Indian Wells City Council
February 13, 2025

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.14 PUBLIC SERVICES
the City and IWPD. Implementation of the GPU would be required to meet all current and applicable policies as well which include Policy RM-5.1 ensuring 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. Additionally, Policy RM-5.2 states that the City will 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.

As a result of compliance with these existing regulations, the GPU would not significantly increase police response times and would not interfere with IWPD's ability to provide service to the City. Therefore, impacts to police services 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.

Actions
PS -la
Schools
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.

As discussed above, the full buildout of the GPU could result in an increase in 1,058 residential units. Per the Department of Finance's Population and Housing Estimates for the City, the City has an estimated

1.76 persons per household (PPH). The 2024 DSUSD Fee Justification Study for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development states that the student generation rate for DSUSD is 0.3502. Based on the forecasted housing growth from the proposed project, approximately 370.5 new students could be added to DSUSD at full GPU buildout.

To ensure that Desert Sands Unified Schol District (DSUSD) accommodates future growth in the City, DSUSD levies developer fees for new construction of 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 covered and enclosed space of commercial/industrial development pursuant to Government Code Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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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.

DSUSD currently has no excess capacity at the elementary school level and although DSUSD is currently able to house existing students at the middle and high school levels as excess capacity exists at each — specifically, excess capacity exists at the middle school level (434 seats) and at the high school level (614 seats) — the DSUSD Fee Justification Study for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development shows additional growth will not be accommodated by current excess capacity.

In addition, it was determined in the 2024 DSUSD Fee Justification Study for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development that the DSUSD's facilities impact per square foot is greater than the allowable Level 1 Fee ($5.17). Due to this, DSUSD suffers unmitigated impacts from new residential development. According to the 2024 DSUSD Fee Justification Study for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development, facilities cost $10.34 per square foot.

No new school facilities are proposed in the GPU. Although growth projections may necessitate new schools in the future, the timing and specifics of these facilities are currently unknown. Potential impacts will be identified and mitigated during the facility planning process. Future proposals for new school facilities will be reviewed on a case -by -case basis by the DSUSD, ensuring compliance with all relevant codes and regulations to minimize environmental impacts.

As concluded in the 2024 DSUSD Fee Justification Study for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development, DSUSD will use the fee's collected towards the construction and/or reconstruction of school facilities and/or additional permanent facilities on existing school campuses and/or acquisition of new or interim public -school facilities. Interim school facilities can house students generated by new development while permanent facilities are being constructed including leasing or acquisition of portable classrooms to meet the temporary needs of students generated from new development and construction, and the installation of interim facilities and to pay for the costs of replacing interim facilities with permanent facilities.

Senate Bill (SB) 50 permits school districts to levy fees to fund school construction, with the payment of these fees deemed full mitigation of development impacts on school facilities. Policy RM-5.1 ensures 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. Additionally, Policy RM-5.2 states that the City will maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements. In addition to City efforts, the school district is responsible for implementing specific methods to mitigate school impacts under the Government Code. The collection of state -mandated school impact fees would reduce school -related impacts to a less than significant level.

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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.

Parks
The City of Indian Wells is committed to ensuring that its parks and recreational facilities are both adequate and accessible for residents and visitors through a comprehensive set of policies. Policy RM-

3.1 focuses on facilitating recreational opportunities by maintaining necessary facilities citywide and cooperating with neighboring jurisdictions. Policy RM-3.2 emphasizes the development of parks in residential areas, promoting local -serving public and private recreational facilities. To ensure coverage, Policy RM-3.3 directs the City to establish new parks outside a 1/4 -mile walking radius from existing ones and to enhance safe walking and cycling routes to these facilities. Safety and compatibility are priorities under Policy RM-3.7, which requires careful consideration of park design aspects such as building placement, lighting, and parking. To support ongoing development, Policy RM-3.8 mandates that new projects incorporate parkland, aligning with the municipal code's (Section 20.36.040) park dedication requirements. Maintenance is crucial, with Policy RM-3.9 ensuring responsible agencies keep parks well - maintained. Accessibility is also a focus, as Policy RM-3.10 requires compliance with ADA standards and playground safety requirements for new and retrofitted facilities. Policy RM-3.11 calls for active pursuit of funding for parkland acquisition and maintenance. Community involvement is encouraged through Policy RM-3.12, which aims to align facilities and programs with residents' evolving preferences. To continue to attract visitors and residents to Indian Wells, the City would follow Policy RM-3.4, promoting the City's municipal and private golf courses. Ensuring fair contribution from new developments, Policy RM-5.1 mandates that such projects fund their share of public infrastructure and amenities. Finally, Policy RM-5.2 supports the capital improvement program to guarantee the timely implementation of the General Plan and the provision of public facilities. Collectively, these policies ensure that Indian Wells' park facilities will be sufficient and well -maintained for current and future needs.

The City of Indian Wells has also outlined a series of strategic actions designed to ensure that parks and recreational facilities are ample and meet the needs of residents and visitors. Action RM-3a involves updating the Zoning Code to permit recreational facilities and support structures in all residential zones, thereby expanding access to recreational opportunities throughout the city. Action RM-3b stipulates that developers must dedicate land for parks based on a standard of up to five acres per one thousand residents or alternatively, pay fees in lieu of land dedication, providing flexibility and ensuring the Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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expansion of recreational spaces. According to Municipal Code Chapter 20.36.040, Park Dedication Requirements (detailed under Indian Wells Municipal Code above), the City of Indian Wells requires projects 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.

As stated above, the full buildout of the GPU could increase the population by 1,862.08 from the additional 1,058 residential units. Future projects will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and seek approval from the City Council in order to ensure the appropriate fee amount is collected and/or park land is dedicated.

To secure financial resources for recreational facilities and parkland acquisition, Action RM-3c commits the City to actively pursue funding from a variety of sources, including state and federal grants, special districts, and private contributions. Maintenance is a priority under Action RM-3d, which mandates regular assessments of all parks and recreational facilities to ensure they remain in excellent condition.

Collectively, these policies and actions demonstrate a proactive approach to maintaining and enhancing the City of Indian Wells' parks facilities, ensuring they are sufficient and aligned with the needs of the community. Impacts are anticipated to be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
RM-3.1 Provision of Opportunities. Facilitate recreational opportunities for residents by providing and maintaining needed facilities throughout the City and in cooperation with adjoining jurisdictions.

RM-3.2 Parks in Residential Areas. Support the development of local -serving park and recreational facilities (public and private) in residential areas.

RM-3.3 Service Area Radius. Focus new park and recreation facilities in areas that are outside 1/4 -mile walking radius from an existing or proposed park or trail and enhance options for residents to access these facilities through safe walking and cycling routes.

RM-3.4 Golf Courses. Promote the City's municipal and private golf courses as high -quality amenities that serve residents, draw visitors, and make Indian Wells an exceptional destination.

RM-3.7 Safety and Compatibility. Consider public safety and compatibility with adjacent uses in park design and development including the location of buildings, activity areas, lighting, and parking.

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RM-3.8 Parkland Dedication. Require new development or major redevelopment to incorporate parkland, open space, or green space to expand recreational opportunities in the community in accordance with Section 20.36.040, Park dedication requirements, of the Indian Wells Municipal Code.

RM-3.9 Maintenance. Require that parks and recreational facilities be well -maintained by the responsible agency/organization.

RM-3.10 Accessibility. Require that new park facility construction and existing facility retrofits meet accessibility standards defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and playground safety requirements.

RM-3.11 Parkland Funding. Actively pursue financing for parkland acquisition and maintenance and allocate sufficient funding to park development to support the community's recreational needs.

RM-3.12 Community Support. Collaborate with residents to ensure the City's park and recreation facilities and programs reflect evolving community preferences.

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.

Actions
RM-3a Update the Zoning Code to list recreational facilities and support facilities as an allowable use in all residential zones.

RM-3b Require developers to dedicate land based upon the park acreage standard of up to five acres per one thousand population or, at the City Council's discretion, the payment of fees in -lieu of the dedication of land in accordance with the Municipal Code.

RM-3c
Pursue available resources to fund recreation facilities and parkland acquisition, development, and maintenance, including but not limited to, State and federal grants, special districts, private donations, gifts, and endowments.

RM-3d Conduct regular maintenance assessments for all parks and recreation facilities.

Other Public Facilities
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The City of Indian Wells has developed a robust framework of policies and actions to ensure the sustainability and adequacy of public facilities for its residents and visitors. Policy RM-3.5 caters specifically to seniors by offering recreational facilities and activities tailored to their needs.

Collaboration is key, as seen in Policy RM-3.6, which encourages working with Homeowners Associations to meet the diverse needs of the community, including families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Policy RM-5.1 ensures 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. Policy RM-5.2 states that the City should maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and timely provision of public facilities and municipal improvements.

To stay attuned to community needs, Action RM-3e involves conducting periodic surveys to gauge residents' preferences and requirements for recreational programming and services. Action RM-3f seeks to enhance the recreational experience for resort visitors by identifying opportunities to preserve, restore, and create low -impact recreational spaces, including the publication of a trails and bike path brochure for distribution at resorts. Finally, Action RM-3g encourages local schools and places of worship to develop and promote recreational programs, broadening the scope of available activities for residents. By implementing these comprehensive policies and actions, the City of Indian Wells will ensure that public facilities are well -maintained, adequately funded, and effectively meet the diverse needs of the community. Therefore, the GPU is expected to have a less than significant impact on public facilities within the City.

General Plan Policies that Mitigate Potential Impacts
Policies
RM-3.5 Facilities for Seniors. Cater to the City's senior population by continuing to provide recreational facilities and activities specifically tailored to meet the needs of older residents.

RM-3.6 HOA Collaboration. Collaborate with Homeowners Associations to provide local - serving recreational facilities and activities that meet the needs and preferences of all segments of the community, including families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

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.

Actions
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RM-3e Conduct periodic assessments of community needs and preferences in recreation programming and services.

RM-3f Identify ways to preserve, restore, create, and maintain low impact recreational opportunities and open space experiences for resort visitors such as publishing a trails/bike path brochure for the resorts to distribute.

RM-3g Encourage schools and places of worship in the City to create and promote recreation programs and activities for residents.

4.14.5 Cumulative Impacts
Considering the cumulative development within the City and its Sphere of Influence, there is likely to be a demand increase to services provided by RCFD and the Sheriff's Department. Present and reasonably foreseeable development within the area would be addressed case by case during the development and review of such development. This would ensure that services to accommodate current and future citywide growth could be reasonably provided within the cumulative context. As discussed above, all new development will be required to contribute to the payment of fees, which go towards minimizing impacts to fire and police services, as well as other public services. Therefore, with adherence to codes, policies and actions as identified in this section, all new development within the City will assist in minimizing cumulative impacts in regard to public services and are expected to be less than significant.

4.14.6 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 public services. 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.

4.14.7 Level of Significance after Mitigation
Not Applicable.

4.14.8 References

1. City of Indian Wells, Fire Department website, https://www.cityofindianwells.org/services/fire

2. City of Indian Wells, Police Department website httas:// www.cityofindianwells.org/services/police

3. Developing a Shared Police Services Contract, Matrix Consulting Group, June 2021, https://www.cityofindianwel ls.org/home/showpublisheddocument/7416/637811469054070000 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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4. Desert Sands Unified School District Fee Justification Report for New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Development, June 2024,
https://www.dsusd.us/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=LxQmC%2fbg

5. Department of Finance, Population and Housing Estimates, 2024.

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PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

4.15 Recreation

4.15 Recreation

4.15.1 Introduction
This section of the Indian Wells General Plan Update ("GPU") Programmatic Draft Environmental Impact Report ("PDEIR") describes the existing setting regarding recreation facilities in the City and evaluates the potential for GPU implementation to increase the use of recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facilities would occur or be accelerated. The provision of parks is also addressed in Section 4.14, Public Services.

4.15.2 Existing Conditions
The City of Indian Wells is located in the Coachella Valley, in Riverside County, California. The City encompasses approximately 14.6 square miles east and south of the City of Palm Desert, and west of the City of La Quinta. The Santa Rosa Mountains delineates the City's southern boundary, a portion of which is designated as open space. Primary access to the City is from State Highway 111. Primary access to the region is from the Interstate 10 Freeway.

The City of Indian Wells offers a variety of passive and active recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. There are approximately 6,190 acres of land in the City encompassing open space, parks, natural preserve, and golf course overlay. The developed open space recreational areas include a park, public and multiple private golf courses, and protected natural preserves. There is also a sports complex, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, a year-round tennis club that is open to the public, and hosts live music and sporting events.

The one park in the City, Fairway Park, is a half -acre park built by the City and Desert Recreation District, located at the corner of Eldorado and Fairway Drive.

The Golf Resort at Indian Wells is a 36 -hole, City owned golf course. In addition, Indian Wells currently has six private golf clubs within the Planning Area. Table 4.15-1, Golf Courses within the City of Indian Wells, lists the various courses within the City, their location, and amenities.

Table 4.15-1 Golf Courses within the City of Indian Wells Facility
Location
Amenities
The Golf Resort at Indian Wells
44-500 Indian Wells Lane
Public, 36 -holes
Indian Wells Country Club
46000 Club Drive
Private, 27 -holes
Desert Horizons Country Club
44900 Desert Horizons Drive
Private, 18 -holes
Vintage Club
75001 Vintage Drive West
Private, 36 -holes
Eldorado Country Club
46000 Fairway Drive
Private, 18 -holes
Toscana Country Club
76009 Via Club Villa
Private, 27 -holes
The Reserve Club
74001 Reserve Drive
Private, 18 -holes
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Indian Wells Recreational Committees
Community Activities Committee
The Indian Wells Community Activities Committee is comprised of five members and primarily serves as an important tool for encouraging engagement amongst residents of the City. The committee is responsible for recommending to the City Council an overall plan for encouraging and fostering community interaction among residents through the use of an annual calendar for community activities.

In addition, the committee is responsible for assisting with the planning and implementation of the events.

Indian Wells Golf Resort Advisory Committee
The Indian Wells Golf Resort Advisory Committee is comprised of a General Manager from each of the City's Resort Hotels, a General Manager of the Indian Wells Golf Resort, the Indian Wells Resorts Director of Golf, Director of Agronomy, and five residents within the City. The Committee is tasked with providing recommendations to the City Council relative to City golf resort service levels, maintenance, and quality of the guest's experiences at the Indian Wells Golf Resort. In addition, the Committee advises and makes recommendations to the City Council on issues pertaining to the Indian Wells Golf Resort.

Indian Wells Grants in Aid Committee
The Indian Wells Grants in Aid Committee consists of five voting resident members and two non -voting City Council members who perform a comprehensive review and analysis of requesting agencies' operation and service performance. In addition, the Committee makes recommendations to the City Council for the distribution of public funds to worthy charities, community organizations, and schools throughout the Coachella Valley under the City's Community Assistance Program and the School Grant Program. The Committee also acts as a direct liaison to agencies, making on -site visits to learn in detail about their operations.

4.15.3 Regulatory Setting
State
Quimby Act
California passed the Quimby Act in 1975, allowing local governments to pass ordinances requiring developers to set aside land, donate conservation easements, or pay in -lieu of fees for the development of new parks and recreational facilities. Local governments have come to depend on the Quimby Act for new facilities, or to upgrade existing facilities, as a result of new growth and development. Requirements of the Quimby Act apply only to the acquisition of new parkland and do not apply to the development Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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of new park facilities or associated operations and maintenance costs. The City has adopted park fees as allowed by the Quimby act, as described in greater detail under Local Regulations.

Government Code Section 65103 (c)
Government Code Section 65103 is a part of Title 7, Planning and Land Use, Division 1, Planning and Zoning, Chapter 3, Local Planning. Section 65103 (c) requires annual review of the capital improvement program of the city or county and the local public works projects of other local agencies for their consistency with the General Plan.

Government Code Section 65302 (a)
Government Code Section 65302, part of Title 7, Planning and Land Use, Division 1, Planning and Zoning, Chapter 3, Local Planning, states that the General Plan shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals. Section 65302 (a) requires that the plan include a land use element that designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty, education, public building and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, greenways, and other categories of public and private uses of land.

Local
Indian Wells Municipal Code
Section 20.36.040 — Park Dedication Requirements
Section 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.

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Section 20.36.040 also states that when private land for park and recreational purposes is to be provided in a proposed subdivision and such park land is to be privately owned and perpetually maintained and operated by the future residents or owners of the development, such land may be credited against the requirement for dedication of land for park and recreational purposes. Eligibility of private park land for land dedication or fee credit shall be subject to approval by the Council. Evaluation of private park land for park dedication credit shall be based on the following criteria:
• That the private park land meets the minimum size requirement of one-third (1/3) acre; • That the proposed private park land is reasonably adaptable for use for park and recreational purposes, taking into consideration such factors as size, shape, topography, geology, access and location;
• That the following areas or subdivision design features shall not be eligible for private park credit:
yards, court areas, setbacks, landscaped neighborhood entries, greenbelts, unimproved watercourses, and circulation improvements such as bicycle, golf cart and hiking trails; • That the location of the land provides convenient access to the neighborhoods served, as appropriate;
• That the perpetual private ownership and maintenance of the land is adequately provided for by a recorded written agreement; and
• That the use of the private park land is perpetually restricted for park and recreational purposes which cannot be defeated or eliminated without the consent of the Council and in no event without providing equivalent park and recreation space elsewhere in the subdivision.

4.15.4 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 implementation of the GPU would have a significant effect on recreational facilities if it is determined that the GPU would:
a. Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated. b. Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.

Project Impacts
a. Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated.

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As noted above, the City only has one public park with passive amenities for its residents. Most of the communities within the City of Indian Wells have their own form of recreational facilities that satisfy the needs of the community. Nonetheless, for the purpose of this analysis, it is assumed that added residents would utilize these facilities, resulting in facility upkeep and maintenance due to increased usage load from various activities.

The City of Indian Wells is dedicated to ensuring management and maintenance of its park and recreational facilities, leveraging a comprehensive framework of policies and actions. Policy RM-3.1 aims to facilitate recreational opportunities by strategically providing and maintaining necessary facilities citywide, collaborating with neighboring jurisdictions for enhanced access. Policy RM-3.2 supports the development of local -serving parks in residential areas, encompassing both public and private initiatives.

Policy RM-3.3 directs the focus of new park and recreation facilities beyond a 1/4 -mile walking radius from existing or proposed parks, promoting safe pedestrian and cycling routes for accessibility. Policy RM-3.5 underscores the importance of recreational facilities tailored to seniors, ensuring inclusivity across residential areas. Collaboration with Homeowners Associations under Policy RM-3.6 fosters tailored recreational solutions for diverse community segments, including families and individuals with disabilities. Safety and compatibility considerations under Policy RM-3.7 guide park design and development, enhancing public safety and harmony with neighboring land uses. Policy RM-3.8 mandates new developments incorporate parkland, expanding recreational opportunities in compliance with municipal code requirements. Maintenance standards under Policy RM-3.9 ensure parks are well -kept, supported by regular assessments. Accessibility standards mandated by Policy RM-3.10 prioritize ADA compliance and playground safety requirements, ensuring inclusivity in facility design. Policy RM-3.11 actively pursues funding for parkland acquisition and maintenance, vital for sustained community recreational needs. Policy RM-3.12 promotes community engagement to align park and recreation offerings with evolving preferences.

Additionally, the City is committed to effectively managing and maintaining its parks and recreational facilities through a series of proactive actions. Action RM-3a involves updating the Zoning Code to allow recreational facilities and support structures in all residential zones, ensuring broad access to recreational opportunities across the City. Action RM-3b mandates that developers either dedicate land or pay fees for parkland based on a specified acreage standard per population, providing flexibility while ensuring sufficient recreational space for residents. Action RM-3c focuses on securing diverse funding sources such as State and federal grants, private donations, and endowments to support the acquisition, development, and ongoing maintenance of recreation facilities and parklands. Regular maintenance assessments under Action RM-3d ensure that all parks and recreational facilities are well -maintained, preserving their quality and safety for public use. Periodic assessments conducted through Action RM- 3e allow the City to stay responsive to community preferences, adapting recreation programming and services accordingly. Action RM-3f aims to enhance recreational experiences for resort visitors by exploring and implementing strategies to preserve, create, and maintain low -impact recreational opportunities and open spaces, such as distributing trails and bike path brochures. Additionally, Action Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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RM-3g encourages local schools and places of worship to actively engage in promoting recreational programs and activities, fostering a community -wide commitment to wellness and leisure. By implementing these actions, the City ensures that existing and future parks and recreational facilities will be effectively managed and maintained, thereby minimizing any significant impacts from the implementation of the GPU. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
RM-3.1 Provision of Opportunities. Facilitate recreational opportunities for residents by providing and maintaining needed facilities throughout the City and in cooperation with adjoining jurisdictions.

RM-3.2 Parks in Residential Areas. Support the development of local -serving park and recreational facilities (public and private) in residential areas.

RM-3.3 Service Area Radius. Focus new park and recreation facilities in areas that are outside 1/4 -mile walking radius from an existing or proposed park or trail and enhance options for residents to access these facilities through safe walking and cycling routes.

RM-3.5 Facilities for Senior. Cater to the City's senior population by continuing to provide recreational facilities (public and private) in residential areas.

RM-3.6 H0A Collaboration. Collaborate with Homeowners Associations to provide local - serving recreational facilities and activities that meet the needs and preferences of all segments of the community, including families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

RM-3.7 Safety and Compatibility. Consider public safety and compatibility with adjacent uses in park design and development including the location of buildings, activity areas, lighting, and parking
RM-3.8 Parkland Dedication. Require new development or major redevelopment to incorporate parkland, open space, or green space to expand recreational opportunities in the community in accordance with Section 20.36.040, Park dedication requirements, of the Indian Wells Municipal Code.

RM-3.9 Maintenance. Require that parks and recreational facilities be well -maintained by the responsible agency/organization.

RM-3.10 Accessibility. Require that new park facility construction and existing facility retrofits meet accessibility standards defined by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and playground safety requirements.

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RM-3.11 Parkland Funding. Actively pursue financing for parkland acquisition and maintenance and allocate sufficient funding to park development to support the community's recreational needs.

RM-3.12 Community Support. Collaborate with residents to ensure the City's park and recreational facilities and programs reflect evolving community preferences.

Actions
RM-3a Update the Zoning Code to list recreational facilities and support facilities as an allowable use in all residential zones.

RM-3b Require developers to dedicate land based upon the park acreage standard of five acres per one thousand population or, at the City Council's discretion, the payment of fees in -lieu of the dedication of land in accordance with the Municipal Code.

RM-3c
Pursue available resources to fund recreation facilities and parkland acquisition, development, and maintenance, including but not limited to, State and federal grants, special districts, private donations, gifts, and endowments.

RM-3d Conduct regular maintenance assessments for all parks and recreation facilities.

RM-3e Conduct periodic assessments of community needs and preferences in recreation programming and services.

RM-3f
Identify ways to preserve, restore, create, and maintain low impact recreational opportunities and open space experiences for resort visitors such as publishing a trails/bike path brochure for the resorts to distribute.

