For purposes of this analysis, the Project alternatives are evaluated to determine the extent to which they attain the basic Project objectives, while significantly lessening any significant effects of the Project.
B. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND REJECTED DURING THE
SCOPING/PROJECT PLANNING PROCESS
The following is a discussion of the alternatives considered during the scoping and planning process and the reasons why they were not selected for detailed analysis in the SEIR.
1. Alternative Development Areas
CEQA requires that the discussion of alternatives focus on alternatives to the project or its location that are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of the project. The key question and first step in the analysis is whether any of the significant effects of the project would be avoided or substantially lessened by putting the project in another location. Only locations that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project need be considered for inclusion in the EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126[5][B][1]). The City does not have land use authority outside of the City’s boundaries. Therefore, an alternative development area would be infeasible and was not analyzed.
Finding
The City finds that there are no alternative development areas for the Proposed Project as the City does not have jurisdiction over land uses outside of the City’s boundaries. As described in these Findings of Fact, the Proposed Project would result in less than significant impacts, or impacts that can be mitigated to less than significant. For significant and unavoidable impacts, the City has determined that these impacts are acceptable because specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including regionwide or statewide environmental benefits, of the proposed project outweigh its significant effects on the environment, as described in the Statement of Overriding Considerations.
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2. Reduction of Housing Units
California Public Resources Code Section 21159.26 states that “a Lead or Responsible Agency shall not reduce the proposed number of housing units as a mitigation measure or alternative to lessen a particular significant effect on the environment if that agency determines that there is another feasible, specific mitigation measure or alternative that would provide a comparable lessening of the significant effect” (see also CEQA Guidelines Section 15041[c], 15092[c], 15096[g][2]). TOP 2050 would result in significant air quality and VMT impacts associated with the increase in housing units of the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project. While a reduction in housing units would reduce VMT and VOC emissions from consumer product use, this alternative is considered and rejected because the increase in housing units under TOP 2050 is consistent with the RHNA allocation for Ontario.
Finding
The City finds that although a reduction of housing units under the Proposed Project would reduce VMT and VOC emissions, it would not be consistent with the RHNA allocation for Ontario. As described in these Findings of Fact, the Proposed Project would result in less than significant impacts, or impacts that can be mitigated to less than significant. For significant and unavoidable impacts, the City has determined that these impacts are acceptable because specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including regionwide or statewide environmental benefits, of the proposed project outweigh its significant effects on the environment, as described in the Statement of Overriding Considerations.
C. ALTERNATIVES SELECTED FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
The following alternatives were determined to represent a reasonable range of alternatives with the potential to feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project but avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project. Table 7-2, Summary of Impacts of Alternatives Compared to the Proposed Project, in Chapter 7, Alternatives to the Proposed Project, of the Draft SEIR, identifies how each of the alternatives selected for further analysis compare to the Proposed Project. Table 7-3, Ability of Each Alternative to Meet the Project Objectives, in Chapter 7, Alternatives to the Proposed Project, of the Draft SEIR, provides a summary of the ability of the alternatives to achieve the project objectives.
1. No Project Alternative
In the No Project/Current TOP Alternative, TOP 2050 would not be implemented by the City. The current TOP would remain in effect. Buildout statistics for TOP 2050 and the current TOP are compared in Table 7-1, Buildout Statistical Summary, in Chapter 7, Alternatives to the Proposed Project, of the Draft SEIR. In addition, this alternative would not include the policy updates for environmental justice, climate vulnerability, adaptation, resiliency, complete streets, and the CCAP.
Impacts of the No Project/Current TOP alternative would be similar for aesthetics, agriculture and forestry resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, hydrology and water quality, mineral resources, noise, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire. This alternative would eliminate the Proposed Project’s VMT impact on transportation and lessen impacts associated with public services, recreation, and utilities and service systems. This alternative would 1605
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slightly increase population and housing impacts; and would increase impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials (airport safety), GHG emissions, and land use and planning (airport land use compatibility, resulting in a significant unavoidable impact).
Finding
The No Project Alternative would not implement the proposed TOP 2050 policies, which are designed to further enhance the project objectives, compared to the existing TOP. While this alternative would eliminate the Proposed Project’s VMT impact on transportation and lessen impacts associated with public services, recreation, and utilities and service systems, this alternative would slightly increase population and housing impacts; and would increase impacts related to hazards and hazardous materials (airport safety), GHG emissions, and land use and planning (airport land use compatibility).
As a result, specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible this project alternative for the reasons identified in the Final SEIR.
2. Reduced Industrial Alternative
TOP 2050 includes 338 additional acres zoned Industrial compared to the current TOP. Compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Plan is adding capacity for 25,399 residential units and 1,092,508 square feet of nonresidential square footage. This includes additional capacity for 5,189,888 square feet of Business Park (BP) and 8,099,949 square feet of Industrial (IND), and reduced capacity for 8,990,532 square feet of Mixed Use (MU) and 3,206,797 square feet of Commercial and Hospitality (NC, GC, OC, and HOS). To eliminate impacts associated with an increase in diesel trucks, VMT from trucks (which have a greater trip length), and associated DPM, this alternative would eliminate approximately 8.1 million square feet of industrial development in the City, resulting in 4,405 fewer warehouse jobs compared to the Proposed Project.
Impacts of the Reduced Industrial alternative would be similar for aesthetics, agriculture and forestry resources, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, population and housing, public services, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire. This alternative would reduce the Proposed Project’s air quality, GHG, noise, and utilities and service systems impacts. This alternative would reduce but would not eliminate the Proposed Project’s significant transportation (VMT) impact.
Finding
The Reduced Industrial Alternative would meet all of the project objectives to the same extent as the Proposed Project. While this alternative would lessen the Proposed Project’s air quality, GHG, noise, and utilities and service systems impacts, this alternative would also reduce but would not eliminate the Proposed Project’s significant transportation (VMT) impact. As a result, specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible this project alternative for the reasons identified in the Final SEIR.
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D. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE
An EIR must identify an “environmentally superior” alternative and where the No Project Alternative is identified as environmentally superior, the EIR is then required to identify as environmentally superior an alternative from among the others evaluated. Based on the analysis contained within the Draft SEIR, the Reduced Industrial Alternative has been identified as the “environmentally superior” to the Proposed Project.
The Reduced Industrial Alternative has been identified as the environmentally superior alternative because it would result in reduced impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, transportation, and utilities and service systems due to the reduction in square footage of industrial development. However, significant and unavoidable impacts related to cultural resources would continue to occur from implementation of this alternative. Impacts related to aesthetics, agriculture and forestry resources, biological resources, energy, geology and soils, hazardous and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, population and housing, public services, recreation, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire would be similar to the Proposed Project.
CEQA does not require the lead agency (the City of Ontario) to choose the environmentally superior alternative. Instead, CEQA requires the City to consider environmentally superior alternatives, weigh those considerations against the environmental impacts of the Proposed Project, and make findings that the benefits of those considerations outweigh the harm. “Among the factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives, (ii) infeasibility, or (iii) inability to avoid significant environmental impacts” (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6[c]).
The City Council rejects the Reduced Industrial Alternative on the following grounds, each of which individually provides sufficient justification for rejection of this alternative: (1) this alternative does not avoid the Project’s significant and unavoidable impacts on the environment; and (2) this alternative meets the Project objectives to a lesser extent than the proposed Project. Therefore, the Reduced Industrial Alternative is eliminated from further consideration.
V. ADDITIONAL CEQA CONSIDERATIONS
A. SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE CHANGES DUE TO THE PROJECT
Section 15126.2(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines requires that an EIR describe any significant irreversible environmental changes that would be caused by the proposed project should it be implemented. Specifically, the State CEQA Guidelines state:
“Uses of nonrenewable resources during the initial and continued phases of the project may be irreversible since a large commitment of such resources makes removal or nonuse thereafter unlikely. Primary impacts and, particularly, secondary impacts (such as highways improvement which provides access to a previously inaccessible area) generally commit future generations to similar uses. Also, irreversible damage can result from environmental accidents associated with the 1607
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project. Irretrievable commitments of resources should be evaluated to assure that such current consumption is justified.”
Generally, a project would result in significant irreversible environmental changes if:
The primary and secondary impacts would generally commit future generations to similar uses; The project would involve a large commitment of nonrenewable resources; The project would involve uses in which irreversible damage could result from any potential environmental accidents associated with the project; or The proposed irretrievable commitments of nonrenewable resources are not justified (e.g., the project involves the wasteful use of energy).
In the case of TOP 2050, implementation would cause the following significant irreversible changes:
Implementation of the proposed project would include construction activities that would entail the commitment of nonrenewable and/or slowly renewable energy resources; human resources; and natural resources such as lumber and other forest products, sand and gravel, asphalt, steel, copper, lead, other metals, water, and fossil fuels. Future developments in accordance with the proposed project would require the use of natural gas and electricity, fossil fuels, and water. The commitment of resources required for the construction and operation of the proposed project would limit the availability of such resources for future generations or for other uses during the life of the project.
An increased commitment of social services and public maintenance services (e.g., police, fire, schools, libraries, and sewer and water services) would also be required. The energy and social service commitments would be long-term obligations in view of the low likelihood of returning the land to its original condition once it has been developed. Population growth related to the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project would increase vehicle milestraveled and volatile organic compound emissions associated with consumer product use. The Proposed Project would cumulatively contribute to the South Coast Air Basin’s nonattainment designation for ozone.
B. GROWTH-INDUCING IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Pursuant to Section 15126(d) and 15126.2(d) of the State CEQA Guidelines, this section is provided to examine ways in which the Project could foster economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment. To address this issue, potential growth-inducing effects will be examined through analysis of the following questions:
Would this project remove obstacles to growth, e.g., through the construction or extension of major infrastructure facilities that do not presently exist in the project area, or through changes in existing regulations pertaining to land development?
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Would this project result in the need to expand one or more public services to maintain desired levels of service?
Would this project encourage or facilitate economic effects that could result in other activities that could significantly affect the environment?
Would approval of this project involve some precedent-setting action that could encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment? Please note that growth-inducing effects are not to be construed as necessarily beneficial, detrimental, or of little significance to the environment. This issue is presented to provide additional information on ways in which TOP 2050 could contribute to significant changes in the environment, beyond the direct consequences of developing the land use concept examined in the preceding sections of this SEIR.
1. Would this project remove obstacles to growth, e.g., through the construction or extension of major infrastructure facilities that do not presently exist in the project area, or through changes in existing regulations pertaining to land development? Approval and implementation of TOP 2050 would not remove obstacles to growth. Development in the City is guided by TOP. Changes to the Approved Project are identified in Section 3.4.2.3, Areas of Change, and would not result in changes to existing regulations that would remove barriers to growth in the City. Portions of the City are already served by infrastructure. Like the current TOP, implementation of TOP 2050 would allow for development of currently undeveloped land and redevelopment of existing land uses. This would induce construction of infrastructure extensions and improvements, such as roadways, storms drains, water pipes, solid waste collection systems, and energy/communication extensions toward undeveloped areas of the City. In addition, the Proposed Project would increase demand for electricity and natural gas that could require expansion of energy infrastructure, as provided by SCE and the SoCalGas. Impacts to existing utilities and service systems and potential needs for future improvements are discussed further in Section 5.19, Utilities and Service Systems.
TOP 2050 accommodates the additional population growth required to accommodate the SCAG’s RHNA. Buildout of the proposed project may require additional firefighting and police personnel and construction of new and/or expanded facilities to improve response times, if necessary. Buildout may also require future construction of new and/or expanded schools in the school districts that serve Ontario (e.g., Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Chino Valley Unified School District, Cucamonga School District, Ontario-Montclair School District, and Mountain View School District).
Impacts from the proposed project on public services facilities are discussed in detail in Section 5.15, Public Services.
2. Would this project result in the need to expand one or more public services to maintain desired levels of service?
As stated above, like the Approved Project buildout, the Proposed Project may require additional fire and police services, school facilities, and library space to maintain desired levels of service. This would include expanding existing facilities; acquiring land to construct new stations, schools, and libraries; 1609
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and adequately equipping and staffing new facilities. Section 5.15, Public Services, analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Project on existing public services in more detail.
3. Would this project encourage or facilitate economic effects that could result in other activities that could significantly affect the environment? Like the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would not encourage or facilitate economic effects that could result in other activities that could significantly affect the environment.
Impacts of job-generating land uses and employment pursuant to TOP 2050 are analyzed throughout Chapter 5 of this SEIR. No additional impacts would occur.
4. Would approval of this project involve some precedent-setting action that could encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment?
Cities and counties in California periodically update their general plans pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65300 et seq. Thus, approval of TOP 2050 would not set a precedent that could encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment.
VI. FINDINGS ON RESPONSES TO COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT SEIR AND
REVISIONS TO THE FINAL SEIR
The Final SEIR contains response to comments, clarifications, revisions, and corrections to the Draft SEIR. The focus of the response to comments is on the disposition of significant environmental issues as raised in the comments, as specified by State CEQA Guidelines Section 15088(b). The City provided written responses to each comment made by a public agency, as set forth in Section 2 of the Final SEIR, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15088(b), and revisions and corrections to the Draft SEIR are found in Section 3 of the Final SEIR.
City staff has reviewed this material and determined that none of this material constitutes the type of significant new information that requires recirculation of the Draft SEIR for further public comment under CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5. None of this new material indicates that the project will result in a significant new environmental impact not previously disclosed in the Draft SEIR.
Additionally, none of this material indicates that there would be a substantial increase in the severity of a previously identified environmental impact that will not be mitigated, or that there would be any of the other circumstances requiring recirculation described in Section 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines.
VII. STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
CEQA requires decision makers to balance the benefits of the Proposed Project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the benefits of the project outweigh the unavoidable adverse effects, those effects may be considered “acceptable” (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15093[a]). CEQA requires the agency to support, in writing, the specific reasons for considering a project acceptable when significant impacts are infeasible to mitigate.
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record (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15093 [b]). The agency’s statement is referred to as a Statement of Overriding Considerations.
The following provides a description of the project’s significant and unavoidable adverse impact and the justification for adopting a statement of overriding considerations.
A. SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS
Although most potential project impacts have been substantially avoided or mitigated, as described above, there remains nine project impacts for which complete mitigation is not feasible. The EIR identified the following significant unavoidable adverse impacts of the project, which would continue to be applicable upon implementation of the Proposed Project:
1. Air Quality
Impact 5.3-1: TOP 2050 would be inconsistent with the South Coast AQMD AQMP because buildout under the plan would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SoCAB. Incorporation of Mitigation Measures 3-2 and AQ-1 into future development projects for the operation phase would reduce criteria air pollutant emissions associated with buildout of TOP 2050. Additionally, goals and policies in TOP 2050 would promote increased capacity for alternative transportation modes. However, due to the magnitude of residential units that would be developed under TOP 2050 to accommodate the RHNA, compared to the Approved Project, no additional mitigation measures are available that would reduce impacts below South Coast AQMD thresholds. Similar to the Approved Project, Impact 5.3-1 would remain significant and unavoidable.
Impact 5.3-2: Buildout in accordance with TOP 2050 would generate short-term emissions that would exceed South Coast AQMD’s regional significance thresholds and cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SoCAB. Mitigation Measure 3-1 and the goals and policies of TOP 2050 would reduce construction-related air pollutant emissions to the extent feasible. Construction emissions associated with the Proposed Project would be similar to the Approved Project, because the Proposed Project would result in an increase in land use intensity rather than development of new, previously undeveloped areas of the City that would require substantial landform modification. However, individual projects accommodated under TOP 2050 may exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds. Therefore, like the Approved Project, construction-related regional air quality impacts of developments that would be accommodated by TOP 2050 under Impact 5.3-2 would remain significant and unavoidable. Impact 5.3-3: Buildout in accordance with TOP 2050 would generate long-term emissions that would exceed South Coast AQMD’s regional significance thresholds and cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SoCAB. Mitigation Measure 3-2 and AQ-1, in addition to the goals and policies of TOP 2050, would reduce air pollutant emissions to the extent feasible.
The measures and policies covering topics such as expansion of the pedestrian and bicycle networks, promotion of public and active transit, and support to increase building energy efficiency and energy conservation would also reduce criteria air pollutants within the City.
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from residential development associated with TOP 2050 compared to that of the Approved Project.
Impact 5.3-4: Buildout of TOP 2050 and the Approved Project could expose sensitive receptors to substantial concentrations of Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs). Buildout could result in new sources of criteria air pollutant emissions and/or TACs near existing or planned sensitive receptors. Review of development projects by South Coast AQMD for permitted sources of air toxics (e.g., industrial facilities, dry cleaners, and gasoline dispensing facilities) would ensure that health risks are minimized. Policy ER-4.9, New Localized Air Pollution Sources Near Existing Sensitive Receptors, would ensure mobile sources of TACs not covered under South Coast AQMD permits are considered during subsequent project-level environmental review by the City of Ontario. Individual development projects would be required to achieve the incremental risk thresholds established by South Coast AQMD, and TACs would be less than significant. However, implementation of TOP 2050 would generate TACs that could contribute to elevated levels in the air basin. This effect is more substantial with the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project because of the increase in industrial land use allowed under the Proposed Project. While individual projects would achieve the project-level risk threshold of 10 per million, they would nonetheless contribute to the higher levels of cancer risk in the SoCAB; and therefore, result in a cumulatively considerable impact. Therefore, similar to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project’s cumulative contribution to health risk is significant and unavoidable.
2. Cultural Resources
Impact 5.5-1: Mitigation Measure 5-1 would require historic or potentially historic resources to be evaluated for historic significance through the City’s Development Code tier system. Major modification or demolition of Tier III resources may be appropriate under certain circumstances.
If demolition occurs, the City requires historic resources to be documented and historic features to be salvaged, and requires a demolition mitigation fee. Therefore, the ordinance does not provide a high level of protection for Tier III historic resources. Similar to the Approved Project, Impact
5.5-1 would remain significant and unavoidable.
3. Noise
Impact 5.13-1: Mitigation Measure 12-4 would reduce potential impacts associated with construction from individual development projects to the extent feasible. However, due to the potential for proximity of construction activities to sensitive uses, the number of construction projects occurring simultaneously, and the potential duration of construction activities, Impact
5.13-1 could still result in a temporary substantial increase in noise levels above ambient conditions and exceedance of the 80 dBA Leq threshold. Therefore, similar to the Approved Project, project and cumulative impacts of the Proposed Project would remain significant and unavoidable. It should be noted that the identification of this program-level impact does not preclude the finding of less-than-significant impacts for subsequent projects analyzed at the project level. Impact 5.13-3: Mitigation Measure 12-2 would reduce potential impacts associated with construction vibration from individual development projects to the extent feasible. However, due 1612
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to the potential for proximity of construction activities to sensitive uses, the number of construction projects occurring simultaneously, and the potential duration of construction activities, Impact 5.13-3 could be significant. Therefore, similar to the Approved Project, project and cumulative impacts associated with the Proposed Project would remain significant and unavoidable. It should be noted that the identification of this program-level impact does not preclude the finding of less-than-significant impacts for subsequent projects analyzed at the project level.
Impact 5.13-4: With the implementation of Mitigation Measure 12-1, impacts to future sensitive receptors from excessive airport-related noise would be reduced to interior noise levels of 45 dBA CNEL or less. While interior noise levels are required to achieve the interior noise limits of Title 24 and Title 25, exterior noise levels may continue to exceed the noise compatibility criteria for the City. Consequently, airport noise compatibility impacts of the Proposed Project would remain significant and unavoidable, similar to the Approved Project.
4. Transportation
Impact 5.17-2: Total VMT would increase under the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project, primarily as a result of the increase in residential land use in the City. Mitigation Measure T-1 would reduce potential impacts for future development projects to the extent feasible. Future development projects consistent with TOP 2050 would need to consider transportation demand management (TDM) measures consistent with those identified in the Mobility Element. TDM techniques include incentives to use transit; incentives to form carpools rather than drive alone; and making home, work, and shopping closer together to shorten travel distances. VMT impacts under the Proposed Project would remain. Impact 5.17-2 would be significant and unavoidable.
B. PROJECT BENEFITS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING
CONSIDERATIONS
The following section describes the benefits of the Proposed Project that outweigh the project’s unavoidable adverse effects and provides specific reasons for considering the project acceptable even though the FEIR has indicated that there will be nine significant project impacts if the mitigation measures for these impacts cannot be implemented. Accordingly, this Statement of Overriding Considerations regarding potentially significant adverse environmental impacts resulting from the Proposed Project, as set forth below, has been prepared. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section15093(c), the Statement of Overriding Considerations will be included in the record of the project approval and will also be noted in the Notice of Determination. Each of the benefits identified below provides a separate and independent basis for overriding the significant environmental effects of the Proposed Project.
Having reduced the potential effects of the Proposed Project through all feasible mitigation measures as described previously herein, and balancing the benefits of the Proposed Project against its potential unavoidable adverse impacts on air quality, cultural resources, noise, and transportation if the mitigation measures for these impacts cannot be implemented, the City finds that the following legal 1613
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requirements and benefits of the Proposed Project individually and collectively outweigh the potentially significant unavoidable adverse impacts for the following reasons:
1. Implements the Objectives Established for the Proposed Project The proposed project would provide goals and policies that would facilitate and achieve the project objectives:
Provide a technical update to the current TOP that updates the goals and policies to enhance public safety and livability, align with updated economic forecasts, and comply with new state laws while maintaining the foundation, vision, and objectives of the current TOP. Provide a streamlined, user-friendly, web-based TOP that is easily accessible to the public. Designate the distribution, location, balance, and extent of land uses, including residential, retail, employment, open space, and public uses.
Link Ontario’s community design goals to a broader context that includes economic development, land use, housing, community health, infrastructure, and transportation. Improve the balance between jobs and housing in the San Bernardino County subregion to reduce vehicle miles traveled and associated air quality impacts, consistent with regional policies on jobshousing balance. Provide employment and housing opportunities for the San Bernardino Council of Governments subregion, consistent with the goals of the Southern California Association of Governments Sustainable Communities Program.
Provide for high-intensity mixed-use urban centers along the I-10 corridor and citywide bus rapid transit system that reduce vehicle trips and incorporate smart growth principles. Foster the development of pedestrian and transit-oriented environments that create lively, appealing, and safe pedestrian areas, active during both daytime and evening hours. Maintain Ontario’s distinct neighborhoods and districts to foster a positive sense of identity and belonging among residents and businesses.
Establish a framework for using and managing the city’s natural resources sustainably. Provide for the security and safe transportation of goods and hazardous materials, and maintain disaster preparedness and response and recovery systems to reduce loss of life, injury, private property damage, infrastructure damage, economic losses, and social dislocation. Enhance the capacity for the people, businesses, and public agencies that are in or serve Ontario to be resilient in cases of severe and/or prolonged weather conditions, natural disasters, and emergencies.
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Prioritize the improvement of areas most impacted by environmental justice issues, and enable Ontario residents to enjoy equal access to public facilities, civic engagement opportunities, nutritious foods, and safe and healthy environments.
Correlate the mobility system with the future land use patterns and buildout levels of Ontario and with other transportation planning efforts by local, state, and federal authorities. Address a range of mobility options in Ontario, including vehicular, trucking, freight and passenger rail, air, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit.
2. Provides High-Density Housing that Helps Achieve the City’s Regional Housing Needs The Proposed Project would introduce an additional 77,096 housing units in the City by 2050 compared to existing conditions, or 25,399 units compared to full buildout of the Approved Project.
To make meaningful reforms to the housing crisis in California, the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently declared that cities and counties in Southern California will have to plan for the construction of 1.3 million new homes in the next decade. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) distributed the increased targets to jurisdictions based on factors such as jobs, households, and affordability that were considered in the City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element Update. For cities and counties that do not perform, the state can withhold state transportation revenue generated from Senate Bill 1 (2017). The Proposed Project includes refinements to the Policy Plan to comply with state housing mandates and accommodate the mandatory Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation. TOP 2050 brings long-term growth and fiscal projections into alignment with current economic conditions as well as property owner and stakeholder requests, to support the vision for Ontario. TOP 2050 includes map changes to convert areas reserved for strictly commercial and office uses to mixed-use or residential areas that are better positioned to respond to the current and future economic climate and are positioned to help the City to meet its RHNA requirements. TOP 2050 also intensifies residential uses on key sites that align higher-density housing with regional plans for high-quality transportation routes and help to meet the City’s RHNA obligation.
3. Provides Employment Opportunities and Promotes the City’s Economic Vision TOP 2050 includes a Community Economics Element to protect investments in the City that improve the quality of life for Ontario’s residents, employees, and visitors. The Proposed Project brings long-term growth and fiscal projections into alignment with current economic conditions.
