used for the construction of new facilities. The fee changes periodically and is calculated on a per unit or per square foot basis, depending on the type of development. Currently, DSUSD developer fees are $5.17 per square foot of assessable space of new residential development, $0.29 per square foot for rental self -storage, and $0.84 per square foot of chargeable covered and enclosed space of commercial/industrial development.

Parks
The City of Indian Wells contains one park, Fairway Park, which consists of a half -acre park built by the City and Desert Recreation District, located at the corner of Eldorado and Fairway Drive. The park features desert landscaping, accent rocks, a walking path, and shade trees.

The City operates and maintains a public golf course, The Golf Resort at Indian Wells. Additionally, there are six privately owned golf courses throughout the City. The recreational needs of the community have been shown to consist mainly of golf courses and resorts.

According to Chapter 20.36.040, Park Dedication Requirements (discussed below under Indian Wells Municipal Code), residential subdivisions, containing fifty parcels or fewer, shall not be required to dedicate any land for park and recreational purposes without consent, but shall pay a development fee in accordance with the Code. All other residential developments are required to pay a park development fee, dedicate land, or both. Section 20.36.040 also states that the developer of any residential Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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subdivision shall dedicate park land and/or pay fees in lieu thereof, at the rate of five acres per one thousand population. Dedicated park land is to be apportioned as three acres for public parks, which are owned and maintained by the City, and two acres for private parks located in the immediate subdivision.

4.14.3 Regulatory Setting
Federal
There are no Federal regulations applicable to the environmental topic of public services.

State
Uniform Fire Code
The Uniform Fire Code (UFC) contains regulations relating to construction, maintenance, and use of buildings. Topics addressed in the code include fire department access, fire hydrants, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire and explosion hazards safety, hazardous materials storage and use, provisions intended to protect and assist fire responders, industrial processes, and many other general and specialized fire -safety requirements for new and existing buildings and the surrounding premises.

The UFC contains specialized technical regulations related to fire and life safety.

California Occupational Safety and Health Administration In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 8 Section 1270 "Fire Prevention," and Section 6773, "Fire Protection and Fire Equipment," the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established minimum standards for fire suppression and emergency medical services.

The standards include guidelines on the handling of highly combustible materials, fire hose sizing requirements, restrictions on the use of compressed air, access roads, and the testing, maintenance and use of all firefighting and emergency medical equipment.

California Health and Safety Code
State fire regulations are set forth in Sections 13000 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code, which includes regulations for building standards (as set forth in the California Building Code), fire protection and notification systems, fire protection devices such as extinguishers, smoke alarms, high- rise building, childcare facility standards, and fire suppression training.

California Government Code, Section 65995(b), and Education Code Section 17620 Senate Bill (SB) 50 amended Government Code Section 65995, which contains limitations on Education Code Section 17620, the statute that authorizes school districts to assess development fees within school Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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district boundaries. SB 50 permits school districts to levy fees, based on justification studies, for the purposes of funding construction of school facilities, subject to established limits.

According to California Government Code Section 65995(3)(h), the payment of statutory fees is "deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts of any legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or development of real property, or any change in governmental organization or reorganization on the provision of adequate school facilities." The school district is responsible for implementing the specific methods for mitigating school impacts under the Government Code.

Mitigation Fee Act (California Government Code 66000-66008) Assembly Bill (AB) 1600, known as the Mitigation Fee Act, requires a local agency establishing, increasing, or imposing an impact fee as a condition of development to identify the purpose and use of the fee. The agency must also demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged, and between the fee and the type of development project on which it is to be levied.

Quimby Act
The Quimby Act (Government Code Section 66477) is intended to mitigate the impacts of development on parks and recreational facilities. This act authorizes cities and counties to adopt ordinances requiring that developers set aside land, donate conservation easements, or pay fees for park improvements.

Required in -lieu fees for park and recreational improvements are attached as a condition of approval of a tract map or parcel map. The Quimby Act authorizes jurisdictions to require that such fees fund 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 persons, unless the amount of existing neighborhood and community park area exceeds that limit, in which case the legislative body may adopt the calculated amount as a higher standard not to exceed 5 acres per 1,000 persons.

California Building Code
The California Building Code establishes the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, access to persons with disabilities, sanitation, adequate lighting and ventilation and energy conservation; safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment; and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

Local
Indian Wells Municipal Code
Chapter 3.24 — Implementing Citywide Public Improvement Fee Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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A Citywide public improvement fee (fee), to be expressed on a per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) basis, is established to pay for the facilities within the City. The fee shall be paid upon the issuance of building permits for each development project within the City. The fee for each development project shall be calculated at the time of building permit issuance and shall be the amount as indicated at that time.