RM-3g Encourage schools and places of worship in the City to create and promote recreation programs and activities for residents.
b. Requires the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment
Development from the implementation of the GPU could increase uses of the City's recreational facilities. Any new development within the City limits would be required to pay development fees in order to comply with the City's efforts to mitigate potential impacts to the park and recreational facilities. Section 20.36.040 of the City's Municipal Code 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 parks 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.

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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.15 RECREATION
Applicable City policies that future development would be required to follow include Policy RM-3.8, requiring projects to follow Section 20.36.040, described above. Additionally, Action RM-3b requires developers to dedicate land based upon the park acreage standard of up to five acres per one thousand population or, at the City Council's discretion, the payment of fees in -lieu of the dedication of land in accordance with the Municipal Code.

According to Section 20.36.040, (f), Private Parks, when private land for park and recreational purposes is to be provided in a proposed subdivision and such park land is to be privately owned and perpetually maintained and operated by the future residents or owners of the development, such land may be credited against the requirement for dedication of land for park and recreational purposes. The eligibility of private park land for land dedication or fee credit shall be subject to approval by the Council.

Because the types of parks and open spaces should be consistent with the needs of the residents, there is a limited need for public parks that include athletic fields, swimming pools, or other active recreational spaces in Indian Wells. Most of the local Homeowners Associations (HOA) provide the recreational facilities needed by the residents. The City's Policy RM-3.6 states that the City collaborates with Homeowners Associations to provide local -serving recreational facilities and activities that meet the needs and preferences of all segments of the community, including families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

However, if the needs of the residents change in the future, new development is required to follow Policy RM-3.8 and Action RM-3b described above and detailed below.

The implementation of the GPU does not include immediate development plans. Any future development will be evaluated individually to assess its specific impact on the Planning Area. Potential impacts are expected to be less than significant due to the thorough analysis conducted for each project within the City and the requirement to follow City codes, policies, and actions.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
RM-3.6 HOA Collaboration. Collaborate with Homeowners Associations to provide local - serving recreational facilities and activities that meet the needs and preferences of all segments of the community, including families, seniors, and persons with disabilities RM-3.8 Parkland Dedication. Require new development or major redevelopment to incorporate parkland, open space, or green space to expand recreational opportunities in the community in accordance with Section 20.36.040, Park dedication requirements, of the Indian Wells Municipal Code.

Actions
RM-3b Require developers to dedicate land based upon the park acreage standard of five acres per one thousand population or, at the City Council's discretion, the Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.15-8 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.15 RECREATION
payment of fees in -lieu of the dedication of land in accordance with the Municipal Code.

4.15.5 Cumulative Impacts
Implementation of the GPU will not create cumulative impacts to recreational resources. As discussed previously, all new developments will be required to contribute to the payment of developmental fees towards the preservation, expansion and maintenance of the City's recreational parks and facilities.

Demand for recreational facilities or parks is not anticipated to result in unanticipated construction of or expansion of these facilities. Therefore, with adherence to City policies and actions as well as Municipal Codes as identified in this section, all new development within City of Indian Wells will assist in minimizing cumulative impacts to recreational resources and are expected to be less than significant.

4.15.6 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 recreation. Moreover, local regulations will also ensure that buildout of the GPU would continue to result in less than significant impacts. Therefore, no additional Mitigation or Improvement Measures are required.

4.15.7 Level of Significance after Mitigation
Not Applicable.

4.15.8 Resources

1. Indian Wells City Website, Commissions, Committees, & Boards, https://www.cityofindianwells.orecity-hall/city-committees

2. Indian Wells Municipal Code, https://ecode360.com/IN4940

3. Visit Greater Palm Springs Website, Indian Wells,
https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/coachella-valley/indian-wells/ 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

4.16 Transportation

4.16 Transportation

4.16.1 Introduction
This chapter describes the potential impacts to the transportation system associated with adoption and implementation of the General Plan Update (GPU). The impact analysis examines the roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian components of the City's transportation system. To provide a context for the impact analysis, this chapter begins with the environmental setting, which is a description of the existing physical and operational conditions for the transportation system. Following the setting is the regulatory framework influencing the transportation system and providing the basis for impact significance thresholds used in the impact analysis. The chapter concludes with the impact analysis findings and recommended mitigation measures. This section is based on the Indian Wells General Plan Update Transportation Analysis (GPU TA) prepared by Kittelson & Associates, Inc. (Appendix F of this PDEIR).

Pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 743, Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21099, and California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15064.3(a), VMT is the most appropriate measure of transportation impacts and the proposed GPU's effect on automobile delay no longer constitutes a significant impact under CEQA. The City's General Plan, however, includes policies relating to Level of Service (LOS) to evaluate future road network operations and to identify improvements that will be needed to address project and other development impacts.

In addition to the GPU TA conducted under the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the TA also analyzed roadway segment and intersection operations associated with GPU implementation, to address the City's goal of providing satisfactory roadway operations and traffic flow within Indian Wells. Recommended improvements to these facilities were provided to accommodate long-term buildoutofvehiculartraffic.

4.16.2 Existing Conditions
Roadway Facilities
Regional Access
The Planning Area is located within the Coachella Valley, in a central portion of the Valley. The Valley is separated from the Great Los Angeles Area to the northwest by the San Gorgonio Pass, through which Interstate 10 (I-10) and the Union Pacific Railroad are the major transportation corridors. The Planning Area is generally situated between the desert cities of Palm Desert to the west and La Quinta to the east.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
Regional access in the Coachella Valley is provided by the I-10 Freeway, which provides access through the valley from the northwest to the southeast. I-10 extends from western Los Angeles County, through San Bernardino County and Riverside County to the east across Arizona.

Regional access to the Planning Area is currently available from I-10 via the interchanges at Cook Street and Washington Street. Motorists can access I-10 in both directions through either Interchange.

Motorists from Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert can also access the site utilizing Highway III from the west. The communities of La Quinta, Indio and Coachella can access the site utilizing Highway I II from the east.

Freight and Goods Movement
Truck routes in Indian Wells are located along Highway 111 and Washington Street. Truck routes with time restrictions (i.e., trucks are allowed only from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM) are located along Miles Avenue, Fred Waring Drive, Cook Street between Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive between Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive. Other public roadways allow local deliveries only, and private roadways only allow deliveries with permission. North of the City, I-10 is a nationally designated truck route.

Regional Roads
Highway 111 is an east -west major arterial connecting most of the commercial centers of the Coachella Valley. Highway 111 was relinquished by Caltrans to the City of Indian Wells. Within the City, Highway 111 has four lanes and a raised median, and includes sidewalks on both sides of the road. This limited - access roadway has intersections approximately every half mile. No curbside parking is allowed in the segment within City limits. Highway 111 is designated as a Riverside County CMP roadway. The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour. Highway 111 is also a designated bike route.

State Highway 74 runs southwest from Highway 111 in Palm Desert, traverses the San Jacinto Mountains, and provides a key connection to Hemet and South Orange County. Highway 74 is a four - lane facility with bicycle lanes on the valley floor and narrows to a two-lane facility in the mountains. The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Interstate 10 (I-10) is an eight -lane, east -west divided freeway in its segment located approximately 1.50 miles north of Indian Wells. To the west, I-10 continues through Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and links to the greater Los Angeles area. To the east, I-10 continues through the Mojave Desert toward Phoenix, Arizona. I-10 is accessible from Indian Wells via two interchanges: Washington Street and Cook Street. The posted speed limit is 70 miles per hour.

Local Access Roads
Roadways within Indian Wells are classified in the Mobility Element of GPU as Principal Arterials, Major Arterials, Primary Arterials, Private Collectors and Collectors described below:

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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
• Principle Arterials. P rincipal arterials are high -capacity inter -city thoroughfare that carries traffic traveling through the City and provides regional travel. Its primary function is to move vehicles and carry high traffic volumes. They consist of four lanes with a landscaped a raised or painted median with limited direct access and great spacing between intersections. • Major Arterials. Major arterials serve as high -capacity thoroughfares. Their primary function is to move vehicles at higher speeds with a mix of local and inter -city traffic. They consist of six travel lanes with a raised or painted median. As a major traffic carrier, curbside parking is prohibited.
• Primary Arterials. Primary Arterials serve primarily as traffic carriers while also accommodating bicycle lanes. They provide local and regional travel and consist of four travel lanes with a raised or painted median.
• Collector and Private Collectors. Collectors and Private Collectors are intended to carry low to moderate local traffic between the street network and local streets. They consist of two to four travel lanes.
• Local Streets. Local Streets provide direct access and parking to adjacent land uses. Local Streets are intended to carry local traffic, not intended to serve inter -city traffic. They typically consist of two travel lanes and are undivided.

Fred Waring Drive is an east -west Major Arterial which begins at Highway 111 in Palm Desert and continues east to Indio. Within Indian Wells, it is a six -lane roadway with a raised median. The posted speed limit is 50 miles per hour, and on -street parking is prohibited. Sidewalks are provided on the north side of the roadway from the western city limit to California Trail and from Elkhorn Trail until Warner Trail. East of Warner Trail, sidewalks are provided on both sides of the roadway until the eastern city limit.

Miles Avenue is a four -lane, east -west Primary Arterial that begins at the Whitewater River east of Highway 111 and continues east to Indio. It has a center painted or planted median and Class II bike lanes on either side of the road. Sidewalks are provided on both sides of the roadway east of Warner Trail. West of Warner Trail, sidewalks are only available on the south side of the road. The posted speed limit is 50 miles per hour. On -street parking is not provided.

Washington Street is a north -south MajorArterial near the east boundary of the city. Washington Street provides access to the closest freeway interchange to the city on I-10. It is a six -lane roadway with a raised median. The speed limit is 50 miles per hour. On -street parking is prohibited. Sidewalks are provided on both sides of the roadway.

Hovley Lane/42nd Avenue is an east -west Secondary Arterial that begins at Portola Avenue to the west and runs east to Indio. It is located at the northern border of the city. Within the city, it is a four -lane road with a raised median. Sidewalks and Class II bicycle lanes are provided on both sides of the roadway.

On -street parking is prohibited.

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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
Cook Street is a north -south Primary Arterial in the west portion of the city. It is a four -lane arterial with a raised median. Class II bike lanes are present on both sides of the road, and a sidewalk is provided on the east side of the road. On -street parking is prohibited. The posted speed limit is 35 to 40 miles per hour. Cook Street also provides access to I-10.

Portola Avenue is north -south roadway that borders the west end of the city. It is a four -lane undivided roadway with sidewalks on the east side of the road and Class II bike lanes in both directions. The posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour. On -street parking is not provided.

Eldorado Drive is four -lane, north -south Collector road with a raised median and Class II bicycle lanes.

The posted speed limit is 35 to 40 miles per hour. Eldorado Drive begins at Frank Sinatra Drive to the north and continues south into Indian Wells. Eldorado Drive stops at Hovley Lane, where it transitions into a private road through a country club, and then continues south of Fred Waring Drive. On -street parking is not provided.

Study Intersections
A total of seven (7) study intersections were selected for the purposes of the GPU TA conducted to analyze the General Plan Update (GPU). All study intersections are under the City of Indian Well's jurisdiction and all study intersections are signalized. These study intersections were selected in consultation with City Public Works and Planning staff.

The following roadway and study locations listed below were selected to provide a good representation of traffic conditions in several areas of the City and to help identify existing and future transportation needs for key facilities in the City:

1. Fred Waring Drive at Eldorado Drive

2. Fred Waring Drive at Warner Trail

3. Highway 111 at Cook Street

4. Highway 111 at Eldorado Drive

5. Highway 111 at Indian Wells Lane

6. Highway 111 at Miles Avenue

7. Miles Avenue at Washington Street
Roadways Level of Service
A level of service (LOS) analysis determines if local roadway segments operate acceptably and if the GPU would cause any negative effects on local roadway operations. The evaluation of roadway segments for the GPU incorporated the LOS methodologies as recommended in the most recent edition of the HCM.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.16 TRANSPORTATION
The City of Indian Wells strives to maintain vehicular LOS "D" whenever possible. For the GPU LOS analysis, the target LOS for roadway segments was considered "D" or better.

Existing Intersection Level of Service
Existing intersection level of service were evaluated for the study area intersections as shown in Table

4.16-1, Existing Intersection Level of Service. The existing analysis indicates that 5 of the 7 existing study area intersections are currently operating at an acceptable LOS (LOS D or better) during the peak hours.

One intersection (Cook Street and Highway 111) is operating at LOS E during the morning peak hour, and one intersection (Eldorado Drive at Highway 111) is operating at LOS E during the evening peak hour, which the General Plan classifies as an unacceptable LOS.

Table 4.16-1 Existing Intersection Level of Service
ID
Study Intersections
Existing AM
Existing PM
Delay
LOS
Delay
LOS
1 Eldorado Drive at Fred Waring Drive

12.3 B

10.5 B
2 Warner Trail at Fred Waring Drive

46.0 D

46.5 D
3 Cook Street at Highway 111

61.3 E

40.3 D
4 Eldorado Drive at Highway 111

49.2 D

57.9 E
5 Indian Wells Lane at Highway 111

53.8 D

37.9 D
6 Miles Avenue at Highway 111

37.7 D

21.0 C
7 Washington Street at Miles Avenue

28.6 C

28.4 C
Source: Kittelson & Associates, Inc. 2024
As shown in Table 4.16-1, the following intersections operate below the target LOS ("D") per Mobility Element Policy M1-2:
• Cook Street at Highway 111 (LOS E during the AM peak hour) • Eldorado Drive at Highway 111 (LOS E during the PM peak hour) The intersections on Highway 111 experience heavier traffic volumes in the AM peak hour in the westbound direction. Conversely in the PM peak the heavier volumes occur in the eastbound direction.

Roadway Segments
Table 14.16-2 provides a summary of the existing roadway segment LOS.

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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
Table 14.16-2 Roadway Segments Daily LOS, Existing Conditions ID
Segment
2024 ADT
Heavy
Vehicle
Posted
Speed
Limit
Existing
Lanes
HCM
Methodology
LOS
1 Hovley Lane between East City
Boundary and West City Boundary
15,630

3.03%
45 4D
LOS C or
better
2 Fred Waring Drive between Eldorado
Drive and Cook Street
37,933

1.37%
50 6D
LOS D
3 Cook Street between Fred Waring Drive
and Highway 111
18,990

2.00%
40 4D
LOS D
4 Eldorado Drive between Fred Waring
Drive and Highway 111
4,873

3.59%
40 4D
LOS C or
better
5 Warner Trail between Fred Waring
Drive and Miles Avenue
4,328

1.83%
35 2D
LOS D
6 Highway 111 from Cook Street to
Rancho Palmeras Drive
34,605

1.94%
45 4D
LOS E
7 6,972
Miles Avenue from Warner Trail and
Washington Street

2.07%
50 4D
LOS C or
better
8 Cook Street from Highway 111 and
Fairway Drive
13,076

1.74%
35 4D
LOS C or
better
9 Eldorado Drive from Highway 111 to
Fairway Drive
5,209

3.92%
35 2D
LOS D
10 Highway 111 from Miles Avenue to
Washington Street
37,329

1.97%
50 4D
LOS F
11 Fairway Drive from Cook Street to
Rancho Palmeras Drive
4,157

3.18%
35 2D
LOS D
12 Portola Avenue from Mockingbird Trail
to South City Limit
12,340

3.01%
35 4D
LOS D
Source: Kittelson & Associates, Inc. 2024
Bold signifies operations below target LOS ("D").

Methodology uses HCM 7th edition and Exhibit 45 of the "Planning and Preliminary Engineering Applications Guide to the Highway Capacity Manual" with the following additional assumptions applied: 8 -lane facility types were reviewed as 6 -lane facility type to be conservative; speed limits of 35 mph and 40 mph were reviewed as 30 mph to be more conservative. Assumes k factor of 0.09 and a d factor of 0.60. 4, 6, 8 = number of lanes. D = divided, U = undivided roadway.

As shown in Table 14.16-2, the following roadway segments operate below the target LOS ("D"):
• Highway 111 between Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive (LOS E) • Highway 111 between Miles Avenue and Washington Street (LOS F) The segment of Highway 111 between Miles Avenue and Washington Street also exceeds the CMT LOS E standard.

Alternative Transportation
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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
Transit Service
The City of Indian Wells is currently served by the SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine). Sunline provides local transit service throughout the Coachella Valley. Transit services are available in the City through fixed -route and demand -response services. This service also provides access to Metrolink. The nearest Metrolink station is located Redlands. Transit service is reviewed and updated by the SunLine periodically to address ridership, budget and community demand needs. Changes in land use can affect these periodic adjustments which may lead to either enhanced or reduced service where appropriate. The following table, Table 4.16-3, Sunline Transit Service in Indian Wells, depicts the streets and destinations served by SunLine.

Table 4.16-3 SunLine Transit Service in Indian Wells
#
Streets Served
Destinations Served
Hours of Operation
Headways (Minutes)
Peak
Off Peak
1EV
Highway 111
Palm Desert Mall, JFK Hospital, Indio
Courthouse, Downtown Coachella
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
30 30
7 Washington St
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
5:15 AM — 9:30 PM
45 90
6 Fred Waring Dr
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
45 60
5 Cook St, Fred
Waring Dr
Palm Desert High School
6:30 AM - 7:30 PM
60 N/A
Amtrak
Amtrak operates intercity and interstate rail service nationwide. Currently, there are no Amtrak stops located within the city, but residents can access Amtrak Sunset Limited line. It serves the Palm Springs Amtrak station located at North Indian Canyon Drive and Palm Springs Station Road, which is approximately 20 miles from Indian Wells City limits. Amtrak bus stops are also located in Palm Desert, Indio, and La Quinta.

Bikeways
Caltrans standards are used to design bikeways by most jurisdictions throughout California, and the City of Indian Wells adheres to Caltrans bikeway standards. There are four classifications for bicycle facilities:

Class I, Class II, Class II I and Class IV bikeways.

Bicycle Facilities
Class I Bikeways (Bike Paths)
Class 1 facilities, also known as a shared -use path or multi -use path is a paved right-of-way for bicycle travel that is completely separate from any street or highway (separated from automobiles). They are a minimum of eight feet in width for two-way travel and include bike lane signage and designated street crossings where needed. A Class 1 Bike Path may parallel a roadway (within the parkway) or may be a Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
completely separate right-of-way that meanders through a neighborhood or along a flood control channel of utility right-of-way.

Class 11 Bikeways (Bike Lanes)
Class II bicycle facilities are striped and stenciled lanes for one-way bicycle travel on a street or highway.

This facility could include a buffered space between the bike lane and vehicle lane, and the bike lane could be adjacent to on -street parking (can be either located next to a curb or parking lane). If located next to a curb, a minimum width of five feet is recommended. Bike lanes are exclusively for the use of bicycles and include bike lane signage, special lane lines, and pavement markings.

Class III Bikeways (Bike Routes)
Class I II Bikeways are a signed route along a street where the bicyclist shares the right-of-way with motor vehicles. This facility can also be designated using a shared -lane marking (sharrow). While bicyclists have no exclusive use or priority, signage both by the side of the street and stenciled on the roadway surface alerts motorists to bicyclists sharing the roadway space and denotes that the street is an official bike route.

Class IV Bikeways (Separated Bike Path)
Class IV Bikeways are for the exclusive use for bicycles including a separation required between the separated bikeway and the through vehicular traffic. The separation may include, but is not limited to, grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible physical barriers, or on -street parking.

Existing bicycle facilities in Indian Wells include the following:
• Class II bicycle lane on Fairway Drive
• Class II bicycle lane on Miles Avenue
• Class II bicycle lane on Eldorado Drive
• Class II bicycle lane on Cook Street
• Class II bicycle lane on Hovley Lane
• Class II bicycle lane on Portola Avenue
• Class II I bicycle route along Highway 111
• Class II I bicycle route on Rancho Palmeras Drive
• Class III bicycle route on Miles Avenue between Warner Trail and Elkhorn These bicycle facilities connect to bicycle facilities in adjacent Cities providing a connected bicycle network in the Coachella Valley. In particular, the bicycle facilities on Highway 111 and Hovley Lane connect to east -west bicycle facilities in Palm Desert, La Quinta and beyond. In addition, the bicycle facilities on Portola Avenue, Cook Street and Miles Avenue connect to bicycle facilities in Palm Desert and beyond in the north -south direction. The bicycle lane on Portola Avenue within City limits is also a Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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4.16 TRANSPORTATION
designated golf cart lane. The City allows golf carts on all private and public roadways within a one -mile radius of a golf course.

4.16.3 Regulatory Setting
Federal
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Nation's highway system (Federal Aid Highway Program) and various federally and tribal owned lands (Federal Lands Highway Program). Through financial and technical assistance to State and local governments, the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for ensuring that America's roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.

The U.S. DOT released its National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) in January 2022. The NRSS adopts the Safe System approach and outlines key actions to significantly reduce serious injuries and deaths on America's highways, roads, and streets. The FHWA collaborates with other modal agencies and external stakeholders to implement NRSS key actions.

FHWA Strategic Plan (2022-2206) Strategies:

Safe Design: (SDO1) Advance roadway safety through interdisciplinary development and deployment of regulatory and policy tools across FHWA programs and initiatives, such as the Safe System approach. (SDO2) Conduct and coordinate Federal research to advance safety designs and accelerate use of innovations that mitigate fatality and serious injury crashes for all road users, including those served by Federal Land Management Agencies
Safe System: (SSO1) Facilitate improvements in safety data collection, quality, analysis, integration, and management and expand FHWA's capacity for collecting non -motorized travel risk exposure data. (SSO2) Provide stewardship and oversight to stakeholders on safety activities and initiatives and on management of discretionary grants.

Safe Public: (SPO1) Encourage stakeholders to develop and implement data -driven, equitable safety management programs. (SPO2) Expand the use of effective speed management practices in areas where drivers commonly interact with pedestrians and bicycles, including in high -visitation areas on Federal lands, such as National Parks.

Safe Workers: (SWO1) Support worker safety training, provide technical assistance, and work across Federal programs to evaluate and promote strategies to improve safety for workers in transportation occupations such as construction, freight, and traffic incident management.

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State
California Department of Transportation
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is the primary state agency responsible for managing transportation -related matters. One of Caltrans' key roles is overseeing the construction and maintenance of the state highway system. Caltrans has established specific standards for traffic flow on roadways and has developed procedures to evaluate whether improvements are necessary for state- controlled facilities. The agency approves the planning, design, and construction of enhancements to all state-controlled infrastructure. Highway 111 has relinquished the portion of the road within the City of Indian Wells, the City maintains the road and must ensure the continuity of traffic flow.

For projects that may physically impact these facilities, Caltrans requires encroachment permits before any construction can begin. Even if a project does not directly affect the facilities, but may influence traffic flow or operational efficiency, Caltrans may suggest measures to mitigate adverse traffic effects caused by such projects.

