Indio City Council
January 17, 2024

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Figure 3-7: Illustration of Midtown Infill Center and Neighborhoods Mixed use, neighborhood centers, gateway center
Dr. Carreon Blvd
Requa Ave
Jackson StOasis StArabia St
Clinton St.

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Downtown and Neighborhoods
Downtown Indio and the neighborhoods to the east and west represent the historic core of Indio. The General Plan – and parallel Downtown Specific Plan – envision the revitalization of the downtown as the civic and cultural heart of the community. The downtown is envisioned as a vibrant, mixed-use center of the City with residential, educational, civic, entertainment, office, and retail uses. The vision is also to reestablish passenger rail service, to reinvest in adjoining neighborhoods, and to reinvent the Highway 111 corridor. The downtown will be well connected to a new Midtown area and the adjacent neighborhoods.

Subarea Strategies:
+ Support the implementation of the Downtown Specific Plan + Lead local businesses, property owners, the arts community, and the College of the Desert in the revitalization of Downtown as the central meeting place for living, working, dining, entertainment, civic, and cultural activities.
+ Provide support funding within Downtown and along the Highway 111 corridor to encourage the establishment of property-based business improvement districts (BIDs) among interested property owners that would provide marketing, enhanced local services, and a common voice to work in partnership with the City’s economic development staff
+ Collaborate with the staff of Riverside County‘s expanded Downtown Government Center to anticipate the demand for future retail, dining, and professionalservice needs on adjacent or nearby sites.
+ Implement a placemaking program transitioning from a short-term lighter, quicker, cheaperstrategy to longer-term fixed placemaking solutions.
+ Align infrastructure investments and the capital improvement program (CIP) with the aim of creating a walkable pedestrian-oriented character in the subarea. Maintain all existing streets, and with new development, require new paseos, pathways, bikeways, and walkways to increase connectivity. + Reduce surface parking by lower parking requirements, unbundling park (unbundling involves separating the cost to rent a parking space from the cost to rent an apartment), and establishing a shared parking system.
+ Work with local and regional transit agencies to assess and eventually establish passenger rail service to the Downtown.

Pedestrian oriented downtown and paseo

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Central Neighborhoods
These areas lie just to the south of the Highway 111 corridor and the Midtown, West Gateway, and Downtown subareas. The Central Neighborhoods are characterized by single-family suburban housing development.

This area is not expected to undergo significant change in the future. Rather the area will preserve the existing housing stock. Improvements envisioned for this area may include streetscape enhancements to improve safety and comfort for pedestrians and bicyclists, and to better connect the neighborhoods to Midtown, Downtown, and Highway 111. Streetscape improvements may also include aesthetic and environmental beautification. New neighborhood-serving commercial uses are also encouraged through infill development on opportunity sites on major streets and avenues.

Subarea Strategies:
+ Identify active transportation and transit options and develop implementation strategies. + Encourage infill residential development to encourage neighborhood cohesion. + Cluster medical uses around JFK Hospital and adjacent medical uses. + Consider the use of CDBG funding in this neighborhood to improve physical infrastructure.

Single family residential neighborhoods Trilogy at the Polo Club Active Adult Community Class II bikeway Multi-family residential neighborhood

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Southern Neighborhoods
These neighborhoods lie between the Central Neighborhoods and the Festival District, presenting the opportunity for a rural/resort lifestyle with easy accessto the commercial and civic amenities of Midtown and Downtown and the entertainment offerings of the Festival District. This quiet, secluded living environment close to Indio’s arts and entertainment hubs (the Festival grounds) provides these neighborhoods with a unique value proposition and can help support this Plan’s primary goals for supporting the success of those important centers of community life.

Subarea Strategies:
+ Keep neighborhoodsstable.
+ Improve multi-modal access to Midtown and the Festival District + Keep 20-acre minimum project master plan requirement in place for new development to maintain quality and cohesiveness.
+ Allow for usesthat can benefit and create synergies with activities and eventsin the Festival District.

Resort

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Festival District
Indio’s Festival District represents an unlikely and unique resource for the community – a private initiative that has put this City on the international entertainment map. The success of this venue springs from its combination of isolation and accessibility. As it matures from occasional concerts and special events to a more permanent venue, there are opportunities for surrounding it with carefully-considered hospitality and visitor-serving facilities and resort-oriented housing.

Subarea Strategies:
+ Strictly limit uses of surrounding properties to uses that are directly supportive of, or not in conflict with, festival-resort atmosphere.
+ Provide all-mode connectivity between new hospitality and resort development to the festival grounds to promote a safe, active and attractive environment for visitors. Preserve and enhance access to and from District.
+ Retain 20-acre minimum project master plan requirement in place for new development to help maintain a high-quality and cohesive design character. Incentivize smaller properties to coordinate with adjacent properties. Consider the development of a coordinated Festival District Strategy. + Consider hospitality support services, small-scale service retail, and resort-oriented housing that add to a cohesive festival district.
+ Protect the festival grounds from encroachment by potential land use incompatibilities, recognizing the highly variable and intense use of the festival grounds. + Align capital improvement program (CIP) with infrastructure needs that support ongoing festival operations.
+ Work with festival operators and promoters to capture as much secondary and off site economic activity as possible. In particular work on maximizing transient-occupancy taxes (TOT) and other local revenues that could be generated by activities at the Festival grounds. + Encourage festival and event operatorsto utilize local laborfrom the community whenever possible.

Consider negotiating community benefits agreements as part of any extraordinary permitting.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

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Northern Sphere
This subarea contains the northern portion of Indio’s sphere of influence. The area is largely passive and active open space, housing a limited amount of existing commercial development and resource extraction.

The Northern Sphere is considered a long-term planning reserve area. It may be considered for future urban expansion, including Desert Estates, when and if the capacity of Indio’s existing incorporated area is substantially exhausted. Annexation must not create a revenue drain on the City. Much of the subarea is covered by the Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). Hillside views from Indio should be maintained.

Subarea Strategy:
+ Support active and passive recreational opportunitiesin the area. + Implement the Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan. + Before allowing annexation, create a land use plan and conduct a related fiscal analysis that demonstrates that annexation will be revenue neutral or revenue enhancing. + Strongly limit the type, location, and nature of new development, in compliance with CVMSHCP.

Hiking trails in Indio

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Eastern Sphere
This subarea contains the eastern portion of Indio’s sphere of influence. The area is largely passive open space, housing a limited amount of existing commercial development and resource extraction. The Eastern Sphere is considered a long-term planning reserve area. It may be considered for future urban expansion, including Desert Estates, when and if the capacity of Indio’s existing incorporated area is substantially exhausted. Annexation must not create a revenue drain on the City. Some of the subarea is covered by the CVMSHCP. Hillside views from Indio should be maintained.

Subarea Strategy:
+ Support active and passive recreational opportunitiesin the area. + Implement the Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan. + Before allowing annexation, create a land use plan and conduct a related fiscal analysis that demonstrates that annexation will be revenue neutral or revenue enhancing. + Strongly limit the type, location, and nature of new development, in compliance with CVMSHCP.

Indio’s natural open space

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Southeastern Sphere I
This subarea contains the southeastern portion of Indio’s sphere of influence. The area is largely active agricultural lands, scattered rural single-family residences, and some limited non-residential and residential use. The subarea is entirely covered by the CVMSHCP; however, there are no conservation areas within the subarea.

Subarea Strategy:
+ Support current land use patterns in the area.
+ Work with property owners and residents on compatible and supportive future development and redevelopment in the area.
+ Conduct planning for appropriate extensions of infrastructure and utilities consistent with future development and redevelopment planning.
+ Support active and passive recreational and event opportunitiesin the area.

Southeastern Sphere II
This subarea contains the southeastern portion of the Indio sphere of influence. The area consists of multiple uses, including a plant nursery, scattered rural single-family residences, a funeral home, pet boarding business, and a festival campground. The subarea is entirely covered by the CVMSHCP; however, there are no conservation areas within the subarea.

Subarea Strategy:
+ Support current land use patterns in the area.
+ Work with property owners and residents on compatible and supportive future development and redevelopment in the area.
+ Conduct planning for appropriate extensions of infrastructure and utilities consistent with future development and redevelopment planning.
+ Support active and passive recreational and event opportunitiesin the area.

Goals and Policies
Urban Form
Indio will offer an appropriate mix of housing, employment, retail and services, recreation, arts, education, and entertainment for the City’s residents and businesses. It will grow responsibly and sustainably in a manner which benefits the community now and into the future.

Goal LU-1: Citywide Urban Structure. An urban structure that enhances the quality of life of residents, meetsthe community’s vision for the future, and weaves new growth areastogether with established Indio neighborhoods.

LU-1 Policies
LU-1.1 Overall city structure. Establish a clearly defined City structure by:
• Re-establishing the City’s pedestrian-oriented Downtown as a community anchor with local

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and regional-serving civic, arts, education, and entertainment uses. • Transforming the Midtown area into a mixed-use center with retail, commercial services, and residential uses in a walkable format.
• Maintaining and enhancing the Festival District as a key location for large-scale entertainment and recreational opportunities. This will be accomplished by enacting buffering standard through zoning for Festival District properties and surrounding non-Festival District properties to limit conflicts in the uses and operations of these properties. • Creating mixed-use corridors along Highway 111, Monroe Street, Avenue 42, and Avenue 44 that contain a mix of retail, service, office, and residential uses. Corridors should have defined nodes that provide a mix of local- and regional-serving uses. • Investing in existing residential neighborhoods adjacent to Downtown and Midtown. • Infilling new residential neighborhoods arranged around neighborhood centers and community gathering spaces, such as schools and parks.
• Maintaining the I-10 Employment Corridor subarea as a critical economic engine for the City. • Facilitating major, regional-serving commercial districts that provide a mix of commercial, entertainment, and service usesin a pedestrian-oriented format north of I-10 at Jackson Street and Avenue 40 to capitalize on regional transportation and access. • Preserving and protecting natural open space and conservation areas in the Northern and Eastern Sphere subareas.
• Supporting current land use patterns in Southeastern Spheres I and II and conducting community-based planning efforts for the longer-term development and/or redevelopment of these areas.

LU-1.2 Infill first. Prioritize initial capital improvements and other public investments and guide private investments into the Downtown, Midtown, Jackson Neighborhood, and Avenue 42 Subarea first to limit expansion of the City’s urban footprint.

LU-1.3 Contiguous development. When development occurs outside the Downtown, Midtown, and existing central neighborhoods, locate new development adjacent to Indio’s built environment to create a contiguous expansion of the City.

LU-1.4 Connecting new and old. Connect new growth areas with existing Indio neighborhoods through transportation investments, open space connectivity, wayfinding, and urban design strategies.

LU-1.5 Subareas. Implement the strategies identified for each distinct subarea in Indio in this General Plan.

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LU-1.6 Bermuda Dunes Airport Influence Area compatibility zones. Projects within the Airport Influence Area (AIA) shall be consistent with the densities, intensities, prohibited uses, and other development conditions defined in the Bermuda Dunes Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, as adopted by the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC). For more information, see www.rcaluc.org
Public Realm
Indio will offer pleasant, safe, and enjoyable public spaces. The following goals and policies strive to ensure Indio’s public realm serve the community.

Goal LU-2: Active Places. Indio is a City with active and comfortable places that encourage social interaction and community gathering.

LU-2 Policies
LU-2.1 Walkable neighborhoods. Require all new neighborhoods to be pedestrian friendly by including features, such as short blocks, wide sidewalks, shaded streets, buildings that define and are oriented to streets or public spaces, traffic-calming features, convenient pedestrian street crossings, and safe streets designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

LU-2.2 Balanced land uses. Maintain a balanced land use pattern to support a broad range of housing choices, retail businesses, employment opportunities, educational and cultural institutions, entertainment spaces, and other supportive uses and within long-established Indio neighborhoods and new growth areas.

LU-2.3 Accessto amenities. Strive to create development patternssuch that the majority of residents are within one-half to one-mile walking distance of a variety of neighborhood-serving uses, such as parks, grocery stores, restaurants, places of worship, cafes, dry cleaners, laundromats, banks, hair care, pharmacies, civic uses, and similar uses.

LU-2.4 New gathering spaces. Require new developments to provide public parks, plazas, and squares that establish interesting gathering spaces in planned districts and neighborhoods. Require project developersto establish mechanisms,such as a Community Facilities District, to adequately maintain new parks, recreational facilities, and infrastructure.

LU-2.5 Existing gathering spaces. Improve existing gathering spaces throughout the City to provide attractive, comfortable, and inviting public and pedestrian spaces, encouraging walking and public gathering spaces.

LU-2.6 Shade. Require the use of large shade trees or structures to provide comfortable environments during hot months.

LU-2.7 Parking lot and prominent pathways. Require trees, shade structures, and/or other cooling methods to provide comfortable walkways during hot months.

LU-2.8 Smoke-free. Encourage smoke-free and Vape-free workplaces, multi-family housing, parks, and other outdoor gathering places to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.

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Goal LU-3: Human-Scaled Public Realm. A City designed for people, fostering interaction, activity, and safety.

LU-3 Policies
LU 3.1 Streetscape design. Create pedestrian-oriented streetscapes by establishing a unified approach to street tree planting, sidewalk dimensions and maintenance, pedestrian amenities, and highquality building frontages.

LU 3.2 Pedestrian focus on high volume streets. Design the streetscape of high volume corridors to balance regional traffic flow with safe and convenient pedestrian movement.

LU 3.3 Parking frontages. Require parking design standards that ensure parking areas do not dominate street frontages and are screened from public views whenever possible.

LU 3.4 Tree planting. Encourage the planting of trees that appropriately shade the sidewalk and off-street parking areas to improve the pedestrian experience throughout the City.

LU 3.5 Lighting. Require all new street lights in commercial areas to be pedestrian-oriented and scaled, attractively designed, compatible in design with other street furniture, and to provide adequate visibility and security in accordance with best practices for night sky protection.

LU 3.6 Public plazas. Encourage new development to incorporate public plazas, seating, drinking fountains, and gathering places, especially in prominent locations and areas of pedestrian activity.

LU 3.7 CPTED. Use Crime Prevention through Environmental Design strategies (CPTED) in new and existing development to improve public safety, including the following strategies:
• Active public space
• Building design to promote “eyes on the street”
• Clear delineation between private and public space
• Natural access control between public and private space • Maintenance of public places
• Removal or repair of vandalism or broken property
LU 3.8 Underground utilities. Require private development to underground all under 92 kV electric poles and other overhead utilities. Require City to codify this policy.

Goal LU-4: High-Quality Building Design. A beautiful city with a high-quality architecture and building design.

LU-4 Policies
LU-4.1 Quality design. Use simple, urban building forms made with permanent materials with highquality detailing that stands the test of time.

LU-4.2 Scale and articulation. Use building organization and construction to derive scale and articulation rather than surface ornamentation.

LU-4.3 Building materials. Convey façade articulation through the strength, depth, and permanence of building materials. Thinner cladding materials, such as stucco, stone and masonry veneers, and wood or simulated wood, may be used when finished to appear as durable and authentic of the materials they simulate.

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LU-4.4 Building entrances. Use visual and physical design cues within a building’s design and entries to emphasize the building entrance and connections to public spaces.

LU-4.5 Iconic design. Allow iconic and memorable building designs, particularly on larger non-residential properties.

LU-4.6 Climate-appropriate design. Encourage the use of building techniques and materials that relate to Indio’s warm and dry desert climate. Promote solar control and use of shade in building design and associated pedestrian amenities.

LU-4.7 Protect visual characteristics. Protect Indio’s unique visual characteristics and views.

Goal LU-5: Connected Places. A network of transportation corridors throughout the city that provides a high level of connectivity for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

LU-5 Policies
LU-5.1 Complete street projects. Design, plan, maintain, and operate streets using complete street principals for both new infrastructure and for retrofit/maintenance projects. This includes reviewing the entire right of way and prioritizing modes as noted on Figure 4-1.

LU-5.2 Street connectivity. Encourage short block spacing for new development to enhance connectivity to neighborhoods. In key areas of the City, work with existing land ownersto improve connectivity for bicycles and pedestrians.

LU-5.3 Complete street context. Ensure that complete street applications integrate the neighborhood and community identity into the street design.

LU-5.4 Subarea connectivity. Ensure a high-level of connectivity in all Neighborhoods, Centers and Districts throughout the City. The connectivity should be measured as block perimeter or length and in external connectivity on the perimeter of a new development project.

LU-5.5 Connections between development projects. Require the continuation of the street network or pedestrian connections between adjacent development projects and discourage the use of culde-sacs except where necessary or due to existing development, topographic conditions or limited access to transportation systems.

LU-5.6 Improved connections. Improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility by identifying opportunistic connections within the City’s neighborhoods to increase access to local parks, schools, neighborhood centers, and neighborhood gathering spaces.

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LU-5.7 Pedestrian-supportive building design. Require new and substantially rehabbed commercial and mixed-use projects to follow best practices for pedestrian-supportive design:
• Ensure pedestrian orientation of ground floor usesin new development. • Place primary building facades and entrances near the front property line or back of sidewalk.

In limited cases allow small plazas and active landscaped areas for social gathering between the building and sidewalk.
• Scale building elements to pedestrians.
• Design new buildings along corridors to provide for a rear building transition between the primary arterials and any adjacent low-density residential neighborhoods. • Require parking internal to buildings that faces primary arterials or side streets to use appropriate design (such as faux facades, green walls, public murals, etc.) to minimize its visual impact.
• Require that new development include wide sidewalks, trees, pedestrian furniture, safe pedestrian crossings and direct connections to the front entrances of retail and services. • Encourage new commercial developments to have common driveways to minimize the number of curb cuts along any given block to improve pedestrian safety. • Screen trash and recycling collection areas, loading facilities, mechanical equipment, outdoor storage areas, utility connections, and antennas from public view. • Encourage covered parking
LU-5.8 Connective corridors. Ensure high-quality, people-oriented street design and urban design occurs where highlighted by the Connective Corridors in Figure 3-8.

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Figure 3-8: Connective Corridors

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Neighborhoods
Indio will support existing stable, livable neighborhoods, and new walkable neighborhoods that provide a variety of housing types, densities, and designs in close proximity to amenities.

Goal LU-6: Enhance Existing Neighborhoods. A City with well-maintained residential neighborhoods that support Downtown and Midtown.

LU-6 Policies
LU-6.1 Maintenance. Support the on-going maintenance and improvement of existing residential properties; in particular, encourage property owners to maintain and improve their front yards and building facades.

LU-6.2 Orientation. Orient all new residential construction towards streets, public spaces, or shared private spaces, placing parking to back or side of the lot.

LU-6.3 Sustainable residences. Encourage sustainable building practices during new construction or when buildings are substantially renovated.

LU-6.4 Home businesses. Support home businessesthat meet City planning and permitting requirements and create jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship.

LU-6.5 Blight and nuisances. Work with neighborhood associations, commissions, and other community groups to proactively identify and address nuisances and eliminate blight.

LU-6.6 Open space maintenance. Strengthen public-private partnerships with local neighborhood organizations and homeowners associations to build and maintain neighborhood parks and recreational facilities.

LU-6.7 Compatible scale. Maintain high-quality existing residential neighborhoods by ensuring new development projects and infill construction are of a compatible scale and provide adequate transitions to adjacent residential properties.