The fee collected shall be used by the City for the following purposes at such time as determined by the City Council:
• To pay for such facilities that the City Council determine should be constructed, installed, or purchased at that time, or to reimburse the City for facilities funded by the City from other sources.
• To reimburse developers who have been required or permitted to construct, install or purchase approved facilities, in such amounts as the City Council deems appropriate. • To repay the City for administration costs associated with administration of the fee.

Chapter 3.25 — Implementing Highway 111 Circulation Improvement Fee A Highway 111 Circulation Improvement Fee (Fee), to be expressed on a per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) basis, is hereby established to pay for the facilities within the territory. The fee shall be paid upon the issuance of building permits for each development project within the Territory. Each new single- family detached dwelling, single-family attached dwelling, or unit within a multi -family dwelling or mobile home dwelling in a development project shall be considered one EDU for purposes of this fee.

The fee for each development project shall be calculated at the time of building permit issuance and shall be the amount as indicated at that time. The fee collected shall be used by the City for the following purposes at such time as determined by the City Council:
• To pay for such facilities that the City Council determined to be constructed to accommodate new development.
• To pay for such facilities that the City Council determine should be constructed, installed, or purchased at that time, or to reimburse the City for facilities funded by the City from other sources.
• To reimburse developers who have been required or permitted to construct, install or purchase approved facilities listed in the report and referenced in Section 3.25.030, in such amounts as the City Council deems appropriate.
• To repay the City for administration costs associated with administration of the fee.

Chapter 3.26 — Special Fire Tax
All revenues from the special tax (Standby and Availability Charge) levied by this Chapter shall be paid into a special fund in the treasury of the City and shall be expended only for the purpose of obtaining, furnishing, operating and maintaining an upgraded level of fire suppression, protection, and related rescue and paramedic services. The special tax (Standby and Availability Charges) shall be levied upon the class of improvements to property and the use of property basis utilizing estimated fire flow Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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requirements determined in accordance with the formula contained in the Insurance Services Office guidelines in the Fire Prevention and Control Master Planning Guide distributed by the United States Department of Commerce.

Chapter 16.32 — California Fire Code
All of the provisions and appendices of the 2022 California Fire Code, inclusive of all of the includes and exclusions set forth in each chapter's matrix, are hereby adopted and shall apply to the City of Indian Wells. In addition, the following provisions that are excluded in the 2022 California Fire Code are hereby adopted — Chapter 1, Division II of the California Fire Code is hereby adopted, except that Sections 103.2 and 111.3 are not adopted, and Chapters 3, 25, and Sections 403.11, 503, 510.2, 1103.2 and 5707 are adopted.

Cha Dter 20.36.040 — Park Dedication Recuirements
Chapter 20.36.040 establishes criteria for dedicating land, or payment of in lieu fees for construction of new parks or recreational facilities or rehabilitation of existing facilities. The ordinance states that residential subdivisions, containing fifty parcels or fewer, shall not be required to dedicate any land for park and recreational purposes without consent, but shall pay a development fee in accordance with the Code. All other residential developments are required to pay a park development fee, dedicate land, or both. Section 20.36.040 states that the developer of any residential subdivision shall dedicate park land and/or pay fees in lieu thereof, at the rate of five acres per one thousand population. Dedicated park land is to be apportioned as three acres for public parks, which are owned and maintained by the City, and two acres for private parks located in the immediate subdivision. The number of people in a new subdivision is determined by multiplying the number of dwelling units in the subdivision by the average household size. Average household size is based on the latest U.S. Census information.

Indian Wells Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
This local hazard mitigation plan aims to identify the city's hazards, review and assess past disaster occurrences, estimate the probability of future events, and set goals to mitigate potential risks to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from natural and manufactured hazards. The plan was prepared under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requirements to achieve eligibility and potentially secure mitigation funding through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance, Pre -Disaster Mitigation, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs.

Desert Sands Unified School District
DSUSD levies developer fees for new construction residential, commercial, and rental self -storage development. In January of 2024, the State Allocation Board ("SAB") adjusted the Statutory Fees for a unified (TK-12) school district to $5.17 per square foot of assessable space of new residential development, $0.29 per square foot for rental self -storage, and $0.84 per square foot of chargeable Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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covered and enclosed space of commercial/industrial development pursuant to Government Code section 65995 and Education Code section 17620. DSUSD informs the City every year about updated fees to ensure the City's developer fees include the most recent fee amount.