Senate Bill 743
Senate Bill (SB) 743, adopted in 2013 and codified in Public Resources Code Section 21099, required changes to the CEQA guidelines regarding the analysis of transportation impacts. As a result of SB 743, the applicable metric in the CEQA guidelines for transportation impacts is Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT); that is, how many new daily vehicle trips will the project generate times the average trip length. The legislative intent of SB 743 was to balance the needs of congestion management with statewide goals for infill development, promotion of public health through active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released a Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (December 2018. The City of La Quinta utilizes the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA 2018) guidance to establish thresholds for significance for use in CEQA analysis as provided for in CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3 and provided options for mitigation for projects within their jurisdiction.

Assembly Bill 32, Senate Bill 32, and Senate Bill 375
Assembly Bill (AB) 32, also known as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, committed California to reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. In 2016, SB 32 added a new target: reducing statewide emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

SB 375 provides guidance for curbing emissions from cars and light trucks to help California comply with AB 32. There are five major components to SB 375:
• Air Resources Board (ARB) will guide the adoption of GHG emission targets to be met by each Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the state.

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• MPOs are required to create a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that provides a plan for meeting these regional targets. The SCS must be consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
• Regional housing elements and transportation plans must be synchronized on eight -year schedules. Also, the SCS and Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) must be consistent with each other.
• CEQA is streamlined for preferred development types such as mixed -use projects and transit - oriented developments (TODs) if they meet specific requirements. • MPOs must use transportation and air emission modeling methodologies consistent with California Transportation Commission (CTC) guidelines.

Assembly Bill 98
Assembly Bill 98 (AB 98), enacted in California in 2023, introduces significant regulations for logistics facilities, primarily aiming to mitigate environmental and health impacts associated with large warehouse operations. Effective January 1, 2026, the law mandates specific requirements for new or expanded logistics facilities that are 250,000 square feet or larger, particularly those located within 900 feet of "sensitive receptors" such as homes, schools, and hospitals. These requirements include measures to reduce emissions, such as the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and limits on truck idling. Additionally, AB 98 sets rigorous siting criteria, requiring warehouses to be located along commercial or industrial roadways and away from residential areas.

The bill also introduces "21st Century Warehouse Standards," which outline stringent energy efficiency and zero -emission standards for large facilities. Notably, AB 98 establishes strict buffer zones and restrictions on truck routes to minimize the impacts on nearby communities, especially in "warehouse concentration regions" like Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. No industrial uses are planned for in the City.

California Complete Streets Act of 2008 (AB 1358)
Originally passed in 2008, California's Complete Streets Act took effect in 2011 and requires local jurisdictions to plan for land use transportation policies that reflect a "complete streets" approach to mobility. "Complete streets" comprises a suite of policies and street design guidelines which provide for the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit operators and riders, children, the elderly, and the disabled. From 2011 onward, any local jurisdiction — county or city — that undertakes a substantive update of the circulation element of its general plan must consider "complete streets" and incorporate corresponding policies and programs. In 2010, the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released guidelines for compliance with this legislation which provide direction on how circulation elements can best plan for a variety of travel modes such as transit, walking, bicycling, and freight.

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Regional
Regional Transportation Plan and Regional Transportation and Improvement Program Government Code section 65080 et seq., states that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) must prepare and adopt a long-range transportation plan, such as a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), directed at achieving a coordinated and balanced regional transportation system, including but not limited to mass transportation, highway, railroad, maritime, bicycle, pedestrian, goods movement and aviation facilities and services. Each transportation planning agency must consider and incorporate, as appropriate, the transportation plans of cities, counties, districts, private organizations and state and federal agencies.

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is the MPO for the project region.

The SCAG RTP is a multi -modal long-range planning document, developed in coordination with federal, state, and other regional, sub -regional, and local agencies in southern California. The SCAG RTP, prepared every three years, addresses future needs based on a 20 -year projection. It includes programs and policies for congestion management, transit, bicycles, pedestrians, roadways, freight, and financing.

It is intended to be used as a long-range plan for federally funded transportation projects. Currently, regional projects are programmed in the Riverside County Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), while locally funded projects (off the State Highway System) are identified in local agency Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs). To comply with Congestion Management Plan (CMP) statutes, regional CIP requirements are identified through the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) RTIP development process. Projects in the local CIPs may be incorporated into the RTIP for the programming of Flexible Congestion Relief (FCR) and Urban and Commuter Rail funds.

Congestion Management Program
The Congestion Management Program (CMP) is intended to link land use, transportation, and air quality with reasonable growth management methods, strategies and programs that effectively utilize new transportation funds to alleviate traffic congestion and related impacts. The RCTC is the designated Congestion Management Agency (CMA) that prepares the Riverside County Congestion Management Program updates in consultation with local agencies, the County of Riverside, transit agencies and sub - regional agencies like the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG).

Over time, the State amended the language to allow for voluntary implementation pf the CMP.

Subsequently, adopted AB32 and SB 735 were passed by the legislature that emphasized the reduction of GHGs by reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) and the development of a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that each Metropolitan Planning Organization agency must prepare in conjunction with its Regional Transportation Plan. Locally, RCTC continued implementing its half -cent sales tax, Measure A, that provided a list of projects and programs to relieve congestion. In addition, Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) programs administered by the Coachella Valley Association of Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Governments (CVAG) funded transportation improvements on arterials, highway interchanges, grade separations and transit (discussed subsequently.)
The RCTC has designated a system of highways and roadways to include (at a minimum) all State Highway facilities within Riverside County and a system of principal arterials as the Congestion Management System (CMS). All State Highways within Riverside County have been designated as part of the CMP System of Highways and Roadways. The following facilities are designated as part of the Riverside CMP System of Highways and Roadways in the Coachella Valley:
• I-10 (San Bernardino County line to State line)
• SR 111 (I-10 to Imperial County line)
• Ramon Road (I-10 to SR 111)
• Monterey Avenue (I-10 to SR 111)
The Riverside County Long Range Transportation Study indicates that most local agencies in Riverside County and Caltrans have adopted peak hour Level of Service (LOS) standards of "C" or "D" to maintain a desired LOS for the local circulation system. To address CMP requirements RCTC approved a minimum traffic LOS standard of "E" has been adopted.

Coachella Valley Association of Governments
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) prepared a transportation element to compile the existing conditions and needs, policies, standards, and recommendations on regional bicycle, trail, and pedestrian facilities throughout the Coachella Valley. CVAG is charged with distributing transportation improvement funds for member agencies in Coachella Valley including Indian Wells. As the recognized transportation planning agency with the RCTC, it is the responsibility of CVAG to prepare and adopt a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the Coachella Valley. This is accomplished through the creation of the Transportation Project Prioritization Study (TPPS), which identifies and prioritizes transportation projects in the region. The projects within the TPPS are fed into a larger regional planning effort by CVAG.

Coachella Valley Regional Arterial Program
The CVAG administers the Coachella Valley Regional Arterial Program, which allocates Measure A and TUMF funds for necessary improvements to the regional transportation system. Measure A, approved by Riverside County voters in 1988, approved a half -cent increase in sales tax over a 20 -year period to be used for transportation purposes. In November 2002, Riverside County voters approved a 30 - year extension of Measure "A" (2009-2039). Measure A funds contribute a portion of the cost of transportation system improvements projected to be needed over the next 25 years. To conform to CVAG policies, all CVAG member agencies, including the City of Indian Wells are required to construct adopted standard road improvements for missing regional roads segments located adjacent to land development projects.

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Riverside County
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) prepares and updates the Congestion Management Plan (CMP) to meet federal Congestion Management Process guidelines. Local agencies must consider the traffic impacts on the CMP System when reviewing and approving development proposals. The RCTC performs studies and develops consensus relative to regional growth forecasts and regional transportation plans. The CMP has been integrated with the 2019 County Long Range Transportation Study. Within Indian Wells, Highway 111 is in the CMP system as Principal Arterials.

Principal Arterials in the CMP have a Level of Service (LOS) standard of LOS E. For purposes of this CMP, LOS analysis for intersections and segments along the CMP System of Highways and Roadways (under existing conditions), should be developed using the following HCM-based methods. In cases where the CMP minimum LOS threshold has been exceeded, there have either been overriding considerations (e.g. construction, traffic diversions, etc.) or improvements already programmed to improve the facility through TUMF, Measure A or other high priority projects.

The RCTC adopted the Riverside County's Long Range Transportation Study (LRTS), which identifies and evaluates major roadway and transit projects. A total of 130 State highway and major roadway projects and 57 major local and regional transit projects were identified for inclusion in the LRTS due to their size and/or level of regional significance and are also included in Riverside County's submittal to SCAG for the 2020 RTP/SCS update (2024 RTP/SCS). In Indian Wells, the widening of Highway 111 from 4 to 6 lanes is included as one of the LRTS projects in Appendix A.

Indian Wells Municipal Code
Title 11- Vehicles and Traffic: Title 11 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code addresses Vehicles and Traffic regulations. It establishes rules for the proper flow of traffic, including traffic control on streets, highways, and certain privately owned roads, and ensures state approval for regulations involving state highways. The code also specifies that traffic regulations can be enacted by City Council resolution and includes a severability clause ensuring that if any part of the Title is found invalid, the remainder stays in effect.

Chapter 16.50 — Transportation Demand Management Requirements for Specified New Development Projects: Indian Wells Municipal Code Chapter 16.50 aims to improve public health, safety, and welfare by reducing air pollution from vehicle trips. This chapter requires new and expanded development projects, particularly those with 100 or more employees, to create and implement a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program. The goal is to minimize vehicle miles traveled and promote alternative transportation options, like public transit, carpooling, and biking, as part of the city's Congestion Management Plan.

The TDM program must focus on reducing peak -period vehicle trips by at least 10% and include strategies like flexible work schedules, telecommuting options, and facilities for biking and ridesharing.

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Developments must also meet specific standards for transit, biking, and rideshare facilities. Eligible projects include non-residential developments and certain mixed -use projects; exemptions are provided for residential projects, temporary activities, and developments employing fewer than 100 people.

Applicants for applicable projects must submit a detailed TDM program for review by the Community Development Director, including all necessary capital improvements and operational strategies.

Developers may incorporate a range of options in their TDM plans, such as preferential parking for carpoolers, on -site amenities, and contributions to regional transportation facilities. An annual renewal process ensures continued compliance, with fees associated for initial review, ongoing monitoring, and late submissions.

To monitor compliance, the Community Development Director reviews all TDM programs annually and responds to any complaints. Non -compliant developments must submit an updated TDM plan or face penalties. Fees for these reviews and program monitoring are set by the City Council and imposed on the property owner to cover administrative costs.

Chapter 3.23: The City is a member of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), a joint powers agency consisting of public agencies in the Coachella Valley. Acting in concert, the member agencies developed a plan to address the shortfall in funds needed to enlarge the capacity of the Regional System of Highways and Arterials within CVAG's jurisdiction through a Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) imposed on future development. CVAG commissioned fee studies to evaluate growth, transportation needs, and funding availability, which, when updated periodically, establish the relationship between new development and regional impacts, supporting the need for the TUMF. These studies also determine that TUMF proceeds will help fund engineering, construction, and acquisition of necessary Regional System improvements, ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of the system's users.

The studies establish a reasonable relationship between the use of TUMF proceeds and the type of development on which the fee is imposed, ensuring the total fees do not exceed the fair share of costs.

The projects and methodology identified in the studies for fee collection are consistent with the City's General Plan and comply with the provisions of the Mitigation Fee Act.

Section 2.08.170, Limit on Number of Traffic Lanes on State Highway 111 without Voter Approval:

Section 2.08.170 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code states that any City Council action allowing more than two through lanes in each direction on Highway 111 must be approved by a majority of voters in a general or special election. "Through lanes" are defined as traffic lanes not designated for turns.

Exceptions are allowed for bicycle lanes, turn lanes, public transit vehicles, and short acceleration or deceleration lanes. This requirement applies from the date a petition is filed as per the California Elections Code.

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Section 12.04. 100, Protection Measures and Routing of Traffic:

Section 12.04.100 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code outlines safety requirements during construction on public spaces. It mandates the use of barriers and warning devices, with specific guidelines for excavations, blasting, and tunneling requiring permits from state agencies. Warning signs must comply with state transportation guidelines. Contractors must minimize traffic disruptions and obtain written permission from authorities to close streets, which may include providing detours and notifying the public.

4.16.4 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. The project would result in potentially significant impacts on transportation if projected development would result in any of the following conditions:
a) Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
b) Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)? c) Substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? d) Result in inadequate emergency access?
Methodology
The GPU is a policy document that will guide future development and resource management throughout the City. This section presents a programmatic analysis of potential impacts from projected development that would be accommodated by the project, in accordance with proposed goals, policies, and actions.

Adoption of the GPU would not result in any changes to existing conditions; however, subsequent development could affect the circulation system and VMT.

LOS Analysis for Circulation System Consistency
The intersection LOS analysis in the GPU TA is based on the traffic volumes observed during the peak hour conditions using traffic count data collected in February 2024. The following peak hours were selected for analysis:
• Weekday AM Peak Hour (peak hour between 7:00 AM and 8:45 AM) • Weekday PM Peak Hour (peak hour between 4:00 PM and 5:45 PM) Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Level of Service (LOS) is a measure of transportation system performance based upon the ratio of traffic volume relative to the capacity of the roadway or intersection. The volume -to -capacity ratio (V/C) indicates the overall performance of the roadway intersection and corresponds to a rating of A through F identifying its level of capacity utilization and relative level of congestion. LOS A represents free -flow traffic with little or no delay whereas LOS F represents a breakdown of traffic flow and a high incidence of delay. The volume -to -capacity ratio (V/C) is utilized to indicate the overall projected performance of the roadway intersection.

Table 4.16-4 illustrates the unsignalized intersection description of LOS and Table 4.16-5 illustrates the signalized intersection description of LOS.

Table 4.16-4 Unsignalized Intersection Description of LOS Description
Average Control Delay
Per Vehicle (Seconds)
Level of Service
V/C 1.0
Little or no delays
0 to 10.00
A
F
Short traffic delays

10.01 to 15.00
B
F
Average traffic delays

15.01 to 25.00
C
F
Long traffic delays

25.01 to 35.00
D
F
Very long traffic delays

35.01 to 50.00
E
F
Extreme traffic delays with intersection
capacity exceeded
>50.00
F
F
Source: Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 7th Edition
Table 4.16-5 Signalized Intersection Description of LOS Description
Average Control Delay
(Seconds) V/C 1.0
Operations with very low delay occurring with favorable progression and/or short cycle length
0 to 10.00
A
F
Operations with low delay occurring with favorable
progression and/or short cycle lengths

10.01 to 20.00
B
F
Operations with average delays resulting from fair
progression and/or longer cycle lengths. Individual cycle failures begin to appear

20.01 to 35.00
C
F
Operations with longer delays due to a combination of
unfavorable progression, long cycle lengths, or high V/C ratios. Many vehicles stop and Individual cycle failures are noticeable

35.01 to 55.00
D
F
Operations with high delay values indicating poor
progression, long cycle lengths, and high V/C ratios.

Individual cycle failures are frequent occurrences. This is considered to be the limit of acceptable delay

55.01 to 80.00
E
F
Operations with delays unacceptable to most drivers
occurring due to over saturation, poor progression, or very long cycle lengths

80.01 and up
F
F
Source: Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 7th Edition
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The City establishes LOS D as the minimum acceptable standard during peak operating periods for roadway segments and intersections. If a project causes the LOS to change from an acceptable LOS (LOS D or better) to a deficient LOS (LOS E or worse) or increases delay/density on a facility operating at an unacceptable level, it is considered a concern because it is inconsistent with the City's General Plan.

However, analysis of LOS is for informational purposes to consider consistency with the General Plan.

LOS is not a CEQA topic.

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
Section 15064.3 of the State CEQA Guidelines presents criteria for analyzing and determining the significance of transportation impacts. A lead agency has discretion to choose the most appropriate methodology to evaluate a project's vehicle miles traveled, including whether to express the change in absolute terms, per capita, per household, and whether a qualitative or quantitative analysis is appropriate. A lead agency may use models to estimate a project's vehicle miles traveled and may revise those estimates to reflect professional judgment based on substantial evidence.

The Indian Wells General Plan Update Transportation Analysis (GPU TA) assesses the changes in VMT from existing with 2045 Proposed General Plan Update (GPU) conditions to identify if the GPU would result in an increase in VMT per capita and VMT per employee. Baseline (2024) VMT and Cumulative VMT were extracted using the Riverside County Transportation Model (RIVCOM) to maintain consistent data sources. The baseline 2024 VMT was obtained by interpolating the 2018 base year and the long range 2045 model results. Calculations for the VMT for the GPU was determined for the traffic analysis zones (TAZs) that comprise the study area (City limits and sphere of influence).

The RIVCOM model is a complex system that analyzes road networks, socio-economic data, driver behavior, and goods movement to predict where traffic flow will occur as the population grows and changes. While the RIVCOM model covers the entire SCAG region, Riverside County is the focus of analysis, and the model data is more disaggregated within the County as opposed to other areas of the region. The RIVCOM regional travel model evaluates travel throughout the CVAG region and uses the TransCAD software. The model groups land uses in the region into transportation analysis zones (TAZs).

The model uses a series of calculation steps to estimate travel associated with the land uses and transportation network.

The daily activity patterns in the travel model are based on a statistical analysis of a household travel survey, where a representative sample of households were asked to track all daily activities and trips by all members of their household. The travel model was calibrated to these surveyed travel patterns and validated by its ability to replicate counted traffic volumes, transit ridership, and total VMT from the Highway Performance Measurement System (HPMS) which is based on traffic counts.

Modelled Scenarios
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The following scenarios were reviewed and developed in the TA to provide VMT and roadway segment forecasts:
• 2024 Base Year: corresponds to the model base year conditions. It consists of the existing circulation network and 2045 land use profile.
• 2045 with Project: corresponds to 2045 conditions with maximum development potential with the GPU.

To analyze the Modeled Scenarios, RIVTAM was utilized. RIVTAM definition. The RIVTAM travel model requires land uses to be defined for each geographic area in the county. The model defines land uses in TAZs which are typically bounded by major arterial or collector streets and are generally subdivisions of Census tracts. The model land use inputs include numbers of households and employees by employment category, as well as enrollment at schools.

A detailed mapping of parcels and allowable development was compiled to determine the maximum buildout potential of each parcel and planning area with both the City's currently adopted General Plan (for No Project conditions) and the Project's proposed land use map (for Project conditions). Table 4.16- 6, Land Use Assumptions, compares the land use assumptions for the existing, current general plan, and proposed general plan scenarios. These assumptions are used throughout the TA.

Table 4.16-6 Land Use Assumptions
Existing
Current GP / BAU
Proposed GP
Units
5,043
6,271
6,271
Single Family
4,0694
5,455
5,455
Multifamily
349
816
816
Population
4,347
5,405
5,405
Single Family
4,046
4,702
4,702
Multifamily
301
703
703
Nonresidential SF
1,546,833
5,132,104
5,159,667
Jobs
1,509
6,217
6,310
Source: Iteris, 2024
Note: "BAU" = Business as Usual
Project Impact
a. Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities? The GPU will be qualitatively evaluated to determine if it is expected to conflict with relevant programs, plans, ordinances, and policies related to the circulation system. A conflict could occur if the proposed GPU would preclude the ability of Indian Wells to implement its goals or policies. For the purpose of this analysis, the GPU could result in a significant impact if it results in a conflict with any adopted City of Indian Wells programs, plans, ordinances, and policies.

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Generally, a plan/project causes a significant impact to transit facilities and services if an element of it conflicts with existing or planned transit services. The evaluation of transit facilities shall consider if: (1) a plan or project or related mitigation disrupts existing transit services or facilities; (2) a plan or project or related mitigation conflicts with an existing or planned transit facility; or (3) a plan or project or related mitigation conflicts with transit policies adopted by the City of Indian Wells for its respective facilities.

The City's Mobility Element describes the related policies necessary to ensure that pedestrian and bicycle facilities are safe and effective for Indian Wells residents, employees and visitors. Using the Mobility Element as a guide, significant impacts to these facilities would occur when a plan or project: (1) creates a hazardous condition that currently does not exist for pedestrians and bicyclists, or otherwise interferes with pedestrian accessibility; or (2) conflicts with an existing or planned pedestrian or bicycle facility; or (3) conflicts with policies related to bicycle and pedestrian facilities as adopted by the City of Indian Wells for its respective facilities.

As the population of Indian Wells increases through the GPU horizon, there would be an associated increase in the demand for transit facilities and service that would result in additional traffic congestion.

According to the Department of Finance Population and Housing Estimates, the City of Indian Wells had a population of 4,797 in 2024. The expected population from GPU buildout conditions would be 5,405.

GPU TA evaluated the buildout of the proposed General Plan that 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).

Level of Service (Consistency with the General Plan)
Future Traffic Conditions without Improvements
The potential operational effects on the transportation system were evaluated under the Year 2045 GPU conditions for non-CEQA local transportation analysis purposes. The automobile turning movement counts for the 2045 Proposed GPU were developed based on outputs from the RIVCOM travel demand model.

No specific development projects are proposed as part of the Indian Wells GPU. While widening of Highway 111 within Indian Wells is included under the RCTC LRTS, there is no committed funding for the widening. For this analysis, the roadway and intersection configurations are kept consistent from the existing scenario, including Highway 111 with 2 lanes in each direction and all study intersections with the same lane configurations and signal phasing. Appendix E in the TA contains the Future Conditions LOS Worksheets.

Intersections Level of Service
Table 4.16-7 provides a summary of 2045 General Plan Update conditions intersection LOS.

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Table 4.16-7 Intersection LOS, 2045 General Plan Update Conditions (Without Improvements) ID
Study Intersections
Weekday AM
Weekday PM
Delay
(sec/veh)
LOS
Delay
(sec/veh)
LOS
1 Eldorado Drive at Fred Waring Drive

16.6 B

11.9 B
2 Warner Trail at Fred Waring Drive

46.0 D

48.9 D
3 Cook Street at Highway 111

55.9 E

47.6 D
4 Eldorado Drive at Highway 111

47.8 D

90.4 F
5 Indian Wells Lane at Highway 111
166.8
F

86.7 F
6 Miles Avenue at Highway 111

45.0 D

30.9 C
7 Washington Street at Miles Avenue

35.3 D

31.7 C
Source: Kittelson & Associates, Inc. 2024 Bold signifies operations below target LOS ("D").

Roadway Segments
The roadway segment analysis was performed for average daily traffic volumes (ADT), according to the methodologies discussed in according to the methodologies discussed in "Methodology and Evaluation Criteria" of the "LOS Analysis" section of the report. Table 4.16-8, Roadway Segments LOS, 2045 General Plan Update Conditions (Without Improvements), provides a summary of 2045 General Plan Update conditions roadway segment LOS.