LU-6.8 Second units. Permit second units on single-family residential lots.

LU-6.9 Building additions. Allow additions,such as a new bedroom or bathroom that are complementary to the existing character of the neighborhood. Renovations and expansions should use complementary building materials and forms while allowing for flexibility for unique design conditions.

LU-6.10 High-quality landscaping and fencing. Encourage property owners to maintain and improve their yards and the front facades of homes and to encourage the use of drought-tolerant landscaping.

Prohibit front yard fences made from concrete blocks or chain links.

LU-6.11 Circulation connectivity. Seek opportunities to enhance and maintain existing residential neighborhoods by improving pedestrian and bicycle facilities, installing traffic calming measures, and “punch through” cul-de-sacs.

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Goal LU-7: New Neighborhoods. Neighborhoods that provide a variety of housing types, densities, designs and mix of uses and services that support healthy and active lifestyles.

LU-7 Policies
LU-7.1 Complete neighborhoods. Through the development entitlement process, ensure that all new Neighborhoods (areas with a “Neighborhood” General Plan Designation) are complete and wellstructured such that the physical layout and land use mix promote walking to services, biking and transit use, are family friendly, and address the needs of multiple ages and physical abilities. New neighborhoods should have the following characteristics:
• Contain short, walkable block lengths.
• Contain a high level of connectivity for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles where practicable. • Organize around a central focal point such as a park, school, civic building or neighborhood retail such that most homes are no more than one quarter-mile from this focal point. • Have goods and services within a short walking distance. • Contain a diversity of housing types, where possible. • Have homes with entries and windows facing the street. • Have a grid or modified grid street network (except where topography necessitates another street network layout).
• Provide a diversity of architectural styles.

LU-7.2 Balanced neighborhoods. Within the allowed densities and housing types, promote and allow for a range of housing and price levels within each neighborhood in order to accommodate diverse ages and incomes. For development projects larger than five acres, require that a diversity of housing types be provided and that these housing types be mixed rather than segregated by unit type.

LU-7.3 Housing affordability. Ensure affordable housing is distributed throughout the City to avoid concentrations of poverty and to be accessible to jobs.

LU-7.4 Block size. Require new neighborhoods to be designed with blocks length ranging from 400 or less to 800 feet consistent with the General Plan place type. Exceptions can be made if mid-block pedestrian and bicycle connections are provided.

LU-7.5 Provision of sidewalks. Except within designated Rural Estate areas, require sidewalks of at least five feet in width on at least one side of private and both sides of public streets in neighborhoods and prohibit obstructions, such as utility boxes, telephone poles, street signs, etc. that would impede sidewalk use.

LU-7.6 Tree-lined streets. Require trees on both sides of at least 60 percent of new and existing streets within the project and on the project’s side of bordering streets, between the vehicle travel way and walkway at intervals averaging no more than 50-100 feet (excluding driveways and utility vaults). This standard shall apply whenever new streets are constructed or when existing streets and sidewalks are significantly rehabilitated with existing neighborhoods. Ensuring the appropriate revenue stream to provide long-term maintenance.

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LU-7.7 Shaded sidewalks. Require shade over at least 50 percent of the length of sidewalks on streets within a project. Trees must provide shade within five-years of landscape installation and should be as water efficient as possible.

LU-7.8 Gated communities. Discourage the construction of new gated communities. When gated communities are allowed, require frequent pedestrian and bicycle connections between the gated community and surrounding areas at distances no more than 600 feet apart.

LU-7.9 Soundwalls. Allow the use of soundwalls to buffer new neighborhoods from existing sources of noise pollution, such as railroads and limited-access roadways. Prohibit the use of soundwalls to buffer residential areas from arterial, boulevard, connector, Downtown, and local streets. Instead design approaches such as building setbacks, landscaping, and other techniques shall be used. In the case where soundwalls might be acceptable, require regular pedestrian access points at intervals less than 600 feet to improve access from the neighborhoods.

LU-7.10 Subdivision gateways. Strive for neighborhoods to blend seamlessly with one another and discourage distinguishing one residential project from another.

LU-7.11 Connections to key destinations. Require direct pedestrian and bicycle connections between residential areas and nearby commercial and public and institutional areas as well as other residential areas.

LU-7.12 Accessto parks and open spaces. Require the design of new neighborhoods and, where feasible, retrofit existing neighborhoods, so that the majority of dwelling units are within a half-mile walking distance of a usable open space such as a tot-lot, neighborhood park, community park, or plaza/ green.

LU-7.13 Density bonuses. Support projects that seek for density bonuses for affordable housing, specialneeds housing, childcare, and senior housing.

LU-7.14 Unbundled parking. Require unbundled parking, reducing or eliminating requirements for on-site parking in the Downtown and Midtown subareas.

Goal LU-8: Resort Uses. Encourage resort uses within neighborhoods and centers that enhance the quality of places.

LU-8 Policies
LU-8.1 Resort uses. Allow hospitality, recreation, single and multi-family residential with golf course activity or similar recreational orientation, small-scale retail and services, and similar uses which are compatible with and oriented towards serving the needs of resort-oriented living.

LU-8.2 Resort neighborhoods. Permit resort uses in any General Plan placetype with a neighborhood designation. Resorts should reflect the overall character, allowed uses, and intensity of the placetype.

LU-8.3 Resort connectivity and streetscape. Require streetscape design and street connectivity be consistent with the character and standards identified by the General Plan placetype in which the resort parcel or project is located. Pedestrian access to perimeter streets or adjoining neighborhoods or districts should be provided approximately every 600 feet to encourage walking, biking, or equestrian activity.

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LU-8.4 Gated resorts. Allow resort usesto be gated, at the discretion of the City. When gated communities are allowed, require frequent pedestrian and bicycle connections between the gated community and surrounding areas at distances no more than 600 feet apart.

LU-8.5 Recreational and Event Opportunities. Support active and passive recreational and event opportunities in certain areas of the City through the creation and implementation of communitybased and supported zoning, and other regulatory standards.

Centers and Districts
Indio will work to attract new businesses to the community, increase resident and visitor access to shops and services, and foster a distinctive character that enriches the City’s image and identity to support and empower the community.

Goal LU-9: Centers. A variety of mixed use, urban centers throughout the City that provide opportunities for shopping, recreation, commerce, employment, and arts and culture.

LU-9 Policies
LU-9.1 Regional destination. Establish Downtown Indio as regional destination with a mix of uses that draw visitors from the Coachella Valley. Encourage a broad mix of uses that creates an inviting, active, and dynamic Downtown including:
• Local- and regional-serving retail and services
• Cultural, arts, and institutional uses
• Educational uses and facilities
• Small, local-serving office uses
• Residential buildings to increase housing diversity and units • Innovative, public spaces and parks
LU-9.2 Neighborhood center design. Design new neighborhood centers to be walkable and pedestrianfriendly with buildings that face streets and public sidewalks. Primary building entrances should face the street.

LU-9.3 Access to transit. Encourage the development of Neighborhood Centers that are located on existing or planned transit stops, particularly along Highway 111, Avenue 42, and Avenue 50, in order to facilitate and take advantage of transit service, reduce vehicle trips, and allow residents without private vehicles to access services.

LU-9.4 Pop-up uses. Support transformation of vacant or under-utilized properties and buildingsfor popup uses including restaurants, art spaces, and cultural facilities, among other uses.

LU-9.5 Parking districts. Create special parking districts in Downtown and Midtown to encourage shared parking and that can be used to fund and facilitate creation of park once facilities or other nonauto transportation improvements.

LU-9.6 Unbundled parking. Require unbundled parking, reducing or eliminating requirements for on-site parking in the Downtown and Midtown subareas.

LU-9.7 Incentivesfor aggregation. Allow or create incentives,such as density bonuses, parking reductions, setback reductions, or other regulatory modifications, for projects that aggregate parcels to create a larger contiguous parcel.

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Goal LU-10. Workplace and Employment Districts. Employment-oriented districts provide space for industrial, manufacturing, office, and research and development in order to increase access to jobs and enhance the fiscal stability of the City.

LU-10 Policies
LU-10.1 Design of employment districts. Design Workplace and Employment Districts to be urban in character with compact buildings sited at or near front lot lines, provide a high percentage of lot coverage, and building facades and entrances directly facing the street. Buildings should have a high degree of transparency and visibility. Parking lots and large setbacks shall not dominate the frontage of the Workplace and Employment Districts.

LU-10.2 Emerging industries. Support a diverse mix of light industrial, information, maker, and technology uses in order to provide jobs and tax revenues for the community by allowing emerging economic uses and industries within the Workplace and Employment designation.

LU-10.3 Flex spaces. Expand the number of flex facilities on land designated as Workplace and Employment to accommodate technology, light manufacturing, and service tenants and diversify the City’s economic base.

LU-10.4 Non-polluting industries. Promote development of non-polluting industries that are not major sources of air and water pollution or other negative externalities.

LU-10.5 Industrial compatibility. Where industrial uses are near existing and planned residential development, require that industrial projects be designed to limit the impact of truck traffic, air and noise pollution on sensitive receptors.

LU-10.6 Employee services. Enhance the working environment within the Workplace and Employment District by promoting small retail areas and restaurants to serve employees.

LU-10.7 Walkable blocks. Add new street connections to create walkable blocks to improve pedestrian safety and access consistent with the streetscape and connectivity standards defined for the placetype.

LU-10.8 Transit accessible. Work with SunLine, area employers, and other partners to provide frequent, quality transit service to Workplace and Employment Districts.

Goal LU-11. The Arts. A high quality of life and strong community identity enhanced by rich arts and culture programs.

LU-11 Policies
LU-11.1 Performing arts. Support the establishment of allowed land uses and facilities that embrace and celebrate the cultural diversity and rich history of Indio and that promote and encourage arts and entertainment.

LU-11.2 Culture and heritage. Enhance community culture and heritage through the establishment of public art, themed street furniture, signage, banners, landscaping, special paving, and lighting.

LU-11.3 Development projects. Require development projects provide public artwork or contribute to an Art in Public Places fund.

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LU-11.4 Public art. Continue to require art in public places to be located in an area that either highlights the design of the building or center or is incorporated within an on-site pedestrian plaza.

LU-11.5 Art interaction. Support public art installations that encourage interaction with the public such as works that can be touched, sat on, walked on, etc.

LU-11.6 Decorative gateways. Celebrate the gateways to Indio, Downtown, Midtown, and other prominent destinations by enhancing them with the integration of public art by local artists.

LU-11.7 Artist live/work studios. Encourage live/work studio space in new Downtown developments, where appropriate.

LU-11.8 Public infrastructure. Encourage integration of art into new and rehabilitated public infrastructure, such as streets, sidewalks, intersections, interchanges, etc.

LU-11.9 Community arts programs. Support transformation of vacant or under-utilized properties and public buildings for cultural and arts-based programs to support area revitalization.

Infrastructure
Working in conjunction with project applicants, Indio will ensure adequate infrastructure and services for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Goal LU-12: Infrastructure Provision. Existing and future residents and businesses are adequately serviced by public services and infrastructure.

LU-12 Policies
LU-12.1 Annexation. Before allowing annexation in the Northern or Eastern Sphere of Influence subarea, create a land use plan and conduct a related fiscal analysis that demonstrates that annexation will be revenue neutral orrevenue enhancing. Annexation shall not create a revenue drain on the City.

LU-12.2 Adequate infrastructure. Ensure adequate infrastructure and utility service levels before approving new development.

LU-12.3 Fairshare. Require new development to pay their fair share for required improvements to public services and infrastructure.

LU-12.4 Actual costs. Ensure that development impact fees are updated often and reflect the actual costs of improvements.

LU-12.5 Phasing of public facilities. Require new parks, open spaces, and public facilities be constructed concurrent with, or prior to, the development of each residential neighborhood. All required parks, open spaces, and public facilities shall be constructed before a majority of the dwelling units are constructed.

LU-12.6 Facilities districts. Require project developers to establish mechanisms, such as a Community Facilities District, to adequately maintain new parks and recreational facilities and other shared resources.

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Implementation Actions
The table below identifies programs, policy updates, planning efforts, coordination efforts, and other actions that will help implement the General Plan’s land use and urban design vision and policies. Programs are consistent with this chapter’s goals and policies.

Table 3-3: Land Use and Urban Design Programs

DESCRIPTION PRIORITY TIME FRAME RESPONSIBILITY
1 Specific plan consistency. Following adoption of the
General Plan, review the existing, adopted Specific
Plans and Project Master Plans and make changes
to ensure consistency with the General Plan.

High Medium Planning

2. Update zoning. Modify zoning standardsto promote
neighborhood, district, and center design. Zoning
standards should consider building intensity, height
and massing, placement on a lot, parking location
and amount, ground-floor open space, and parking
location and access. The revised zoning should
include:
• Form-based regulations and standards that
create more certainty in the development
review process, and clearly define walkable
centers and neighborhoods. Design guidelines to illustrative community character and complement development requirements.
• Building design standards to foster growth
and development in the existing residential
neighborhoods, including by-right up zoning
and support for missing middle housing.
• Updated subdivision ordinance.
• Streamline desired uses to permit uses that
foster greater economic opportunity and conform to General Plan by-right, including hospitality, visitor-serving uses, and temporary or pop-up uses.
• Allow for reduced parking requirements, unbundled parking, shared parking, and multiple tenant structures that encourage development of shared spaces and services.

High Short Planning

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3 Development review. Work to find efficacies and
make development permitting as simple and as
transparent as possible.
• Move elements of permitting process on line
where possible
• Integrate the permitting and planningwithGIS
capabilities to aid in program development
• Work to reduce multiple visits per applicant
Medium Ongoing Planning
4 Neighborhood master planning process. Review
existing project master plan requirements, and
update the planning process to enable incremental
development of vacant parcels while generating
interconnected centers, neighborhoods, and
employment areas of the City.

High Short Planning, Public
Works
5 Development fees. Update citywide development
impact fees for infrastructure, affordable housing,
other community benefits, and long-range planning.

High Medium Planning,
Economic
Development,
Public Works,
Parks
6 Business Improvement Districts. Facilitate the
formation of Business Improvement Associations
(BIA), Business Improvement Districts (BID), or
similar to unite business owners into area branding,
marketing, on-going maintenance, and
beautification efforts. Focus initial efforts in
Downtown, Midtown, and Highway 111.

High Medium Planning,
Economic
Development
7 Placemaking program. Implement a placemaking
program focused on cost-effective and flexible
activities, such as a “lighter, quicker, cheaper”
approach in Midtown and Downtown.

High Short Planning,
Economic
Development
8 Midtown marketing. Create a Midtown branding
and marketing strategy.

Medium Short Planning,
Economic
Development
9 Midtown Master Developer. Study whether to seek
a master developer to lead redevelopment efforts
in the Midtown subarea.

High Short Planning,
Economic
Development
10 Development monitoring. Monitor future
development and growth in the City and report
annual changes to the Planning Commission and
City Council. Key metrics may including: housing by
type and income level, commercial floor area, jobs,
vehicle miles traveled, and greenhouse gas
emissions.

Medium Ongoing Planning

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11 Infill housing incentive program. Establish an infill housing incentive program consistent with the
Housing Element. Potential incentives may include
an expedited building permit process, impact fee
waivers, or other incentives.

Medium Long Planning,
Economic
Development
12 General Plan reviews. Review the General Plan on
a five-year cycle, including a review of individual
elements and community programs. Periodically
revise the General Plan and respond to individual
Plan Amendment petitions.

High Short Planning,
Economic
Development

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City of Indio General Plan EIR Addendum
Sphere of Influence
Extension Project
JANUARY 2024
Prepared for:

CITY OF INDIO
100 Civic Center Mall
Indio, California 92201
Contact: Kevin Snyder
Prepared by:
605 Third Street
Encinitas, California 92024
Contact: Chelsea Ohanesian

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Table of Contents

SECTION PAGE
Acronyms and Abbreviations............................................................................................................................................ iii 1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Purpose of an Addendum ......................................................................................................................1 2 Project Description...............................................................................................................................................3

2.1 Project Location......................................................................................................................................3

2.2 Environmental Setting............................................................................................................................3

2.3 Project Characteristics ...........................................................................................................................7

2.3.1 General Plan Amendment and Rezone ...................................................................................7

2.3.2 Future Annexation.................................................................................................................. 10

2.3.3 Summary of General Plan Amendment Text and Map Edits............................................... 10

2.3.4 Utility and Public Service System Providers ......................................................................... 10

2.4 Future Annexation ............................................................................................................................... 13

2.5 Project Approvals................................................................................................................................. 13 3 Initial Study Checklist........................................................................................................................................ 15

3.1 Aesthetics ............................................................................................................................................ 28

3.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ................................................................................................... 31

3.3 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................. 34

3.4 Biological Resources ........................................................................................................................... 38

3.5 Cultural Resources and Tribal Cultural Resources............................................................................ 42

3.6 Energy .................................................................................................................................................. 45

3.7 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................................ 46

3.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions................................................................................................................ 51

3.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ..................................................................................................... 52

3.10 Hydrology and Water Quality............................................................................................................... 59

3.11 Land Use and Planning ....................................................................................................................... 63

3.12 Mineral Resources .............................................................................................................................. 65

3.13 Noise .................................................................................................................................................... 66

3.14 Population and Housing...................................................................................................................... 69

3.15 Public Services .................................................................................................................................... 71

3.16 Transportation ..................................................................................................................................... 74

3.17 Utilities and Service Systems.............................................................................................................. 79

3.18 Mandatory Findings of Significance ................................................................................................... 83

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4 References and Preparers................................................................................................................................ 85

4.1 References........................................................................................................................................... 85

4.2 List of Preparers .................................................................................................................................. 86

FIGURES
2-1 Regional Location ............................................................................................................................................. 87 2-2 Project Location ................................................................................................................................................ 89 2-3 Existing Land Uses ............................................................................................................................................ 91 2-4 Existing Zoning .................................................................................................................................................. 93 2-5 Proposed General Plan Land Use .................................................................................................................... 95 2-6 Pre-Zoning Designations................................................................................................................................... 97 2-7 Existing Service Facilities.................................................................................................................................. 99

3.2-1 Agricultural Preserves.....................................................................................................................................101 TABLES
2-1 Land Use within the Sphere of Influence Expansion .........................................................................................9 2-2 Existing and Proposed Utility/Service Providers ............................................................................................. 10 2-3 Discretionary Approvals .................................................................................................................................... 13

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Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
ALUCP Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
CBC California Building Code
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
City City of Indio
CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level
CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent
County County of Riverside
CVMSHCP Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan CVWD Coachella Valley Water District
dBA A-weighted decibel
du/ac dwelling units per acre
EIR Environmental Impact Report
GHG greenhouse gas
I Interstate
LAFCO Local Agency Formation Commission
MM Mitigation Measure
MRZ Mineral Resource Zone
MT metric ton
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
PM10 particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter PRC California Public Resources Code
project City of Indio Sphere of Influence Extension Project SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District
SOI Sphere of Influence
UFC Unified Facilities Criteria

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1 Introduction
This Addendum to the certified City of Indio General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH #2015081021) was prepared pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15164(a) to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed modification of the City of Indio’s (City) Sphere of Influence (SOI) for approximately 270 acres located east of Jackson Street, north of Avenue 52, and south of Avenue 50 (project site) in Indio, California. This Addendum evaluates the environmental effects that would occur under the proposed modification to the City’s SOI over land currently within the jurisdictional boundaries of the County of Riverside (County). As documented in this analysis, the proposed extension of the City’s SOI would not result in substantial changes that warrant preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR pursuant to Sections 15162 and 15163 of the CEQA Guidelines.