The Proposed Project would provide employment opportunities for the economic activities envisioned for the City of Ontario. Buildout of TOP 2050 would allow development of approximately one million additional square feet of nonresidential buildings compared to the Approved Project. The Proposed Project would better align land uses, infrastructure plans, and job opportunities with the current and forecasted market conditions, ensuring that future development is more likely to occur during the buildout timeframe and decrease the likelihood of sites remaining perpetually vacant. Additionally, while the Proposed Project would represent a decrease of 17,065 total jobs compared the Approved Project, the Proposed Project still supports opportunities for generating an additional 164,003 jobs to the City’s existing 2021 employment of 1615
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131,999. The Proposed Project’s employment projections of TOP 2050 would exceed SCAG’s current regional forecasts for the City Ontario. The Community Economics Element includes policies that provide a complete community:
CE-1.1 Jobs-Housing Balance. We pursue improvement to the Inland Empire’s balance between jobs and housing by promoting job growth that reduces the regional economy’s reliance on outcommuting. CE-1.2 Jobs and Workforce Skills. We use our economic development resources to:
1. attract jobs suited for the skills and education of current and future City residents;
2. work with regional partners to provide opportunities for the labor force to improve its skills and education; and
3. attract businesses that increase Ontario’s stake and participation in growing sectors of the regional and global economy.
CE-1.3 Regional Approach to Workforce Development. We work with our partners to provide workforce training and development services throughout the region, recognizing that Ontario employers rely on workers living outside of the City.
CE-1.4 Business Retention and Expansion. We continuously improve two-way communication with the Ontario business community and emphasize customer service to existing businesses as part of our competitive advantage.
CE-1.5 Business Attraction. We proactively attract new and expanding businesses to Ontario in order to increase the City’s share of growing sectors of the regional and global economy.
4. Included Goals and Policies for Community Health, Environmental Justice, Climate Adaptation and Resiliency, and Mobility.
The Proposed Project would conform with new state laws related to community health, environmental justice, climate adaption, resiliency, and mobility.
As part of the technical background work for TOP 2050 a Vulnerability Assessment was conducted that analyzed how climate-related hazards may harm the community. This work is a requirement of California Government Code Section 65302(g)(4) as amended by Senate Bill (SB) 379. The Vulnerability Assessment Report followed the recommended process in the California Adaptation Planning Guide, which is the State’s guidance for how local communities should conduct climate adaptation planning efforts, including vulnerability assessments. The Vulnerability Assessment Report presents the local and regional impacts created by climate change hazards and the ability of Ontario’s populations and community to resist these hazards, to assess which aspects of the community are most vulnerable to climate change. TOP 2050 Safety Element includes goals and policies that were informed by the CCVA. Goals of TOP 2050 Safety Element include:
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Goal S-1: Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption caused by earthquake-induced and other geologic hazards. Goal S-2: Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage and economic and social disruption caused by flooding and inundation hazards.
Goal S-3: Reduced risk of death, injury, property damage and economic loss due to fires, accidents and normal everyday occurrences through prompt and capable emergency response. Goal S-5: Minimize the risk of injury, property damage, and economic loss resulting from windstorms and wind-related hazards.
Goal S-7: Residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and industrial districts that are kept safe through a multi-faceted approach of prevention, suppression, and community involvement in public safety.
Goal S-8: Disaster resilient, prepared community through effective emergency/disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
Goal S-9: Incorporate energy efficient practices and renewable energy systems to improve air quality, comfort, and energy reliability during temporary power outages.
TOP 2050 also conform with the requirements of Senate Bill 1000, the Planning for Health Communities Act (2016). The Vision, principles, goals, and policies throughout the Policy Plan reinforce the City’s commitment to enabling all persons to enjoy equal access to healthy environments, healthy foods, parks and recreational facilities, and civic engagement opportunities. The Environmental Resources Element maps environmental justice areas. TOP 2050 weaves environmental justice (EJ) goals and policies throughout the Policy Plan. Some policies explicitly address residents living in the physical environment of environmental justice areas while others guide decisions, investments, and priorities that seek to improve issues and conditions that will benefit people within and around environmental justice areas. A sample of policies are listed below. LU-2.2 Buffers. We require new uses to provide mitigation or buffers between existing uses where potential adverse impacts could occur. Additional mitigation is required when new uses could negatively impact environmental justice areas.
LU-2.10 Sensitive Uses. We monitor and share information with the community about stationary and non-stationary emission sources. We encourage siting and design of facilities to minimize health and safety risks on existing and proposed sensitive uses, especially in environmental justice areas.
ER-1.5 Water Resource Management. Environmental justice areas are prioritized as we coordinate with local agencies to protect water quality, prevent pollution, address existing contamination, and remediate contaminated surface water and groundwater. 1617
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ER-4.4 Indoor Air Quality. We will comply with State Green Building Codes relative to indoor air quality. We seek funding to improve indoor air quality for households with poor indoor air quality, with priority for lower income households in environmental justice areas. ER-4.7 Other Agency Collaboration. We collaborate with other agencies within the South Coast Air Basin to improve regional air quality at the emission source, with a particular focus on sources that affect environmental justice areas in Ontario.
ER-4.8 Tree Planting. We protect healthy trees within the City and plant new trees to increase carbon sequestration and help the regional/local air quality. We expand the tree canopy in environmental justice areas to enhance air quality and reduce the “heat island” effect. ER-4.9 New Localized Air Pollution Sources Near Existing Sensitive Receptors. We require new developments to conduct a Health Risk Assessment for land uses that generate more than 100 trucks per day or 40 trucks per day by trucks operating transportation refrigeration units (TRU's) within 1,000 feet from sensitive land uses (California Health and Safety Code § 42705.5(a)(5)). If the health risk assessment determines the new development poses health hazards that increase the incremental cancer risk above the threshold established by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), we will only approve permits upon the condition that adequate mitigation measures are proposed and implemented for potential impacts on the sensitive uses around the site and along the route within Ontario taken by the trucks to and from freeways. We require new developments that must perform a health risk assessment to conduct additional public outreach by sending notifications in multiple languages to all residents living within 500 feet, and encourage hosting a public meeting. SR-1.2 Nutrition Choices. We support the promotion of equitable access to affordable healthy food choices in the community, including community gardens, farmers markets, and cooking classes.
SR-1.3 Health Education. We promote equitable access to health education, including disease prevention, mental health, nutrition, and physical fitness. SR-1.4 Physical Activity. We encourage activities and community design that improve the physical fitness of our community members, with an emphasis on the provision of activities and facilities in environmental justice areas.
SR-2.6 Language. We promote broad outreach in languages used by the community for proposed projects that could negatively affect environmental justice areas. SR-2.7 Community Engagement. We promote targeted outreach and education to historically underrepresented groups to encourage meaningful participation in decision-making process for projects whose outcomes will affect land use in environmental justice areas. PR-1.1 Access to Parks. In all new residential development areas, we strive to provide a park and/or recreational facility within walking distance (¼ mile) of every residence and prioritize the establishment of parks in environmental justice areas that do not have adequate access to parks. 1618
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PR-2.4 Access to Programs. We provide a range of recreational and physical exercise programs that are accessible to residents of all income levels throughout the community and prioritize establishing and maintaining equitable access for residents in environmental justice areas. S-1.4 Seismically Vulnerable Structures. We conform to state law regarding unreinforced masonry structures and coordinate with not-for-profits to facilitate seismic retrofits in environmental justice areas and for low-income households. S-6.5 Location of Hazardous Material Facilities. We regulate facilities that will be involved in the production, use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials, pursuant to federal, state, county, and local regulations, so that impacts to the environment and sensitive land uses are mitigated. We prohibit new hazardous waste facilities in close proximity to sensitive land uses and environmental justice areas.
S-8.7 Extreme Heat and Air Quality. We work to ensure that all community members are informed about and have access to community cooling centers and clean air centers during extreme heat events or wildfires, with a focus on serving environmental justice communities. We support the development of extreme heat emergency response policies and practices to address these critical health risks in the community.
M-3.1 Transit Partners. We maintain a proactive working partnership with transit providers to ensure that adequate public transit service is available, cost-efficient, and convenient, particularly for residents in environmental justice areas:
Land use changes in growth areas are intended to improve growth areas by encouraging the use of alternative forms of transportation and promoting healthier communities through land use planning that encourages walking and biking, promotes vibrant communities, puts residents in proximity to resources (i.e., jobs, grocery stores, retail), and aligns growth with planned infrastructure improvements and regional transportation goals.
5. Includes Goals, Policies, and an Update to the Community Climate Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions in the City.
The Proposed Project includes goals, policies, and an update to the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) to reduce GHG emissions in the City. The update to the CCAP identifies GHG emissions reduction targets to achieve the GHG reduction goals of the City of Ontario consistent with Senate Bill 32, Executive Order S-03-05, and substantial progress toward the State’s carbon neutrality goals of Executive Order B-55-18. The 2022 update to the CCAP would result in beneficial impacts to GHG emissions and co-benefits for air quality.
Various elements of TOP 2050 contain goals and policies to reduce GHG emissions in the City, including:
Goal ER-3: Cost-effective and reliable energy system sustained through a combination of low impact buildings, site and neighborhood energy conservation, and diverse sources of energy generation that collectively helps to minimize the region’s carbon footprint. 1619
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ER-3.1 Conservation Strategy. We require conservation as the first strategy to be employed to meet applicable energy-saving standards.
ER-3.2 Green Development – Communities. We encourage the use of the LEED Neighborhood Development rating system, or similar mechanism, to guide the planning and development of all new communities.
ER-3.3 Building and Site Design. We require new construction to incorporate energy efficient building and site design strategies, which could include appropriate solar orientation, maximum use of natural daylight, passive solar, and natural ventilation. ER-3.4 Green Development – Public Buildings. We require all new and substantially renovated City buildings in excess of 10,000 square feet achieve a LEED Silver Certification standard, as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council. ER-3.5 Fuel-Efficient and Alternative Energy Vehicles and Equipment. We require purchase and use vehicles and equipment that are fuel efficient and meet or surpass state emissions requirements and/or use renewable sources of energy. ER-3.6 Generation- Renewable Sources. We promote the use of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, biomass) in public and private sector development. Goal ER-4: Improved indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced locally generated pollutant emissions.
ER-4.1 Land Use. We reduce GHG and other local pollutant emissions through compact, mixed use, and transit-oriented development and development that improves the regional jobs-housing balance.
ER-4.3 Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Emissions Reductions. We will reduce GHG emissions in accordance with regional, state, and federal regulations. ER-4.4 Indoor Air Quality. We will comply with State Green Building Codes relative to indoor air quality. We seek funding to improve indoor air quality for households with poor indoor air quality, with priority for lower income households in environmental justice areas. ER-4.5 Transportation. We promote mass transit and non-motorized mobility options (walking, biking) to reduce air pollutant emissions.
ER-4.6 Particulate Matter. We support efforts to reduce particulate matter to meet State and Federal Clean Air Standards.
ER-4.7 Other Agency Collaboration. We collaborate with other agencies within the South Coast Air Basin to improve regional air quality at the emission source, with a particular focus on sources that affect environmental justice areas in Ontario. 1620
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ER-4.8 Tree Planting. We protect healthy trees within the City and plant new trees to increase carbon sequestration and help the regional/local air quality. We expand the tree canopy in environmental justice areas to enhance air quality and reduce the “heat island” effect. Goal S-9: Incorporate energy efficient practices and renewable energy systems to improve air quality, comfort, and energy reliability during temporary power outages. S-9.1: Solar Energy. We support and may incentivize the installation of residential and commercial solar panels and battery storage systems that can provide electricity during power outages.
S-9.2: Renewable Energy. Renovate existing city-owned facilities and plan future facilities to include renewable energy generation capacity and battery storage as part of an effort to make public facilities and services greener and more resilient to power outages. S-9.3: Energy Efficiency Retrofits. We support and may incentivize retrofits to residential and commercial buildings that improve energy efficiency and insulation from extreme temperatures, giving priority towards low-income applicants. Goal M-2: A system of trails and corridors that facilitate and encourage active modes of transportation.
M-2.1: Active Transportation. We maintain our Active Transportation Master Plan to create a comprehensive system of on- and off-street bikeways and pedestrian facilities that are safe, comfortable, and accessible and connect residential areas, businesses, schools, parks, and other key destination points.
M-2.2: Bicycle System. We provide off-street multipurpose trails and Class II bikeways as our preferred paths of travel and use the Class III for connectivity in constrained circumstances. When truck routes and bicycle facilities share a right-of-way, we prefer Class I or Class IV bicycle facilities. We require new development to include bicycle facilities, such as bicycle parking and secure storage areas.
M-2.3: Pedestrian Walkways. We require streets to include sidewalks and visible crosswalks at major intersections where necessary to promote safe and comfortable mobility between residential areas, businesses, schools, parks, recreation areas, and other key destination points. M-2.4: Network Opportunities. We use public rights-of-way and easements such as, utility easements, levees, drainage corridors, road rights-of-way, medians, and other potential options to maintain and expand our bicycle and pedestrian network. In urban, mixed- use, and transitoriented Place Types, we encourage the use of underutilized public and private spaces to expand our public realm and improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. Goal M-3: A public transit system that is a viable alternative to automobile travel and meets basic transportation needs of the transit-dependent.
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M-3.1 Transit Partners. We maintain a proactive working partnership with transit providers to ensure that adequate public transit service is available, cost-efficient, and convenient, particularly for residents in environmental justice areas. M-3.2 Alternative Transit Facilities at New Development. We require new development adjacent to an existing or planned transit stop to contribute to the creation of transit facilities, such as bus shelters, transit bays and turnouts, and bicycle facilities, such as secure storage areas.
M-3.3 Transit-Oriented Development. We may provide additional development-related incentives to those inherent in the Land Use Plan for projects that promote transit use and reduce vehicle miles traveled.
M-3.4 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors. We work with regional transit agencies to implement BRT service and reduce vehicle miles traveled by targeting destinations and corridors with the highest number of potential riders.
M-3.5 Light Rail. We support extension of the Metro Rail Gold Line to Ontario, and will work to secure station locations at the proposed multimodal transit center. M-3.6 Metrolink Expansion. We advocate expansion of Metrolink service to include the Downtown and the multimodal transit center.
M-3.7 High Speed Rail. We encourage the development of high-speed rail systems that would enhance regional mobility in Southern California and serve the City of Ontario. M-3.8 Feeder Systems. We work with regional transit agencies to secure convenient feeder service from the Metrolink station and the proposed multimodal transit center to employment centers in Ontario.
M-3.9 Ontario Airport Metro Center Circulator. We will explore development of a convenient mobility system, including but not limited to shuttle service, people mover, and shared car system, for the Ontario Airport Metro Center. M-3.10 Multimodal Transportation Center. We intend to ensure the development of a multimodal transportation center near ONT airport to serve as a transit hub with amenities for transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists transitioning to local buses, BRT, the Gold Line, high-speed rail, the proposed Ontario Airport Metro Center Circulator, and other future transit modes. We support locations for the multimodal transportation center that are north of ONT airport, between Vineyard Avenue and Interstate 15. M-3.11 Transit and Community Facilities. We require the future development of community-wide serving facilities to be sited in transit-ready areas that can be served and made accessible by public transit. Conversely, we plan (and coordinate with other transit agencies to plan) future transit routes to serve existing community facilities. 1622
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The City of Ontario prepared the 2022 CCAP to update the community’s strategic path to reducing GHG emissions beyond 2020, consistent with State requirements and TOP 2050. Specifically, this CCAP does the following:
Identifies and updates sources of GHG emissions within the City of Ontario’s municipal boundaries for the calendar year of 2019 and estimates how these emissions may change over time. Identifies GHG reduction targets.
Provides strategies in various sectors to meet or exceed the state targets of reducing emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, consistent with the direction of the State of California via Assembly Bill (AB) 32, Governor’s Executive Order S-03- 05, and California Public Resources Code Section 21083.3. Provides substantial evidence that the emission reductions estimated in the CCAP are feasible, with supporting technical detail.
Provides an implementation program and discusses the various outcomes of reduction efforts and how these reduction efforts can be implemented.
Serves as the programmatic tiering document for review of the climate change impacts of projects under CEQA.
6. Consistency with the Regional Goals in the RTP/SCS
SCAG’s Connect SoCal was adopted in September 2020. The RTP/SCS identifies that land use strategies that focus on new housing and job growth in areas served by high quality transit and other opportunity areas would be consistent with a land use development pattern that supports and complements the proposed transportation network. The overarching strategy in Connect SoCal RTP/SCS is to provide for a plan that allows the southern California region to grow in more compact communities in existing urban areas; provide neighborhoods with efficient and plentiful public transit and abundant and safe opportunities to walk, bike, and pursue other forms of active transportation; and preserve more of the region’s remaining natural lands.
SCAG’s Connect SoCal identifies several types of Priority Growth Areas in Ontario, including HighQuality Transit Areas, Transit Priority Areas, Neighborhood Mobility Areas, and Livable Corridors.
TOP 2050 would promote growth consistent with these Priority Growth Areas, as proposed land use changes under TOP 2050 are intended to encourage walking and biking, put residents in proximity to resources, and align future growth in Ontario with planned infrastructure improvements and regional transportation goals. In addition, TOP 2050 includes several policies that promote strategic growth in support of sustainability goals.
LU-1.1 Strategic Growth. We concentrate growth in strategic locations that help create place and identity, maximize available and planned infrastructure, foster the development of transit, and support the expansion of the active and multimodal transportation networks throughout the City. 1623
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LU-1.2 Sustainable Community Strategy. We integrate state, regional, and local Sustainable Community/Smart Growth principles into the development and entitlement process. LU-1.3 Adequate Capacity. We require adequate infrastructure and services for all development. LU-1.5 Jobs-Housing Balance. We coordinate land use, infrastructure, and transportation planning and analysis with the regional, county, and other local agencies to further regional and subregional goals for jobs-housing balance.
LU-4.3 Infrastructure Timing. We require that the necessary infrastructure and services be in place prior to or concurrently with development.
H-2.1 Corridor Housing. We revitalize transportation corridors by encouraging the production of higher density residential and mixed-uses that are architecturally, functionally, and aesthetically suited to corridors.
The goals and policies of TOP 2050 is consistent with the overall objectives of SCAG’s RTP/SCS, which include maximizing mobility; ensuring safe, sustainable and reliable travel; encouraging active transportation; encouraging energy efficiency; and encouraging land use growth that facilitate transit and non-motorized transportation.
7. Consistency with the Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Chino Airport ALUC Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) review is required for adoptions of, or amendments to a General Plan or Specific Plan; zoning ordinance; Master Plan for public use airports; and heliports within the airport influence area (Public Utilities Code Sections 21676(b), 21676(c), 21664.5, and 21661.5).
The Land Use Element of TOP 2050 states that all new developments surrounding ONT should be consistent with the adopted Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) and should meet standards and recommendations of Part 77 of the FAA, adopted through Ordinance 2758 in the Ontario Municipal Code. A consistency determination analysis for the ONT was prepared by the City, submitted to the ONT-IAC Technical Advisory Committee, and found that TOP 2050 is consistent with ALUCP for ONT.
Buildout of TOP would involve development within the Chino Airport influence area. Land uses within the Chino Airport Overlay include Medium Density Residential, Mixed Use, Business Park, Industrial, and Open Space – Recreation. Projects accommodating TOP 2050 in this area would be required to meet the conditions of the Chino Airport Authority and the 2011 Caltrans Airport Land Use Planning Handbook, including those determining appropriate land uses, maximum population density, maximum site coverage, height restrictions, and required notification/disclosure areas based on the noise contours and runway protection, approach, and Part 77 zones of the FAA. Additionally, implementation of TOP 2050 would result in a beneficial impact for land use compatibility near Chino Airport as a result of the change from residential and business park to warehouse/industrial land uses.
The Airport Planning section of the TOP 2050 Land Use Element includes policies that would ensure airport planning compatibility and consistency. These policies include:
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LU-5.1 Coordination with Airport Authorities. We collaborate with FAA, Caltrans Division of Aeronautics, airport owners, neighboring jurisdictions, and other shareholders in the preparation, update, and maintenance of airport-related plans.
LU-5.2 Airport Planning Consistency. We coordinate with airport authorities to ensure The Ontario Plan is consistent with state law, federal regulations, and/or adopted master plans, and airport land use compatibility plans for ONT and Chino Airport. LU-5.3 Airport Impacts. We work with agencies to maximize resources to mitigate the impacts and hazards related to airport operations – their homes. LU-5.4 ONT Growth Forecast. We support and promote an ONT that accommodates 30 million annual passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo per year, as long as the impacts associated with that level of operations are planned for and mitigated. LU-5.5 Airport Compatibility Planning for ONT. We create and maintain the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for ONT.
LU-5.6 Alternative Process. We fulfill our responsibilities and comply with state law with regard to the Alternative Process for proper airport land use compatibility planning. LU-5.7 ALUCP Consistency with Land Use Regulations. We comply with state law that requires general plans, specific plans, and all new development be consistent with the policies and criteria set forth within an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for any public-use airport. LU-5.8 Chino Airport. We will support the creation and implementation of the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for Chino Airport.
M-5.2 Land Use Compatibility with Regional Transportation Facilities. We work with ONT, railroads, Caltrans, SBCTA, and other transportation agencies to minimize impacts.
Therefore, TOP 2050 ensures compatibility with ONT and Chino Airport.
8. Improves the City’s Jobs-housing balance.
The Proposed Project would also improve the City’s jobs-housing balance. TOP 2050 projections would represent a more balanced jobs-housing balance (2.3 jobs-housing ratio) than the Approved Project (3.0 jobs-housing ratio). The City’s jobs-housing ratio would also be more closely aligned to SCAG projections under TOP 2050 than under the Approved Project.
9. Other Considerations.
There are unavoidable, significant impacts in the following categories: Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Noise, and Transportation.
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If the City does not update TOP 2050, there would still be significant impacts relating to air quality and construction noise. Even without any growth in the City, which is not a realistic scenario, the significant impacts relating to air quality emissions will occur simply due to regional growth. Impacts relating to construction noise and vibration are temporary in nature.
C. Conclusion
The City Council hereby declares that, pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines section 15093, the City Council has balanced the benefits of the Proposed Project against any unavoidable environmental impacts in determining whether to approve the Proposed Project. Pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines, if the benefits of the Proposed Project outweigh the Proposed Project’s unavoidable adverse environmental impacts, those impacts may be considered “acceptable.” Having reduced the adverse significant environmental effect of the Proposed Project to the extent feasible by adopting the Mitigation Measures contained in the SEIR, the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), and this Resolution, having considered the entire administrative record on the Proposed Project, and having weighed the benefits of the Proposed Project against its unavoidable adverse impact after mitigation, the City Council has determined that each of the following social, economic and environmental benefits of the Proposed Project separately and individually outweigh the Proposed Project’s potential unavoidable adverse impacts and render those potential adverse environmental impacts acceptable based upon the following overriding considerations: The Proposed Project will:
A. Provide a technical update to the current TOP that updates the goals and policies to enhance public safety and livability, align with updated economic forecasts, and comply with new state laws while maintaining the foundation, vision, and objectives of the current TOP.
B. Provide a streamlined, user-friendly, web-based TOP that is easily accessible to the public.
C. Designate the distribution, location, balance, and extent of land uses, including residential, retail, employment, open space, and public uses.
D. Link Ontario’s community design goals to a broader context that includes economic development, land use, housing, community health, infrastructure, and transportation.
E. Improve the balance between jobs and housing in the San Bernardino County subregion to reduce vehicle miles traveled and associated air quality impacts, consistent with regional policies on jobs-housing balance.
F. Provide employment and housing opportunities for the San Bernardino County subregion, consistent with the goals of the Southern California Association of Governments’ Sustainable Communities Program.
G. Provide for high-intensity mixed-use urban centers along the I-10 corridor and in the Ontario Ranch that reduce vehicle trips and incorporate smart growth principles. 1626
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H. Foster the development of pedestrian and transit-oriented environments that create lively, appealing, and safe pedestrian areas, active during both daytime and evening hours.
I. Maintain Ontario’s distinct neighborhoods and districts to foster a positive sense of identity and belonging among residents and businesses.
J. Establish a framework for using and managing the city’s natural resources sustainably.
K. Provide for the security and safe transportation of goods and hazardous materials and maintain disaster preparedness and response and recovery systems to reduce loss of life, injury, private property damage, infrastructure damage, economic losses, and social dislocation.
L. Enhance the capacity for the people, businesses, and public agencies that are in or serve Ontario to be resilient in cases of severe and/or prolonged weather conditions, natural disasters, and emergencies.