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Table 4.16-8 Roadway Segments LOS, 2045 General Plan Update Conditions (Without Improvements) ID
Segment
2024
ADT
Heavy
Vehicle
Posted
Speed
Limit
Existing
Lanes
HCM
Methodology
LOS
1 Hovley Lane between East City Boundary
and West City Boundary
15,080

3.03%
45 4D
LOS C or better
2 Fred Waring Drive between Eldorado
Drive and Cook Street
42,550
L37%
50 6D
LOS D
3 Cook Street between Fred Waring Drive
and Highway 111
22,090

2.00%
40 4D
LOS D
4 Eldorado Drive between Fred Waring
Drive and Highway 111
5,340

3.59%
40 4D
LOS C or better
5 Warner Trail between Fred Waring Drive
and Miles Avenue
6,200

1.83%
35 2D
LOS D
6 Highway 111 from Cook Street to Rancho
Palmeras Drive
46,310

1.94%
45 4D
LOS F
7 Miles Avenue from Warner Trail and
Washington Street
10,340

2.07%
50 4D
LOS C or better
8 Cook Street from Highway 111 and
Fairway Drive
14,270

1.74%
35 4D
LOS C or better
9 Eldorado Drive from Highway 111 to
Fairway Drive
5,420

3.92%
35 2D
LOS D
10 Highway 111 from Miles Avenue to
Washington Street
47,830

1.97%
50 4D
LOS F
11 Fairway Drive from Cook Street to
Rancho Palmeras Drive
4,260

3.18%
35 2D
LOS D
12 Portola Avenue from Mockingbird Trail to
South City Limit
13,430

3.01%
35 4D
LOS D
Source: Kittelson & Associates, Inc. 2024
2045 corresponds to 2045 General Plan Update conditions All roadways modeled with their existing lane configurations, including Highway 111 with 2 through lanes in each direction. Bold signifies operations below target LOS ("D").

Methodology uses HCM 7th edition and Exhibit 45 of the "Planning and Preliminary Engineering Applications Guide to the Highway Capacity Manual" with the following additional assumptions applied: 8 -lane facility types were reviewed as 6 -lane facility type to be conservative; speed limits of 35 mph and 40 mph were reviewed as 30 mph to be more conservative. Assumes k factor of 0.09 and a d factor of 0.60.
4, 6, 8 = number of lanes. D = divided, U = undivided roadway.

As shown in Table 4.16-8, the following roadway segments operate below the target LOS ("D"):
• Highway 111 between Cook Street to Rancho Palmeras Drive (LOS E) • Highway 111 between Miles Avenue and Washington Street (LOS F) Future Traffic Conditions with Highway 111 Improvements As previously shown, several intersections and roadway segments on Highway 111 would operate at a LOS below the City's LOD "D" target and would not meet the CMT LOS "E" target. Widening of Highway 111 from 4 to 6 lanes within City limits was identified in the RCTS LRTS. The following provides a summary Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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of the anticipated traffic operations with widening of Highway 111 and study intersections along the corridor. With the addition of a third lane in each direction of Highway 111, the following intersection improvements were assumed at the study intersections:
• Cook Street at Highway 111
o Eastbound: Convert right -turn only lane to through -right turn lane o Westbound: Convert right -turn only lane to through -right turn lane • Eldorado Drive at Highway 111
o Eastbound: Convert right -turn only lane to through -right turn lane o Westbound: Convert right -turn only lane to through -right turn lane • Indian Wells Lane at Highway 111
o Eastbound: Add additional through -lane
o Westbound: Add additional through lane
• Miles Avenue at Highway 111
o Eastbound: Convert right -turn only lane to through -right turn lane o Westbound: Add additional through lane
Table 4.16-9 Intersections LOS, 2045 General Plan Update Conditions (Highway 111 Widening) ID
Study Intersection
Weekday AM
Weekday PM
Delay
(Sec/veh)
LOS
Delay
(Sec/veh)
LOS
3 Cook Street at Highway 111

42.7 D

42.5 D
4 Eldorado Drive at Highway 111

37.4 D

37.3 D
5 Indian Wells Lane at Highway 111

47.4 D

29.7 C
6 Miles Avenue at Highway 111

20.0 C

20.5 C
Source: Kittelson & Associates, Inc. 2024
Bold signifies operations below target LOS ("D").

Table 4.16-9 provides a summary of 2045 General Plan Update conditions intersection LOS with Highway 111 improvements. As shown above, all study intersections would operate at LOS D or better. As mentioned previously, this LOS analysis is provided for information purposes only to help the lead agency to determine consistency of future development with the GPU.

GPU Policies and Actions
Additionally, the GPU Mobility Element also includes policies and actions to maintain and improve the circulation system throughout the growth and development of the City. Policy M-1.1 requires all new developments and expansion of existing development to offset their adverse effects on the circulation system and mitigate Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impacts. Policy M-1.5 emphasizes the use of effective transportation system management techniques such as signal coordination and requires any new development to join the City's existing Transportation Management System. Additionally, it helps to ensure that cumulative growth in the City as well as the valley is properly analyzed, Policy M-1.8 states Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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that the City coordinates with other government entities in the implementation of the City's Circulation Plan and Coachella Valley -wide circulation improvements. These entities include Caltrans, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), LAFCO, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), Riverside County, and adjacent communities. The City's transportation policies also emphasize maintaining efficient traffic flow while minimizing environmental and safety impacts. Policy M-1.2 sets a goal of maintaining a minimum Level of Service (LOS) "D" at intersections during weekday peak hours, aiming to reduce traffic congestion. To support traffic distribution throughout the City and ease congestion during special events, Policy M-1.3 ensures that the street system is well -maintained. Further enhancing circulation, Policy M-1.4 promotes traffic control measures such as traffic signal coordination, adding turn lanes, and maintaining street surfaces to minimize noise and air quality impacts. To reduce congestion and improve air quality, Policy M-1.7 promotes proactive management of the City's circulation system.

The GPU Mobility Element also contains multiple actions imposed on new development. Action M -la requires new development and expansion of existing development to provide necessary street improvements and address operational deficiencies for which its traffic causes off -site intersections to perform beyond acceptable LOS standards. Action M -lb requires VMT analysis land use application projects and transportation projects for the purposes of environmental review under CEQA. The action states that the City adopts City -specific VMT thresholds and considers publishing Transportation Study Guidelines to establish methodologies and standards to evaluate transportation impacts from land development and transportation projects. The City shall continue to maintain LOS standards for the purposes of planning and designing street improvements. With implementation of the actions and policies described above, the GPU would enhance, not disrupt, existing or planned transit and roadway facilities.

Certain City policies emphasize the importance of securing and managing funding to support a sustainable and efficient transportation system. Policy M-4.1 highlights the need to leverage available funding methods while actively researching innovative funding sources at federal, state, regional, and county levels to ensure the City can maintain and improve its transportation infrastructure. Additionally, Policy M-4.2 ensures that new development projects contribute their fair share toward transportation network improvements, supporting equitable funding for future growth. Monitoring the funding of programmed transportation improvements is also a key focus under Policy M-4.3, ensuring that projects remain on track and receive necessary financial support.

In terms of regional collaboration, Policy M-4.4 encourages regional agencies to continue providing adequate transportation funding to local jurisdictions, strengthening the City's ability to maintain and enhance its transportation system. Action M -4a aligns with these policies by supporting the development of a flexible financing program to fund the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the roadway system, ensuring the City can address its evolving transportation needs while maintaining financial stability. Finally, Action M -1g states that the City will implement the arterial highway system in Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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a manner consistent with Federal, State, and local environmental quality standards and regulations, and consistent with the City's charm and unique appeal.

The development and growth associated with implementation of the GPU would increase the demand and use of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities and increase vehicular traffic. However, the GPU includes goals, policies, and actions that would enhance and expand transit facilities to provide a more connected and efficient multimodal transportation network. Additionally, the GPU would not conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities.

Bicycle and Pedestrian
Growth associated with the implementation of the GPU would increase the population of Indian Wells, thus presumably increasing the demand for bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as resulting in an increase in vehicular traffic. However, the Mobility Element includes a long list of policies and actions that would enhance the bicycle and pedestrian network to fulfill Goal M-2 which strives to provide a variety of travel modes to residents, workers, and visitors.

Policy M-2.1 encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, including public transit, ride sharing, biking, low -speed vehicles, and walking, to serve the City's residents, workers, and visitors traveling to local and regional destinations. Complimenting Policy M-2.1, Policy M-2.2 aims to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and low -speed vehicle connections from residential neighborhoods to retail centers, hotels, and schools. Policy M-2.5 emphasizes the development of safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian facilities and crossings that reduce conflicts with other modes of transportation, Policy M-2.6 is dedicated to providing safe and efficient travel options through the City for CV Link users coming from neighboring cities. Policy M-2.7 discusses providing safe and efficient travel options through the City for CV Link users coming from neighboring cities. Lastly, Action M -lc states that the City will coordinate with other government entities in implementation of the City's Circulation Plan and Coachella Valley -wide circulation improvements. Entities include Caltrans, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), Riverside County and adjacent communities.

Additionally, there are policies and actions that directly address new developments to ensure that future growth of the City does not negatively affect bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Policy M-2.3 focuses on new developments, encouraging them to create internal shared -use paths where desirable and feasible, including amenities such as secure bicycle parking, pedestrian -scale lighting, street furniture, and landscaping. These developments must connect any internal walking or biking paths to the City-wide path system with frequent and safe access points, ensuring safety for people walking and biking. To further enhance the bike network system, Policy M-2.4 requires new developments to provide bike lanes on public roads and mandates updates to the Citywide Bicycle Plan as needed. Action M -2a states that during project application review, the City will consider requiring new or enhanced transit, bicycle, and Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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pedestrian facilities along arterials and collectors where appropriate. Action M -le encourages new development to provide safe pedestrian facilities for internal circulation and access to adjacent uses as part of their design. The implementation of these actions and policies for new developments would ensure that new development would not negatively affect the City's bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

The implementation of all the GPU Mobility goals, policies, and actions would result in a more integrated and complete network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities as compared to existing conditions. The GPU would not conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing bicycle or pedestrian facilities.

Conclusion
Implementation of the GPU would not physically disrupt an existing facility or interfere with the implementation of a planned facility, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. With implementation of the transit, bicycle, and pedestrian supportive policies and actions within the GPU, the access to multimodal options would be enhanced and transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connectivity would be improved. Additionally, the GPU would not conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
M-1.1 Development -Related Traffic Impacts. Require all new development and expansion of existing development to offset their adverse effects on the circulation system and mitigate Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impacts.

M-1.2 LOS Standards. Strive to maintain a minimum Level of Service (LOS) "D" at intersections during the weekday peak hours.

M-1.3 Traffic Distribution. Maintain a street system that helps to facilitate the distribution of traffic throughout the City and minimizes congestion, including during special events.

M-1.4 Efficient Circulation. Support traffic control measures which reduce noise and air quality impacts and are consistent with traffic engineering guidelines; such measures could include continue to support traffic signal coordination programs, adding left - turn lanes at intersections, incorporating right -turn only access at selected locations, and continue to maintain streets surfaces in good operating condition.

M-1.5 Transportation Management System. Make use of effective transportation system management techniques such as signal coordination. Any new development is required to join the City's existing Transportation Management System.

M-1.6 Intersection Configurations. Consider the use of non-traditional intersections such as roundabouts and traffic circles, where appropriate, safe, and feasible.

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M-1.7 Minimize Environmental Impacts. Manage the circulation system to minimize congestion and improve flow and air quality.

M-1.8 Local and Regional Collaboration. Coordinate with other government entities in implementation of the City's Circulation Plan and Coachella Valley -wide circulation improvements. Entities include Caltrans, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), LAFCO, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), Riverside County and adjacent communities.

M-2.2 Multi -Modal Streets. Apply context -sensitive complete streets principles to roadway improvement projects to serve all modes of travel and users of all ages and abilities.

M-2.3 Alternative Modes. Encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation including public transit, ride sharing, biking, low speed vehicles, and walking that serve the City's residents, workers and visitors to local and regional destinations.

M-2.4 Connectivity. Improve pedestrian, bicycle, and low speed vehicle connections from residential neighborhoods to retail centers, hotels, and schools.

M-2.5 New Development. Encourage new developments to develop internal shared use paths where desirable and feasible, with additional amenities such as secure bicycle parking, pedestrian -scale lighting, street furniture, landscaping. Developments must connect any internal walking or biking paths to the City-wide path system with frequent and safe access points and safe for people walking and biking to use.

M-2.6 Citywide Bicycle Plan. Implement construction of the bike network system by requiring new development to provide bike lanes on public roads and update the plan as needed.

M-2.7 Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety. Develop safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian facilities and crossings that reduce conflicts with other modes.

M-2.8 CV Link Users. Provide safe and efficient travel options through the City for CV Link users coming from neighboring cities.

M-4.1 Funding Sources. Leverage existing available funding methods and sources to fud the transportation system in the City while also researching innovative funding sources at the federal, state, regional, and county levels.

M-4.2 Development Fees. Ensure that new development projects contribute their appropriate fair share to transportation network improvements.

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M-4.3 Monitor Funding. Monitor funding of programmed transportation improvements.

M-4.4 Regional Funding. Encourage regional agencies to continue to provide adequate transportation funding to local jurisdictions.

Actions
M -la
M -lb
M -lc
Require new development and expansion of existing development to provide necessary street improvements and address operational deficiencies for which its traffic causes off -site intersections to preform beyond acceptable LOS standards.

Improvements shall include as conditions of approval, but not be limited to, the following:
• On -site transportation facilities: streets, curbs, traffic control devices; • Access improvements: street extensions, widening, turn lanes, signals, etc; • Street widening for streets fronting the development property as shown on the Circulation Plan map;
• Right -of -Way landscaping; and
• Offsite roadway and intersection improvements.

Require vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis for land use application projects and transportation projects for the purposes of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Adopt City -specific VMT thresholds and consider publishing Transportation Study Guidelines to establish methodologies and standards to evaluate transportation impacts from land development and transportation projects. The City shall continue to maintain LOS standards for the purposes of planning and designing street improvements.

Coordinate with other government entities in implementation of the City's Circulation Plan and Coachella Valley -Wide circulation improvements. Entities include Caltrans, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), LAFCO, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), Riverside County and adjacent communities.

M -le Encourage new development to provide safe pedestrian facilities for internal circulation and access to adjacent uses as part of their design.

M -1g Implement the arterial highway system in a manner consistent with Federal, State, and local environmental quality standards and regulations, and consistent with the City's charm and unique appeal
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M -2a During project application review, consider requiring new and enhanced transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities along arterials and collectors where appropriate.

M -4a Develop and support a flexible financing program to fund the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the roadway system.
b. Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b) According to the GPU TA, future conditions with the implementation of the GPU would result in a decreased VMT per employee and VMT per capita in comparison to 2024 Baseline conditions analyzed in the TA. The VMT per capita and VMT per employee in the 2045 No Project and 2045 Project scenarios are the same, because the population and employment numbers are expected to remain the same in both scenarios. The impact threshold for residential VMT would be exceeded for the Project. The impact threshold for office VMT would not be exceeded for the GPU.

Below is the summary from the TA that shows VMT impact among 2024 Baseline conditions, the adopted General Plan's 2045 predictions, and the GPU 2045's predicted conditions.

Table 4.16-10 VMT Generated by Land Uses within the Project Area Units
Existing
(2024 Base
Year)
2045 Adopted
General Plan
(No Project)
2045 Proposed
General Plan
(Project)
Capita
VMT Per Capita

25.4 22.6

22.6 Impact Threshold (1)
N/A
N/A

14.0 Exceeds Threshold
N/A
N/A
YES
Employee
VMT Per Employee

31.5 27.9

27.9 Impact Threshold (1)
N/A
N/A

30.1 Exceeds Threshold
N/A
N/A
NO
Total Project VMT
City of Indian Wells
347,400
538,149
542,972
Notes:

Source: Kittleson and Associates, 2024

1. Impact Threshold is 15% below CVAG 2024 base year value N/A= not applicable
Future conditions with the Project (2045 Proposed General Plan) would result in decreased VMT per employee and VMT per capita in comparison to 2024 baseline conditions. In other words, the Project results in less VMT per capita and VMT per employee, as it provides a more efficient distribution of land uses that promotes less trips and shorter distances. The total VMT would increase compared to existing conditions because the Project accommodates more employment and population. The reductions from the 2024 to the future year indicate that future development, in particular planned mixed -use development, will provide more opportunities for Indian Wells residents and employees to access jobs Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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and services within shorter distances. The shorter trip distances reduce VMT by vehicles, and also increase the likelihood that trips will be made by non -auto modes such as bicycling and walking.

Improved transit service and accessibility to transit also help to reduce VMT even as travel activity increases.

However, the impact thresholds are based on a comparison against 15% below of the CVAG region. Since the City of Indian Wells has not adopted VMT thresholds or published guidelines for transportation studies, this analysis relies on the OPR technical advisory. The OPR recommends thresholds of 15% below existing VMT per capita for residential projects and VMT per employee for office projects. Given that the GPU implementation extends to 2045, it's appropriate to assess VMT impacts for that horizon year.

The impact threshold for residential VMT would be exceeded for the Project, as the VMT per capita of

22.6 exceeds the 14.0 threshold. The impact threshold for office VMT would not be exceeded. The GPU is expected to reduce VMT per capita and per employee compared to 2024, promoting a more efficient distribution of land uses and shorter trip distances. Despite the total VMT increase due to higher employment and population, the shorter distances and improved transit options would likely reduce VMT per capita.

The GPU proposes policies to expand transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and complete street networks and implement transportation demand management strategies, which could reduce VMT further. However, the effectiveness of these policies is uncertain. As stated above, the GPU VMT per capita of 22.6 (refer to Table 4.16-10 above) exceeds the 14.0 threshold, resulting in a significant impact according to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3(b). Meeting this threshold would require a 40% reduction in VMT per capita, which is not feasible. Therefore, with respect to consistency with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b), the VMT impact of the Project related to VMT/capita would be significant and unavoidable.
c. Increase hazards due to a geometric design feature or incompatible uses Through implementation of the goals, policies, and actions of the GPU, existing conflicts between motor vehicles and non -motorized travelers would be reduced over time. Additionally, all future development would be subject to, and designed in accordance with Town of Truckee design and safety standards.

Therefore, the GPU would not substantially increase transportation -related hazards, and the impact would be less than significant.

The City of Indian Wells has well -established roadway and site design standards that guide the design and construction of new transportation facilities to minimize design hazards for all users of the circulation system. City policies (including those identified in the GPU) require evaluation of safety conditions as part of the project review process. This includes the review of roadway improvements to ensure that safety -related standards are met, such as driver sight distance requirements, intersection improvements, and additional pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. As needed, improvements to meet Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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safety standards are identified and required as part of project approval. New roadways are required to be designed according to applicable Federal, State and, local design standards. This includes the City's adopted Public Improvement and Engineering Standards.

Additionally, the GPU includes policies that are intended to result in a reduction in potential conflict between road use types. Policies intended to create a safe, comprehensive, and integrated system of trails, sidewalks, and bikeways include Policy M-1.1 which aims to work with schools and school districts within the city to encourage parents and children to walk or bike to school through programs such as Safe Routes to School. Policy M-2.4 encourages new developments to develop internal shared use paths where desirable and feasible, with additional amenities such as secure bicycle parking, pedestrian -scale lighting, street furniture, landscaping. Developments must connect any internal walking or biking paths to the City-wide path system with frequent and safe access points and safe for people walking and biking to use. Policy M-2.5 plans to implement construction of the bike network system by requiring new development to provide bike lanes on public roads and update the plan as needed. Policy M-2.6 would develop safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian facilities and crossings that reduce conflicts with other modes. Policy M-2.7 plans to provide safe and efficient travel options through the City for CV Link users coming from neighboring cities. Action M -le encourages new development to provide safe pedestrian facilities for internal circulation and access to adjacent uses as part of their design.

To ensure that development contributes appropriately to transportation improvements, Action M -4b enforces the collection of fair share fees from new development projects. These fees are allocated to enhance the transportation network, allowing the City to expand its infrastructure in line with population growth. Additionally, Action M -4c mandates that the City actively monitor funding for programmed transportation improvements, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated to priority projects and that timelines are met. This ongoing financial oversight is crucial for maintaining a reliable and up-to- date transportation system. Action M -4a outlines the development and support of a flexible financing program aimed at funding the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the roadway system.

This initiative is critical in ensuring that the City can adapt to changing financial conditions while keeping its transportation infrastructure in good condition.

Policies also focus on safety and accessibility. For example, Policy M-1.6 encourages the use of non- traditional intersection designs, like roundabouts, when feasible, while Policy M-1.9 supports Safe Routes to School programs to encourage walking and biking. Residential streets benefit from traffic calming measures (M-1.10), and ADA accessibility (M-1.11) is prioritized to ensure safe travel for all residents, including those with disabilities. Policies M-2.8 and M-2.9 address public transit and regional connectivity by working with transit providers to improve bus stop amenities and promoting rail and air services. Policy M-1.12 states that the City will maintain a network of truck routes to facilitate the movement of goods to regional roads and to discourage the use of residential roads. Action M-ld would evaluate opportunities to implement roundabouts as traffic control and improve safety while Action M- lf considers streetscape improvements like pedestrian -oriented features in the City. And Action M -2a Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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states that the City would consider establishing a low -speed vehicle path, following provisions of the California Vehicle Code and the California Highway Design Manual. Finally, the City collaborates with The Living Desert (M-2.10) to ensure access to recreational trails for Indian Wells residents.

Through implementation of these policies and action, existing conflicts between motor vehicles and non - motorized travelers will be reduced over time. All future development under the GPU would be subject to, and designed in accordance with, City of Indian Wells design and safety standards as well as meet the guidelines in the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Caltrans Roadway Design Manual. Therefore, implementation of the GPU would not substantially increase transportation -related hazards. This impact would be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
M-1.1 Development -Related Traffic Impacts. Require all new development and expansion of existing development to offset their adverse effects on the circulation system and mitigate Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impacts.

M-1.6 Intersection Configurations. Consider the use of non-traditional intersections such as roundabouts and traffic circles, where appropriate, safe, and feasible.

M-1.12 Truck Routes. Maintain a network of truck routes to facilitate goods movement to regional roads and to discourage the use of residential roads.

M-2.4 New Development. Encourage new developments to develop internal shared use paths where desirable and feasible, with additional amenities such as secure bicycle parking, pedestrian -scale lighting, street furniture, landscaping. Developments must connect any internal walking or biking paths to the City-wide path system with frequent and safe access points and safe for people walking and biking to use.

M-2.5 Citywide Bicycle Plan. Implement construction of the bike network system by requiring new development to provide bike lanes on public roads and update the plan as needed.

M-2.6 Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety. Develop safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian facilities and crossings that reduce conflicts with other modes.

M-2.7 CV Link Users. Provide safe and efficient travel options through the City for CV Link users coming from neighboring cities.

M-2.8 Bus Stops. Work with Sunline and other providers to improve bus stop amenities.

M-2.9 Rail and Air Travel. Participate with regional agencies and cities to promote rail and air service capacities that meet the needs of residents, workers, and visitors.

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M-2.10 The Living Desert. Coordinate with The Living Desert to ensure Indian Wells residents have access to the reserve's nature walks and hiking trails.

