La Verne City Council
January 21, 2025

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Policy CSF-2.10: Stormwater Treatments. Projects shall incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Low Impact Development measures (LID) to minimize the quantity of stormwater directed to impermeable surface and to treat stormwater before discharge from the site. The facilities shall be sized to meet regulatory requirements.

Action CSF-2.4: Continue to review development projects to identify potential stormwater and drainage impacts and require development to include measures to ensure that off -site runoff is not increased beyond pre-development levels during rain and flood events.

Action CSF -2.5: Project designs shall minimize drainage concentrations, minimize impervious coverage, utilize pervious paving materials, utilize low impact development (LID) strategies, and utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater runoff.

Action CSF -2.6: Promote the use of LID strategies in new development and redevelopment projects, including but not limited to the use of canopy trees and shrubs, vegetated swales, and permeable paving.

Action CSF-2.7: Require new development to mitigate increases in stormwater peak flows and/or volume. Mitigation measures, such as LID strategies, should take into consideration impacts on adjoining lands in the City.

I. LAND USE AND PLANNING

1. Established Communities
Threshold: Would the project physically divide an established community? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact LU-1, pages 5.10-10 through 5.10- 13)
Explanation: The proposed La Verne General Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Update would guide the City’s development and conservation through land use objectives and policy guidance. The General Plan Update is intended to be an expression of the community’s vision for the City and Planning Area and constitutes the policy and regulatory framework by which future development projects would be reviewed and public improvements would be implemented. The City would implement the General Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Update by requiring development, infrastructure improvements, and other projects to be consistent with its policie s and by implementing the actions included in the General Plan Update.

Goal LU-1 of the General Plan aims to achieve “A City with a land use plan that supports a diverse, self -sufficient community that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services and recre ational opportunities.” The Land Use Element provides for a development and resource conservation pattern that

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preserves and protects the clean, quiet, and family -friendly neighborhoods throughout La Verne and the City’s beautiful parks and open space facilities, while promoting opportunities for economic development, high - quality local job growth, and fiscal susta inability. The land uses allowed under the proposed General Plan (Figure 3 -4 in Section 3.0, Project Description) remain primarily unchanged from the existing General Plan.

The General Plan Update proposes to simplify how Specific Plans are shown on the La nd use Map and provides for other updates to reflect amendments to the land use map reviewed and approved since the last comprehensive update. It is noted that the Very High Density Residential land use category allowing for up to 32 dwelling units per acre is a new land use category to be provided for potential future development and is not assigned to any specific parcels within the City under the proposed General Plan Update. Additionally, all areas previously designated Industrial are within an existing Specific Plan area, which would be designated Specific Plan – Mixed Use under the General Plan Update, as described below.

Therefore, the existing Industrial land use category is not assigned to any specific parcels within the City under the General Plan Update. However, it is an available land use category for future application outside of a Specific Plan area. Thus, the proposed General Plan Update provides for the continued opportunity for growth and development consistent with the current Land Use Map. Future growth and development is anticipated to occur through infill development and redevelopment opportunities, similar to existing conditions.

The proposed General Plan Update does not include any new areas designated for urbanization or new roadways, infrastructure, or other features that would divide existing communities. The proposed General Plan would have a less than significant impact associated with the physical division of an established community. The policies listed below would ensure that future development is compatible with adjacent communities and land issues.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Goal LU -1: Land Use Mix. A City with a land use plan that supports a diverse, self - sufficient community that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services and recreational opportunities.

Policy LU-1.1: Land Use Pattern. Provide for an overall mix of housing, employment, service, and recreational opportunities that promotes efficient development and multimodal choices; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; ensures compatibility between uses; enhances community livability and public health; and sustains economic vitality.

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Policy LU -1.3: Activity Areas. Promote the development of distinct, well -designed destinations featuring a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational uses that are well- integrated with surrounding development, accessible from transit and walking and biking paths, and serve as focal points in the community.

Policy LU-1.9: Growth Pattern. Strongly encourage new development to occur in infill locations in a balanced and efficient pattern that reduces sprawl, preserves open space, and creates convenient connections to other land uses and transportation facilities.

Policy LU-1.10: Land Use Change. Where opportunities for land use change arise, seek input from property owners, the surrounding neighborhood or district, and other stakeholders during the consideration process so as to determine appropriateness or inform strategies.

Goal LU-2: Growth Management. A community that thoughtfully plans for and manages desirable future growth within its jurisdiction and Sphere of Influence.

Policy LU-2.4: Sphere of Influence Areas. Encourage development in the City’s Sphere of Influence to be compatible with adjacent development and consistent with the City’s design and service expectations.

Policy LU-2.10: Cohesive and Integrated Development. Implement the City’s existing Specific Plans and encourage the creation of new Specific Plans to provide for the cohesive and integrated development of new areas, large projects, complex or multi -parcel sites, areas with multiple property owners, and/or areas of special importance to the community.

Goal LU -3: Residential Development. A community that preserves and protects its residential neighborhoods.

Policy LU -3.1: Single Family Homes. Maintain La Verne’s predominant land use of single family residential, while providing for a mix of housing types throughout the community for people of various ages and incomes.

Policy LU-3.2: Individual Neighborhoods. Recognize and celebrate the unique identities of individual neighborhoods in La Verne and encourage the enhancement of characteristics that make each neighborhood special.

Policy LU-3.3: Preserve Single Family Homes. Prioritize growth and new development on underutilized parcels along the community’s corridors or around special activity centers.

Policy LU -3.4: Clustered Development. Where appropriate, encourage clustered development and the clustering of housing so that larger open areas may be permanently preserved. Clustered development may provide flexibility in site design and layout to allow for smaller lot sizes, but shall not a llow a project to exceed the gross density ranges established under the City’s land use designations.

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Policy LU-3.5: Sensitive Uses. Locate residences away from areas of excessive noise, smoke, or dust and ensure that adequate provisions, including buffers or transitional uses, are made to ensure the health and well-being of existing and future residents.

Policy LU-3.6: Safe and Cohesive Neighborhoods. Promote the design of neighborhoods that are safe and cohesive.

Goal LU-5: Community Character. A community featuring a distinctive character as demonstrated by its land use pattern, special activity areas, and use compatibility strategies.

Policy LU -5.1: Small-Town Character . Support new development that enhances the City’s small-town character and reputation.

Policy LU-5.5: Project Compatibility. Strive to ensure appropriate transitions in scale, development, and intensity between residential and nonresidential uses; between adjacent residences or uses within a defined neighborhood and within areas of different densities.

Polic LU-5.6: Land Use Compatibility. Non-residential use developments adjacent to residential land use designations shall be designed to ensure compatibility between the uses and to reduce any potential negative impacts associated with aesthetics, noise, and safety.

2. Conflicts With Plans
Threshold: Would the project 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?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact LU-2, pages 5.10-13 through 5.10- 27)
Explanation:

State Plans
The proposed General Plan was prepared in conformance with State laws and regulations associated with the preparation of General Plans, including requirements for environmental protection. Discussion of the proposed General Plan’s consistency with State re gulations, plans, and policies associated with specific environmental issues (e.g., air quality, transportation, water quality, etc.) is provided in the relevant chapters of this Draft EIR. The State would continue to have authority over any State - owned lands in the vicinity of the city and the proposed General Plan would not conflict with continued application of State land use plans, policies, and regulations adopted to avoid or mitigate environmental effects.

Regional Plans
SCAG reviews environmental documents for regionally significant projects

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and is responsible for providing informational resources to facilitate the consistency of regionally significant projects with the adopted Connect SoCal 2020 RTP/SCS. SCAG refers to CEQA Guidelines Section 15206, Projects of Statewide, Regional or Areawide Significance, in determining whether a project meets the criteria to be deemed regionally significant. The following criteria is relevant to the Project:

Criteria 1: A proposed local general plan, element, or amendment thereof for which an EIR was prepared.

The proposed Project involves components specified in Criteria 1; the General Plan Update is a comprehensive update of the existing General Plan. Therefore, it is concluded that the Project is regionally significant.

SCAG’s 2020 RTP/SCS goals and policies were adopted to help focus future investments on the best -performing projects and strategies to preserve, maintain and optimize the performance of the existing transportation system within the SCAG region through the 2045 planning horizon. SCAG recommends a side -by-side comparison of SCAG goals with discussions of the consistency, non -consistency, or non-applicability of the goals. The General Plan Update’s consistency with SCAG’s goals is presented in Table 5.10-2, SCAG 2020 RTP/SCS Goals Project Consistency Analysis. As indicated in Table 5.10-2, the General Plan Update would be consistent with SCAG’s regional planning efforts and a less than significant impact would occur in this regard. Note, the General Plan policies referenced in Table 5.10-2 are provi ded in their entirety at the end of this analysis.

Local Plans
As set forth by State law, the General Plan serves as the primary planning document for the City and subordinate documents and plans would be updated to be consistent with the General Plan. Similar to the existing General Plan, the proposed General Plan fo cuses on a balanced land use pattern, creating a community where new development blends with existing neighborhoods, and promoting the City as a desirable place to live and work. The proposed General Plan carries forward and enhances policies and measures from the City’s existing General Plan that were intended for environmental protection and would not remove or conflict with City plans, policies, or regulations adopted for environmental protection. The proposed General Plan Update would require modificati ons to the City’s Development Code to provide consistency between the General Plan and zoning; however, these modifications would not remove or adversely modify portions of the La Verne Municipal Code that were adopted to mitigate an environmental effect.

Subsequent development and infrastructure projects would be required to be consistent with all applicable policies, standards, and regulations,

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including those land use plans, policies, and regulations adopted to mitigate environmental effects by the City as well as those adopted by agencies with jurisdiction over components of future development projects. Any potential environmental impact associated with conflicts with land use requirements would be less than significant. The policies listed below would ensure that the General Plan does not conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Goal LU -1: Land Use Mix. A City with a land use plan that supports a diverse, self - sufficient community that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services and recreational opportunities.

Policy LU-1.1: Land Use Pattern. Provide for an overall mix of housing, employment, service, and recreational opportunities that promotes efficient development and multimodal choices; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; ensures compatibility between uses; enhances community livability and public health; and sustains economic vitality.

Policy LU-1.9: Growth Pattern. Strongly encourage new development to occur in infill locations in a balanced and efficient pattern that reduces sprawl, preserves open space, and creates convenient connections to other land uses and transportation facilities.

Goal LU-2: Growth Management. A community that thoughtfully plans for and manages desirable future growth within its jurisdiction and Sphere of Influence.

Policy LU-2.2: Upgrade of Services. Place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet current and anticipated demand.

Goal LU -4: Hillside Development. A community defined by safe and subtle hillside development.

Policy LU -4.4: Site Design Techniques. To the extent feasible, require the implementation of strategic site and building design techniques to shield new hillside development from views from the valley floor below.

Policy LU-4.7: Off-Site Views. Preserve off-site views by prohibiting hillside grading and development practices which damage the integrity of hillside areas.

Policy LU-4.10: Natural Fire Breaks. Preserve natural fire breaks through designated open space land use.

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MOBILITY ELEMENT
Goal M-1: Traffic Flow. A community served by a roadway network with sufficient traffic flow on arterial roadways and minimized adverse traffic effects on residential neighborhoods.

Policy M-1.4: Development Related Traffic Impacts. Ensure that new development in the City does not adversely affect adjacent traffic flow and operations.

Policy M-1.5: Effects of New Technologies on Traffic Flow. Monitor the development of new technologies (such as autonomous vehicles and rideshare) and the potential local effects on vehicular facilities and operations.

Action M-1.3: Periodically review and assess the vehicular level of service along City facilities to determine what, if any, improvements are warranted to maintain a safe and efficient flow of traffic throughout La Verne. Based on a thorough review of facility operations and funding availability, improvements may be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and/or required as part of project approval through the development review process.

Goal M-2: Complete Streets. A community with a well-designed and built transportation network that is safe, accessible, comfortable, and convenient for all transportation modes and users.

Policy M-2.1: Complete Streets for Roadway Projects. Apply Complete Streets principles to all new transportation improvements impacting the public right-of-way.

Policy M-2.2: Local and Regional Collaboration. Cooperate and collaborate with regional and local partners, stakeholders, and agencies to ensure the implementation of Complete Streets within and connecting to the City.

Policy M-2.7: ADA Accessibility. Ensure the City's transportation network is safe, accessible, and consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to allow mobility-impaired users, such as disabled persons and seniors, to safely travel within and beyond the City.

Policy M-2.3: Best Practices and Design Guidance. Monitor and strive to follow the best and latest design standards for implementing Complete Streets in the City.

Action M-2.1: Design, construct, operate, and maintain the street network depicted in the Mobility Element network map that provides safe and efficient access to all areas of the City.

Goal M-4: Safety. A community featuring a transportation and circulation system that is safe for all users.

Policy M-4.3: New Project Access and Safety. Ensure that new projects follow best design practices and guidelines to reduce conflicts between circulation system users.

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Policy M-4.5: Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety. Develop safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian facilities and crossings that reduce conflicts with other modes.

Policy M-7.2: Local Truck Routes. Maintain a network of local truck routes to facilitate goods movement to regional roads and to discourage the use of residential roads.

Goal M-9: Vehicle Miles Traveled. A community with reduced citywide vehicle miles traveled per capita that contributes to regional and statewide greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Policy M-9.1: Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis. Require vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis for the purposes of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), using methodologies and standards consistent with the City’s Transportation Study Guidelines. The City shall conti nue to maintain level of service (LOS) standards for the purposes of planning and designing street improvements.

Policy M-9.2: Transportation Demand Management. Require transportation demand management (TDM) strategies as mitigation measures for new projects that exceed the City's VMT impact thresholds

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM-2: Open Space. A community with distinctive natural open spaces that provide significant value to La Verne.

Policy RM-2.1: Balanced Open Space System. Support a balanced and integrated open space system that reflects a variety of considerations, including resource conservation, recreation, aesthetics, and community identity.

Policy RM-2.2: Minimal Alterations to Existing Space. Encourage minimal alteration of the natural terrain in environmentally sensitive open space areas.

Policy RM-2.4: Scenic Vistas and Routes. Discourage development on or immediately adjacent to existing scenic vistas in order to preserve community character.

Goal RM-3: Cultural Resources. A City that celebrates and preserves its rich culture and historic assets.

Policy RM-3.2: Planning Considerations. Continue to integrate cultural resources into everyday planning processes through careful and creative collaborative design review and prioritization of historic and cultural history in new design development.

Policy RM-3.6: Resource Evaluation. Evaluate the condition of historical buildings, the costs of rehabilitation, and the feasibility of preservation or conservation alternatives when considering the demolition or movement of historic structures; when possible, encourage the adaptive re-use of the historic structure.

Policy RM -3.9: Archaeological/Paleontological Resources. Require projects with a potential to affect archeological or paleontological resources to be conditioned to

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immediately stop grading and/or excavation activities if archeological or paleontological resources are encountered. At this point, a qualified archaeologist/paleontologist approved by the City should be enlisted to investigate the resources and conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether a resource mitigation plan and monitoring program will be required.

Policy RM-3.10: Human Remains. Ensure that human remains are treated with sensitivity and dignity, and ensure compliance with the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and California Public Resources Code Section 5097.98.

Policy RM -3.11: Tribal Consultation. Consistent with State, local, and tribal intergovernmental consultation requirements such as SB 18 and AB 52, the City shall consult as necessary with Native American tribes that may be interested in proposed new development and land use policy changes.

Goal RM-4: Water Conservation. A community that protects and conserves limited water resources.

Policy RM -4.1: Conservation Strategies. In partnership with local water agencies, promote residential and commercial water conservation using multiple innovative strategies and contemporary best practices.

Policy RM -4.2: Efficient Use of Sources. Minimize dependence on imported water through efficient use of local surface sources, using wise groundwater management practices, conservation measures, and the use of reclaimed wastewater and non -potable water for irrigation of landscaping and agriculture, where feasible.

Policy RM -4.3: Distribution. Utilize the most recent available water conservation technology and green infrastructure to ensure an efficient and cost -effective distribution system.

Policy RM -4.4: Landscaping. Encourage all public and private landscaping in new development and renovation projects to be designed to reduce water demand, prevent runoff, decrease flooding, and recharge groundwater through the installation of irrigation systems, the selection of appropriate plant materials, and proper soil preparation.

Policy RM-4.5: Stormwater. Work cooperatively with local water agencies to effectively and efficiently manage stormwater runoff as part of the City’s multipronged water conservation strategy.

Goal RM-5: Biological Resources. A community that preserves our diverse plant and animal life.

Policy RM-5.1: Biological Resource Protection. Preserve and enhance those biological communities that contribute to La Verne’s and the region’s biodiversity including, but not limited to, the following resources: Southern Oak Riparian Woodlands, Southern Mixed Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub, Ruderal-Disturbed, and riparian areas.

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Policy RM-5.3: New Development. Require development proposals with the potential to impact biological resources, including non -infill sites and sites adjacent to open space, to provide biological assessments in areas which may contain important plant communities and wildlife habitat.

Goal RM-6: Energy and Mineral Resources. A community that protects its energy and mineral resources for future generations.

Policy RM-6.1: Regulatory Compliance. Meet all state and regional regulations in regard to gas and energy conservation and technology use, including the mandatory energy efficiency requirements of the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) and Building and Energy Efficiency Standards.

Policy RM-6.2: Reduced Consumption. Promote energy sustainability and conservation in order to reduce consumption of natural resources and promote air quality.

Policy RM -6.4: Green Building. Support the use of green building standards and sustainable development strategies, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), in both private and public projects.

Goal RM-7: Solid Waste Management. A community with reduced generation and disposal of solid waste to landfills and an increased public awareness and participation in waste diversion programs.

Policy RM-7.1: Compliance with State Legislation. Comply with Assembly Bill 939 source reduction and recycling requirements of 50 percent diversion of solid waste from landfills and strive to partner, plan for, and document compliance with Assembly Bill 341 source reduction, recycling, and composting requirements of 75 percent by 2020.

Policy RM-7.3: Source Reduction and Recycling Efforts. Participate in source reduction and recycling techniques to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill and extend the life of the landfill.

Goal RM-8: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Improved air quality in La Verne and the region through reductions in air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GH) emissions.

Policy RM-8.1: Development Patterns. Improve air quality through continuing to require a development pattern that focuses growth in and around existing urbanized areas, locates new housing near places of employment, encourages alternative modes of transportation, supports efficient parking strategies, reduces vehicle miles traveled, and requires projects to mitigate significant air quality impacts.

Policy RM -8.2: Regional Collaboration. Coordinate planning efforts with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to meet local and regional air quality standards and ensure attainment of established goals.

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Policy RM-8.3: Measurement. Coordinate with the California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management District to properly measure air quality at emission sources and enforce the standards of the Clean Air Act.

Policy RM-8.4: Local Reduction Targets. The City of La Verne establishes the following per capita GHG reduction targets, in order to meet the requirements established by the state under AB 32 and SB 32, consistent with the CARB’s Scoping Plan:
• 3.99 MT CO2e per capita by 2030;
• 2.66 MT CO2e per capita by 2040 and;
• 1.33 MT CO2e per capita by 2050.

Policy RM-8.8: Construction Activities. Meet state and federal clean air standards by minimizing particulate matter emissions from construction activities.

Policy RM-8.9: Airborne Pollutants and Noxious Odors. Comply with regional, state, and federal standards and programs for control of all airborne pollutants and noxious odors, regardless of source.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS ELEMENT
Goal HW -1: Healthy Lifestyle. A community with access to nutritious food and an environment encouraging healthy lifestyles.

Policy HW -1.1: Development Patterns. Encourage future growth and development within existing service areas to support infill development, redevelopment, and compact, transit-oriented development that promote equity and access to a variety of housing types, affordability levels, and needed community services.

Policy HW-1.2: Active Living. Promote programs, multimodal transportation facilities, and community events to support active living.

Policy HW-1.3: Healthy and Locally-Grown Foods. Reduce barriers and increase access to healthy and locally-grown food in our community, especially for our youth and seniors with specific dietary needs.

Policy HW-1.4: Employee Wellness. Encourage businesses to support employee wellness programs that facilitate healthy living, such as programs which focus on diet and exercise, or providing private space for new parents.

Goal HW-2: Healthcare. A community that supports equitable and sufficient access to healthcare and resources across La Verne.

Policy HW-2.1: Array of Services. Support a full array of physical and mental health care services in the community, including private and nonprofit organizations that provide preventive and treatment health services for existing and future residents.

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Policy HW-2.2: Support Programs. Support and develop programs aimed at improving resident health and reducing substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, and tobacco).

Policy HW -2.3: Vulnerable Residents. Coordinate with regional and local service providers to increase healthcare accessibility for vulnerable residents.

Policy HW-2.4: Barriers to Access. Reduce informational and transportation barriers to access healthcare services.

Policy HW -2.5: Public Education Programs. Provide and expand innovative public education programs that support better health outcomes and help eliminate health inequities.

Policy HW -2.6: Mental Health. Coordinate with health providers to promote public awareness of mental health issues and resources.

Goal HW-3: Human Services. A community that prioritizes the unique needs and wellbeing of its diverse population
Policy HW -3.1: Youth Services. Support and expand youth -oriented recreational, educational, and leadership opportunities that lead to a healthy youth population.

Policy HW -3.2: Family Services. Work with family service providers to ensure that families and households have access to convenient and affordable child care, health care services, and other supportive services.

Policy HW -3.3: Homelessness. Address factors that contribute to homelessness in La Verne and promote programs that offer resources to homeless residents and those on the verge of homelessness.

Policy HW -3.4: Environmental Pollution. Reduce the disproportionate impacts of environmental pollution on vulnerable populations.

Policy HW -3.5: Volunteerism. Coordinate with La Verne’s nonprofits, businesses, schools, institutions, and other organizations to facilitate and strengthen opportunities for residents to volunteer for community service.

Policy HW -3.6: Services for People with Disabilities. Support private and nonprofit organizations that provide services tailored for residents’ mental health, physical or developmental disabilities, and other special needs.

J. NOISE

1. Ambient Noise Levels
Threshold: Would the project result in the 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?

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Finding: Less than significant . (Draft EIR, Impact NOI -1, pages 5.1 1-24 through

5.11-37)
Explanation: Transportation Noise Impacts
Transportation noise includes noise from roadways and railways. Existing (2017) and Proposed 2045 General Plan Buildout volumes were obtained from the traffic modeling performed for the Planning Area. Day/night traffic distributions were based upon continuous hourly noise measurement data and Saxelby Acoustics file data for similar roadways.

As previously discussed, traffic noise levels are predicted at the sensitive receptors located at the closest typical setback distance along each Project- area roadway segment. In some locations sensitive receptors may be located at distances which vary fro m the assumed calculation distance and may experience shielding from intervening barriers or sound walls. However, the traffic noise analysis is representative of the majority of sensitive receptors located closest to the project -area roadway segments anal yzed in this analysis. The actual distances to noise level contours may vary from the distances predicted by the FHWA model due to roadway curvature, grade, shielding from local topography or structures, elevated roadways, or elevated receivers.

Table 5.11-11, Existing (2017) vs. Proposed 2045 General Plan, shows the future noise levels and the increase in noise levels associated with traffic on the local roadway network under the proposed General Plan, versus the existing (Baseline 2017) conditions.

As indicated by Table 5.11-11, the related traffic noise level increases with a circulation system buildout of the proposed 2045 General Plan are predicted to increase between 0.1 to 3.6 dB versus the existing (2017) conditions.

Where future development projects under the General Plan Update may be exposed to noise levels that exceed the land use compatibility criteria, such as sensitive land uses developed adjacent to the existing rail line, impacts could be mitigated to a level that is less than significant with the implementation of noise control measures, such as relocating residential outdoor recreational areas away from 60 dBA CNEL or greater areas or shielding outdoor areas using noise barriers. Additionally, the General Plan Update Public Safety Element includes policies and actions intended to minimize exposure to excessive noise, including noise associated with traffic. General Plan Policies PS -7.1 through PS -7.3, PS-7.6 through PS -

7.8, and PS -7.10, identified below, are i ntended to minimize exposure to excessive noise, including noise associated with traffic. Specifically, PS -

7.1 through PS -7.3 support noise -compatible land uses in the vicinity of traffic noise sources and require that new development and infrastructure

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projects be reviewed for consistency with the noise standards established in Tables PS-1 and PS-2. The proposed General Plan standards required under Action PS-7.2, for exposure to traffic noise meet or exceed the noise level standards of the currently adopted General Plan.