1.1 Purpose of an Addendum
When a Final EIR has been certified for a project, the State CEQA Guidelines define standards and the procedure for additional environmental review with project changes. Sections 15162–15164 of the State CEQA Guidelines define the standards for determining the level of additional environmental review required for project changes when an EIR has been certified for a project.

Changes to a project standing alone do not necessarily trigger requirements for further CEQA review. However, the lead agency must provide a reasoned basis supporting its conclusion that project changes would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts. New information can trigger the requirement for preparation and circulation of a Supplemental EIR, but only if the information (1) was not known and could not have been known at the time the EIR was certified as complete; (2) shows new or substantially more severe significant impacts; or (3) demonstrates the feasibility of mitigation measures or alternatives previously found infeasible, and is of substantial importance to the project (California Public Resources Code [PRC] Section 21166[c]; CEQA Guidelines Section 15162[a][3]).

If none of the three triggers for a Supplemental EIR exist, then a lead agency may use an Addendum to make changes or additions to the prior EIR. Public review of an Addendum is not required by CEQA. Instead, the information in an Addendum is to be considered with the previously certified Final EIR prior to a decision being made on the project. The analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposed modification of the City’s SOI indicates that an Addendum is the appropriate documentation to update the information in the certified Final City of Indio General Plan Update EIR and to meet the requirements of CEQA. As such, this Addendum was prepared based on the following:

No substantial changes are proposed for the City of Indio Sphere of Influence Extension Project (project) that will require major revisions of the previous EIR because there are no new significant effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.

No substantial changes in circumstances under which the project is undertaken will occur that will require major revisions to the previous EIR because there are no new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.

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No new information of substantial importance that was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the previous EIR was certified or complete has been found.

Specifically, a review of the current conditions and project demonstrates the following:
a. The project would not have one or more significant effects not discussed in the Final EIR. b. Significant effects previously examined would not be substantially more severe than shown in the Final EIR.
c. No new mitigation measures or alternatives have been found to be feasible that would reduce one or more significant effects of the project.
d. No new mitigation measures or alternatives that are considerably different from those analyzed in the previous EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, that the project declines to adopt, are recommended.

Based on the analysis contained in this Addendum, the project would not result in any new significant or substantial increase in the severity of the significant impacts identified in the certified City of Indio General Plan Update EIR (City of Indio 2019a). Additionally, no new information of substantial importance has been identified that indicates the proposed expansion of the City’s SOI1 would result in any new significant impacts nor any substantial increase in the severity of the significant impacts identified in the Final EIR, which was certified in September 2019.

This Addendum provides an analysis of each of the environmental topics addressed in the General Plan Update EIR by describing the impacts identified in the EIR followed by an analysis of the proposed expansion of the City’s SOI.

A comparison of the environmental impacts previously identified in the General Plan Update EIR to the impacts from the City’s SOI Modification is provided. The consistency of the project with the City of Indio General Plan 2040, adopted in September 2019 (City of Indio 2019b), is also provided, along with updates to other state, local, and City rules, regulations, and ordinances.
1 A sphere of influence (SOI) is an area outside of and adjacent to a city’s border that the city has identified as a future logical extension of its jurisdiction. Although the County of Riverside has land use authority over SOI areas, development in these areas directly affects circulation, service provision, and community character within the cities (City of Indio 2019b).

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2 Project Description

2.1 Project Location
The project site is in Riverside County, immediately east and south of the City of Indio, and west of the City of Coachella. Figure 2-1, Regional Location, shows the project location in a regional context. The project site consists of two adjacent sites, as shown in Figure 2-2, Project Location. Although the sites are contiguous, one site (described below as “Southeastern Sphere I”) is already within the City of Coachella’s SOI, and the other site (described below as “Southeastern Sphere II”) is not within the SOI of any municipality. Therefore, for ease of reference, the project site is divided into two areas (spheres): Southeastern Sphere I and Southeastern Sphere II, as shown in Figure 2-1 and further described in detail below.

The two spheres are directly adjacent to each other, are similar geographically, and are within the same geographic setting; they only differ slightly in land use and zoning designations (refer to Figure 2-3, Existing Land Uses, and Figure 2-4, Existing Zoning). Because the whole of the action (the proposed modification to the City of Indio’s SOI over land that is currently within the jurisdictional boundaries of the County of Riverside) applies to both spheres, and the impact analyses and conclusions are the same for each sphere, collectively the two spheres are referred to as the “project site.”
Southeastern Sphere I
Southeastern Sphere I is bounded by Jackson Avenue, residential development, and an Imperial Irrigation District energy substation to the west; Avenue 50, retail, and single-family residential to the north; a vacant palm tree nursery and residential development to the east; and a large operational nursery to the south. Surrounding jurisdictions include the City of Indio to the west and north, the City of Coachella to the east, and unincorporated Riverside County to the south, as shown in Figure 2-2.

Southeastern Sphere II
Southeastern Sphere II is bounded by Jackson Street and a vacant lot to the west; single-family residences, active agricultural lands, Coachella Valley Christian Church, and 50th Avenue to the north; Calhoun Street, Imagine Schools Riverside County (elementary charter school), and scattered rural single-family residences to the east; and 52nd Avenue, agricultural lands, and a single-family residence to the south. Surrounding jurisdictions include the City of Indio to the west, the City of Indio and the City of Coachella to the north, the City of Coachella to the east, and unincorporated Riverside County to the south, as shown in Figure 2-2.

2.2 Environmental Setting
The project site is within unincorporated Riverside County and is currently governed by the Riverside County General Plan and Zoning, as further described below. The Riverside County General Plan identifies the project site as being within the Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan Planning Area (County of Riverside 2021a, 2021b).

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Southeastern Sphere I
Southeastern Sphere I is approximately 35.92 acres and is composed of 18 parcels within the jurisdiction of the County of Riverside, adjacent to the City of Indio. In its existing condition, Southeastern Sphere I consists of multiple uses, including the Coachella Valley Christian Church, active agricultural lands, and scattered rural single-family residences. Southeastern Sphere I is flat, with no major topographical features. Access to Southeastern Sphere I is provided by Jackson Street to the west, a City of Indio General Plan Circulation Element Roadway (4-Lane Boulevard with Median or Center Left-Turn Lane) and 50th Avenue to the north, and a City of Indio General Plan Circulation Element Roadway (4-Lane Boulevard with Median or Center Left-Turn Lane) (City of Indio 2019b). Southeastern Sphere I is not accessible by any existing City of Coachella roadways.

Southeastern Sphere I land use types include Rural Community Very Low Density Residential (CR-VLDR) (City of Coachella 2015), as shown in Figure 2-4. Rural Community Very Low Density Residential (CR-VLDR) allows for single-family detached residences on large parcels that are a minimum of 1 dwelling unit per acre (du/ac) and up to 2 du/ac. Southeastern Sphere I is zoned as A-1 Light Agriculture. Southeastern Sphere I is also within the Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan, within the Riverside County General Plan (County of Riverside 2021a).

City of Coachella Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan Update (SCH 2009021007) Southeastern Sphere I was included in the City of Coachella General Plan Update as part of the Coachella SOI extension (City of Coachella 2015). The area was pre-zoned in 2015 by the City of Coachella and the County of Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) authorized the sphere amendment in 2006. Within the City of Coachella’s SOI, Southeastern Sphere I is designated by the City of Coachella as General Neighborhood with an allowable maximum density of 7 to 25 du/ac, with an average of 12 du/ac for new projects, and as Rural Rancho.

Figure 2-3 and Figure 2-4 depict the Southeastern Sphere I within the City of Coachella’s SOI and the associated land use and zoning. Southeastern Sphere I was studied as part of the Coachella General Plan Update EIR (City of Coachella 2014) at a higher land use and zoning intensity than is proposed by this Addendum.

Southeastern Sphere II
Southeastern Sphere II is approximately 228 acres and is composed of 52 parcels within the jurisdiction of the County of Riverside. Southeastern Sphere II is an unincorporated island adjacent to the City of Indio and City of Coachella and is not located in an SOI. In its existing condition, Southeastern Sphere II consists of multiple uses, including a plant nursery, scattered rural single-family residences, Forest Lawn Mortuary, a pet boarding business, and a festival campground.

Southeastern Sphere II is flat, with no major topographical features. Access to Southeastern Sphere II is provided by Jackson Street to the west; a City of Indio owned and operated General Plan Circulation Element Roadway (4-Lane Boulevard with Median or Center Left-Turn Lane), 51st Avenue (which horizontally bisects the project site), and 52nd Avenue (2-lane Riverside County Major Roadway) to the south; and by Calhoun Street (2-lane Riverside County Arterial Roadway).

Within the Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan (County of Riverside 2021b), Southeastern Sphere II’s land use types include Estate Density Residential (RC-EDR) and Commercial Retail (CR), as shown in Figure 2-4. Estate Density Residential allows for single-family detached residences on large parcels that are a minimum of 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres and up to 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres. Commercial Retail (CR) allows for local and regional serving retail and service uses. Within these land use types, the sphere is zoned as A-1 (Light Agriculture), A-1-20 (Light Agriculture),

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and C-P-S (Scenic Highway Commercial). Southeastern Sphere II is also within the Vista Santa Rosa Community Planning Area within the Riverside County General Plan (County of Riverside 2021a).

In 2023, the City of Coachella prepared an addendum to the General Plan Update EIR to change the land use of Southeastern Sphere II (referred to by the City of Coachella as PA7) to Estate Rancho and a small portion to Suburban Retail. The Estate Rancho land use designation provides for 1 du/ac to 2.2 du/ac. The City of Coachella adopted the land use for Southeastern Sphere II in July 2023. Although the City of Indio took action on Southeastern Sphere II, LAFCO has not taken any action on Southeastern Sphere II as of this writing; therefore, this area remains an unincorporated island adjacent to the City of Indio.

As proposed, the project would modify Coachella’s SOI by detaching Southeastern Sphere I from the City of Coachella’s SOI and adding it to the City of Indio’s SOI as part of the proposed General Plan Amendment and Rezone (described below). Southeastern Sphere II would be added to the City of Indio’s SOI as part of the proposed General Plan Amendment and Zone Map Amendment (described below).

The following environmental setting describes all three jurisdictions (County of Riverside, City of Indio, and City of Coachella), as well as the Riverside LAFCO, which has jurisdiction over SOI modifications and jurisdictional boundary changes.

City of Indio
Indio is in Riverside County, approximately 120 miles east of Los Angeles and 20 miles east of Palm Springs. It is bordered by the City of La Quinta to the west, unincorporated Riverside County to the south and north, and the City of Coachella to the east. Interstate (I) 10 runs northwest to southeast through the northern half of the City, and California State Route 111 bisects the City running east/west.

On September 18, 2019, the City Council of the City of Indio adopted a substantive update of its General Plan entitled General Plan 2040. General Plan 2040 implements the community’s vision and establishes goals, policies, and implementation actions through 2040. The City of Indio’s General Plan encompasses a Planning Area that includes the incorporated City limits, approximately 21,268.18-acres, and it’s SOI, which is approximately 231.44 acres. The City’s land use include mixed-use residential developments, commercial/office areas, industrial land uses, and open space. In the vicinity of the project site, the Indio General Plan designates areas west and north of the project site as Suburban Neighborhood 8 (SN-8), Project Master Plan (PMP), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and Public and Institutional (City of Indio 2019b). See Figure 2-3 and Figure 2-4.

Riverside County
Riverside County is in Southern California and lies east of Orange County, north of San Diego and Imperial Counties, and south of San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties. Riverside County is the fourth largest county in the state, encompassing approximately 7,400 square miles and extending westward from the Colorado River to within 14 miles of the Pacific Ocean, a stretch of some 200 miles.

The majority of eastern Riverside County’s population is concentrated in the Coachella Valley within the incorporated cities of Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella. Many of these communities are noted for their focus on second homes, retirement living, and golf resorts. The Joshua Tree National Park, known for its rich desert habitat, forms a permanent natural boundary at the northern end of the Coachella Valley (County of Riverside 2021a).

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As previously noted, the project site is within the Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan within the Riverside General Plan (County of Riverside 2021a, 2021b). The Eastern Coachella Valley Area Plan consists of approximately 670 square miles and covers the southeast portion of the Coachella Valley, south and east of the City of Indio, and east of the City of La Quinta and the Santa Rosa Mountains, stretching to the Imperial County line on the south. The area plan boundary extends east of the All American Canal, north and south of I-10, taking in Chiriaco Summit.

Unincorporated communities within the Area Plan include Thermal, Mecca, North Shore, Vista Santa Rosa, Valerie Jean, Oasis, Chiriaco Summit, and Indian Lands. The only incorporated city is the City of Coachella.

City of Coachella
The City of Coachella is in central Riverside County, just east of the City of Indio. I-10 connects Coachella with nearby cities and the Southern California region. The City of Coachella limits encompass 18,560 acres and the City of Coachella’s SOI encompasses 14,144 additional acres around Coachella (City of Coachella 2015). Coachella is largely composed of urban development, agriculture land, open space, and undeveloped land. A majority of urban and residential development occurs within the western portion of Coachella, and the eastern portion of Coachella consists mostly of open space, agriculture, and some tribal land (City of Coachella 2014).

Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission
Riverside LAFCO has jurisdiction over changes in boundaries of local agencies (cities and special districts) within Riverside County. LAFCOs were created to eliminate urban sprawl and encourage orderly growth and development through the regulation of local public agency boundaries.

The Riverside LAFCO has seven members: two members from the County Board of Supervisors; two members from city councils appointed by the mayors of all the cities in Riverside County; two special district board members selected by all the independent special districts in Riverside County; and one public member selected by the other six members.

The LAFCO has both regulatory and planning functions. LAFCO’s planning function is exercised through the establishment and amendment of “spheres of influence.” The LAFCO designates and reviews SOIs for each local agency in Riverside County. An SOI is defined as “a plan for the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency, as determined by the commission [LAFCO]” (California Government Code Section 56076). The SOI typically outlines areas that an agency, such as a city of district/service provider, could be expected to “grow into” or service in the future.

The LAFCO prepares Municipal Service Reviews to assist in reviewing SOIs. A Municipal Service Review includes information relevant to a specific service, an agency, or a geographic region. Based on the Municipal Service Review, the LAFCO will make determinations with respect to several factors, including expected growth, service and facility capacity, the financial ability of agencies to provide services, opportunities for shared facilities and improved efficiency, and governmental structure alternatives.

Prior to any LAFCO planning action, a city must first include the area within its respective General Plan Planning Area, designated a General Plan Land Use, and pre-zone any area that may be eligible for a change in its SOI.

Accordingly, as described herein, the City of Indio’s proposed action includes a General Plan Amendment and pre-zone to apply to the project site for potential future Riverside LAFCO action relative to modifying the existing SOI for the project site.

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Subsequent to the planning role of the LAFCO, the LAFCO also has a regulatory function to carry out boundary changes. The most common type of boundary change is an annexation (addition of territory) to a local agency, such as a city or a water district. Other types of changes of organization include detachment (removal of territory), incorporation (formation of a new city), special district formation, dissolution (elimination) of a district, consolidation of two or more agencies, and the authorization for a special district to provide a new service. In addition, under certain circumstances, the LAFCO can authorize an agency to provide services outside of its boundaries. The LAFCO can exercise its discretion to approve, disapprove, or even modify the boundaries of proposals.

2.3 Project Characteristics

2.3.1 General Plan Amendment and Rezone
Under Riverside County’s General Plan, the land use type for the entirety of the project site, with exception of the southwest corner, is Estate Density Residential, which allows for a minimum of 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres to 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres (County of Riverside 2021a). As previously noted, within the City of Coachella, Southeastern Sphere I’s designated land use types are General Neighborhood (24 acres) with an allowable maximum density of 7 to 25 du/ac, with an average of 12 du/ac for new projects, and Rural Rancho with an allowable density of 0.4 to 1 du/ac (12 acres). The Coachella General Plan establishes the land use designation, which forms the basis for the application of the appropriate zoning designation (City of Coachella 2015). The City of Coachella’s proposed land use for Southeastern Sphere II is Estate Rancho, with the exception of a small portion of the southwest corner (currently Forest Lawn Mortuary), which is proposed as Suburban Retail. The proposed Estate Rancho designation provides for 1 du/ac to 2.2 du/ac.

The proposed project would amend the General Plan to designate Southeastern Sphere I to the City of Indio’s Suburban Neighborhood-Low (SNL). Figure 2-5, Proposed General Plan Land Use, depicts the proposed land use.

Per the City’s General Plan, the “Suburban Neighborhood-Low” designation “Provides low-intensity suburban neighborhood development for single-family detached homes on relatively large lots” (City of Indio 2019b).

In addition to the proposed General Plan Land Use designation, the City separately would modify the Zoning Map to pre-zone the Southeast Sphere I with the Suburban Neighborhood-4 zoning designation (Figure 2-6, Pre-Zoning Designations). Under the City’s Unified Development Code, the Suburban Neighborhood-4 zone “is intended to provide low-intensity neighborhood development for single-family, detached homes at a density of up to four dwelling units per acre. This zone implements the Suburban Neighborhoods General Plan land use designation” (City of Indio 2022).

Allowed primary uses within the Suburban Neighborhood-4 neighborhood include single-family detached residential, parks, and recreation. Secondary land uses include public facilities and resort uses. Open space is provided through streetscapes and landscaped front yards. Suburban neighborhoods also have neighborhood parks, linear parks, greenways, trails, and other park types. Landscape patterns may be naturalistic or formal.

Blocks may be large, up to 0.5 miles in perimeter, and defined by streets; however, blocks should provide pedestrian paseos or paths reducing the effective pedestrian perimeter to no more than 2,000 feet. Street intersection density should be at least 140 intersections per square mile. Buildings are primarily one- and two-story single-family detached houses and are set back from the street to provide moderate to large front yards (City of Indio 2019b).

The proposed project would also amend the General Plan to designate Southeastern Sphere II to the City of Indio’s Desert Estate Transition land use. Figure 2-5 depicts the proposed land use. Per the City’s General Plan, the “Desert

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Estate Transition” designation “provides a transition between the lowest intensity rural residential areas of the city and the more formal Suburban Neighborhoods” (City of Indio 2019b).

Allowed primary uses within the Desert Estate Transition land use include single-family residential, agriculture, parks, and recreational uses. Secondary land uses include hospitality and recreational uses. Open space is provided through the preservation and integration of natural features and open space into the neighborhood design, and/or internally oriented and provided neighborhood parks. Structures may be clustered together to leave natural areas undisturbed. Variety in lot size and product type is encouraged, as is density averaging. Buildings are set back significantly from the natural street edge to provide large front yards with porches or terraces. Back yards are large enough for private pools and other private open space for each household. Buildings are generally limited to one and two stories in height. Streetscapes may be rural in nature (curbless and gutterless shoulders) or simple, with rolled curbs and sidewalks and trails that facilitate internal connectivity. Street alignments may follow a grid or modified grid street network, or the layout may be relatively informal or curvilinear, with adjacent open spaces. The vehicular design speed is 25 miles per hour (City of Indio 2019b).