Actions
M -1d Evaluate opportunities to implement roundabouts as traffic control, considering safety, traffic calming, cost and maintenance.

M -le Encourage new development to provide safe pedestrian facilities for internal circulation and access to adjacent uses as part of their design.

M -1f Consider streetscape improvements such as landscaping, , sidewalks, paths, lighting, and other pedestrian -oriented features in the City.

M -2b Consider establishing a low -speed vehicle path system, consistent with the provisions of the California Vehicle Code and the California Highway Design Manual.

M -2c Create a promotional campaign to encourage walking, biking, carpooling, and alternative modes of transportation to the automobile to improve air quality. d. Result in Inadequate Emergency Access
The GPU includes circulation improvements and policies that would enhance emergency access throughout Indian Wells. Additionally, emergency access for any future discretionary developments under the GPU would be subject to review by the City of Indian Wells and responsible emergency service agencies; thus, ensuring all future projects would be designed to meet all Indian Wells emergency access and design standards. Therefore, the GPU would not result in inadequate emergency access. This impact would be less than significant.

The Mobility Element and Public Safety Element of the GPU lists policies and actions directed at reducing risk and harm by natural or manmade hazards. In regard to roadways, Action M -1a requires new development and expansion of existing development to provide necessary street improvements and address operational deficiencies for which its traffic causes off -site intersections to perform beyond acceptable LOS standards. Action PS -2a states the City will mitigate, as feasible, existing non -conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards where feasible, including road standards and vegetative hazards. Action PS -1g states that the City will 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.

Additionally, emergency access for any future developments under the GPU would be subject to review by the City of Indian Wells and responsible emergency service agencies; thus, ensuring all future projects would be designed to meet all City of Indian Wells emergency access and design standards. Therefore, the GPU would not result in inadequate emergency access; and thus, would result in a less -than - Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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significant impact. For discussion of emergency response and consistency with adopted emergency evaluation plans, see Section 4.9, Hazards and Hazardous Materials.

General Plan Actions
PS -1g
PS -2a
M -la
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.

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

Require new development and expansion of existing development to provide necessary street improvements and address operational deficiencies for which its traffic causes off -site intersections to perform beyond acceptable LOS standards.

Improvements shall include as conditions of approval, but not be limited to, the following:
• On -site transportation facilities: streets, curbs, traffic control devices; • Access improvements: street extensions, widening, turn lanes, signals, etc.; • Street widening for streets fronting the development property as shown on the Circulation Plan map;
• Right-of-way landscaping; and
• Off -site roadway and intersection improvements.

4.16.5 Cumulative Impacts
The implementation of the General Plan Update (GPU) for the City of Indian Wells would result in a significant cumulative impact on transportation, specifically in terms of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). A cumulative impact is defined as the combined result of a project's impacts when viewed in connection with other related projects, including foreseeable future developments. In this case, under horizon year 2045 conditions, the City's total regional VMT would increase as a result of the Project, indicating a cumulative transportation impact.

The Cumulative Daily VMT within the City's boundaries was calculated under two scenarios: the No Project condition and the With Project condition. Without the Project, the total VMT for 2045 is projected to be 538,149. However, with the Project, the VMT increases to 542,972, an additional 4,823 VMT, representing a 0.90% increase. This indicates that under the maximum development potential of the General Plan, there would be a net increase in VMT across the City, contributing to cumulative transportation impacts.

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While the General Plan includes policies promoting non -automobile travel and more efficient land use patterns, which could help mitigate some of the VMT increases, these measures are insufficient to fully offset the projected increase. Achieving the necessary 27% reduction in VMT to avoid cumulative impacts is considered infeasible. In an effort to reduce VMT, future development projects within the City, consistent with the General Plan, would need to incorporate Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies, such as promoting commuter assistance programs and shortening travel distances by integrating homes, workplaces, and shopping areas. Requirements for these VMT reducing measures will be implemented through Municipal Code, Chapter 16.50, Transportation Demand Management Requirements for Specified New Development Projects (discussed under Indian Wells Municipal Code in the Regulatory Section). However, the effectiveness of TDM measures would not fully mitigate the VMT increases.

In light of this, cumulative residential VMT impacts are considered significant and unavoidable. According to the Office of Planning and Research's (OPR) SB743 Technical Advisory, if a project -level VMT impact occurs, it implies a significant cumulative impact. Since the GPU results in a project -level VMT increase, the cumulative impact on transportation would also be significant. Therefore, despite efforts to reduce VMT through various policies and strategies, the cumulative impact of the GPU on transportation is determined to be significant and unavoidable.

All other transportation impacts associated with implementation of the GPU (discussed in the Project Impact section) would be less than significant. If the City of Indian Wells approves the GPU, the City will be required to make findings in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 and prepare a Statement of Overriding Considerations for consideration by the City's decision makers in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15093.

4.16.6 Mitigation Measures
Despite the inclusion of policies, actions, and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies aimed at reducing VMT, the cumulative transportation impact of the GPU for the City of Indian Wells remains significant and unavoidable. The projected VMT increase of 0.90% by 2045 cannot be fully mitigated, and achieving the necessary reduction is considered infeasible. Therefore, the cumulative impact on transportation is determined to be significant and unavoidable, requiring a Statement of Overriding Considerations under CEQA.

4.16.7 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Not applicable.

4.16.8 Resources

1. City of Indian Wells General Plan, adopted in 1996 and amended periodically.

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2. Indian Wells General Plan Update Transportation Analysis, Kittleson & Associates, August 27, 2024

3. City of Indian Well General Plan Update, 2024.

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PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

4.17 Utilities and Service Systems

4.17 Utilities and Service Systems

4.17.1 Introduction
This section provides a background discussion of the utility systems in the City of Indian Wells including potable water supplies and distribution, wastewater collection and disposal, storm drainage, solid waste disposal, natural gas, electricity and telecommunications. Additionally, this section analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed Indian Wells General Plan (GPU) project ("project") on utilities and service systems. Information collected and used for this analysis are incorporated from the Indian Wells General Plan Chapter I I : Community Development Land Use section, the Indian Wells Infrastructure Background Report for Infrastructure Analysis, the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Coachella Valley 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan (CVUWMP), and the Riverside County Integrated Waste Management Plan.

4.17.2 Existing Conditions
Existing Conditions
Water Service
CVWD is the Public Water Supplier that provides water services to the City of Indian Wells. Established in 1918 under the County Water District Act provisions of the California Water Code, CVWD provides water related services for domestic water, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water, agricultural irrigation water, drainage management, imported water supply, groundwater replenishment, stormwater management, and flood control and water conservation.

The Coachella Valley is bordered on the west and north by high mountains, which provide an effective barrier against coastal storms, and which greatly reduce the contribution of direct precipitation to recharge of the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin. The majority of natural recharge comes from runoff from the adjacent mountains.

The Coachella Valley groundwater basin has been the principal source of water for the Valley since the early 1900s. This basin has an estimated storage capacity of 40 million acre-feet (AF) of water within the upper 1,000 feet and is divided into four subbasins: Indio, Mission Creek, Desert Hot Springs, and San Gorgonio. CVWD obtains groundwater from both the Indio and the Mission Creek Subbasins. The Indio Subbasin is a common groundwater source, which is shared by CVWD, Desert Water Agency (DWA), Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company (MDMWC), the cities of Indio and Coachella, and numerous private groundwater producers. The Mission Creek Subbasin is also a common water supply that is utilized by CVWD, MSWD, and private groundwater producers.

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The city is specifically underlain by the Indio Subbasin, which is also known as the Whitewater River Subbasin. 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.

According to the 2020 Regional Coachella Valley Urban Water Management Plan, CVWD currently has approximately 110,093 domestic water connections and provided approximately 99,843 AF of water in 2020. CVWD serves all of Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and a portion of Indio and Coachella. Other areas served with domestic water by CVWD include a portion of lands near Desert Hot Springs, the Indio Hills area, and a portion of Cathedral City.

The CVWD service area encompasses approximately 640,000 acres, mostly within Riverside County, but also extends into northern Imperial and San Diego Counties; however, CVWD provides no urban water services to San Diego County.

CVWD operates and maintains groundwater recharge facilities at three locations in the Coachella Valley:
the Whitewater River Groundwater Recharge Facility (WWR-GRF), the Thomas E. Levy GRF (TEL-GRF), and the Palm Desert GRF (PD-GRF). Desert Water Agency (DWA) shares in the operation and maintenance cost at the WWR-GRF. CVWD and DWA also share costs of the operation and maintenance of the Mission Creek GRF (MC-GRF) to replenish the aquifer underneath the Mission Creek Subbasin.

CVWD has operated and maintained recharge facilities at the WWR-GRF (formerly referred to as the Whitewater Spreading Area) since 1919, first with local surface runoff and, since 1973, with imported State Water Project Exchange water. The WWR-GRF has a series of 19 ponds covering 700 acres adjacent to the Whitewater River. Local runoff and State Water Project Exchange water deliveries are transported to the ponds via the Whitewater River channel, and then diverted into the recharge ponds at two locations by diversion structures. Since its introduction in 1973, over 3.8 million acre-feet of water have been recharged at this facility.

Wastewater Service System
CVWD began wastewater collection and treatment services in 1968, acquiring the Palm Desert Country Club's water and sewer systems. CVWD provides wastewater collection and treatment services for all or part of the cities of Cathedral City, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage, as well as unincorporated areas of Riverside County. The District owns and operates 1,173 miles of pipeline that conveys wastewater to one of five wastewater reclamation plants for treatment. Two of those plants treat wastewater to meet the standards for non -potable water, which is used by CVWD customers for irrigation. Brief descriptions of CVWD's WRPs are presented here.

Wastewater Reclamation Plant- 1 (WRP-1) serves the Bombay Beach community near the Salton Sea.

WRP-1 has a design capacity of 150,000 gallons per day (gpd), and currently all the effluent from this Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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facility is disposed by evaporation infiltration. CVWD has no plans to recycle effluent from this facility because of the low flow and lack of potential uses near the plant.

WRP-2 serves the nearby North Shore community. WRP-2 has a treatment capacity of 33,000 gpd and can provide additional capacity when flows exceed this value. WRP-2 discharges treated secondary effluent into four evaporation -infiltration basins for final disposal. CVWD has no plans to recycle effluent from this facility because of the low flow and lack of potential uses near the plant.

WRP-4 is a 9.9 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity treatment facility located in Thermal. WRP-4 became operational in 1986 and serves communities from La Quinta to Mecca. WRP-4 provides secondary treatment consisting of pre -aeration ponds, aeration lagoons, polishing ponds, and disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged to the CVSC pursuant to a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Effluent from WRP-4 is not currently recycled. CVWD plans to add tertiary treatment and reuse effluent from this plant in the future primarily for agricultural irrigation.

WRP-7 is located in North Indio and has a capacity of 5.0 MGD. The design capacity of the tertiary treatment system at WRP-7 is 2.5 MGD. The off -site pumping capacity of the WRP-7 recycled water pump is approximately 4,500 gpm. In the summer, peak demands exceed the pumping capacity of 4,000 gpm, which typically serves Sun City and 500 gpm which serves Shadow Hills.

WRP-10 is located in Palm Desert. WRP-10 began delivering recycled water in 1987. The design capacity of the tertiary treatment system at WRP-10 is 15 MGD. WRP-10 has two distribution systems. One is a low-pressure system, with recycled water and/or canal water delivered by the MVP leaving the plant in this system at 85 psi. The other system is a high-pressure system which pumps recycled water and/or canal water delivered by the MVP out at 135 psi. Because the winter demand for recycled water is less than the available supply, a portion of the plant flow is disposed through on -site percolation -evaporation ponds.

Stormwater System
The City of Indian Wells encompasses approximately 14.6 square miles in the Coachella Valley, in the County of Riverside. The city is located in the Whitewater River Watershed, which is an arid desert region encompassing approximately 1,645 square miles. Within this watershed, a sub -area of approximately 367 square miles (22 percent) encompassing most of the existing development in the region, is regulated under the established Whitewater River Region Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4 Permit). Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFC&WCD), Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and the incorporated Coachella Valley cities, including Indian Wells, have joint permittee responsibility for coordinating the regional MS4 Permit compliance programs and other activities aimed at reducing potential pollutants in urban runoff from land development construction, municipal, commercial, and industrial areas to the maximum extent possible.

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Based on the Whitewater River Region MS4 Permit, precipitation in the Whitewater River Region averages 3.6 inches per year, which is 65 to 75% less annual precipitation than western portions of Riverside County and the coastal counties in Southern California. The Whitewater River Watershed has no defined rainy (wet) season, considering that convective rainfall events (summer thunderstorms) make up a large portion of Whitewater River Region annual rainfall, in contrast to the general winter precipitation that dominates rainfall events in western Riverside County and the coastal plains. When storms occur, they tend to be discrete convective cells, and feature short but intense rainfall, typical of monsoonal thunderstorms; individual storm events typically are localized and rarely affect the entire drainage network.

The Whitewater River Region is drained primarily by the Whitewater River that carries flows to the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC), which outlets to the Salton Sea. It is worth noting that the Salton Sea body of water is not deemed part of the Whitewater River Watershed regulation, as it is separately managed and receives inflow from Alamo River and New River in a separate watershed in Imperial County. Therefore, the Whitewater River Region includes the Coachella Valley surface drainage up to, but not including the Salton Sea.

In relation to the project site, Whitewater River transects the northern developed portion of the City.

Surface drainage within the local watershed, including Whitewater River, generally consists of ephemeral washes. Due to soil type and lack of interflow contributions, time and volume of flow in receiving waters after storm events are minimal. According to the referenced MS4 Permit, Whitewater River flow in the Coachella Valley floor is so infrequent that several sections of the channel have been integrated into golf courses as a regular practice.

See Section 4.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, of this Draft EIR for an in-depth discussion of existing flood control conditions.

Solid Waste Services
Riverside County Department of Waste Resources (RCDWR) is responsible for the landfilling of non- hazardous county waste. In this effort the Department operates five landfills, has a contract agreement for waste disposal with an additional private landfill and administers several transfer station leases. The RCDWR Planning Section ensures that the County's planned and proposed waste management activities and projects follow applicable federal, state and local land use and environmental laws, regulations, and ordinances.

As part of its long-range planning and management activities, the RCDWR ensures that Riverside County has a minimum of 15 years of capacity, at any time, for future landfill disposal. The 15 -year projection of disposal capacity is prepared each year as part of the annual reporting requirements for the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan.

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Residential solid waste and recycling services are provided by Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. (Burrtec), which also serves restaurants, retailers, hotels and resorts. Solid waste and recycling collected from the area is taken to the Edom Hill Transfer Station. Residual waste from this transfer station is then sent to a permitted landfill or recycling facility outside of the Coachella Valley. These include Badlands Landfill, and the Lamb Canyon Sanitary Landfill. The Badlands Landfill has an estimated total capacity of 82,300,000 cubic yards of permitted capacity and an estimated remaining capacity of 7,800,000 cubic yards. The Lamb Canyon Sanitary Landfill has an estimated total capacity of 39,681,512 cubic yards and an estimated remaining capacity of 19,242,950 cubic yards. The following Table 4.17-1, Riverside County Landfills, outlines the estimated closure dates and capacities of landfills that serve the City and could serve the proposed project.

Table 4.17-1 Riverside County Landfills
Landfill Sites
Estimated
Closure Year
Permitted Capacity
(tons/day)
Maximum Permitted
Capacity (cubic
yards)
Remaining Capacity
(cubic yards)
Badlands
2059
5,000
82,300,000
7,800,000
Lambs Canyon
2032
5,000
39,681,513
19,242,950
Blythe
2052
400
6,003,343
3,271,203
Desert Center
2107
60 409,112
127,414
El Sobrante
2051
16,054
209, 910,000
143,977,170
Oasis
2055
400
1,09,152
433,779
Source: CalRecycle 2024

ELECTRIC POWER, NATURAL GAS, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Infrastructure to deliver electricity and natural gas service throughout the Planning Area is currently in place and can generally provide these services to new development on request. Section 4.6, Energy Resources, includes a thorough discussion of Electricity and Natural Gas Resources in the GPU area.

Electric Power: Southern California Edison ("SCE") is a regulated public utility that provides energy service to 15 million people across a 50,000 square mile service area in Los Angeles County, including electricity for the Planning Area. SCE obtains electricity from a variety of sources, including SCE -owned facilities and other private and publicly owned facilities that provide electricity through contracts and agreements. A variety of energy sources generate electricity, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and a mix of other renewable resources.

Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is the sixth largest electrical utility in California, serving more than 150,000 customers. The IID energy service territory covers 6,471 square miles, including all of Imperial County along with parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. According to the CEC Energy Consumption Database, approximately 3,733 GWh were consumed in IID's service area in 2022. IID provides residents and businesses in its service area with various assistance and renewable energy programs.

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Natural Gas: SoCalGas provides service to about 5.9 million customers. SoCalGas transports natural gas to the Coachella Valley through regional high-pressure lines. Limiting stations transfer the gas to supply lines with reduced pressure, which feeds local accounts. According to the CEC Gas Consumption Database, approximately 5,026.5 million therms was consumed in SoCalGas service area in 2022. High- pressure distribution lines are also located along Highway 111, Cook Street, Washington Street, and Country Club Road. No high-pressure distribution lines run through the Planning Area.

Telecommunications: Multiple telecommunications providers serve the Planning Area, including Spectrum, Frontier, T -Mobile, AT&T and Verizon.

4.17.3 Regulatory Setting
Federal
Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) was established in 1972 as the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Under the CWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industries. The EPA has also developed national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters.

It is unlawful under the CWA to discharge any pollutant from a point source, which is a discrete conveyance such as pipes or man-made ditches, into navigable waters unless a permit is obtained. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls discharges. Industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.

Compliance monitoring under the NPDES Program encompasses a range of techniques in order to address the most significant problems and to promote compliance among the regulated community.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. SDWA authorizes the EPA to set national health - based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally -occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. The U.S. EPA, states, and water systems then work together to make sure that these standards are met (EPA 2020).

National Flood Insurance Program
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 mandated by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide subsidized federal flood insurance to residents of communities where future floodplain development is regulated.

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FEMA has developed FIRMS to determine the need for and availability of federal flood insurance. FIRM maps 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.

FEMA mapping also incorporates the results of engineering studies to delineate Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), which are considered at higher risk of inundation and flood -related hazards.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
This law was enacted in 1976 and is the principal federal law governing the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) oversees waste management regulation pursuant to Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Under RCRA, however, states are authorized to carry out many of the functions of the federal law through their own hazardous waste programs and laws, as long as they are at least as stringent (or more so) than the federal regulations.

Thus, CalRecycle manages the State of California's solid waste and hazardous materials programs pursuant to U.S. EPA approval.

Federal Energy Regulation Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission duties include the regulation of the transmission and sale of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce, licensing of hydroelectric projects, and oversight of related environmental matters.

State
California Water Code
Requirements for the preparation of a Water Supply Assessment (WSA) are set forth in Senate Bill 610 (SB 610), which was enacted in 2001 and became effective January 1, 2002. SB 610 amended Section 21151.9 of the Public Resources Code. It requires cities and counties and other CEQA lead agencies to request specific information on water supplies from the Public Water System (PWS) that would serve any project that is subject to CEQA and is defined as a "Project" in Water Code Section 10912. This information is to be incorporated into the environmental review documents prepared pursuant to CEQA.

The Water Code requires a WSA be prepared for any project that propose to construct 500 or more residential units or the equivalent outlined below.
• A proposed shopping center or business establishment employing more than 1,000 persons or having more than 500,000 square feet of floor space
• A proposed commercial office building employing more than 1,000 persons or having more than 250,000 square feet of floor space
• A proposed hotel or motel, or both, having more than 500 rooms Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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• A proposed industrial, manufacturing, or processing plant, or industrial park planned to house more than 1,000 persons, occupying more than 40 acres of land, or having more than 650,000 square feet of floor area
• A mixed -use project that includes one or more of the projects specified above • A project that would demand an amount of water equivalent to, or greater than, the amount of water required by a 500 -dwelling unit project
• For public water systems with fewer than 5,000 service connections, a project that meets the following criteria: any proposed residential, business, commercial, hotel or motel, or industrial development that would account for an increase of 10 percent or more in the number of the public water system's existing service connections, or a mixed -use project that would demand an amount of water equivalent to, or greater than, the amount of water required by residential development that would represent an increase of 10 percent or more in the number of the public water system's existing service connections.

California Water Boards
The California Water Board consists of the State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Together they work to preserve, protect, enhance, and restore water quality. The State Water Board sets statewide water quality standards, issues statewide general permits, conducts statewide surface and groundwater monitoring and assessment, and issues orders for cleaning up contaminated sites. The State and Regional Water Boards also work with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as other environmental agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to protecting human health and the environment.

There are nine regional water quality control boards statewide. The nine Regional Boards are semi- autonomous and are comprised of seven part-time Board members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Regional boundaries are based on watersheds and water quality requirements are based on the unique differences in climate, topography, geology, and hydrology for each watershed.

Each Regional Board makes critical water quality decisions for its region, including setting standards, issuing waste discharge requirements, determining compliance with those requirements, and taking appropriate enforcement actions. The project site is located in the Colorado River Basin Region (Region 7).

Urban Water Management Plan
The Urban Water Management Planning Act (UWMPA) was established by Assembly Bill 797 (AB 797) on September 21, 1983, and passage of this law recognized that water is a limited resource, and that efficient water use and conservation would be actively pursued throughout the State. The UWMPA requires that municipal water suppliers providing either directly or indirectly to more than 3,000 customers or supplying more the 3,000 acre-feet per year (AFY), prepare and adopt an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years which defines their current and future water use, source of Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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supply, source reliability, and existing conservation measures. IWA completed their five year update in 2021.

CalRecycle
CalRecycle is the term the State of California uses for its Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, formerly known as the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). This state agency performs a variety of regulatory functions pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 27 and other regulations. Among five-yearngs, CalRecycle set minimum standards for the handling and disposal of solid waste designed to protect public health and safety, as well as the environment (see CCR Section 20050, for example). It is also the lead agency for implementing the State of California municipal solid waste program deemed adequate by the U.S. EPA for compliance with RCRA (Riv. County EIR No. 521)
California Integrated Waste Management Act (IWMA) (Assembly Bill (AB) 939) This act was passed by the State Legislature in 1989 to reduce dependence on landfills for the disposal of solid waste and to ensure an effective and coordinated system for the safe management of all solid waste generated within California. With its passage, solid waste management practices were redefined to require California cities and counties to divert disposal of solid waste by 50% by the year 2000. It also required local governments to prepare and implement plans to improve waste resource management by integrating management principles that place importance on first reducing solid waste through source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting before disposal at environmentally safe landfills or via transformation (e.g., regulated incineration of solid waste materials). These plans must also be updated every five years (Riv. County EIR No. 521).