M. Prioritize the improvement of areas most impacted by environmental justice issues, and enable Ontario residents to enjoy equal access to public facilities, civic engagement opportunities, nutritious foods, and safe and healthy environments.
N. Correlate the mobility system with the future land use patterns and buildout levels of Ontario and with other transportation planning efforts by local, state, and federal authorities.
O. Address a range of mobility options in Ontario, including vehicular, trucking, freight and passenger rail, air, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit.
The City Council hereby declares that the foregoing benefits provided to the public through the approval and implementation of the Proposed Project outweigh the identified significant adverse environmental impact of the Proposed Project that cannot be mitigated. The City Council finds that each of the Proposed Project benefits separately and individually outweighs all of the unavoidable adverse environmental effects identified in the SEIR and therefore finds those impacts to be acceptable.
VIII. MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081.6, the City Council hereby adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”) attached as Exhibit “C.” Implementation of the mitigation measures contained in the MMRP is hereby made a condition of approval of the Project. In the event of any inconsistencies between the mitigation measures set for herein and the MMRP, the MMRP shall control.
IX. CERTIFICATION
The City Council finds that it has been presented with the SEIR, which it has reviewed and considered, and further finds that the SEIR is an accurate and objective statement that has been completed in full compliance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines and the City's Local CEQA Guidelines and that the SEIR reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the City Council. 1627
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The City Council declares that no evidence of new significant impacts as defined by State CEQA Guidelines section 15088.5 has been received by the City Council after circulation of the Draft SEIR which would require recirculation.
Therefore, the City Council hereby certifies the SEIR based on the entirety of the record of proceedings.
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July 2022| Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
State Clearinghouse No. 2021070364
The Ontario Plan 2050
for City of Ontario
Prepared for:
City of Ontario
Contact: Thomas Grahn, Senior Planner
303 East “B” Street
Ontario, California 91764
909.395.2036
Prepared by:
PlaceWorks
Contact: Nicole Vermilion, Principal
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 1100
Santa Ana, California 92707
714.966.9220
[email protected]
www.placeworks.com
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THE ONT ARIO PL AN 2050 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
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Table of Contents
July 2022 Page i
Section Page
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 PURPOSE OF MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM............................ 1
1.2 PROJECT LOCATION........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................................. 2
1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS........................................................................................................................ 3
2. MITIGATION MONITORING REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................... 5
2.1 CATEGORIZED MITIGATION MEASURES/MATRIX......................................................................... 5
3. REPORT PREPARATION......................................................................................................... 23
3.1 LIST OF PREPARERS....................................................................................................................................... 23 1631
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Page ii PlaceWorks
List of Tables
Table Page
Table 1 Comparison of Approved TOP to TOP 2050 ............................................................................. 3 Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements............................................................................................ 7 1632
July 2022 Page 1
1. Introduction
1.1 PURPOSE OF MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM
This Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) has been developed to provide a vehicle by which to monitor mitigation measures and conditions of approval outlined in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Draft SEIR), State Clearinghouse No. 2021070364 for The Ontario Plan 2050 (TOP 2050 or Proposed Project). The MMRP has been prepared in conformance with Section 21081.6 of the Public Resources Code and City of Ontario Monitoring Requirements. Section 21081.6 states:
(a) When making findings required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 21081 or when adopting a mitigated negative declaration pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 21080, the following requirements shall apply:
(1) The public agency shall adopt a reporting or monitoring program for the changes made to the project or conditions of project approval, adopted in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment. The reporting or monitoring program shall be designed to ensure compliance during project implementation. For those changes which have been required or incorporated into the project at the request of a responsible agency or a public agency having jurisdiction by law over natural resources affected by the project, that agency shall, if so requested by the lead or responsible agency, prepare and submit a proposed reporting or monitoring program.
(2) The lead agency shall specify the location and custodian of the documents or other material which constitute the record of proceedings upon which its decision is based.
1.2 PROJECT LOCATION
The City of Ontario is in the southwestern portion of San Bernardino County and is surrounded by the cities of Chino and Montclair and unincorporated San Bernardino County to the west; the cities of Upland and Rancho Cucamonga to the north; the City of Fontana and unincorporated San Bernardino County to the east; and the cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley to the south. The City is in the central part of the Upper Santa Ana River Valley, bounded by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north; the Chino Hills, Puente Hills, and San Jose Hills to the west; the Santa Ana River to the south; and Lytle Creek Wash on the east.
The City comprises approximately 50 square miles (32,022 acres), including the 8,200-acre Ontario Ranch in the southern part of the City—formerly known as the New Model Colony and formerly the City’s sphere of influence. The northern, more urbanized part of the City is known as the Original Model Colony in reference to the City’s founding as a model colony for cities in terms of layout and infrastructure. Generally, the City is bounded by Benson Avenue and Euclid Avenue on the west; Interstate 10 (I-10), 8th Street, and 4th Street on 1633
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1. Introduction
the north; Etiwanda Avenue and Hammer Avenue on the east; and Merrill Avenue and the San Bernardino County/Riverside County boundary on the south. Regional circulation to and through the City is provided by I-10 and State Route (SR) 60, east to west, and by I-15 and SR-83 (Euclid Avenue), north to south. The City is also home to the Ontario International Airport and proximate to Chino Airport.
1.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Proposed Project, The Ontario Plan (TOP) 2050, is an update to The Ontario Plan (TOP or Approved Project) to guide the City’s development and conservation for the next 30 years through 2050. The Proposed Project is a focused effort, with particular emphasis on technical refinements to the Policy Plan to comply with state housing mandates; conform with new state laws related to community health, environmental justice, climate adaptation, resiliency, and mobility; bring long-term growth and fiscal projections into alignment with current economic conditions; and advance the Tracking and Feedback system and Implementation Plan.
TOP is the City’s policy and implementation framework that guides the long-term growth and improvement of the Ontario community through six interrelated components of city governance:
A Vision that provides a sense of purpose and mission for city governance and sets the tone for the other components of TOP. The Vision’s central theme is a sustained, community-wide prosperity that continuously adds value and yields benefits.
A Governance Manual that establishes a set of goals and policies to promote consistent City leadership based on the principles of regional leadership, transparency, long-term value, accountability, and inclusivity.
A Policy Plan that serves as the City’s legally required general plan and that states long-term goals, principles, and policies to achieve Ontario’s Vision through nine elements: land use, housing, mobility, safety, environmental resources, parks and recreation, community economics, community design, and social resources.
A list of City Council Priorities that shape the City’s ongoing annual budgeting process, with a focus on a variety of short- and long-term goals and objectives.
An Implementation Plan that identifies the actions needed to carry out TOP’s policies. This includes initiatives by the City such as establishing consistent land use zoning and creating objective development and design standards, as well as decisions on public and private development projects and City activity programs.
A Tracking and Feedback system that charts the City’s progress toward achieving the Policy Plan goals, providing data and analysis that enables decision makers to make strategic course corrections in response to changing circumstances and monitor ongoing operational effectiveness.
TOP 2050 is an update to TOP to guide the City’s development and conservation for the next 30 years through 2050. The Proposed Project is a focused effort, with particular emphasis on technical refinements to the Policy Plan to comply with state housing mandates; conform with new state laws related to community health, environmental justice, climate adaption, resiliency, and mobility; bring long-term growth and fiscal projections into alignment with current economic conditions; and advance the Tracking and Feedback system and Implementation Plan. TOP 2050 fulfills the mandatory Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) 1634
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obligation. TOP 2050 brings long-term growth and fiscal projections into alignment with current economic conditions as well as property owner and stakeholder requests, all in support of the vision for Ontario.
Table 1, Comparison of Approved TOP to TOP 2050, provides a statistical summary of the buildout potential of TOP 2050 compared to existing conditions and to the buildout potential under the currently approved TOP.
As shown in this table, TOP 2050 would increase population, dwelling units, and nonresidential buildings but would result in a small decrease in employment. The decrease in employment at buildout is largely because of automation in the industrial sector, with large warehousing and logistics buildings expected to create fewer new jobs through 2050 than a similarly sized industrial building was expected to create when the current TOP was adopted in 2010.
Table 1 Comparison of Approved TOP to TOP 2050
Scenario Units Population
Nonresidential
Square Feet Employment
Existing 2021 Conditions1 52,466 179,597 156,065,382 131,999 Approved TOP 104,163 357,957 260,399,271 313,067
Proposed TOP 129,562 410,492 261,491,779 296,002
Net Difference
(Proposed TOP -Approved TOP) 25,399 52,535 1,092,508 -17,065 Note:
1 See Chapter 4, Environmental Setting, for a summary of existing conditions.
1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
1.4.1 Impacts Considered No Impact or Less Than Significant The EIR identified various thresholds from the CEQA Guidelines among a number of environmental categories that would not be significantly impacts by the proposed project in Chapter 5, Environmental Analysis, and Chapter 8, Impacts Found Not to Be Significant, and therefore, did not require mitigation. Impacts to the following environmental resources were found to be less than significant or no impact:
Aesthetics
Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Biological Resources
Energy
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Hydrology and Water Quality
Land Use and Planning
Mineral Resources
Population and Housing
Public Services
Recreation
Utilities and Service Systems
Wildlife
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1.4.2 Potentially Significant Adverse Impacts That Can Be Mitigated, Avoided, or Substantially Lessened
The EIR concluded that the proposed project could result in one or more potentially significant impacts in the following topic areas:
Cultural Resources (Archeological Resources)
Geology and Soils (Paleontological Resources)
Tribal Cultural Resources
However, the EIR also found that these impacts would be reduced, avoided, or substantially lessened through the implementation of mitigation measures, which are listed in Table 2, Mitigation Monitoring Requirements.
1.4.3 Unavoidable Significant Adverse Impacts
The following impact would remain significant and unavoidable after implementation of required mitigation, as identified in the EIR:
Air Quality (AQMP Consistency, Regional Construction Emissions, Regional Operation Emissions, and Cumulative Health Risk)
Cultural Resources (Historic Resources)
Noise (Construction Noise, Construction Vibration, and Airport Land Use Compatibility) Transportation (Vehicle Miles Traveled)
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2. Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
2.1 CATEGORIZED MITIGATION MEASURES/MATRIX
Project-specific mitigation measures (MM) have been categorized in matrix format, as shown in Table 2, Mitigation Monitoring Requirements. The matrix identifies the environmental factor, specific mitigation measures, schedule, and responsible monitor. The mitigation matrix will serve as the basis for scheduling the implementation of, and compliance with, all mitigation measures. 1637
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
AESTHETICS
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY RESOURCES
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
AIR QUALITY
MM 3-1 Prior to discretionary approval by the City of Ontario for development projects subject to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review (i.e., nonexempt projects), project applicants shall prepare and submit a technical assessment evaluating potential project construction-related air quality impacts to the City of Ontario Planning Department for review and approval. The evaluation shall be prepared in conformance with South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) methodology for assessing air quality impacts. If construction-related criteria air pollutants are determined to have the potential to exceed the South Coast AQMD–adopted thresholds of significance, the City of Ontario Building Department shall require feasible mitigation measures to reduce air quality emissions. Potential measures shall be incorporated as conditions of approval for a project and may include:
• Require fugitive dust control measures that exceed South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Rule 403, such as:
− Requiring use of nontoxic soil stabilizers to reduce wind erosion.
− Applying water every four hours to active soil disturbing activities.
− Tarping and/or maintaining a minimum of 24 inches of
freeboard on trucks hauling dirt, sand, soil, or other loose materials.
• Using construction equipment rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as having Tier 4 interim or higher exhaust emission limits.
• Ensuring construction equipment is properly serviced and maintained to the manufacturer’s standards.
City of Ontario Planning
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant
Prior to individual project
approvals and during
construction activities
City of Ontario
Planning/Building
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
• Limiting nonessential idling of construction equipment to no more than five consecutive minutes.
• Using Super-Compliant VOC paints for coating of architectural surfaces whenever possible. A list of Super-Compliant
architectural coating manufactures can be found on the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s website at:
http://www.aqmd.gov/prdas/brochures/SuperCompliant_AIM.pdf.
These identified measures shall be incorporated into all appropriate construction documents (e.g., construction management plans) submitted to the City and shall be verified by the City’s Planning Department.
MM 3-2 The City of Ontario shall evaluate new development proposals within the City and require all developments to include access or linkages to alternative modes of transportation, such as transit stops, bike paths, and/or pedestrian paths (e.g. sidewalks).
City of Ontario
Planning/Engineering
Departments in
coordination with the
Landowner/Project
Applicant
Prior to individual project
approvals
City of Ontario Planning
Department
AQ-1 Prior to discretionary approval by the City of Ontario for development projects subject to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review (i.e., nonexempt projects), project applicants shall prepare and submit a technical assessment evaluating potential project operation-phase-related air quality impacts to the City of Ontario Planning Department for review and approval. The evaluation shall be prepared in conformance with South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) methodology in assessing air quality impacts. If operation-related air pollutants are determined to have the potential to exceed the South Coast AQMD– adopted thresholds of significance, the City of Ontario Planning Department shall require that applicants for new development projects incorporate mitigation measures to reduce air pollutant emissions during operational activities. The identified measures shall be included as part of the conditions of approval. Possible City of Ontario Planning
Department in
coordination with the
Landowner/Project
Applicant
Prior to individual project
approvals
City of Ontario Planning
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
mitigation measures to reduce long-term emissions could include, but are not limited to the following:
• For site-specific development that requires refrigerated vehicles, the construction documents shall demonstrate an adequate number of electrical service connections at loading docks for plug-in of the anticipated number of refrigerated trailers to reduce idling time and emissions.
• Applicants for manufacturing and light industrial uses shall consider energy storage and combined heat and power in
appropriate applications to optimize renewable energy
generation systems and avoid peak energy use.
• Site-specific developments with truck delivery and loading areas and truck parking spaces shall include signage as a reminder to limit idling of vehicles while parked for loading/unloading in accordance with California Air Resources Board Rule 2845 (13 CCR Chapter 10 sec. 2485).
• Provide changing/shower facilities as specified in Section A5.106.4.3 of CALGreen (Nonresidential Voluntary Measures). • Provide bicycle parking facilities per Section A4.106.9 of CALGreen (Residential Voluntary Measures).
• Provide preferential parking spaces for low-emitting, fuelefficient, and carpool/van vehicles per Section A5.106.5.1 of CALGreen (Nonresidential Voluntary Measures).
• Provide facilities to support electric charging stations per Section A5.106.5.3 and Section A5.106.8.2 of CALGreen (Nonresidential Voluntary Measures; Residential Voluntary Measures).
• Applicant-provided appliances shall be Energy Star–certified appliances or appliances of equivalent energy efficiency (e.g., dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers).
Installation of Energy Star–certified or equivalent appliances shall be verified by the City during plan check.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
CULTURAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES
MM 5-1 Historic or potentially historic resources in the City shall be evaluated for historic significance through the City’s tier system prior to the issuance of plan or development approval. Pursuant to City’s Development Code (Chapter 4, Permit, Actions, and Decisions, and Chapter 7, Historic Preservation), mitigation measures for all Tier III Historic Resources shall include the following:
a) Each historic resource shall be fully documented and cataloged pursuant to Historic American Building
Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) standards, to provide a record of the resource, including, but not limited to: [i] the preparation of site plans, floor plans, exterior and interior elevations, and detail drawings of character defining features (such as moldings, stairs, etc.); and [ii] photographs of the resource, including the exterior, interior, and interior and exterior character defining features (such as moldings, light fixtures, trim patterns, etc.). b) A mitigation fee established pursuant to Section 7.01.030 (Historic Preservation Mitigation Fee) shall be paid to the City prior to the issuance of a demolition permit for Tier III historic resources. Fees for Tier I and II historic resources shall be determined during the Environmental Impact Report process.
The fees established for Tier III will be used as a reference point for establishing fees for Tier I and II historic resources. c) A Certificate of Appropriateness shall not be issued for the demolition of an historic resource, either in whole or in part, until such time that a demolition permit application and a replacement structure has been approved by the City, and appropriate permits have been issued for its construction, unless: [i] a waiver is granted pursuant to Subsection H (Replacement Structure Waiver for Historic Resources
Located within Industrial Zoning Districts) of Section 4.02.050; [ii] a deferral of the replacement structure requirement is granted pursuant to Subsection G (Replacement Structure Deferral) of Section 4.02.050; or [iii] demolition is required City of Ontario Planning
Department
Prior to individual project
approvals
City of Ontario Planning
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
pursuant to Section 7.01.050 (Unsafe or Dangerous
Conditions) of this Development Code.
d) In an effort to preserve features and artifacts from historic resources, a determination whether items within or on the resource should be salvaged must be made by the Planning Department and may include the local historical society prior to the issuance of the demolition permit. The applicant shall be responsible for the removal, relocation, storage, and donation of such items selected for salvaging. The applicant shall provide an inventory of salvaged items to the Planning Department, and shall include a list of each item name, description, and dimension (as necessary), and the location of each item on a floor plan.
MM 5-2 In areas of documented or inferred from evident archaeological and/or paleontological resource presence, City staff shall require applicants for development permits to provide studies to document the presence/absence of such resources. On properties where resources are identified, such studies shall provide a detailed mitigation plan, including a monitoring program and recovery and/or in situ preservation plan, based on the recommendations of a qualified cultural preservation expert. The mitigation plan shall include the following requirements:
a) Archaeologists and/or paleontologist shall be retained for the project and will be on call during grading and other significant ground-disturbing activities.
b) Should any cultural resources be discovered, no further grading shall occur in the area of the discovery until the Planning Director or designee is satisfied that adequate provisions are in place to protect these resources.
c) Unanticipated discoveries shall be evaluated for significance by a San Bernardino County Certified Professional
Archaeologist/Paleontologist. If significance criteria are met, then the project shall be required to perform data recovery, professional identification, radiocarbon dates, and other special studies; submit materials to a museum for permanent curation; City of Ontario Planning
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant
Prior to individual project
approvals and during
ground disturbing activities
City of Ontario Planning
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
and provide a comprehensive final report including catalog with museum numbers.
ENERGY
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
See MM 5-2
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
LAND USE AND PLANNING
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
MINERAL RESOURCES
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
NOISE
MM 12-1 Prior to the issuance of building permits for any project that involves a noise-sensitive use within the 65 dBA CNEL contour of the Ontario International Airport, the project property owner/developers shall retain an acoustical engineer to conduct an acoustic analysis and identify, where appropriate, site design and/or required building acoustical improvements (e.g., sound transmission class rated windows, doors, and attic baffling), to ensure compliance with the City’s Noise Compatibility Criteria and the California State Building Code and California Noise Insulation Standards (Titles 24 and 21 of the California Code of Regulations).
City of Ontario
Planning/Building
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant
Prior to individual project
approvals
City of Ontario
Planning/Building
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
MM 12-2 Prior to issuance of a building permit, individual projects that involve vibration-intensive construction activities, such as pile drivers, jack hammers, and vibratory rollers occurring near sensitive receptors shall be evaluated for potential vibration impacts. For construction within 135 feet of fragile structures, such as historical resources, within 100 feet of nonengineered timber and masonry buildings (e.g., most residential buildings), or within 75 feet of engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster); or a vibratory roller within 25 feet of any structure, the project applicant shall prepare a noise and vibration analysis to assess and mitigate potential noise and vibration impacts related to these activities. This noise and vibration analysis shall be conducted by a qualified and experienced acoustical consultant or engineer. The vibration levels shall not exceed Federal Transit Administration (FTA) architectural damage thresholds (e.g., 0.12 inches per second [in/sec] peak particle velocity [PPV] for fragile or historical resources, 0.2 in/sec PPV for nonengineered timber and masonry buildings, and 0.3 in/sec PPV for engineered concrete and masonry). If vibration levels would exceed this threshold, alternative uses shall be used, such as drilling piles as opposed to pile driving and static rollers as opposed to vibratory rollers. If necessary, construction vibration monitoring shall be conducted to ensure vibration thresholds are not exceeded.
City of Ontario
Planning/Building
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant’s construction
contractor
Prior to and during
construction
City of Ontario Building
Department
MM 12-4 Construction activities associated with new development that occurs near sensitive receptors shall be evaluated for potential noise impacts. Construction contractors shall implement the following measures for construction activities in the City of Ontario.
Construction plans submitted to the City shall identify these measures on demolition, grading, and construction plans. The City of Ontario Planning and Building Departments shall verify that grading, demolition, and/or construction plans submitted include these notations prior to issuance of demolition, grading, and/or building permits.
• Construction activity is limited to the hours between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
City of Ontario
Planning/Building
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant’s construction
contractor
During construction City of Ontario Building
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
Saturdays and Sundays, as prescribed in Municipal Code
Section 5-29.09.
• During the entire active construction period, equipment and trucks used for project construction shall use the best-available noise control techniques wherever feasible (e.g., improved mufflers, equipment re-design, use of intake silencers, ducts, engine enclosures, and acoustically attenuating shields or shrouds).
• Impact tools (e.g., jack hammers and hoe rams) shall be hydraulically or electrically powered wherever possible. Where the use of pneumatic tools is unavoidable, an exhaust muffler on the compressed air exhaust shall be used along with external noise jackets on the tools.
• Stationary equipment such as generators and air compressors shall be located as far as feasible from nearby noise-sensitive uses.
• Stockpiling shall be located as far as feasible from nearby noisesensitive receptors. • Construction traffic shall be limited, to the extent feasible, to approved haul routes established by the City's Engineering Department.
• At least 10 days prior to the start of construction activities, a sign shall be posted at the entrance(s) to the job site, clearly visible to the public, that includes permitted construction days and hours as well as the telephone numbers of the City’s and contractor’s authorized representatives that are assigned to respond in the event of a noise or vibration complaint. If the authorized contractor’s representative receives a complaint, he/she shall investigate, take appropriate corrective action, and report the action to the City.
• Signs shall be posted at the job site entrance(s), within the onsite construction zones, and along queueing lanes (if any) to reinforce the prohibition of unnecessary engine idling. All other equipment shall be turned off if not in use for more than 5 minutes.
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
• During the entire active construction period and to the extent feasible, the use of noise-producing signals, including horns, whistles, alarms, and bells, shall be for safety warning purposes only. The construction manager shall use smart back-up alarms, which automatically adjust the alarm level based on the background noise level or switch off back-up alarms and replace with human spotters in compliance with all safety requirements and laws.
• Erect temporary noise barriers (at least as high as the exhaust of equipment and breaking line-of-sight between noise sources and sensitive receptors), as necessary and feasible, to maintain construction noise levels at or below the performance standard of 80 dBA Leq. Barriers shall be constructed with a solid material that has a density of at least 1.5 pounds per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier and may be lined on the construction side with an acoustical blanket, curtain, or equivalent absorptive material.
POPULATION AND HOUSING
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
PUBLIC SERVICES
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
RECREATION
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
TRANSPORTATION
T-1 Prior to approval of discretionary projects subject to VMT reduction analysis, applicants shall demonstrate compliance with the City’s VMT Guidelines for CEQA assessment of VMT impacts. For
projects with VMT per Service Population exceeding the County’s significance threshold, a mitigation plan shall be developed and implemented. Mitigation should consist of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures analyzed under a VMT-reduction methodology consistent with the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association’s (CAPCOA) Final Handbook for Analyzing City of Ontario
Planning/Engineering
Departments in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant
Prior to individual project
approvals
City of Ontario Planning
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Assessing Climate
Vulnerabilities, and Advancing Health and Equity (2021) and approved by the City of Ontario (if applicable). Examples of measures include but are not limited to:
• Pedestrian Network Improvements: constructing new sidewalks and/or improving damaged or substandard sidewalks that
connect to a larger pedestrian network.
• Construct or Improve Bike Facilities: constructing new or enhancing a single existing Class I, II or IV bike facility that connects to a larger bike network.
• Construct or Improve Bike Boulevards: implementing a Class III bike boulevard on a local or collector street that is one travel lane in each direction, has a design speed of 25 mph or less and a design volume of 5,000 ADT or less.
• Expand Bikeway Networks: constructing a network of
interconnected new Class I, II, or IV bike facilities.
• Provide End of Trip Bicycle Facilities: constructing facilities that support cyclists such as bike parking, lockers, and showers. • Implement Transit-Supportive Roadway Treatments: funding infrastructure improvements such as traffic signal modifications and roadway signing and striping that are dedicated to improving transit travel times and reliability.
• Transit Passes: proving discounted or free transit fare to a specific geographic area, population group, or to the general public.
• Vanpool Program: providing groups of 5 to 15 people with direct shuttle service between their workplace and residence.
• Carshare Program (conventional or EV): providing access to a shared fleet of on-demand vehicles for short-term use/rental.
Best practice is to discount carshare membership and provide priority parking for carshare vehicles to encourage use of the service.