In addition to the proposed General Plan land use designation, the City separately would modify the Zoning Map to pre-zone the Southeast Sphere II with the Desert Estate Transition-3 zoning designation (Figure 2-6). Under the City’s Unified Development Code, the Desert Estate Transition-3 zone “is intended to conserve natural features while providing low-intensity residential neighborhood development for single-family, detached homes at a density of up to 3 du/ac. This zone implements the Desert Estates General Plan land use designation” (City of Indio 2022).

The proposed General Plan land uses would result in a change in density from 0.2 to 0.5 du/ac to 3 to 4 du/ac.

Accordingly, the project site would function as an area of transition from rural residential areas to the south, to denser suburban developments within the City of Indio to the west and north.

No specific development proposal is being considered at this time, and no physical changes to the environmental are proposed by the project. However, the expansion of the City’s SOI over the approximately 264-acre project site could allow for future applications totaling as many as 828 dwelling units. Table 2-1 compares the anticipated development density and intensity under the County, City of Coachella, and City of Indio land use. As shown in Table 2-1, the expansion of the City’s SOI and proposed zoning for Southeastern Sphere I and II would result in the potential for 828 additional units, which is similar to the total number of units contemplated under the City of Coachella’s SOI for Southeastern Sphere I, and the pending proposed Coachella SOI extension for Southeastern Sphere II.

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Table 2-1. Land Use within the Sphere of Influence Expansion County of Riverside City of Coachella City of Indio
Parcel Land Use Density
Potential
Units Land Use Density
Potential
Units Land Use Density
Potential
Units
Southeastern
Sphere I
(36 acres)
Estate
Density
Residential

0.2 to 0.5
du/ac
18 General
Neighborhood
7 to 25 du/ac;
average 12
du/ac
288 Suburban
NeighborhoodLow
4 du/ac 144
Rural Rancho 0.4 to 1.0
du/ac
12 Southeastern
Sphere II
(228 acres)
Estate
Density
Residential

0.2 to 0.5
du/ac
114 Estate Rancho 1.0 to 2.2
du/ac
502 Desert Estate
Transition
3 du/ac 684
Commercial
Retail (CR)

0.2 to

0.35 FAR
N/A Suburban Retail 0.35 to 1.0 FAR N/A
Total Units 132 Units 802 Units 828 Units
Note: du/ac = dwelling units per acre; FAR = floor-to-area ratio; N/A = not applicable

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Although this change in land use and potential increase in residential yield from 132 units under the Riverside County General Plan represents an increase of almost 700 units compared to the existing housing stock in the City of Indio, this increase accounts for a total of approximately 2.17% of the projected 38,144 units in 2040 (City of Indio 2019b). In relative terms, the 828 units represents approximately 5.6% of the City’s projected increase of 14,766 units over the next 26 years.

2.3.2 Future Annexation
The project would involve modification of the City of Indio’s SOI and a change in land use and zoning of the project site to align with the City’s General Plan. Changes in zoning within the area would result in an increase of allowed dwelling units per acre within the project site, but would not include the approval of any specific physical development. The changes in land use and zoning would only become effective upon the annexation of the area to the City of Indio. With the increase in allowable dwelling units per acre associated with the land use and zoning change, there is the potential for additional service needs, as noted in Section 2.3.4, Utility and Public Service System Providers, and analyzed in detail below in Section 3.15, Public Services, and Section 3.17, Utilities and Service Systems.

2.3.3 Summary of General Plan Amendment Text and Map Edits The General Plan Amendment includes the addition of two subareas: Southeastern Sphere I and Southeastern Sphere II. The boundary of each of the two new subareas was chosen based on unique identifying characteristics, such as the location, character, and key issues within the areas. Each subarea also includes strategies for future planning efforts.

These strategies are in addition to citywide goals and policies discussed in the City’s existing General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Urban Design (City of Indio 2019b). Although the location and character of each subarea is distinct for Southeastern Spheres I and II, the strategies are the same for each subarea, and include supporting existing land use patterns, working toward compatible future development in the area, extension of infrastructure and utilities for future development; and supporting active and passive recreational and event opportunities. The General Plan Amendment also includes additional planning context in Policy LU-1.1, Overall City Structure, aimed at supporting existing land use patterns and conducting future community-based planning for Southeastern Spheres I and II. Additionally, the General Plan Amendment includes Policy LU 8.5, Recreational and Event Opportunities, to reinforce the subarea strategy to support active and passive recreational and event opportunities.

2.3.4 Utility and Public Service System Providers
The utility and public service providers currently serving the project site (Table 2-2 and Figure 2-7, Existing Service Facilities) may change to the service providers serving the City of Indio’s SOI, if applicable. Following is a discussion of the existing and proposed utility and service system providers to serve the project site. All proposed improvements would require City of Indio approval and, where necessary, approval from the utility/service provider.

Table 2-2. Existing and Proposed Utility/Service Providers Utility/Service Existing Provider Proposed Provider
Water Supply Coachella Valley Water Authority Indio Water Authority Solid Waste and Recycling Burrtec Burrtec
Drainage System Coachella Valley Water District Coachella Valley Water District Wastewater Coachella Sanitary District Valley Sanitation District

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Table 2-2. Existing and Proposed Utility/Service Providers Utility/Service Existing Provider Proposed Provider
Natural Gas, Electricity,
and Telecommunications
Southern California Gas Company,
Imperial Irrigation District,
various telecommunication providers
Southern California Gas Company,
Imperial Irrigation District,
various telecommunication providers
Fire Services Riverside County Fire Department Riverside County Fire Department Police Services City of Indio Police Department City of Indio Police Department Schools Coachella Valley Unified School District Coachella Valley Unified School District Libraries Riverside County Library System Riverside County Library System Parks/Recreation Desert Recreation District City of Indio Water Supply System
The Indio Water Authority and the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) are responsible for providing water service to the City of Indio. Indio Water Authority’s service area covers approximately 38 square miles. It encompasses the majority of the City of Indio and some of the unincorporated SOI. The remaining portion of the Planning Area is served by the CVWD, which has a service area that spans approximately 1,000 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Salton Sea (City of Indio 2019b).

The project site is within CVWD’s water supply service area. The project site is bounded to the west and north by the Indio Water Authority service area. The CVWD service area encompasses the area south and west of the project site (CVWD 2023).

Solid Waste and Recycling
The City of Indio currently contracts with Western Waste Industries to provide solid waste collection and disposal management services. Municipal solid waste is taken to the Coachella Valley Transfer Station, located on Landfill Road east of Dillon Road and north of I-10. A Joint Power Authority between the City of Indio and the City of Coachella acts as the permitted operator of the transfer station, and the County of Riverside is the permitted owner of the facility. Burrtec Waste Industries is the practical owner and operator of the site (City of Coachella 2015).

Drainage System
The Riverside County Flood Control District addresses local drainage issues in unincorporated Riverside County areas. Within the City of Indio, regional drainage facilities are constructed, operated, and maintained by the CVWD.

Local drainage facilities are maintained by the City of Indio and generally convey runoff from local streets to the regional facilities (City of Indio 2019b). Under the City of Indio’s SOI, the project site would be served by the CVWD.

Wastewater System
Wastewater service is provided to the City of Indio by the Valley Sanitation District, which serves 98% of the City’s population, and the CVWD, which treats the remaining percentage of Indio’s wastewater. There are no wastewater services within Indio’s SOI (City of Indio 2019b).

The project site is served by both the CVWD and Valley Sanitation District, and would continue to be served by them under the proposed SOI Modification.

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Natural Gas, Electricity, and Telecommunications
Southern California Gas Company provides natural gas to its service area, which encompasses 20,000 square miles of diverse terrain throughout most of Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border (City of Coachella 2015). The City of Indio and the City of Coachella are both located within Southern California Gas Company’s service area.

The Imperial Irrigation District provides electricity to the City of Indio (City of Indio 2019b).

City of Indio businesses have a multitude of telecommunications choices, including high-speed broadband, fiberoptics, digital phone service, and wireless, from nationally known carriers. Telecommunications services are provided on demand. Verizon is the Incumbent Local Exchange Provider (default local telephone company) and Time Warner Cable is the sole cable provider for Coachella Valley (City of Coachella 2015).

Under the City of Indio’s SOI Modification, the project site would continue to receive natural gas services from Southern California Gas Company, electricity services from the Imperial Irrigation District, and telecommunications services through a variety of carriers.

Fire Services
A full range of fire services are provided in the City of Indio as part of the regional fire protection system through a cooperative agreement with the Riverside County Fire Department. The Riverside County Fire Department, in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), provides fire and emergency services to residents of unincorporated areas of Riverside County and for partner cities, including the City of Indio (RCFD 2023). Under the SOI Modification, the project site would continue to receive such services from the Riverside County Fire Department.

Police Services
The project site currently receives police services from the City of Indio Police Department. Under the SOI Modification, the project would still receive such services from the City of Indio Police Department.

Schools
The Coachella Valley Unified School District serves the City of Coachella and portions of the City of Indio and the City of La Quinta, as well as the unincorporated communities of Thermal and Mecca (City of Coachella 2015). Under the SOI Modification, the project site would continue to receive such services from the Coachella Valley Unified School District.

Libraries
The Riverside County Library System provides library services to the City of Coachella (City of Coachella 2015) and the City of Indio (City of Indio 2019b). The project site currently receives library services from the Riverside County Library System. Under the SOI Modification, the project site would continue to receive such services from the Riverside County Library System.

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Parks and Recreation
The City of Indio’s Public Works Department, Parks and Facilities Division is responsible for maintaining parks and manages the design and construction of building and park improvement projects. The City of Indio is in the Desert Recreation District, which covers more than 1,800 square miles from Rancho Mirage east to the Salton Sea and provides recreational services to more than 380,000 residents throughout the Greater Coachella Valley (City of Indio 2019b). Under the SOI Modification, the project would continue to receive such services from the City of Indio’s Public Works Department, Parks and Facilities Division.

2.4 Future Annexation
The project site is currently within Riverside County’s jurisdiction. The proposed change would involve expansion of the City of Indio’s SOI and a change in land use and zoning to align with the City’s General Plan. The change would result in an increase of allowed dwelling units per acre within the project site, but would not include the approval of any specific physical development. With the increase in allowable dwelling units per acre associated with the land use and zoning changes, there is the potential for additional service needs, as noted in Section 2.3.4, Utility and Public Service System Providers, and analyzed in detail below in Section 3.15, Public Services, and Section 3.17, Utilities and Service Systems.

2.5 Project Approvals
As the lead agency under CEQA, the City has the primary responsibility to approve and carry out the project and to confirm that CEQA regulations and other required applicable regulations are met. The proposed project would require approval of several discretionary actions by the City and other responsible agencies, which are listed in Table 2-3.

Table 2-3. Discretionary Approvals
Discretionary Action Approving Agency
Approval of Proposal for SOI Review/Modification Riverside County LAFCO Approval of Indio General Plan Map and Text Amendment City of Indio Note: SOI = sphere of influence; LAFCO = Local Agency Formation Commission

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3 Initial Study Checklist

1. Project title:

City of Indio Sphere of Influence Extension Project

2. Lead agency name and address:

City of Indio, Community Development
100 Civic Center Drive
Indio, California 92210

3. Contact person and phone number:

Kevin Snyder
Director of Community Development
Phone: 760.541.4255
Email: [email protected]

4. Project location:

City of Indio, Riverside County

5. Project sponsor’s name and address:

Kevin Snyder
Director of Community Development
Phone: 760.541.4255
Email: [email protected]

6. General Plan designation:

The entire project site is within Riverside County and is designated as Estate Density Residential and Commercial Retail. A portion of the project site, Southeastern Sphere I, is within the City of Coachella’s SOI, within the General Neighborhood and Rural Rancho land use types.

7. Zoning:

Under the Riverside County’s General Plan, the entirety of the project site is zoned for Single-Family detached housing.

8. Description of project. (Describe the whole action involved, including but not limited to later phases of the project, and any secondary, support, or off-site features necessary for its implementation. Attach additional sheets if necessary):

The proposed project would involve expansion of the City of Indio’s SOI to include an additional 264 acres within Riverside County. The proposed project would include a General Plan Amendment and Zoning Map

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Amendment, which would result in a change in density from 0.2 to 0.5 du/ac to 3 to 4 du/ac within the project site.

9. Surrounding land uses and setting: Briefly describe the project’s surroundings:

The project site is surrounded by various uses, including single-family residential developments, active agriculture lands, an Imperial Irrigation District energy substation, retail, a tree nursery, and Imagine Schools Riverside County (elementary charter school). Surrounding jurisdictions include the City of Indio to the west, the City of Indio and the City of Coachella to the north, the City of Coachella to the east, and unincorporated Riverside County

10. Other public agencies whose approval is required (e.g., permits, financing approval, or participation agreement):
▪ Riverside County LAFCO SOI Modification

11. Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1? If so, is there a plan for consultation that includes, for example, the determination of significance of impacts to tribal cultural resources, procedures regarding confidentiality, etc.?
The proposed project is an Addendum to the City of Indio General Plan Update EIR and does not require additional consultation. Tribal consultation was provided during the General Plan Update EIR process.

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Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact,” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.

Aesthetics Agriculture and
Forestry Resources
Air Quality
Biological Resources Cultural Resources Energy
Geology and Soils Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Hazards and Hazardous
Materials
Hydrology and Water Quality Land Use and
Planning
Mineral Resources
Noise Population and
Housing
Public Services
Recreation Transportation Tribal Cultural Resources
Utilities and Service Systems Wildfire Mandatory Findings of Significance

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Determination (To be completed by the Lead Agency)
On the basis of this initial evaluation:

I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially significant unless mitigated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.

Signature Date
Kevin H. Snyder
January 2, 2024

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New or
Significantly
Greater
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
I. AESTHETICS – Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section 21099, would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a
scenic vista?
b) Substantially damage scenic resources
including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within
a state scenic highway?
c) In non-urbanized areas, substantially
degrade the existing visual character or
quality of public views of the site and its
surroundings? (Public views are those that
are experienced from publicly accessible
vantage point). If the project is in an
urbanized area, would the project conflict
with applicable zoning and other
regulations governing scenic quality?
d) Create a new source of substantial light or
glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area?
II. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES – In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state’s inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland,
or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on the maps
prepared pursuant to the Farmland
Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to nonagricultural use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in
Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)),
timberland (as defined by Public Resources
Code Section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by
Government Code Section 51104(g))?

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New or
Significantly
Greater
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
d) Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
e) Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of
Farmland, to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
III. AIR QUALITY – Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management district or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
the applicable air quality plan?
b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the project region is non-attainment under
an applicable federal or state ambient air
quality standard?
c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations?
d) Result in other emissions (such as those
leading to odors) adversely affecting a
substantial number of people?
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES – Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications,
on any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local
or regional plans, policies, or regulations,
or by the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
plans, policies, regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on state
or federally protected wetlands (including,
but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool,
coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other means?

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New or
Significantly
Greater
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
d) Interfere substantially with the movement
of any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native
resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
e) Conflict with any local policies or
ordinances protecting biological resources,
such as a tree preservation policy or
ordinance?
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other
approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES – Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource
pursuant to Section 15064.5?
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to Section 15064.5?
c) Disturb any human remains, including
those interred outside of dedicated
cemeteries?
VI. Energy – Would the project:
a) Result in potentially significant
environmental impact due to wasteful,
inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of
energy resources, during project
construction or operation?
b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or local
plan for renewable energy or energy
efficiency?

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VII. GEOLOGY AND SOILS – Would the project:
a) Directly or indirectly cause potential
substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving:

Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent AlquistPriolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the
area or based on other substantial
evidence of a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and Geology Special
Publication 42.

Strong seismic ground shaking?
Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
Landslides?
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss
of topsoil?
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable
as a result of the project, and potentially
result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or
collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial direct or
indirect risks to life or property?
e) Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative waste water disposal systems
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of waste water?
f) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS – Would the project:
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the environment?

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b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of
reducing the emissions of greenhouse
gases?
IX. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS – Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials?
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions
involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter
mile of an existing or proposed school?
d) Be located on a site that is included on a
list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or the
environment?
e) For a project located within an airport land
use plan or, where such a plan has not
been adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard or
excessive noise for people residing or
working in the project area?
f) Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan?
g) Expose people or structures, either directly
or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss,
injury or death involving wildland fires?
X. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY – Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or
waste discharge requirements or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or ground
water quality?

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b) Substantially decrease groundwater
supplies or interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that the project
may impede sustainable groundwater
management of the basin?
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a
stream or river or through the addition of
impervious surfaces, in a manner which
would:
i) result in substantial erosion or
siltation on or off site;
substantially increase the rate or amount
of surface runoff in a manner which
would result in flooding on or off site;
create or contribute runoff water which
would exceed the capacity of existing
or planned stormwater drainage
systems or provide substantial
additional sources of polluted runoff; or
impede or redirect flood flows?
d) In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones,
risk release of pollutants due to project
inundation?
e) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
a water quality control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan?
XI. LAND USE AND PLANNING – Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established
community?
b) Cause a significant environmental impact
due to a conflict with any land use plan,
policy, or regulation adopted for the
purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
XII. MINERAL RESOURCES – Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to
the region and the residents of the state?

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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?
XIII. NOISE – Would the project result in:
a) Generation of a substantial temporary or
permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the vicinity of the project in excess
of standards established in the local
general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other agencies?
b) Generation of excessive groundborne
vibration or groundborne noise levels?
c) For a project located within the vicinity of a
private airstrip or an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working
in the project area to excessive noise
levels?
XIV. POPULATION AND HOUSING – Would the project:
a) Induce substantial unplanned population
growth in an area, either directly (for
example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing
people or housing, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
XV. PUBLIC SERVICES – Would the project:
a) Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services:
i) Fire protection?
Police protection?
Schools?
Parks?

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Other public facilities?
XVI. TRANSPORTATION – Would the project:
a) Would the project conflict with an
applicable congestion management
program, including, but not limited to LOS
standards and travel demand measures, or
other standards established by the county
congestion management agency for
designated roads or highways?
b) Would the project conflict with an
applicable plan, ordinance or policy
establishing measures of effectiveness for
the performance of the circulation system,
taking into account all modes of
transportation including mass transit and
nonmotorized travel and relevant
components of the circulation system,
including but not limited to intersections,
streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian
and bicycle paths, and mass transit?
c) Would the project result in a change in air
traffic patterns, including either an
increase in traffic levels or a change in
location that results in substantial safety
risks?
d) Would the project substantially increase
hazards due to a design feature (e.g.,
sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
e) Would the project result in inadequate
emergency access?
f) Would the project conflict with adopted
policies, plans, or programs regarding
public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian
facilities, or otherwise decrease the
performance or safety of such facilities?
XII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS – Would the project:
a) Require or result in the relocation or
construction of new or expanded water,
waste water treatment, or storm water
drainage, electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the
construction or relocation of which could
cause significant environmental effects?