As shown in Table 5.11 -11, the traffic noise increases associated with the General Plan Update would not exceed the significance criteria. Therefore, the proposed General Plan would have a less than significant impact relative to traffic noise on existing noise-sensitive uses in the City.

Railroad Noise Sources : Table 5.11 -4 indicates that the 60 dBA Ldn railroad noise contours for the San Gabriel Subdivision and Pasadena Subdivision line may extend up to 93 feet and 168 feet from the railroad centerline, respectively. Future development located along these rai lroad lines could therefore be exposed to unacceptable exterior noise levels.

The General Plan Update includes policies and actions to reduce potential exposure to excessive railroad noise. Specifically, Policy PS -7.11 supports noise-compatible land uses in the vicinity of railroad noise sources and requires that new development and infrastructure projects be reviewed for consistency with the noise standards established in Tables PS -1 and PS-2.

The proposed General Plan standards required under Action PS -7.2, for exposure to railroad noise meet or exceed the noise level standards of the currently adopted General Plan.

Implementation of these General Plan Update policies and actions would ensure that development allowed under the proposed General Plan Update is not exposed to noise levels associated with railroad operations in excess of the City’s established standards. This is a less than significant impact.

Stationary Noise Sources
Implementation of the General Plan Update could result in the future development of land uses that generate noise levels in excess of applicable City noise standards for non -transportation noise sources. Such land uses may include commercial area loading d ocks, industrial uses, HVAC equipment, car washes, daycare facilities, auto repair, and recreational uses.

While the General Plan Update does not specifically propose any new noise- generating uses, the Land Use Map includes industrial land use designations, which may result in new noise sources. Specific land uses that would be located in the Planning Area are not known at this time.

Additionally, noise from existing stationary sources, as identified above, will continue to impact noise -sensitive land uses in the vicinity. New projects which may include stationary noise sources such as automotive and truck repair facilities, tire installation centers, car washes, loading docks, corporation yards, parks, and play fields may create noise levels in excess of the City’s standards.

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While no specific projects are proposed under the General Plan Update, future development and redevelopment may provide for more intensive noise-generating uses in closer proximity to noise -sensitive uses. Where this occurs, detailed noise studies would b e required to ensure that noise control measures are implemented into the project design (Action PS -7.5).

Such measures could include facing loading docks of industrial buildings away from sensitive uses, construction of sound walls or berms between loading docks and sensitive uses, using buildings to create additional buffer distance and screening, or other site design measures to ensure that non - transportation (stationary) noise sources do not cause exterior noise levels to exceed allowable standards at sensitive receptors.

For example, a typical busy loading dock for a warehouse might generate noise levels of approximately 66 dBA Leq at a distance of 100 feet, as shown in Table 5.11 -5. This would exceed the City’s proposed stationary noise standards of 55 dBA Leq (daytime) a nd 45 dBA Leq (nighttime).

Construction of a 12-foot-tall sound wall would reduce loading dock noise levels to approximately 53 dBA Leq (Appendix D-1 of Appendix E). For a daytime use loading dock, this would be sufficient to meet the City’s 55 dBA Leq d aytime noise standard. For a loading dock which requires nighttime operation, a sound wall would not be sufficient to achieve the 45 dBA Leq nighttime noise standard. To achieve the nighttime noise standard, the distance from the loading dock would need to be increased to 250 feet for a 12 -foot-tall wall to achieve the 45 dBA Leq nighttime standard (Appendix D-2 of Appendix E). Alternatively, the loading docks could face internal to the site and the industrial building could be used to screen loading dock noise. In this example, the loading dock could be located 150 feet from a sensitive receptor, assuming it was screened by a 20-foot-tall building (Appendix D -3 of Appendix E). This would achieve the City’s 45 dBA Leq nighttime noise standard. While this is just a theoretical scenario, it illustrates that use of site design measures, screening walls, etc., can be sufficient to achieve compliance with the City’s stationary noise standards, even when more intensive uses are proposed in closer proximity to sensitive receptors.

The General Plan Public Safety Element includes policies and actions that are intended to reduce noise associated with stationary sources. Policies PS-

7.1 through PS-7.6 and Action PS -7.3 through PS-7.5 would reduce noise associated with stationary sources. Specifically, Policy PS -7.3 protects noise-sensitive uses by incorporating site planning and project design techniques, such as noise barriers and the siting of uses, to minimize noise impacts. Action PS-7 requires new development and transportation projects be reviewed for compliance with the noise requirements established in the proposed General Plan Update, including the standards established in Table PS-1, and, where necessary, reduce excessive noise through best practices.

Implementation of the proposed policies and actions of the General Plan

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Update would reduce noise impacts from stationary noise sources to a less than significant level.

Construction Noise
The degree of construction noise may vary for different projects associated with implementation of the General Plan Update depending on the construction activities. Noise levels associated with construction also vary with the different phases of constructi on. In accordance with La Verne Municipal Code Section 8.20.020(D), noisy construction is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, or any time on Sunday or a federal holiday. “Noisy Construction Activity” is any construction, de molition, drilling or repair work and any earth moving which makes loud noises to the disturbance of persons occupying any place of residence. It includes, but is not limited to, the use of any air compressor, jack hammer, power driven drill, riveting mach ine, excavating, diesel powered truck, tractor or other earth moving equipment and hand hammers on steel or iron.

Individual projects associated with implementation of the General Plan Update would result in short -term noise impacts associated with construction activities. New development, maintenance of roadways, and installation of public utilities and infrastructur e generally require construction activities. These activities include the use of heavy equipment and impact tools. Table 5.11-12, Construction Equipment Noise, provides a list of the types of equipment which may be associated with construction activities, and their associated noise levels.

Activities involved in construction would typically generate maximum noise levels ranging from 85 to 90 dB at a distance of 50 feet. Construction could result in periods of significant ambient noise level increases and the potential for annoyance. However, the proposed General Plan Update includes policies and actions that are intended to reduce noise associated with construction activities (listed below). Specifically, Action PS -7.5. would reduce noise associated with construction activities by updating th e City’s Municipal Code to restrict the hours of construction activity, require a Construction Noise Management Plan, and require specific noise reduction measures. Implementation of the proposed policies and actions of the General Plan Update would ensure noise impacts from construction activities are less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

General Plan Public Safety Element Table PS -1, Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Exposure, presents a land use compatibility chart for community noise. This table is proposed to be included in the General Plan Update Public Safety Element. The table identifies “normally acceptable,” “conditionally acceptable,” “normally unacceptable,”

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and “clearly unacceptable” exterior noise levels for various land uses. A “conditionally acceptable” designation implies new construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements for each land use is made and needed noise insulation features are incorporated in the design. By comparison, a “normally acceptable” designation indicates that standard construction can occur with no special noise reduction requirements.

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Policy PS-7.1 Planning Decisions. Consider existing and future noise levels when making land use planning decisions and require mitigation of all significant noise impacts to the extent feasible.

Policy PS-7.2 Sensitive Facilities. Locate sensitive facilities such as residential uses, schools, medical facilities, libraries, churches, and convalescent homes away from areas of excessive noise unless proper mitigation measures are in place.

Policy PS-7.3 Site Design. Protect noise -sensitive uses from excessive noise levels by incorporating site planning and project design techniques to minimize noise impacts. The use of noise barriers shall be considered after all practical design -related noise measures have been integrated into the project. In cases where sound walls are necessary, they should help create an attractive setting with features such as setbacks, changes in alignment, detail and texture, murals, pedestrian access (if appropriate), and landscaping.

Policy PS-7.6 Noise Control. Utilize innovative noise abatement, design techniques, and other mitigation strategies —including staggered operating hours, insulation, building setbacks, noise barriers, placement of parking and utility areas, and building orientation— to ensure that noise levels do not exceed the limits in the La Verne Municipal Code.

Policy PS-7.7 Roadway Noise. Encourage nonmotorized transportation alternatives for local trips and the implementation of noise sensitivity measures in the public realm, including traffic-calming road design, lateral separation, natural buffers, and setbacks to decrease excessive motor vehicle noise along major arterials.

Policy PS-7.8 Highway Noise. Continue to coordinate with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to achieve maximum noise abatement in the design of new highway projects or improvements along SR -210; abatement techniques could include alignment, barriers, lateral separation, or other innovative techniques.

Policy PS-7.10 Vehicles and Trucks. Monitor and enforce existing speed limits and motor vehicle codes requiring adequate mufflers on all types of vehicles traveling through the city and compliance with designated truck routes.

Policy PS-7.11 Railroad Noise. Continue to coordinate with railroad companies, Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (regarding Metro A (Gold) Line construction), and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (regarding Metro A (Gold) Line operation), to support and m aintain reasonable limits on rail traffic, the use of bells and

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whistles, and the speed and hours of rail operation in affected areas of the City, and maintain adequate setbacks and buffer zones along rail lines to reduce adverse noise impacts on sensitive receptors.

PS-7 Actions

1. Update the La Verne Municipal Code to ensure that the noise standards are consistent with this General Plan, and to require new residential, mixed-use with a residential component, and other noise -sensitive development to be designed to minimize noise exposure to noise sensitive uses through incorporation of site planning and architectural techniques. The update shall also include noise standards for residential uses within a mixed-use development, which may differ from other adopted residential noise standards.

2. Review new development projects for compliance with the noise requirements established in this General Plan, including the standards established in Tables PS - 1 and PS-2. Where necessary, require new development to mitigate excessive noise through best practices, including building location and orientation, building design features, placement of noise-generating equipment away from sensitive receptors, shielding of noise -generating equipment, placement of noise -tolerant features between noise sources and se nsitive receptors, and use of noise -minimizing materials such as rubberized asphalt.

3. Require acoustical studies for all new discretionary projects, including those related to development and transportation, which have the potential to generate noise impacts or include sensitive uses that would be exposed to noise impacts which exceed the s tandards identified in this General Plan. The studies shall include representative noise measurements, estimates of existing and projected noise levels, and mitigation measures necessary to ensure compliance with this element.

4. In making a determination of impact under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a substantial increase will occur if ambient noise levels have a substantial increase. Generally, a 3 dB increase in noise levels is barely perceptible, and a 5 dB i ncrease in noise levels is clearly perceptible. Therefore, increases in noise levels shall be considered to be substantial when the following occurs:
- When existing noise levels are less than 60 dB, a 5 dB increase in noise will be considered substantial;
- When existing noise levels are between 60 dB and 65 dB, a 3 dB increase in noise will be considered substantial;
- When existing noise levels exceed 65 dB, a 1.5 dB increase in noise will be considered substantial.

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5. Update the City’s Noise Ordinance (Chapter 8.20) to reflect the noise standards established in this General Plan and proactively enforce the City’s Noise Ordinance, including requiring the following measures for construction:
- Restrict construction activities to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. No construction shall be permitted outside of these hours or on Sundays or federal holidays, without a specific exemption issued by the City. - A Construction Noise Management Plan shall be submitted by the applicant for construction projects, when construction is located 200 feet or less from a sensitive receptor. The Construction Noise Management Plan shall include proper posting of construction schedules, appointment of a noise disturbance coordinator, and methods for assisting in noise reduction measures. - Noise reduction measures may include, but are not limited to, the following:
o Equipment and trucks used for project construction shall utilize the best available noise control techniques (e.g., improved mufflers, equipment redesign, use of intake silencers, ducts, engine enclosures and acoustically attenuating shields or shrouds) wherever feasible. o Except as provided herein, impact tools (e.g., jack hammers, pavement breakers, and rock drills) used for project construction shall be hydraulically or electrically powered to avoid noise associated with compressed air exhaust from pneumatically powered t ools. However, where use of pneumatic tools is unavoidable, an exhaust muffler on the compressed air exhaust shall be used. This muffler can lower noise levels from the exhaust by up to about 10 dBA. External jackets on the tools themselves shall be use d, if such jackets are commercially available. this could achieve a reduction of 5 dBA. Quieter procedures shall be used, such as drills rather than impact equipment, whenever such procedures are available and consistent with construction procedures.
o Temporary power poles shall be used instead of generators where feasible.
o Stationary noise sources shall be located as far from adjacent properties as possible, and they shall be muffled and enclosed within temporary sheds, incorporate insulation barriers, or use other measures as determined by the City of provide equivalent noise reduction. o The noisiest phases of construction shall be limited to less than 10 days at a time. Exceptions may be allowed if the City determines an

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extension is necessary and all available noise reduction controls are implemented.
o Delivery of materials shall observe the hours of operation described above. Truck traffic should avoid residential areas to the extent possible. - Require new development to minimize vibration impacts to adjacent uses during demolition and construction. For sensitive historic structures, a vibration limit of 0.08 in/sec PPV (peak particle velocity) will be used to minimize the potential for cosmetic damage to the building. A vibration limit of 0.30 in/sec PPV will be used to minimize the potential for cosmetic damage at buildings of normal conventional construction.

2. Groundborne Vibration and Groundborne Noise Levels
Threshold: Would the project result in the generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact NOI-2, pages 5.11-37 through

5.11-41)
Explanation: The main sources of vibration in the Planning Area are related to vehicles and construction. Typical roadway traffic, including heavy trucks, rarely generates vibration amplitudes high enough to cause structural or cosmetic damage. Although not specifically within La Verne, there have been cases in which heavy trucks traveling over potholes or other discontinuities in the pavement have caused vibration high enough to result in complaints from nearby residents. These types of issues typically ca n be resolved by smoothing the roadway surface.

Transportation Vibration
Table 5.11-4 indicates that the 60 dBA Ldn railroad noise contours for the San Gabriel Subdivision and Pasadena Subdivision line may extend up to 93 feet and 168 feet from the railroad centerline, respectively. Future development located along these railr oad lines could therefore be exposed to unacceptable exterior noise levels. With regards to vibration impacts on new development near railroads, human disturbance is the primary concern.

It is extremely rare for vibration levels from trains passing to resu lt in structural damage to buildings. In addition, buses and other transit vehicles are not anticipated to generate excessive vibration levels that would disturb sensitive receptors because these vehicles are traveling at lower speeds and do not generate substantial vibrations. The General Plan Update would not increase railway operations within the Planning Area. Additionally, the Project does not include any specific development proposals.

The General Plan Update includes policies and actions to reduce potential

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exposure to excessive railroad noise and vibrations. Specifically, Policy PS-

7.11 would require the City to continue to coordinate with railroad companies, Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (regarding Metro A (Gold) Line construction), and Los Ange les County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (regarding Metro A (Gold) Line operation), to support and maintain reasonable limits on rail traffic, the use of bells and whistles, and the speed and hours of rail operation in affected areas of the City, and maintain adequate setbacks and buffer zones along rail lines to reduce adverse noise impacts on sensitive receptors. Action PS -7.6 would require new residential projects located adjacent to major freeways, hard rail lines or light rail lines to follow t he Federal Transit Administration (FTA) vibration screening distance criteria to prevent residential uses from being exposed to vibrations exceeding 72 VdB for frequent events (more than 70 events per day), 75 VdB for occasional events (30 -70 events per day), or 80 VdB for infrequent events (less than 30 events per day). With implementation of proposed General Plan Update policies and actions, this impact would be reduced to less than significant.

Construction Vibration
Construction activities that produce vibration that can be felt by adjacent land uses include the use of vibratory equipment, large bulldozers, and pile drivers. The primary sources of vibration during construction are usually vibratory rollers and large bulldozers. Construction activities facilitated by implementation of the General Plan Update may in clude demolition of existing structures, site preparation work, excavation of below grade levels, foundation work, pile driving, and new building erection. D emolition for an individual site may last several weeks and at times may produce substantial vibration. Excavation for underground levels may also occur on some project sites and vibratory pile driving could be used to stabilize the walls of the excavated area. Piles or drilled caissons may also be used to support building foundations.

As shown in Table 5.11 -10, a vibratory roller has a peak particle velocity (inches/second) of 0.21 and a large bulldozer has a peak particle velocity of

0.089 (inches per second) at 25 feet. The use of pile driving equipment can generate a peak particle ve locity of 1.5 (inches per second) depending on the size and model.

While typical construction vibrations are not predicted to cause damage to existing buildings or cause annoyance to sensitive receptors located further than 25-feet, should pile driving be required within 50 feet of an existing structure, these impacts may be considered significant. With implementation of Action PS -7, which requires new development to minimize vibration impacts to adjacent uses during demolition and construction, it would ensure that construction vibrations do not cause damage to any adjacent structures, and thus, the General Plan Update would

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result in a less than significant impact relative to this environmental topic.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Policy PS-7.7: Roadway Noise. Encourage nonmotorized transportation alternatives for local trips and the implementation of noise sensitivity measures in the public realm, including traffic-calming road design, lateral separation, natural buffers, and setbacks to decrease excessive motor vehicle noise along major arterials.

Policy PS-7.8: Highway Noise. Continue to coordinate with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to achieve maximum noise abatement in the design of new highway projects or improvements along SR -210; abatement techniques could include alignment, barriers, lateral separation, or other innovative techniques.

Policy PS-7.11: Railroad Noise. Continue to coordinate with railroad companies, Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (regarding Metro A (Gold) Line construction), and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (regarding Metro A (Gold) Line operation), to support and m aintain reasonable limits on rail traffic, the use of bells and whistles, and the speed and hours of rail operation in affected areas of the City, and maintain adequate setbacks and buffer zones along rail lines to reduce adverse n oise impacts on sensitive receptors.

PS-7 Actions

1. Require acoustical studies for all new discretionary projects, including those related to development and transportation, which have the potential to generate noise impacts which exceed the standards identified in this General Plan. The studies shall incl ude representative noise measurements, estimates of existing and projected noise levels, and mitigation measures necessary to ensure compliance with this element.

2. Update the City’s Noise Ordinance (Chapter 8.20) to reflect the noise standards established in this General Plan and proactively enforce the City’s Noise Ordinance, including requiring the following measures for construction:
- Restrict construction activities to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. No construction shall be permitted outside of these hours or on Sundays or federal holidays, without a specific exemption issued by the City. - A Construction Noise Management Plan shall be submitted by the applicant for construction projects, when construction is located 200 feet or less from a sensitive receptor. The Construction Noise Management Plan shall include proper posting of construction schedules, appointment of a noise disturbance coordinator, and methods for assisting in noise reduction measures.

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- Noise reduction measures may include, but are not limited to, the following:
o Equipment and trucks used for project construction shall utilize the best available noise control techniques (e.g., improved mufflers, equipment redesign, use of intake silencers, ducts, engine enclosures and acoustically attenuating shields or shrouds) wherever feasible. o Except as provided herein, impact tools (e.g., jack hammers, pavement breakers, and rock drills) used for project construction shall be hydraulically or electrically powered to avoid noise associated with compressed air exhaust from pneumatically powered t ools. However, where use of pneumatic tools is unavoidable, an exhaust muffler on the compressed air exhaust shall be used. This muffler can lower noise levels from the exhaust by up to about 10 dBA. External jackets on the tools themselves shall be use d, if such jackets are commercially available. this could achieve a reduction of 5 dBA. Quieter procedures shall be used, such as drills rather than impact equipment, whenever such procedures are available and consistent with construction procedures.
o Temporary power poles shall be used instead of generators where feasible.
o Stationary noise sources shall be located as far from adjacent properties as possible, and they shall be muffled and enclosed within temporary sheds, incorporate insulation barriers, or use other measures as determined by the City of provide equivalent noise reduction. o The noisiest phases of construction shall be limited to less than 10 days at a time. Exceptions may be allowed if the City determines an extension is necessary and all available noise reduction controls are implemented.
o Delivery of materials shall observe the hours of operation described above. Truck traffic should avoid residential areas to the extent possible. - Require new development to minimize vibration impacts to adjacent uses during demolition and construction. For sensitive historic structures, a vibration limit of 0.08 in/sec PPV (peak particle velocity) will be used to minimize the potential for cosmetic damage to the building. A vibration limit of 0.30 in/sec PPV will be used to minimize the potential for cosmetic damage at buildings of normal conventional construction.

3. Airport Noise
Threshold: For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public

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airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise?
Finding: Less than Significant . (Draft EIR, Impact NOI-3, pages 5.11-41 through

5.11.43)
Explanation: Implementation of the General Plan could result in the creation of new noise-sensitive land uses within the 60 dB CNEL noise contours contained within the Brackett Field ALUCP, as shown by Figure 5.11 -2. While no specific development projects are proposed under the General Plan Update, new development and redevelopment may al low for new noise sensitive land uses within the 60 dB CNEL noise contours.

Single-event noise associated with aircraft overflights is also of concern when evaluating aircraft noise effects in terms of land use compatibility.

Single-event noise is the maximum sound level produced by an individual approach overflight at a specific location, often described in terms of Lmax, which is the maximum sound level recorded for each event. A different measurement is single -event noise, also commonly used when evaluating aircraft noise, is the SEL. The SEL describes the event’s mean energy level over the duration of the noise event. As would be expected, single -event noise levels for aircraft overflights within the Planning Area would be greatest and most frequent near the airport’s primary flight paths.

The General Plan Update Public Safety Element includes policies and actions that are intended to reduce noise associated with the airport. General Plan Policy PS -7.2, Policy PS -7.11, and Action PS -7.5, identified below, are intended to minimize exposure to excessive noise, including noise associated with aircraft noise sources. Specifically, Policy PS -7.2 requires that sensitive facilities and uses be located in areas away from excessive noise unless proper mitigation is in place. Policy PS-7.11 supports working with Los Angeles County and Brackett Field to maintain noise from the airport at its current level. Action 7.2 requires new development and transportation projects be reviewed for compliance with the noise requirements established in the proposed Gen eral Plan Update, including the standards established in Table PS -1, and, where necessary, mitigate excessive noise through best practices. With the implementation of the General Plan Update policies and actions, the noise impact relative to airports would be less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
PS-7.2 Sensitive Facilities. Locate sensitive facilities such as residential uses, schools, medical facilities, libraries, churches, and convalescent homes away from areas of excessive noise unless proper mitigation measures are in place.

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PS-7.11 Airport Noise. Work with Los Angeles County and Brackett Field to monitor aircraft noise, implement noise -reducing operation measures, promote pilot awareness of noise impacts, and maintain noise from the airport at its current level.

PS-7 Actions

1. Update the La Verne Municipal Code to ensure that the noise standards are consistent with this General Plan, and to require new residential, mixed-use with a residential component, and other noise -sensitive development to be designed to minimize noise expo sure to noise sensitive uses through incorporation of site planning and architectural techniques. The update shall also include noise standards for residential uses within a mixed-use development, which may differ from other adopted residential noise standards.

2. Review new development projects for compliance with the noise requirements established in this General Plan, including the standards established in Tables PS - 1 and PS-2. Where necessary, require new development to mitigate excessive noise through best practices, including building location and orientation, building design features, placement of noise-generating equipment away from sensitive receptors, shielding of noise -generating equipment, placement of noise -tolerant features between noise sources and se nsitive receptors, and use of noise -minimizing materials such as rubberized asphalt.

3. Require acoustical studies for all new discretionary projects, including those related to development and transportation, which have the potential to generate noise impacts or sensitive uses that would be exposed to noise impacts which exceed the standards identified in this General Plan. The studies shall include representative noise measurements, estimates of existing and projected noise levels, and mitigation measures necessary to ensure compliance with this element.

K. POPULATION AND HOUSING

1. Population Growth
Threshold: 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?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact POP-1, pages 5.12-10 through

5.12-15)
Explanation: The proposed General Plan Update would continue to accommodate future growth in La Verne, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. The revisions to the Land Use Map would include simplifying how Specific Plans are shown on the map through utilization of the new Specific Plan – Residential and Specific Plan

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– Mixed-Use land use designations, described below, and various other updates to reflect amendments to the land use map reviewed and approved since the last comprehensive update. Changes to existing land use designations not previously approved are not pro posed. New growth is anticipated to occur along the City’s major corridors (Arrow Highway and Foothill Boulevard) and around the new Metro A (Gold) Line Station. No new development is anticipated within the Sphere of Influence.