• Bikeshare Program (conventional or EV): providing access to a shared fleet of on-demand bicycles for short-term use/rental. 1648
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
Best practice is to discount bikeshare membership and dedicate bikeshare parking to encourage use of the service.
• Rideshare Program: providing access to and encouraging the use of a ridesharing platform or service. This could be an app, website, or other service that provides ride-matching
coordination services.
• Community-Based Travel Planning (CBTP): CBTP is a
residential based approach to outreach, performed by trained advisors, that provides households within a targeted geographic area with customized information, incentives, and support to encourage the use of transportation alternatives in place of single occupancy vehicles.
• Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Program: CTR programs can be mandatory or voluntary, and involve providing information, coordination, services, infrastructure, and/or incentives for alternative modes such as ridesharing, vanpool, transit passes, and cycling.
TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
MM 5-3 Upon receipt of an application for a proposed project subject to CEQA and within the City’s jurisdiction, the City’s representative shall consult with the relevant tribe(s)’ representative(s) to determine if the proposed project is within a culturally sensitive area to the tribe. If sufficient evidence is provided to reasonably ascertain that the site is within a [tribal] culturally sensitive area, an archaeologist shall prepare then a cultural resources assessment.
The findings of the cultural resources assessment shall be incorporated into the CEQA documentation. A copy of the report shall be forwarded to the tribe(s). If mitigation is recommended in the CEQA document, the procedure described in Mitigation Measure 5-4 shall be followed.
City of Ontario Planning
Department
Prior to individual project
approvals
City of Ontario Planning
Department
MM 5-4 Prior to the issuance of grading permits for a proposed project for which the CEQA document defines cultural resource mitigation for potential tribal resources, the project applicant shall contact the designated tribe(s) to notify them of the grading, excavation, and City of Ontario Planning
Department in
coordination with
Prior to issuance of grading
permit(s)
City of Ontario Planning
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
monitoring program. The applicant shall coordinate with the City of Ontario and the tribal representative(s) to develop mitigation measures that address the designation, responsibilities, and participation of tribal monitors during grading, excavation, and ground-disturbing activities; scheduling; terms of compensation; and treatment and final disposition of any cultural resources, sacred sites, and human remains discovered on the site. The City of Ontario shall be the final arbiter of the conditions for projects within the City’s jurisdiction.
Landowner/Project
Applicant
TRC-1 Tribal Cultural Resources Monitoring. The project archaeologist, in consultation with interested tribes, the developer, and the City of Ontario, shall develop an archaeological monitoring plan (AMP) to address the details, timing, and responsibility of archaeological and cultural activities that will occur on the project site. Details in the AMP shall include:
1. Project-related ground disturbance (including, but not limited to, brush clearing, grading, trenching, etc.) and development scheduling;
2. The development of a rotating or simultaneous schedule in coordination with the developer and the project archeologist for designated Native American Tribal Monitors from the consulting tribes during grading, excavation and ground disturbing activities on the site: including the scheduling, safety requirements, duties, scope of work, and Native American Tribal Monitors’ authority to stop and redirect grading activities in coordination with all project archaeologists (if the tribes cannot come to an agreement on the rotating or simultaneous schedule of tribal monitoring, the Native American Heritage Commission shall designate the schedule for the onsite Native American Tribal Monitor for the proposed project);
3. The protocols and stipulations that the developer, City, Tribes, and project archaeologist will follow in the event of inadvertent cultural resources discoveries, including any newly discovered cultural resource deposits that shall be subject to a cultural resources evaluation.
City of Ontario Planning
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant’s archeologist
and interested tribes
Prior to and during
construction
City of Ontario Planning
Department
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Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
At least 30 days prior to application for a grading permit and before any brush clearance, grading, excavation, and/or ground disturbing activities on the site, the developer shall retain a tribal cultural monitor to monitor all ground-disturbing activities in an effort to identify any unknown archaeological resources.
Pursuant to the AMP, a tribal monitor from the consulting tribe shall be present during the initial grading activities. If tribal resources are found during grubbing activities, the tribal monitoring shall be present during site grading activities.
TRC-2 Treatment and Disposition of Cultural Resources. In the event that Native American cultural resources are inadvertently discovered during the course of any ground-disturbing activities, including but not limited to brush clearance, grading, trenching, etc., for the proposed project, the following procedures will be carried out for treatment and disposition of the discoveries:
1. Temporary Curation and Storage: During the course of construction, all discovered resources shall be temporarily curated in a secure location on-site or at the offices of the project archaeologist. The removal of any artifacts from the project site will need to be thoroughly inventoried with tribal monitor oversight of the process;
2. Treatment and Final Disposition: The landowner(s) shall relinquish ownership of all cultural resources, including sacred items, burial goods, and all archaeological artifacts and nonhuman remains as part of the required mitigation for impacts to cultural resources. The applicant shall relinquish the artifacts through one or more of the following methods and provide the City of Ontario with evidence of same:
a. Accommodate the process for on-site reburial of the
discovered items with the consulting Native American tribes or bands. This shall include measures and provisions to protect the future reburial area from any future impacts. Reburial shall not occur until all cataloging, basic analysis, other analyses as recommended by the project archaeologist and approved by consulting tribes, and basic recordation have been completed; City of Ontario Planning
Department in
coordination with
Landowner/Project
Applicant’s archeologist
and interested tribes
During construction City of Ontario Planning
Department
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THE ONT ARIO PL AN 2050 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
CITY OF ONTARIO
2. Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
all documentation should be at a level of standard
professional practice to allow the writing of a report of professional quality;
b. A curation agreement with an appropriate qualified repository in San Bernardino County that meets federal standards per 36 CFR Part 79, and therefore the resource would be
professionally curated and made available to other
archaeologists/researchers for further study. The collections and associated records shall be transferred, including title, to an appropriate curation facility in San Bernardino County, to be accompanied by payment of the fees necessary for
permanent curation;
c. For purposes of conflict resolution, if more than one Native American tribe or band is involved with the project and cannot come to an agreement as to the disposition of cultural
materials, materials shall be curated at the San Bernardino County Museum by default;
d. At the completion of grading, excavation, and grounddisturbing activities on the site, a Phase IV Monitoring Report shall be submitted to the City documenting monitoring
activities conducted by the project archaeologist and Native Tribal Monitors within 60 days of completion of grading. This report shall document the impacts to the known resources on the property; describe how each mitigation measure was
fulfilled; document the type of cultural resources recovered and the disposition of such resources; provide evidence of the required cultural sensitivity training for the construction staff held during the required pregrade meeting; and, in a
confidential appendix, include the daily/weekly monitoring notes from the archaeologist. All reports produced will be submitted to the City, County Museum, and consulting tribes. 1652
THE ONT ARIO PL AN 2050 M IT IGATION MONITORING AND REPORT ING PROGRAM
CITY OF ONTARIO
2. Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
July 2022 Page 21
Table 2 Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
Mitigation Measure
Responsibility for
Implementation Timing
Responsibility for
Monitoring
Monitor
(Signature Required)
(Date of Compliance)
UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
WILDFIRE
No Mitigation Measures are applicable.
Note: MM indicates existing mitigation measures from the Approved Project, while others (AQ, T, and TRC) indicate new mitigation measures included as part of the Proposed Project. 1653
THE ONT ARIO PL AN 2050 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
CITY OF ONTARIO
2. Mitigation Monitoring Requirements
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July 2022 Page 23
3. Report Preparation
3.1 LIST OF PREPARERS
City of Ontario
Rudy Zeledon, Planning Director
Kimberly Ruddins, AICP, Sustainability Program Manager
Thomas Grahn, Senior Planner
PlaceWorks
Nicole Vermilion, Principal
Vivian Kha, Project Planner
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THE ONT ARIO PL AN 2050 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
CITY OF ONTARIO
3. Report Preparation
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RESOLUTION NO. ________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVE THE ONTARIO PLAN (“TOP”) GOVERNANCE
MANUAL, A POLICY COMPONENT OF THE ONTARIO PLAN
SUPPORTING A BUSINESS PLAN APPROACH TO GOVERNANCE AND
APPROVING TOP VISION. RELATED FILE NO. PGPA20-002 – PART B.
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario Certified the Environmental Impact Report prepared for The Ontario Plan (“TOP”) and associated Statement of Overriding Considerations, and issued Resolution No. 2010-003; and WHEREAS, the City of Ontario adopted The Ontario Plan on January 27, 2010, and issued Resolution No. 2010-004; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario adopted The Ontario Plan Governance Manual, a Policy component of The Ontario Plan, and issued Resolution No. 2010-005; and WHEREAS, the Vision is a component of The Ontario Plan. The Vision was designed to guide the City towards a sustained, community-wide prosperity which continuously adds value and yields benefits. The Vision includes four points of vision:
(1) A Dynamic Balance that enables our community to confront the continued dynamic growth of the region and technological change with confidence and a sense of opportunity;
(2) A Prosperous Economy that sustains the perception and reality of prosperity across our entire community that positively impacts all the people of Ontario and is broadly – though not uniformly – shared;
(3) Distinctive Development that integrates our varied and diverse focal points, districts, centers, corridors, and neighborhoods to provide a feeling of coherence without sacrificing uniqueness;
(4) Recognized Leadership in local governance that stimulates excellence and serves to unify the people of Ontario in support of best practices in conducting public endeavors; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario is incorporated under State law as a general law city with a Council-Manager form of government; and
WHEREAS, the Governance Manual and the Policy Plan (General Plan) are the two stand-alone policy components of The Ontario Plan; and WHEREAS, the Governance Manual provides policies to support two of the four Points of Vision: Prosperous Economy and Recognized Leadership; and 1657
WHEREAS, the Governance Manual is an integrated component within TOP; and WHEREAS, the Governance Manual, together with the Policy Plan provides the policy framework for the City’s comprehensive long-term municipal business plan; and WHEREAS, the Governance Manual is consistent with, and implements, the Vision through the following high-level guiding principles:
(1) A clear Vision and Policy Plan which is communicated to City leaders, staff and the public, serves as the foundation for informed decision making; (2) Stable, predictable, timely and effective governance is essential to achieving the Ontario Vision;
(3) The Ontario Vision should guide community decisions; (4) Our job is to create, maintain and grow economic value and we do our job by providing infrastructure and services;
(5) Regular investment is needed to maintain the community’s public and private built environment;
(6) Ontario is in competition with other cities for this investment; (7) The better we do our job, the more investment we will attract and the more revenue it will generate for reinvestment, creating a self-sustaining cycle; and WHEREAS, the Governance Manual contains five sections: 1) Decision-Making, 2) Communication, 3) Implementation, 4) External Factors, and 5) Municipal Finance; and WHEREAS, together, these sections:
(1) Provide guidance for ongoing City leadership;
(2) Describe how the City will operate in a business-like way; (3) Require the decision-making system to always add value; (4) Integrate TOP into the City’s daily operations;
(5) Guide the budget process (the most tangible expression of the City’s commitments) towards the Vision;
(6) Provide for effective administration of TOP; and
WHEREAS, TOP 2050 – Policy Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was reviewed, studied, and found to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
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WHEREAS, the City of Ontario made The Ontario Plan 2050 website (www.Ontarioplan.org/TOP2050) including the Vision and Governance Manual, available for public review beginning May 9, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual open house on June 14, 2021 to gain input from impacted property owners; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual meeting with Community Health Improvement Association on June 24, 2021, to gain input from members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual Community Workshop #1 on June 28, 2021, to gain input from members of the public; and WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual Community Workshop #2 on July 29, 2021, to gain input from members of the public; and WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted outreach events at Concerts in the Park on August 25, 2021 and August 26, 2021, to gain input from members of the public and participate in the Environmental Justice Survey; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted an outreach event at Taste of Ontario on March 19, 2022, to provide an update to the TOP 2050 and gain input from members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a series of virtual Open House/Office Hours on March 31, 2022, April 28, 2022, and May 26, 2022, to provide brief overview of TOP 2050 and provide the public with an informal format to ask questions and share insights; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a series of outreach meeting with the Ontario’s Teen Action Committee on June 6, 2022, June 15, 2022, and June 16, 2022, providing an overview of the TOP 2050, climate adaptation and resiliency, and the importance of civic participation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted an in-person open house located inside City Hall on June 30, 2022, to provide an overview of the TOP 2050 Update SEIR, Policy Plan, and Community Climate Action Plan, and gain input from members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is the decision-making body for updates to the Policy Plan (General Plan) and Map; and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the General Plan Update at which time all persons wishing to testify in connection with the General Plan Update were heard; and 1659
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the SEIR and concluded said hearing on that date, voting (7-0) to recommend certification of the SEIR and adoption of Environmental Findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a Statement of Overriding Considerations and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting to the City Council, issuing Resolution No. PC22-040; and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the Governance Manual, a Policy Component of The Ontario Plan supporting a Business Plan approach to governance and TOP Vision and concluded said hearing on that date, voting (7-0) to recommend approval of The Ontario Plan (“TOP”) Governance Manual, a Policy Component of The Ontario Plan supporting a Business Plan approach to governance and TOP Vision to the City Council, issuing Resolution No. PC22-041; and
WHEREAS, on August 16, 2022, the City Council of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the Vision and Governance Manual at which time all persons wishing to testify were heard and the SEIR was fully studied; and WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ontario, as follows:
SECTION 1: Environmental Determination and Findings. As the decisionmaking body for the Project, the City Council has reviewed and considered the information within Final Supplemental EIR and supporting documentation. Based on the entire record before the City Council and all written and oral evidence presented the City Council finds TOP complies with CEQA (Public Res. Code, § 2100 et seq.), the State CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR § 1500 et seq.), and the City’s CEQA Guidelines.
SECTION 2: Concluding Facts and Reasons. As the decision-making body for the Project, the City Council finds that The Ontario Plan Governance Manual promotes the goals and objectives of the City of Ontario and hereby concludes as follows:
1) The Governance Manual is a long-term, vision-driven policy component of The Ontario Plan; and
2) The Governance Manual contains guiding principles that support a business plan approach to governance; and
3) The Governance Manual supports consistent City leadership sustained through time and succession; and
4) The Governance Manual promotes the principles of regional leadership, transparency, long-term value, accountability, and inclusivity; and 1660
5) The Governance Manual is a compatible, integrated, and internally consistent component of The Ontario Plan.
SECTION 3: City Council Action. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in Sections 1 through 2, above, the City Council APPROVES TOP Vision and Governance Manual as set forth in Attachment “A” (Vision) and Attachment “B” (Governance Manual).
SECTION 4: Custodian of Records. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings have been based are located at the City of Ontario City Hall, 303 East “B” Street, Ontario, California 91764. The custodian for these records is the City Clerk of the City of Ontario.
SECTION 5: Certification to Adoption. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of the Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 16th day of August 2022. _____________________________________
PAUL S. LEON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________________
SHEILA MAUTZ, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
CITY ATTORNEY
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO )
CITY OF ONTARIO )
I, SHEILA MAUTZ, City Clerk of the City of Ontario, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that foregoing Resolution No. 2022- was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Ontario at their regular meeting held August 16, 2022 by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
____________________________________
SHEILA MAUTZ, CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
The foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 2022- duly passed and adopted by the Ontario City Council at their regular meeting held August 16, 2022. _____________________________________
SHEILA MAUTZ, CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
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ATTACHMENT A:
Vision
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
1663
ATTACHMENT B:
Governance
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
1664
ORANGE COUNTY • BAY AREA • SACRAMENTO • CENTRAL COAST • LOS ANGELES • INLAND EMPIRE www.placeworks.com
City of Ontario
Vision
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
Draft | May 2022
(as amended through _______)
Prepared By: PlaceWorks
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 1100
Santa Ana, CA 92707
714.966.9220
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City of Ontario Vision
Table of Contents
Draft May 2022 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1 A Premier Community by Design........................................................................................... 1 DYNAMIC STABILITY .......................................................................................................2 PROSPEROUS ECONOMY................................................................................................2 DISTINCTIVE DEVELOPMENT ...........................................................................................3 Commercial and Residential Development ........................................................................... 3 Development Quality ................................................................................................................ 3 Mobility ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Infrastructure.............................................................................................................................. 4 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................... 4 Leisure and Cultural Activities ................................................................................................ 4 Health and Education................................................................................................................ 5 Resource Conservation and Enhancement............................................................................. 5 RECOGNIZED LEADERSHIP .............................................................................................5
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Draft May 2022 1
INTRODUCTION
The central theme that motivates The Ontario Vision, as adopted by the City Council is:
A sustained, community-wide prosperity which continuously adds value and yields benefits.
It is important to note that adding value in this sense encompasses a range of applications, including adding value to prosperity as well as to people, making Ontario truly a premier community of choice. Adding value is expressed in land, revenues, infrastructure, businesses, as well as in education, employment, health, community services, recreation, etc. Adding value comprehensively is what the Ontario Vision is based on and is a keystone of The Ontario Plan.
The essence of the central theme can be explained as:
A Premier Community by Design
Everything the City does and every action the City takes should be done with this simple yet comprehensive theme in mind, from the design quality of our built environment to the intent of designing our socio-economic programs, to the way in which we govern as a community.
In discussing a Vision that would endure for the lifetime of The Ontario Plan (30 years or more), the City Council recognized that there are four components that serve as the basic building blocks that set the foundation for a unified and prosperous community. These foundational blocks must be expressed and widely accepted throughout the Plan’s lifetime. They are:
• A Dynamic Balance that enables our community to confront the continued dynamic growth of the region and technological change with confidence and a sense of opportunity.
• A Prosperous Economy that sustains the perception and reality of prosperity across our entire community that positively impacts all the people of Ontario and is broadly – though not uniformly – shared.
• Distinctive Development that integrates our varied and diverse focal points, districts, centers, corridors, and neighborhoods to provide a feeling of coherence without sacrificing uniqueness.
• Recognized Leadership in local governance that stimulates excellence and serves to unify the people of Ontario in support of best practices in conducting public endeavors.
Building on these foundational blocks, our Vision is supported and amplified by more specific ideas we call “Points of Vision.” Our Points of Vision are stated in the present tense to signify that we are now in the future and the Vision is real; it has been achieved. This required our community leaders who crafted the Vision to “mentally” relocate themselves a couple of decades into the future and describe the conditions they sought for our City. An easy way to think of these points is to mentally insert before each statement, the words “We have . . .” or We are . . .” (as appropriate). In this way you as the reader can project yourself into the future and view the Ontario that was envisioned by our leaders.
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One more thing needs to be said. The people of Ontario own this Vision. The use of the active “we” and “our” used throughout indicates that it is the community speaking, not just some anonymous technical writer. We strive to be the premier community in the Inland Empire.
DYNAMIC STABILITY
An ongoing commitment to maintaining balance among the competing priorities we face as evidenced by the way we allocate public resources and funds through a rigorous goal-setting and budgeting process.
A community that is consistently seeking—and thoughtfully applying—new ways of doing things better.
A community that readily recognizes and capitalizes on new opportunities and intervenes in problems before they have a chance to escalate.
Consistency—year-in and year-out—in setting priorities according to their importance over the long-term rather than focusing only on short-term gains.
Planning systems and personnel that exemplify the very best in professional practices, based on a stable Vision and constantly evolving Ontario Plan.
An established City culture that reflects an ongoing commitment to The Ontario Plan, and the Plan’s active use in a process of continuous improvement, informed decision making and a respect for the inherited benefits derived from past leadership.
The determination to use The Ontario Plan to enable us to leverage quality development and ensure qualities we want and reject those we do not.
An appreciation for the “personality and charm” of this community, preserving important characteristics and values even as growth and change occur, all the while retaining a distinctive local feel where people love to be.
Total commitment to coordinated implementation of the Ontario Vision by all City departments.
PROSPEROUS ECONOMY
A highly diverse economic base that capitalized on early regional centers, strategic corridor locations and international markets as the impetus for the extensive financial and technical centers that now exist.
Strengthened resiliency of Ontario’s economic base alongside the fostering of vibrant mixed-use opportunities throughout the City.
Sustained economic viability and leadership in the region that reflects a highly trained and diverse workforce and that confirms Ontario as an investment destination of choice.
A world-class air facility that is a focal point and magnet for dynamic, multi-faceted metropolitan commercial, cultural and tourist centers serving the economic interests of Ontario and the Southern California region.
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Prudent public ownership and timely disposition of strategic properties where public ownership can be demonstrated to reinforce market forces in achieving the City’s economic development and revitalization goals.
Innovative and highly productive industrial areas that set the standards in the region for efficient land use, environmental management, and workforce employment opportunities.
DISTINCTIVE DEVELOPMENT
Commercial and Residential Development
Development quality that is broadly recognized as distinctive and not exclusively tied to the general suburban character typical of much of Southern California.
A system of vibrant retail, town, and neighborhood centers responsive to market demands and woven into the fabric of the community.
A reputation for being good for business to work with while still satisfying broader community interests.
A demonstrated ability to attract housing in pursuit of our acknowledged responsibility to balance housing with the job growth that drives our quality of life.
One of the most comprehensive and diverse housing stocks in the region that offers broad choices for its diverse workforce and their families, ranging from entry level housing to executive level development; from semi-rural to highly urban.
Distinctive and well maintained neighborhoods that offer exceptional variety in lifestyles, with convenient access to schools, recreation and cultural facilities, places of worship, places of employment and shopping.
A contemporary arrangement of neighborhoods south of Riverside Drive unified with the older set of neighborhoods to the north, with care taken to preserve and enhance what is successful and selectively allowing intensification and revitalization where desired and appropriate.
Development Quality
A community that is so well maintained and litter-free that its properties uniformly convey a sense of prosperity that is readily apparent and a symbol of community pride.
Unique and authentic districts, centers, and corridors of varied scales that establish Ontario as one of the most vital and diverse locales in Southern California.
Superior quality and design of the built environment and open spaces through careful attention to detail at every scale, including public and private spaces and structures. 1669
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Mobility
A true multi-modal transportation system and user oriented management and techniques that facilitate an exceptional degree of movement and connectivity for people and goods to, from and within Ontario.
Comprehensive transit, pedestrian, and bicycle networks that provide connections to parks, open space amenities, schools, and other key destination points for our local citizens.
A track record of identifying and dealing effectively with “choke points” in our transportation system to prevent those constraints from limiting our mobility and economic potential.
Seamless transitions and connections between different transportation modes and between sectors of the City.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure systems that are properly sized to support approved land uses and their occupancy and are maintained in a timely fashion through funding by user groups.
A comprehensive water supply system that provides affordable and dependable volume and quality of water despite unprecedented pressures on the region’s water sources.
A multi-faceted, environmentally responsible energy management system that provides costeffective power, even during high-demand periods.
Strategically located City owned properties and facilities that serve the City’s civic and economic interests, including public buildings, recreation, transportation, and other infrastructure.
Public Safety
A level of security and public safety that exceeds conventional standards, generates a sense of security throughout the community and establishes Ontario as one of the safest medium-sized cities in the nation.
A comprehensive network of safe routes between residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, community centers and cultural facilities.
Leisure and Cultural Activities
Recreation spaces, facilities and programs that offer ample recreation and cultural involvement by a diverse population.
Strong historic districts and cultural resources matching interests of a population with diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as offering a range of arts and entertainment venues of international significance.
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Health and Education
A recognized healthy city, defined by public programs, advanced medical facilities (including a state-of-the-art hospital), engaged community based organizations, and land use/urban design features that foster healthy living.
An outstanding educational system that enables quality education for youth, offers lifelong learning for adults, provides for a variety of academic and vocational pathways from which to choose, and serves the needs of the business community, based on a strong community culture that highly values education.
Resource Conservation and Enhancement
Reduced air pollutants generated from Ontario on a regionally proportional basis, resulting in improved air quality in Ontario and the region.
Land preserved for the open space and recreation needs of the community and stewardship of natural resources.
A broad, integrated approach to resource allocation that will enable future generations to enjoy a quality of life at the same or higher level than the current generation.
RECOGNIZED LEADERSHIP
A City government that is renowned for applying contemporary business practices for those functions where private sector approaches are applicable.
A community that is widely recognized as a creative and effective partner and a leader within the Southern California region and the Inland Empire.
A community that continues to step into the future ahead of everyone else.
A pivotal force in identifying and implementing regional transportation system improvements and technologies that not only serve Ontario but provide critical regional access as well.
Continuance of effective governance and state-of-the-art practices that enable the municipal corporation to consistently provide exceptional levels of service to the people of Ontario at a relatively low per capita net cost.
A fine-tuned set of ordinances and regulations that implement and do not inadvertently impede our Vision, along with a widely emulated training program for officials and staff to ensure that these tools are understood and used effectively.
Strategic employment of leading new technology that has been rigorously evaluated and found to be cost-effective.