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b) Have sufficient water supplies available to
serve the project and reasonably
foreseeable future development during
normal, dry, and multiple dry years?
c) Result in a determination by the waste
water treatment provider, which serves or
may serve the project that it has adequate
capacity to serve the project’s projected
demand in addition to the provider’s
existing commitments?
d) Generate solid waste in excess of state or
local standards, or in excess of the
capacity of local infrastructure, or
otherwise impair the attainment of solid
waste reduction goals?
e) Comply with federal, state, and local
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
XXI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
a) Does the project have the potential to
substantially degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a
fish or wildlife population to drop below
self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate
a plant or animal community, substantially
reduce the number or restrict the range of
a rare or endangered plant or animal, or
eliminate important examples of the major
periods of California history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable”
means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past
projects, the effects of other current
projects, and the effects of probable future
projects.)
c) Does the project have environmental
effects which will cause substantial
adverse effects on human beings, either
directly or indirectly?

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3.1 Aesthetics
a) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update (City of Indio 2019b) determined that all future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations that concern the protection of public views and scenic vistas, as well as minimizing development in areas where there is potential to obstruct views of the City’s scenic resources. Further, all development in the City limits would be required to adhere to the General Plan Update development requirements, which include limits on development intensity/density and form and character for all land use types and would ensure that views from key viewing areas (such as I-10) are maintained. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable policies and Municipal Code regulations. Impacts were determined to be less than significant and no mitigation was required.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would be the extension of the City’s SOI to include the project site, including revisions to the General Plan maps and text, in anticipation of an application to the Riverside LAFCO to amend the City’s SOI. Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, the proposed single-family use would be similar to the underlying County zoning for single-family homes. In addition, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts on a scenic vista, would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations protecting public views and scenic vistas, as well as minimizing development in areas where there is potential to affect a scenic vista. Therefore, impacts to scenic vistas would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations that concern the preservation of scenic resources and countryside environment, including the Municipal Code (Chapter 159.103). Adherence to specific General Plan Update policies, such as Policies CE-4.2, CE-8.1, and CE-8.2 (see below; City of Indio 2019b), would ensure that new developments preserve and take into consideration significant resources (such as trees and historical resources) when proposed. In addition, Chapter 98 of the Municipal Code protects “heritage trees” and regulates the removal of public trees and shrubs. Regulations governing historical resources are discussed in Section 4.5, Cultural Resources and Tribal Cultural Resources, of the 2019 General Plan Update EIR (City of Indio 2019a). As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies. Impacts were determined to be less than significant, and no mitigation was required.

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General Plan Update Applicable Polices
Urban Forest
Policy CE-4.2 Heritage trees. Support the conservation of heritage trees, or trees that are recognized as unique due to their age, rarity, and large size as well as their aesthetic, botanical, ecological, and historic value.

Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
Policy CE-8.1 Site plan review. Ensure adequate site plan review and mitigation measures are implemented for the development of sites with the potential to contain historic, archaeological, and paleontological resources.

Policy CE-8.2 Avoidance of impacts to historic resources. For projects that could affect historic resources, ensure adequate study to identify eligible resources and project-level review to avoid or lessen negative impacts through conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to threshold 3.1(a), the proposed project is the extension of the City’s SOI and pre-zoning for the project site, including revisions to the General Plan maps and text, in anticipation of an application to the Riverside LAFCO to amend the City’s SOI. Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higherdensity development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts to scenic resources, would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations for scenic resources, as well as to minimize development in areas where there is potential to obstruct views of the City’s scenic resources. Therefore, impacts to scenic resources would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) In non-urbanized areas, would the project substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that adherence to General Plan Update policies would ensure that new developments take into consideration surrounding uses and use building techniques and materials that relate to the City of Indio’s climate and setting. Although visual character would change throughout the City with new development, the change would be consistent with existing surroundings, and would not be degraded. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable policies and regulations. Impacts were determined to be less than significant, and no mitigation was required.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to threshold 3.1(a), the proposed project is the extension of the City’s SOI and pre-zoning for the project site, including revisions to the General Plan maps and text. Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in Riverside County, the proposed single-family use would be similar to the underlying County zoning for single-family homes. In addition, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts to visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings, would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations protecting visual character or quality, as well as minimizing development in areas where there is potential public views of the site and its surrounds. Therefore, impacts to scenic resources would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development projects would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations that concern light and glare, including the City Municipal Code. Adherence to specific General Plan policies, such as Policy CE-7.8 and Policy LU-3.5 (see below; City of Indio 2019b), would ensure that new light sources associated with development of the General Plan Update are shielded and directed away from open viewing space areas and do not adversely affect day or nighttime views. Further, development in the Mount Palomar Nighttime Lighting Policy Area would be required to adhere to County regulations pertaining to the shielding and direction of light to minimize night sky impacts. In addition, Section 4.5 of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan sets forth guidelines to minimize the effects of lighting within and adjacent to Conserved Areas (CVAG 2016). Chapter 159.107 of the Municipal Code also regulates exterior lamination and requires shielding or partial shielding of all exterior lighting to minimize undesirable light into the night sky. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable policies and regulations. Impacts were determined to be less than significant and no mitigation was required.

General Plan Update Applicable Policies
Biological Resources
Policy CE-7.8 Preserve night sky. Ensure that outdoor lighting is shielded and directed away from natural open space areas.

Public Realm
Policy LU 3.5 Lighting. Require all new street lights in commercial areas to be pedestrian-oriented and scaled, attractively designed, compatible in design with other street furniture, and to provide adequate visibility and security in accordance with best practices for night sky protection.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to threshold 3.1(a), although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in Riverside County, the proposed single-family use would be similar to the underlying County zoning for single-family homes. In addition, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts to light or glare, would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations regulating light and glare. It is also noted that the project site was studied as part of the Coachella General Plan Update EIR at a higher land use and zoning intensity than proposed by the Indio General Plan Amendment. As described therein, impacts were determined to be less than significant (City of Coachella 2014). Therefore, impacts to scenic resources would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
a) Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b) Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The General Plan Update EIR determined that the adopted General Plan and other planning efforts have contemplated the conversion of agricultural lands in the City’s core to non-agricultural uses. Nevertheless, development facilitated by the General Plan Update could impact up to 520.7 acres of active farmland and 1,441.8 acres of fallow farmland; these Important Farmlands types allow non-agricultural uses. Therefore, the potential exists to convert lands classified as Important Farmland. Because this land meets the criteria to be classified as Important Farmland, and is an important irreplaceable resource, the potential conversion of this land to non-agricultural uses would be a significant impact. The following mitigation measure was adopted to address impacts related to the conversion of farmland (City of Indio 2019a). However, even with implementation of Mitigation Measure (MM) AG-1, impacts to zoning for agricultural use would be significant and unavoidable.

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
MM-AG-1 Extensive agricultural operations in the City are generally surrounded by existing or planned urban land uses. There are no viable agricultural lands near the periphery of the City that would be available to provide agricultural conservation easements through a conventional easement purchase mitigation program. While General Plan Update policies support small scale agricultural uses in residential areas, there are no policies or mitigation measures available to mitigate the irreplaceable loss of Prime, Unique, and Locally Important Farmland.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The project site contains areas identified as Farmland of Local Importance. A portion of Southeastern Sphere II contains land identified as Agricultural Preserve, as shown in Figure 3.2-1, Agricultural Preserves.

Therefore, similar to the General Plan Update, development facilitated by the SOI and General Plan Amendment could impact Important Farmland. However, development under the exiting County General Plan would also permit impacts; thus, the physical changes to the environment have already been considered under the existing land use and zoning. Further, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts to light or glare, would occur by virtue of these actions.

In addition, the conversion of Farmland was contemplated by the General Plan Update, and appropriate mitigation was recommended to reduce impacts to the extent feasible. Accordingly, the proposed project would be required to comply with all goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, as well as MM-AG1, and impacts would be similar to those identified in the General Plan Update Final EIR.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
a) Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: No Impact The General Plan Update EIR determined that the Planning Area does not have any areas of forest land or timberland. As a result, no areas are zoned as forest land by the City, and there would be no loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use. Implementation of the General Plan Update would not result in rezoning of existing zoning of forest land or timberland as defined by PRC Section 12220(g) or 51104(g). Therefore, the General Plan Update EIR determined there would be no impact on the existing zoning for, or cause zoning of, forest land or timberland.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: No Impact
Similar to the General Plan Update Planning Area, the project site does not have any areas of forest land or timberland. Therefore, future development would have no impact per the findings in the General Plan Update EIR noted above.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? 2019 General Plan Update EIR: No Impact
The General Plan Update EIR determined that the Planning Area does not have any areas of forest land or timberland. As a result, no areas are zoned as forest land in Indio, and there would be no loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use. Implementation of the General Plan Update would not result in rezoning of existing zoning of forest land or timberland as defined by PRC Section 12220(g) or 51104(g).

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: No Impact
Similar to the General Plan, the project site is does not contain, and is not zoned for, forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned for timberland production. No impacts would occur.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
e) Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that the adequacy of the buffers and noticing described in Policies HE-3.8 and HE-3.9 (see below; City of Indio 2019b) would be evaluated by the City on a project-by-project basis to address impacts from siting new sensitive receptors next to agricultural productions. All future projects within the City would be required to implement these policies if adjacent to agriculture, and these policies would serve to reduce land use incompatibilities/interface impacts. Impacts were determined to be less than significant, and no mitigation was required.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Health and Equity Element
Policy HE-3.8: Sensitive Receptors and Agricultural Operations. When new sensitive receptors are proposed adjacent to existing active agricultural operations, ensure that an appropriate buffer is provided to minimize adverse impacts and that future residents will be provided with a notice specifying the potential nuisances, such as dirt, noise, odors, and slow-moving agricultural machinery that would be associated with the agricultural operations.

Policy HE-3.9: Agricultural Outreach. Work with the agricultural community to develop and distribute an informational brochure regarding best practices to reduce or eliminate surface and groundwater contamination, reduce particulate emissions from agricultural operations, minimize soil erosion, and prevent the buildup of salts in soils.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Generally, a project may trigger changes in the existing environment that could result in conversion of Farmland if they extend infrastructure to areas that may facilitate development or by directly converting land designed for agricultural uses to non-agricultural uses. The proposed project would not do either. An existing roadway and associated infrastructure exist immediately north and west of the project site, and the project site is already zoned for residential development (i.e., non-agricultural uses). Therefore, the project would not set precedent of converting agricultural land, nor would it extend utilities. Further, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts to agriculture, would occur by virtue of these actions. There is no forest land within the project site. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies, including HE-3.8 and HE-3.9, and would be evaluated by the City on a project-by-project basis. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

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Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.3 Air Quality
a) Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that emissions of all criteria air pollutants would result due to continued growth facilitated by the General Plan Update. However, because the City’s growth projections (both population and housing) are within regional (i.e., Southern California Association of Governments [SCAG]) forecasts and are accounted for in the Air Quality Management Plan air quality forecast, the General Plan Update would not result in significant air quality impacts relating to conformance with applicable air quality plans. Because growth facilitated by the General Plan Update would not exceed and would be within anticipated regional growth forecasts, the General Plan Update would be consistent with applicable air quality plans in the region. Impacts were determined to be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in Riverside County, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts on the implementation of the applicable air quality plan, would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations relating to regional SCAG forecasts and the Air Quality Management Plan air quality forecast. Lastly, as shown in Table 2-1, other regional planning efforts, including the Coachella General Plan (City of Coachella 2015), contemplated and evaluated a higher intensity of development on the project site than the Riverside County General Plan, and these projections have been considered and determined to be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project violate an air quality standard or contribute to an existing or projected air quality violation? Would the project result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under the applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The General Plan Update EIR determined that due to the size and scale of the Planning Area limits (the City and SOI), construction-related and operational air emissions for all criteria pollutants would exceed the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) significance thresholds. The Coachella Valley is a nonattainment area for the federal and state 8-hour ozone and 24-hour particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter (PM10) standards. Future development consistent with the General Plan Update would result in air pollutant emissions that exceed SCAQMD significance thresholds for ozone precursors (volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen), carbon monoxide, PM10, and particulate matter less than

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or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Therefore, the General Plan Update would result in a considerable net increase of criteria pollutants for which the Coachella Valley is in a nonattainment area for ozone and PM10. The General Plan Update EIR provided MM-AQ-1 (City of Indio 2019a).

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
MM-AQ-1 Prior to entitlement and as part of the CEQA review for any land uses proposed larger than projects listed, or not considered, in Table 4.3-6 of the General Plan Update EIR shall require an analysis of potential air pollutant emissions, consistent with the requirements of SCAQMD in effect at that time. The analysis shall demonstrate that the project does not exceed SCAQMD significance thresholds, or is mitigated to a less than significant level.

Example mitigation could include use of electrical construction equipment, use of low-VOC paint, Transportation Demand Management Fees, and development with increased efficiency and use of renewable energy.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include construction-related or operational air emissions of criteria pollutants. Additionally, the change in land use allowing higher-density development has already been accounted for in the region via the 2023 City of Coachella General Plan Addendum (City of Coachella 2023). Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations relating to regional SCAG forecasts, the Air Quality Management Plan air quality forecasts, and MM-AQ-1 of the 2019 General Plan Update, as applicable.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would growth forecast and proposed land uses under the project result in exposure to sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The General Plan Update EIR determined that project-level details of future development that would be consistent with General Plan Update land use designations are not available at this time. Without projectlevel details, such as specific acreages, uses, emission sources, and site orientations, it would be speculative for the General Plan Update analysis to assess future development using SCAQMD’s localized significance threshold methodology. Stationary sources of criteria pollutants may be associated with a large variety of activities and land uses that may be located in proximity to sensitive receptors. Therefore, MMAQ-2(a) would be required. Nevertheless, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

The General Plan Update EIR determined that because project-specific details of future development are not available, it is not possible to conclude that General Plan Update land use policies would preclude exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations. Therefore, at the program level, impacts of stationary sources on sensitive receptors would be potentially significant. MM-AQ-2(b) would help reduce potential exposure. However, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

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The General Plan Update EIR determined that hotspot analysis indicates that the General Plan Update would not result in carbon monoxide concentrations exceeding the federal or state 1-hour or 8-hour standards at any intersection. Therefore, adoption of the General Plan Update would not result in mobile sources exposing sensitive receptors to substantial carbon monoxide concentrations. Impacts would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

The General Plan Update EIR determined that future development consistent with General Plan Update land use designations may site sensitive receptors in areas that are exposed to substantial pollutant concentrations. Implementation of MM-AQ-2(c) would reduce impacts to the degree feasible. Nevertheless, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measures were adopted to address the exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations (City of Indio 2019a):

MM-AQ-2(a) Prior to entitlement and as part of the CEQA review for any small projects (between one and five acres in size), SCAQMD’s LST Methodology shall be used to determine when project-specific analysis is warranted for detailed air dispersion modeling. For projects that do not fall within the one to five acre development category, such development cannot be addressed at a programmatic level, and would therefore be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

MM-AQ-2(b) Prior to entitlement and as part of the CEQA review for any sensitive land uses within 1,000 feet of existing distribution centers, rail yards, refineries, or chrome platers, and land uses identified above within 300 feet of existing gas stations, an analysis of potential health risk shall be prepared consistent with the requirements of the SCAQMD in effect at the time., If cancer risk exceeds 10 in one million, implement feasible methods to reduce cancer risk (e.g., filtration systems).

MM-AQ-2(c) Prior to entitlement and as part of the CEQA review for any project that proposes a sensitive receptor within 500 feet of I-10 or State Route 86, or within 1,000 feet of the Union Pacific railroad, an analysis of potential health risk shall be prepared. If cancer risk exceeds 10 in one million, implement feasible methods to reduce cancer risk (e.g., filtration systems).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The project would result in the continuation of existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would exposure sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations.

Any future project-level development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, including project-level CEQA analysis such as the evaluation of potential exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations. Any future development would be required to follow MMAQ-2(a), MM-AQ-2(b), and MM-AQ-2(c) from the 2019 General Plan Update EIR, adopted to address the exposure of sensitive receptors to potential substantial pollutant concentrations.

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Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the growth forecast and proposed land uses under the project result in objectional odors affecting a substantial number of people?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Adherence to Policy LU-10.5: Industrial Compatibility, Policy HE-3.4: Sensitive-Receptor Uses, and Policy HE-3.8: Sensitive Receptors and Agricultural Operations (see below; City of Indio 2019b) would ensure that new sensitive receptors are provided with an appropriate buffer to minimize adverse impacts and that all odor-producing sources are minimized. Impacts would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Land Use and Urban Design Element
Policy LU-10.5: Industrial Compatibility. Where industrial uses are near existing and planned residential development, require that industrial projects be designed to limit the impact of truck traffic, air and noise pollution on sensitive receptors.

Health and Equity Element
Policy HE-3.4: Sensitive-Receptor Uses. Discourage development of sensitive land uses – defined as schools, hospitals, residences, and elder and childcare facilities – near air pollution sources that pose health risks – including freeways and polluting industrial sites.

Policy HE-3.8: Sensitive Receptors and Agricultural Operations. When new sensitive receptors are proposed adjacent to existing active agricultural operations, ensure that an appropriate buffer is provided to minimize adverse impacts and that future residents will be provided with a notice specifying the potential nuisances, such as dirt, noise, odors, and slow-moving agricultural machinery that would be associated with the agricultural operations.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would result in objectional odors affecting a substantial number of people.

Any future project-level development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, including Policy LU-10.5: Industrial Compatibility, Policy HE-3.4: Sensitive-Receptor Uses, and Policy HE-3.8: Sensitive Receptors and Agricultural Operations, which would ensure that new sensitive receptors are provided with an appropriate buffer to minimize adverse impacts and that all odor-producing sources are minimized.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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3.4 Biological Resources
a) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations that concern the preservation of biological resources, including the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP), Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CEQA. Specifically, all future development would be required to comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which would ensure that all active migratory bird nests are avoided during project construction. Additionally, future development located in and adjacent to Conservation Areas would be required to comply with the CVMSHCP Land Use Adjacency Guidelines, which include regulations to minimize edge effects from drainage, toxics, lighting, noise, and invasive species (CVAG 2016). Sensitive species conserved within the Conservation Areas would be subject to species-specific Conservation Objectives and Strategies, which would ensure that populations of sensitive species are adequately conserved through protection, monitoring, and adaptive management strategies. Impacts were determined to be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and state and federal regulations that concern the preservation of biological resources. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these policies and regulations, which would serve to reduce impacts to biological resources. Therefore, impacts to species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations that concern the preservation of sensitive vegetation communities, including the CVMSHCP. In particular, future development projects in Conservation Areas would be required to undergo Joint Project Review and environmental review pursuant to CEQA, which requires an evaluation of impacts to sensitive vegetation communities and mitigation for significant impacts. Future development projects located within and adjacent to Conservation Areas would be required to comply with the CVMSHCP Land Use Adjacency Guidelines, which include regulations to

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minimize edge effects from drainage, toxics, lighting, noise, and invasive (CVAG 2016). Additionally, sensitive vegetation communities conserved within the Conservation Areas would be subject to specific Conservation Objectives and Strategies, which would ensure the protection of Essential Ecological Process areas and conservation of sensitive vegetation communities through protection, monitoring, and adaptive management strategies. Policies CE-7.3 and CE-7.7 (see below; City of Indio 2019b) are intended to preserve and enhance riparian resources and maintain ecological integrity. Adherence to these and other policies would ensure that riparian habitats are maintained, and impacts are minimized. Impacts were determined to be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Conservation Element
Policy CE-7.3: Riparian Resources. Preserve and enhance wetland functions and values to the extent feasible and maintain ecological integrity in order to support riparian resources.