4.14.4 Project Impact Analysis
Thresholds of Significance
The thresholds derived from Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines are used to determine the level of potential effect. The GPU would have a significant effect on public services if it is determined that the implementation of the GPU will:
a. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any other public services:

Fire protection?
Police protection?
Schools?
Parks?
Other Public Utilities?
Methodology
This analysis evaluates whether the development under the General Plan Update (GPU) would necessitate constructing new governmental or recreational facilities or modifying existing ones to maintain acceptable public service standards. To determine the impacts on public services, current service capacities and facilities are compared to future demands projected with GPU implementation.

According to Chapter 3, Project Description, Table 3-3, Updates to the Land Use Plan, the General Plan Update proposes to change the current land use designations at two locations. At one location, the existing land use of "Golf and Recreation," would be changed to "Resort Commercial". At the other location, the existing land use of "Community Commercial" would be changed to "Resort Commercial." Buildout of the proposed General Plan would result in 5,455 single family units and 816 multifamily units, for a total of 6,271 residential units (consistent with the Current General Plan). Notably, the population growth projections for both the Current General Plan and the GPU are identical, estimating a population increase to 5,405. The City currently includes 4,694 single family units and 349 multifamily units, for a total of 5,043 residential units. Considering the Department of Finance's Population and Housing Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Estimates for the City, the City has an estimated 1.76 persons per household (PPH). The full buildout of the GPU could increase the population by 1,862.08 from the additional 1,058 residential units. The growth that could be expected at full buildout of the GPU is included in the analysis below.

Project Impacts
According to the CEQA Guidelines' Appendix G Environmental Checklist, to determine whether impacts to aesthetic resources are significant environmental effects, the following thresholds are analyzed and evaluated. Would the GPU:
a. Impact:

Fire Protection
Construction Impacts
Construction activities would increase the potential for accidental on -site fires from sources such as mechanical equipment operation and the use of flammable construction materials. Upon adoption of the GPU, construction contractors would implement best management practices (BMPs) to minimize these hazards, including the maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure proper working order, the safe storage of flammable materials, and the immediate cleanup of any flammable spills.

Additionally, future construction within the City may require partial road closures due to construction traffic for grading, debris removal, and material deliveries, which could impact emergency response times, including fire services. However, traffic management plans would be required to ensure that construction projects do not obstruct the Riverside County Fire Department's (RCFD) ability to provide emergency services. Clear, unobstructed paths would be maintained to ensure the fire department can uphold its standard response times during construction activities.

In regard to the construction materials for present and future projects, Action PS -2a, encourages the mitigation of existing, non -conforming development to contemporary fire -safe standards where feasible, reducing fire risks during construction. Policy PS -2.4 would restrict (after appropriate public hearings) the use of fire -prone building materials in areas defined by the Fire Department as presenting high -conflagration risk. Action PS -2c would require that all new habitable structures be designed in accordance with the most recent California Building and Fire Code with local amendments adopted by the City, including the use of fire sprinklers. Additionally, the City's General Plan has outlined policies that include requiring new development to fund its fair share of the costs for the expansion of public infrastructure and services, recreational amenities, and facilities. (Policy RM-5.1). To supplement Policy RM-5.1, Policy RM-5.2 states that the City would maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and the timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements. Policy PS -2.2 mandates that the City works with CAL Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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FIRE/RCFD to maintain an ongoing fire inspection program, which would also apply during construction to minimize fire hazards. Action PS -la further ensures regular emergency response exercises are conducted to test the effectiveness of the City's response procedures, particularly during high -risk construction phases that may disrupt emergency routes. Therefore, impacts to fire services during potential future construction within the City would be less than significant.

Operational Impacts
With the implementation of the GPU, the City can be expected to have an incremental increase to the number of calls for fire services. As stated above under the Methodology Section, the City's population could increase by 1,862.08 residents at full GPU buildout.

Fire Station No. 55 is the primary station to respond to calls from residents of Indian Wells, given its convenient location at the center of the City. Station No. 93 is the second closest station and responds when Station No. 55 is responding to other calls. Both stations provide services within a 5 — 7 -minute response time.