Creation and refinement of visualizations and analytics to clarify and market our Vision worldwide, based on one of the strongest data bases available to local government anywhere. 1671
ORANGE COUNTY • BAY AREA • SACRAMENTO • CENTRAL COAST • LOS ANGELES • INLAND EMPIRE www.placeworks.com
City of Ontario
Governance Manual
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
Draft | May 2022
(as amended through _______)
Prepared By: PlaceWorks
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 1100
Santa Ana, CA 92707
714.966.9220
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City of Ontario Vision
Table of Contents
Draft May 2022 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1 Context ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Ontario Approach...................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose........................................................................................................................................ 1 Principles..................................................................................................................................... 2 G1. DECISION MAKING...................................................................................................3 Goal ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Policies ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Supporting Documents ........................................................................................................................................ 3 G2. COMMUNICATION ....................................................................................................6 Goal ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Policies ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Supporting Documents ........................................................................................................................................ 6 G3. IMPLEMENTATION ....................................................................................................9 Goal ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Policies ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 G4. EXTERNAL FACTORS ...............................................................................................10 Goal ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Policies ................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Supporting Documents ...................................................................................................................................... 10 G5. MUNICIPAL FINANCE..............................................................................................14 Goal ........................................................................................................................................... 14 Policies ................................................................................................................................................................. 14
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City of Ontario Governance Manual
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INTRODUCTION
The Governance Manual institutionalizes an approach to governance that leads to The Ontario Plan serving as a business plan for the City. The Manual includes a set of high-level governance principles with long-term value as well as Vision-driven goals and broad policies. Together, the goals and policies support consistent City leadership sustained through time and succession. The Governance Manual promotes the principles of regional leadership, transparency, long-term value, accountability, and inclusivity.
Context
The City of Ontario is incorporated under State law as a general law city with a Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor and Council are directly elected by the voters as their representatives. The City Council sets policy through the adoption of minute actions, resolutions and ordinances and determines the allocation of City resources through the adoption of the City Budget. The Mayor and Council hire a professional administrator, the City Manager, to hire staff, advise them, implement their policies, and run the day-to-day operation of the City. The Mayor and Council acting as a body, not as individuals, provide direction to the City Manager and staff in duly noticed public meetings.
Ontario Approach
The City of Ontario has a very definite approach to governance. It begins with the realization that the City is a corporation. It may be a municipal corporation, but it is a corporation nonetheless. The City operates using a corporate paradigm.
The Mayor and City Council are the elected board of directors. They are responsible for making policy. They hire a CEO, the City Manager, to advise them, implement their policies and run the day to day operations of the City.
We believe that the job of the City is to create, maintain and grow economic value. We do this through the provision of infrastructure and services. Everyone choosing to buy a home, shop, open a business or develop in our community has invested in our community. They are our shareholders. Their return on investment is the maintenance and growth of both quantitative (monetary) and qualitative (quality of life) value-added. (Link to Complete Community) Every action of the City and every interaction with current and potential shareholders is an opportunity to retain or capture their investment.
Purpose
The Governance Manual:
• Provides guidance for ongoing City leadership.
• Describes how the City will operate in a business-like way. 1674
City of Ontario Governance Manual
Draft May 2022 2
• Requires the decision-making system to always add value. • Integrates The Ontario Plan into the City’s daily operations. • Guides the budget process (the most tangible expression of the City’s commitments) towards the Vision.
• Provides for effective administration of The Ontario Plan.
Principles
We believe in:
• A clear Vision and Policy Plan which are communicated to City leaders, staff and the public, and serve as the foundation for informed decision making. • Stable, predictable, timely and effective governance is essential to achieving the Ontario Vision.
• The Ontario Vision should guide community decisions.
• Our job is to create, maintain and grow economic value, and we do our job by providing infrastructure and services.
• Regular investment is needed to maintain the community’s public and private built environments.
• Ontario is in competition with other cities for this investment. • The better we do our job, the more investment we will attract and the more revenue it will generate for reinvestment, creating a self-sustaining cycle. 1675
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G1. DECISION MAKING
Ontario has succeeded in maintaining its leadership role through a system of decision-making that is based on communication, collaboration, and a clear understanding of and respect for roles within a Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager meets with City Council Members on a regular basis to ensure that Council has the information they need for decisionmaking. Key Management Staff members submit their best professional advice and recommendations through reports and budgetary requests, generated through broad staff collaboration, to the City Manager who transmits them to Council after determining consistency with Council’s policy direction. The Ontario Plan (which encompasses the Vision, City Council Priorities, Ontario Governance Manual, Policy Plan, Implementation Program, and Tracking and Feedback), together with the Annual Budget, helps decision makers at every level to make informed choices that move Ontario toward its long-term Vision. In other words, the Plan is integrated into City operations at every level.
Goal
G1. Sustained decision-making that consistently moves Ontario towards its Vision by using The Ontario Plan as a framework for assessing choices.
Policies
G 1-1. Consistency with Policies. We require that staff recommendations to the City Council be consistent with adopted City Council Priorities (Goals and Objectives) and The Policy Plan.
G 1-2. Long-term Benefit. We require decisions to demonstrate and document how they add value to the community and support the Ontario Vision.
G 1-3. Maintenance and Replacement Costs. We shall incorporate maintenance and replacement costs in the pricing of new programs and facilities as well as recording such deferred costs as debits against City revenues.
Supporting Documents
[The following section is a standalone document that is separate from the Governance Manual but is provided as a link on a website and included below for additional context.] Interpreting Intent and Applying Policies: Decision-Making The Ontario Plan deals with the reality that the Vision must be achieved in increments over a long period of time. Many factors applicable to its achievement will change during future decades. Consequently, it is important that decisions be weighed in terms of both short and longrange benefits. Tradeoffs will sometimes be required between these two perspectives. As City leadership transitions over time, the record of past decisions and their rationale will become increasingly valuable in helping to stay the course and still exercise reasonable flexibility.
Therefore, management of the City’s decision-making process requires diligent documentation 1676
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in a form that is readily retrievable. Some of the decision factors involved in this documentation include:
1. Qualities. Decision-making in Ontario must be viewed in the context of an institutional mind-set. In this case, that mind-set includes several critical qualities. They include:
• Imagination. The Vision is ambitious. Imaginative thinking and approaches will be needed to achieve it.
• Agility. Sometimes events move very quickly and in surprising directions. The City is determined to remain agile in adjusting to these situations, requiring a combination of wisdom grounded in experience and intelligence grounded in inventiveness. • Innovation. Often solutions are not ready-made. We live in a time of aggressive innovation, and municipal decision-making is capable of more far-reaching results if it benefits from innovative thinking.
2. Documentation. Integrating The Ontario Plan into day-to-day decision-making and its documentation becomes a powerful device for achieving the Vision. Decision-making must be documented at multiple levels (e.g., counter staff, department heads, city management, City Council, etc.) and incrementally over time. We are doing this for transparency so stakeholders will understand how and where decisions are made.
3. Information. What information was considered relevant in support of a decision? This is necessary to assess the degree to which that information is or is no longer relevant at a later date.
4. Fiscal Considerations. Virtually all of the City’s decisions will have fiscal implications, and they must be considered in decision-making. Larger impacts and longer-term impacts will be carefully analyzed and documented. Included among these factors are:
• Potential return on investment;
• Net amount of value added;
• Indebtedness;
• Capital costs and one-time revenue offsets versus net costs for ongoing operation, maintenance, and reserves; and
• Land use net revenues (where applicable).
5. Indicators. Indicators applicable to decision options include qualitative as well as quantitative measures. Not everything of importance can be “counted.” But it should be possible to describe options qualitatively with sufficient clarity to distinguish among them. In any case, these tools are available to enable more informed decision-making as well as to create records of value to subsequent decision-makers. 1677
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6. Feedback. The City’s system of Evaluation and Feedback will draw heavily on the documentation associated with decision-making. This involves more than data documentation. It also includes consistency determination with appropriate goals and policies.
7. Project Steps. An illustrative table containing project evaluation steps was prepared to demonstrate how The Ontario Plan works as a tool for decision-making. It offers a guided process for determining how responsive to the Plan a proposed project is. It does not attempt to impose a rigid procedure but, rather, seeks to provide a checklist by which a project may be evaluated.
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G2. COMMUNICATION
Ontario’s disciplined and ambitious approach to communication is key to sustaining its role as a regional leader and achieving the Ontario Vision. Communication is not the same as information:
communication involves sending and receiving; information may be only one-way. Thus, Ontario’s communication culture is one that focuses on the end-user and values accuracy, timeliness, credibility, clarity, and the capacity to exchange ideas. The intent of this culture is to enable the people and the decision-makers of Ontario to have the information they need to understand what is happening in their City, why it is happening, and what it means for the quality of their lives. It should also enable them to decide what to do in response to what the information tells them.
Goal
G2. Thoroughly informed and connected leaders, staff, public and shareholders.
Policies
G2-1. Quality. We require a professional standard of quality, no matter what medium is involved, to convey the sense and reality of accuracy, validity and honesty that befits this City.
G2-2. Accessibility. Our communications shall be designed to be easily accessible to end-users, including those with special needs such as hearing or visually impaired.
G2-3. Format. Our communications shall be presented in whatever formats are best able to meet the needs of the end-users.
G2-4. Coordination. We require coordination of communication activities and products among City departments so that coherent and internally consistent information is delivered to end-users.
G2-5. Coherence. We require a level of communication in which the information is understandable to the intended audience(s).
G2-6. Connection. We require communications to include a means by which the end-users may provide feedback to the City or pursue further clarification.
Supporting Documents
[The following section is a standalone document that is separate from the Governance Manual but is provided as a link on a website and included below for additional context.] Interpreting Intent and Applying Policies: Communication The City continues to make a considerable investment in information assets generated within City government as well as externally. It makes information available to not only City officials, but also many other interested stakeholders. Ontario’s pride in its civic identity and Vision comes 1679
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across in all information the City communicates. Anything the City produces or responds to through its communication network is expected to manifest this pride. This commitment to professional quality written, oral, and visual communication is crucial as Ontario adapts to the constantly changing ways in which information is processed by end-users. It makes information available in appealing and useful ways regardless of the medium of delivery. The Ontario Plan website is a prime example of how Ontario capitalizes on changes in communication technology and trends in order to improve delivery of service to its citizens and maintain a competitive advantage.
It is important to recognize, as the City does, that there is a vast difference between communication and information. Communication is two-way and therefore requires an appreciation and understanding for the needs of all parties to the communication system. Ease of feedback and mutual respect among end-users and information generators are essential characteristics to be sustained. In the absence of this reciprocal nature, communication is at best merely information.
Here are several considerations:
1. End-User. The first thing that Ontario’s communication culture calls for on the part of any author is an understanding of the audience. That is the basic “need definition” to be used in framing what is to be conveyed, the best format(s) to use, and the most effective means of interaction between the City and the end-user. This may suggest more than one version of the material at hand if there are multiple audiences that do not share common levels of information need.
2. Transparency. Communication should enlighten government processes, such as City decision-making, and be understood by those who will be affected by it.
3. Medium. Communications are not just a transfer of information; they are a source of intelligence. So the design of communications must be based on knowing what understanding and insights are desired. This has an important impact on the type of medium to be used. For example, graphic presentations may communicate much more effectively on certain topics than written form, enabling the end-user to grasp immediately the direct information and its relationships as well.
4. Limitations of Information. The degree of accuracy and availability of information, including any conditional limitations, should be explained. It is often more important to understand what one is not being told on a certain subject than what is being stated--and why. If the information is not known or not shared or its accuracy limited, that needs to be stated and explained. Care needs to be taken by those generating communications to understand and make known the degree of accuracy reflected in what is produced.
5. Privacy. It is essential to be constantly aware of privacy laws and legal limitations on what should be publicly accessible or not. The City rigorously complies with such laws. That principle needs to be broadly understood and respected throughout the City. 1680
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6. Support. Even though contemporary communication media offer significant increases in efficiency over past technology, they still require adequate support. This takes several forms: 1) funding through the budget process; 2) competent and currently knowledgeable staffing; 3) cost-effective equipment and systems; and 4) positive leadership and reinforcement.
7. Accountability. Many City departments, the City Council, City advisory bodies and numerous other public and quasi-public agencies produce information and process responses to it. In all cases, it is essential that accountability for quality, timeliness and usability, be maintained. This is the means of improving the level of communication serving the community. While there is no direct public control over the communication activities of private sector parties and governmental organizations other than the City of Ontario, the City expects these parties to also maintain a sense of responsibility and accountability in their communications.
8. Identity. Ontario seeks, in its Vision, to be a prosperous community and a regional leader.
Therefore, all communications initiated by the City are expected to maintain a consistent image so that the end-user immediately recognizes the source and has a sense of confidence in the information.
These concepts go beyond principles, rules, and procedures. They reflect and demand a commitment to a governance culture in which a vital communication mentality prevails. 1681
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G3. IMPLEMENTATION
Realization of The Ontario Plan and its Vision will not happen by accident. Intentional actions are required. Actions occur at two levels. The first and most comprehensive carries out the policies of the Plan: initiatives, programs, organizational management, resource management, education and influence of other entities that actively move the City toward its destiny. The second level is the administration of the Plan: applying the Plan’s policies to the City’s decisions so that development projects, budgets, public agency projects, City regulations and similar activities respond to Plan policies appropriately and do their share toward achieving the Ontario Vision. Collectively, these actions are called implementation.
Goal
G3. Continuous progress toward achievement of the Ontario Vision through sustained initiatives and diligent administration by the City and others as specified in The Ontario Plan.
Policies
G 3-1. City Council Priorities. We shall set priorities and direct timely actions for implementing The Ontario Plan through periodic adoption of City Council Priorities (Goals and Objectives).
G 3-2. Tools. We shall create and maintain state-of-the-art systems, procedures and technology that provide maximum leverage from City resources in implementing The Ontario Plan.
G 3-3. Organization. We shall maintain a municipal organization under City Council direction that offers best professional practices and integrates The Ontario Plan and Vision into its operations.
G3-4. Administration. We shall operate a cost-effective system for administration of The Ontario Plan as proposed development plans, projects, and programs are considered by the City.
G3-5. Interagency Cooperation. We shall collaborate with other initiatives and programs of other agencies such as local, county, regional, state and federal governments and non-profit agencies to the maximum extent possible toward implementing The Ontario Plan.
G3-6. Monitoring Development and City Master Plans. We monitor development to ensure that it is consistent with City Master Plans (e.g., Water, Parks, Energy, Climate Action Plan, etc.) and The Ontario Plan. The Policy Plan in particular will incorporate changes to Master Plans as they are updated periodically.
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G4. EXTERNAL FACTORS
In order to achieve its Vision, the City of Ontario benefits from the dynamic environment of which it is a part, but over which it does not have direct control. The context in which the City operates is remarkably complex and will become more so. The City chooses to prepare for this reality by addressing external factors before they’ve had their impact, rather than taking a reactive approach. The key is an attitude of awareness, consciousness, and intent—all aimed at establishing an optimum posture regarding external factors as the future evolves.
Goal
G4. Constant diligence in dealing with external factors impacting Ontario in a manner that contributes to the Ontario Vision.
Policies
G4-1. Legal Mandates. We shall comply with legal mandates upon the City so that they are satisfied and make maximum contribution to the Ontario Vision.
G4-2. Public and Private Partnerships. We shall engage in public and private partnerships where they offer opportunities for achieving the Ontario Vision beyond what could be achieved independently.
G4-3. Awareness. We shall actively maintain awareness of the external forces impacting Ontario so that their positive impacts can be optimized, and negative impacts minimized.
G4-4. Proactive Approach. We shall seek to influence external factors impacting Ontario sooner rather than later.
G4-5. Multiple Projections. We shall maintain a range of future projections instead of a single forecast as a means of understanding and managing the forces of change and promote the same approach by other governments.
G4-6. Interagency Cooperation. We shall participate with regional governments, surrounding cities and other agencies in devising optimum strategies for addressing external factors of mutual interest.
Supporting Documents
[The following section is a standalone document that is separate from the Governance Manual but is provided as a link on a website and included below for additional context.] Interpreting Intent and Applying Policies: External Factors External factors are forces acting on the City but not controlled by it. They include laws, regulations, decisions, activities, initiatives, and influences originating with numerous sources, including, but not limited to:
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• State and federal governments,
• Courts,
• Quasi-governmental and non-governmental organizations, including nonprofit organizations,
• Special districts,
• Utility providers,
• Intergovernmental associations,
• Professional associations,
• Focused interest groups,
• Transportation system initiatives,
• The business community, especially development interests, • Investors,
• Neighborhood and homeowner associations,
• Financial markets,
• Economic trends,
• Social changes, including demographic trends, and
• Environmental conditions and responses to them.
As encompassing as this list appears, it is not complete. But it illustrates the impressive array of interests and influences that are brought to bear on a single community, whether that is acknowledged or not. The essence of this component of The Ontario Plan is to deal with these forces intentionally rather than reactively. In many cases, there is little or nothing the City can do to influence, modify or blunt the impacts from these sources. Still, in these instances the City can understand and prepare for what is coming its way.
It is important to understand that this is not a new perspective for the City of Ontario. It has a track record of intergovernmental involvement, creative partnerships and scanning the forces that impact its options. Moreover, the City has developed a careful strategy for getting the most out of these forces in terms of what benefits the community. In this regard, it has been unusually effective. The thrust of this component of The Ontario Plan is to continue and build upon that foundation so that the City can sustain its awareness, consciousness, and intent to make the most of opportunities it encounters or can create.
The key ingredient that shapes The Ontario Plan is a thoughtful and practical Ontario Vision that motivates everything the City does. It is understandable that, by definition, external factors are driven by their own agenda—one that may or may not involve conscious consideration of 1684
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Ontario’s priorities. Given that, the intent is that Ontario itself will inject that consideration into its influence or response to any external factor it must confront.
Clearly, it would be possible, given the rapid change and complex interactions of forces in our larger environment—regionally, nationally, and internationally—to be overwhelmed by these forces. That would accomplish nothing. And that is the reason that a major aspect of The Ontario Plan entails a conscious effort to stay in touch with its context by focusing on those forces that have the greatest potential to advance Ontario’s future or, conversely, to detract from it. That insight then puts the City in the position to take timely action to achieve the best possible outcome.
It should be made clear that nothing in this Section is intended to suggest a reluctance on the part of the City to comply with the law nor to decline participation in thoughtful and mutually beneficial negotiations with any interested parties. Rather, it is to announce that Ontario has a Vision about which it is very serious and anyone engaging the City for whatever reason needs to be aware of that. Hopefully, because the City chooses to be so forthright about this aspect of its future, this posture will enjoy the respect of others.
Regarding general forces of change—economic, political, environmental, social, and demographic—the situation is a bit different. These are factors that operate on a scale of their own making and do not typically respond (at least, quickly) to governmental positions. Some are actually worldwide in scale, the understanding of which is evolving even as we watch.
Uncertainty is rampant. The interactions stimulated by many of these conditions are simply beyond comprehension. So, what is an aspiring City in the midst of all of this to do? The answer is to understand first and foremost what it seeks. Then it knows what tack to take in influencing or adapting to the dynamic forces of change. It will not always be right. Mistakes will be made. Totally unpredictable changes will occur, or trends will completely reverse without warning. All of these uncertainties are part of the puzzle.
Within what often appears to be chaos, those who prevail are those who keep their heads and are clear about their interests. That is why Ontario Governance contains an intentional Section devoted to “keeping its head” no matter what may confront it between now and realization of the Ontario Vision.
None of this suggests a unilateral, inelastic course of action. Rather, it suggests maintaining an informed position, knowing what matters most and retaining the capacity to shift priorities where that makes sense. It entails openness to mutually beneficial collaboration, but with clear visibility of what is on the table. It is the exact opposite of intractability.
Finally, with respect to the business of forecasts and projections into the future, Ontario leans strongly on the use of scenario modeling rather than inflexible extensions of the past into the future. There are several reasons for this approach:
1. The data base underpinning the City’s scenario-building capability is robust and will become more so in the future. This allows for generating implications of multiple changes, individually and collectively, that offer a useful understanding of how different choices perform.
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2. Projections often become less accurate over time and obscure the factors that leverage change. Understanding those factors and their influence is more valuable than whether or not a particular anticipated growth number has or has not been achieved.
3. Ontario’s future growth opportunities are tied to its geographic context. As such, GISbased scenario building approaches are eminently suitable.
4. The Ontario Plan is a continuously improving plan and requires dynamic tools for its optimization.
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G5. MUNICIPAL FINANCE
No single action of a city government more meaningfully states its values and priorities than the budget by which it allocates City resources and reflects the Vision and City Council’s goals and priorities. The system of municipal finance includes:
Annual Budgeting Process. The entire municipal finance system culminates in the preparation, adoption, and implementation of the annual budget. The City intends its budget document to establish policy, guide operations, plan for future financial circumstances, and communicate to the City’s residents, businesses, and investors.
Capital Improvement Programming. To better manage large-scale investments, the City adopts an annual Capital Improvement Program that schedules engineering and design, land acquisition, and construction for large projects over the subsequent five years.
Cash Management. The process of managing cash inflows and outflows for proper collection, disbursement, and investment of cash. This involves deposits, reconciliation, and adherence to the City’s Cash Handling Policy.
Public Trust. The municipal finance system rests on a foundation of public confidence in the City’s ability to fairly and effectively manage municipal finances over the long-term. The City preserves the public trust with clear and concise communications and transparent and accountable financial decision-making.
Fund Balance and Reserves. The City seeks to maintain certain levels of funds in reserve for unforeseen cash flow disruptions and for specific purposes, such as post-retirement health care expenses. Reserves differ from “rainy day” funds, which are more like savings for periods of overall economic stagnation or retrenchment.
Revenue and Expenditure Forecasting. Key to effective budgeting, the City conservatively forecasts future revenues and expenditure needs and constantly tracks those assumptions.
Risk Management. The risk management program includes special funds for reserves to cover potential losses, risk control programs and activities, and self-insurance pools.
Goal
Goal G5. An easily understood, transparent, and accountable municipal finance system that implements The Ontario Plan, safeguards the City’s assets, and maintains the public’s trust and confidence.
Policies
G5-1. Departmental Budgeting Requests. We require each department to submit an annual budget request free from reliance on one-time revenues (except for specific grant funded projects) and unsustainable revenue and deficit spending.
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G5-2. Department Budget Limitation. We will not commit to spending more than a conservative projection of recurring revenues for the City as a whole.
G5-3. Limitations on Fund Transfers. The City Manager may transfer budgeted amounts between departments within any fund; however, we require the City Council approve any revisions that alter the total expenditures of any individual fund.
G5-4. Cost Allocation Plans. We account for costs for administration, employment benefits, risk management, and support services through special funds, including reimbursements from special projects, funds, and contracts based on an annual cost allocation plan.
G5-5. Investment Objective. We require safety of principal as the foremost investment objective; investment decisions shall seek to minimize net capital losses on a portfolio basis.
G5-6. Investment Maturities and Available Resources. We will mitigate market risk by limiting the weighted average maturity of the fund consistent with the approved investment policy; the City’s fund will be structured to ensure that the City’s projected expenditure requirements for the next six months can be met with a combination of anticipated revenues, maturing securities, principal and interest payments and liquid instruments.
G5-7. Fund Balance Target. We expect the annual budget to maintain a minimum unreserved general fund balance in accordance with policies established and from time to time revised by City Council resolution; we maintain this unreserved fund balance to deal with unanticipated disruptions to cash flow and do not otherwise use this reserve.
G5-8. Deferred Maintenance. We acknowledge current and cumulative deferred maintenance, if any, in the annual budget document.
G5-9. Comprehensive Debt Strategy. We pursue a strategy to avoid or minimize bonded indebtedness against the General Fund and to finance capital improvement projects on a pay-asyou-go basis and through special funds, or, if warranted by magnitude and/or lifespan, through applicable special financing districts and mechanisms.
G5-10. General Fund Purpose. We pursue a strategy to allocate general fund resources toward the City’s provision of basic municipal services.
G5-11. Transparency. We expect our City’s budget and annual financial report documents to maintain the highest standards for clarity and content.
G5-12. Investment Strategies. We utilize the Treasurer’s Investment Policy to establish strategies that guide how the City invests short-term cash flow and invests longer-term reserves.
G5-13. Financial Services Administration. We require the Financial Services Administration review and analyze City Council staff reports to determine potential fiscal impacts. 1688
RESOLUTION NO. ________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ONTARIO,
CALIFORNIA, TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ONTARIO
POLICY PLAN (GENERAL PLAN), FILE NO. PGPA20-002.