Policy CE-7.7: Sensitive Biological Area Development. Apply appropriate land use and development regulations to limit development of sensitive biological areas, including wetlands, wildlife movement corridors, and sensitive habitats.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to threshold 3.4(a), although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. The project site is not located within a CVMSHCP Conservation Area. Further, any future development would be required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as applicable General Plan Update policies, that concern the preservation of sensitive vegetation communities. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these policies and regulations, which would serve to reduce impacts to sensitive vegetation communities. Therefore, impacts to sensitive vegetation communities would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that impacts to jurisdictional waters or wetlands would be less than significant with implementation of applicable General Plan Update policies, as well as adherence to local, state, and federal requirements. Impacts were determined to be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to threshold 3.4(a), although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by

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the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with applicable General Plan Update policies, as well as adhere to local, state, and federal requirements, which would serve to reduce impacts to federally and state protected wetlands.

Therefore, impacts to federally and state protected wetlands would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal, state, and regional laws and regulations that concern the preservation of significant wildlife movement corridors, including the CVMSHCP, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CEQA. Additionally, future development located within the land use types designated as Conservation Areas identified by the CVMSHCP would be required to comply with specific Conservation Objectives and Strategies, which would ensure the protection of regionally significant biological corridors and linkages. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and regulations, such as Policies CE-7.1 and CE-7.7, which would ensure that land use and development regulations (e.g., CVMSHCP Land Use Adjacency Guidelines) are applied to reduce developmental impacts to sensitive biological areas, such as wildlife movement corridors. Impacts were determined to be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to threshold 3.4(a), all future projects within the City would be required to comply with applicable federal, state, and regional laws and regulations that concern the preservation of significant wildlife movement corridors, including the CVMSHCP, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CEQA. As previously noted in threshold 3.4(b), the project site is not located within a CVMSHCP Conservation Area. Therefore, impacts to wildlife movement corridors would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
e) Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with the City ordinance protecting heritage trees, which would ensure that heritage trees are not damaged or removed unless properly permitted. Specifically, City Municipal Code Chapter 98.09 protects heritage trees, and allows for their removal only when the public interest served by removal outweighs the value of preservation and heritage status. Additionally, Chapter 98.09 prohibits the cutting, damaging, carving, transplanting, pruning, and root pruning of any public tree, unless a permit has been issued. Topping,

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heading back, stubbing, and pollarding of public trees is also prohibited. There are no other adopted policies or ordinances protecting biological resources. Impacts were determined to be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant All future projects within the City would be required to comply with City Municipal Code Chapter 98.09, which would serve to reduce impacts to heritage trees. Therefore, impacts to heritage trees would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required. As noted above, there are no other adopted City policies or ordinances protecting biological resources. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
f) Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with the CVMSHCP. Future development within the Conservation Areas identified by the CVMSHCP would be subject to specific Conservation Objectives and Strategies for species and habitats. Additionally, future development located in and adjacent to Conservation Areas would be required to comply with the CVMSHCP Land Use Adjacency Guidelines, which include regulations to minimize edge effects from drainage, toxics, lighting, noise, and invasive species (CVAG 2016). Further, future development would be required to undergo project-specific environmental review pursuant to CEQA, which requires an evaluation of impacts with respect to conflict with the CVMSHCP and mitigation for significant impacts. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies; therefore, future development would not conflict with the CVMSHCP, and impacts associated with growth forecast under the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As previously noted in threshold 3.4(b), the project site is not located within a CVMSHCP Conservation Area.

The project site is 3.6 miles northeast of the nearest Conservation Area. All future projects within the City would adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies; therefore, future development would not conflict with the CVMSHCP. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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3.5 Cultural Resources and Tribal Cultural Resources
a) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to Section 15064.5?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations that concern the preservation of prehistoric and historic resources, including the National Historic Preservation Act and California Public Resources Code. Because growth accommodated by the General Plan Update may result in demolition and renovation activities that could damage or alter existing or potential historic resources, this impact is potentially significant. With implementation of MM-CR-1 and MM-CR-2, historic resources in the City would be formalized and adopted, and implementation standards would be introduced pertaining to construction and development in these areas. Although adherence to the guidelines and restrictions in these formalized districts and conservation zones would reduce direct and indirect impacts to historic resources to the extent feasible, growth accommodated by the General Plan Update may still result in the potential removal and/or disturbance of these resources, resulting in a significant and unavoidable impact.

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measures were adopted to address impacts related to historic resources (City of Indio 2019a):

MM-CR-1 The City shall prepare an intensive-level historic resource study, to determine the status and significance of the resources identified and discussed in the Historic Resources Survey Report developed by Rincon Consultants, Inc. dated January 2018. Once prepared, the City shall formally recognize individual properties and potential historic areas in the City, which may include, but are not limited to the areas identified in the Historic Resources Survey Report as the: Palo Verde Drive Local Conservation Zone, Sun Gold Park Residential Historic District, Oasis Avenue Residential District, Gillette Park Residential District, Miles Avenue Commercial Historic District, and the Marshall Street Local Conservation Zone.

Once identified, and formally recognized, the City shall complete the requirements listed in MM-CR-2. M
MM-CR-2 The City shall develop and implement standards that guide new development and alterations to existing structures in historic districts and local conservation zones. Such guidelines shall be developed by a qualified historian, and shall address architecture, landscaping, streets, and hardscape elements within these districts. Standards shall be developed such that they address the particular character of individual districts.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update mitigation measures, policies, and state and federal regulations that

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concern the preservation of prehistoric and historic resources. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these mitigation measures, policies, and regulations, which would serve to reduce impacts to cultural and historic resources. Therefore, impacts to cultural and historic resources would be less than significant, and no additional mitigation would be required.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant with Mitigation The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development consistent with the General Plan Update could result in direct impacts to archaeological resources in the Planning Area, because the Planning Area has high, moderate-high, and moderate sensitivity areas throughout (see Figure 4.5-1 in the General Plan Update EIR). As future projects are planned, they must adhere to General Plan Update policies and applicable regulations, as well as MM-CR-3 (City of Indio 2019a). With implementation of MM-CR-3, the City would require the preparation of a survey or monitoring to screen for potential archaeological resources. Because sensitive areas with potential archaeological resources would be adequately surveyed or monitored, as would areas where no sensitivity mapping has occurred, the potential to disturb archaeological resources would be reduced, and this impact would be less than significant.

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
MM-CR-3 In areas of moderate, moderate-high, and high sensitivity for cultural resources, as well as areas not current mapped for sensitivity, the City shall either require future project applicants to conduct an archaeological field survey or conduct construction monitoring by a qualified professional if ground disturbance is proposed. If surveys are conducted, the surveys shall be sent to the City of Indio for review and approval prior to issuance of projectspecific development permits.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update mitigation measures, policies, and state and federal regulations that concern the preservation of archaeological resources. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these mitigation measures, policies, and regulations, which would reduce the potential to disturb archaeological resources. Therefore, impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant, and no additional mitigation would be required.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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c) Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of dedicated cemeteries? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant There are no known areas of human remains in the Planning Area. Although soil-disturbing activities associated with future development consistent with the General Plan Update could result in the discovery of human remains, compliance with existing laws and regulations would ensure that significant impacts to human remains would not occur, and impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to the General Plan, the project site does not contain known areas of human remains. Additionally, the project would not include ground-disturbing activities. Future development that involves grounddisturbing activities would comply with existing laws and regulations, which would ensure that significant impacts to human remains would not occur, and impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code Section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
i. Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5020.1(k)? ii. A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1? In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resource Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe. 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development must adhere to Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52, which require consultation with Native American tribes early to ensure that tribal resources are adequately considered early in the planning process to aid in the protection of traditional tribal cultural places. PRC Section 5097.97 protects sacred lands; PRC Section 5097.98 specifies procedures for the handling of Native American human remains; and PRC Section 5097.993 prohibits the removal, destruction, or defacement of Native American historic, cultural, or sacred sites. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to these policies and regulations; therefore, potential impacts to sacred uses/tribal cultural resources associated with buildout of the General Plan Update would be less than significant at the program level.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical

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impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52, which require consultation with Native American tribes early to ensure that tribal resources are adequately considered early in the planning process to aid in the protection of traditional tribal cultural places. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these policies and regulations, which would serve to reduce impacts to tribal cultural resources.

Therefore, impacts to tribal cultural resources would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.6 Energy
a) Would the project result in potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update did not evaluate impacts due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources as an issue area within the environmental analysis section of the General Plan Update EIR. However, the General Plan Update EIR did include a discussion of energy in Section 8.3, Energy Conservation, in accordance with PRC Section 21100(b)(3) and CEQA Guidelines Appendix F. This section indicated that energy used during future construction of the planned land uses is not considered significant given the low level of development proposed and short-term nature of the energy consumption. Although exact details of the development projects implemented in accordance with the General Plan Update are not known at this time, there are no conditions in the Planning Area that would require non-standard equipment or construction practices that would increase fuel-energy consumption above typical rates.

Further, many of the policies listed in Section 8.2.1 of the General Plan Update EIR are intended to reduce energy use through energy conservation and sustainable building practices for new developments. In addition, this section indicated that by implementing the proposed General Plan Update goals and policies, along with Climate Action Plan measures, the General Plan Update would promote energy and water conservation while focusing development in proximity to existing population and transit routes using mixeduse and infill development (City of Indio 2019a). Therefore, implementation of the General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan would not result in the wasteful or inefficient use of nonrenewable resources associated with construction or operation of future development. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include constructionrelated or operational activities resulting in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources. Future project-level development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, including project-level CEQA analysis to evaluate potentially significant environmental impacts due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources during project construction or operation.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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b) Would the project conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update did not evaluate the impacts of the project conflicting with or obstructing a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency as an issue area within the environmental analysis section of the General Plan Update EIR. However, the General Plan Update EIR did include a discussion of energy in Section 8.3, Energy Conservation, in accordance with PRC Section 21100(b)(3) and CEQA Guidelines Appendix F. This section indicated that future development would be required to comply with the most current Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) and Green Building Standards (CalGreen). On this basis, the General Plan Update EIR would not conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include constructionrelated or operational activities. Future project-level development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations and the most current Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) and Green Building Standards (CalGreen). Impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.7 Geology and Soils
a) Would the project expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable state laws and local regulations pertaining to seismic hazards, including the California Building Code (CBC), Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, and Chapter 162 of the City’s Municipal Code (which outlines the grading requirements for development activities in the City of Indio). Additionally, projects in areas with known geologic hazard conditions would be required to prepare a site-specific geotechnical investigation report (per General Plan Update Policy SE-4.2 [City of Indio 2019b]) and to adhere to other recommendations to minimize impacts associated with geologic hazards. As future projects are planned and developed, they will be required to adhere to the General Plan Update policies and applicable state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential seismic hazard impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with applicable state laws and local regulations pertaining to seismic hazards, including the CBC, Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, and Chapter 162 of the City’s Municipal Code. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these policies and regulations, which would serve to reduce potential seismic hazard impacts. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?
Refer to threshold 3.7(a)(i).
iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? Refer to threshold 3.7(a)(i).
iv) Landslides?
Refer to threshold 3.7(a)(i).
b) Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable state laws and local regulations pertaining to soil erosion, including the CBC, Chapters 152 and 155 of the City’s Municipal Code outlining the requirements related to soil erosion and dust control, and Chapter 162 outlining the grading requirements for development activities. Additionally, projects in areas with known potential for soil erosion would be required to prepare a site-specific geotechnical investigation and soils report (per General Plan Update Policy SE-4.2 [City of Indio 2019b]) as well as adhere to the grading and other recommendations to minimize impacts associated with erodible soils. Adherence to Policy CE-5.1 would ensure that grading impacts are minimized and would limit soil erosion from wind, water, and other geologic hazards. As future projects are planned and developed, they will be required to adhere to the General Plan Update policies and applicable state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential soil erosion impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Seismic Hazards
Policy SE-4.2 Technical reports. Require submittal of applicable geotechnical reports prepared by qualified professionals as part of the development review process.

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Mineral Resources
Policy CE-5.1 Mining operations buffers. Maintain buffers between active mining operations and incompatible land uses, such as housing and commercial development.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with existing policies and regulations, including the CBC, Chapters 152 and 153, and General Plan Update Policy SE-4-2, which serve to reduce the potential for substantial soil erosion. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable state laws and local regulations pertaining to geologic instability, including the CBC, Chapter 155 of the City’s Municipal Code outlining the requirements related to geologic instability, and Chapter 162 of the City’s Municipal Code outlining the grading and information requirements for development activities in the City of Indio. Additionally, projects in areas with known geologic instability conditions would be required to prepare a site-specific geotechnical investigation and soils report (per General Plan Update Policy SE4.2) and to adhere to the grading and other recommendations to minimize impacts associated with unstable soils. In addition, adherence to Policy SE-4.3 requires the preparation of a liquefaction assessment when projects are proposed in areas identified as potentially susceptible to liquefaction. This would ensure that potential site-specific liquefaction hazards are identified and properly mitigated prior to development. As future projects are planned and developed, they will be required to adhere to the General Plan Update policies and applicable state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential geologic instability impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Seismic Hazards
Policy SE-4.2 Technical reports. Require submittal of applicable geotechnical reports prepared by qualified professionals as part of the development review process.

Policy SE-4.3 Seismic setbacks. Reduce the impact of future seismic hazards by incorporating seismic setback standards for new development into the zoning code. The City may designate these setback areas as open space.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted in threshold 3.7(b), no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply applicable state laws and local regulations pertaining to seismic hazards, including the CBC, Chapters 155 and 162 of the City’s Municipal Code, and General Plan Update Policies SE-4.2 and SE-4.2. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these General Plan Update policies and applicable state laws and local regulations. Therefore, potential geologic instability impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable state laws and local regulations pertaining to expansive soils, including the CBC. In particular, projects in areas with known expansive soil conditions would be required to prepare a site-specific geotechnical investigation and soils report (per General Plan Update Policy SE-4.2) and adhere to grading and other recommendations in those reports to minimize impacts associated with expansive soils.

Implementation of General Plan Update policies; compliance with the CBC, City ordinances, and established development and engineering standards and codes; and conformance to the recommendations of a sitespecific geotechnical report would help minimize risks in conjunction with future development related to expansive soils. Therefore, potential expansive soil impacts associated with growth accommodated by the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Seismic Hazards
Policy SE-4.2 Technical reports. Require submittal of applicable geotechnical reports prepared by qualified professionals as part of the development review process.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Projects in areas with known expansive soil conditions would be required to prepare a site-specific geotechnical investigation and soils report (per General Plan Update Policy SE-4.2) and adhere to grading and other recommendations in those reports to minimize impacts associated with expansive soils. Further, to minimize risks in conjunction with future development related to expansive soils, any future development would be required to adhere to development and engineering standards and codes, and conform to the recommendations of a site-specific geotechnical report. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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b) Would the project have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.7(c).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.7(c).
f) Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that a future development could result in direct impacts to paleontological resources should grading occur in areas of high paleontological sensitivity, including undisturbed deposits of the Mecca Formation, Palm Spring Formation, Canebrake Conglomerate, Older Quaternary Lake Sediments, and Ocotillo Conglomerate. As shown in Figure 4.5-3 of the General Plan EIR (City of Indio 2019a), the majority of the Planning Area is identified as having High Potential for paleontological resources. Construction activities such as grading and excavation may result in the accidental destruction or disturbance of paleontological resources. Because sensitive areas with potential archaeological resources, as well as areas where no sensitivity mapping has occurred, would be adequately surveyed or monitored for potential resource presence with implementation of MM-CR-4, the potential to disturb paleontological resources would be reduced, and this impact would be less than significant.

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measure was adopted to address impacts related to paleontological resources (City of Indio 2019a):

MM-CR-4 In areas of high sensitivity for paleontological resources, as well as other areas in the City where no sensitivity mapping has occurred, the City shall either require future project applicants to conduct a paleontological field survey or conduct construction monitoring by a qualified professional if ground disturbance is proposed. If surveys are conducted, the surveys shall be sent to the City of Indio for review and approval prior to issuance of projectspecific development permits.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Future development within the project site would have the potential to occur in areas of high paleontological sensitivity. Projects in areas with high sensitivity for paleontological resources would implement applicable General Plan Update policies and mitigation, such as MM-CR-4, to reduce the potential disturbance of paleontological resources. Therefore, impacts to paleontological resources would be less than significant, and no additional mitigation would be required.

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Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
a) Would the project generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update would achieve an emission level of 5.0 metric tons (MT) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per service population, and 6.0 MT CO2e per capita in 2020, which is less than the 7.4 MT CO2e significance threshold per service population and 10.6 MT CO2e significance threshold per capita. The General Plan Update would also achieve an emissions level of 3.3 MT CO2e per service population in 2030 and 3.9 MT CO2e per capita, which is less than the 4.2 MT CO2e threshold per service population and 5.9 MT CO2e per capita established by Senate Bill 32 (City of Indio 2019a). Therefore, future development consistent with the General Plan Update would generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that would be a less-than-significant contribution to impacts on the environment. No mitigation is required.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include constructionrelated or operational GHG emissions. Additionally, the change in land use allowing higher-density development has already been accounted for in the region via 2023 City of Coachella General Plan Addendum, where the 2023 City of Coachella General Plan EIR Addendum found the following (City of Coachella 2023):
[A]ny growth that would occur from the implementation of the proposed project would be consistent with previous projections as the project does not propose any significant changes to land use or density. Additionally, future development would be subject to existing policies in the CGPU [Coachella General Plan Update] aimed at limiting vehicle use and energy consumption to reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant, and no new or substantially severe impacts would occur that have not already been addressed by the 2015 Program EIR.

Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies, CO2e percapita thresholds, and regulations aimed at limiting vehicle use and energy consumption to reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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b) Would the project generate conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As shown in Table 4.7-4 of the General Plan Update EIR (City of Indio 2019a), the General Plan Update includes goals and policies that support transportation and energy-reduction measures from the Scoping Plan. Therefore, the General Plan Update would not conflict with measures included in the Scoping Plan.

Additionally, the General Plan Update would support implementation of SCAG’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy by proposing more compact, transit-friendly landuse patterns. Therefore, impacts to plans, policies, and regulations adopted for the purpose of reducing the emission of GHGs would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include constructionrelated or operational GHG emissions.

Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies, CO2e percapita thresholds, and regulations aimed at limiting vehicle use and energy consumption to reduce GHG emissions, including SCAG’s 2020 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (Connect SoCal) and the 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality, which lays out a path to achieve targets for carbon neutrality and reduce anthropogenic GHG emissions by 85% below 1990 levels no later than 2045, as directed by Assembly Bill 1279. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
a) Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws and local regulations pertaining to the transport, use, disposal, and accidental release of hazardous materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Title 22 of the California Public Health and Safety Code, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), and Section 70.120 of the City’s Municipal Code (which restricts vehicles transporting hazardous materials to the use of I-10 within the City limits). Adherence to General Plan Update policies, specifically Policies HE-3.5 and SE-7.2 (City of Indio 2019b), would ensure that all hazardous materials transported through the City are along designated routes and avoid sensitive land uses. As future projects are planned and developed, they must adhere to the General Plan Update policies and applicable federal and state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential hazardous materials impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

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Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Environmental Factors Affecting Health
Policy HE-3.5 Truck routes. Designate truck routes to avoid sensitive land uses, where feasible.