Mandatory Diversion and Recycling, AB 341
Approved in 2011, this act amended the California Public Resources Code (Section 42649 et seq.) to address solid waste diversion (i.e., recycling) targets to decrease the amount of wastes going to landfills and thus extend their usable lives. AB 341 requires cities and counties, including Riverside County, to include source reduction, recycling and composting in their integrated waste management plans (IWMP). In addition, under AB 341 counties were required to "divert 50% of all solid waste from landfill disposal or transformation [e.g., incineration] by January 1, 2000, through source reduction, recycling and composting activities." By 2020, the target rises to "not less than 75% of solid waste." (Riv. County EIR No. 521).

Cahfornia's Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings Located in CCR Title 24, Part 6 and commonly referred to as "Title 24", these energy efficiency standards were established in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption.

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The goal of Title 24 energy standards is the reduction of energy use. The standards are updated periodically to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy efficiency technologies and methods. In December 2019, the California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted the 2019 Building and Energy Efficiency Standards effective January 1, 2020. This code requires new homes to include at least 50 percent of kitchen lighting to be LED, compact fluorescent or similar high efficiency fixtures, double pane windows, cool roofs, and other design techniques to reduce heat loss.

Title 24 also includes Part 11, known as California's Green Building Standards (CALGreen). The CALGreen standard took effect in January 2011 and instituted mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground -up new construction of commercial, low-rise residential, and State-owned buildings, as well as schools and hospitals. The 2019 CALGreen standards became effective on January 1, 2020. Part 11 establishes design and development methods that include environmentally responsible site selection, building design, building siting and development to protect, restore and enhance the environmental quality of the site and respect the integrity of adjacent properties.

California Public Utilities Commission
Established in 1911, the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. CPUC is organized into several advisory units, an enforcement division, and a strategic planning group. CPUC also regulates Edison and SoCalGas. 'ID is not regulated by the CPUC.

Regional and Local
Regional Urban Water Management Plan
In 1983, the Urban Water Management Planning Act (UWMP Act) was established by Assembly Bill 797, and passage of this law recognized that water is a limited resource and that efficient water use and conservation would be actively pursued throughout the State of California. The UWMP Act requires that water suppliers providing water for municipal purposes either directly or indirectly to more than 3,000 customers, or supplying more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually, prepare and submit an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) every five years. UWMPs are required to support the water suppliers' long-term resource planning to ensure that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs. UWMPs must assess the reliability of water sources over a 20 -year planning horizon during normal, single -dry, and multiple -dry years, describe management measures and water shortage contingency plans, report progress toward meeting conservation goals and targeted reduction in per -capita urban water consumption, and discuss the uses and planned uses of recycled water.

The six urban water suppliers in the Coachella Valley, (CVWD, Coachella Water Authority, Desert Water Agency, Indio Water Authority, Mission Springs Water District, and Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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Company) collaboratively prepared the 2020 Coachella Valley Regional UWMP. These agencies have historically collaborated on planning efforts related to water resources and their efficient use in the Coachella Valley. The purpose of this RUWMP is to allow the six agencies to address Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) requirements. Although most agencies prepare an individual UWMP and submit it to DWR, the California Water Code allows agencies to join together to prepare a RUWMP. The RUWMP must include all the same elements as an individual UWMP. Jointly preparing a RUWMP presents an opportunity for agencies to coordinate their efforts on demand projections, characterization of shared supplies, and planning for potential water shortages.

Sanitary Sewer Management Plan
The Sanitary Sewer Management Plan (SSMP) describes the management of CVWD's sewer collection system and minimizes the number of sanitary sewer overflows. The SSMP is required by the State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2006-0003, Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (WDR 2006-0003) enacted May 2, 2006. The SSMP provides guidance for a properly managed, operated and maintained sanitary sewer system. CVWD's Sanitary Sewer Management Plan was completed in 2019. All portions of CVWD's wastewater collection system are required to be managed, operated and maintained to provide adequate capacity to convey the peak wastewater flows, to minimize the frequency of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs), mitigate the impacts that are associated with any SSO that may occur, meet all applicable regulatory notifications and reporting requirements, and provide exceptional customer service to the residents and businesses served.

Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan
The Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP) was prepared in accordance with the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, Chapter 1095 (AB 939), and is updated every five years. The CIWMP outlines and codifies the goals, policies and programs that the County of Riverside and its cities are implementing to create an integrated and cost-effective waste management system that complies with the provisions of AB 939 and its diversion mandates. The CIWMP's components include the Countywide Summary Plan, the Countywide Siting Element, the Source Reduction and Recycling Element, the Household Hazardous Waste Element and Non -Disposal Facility Element. Each of these Elements address plans for Riverside County and each of its cities. The Riverside Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan was approved by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in September of 1996 and has subsequently been updated at five-year intervals as required by law (Riv. County EIR No. 521).

City of Indian Wells Municipal Code
The City is committed to protecting the public health, safety, welfare and environment to promote the reduction of solid waste and reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfills as required under Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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California law as embodied in the California Waste Management (Sections 4000 et seq.) The City is required to prepare, adopt and implement source reduction and recycling elements to reach reduction goals and is required to make substantial reductions in the volume of waste materials going to landfill, .

The City's Municipal Code Chapter 16.75 was implemented to reduce landfill waste by requiring an applicant for every "covered project" to divert a minimum of fifty percent (50%) with a goal of seventy percent (70%) of the construction and demolition debris resulting from that project in compliance with State and local statutory goals and policies and to create a mechanism to secure compliance with the stated diversion requirements.

City of Indian Wells Municipal Code
Title 13 Public Utilities, of the Indian Wells Municipal Code details the regulations associated with community antenna television systems and underground utilities.

4.17.4 Project Impact Analysis
Thresholds of Significance
The following standards and criteria for establishing significance of potential impacts related to utilities and service system were derived from the CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G. Development of the proposed project would have a significant impact on the environment associated with Utilities if it would:
a. Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, or wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects? b. Have insufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years?
c. Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has inadequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments?
d. Generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals? e. Fail to comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
Methodology
The potential for project -specific and cumulative impacts associated with utilities and related service systems, was assessed based upon available data that considers the project, the City, and related projects. Impacts on water demand, wastewater, solid waste, electricity, natural gas and telecommunications that would result from the project were identified by determining the demand of Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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the existing estate and comparing the existing service capacity against future demand associated with project implementation. A quantitative comparison was used to determine the impact of the project on future demands.

RM-6a
Project Impact
a Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, or wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects?
Individual assessments for water and sewer requirements will be conducted for each new development proposal to ensure there is adequate availability. The infrastructure and facilities necessary to serve new growth may involve development of facilities on new development sites and off -site, such as at existing wastewater treatment facilities, on appropriately designated land, and may also involve improvements to other existing facilities and disturbance of existing rights -of -way. The specific impacts of providing new and expanded facilities cannot be determined at this time, as the General Plan does not propose or approve development, nor does it designate specific sites for new or expanded public facilities. However, water and wastewater is anticipated to be covered under the CVWD 2020 CVRUWMP and Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). The proposed full buildout of the GPU is similar to the City's current GP and CVWD has accounted for undeveloped property in their planning efforts.

CVWD is required to periodically prepare Urban Water Management Plans for water and master plans for wastewater and would anticipate the need for increased service levels as part of their regular planning process. CVWD's SSMP provides for a properly managed, operated, and maintained sanitary sewer system, to include adequate capacity of conveying peak wastewater flows. The SSMP is audited every two years to ensure plan components are adequate, up-to-date, and implemented. The SSMP is updated every five years as needed.

Similarly, electricity and gas companies prepare load forecasts to ensure the reliability of service. As future development under the 2040 General Plan would occur over an approximately 20 -year period, the improvements to public utility infrastructure would be constructed in a coordinated manner concurrent with increases in projected demand and City policies and actions listed in this discussion.

The City of Indian Wells is primarily built out, and no major changes in storm flows are anticipated. As a standard requirement, new development will be required to incorporate stormwater management by conveying site runoff into on -site retention basins with a combined capacity to handle the water quality management plan design capture volume and the controlling 100 -year storm event volume. New development is obligated to meet the City's requirements by demonstrating that the incremental Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

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increase in runoff due to development can be adequately retained on -site. The site -specific impacts of these facilities cannot be determined until the facilities are proposed.

The requirement for additional utilities such as natural gas, electricity, and telecommunications would likely be increased as new developments are proposed. However, the City is largely built out and access to these utilities is expected to be available without the need to construct or relocate existing infrastructure. All infrastructure improvements would be required to comply with applicable City regulations, including GPU Policy RM-5.1, RM-5.2, RM-5.5, RM-5.6 and RM-8.1—RM-8.4. As well as Actions RM-5d, RM-5e, RM- 5f, RM 5g, and RM-8a and RM-8b.

Moreover, these utilities would also be analyzed for potential environmental impacts, consistent with the requirements of CEQA. Therefore, impacts related to the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or stormwater is less than significant because all future projects will abide state regulations and City policies and actions listed below.

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.

RM-5.3 Regional Cooperation. Collaborate with the various regional facility and service providers to deliver high levels of service to Indian Wells.

RM-5.4 Public/Private Partnerships. Consider public/private partnerships to realize capital infrastructure and public service needs within the City.

RM-5.5 Sufficient Capacity. Coordinate with CVWD to ensure wastewater facilities provide sufficient capacity for Indian Wells residents.

RM-5.6 Monitoring and Maintenance. Coordinate with CVWD to ensure wastewater infrastructure conditions are monitored and facilities are adequately maintained.

RM-8.1 Infrastructure and Services. Encourage service providers to make available the highest level of telecommunications infrastructure, along with a wide range of modern telecommunications services for Indian Wells residences, businesses, and institutions.

RM-8.2 Improvements and Upgrades. Promote technological improvements and upgrading of telecommunications services.

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RM-8.3 Utility Siting. Coordinate with service providers in the siting and design of telecommunications facilities to minimize environmental, aesthetic, and safety impacts.

RM-8.4 Undergrounding. Require that all new telecommunication lines are installed underground where feasible and promote the undergrounding of existing overhead facilities.

Actions
RM-5a Maintain and implement public facility master plans, in collaboration with appropriate outside service providers and agencies, to ensure compliance with appropriate regional, State, and federal laws and to identify infrastructure needs, funding sources, and implement improvements for public facilities and services.

RM-5b Continue to contract with public and private entities for the provision of public services as long as these services are more economical, more accessible, and/or better serve the needs of residents than City -provided services.

RM-5c Periodically survey residents to assess the perceived adequacy of City services and facilities.

RM-5d Continue to upgrade older water mains in the City as needed to ensure adequate water pressure for firefighting.

RM-5e Cooperate with CVWD to update population projections, sewer generation formulas, needed improvements, and programs within the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWM) at least every five years.

RM-5f Work with CVWD to expedite the improvement and expansion of sewer facilities when necessary.

RM-5g Through the development review process, continue to cooperate with CVWD to ensure adequate wastewater facilities are provided and maintained in the community. Specifically, the City should:

Require that sufficient wastewater infrastructure capacity is available to serve the development prior to approval of the project.
• Ensure the project applicant has paid the required fees prior to occupancy of any new development.
• Periodically review the fee schedules for sewer connections and revise fees as necessary to cover the cost of related services and facilities.

RM-8a As part of development review, ensure that telecommunications infrastructure is unobtrusive and screened from public view where possible.

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4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
RM-8b Actively seek to participate in pilot programs and other opportunities to expand high- speed broadband services within the City. Confer with telecommunications providers regarding major development plans and participate of the extension of utilities. b. Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years?
As discussed in Section 4.13 Population and Housing, the proposed GPU accommodates future growth in Indian Wells. The baseline condition of the City's current General Plan Buildout 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. In comparison with the full buildout of the GPU, the City of Indian Wells could accommodate a total of 6,271 housing units, 5,405 residents (same as the current General Plan); 5,159,667 square feet of new non-residential building space (27,563 more square feet than the Current General Plan); and 6,310 jobs within the Planning Area (93 more jobs that the Current General Plan). The proposed GPU will not result in additional population growth and consequently there would be no increase in residential water supplies beyond what has already been analyzed in the CVWD 2020 RUWMP. The additional employment and square footage of non-residential building space is also accounted for in the 2020 RUWMP.

The Regional Transportation Plan adopted by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) in 2020. As part of that effort, SCAG performed a detailed evaluation of current and projected future demographics throughout southern California, including CVWDs service area for the RUWMP. The Connect SoCal analysis included forecasts for employment, population, and households within cities and unincorporated areas. This demographic information was used to prepare projections of future water demands. The population growth forecasts were developed using regional growth projections published in 2020 by SCAG. The projections provided in SCAG's Connect SoCal plan included estimates of population, households, and employment through 2045.

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 long-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 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-16 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
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.

CVWD's 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan (RUWMP) has been developed to assist the agency in reliably meeting current and future water demands in a cost-effective manner. The comprehensive Water Management Plan guides efforts to eliminate overdraft, prevent groundwater level decline, protect water quality, and prevent land subsidence. The RUWMP serves as a planning tool that documents actions in support of long-term water resources planning and ensures adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future urban water demands. GPU Policy RM-6.1 and 6.2 are implemented to support the regional cooperation of all involved agencies and groundwater management.

CVWD's domestic water system has 64 pressure zones and consists of approximately 97 groundwater production wells, 2,000 miles of pipe, and 133 million gallons of storage in 65 enclosed reservoirs.

CVWD's service area includes all or a portion of the cities of Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage, and unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

According to the CVWD 2023-2024 Annual Review, CVWD has an average daily demand of 75.9 MGD in its coverage area and delivered 85,014 AFY in 2023-2024. CVWD has a total daily pumping capacity of 234 MGD and storage capacity of 174.2 million gallons (MG).

CVWD developed an approach for estimating service area population to account for the effect of seasonal residents on gallon per capita per day (GPCD) estimates. This method was approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for use in the RUWMP. Estimates of the permanent population were made using DWR's Population Tool. CVWDs water service area was loaded into the Population Tool and intersected with census data to estimate permanent population. CVWD then estimated the seasonal population and the population in RV parks using data from the Census and other sources as shown on Table 4.17-2, CVWD Current and Projected Population, from CVWDs URWMP.

Table 4.17-2 CVWD Current and Projected Population
Population Served
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
Permanent
221,791
241.680
261,5701
281.460
301.349
321.239
Seasonal

41.261

44.497
47,732
50,914
53,564
56,161
RV Parks

5.900

5.900

5.900
5,900

5.900

5.900
Total
268.952
292.077
315.202
338.274
360.813
383.300
Source: 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan for CVWD Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-17
November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
The projected demands are shown in Table 4.17-3, Projected Retail Demands for Water (AFY), from CVWD UWMP. The demand projections in Table 4.17-3 are for future municipal demands within CVWD's jurisdictional boundary. Some of these areas are currently served by private domestic wells and are not yet connected to the CVWD system. For planning purposes, all municipal demands within the jurisdictional boundary are included beginning in 2025. CVWD's actual deliveries will likely be less than these estimates until CVWD begins providing service to these areas.

Anticipated water savings related to toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, clothes washers, and urinals (categorized as indoor water use) as well as outdoor water use have been incorporated into Table 4-8.

Indoor conservation is mainly a result of government mandated water efficiency requirements for fixtures. It assumes that all new construction complies with the plumbing code in effect that the time and any replacement device is also in compliance with the current plumbing code. GPU Policy RM-6.3 will also be implemented to support water saving measures.

Table 4.17-3 CVWD Projected Retail Demands for Water (AFY) Use Type
Additional
Description
Projected Water Use
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
Single Family
60,142
63,824
67,331
69,816
71,695
Multi -Family
6,873
7,245
7,742
8,267
9,045
CII
7,060
7,244
7,438
7,709
7,985
Landscape
34,193
36,205
38,226
39,865
41,516
Other
1,457
1,563
1,670
1,755
1,840
Losses
13,736
14,501
15,222
15,670
16,085
Total
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,082
148,166
Note: Projections based on demand projections in draft Alternative Plan Updates for Indio Subbasin and Mission Creek Subbasin. The projected demand increase from 2020 to 2025 reflects planned expansion of the service area to include areas not current connected to the CVWD system. The timing of this expansion will depend on the availability of grant funding.

CVWD's gross water use was determined from annual production records. Meter adjustments, exported water, distribution system storage, recycled water, and processed water were not applicable to CVWD's distribution system. Non -potable water meets a large portion of the golf course and landscape irrigation demands within CVWD's service area. CVWD's average use during the baseline period and confirmed 2020 target are shown in Table 4.17-4, CVWD Baselines and Target Summary, and compliance with the 2020 target is shown in Table 4.17-5, CVWD 2020 Compliance, both tables are from the RUWMP.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-18 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Table 4.17-4 CVWD Baselines and Target Summary
Baseline Period
Start
Year
End
Year
I Average Baseline
Use (GPCD)
Confirmed 2020
Target (GPCD)
10-15 Year
1999
2008
515
412
5 Year
2003
2007
505
All values are in Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD)

4.17-5 CVWD 2020 Compliance
Actual 2020
GPCD
2020
Confirmed
Target GPCD
Supplier Achieved
Targeted Reduction
in 2020
2020 Total
Adjustments
Adjusted
2020 GPCD
331
0 331
412
YES
All values are in Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD)
When feasible, CVWD requires new development to use recycled or non -potable water as a condition of receiving domestic and wastewater services from CVWD. If recycled or non -potable water service is not available at the time, developments would then use recycled or non -potable water as it becomes available. Currently, Toscana Country Club, Desert Horizons, and Indian Wells Golf Resort use recycled non -potable water at these golf courses. GPU Policy RM-6.6 also encourages the use of reclaimed water.

The California Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act) requires urban water suppliers to assess water supply reliability by comparing total projected water use with the expected water supply over the next 20 to 25 years in five-year increments. The Act also requires an assessment for a single dry year and multiple dry years.

The CVWD UWMP states that water supplies during normal, dry and multiple dry years is fully reliable and CVWD will be able to meet 100 percent of the projected water demand for the period of 2025-2045.

However, during a normal year, single -dry year, or five -dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown in Table 4.17-6, Normal year Supply and Demand Comparison, 4.17-7, Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison, and 4.17-8, Multiple Dry Year Supply and Comparison.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-19 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS

4.17-6 CVWD Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
Supply Totals (AFY)
From DWR Table 6-9R
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Groundwater (not desalinated)
123,461
130.582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water

13.600
14,400
15,100
15,900
16,800
Demand Totals (AFY)
From DWR Table 4-3R
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Potable Water Demand
123,4611 '
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water Demand
13,600
14,400

15.100
15,900

16.800
Difference
0 0
0 0
0 Note: The RUWMP participating agencies collaborate on groundwater management p long-term sustainability. During a normal year, single -dry year, or five -dry year period, agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown ans for
the
here.

4.17-7 CVWD Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison 2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
Supply Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Groundwater (not desalinated)
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148.166
Recycled Water
13,600
14,400
15,100
15,900
1 6, 800
Demand Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Potable Water Demand
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water Demand
13,600
14,400
15,100
15,900

16.800
Difference (AFY)
0 0
0 0
O 1
Note: The RUWMP participating agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long-term sustainability. During a normal year, single -dry year, or five -dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown here.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.17-20
November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS

4.17-8 CVWD Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison 2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
First
Year
Supply Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Groundwater
123,461
130,582
137,629 143,081
148,166
Recycled Water
13,600

14.400
15,100 15,900
16,800
Demand Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand
123,461
130,582
137,629 143,081
148.166
Recycled Water Demand

13.600
14,400
15,100 15,900
16,800
Difference
0 0
0 0
0 Second
Year
Supply Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Groundwater
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water
13,600
14,400
15,100 15,900
16,800
Demand Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729 158,981
164,966
Potable Water Demand
123,461
130,582
137,629 143,081
148,166
Recycled Water Demand
13,600
14,400
15,100 15,900
16,800
Difference
0 0
0 0
0 Third
Year
Supply Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729 158,981
164,966
Groundwater
123,461
130,582
137,629 143,081
148,166
Recycled Water
13,600
14,400
15,100 15,900
16,800
Demand Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164.966
Potable Water Demand
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water Demand
13,600

14.400
15,100
15,900

16.800
Difference
0 0
0 0
0 Fourth
Year
Supply Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Groundwater
123,461
130,582
137.629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water
13,600
14,400
15,100
15,900
16,800
Demand Totals (AFY)
137,061
144.982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Potable Water Demand
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water Demand

13.600

14.400
15,100

15.900

16.800
Difference
0 0
0 0
0 Fifth
Year
Supply Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Groundwater
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water
13,600
14,400
15,100
15,900
16,800
Demand Totals (AFY)
137,061
144,982
152,729
158,981
164,966
Potable Water Demand
123,461
130,582
137,629
143,081
148,166
Recycled Water Demand
13,600

14.400
15,100
15,900
16,800
Difference
0 0
0 0
0 Note: The RUWMP participating agenc
long-term sustainability. During a normal
agencies could produce additional groundwater
here.
es collaborate on groundwater
year, single -dry year,
if demands exceeded
management
or five -dry year period,
the estimates shown
plans for
the
The GPU will continue to implement water conservation measures in accordance with the applicable landscape ordinance requirements pertaining to water efficient irrigation systems and drought -tolerant Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.17-21
November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
plant selection (Indian Wells Municipal Code 21.60) and GPU Actions RM-6a, RM-6d, and RM-6f. Based on the information provided in this analysis, there is substantial evidence to support a determination that there will be sufficient water supplies to meet the demands of the City. Therefore, impacts to the water supply would be less than significant and future projects will be required to comply with all such regulations and GP Policies and Actions listed below.

Impacts would be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
RM-6.1 Regional Cooperation. Actively participate in regional activities to assure (a) the effective management of water resources, and (b) the development of water policies at the County, State and Federal level that are favorable to the Coachella Valley.

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, 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 with 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.

RM-6.7 Education. Strengthen education programs related to water protection and conservation.

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.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-22 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
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 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.
• 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.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-23 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
• 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.
c. Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? Indian Wells' sewer services are provided by CVWD. CVWD's wastewater collection system consists of approximately 1,160 miles of 6 -inch through 36 -inch diameter sewers and includes 28 sewage lift stations and associated force mains. The system contains trunk sewers, generally 10 inches in diameter and larger, that convey the collected wastewater flows to the District's treatment facilities. CVWD operates five WRPs, two of which (WRP-7 and WRP-10) generate recycled water for irrigation of golf courses and large landscaped areas.

WRP-10 consists of an activated sludge treatment plant, and a tertiary wastewater treatment plant. It is also a groundwater replenishment site and generates recycled water for irrigation of golf courses and large landscaped areas. Per the 2020 CVWD RUWMP, WRP-10 has a capacity to treat 18 million gallons per day (MGD). This plant treats an annual average flow of 10.8 MGD (12,000 AFY) from the activated sludge plant. Approximately 60 percent of WRP-10's effluent receives tertiary treatment, which is available as recycled water and used by the non -potable water fund for delivery to customers.