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario Certified the Environmental Impact Report prepared for The Ontario Plan and associated Statement of Overriding Considerations, and issued Resolution No. 2010-003; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario adopted the Policy Plan (General Plan) as part of the component framework for The Ontario Plan on January 27, 2010, and issued Resolution No. 2010-004; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario has been operating under The Ontario Plan Policy Plan (General Plan) adopted by City Council on January 27, 2010, Resolution No. 2010- 004, along with their respective Policy Plan (General Plan) text and maps; and WHEREAS, Section 65300 of the California Government Code of the State of California authorizes cities to prepare and update long-range comprehensive guides known as general plans; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario’s Technical Update to the Policy Plan complies with Section 65300 in that it meets the state mandate of a general plan; and WHEREAS, the Policy Plan is an integrated component within The Ontario Plan, the City’s comprehensive long-term municipal business plan; and WHEREAS, during the development of the Policy Plan, the City participated in Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) regional planning programs including Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), and Regional Transportation Plan Sustainable Community Strategy (RTP/SCS); and
WHEREAS, the Policy Plan advances regional planning policies; and WHEREAS, Section 65361 limits the amendment of a mandatory element of the Policy Plan to not more than four (4) times per year; and WHEREAS, the Policy Plan contains nine elements: 1) Land Use, 2) Housing, 3) Parks and Recreation, 4) Environmental Resources, 5) Community Economics, 6) Safety, 7) Mobility, 8) Community Design, and 9) Social Resources; and WHEREAS, the Land Use, Housing, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Resources, Safety and Mobility elements are mandatory elements of the Policy Plan per Section 65302; and
WHEREAS, the Community Economics, Community Design, and Social Resources elements are optional elements of the Policy Plan per Section 65302; and 1689
WHEREAS, the Climate Adaptation and Resiliency, and Environmental Justice elements are woven throughout the policy plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario has determined that the existing General Plan required revision to bring the document into conformance with state law and to make all the elements internally consistent; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario has prepared a technical update to the Policy Plan (General Plan), to replace the current Policy Plan (General Plan) adopted in 2010, with exception to the Housing Element that was approved by the City Council on March 1, 2022 and pending the California Department of Housing and Community Developments (HCD's) review and certification; and
WHEREAS, The Ontario Plan 2050 – Policy Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was reviewed, studied, and found to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario made The Ontario Plan 2050 website (www.Ontarioplan.org/TOP2050) including the Policy Plan, available for public review on May 9, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual open house on June 14, 2021 to gain input from impacted property owners; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual meeting with Community Health Improvement Association on June 24, 2021, to gain input from members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual Community Workshop #1 on June 28, 2021, to gain input from members of the public; and WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a virtual Community Workshop #2 on July 29, 2021, to gain input from members of the public; and WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted outreach events at Concerts in the Park on August 25, 2021 and August 26, 2021, to gain input from members of the public and participate in the Environmental Justice Survey; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted an outreach event at Taste of Ontario on March 19, 2022, to provide an update to the TOP 2050 and gain input from members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a series of virtual Open House/Office Hours on March 31, 2022, April 28, 2022, and May 26, 2022, to provide brief overview of TOP 2050 and provide the public with an informal format to ask questions and share insights; and
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WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted a series of outreach meeting with the Ontario’s Teen Action Committee on June 6, 2022, June 15, 2022, and June 16, 2022, providing an overview of the TOP 2050, climate adaptation and resiliency, and the importance of civic participation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ontario conducted an in-person open house located inside City Hall on June 30, 2022, to provide an overview of the TOP 2050 Update SEIR, Policy Plan, and Community Climate Action Plan, and gain input from members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing updates to the Policy Plan (General Plan) and Map and forwarding a recommendation to the City Council on the adoption of the General Plan and Map; and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the General Plan Update at which time all persons wishing to testify in connection with the General Plan Update were heard; and WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the SEIR and concluded said hearing on that date, voting (7-0) to recommend certification of the SEIR and adoption of Environmental Findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a Statement of Overriding Considerations and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting to the City Council, issuing Resolution No. PC22-040; and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on an amendment to the Ontario Policy Plan (General Plan) and concluded said hearing on that date, voting (7-0) to recommend approval of an amendment to the Ontario Policy Plan (General Plan) to the City Council, issuing Resolution No. PC22-042; and
WHEREAS, on August 16, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Ontario conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the Policy Plan at which time all persons wishing to testify were heard and the Policy Plan was fully studied; and WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ontario, as follows:
SECTION 1. Environmental Determination and Findings. The City Council finds that the environmental effects of the General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) have been analyzed and discussed in the TOP 2050 Update SEIR in compliance with CEQA. The City Council finds that the SEIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA, that the City complied with CEQA’s procedural and substantive requirements, and that the SEIR is an accurate and objective statement that fully reflects the independent judgement of the City.
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SECTION 2: City Council Action. Based on the entire record before the City Council, all written and oral evidence presented, and the findings made in this Resolution, the City Council hereby amends the Policy Plan (General Plan) as set forth in Attachment “A” (The Ontario Plan 2050– Policy Plan).
(1) Land Use. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) shows how the City of Ontario will develop, use and arrange land which is critical to achieving the Ontario Vision. Land is a finite and valuable resource. How it is used is a key factor in the City's economic future. As stewards of the land, the City must plan for uses and development that adds value to the community, in terms of function, design and fiscal return. Ontario is steadfast in its Vision, but the Policy Plan is flexible enough to accommodate the evolution of development types. Ontario desires to have distinct neighborhoods and activity centers; diversity of residential, employment, retail, entertainment, and community and recreational services; and a world-class airport which are connected through a unified mobility system. The Land Use Element reflects Ontario's Vision to be a complete community.
(2) Housing. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) is integrated and compatible with the Housing Element in that it provides for development consistent with the existing and projected housing needs of the community. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) will maintain a supply of developable residential land adequate to accommodate the amount and type of projected household and job growth. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) will also ensure that residential sites are served by adequate infrastructure and services and with a range of housing types to accommodate a variety of incomes and lifestyles including the City’s fair share of regional housing need. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) will also provide housing opportunities for groups with special needs and for all people regardless of race, religion, gender, marital status, ancestry or national origin. (3) Parks & Recreation. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) integrates parks and recreational spaces which are critical physical, social and psychological element of a complete community. Beyond merely providing recreational opportunities, carefully sited and well-designed parks serve a multitude of functions for the community: creating neighborhood identity, serving as focal points for gathering and celebration, and increasing and protecting environmental resources. Moreover, parks act as the city’s “breathing spaces”, where people experience relief as they go about their daily routines.
(4) Environmental Resources. Ontario’s environmental resources are an integral part of our maturing City and are valued for the benefits they provide.
Appropriately managed, they reduce health risks for residents and workers, lower energy and water costs, safeguard our water assets, and protect our environment. The systems that convey and treat water and waste, generate and distribute energy, promote beneficial air quality, and protect natural resources are essential to Ontario’s health and prosperity.
The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) will manage resources comprehensively, utilizing natural and man-made systems that are both environmentally and economically sustainable.
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(5) Community Economics. The City's role is to create, maintain and grow economic value. Community shareholders, including property owners, tenants, families and businesses have invested in Ontario and should expect a return from those investments, including financial and qualitative returns, such as: quality of life, job opportunities, potential for business growth, sense of safety, healthy environment, responsive government, amenities and so much more - all of which is part of the Vision of being a "complete community". Their investments, in turn, generate returns for the community. A business investing in expansion creates new job opportunities for residents.
A developer investing in new housing attracts new consumers for Ontario's retailers.
These investments add municipal revenues, which the City reinvests in community facilities, public improvements, and services that increase shareholder returns. Through the Community Economics Element policies, The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) commits itself to protecting these investments. Generating better and higher returns gives Ontario a competitive advantage to attract even more investment.
This new investment and reinvestment creates a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) is integrated and compatible with the Community Economics Element.
(6) Safety. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) is integrated and compatible with the Safety Element in that it provides an appropriate land use distribution and orientation which protects the community from unreasonable risks associated with seismic, geologic, flood, wind, and wildfire hazards. (7) Mobility. Ontario is strategically located within a regional transportation network that includes an international airport with passenger and air cargo operations, three freeways, three freight rail lines, commuter and passenger rail services, public transit and a local network of streets and multi-purpose trails. This network provides multimodal transportation options for those traveling within, to or through the City. This robust system creates unique opportunities for Ontario as a regional jobs hub and a complete community. Ontario's Vision to concentrate growth in key locations will allow the City to capitalize on this transportation system. Ontario's Vision is that there will be more mobility options as the City and the region grow. Personal vehicles will continue to provide individual mobility and flexibility for travel, though fuel systems will change, and guidance technology will become much more sophisticated. Bus travel will be a convenient and reliable option. The commuter rail system will provide service all day throughout the region and high-speed rail may be developed for longer-distance trips. Air travel will be linked through a future multi-modal station in close proximity to ONT airport where access to many modes of transit will be available. Freight transportation via trucks, rail and air cargo will provide efficient movement of goods to the City, region and beyond while minimizing negative impacts. The mobility element will be coordinated with future land use patterns and levels of buildout. Access and connectivity to mobility options will be integrated into neighborhoods, centers, corridors and districts. The placement of housing, jobs and amenities in closer proximity to each other and design strategies focused on the pedestrian will make walking a desirable alternative and a connected regional system of multi-purpose trails will enable safe and convenient non-motorized travel. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) is integrated and compatible with the Mobility Element.
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(8) Community Design. All members of the community—residents, business owners, workers, visitors and investors— need places and spaces that are both functional and appealing. Quality design of the built environment can: protect existing investments; achieve sustainable environments; create safe and pleasant places where people want to live, work and recreate; and add value to the community. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) is integrated and compatible with the Community Design Element.
(9) Social Resources. Access to healthcare, nutrition, and healthy environments, quality education, diverse community services and facilities and cultural opportunities are essential to a prosperous Ontario. All are critical to individual and community well-being and Ontario’s ability to attract residents and investors. However, direct control over delivery of healthcare, education, social services and cultural opportunities is in the hands of outside organizations. Therefore, the City must leverage the efforts of service providers within the region. The General Plan Update (The Ontario Plan – Policy Plan) is integrated and compatible with the Social Resources Element.
SECTION 4: Custodian of Records. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings have been based are located at the City of Ontario City Hall, 303 East “B” Street, Ontario, California 91764. The custodian for these records is the City Clerk of the City of Ontario.
SECTION 5: Certification to Adoption. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of the Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 16th day of August 2022. _____________________________________
PAUL S. LEON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________________
SHEILA MAUTZ, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
CITY ATTORNEY
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO )
CITY OF ONTARIO )
I, SHEILA MAUTZ, City Clerk of the City of Ontario, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that foregoing Resolution No. 2022- was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Ontario at their regular meeting held August 16, 2022 by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
_________________________________
SHEILA MAUTZ, CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
The foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 2022- duly passed and adopted by the Ontario City Council at their regular meeting held August 16, 2022. __________________________________
SHEILA MAUTZ, CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
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ATTACHMENT A:
Policy Plan (General Plan)
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
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ATTACHMENT B:
Vulnerability Assessment Report For The Ontario Plan
2050 Update
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
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ORANGE COUNTY • BAY AREA • SACRAMENTO • CENTRAL COAST • LOS ANGELES • INLAND EMPIRE www.placeworks.com
City of Ontario
Policy Plan
A Component of The Ontario Plan 2050
Public Review Draft | May 2022
Please note that this is a hard copy version of what is intended to be published in a web-based format.
There are notations and placeholders for links throughout that are not active in this draft.
Prepared By: PlaceWorks
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 1100
Santa Ana, CA 92707
714.966.9220
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Table of Contents
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1 Purpose........................................................................................................................................ 1 LAND USE ELEMENT .......................................................................................................2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2 Purpose........................................................................................................................................ 2 Principles..................................................................................................................................... 2 Goals & Policies.......................................................................................................................... 3 LU-1 Balance............................................................................................................................................................. 3 LU-2 Compatibility.................................................................................................................................................. 4 LU-3 Flexibility......................................................................................................................................................... 5 LU-4 Phased Growth............................................................................................................................................... 6 LU-5 Airport Planning ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Exhibits: Tables and Figures..................................................................................................... 8 HOUSING ELEMENT......................................................................................................25 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 25 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 25 Principles................................................................................................................................... 25 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 25 H-1 Neighborhoods & Housing........................................................................................................................... 25 H-2 Housing Supply & Diversity......................................................................................................................... 26 H-3 Governmental Regulations ........................................................................................................................... 27 H-4 Housing Assistance........................................................................................................................................ 28 H-5 Special Needs.................................................................................................................................................. 29 Exhibits: Documents Incorporated by Reference ................................................................ 31 PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT...............................................................................32 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 32 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 32 Principles................................................................................................................................... 32 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 32 PR-1 Planning & Design........................................................................................................................................ 32 PR-2 Programming ................................................................................................................................................ 34 Exhibits: Figures....................................................................................................................... 35 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT ......................................................................38 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 38 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 38 Principles................................................................................................................................... 38 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 39 ER-1 Water & Wastewater.................................................................................................................................... 39 ER-2 Solid Waste & Recycling.............................................................................................................................. 40 ER-3 Energy............................................................................................................................................................ 41 ER-4 Air Quality..................................................................................................................................................... 42 ER-5 Biological, Mineral & Agricultural Resources .......................................................................................... 43 Exhibits: Figures....................................................................................................................... 45 1699
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COMMUNITY ECONOMICS ELEMENT.............................................................................47 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 47 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 47 Principles................................................................................................................................... 47 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 48 CE-1 Complete Community ................................................................................................................................. 48 CE-2 Placemaking.................................................................................................................................................. 49 CE-3 Fiscal Decision-making................................................................................................................................ 50 SAFETY ELEMENT..........................................................................................................52 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 52 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 52 Principles................................................................................................................................... 52 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 53 S-1 Seismic & Geologic Hazards .......................................................................................................................... 53 S-2 Flood Hazards.................................................................................................................................................. 53 S-3 Fire & Rescue Hazards.................................................................................................................................... 54 S-4 Noise Hazards.................................................................................................................................................. 55 S-5 Wind-Related Hazards ................................................................................................................................... 56 S-6 Hazardous Materials & Waste ....................................................................................................................... 57 S-7 Law Enforcement............................................................................................................................................. 58 S-8 Emergency Management................................................................................................................................ 58 S-9 Energy Resiliency ............................................................................................................................................ 60 Exhibits: Figures....................................................................................................................... 61 Exhibits: Documents Incorporated by Reference ................................................................ 74 MOBILITY ELEMENT......................................................................................................75 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 75 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 75 Principles................................................................................................................................... 76 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 76 M-1 Roadway System............................................................................................................................................ 76 M-2 Active Transportation ................................................................................................................................... 77 M-3 Public Transit.................................................................................................................................................. 78 M-4 Goods Movement........................................................................................................................................... 80 M-5 Regional Transportation ............................................................................................................................... 81 Exhibits: Figures....................................................................................................................... 82 COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT ....................................................................................87 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 87 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 87 Principles................................................................................................................................... 87 Goals & Policies........................................................................................................................ 88 CD-1 Image & Identity .......................................................................................................................................... 88 CD-2 Design Quality ............................................................................................................................................. 89 CD-3 Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-Oriented Place Types ........................................................................... 92 CD-4 Historic Preservation................................................................................................................................... 93 CD-5 Protection of Investment............................................................................................................................. 94 Exhibits: Tables and 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SOCIAL RESOURCES ELEMENT....................................................................................117 Purpose.................................................................................................................................... 117 Principles................................................................................................................................. 117 Goals & Policies...................................................................................................................... 117 SR-1 Health ........................................................................................................................................................... 117 SR-2 Education ..................................................................................................................................................... 118 SR-3 Community & Leisure Activities .............................................................................................................. 119 SR-4 Library.......................................................................................................................................................... 120 SR-5 Entertainment & Culture ........................................................................................................................... 120 TABLES
LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table ................................................................. 10 LU-03 Future Buildout Table ................................................................................................ 18 LU-05 Noise Level Exposure and Land Use Compatibility Guidelines ......................... 24 CD-02 Place Type Categories ................................................................................................ 97
FIGURES
LU-01 Official Land Use Plan.................................................................................................. 9 LU-04 Mixed Use Areas .......................................................................................................... 21 LU-05 Overlay Areas ............................................................................................................... 22 LU-04 Airport Safety Zones & Influence Areas.................................................................. 23 PR-01 Park & Recreational Facilities ..................................................................................... 36 PR-02 Equestrian Trails ......................................................................................................... 37 ER-01 Environmental Justice Areas ..................................................................................... 46 S-01 Regional Faults & Fault Zones .................................................................................. 62 S-03 Flood Hazard Zones ................................................................................................... 64 S-04 Dam Inundation Zones .............................................................................................. 65 S-05 Fire Hazard Severity Zones ....................................................................................... 66 S-06a Future Traffic Noise Contours .................................................................................. 67 S-06b Future Rail Noise Contours....................................................................................... 68 S-06c Airport Noise Contours ............................................................................................. 69 S-07 Hazardous Materials Cleanup Sites ......................................................................... 70 S-08 Critical Facilities.......................................................................................................... 71 S-09 Evacuation Constrained Areas.................................................................................. 72 S-10 Evacuation Routes ...................................................................................................... 73 M-01 Roadway Classifications ............................................................................................ 83 M-02 Multipurpose Trails & Bikeways.............................................................................. 84 M-03 Public Transit............................................................................................................... 85 M-04 Truck Routes................................................................................................................ 86 CD-01 Place Types .................................................................................................................. 96 CD-03 Downtown District Place Type ............................................................................... 101 CD-04 Airport Metro / Entertainment District Place Type ............................................ 103 CD-05 Guasti District Place Type........................................................................................ 105 1701
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CD-06 South Euclid District Place Type ............................................................................ 107 CD-07 South Employment District Place Type................................................................. 109 CD-08 Corridor Place Types................................................................................................ 111 CD-09 Neighborhood Center Place Types......................................................................... 114
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Housing Element Technical Report....................................................................................... 31 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ................................................................................................ 74 Vulnerability Assessment Report.......................................................................................... 74
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A. IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND
CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCY
APPENDIX B. GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
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Introduction
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INTRODUCTION
The Policy Plan states long-term goals, principles, and policies for achieving Ontario’s Vision. It guides growth and development to achieve optimum results from the City’s physical, economic, environmental, and human resources. The Policy Plan serves as the City’s General Plan, which is mandated by state law. General Plans are required to include eight topics (Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Noise, Safety, Open Space and Conservation, and Environmental Justice). The organization of these eight topics, and any optional topics, are determined by the local jurisdiction. The General Plan is required to be comprehensive in nature and internally consistent.
Ontario’s General Plan is made up of nine elements: Land Use, Housing, Mobility, Safety (including Noise), Environmental Resources (including Conservation), Parks and Recreation (including Open Space), Community Economics, Community Design, and Social Resources.
Environmental Justice is woven throughout the Policy Plan.
While State law requires Housing and Safety Elements to be updated every eight years, the State Office of Planning and Research recommends that local jurisdictions comprehensively update their General Plan every 10-15 years. Ontario’s last comprehensive General Plan update was adopted in 2010. The Housing Element was updated in 2022.
In addition to acting as to the City’s General Plan, the Policy Plan incorporates the goals and policies necessary for the City to achieve its full Vision beyond what state law mandates.
The Policy Plan is intended to be a long-term policy document. It includes abiding principles for each element, goals (what we want to achieve) and policies (how we accomplish these goals). The short-term actions needed to implement the Policy Plan are housed in a separate Implementation Plan. The portion of the Implementation Plan related to Housing, Environmental Justice, and Safety Element regulations are part of the Policy Plan as required by state law; all other portions of the Implementation Plan are not and do not require an amendment to the Policy Plan to be updated.
Purpose
The Policy Plan:
• Takes a fresh look at the changing circumstances within the City and the region since the previous Policy Plan was adopted.
• Establishes a strong, yet flexible policy base that moves the City towards its Vision. • Incorporates the current (link) City Council Priorities (goals and objectives) into this policy document which will help guide future Council efforts when the plan is updated or revised.
• Complies with State requirements for local general plans. • Imbeds the City’s governance (link) approach into how it operates and makes decisions.
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Land Use Element
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LAND USE ELEMENT
Introduction
How we develop, use and arrange our land is critical to achieving the Ontario Vision. Land is a finite and valuable resource. How we use it becomes a key factor in the City’s economic future.
As stewards of the land, the City must plan for uses and development that adds value to the community in terms of function, design, and fiscal return. We are steadfast in our Vision, but the Policy Plan is flexible enough to accommodate the evolution of development types.
We desire Ontario to have distinct neighborhoods and activity centers, corridors, and districts; diversity of residential, employment,retail, entertainment, community, and recreational services; and a world-class airport which are connected through a unified mobility system. The Land Use Element reflects Ontario’s Vision to be a complete community.
Purpose
The Land Use Element:
• Designates the distribution, location, and balance of land uses. • Describes the desired build-out of Ontario
• Describes building intensity standards for each land use. • Communicates population density.
• Ensures compatibility between land uses.
Principles
The City believes:
• Development that supports the Vision will strengthen the City’s economy. • New growth will enhance the quality of life in the entire community, including our existing neighborhoods.
• Land uses and development should be consistent with the Vision while protecting the quality of life in existing neighborhoods.
• Our development review process should incorporate flexible standards to achieve our Vision.
• The way land is used and developed will determine our revenue base and expenditures.
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Goals & Policies
LU-1 Balance
Ontario is poised to experience extraordinary growth. Achieving this growth in a manner that is consistent with our Vision requires a delicate balancing act. For instance, the City must balance the benefits and impacts of being a regional urban and transportation hub with the livability of our neighborhoods.
As an active participant in regional planning, Ontario contributes to the regional jobs-housing balance by providing significant office, industrial and retail employment opportunities while focusing this growth strategically to minimize development impacts on established neighborhoods.
Goal LU-1 A community that has a spectrum of housing types and price ranges that match the jobs in the City and that make it possible for people to live and work in Ontario and maintain a quality of life.
Policies
LU-1.1 Strategic Growth. We concentrate growth in strategic locations that help create place and identity, maximize available and planned infrastructure, foster the development of transit, and support the expansion of the active and multimodal transportation networks throughout the City. (Link to Mobility Element Policies M2-M-2.1, M3-M-3.3; Community Design Element Image and Identity Section; Community Design Policies CD-3.1, CD-3.3, CD-3.6)
LU-1.2 Sustainable Community Strategy. We integrate state, regional, and local Sustainable Community/Smart Growth principles into the development and entitlement process.
LU-1.3 Adequate Capacity. We require adequate infrastructure and services for all development.
LU-1.4 Multimodal Mobility. We require development and urban design, where appropriate, that reduces reliance on the automobile and capitalizes on active transportation, transit, electric vehicles, and multimodal transportation opportunities (Link to Mobility Element Policies M-2.1, M-3.3; Community Design Element Policy CD-2.6, CD-3.1, CD-3.3, CD3.6).
LU-1.5 Jobs-Housing Balance. We coordinate land use, infrastructure, and transportation planning and analysis with regional, county, and other local agencies to further regional and subregional goals for jobs-housing balance. (Link to Community Economics Element Policy CE-1.1; Mobility Element Policy M-1.6) 1705
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LU-1.6 Complete Community. We incorporate a variety of land uses and building types in our land use planning efforts that result in a complete community where residents at all stages of life, employers, workers, and visitors have a wide spectrum of choices of where they can live, work, shop and recreate within Ontario. (Link to Community Economics Element Complete Community Section; Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types Section) LU-1.7 Revenues and Costs. We require future amendments to our Land Use Plan to be accompanied by analyses of fiscal impacts. (Link to Community Economics Policy CE-3.2)
LU-2 Compatibility
The Land Use Plan provides for a wide range of land uses, including residential, industrial, office, and commercial. Some land use designations and the uses permitted within them are compatible, while others have the potential to create adverse impacts. The City utilizes land use regulations, site planning, and design controls to achieve compatibility.
Goal LU-2 Compatibility between a wide range of uses and resultant urban patterns and forms.
Policies
LU-2.1 Land Use Decisions. We minimize adverse impacts on adjacent properties when considering land use and zoning requests.
LU-2.2 Buffers. We require new uses to provide mitigation or buffers between existing uses where potential adverse impacts could occur. Additional mitigation is required when new uses could negatively impact environmental justice areas. (Link to Community Design Element)
LU-2.3 Hazardous Uses. We regulate the development of industrial and similar uses that use, store, produce, or transport toxic substances, air emissions, other pollutants, or hazardous materials. (Link to Safety Element Hazardous Materials & Waste Section, including Policies S-6.4 and S-6.5)
LU-2.4 Regulation of Nuisances. We regulate the location, concentration, and operation of potential nuisances.