Hazardous Material
Policy SE-7.2 Hazardous materials transport routes. Require submittal of a transportation of hazardous materials plan to address possible impacted facilities along these routes and identify emergency response actions that can be implemented in case of an accident. Limit transportation routes to areas away from critical facilities and infrastructure and not over bridges if possible.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not include or lead to the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials.

Additionally, all future development would be required to comply with the California Public Health and Safety Code, the UFC, and Section 70.120 of the City’s Municipal Code (which restricts vehicles transporting hazardous materials to the use of I-10 within the City limits). Therefore, potential hazardous materials impacts associated with the proposed project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.9(a).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.9(a).
c) Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.9(a).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site. No specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of

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these actions. Although there is a school, Imagine Schools, within 0.25 miles of the project site, the proposed project would not include construction activities and/or operational activities that would emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous materials or waste. Additionally, all future development would be required to comply with California Public Health and Safety Code, the UFC, and Section 70.120 of the City’s Municipal Code. Therefore, potential hazardous materials impacts associated with the proposed project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project be located on a site that is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws and local regulations pertaining to hazardous materials, including CERCLA, the RCRA, Title 22 of the California Public Health and Safety Code, the UFC, and CEQA. Future development on hazardous materials sites are exceptions to any applicable exemptions under CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2, which states that “a categorical exemption shall not be used for a project located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.” Therefore, future development projects on known hazardous materials sites would be subject to future environmental review pursuant to CEQA, and would be required to identify and assess the impacts of hazardous materials during the land use permitting process. As future projects are planned and developed, they must adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and applicable federal and state laws and local regulations. Specific policies, such as Policies HE-3.2, SE-7.3 and SE7.4 (City of Indio 2019b), would ensure that new development projects are screened for potential contamination, and that all hazardous materials are documented, cleaned up, and remediated. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Environmental Factors Affecting Health
Policy HE-3.2 Contaminated Sites. Continue to work with the appropriate local, State, and federal agencies to promote the clean-up of contaminated sites to protect human health.

Hazardous Material
Policy SE-7.3 Hazardous materials siting. Prohibit the placement of proposed new facilities that will be involved in the production, use, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous materials near existing land uses that may be adversely affected by such activities.

Conversely, prohibit the development of new sensitive facilities (like schools, child-care centers, nursing homes, senior housing, etc.) near existing sites that use, store or generate hazardous materials.

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Policy SE-7.4 Site remediation. Encourage and facilitate the adequate and timely cleanup of existing and future contaminated sites and the compatibility of future land uses.

Policy SE-7.5 Agency Coordination. Coordinate with the Riverside County Environmental Health Department to maintain and periodically update an inventory of permitted hazardous materials and clean-up sites within the City and monitor future uses at those locations.

Work with other City departments to promote programs to reduce hazardous materials and promote non-toxic, nonhazardous alternatives in City operations.

Policy SE-7.6 Hazardous Mitigation Training. Establish clear policies and protocol for action in the event of a hazardous contamination. Recommend and offer trainings to private sector companies.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site. As future projects are planned and developed, they must adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and applicable federal and state laws and local regulations. Specific policies, such as Policies HE-3.2, SE-7.3 and SE-7.4 (City of Indio 2019b), would ensure that new development projects are screened for potential contamination, and that all hazardous materials are documented, cleaned up, and remediated. Impacts related to listed hazardous materials sites would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
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?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws pertaining to airport hazards to ensure that impacts related to these hazards are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development.

General Plan Policies LU-1.6 and ME-5.2 (City of Indio 2019b) would ensure that specific development projects are consistent with associated Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) compatibility zones.

This consistency would ensure that new development projects are not at risk from aircrafts, and that the projects do not physically interfere with airport activities. All new developments would be required to adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and federal and state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential airport hazard impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Urban Form
Policy LU-1.6 Bermuda Dunes Airport Influence Area compatibility zones. Projects within the Airport Influence Area (AIA) shall be consistent with the densities, intensities, prohibited uses, and other development conditions defined in the Bermuda Dunes Airport Land Use

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Compatibility Plan, as adopted by the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC). For more information, see www.rcaluc.org.

Vehicle Circulation
Policy ME-5.2 Airport compatibility. Support the continued use of the Bermuda Dunes Airport through ensuring consistency with the airport master plan.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. The closest airports to the project site are the Bermuda Dunes Airport, located approximately

3.4 miles northwest of the project site, and Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, located approximately

3.3 miles southeast of the project site. The project is not in the ALUCP area for either airport. However, all future new development would be required to adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and federal and state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential airport hazard impacts associated with the project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
f) For a project near a private airstrip, would it result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: No Impact There are no private airstrips or heliports in the City of Indio. The Initial Study prepared for the General Plan Update EIR determined that the future development would have no safety hazard impact due to private airstrips (General Plan Update EIR [City of Indio 2019a] Attachment A., NOP and Letters).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: No Impact
There are no private airstrips or heliports within the project site. Therefore, no impacts would occur.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
g) Would the project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be reviewed and approved by the City of Indio Fire Department prior to issuance of building permits to ensure that it would not preclude or interfere with emergency access or fail to comply with fire department standards. Specific policies in the General Plan Update, such as Policies SE-2.2 and SE-2.3 (see below; City of Indio 2019b), would ensure that the City’s emergency response plan and City Ordinances are updated regularly to reflect current evacuation and emergency procedures. In addition, Policy SE-2.1 would ensure that the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is

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maintained and updated to reflect up to date emergency response and disaster preparedness information, and applicable evacuation procedures. Therefore, growth accommodated by the General Plan Update would not conflict with an emergency response plan, and impacts would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Community Emergency Preparedness
Policy SE-2.1 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Maintain the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) as an integrated component of the General Plan, in coordination with Riverside County and other participating jurisdictions. After each regular LHMP update, update the City’s Safety Element to ensure consistency. The 2018 Indio LHMP adopted by the City Council shall serve as the implementation program for the coordination of the hazard planning and disaster response efforts within the City and is incorporated by reference to this Element.

Policy SE-2.2 Emergency Operations Plan. Ensure that the City’s Emergency Operations Plan is compatible with Federal, State and local emergency requirements, review for possible updates every 2-3 years, as directed by FEMA Best Practices.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site. All future projects would be reviewed by the City of Indio Fire Department prior to issuance of building permits to ensure that they would not preclude or interfere with emergency access or fail to comply with fire department standards. All new developments would be required to adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies, such as Policies SE-2.2 and SE-2.3, and federal and state laws and local regulations.

Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with an emergency response plan, and impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
h) Would the project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that the Planning Area is not prone to any major wild land fires due to its desert environment, which does not support large amounts of brush. According to the County of Riverside Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (County of Riverside 2023), the City of Indio is not affected by wildfires, and risk is generally considered “moderate” throughout the City. Therefore, the General Plan Update would result in less-than-significant impacts associate with risk of wildland fires.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Additionally, the project site is not prone to any major wild land fires due to its desert environment.

Furthermore, based on the County of Riverside Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (County of Riverside 2023), wildfire probability is low, with moderate severity. Therefore, the proposed project would result in less-than-significant impacts associate with risk of wildland fires.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
i) Would the project place housing or other structures within a hazard zone as identified within an adopted ALUCP?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws pertaining to airport hazards to ensure that impacts related to these hazards are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development.

General Plan Policies LU-1.6 and ME-5.2 (City of Indio 2019b) would ensure that specific development projects are consistent with associated ALUCP compatibility zones. This consistency would ensure that new development projects are not at risk from aircrafts, and that the projects do not physically interfere with airport activities. All new developments would be required to adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and federal and state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential airport hazard impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Urban Form
Policy LU-1.6 Bermuda Dunes Airport Influence Area compatibility zones. Projects within the Airport Influence Area (AIA) shall be consistent with the densities, intensities, prohibited uses, and other development conditions defined in the Bermuda Dunes Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, as adopted by the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC). For more information, see www.rcaluc.org.

Vehicle Circulation
Policy ME-5.2 Airport compatibility. Support the continued use of the Bermuda Dunes Airport through ensuring consistency with the airport master plan.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted under threshold 3.9(e), no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. The project is also not located in within an ALUCP area. All future new development would be required to adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and federal and state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential airport hazard impacts associated with the project would be less than significant.

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Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
a) Would the project violate any water quality standards or substantially degrade water quality of ground or surface waters?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that in addition to General Plan Update policies, all future development projects would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning the protection of water quality, including the federal Clean Water Act and the City’s Municipal Code. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Construction permit requires preparation and implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and Water Quality Management Plan, which must include erosion and sediment control best management practices that would meet or exceed measures required by the NPDES General Permit, as well as best management practices that control hydrocarbons, trash and debris, and other potential construction-related pollutants. Chapter 55 of the City’s Municipal Code also provides regulations for stormwater management and discharge control, including proof of compliance with the NPDES permits prior to the issuance of grading, development, or occupancy permits. As future projects are planned, they will adhere to General Plan Update policies and regulations; therefore, potential impacts to water quality associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project is the extension of the City’s SOI and pre-zoning for the project site, including revisions to the General Plan maps and text. Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning the protection of water quality, including the federal Clean Water Act and the City’s Municipal Code. Therefore, potential impacts to water quality associated with the project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that all future developers would be required to comply with applicable state and local regulations that concern groundwater recharge, including the City’s Municipal Code. Chapter 55 of the Municipal Code requires new development and redevelopment projects to use porous materials and create permeable areas to ensure soil infiltration, as well as include project design

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features that direct runoff to permeable areas. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to General Plan Update policies and regulations, as well as existing federal, state, and local requirements; therefore, potential impacts to groundwater recharge associated with growth accommodated by the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted in threshold 3.10(a), no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. The proposed project would not require the use of groundwater.

Further, any future development would be required to comply with applicable state and local regulations that concern groundwater recharge, including Chapter 55 of the City’s Municipal Code. Therefore, potential impacts to groundwater associated with the project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on or off site?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that future development projects would be required to comply with applicable laws and regulations that concern stormwater runoff and the protection of drainage patterns, including the Municipal Code. Chapter 153 of the City’s Municipal Code controls the alteration of drainage features, such as floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers. Additionally, Chapter 155 of the City’s Municipal Code provides regulations regarding stormwater runoff, including project design features that reduce and direct stormwater runoff. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to General Plan Update policies and regulations; therefore, potential impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted in threshold 3.10(a), no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. All future development would be required to comply with applicable laws and regulations that concern stormwater runoff and the protection of drainage patterns, including Chapter 153 of the City’s Municipal Code. Therefore, the project would result in less-than-significant impacts to existing drainage.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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d) Would growth facilitated by the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off- site.
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(c).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(c).
e) Would growth facilitated by the project create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(c).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(c).
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(c).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(c).
g) Would growth facilitated by the project place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update includes a range of policies intended to reduce risks from flooding, including design review of storm drain and flood control facilities, restricted development within floodplains, and regularly updated hazards mapping. All future development projects would be required to comply with applicable laws and regulations that concern flooding, including the City’s Municipal Code. Specific General Plan Update policies, such as Policy 6.1: Flood Hazard Enforcement (see below; City of Indio 2019b), provide guidance that new development is restricted in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Chapter 153 of the City’s Municipal Code requires permits for development in special flood hazard zones and establishes construction standards for all areas of special flood hazards. As future projects are planned, they must

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adhere to General Plan Update policies and regulations; therefore, potential impacts relative to flooding associated with the General Plan Update would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Flooding
Policy SE-6.1 Flood hazard enforcement. Restrict development in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Require mitigation measures which may include (but are not limited to) the design of onsite drainage systems connected to the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel, keeping surface waters within the project area, grading of the sites so that runoff does not affect adjacent properties, and building structures so they are elevated above the anticipated flood levels.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted in threshold 3.10(a), no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Future development projects would be required to comply with applicable laws and regulations that concern flooding, including Chapter 153 of the City’s Municipal Code, and specific General Plan Update policies, such as Policy 6.1: Flood Hazard Enforcement. Therefore, potential impacts relative to flooding associated with the project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
h) Would growth facilitated by the project place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(g).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(g).
i) Would growth facilitated by the project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(g).

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Refer to threshold 3.10(g).

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j) In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, would the project risk release of pollutants due to project inundation?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: No Impact The closest body of water to the City with the potential cause seiche hazards is the Salton Sea, which lies approximately 17 miles to the southeast. This distance, as well as the natural slope and elevation profile that gradually decreases away from the City toward the Salton Sea, prevents uphill flows that could result in seiche.

There are no other bodies of water in or adjacent to the City of Indio with potential to cause seiche hazards.

Thus, the General Plan Update would have no impacts associated with inundation by seiche. The Planning Area is approximately 80 miles from the Pacific Ocean and is well outside the tsunami hazard zone. Thus, the General Plan Update would have no impacts associated with inundation by tsunami. The majority of the Planning Area is not susceptible to mudflow because it is mostly flat, and there is a low risk for landslides.

Thus, the General Plan Update would have no impacts associated with inundation by mudflow.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: No Impact
The proposed project is not located near bodies of water. Similar to the existing Planning Area, the project site is approximately 80 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, the project site is mostly flat. Therefore, the proposed project would have no impacts associated with flood hazards, tsunamis, seches, or inundation by mudflow.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.11 Land Use and Planning
a) Would the project physically divide an established community? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: No Impact The General Plan Update EIR determined that new development would not physically divide any established communities in the Planning Area. The General Plan Update seeks to maintain and preserve the quality of Indio’s existing neighborhoods. Thus, the General Plan Update would have no impact associated with physically dividing established communities.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project is the extension of the City’s SOI and pre-zoning for the project site, including revisions to the General Plan maps and text. Under Riverside County’s General Plan, the land use for the entirety of the project site, except for a small portion of the southwest corner (currently Forest Lawn Mortuary with a land use type of Commercial Retail), is Estate Density Residential. Estate Density Residential allows for single-family detached housing on a minimum of 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres to 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres (County of Riverside 2021a). Within the City of Coachella, Southeastern Sphere I’s designated land use types are General Neighborhood (24 acres) with an allowable maximum density of 7 to 25 du/ac, with an average of 12 du/ac for new projects, and Rural Rancho with an allowable density of 0.4 to 1 du/ac (12 acres). The City of Coachella’s proposed land use for Southeastern Sphere II is Estate Rancho, with the

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exception of a small portion of the southwest corner (currently Forest Lawn Mortuary), which is proposed as Suburban Retail. The project would designate Southeastern Sphere I to the City of Indio’s Suburban Neighborhood-Low land use and would designate Southeastern Sphere II Desert Estate Transition land use (Figure 2-5). The Proposed General Plan land uses would result in a change in density from 0.2 to 0.5 du/ac to 3 to 4 du/ac. Accordingly, the project site would function as an area of transition from rural residential areas to the south, to denser suburban developments within the City of Indio to the west and north.

Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. The proposed project would allow for intensification of future development in comparison to County zoning, but future project-level development would be required to undergo projectlevel CEQA analysis, including the evaluation of potentially significant environmental impacts related to land use and planning. Further, there would be no extension of roadways or other infrastructure or utilities that would divide the existing community, and no requirement that any of the parcels within either Southeastern Sphere I or Southeastern Sphere II file an application for annexation and redevelop at the proposed density and intensity of development. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning, ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update would be consistent with, and supplement, adopted plans and regulations governing land use and development within the Planning Area. The update to the Mobility Element in the General Plan Update sets forth policies that support upgrades to existing circulation facilities to establish a comprehensive multi-modal system that provides enhanced connectivity, safety, and comfort for all modes of transportation. The General Plan Update did not identify any inconsistencies. Therefore, impacts associated with consistency with any applicable land use plan or policy of an agency with jurisdiction of the project would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, as well as any applicable mitigation measures, as noted throughout this Addendum. The proposed project would be consistent with, and supplement, adopted plans and regulations governing land use and development within the Planning Area. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

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3.12 Mineral Resources
a) Would the project result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The General Plan Update EIR determined that most of the land located in Indio’s City limits is identified as Mineral Resource Zone (MRZ)-1 and, therefore, the City has little potential for mineral resources. Future development in areas designated for urban uses and identified as MRZ-1 would not result in a significant impact relative to loss of availability of a known mineral resource. The identified significant mineral deposit zones (MRZ-2) in the City limits are located in the northeast corner of the City. Conversion of an MRZ-2 zone to urban development constitutes a permanent land use change that is incompatible with mineral extraction, thereby resulting in a significant direct impact to known mineral resources.

The General Plan Update includes policies in the Conservation Element that are intended to reduce and minimize potential impacts of siting new land uses and engaging in new mineral resource extraction. The intent of Policy CE-5.4 (see below; City of Indio 2019b) is to ensure that raw mineral resources are conserved and recycled to the extent feasible to help alleviate the loss of known resources. The conversion of MRZ-2 lands to a residential land use that inhibits their availability for mineral resource extraction is a significant impact that, due to the unique nature of mineral resource formation and location, constitutes an irreversible loss of known mineral resources. Therefore, the General Plan Update would result in significant impacts associated with the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state.

No feasible mitigation is available for the loss of mineral resources because the location of significant mineral deposits and resources are site specific; therefore, mineral resource impacts associated with the General Plan Update would be significant and unavoidable.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Mineral Resources
Policy CE-5.4 Raw mineral resources. Support efforts to conserve and recycle raw mineral resources.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Similar to most of the existing Planning Area, the project site is identified as MRZ-1. Future development in areas designated for urban uses and identified as MRZ-1 would not result in a significant impact relative to loss of availability of a known mineral resource. Impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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b) Would the project result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan? Refer to threshold 3.12(a).

3.13 Noise
a) Would the project result in exposure of persons to noise levels in excess of applicable noise standards? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Buildout of the General Plan Update would not result in the exposure of persons to noise levels in excess of applicable noise standards. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update mitigation measures and policies, as well as state and federal regulations that concern noise, including being consistent with General Plan Update Implementation Action Noise 5. All future projects within the City would be required to comply with these mitigation measures, policies, and regulations, which would serve to reduce noise impacts. Therefore, noise impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project result in or create a significant increase in the existing ambient noise level? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The General Plan Update EIR determined that future development consistent with the General Plan Update may occur throughout the Planning Area, and incorporation of noise-reducing paving materials would not avoid all impacts. Additionally, although MM-NOS-1 would require noise-reducing paving materials for all road resurfacing projects, the schedule for these improvements is not known. Therefore, even with mitigation, impacts would be significant and unavoidable.

General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measure would address the potential ambient noise increases associated with growth facilitated by the General Plan Update (City of Indio 2019a):

MM-NOS-1 Consistent with General Plan Update Policy NE-2.6, the City shall incorporate noisereducing paving materials, such as open-grade asphalt, for all road surfacing projects along the roadways identified in Table 4.12-6 of the General Plan Update EIR. Identification of financing for noise-reducing paving materials shall be incorporated in the annual update

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of the City’s Operating and Capital Improvement Budget following adoption of the General Plan Update.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable Any future development would be required to comply with the General Plan Update, but future development consistent with the General Plan Update could result in noise level increases of up to 10 decibels (dB) on roadway segments that are adjacent to existing noise-sensitive land uses; therefore, impacts from ambient noise level increases would be potentially significant.

The proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include conflict with applicable transportation-related plans, programs, or standards. Additionally, the change in land use allowing higher-density development has already been accounted for in the region via the 2023 City of Coachella General Plan Addendum EIR (City of Coachella 2023). Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, and MM-TRF-1 through MM-TRF-13 of the 2019 General Plan Update as applicable. However, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would the project result in a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels, or the generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project (construction noise/vibration [i.e., pile driving])? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update EIR determined that future development consistent with the General Plan Update may occur throughout the Planning Area. Development that includes construction activities within 200 feet of a noise-sensitive receiver may potentially result in substantial temporary noise increases. General Plan Update Implementation Action Noise 4 specifically directs the City to review the hours of construction to ensure they effectively lead to compliance within the limits (maximum noise levels, hours and days of allowed activity) established in the City’s noise regulations. Consistent with General Plan Update Implementation Action Noise 5, future discretionary development projects that would include construction activities in proximity to noise-sensitive receivers or noise-sensitive habitat (case-by-case) would be reviewed for potential to result in excessive noise levels during the development entitlement process. The General Plan Update would not expose people to excessive groundborne vibration or noise levels and impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, mitigation was not required.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No specific development is proposed by the project, and individual development projects in areas near noise-sensitive receivers would implement applicable General Plan Update policies to reduce the potential for noise disturbance. As with the General Plan Update, temporary or periodic noise or vibration at levels capable of generating substantial increases would only be associated with construction activities. Special attention would be paid to construction activities that inherently generate elevated levels, such as blasting and pile driving. Although construction consistent with the proposed project may occur in proximity to noisePage 161 of 196 AGENDA ITEM #10.4 Resolution No. 10419 : Text amendments to Chapter 3 (Land Use and Urban ... Page 1054 of 1555

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sensitive receivers, General Plan Update Implementation Action Noise 5 would require projects to be reviewed for potential to result in groundborne noise or vibration impacts. Therefore, the proposed project would not expose people to excessive groundborne vibration or noise levels, and impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would the project result in exposure of future residents to excessive noise levels from airport and aircraft operations?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update would not result in exposure of future residents to airport noise levels in excess of what is considered normally acceptable by the Riverside County ALUCP, which is 60 A-weighted decibels (dBA) Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) (RCALUC 2004). Therefore, impacts due to aircraft noise would be less than significant and mitigation was not required.

The Riverside County ALUCP states that the maximum CNEL considered normally acceptable for new residential land uses in the vicinity of airports is 60 dBA (RCALUC 2004). Therefore, the General Plan Update would result in significant impacts if future development would expose residents to airport noise levels in excess of 60 dBA CNEL. General Plan Update Implementation Action 5 requires submittal of a noise study as part of the discretionary approval process. The preparation of a noise impact analysis and adherence to General Plan and zoning regulations would ensure that no residents would be subject to excessive noise levels. Thus, implementation of the General Plan Update would not result in exposure of future residents to excessive noise levels from airport and aircraft operations, and impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The closest airports to the project site are the Bermuda Dunes Airport (approximately 3.4 miles northwest of the project site) and Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (approximately 3.3 miles southeast of the project site). The project is not located in the ALUCP area for either airport. However, all future new development would be required to adhere to applicable General Plan Update policies and federal and state laws and local regulations; therefore, potential airport noise impacts associated with the project would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
e) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: No Impact The General Plan Update would not alter existing conditions pertaining to private airstrips, and would not result in any changes that have the potential to expose people to excessive noise levels. In addition, because future development must be consistent with Riverside County ALUCP measures to minimize aircraft noise, the General Plan Update would have no impact on private airstrip noise levels.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Significance Finding: No Impact There are no private airstrips or heliports within the project site. Therefore, no impacts would occur.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.14 Population and Housing
a) Would the project induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Direct Growth
The General Plan Update would directly influence the City’s population by providing land use designations that would accommodate a forecasted 38,144 total households in 2040. The General Plan Update would directly result in population growth through the development of residential and mixed-use land uses. The land uses proposed by the General Plan Update would result in a significant long-term reduction in the possible number of dwelling units, but would adequately accommodate population growth and would accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation for the City. Direct growth impacts within the General Plan Update were within regional forecasts; therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Indirect Growth
Indirect growth inducement may result from the intensification of existing employment-generating land uses and the designation of new land uses (e.g., Automall) that create new sources of employment.

Increases in employment opportunities in the City can result in an increase of people seeking to live in the City. Growth accommodated by the General Plan Update is estimated to result in 25,085 jobs in the City by 2040, an increase from the current 15,565 jobs at the time of the General Plan Update EIR in 2018. The General Plan Update EIR determined that the approximately 10,000 new forecasted jobs would be accommodated for by increased housing, as the City projected approximately 12,000 households to be added in the City by 2040. This scenario assumes that all new jobs would be filled by new residents, and not by residents residing in the City at that time. The total number of households would meet housing demand generated by new employees. Indirect growth could also be generated through infrastructure or service improvements that allow for additional development. The City is not expected to experience indirect growth inducement beyond the growth forecast for the General Plan Update through infrastructure improvements because the City is already served by other essential public services, including fire protection, police protection, parks and recreational facilities, schools, and solid waste; an extensive network of utility/service systems, including water, wastewater, electricity, and natural gas; and other infrastructure necessary to accommodate growth. Because future roadway system improvements identified in the General Plan Update are intended to accommodate future population growth, roadway system improvements would not induce additional development that would increase population.

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The growth forecasted by the General Plan Update is within regional forecasts projected by SCAG, and the 2040 population forecasts are accommodated by the proposed housing growth. Because the General Plan Update would not result in population growth that is unaccounted for and related growth is within regional forecasts, the General Plan Update’s impact related to population growth would be less than significant.

Additionally, the General Plan Update includes new and revised goals, policies, and land use and mobility plans that would help ensure the City’s capacity for future population and housing needs are adequately met in the forthcoming years. The General Plan Update includes goals and policies to reduce the environmental impacts that would result from growth. The growth forecasted by the General Plan Update is within regional forecasts projected by SCAG, and the 2040 population forecasts are accommodated by the proposed housing growth. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed project is the extension of the City’s SOI to include the project site, including revisions to the General Plan maps and text, in anticipation of an application to the Riverside LAFCO to amend the City’s SOI. The proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County. Specifically, as noted in Table 2-1, the expansion of the City’s SOI and prezoning Areas A and B would result in the potential for 828 additional units within the project site, providing additional housing and further accommodating population growth within the City. As described in Section

2.3, this increase accounts for approximately 5.6% of the City’s projected new households by 2040, and a total of 2.17% of the City’s 2040 overall households. Any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update goals, policies, and land use and mobility plans that would help ensure the City’s capacity for future population and housing needs are adequately met in the forthcoming years. Lastly, as shown in Table 2-1, other regional planning efforts, including the Coachella General Plan, contemplated and evaluated higher-intensity of development on the project site than the Riverside County General Plan, and these projections have been considered and determined to be less than significant. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Growth accommodated by the General Plan Update would not displace a substantial number of existing housing or people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. Rather, the General Plan Update would result in new housing opportunities in the City by proposing land use types that accommodate residential growth. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted in Table 2-1, the expansion of the City’s SOI and pre-zoning Areas A and B would result in the potential for 828 additional units within the project site, providing additional housing and further accommodating population growth within the City. Further, there is no requirement that any of the parcels

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within either Southeastern Sphere I or Southeastern Sphere II file an application for annexation and redevelop at the proposed density and intensity of development. Additionally, although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project. Therefore, the project would not displace existing people or housing, and impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.15 Public Services
a) Would the project promote growth patterns resulting in the need for and/or provision of new or physically altered fire protection and emergency service facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts in order to maintain service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update includes goals and policies relative to the provision and development of public services and facilities over the plan horizon. The need for additional fire/emergency facilities in the future is addressed in the General Plan Update Safety Element through the inclusion of goals and policies that would ensure adequate firefighting staff, infrastructure, and the provision of environmentally sustainable infrastructure and facilities. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Additionally, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update goals and policies relative to the provision and development of public services and facilities over the Plan horizon. Furthermore, the existing fire services provider, Riverside County Fire Department, would continue to provide service to the project site if the proposed project is implemented. Therefore, impacts to fire protection and emergency service facilities would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
b) Would growth forecast under the project promote growth patterns resulting in the need for and/or provision of new or physically altered police facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts in order to maintain service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No new police facilities are proposed in conjunction with the General Plan Update. However, growth accommodated by the General Plan Update may require new staff and the construction of new facilities. It is not known at this time precisely when or where such facilities would be required or what the exact nature of these facilities would be. Project-specific environmental impacts would be assessed when future facilities

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are proposed, and the potential impacts would be identified during the police facility planning process.

General Plan Update policies requires City facilities be adequately designed for proposed developments. In addition, Policy SE-1.9 (see below; City of Indio 2019b) requires the assessment of current funding for police services, which would support and identify needed improvements for police services. Impacts would be less than significant.

Applicable General Plan Update Policies
Emergency Response
Policy SE-1.9 Funding. Assess the adequacy of the current funding structure for police services and facilities and continue to monitor and assess the opportunities for additional funding sources such as special event reimbursement fees, research and application for state and federal grants, development impact fees, a public safety tax for facility construction, and general fund increases.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted under threshold 3.15(a), although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Additionally, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update goals and policies, such as Policy SE-1.9, to ensure funding for police services, which would support and identify needed improvements for police services. Furthermore, the existing police services provider, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, would continue to provide service to the project site if the proposed project is implemented. Therefore, impacts to police services and facilities would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would growth forecast under the project promote growth patterns resulting in the need for and/or provision of new or physically altered school facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts in order to maintain service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant No new school facilities are proposed in conjunction with the General Plan Update. Growth projections of the General Plan Update may require construction of new school facilities, but it is not known at this time precisely when such facilities would be required and what or where the exact nature of these facilities would be. The associated potential impacts would be identified during the facility planning process and would include mitigation measures where necessary for each project. Future proposals for new school facilities in the Planning Area would be subject to case-by-case review by the Desert Sand Unified School District or Coachella Valley United School District, and compliance with federal, state, and local building codes and regulations would minimize potential environmental impacts. Based on state law, collection of statemandated school impact fees would reduce school-related impacts to less than significant under CEQA.

Impacts would be less than significant.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts, including impacts on schools, would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations related to school facilities. Therefore, impacts to schools would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
d) Would growth forecast under the project promote growth patterns resulting in the need for and/or provision of new or physically altered library facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts in order to maintain service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The General Plan Update Infrastructure and Public Facilities and Land Use and Urban Design Elements provide policies intended to ensure the development of necessary public facilities and services for the City, which can aid the County in the planning of future local libraries. Future library facilities in the Planning Area would be subject to review by the County, and adherence to federal, state, and local building codes and regulations would minimize impacts to the extent practicable. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations to ensure the development of necessary public facilities and services for the City. Therefore, impacts to library facilities would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
e) Would growth forecast under the project provide for adequate parks, open space and recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of existing facilities would occur, or necessitate the construction of new facilities?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although there is currently a deficit with respect to meeting the 3 acres per 1,000 population standard, compliance with goals, policies, and General Plan Update Implementation Actions set forth in the General Plan Update, and completion of the CV Link, would improve park and recreation facilities to meet the demands associated with growth accommodated under the General Plan Update. With these planned improvements, forecast growth would not result in substantial physical deterioration of park and recreational facilities. In addition, all new development must adhere to General Plan goals and policies and be required to provide parkland or in-lieu fees, as required by the City’s Municipal Code. Impacts would be less than significant.

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Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in Riverside County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts would occur by virtue of these actions. The City’s Public Works Department, Parks and Facilities Division is responsible for maintaining parks and manages the design and construction of building and park improvement projects. Any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, and be required to provide parkland or in-lieu fees, as required by the City’s Municipal Code, to ensure the development of necessary public facilities and services for the City.

Therefore, impacts to parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

3.16 Transportation
a) Would the project conflict with an applicable congestion management program, including, but not limited to LOS standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways?
2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable Development facilitated by the General Plan Update would substantially degrade traffic flow along four roadway segments (all located outside the City’s jurisdiction), at five intersections (all but one intersection located outside the City’s jurisdiction), and along four freeway segments. This would result in a potentially significant impact. Although mitigation measures are available to reduce identified significant impacts to the intersections located within the City of Indio’s jurisdiction, the development facilitated by the General Plan Update would result in significant impacts along roadway and freeway segments and intersections that are located outside of the City’s jurisdiction. Because the City of Indio cannot enforce the mitigation measures available to reduce impacts at these locations, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable. Mitigation measures to improve the level of service at the impacted intersections and roadway segments to acceptable levels are MM-TRF-1 through MM-TRF-13 (see below; City of Indio 2019a).

Implementation of MM-TRF-1 and MM-TRF-2 would reduce the potentially significant impacts at intersections in the City of Indio to less than significant. Although implementation of MM-TRF-3 through MM-TRF-13 could reduce potentially significant impacts to four roadway segments, three intersections, and four freeway segments, the General Plan Update’s impacts to these facilities would require design and implementation of improvements by the jurisdictions where these impacts would occur (City of Palm Desert, City of La Quinta, City of Coachella, County of Riverside, and the California Department of Transportation [Caltrans]). Because the City cannot ensure that the mitigation necessary to avoid or reduce the General Plan Update’s impacts to less than significant, impacts on these four roadway segments, three intersections, and four freeway segments would be significant and unavoidable.

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General Plan Update Applicable Mitigation Measures
City of Indio
MM-TRF-1 Intersection of Madison Street and Fred Waring Drive. Restripe the southbound shared through/right lane to an exclusive right-turn lane and provide an overlap phase for the southbound right-turn movement.

MM-TRF-2 Intersection of Madison Street and Avenue 52. Restripe the westbound shared through/right lane to an exclusive right-turn lane and provide an overlap phase for the westbound right-turn movement. b.

Adjacent Jurisdictions
City of Palm Desert
MM-TRF-3 Roadway Segment of Washington Street between I-10 Ramps and Country Club Drive. Provide an additional (fourth) southbound lane between the I-10 eastbound ramps and the Country Club Drive intersections. Suitable right-of-way can be acquired from the existing 23-foot median lane. The additional lane would transition directly to the outer southbound left turn lane at the intersection of Washington Street and Country Club Drive.

These improvements would mitigate the impact at this intersection and are consistent with the City of Palm Desert’s General Plan EIR.

MM-TRF-4 Roadway Segment of Washington Street between Hovley Lane/Avenue 42 and Fred Waring Drive. Widen the roadway from the existing 6-lane to an 8-lane roadway. Although this roadway is already built out to its General Plan classification as a 6-lane Roadway with a Center Median in the City of Palm Desert’s General Plan EIR, this measure would mitigate the impact along this roadway segment.

City of La Quinta
MM-TRF-5 Roadway Segment of Dune Palms Road between Highway 111 and Avenue 48. Widen the roadway from the existing 4-lane to a 6-lane roadway. Although this roadway is already built out to its General Plan classification as a 4- lane Secondary Arterial in the City of La Quinta’s General Plan, this measure would mitigate the impact along this roadway segment.

MM-TRF-6 Intersection of Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive. Widen the eastbound approach to construct an additional left-turn lane; widen the westbound approach to construct an additional right-turn lane; widen the northbound approach to construct an additional left-turn lane; widen the southbound approach to construct an additional leftturn lane; and provide overlap phases for the eastbound right-turn, westbound right-turn, and southbound right-turn movements.

MM-TRF-7 Intersection of Washington Street and Highway 111. Widen the eastbound approach to construct an additional through lane; widen the westbound approach to construction an additional through lane; and widen the northbound approach to construct an additional through lane.

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City of Coachella
MM-TRF-8 Roadway Segment of Vista Del Sur between Dillon Road and Eastern Terminus.

Widen the roadway from the existing 2-lane to a 4-lane roadway.

County of Riverside
MM-TRF-9 Intersection of Washington Street and Country Club Drive. Widen the eastbound approach to construct an additional left-turn lane and an additional through lane; widen the westbound approach to construct an additional through lane and an additional right turn lane; and provide an overlap phase for the westbound right-turn movement.

Caltrans
MM-TRF-10 Freeway Segment of Westbound I-10 between Washington Street and Jefferson Street. Widen westbound I-10 between Washington Street and Jefferson Street from the existing three lanes to four lanes.

MM-TRF-11 Freeway Segment of Westbound I-10 between Jefferson Street and Monroe Street.

Widen westbound I-10 between Jefferson Street and Monroe Street from the existing three lanes to four lanes.

MM-TRF-12 Freeway Segment of Westbound I-10 between Monroe Street and Jackson Street.

Widen westbound I-10 between Monroe Street and Jackson Street from the existing three lanes to four lanes.

MM-TRF-13 Freeway Segment of Northbound SR-86 between Dillon Road and I-10 Junction.

Widen northbound SR-86 between Dillon Road and I-10 Junction from the existing two lanes to three lanes.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Significant and Unavoidable The proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, but no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts, including impacts on applicable congestion management programs, level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other transportation-related standards, would occur by virtue of these actions. As such, the proposed project would result in the continuation of the existing and historical land uses on the project site, and would not directly result in any new activities or development that would include conflict with applicable transportation-related plans, programs, or standards. Additionally, the change in land use allowing higher-density development has already been accounted for in the region via the 2023 City of Coachella General Plan Addendum EIR. Further, any future development would be required to comply with General Plan Update policies and regulations, and MM-TRF-1 through MM- TRF-13 of the 2019 General Plan Update, as applicable. However, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.

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b) Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass transit and nonmotorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Implementation of the General Plan Update would not conflict with any plan, policy, or program for the purpose of encouraging alternative transportation modes. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant The proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, but no specific development is proposed by the project, and no physical impacts, including impacts on the implementation of applicable plans, ordinances, or policies establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system accounting for all modes of transportation, would occur by virtue of these actions. Additionally, the change in land use allowing higher-density development has already been accounted for in the region via 2023 City of Coachella General Plan Addendum EIR. Further, any future development would be required to comply with plans, policies, and programs for the purpose of encouraging alternative transportation modes. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Summary of Findings: The project would not result in a new or more severe impact than previously evaluated and disclosed.
c) Would the project result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? 2019 General Plan Update EIR Significance Finding: Less Than Significant As noted in the General Plan Update, the closest airports to Planning Southeastern Sphere I are the Bermuda Dunes Airport (directly adjacent), Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (approximately 4 miles to the southeast), and Palm Springs International Airport (approximately 12 miles to the northwest). To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission contains land use measures related to development intensity, density, height, and noise. As stated in the General Plan Update, all future development projects would be consistent with the densities, intensities, prohibited uses, and other development conditions defined in the Bermuda Dunes Airport Compatibility Plan.

Implementation of the General Plan Update would not increase air traffic levels or result in a change of locations to air traffic that would result in substantial safety risks. Impacts would be less than significant.

Proposed Project Significance Finding: Less Than Significant Although the proposed land use and zoning would allow for higher-density development than the existing land use and zoning in the County, no specific development is proposed by the project and no physical impacts, including impacts to air traffic patterns, would occur by virtue of these actions. Additionally, the change in land use allowing higher-density development has already been accounted for in the region via the 2023 City of Coachella General Plan Addendum EIR. Further, any future development would be required