Development would comply with all existing development standards, codes, policies, and actions set forth by the City. This includes Indian Wells Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 and Chapter 3.25 (briefly described in the Regulatory Section above), requiring the payment of developer fees by new development within the City to help pay for facilities that are determined to be constructed to accommodate new development. Chapter 3.26, Special Fire Tax, imposes a levy on property improvements and property usage based on estimated fire flow requirements. These requirements are calculated using a formula provided in the California Insurance Services Office guidelines, which are detailed in the Fire Prevention and Control Master Planning Guide, distributed by the United States Department of Commerce. In order to ensure future development is complying with fire code standards, Chapter 16.32, California Fire Code, states that the City adopts and applies all of the provisions and appendices of the California Fire Code.

In addition to the requirements set forth in the City's Municipal Codes, City policies and actions are required to be followed by future development. Policy PS -2.1 requires all buildings and facilities to comply with local, State, and federal regulatory standards such as the California Building and Fire Codes as well as other applicable fire safety standards. Policy PS -2.3 requires that all new habitable structures be designed in accordance with the most recent California Building and Fire Code with local amendments adopted by the City, including the use of fire sprinklers. Additionally, the City's General Plan has outlined policies that include requiring new development to fund its fair share of the costs for the expansion of public infrastructure and services, recreational amenities, and facilities. (Policy RM-5.1). To supplement Policy RM-5.1, Policy RM-5.2 states that the City would maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and the timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements.

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In addition, multiple City policies and actions are to be implemented by the City to maintain and improve fire safety. Policy PS -1.1 states that the City would maintain contracted essential service agreements through established State and county agencies, including CAL FIRE, RCFD, and RCSD. Policy PS -1.2 mandates the periodic update of local emergency plans, such as the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The City will conduct coordination with the Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) under Policy PS -1.6 to enhance school emergency planning. Action PS -lc states that the City would maintain an EOP that defines the actions and roles necessary to provide a coordinated response within the City before, during, and following extraordinary emergencies associated with natural, manmade, and technological disasters. To strengthen community fire safety, Policy PS -2.5 requires the City and RCFD to provide public education programs, particularly for at -risk populations, on fire hazards, safety measures, and evacuation routes. Policy PS -1.3 states the City should provide sufficient levels of all emergency response services to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all persons and to protect property in the City. Policy PS -1.7 states that the City should continue to participate in automatic and mutual aid agreements with adjacent service providers and regional agencies, such as Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), to ensure efficient and adequate resources, facilities, and support services before, during, and after emergencies; further cooperate with regional agencies and the general public to inform citizens of available protective services. Policy PS -1.8 encourages emergency preparedness to be the combined responsibility of the City, in conjunction with the County, CVAG, and the State as well as City residents and the business community. Action PS -le states that the City will provide community education and self-help programs. In cooperation with CVAG and other communities in the Valley, distribute periodic safety publications, that discuss available protective services, to the public. Policy PS -2.6 states that the City should uphold locally and regionally adopted fire protection plans, including the City of Indian Wells Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and regularly renew such plans as new information becomes available.

Additionally, Action PS -1g states that the City should work with RCFD to maintain, update, and regularly exercise emergency access, protocols, and evacuation routes to assess their effectiveness under a range of emergency scenarios. Action PS -2d states that the City will work with Riverside County to develop a comprehensive fire plan which forecasts future personnel and equipment needs and requires new development to pay its pro -rata share of costs for fire services. Action PS -2e addresses the need to upgrade older water mains to maintain adequate water pressure for firefighting. Furthermore, Action PS -1b ensures the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is kept up to date, while Action PS -2b states that the City will review and revise the City LHMP at least every 5 years to reflect current community needs, and to ensure the City continues to receive federal FEMA mitigation assistance.

Overall, the GPU itself does not create the necessity to propose new fire facilities. When future facilities are proposed, project -specific environmental impacts will be assessed, and potential impacts will be identified during the City planning process for fire facilities. Implementation of the City policies and Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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actions, City Municipal Codes, as well as the most current local, State, and federal codes and regulations would ensure that impacts would be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
RM-5.1 Fair Share. Ensure that all new development and major redevelopment provides for and funds its fair share of the costs for the expansion of public infrastructure and services, recreational amenities, and facilities.

RM-5.2 Capital Improvements. Maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and the timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements.

PS -1.1 Service Agreements. Maintain contracted essential service agreements through established State and county agencies, including CAL FIRE, RCFD, and RCSD.

PS -1.2 Emergency Plan. Enforce, and periodically update, local emergency plans, such as the City EOP and LHMP, to ensure the most current information is reflected.