Given the historical and current population, housing, and employment trends, growth in the City, as well as the entire State, is inevitable. The primary factors that account for population growth are natural increase and net migration. Other factors that affect growth include the cost of housing, the location of jobs, the economy, the climate, and transportation. As discussed above, Los Angeles County, including the Planning Area, are only anticipated to continue growing. Residential growth within the City would continue to occur based primarily on the demand of the housing market. Existing development within the City is served by existing roads, transit, infrastructure, and public services. While these factors would likely result in growth in La Verne durin g the planning period of the proposed General Plan Update, growth would continue to occur based primarily on the demand of the housing market and demand for new commercial, industrial, and other non -residential uses, which may result in less development th an accommodated by the General Plan land use designations. As future development accommodated by implementation of the General Plan Update occurs, new roads, infrastructure, and services would be necessary to serve such development, and this infrastructure would accommodate planned growth.

Assuming development occurs consistent with the densities and intensities allowed by the General Plan land use designations and existing Specific Plans, the proposed General Plan Update could accommodate approximately 2,700 new housing units for a total of 14,354 housing units and 2.5 million square feet of new non-residential building square footage, for a total of 8 million square feet of non-residential building square footage within the Planning Area at 2045 buildout conditions compared to existing conditions, as shown in Table 3-4, in Section 3.0, Project Description. This new growth may increase the City’s population by approximately 4,800 residents and 5,250 jobs, as compared to the existing condition.

Potential growth inducing impacts are also assessed based on a project’s consistency with adopted plans that have addressed growth management from a local and regional standpoint. As discussed above, SCAG, as the MPO, is the responsible agency for developi ng and adopting regional housing, population, and employment growth forecasts for local Los Angeles County governments, among other counties. SCAG provides household, population, and employment projection estimates in five -year

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increments through 2045.

Table 5.12 -7, General Plan Update Compared to SCAG, compares the General Plan Update growth projections with SCAG’s 2045 households, dwelling units, population, and employment growth forecasts for the City.

As shown in Table 5.12-7, the General Plan Update population and housing stock projections would exceed SCAG’s 2045 projections for the City of La Verne. SCAG Connect SoCal projects that the City’s population will reach 34,400 persons by 2045. Future devel opment resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update is projected to result in a population of approximately 37,142 persons in the City (2,742 more than the SCAG’s population projections). With implementation of the General Plan Update, the City’s projected population would be approximately eight percent greater than SCAG’s forecast. Similarly, the City’s projected housing stock would be approximately 15 percent greater with implementation of the General Plan Update than forecasted by SCAG.

Employment projections are anticipated to reach 18,300 jobs under the SCAG forecast; implementation of the General Plan Update is anticipated to result in 16,572 jobs, approximately nine percent less than SCAG forecasts.

While Project growth projections are anticipated to exceed SCAG’s 2045 population and housing projections, which are compiled using a number of sources including adopted plans, historical trends, and interviews with local jurisdictions, growth projections tend to be more accurate on a regional level than on a local or city level. It is likely that through a combination of market changes, catalytic projects, updated land use direction in the General Plan, and other factors, La Verne could capture either more or less of the expected regional growth than forecasted by SCAG. Discrepancies between Project and regional forecasts are also caused by the RHNA process.

SCAG’s Connect SoCal growth forecasts through 2045 do not consider the regional housing need for the 2021-2029 period, as jurisdictional allocations were not known at the time of SCAG’s Connect SoCal adoption.

Additionally, SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 -2050 RTP/SCS Local Data Exchange (LDX) Process Data/Map Book for La Verne (November 2023), forecasts 12,702 households (i.e., occupied housing units) in 2050. Based on an existing vacancy rate of 3.2 percent, this would result in 13,108 housing units within the City. Although less than the buildout growth potential of 14,354 housing units accommodated by the G eneral Plan Update, SCAG specifically acknowledges that “while Government Code 65080(b)(1)(B) et seq. comments on the relationship of the RTP/SCS to the RHNA, a specific requirement does not exist such that forecasted household growth at the jurisdictional level is numerically equivalent to a jurisdiction's RHNA” . Through the local data exchange process, it is anticipated that the regional housing needs would be considered as part of SCAG’s future

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growth forecasts. General Plan Update growth projections form the basis of SCAG’s planning and policy documents, including regional growth forecasts. Thus, the growth anticipated with the General Plan Update would be considered in SCAG’s future growth forecasts for the City. Additionally, the Project’s growth projections are consistent with the RHNA allocated to the City of La Verne by SCAG.

The proposed General Plan Update includes policies and actions that mitigate environmental impacts associated with growth, such as air quality, noise, traffic, water supply, and water quality effects. Sections 5.1 through

5.17 and 6.0 provide a discussion of environmental effects associated with development which would be accommodated by implementation of the proposed General Plan Update. Each of these EIR sections include relevant policies and action items that would mitigate potential environmental impacts associated with growth, to the greatest extent feasible. Further, the General Plan Update accounts for the proposed Project’s anticipated population growth and establishes goals, policies, and actions to accommodate such growth. The proposed Land Use Ele ment Goal LU -1 envisions a land use plan that supports a diverse, self-sufficient community that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services, and recreational opportunities.

Goal LU -2 seeks to thoughtfully plan for and manage desirable future growth within the City’s jurisdiction and its SOI. Policy LU -2.1 balances quality development with adequate and equitable distribution of services, resources, and amenities throughout the City. Pol icy LU -2.11 accommodates the appropriate level of residential and nonresidential growth for the San Gabriel Valley as determined by input made by the San Gabriel Valley Cities through SCAG projections. The proposed Community Services and Facilities Element includes Policy CSF-1.1 to ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them. Policy CSF -1.3 requires new development to offset o r mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

With implementation of General Plan Update policies and actions intended to guide growth to appropriate areas and provide services necessary to accommodate growth, the land uses allowed under the proposed General Plan Update, the infrastructure anticipated to accommodate proposed land uses, and the goal and policy framework would not induce growth that would exceed adopted thresholds, beyond those disclosed and analyzed throughout this EIR. Therefore, impacts related to population and housing growth associa ted with the proposed General Plan would be less than significant, as there are no additional potential environmental impacts, beyond those analyzed and disclosed in this EIR, that would result from growth accommodated by the proposed project. No mitigation is required.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Goal LU -1: Land Use Mix . A City with a land use plan that supports a diverse, self - sufficient community that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services, and recreational opportunities.

Policy LU-1.1: Land Use Pattern . Provide for an overall mix of housing, employment, service, and recreational opportunities that promotes efficient development and multimodal choices; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; ensures compatibility between uses; enhances community livability and public health; and sustains economic vitality.

Policy LU-1.9: Growth Pattern. Strongly encourage new development to occur in infill locations in a balanced and efficient pattern that reduces sprawl, preserves open space, and creates convenient connections to other land uses and transportation facilities.

Goal LU-2: Growth Management. A community that thoughtfully plans for and manages desirable future growth within its jurisdiction and its Sphere of Influence.

Policy LU-2.1: Development and Services. Balance quality development with adequate and equitable distribution of services, resources, and amenities throughout the City.

Policy LU-2.2: Upgrade of Services. Place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet current and anticipated demand.

Policy LU-2.3: Areas with Limited Local Services. Provide stricter development controls in areas with limited local services.

Policy LU-2.4: Sphere of Influence Areas. Encourage development in the City’s Sphere of Influence to be compatible with adjacent development and consistent with the City’s design and service expectations.

Policy LU -2.11: Growth Accommodation . Accommodate the appropriate level of residential and nonresidential growth for the San Gabriel Valley as determined by input made by the San Gabriel Valley Cities through Southern California Association of Government projections
Goal LU -3: Residential Development . A community that preserves and protects its residential neighborhoods.

Policy LU -3.1: Single Family Homes . Maintain La Verne’s predominant land use of single family residential, while providing for a mix of housing types throughout the community for people of various ages and incomes.

Policy LU-5.4: Impact Evaluation. Evaluate each development proposal for impact upon the neighborhood, City and San Gabriel Valley region.

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COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Policy CSF-1.1: New Development . Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF-2.4: Fair Share. Ensure that all new development provides for and funds its fair share of the costs for adequate water distribution, including line extensions, easements, and dedications.

2. Displacement of Housing
Threshold: Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact POP-2, pages 5.12-15 through

5.12-18)
Explanation: While no specific development projects are proposed as part of the La Verne General Plan Update, the Project proposes to accommodate future growth in La Verne, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. Buildout o f the General Plan Update could yield a total of up to 14,400 housing units, a population of 37,500 people, approximately eight million square feet of non -residential building square footage, and 16,500 jobs within the Planning Area. The major ity of developed land in the Planning Area is comprised of residential uses, which is not anticipated to undergo significant land use changes under the General Plan Update. While no specific development projects are proposed as part of the La Verne General Plan Update, the General Plan Update would accommodate future growth in La Verne, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. New growth is anticipated to occur along the City’s major corridors (Arrow Highway and Foothill Boulevard) and around the new Metro A Line Station. No new development is anticipated within the SOI.

Through the General Plan Update Land Use Element, the City aims to retain La Verne’s high quality of life by providing a range of housing types that promote a safe and family -oriented living environment. The Very High Density Residential land use category, which would allow for up to 32 dwelling units per acre, is a new land use category to be provided for potential future development and is not assigned to any specific parcels within the City under the proposed General Plan Update (refer to Section

3.0, Project Description). The General Plan Land Use Map was developed

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to preserve existing neighborhoods throughout the City.

As the Project does not propose any site-specific development at this time, no existing residents would be displaced. The proposed Project is projected to increase the overall number of dwelling units and provide housing to serve the diverse needs of the community at various socioeconomic levels.

Regardless, gradual development of the Project could involve potential displacement of existing residents. In eventual cases, condominium development associated with multiple -family residential buildings would adhere to Municipal Code Chapter 18.92, Condominium Conversions. The purpose of Chapter 18.92 is to regulate the conversion of existing multiple- family residential buildings into condominiums, community apartments or stock cooperatives, and mobile home parks into mobile home subdivisions, cooperatives or condominiums, in order to provide for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community by reducing and avoiding the displacement of residents, particularly senior citizens and families with school-age children, who may be required to move from the community due a shortage of replacement rental housing units and mobile home sites.

Future projects accommodated by implementation of the Project would be subject to these policies, further deterring possibl e displacement.

Additionally, there are a number of State laws, including the Housing Crisis Act (Government Code section 66300) and Density Bonus Law (Government Code section 65915), in place regarding replacement housing units.

The General Plan Update establishes goals, policies, and actions to ensure the compatibility of new and existing development, including housing. The proposed Land Use Element Goal LU -1 envisions a land use plan that supports a diverse, self -sufficient comm unity that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services, and recreational opportunities. Goal LU -2 seeks to thoughtfully plan for and manage desirable future growth within the City’s jurisdiction and its SOI. Policy LU -2.11 accommodates the appropriate level of residential and nonresidential growth for the San Gabriel Valley as determined by input made by the San Gabriel Valley Cities through SCAG projections. Goal LU -3 preserves and pro tects the City’s residential neighborhoods. Policy LU-3.1 maintains La Verne’s predominant land use of single family residential, while providing for a mix of housing types throughout the community for people of various ages and incomes.

Therefore, impacts of the proposed General Plan Update on the displacement of people or housing are considered less than significant, and no mitigation is required. The policies listed below would further ensure that a range of housing types are provided in the City and tha t housing conditions are evaluated as the housing supply ages.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Goal LU -1: Land Use Mix. A City with a land use plan that supports a diverse, self - sufficient community that offers a variety of housing types, job opportunities, institutional uses, community facilities, commercial services, and recreational opportunities.

Policy LU-1.1: Land Use Pattern. Provide for an overall mix of housing, employment, service, and recreational opportunities that promotes efficient development and multimodal choices; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; ensures c ompatibility between uses; enhances community livability and public health; and sustains economic vitality.

Goal LU-2: Growth Management. A community that thoughtfully plans for and manages desirable future growth within its jurisdiction and its Sphere of Influence.

Policy LU-2.1: Development and Services. Balance quality development with adequate and equitable distribution of services, resources, and amenities throughout the City.

Policy LU -2.11: Growth Accommodation. Accommodate the appropriate level of residential and nonresidential growth for the San Gabriel Valley as determined by input made by the San Gabriel Valley Cities through Southern California Association of Government projections.

Goal LU -3: Residential Development. A community that preserves and protects its residential neighborhoods.

Policy LU -3.1: Single Family Homes. Maintain La Verne’s predominant land use of single family residential, while providing for a mix of housing types throughout the community for people of various ages and incomes.

Policy LU-5.4: Impact Evaluation. Evaluate each development proposal for impact upon the neighborhood, City and San Gabriel Valley region.

L. PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION

1. Fire Protection and Emergency Services
Threshold: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire Protection and Emergency Services? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pages 5.13-26 through 5.13-30)

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Explanation: While no specific development projects are proposed as part of the General Plan Update, the General Plan Update would accommodate future growth in La Verne, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. New growth is anticipated to occur along the City’s major corridors (Arrow Highway and Foothill Boulevard) and around the new Metro L (Gold) Line Station. No new development is anticipated within the SOI. The buildout analysis assumes a more than 20 - year planning horizon, and 2045 is the full buildout year of the General Plan.

Based on the anticipated growth, as described in Section 3.0, Project Description, and summarized in Table 3-4, General Plan 2045 Buildout by Land Use Designation, 2045 buildout under the General Plan Update could yield a net change over existing conditions of an additional 2,680 housing units, an additional population of 4,803 people, an additional 2,536,986 square feet of non -residential building square footage, and an additional 5,254 jobs within the Planning Area.

Future development projected in the General Plan Update may result in the need for additional LVFD resources (i.e., additional staffing, equipment, expanded/new facilities). At this time, it is unknown whether LVFD would need to expand or construct new fac ilities to meet the demand of future development in the Planning Area. Future development is assumed to occur over time through 2045; thus, any increase in demand for fire protection services would occur gradually as additional development and associated population growth is added to the City. LVFD would continue to regularly monitor fire department resources to ensure that adequate facilities, staffing, and equipment are available to serve existing and future development and population increases. Further, as development occurs, a proportional increase in property tax, charges for LVFD services, and other funding sources would increase and offset impacts of new development on LVFD’s existing resources in the City.

Additionally, new development projected in the General Plan Update would be required to comply with all applicable California Fire Code requirements for construction, access, water mains, fire flows, and hydrants. Individual project development plans would be reviewed by LVFD to determine specific fire requirements (e.g., fire flow capacities, emergency access, fuel modification plans) applicable to the specific development and to ensure compliance with these requirements. Further, La Verne Municipal Chapte r

3.27, Fire Development Fees – Hillside Development Overlay Zone, establishes a development fee for fire suppression and emergency response services to be imposed on future residential development projects to provide their equitable share of the cost of mitigating emergency and fire responses in the hillside development overlay zone, and to mitigate the increased demand for fire suppression and emergency response services created by the construction of such developments in areas that are not adequately served by existing fire facilities and equipment.

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As previously stated, new facilities would potentially be needed to serve growth contemplated in the General Plan Update. The environmental effect of providing the fire protection and emergency services is associated with the physical impacts of providing new and expanded facilities. The specific impacts of providing new and expanded facilities cannot be determined at this time, as the General Plan Update does not propose or authorize development nor does it designate specific sites for new or expanded public facilities. However, the facilities would be primarily provided on sites with land use designations that allow such uses and the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the facilities would likely be similar to those associated with new deve lopment, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects under the General Plan Update. These impacts are described in the relevant sections (Sections 5.1 through 5.20, and 6.0) of this EIR. Any future development resulting from implementation of the General Pl an would be required to comply with regulations, policies, and standards included in the General Plan Update and would be subject to project - specific CEQA review, as appropriate.

The General Plan Update includes a range of policies and actions to ensure that fire protection and emergency services are provided in a timely fashion, are adequately funded, are coordinated between the City and the LVFD, and that new development funds its fair share of services. Public Safety Element Goal PS -1 and subsequent policies aim to protect the community from potential fire hazards through implementation of proactive fire hazard abatement strategies. Policy PS -1.1 ensures adequate fire prevention services and facilities meet service standar ds identified by the Fire Department. Prior to project approval, Policy PS-1.12 requires development to prove that it can be served with adequate water capacity to support fire protection services. Policy PS -1.13 prohibits new development if located outside of an accepted fire service response time, as determined by the City of La Verne. The Community Services and Facilities Element contains Goal CSF-1 and associated policies aimed to preserve adequate and efficient public services. Community Services and F acilities Element Policy CSF -

1.1 ensures that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them. Further, Policy CSF -5.1 ensures that LVFD has adequate funding, staff, and equipment to accommodate existing and future growth in La Verne.

With implementation of the General Plan Update policies and actions, adherence to the Municipal Code, and compliance with applicable regulations, impacts related to the provisions and needs of fire protection and emergency services are less than significan t, and no mitigation is required.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Goal PS-1: Fire Safety. A community that is minimally impacted by wildland and urban fires through implementation of proactive fire hazard abatement strategies.

Policy PS-1.1: Services and Facilities. Provide adequate fire prevention services and facilities to meet the service standards identified by the Fire Department.

Policy PS-1.12: Adequate Water Supply. Require development to prove conclusively that it can be served with adequate water capacity to support fire protection services.

Policy PS -1.13: Response Time. Prohibit new development if located outside of an accepted fire service response time, as determined by the City of La Verne.

Policy PS-1.17: Fire and Building Codes. Require that all buildings and structures within La Verne comply with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the California Fire and Building Codes as well as other applicable fire safety standards.

Action PS-1.2: Work with the Fire Department to maintain an ongoing fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards associated with multifamily development, critical facilities, public assembly facilities, industrial buildings, and nonresidential buildings.

Action PS-1.6: Design development on hillsides and canyons to reduce the increased risk of fires from topography features (i.e., steep slopes, ridge saddles).

Action PS-1.7: Conduct an evaluation on fire flow pressures in the City. Collaborate with the appropriate water providers on necessary upgrades to ensure adequate fire protection.

Action PS -1.10: The Fire Department and City Engineer will review proposed development projects and street networks to evaluate the accessibility for fire engines and other emergency response functions.

Goal PS-8: Emergency Operations and Facilities. A community that is prepared for and responds effectively to natural and human-induced disasters and emergencies, minimizing loss of life, injury, property damage, and disruption of vital services.

Policy PS -8.1: Critical Facilities. Coordinate with service providers to ensure the resilience of critical facilities, lifeline services, and infrastructure, and plan for the use of critical facilities during post-disaster response and recovery.

Policy PS -8.3: Communication. Maintain proper communication protocols and procedures among emergency service providers; local, state, and federal government agencies; businesses; schools; utilities; and other relevant parties to ensure quick and efficient response in the event of an emergency.

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COMMUNITY FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provisions of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF -1.5: Revenue Sources. Identify local, stable and predictable sources of revenue and creative financing strategies (such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District) to meet public facility, service, and infrastructure needs.

Policy CSF-1.9: Infrastructure Rehabilitation. Prioritize the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities and critical infrastructure to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

Action CSF-1.2: Maintain records regarding the quality and status of public facilities and critical infrastructure and use this information to inform the capital improvement planning process.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Goal CSF-5: Community Safety. A safe community due to the provision of high-quality police and fire services and crime prevention measures.

Policy CSF-5.1: Provision of Services. Ensure that the Police and Fire Departments have adequate funding, staff, and equipment to accommodate existing and future growth in La Verne.

Policy CSF -5.4: Department Consultation. Promote coordination between land use planning and urban design through consultation and coordination with the Police and Fire Departments during the review of new development applications.

2. Law Enforcement Services
Threshold: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain

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acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Law Enforcement Services? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pages 5.13-30 through 5.13-33) Explanation: Development accommodated under the General Plan Update would result in additional new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses in the City, which would increase demand for police protection services provided by the LVPD.

Further expansion of facilities, personnel, and equipment may be required to maintain adequate levels of police protection within the City.

Development assumed by the General Plan Update is expected to occur gradually over time through 2045; thus, any incr ease in demand for police protection services would similarly occur gradually as additional development and associated population growth is added to the City, which also depends on the economic market demands. As individual projects are proposed within the City, LVPD service levels and staffing requirements would be evaluated on an annual basis to determine if additional staffing and/or facilities would be required. Upon adoption of the General Plan Update, LVPD would be able to utilize the projected growth in population, dwelling units, and nonresidential development to effectively plan for increases in population and police protection service demand.

The purpose of goals and policies of the General Plan Update are to maintain high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne. Community Services and Facilities Element contains Goal CSF -1, and its associated policies, are aimed to preserve adequate and efficient public services. Policy CSF -1.1 ensures that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them. Further, Policy CSF-5.1 ensures that LVPD has adequate funding, staff, and equipment to accommodate existing and future growth in La Verne. Policy CSF -5.6 supports efforts to improve police, fire, and emergency medical services through improved use of modern technology and industry best practices. Action CSF-5.3 has the City pursue grant funding on an on -going basis to increase LVPD and LVFD staffing levels; improve police and fire facilities and equipment; and, improve community safety services and programs. Additionally, Municipal Code Title 9, Public Peace, Morals, and welfare, contains several chapters regulating law enforcement’s power and jurisdiction over certain crime categories and violations.

Implementation of these General Plan Update policies would help minimize risks related to significant impacts to police protection services. As such, implementation of the General Plan Update would result in less than significant impacts, and no mitigation is required.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provisions of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF -1.5: Revenue Sources. Identify local, stable and predictable sources of revenue and creative financing strategies (such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District) to meet public facility, service, and infrastructure needs.

Policy CSF-1.9: Infrastructure Rehabilitation. Prioritize the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities and critical infrastructure to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

Policy CSF -1.10: Facility Sharing. Promote the clustering of public and quasi -public facilities (e.g., schools, parks, activity centers, etc.), the joint use of facilities, and agreements for sharing costs and operational responsibilities among users.

Action CSF-1.2: Maintain records regarding the quality and status of public facilities and critical infrastructure and use this information to inform the capital improvement planning process.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Goal CSF-5: Community Safety. A safe community due to the provision of high-quality police and fire services and crime prevention measures.

Policy CSF-5.1: Provision of Services. Ensure that the Police and Fire Departments have adequate funding, staff, and equipment to accommodate existing and future growth in La Verne.

Policy CSF -5.2: Culture of Safety. Establish a culture of safety in La Verne by encouraging and supporting public safety programs that enhance safety and reduce crime through community policing, public education, youth crime prevention, and outreach programs.

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Policy CSF-5.3: Site Planning. Emphasize the use of physical site planning as an effective means of preventing crime. Open spaces, landscaping, parking lots, parks, play areas, and other public spaces should be designed with maximum feasible visual and aural exposure to community residents.

Policy CSF -5.4: Department Consultation. Promote coordination between land use planning and urban design through consultation and coordination with the Police and Fire Departments during the review of new development applications.

Policy CSF -5.6: Technology. Support efforts to improve police, fire, and emergency medical services through improved use of modern technology and industry best practices.

Policy CSF -5.7: Training. Support the Police and Fire Departments in their efforts to continue to provide staff training that enhances cultural sensitivity, increases community outreach efforts, emphasizes their community service role, and maintains and enhances positive rapport with the community.

Policy CSF -5.10: Mutual Aid Agreements. Maintain and enhance active mutual aid agreements for police, fire, and medical disasters.

Action CSF -5.2: Continue to coordinate and promote crime and fire prevention and suppression programs with the community.

Action CSF-5.3: Pursue grant funding on an on -going basis to increase Police and Fire Department staffing levels, improve police and fire facilities and equipment, and improve community safety services and programs.

Action CSF-5.4: Develop a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Checklist to encourage project applicants to incorporate CPTED principles into the design of their projects and to assist in the Police Department’s review of development applications.