The WRP is designed to treat domestic wastewater generated within four different cities: Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and portions of Cathedral City. All the flow originating in Indian Wells flows across the CVWD collection system to WRP-10. The average population served by the plant is 90,000 people. According to the California Department of Finance, the 2024 population estimates of Indian Wells is approximately 4,797 residents. Therefore, the City of Indian Wells only contributes approximately 5 percent of the total wastewater generated between the four cities being transported to WRP-10 or 0.5 MGD. Given the current capacity of WRP-10 to treat 18 MGD and the plants' average Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-24 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
flow of 10.8 MGD, there is a remaining capacity of 7.2 MGD. Full buildout of the GPUs residential and non-residential components would add additional wastewater over a 20 -year period (approx. 2.28 MGD). CVWD's Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) describes the management of its sewer collection system. The SSMP is written to minimize the number of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) and provide for a properly managed, operated, and maintained sanitary sewer system, to include adequate capacity of conveying peak wastewater flows. The SSMP is audited every two years to ensure plan components are adequate, up-to-date, and implemented. The SSMP is updated every five years (or as needed) to ensure it is current and includes any audit findings of which direct change to the plan.

Through planning and design processes currently in place at CVWD and the coordination with the City, both agencies are able to ensure sewer infrastructure would support future developments under the proposed GPU.

Impacts from future development to WRP-10 are not expected to overwhelm the plants resources and WRP-10 has adequate capacity to provide wastewater services for the future development of vacant residential land in the City.

New construction may require improvements to existing wastewater infrastructure and/or disturbance of existing rights -of -way connections. The specific impacts of these improvements cannot be determined at this time, because the GPU does not propose any development. Future development would be evaluated at a project -level to ensure the proper wastewater improvements are made. The environmental impacts are expected to be similar to those associated with new development and infrastructure projects under the GPU. As future development is brought forward to the City, it will be required to comply with all current regulations and will be evaluated for compliance with the City's GPU and Municipal Code. Impacts would also be further analyzed for potential environmental impacts, consistent with CEQA. Impact to wastewater would be less than significant. d./e. Would the project generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals; Comply with federal, state, and local management reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste? Solid waste and recycling services are provided to the City by Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. (Burrtec), which also serves restaurants, retailers, hotels, and resorts. Future buildout of the GPU could 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). Table 4.17-9 shows Indian Wells Disposal tonnage trends per year between 2020-2023. Over the last 4 -years, solid waste trends go from 8,000 to 12,000 tons per year.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-25 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Table 4.17-9 Indian Wells Disposal Tonnage Trend
Year
Tons of Disposal
2020
8794.27
2021
9,310.78
2022
10,382.01
2023
12,130.22
CalRecyle Recycling and Disposal Reporting System (RDRS), 2024 Solid waste and recycling collected from the City is taken to the Edom Hill Transfer Station. This transfer station is permitted to receive 3,500 tons per day (tpd) and currently processes over 1,900 tons per day.

Residual waste from this transfer station is then sent to a permitted landfill or recycling facility outside of the Coachella Valley. These include Badlands Landfill and the Lamb Canyon Sanitary Landfill. The Badlands Landfill has a permitted daily capacity of 5,000 tons per day and an estimated total capacity of 82,300,000 cubic yards with a remaining capacity of 7,800,00 cubic yards. The Lambs Canyon Landfill has a permitted capacity of 5,000 tons per day and 319,242,950 cubic yards of remaining capacity with a closure date of 2032. Therefore, the project would be served by a landfill with sufficient capacity.

Additionally, the other landfills listed in Table 4.17-1 have sufficient capacity to meet the demands of solid waste generated by the additional development under the GPU. The City will continue to coordinate with Riverside County regarding solid waste disposal capacity (Policy RM-7.2, Action RM-7a, RM-7b).

Future development would be subject to waste diversion measures required by the city. Every covered project is required to divert a minimum of fifty percent (50%) with a goal of seventy percent (70%) of the construction and demolition debris resulting from that project. This follows State and local statutory goals and policies implemented by GPU Policy RM-7.1, RM-7.4. The city has a waste diversion goal of reducing organic waste disposal 75 percent by 2025. These goals are consistent with state regulations regarding solid waste, composting, and recycling (Senate Bill 1383) and implemented by GPU Policy RM-

7.6 and RM-7.7 and Actions RM-7d, RM-7e, RM-7f, RM-7g, RM-7k, RM-71, and RM-7m.

Table 4.17-10 Indian Wells Per Capita Disposal Rates vs. Target Rates Population
Disposal Year
Target
Per Capita
Population
Per Capita
Employment
2019

21.5 10.3

13.9 2020

21.5 9

13.9 2021

21.5 10.7

17.9 2022

21.5 11.9

15.2 CalRecyle Jurisdiction Per Capita Disposal Trends, 2024 Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 4.17-26
November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Given the City's ability to meet its disposal targets and the remaining capacity of the area landfills, meeting the solid waste and recycling needs of the GPU would not result in adverse impacts to landfill facilities.

The Indian Wells Municipal Code also requires all new construction to develop a waste management plan for construction and demolition projects (16.75) as well as screening measures of utility and solid waste facilities (21.50). In addition, the GPU update includes the following Policy's RM-7.4, RM-7.5, aimed at maintaining conservation practices and promoting proper solid waste management in both the public and private sectors.

The project will comply with all applicable solid waste statutes, policies and guidelines. Burrtec abides by Assembly Bill 341 which is a legislative declaration that it is the policy goal of the State of California that not less than 75% of solid waste generated be reduced, recycled, or composted by the year 2020.

Future projects will be required to arrange for Burrtec collection of recycled material and supply and allow access to an adequate number, size and location of collection containers with sufficient labels or colors for employees, contractors, tenants, and customers, consistent with City's collection services. The California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) applies to all cities in California, and mandates that all new building construction develop a waste management plan that includes diversion of at least 65% of construction and demolition material from landfills, through recycling and/or reuse. There are no impacts relative to applicable solid waste regulations because future projects will be required to comply with all such regulations and GP Policies and Actions listed below.

Impacts would be less than significant.

General Plan Policies and Actions
Policies
RM-7.1 Compliance with State Legislation. Comply with local, regional and State regulations regarding waste diversion, source reduction, recycling, and composting.

RM-7.2 Solid Waste Collection. Provide adequate waste disposal, recycling, and refuse services for present and future residents and businesses, including programs that improve public access to solid waste collection and recycling facilities.

RM-7.3 Fees and Funding. Work with Burrtec to periodically review collection, recycling, and disposal fees to achieve state and federal mandates, meet community expectations, and reflect cost efficiencies or increases for service delivery. Be prepared to fund expansions, operations, or maintenance for regional waste facilities when necessary, including but not limited to the Badlands Landfill and the Lamb Canyon Sanitary Landfill.

RM-7.4 Recycled Product Use. Encourage the salvage and reuse of building materials and recycled products in new construction and remodel projects.

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4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
RM-7.5 Community -Wide Waste Reduction. Continue to foster a sense of personal responsibility among residents for solid waste management particularly in accomplishing waste reduction and recycling goals.

RM-7.6 Short -Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction. Continue to implement solid waste plans and programs, such as organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery, that reduce short- lived climate pollutants (SLCP).

RM-7.7 Recycling and Composting. Encourage the recycling/composting of all City organic materials including landscape and food waste materials.

Actions
RM-7a
RM-7b
RM-7c
Regularly review the service levels of the Edom Hill Transfer Station. Coordinate with impacted agencies on potential plans for expansions, maintenance, and operations when service levels are determined to be inadequate.

On an ongoing basis and in compliance with State law, ensure solid waste collection activities completed by franchise solid waste haulers, facility siting and construction of transfer and/or disposal facilities, operation of waste reduction and recycling programs, and household hazardous waste disposal and education programs are consistent with the Riverside County Solid Waste Management Plan.

Include standard language in requests for services and in City agreements requiring contractors to use best management practices to maximize diversion of waste from the landfill in order to meet the City's specified diversion rates.

RM-7d Encourage the expansion of recycling and reuse programs, such as:

RM-7e Increased participation in residential curbside recycling programs; RM-7f Increased participation in commercial and industrial recycling programs for paper, cardboard, and plastics;
RM-7g Reduce yard and landscaping waste through methods such as composting, grass recycling, and using resource efficient landscaping techniques; and RM-7h Encourage local businesses to provide electronic waste (e -waste) drop-off services and encourage residents and businesses to properly dispose of, or recycle, e - waste.

RM-7i Continue to enforce and monitor required diversion rates pursuant to the requirements contained in Chapter 16.75. of the Municipal Code.

RM-7j Continue the procurement of recycled products and materials utilized in City owned buildings, including building/decorative materials and furnishings, food and beverage service items and office materials.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-28 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
RM-7k
Maintain and improve the City of Indian Wells waste diversion rate as mandated by the State of California. Participate in source reduction and recycling techniques to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to landfills and ensure adequate landfill capacity in the region.

RM-71 Work with appropriate service providers to collect and compost greenwaste, including landscaping, Christmas trees, composting and mulch, and other sources of organic waste, to distribute for use in parks, medians, and other municipal areas.

RM-7m Provide recycling and composting information to residents, commercial businesses, and developers. These educational programs will inform citizens of the benefits of recycling and composting, and appropriate disposal options and locations.

4.17.5 Cumulative Impacts
As evaluated in this section, project implementation involving an update to the Indian Wells General Plan within the existing City limits is expected to result in an incremental increase in water use, wastewater generation, solid waste generation, electricity use, natural gas use and telecommunications access associated with the potential for development within the vacant portions of the City. As mentioned previously, the GPU will include policies and guidelines to regulate the performance of water, wastewater, solid waste, electricity, natural gas and telecommunication facilities. and infrastructure within the region. Additionally, future development will be required to be consistent with the goals set within the federal, state, regional, and local levels. Thus, the proposed GPU is not expected to facilitate development that results in conditions that will substantially increase the water use, wastewater generation, solid waste generation rates, electricity consumption, natural gas use and telecommunication access in levels negatively impacting the local infrastructure. The existing regulatory framework established at the federal, state, regional, and local level is inherently designed to prevent land development activities from incurring or causing such negative impacts. As such, the updated Indian Wells General Plan is not expected to result in cumulative impacts to the utilities and services provided by the City.

Water Supply
As discussed in the above analysis, CVWD's 2020 Regional UWMP has determined that it has sufficient supplies to meet this demand, in addition to its other existing and projected demands, during normal, single dry, and multiple dry years. The proposed project's contribution to cumulative water supply impacts would also be less than cumulatively considerable.

Waste Water
Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-29 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Buildout of the proposed Indian Wells General Plan update may facilitate new development within the City that could potentially result in an increase to wastewater flows. However, as discussed, WRP-10 is designed to treat domestic wastewater generated in the Cities of Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and portions of Cathedral City. The City of Indian Wells contributes approximately 0.5 percent of the total wastewater being transported to WRP-10. Per the 2020 CVWD RUWP, WRP-10 has a capacity to treat 15 million gallons per day (MGD).

This plant treats an annual average flow of 10.8 MGD (12,000 AFY). Proposed projects within the City and other local jurisdictions within CVWD's boundary would be required to undergo environmental review to determine if the existing CVWD wastewater infrastructure has adequate capacity to serve the project or if other onsite and off -site improvements would be necessary in order to provide service. The projected increase in wastewater flows would not require the expansion of wastewater treatment facilities.

Additionally, all new development in the City would be required to complete an environmental analysis per CEQA Guidelines, which would analyze and disclose any potentially significant impacts on wastewater services. Therefore, the project's contribution to cumulative wastewater would have less than significant impacts.

Solid Waste
Buildout of the General Plan will result in the construction and operation of various land uses which would result in the increase of solid waste generated in the area. As previously stated, the Badlands Landfill has a permitted daily capacity of 5,000 tons per day and an estimated total capacity of 82,300,000 cubic yards with a remaining capacity of 7,800,00 cubic yards. The Lambs Canyon Landfill has a permitted capacity of 5,000 tons per day and 319,242,950 cubic yards of remaining capacity. Future development projects in the City will be required to comply to the same waste reduction mandates as are currently in place, and more stringent mandates if they are legislated in the future. These requirements are designed to reduce the waste stream by 75%, and will assist all projects in reducing cumulative solid waste impacts. The landfills serving the City have available remaining capacity.

Therefore, cumulative impacts to solid waste would be less than significant.

Electricity, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications
Southern California Edison (SCE), Imperial Irrigation District (IID), the Southern California Gas Company, and Frontier are regional purveyors of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications. All of them provide utility services to the City of Indian Wells and throughout Riverside County and expect to accommodate future growth within the City. Future developments are required to participate in the design review process of utility plans associated with the future development. Indian Wells is a largely built out community and infrastructure exists throughout much of the City. Physical determination prior to implementation of any project and the need for further infrastructure upgrades would similarly be Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-30 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
accomplished through the required design review and approval plans for projects through the City, nearby jurisdictions, and the appropriate regulatory agencies and utility providers. Therefore, demand would not be cumulatively considerable and would not cause or contribute to a significant cumulative impact.

4.17.6 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 utilities and service systems. 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.

4.17.7 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Impacts associated with Utilities and Service Systems will be less than significant, with project compliance with all design standards set forth by the City of Indian Wells and CVWD.

4.17.8 Resources

1. Coachella Valley Water District Urban Water and Management Planning Website http://cvwd.org/543/Urban-Water-Management-Planning

2. Coachella Valley Water District 2019-2020 Annual Report htt3s:// www.cvwd.org/blog.aspx?iid=15

3. Coachella Valley Water District Sewer System Management Plan https://www.cvwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/1012/Coachel la-Valley-Water-District---Sewer- System-Management-Plan-Final-Draft-SSMP-PDF?bidld=

4. Riverside County Department of Waste Resources
htt as:// www.rcwaste.org/business/Manning/ciwm 3

5. County of Riverside Environmental Impact Report No. 521 Public Review Draft February 2015 https://planning.rctlma.org/Portals/14/genplan/general plan 2015/DEIR%20521/04- 17 PublicFacilities.pdf

6. CalRecycle 2024
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/AnnualReporting/ReviewReports/DisposalTonnageT rend

7. California Department of Finance Population Estimates https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates-el/ Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR

4.17-31 November 2024

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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

5.0 Other CEQA Sections
Chapter 5.0 Other CEQA Sections

5.1 Purpose
This chapter of the PDEIR addresses the additional content requirements of the State CEQA Guidelines that are not included in other chapters. The CEQA Guidelines require a section of the document to discuss significant unavoidable impacts, significant irreversible impacts (per Section 21100 (b)(2)), and growth -inducing impacts (per Section 15126.2). These topics are discussed in this chapter.

5.2 Significant and Unavoidable Impacts
CEQA Guidelines Section 15125.2(b) requires an EIR to discuss unavoidable significant environmental effects, including those that can be mitigated but not reduced to a level of insignificance. The following significant and unavoidable impacts of the GPU are discussed in Chapter 4.0, and corresponding sections. Refer to those discussions for further details and analysis of the significant and unavoidable impacts identified below:
• Agriculture and Forestry Resources: Implementation of the GPU would result in a significant and unavoidable cumulative impact to agricultural land. • Transportation: Implementation of the GPU would result in a significant and unavoidable VMT impact.
• Irreversible Effects: Significant and Unavoidable (discussed below)

5.3 Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes
CEQA Section 15126.2(d) and Public Resources Code Sections 21100(b)(2) and 21100.1(a), requires that the EIR include a discussion of significant irreversible environmental changes which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented. Irreversible environmental effects are described as:
• The project would involve a large commitment of nonrenewable resources; • The primary and secondary impacts of a project would generally commit future generations to similar uses (e.g., a highway provides access to previously remote area); • The project involves uses in which irreversible damage could result from any potential environmental accidents associated with the project; or • The phasing of the proposed consumption of resources is not justified (e.g., the project involves the wasteful use of energy).

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5.0 OTHER CEQA SECTIONS
Determining whether the proposed GPU would result in significant irreversible effects requires a determination of whether key resources would be degraded or destroyed such that there would be little possibility of restoring them. Irretrievable commitments of resources should be evaluated to assure that such current consumption is justified.

Consumption of Nonrenewable Resources
Consumption of nonrenewable resources refers to the loss of physical features within the natural environment, including the conversion of agricultural lands, loss of access to mining reserves, and nonrenewable energy use. The Indian Wells Planning Area has multiple nonrenewable resources, including biological resources, water resources, and energy resources.

One of the objectives of the proposed GPU is to conserve natural resources within the Planning Area.

Many of these policies and actions, aimed at preserving natural resources, are contained within the Resource Management Element, and have been identified throughout this EIR. Additionally, the proposed GPU directs most new development to infill areas, and areas surrounding existing neighborhoods and urbanized areas. As a result, the proposed GPU will minimize the potential for impacts to the nonrenewable resources in the Planning Area, including biological resources, water resources, and energy resources, to the greatest extent feasible. More detailed and focused discussions of potential impacts to these nonrenewable resources are contained throughout this PDEIR.

Nonrenewable energy resources such as electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel would be consumed during the construction and operation of development projects contemplated under the GPU buildout. The proposed GPU includes a variety of policies that seek to conserve, protect, and enhance energy resources. These policies focus on energy efficiency in the design, materials, construction, and use of buildings, the use of alternative energy systems, and alternative transportation modes.

Irretrievable Commitments/Irreversible Physical Changes Implementation of the proposed GPU would result in a commitment of land uses designated for the foreseeable future. Land use and development consistent with the GPU would result in irretrievable commitments by introducing development onto sites that are presently undeveloped. The conversion of agricultural lands to urban uses would result in an irretrievable loss of agricultural land, wildlife habitat, and open space. Additionally, development will physically change the environment in terms of aesthetics, air emission, noise, traffic, open space, and natural resources. These physical changes are irreversible after development occurs. Therefore, the proposed GPU would result in changes in land use within the Planning Area that would commit future generations to these uses.

Irreversible Effects (Significant and Unavoidable)
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5.0 OTHER CEQA SECTIONS
In summary, the proposed GPU includes an extensive policy framework that is designed to address land use and environmental issues to the greatest extent feasible, while allowing growth and economic prosperity for the City. However, even with the policies and actions that will serve to reduce potential significant impacts, the proposed GPU will result in significant irreversible changes. This impact is considered a significant and unavoidable impact under CEQA.

5.4 Growth -Inducing Impacts
Section 15126.2 (e) of the CEQA Guidelines requires that an EIR evaluate the growth -inducing impacts of a proposed action. A growth -inducing impact is defined by the CEQA Guidelines as:

The way in which a proposed project could foster economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment. Included in this are projects which would remove obstacles to population growth. It is not assumed that growth in an area is necessarily beneficial, detrimental, or of little significance to the environment.

Based on the CEQA Guidelines, growth inducement is any growth that exceeds planned growth of an area and results in new development that would not have taken place without implementation of the project. A project can have direct and/or indirect growth inducement potential. Direct growth inducement would result if a project, for example, involved construction of new housing. A project would have indirect growth inducement potential if it established substantial new permanent employment opportunities (e.g., commercial, industrial, or governmental enterprises) or if it would involve the construction of infrastructure or a utility that allows additional growth to follow.

The CEQA Guidelines further explain that the environmental effects of induced growth are considered indirect impacts of the proposed action. These indirect impacts or secondary effects of growth may result in significant, adverse environmental impacts. Potential secondary effects of growth include increased demand on other community and public services and infrastructure, increased traffic and noise, and adverse environmental impacts such as degradation of air and water quality, degradation or loss of plant and animal habitat, and conversion of open space land to developed uses.

Growth inducement may constitute an adverse impact if the growth is not consistent with or accommodated by the land use plans and growth management plans and policies for the area affected. Local land use plans provide for land use development patterns and growth policies that allow for the orderly expansion of urban development supported by adequate urban public services, such as water supply, roadway infrastructure, sewer service, and solid waste service.

The General Plan is a long-term plan intended to accommodate projected population, housing, and employment growth, including the appropriate balance among these factors with the necessary public services and infrastructure. The proposed GPU would serve as a comprehensive, long-term plan for the physical development of Indian Wells. Projected growth is described in Section 4.13, Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
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5.0 OTHER CEQA SECTIONS
Population and Housing, and the environmental consequences related to the potential growth are fully assessed in each topical section. By definition, the proposed GPU is intended to provide for and address future growth in the City.

Because the proposed GPU provides a framework for development through its Land Use Map, land use designations, goals, policies, and actions, it would directly induce population and employment growth in the Indian Wells Planning Area by designating land for development that is more intense, in some instances, than current designations allow. The analysis of the indirect growth -inducing impacts for the proposed GPU focuses on the following factors: inducement of unanticipated population growth; encouragement of economic growth that leads to jobs and housing growth; elimination of obstacles to population growth; and resulting service, facility, or infrastructure demands in excess of existing and planned growth.

The GPU accommodates future growth in Indian Wells, including new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses. Infrastructure and services would need to accommodate future growth. The General Plan is oriented toward the economic growth of the City, with emphasis given to encouraging development of a broader array of businesses and increasing local employment opportunities as necessary to serve economic growth. The cumulative development scenario addressed in this PDEIR is the maximum projected development that could occur within the existing City limits and the Planning Area, if every parcel in the City and the Planning Area developed at or near the higher end of densities and intensities allowed under the proposed GPU.

As described in Chapter 3.0, Project Description, 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.

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). Depending on growth rates, the actual growth during the life of the General Plan could be lower or higher, but would not exceed the theoretical maximum buildout described in Chapter 3.0.

Given the historical and current population, housing, and employment trends, growth in the City, as well as the entire State, is inevitable. The primary factors that account for population growth are natural increase and net migration. The average annual birth rate for California is expected to be 20 births per 1,000 population. Additionally, California is expected to attract more than one third of the country's immigrants. Other factors that affect growth include the cost of housing, the location of jobs, the economy, the climate, and transportation. While these factors would likely result in growth in Indian Wells during the planning period of the proposed GPU, growth will continue to occur based primarily on the demand of the housing market and demand for new commercial and other non- residential uses. As future development occurs under the proposed GPU, new roads, infrastructure, Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
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5.0 OTHER CEQA SECTIONS
and services would be necessary to serve the development and this infrastructure would accommodate planned growth. However, growth under the proposed GPU would remain within the general growth levels projected statewide and would not be anticipated to exceed any applicable growth projections or limitations that have been adopted to avoid an environmental effect. The proposed GPU is intended to accommodate the City's fair share of statewide housing needs, based on regional numbers provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on a regular basis (every five to eight years).

The City is responsible for accommodating its fair share of regional growth, as identified in the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) (see Section 4.13, Population and Housing, for a detailed discussion). Therefore, the GPU serves to accommodate and manage any growth, consistent with regional plans, in an orderly manner that would benefit the future of the community.

According to SCAG's growth forecasts, the City of Indian Wells will reach a population of 6,400 people by 2045. When compared to the City's population of 5,403 in 2020, it is predicted that approximately 1,000 more people will reside in the City. Additionally, according to the RTP/SCS, the number of households in the City of Indian Wells is projected to increase approximately 19 percent between 2016 and 2045.

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 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. It has been determined that the City must be able to accommodate 382 dwelling units, representing a 7 percent increase in the number of units in the City.