PS -1.3 Emergency Response Service. Provide sufficient levels of all emergency response services to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all persons and to protect property in the City.

PS -1.6 School Emergency Planning. Coordinate with the Desert Sands Unified School District to ensure the highest levels of safety and emergency preparedness are instilled in their programs and practices.

PS -1.7 Regional Support System. Continue to participate in automatic and mutual aid agreements with adjacent service providers and regional agencies, such as Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), to ensure efficient and adequate resources, facilities, and support
PS -1.8 Community Coordination. Encourage emergency preparedness to be the combined responsibility of the City, in conjunction with the County, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), and the State as well as City residents and the business community.

PS -2.1 Building Fire Codes. Require that all buildings and facilities comply with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the California Building and Fire Codes as well as other applicable fire safety standards.

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PS -2.2 Urban Fire Risks. Work with CAL FIRE/RCFD to maintain an ongoing fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards associated with multifamily development, critical facilities, public assembly facilities, industrial buildings, and nonresidential buildings.

PS -2.3 Fire Hazard Identification. Coordinate with CAL FIRE/RCFD to identify any changes in regional fire hazard severity zones to further reduce fire hazards in the community the community.

PS -2.4 Fire -Prone Building Materials. Restrict, after appropriate public hearings, the use of fire -prone building materials in areas defined by the Fire Department as presenting high -conflagration risk.

PS -2.5 Public Education. Work with RCFD to disseminate educational programs for residents on fire hazard risks and fire safety measures, including evacuation routes, with a special focus on at -risk populations such as seniors.

PS -2.6 Fire Protection Plans. Uphold locally and regionally adopted fire protection plans, including the City of Indian Wells Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and regularly renew such plans as new information becomes available.

Actions
PS -la
Regularly conduct periodic emergency response exercises to test the effectiveness of City emergency response procedures; coordinate with the County and State where multi -jurisdictional efforts are needed.

PS -lb Coordinate with the County of Riverside to keep the Multi -Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan up to date.

PS -lc Maintain an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that defines the actions and roles necessary to provide a coordinated response within the City before, during, and following extraordinary emergencies associated with natural, manmade, and technological disasters. An EOP typically has built-in flexibility to allow use in all emergencies and facilitates response and short-term recovery activities. Annually review and update the City's EOP under the provision of the State Emergency Management System format to maximize the efforts of emergency service providers (e.g., fire, medical, and law enforcement) and minimize human suffering and property damage during disasters.

PS -le
Provide community education and self-help programs. In cooperation with CVAG and other communities in the Valley, distribute periodic safety publications, that discuss available protective services, to the public. Coordinate with local agencies and organizations to develop and distribute informational brochures and give Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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presentations to civic groups and local schools to educate residents and businesses about appropriate actions to take during an emergency.

PS -1g
Work with RCFD to maintain, update, and regularly exercise emergency access, protocols, and evacuation routes to assess their effectiveness under a range of emergency scenarios.

PS -2a Mitigate, as feasible, existing non -conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards where feasible, including road standards and vegetative hazards.

PS -2b Review and revise the City LHMP at least every 5 years to reflect current community needs, and to ensure the City continues to receive federal FEMA mitigation assistance.

PS -2c
PS -2d
Require that all new habitable structures be designed in accordance with the most recent California Building and Fire Code with local amendments adopted by the City, including the use of fire sprinklers.

Work with Riverside County to develop a comprehensive fire plan which forecasts future personnel and equipment needs and require new development to pay its pro -rata share of costs for fire services.

PS -2e Upgrade older water mains in the city as needed to ensure adequate water pressure for firefighting.

Police protection
Construction
Construction impacts from the implementation of the GPU within the City of Indian Wells to police would be similar to those faced by fire services. Future construction within the City may result in construction traffic that could result in partial road closures due to construction trucks moving in and out of the City for grading, debris removal, and delivery of construction materials. These activities could potentially have an impact on emergency services, like police services, by increasing response times. However, construction management traffic plans will be required to ensure future projects do not impede with the Sheriff's Department ability to provide service during project construction. Action PS -la ensures regular emergency response exercises are conducted to test the effectiveness of the City's response procedures, particularly during high -risk construction phases that may disrupt emergency routes.

Therefore, impacts to police services during construction would be less than significant.

Operational Impacts
Implementation of the GPU could place an additional demand on service calls for police services; however, future development would be required to follow existing development standards set forth by Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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