3. Schools
Threshold: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Schools?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pages 5.13-33 through 5.13-37) Explanation: Implementation of the General Plan Update could result in the development of up to 2,680 dwelling units over existing conditions. School districts typically use student generation factors to determine the potential number of students that would be generate d by the amount of residential development in order to accurately anticipate the needs for new/expanded

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facilities. Table 5.13-7, Bonita School Unified School District, identifies the number of potential students that would be generated from development anticipated by the General Plan Update in 2045.

Assuming all new development under the General Plan Update occurs within BUSD’s school boundary, the Project would generate approximately 876 students (428 elementary school students, 191 middle school students, and 257 high school students). As shown in T able 5.13-7, BUSD does not currently have excess capacity at the elementary or middle school levels or have excess capacity overall. The high schools have an excess capacity of 214 seats, but as shown, that capacity may not be sufficient to accommodate future growth assumed under the General Plan Update. As such, based on the conservative assumption that all 2,680 residential units would provide new students to BUSD’s school population, BUSD would not be able to adequately accommodate the increase in student population. Therefore, new facilities may need to be created, or existing facilities may need to be expanded, to accommodate for future population growth.

The exact location of future development is currently unknown. However, future development projected within the Planning Area is anticipated to occur gradually through 2045 and would be largely based on market demand. Thus, any increase in demand for schoo l services would occur gradually as additional development occurs in the Planning Area.

School districts assess development impact fees against residential and non- residential development to mitigate impacts resulting from the increase in demand for school related services. Pursuant to SB 50, payment of fees to the applicable school district constitutes full mitigation for project impacts, including impacts related to 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, or other performance objectives for schools. Therefore, individual development projects developed as a result of General Plan Update implementation would be required to pay the statutor y fees, so that school facilities can be constructed/expanded, if necessary, at the nearest sites to accommodate the impact of project-generated students, thereby reducing potential impacts to a less than significant level.

In addition, the proposed General Plan Update includes several policies related to school services. Community Services and Facilities Element Goal CSF-6 ensures that the community has quality primary, secondary, and college educational opportunities, inclu ding occupational and lifelong learning options. Policy CSF-6.1 allows the City to work cooperatively with BUSD in order to ensure that adequate facilities and educational opportunities for all students are provided in a timely manner in accordance with th e pace of residential development. Action CSF -6.1 evaluates the

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financial feasibility of implementing programs to promote and provide access to local and web -based educational resources, programs, and services for parents, students, and adults. Further, Community Services and Facilities Element Goal CSF -1, and subseque nt policies, maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne. Specifically, Policy CSF -1.1 ensures that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them; and Policy CSF -1.2 requires new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Overall, increased cooperation and coordination between the City and school districts would ensure high-quality school and community facilities throughout La Verne and would not result in significant impacts to school facilities. As such, the General Plan Update would result in a less than significant impact on school services and facilities, and no mitigation is required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provisions of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF -1.5: Revenue Sources. Identify local, stable, and predictable sources of revenue and creative financing strategies (such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District) to meet public facility, service, and infrastructure needs.

Policy CSF-1.9: Infrastructure Rehabilitation. Prioritize the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities and critical infrastructure to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

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Action CSF-1.2: Maintain records regarding the quality and status of public facilities and critical infrastructure and use this information to inform the capital improvement planning process.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Goal CSF-6: Educational Resources. A community with quality primary, secondary, and college educational opportunities, including occupational and lifelong learning options.

Policy CSF-6.1: Adequate Facilities. Continue to work cooperatively with Bonita Unified School District in order to ensure that adequate facilities and educational opportunities for all students are provided in a timely manner in accordance with the pace of residential development.

Policy CSF-6.2: High-Quality Schools. Continue to strongly support and encourage the maintenance of high -quality schools and diverse educational opportunities in La Verne, and work cooperatively with the local schools to explore all funding sources to secure available funding for new school facilities and resources.

Policy CSF-6.3: Early Childhood Development. Encourage community organizations and schools to provide and expand opportunities for early childhood care (0 –5 years) and development.

Policy CSF -6.4: After-School Programs. Encourage schools and community organizations to provide safe, affordable, and quality after -school programs that offer recreational, educational, and health programs.

Policy CSF -6.5: College Education. Support the University of La Verne and other institutions of higher education in providing comprehensive educational opportunities that include certificate and associate, four-year, and advanced degree programs.

Policy CSF-6.6: Adult Education. Support the provision and expansion of continuing adult education programs.

Policy CSF-6.7: Library System. Support the development of the local library and expand access to materials where possible through partnerships with other organizations, such as Bonita Unified School District and the University of La Verne.

Policy CSF -6.8: Partnerships. Increase partnership opportunities between the City, businesses, and other organizations and institutions (e.g., University of La Verne, Bonita Unified School District, Fairplex Association, nonprofit groups, and private schools) to increase community education and lifelong learning.

Policy CSF -6.9: Communication. Maintain and strengthen open communications between the City and its many educational institutions to achieve the highest quality education for La Verne’s children, youth, and adults.

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Policy CSF-6.11: Community Learning. Provide an environment in which community literacy and cultural opportunities are enhanced.

Action CSF-6.1: Consider and evaluate the financial feasibility of implementing programs to promote and provide access to local and web -based educational resources, programs, and services for parents, students, and adults.

Action CSF -6.2: Continue to partner with local schools, the La Verne Chamber of Commerce, and the University of La Verne College, to coordinate the educational support programs and services offered to La Verne’s youth.

Action CSF -6.3: Establish an annual awards program to recognize and honor the achievements of students, local schools, and businesses and community organizations that support local schools.

Action CSF -6.4: Coordinate with local school districts, alumni networks, real estate professionals, and the business community to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing campaign that promotes the positive achievements of local schools.

4. Libraries and Community Services
Threshold: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Library Facilities and Community Services? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pages 5.13-38 through 5.13-41) Explanation: Development accommodated under the General Plan Update would result in additional residents and businesses in the City. An increase in population residents and businesses would increase the demand for public services, including library services. LVPL is pa rt of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system. The La Verne Community Center provides a wide variety of leisure opportunities and services for children, senior citizens and adults which contribute to the overall well -being of individua ls and the community.

Future development projected in the General Plan Update may result in the need for additional LVPL or Community Center resources (i.e., additional staffing, equipment, expanded/new facilities). At this time, it is unknown whether the LVPL and Community Cen ter would need to expand or construct new facilities to meet the demand of future development in the Planning Area. Future development is assumed to occur over time through 2045; thus, any increase in demand for library and community services would occur gradually as additional development and associated population growth is added to the City.

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The County’s library system and La Verne community facilities would continue receiving support through the General Plan Update goals and policies established in the Community Services and Facilities Element.

Policy CSF-1.1 ensures that new growth and devel opment participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them; and Policy CSF -1.2 requires new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development. Policy CSF-6.7 aims to expand access to the local library. As LVPL is part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system, regional coordination and coope ration is vital to ensure that all Planning Area residents have sufficient public facilities. Goal CSF -7 provides policies that bolster regional and subregional relations. Policy CSF-7.3 times development to coordinate it with public facilities availability and service improvements.

As previously stated, new or expanded facilities would potentially be needed to serve growth contemplated in the General Plan Update. The environmental effect of providing library and community services is associated with the physical impacts of providing new and expanded facilities. The specific impacts of providing new and expanded facilities cannot be determined at this time, as the General Plan Update does not propose or authorize development, nor does it designate specific sites for new or expanded pub lic facilities. However, the facilities would be primarily provided on sites with land use designations that allow such uses, and the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the facilities would likely be similar to those associated with new de velopment, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects under the General Plan Update.

These impacts are described in the relevant sections (Sections 5.1 through

5.20, and 6.0) of this EIR. Any future development resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update would be required to comply with regulations, policies, and standards included in the General Plan Update and would be subject to CEQA review, as appropriate.

The General Plan Update includes a range of policies and actions to ensure that library and community services are adequately funded, are coordinated between the City Community Center and the LVPL, and that new development funds its fair share of services. Therefore, impacts related to the provisions and needs of library and other community services would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF -1: Provision of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF -1.5: Revenue Sources. Identify local, stable and predictable sources of revenue and creative financing strategies (such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District) to meet public facility, service, and infrastructure needs.

Policy CSF-1.8: Public Facility Plans. Maintain and implement public facility master plans to ensure compliance with appropriate regional, state, and federal laws and to provide appropriate public facilities and services to maintain quality of life in La Verne.

Policy CSF-1.9: Infrastructure Rehabilitation. Prioritize the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities and critical infrastructure to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

Action CSF-1.2: Maintain records regarding the quality and status of public facilities and critical infrastructure and use this information to inform the capital improvement planning process.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Action CSF-1.5: Require any development that would put local and regional facilities at or near capacity to upgrade those facilities.

Goal CSF-6: Educational Resources. A community with quality primary, secondary, and college educational opportunities, including occupational and lifelong learning options.

Policy CSF -6.4: After-School Programs. Encourage schools and community organizations to provide safe, affordable, and quality after -school programs that offer recreational, educational, and health programs.

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Policy CSF-6.7: Library System. Support the development of the local library and expand access to materials where possible through partnerships with other organizations, such as Bonita Unified School District and the University of La Verne.

Policy CSF -6.8: Partnerships. Increase partnership opportunities between the City, businesses, and other organizations and institutions (e.g., University of La Verne, Bonita Unified School District, Fairplex Association, nonprofit groups, and private schools) to increase community education and lifelong learning.

Policy CSF-6.11: Community Learning. Provide an environment in which community literacy and cultural opportunities are enhanced.

Action CSF-6.1: Consider and evaluate the financial feasibility of implementing programs to promote and provide access to local and web -based educational resources, programs, and services for parents, students, and adults.

Action CSF -6.2: Continue to partner with local schools, the La Verne Chamber of Commerce, and the University of La Verne College, to coordinate the educational support programs and services offered to La Verne’s youth.

Goal CSF-7: Regional Services and Facility Coordination. A community that has positive relationships with regional service providers, agencies, and jurisdictions resulting in enhanced community services and facilities for La Verne.

Policy CSF-7.3: Availability of Facilities and Services. Time development to coordinate it with public facilities availability and service improvements.

Policy CSF -7.6: Fair Share Funding. Require subregionally significant projects to provide fair share funding of all public facility needs created by the development.

5. Park Facilities
Threshold: Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact PS-2, pages 5.13-41 through 5.13- 46)
Explanation: The City of La Verne contains 23 parks: six mini parks (one of which is private), 12 neighborhood parks (three of which are private), and five community parks. Based on the anticipated growth, as described in Section

3.0, Project Description, and summarize d in Table 3-4, General Plan 2045 Buildout by Land Use Designation, 2045 buildout under the General Plan Update could yield a net change over existing conditions of an additional 2,680 housing units, an additional population of 4,803 people, an additional 2,536,986 square feet of non -residential building square footage, and an additional 5,254 jobs within the Planning Area. These new residents are

Findings

expected to use park and recreational facilities, and this additional use may result in greater demands on parks and recreational facilities in the Planning Area such that deterioration of these facilities could occur or be accelerated.

The additional dema nd on existing parks and recreational facilities would increase the need for maintenance and improvements. These improvements could have environmental impacts, although the exact impacts cannot be determined since the potential improvements are currently unknown.

The provision of new parks and recreation facilities would reduce the potential for adverse impacts and physical deterioration of existing parks and recreation facilities, by providing additional facilities to accommodate the demand for parks and recreatio n facilities. These new facilities would be provided at a pace and in locations appropriate to serve new development, as required to maintain the City adopted standard for park space acreage at four acres for every 1,000 residents. Table 5.13-8, Required Parkland Dedication, shows the required parkland dedication to meet the City’s standard of four acres per 1,000 people.

Development resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update would indirectly lead to the construction of new parks and recreation facilities to serve new growth and to meet existing parks and recreation needs. The General Plan Update supports the creation of new parks and recreation facilities, including new parks and trails, to accommodate a wide range of activities for all age groups. Resource Management Element Policy RM-1.2 aims to maintain at least four acres of open space, park land and recreational facilities for every 1,000 residents, indicating the City supports the provision of new parks to meet service ratios. Policy RM -1.3 has the City provide open space, parks or recreation facilities within one -half mile of all City residents and, prio ritize acquisition and development of new facilities in underserved areas. Further, Community Services and Facilities Policy CSF-1.1 ensures that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them. Land Use Element Policy LU-

1.2 prioritizes creation, maintenance, and expansion of recreational and open space lands to the extent feasible. These new parks and recreation facilities would be distribut ed throughout areas proximate to new development in and around existing neighborhoods. Neighborhood and community parks and trails would generally be accommodated in the Open Space land use designation. The Open Space category includes parks and recreation areas, utilities, easements, flood control channels, and some hillside areas that will remain undeveloped due to environmental/safety constraints.

The City currently provides approximately 3.9 acres of parkland for every 1,000 people; as such, the City is not currently meeting the adopted parkland standard of four acres of parkland per 1,000 people. Based on the City’s

Findings

adopted parkland standard, the increase in population due to implementation of the General Plan Update could require approximately 18 acres of additional parkland, for a total of approximately 148.43 acres of new parkland, assuming a build-out population of 37,142. It should be noted that new development would be required to fund its fair share for required parkland but would not make up for existing system deficiencies.

There are currently 1,886 acres of Open Space in the Planning Area, as identified in Table 3-1 of Section 3.0, Project Description. Park space totals 128 acres in the Planning Area. According to Table 3 -2, General Plan Update Land Use Designations, the Pro ject proposes a total of 1,516 acres be dedicated to Open Space. This is a 370 -acre reduction or park space, as compared to existing conditions. However, implementation of the General Plan Update proposes to increase the amount of land dedicated Specific Plan-Mixed Use. The Specific Plan-Mixed Use land use designation refers to areas implemented with Specific Plans which allow for a mix of land uses within that area, including residential, commercial/business park, industrial, community facilities, and/or o pen space. Under the General Plan Update, approximately 2.5 million additional feet of non-residential square footage is anticipated in the Specific Plan -Mixed Use designation, indicating there will be additional space resulting from Project implementation for new parks and recreational facilities.

The General Plan Update does not specifically propose any development projects, including parks. As a result, site -specific physical impacts of future park development and construction cannot be determined until future projects are brought forward for revi ew. As future parks and recreation projects are considered by the City, each project will be evaluated for conformance with the General Plan, Municipal Code, and other applicable regulations. Parks and recreation projects would also be analyzed for potential environmental impacts, consistent with the requirements of CEQA. In addition to ensuring that new and expanded parks and recreation facilities are provided to accommodate new growth, the General Plan Update includes policies and actions to ensure that p arks and recreation facilities are adequately maintained and improved to serve both existing and planned growth. Resource Management Element Policy RM -1.8 instructs the City to perform regular maintenance and facility inspections on park playground equipme nt, facilities, and recreational fields to uphold the quality of City parks. Resource Management Element Action RM -1.1 encourages the City to pursue available resources to fund facilities and parkland maintenance, acquisition, and/or development. Further, Community Services and Facilities Element Policy CSF -1.9 prioritizes the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

Findings

Although implementation of the General Plan Update would cause an incremental increase in demand for parks in the future, this increase could be further reduced to a less than significant level by the provision of public parkland and private on-site recreational amenities and through the payment of park fees, as established in Municipal Code Chapter 3.20, Park and Recreation Charges. Compliance with and implementation of applicable General Plan Update policies and actions and compliance with the City Municipal Code would ensure parks and recreational facilities would not be overused to the point of substantial deterioration.

As stated, the General Plan Update does not propose or approve the construction or expansion of parks or recreational facilities. Any new parks or recreational facilities that may be constructed in the future would be primarily provided on sites with land use designations that allow such uses and the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the parks and recreational facilities would likely be similar to those associated with new development, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects under the General Plan. These impacts are described in the relevant chapters (Sections 5.1 through 5.17, and 6.0) of this EIR. Any future development resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update would be required to comply with regulations, policies, and standards included in the General Plan Update, all applicable regulations, and would be subject to CEQA review as appropriate. Therefore, impacts to parks and recreational facilities associated with implementation of the General Plan Update would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Policy LU-1.2: Open Space Areas. Create, maintain, and expand recreational and open space lands to the extent feasible.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM -1: Parks and Recreation. A community featuring an attractive, safe, and accessible parks and recreation system that is sufficiently funded and properly maintained.

Policy RM-1.1: Park Types. Provide a range of open spaces, parks, trails and recreation facilities to meet the active and passive recreational needs of all La Verne residents, regardless of age, ability, or income.

Policy RM-1.2: Park Standard. Maintain at least four acres of open space, park land and recreational facilities for every 1,000 residents.

Policy RM-1.3: Access Standard. Provide open space, parks or recreation facilities within one-half mile radii of all City residents and prioritize acquisition and development of new

Findings

facilities in underserved areas. Physical barriers (i.e., roadways, railroad lines, topography) should also be considered when evaluating service area and access.

Policy RM -1.4: Park Design. Uphold design, construction, implementation, and maintenance standards to ensure safe high -quality facilities, programs, and services that cater to a variety of ages and abilities, and reflect local and historic cultural elements.

Policy RM-1.5: Funding. Explore conventional and non -traditional funding options for the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and periodic modernization of La Verne’s parks and recreation facilities, and allocate sufficient funding to park development in order to ensure that the public has adequate amenities and resources.

Policy RM -1.6: Park Sustainability. Encourage the incorporation of sustainable landscaping plans for new and existing parks which work to reduce water waste and conserve energy.

Policy RM -1.7: Open Space for Private Developments. Require future private development to incorporate open space areas or greenspace for resident or employee use consistent with the Municipal Code and/or Specific Plan.

Policy RM-1.8: Park Maintenance. Perform regular maintenance and facility inspections on park playground equipment, facilities, and recreational fields to uphold the quality of City parks.

Policy RM -1.9: Accessible Facilities. Require that new park facility construction and existing facility retrofits meet accessibility standards defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and playground safety requirements (Senate Bill 2733).

Policy RM-1.10: Joint -Use Agreements. Collaborate with school districts; public and private institutions (i.e. the University of La Verne); and private developers to create joint- use agreements that broaden the range of park and recreation facility options available to the public.

Policy RM -1.11: Partnerships. Establish creative partnerships with local and regional agencies, private developers, and institutions to develop new, nontraditional types of open space and recreational facilities.

Action RM-1.1: Pursue available resources to fund facilities and parkland maintenance, acquisition, and/or development such as General Fund, private donations, gifts and endowments, special districts, and federal and state grants.

Action RM-1.2: Continue the City’s systematic completion of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance upgrades for City parks and recreation facilities.

Action RM -1.3: Periodically review and update the Parks and Recreation Charges ordinance as-necessary to better reflect current costs and needs to address park demand generated by infill development.

Findings

Action RM -1.4: Periodically review and update the fees charged for facility rentals, recreation.

Goal RM-2: Open Space. A community with distinctive natural open spaces that provide significant scenic value to La Verne.

Policy RM-2.1: Balanced Open Space System. Support a balanced and integrated open space system that reflects a variety of considerations, including resource conservation, recreation, aesthetics, and community identity.

Policy RM-2.2: Minimal Alterations to Existing Space. Encourage minimal alteration of the natural terrain in environmentally sensitive open space areas.

Policy RM -2.3: Wilderness Management Plan. Implement and support recommendations and policies established in the City of La Verne Wilderness Management Plan.

Policy RM-2.4: Scenic Vistas and Routes. Discourage development on or immediately adjacent to existing scenic vistas in order to preserve community character.

Policy RM-2.5: Regional Cooperation. Recognize areas of overlapping jurisdiction with respect to open space and biological resources, such as Los Angeles County’s Significant Ecological Area, and coordinate the City’s actions with efforts of surrounding cities, agencies, and Los Angeles County to protect and maximize regional open space.

Policy RM-2.6: Cooperative Agreements. Where feasible, enter into inter-jurisdictional cooperative agreement with allied agencies such the Angeles National Forest, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, the cities of Claremont, San Di mas, and Pomona, and non -governmental organizations, to implement resource management programs.

Action RM-2.1: Prepare and distribute in electronic and hard-copy format resource guides regarding public access to regional and local open space.

Action RM -2.2: Periodically coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to share plans regarding open space protection and access.

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.9: Infrastructure Rehabilitation. Prioritize the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities and critical infrastructure to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

Findings

6. Recreational Facilities
Threshold: Would the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact PS-3, pages 5.13-46 through 5.13- 49)
Explanation: The General Plan Update does not propose to change the amount of land dedicated to Open Space. There are currently 1,886 acres of Open Space as identified in Table 3-1 of Section 3.0, Project Description. No site-specific projects are proposed under the Ge neral Plan Update. The City currently provides 3.9 acres of parkland for every 1,000 people, which is just below the City’s desired parkland standard. Based on the anticipated 2045 buildout population of 37,142 which results in an increase of approximately 4,803 people, a total need of 148.43 acres of parkland will be needed to comply with the City’s park standard of four acres per 1,000 people.

Construction of these future parks could result in environmental impacts, including disturbances or conversion of habitat, water pollution during construction, increased noise levels, and an increase in impermeable surfaces. At the time future parks are pr oposed, they would require a separate environmental review and compliance with regulations in existence at that time would address potential environmental impacts related to the construction and operation of new parks. Furthermore, these future parks would be subject to General Plan Update policies and actions intended to protect the environment and the programmatic mitigation framework established in this EIR. Resource Management Element Policy RM-5.3 requires development proposals which could have a potential impact to biological resources to provide biological assessments in areas which may contain important plant communities and wildlife habitat; overall reducing potential adverse effects to natural communities and the environment. Resource Management Element Policy RM-5.5. ensures that open space areas that contain sensitive biological resources are maintained as passive recreation uses. Land Use Element Policy LU -1.9 strongly encourages new development to occur in infill locations in a balanced and efficient pattern that reduces sprawl, preserves open space, and creates convenient connections to other land uses and transportation facilities.

As such, with compliance to environmental regulations established at the time of future park and recreational projects are proposed, and adherence to General Plan Update policies and actions, the environmental impacts associated with the construction or ex pansion of recreational facilities would less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

Findings

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Policy LU-1.9: Growth Pattern. Strongly encourage new development to occur in infill locations in a balanced and efficient pattern that reduces sprawl, preserves open space, and creates convenient connections to other land uses and transportation facilities.

Action LU -2.6: Utilize a site development permit process and the California Environmental Quality Act in the review of proposed development projects to promote high quality in urban design and minimize environmental impacts.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM -1: Parks and Recreation. A community featuring an attractive, safe, and accessible parks and recreation system that is sufficiently funded and properly maintained.

Policy RM-1.2: Park Standard. Maintain at least four acres of open space, park land and recreational facilities for every 1,000 residents.

Policy RM-1.3: Access Standard. Provide open space, parks or recreation facilities within one-half mile radii of all City residents and prioritize acquisition and development of new facilities in underserved areas. Physical barriers (i.e., roadways, railroad lines, topography) should also be considered when evaluating service area and access.

Policy RM-1.5: Funding. Explore conventional and non -traditional funding options for the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and periodic modernization of La Verne’s parks and recreation facilities, and allocate sufficient funding to park development in order to ensure that the public has adequate amenities and resources.

Policy RM -1.6: Park Sustainability. Encourage the incorporation of sustainable landscaping plans for new and existing parks which work to reduce water waste and conserve energy.

Policy RM-1.8: Park Maintenance. Perform regular maintenance and facility inspections on park playground equipment, facilities, and recreational fields to uphold the quality of City parks.

Policy RM-1.11: Partnerships. Establish creative partnerships with local and regional agencies, private developers, and institutions to develop new, nontraditional types of open space and recreational facilities.

Action RM-1.1: Pursue available resources to fund facilities and parkland maintenance, acquisition, and/or development such as General Fund, private donations, gifts and endowments, special districts, and federal and state grants.

Findings

Action RM -1.3: Periodically review and update the Parks and Recreation Charges ordinance as-necessary to better reflect current costs and needs to address park demand generated by infill development.

Goal RM-2: Open Space. A community with distinctive natural open spaces that provide significant scenic value to La Verne.

Policy RM-2.1: Balanced Open Space System. Support a balanced and integrated open space system that reflects a variety of considerations, including resource conservation, recreation, aesthetics, and community identity.