The proposed GPU includes policies and actions that mitigate environmental impacts associated with growth, such as air quality, noise, traffic, water supply, and water quality. Additionally, this PDEIR identifies General Plan policies and actions, where appropriate, that would serve to reduce or eliminate potentially significant impacts associated with specific environmental issues associated with growth. Sections 4.1 through 4.17 provide a discussion of environmental effects associated with development allowed under the proposed GPU.

With implementation of GPU policies and actions intended to guide growth to appropriate areas and provide services necessary to accommodate growth, the land uses allowed under the proposed GPU, the infrastructure anticipated to accommodate proposed land uses, and the goal and policy Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
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5.0 OTHER CEQA SECTIONS
framework would not induce growth that would exceed adopted thresholds. Therefore, population and housing growth associated with the proposed GPU would result a less than significant impact.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
5-6 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

6.0 Effects Found to have No Impact
Chapter 6.0 Effects Found to have No Impact
As discussed in Chapter 1.0, Executive Summary, the City of Indian Wells (City) is the lead agency for the planning and environmental review of the proposed GPU. The City has prepared this PDEIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, including Section 15128 of the CEQA Guidelines which requires a brief description of any possible significant effects that were determined to have no impacts and were not analyzed in detail within the environmental analysis.

Therefore, in compliance with CEQA Guidelines, this chapter is included in this Draft EIR. Chapter 4 contains a complete analysis of all impacts which the NOP determined may have an effect on the environment.

The analysis in this section was conducted consistent with and informed by the 2024 CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Checklist. The following discussion presents the analysis of the effects related to agricultural and forestry resources, biological resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, and wildfires that were determined to have no potential to impact the environment.

6.1 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Threshold b: Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? According to the California Department of Conversion California Williamson Act Enrollment Finder, there is no land within the City that is designated under the Williamson Act. Additionally, zoning for agricultural use does not occur within the City. The implementation of the GPU will not impact or remove land from the City or County's agricultural zoning or agricultural preserve. Therefore, no impacts are expected.

Threshold c: Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production?
The City of Indian Wells does not have land designated as forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production within the City boundaries. Additionally, these activities do not occur within the City or the Coachella Valley. No impacts are anticipated.

Threshold d: Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non forest use? As stated in discussion c), above, no forest land occurs in the City or in the surrounding area because forest vegetation is not characteristic of the Coachella Valley desert environment. No impacts are expected.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
6-1 June 2024

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6.0 EFFECTS FOUND TO HAVE NO IMPACT

6.2 Biological Resources
Threshold c: Have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? The City does not contain federally protected wetlands, marshes, vernal pools or coastal areas. The Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel and Deep Canyon Stormwater Channel each convey storm flows within the City. The Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) has been developed in close coordination and consultation with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFCWCA), which are responsible for the management of regional drainage within the CVMSHCP area. CVWD and RCFCWCA are responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of drainage improvements for regional flood control facilities, as well as watershed and watercourse protection related to those facilities. Coordination and consultation have also occurred with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drainage plans for the major drainages deemed important to the viability of the CVMSHCP have also ben reviewed, analyzed, and documented by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel is managed by CVWD. Management of this wash includes implementing all the Conservation Objectives and Required Measures delineated in the CVMSHCP and implementing permit conditions that pertain to the Valley Floor Reserve Management Unit, guiding the management of the wash. As a result, implementation of the GPU would not result in the direct removal, filling, or other hydrological interruption to any of these resources. No impacts are expected.

Threshold d: Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? The City does not act as a wildlife movement corridor due to the current built environment as well as the presence of urban/suburban development encompassing much of the City. Any development occurring from the GPU shall comply with the CVMSHCP through the payment of mitigation fees required by new developments. Additionally, development in the City is required to follow Policy IIIA.4.2 set forth by the City. Policy IIIA.4.2 requires development proposals to identify significant biological resources and provide mitigation including the use of adequate buffering, selective preservation, the provision of replaceable habitats, the use of sensitive site planning techniques, and other appropriate measures. Both of these required measures would ensure that there would be no impact on the movement of any native resident or migratory species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors or impede on the use of native wildlife nursery sites. No impacts are expected.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
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6.0 EFFECTS FOUND TO HAVE NO IMPACT
Threshold e: Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
The City lies within the boundary of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) which outlines policies for conservation habitats and natural communities and is implemented by the City of Indian Wells. There are no other unique local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources that would cause a conflict. Any development occurring from the GPU shall comply with the CVMSHCP through the payment of mitigation fees required by new developments within the City. No impacts are expected.

Threshold f: Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
As discussed above, the City of Indian Wells is a participant of the CVMSHCP. This plan outlines policies for conservation habitats and natural communities and is implemented by the City of Indian Wells.

The southern portion of the City is included in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area; however, no development is proposed in the Conservation Area. No impacts are expected, and no further analysis is needed.

6.3 Geology and Soils
Threshold e: Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater?
The City is located within the Coachella Valley Water District's service area for sewer. Development occurring from the implementation of the GPU would connect to the existing infrastructure. No septic systems are proposed. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated.

6.4 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Threshold e: For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area?
The City of Indian Wells is located approximately 2 miles southwest of the closest airport, the Bermuda Dunes Airport. The City is not located within the Bermuda Dunes Land Use Compatibility Plan. Therefore, the PDEIR will not analyze the project's potential to result in a safety hazard or Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
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6.0 EFFECTS FOUND TO HAVE NO IMPACT
excessive noise for people residing or working in the City associated with an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. No impacts are expected.

Threshold g: Expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires?
The City is located north of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Thus, development abuts wildland areas.

However, the Santa Rosa Mountains and the desert environment does not cultivate dense vegetation to grow or provide fuel for wildfires.

CAL FIRE conducts fire hazard severity mapping, including mapping areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), define the application of various mitigation strategies and influence how buildings are constructed and how property is protected within State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. In addition, CAL FIRE must recommend Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) identified within any Local Responsibility Area (LRA). According to the California Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer, there are no FHSZ zones located within the GPU Planning Area and no threat of wildland fire. Likewise, there are no VHFHSZ zones within the Planning Area.

Federal Responsibility Areas (FRAs) are lands administered or controlled by the Federal Government for which federal agencies have administrative and protection responsibility. There are five FRAs within the mountainous areas that serve as the backdrop for Indian Wells. However, the areas adjacent to the established FRAs are designated for open space uses. Development is not proposed in areas adjacent to the mountainous areas of the City. Therefore, buildout of the City per the General Plan Update is not expected to expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires. Additional discussion regarding wildfire impacts to the project are provided in the Wildfire Section of this Initial Study. Based on the findings above and in the Wildfire Section, the project will not be impacted by wildfires.

6.5 Land Use and Planning
Threshold a: Physically divide an established community? Implementation of the GPU would involve development of vacant land within Indian Wells. New development under the GPU would not physically divide any established communities in the City of Indian Wells. The GPU will maintain the existing communities and neighborhoods within the City.

Therefore, the PDEIR will not analyze the GPU's potential to physically divide an established community.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
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6.0 EFFECTS FOUND TO HAVE NO IMPACT

6.6 Mineral Resources
Threshold a: Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state?
The northeastern portion of the City is in zone MRZ-3. This zone is an area which contains mineral deposits, but their significance cannot be determined based on available data. The remaining areas of the City are within zone MRZ-1. This zone is an area where adequate information indicates that there are no significant mineral deposits present or where it is judged that there is little likelihood of their presence. No impacts are expected related to the loss of availability of known mineral resources.

Threshold b: Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan?
Mineral resources that are known to exist in the Coachella Valley region primarily consist of sand and gravel (aggregate) typically deposited along and near local drainages. Aggregate material is deemed necessary to the local building industry as a component of asphalt, concrete, road base, stucco and plaster. Local or regional construction industries tend to be dependent on readily available aggregate deposits within reasonable distance to the market region. The City is not recognized as a mineral resource recovery site delineated in the County of Riverside General Plan, or the resource maps prepared pursuant to SMARA. No impacts are expected as a result of project implementation.

6.7 Noise
Threshold c: For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? The 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. No impacts are expected as a result of project implementation.

6.8 Population and Housing
Threshold b: Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
6-5 June 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

6.0 EFFECTS FOUND TO HAVE NO IMPACT
The General Plan Update will result in buildout of the City, including the development of vacant lands throughout the City to residential, commercial, and open space uses. Changes to the developed areas of the City are not proposed as part of the GPU. The vacant lots do not currently provide housing for people. Therefore, buildout of the GPU would not displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.

6.9 Wildfire
Threshold a: Substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
Threshold b: Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
Threshold c: Require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
Threshold d: Expose people or structure to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
The City of Indian Wells is situated along the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Wildfire risk is related to a number of parameters, including fuel loading (vegetation), fire weather (winds, temperature, humidity levels, and fuel moisture contents), and topography (degree of slope). Steep slopes contribute to fire hazards by intensifying the effects of wind to make fire suppression difficult.

Fuels such as grass are highly flammable because they have a high surface area to mass ratio and require less heat to reach the ignition point. Although the developed areas within Indian Wells lie adjacent to the slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the combination of the desert environment and the lack of vegetation along the slopes are not conducive to generate and fuel wildfires.

CAL FIRE conducts fire hazard severity mapping, including mapping areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), define the application of various mitigation strategies and influence how buildings are constructed and how property is protected within State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. In addition, CAL FIRE must recommend Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) identified within any Local Responsibility Area (LRA). According to the California Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer, there are no FHSZ zones located within the GPU Planning Area and no threat of wildland fire. Likewise, there are no VHFHSZ zones within the Planning Area.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
6-6 June 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

6.0 EFFECTS FOUND TO HAVE NO IMPACT
Federal Responsibility Areas (FRAs) are lands administered or controlled by the Federal Government for which federal agencies have administrative and protection responsibility. There are five FRAs within the mountainous areas that serve as the backdrop for Indian Wells. However, the areas adjacent to the established FRAs are designated for open space uses. Development is not proposed in areas adjacent to the mountainous areas of the City. Therefore, buildout of the City per the GPU is not expected to expose project occupants to pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of wildfire. Moreover, the project would not expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires because the site and surrounding areas do not have dense vegetation or steep slopes, conducive for the spread of wildfires.

Buildout of the City per the GPU will provide development of infrastructure (water, sewer, and storm drainage). Development within the City will be required to comply with building standards and guidelines to reduce potential impacts of fires, resulting in decreased fire risk. The GPU would not impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Washington Street, and Cook Street provide regional access to the City. Emergency access is provided throughout the City. The City of Indian Wells has its own fire station, at 44900 Eldorado Drive, and police station at 44850 Eldorado Drive. The General Plan Update would not impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan because it will provide emergency fire access to the various communities throughout the City and will not alter the City's existing street system. Emergency access would be compliant with the standards of the Fire Department to ensure proper vehicular access for emergency vehicles to the developed and undeveloped areas. As a result, the General Plan Update is not expected to require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment.

Due to the character of the urbanized areas of the City, fires would primarily be associated with structures, trash/debris, and vehicle fires. Structure fires, including homes, commercial buildings, and other facilities are of the greatest concern due to the potential for loss of life as well as property.

Generally, the risk of injury and damage is greater for higher occupancy structures such as condominiums, apartment buildings, and hotels. In addition, higher density areas are of increased concern due to the larger number of people residing within a concentrated area and the potential for fires to spread from one structure to another. However, Indian Wells is community with a relatively low population density and generally good emergency access. As stated above, wildfires are not expected to occur within the City due to the lack of fuel surrounding the City. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope, or downstream flooding, or landslides, as a result of runoff, post -fire slope instability, or drainage changes as a result of a wildfire. No impacts are anticipated.

Buildout of the GPU is not anticipated to be impacted by wildfires.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
6-7 June 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025
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Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

PROGRAMMATIC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Indian Wells General Plan Update

7.0 Alternatives
Chapter 7.0 Alternatives

7.1 Introduction
This chapter provides a comparative analysis of the environmental effects of alternatives to the proposed Indian Wells General Plan Update (GPU) project ("project"). This analysis has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Per CEQA, it is required that an environmental impact report (EIR) describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, that would feasibly attain most of the objectives of the project while avoiding or substantially lessening any of the significant environmental impacts of the project. An EIR must include sufficient information about each alternative to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and comparison with the proposed project. This section identifies and describes alternatives to the proposed project, evaluates the environmental impacts that would result from each of these alternatives, and compares these with the proposed project, as required by CEQA.

Key provisions of the State CEQA Guidelines (Section 15126.6) relating to this alternative's analysis are summarized below:
• The discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives to the project or its location which would feasibly attain most of the project objectives and are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of the project. • The No Project Alternative shall be evaluated along with its impact. The No Project analysis shall discuss the existing conditions.
• Additionally, the alternatives analysis shall discuss what would be reasonably expected to occur in the foreseeable future if the project is not approved, based on current plans and consistent with available infrastructure. This is analyzed in the Alternatives Considered and Rejected subheading.
• The range of alternatives required in an EIR is governed by a "rule of reason" that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice. The alternatives shall be limited to ones that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project.
• Only alternative locations that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project need to be considered for the inclusion in the EIR. However, if the lead agency concludes that no feasible alternative locations exist, it must disclose the reasons for this conclusion, and should include the reasons in the EIR.
• Among the factors that may be taken into account when addressing the feasibility of alternatives are site suitability, economic viability, availability of infrastructure, general plan consistency, other plans or regulatory limitations, jurisdictional boundaries (projects with a Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
7-1 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

7.0 ALTERNATIVES
regionally significant impact should consider the regional context), and whether the proponent can reasonably acquire, control or otherwise have access to the alternative site (or the site is already owned by the proponent). No one of these factors establishes a fixed limit on the scope of reasonable alternatives.
• An EIR need not consider an alternative whose effect cannot be reasonably ascertained and whose implementation is remote and speculative.

7.2 Project Objectives
Pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15124(b), the description of the project includes the following statement of objectives for the project, including the underlying purpose of the project and its benefits, which can be used by the decision makers to help identify and evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives, as well as make findings and a statement of overriding considerations, if necessary. In order to ensure the functional integrity, economic viability, environmental sensitivity, and positive aesthetic contribution of the project, the following project objectives were established:
• Maintain the City's residential -resort lifestyle.
• Accommodate a range of land uses (commercial, residential, open space, and public uses). • Maintain adequate sites to accommodate the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
• Develop a diverse set of land uses including employment -generating land uses that create new jobs and ensure long-term economic benefits and stability for the City of Indian Wells. • Promote the development of a connected community that is enhanced by sidewalks, shade from trees, pedestrian benches, safe pedestrian crossings, and landscaping along streets, and providing buffers between surrounding uses.
• Encourage the development of a multimodal circulation network that provides a safe and efficient level of connectivity for vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. • Provide adequate infrastructure, services, and utilities to meet the needs of the community by requiring new developments to pay their fair share for required improvements.

7.3 Summary of Project Impacts
Programmatic- and cumulative -level impacts associated with implementation of the General Plan Update are evaluated in Sections 4.1 through 4.17 of this Draft EIR. As identified in Table 1-2, in Chapter 1.0 (Executive Summary), the policies and actions proposed for the GPU continue to support a less than significant finding for a majority of the environmental impacts.

Construction and/or operation of the proposed project would have the potential to cause the following significant and unavoidable environmental impacts:

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
7-2 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

7.0 ALTERNATIVES
• Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance to non- agricultural use/Involve other changes in the existing environment which could result in the conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use.
• Result in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b).

7.4 Alternatives Considered & Rejected
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(c) requires an EIR to identify any alternatives that were considered by the lead agency but were rejected as infeasible during the scoping process, and to briefly explain the reasons underlying the agency's determination. Additionally, alternatives may be eliminated from detailed consideration in the EIR if they fail to meet most of the project objectives, or do not avoid any significant environmental effects. This section identifies the alternative considered but rejected as infeasible.

CEQA Guidelines require examination of an alternative location for the project if such locations would result in the avoidance of or lessening of significant impacts. Since the GPU is proposed to cover the extent of the City. Since the City is located in a developed area, and surrounded to the west and north by Palm Desert, east by La Quinta, and south by the Santa Rosa Mountains and the County of Riverside, an alternative location is not feasible.

Additional alternatives considered and rejected include designated existing commercial land uses within the City to residential uses, thus permitting residential uses within the undeveloped properties in the City. Although this alternative would result in various housing opportunities in the City, the alternative would result in increased VMT impacts. Impacts related to VMTs would be significant and unavoidable if this scenario was chosen, similar to the proposed GPU. Therefore, this alternative was rejected.

7.5 Alternatives Evaluated in Detail
The following alternatives were selected for evaluation in this Draft EIR:

1. Alternative 1— No Project / Current General Plan Buildout According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6 (e) the analysis of alternatives must include the specific alternative of "no project." The purpose of describing and analyzing a no project alternative is to allow decision makers to compare the impacts of approving the proposed GPU with the impacts of not approving the proposed GPU. Since it is not likely that the vacant parcels within the GPU Planning Area would remain vacant, this Alternative analyzes the buildout of the current General Plan.

Therefore, the No Project / Current General Plan Alternative would develop the land uses currently designated within the General Plan. The Current General Plan allows for 5,455 single family units and 816 multifamily units, for a total of 6,271 residential units; 5,132,104 square feet of nonresidential Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
7-3 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

7.0 ALTERNATIVES
space; and 6,217 jobs. This Alternative proposes the same number of residential units as the proposed GPU. However, the nonresidential space and number of jobs generated by Alternative 1 is less than the proposed GPU.

2. Alternative 2 — Medical Offices and Convalescent Homes Under Alternative 2, the City would adopt the updated General Plan policy document, but with a community commercial (or professional office) land use and community commercial zoning designation on approximately 30 acres north of Highway 111 and west and east of Miles Avenue. This area is proposed for Resort Commercial land uses and zoning in the proposed GPU. Alternative 2 would provide medical offices on 14 acres on the western -most parcel, west of Miles Avenue, and nursing homes/congregate/convalescent housing on 16 acres on the parcels east of Miles Avenue.

Alternative 2 would result in more employment compared to the proposed project.

Evaluation of Alternatives
A comparison of the impacts of the GPU and the alternatives selected for further evaluation is provided in this section for each of the environmental topics addressed in the Draft EIR.

Pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines, the discussion of the environmental effects of the alternatives in an EIR may be less detailed than provided for in the project but should be sufficiently detailed to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and comparison with the proposed GPU.

The comparative analysis was conducted qualitatively and, for some resources areas, quantitatively using the existing technical analysis prepared for the project, including the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Modeling (CaIEEMod), California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), Cultural and Paleontological Resource Study, Noise Study, and Traffic Impact Analysis. Increases or decreases with respect to greenhouse gases, air quality, energy resources, and noise were based primarily on traffic trips generated which roughly correspond with the number of operational users of the Alternatives.

Though noise and VMT do not directly correlate with traffic trips, they would be expected to be reduced when VMTs are reduced, since reduced VMTs indirectly results in reduced vehicle trips and thus reduced traffic -generated noise. The findings within the CNDDB and Cultural and Paleontological Report were used as a baseline for the comparative analysis when determining the impacts to development footprint in the GPU area.

7.5.1 Alternative 1— No Project / Current General Plan Buildout According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6 (e) the analysis of alternatives must include the "No Project" Alternative. The purpose of describing and analyzing a No Project Alternative is to allow decision makers to compare the impacts of approving the proposed GPU with the impacts of not approving the proposed GPU. Since it is not likely that the vacant parcels within the City Planning Area would remain vacant, Alternative 1 analyzes the buildout of the current General Plan. Under Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
7-4 November 2024

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

7.0 ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1, the City would continue to implement the current General Plan and no changes would be made to address updated General Plan Guidelines, or the requirements of State law. The current General Plan was adopted in 1996, and has been amended periodically since that time. The Housing Element was updated in 2013 (5th Cycle), and again in 2024 (6th Cycle), as required by State Housing Law. Therefore, the No Project / Current General Plan Alternative would develop the land uses currently designated within the currently approved General Plan. The Current General Plan allows for 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. This Alternative proposes the same number of residential units as the proposed GPU. However, the nonresidential space and number of jobs generated by Alternative 1 is less than the proposed GPU. Additionally, Alternative 1 would not contribute to the improvement of the Whitewater River Channel. The table below displays the parcel specific acreage for current land uses within the Planning Area. The exhibit below displays the current General Plan land use map to be developed in Alternative 1. A comparative analysis of impacts for Alternative 1 is provided below.

Table 7-1 Current General Plan 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
Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR 7-5
November 2024

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cpgAgg 688 of 1361

Council Agenda- February 13, 2025

7.0 ALTERNATIVES
Aesthetics
Buildout of the current General Plan is proposed under Alternative 1. Therefore, buildout of the currently undeveloped lands within the City would be developed under their land use designations, as established in the current General Plan. However, because the City of Indian Wells is largely developed, the remaining developable areas are located north of Highway 111, and north and south (and east and west where applicable) of Miles Avenue. These lands are designated for Resort Commercial, Community Commercial, and Public Benefit uses, which are land uses that are consistent with the existing environment, which includes residential, resort and commercial uses. Development of these lands could result in obstructions to existing scenic vistas (the most -prominent scenic view being the Santa Rosa Mountains), when viewed from public rights -of -way in the City. Similar to the proposed project, this impact is considered potentially significant. However, these properties would be required to comply with current General Plan policies regarding development standards, which are outlined in the approved Housing Element (updated 2024) (see Tables 4-4 and 4-5 of the Housing Element). The development standards for each zoning designation are also outlined in the City of Indian Wells Municipal Code, Title 21, Zoning Code (see Municipal Code Chapters 21.10 to 21.50). The development standards establish allowable building heights, lot sizes, and setback requirements within the associated zoning designation. Restricted building heights and building setbacks help reduce potential impacts to scenic resources by reducing the scale and massing of buildings (when observed from surrounding rights -of -way and properties). Additionally, developments in Alternative 1 would be required to undergo Architecture and Landscape Review (see Chapter 4 of the Housing Element and Chapter 21.60 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code). With the established development standards and architecture and landscape review required, Alternative 1 would not result in significant impacts to scenic vistas, similar to the proposed project.

As stated in Section 4.1, Aesthetics, no officially designated or eligible State scenic highway is located within the City of Indian Wells. Therefore, Alternative 1 would not damage scenic resources (i.e., trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings) within as State scenic highway, similar to the proposed GPU.

As stated in Section 4.1, the scenic quality that currently exists in the City is primarily comprised of residential communities, commercial plazas, resort buildings, golf clubs, and the Santa Rosa Mountains. Scenic quality is established and maintained within the City with the implementation of the Indian Wells Municipal Code, Title 21, Zoning Code. As previously mentioned, the Zoning Code provides development standards for the various zones within the City (Chapter 21.20 through 21.50).

The standards provide guidelines for building heights, setbacks, lot sizes, allowed structures, etc., which ensures visual consistency between projects throughout the City. Development under Alternative 1 would be subject to compliance with the guidelines and policies set in the current General Plan, as well as the applicable regulations set forth in the Indian Wells Municipal Code.

Indian Wells General Plan Update PDEIR
7-7 November 2024