LU-2.5 Regulation of Uses. We regulate the location, concentration, and operation of uses that have impacts on surrounding land uses.
LU-2.6 Infrastructure Compatibility. We require infrastructure to be aesthetically pleasing and in context with the community character.
LU-2.7 Inter-jurisdictional Coordination. We maintain an ongoing liaison with ONT, Caltrans, Public Utilities Commission, the railroads, and other agencies to help minimize impacts and improve the operations and aesthetics of their facilities. 1706
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LU-2.8 Transitional Areas. We require development in transitional areas to protect the quality of life of current residents.
LU-2.9 Methane Gas Sites. We require sensitive land uses and new uses on former dairy farms or other methane-producing sites be designed to minimize health risks.
LU-2.10 Sensitive Uses. We monitor and share information with the community about stationary and non-stationary emission sources. We encourage siting and design of facilities to minimize health and safety risks on existing and proposed sensitive uses, especially in environmental justice areas.
LU-2.11 Context-Aware Transitions and Connections. We require new development projects and land-planning efforts to provide context-aware and appropriate transitions and connections between existing and planned neighborhoods, blocks, sites, and buildings. (Link to Community Design Element Policies CD-1.1, CD-1.3, CD-3.4)
LU-3 Flexibility
Our Policy Plan and implementing regulations are designed to focus growth in key areas; however, they cannot address every situation. In order to take advantage of opportunities or remove impediments to achieving our Vision of a complete community, we need the ability to quickly respond to changing market conditions and innovative development proposals. This is accomplished through our planning incentive program and flexible application of development standards.
Goal LU-3 Staff, regulations and processes that support and allow flexible response to conditions and circumstances in order to achieve the Vision.
Policies
LU-3.1 Development Standards. We maintain clear development standards which allow flexibility to achieve our Vision and provide objective standards that ensure predictability and deliver the intended physical outcomes. (Link to Community Design Element Design Quality and Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types Sections)
LU-3.2 Design Incentives. We offer design incentives to help projects achieve the Vision. (Link to Community Design Element)
LU-3.3 Land Use Flexibility. We consider uses not typically permitted within a land use category if doing so improves livability,reduces vehiculartrips, creates community gathering places and activity nodes, and helps create identity. 1707
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LU-4 Phased Growth
As we progress, we will face development decisions that require us to balance short and longterm costs and benefits. In some cases, conditions necessary for development of the type and scale that fully realizes our Vision may be years in the future. But opportunities that can add immediate value may present themselves. We will allow interim development in our growth areas, provided it can be modified or replaced when circumstances for development more reflective of our Vision are right. We will not allow development that impedes, precludes, or compromises our ability to achieve our Vision.
Goal LU-4 Development that provides short-term value only when the opportunity to achieve our Vision can be preserved.
Policies
LU-4.1 Commitment to Vision. We are committed to achieving our Vision but realize that it may take time and several interim steps to get there.
LU-4.2 Interim Development. We allow development in urban, mixed use, and transitoriented Place Types that is not immediately reflective of our ultimate Vision for the Place Type, provided it can be modified or replaced when circumstances are right to support development aligned with the Place Type Vision. We will not allow development that impedes, precludes, or compromises our ability to achieve our Vision. (Link to Community Economics Element Policy CE-2.3; Community Design Element Policy CD-1.2; Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transitoriented Place Types section).
LU-4.3 Infrastructure Timing. We require that the necessary infrastructure and services be in place prior to or concurrently with development.
LU-4.4 Shared Infrastructure. We encourage and facilitate the use of shared infrastructure (including shared or managed parking) in urban, mixed use, and transit-oriented Place Types. (Link to Community Design Element Policy CD-3.6) LU-5 Airport Planning
Airports play a significant role in regional and local economies providing critical services such as business travel, tourism, and emergency response. The City benefits from having two airports in close proximity, Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Chino Airport, and is responsible for implementing measures to ensure their orderly expansion while protecting the public from excessive noise and safety hazards. ONT and Chino Airport are part of a national aviation transportation system that is overseen by federal, state and local governments.
ONT is a medium-hub commercial airport. Centrally located within the City, ONT is the single most prominent land use in Ontario. Chino Airport, a general aviation airport, is located outside the City along the southern boundary. This section addresses the impacts of the airports. 1708
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Goal LU5 Integrated airport systems and facilities that minimize negative impacts to the community and maximize economic benefits.
Policies
LU-5.1 Coordination with Airport Authorities. We collaborate with FAA, Caltrans Division of Aeronautics, airport owners, neighboring jurisdictions, and other shareholders in the preparation, update, and maintenance of airport-related plans.
LU-5.2 Airport Planning Consistency. We coordinate with airport authorities to ensure The Ontario Plan is consistent with state law, federal regulations, and/or adopted master plans, and airport land use compatibility plans for ONT and Chino Airport.
LU-5.3 Airport Impacts. We work with agencies to maximize resources to mitigate the impacts and hazards related to airport operations – their homes.
LU-5.4 ONT Growth Forecast. We support and promote an ONT that accommodates 30 million annual passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo per year, as long as the impacts associated with that level of operations are planned for and mitigated.
LU-5.5 Airport Compatibility Planning for ONT. We create and maintain the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for ONT.
LU-5.6 Alternative Process. We fulfill our responsibilities and comply with state law with regard to the Alternative Process for proper airport land use compatibility planning.
LU-5.7 ALUCP Consistency with Land Use Regulations. We comply with state law that requires general plans, specific plans, and all new development to be consistent with the policies and criteria set forth within an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for any public-use airport.
LU-5.8 Chino Airport. We will support the creation and implementation of the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for Chino Airport.
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Exhibits:Tables and Figures
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LU-01 Official Land Use Plan
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
Residential – A wide range of housing densities and products to meet the demand of current and future residents with varying lifestyles. In addition to the residential uses described below, other uses such as schools, parks, childcare facilities, utilities, live-work units, and other public/institutional uses that are determined to be compatible with, oriented towards the needs of residential neighborhoods they serve, and those that help enhance community may also be allowed. When calculating the number of units permitted, the existing parcel size, before required dedication, shall be used. For developments that 1) encompass multiple properties and/or districts in established specific plans, 2) contain more than one land use designation, and 3) are located South of Riverside Drive, the maximum number of units permitted for the development may be spread over the entire site thereby allowing the blending of residential densities.
Rural 0 to 2.0 dwelling units per acre Single-family detached residences, typically in an estate setting.
Low Density1 2.1 to 5.0 dwelling units per acre Single-family detached residences.
Low-Medium
Density1 5.1 to 11.0 dwelling units per acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences,
including small lot subdivisions, townhouses, and
courtyard homes.
Medium Density1 11.1 to 25.02,3 dwelling units per
acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences
including townhouses, stacked flats, courtyard homes,
and small lot single-family subdivisions.
High Density1 25.1 to 45.0 dwelling units per acre Multi-family dwellings including stacked flats and midrise and high-rise residential complexes.
Retail/Service – A full spectrum of retail, service, professional, office, medical, tourist-related, and entertainment uses at a range of intensities to respond to market demand and the character of the surrounding environment. In addition to the retail/service uses described below, other uses such as parks, childcare facilities, live-work units, utilities, and other public/institutional uses that are determined to be compatible with, oriented towards the needs of the surrounding neighborhood, and those that help enhance community may also be allowed.
Neighborhood
Commercial1 0.40 FAR
Local serving retail, personal service, office, and dining uses, typically located within a predominantly residential neighborhood.
General
Commercial1 0.40 FAR
Local and regional serving retail, personal service,
entertainment, dining, office, tourist-serving, and related commercial uses.
Office/
Commercial1 0.75 FAR
An intense mixture of professional office, supported by regional serving retail, service, tourist-serving,
entertainment, dining, and supporting service uses that capitalize on strategic locations in Ontario. This
designation also allows for professional offices such as financial, legal, insurance, medical, and other similar uses in a neighborhood setting and/or as adaptive reuse.
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
Hospitality1 1.00 FAR
Regional serving tourist-serving, retail, entertainment, and service uses such as convention centers,
hotels/motels, and restaurants.
Employment – An array of employment uses, such as manufacturing, distribution, research and development, and office, at a range of intensities to meet the demand of current and future market conditions. In addition to the employment uses described below, other uses such as parks, live-work units, utilities, and other public/institutional uses that are determined to be compatible with and oriented towards the surrounding community may also be allowed.
Business Park1 0.60 FAR
Employee-intensive office uses including corporate
offices, technology centers, research and development,
“clean” industry, light manufacturing, and supporting
retail within a business park setting.
Industrial1 0.55 FAR
Variety of light industrial uses, including warehousing / distribution, assembly, light manufacturing, research and development, storage, repair facilities, and supporting retail and professional office uses. This designation also accommodates activities that could potentially generate impacts, such as noise, dust, and other nuisances.
If office uses and/or multiple tenant uses are developed on parcels fronting on the Milliken, Haven, and Archibald corridors, a FAR of 0.60 may be used.
Other
Open Space -
Non-Recreation1 Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use
recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians,
parking lots, and nurseries.
Open Space -
Parkland1 Not applicable
Recreational facilities, such as tot-lots, parks, golf
courses, and sports complexes and joint-use facilities
with schools, utilities, and drainage facilities.
Public Facility1 Not applicable
Public facilities including civic centers, governmental institutions, police and fire stations, transportation
facilities, museums, and public libraries.
Public School1 Not applicable Public schools (K-12) and universities.
Airport Not applicable Airport, including terminals, parking, service commercial, distribution, hangers, repair, and warehousing.
Landfill Not applicable Allows for the use, operation, and reclamation of the Milliken Landfill. If the site is reclaimed, the City will 1713
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
consider a host of uses including a transit station and multimodal transfer station.
Mixed Use – An intense mixture of uses that, when concentrated, create focal points for community activity and identity and facilitate walking, biking, and the use of transit. The Mixed Use land use category accommodates a horizontal and/or vertical mixture of retail, service, office, restaurant, entertainment, cultural, and residential uses.
• Density, intensity and intended character varies by area, as generally described below, and defined in detail under the applicable Place Type in the Community Design Element. • The densities and intensities of the Mixed Use designation represent the intended level of anticipated development; however, individual projects may vary depending upon an approved master plan, such as a specific plan, or planned unit development.
• The maximum amount of development in each Mixed Use area shall be limited by the Future Buildout Projections detailed in Table LU-03. Further direction regarding land use distributions, densities and intensities within some of these areas are provided by specific plans as noted below. • Most Mixed Use areas are the focal point of the City's Place Type designations illustrated on Figure CD-01 and noted below. Place Types are defined in the Community Design Element, and the vision for the intended outcome and character of each area is established and illustrated in the Place Type Figures noted below.
Mixed Use -
Downtown1
(MU-Downtown)
• 25.0 to 75.0 dwelling units per acre
• 2.0 FAR for retail and office uses
Subject to PUD at City’s discretion
Envisioned as an intensive vertical and horizontal mixture of retail, office, and residential uses in a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The historic character is enhanced.
The most intensive uses are envisioned along Euclid and Holt Avenues. [Link to Community Design Element
Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types
Section, Community Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD02, CD-03 and CD-08] Mixed Use -
Holt Blvd1
(MU-Holt)
• 14.02 to 40.0 dwelling units per acre
• 2.0 FAR for office uses
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to PUD at City’s discretion
This area is envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories)
intensification of the Holt Corridor. The intent is to create identity and place along the Holt Corridor, connect the corridor to Downtown, and connect the Downtown to
the Ontario Airport Metro Center. [Link to Community
Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented
Place Types Section, Community Design Element Exhibits
CD-01, CD-02, CD-08 and CD-09]
Mixed Use -
Meredith1
(MU-Meredith)
• 14.0 to 125.0 dwelling units per acre
• 3.0 FAR for office and retail uses
This area is envisioned as a mixture of mid-rise buildings, regional-serving retail and office centers, and standalone high density residential projects. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and
Transit-oriented Place Types Section, Community Design
Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, and CD-08]
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
Mixed Use -
1Multimodal1
(MU-Multimodal)
• 20.0 to 80.0 dwelling units per acre
• 1.0 FAR for office and retail uses
The Multimodal Mixed Use Area is under consideration
for our future multimodal transit station that links rail, regional, local, and Airport transit. Intensive office, retail, and residential uses are envisioned to be integrated with the transit station, which is expected to be within the area or in close proximity. The transit center is envisioned as an iconic, convenient, and intuitively designed
multimodal transportation center that serves the City of Ontario and the region at-large. [Link to Community
Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented
Place Types Section, Community Design Element Exhibits
CD-01, CD-02, and CD-05]
Mixed Use -
Inland Empire
Corridor1
(MU-Inland Empire)
• 14.0 to 30.0 dwelling units per acre
• 2.0 FAR for office uses
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
Located along Inland Empire Boulevard, this area is
primarily residential with a retail center at the corner of Inland Empire Boulevard and Archibald. Commercial uses
that relate to the park are envisioned for the area West of the regional park. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types
Section, Community Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD02, and CD-08] Mixed Use -
Guasti1
(MU-Guasti)
• 25.0 to 65.0 dwelling units per acre
• 1.0 FAR for office and retail uses
This site includes the Guasti Winery, which is on the
National Register of Historic Places. This area is
envisioned as a mixture of high-quality office, lodging, retail and residential uses that incorporate the Guasti Winery. More intensive office and commercial uses are
envisioned along I-10 while office, commercial, and
lodging uses are envisioned in and around the historic
structures; the southern portion of the area is being
considered as potential site for the multimodal transit center. There is an approved Specific Plan on this site that may require amendment to align with TOP. [Link to
Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and
Transit-oriented Place Types Section, Community Design
Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, and CD-05]
Mixed Use -
Ontario Center1
(MU-Ontario Center)
• 20.0 to 125.0 dwelling units per acre
• 2.0 FAR for office uses
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
This area is one of the most intensive developments in
Ontario and is characterized by low-rise (3-5 stories) and mid-rise (5-10 stories), mixed use buildings, iconic
architecture, and regionally significant uses, such as the City owned arena and other cultural and entertainment
uses. This area accommodates a vertical and horizontal
mixture of entertainment, retail, office, and residential uses in an active, pedestrian oriented atmosphere. In this 1715
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Land Use Element
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
area, the Haven Corridor is envisioned as an elegant,
landscaped boulevard lined multi-story office uses near the I-10 and mixed and residential uses closer to the
City's northern boundary along 4th Street. There is an
approved Specific Plan on this site that may require
amendment to align with TOP. [Link to Community
Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented
Place Types Section, Community Design Element Exhibits
CD-01, CD-02, and CD-04]
Mixed Use -
Ontario Mills1
(MU-Ontario Mills)
• 25.0 to 85.0 dwelling units per acre
• 1.5 FAR for office uses
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
This area will continue to be our regional retail center.
We envision intensification of the area to include
additional retail and entertainment, office, and multifamily (3-5 story) residential uses. New development is envisioned to occur along the interior loop road and the perimeter of the area. There is an approved Specific Plan on this site that may require amendment to align with
TOP. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed
Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types Section,
Community Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, and
CD-04]
Mixed Use -
Rich Haven
(MU-Rich Haven)
• 14.0 to 50.0 dwelling units per acre
• 0.7 FAR for office and retail uses
Subject to approved Specific Plan
The Rich-Haven Mixed Use Area is within the Rich-Haven
Specific Plan. This area is envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), primarily horizontal mixture of retail, office, medical, and residential uses. The greatest level of
intensity is envisioned along Ontario Ranch Road and
Hamner Avenue.
Mixed Use -
Great Park1
(MU-Great Park)
• 14.0 to 65.0 dwelling units per acre2
• 1.5 FAR for office uses
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to Specific Plan3
The Great Park Mixed Use Areas are envisioned as the
southwestern activity centers for citizens of Ontario.
These areas accommodate a vertical and horizontal
mixture of commercial, office, entertainment, and
residential uses all connecting to the Great Park with a pedestrian oriented atmosphere. It is envisioned that the major roads through these Mixed Use areas are couplets, which are a series of one-way streets that disperse traffic and allow reduced street widths, maximize the sense of
community, and emphasize pedestrian accessibility.
These Mixed Use areas are envisioned as low-rise (3-5
stories) with some mid-rise (5-10 stories) near the
intersection of Euclid and Edison/Ontario Ranch Road.
[Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use,
and Transit-oriented Place Types Section, Community
Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, CD-06, CD-09]
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
Mixed Use -
Grove1
(MU-Grove)
• 14.02 to 65.0 dwelling units per acre
• 1.5 FAR for office uses
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to Specific Plan3
; subject to
PUD at City’s discretion
Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place along the corridor and serve the surrounding residents. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use,
and Transit-oriented Place Types Section, Community
Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, and CD-09]
Mixed Use -
Eucalyptus / Chino
Airport Overlay1
(MU-EU)
• 25.0 to 45.0 dwelling units per
acre (outside of airport safety
zone)
• 2.0 FAR for office and verticallymixed uses
• 0.60 FAR for business park and retail
uses
Subject to Specific Plan3
Envisioned to primarily accommodate employeeintensive office, entertainment facilities, live/work, and supporting retail uses in a campus environment
designed to leverage proximity to the park and maintain compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Standalone and mixed use residential is permitted outside of the Chino Airport safety zone, primarily centered on
Grove. Business park uses, such as research and
development and “clean” industrial are also permitted
provided they do not involve the frequent use of trucks (Class 4 or higher) as part of its primary activities. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and
Transit-oriented Place Types Section, Community Design
Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, and CD-07]
Mixed Use -
Parkside1
(MU-PS)
• 25.0 to 45.0 dwelling units per
acre
• 1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to approved Specific Plan
Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place and serve the surrounding residents. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented
Place Types Section, Community Design Element Exhibits
CD-01, CD-02, and CD-09]
Mixed Use -
Neighborhood
Activity Hubs1
(MU-NH)
• 20.0 to 75.0 dwelling units per
acre
• 1.0 FAR for retail and office
Subject to Specific Plan3; projects
outside of Ontario Ranch subject to
PUD at City’s discretion
Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place along the corridor and serve the surrounding residents. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use,
and Transit-oriented Place Types Section, Community
Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD-02, and CD-09]
Overlays – An overlay is intended to reflect a particular characteristic of an area and is applied “over” an underlying land use designation to provide guidance above and beyond the underlying land use designation.
Business Park
Transitional Areas
Per the underlying designation unless
a non-residential use is developed in
which case the density and use
requirements of the Business Park land
use designations shall apply.
This area is within existing and future noise and safety impact zones of Ontario International Airport. This
overlay allows residential uses to transition to a Business Park land use if an entire block can be recycled to a
Business Park use and the block is contiguous to another non-residential block. In these cases, the City shall be 1717
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Land Use Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 16
LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
responsible for the necessary amendments to the Policy
Plan Map and Development Code.
Industrial
Transitional Areas
Per the underlying designation unless
a non-residential use is developed in
which case the density and use
requirements of the Industrial land use
designations shall apply.
This area is within existing and future noise and safety impact zones of Ontario International Airport. This
overlay allows residential uses to transition to an
industrial land use if an entire block can be recycled to an Industrial use and the block is contiguous to another non-residential block. In these cases, the City shall be responsible for the necessary amendments to the Policy
Plan Map and Development Code.
ONT Airport
Influence Area Varies
An area in which current or future airport-related noise, overflight, safety, or airspace protection factors may
significantly affect land uses or necessitate restriction on those uses. Refer to the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for Ontario International Airport.
Chino Airport
Influence Area Varies
An area in which current or future airport-related noise, overflight, safety, or airspace protection factors may
significantly affect land uses or necessitate restriction on those Uses. Refer to the Ontario Development Code for
Chino Airport land use policies and criteria for development.
Landfill Impact
Area Varies
Lands immediately surrounding the Milliken Landfill may be contaminated or have other landfill-related hazards that may limit allowable uses, as well as site design. Development in this area requires the submission of a detailed environmental analysis.
Plan Required Overlay – Denotes areas where specific plans or planned unit development plans are required prior to development, with final determination at the discretion of the City. See adopted specific plans and planned unit development in the City on the City’s website.
Ontario Airport
Metro Center Per approved individual specific plans
Envisioned as the most intensive area outside of downtown Los Angeles with a vertical and horizontal mixture of regionalserving retail, office, restaurant, entertainment, cultural, and residential uses in low to mid-rise buildings (3-10 stories). See adopted specific plans for more detail.
Ontario Ranch Per approved individual specific plans3
Envisioned as a mixture of residential neighborhoods
integrated with areas of high intensity (3-10 stories) with a mixture of employment, retail, service, entertainment,
cultural, and residential uses united by a network of
greenways/trails, open spaces, amenities, and infrastructure.
All development to be oriented toward or designed to
leverage the “Great Park,” a linear open space amenity
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LU-02 Land Use Designations Summary Table
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity Intention
containing active and passive recreational features, gardens, water features, and cultural facilities. Additional direction may be provided through the application of place types and
specific plans.
Downtown
Per approved planned unit
development (PUD may be waived at
City’s discretion)3
Envisioned as an intensive vertical and horizontal mixture of retail, office, and residential uses in a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The historic character is enhanced. The most intensive uses are envisioned along Euclid and Holt Avenues.
See the Downtown District Plan in the City's development code for more detail.
Notes:
1. Some parcels with this designation may fall within a Place Type, which characterizes the vision and urban design intent within a specified area. If any portion of a parcel is within a Place Type boundary, as shown in Figure CD-01, Place Types in the Community Design Element, that parcel is subject to Goal CD-3, and related policies. Projects must demonstrate that they are consistent with the vision and policy intent for the applicable Place Type as defined in Exhibits CD-02 through CD-09. Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed-Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types Section.
2. Parcels designated as MDR within the affordable housing overlay zoning district allow a maximum density of 30 dwelling units per acre if the project includes 25 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 2 requirements of the overlay zone.
3. All parcels within the affordable housing overlay zoning district have a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre. All parcels within the affordable housing overlay zoning district are exempt from the specific plan requirement if there is no existing specific plan and the project includes 20 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 1 requirements of the overlay zone.