Policy RM-2.2: Minimal Alterations to Existing Space. Encourage minimal alteration of the natural terrain in environmentally sensitive open space areas.

Policy RM -2.3: Wilderness Management Plan. Implement and support recommendations and policies established in the City of La Verne Wilderness Management Plan.

Policy RM-2.4: Scenic Vistas and Routes. Discourage development on or immediately adjacent to existing scenic vistas in order to preserve community character.

Policy RM-2.5: Regional Cooperation. Recognize areas of overlapping jurisdiction with respect to open space and biological resources, such as Los Angeles County’s Significant Ecological Area, and coordinate the City’s actions with efforts of surrounding cities, agencies, and Los Angeles County to protect and maximize regional open space.

Policy RM-2.6: Cooperative Agreements. Where feasible, enter into inter-jurisdictional cooperative agreement with allied agencies such the Angeles National Forest, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, the cities of Claremont, San Di mas, and Pomona, and non -governmental organizations, to implement resource management programs.

Action RM -2.2: Periodically coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to share plans regarding open space protection and access.

M. TRANSPORTATION

1. Circulation System Conflicts
Threshold: Would the project conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact TR-1, pages 5.14-28 through 5.14- 33)
Explanation: Circulation System

Findings

No specific development projects are proposed as part of the La Verne General Plan Update. The proposed General Plan Update’s Mobility Element proposes an updated set of vehicular classifications based on the number of vehicle lanes.

The Mobility Element developed as part of the General Plan Update contains goals, policies, and actions that support access to and the performance of the circulation system. Specifically, proposed Mobility Element Goal M -1 promotes a roadway network with s ufficient flow on arterial roadways and minimized adverse traffic effects on residential neighborhoods. Policy M-1.4 ensures that new development in the City does not adversely affect adjacent traffic flow and operations. Action M -1.3 directs the City to p eriodically review and assess the vehicular level of service along City facilities to determine, what, if any, improvements are warranted to maintain a safe and efficient flow of traffic throughout La Verne. As a result, implementation of the General Plan Update would not conflict with applicable plans, polices, or ordinances related to vehicle circulation, and its impact on the City’s circulation system is considered less than significant.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation
The proposed Mobility Element references and incorporates the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) network of recommended bicycling and walking improvements, with facilities that will improve non-motorized accessibility and connectivity throughout the City. Th e General Plan Update also proposes development within existing and future HQTAs, which can encourage less driving and more transit, bike-to-transit, and walk-to-transit trips.

The Mobility Element developed as part of the General Plan Update contains goals, policies, and actions that support access to and the performance of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Specifically, Mobility Element Policy M-2.1 requires the City to apply Complete Street principals, which are streets that are designed to provide safe travels for all modes of travel, to all transportation improvement projects. Policy M-2.5 directs the City to identify and eliminate gaps in sidewalks and bikeways to create a more complete active transportation network. Action M-2.1 directs the City to incorporate the concept of complete streets when planning roadway facilities. Complete streets include design elements for all modes that use streets, including autos, transit, pedestrians, and bicycles. The implementation of policies and actions contained in the General Plan Update would ensure that the Project would not conflict with a program plan, ordinance, or policy addressing bicycle facilities. Therefore, the Project’s impact is considered less than significant.

Findings

Public Transit System
The City does not have defined measures of effectiveness for public transit service and circulation. The proposed General Plan Update would be expected to increase demand for travel given the proposed development and expected increase in residents and empl oyees. This population and job growth within the City could increase the demand for public transit but also resulting in increased levels of vehicular traffic which could slow transit operations and impact transit reliability. The Mobility Element develope d as part of the General Plan Update includes policies to support and enhance transit service. Specifically, Mobility Element Policy M-5.2 encourages the City to coordinate with local public transit provides to plan and improve local transit service and tr ansit facilities. Action M -5.1 directs the City to continue to participate in regional transit planning with LA Metro. The implementation of policies and actions contained in the General Plan Update would ensure that the Project would not conflict with a p rogram plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the public transit system. Therefore, the Project’s impact is considered less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

MOBILITY ELEMENT
Goal M-1: Traffic Flow. A community served by a roadway network with sufficient flow on arterial roadways and minimized adverse traffic effects on residential neighborhoods.

Policy M-1.1: Level of Service (LOS). Strive to maintain acceptable vehicular level of service along City facilities using methodologies consistent with the City’s Transportation Study Guidelines. Given the unique residential context around Old Town La Verne, and to maintain the area’s charact er, lower levels of service may be deemed acceptable along portions of Bonita Avenue and White Avenue adjacent to Old Town La Verne.

Policy M-1.2: Traffic Management System. Continue to invest in Traffic System Management (TSM), signal maintenance and coordination to facilitate the efficient movement of vehicles and minimize delay through the City utilizing existing roadway facilities.

Policy M-1.4: Development-Related Traffic Impacts. Ensure that new development in the City does not adversely affect adjacent traffic flow and operations.

Policy M-1.6: Arterial Roadway Network. In order to accommodate existing and future needs due to land use growth and shifts in travel patterns, strive to implement the buildout roadway network based on the classifications mapped in Figure M -1. Roadway classifications are defined by the number of vehicular lanes provided, and can include other features such as landscaped medians, center turn lanes, on-street parking, and bike lanes.

Findings

Major Arterials consist of six travel lanes (three in each direction) and a landscaped median.

Secondary Arterials consist of four travel lanes (two in each direction) and are either divided (with a median or enter turn lane) or undivided (with centerline striping).

Collectors consist of two travel lanes (one in each direction) and are either divided (with a center turn lane) or undivided (with or without centerline striping).

Policy M-7.3: Roadway Design. Maintain roadway design standards to facilitate access to light industrial and manufacturing areas along designated truck routes.

Policy M-10.1: Caltrans Coordination. Continue to coordinate with Caltrans to reduce the effects of I-210 ramp traffic on City roads.

Action M-1.3: Periodically, review and assess the vehicular level of service along City facilities to determine, what, if any, improvements are warranted to maintain a safe and efficient flow of traffic throughout La Verne. Based on a thorough review of facility operations and funding availability, improvements may be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and/or required as part of project approval through the development review process.

Action M- 1.5: Evaluate the physical and economic feasibility of utilizing roundabouts or other innovative design solutions when a through traffic impact assessment has been conducted demonstrating that such an intersection design alternative would manage traffic flow and improve compatibility.

Action M-1.7: Continue to identify locations for new traffic signals.

Action M-1.8: Develop right-of-way acquisitions/dedication requirements to address key intersection congestion problems by providing separate right turn lanes, dual left turn lanes, driveway controls, medians, and other measures.

Goal M-2: Complete Streets. A community with a well designed and built transportation network that is safe, accessible comfortable, and convenient for all transportation modes and users.

Policy M-2.1: Complete Streets for Roadway Projects. Apply Complete Streets principles to all new transportation improvements impacting the public right-of-way.

Policy M-2.5: Eliminate Gaps. Continue to identify and eliminate gaps in networks serving automobiles, bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, equestrians, and other users.

Remove natural and man-made barriers to accessibility and connectivity.

Policy M-2.6: Streetscape Improvements. Create an attractive transportation network by providing streetscape improvements such as landscaping, benches, lighting, street furniture and public art in the Old Town area, University of La Verne area, Metro A (Gold) Line Station Area, and other pedestrian-oriented areas in the City.

Findings

Policy M-2.8: Safe Routes to School. Work with the Bonita Unified School District and other schools in the City to establish a Safe Routes to School Program, allowing parents and children the opportunity to walk, bike, or roll to schools within the City.

Action M-2.1: When planning roadway facilities, incorporate the concept of complete streets. Complete streets include design elements for all modes that use streets, including autos, transit, pedestrians, and bicycles. Complete streets shall be developed in a context - sensitive manner. For example, it may be more appropriate to provide a Class I bike path instead of bike lanes along a major arterial.

Goal M -5: Public Transit. A community with a comprehensive public transportation system.

Policy M-5.1: Transit Use. Support programs encouraging public transit use by people living in, working in, or visiting La Verne.

Policy M-5.2: Improve Local Public Transit Service. Work with Foothill Transit and other local public transit providers to improve local transit service in the City.

Policy M-5.3: Improve Bus Stops. Work with Foothill Transit to improve bus stop amenities along roads in La Verne that have local transit service.

Policy M-5.4: Paratransit Service. Work with local transit and other providers to support paratransit service for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Policy M-5.5: Metrolink Service. Monitor and participate in any future regional discussions pertaining to changes in Metrolink service in the area and station facilities.

Policy M-5.6: Metro A (Gold) Line Station. Work with LA Metro and the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to ensure the planned station in La Verne is consistent with the City's Complete Streets, active transportation, and parking policies.

Policy M-5.8: Transit to and from University of La Verne. Work collaboratively with the University of La Verne to determine the most effective ways to encourage transit use by students and staff, such as shuttles between campus and the planned Metro A (Gold) Line station in La Verne.

Action M-5.1: Continue to participate in regional transit planning with Metro through regular communication and coordination.

Goal M-6: Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Equestrian. A community with a comprehensive network of pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian facilities.

Policy M-6.1: Active Transportation Plan. Maintain and implement the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to provide active transportation facilities that can serve as an alternative to automobiles, including ATP’s walking and bicycling facility recommendations shown in Figure M-2 and Figure M-3.

Findings

Policy M-6.2: Active Transportation Facilities on Foothill Boulevard. Coordinate with Caltrans to explore the appropriate bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements on Foothill Boulevard through the City.

Policy M-6.3: Connectivity to Metro A (Gold) Line. Coordinate with LA Metro and the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to ensure suitable first -last mile facilities are provided to facilitate non-vehicular access to the planned Metro A (Gold) Line station.

Policy M-6.5: Marshall Canyon Trail. Work with the County of Los Angeles to ensure the Marshall Canyon Trail is open and maintained and that access to and from the trail, including equestrian access, is facilitated within the City.

Policy M-6.6: Sidewalk and Bikeway Gaps. Identify and eliminate gaps in sidewalks and bikeways in the City in order to create a connected and complete active transportation network.

Policy M-6.7: Coordination with Adjacent Cities. Coordinate its bikeways system and pedestrian facilities (including trails and sidewalks) to be consistent with and connected to regional facilities and facilities in adjacent jurisdictions.

Policy M-6.8: Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities at New Developments. Encourage new residential and non -residential developments in the city to provide safe and attractive bicycle and pedestrian facilities, such as secure bicycle parking, pedestrian -scale lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and other improvements.

Policy M-6.9: Effective Roadway Projects. Consider the implementation of projects within the ATP when roadways are being rehabilitated or resurfaced.

Policy M -6.10: Bicycling and Walking to the University of La Verne. Work collaboratively with the University of La Verne to ensure walking and bicycling options to different destinations in the City are facilitated for students and staff.

2. CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3(b)
Threshold: Would the project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact TR-2, pages 5.14-33 through 5.14- 38)
Explanation: Total VMT and total VMT per service population for the SGVCOG Northeast Subarea and for the Planning Area are shown in Table 5.14 -4, VMT Comparison. VMT estimates were developed for existing (2023) conditions, long-term buildout conditions under the existi ng General Plan, and buildout conditions under the proposed General Plan Update (2045).

A significant project VMT impact would occur if the Planning Area VMT per service population under General Plan Update buildout conditions

Findings

exceeds the existing SGVCOG Northeast Subarea VMT per service population.

As shown in Table 5.14-4, the Planning Area VMT per service population under General Plan Update buildout conditions is estimated to be 27.47; the SGVCOG Northeast subarea baseline VMT per service population is estimated to be 28.46. The VMT rate for the G eneral Plan Update would not exceed the applicable baseline VMT rate. The Land Use and Mobility elements developed as part of the General Plan Update includes policies to support the reduction of VMT, including increasing the balanced mix of residential and employment opportunities within the City with the proposed land uses. In addition to increased development in areas of projected high - quality transit service such as the future LA Metro A (Gold) Line station, the General Plan’s inclusion of the ATP provides for the implementation of facilities that would encourage walking and biking throughout La Verne.

Individual development projects would also be required to conduct VMT analyses based on guidelines and thresholds established by the City, including mitig ating significant VMT impacts through transportation demand management (TDM) strategies and other mitigation measures (Policy M -9.2). Therefore, with respect to consistency with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b), the impact of the Project would be less than significant and no mitigation would be required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

LAND USE ELEMENT
Policy LU-1.1: Land Use Pattern. Provide for an overall mix of housing, employment, service, and recreational opportunities that promotes efficient development and multimodal choices; reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the expenditure of energy and other resources; ensures c ompatibility between uses; enhances community livability and public health; and sustains economic vitality.

Policy LU -1.3: Activity Areas. Promote the development of distinct, well -designed destinations featuring a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational uses that are well- integrated with surrounding development, accessible from transit and walking and biking paths, and serve as focal points in the community.

Policy LU-1.9: Growth Pattern. Strongly encourage new development to occur in infill locations in a balanced and efficient pattern that reduces sprawl, preserves open space, and creates convenient connections to other land uses and transportation facilities.

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MOBILITY ELEMENT
Goal M-2: Complete Streets. A community with a well designed and built transportation network that is safe, accessible comfortable, and convenient for all transportation modes and users.

Policy M-2.1: Complete Streets for Roadway Projects. Apply Complete Streets principles to all new transportation improvements impacting the public right-of-way.

Policy M-2.5: Eliminate Gaps. Continue to identify and eliminate gaps in networks serving automobiles, bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, equestrians, and other users.

Remove natural and man-made barriers to accessibility and connectivity.

Policy M-2.6: Streetscape Improvements. Create an attractive transportation network by providing streetscape improvements such as landscaping, benches, lighting, street furniture and public art in the Old Town area, University of La Verne area, Metro A (Gold) Line Station Area, and other pedestrian-oriented areas in the City.

Policy M-2.8: Safe Routes to School. Work with the Bonita Unified School District and other schools in the City to establish a Safe Routes to School Program, allowing parents and children the opportunity to walk, bike, or roll to schools within the City.

Action M-2.1: When planning roadway facilities, incorporate the concept of complete streets. Complete streets include design elements for all modes that use streets, including autos, transit, pedestrians, and bicycles. Complete streets shall be developed in a context - sensitive manner. For example, it may be more appropriate to provide a Class I bike path instead of bike lanes along a major arterial.

Goal M -5: Public Transit. A community with a comprehensive public transportation system.

Policy M-5.1: Transit Use. Support programs encouraging public transit use by people living in, working in, or visiting La Verne.

Policy M-5.2: Improve Local Public Transit Service. Work with Foothill Transit and other local public transit providers to improve local transit service in the City.

Policy M-5.3: Improve Bus Stops. Work with Foothill Transit to improve bus stop amenities along roads in La Verne that have local transit service.

Policy M-5.4: Paratransit Service. Work with local transit and other providers to support paratransit service for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Policy M-5.5: Metrolink Service. Monitor and participate in any future regional discussions pertaining to changes in Metrolink service in the area and station facilities.

Policy M-5.6: Metro A (Gold) Line Station. Work with LA Metro and the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to ensure the planned station in La Verne is consistent with the City's Complete Streets, active transportation, and parking policies.

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Policy M-5.8: Transit to and from University of La Verne. Work collaboratively with the University of La Verne to determine the most effective ways to encourage transit use by students and staff, such as shuttles between campus and the planned Metro A (Gold) Line station in La Verne.

Action M -5.1: Continue to participate in regional transit planning with Metro through regular communication and coordination.

Goal M-6: Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Equestrian. A community with a comprehensive network of pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian facilities.

Policy M-6.1: Active Transportation Plan. Maintain and implement the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to provide active transportation facilities that can serve as an alternative to automobiles, including ATP’s walking and bicycling facility recommendations shown in Figure M-2 and Figure M-3.

Policy M-6.2: Active Transportation Facilities on Foothill Boulevard. Coordinate with Caltrans to explore the appropriate bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements on Foothill Boulevard through the City.

Policy M-6.3: Connectivity to Metro A (Gold) Line. Coordinate with LA Metro and the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to ensure suitable first -last mile facilities are provided to facilitate non-vehicular access to the planned Metro A (Gold) Line station.

Policy M-6.5: Marshall Canyon Trail. Work with the County of Los Angeles to ensure the Marshall Canyon Trail is open and maintained and that access to and from the trail, including equestrian access, is facilitated within the City.

Policy M-6.6: Sidewalk and Bikeway Gaps. Identify and eliminate gaps in sidewalks and bikeways in the City in order to create a connected and complete active transportation network.

Policy M-6.7: Coordination with Adjacent Cities. Coordinate its bikeways system and pedestrian facilities (including trails and sidewalks) to be consistent with and connected to regional facilities and facilities in adjacent jurisdictions.

Policy M-6.8: Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities at New Developments. Encourage new residential and non -residential developments in the city to provide safe and attractive bicycle and pedestrian facilities, such as secure bicycle parking, pedestrian -scale lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and other improvements.

Policy M-6.9: Effective Roadway Projects. Consider the implementation of projects within the ATP when roadways are being rehabilitated or resurfaced.

Policy M -6.10: Bicycling and Walking to the University of La Verne. Work collaboratively with the University of La Verne to ensure walking and bicycling options to different destinations in the City are facilitated for students and staff.

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Goal M-9: Vehicle Miles Traveled. A community with reduced citywide vehicle miles traveled per capita that contributes to regional and statewide greenhouse gas emission targets.

Policy M-9.1: Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis . Require vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis for the purposes of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), using methodologies and standards consistent with the City’s Transportation Study Guidelines. The City shall con tinue to maintain level of service (LOS) standards for the purposes of planning and designing street improvements.

Policy M-9.2: Transportation Demand Management. Require transportation demand management (TDM) strategies as mitigation measures for new projects that exceed the City’s VMT impact thresholds.

Action M-9.1: Review and update the City’s Municipal Code, as necessary, to reflect Transportation Demand Management best practices.

Action M-9.2: Consider allowing for a reduction in parking standards if comprehensive TDM programs and/or other parking strategies are provided.

Action M-9.3: Require developments that are approved based on TDM plans to incorporate monitoring and enforcement if TDM targets as part of those plans.

3. Design Features
Threshold: 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)?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact TR-3, pages 5.14-38 through 5.14- 41)
Explanation: Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would result in increased development which could result in new roadways and increase the number of users on the City’s transportation system. There would be a need to ensure that adequate emergency access provisions are made to accommodate increased population and growth.

Future development within the Planning Area is not anticipated to result in the substantial modification of roadways surrounding specific development sites or the placement of any permanent physical barriers on adjacent roadways. Additionally, the applicant of any proposed development would be required to submit appropriate plans for plan review to ensure compliance with zoning, building, and fire codes prior to the issuance of a building permit. La Verne Fire Department (LVFD) would review the proposed development for access requirements, minimum driveway widths, fire apparatus access roads, fire lanes, signage, access devices and gates, access walkways, among other requirements to ensure adequate emergency

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access would be provided to and within the site. The proposed development would be required to comply with all applicable Building and Fire Code requirements and would submit construction plans to the City for review and approval prior to issuance of any building permit. Approval by the Fire Department would ensure that construction and operation of future projects associated with implementation of the General Plan Update would not result in inadequate emergency access. In addition, the Public Safety and Mobility Elements developed as part of the General Plan Update contains policies in support of emergency access along local roads.

The General Plan Update is a programmatic level document; emergency accessibility is typically assessed at the project level. Adequacy of emergency access associated with future development projects would be analyzed and evaluated in detail through the environmental review process.

In addition, the Mobility Element developed as part of the General Plan Update contains policies in support of emergency access along local roads.

These applicable policies are listed below. Specifically, proposed Mobility Element Policy M-7.3 directs the City to maintain roadway design standards to facilitate access to light industrial and manufacturing areas along designated truck routes. Policy M-1.4 ensures that new development in the City does not adversely affect traffic fl ow and operations. Therefore, the impact of the General Plan Update with respect to emergency access would be considered less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

MOBILITY ELEMENT
Goal M-2: Complete Streets. A community with a well designed and built transportation network that is safe, accessible comfortable, and convenient for all transportation modes and users.

Policy M-2.1: Complete Streets for Roadway Projects. Apply Complete Streets principles to all new transportation improvements impacting the public right-of-way.

Policy M-2.4: Context Sensitivity. Consider the land use and design context of the surrounding areas when designing Complete Streets.

Policy M -2.5: Eliminate Gaps. Continue to identify and eliminate gaps in networks serving automobiles, bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, equestrians, and other users.

Remove natural and man-made barriers to accessibility and connectivity.

Policy M -2.7: ADA Accessibility. Ensure the City's transportation network is safe, accessible, and consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to allow mobility-impaired users, such as disabled persons and seniors, to safely travel within and beyond the City.

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Policy M-2.8: Safe Routes to School. Work with the Bonita Unified School District and other schools in the City to establish a Safe Routes to School Program, allowing parents and children the opportunity to walk, bike, or roll to schools within the City.

Action M-2.1: Design, construct, operate, and maintain the street network depicted in the Mobility Element network map that provides safe and efficient access to all areas of the City.

Action M-2.4: Consider the standards set forth in the latest editions of the California MUTCD and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book for improvement and re -striping of appropriate major collector and arterial streets to accommodate Class II bike lanes or Class IV protected bikeways in both directions, as applicable to the City of La Verne.

Policy M-4.1 Safe Rail Crossings. Work with rail agencies and operators to ensure the rail crossings in the City are safe for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists and explore opportunities to implement grade separation where desirable.

Policy M-4.2: Traffic Calming. Support traffic calming strategies in residential areas to slow traffic through residential neighborhoods and divert traffic to arterial roads.

Policy M-4.3: New Project Access and Safety. Ensure that new projects follow best design practices and guidelines to reduce conflicts between circulation system users.

Policy M-4.4: I-210 Crossings. Work with Caltrans to ensure safe conditions continue to be provided at the I-210 crossings and ramps in the City.

Policy M-4.5: Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety. Develop safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian facilities and crossings that reduce conflicts with other modes.

Policy M -4.6: Safe Transportation to and from University of La Verne. Work collaboratively with the University of La Verne to ensure that the transportation needs of students and staff (such as rideshare hailing at City curbsides) are accommodated safely.

Policy M-4.7: Public Education. Work with the Police Department and other groups to implement safety-related community classes and awareness campaigns.

Action M-4.1: Evaluate the applicability of traffic calming tools in appropriate areas.

Policy M-7.1: Truck Traffic on Local Streets. Continue to discourage truck traffic within residential neighborhoods.

Policy M-7.2: Local Truck Routes. Maintain a network of local truck routes to facilitate goods movement to regional roads and to discourage the use of residential roads.

Policy M-7.3: Roadway Design. Maintain roadway design standards to facilitate access to light industrial and manufacturing areas along designated truck routes.

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4. Emergency Access
Threshold: Would the project result in inadequate emergency access? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact 5.14-41, page 5.14-43) Explanation: Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would result in increased development which could result in new roadways and increase the number of users on the City’s transportation system. There would be a need to ensure that adequate emergency access provisions are made to accommodate increased population and growth.

Future development within the Planning Area is not anticipated to result in the substantial modification of roadways surrounding specific development sites or the placement of any permanent physical barriers on adjacent roadways. Additionally, the applicant of any proposed development would be required to submit appropriate plans for plan review to ensure compliance with zoning, building, and fire codes prior to the issuance of a building permit. La Verne Fire Department (LVFD) would review the proposed development for access requirements, minimum driveway widths, fire apparatus access roads, fire lanes, signage, access devices and gates, access walkways, among other requirements to ensure adequate emergency access would be provided to and within the site. The proposed development would be required to comply with all applicable Building and Fire Code requirements and would submit construction plans to the City for review and approval prior to issuance of any building permit. Approval by the Fire Department would ensure that construction and operation of future projects associated with implementation of the General Plan Update would not result in inadequate emergency access. In addition, the Public Safety and Mobility Elements developed as part of the General Plan Update contains policies in support of emergency access along local roads.

The General Plan Update is a programmatic level document; emergency accessibility is typically assessed at the project level. Adequacy of emergency access associated with future development projects would be analyzed and evaluated in detail through the environmental review process.

In addition, the Mobility Element developed as part of the General Plan Update contains policies in support of emergency access along local roads.

These applicable policies are listed below. Specifically, proposed Mobility Element Policy M-7.3 directs the City to maintain roadway design standards to facilitate access to light industrial and manufacturing areas along designated truck routes. Policy M-1.4 ensures that new development in the City does not adversely affect traffic flow and operations. Therefore, the impact of the General Plan Update with respect to emergency access would be considered less than significant.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

MOBILITY ELEMENT
Goal M-1: Traffic Flow. A community served by a roadway network with sufficient flow on arterial roadways and minimized adverse traffic effects on residential neighborhoods.

Policy M-1.1: Level of Service (LOS). Strive to maintain acceptable vehicular level of service along City facilities using methodologies consistent with the City’s Transportation Study Guidelines. Given the unique residential context around Old Town La Verne, and to maintain the area’s charact er, lower levels of service may be deemed acceptable along portions of Bonita Avenue and White Avenue adjacent to Old Town La Verne.

Policy M-1.2: Traffic Management System. Continue to invest in Traffic System Management (TSM), signal maintenance and coordination to facilitate the efficient movement of vehicles and minimize delay through the City utilizing existing roadway facilities.

Policy M-1.4: Development-Related Traffic Impacts. Ensure that new developments in the City does not adversely affect traffic flow and operations.

Action M-1.2 Periodically review and update the City’s standard street plans to ensure that the plans reflect the City’s goals and policies for the circulation system.

Action M-1.3 Periodically review and assess the vehicular level of service along City facilities to determine, what, if any, improvements are warranted to maintain a safe and efficient flow of traffic throughout La Verne. Based on a thorough review of facility operations and funding availability, improvements may be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and/or required as part of project approval through the development review process.

Policy M-7.1: Truck Traffic on Local Streets. Continue to discourage truck traffic within residential neighborhoods.

Policy M-7.2: Local Truck Routes. Maintain a network of local truck routes to facilitate goods movement to regional roads and to discourage the use of residential roads.

Policy M-7.3: Roadway Design. Maintain roadway design standards to facilitate access to light industrial and manufacturing areas along designated truck routes.

Action M-7.1: Update and implement the City’s Freight Routes Map to ensure it serves the City’s goods movement needs while considering the potential mobility conflicts and the location of sensitive land uses in the City.

Action M-7.2: Require traffic index calculations (consistent with the State Department of Transportation) for construction on streets that are designated as truck routes, in order to provide structural sections that will accommodate the projected truck volumes.

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PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Policy PS-1.17: Fire and Building Codes. Require that all buildings and structures within La Verne comply with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the California Fire and Building Codes as well as other applicable fire safety standards.

Action PS-1.2: Work with the Fire Department to maintain an ongoing fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards associated with multifamily development, critical facilities, public assembly facilities, industrial buildings, and nonresidential buildings.

Action PS -1.10: The Fire Department and City Engineer will review proposed development projects and street networks to evaluate the accessibility for fire engines and other emergency response functions.

N. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES

1. Tribal Cultural Resources
Threshold: 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:
• 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)?
• 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 subdivisio n (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.

Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact s TCR-1, pages 5.15-9 through

5.15-12)
Explanation: As described in Section 5.4, Cultural Resources, there have been 83 previously recorded cultural resources identified in the City, including seven prehistoric archaeological sites, one prehistoric archaeological isolate and two multicomponent archaeological sites. The City is located within the traditional territory of the Gabrielino (Tongva). Information provided in the Cultural Resources Study, including the records search and documented history of the area, indicates the Planning Area may co ntain tribal cultural resources.

Prehistoric archaeological sites and isolates are tribal cultural resources;

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additionally, plants and other natural resources, as well as geographic locations can also be considered as tribal cultural resources. Grading of original in situ soils could expose buried tribal cultural resources and features including sacred sites. Whil e the General Plan Update does not directly propose site -specific development with the potential to directly impact a tribal cultural resource, future development resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update could cause a substantial adverse ch ange in the significance of a tribal cultural resource. This is considered a potentially significant impact.

The General Plan Update Resource Management Element includes goals, policies, and actions addressing tribal cultural resources. Policy RM -3-9 requires projects with a potential to affect archeological or paleontological resources to be conditioned to immediately stop grading and/or excavation activities if archeological or paleontological resources are encountered. At this point, a qualified archaeologist/paleontologist approved by the City should be enlisted to investigate the resources and conduct a preli minary assessment to determine whether a resource mitigation plan and monitoring program will be required. Policy RM-3.11 states that, consistent with State, local, and tribal intergovernmental consultation requirements such as SB 18 and AB 52, the City shall consult as necessary with Native American tribes that may be interested in proposed new development and land use policy changes. Action RM-3.3 requires applicants for future proposed projects in areas of known or inferred archaeological resources, prehistoric or historic, to provide a technical cultural resources assessment consisting of a record search, survey, background context and project specific recommendations performed by a qualified archaeologist. If resources are known or reasonably anticipate d the recommendations shall provide a detailed mitigation plan which shall require monitoring during grading and other earthmoving activities in undisturbed sediments, provide a treatment plan for potential resources that includes data to be collected, req uires professional identification, other special studies as appropriate, requires curation at an accredited museum such as the Cultural and Natural History Collections of the University of La Verne for artifacts meeting significance criteria, requires a co mprehensive final mitigation compliance report including a catalog of specimens with museum numbers and an appendix containing a letter from the museum stating that they are in possession of the materials.

AB 52 outreach conducted by the City related to the General Plan Update was successfully completed, and no further requests for consultation related to the proposed Project were made by the Native American tribal organizations who were contacted and respon ded to the invitation to consult. Potential impacts to tribal cultural resources associated with future development resulting from implementation of the proposed Project would be reduced through compliance with General Plan Update policies and

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actions. Subsequent development and infrastructure projects would be analyzed for potential environmental impacts, consistent with the requirements of CEQA, pursuant to the City’s entitlement review process.

Subsequent projects resulting from implementatio n of the General Plan Update would also be subject to the provisions of AB 52 and may require tribal consultation with California Native American tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the Planning Area or specific project sites. Futu re AB 52 consultation may identify tribal cultural resources not yet found and formally recorded that could be impacted by subsequent projects. Compliance with the requirements of AB 52, General Plan Update policies and actions, and other applicable existi ng regulations would ensure that no substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource would result, and impacts would be less than significant. No mitigation is required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM-3: Cultural Resources. A City that celebrates and preserves its rich culture and historic assets.

Policy RM -3.9: Archaeological/Paleontological Resources. Require projects with a potential to affect archeological or paleontological resources to be conditioned to immediately stop grading and/or excavation activities if archeological or paleontological resources are encountered. At this point, a qualified archaeologist/paleontologist approved by the City should be enlisted to investigate the resources and conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether a resource mitigation plan and monitoring progr am will be required.

Policy RM -3.11: Tribal Consultation. Consistent with State, local, and tribal intergovernmental consultation requirements such as SB 18 and AB 52, the City shall consult as necessary with Native American tribes that may be interested in proposed new development and land use policy changes.

Action RM-3.3: City staff shall require applicants for future proposed projects in areas of known or inferred archaeological resources, prehistoric or historic, to provide a technical cultural resources assessment consisting of a record search, survey, background context and project specific recommendations performed by a qualified archaeologist. If resources are known or reasonably anticipated the recommendations shall provide a detailed mitigation plan which shall require monitoring during grading and oth er earthmoving activities in undisturbed sediments, provide a treatment plan for potential resources that includes data to be collected, requires professional identification, other special studies as appropriate, requires curation at an accredited museum s uch as the Cultural and Natural History Collections of the University of La Verne for artifacts meeting significance criteria, requires a comprehensive final mitigation compliance report including a catalog of specimens with museum numbers and an appendix containing a letter from the museum

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stating that they are in possession of the materials.

O. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS

1. Utilities and Service Systems
Threshold: Would the Project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact USS-1, pages 5.16-39 through

5.16-46)
Explanation: Water
Regarding water facilities, the General Plan Update is expected to result in population and employment growth within the Planning Area, and thus, an overall increase in demand on water supply, which could necessitate construction of future water supply infrastructure. Based on the anticipated growth, as described in Section 3.0, Project Description, and summarized in Table 3 -4, General Plan 2045 Buildout by La nd Use Designation, buildout under the General Plan Update could yield a net change over existing conditions of an additional 2,680 housing units, an additional population of 4,803 people, an additional 2,536,986 square feet of non - residential building square footage, and an additional 5,254 jobs within the Planning Area.

This increased demand for water infrastructure would primarily be located within areas that are already developed and serviced by the City of La Verne and GSWC’s San Dimas System. Both the City and GSWC have included Water Shortage Contingency Plans within their respective UWMPs to better ensure there will be an adequate water supply for the next two decades.

Further, the City has identified future water infrastructure projects including pipeline improvement projects, replacement of existing pipes, and establishment new pipelines, in association with the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District project (adopted in 2020).

Since no specific development projects are proposed as part of the General Plan Update, the environmental effects from constructing or expanding facilities are unknown at this time. All water infrastructure construction activities associated with future de velopment would be subject to compliance with existing local, State, and federal laws, ordinances, and regulations, which would ensure impacts are reduced to less than significant levels. The City would continue to coordinate with GSWC to ensure adequate w ater distribution facilities are available to serve future development. Furthermore, these future water facilities would be subject to

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General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions intended to protect the environment. The Community Services and Facilities Element includes Policy CSF-2.2, which promotes efficient operation and expansion of the water supply system to meet current and pro jected needs. Policy CSF -2.6 supports the implementation of drought contingency plans to ensure adequate water during drought, including emergency water connections and related measures. Policy CSF -2.7 promotes water conservation through state and federal legislation compliance. Further, the Resource Management Element includes Goal RM -4, which is dedicated to water conservation.

Policy RM -4.1 encourages coordination with local water agencies and promotes residential and commercial water conservation using innovative strategies and contemporary best practices. Policy RM -4.2 minimizes dependence on imported water through efficient use of local surface sources, wise groundwater management practices, conservation measures, and the use of reclaimed wastewater and non-potable water for irrigation of landscaping and agriculture, where feasible.

The implementation of existing regulations and the General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions would reduce impacts associated with the relocation or construction of new or expanded water facilities to a less than significant level.

Wastewater
In regards to wastewater, the General Plan Update is expected to result in increased population and employment growth within the Planning Area, and thus, an overall increase in demand on the existing sewer system associated with increased sewage flows.

As described above, the City’s 2020 UWMP estimated the City’s total wastewater flows in 2020 as 2.1 MGD, based on a population of population of 31,321. Based on this, the amount of wastewater generated by the City is estimated at approximately 67 GPCD. Bas ed on the anticipated growth under the General Plan Update, as described in Section 3.0, Project Description, and summarized in Table 3-4, General Plan 2045 Buildout by Land Use Designation, buildout under the General Plan Update could accommodate a popula tion of 37,142. Therefore, using the wastewater generation rate of 67 GPCD, the City’s total wastewater flow for 2045 under the General Plan Update would be approximately 2.5 MGD, or an increase of approximately 0.4 MGD over existing conditions.

Wastewater from La Verne is treated at either the Pomona WRP or the San Jose Creek WRP. The current capacity for the Pomona WRP facility is 15 MGD of wastewater and it currently handles an average daily effluent flow of 5.87 MGD. The current capacity for t he San Jose Creek WRP is 100 MGD of wastewater and it currently handles an average daily effluent flow of 62.9 MGD. Conservatively assuming all wastewater from the City flows

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to one wastewater facility, the additional 0.4 MGD of City wastewater flows anticipated under the General Plan Update would increase flows to the Pomona WRP by less than three percent of its maximum capacity and the San Jose Creek WRP by less than one perc ent of its maximum capacity.

Therefore, the ultimate capacity of both the Pomona WRP and San Jose Creek WRPs would be able to accommodate the projected additional wastewater generated from the City resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update.

The General Plan Update does not include specific development proposals; therefore, the environmental effects of future wastewater collection systems are unknown at this time. Future developments would adhere to Division II of Municipal Code Title 13, Publ ic Services. Division II, Sewers and Industrial Waste, adopts the Los Angeles County Sanitary Sewers and Industrial Waste Code and, establishes sewer service fees and charges.

Additionally, the General Plan Update includes goals, policies, and actions to ensure adequate wastewater services and facilities. The Community Services and Facilities Element Goal CSF -3 and subsequent policies and actions are dedicated to providing the community with a wastewater system adequate to protect the health and safety of all La Verne residents, businesses, and institutions. Specifically, Policy CSF -3.4 maintains the adopted service standards for sewer service systems, upholding an equitable and efficient system. Policy CSF -3.2 maintains the existing wastewater system on a regular basis to increase the lifespan of the system and ensure public safety. Regular maintenance, as established in Policy CSF -3.2, would help the City to be proactive with any potential deficiencies, thereby hindering potential environmental impacts. With adherence to the existing regulatory environment and the General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions, impacts associated with the relocation or construction of new or expanded wastewater facilities would remain less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

Stormwater
Development resulting from implementation of the proposed General Plan Update could result in increased areas of impervious surfaces throughout the Planning Area, resulting in the need for additional or expanded stormwater drainage, conveyance and retention infrastructure. As described above, the City coordinated with the Los Angeles RWQCB to provide flood control services within the Planning Area. The Los Angeles RWQCB is responsible for the regional drainage facilities, while the City controls the local f acilities. The infrastructure and facilities necessary to serve new growth would involve development of some facilities on -site within new development projects, some facilities off -site on appropriately designated land, and may also involve improvements to existing facilities and disturbance of existing rights -of-way. The specific impacts of providing

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new and expanded drainage facilities cannot be determined at this time, as the General Plan Update does not propose or approve any specific development project, nor does it designate specific sites for new or expanded public facilities.

Stormwater drainage and conveyance facilities would be evaluated at the project-level in association with subsequent development projects implemented as a result of the General Plan Update. However, the facilities would be primarily provided on sites with land use designations that allow such uses, and the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the facilities would likely be similar to those associated with new development, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects under the General Plan Update.

As future development and infrastructure projects are considered by the City, each project will be evaluated for conformance with the General Plan Update, Municipal Code, and other applicable regulations. Subsequent development and infrastructure projects would also be analyzed for potential environmental impacts, consistent with the requirements of CEQA.

The policies and actions listed below would further ensure that there is adequate stormwater drainage and flood control infrastructure to serve future development resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update and would ensure that future drainag e and flood control infrastructure projects do not result in adverse environmental impacts.

Community Services and Facilities Element Policy CSF-2.9 ensures that the City has an efficient, attractive, and environmentally sound storm drain system. Policy CS F-2.10 indicates that Projects are to incorporate BMPs and low impact development (LID) measures to minimize the quantity of stormwater directed to impermeable surface and to treat stormwater before discharge from the site; such facilities shall be sized t o meet regulatory requirements. Both of these policies work together to protect the environment from potential pollutants. Actions CSF -4 through CSF -7 (of Goal CSF-2) require development projects to identify potential stormwater and drainage impacts, implement LID strategies, and utilize BMPs to reduce stormwater runoff. Action CSF-8 has the City work to identify which storm water and drainage facilities are in need of repair and address these needs through the City’s Capital Improvement Program. The implem entation of General Plan Update policies would reduce impacts associated with the relocation or construction of new or expanded stormwater facilities to a less than significant level, and no mitigation is required.

Electrical, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications
Regarding electrical, natural gas, and telecommunication services, the Planning Area is within the service areas of SCE, SoCalGas, and various telecommunication providers. The environmental effects of future

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expansions of electrical, natural gas, and telecommunication facilities would be evaluated with each development proposal and would require a separate environmental review related to the construction and operation of new electrical, natural gas, and teleco mmunications infrastructure. Future implementing projects under the General Plan Update would have to coordinate with each utility provider to establish service, provide any necessary extensions of facilities, and comply with regulations in existence at that time. The Community Services and Facilities Element Goal CSF -4 and subsequent policies are dedicated to providing a telecommunications system that improves economic development, governmental efficiency, and equitable access. Policy CSF -4.1 works with se rvice providers to ensure adequate access and availability of a wide range of modern telecommunications services for residences, businesses, institutions, and public agencies is provided. Action CSF -4.2 orders the City to prepare a plan for the incorporati on and accessibility of new telecommunication systems and services in public buildings and support the development of internet-connected informational kiosks in public places and streetscapes.

As such, adherence to the established regulatory environment an d implementation of General Plan Update policies and actions would reduce impacts associated with the relocation or construction of new or expanded electrical, natural gas, and telecommunications facilities to a less than significant level, and no mitigation is required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provision Of Services And Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF-1.7: Capital Improvements. Maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Action CSF-1.5: Require any development that would put local and regional facilities at or near capacity to upgrade those facilities.

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Goal CSF-2: Water System. A community with adequate access to a clean and plentiful potable water supply that is also well -served by efficient distribution and stormwater systems.

Policy CSF-2.2: Water Supply Needs. Promote efficient operation and expansion of the water supply system to meet current and projected needs.

Policy CSF-2.4: Fair Share. Ensure that all new development provides for and funds its fair share of the costs for adequate water distribution, including line extensions, easements, and dedications.

Policy CSF-2.6: Drought Planning. Support the implementation of drought contingency plans to ensure adequate water during drought, including emergency water connections and related measures.

Policy CSF-2.7: Water Conservation. Support water conservation measures that comply with state and federal legislation and that are consistent with measures adopted in the Urban Water Management Plan.

Policy CSF-2.8: Unincorporated Areas. Prohibit extension of the water supply system to unincorporated areas until those areas are annexed.

Policy CSF-2.9: Storm Drain System. Provide an efficient, attractive, environmentally sound storm drain system.

Policy CSF-2.10: Stormwater Treatments. Projects shall incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Low Impact Development measures (LID) to minimize the quantity of stormwater directed to impermeable surface and to treat stormwater before discharge from the site. The facilities shall be sized to meet regulatory requirements.

Action CSF-2.1: Continue to require, as part of the development review process, project applicants to demonstrate sufficient access to water resources to service the project area.

Action CSF-2.2: Continue educational outreach designed to increase public participation in water conservation and water quality awareness through printed material and the City’s website and social media accounts.

Action CSF -2.3: Perform water rate studies on a regular basis to ensure that water operations, capital projects, and maintenance are financially sustainable and supported by rate payers.

Action CSF-2.4: Continue to review development projects to identify potential stormwater and drainage impacts and require development to include measures to ensure that off -site runoff is not increased beyond pre-development levels during rain and flood events.

Action CSF -2.5: Project designs shall minimize drainage concentrations, minimize impervious coverage, utilize pervious paving materials, utilize low impact development

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(LID) strategies, and utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater runoff.

Action CSF -2.6: Promote the use of LID strategies in new development and redevelopment projects, including but not limited to the use of canopy trees and shrubs, vegetated swales, and permeable paving.

Action CSF-2.7: Require new development to mitigate increases in stormwater peak flows and/or volume. Mitigation measures, such as LID strategies, should take into consideration impacts on adjoining lands in the City.

Action CSF-2.8: Identify which storm water and drainage facilities are in need of repair and address these needs through the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

Goal CSF-3: Wastewater System. A community with a wastewater system adequate to protect the health and safety of all La Verne residents, businesses, and institutions.

Policy CSF -3.2: System Maintenance. Maintain the existing wastewater system on a regular basis to increase the lifespan of the system and ensure public safety.

Policy CSF -3.4: Service Levels. Maintain adopted service standards for sewer service systems and fee structures that are equitable and efficient.

Goal CSF -4: Communication Systems. A community with a modern and efficient telecommunications system that improves economic development, governmental efficiency, and equitable access.

Policy CSF-4.1: Telecommunications. Work with service providers to ensure adequate access and availability of a wide range of modern telecommunications services for residences, businesses, institutions, and public agencies.

Policy CSF-4.2: Improved Facilities and Service. Work with service providers to expand service to areas that are not served by telecommunication technologies.

Action CSF-4.2: Prepare a plan for the incorporation and accessibility of state -of-the art, attractive telecommunication systems and services for public use in public buildings and support the development of internet -connected informational kiosks in public places and streetscapes.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM -4: Water Conservation. A community that protects and conserves limited water resources.

Policy RM -4.1: Conservation Strategies. In partnership with local water agencies, promote residential and commercial water conservation using multiple innovative strategies and contemporary best practices.

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Policy RM -4.2: Efficient Use of Sources. Minimize dependence on imported water through efficient use of local surface sources, using wise groundwater management practices, conservation measures, and the use of reclaimed wastewater and non -potable water for irrigation of landscaping and agriculture, where feasible.

Policy RM -4.3: Distribution . Utilize the most recent available water conservation technology and green infrastructure to ensure an efficient and cost -effective distribution system.

2. Water Supplies
Threshold: Would the Project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact USS-2, pages 5.16-46 through

5.16-49)
Explanation: While no specific development projects are proposed as part of the La Verne General Plan Update, the General Plan will accommodate future growth in La Verne, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. New growth i s anticipated to occur along the City’s major corridors (Arrow Highway and Foothill Boulevard) and around the new Metro A (Gold) Line Station. No new development is anticipated within the Sphere of Influence. As such, the Project would pose an increase in the demand for additional water supplies.

As described in Section 3.0, Project Description, and summarized in Table 3-4, General Plan 2045 Buildout by Land Use Designation, buildout under the General Plan could yield a total of 14,354 housing units, a population of 37,142 people, 8,037,850 square feet of non -residential building square footage, and 16,572 jobs within the Planning Area. This represents development growth over existing conditions of up to 2,680 new housing units, 4,803 people, 2,536,986 square feet of new non -residential building square footage, and 5,254 new jobs.

As discussed above, water service is provided in the vast majority of the Planning Area by City of La Verne, while GSWC provides water services to a small portion of the City. The City’s water supply consists of groundwater, and imported water from the TVM WD. Both service providers have concluded in their respective UWMPs that they will be able to meet projected future water demands under normal, dry, and multiple dry water years; the City will meet projected demands through 2040, and GSWC will meet project ed demands through 2045. Further, the TVMWD 2020 UWMP indicates it will have sufficient supplies under normal, dry, and multiple dry water years for its service area through 2045. While the City UWMP does not plan for the entire lifespan of the General Pla n

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Update, GSWC and TVMWD’s respective water supplies are anticipated to be sufficient to meet demands through 2045. Additionally, the City, GSWC, and TVMWD have all included Water Shortage Contingency Plans within their respective UWMPs to better ensure ther e will be an adequate water supply for the next two decades. As such, it is expected that residents and businesses in the Planning Area will have a sufficient water supply through the duration of the General Plan Update horizon.

For future qualifying projects, a water supply assessment would be required pursuant to SB 610 for inclusion in the project’s CEQA analysis. The water supply assessment discerns whether the expected demand from the project has been accounted for in the for ecasted demands in the most recent UWMP. A Written Verification of Supply per SB 221 is prepared as a condition of approval for a subdivision map of 500 units or more.

Considered a fail -safe mechanism to provide sufficient evidence that adequate water supp lies are available before construction begins, the Written Verification of Supply is also prepared/adopted by the water supplier and approved by the land use authority. Depending on the project, one or both of these analyses may be required. Development proposals that may not warrant a water supply assessment and/or Written Verification of Supply but meet the definition of a project under CEQA would still require an analysis of sufficient water supplies in the CEQA process. Additionally, the General Plan Update includes goals, policies, and actions to ensure that adequate water supply, treatment, and distribution capacity is available to meet the needs of the proposed development without negatively impacting the existing community. Policies CSF -1.1 and CSF -1.3 require new development to offset or mitigate potential community services and facilities impacts through the provision or expansion of such to ensure that such development does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them. Goal CSF-2 and subsequent policies aim to conserve the Planning Area’s water supplies. Policy CSF -2.1 maintains a Citywide Water Master Plan to identify existing and future water needs, implement needed improvements, and identify potential funding sources; while Policy CSF -2.2 promotes the expansion of the water supply system to meet current and projected needs.

Policy CSF-2.6 implements drought contingency planning and Policy CSF-

2.7 supports water conservation measures that comply with State and federal legislation.

Through implementation of existing federal, State, and local regulations and the General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions, the environmental impacts related to water supplies would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provision Of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF -1.2: Impact on Resources. Require new utility infrastructure to avoid sensitive natural and cultural resources to the greatest extent feasible.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF-1.7: Capital Improvements. Maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements.

Policy CSF-1.8: Public Facility Plans. Maintain and implement public facility master plans to ensure compliance with appropriate regional, state, and federal laws and to provide appropriate public facilities and services to maintain quality of life in La Verne.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Action CSF-1.5: Require any development that would put local and regional facilities at or near capacity to upgrade those facilities.

Goal CSF-2: Water System. A community with adequate access to a clean and plentiful potable water supply that is also well -served by efficient distribution and stormwater systems.

Policy CSF-2.1: Water Master Plan. Maintain a Citywide Water Master Plan to identify existing and future water needs, implement needed improvements, and identify potential funding sources.

Policy CSF-2.2: Water Supply Needs. Promote efficient operation and expansion of the water supply system to meet current and projected needs.

Policy CSF-2.4: Fair Share. Ensure that all new development provides for and funds its fair share of the costs for adequate water distribution, including line extensions, easements, and dedications.

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Policy CSF-2.6: Drought Planning. Support the implementation of drought contingency plans to ensure adequate water during drought, including emergency water connections and related measures.

Policy CSF-2.7: Water Conservation. Support water conservation measures that comply with state and federal legislation and that are consistent with measures adopted in the Urban Water Management Plan.

Policy CSF-2.8: Unincorporated Areas. Prohibit extension of the water supply system to unincorporated areas until those areas are annexed.

Action CSF-2.1: Continue to require, as part of the development review process, project applicants to demonstrate sufficient access to water resources to service the project area.

Action CSF-2.2: Continue educational outreach designed to increase public participation in water conservation and water quality awareness through printed material and the City’s website and social media accounts.

Action CSF -2.3: Perform water rate studies on a regular basis to ensure that water operations, capital projects, and maintenance are financially sustainable and supported by rate payers.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM -4: Water Conservation. A community that protects and conserves limited water resources.

Policy RM -4.1: Conservation Strategies. In partnership with local water agencies, promote residential and commercial water conservation using multiple innovative strategies and contemporary best practices.

Policy RM -4.2: Efficient Use of Sources. Minimize dependence on imported water through efficient use of local surface sources, using wise groundwater management practices, conservation measures, and the use of reclaimed wastewater and non -potable water for irrigation of landscaping and agriculture, where feasible.

Policy RM -4.3: Distribution. Utilize the most recent available water conservation technology and green infrastructure to ensure an efficient and cost -effective distribution system.

3. Wastewater Capacity
Threshold: Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?

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Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact USS-3, pages 5.16-49 through

5.16-52)
Explanation: As discussed above, the City’s total wastewater flow for 2045 under the General Plan Update is estimated to be approximately 2.5 MGD, or an increase of approximately 0.4 MGD over existing conditions. Wastewater from La Verne is treated at either the Pomona WRP or the San Jose Creek WRP. The current capacity for the Pomona WRP facility is 15 MGD of wastewater and it currently handles an average daily effluent flow of 5.87 MGD. The current capacity for the San Jose Creek WRP is 100 MGD of wastewater and it currently handles an average daily effluent flow of 62.9 MGD. Conservatively assuming all wastewater from the Cit y flows to one wastewater facility, the additional 0.4 MGD of City wastewater flows anticipated under the General Plan Update would increase flows to the Pomona WRP by less than three percent of its maximum capacity and the San Jose Creek WRP by less than one percent of its maximum capacity.

Therefore, the ultimate capacity of both the Pomona WRP and San Jose Creek WRPs would be able to accommodate the additional projected wastewater production from the City under implementation of the General Plan Update.

As noted above, the General Plan Update enables additional development but does not include specific development proposals. At the time future projects are proposed, they would require a separate environmental review and compliance with regulations in existence at that time to ensure adequate wastewater treatment capacity exists. Additionally, the General Plan Update includes goals, policies, and actions to ensure adequate wastewater facilities capacity to serve the Project’s projected demand. The Community Services and Facilities Element Goal CSF-3 provides policies and actions dedicated to providing the Planning Area with a safe and adequate wastewater system.

Specifically, Policy CSF-3.1 maintains a Citywide Sewer Facilities Master Plan to identify existi ng and future wastewater treatment needs for the purpose of implementing needed improvements and identifying potential funding sources. Policy CSF-3.3 ensures that all new development provides for, and funds its fair share of, the costs for adequate sewer collection and treatment, including line extensions, easements, and dedications. Policy CSF-3.5 ensures compliance with the current Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements concerning the operation and maintenance of the City’s sanitary sewer collection system.

The implementation of existing federal, State, and local regulations and the General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions would ensure adequate wastewater treatment capacity and impacts would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required.

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GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provision Of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF-1.7: Capital Improvements. Maintain and finance the capital improvement program to ensure the timely implementation of the General Plan and the adequate and timely provision of public facility and municipal improvements.

Policy CSF-1.8: Public Facility Plans. Maintain and implement public facility master plans to ensure compliance with appropriate regional, state, and federal laws and to provide appropriate public facilities and services to maintain quality of life in La Verne.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

Action CSF-1.5: Require any development that would put local and regional facilities at or near capacity to upgrade those facilities.

Goal CSF-3: Wastewater System. A community with a wastewater system adequate to protect the health and safety of all La Verne residents, businesses, and institutions.

Policy CSF -3.1: Sewer Facilities Master Plan. Maintain a Citywide Sewer Facilities Master Plan to identify existing and future wastewater treatment needs, implement needed improvements, and identify potential funding sources.

Policy CSF -3.2: System Maintenance. Maintain the existing wastewater system on a regular basis to increase the lifespan of the system and ensure public safety.

Policy CSF-3.3: Fair Share. Ensure that all new development provides for and funds its fair share of the costs for adequate sewer collection and treatment, including line extensions, easements, and dedications.

Policy CSF -3.4: Service Levels. Maintain adopted service standards for sewer service systems and fee structures that are equitable and efficient.

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Policy CSF-3.5: Statewide Requirements. Comply with the current Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements concerning the operation and maintenance of the City’s sanitary sewer collection system.

Action CSF -3.1: Cooperate with the Metropolitan Water District to update population projections, water use and sewer generation formulas, needed improvements, and programs within the Citywide Sewer Master Plan at least every five years.

Action CSF-3.2: Work with the Metropolitan Water District to expedite the improvement and expansion of water, reclaimed water, and sewer facilities, when necessary.

4. Solid Waste Generation
Threshold: Would the Project generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, Impact USS-4, page 5.16-52 through

5.16-55)
Explanation: While no specific development is currently proposed, future development of projects as contemplated under the General Plan Update may increase the population within the Planning Area by an additional 4,803 people. As described above, the City of La Verne h as achieved a disposal rate of 5.1 pounds per day (PPD) per resident in 2021. Assuming these disposal rates remain constant throughout the life of the General Plan Update, the new growth under General Plan buildout would result in a net increa se of approximately 24,495 PPD of solid waste over existing conditions, which equals 12.2 net tons per day (TPD) or 4,470 net tons of solid waste per year.

The City’s projected increase in solid waste generation associated with buildout under the General Plan Update is within the permitted capacity of both the El Sobrante Landfill and Olinda Alpha Landfill. As noted previously, the vast majority (65 percent) of solid waste disposed from the City of La Verne in 2019 went to one waste disposal facility: El Sobrante Landfill. The second major landfill Planning Area residents utilized was the Olinda Alpha Landfill (15 percent of all solid waste disposal) (CalRecyc le 2023a). Other landfills that received relatively small amounts of waste from the City in 2019 include: Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center (2,924 tons); Frank R. Bowerman Sanitary Landfill (1,014 tons); Azusa Land Reclamation Company Landfill (540 ); Antelope Valley Public Landfill (244 tons); and Mid Valley Sanitary Landfill (107 tons).

El Sobrante Landfill has a remaining capacity of approximately 143,977,170 tons as of 2018, is permitted a maximum throughput of 16,054 TPD, and has enough projected capacity to serve residents and businesses until approximately 2051. Olinda Alpha Landfill has a remaining capacity

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of 17,500,000 as of 2020, a permitted maximum throughput of 8,000 tons, and has projected capacity to serve residents and businesses until approximately 2036 (CalRecycle 2023e). While the Olinda Alpha Landfill is not anticipated to last the longevity of th e General Plan Update, several other landfills, including El Sobrante are projected to remain open through 2045. It is anticipated that project -generated solid waste would be distributed to the other landfills serving the City beyond El Sobrante.

In addition, all future development would be required to comply with the mandatory commercial and multifamily recycling requirements of AB 341, thus reducing the amount of landfill waste. Furthermore, the General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions de scribed below, including Goal RM-7 of the Resource Management Element and subsequent policies and actions, would reduce the demand for solid waste disposal. Through the implementation of existing regulations and the policies listed below, this is a less than significant impact and no mitigation is required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-1: Provision Of Services and Facilities. A community that values and maintains high quality community services and facilities for all residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors in La Verne.

Policy CSF -1.1: New Development. Ensure that new growth and development participates in the provision and expansion of community services and facilities, and does not exceed the City’s ability to provide them.

Policy CSF-1.3: Mitigation. Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to community services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new development.

Policy CSF -1.5: Revenue Sources. Identify local, stable and predictable sources of revenue and creative financing strategies (such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District) to meet public facility, service, and infrastructure needs.

Policy CSF-1.9: Infrastructure Rehabilitation. Prioritize the regular maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities and critical infrastructure to extend its useful life; prioritize replacement of structures that have reached the end of their useful life or have capacity constraints.

Action CSF-1.1: Regularly coordinate with outside service providers and other agencies regarding their public facility plans and provide local input on goals, objectives, and projects.

Action CSF-1.3: Require that the capital improvements program place a high priority on upgrading local services to meet our current and anticipated demand.

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Action CSF-1.5: Require any development that would put local and regional facilities at or near capacity to upgrade those facilities.

Goal CSF-7: Regional Services and Facility Coordination. A community that has positive relationships with regional service providers, agencies, and jurisdictions resulting in enhanced community services and facilities for La Verne.

Policy CSF -7.1: Cooperation. Encourage cooperation and coordination between and among cities in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County for delivery of services to the public.

Policy CSF-7.3: Availability of Facilities and Services. Time development to coordinate it with public facilities availability and service improvements.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM -7: Solid Waste Management. A community with reduced generation and disposal of solid waste to landfills and an increased public awareness and participation in waste diversion programs.

Policy RM-7.1: Compliance with State Legislation. Comply with Assembly Bill 939 source reduction and recycling requirements of 50 percent diversion of solid waste from landfills and strive to partner, plan for, and document compliance with Assembly Bill 341 source reduction, recycling, and composting requirements of 75 percent by 2020.

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

Policy RM-7.3: Source Reduction and Recycling Efforts. Participate in source reduction and recycling techniques to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill and extend the life of the landfill.

Policy RM-7.4: Special Waste. Ensure that special waste—including hazardous materials, tires, medications, infectious waste, asbestos waste, construction waste, and electronic waste—can be recycled and disposed of in a manner that is safe for the environment, residents, and visitors to La Verne.

Policy RM-7.5: Organic Waste. Work with appropriate service providers to collect and compost greenwaste, including landscaping, Christmas trees, composting and mulch, and other sources of organic waste, to distribute for use in parks, medians, and other municipal areas.

Policy RM -7.6: Public Education. Regularly educate the public on ways to divert household waste from the landfill, including education programs on reducing, reusing, and recycling material.

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Policy RM-7.7: Public Funding Sources. Pursue public funding sources, such as grants to reduce fiscal impacts of continued implementation of recycling programs.

Action RM-7.1: Regularly monitor the level of service provided by waste and recycling collection contractors to ensure that service levels meet the terms of the contract.

5. Solid Waste Regulations
Threshold: Would the Project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste? Finding: Less than significant. ( Draft EIR, Impact USS-5, pages 5.16-55 through

5.16-57)
Explanation: While no specific development projects are proposed as part of the La Verne General Plan Update, the General Plan Update will accommodate future growth in La Verne, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. New g rowth is anticipated to occur along the City’s major corridors (Arrow Highway and Foothill Boulevard) and around the new Metro A (Gold) Line Station. No new development is anticipated within the SOI. As such, the Project would pose an increase in the demand for additional solid waste services.

As discussed in the settings section, Chapters 13.28 and 13.30 (Division III, Refuse Collection) of the Municipal Code establishes mandatory solid waste and recycling collection to comply with the requirements of AB 939 and AB 341. The City has also establ ished disposal and mandatory recycling requirements for commercial facilities, single family residential and multifamily residential premises to comply with State law diversion requirements. As permitted by AB 939, the City authorizes a private solid waste franchisee (i.e., Waste Management Inc.) to handle the City’s solid waste and requires Waste Management Inc. to cooperate in the preparation of solid waste disposal characterization studies and the preparation of waste stream audits. Waste Management Inc. and the City work together to submit information to meet the reporting requirements of AB 939, or any other law or regulation, to reach the solid waste and recycling goals mandated by AB 939.

The General Plan Update includes goals, policies, and actions that would reduce the demand for solid waste disposal. Specifically, Policy RM -7.1 ensures compliance with Assembly Bill 939 source reduction and recycling requirements of 50 percent diversion o f solid waste from landfills and strives to partner, plan for, and document compliance with Assembly Bill 341 source reduction, recycling, and composting requirements of 75 percent by 2020. Action RM -7.2 requires contractors to use BMPs to maximize diversion of waste from the landfill, in order to meet the City’s specified

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diversion rates.

Through compliance with applicable regulations, including those related to recycling and solid waste diversion, as well as implementation of regulations and policies included in the General Plan Update, Project implementation would be consistent with solid waste reduction statutes and regulations. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant impact, and no mitigation is required.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
Goal RM -7: Solid Waste Management. A community with reduced generation and disposal of solid waste to landfills and an increased public awareness and participation in waste diversion programs.

Policy RM-7.1: Compliance with State Legislation. Comply with Assembly Bill 939 source reduction and recycling requirements of 50 percent diversion of solid waste from landfills and strive to partner, plan for, and document compliance with Assembly Bill 341 source reduction, recycling, and composting requirements of 75 percent by 2020.

Policy RM-7.3: Source Reduction and Recycling Efforts. Participate in source reduction and recycling techniques to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill and extend the life of the landfill.

Policy RM-7.4: Special Waste. Ensure that special waste—including hazardous materials, tires, medications, infectious waste, asbestos waste, construction waste, and electronic waste—can be recycled and disposed of in a manner that is safe for the environment, residents, and visitors to La Verne.

Policy RM -7.6: Public Education. Regularly educate the public on ways to divert household waste from the landfill, including education programs on reducing, reusing, and recycling material.

Action RM-7.2: Include standard language in requests for services and in City agreements requiring contractors to use best management practices to maximize diversion of waste from the landfill in order to meet the City’s specified diversion rates.

P. WILDFIRE

1. Response Plans
Threshold: If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?

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Finding: Less than Significant . (Draft EIR, Impact WF-1, pages 5.17-12 through

5.17-17)
Explanation: The Planning Area contains SRAs and LRAs that are classified as VHFHSZs, as depicted in Figure 5.17 -1. VHFHSZs are located in the mountainous northern portion of the City. The General Plan Update would allow for a variety of new development projects, inclu ding residential, commercial, industrial, and public service projects, which would result in increased jobs and population in the Planning Area. As the City is nearly built out, roads and infrastructure are generally in place and major circulation improvements are not anticipated to accommodate the new growth. Future projects are not anticipated to remove or impede evacuation routes, and the General Plan Update does not include land uses, policies, or other components that conflict with adopted emergency response or evacuation plans.

As part of the General Plan Update, the City prepared an analysis consistent with SB 99 to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes. The analysis found that out of 5,471 unique land parcels identified as residential and located within an identified hazard zone, the vast majority (approximately 81 percent) of the parcels have multiple exit points with access to multiple primary emergency access roadways, and another 10 percent of the parcels have multiple exit points access to a primary emergency access roadway. Approximately seven percent of the developed parcels have one exit point directly onto a single primary emergency access roadway, and the remaining two percent have one exit point with access to a single primary emergency access roadway. Parcels with one exit point are located primarily in the northern portion of the City; however, there are also small portions of other subdivisions with only one exit point located throughout the Planning Area.

The General Plan Update includes policies and actions to address emergency evacuation routes. Specifically, Policy PS -8.6 directs cooperation with the Fire Department and Police Department to define minimum standards for evacuation of residential areas and to maintain, update, and regularly exercise emergency access, protocols, and evacuation routes to assess their effectiveness under a range of emergency scenarios. If areas with inadequate evacuation routes are identified, develop appropriate mitigation measures, improvement plans, or education programs to ensure safe evacuation.

The City NHMP, adopted in 2012, contains recommendations, or action items, for dealing with wildfire risks, primarily through home fire safety inspections and fire prevention education. In addition, the City’s CWPP, adopted in 2014, evaluates and identifies wildfire threat, develops strategies that enhance wildfire protection, and protects human life and the City’s assets. The CWPP serves to guide future actions of property -owners,

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business-owners, La Verne Fire Department (LVFD), City staff, and other interested parties in their efforts to reduce the wildfire threat to the City.

The CWPP discusses evacuation operations during a wildfire event, the expected timing of evacuation, preferred routes, potential evacuation “safe area” locations, potential issues regarding evacuation, and evacuation preparedness on the side of the resident or business-owner. Further, the City adopted a Wilderness Area Management and Public Access Plan, in 20 12.

The Wilderness Area Management and Public Access Plan reduces wildfire risks by limiting or completely closing public access point to the wilderness open space areas during periods of high and extreme fire danger.

The LVFD has mutual aid agreements with the LACoFD and the United States Forest Service. The Los Angeles County OAERP provides for the coordination of emergency operations plans of agencies and/or jurisdictions within the Los Angeles County Operational Are a, which includes the Planning Area. The OAERP conforms to the standards of the National Incident Management System and Standard Emergency Management System. The OAERP does not provide a specific evacuation route map, as evacuation measures would be implem ented based on the specific emergency and area affected. The General Plan Update would not require or result in revisions to the adopted OAERP.

While no specific development projects are proposed as part of the General Plan Update, the General Plan Update would accommodate future growth in the City, including new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and new residential uses. New growth is anticipated to occur along the City’s major corridors (Arrow Highway and Foothill Boulevard) and around the new Metro L (Gold) Line Station. No new development is anticipated within the SOI. Regardless, future development would be designed, constructed, a nd maintained in accordance with applicable standards associated with the NHMP, CWPP, and Municipal Code, including vehicular access to ensure that adequate emergency access and evacuation would be maintained. Construction activities that may temporarily r estrict vehicular traffic would be required to implement appropriate measures to facilitate the passage of persons and vehicles through/around any required road closures.

Highways and major roadways are anticipated to be used as the primary routes for evacuation; however, evacuation routes would depend upon the emergency event and area affected. The General Plan Update includes goals, policies, and actions to address emergency response and evacuation.

Public Safety Element Policy PS -4.5 ensures that the Fire Department can continue to respond safely and effectively to a hazardous materials incident in the City, whether it is a spill at a permitted facility, or the result of an accident along a section of the freeway or railroads that extend across the City. Policy PS -8.1 coordinates with service providers to ensure the

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resilience of critical facilities, lifeline services, and infrastructure, and plans for the use of critical facilities during post -disaster response and recovery.

Policy PS-8.2 ensures that the City’s NHMP is updated on a regular basis in order to reflect changing conditions, best practices, regulatory environment, and advancements in knowledge; and to maintain eligibility for public assistance grants. Policy PS-8.6 directs cooperation with the Fire Department and Police Department to define minimum standar ds for evacuation of residential areas and to maintain, update, and regularly exercise emergency access, protocols, and evacuation routes to assess their effectiveness under a range of emergency scenarios. If areas with inadequate evacuation routes are identified, develop appropriate mitigation measures, improvement plans, or education programs to ensure safe evacuation. Action PS -8.2 directs regular review of Los Angeles County and State emergency response procedures that must be coordinated with City procedures. Action PS-8.3 continues to implement the City ’s NHMP.

Community Services and Facilities Element Policy CSF -5.8 ensures roadways are designed and maintained in such a way so as to maintain acceptable emergency vehicle response times. Action CSF -5.1 ensures the LVFD and City Engineer will review proposed development projects and street networks to evaluate the accessibility for fire engines and other emergency response functions. Action CSF -5.5 directs the City to prepare a comprehensive update of th e City’s disaster awareness and emergency preparedness program. Action CSF -5.6 directs the City to conduct annual disaster drills to train City staff and test the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center.

Primary access to all major roads would be maintained during construction of future developments within the Planning Area. As part of the development review process (Municipal Code Chapter 18.16, Development Review), future development projects would be re viewed for adequate infrastructure and access as well as consistency with adopted emergency and evacuation plans among many other environmental issues in order to ensure the safety of City residents and the physical environment. Therefore, impacts associated with adopted emergency response or evacuation plans would be less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Policy PS-4.5: Emergency Response. Ensure that the Fire Department can continue to respond safely and effectively to a hazardous materials incident in the City, whether it is a spill at a permitted facility, or the result of an accident along a section of the freeway or railroads that extend across the City.

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Goal PS-8: Emergency Operations and Facilities. A community that is prepared for and responds effectively to natural and human-induced disasters and emergencies, minimizing loss of life, injury, property damage, and disruption of vital services.

Policy PS-8.1: Critical Facilities. Coordinate with service providers to ensure the resilience of critical facilities, lifeline services, and infrastructure, and plan for the use of critical facilities during post-disaster response and recovery.

Policy PS -8.2: Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Update La Verne’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) on a regular basis in order to reflect changing conditions, best practices, regulatory environment, and advancements in knowledge; and to maintain eligibility for public assistance grants.

Policy PS-8.3: Communication. Maintain proper communication protocols and procedures among emergency service providers; local, state, and federal government agencies; businesses; schools; utilities; and other relevant parties to ensure quick and efficient response in the event of an emergency.

Policy PS-8.4: Education. Prepare our community for comprehensive and efficient emergency response including safe and secure evacuation routes.

Policy PS-8.5: Automatic and Mutual Aid. Continue to participate in automatic and mutual aid agreements with adjacent service providers to ensure efficient and adequate resources, facilities, and support services during and after emergencies.

Policy PS-8.6: Emergency Evacuation Routes and Access. Work with the Fire Department and Police Department to define minimum standards for evacuation of residential areas and to maintain, update, and regularly exercise emergency access, protocols, and evacuation routes to assess their effectiveness under a ran ge of emergency scenarios. If areas with inadequate evacuation routes are identified, develop appropriate mitigation measures, improvement plans, or education programs to ensure safe evacuation.

Policy PS-8.7: Emergency Shelters. Periodically review emergency shelters to ensure that necessary equipment supplies are available in case of emergency.

Policy PS-8.8: Collaboration. Strengthen emergency services preparedness and response by linking emergency services with natural hazard mitigation programs, and enhancing public education on a regional scale.

Policy PS -8.9: Institutions. Regularly coordinate with the City’s major institutions, schools, employers, and homeowners associations regarding emergency response procedures.

Policy PS-8.10: Volunteer Service. Continue to support volunteer service programs such as the City of La Verne Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training and Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP) as valuable assets to the community.

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Policy PS -8.11: Warning Systems. Maintain and regularly upgrade a mass communications system to effectively notify people during disasters and emergencies by using current communication technologies.

Action PS-8.1: Regularly practice implementation of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and update it regularly.

Action PS-8.2: Regularly review County and State Emergency response procedures that must be coordinated with City procedures.

Action PS-8.3: Continue to implement the City of La Verne’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Policy CSF -5.4: Department Consultation. Promote coordination between land use planning and urban design through consultation and coordination with the Police and Fire Departments during the review of new development applications.

Policy CSF-5.5: Fire Response Times. Plan for, track. and maintain acceptable response times, as determined by the La Verne Fire Department.

Policy CSF-5.8: Roadway Design. Design and maintain roadways in such a way so as to maintain acceptable emergency vehicle response times.

Action CSF-5.1: The La Verne Fire Department and City Engineer will review proposed development projects and street networks to evaluate the accessibility for fire engines and other emergency response functions.

Action CSF-5.5: Prepare a comprehensive update of the City’s disaster awareness and emergency preparedness program.

Action CSF-5.6: Conduct annual disaster drills to train City staff and test the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center.

2. Pollutant Concentrations
Threshold: Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, would the project exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire? Finding: Less than Significant. (Draft EIR, Impact WF-2, pages 5.17-17 through

5.17-20)
Explanation: The Planning Area contains SRAs and LRAs that are classified as VHFHSZs. The northern half of the City (generally north of the I -210) is considered to be a VHFHSZ, as depicted in Figure 5.17-1. The General Plan Update Land Use Map proposes to increase the amount of residential

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development within the LRA VHFHSZ, as compared to the existing 1998 General Plan Land Use Map. Within the LRA VHFHSZ, the General Plan Update proposes land uses largely designated Low Density Residential, Specific Plan Residential, and Hillside Residential . The SOI remains untouched and continues to be primarily designated Open Space, with a small residential neighborhood east of Live Oak Reservoir. The VHFHSZ region of the Planning Area is located along foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, creating the potential for exacerbated wildfire risks. As discussed above, factors such as vegetation (potential fuel for wildfires), climate, slope, and fire origin (proximity to development) could possibly exacerbate wildfire risks. However, future development on slo ped terrain (i.e., hillsides) would be required to prepare fire management plans per Municipal Code Chapter 18.68, H -D-O-Z Hillside Development Overlay Zone, and adhere to standards set forth in the Fire Code.

Fire risks are highest and have high potential to be more extreme during periods of prolonged drought, during high winds, namely the Santa Ana winds in the autumn and winter, and when dry vegetation is present. In addition to the direct physical threat to life and property, smoke released during an event can have a detrimental effect on air quality and lead to health risks from smoke inhalation. To address this risk, the City Fire Department (LVFD) cooperates with CAL FIRE and the LACoFD through cooperative fire protection agreements. The State of California is financially responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires within SRAs, while the LVFD has primary responsibility for LRAs within City boundaries.

Development under the General Plan Update would allow development to place additional people and/or structures in areas that are identified as having a significant risk of wildland fires. Within the LRA VHFHSZ, the General Plan Update proposes land uses la rgely designated Low Density Residential, Specific Plan Residential, and Hillside Residential. While the General Plan Update Land Use Map designates additional residential and/or urban uses and densities in the area designated a VHFHSZs in an LRA, lower-density residential uses currently exist in this VHFHSZ. Any future projects contemplated under the General Plan Update would be required to comply with the provisions of federal, State, and local requirements related to wildland fire hazards, including Stat e fire safety regulations associated with WUIs, fire-safe building standards, and defensible space requirements as part of the project’s approval process. As future development and infrastructure projects are considered by the City, each project would be evaluated for potential impacts, specific to that project, associated with wildland fire hazards as required under CEQA. Further, future development projects under the General Plan Update would be subject to all applicable City regulations, reviews, and req uirements pertaining to emergency response, emergency access, and maintaining emergency evacuation routes,

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as well as being subject to all applicable building code and fire code requirements and further CEQA analysis of project -specific impacts for individual development projects.

Implementation of the General Plan Update does not, in and of itself, substantially alter the slope, prevailing winds, or other factors that would increase exposure to City residents, employees, or visitors to increased pollutant concentrations from wildfire or result in the uncontrollable spread of a wildfire. Goals and policies presented in the Public Safety Element dedicated to minimizing risks and exposure of pollutants from wildfires are listed below.

Buffering and distancing development will help to limit the exposure of residents to pollutants during fires. Public Safety Element Policy PS -1.7 requires fire protection buffers between natural areas and developed areas susceptible to wildland fires; fire protection buffers shall be maintained at private expense and on private property according to the applicable standards and regulations of the Fire Department. Evacuation routes and emergency preparedness outlined above in Response WF-1 will also further remove residents from exposure during wildfire events to also reduce exposure during fire events. Therefore, with implementation of the applicable General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions, and compliance to applicable development standards and fire codes, impacts would be less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Goal PS-1: Fire Safety. A community that is minimally impacted by wildland and urban fires through implementation of proactive fire hazard abatement strategies.

Policy PS-1.1: Services and Facilities. Provide adequate fire prevention services and facilities to meet the service standards identified by the Fire Department.

Policy PS-1.3: City Standards. Require that all development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) meet VHFHSZ standards as designated by City Ordinance.

Policy PS-1.4: Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Update La Verne’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) on a regular basis in order to reflect changing conditions, best practices, regulatory environment, and advancements in knowledge.

Policy PS -1.5: Development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Avoid or minimize new residential development in VHFHSZs as feasible.

Policy PS -1.6: Fire Protection Plans. Require adequate fire protection plans and emergency vehicle access for new development in VHFHSZs.

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Policy PS-1.7: Fire Protection Buffers. Require fire protection buffers between natural areas and developed areas susceptible to wildland fires; fire protection buffers shall be maintained at private expense and on private property according to the applicable standards and regulations of the Fire Department.

Policy PS-1.8: Fire Safe Design. Consider fire safe design (i.e., fire-resistant building and site design, materials, and landscaping) for development within very high fire hazard severity zones as part of the development review process.

Policy PS-1.9: Fire Hazard Reduction Projects. Coordinate with the Fire Department to identify and maintain fire hazard reduction projects, including community fire breaks and private road and public road clearance.

Policy PS-1.10: Standards for New Development. As part of the review process, require ongoing brush management, fuel management/modification, defensible space, fire retardant landscaping, visible home and street addressing and signage, and other project design features for new development located in areas of or adjacent to high wildfire risk.

Policy PS-1.17: Fire and Building Codes. Require that all buildings and structures within La Verne comply with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the California Fire and Building Codes as well as other applicable fire safety standards.

Policy PS -1.19: Sustainable Ecological Management. Encourage implementation of wildfire mitigation activities in a manner consistent with the goals of promoting sustainable ecological management and community stability.

Action PS-1.2: Work with the Fire Department to maintain an ongoing fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards associated with multifamily development, critical facilities, public assembly facilities, industrial buildings, and nonresidential buildings.

Action PS -1.3: Mitigate, as feasible, existing non-conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards where feasible, including road standards and vegetative hazards.

Action PS -1.4: Assess site constraints when considering land use designations near wildlands to avoid or minimize wildfire hazards as part of a land use update or amendment.

Action PS-1.6: Design development on hillsides and canyons to reduce the increased risk of fires from topography features (i.e., steep slopes, ridge saddles).

Action PS-1.9: In the event of a significant wildfire, the City and its Fire Department shall immediately coordinate with relevant federal, state, and local agencies, including but not limited to the USDA, USFS, CalFire, the Los Angeles Flood Control District, and the Los Angeles Fire Department to establish and implement, as feasible, a flooding and debris flow prediction and monitoring program. The intent of the program shall be to map and assess the likelihood of debris flow (in %), potential volume of debris flow (in m3), and combined relative debris flow hazard. In the event that a flood or debris flow risk is

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predicted during a subsequent storm event, the City shall implement procedures contained in the Emergency Operations Plan to notify residents and business owners of evacuation orders in affected areas. This action is written and adopted with the understanding that the City of La Verne does not possess the resources to implement such a monitoring program independently and must rely on the expertise and resources of outside agencies.

Goal PS-5: Severe Weather. A community with minimized impacts from severe weather conditions on residents, businesses, and visitors.

Policy PS-5.1: Wind Protective Features. Promote the installation of protective wind barriers on homes and buildings, such as vegetation walls, glass panel windscreens, roof clips, hedges, or rows of trees.

3. Infrastructure Risks
Threshold: Would the project r equire the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines, or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
Finding: Less than Significant . (Draft EIR, Impact WF-3, pages 5.17-20 through

5.17-23)
Explanation: As discussed previously, the Planning Area contains SRAs and LRAs that are classified as VHFHSZs, as depicted in Figure 5.17 -1. VHFHSZs are generally located in the northern portion of the Planning Area. Development in or near FHSZs could require additional constructio n and installation of infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer connections, and power lines. Development of such infrastructure may increase wildfire risks in the affected areas. The General Plan Update does not propose any site-specific development projects, in and of itself, and thus does not specifically require the installation of new infrastructure. However, the General Plan Update does include goals and policies related to the planning of future infrastructure allowed by Project implementation and includes goals and policies needed to support the development contemplated by the General Plan Update, which can be found in the Public Safety and Community Services and Facilities Elements, as provided below.

Future development of utility infrastructure would also be subject to the requirements established in the PRC Section 4292, which requires clearing of flammable fuels for a minimum 10 -foot radius from the outer circumference of poles and towers, and Sectio n 4293, which sets basic requirements for clearances around electrical conductors. Furthermore, future projects would be required to meet vegetation clearance requirements outlined in CCR Title 14, Section 1104.1(d) for single overhead facilities.

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The General Plan Update Community Services and Facilities Element includes requirements for adequate water supply and water flow availability, emergency access, fire protection services, fire safe design site standards, and ensuring public awareness regard ing fire safety. All future development projects would be required to be consistent with the City’s Municipal Code standards related to development in high fire hazard areas (Municipal Code Chapters 15.36 and 15.37).

Maintenance of existing infrastructure and the potential installation of new infrastructure for future projects in the Planning Area would also comply with the Fire Code requirements found in the Municipal Code for new development projects and, as such, wo uld be reviewed by the LVFD to determine the specific fire requirements applicable to ensure compliance with these codes in place. The potential for future projects to impact environmental resources to meet compliance with fire development standards, such as fuel breaks and clearance requirements, would require site specific environmental evaluation under CEQA to identify any site - specific impacts. In addition, any development in the City would need to comply with applicable CBC and PRC requirements to ensu re that new developments have access to necessary utilities, and any additional utility construction complies with all code requirements. As demonstrated throughout this EIR, implementation of the various policies and actions contained in the General Plan Update would reduce potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and expansion of infrastructure.

Implementation of the General Plan Update policies and actions listed below, combined with local and State requirements, as discussed previously, would ensure that potential wildland fire hazards would not be exacerbated by local infrastructure. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Goal PS-1: Fire Safety. A community that is minimally impacted by wildland and urban fires through implementation of proactive fire hazard abatement strategies.

Policy PS -1.1: Services and Facilities. Provide adequate fire prevention services and facilities to meet the service standards identified by the Fire Department.

Policy PS -1.5: Development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Avoid or minimize new residential development in VHFHSZs as feasible.

Policy PS-1.8: Fire Safe Design. Consider fire safe design (i.e., fire-resistant building and site design, materials, and landscaping) for development within very high fire hazard severity zones as part of the development review process.

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Policy PS-1.9: Fire Hazard Reduction Projects. Coordinate with the Fire Department to identify and maintain fire hazard reduction projects, including community fire breaks and private road and public road clearance.

Policy PS-1.10: Standards for New Development. As part of the review process, require ongoing brush management, fuel management/modification, defensible space, fire retardant landscaping, visible home and street addressing and signage, and other project design features for new development located in areas of or adjacent to high wildfire risk.

Policy PS -1.14: Access. Require sufficient ingress/egress access points in all new development to support firefighting activities, as determined by the Fire Department.

Policy PS-1.17: Fire and Building Codes. Require that all buildings and structures within La Verne comply with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the California Fire and Building Codes as well as other applicable fire safety standards.

Action PS -1.3: Mitigate, as feasible, existing non -conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards where feasible, including road standards and vegetative hazards.

Action PS11.10: The Fire Department and City Engineer will review proposed development projects and street networks to evaluate the accessibility for fire engines and other emergency response functions.

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT
Goal CSF-4: Communication Systems. A community with a modern and efficient telecommunications system that improves economic development, governmental efficiency, and equitable access.

Policy CSF -4.3: Co-Location. The City shall encourage compatible co -location of telecommunication facilities and shall work with service providers to site telecommunications facilities on City-owned property and public rights-of-ways.

Policy CSF-4.4: Cell Towers, Radio Towers, and Appurtenances. Regulate and ensure that communication facilities such as cell towers, radio towers, and other appurtenances do not block, impede, or impair the visual quality of La Verne; discourage such infrastructure on hillsides surrounding the community.

4. Runoff Risks
Threshold: Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post- fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
Finding: Less than Significant . (Draft EIR, Impact WF-4, pages 5.17-23 through

5.17-26)

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Explanation: The Planning Area contains FRAs, SRAs, and LRAs that are classified as VHFHSZs, as depicted in Figure 5.17 -1. Wildfire can alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows (U.S. Geological Survey 2023). A number of factors affect the likelihood of downstream flooding or landslide after a fire, including basin morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics (U. S. Geological Survey 2023).

Areas with slopes correspond with the areas identified as having greater landslide risk are presented in Figure 5.6-5 and Figure 5.6-6, in Section 5.6, Geology and Soils, and correspond with areas that are designated as FHSZs.

Within the Planning Area, these include the northern portion of the City and its SOI, generally north of the I-210.

The General Plan Update would allow development and improvement projects that would involve some land clearing, grading, and other ground- disturbing activities that could temporarily increase soil erosion rates during and shortly after construction of a de velopment project. All future developments located in or adjacent to hillsides are to adhere to the standards established in Municipal Code Chapter 18.68, H -D-O-Z Hillside Development Overlay Zone. These standards concern fire protection, siting, circulation, grading and drainage, architecture, walls, fences, natural land forms, views, native vegetation, wildlife, and landscaping. Chapter 16.86 of the Municipal Code regulates development of hillside areas by relating the number and distribution of dwelling units and other buildings to the topography to prevent disfigurement of the terrain through extensive cut and fill. These regulations are also designed to minimize danger to life and property due to the hazards of fire, soil erosion, seepage and destruction of natural topography and plant material. All development in the hillside areas is subject to review and approval by the Fire Chief for compliance with those aspects of the hillside development overlay zone designed to reduce fire hazards. Subsequent dev elopment and infrastructure projects would also be analyzed for potential environmental impacts, consistent with the requirements of CEQA. With adherence to the Municipal Code and other applicable development standards, future development on sloped terrain prone to flooding, landslides, and instability would not have adverse effects on the environment.

As detailed throughout Section 5.9, Hydrology and Water Quality, future development resulting from implementation of the General Plan Update could lead to potential flooding in a number of ways. New development and redevelopment could increase storm water velocity leading to off -site flooding; new development and redevelopment could impede or redirect flood flows; and the placement of new or redevelopment projects could create or contribute to runoff which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems. However, as discussed herein, all future development and redevelopment would comply with applicable

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federal, State, regional, and local plans, policies, and regulations. Future projects would be required to include project -specific flood control measures, production of storm water plans and use of BMPs, as well as FEMA processing, among other planning tools (see Section 5.9, Hydrology for additional details). FEMA mapping provides important guidance for the City in planning for flooding events and regulating development within identified flood hazard areas. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) i s intended to encourage State and local governments to adopt responsible floodplain management programs and flood measures. As part of the program, the NFIP defines floodplain and floodway boundaries that are shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Flo odways within the Planning Area are shown on Figure 5.9-4, FEMA Flood Map.

Furthermore, the General Plan Update goals, policies, and actions described below would limit exposure between people and structures with wildfire risks. Through compliance with local, State, and federal regulations, and compliance with General Plan Update goals and policies, exacerbated impacts related to flooding and landslides are found to be less than significant.

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
Goal PS-1: Fire Safety. A community that is minimally impacted by wildland and urban fires through implementation of proactive fire hazard abatement strategies.

Policy PS-1.3: City Standards. Require that all development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) meet VHFHSZ standards as designated by City Ordinance.

Policy PS -1.5: Development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Avoid or minimize new residential development in VHFHSZs as feasible.

Policy PS-1.10: Standards for New Development. As part of the review process, require ongoing brush management, fuel management/modification, defensible space, fire retardant landscaping, visible home and street addressing and signage, and other project design features for new development located in areas of or adjacent to high wildfire risk.

Policy PS-1.11: Rebuilding After a Fire. Coordinate with the Fire Department to identify building and site design methods or other methods to minimize damage if new structures are proposed to be in VHFHSZs when rebuilding after a fire.

Policy PS-1.16: Permit Approvals. Ensure compliance with the Subdivision Map Act requirements for structural fire protection and suppression services, subdivision requirements for on/off-site improvements, ingress and egress, street standards, and other concerns.

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Action PS -1.4: Assess site constraints when considering land use designations near wildlands to avoid or minimize wildfire hazards as part of a land use update or amendment.

Action PS -1.5: Locate, design and construct development to provide adequate defensibility and minimize the risk of structural loss from wildland fires.

Action PS-1.6: Design development on hillsides and canyons to reduce the increased risk of fires from topography features (i.e., steep slopes, ridge saddles).

Action PS -1.8: Work with CAL FIRE, United States Forest Service, United States Geologic Service, and applicable nongovernmental agencies to create a plan to address post-fire recovery activities and projects that allow burned areas to fully recover and minimize repetitive losses and further damage.

Action PS-1.9: In the event of a significant wildfire, the City and its Fire Department shall immediately coordinate with relevant federal, state, and local agencies, including but not limited to the USDA, USFS, CalFire, the Los Angeles Flood Control District, and the Los Angeles Fire Department to establish and implement, as feasible, a flooding and debris flow prediction and monitoring program. The intent of the program shall be to map and assess the likelihood of debris flow (in %), potential volume of debris flow (in m3), and combined relative debris flow hazard. In the event that a flood or debris flow risk is predicted during a subsequent storm event, the City shall implement procedures contained in the Emergency Operations Plan to notify residents an d business owners of evacuation orders in affected areas. This action is written and adopted with the understanding that the City of La Verne does not possess the resources to implement such a monitoring program independently, and must rely on the expertise and resources of outside agencies.

Goal PS -2: Flooding. A community that is protected from the dangers of flood and inundation hazards.

Policy PS-2.2: New Development. Avoid and minimize flood risks for new development.

Policy PS-2.3: Areas Susceptible to Flooding. Reduce flood hazards in developed areas susceptible to flooding (such as the 100 -year floodplain and areas known to the City to flood during intense or prolonged rainfall events) and require new development in these areas to incorporate mitigation measures designed to mitigate flood hazards.

Policy PS -2.7: Stormwater Runoff. Require new developments that add substantial amounts of impervious surfaces to integrate low impact development (LID) best management practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater runoff.

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SECTION III

IMPACTS THAT ARE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION

INCORPORATED
There are no impacts that require mitigation , or where mitigation can be imposed, above and beyond implementation of the policies and actions included in the General Plan.

SECTION IV

IMPACTS THAN CANNOT BE FULLY MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL

The City Council hereby finds that, despite the incorporation of General Plan goals, policies, and actions identified in the EIR and in these Findings , the following environmental impacts cannot be fully mitigated to a less than significant level and a Statement of Overriding Considerations is therefore included herein:

A. AIR QUALITY

1. Cumulatively Considerable Pollutant Emissions
Threshold: Would the project result in cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is in non-attainment under the applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard? Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, Impact AQ-2, pages 5.2-39 through 5.2-44)
Explanation: Ozone, NO2, VOC and PM10 and PM2.5 are pollutants of concern, as the SCAB has been designated as a nonattainment area for State ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 and as a federal nonattainment area for ozone and PM10. The SCAB is currently in attainment and/or unclass ified for State and federal CO, SOx, NO2, lead and federal attainment for PM10. The SCAQMD has established numerical significance thresholds for regional emissions during construction and operation. The numerical significance thresholds are based on the recognition that the Basin is a distinct geographic area with a critical air pollution problem for which ambient air quality standards have been promulgated to protect public health. Implementation of the General Plan Update would potentially cause or contri bute to an exceedance of an ambient air quality standard if the following would occur:

Regional construction emissions from both direct and indirect sources would exceed any of the following the SCAQMD prescribed daily emissions thresholds: 75 pounds a day for VOC; 100 pounds per day for NOx; 150 pounds per day for PM10; and 55 pounds per day for PM2.5.

Regional operational emissions exceed any of the following the SCAQMD

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prescribed daily emissions thresholds: 55 pounds a day for VOC; 55 pounds per day for NOx; 150 pounds per day for PM10; and 55 pounds per day for PM2.5.

Construction
Construction of the growth anticipated by the proposed General Plan Update has the potential to temporarily emit criteria air pollutant emissions through the use of heavy-duty construction equipment, and through vehicle trips generated by workers and haul trucks. In addition, fugitive dust emissions would result from demolition and various soil-handling activities.

Mobile source emissions, primarily NOx and PM emissions (i.e., PM10 and PM2.5), would result from the use of diesel -powered on - and off -road vehicles and equipment. Construction emissions can vary substantially from day-to-day, depending on the level of activity and the specific type of construction activity.

Information regarding the specific development projects and location of receptors for those projects is required in order to model specific emissions throughout the buildout horizon. Construction activities are anticipated to occur at various levels throug hout the approximately 20 -year buildout horizon (2025 to 2045). Since specific projects are unknown at this time, as is the level of intensity of construction over the 20 years, the analysis provides emissions from an anticipated reasonable worst-case construction scenario. Specifically, emissions were modeled for all development within the Planning Area in buildout year 2045.

As detailed in the methodology section above, daily emissions were estimated for the construction of the land uses provided in Table 3 -4 of Section 3.0, Project Description. Detailed information on modeling parameter inputs is provided in Appendices A and B. The results of the criteria air pollutant calculations are presented in Table 5.2 -6, Maximum Regional Construction Emissions. The calculations used to develop construction emissions incorporate compliance with applicable dust control measures required to be implemented during each phase of construction by SCAQMD Rule 403 (Control of Fugitive Dust), and fugitive VOC control measures required to be implemented by architectural coating emission factors based on SCAQMD Rule 1113 (Architectural Coatings).

As shown in Table 5.2 -6, construction -related daily emissions would exceed the SCAQMD significance thresholds for VOCs, NOx, CO, PM10, and PM2.5. Therefore, short-term regional construction emissions would be potentially significant.

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Operation
Operation of future development accommodated by the General Plan Update would generate criteria air pollutant emissions from project - generated vehicle trips traveling within the City, energy sources such as natural gas combustion, and area sources such as landscaping equipment and consumer products usage. The on -road mobile sources related to the operation of future development accommodated by the General Plan Update include passenger vehicles, onsite use of off -road equipment and delivery trucks. VMT data takes into account ridership, mode, and distance on freeways and local streets as provided in Section 5.14, Transportation.

Projected emissions resulting from operational activities of future development accommodated by the General Plan Update are presente d in Table 5.2-7, Maximum Regional Operational Emissions (pounds/day).

As identified in Table 5.2-7, operational emissions for future development accommodated by the General Plan Update would exceed regulatory thresholds for VOC, NOx, CO, PM10, and PM2.5. While these thresholds are the only thresholds available for numericall y determining significance, it should be noted that these thresholds were specifically developed for use in determining significance for individual projects and not for program - level documents, such as the General Plan Update. However, as emissions for VOC, NOx, CO, PM10, and PM2.5 exceed regulatory thresholds, the regional operational emissions would be potentially significant.

Conclusion
The exact level of construction emissions from the development anticipated by future development accommodated by the General Plan Update cannot be quantified without full detail of the development projects to be implemented and the extent to which mitigati on can be applied. Individual projects anticipated by the General Plan Update would be required to implement their own environmental review. The proposed policies and actions of the General Plan Update listed below would potentially reduce emissions, which could potentially address impacts related to conflicts with an applicable air quality plan. For instance, the General Plan Update includes: Policy RM-8.8, which directs new development to meet State and federal clean air standards by minimizing particulate matter emissions from construction activities; Action RM-8.2, which requires project applicants to prepare air quality analyses to address the SCAQMD and General Plan Update requirements; and Action RM -8.14, which requires future development projects imp lemented under the General Plan Update to demonstrate consistency with the SCAQMD construction emission thresholds, and, where emissions exceed the SCAQMD thresholds, incorporate mitigation measures as necessary to minimize impacts. These policies and acti ons are oriented toward the reduction of the air quality impacts of individual projects.