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Land Use Element
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LU-03 Future Buildout Table
Land Use Acres2 Assumed Density/Intensity3 Units Pop4
NonResidential
Square Feet Jobs5
Residential
Rural 529 2.0 du/ac 1,057 3,863 - -
Low Density6,7 6,509 5.9 du/ac (north of Riverside Dr) 36,173 132,167 - - 4.5 du/ac (south of Riverside Dr) 7 Low-Medium
Density6 889 8.5 du/ac 7,197 26,363 - -
Medium
Density7 2,237 18.0 du/ac (north of Riverside Dr) 45,469 147,233 - - 22.0 du/ac (south of Riverside Dr) 8 High Density 206 25.0 du/ac 5,299 13,577 - -
Subtotal 10,370 95,495 323,203 - -
Mixed Use
• Downtown 128
• 60% of the area at 35 du/ac
• 40% of the area at 0.80 FAR for office
and retail
2,678 6,862 1,777,586 3,973
• East Holt
Boulevard8 65 • 75% of the area at 30 du/ac• 25% of area at 0.80 FAR retail 1,473 3,773 570,156 475 • West Holt
Boulevard8 1 • 75% of the area at 30 du/ac• 25% of area at 0.80 FAR retail 33 84 12,678 11 • Meredith 91 • 50% of the area at 40 du/ac
• 50% at 0.35 FAR for retail uses
1,815
4,651
691,939
577
• Multimodal
Transit Center 73
• 15% of the area at 60 du/ac
• 60% of the area at 1.0 FAR office and
retail
• 25% of the area at 0.70 FAR Lodging 653
1,673
2,449,557
5,993
• Inland Empire
Corridor 37 • 82% of the area at 10 du/ac• 18% of area t 0.35 FAR retail
300
769
100,455
84 • Guasti 86
• 30% of the area at 30 du/ac
• 15% of area at 1.0 FAR retail
• 30% of area at 0.70 FAR office
• 25% of area at 0.70 FAR Lodging
777
1,991
2,012,077
3,848
• Ontario Center8
(south of Concourse
& east of Haven)
186
• 40% of area at 40 du/ac
• 20% of area at 1.0 FAR office
• 30% of area at 0.70 FAR retail
3,729
9,553
3,329,507
7,327
• Ontario Center8
(north of Concourse
& west of Haven)
169
• 75% of area at 40 du/ac
• 10% of area at 1.00 FAR office
• 15% of area at 0.80 FAR retail
5,076 13,006 1,621,435
3,417
• Ontario Mills 249
• 40% of area at 40 du/ac
• 5% of area at 0.75 FAR office
• 55% of area at 0.50 FAR retail
3,990 10,223 3,394,666 3,971
• Rich-Haven2 154 • 30% of area at 35 du/ac
• 70% of area at 0.70 FAR office and retail 3,311 6,621 6,729,889 17,188 • Parkside 3 • 50% of the area at 35 du/ac
• 50% of area at 0.80 FAR retail
52 132 51,440 129
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LU-03 Future Buildout Table
Land Use Acres2 Assumed Density/Intensity3 Units Pop4
NonResidential
Square Feet Jobs5
• Eucalyptus/
Chino Airport2
105 • 40% of the area at 35 du/ac
• 10% of area at 0.80 FAR retail
• 20% of area at 1.00 FAR office
• 30% of area at 0.60 FAR business park
(industrial)
1,471 3,769 2,059,760 4,008
• Grove2
36 • 65% of the area at 35 du/ac
• 25% of area at 0.80 FAR retail
• 10% of area at 0.70 FAR Office
821 2,104 385,285 630
• Great Park2 305
• 30% of area at 25 du/ac
• 30% of area at 0.35 FAR for office
• 40% of area at 0.30 FAR for retail uses
7,470 19,141 2,789,181 4,930
• Neighborhood
Activity Hub8
(Mountain Village)
8 • 50% of the area at 35 du/ac
• 50% of area at 0.80 FAR retail 137 350 136,070 340
• Neighborhood
Activity Hub8
(Mountain & Fourth)
7 • 70% of the area at 50 du/ac
• 30% of area at 0.80 FAR retail 251 643 75,008 188
• Neighborhood
Activity Hub8
(Euclid & Francis)
13 • 50% of the area at 30 du/ac
• 50% of area at 0.80 FAR retail
190
487
220,912
552
• Neighborhood
Activity Hub8
(Euclid & Walnut)
16 • 75% of the area at 30 du/ac
• 25% of area at 0.80 FAR retail 369 945 142,840 357
• Neighborhood
Activity Hub2,8
(Euclid & Riverside)
15 • 75% of the area at 35 du/ac
• 25% of area at 0.80 FAR retail 394 1,009 130,662 327
Subtotal 1,748 - 34,067 87,289 22,340,301 41,508
Retail/Service
Neighborhood
Commercial6 248 0.30 FAR - - 3,238,367 8,832
General
Commercial 385 0.30 FAR - - 5,033,395 5,605
Office/
Commercial 310 0.75 FAR - - - -
Hospitality 143 1.00 FAR - - 9,981,163 27,902
Subtotal 1,085 - - 24,583,993 51,057
Employment
Business Park 1,149 0.50 FAR - - 25,028,936 43,251
Industrial 7,664 0.55 FAR - - 183,596,786 148,483
Subtotal 8,812 - - 208,625,721 191,734
Other
Open Space–
Non-Recreation 1,200 Not applicable - - - -
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LU-03 Future Buildout Table
Land Use Acres2 Assumed Density/Intensity3 Units Pop4
NonResidential
Square Feet Jobs5
Open Space–
Parkland6 913 Not applicable - - - -
Open SpaceWater 17 Not applicable - - - -
Public Facility 90 Not applicable - - - -
Public School 614 Not applicable - - - -
Ontario
International
Airport
1,423 Not applicable - - - -
Landfill 137 Not applicable - - - -
Railroad 250 Not applicable - - - -
Roadways 5,364 Not applicable - - - -
Subtotal 10,007 - - - - -
Total 32,022 - 129,562 410,492 261,491,779 296,002
Notes
1 Historically, citywide buildout levels do not achieve the maximum allowable density/intensity on every parcel and are, on average, lower than allowed by the Policy Plan. Accordingly, the buildout projections in this Policy Plan do not assume buildout at the maximum density or intensity and instead are adjusted downward. There are a few notable exceptions to this.
The assumed density for Low-Density Residential north of Riverside Drive is estimated above the allowed density to account for the continued use of areas that were built at densities above the current allowance, and to account for growth in these areas due to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) development and lot splits. Some areas were also entitled at greater densities due to the use of gross acreage rather than net acreage. These areas, identified in note 7 utilized customized growth assumptions to ensure that the future projection was equal to or larger than the number of existing units in built areas, and equal to or larger than existing entitlements in undeveloped or partially developed areas. 2 Acres are based on the City's Parcel data as of January 2021. 3 Assumed Density/Intensity includes both residential density, expressed as units per acre, and non-residential intensity, expressed as floor area ratio (FAR), which is the amount of building square feet in relation to the size of the lot. 4 Projections of population by residential designation are based on projected occupancy rates and a persons-per-household factor that varies by housing type.
5 The factors used to generate the number of employees by land use category were derived by comparing 2018 employment data published by the U.S. Census as part of the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) dataset to existing building square footage by use type, as recorded in the City's building permit database. 6 Acreages and corresponding buildout estimates for these designations do not reflect underlying land uses within the Business Park and Industrial Overlays. Estimates within overlay areas are included within the corresponding Business Park and Industrial categories.
7. To ensure future projections are equal to or larger than existing conditions in built out areas as of August 2021, and equal to or larger than existing entitlements (approved before August 2021) in undeveloped or partially developed areas, buildout estimates for the following projects, assumed realistic densities as follows: Countryside Specific Plan (Low Density Residential: 6.18 du/ac), Creekside Specific Plan (Low Density Residential: 7.47 du/ac, Medium Density Residential: 15.81 du/ac), Subarea 29 Specific Plan (Low Density Residential: 7.03).
8. In certain mixed use categories, different buildout assumptions were employed on different sites. Variations in assumptions are included in multiple rows within this table.
Last Amended: [Placeholder for TOP 2050 Policy Plan Adoption Date] 1722
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Land Use Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 21
LU-04 Mixed Use Areas
1723
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Land Use Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 22
LU-05 Overlay Areas
1724
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Land Use Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 23
LU-04 Airport Safety Zones & Influence Areas
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Public Review Draft (May 2022) 24
LU-05 Noise Level Exposure and Land Use Compatibility Guidelines Land Use Categories Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) Category Land Use 55 60 65 70 75 80
Residential /
Lodging
Single Family / Duplex
Multi-Family
Mobile Homes
Hotel/Motels
Public /
Institutional
Schools/Hospitals
Churches/ Libraries
Auditoriums/Concert Halls
Commercial
Offices
Retail
Industrial Manufacturing
Warehousing
Recreational/
Open Space
Parks/Playgrounds
Golf Courses/ Riding Stables
Outdoor Spectator Sports
Outdoor Music Shells/
Amphitheaters
Livestock/Wildlife Preserves
Crop Agriculture
Legend
Clearly
Acceptable: No special noise insulation is required, assuming buildings of normal conventional construction.
Normally
Acceptable:
Acoustical reports will be required for major new residential construction. Conventional construction with closed windows and fresh air supply systems of air conditioning will normally suffice.
Normally
Unacceptable:
New construction should be discouraged. Noise/aviation easements are required for all new construction. If new construction does proceed, a detailed analysis of noise reduction requirements must be made, and necessary noise insulation features included.
Clearly
Unacceptable: No new construction should be permitted.
Note: For noise compatibility criteria and contours for Ontario International Airport refer to the adopted ALUCP for ONT. 1726
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Public Review Draft (May 2022) 25
HOUSING ELEMENT
Introduction
The State of California recognizes the importance of housing and therefore legislates requirements for local jurisdictions to contribute to solutions to meet their local and regional housing needs. All communities across California are therefore required to prepare a Housing Element every eight years to address their local housing needs and a share of the region’s need for housing.
Purpose
An adequate supply of quality and affordable housing is fundamental to the economic and social well-being of Ontario. The Housing Element is required to address the production, preservation, and improvement of housing in the community. Among its most important functions, the Housing Element analyzes existing and future housing needs; addresses constraints to meeting local housing needs; identifies land, financial, and administrative resources for housing; sets forth goals and policies to meet community housing needs; and establishes housing programs and an implementation plan.
Principles
The City believes:
• A range of housing for all income levels is essential to a complete community. • The City’s housing stock should match the type and price needed by current and future residents and workforce, including those with special needs. • Preserving, maintaining, improving, and creating distinct neighborhoods and the housing stock within them protects property values and provides a desirable place to live.
• Affordable, quality housing helps attract and retain a qualified workforce and supports a prosperous local economy.
Goals & Policies
H-1 Neighborhoods & Housing
Ontario’s neighborhoods determine our quality of life and reflect the value we place in our community. Neighborhoods differin lot sizes, housing types, history, purpose, and environment.
Whether rural residential, suburban, historic, or urban, Ontario’s neighborhoods should provide a nurturing environment for all residents to enjoy their lives. Residential neighborhoods should 1727
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Housing Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 26
provide quality housing, ample parks and recreational opportunities, tree-lined streets and sidewalks for walking, safety and security, and public facilities and services.
As an established community, Ontario is committed to improving its older neighborhoods. This may be achieved through redevelopment, housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, and neighborhood improvement projects. Ontario will facilitate the development of new neighborhoods consistent with their unique purpose, such as Ontario Ranch (areas south of Riverside Drive), Ontario Airport Metro Center, and other areas. Taken together, Ontario is committed to creating and strengthening neighborhoods to promote a high quality of life for residents.
Goal H-1 Stable neighborhoods of quality housing, ample community services and public facilities, well-maintained infrastructure, and public safety that foster a positive sense of identity.
Policies
H-1.1 Housing Rehabilitation. We support the rehabilitation, maintenance, and improvement of single-family, multiple-family, and mobile homes through code compliance, removal of blight where necessary, and provision of rehabilitation assistance where feasible.
H-1.2 Neighborhood Conditions. We direct efforts to improve the long-term sustainability of neighborhoods through comprehensive planning, provision of neighborhood amenities, rehabilitation and maintenance of housing, and community building efforts.
H-1.3 Community Amenities. We shall provide adequate public services, infrastructure, open space, parking and traffic management, pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian routes and public safety for neighborhoods consistent with City master plans and neighborhood plans.
H-1.4 Historical Preservation. We support the preservation and enhancement of residential structures, properties, street designs, lot configurations, and other reminders of Ontario’s past that are considered to be local historical or cultural resources.
H-1.5 Neighborhood Identity. We strengthen neighborhood identity through creating parks and recreational outlets, sponsoring neighborhood events, and encouraging resident participation in the planning and improvement of their neighborhoods.
H-2 Housing Supply & Diversity
Bolstered by its International Airport, burgeoning employment sector, the Ontario Ranch, and unparalleled transportation access, Ontario aspires to be the premier community of the Inland Empire. Housing diversity is critical to achieving this goal. Ontario is committed to ensuring the provision of the widestrange of housing choices forthe varied lifestyles of its residents and future 1728
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workforce. This includes single-family and multiple-family housing, mixed- and multi-use housing, senior housing, live-work units, and other types of housing opportunities.
Housing production is to be encouraged in a responsible manner that furthers citywide and neighborhood goals. New housing will be creatively designed, sustainable and accessible.
Residential and mixed-use growth is strategically directed to the Downtown, corridors, Ontario Airport Metro Center Area, Ontario Ranch, and other areas. By encouraging an adequate supply and diversity of housing, Ontario will accommodate its changing housing needs, support economic prosperity, foster an inclusive community, and become the premier community of the Inland Empire.
Goal H-2 Diversity of types of quality housing that are affordable to a range of household income levels, accommodate changing demographics, and support and reinforce the economic sustainability of Ontario.
Policies
H-2.1 Corridor Housing. We revitalize transportation corridors by encouraging the production of higher density residential and mixed-uses that are architecturally, functionally, and aesthetically suited to corridors.
H-2.2 Historic Downtown. We foster a vibrant historic downtown through facilitating a wide range of housing types and affordability levels for households of all ages, housing preferences, and income levels.
H-2.3 Ontario Airport Metro Center. We foster a vibrant, urban, intense, and highly amenitized community in the Ontario Airport Metro Center Area through a mix of residential, entertainment, retail, and office-oriented uses.
H-2.4 Ontario Ranch. We support a premier lifestyle community in the Ontario Ranch, distinguished by diverse housing, highest design quality, and cohesive and highly amenitized neighborhoods.
H-2.5 Housing Design. We require architectural excellence through adherence to City design guidelines, thoughtful site planning, environmentally sustainable practices, and other best practices.
H-2.6 Infill Development. We support the revitalization of neighborhoods through the construction of higher-density residential developments on underutilized residential and commercial sites.
H-3 Governmental Regulations
The City is committed to facilitating and encouraging the production, maintenance and improvement of housing in a responsible manner. However, various factors may limit the City’s ability to address its housing needs, such as governmental regulations or environmental considerations. Market factors may also affect the feasibility of building housing or the affordability of housing in the community. Moreover, housing goals may at times conflict with 1729
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the need to promote other important City goals, including open space or the provision of jobs for the region.
Whereas City land use policy and municipal codes provide a regulatory framework for addressing housing, existing regulations cannot address every situation. In order to facilitate the type of development desired and to realize the greatest community benefits, the City’s regulatory framework must be flexible and incentive based. The development review process must be time sensitive, predictable, and thorough. The review process must support long-term community benefits, rather than just short-term gain. Finally, the regulatory framework must contain a broad range of incentives to stimulate desired development and private investment and realize the community features that improve quality of life.
Goal H-3 A City regulatory environment that balances the need for creativity and excellence in residential design, flexibility and predictability in the project approval process, and the provision of an adequate supply and prices of housing.
Policies
H-3.1 Incentives. We maintain incentive programs that can be offered to projects that provide benefits to the community such as exceptional design quality, economic advantages, environmental sustainability, or other benefits that would otherwise be unrealized.
H-3.2 Flexible Standards. We allow flexibility in the application ofresidential and mixeduse development standards in order to gain benefits such as exceptional design quality, economic advantages, sustainability, or other benefits that would otherwise be unrealized.
H-3.3 Development Review. We maintain a residential development review process that provides certainty and transparency for project stakeholders and the public, yet allows for the appropriate review to facilitate quality housing development.
H-3.4 Financial Incentives. We consider financial incentives to facilitate and encourage the production, rehabilitation or improvement of housing, or provision of services where such activity furthers housing and community-wide goals.
H-4 Housing Assistance
Ontario recognizes the importance of an adequate supply of affordable housing and its importance to the quality of life of residents. Residential developments in the Ontario Ranch and Ontario Airport Metro Center area will provide quality housing opportunities to attract and retain Ontario’s workforce and support Citywide economic development goals. Lower- and moderate-income residents will require homeownership and rental assistance to secure and maintain housing.
Housing prices and rents in Ontario and across the region continue to lead to lower homeownership rates, longer commutes, increased traffic congestion, higher cost burdens, and overcrowding in neighborhoods. Working with partners and the state and federal governments, 1730
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the City of Ontario is committed to providing a range of housing types and prices affordable to all economic segments of the City and assisting residents and the workforce to secure and maintain housing that is affordable and appropriate to their needs.
Goal H-4 Increased opportunities for low- and moderate-income households and families to afford and maintain quality ownership and rental housing opportunities, including move-up opportunities. Inclusive communities, racial equity, fair housing choice, and access to opportunity.
Policies
H-4.1 Preservation of Affordable Apartments. We strive to facilitate the preservation of the affordability of publicly assisted apartments for lower-income households through financial assistance, technical assistance, rehabilitation, and collaborative partnerships.
H-4.2 Homeownership Opportunities. We increase and expand homeownership rates for lower- and moderate-income households by offering financial assistance, lowinterest loans, and educational resources, and by working in collaboration with partnerships.
H-4.3 Rental Assistance. We support the provision of rental assistance for individuals and families earning extremely low, very low, and low income with funding from the state and federal government.
H-4.4 Mixed-income Housing. We encourage the integration of affordable housing in the Ontario Ranch, Ontario Airport Metro Center Area, and existing neighborhoods.
H-4.5 Collaborative Partnerships. We support collaborative partnerships of nonprofit organizations, affordable housing developers, major employers, and for-profit developers to produce affordable housing.
H-4.6 Fair Housing. We further fair housing by prohibiting discrimination in the housing market, lifting barriers that restrict access to housing, and providing education, support, and enforcement services to address discriminatory practices.
H-5 Special Needs
The City of Ontario is home to a large number of people with special housing needs. These special needs may be related to occupation, income, family characteristics, disability, veteran status or other characteristics. Special needs groups include, but are not limited to, seniors, large families with children, people with disabilities, single-parent families, college students, veterans and people who are homeless. Though each group is markedly different, they share the challenge of finding suitable and affordable housing.
Ontario aspires to be the premier community in the Inland Empire. As such, the city’s population will become increasingly diverse, with people of many cultures, backgrounds, family types, ages, and experiences. The housing needs of Ontario’s residents will be equally diverse. Recognizing 1731
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the contributions of this diversity to the community, Ontario has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in addressing the housing and support needs of all residents. Ontario is thus committed to creating a community that allows people to live in the City for their entire life, regardless of their special needs.
Goal H-5 A full range of housing types and community services that meet the special housing needs for all individuals and families in Ontario, regardless of income level, age, or other status.
Policies
H-5.1 Senior Housing. We support the development of accessible and affordable senior housing and provide financial assistance for seniors to maintain and improve their homes.
H-5.2 Family Housing. We support the development of larger rental apartments that are appropriate for families with children, including, as feasible, the provision of services, recreation, and other amenities.
H-5.3 Disabled People. We increase the supply of permanent, affordable, and accessible housing for people with disabilities, and provide assistance to allow them to maintain and improve their homes.
H-5.4 Homeless People. We partner with nonprofit partners to provide emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services for people who are homeless.
H-5.-5 Supportive Services. We financially support organizations, as feasible, that provide support services that meet the needs of those with special needs and further the greatest level of independence.
H-5.6 Partnerships. We collaborate with nonprofit organizations, private developers, employers, government agencies, and other interested parties to develop affordable housing and provide support services.
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Exhibits: Documents Incorporated by Reference
Housing Element Technical Report
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Parks and Recreation Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 32
PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT
Introduction
Parks and recreational spaces represent a critical physical, social and psychological element of a complete community. Beyond merely providing recreational opportunities, carefully sited and well-designed parks serve a multitude of functions for the community: creating neighborhood identity, serving as focal points for gathering and celebration, and increasing and protecting environmental resources. Moreover, parks act as the city’s “breathing spaces,” where people experience relief from the urban environment as they go about their daily routines.
Purpose
The Parks and Recreation Element:
• Establishes goals for the Ontario park and recreation system and recreation programs. • Underscores the vital role parks and recreation programs play in achieving economic development, land use, housing, community health, infrastructure, and transportation objectives.
Principles
The City believes:
• Parks promote community engagement, economic investment, and quality aesthetic design.
• Parks should be distributed throughout the City.
• Well planned, managed and maintained parks provide opportunities for physical exercise and relaxation, which can lead to better health of members of the community. • Programs and activities enrich the lives of members of the community.
Goals & Policies
PR-1 Planning & Design
Ontario’s Park system will establish park sites that serve the City’s population and employment locations. These parks will provide active, organized uses such as sports, local gathering spaces, recreational facilities, passive use areas, and signature destinations with notable attractions. They will be planned and designed to integrate with their surroundings.
Goal PR-1 A system of safe and accessible parks that meets the needs of the community. 1734
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Policies
PR-1.1 Access to Parks. In all new residential development areas, we strive to provide a park and/or recreational facility within walking distance (¼ mile) of every residence and prioritize the establishment of parks in environmental justice areas that do not have adequate access to parks.
PR-1.2 Adjacency to Schools. We examine locating parks adjacent to school sites to promote joint-use opportunities.
PR-1.3 Funding. We shall seek outside, one-time sources of funding for capital improvements and reserve ongoing City funds primarily for operations and maintenance.
PR-1.4 Joint-use Opportunities. In areas where there is a need but no City recreational facility, we explore joint-use opportunities. (e.g., school sites).
PR-1.5 Acreage Standard. We strive to provide 5 acres of parkland (public and private) per 1,000 residents.
PR-1.6 Private Parks. We expect development to provide a minimum of 2 acres of developed private park space per 1,000 residents.
PR-1.7 Special Needs/Universal Design. We attempt to provide recreational opportunities at parks for people of all ages and abilities.
PR-1.8 Renovation. We examine renovating existing facilities prior to building replacement facilities.
PR-1.9 Phased Development. We require parks be built in new communities before a significant proportion of residents move in.
PR-1.10 Master Plans for Individual Park Facilities. We require an individual park master plan for parks in excess of 10 acres.
PR-1.11 Environmental Function of Parks. We require new parks to meet environmental management objectives.
PR-1.12 Trails. We promote connections between parks and local trails including those managed by other public agencies.
PR-1.13 Equestrian Trails. We require the design, construction, and maintenance of equestrian trails in Rural Residential designated areas.
PR-1.14 Multi-family Residential Developments. We require that new multi-family residential developments of five or more units provide recreational facilities or open space, in addition to paying adopted impact fees.
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PR-1.15 Trail Connectivity. We strengthen and improve equestrian, bike, and multipurpose trail connections within the City and work to improve trail connections into adjacent jurisdictions.
PR-1.16 Equestrian Master Plan. We use Homer Briggs Park as the primary focal point for the development of a Master Plan of Equestrian Trails in the Rural Residential area.
PR-2 Programming
Programs maximize the use of facilities, enrich the lives of residents, and strengthen social networks. Ontario’s park and recreational facilities should be programmed to provide a range of recreational, cultural and educational opportunities that meet the needs of the entire community.
As needs continue to evolve, we will respond by involving community members and organizations in programming, fostering a sense of ownership and increasing park usage, thereby creating a safer park environment.
Goal PR-2 A range of recreational programs provided by public, private, and nonprofit organizations that meet the needs of the community’s varied interests, age groups, and abilities.
Policies
PR-2.1 Participation. We program park facilities to maximize utilization and participation, while considering park size, location, and population served.
PR-2.2 Needs Assessment. We track the needs and priorities for recreational programming and look for ways to meet demand.
PR-2.3 Community Involvement. We involve the local community in planning programs for neighborhood and community park facilities.
PR-2.4 Access to Programs. We provide a range of recreational and physical exercise programs that are accessible to residents of all income levels throughout the community and prioritize establishing and maintaining equitable access for residents in environmental justice areas.
PR-2.5 Partnerships. We partner with local and regional agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to provide a comprehensive range of recreational programs.
PR-2.6 Crime Deterrents. We promote and participate in recreational programming as part of our crime prevention effort.
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Exhibits: Figures
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PR-01 Park & Recreational Facilities
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Parks and Recreation Element
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PR-02 Equestrian Trails
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Environmental Resources Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 38
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT
Introduction
Ontario’s environmental resources are an integral part of our maturing City and are valued for the benefits they provide. Appropriately managed, they reduce health risks for residents and workers, lower energy and water costs, safeguard our water assets, and protect our environment.
The systems that convey and treat water and waste, generate and distribute energy, promote beneficial air quality, and protect natural resources are essential to Ontario’s health and prosperity. Ontario will manage resources comprehensively, utilizing natural and man-made systems that are both environmentally and economically sustainable.
Meeting growth demands in Ontario, however, requires careful treatment of our land, water, air and energy—not as disposable goods but as essential commodities and capital assets.
Particular focus must be given to improving the conditions and opportunities for those residents that face the highest risk of exposure to pollution and are also burdened by socioeconomic and health issues. These residents are considered to be disadvantaged and live in environmental justice areas. Our Vision and Principles throughout the Policy Plan reinforce the City’s commitment to enabling all persons to enjoy equal access to healthy environments, healthy foods, parks and recreational facilities, and civic engagement opportunities. Although this Element includes a number of policies and a map that addresses the topic of environmental justice, the City has opted for an “environmental justice in all policies” approach to ensure the topic is present alongside the multitude of issues and topics that affect our residents and resources.
Purpose
The Environmental Resources Element:
• Defines the ethic to guide management of the City’s environmental resources. • Establishes goals for Environmental Infrastructure.
• Maps environmental justice areas.
• Establishes policies that support system integration, resource conservation and regeneration, energy independence, environmental justice, and healthy communities.
Principles
The City believes:
• Quality design of the physical environment includes vigilant stewardship of the City’s environmental resources.
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• Efficient backbone infrastructure systems should be multifunctional, strategically sited, sustainably designed, and integrated into the urban fabric. • Commitment to the development and maintenance of our environmental infrastructure ensures community prosperity.
• Environmental infrastructure is a critical public investment. • Every resident of Ontario should have the opportunity to live in a community that is healthy and safe.
• High quality environmental resources are integral building blocks of the community. • Ecosystems improve public health and contribute significantly to the City’s overall economic vitality.
• In order to protect our environmental resources, we must make wise decisions regarding the use of these resources.
• Protecting environmental resources is the responsibility of individuals, communities, the region, and the world.
Goals & Policies
ER-1 Water & Wastewater
Given constrained supplies in Southern California, water is a precious commodity that is critical to the City’s ability to achieve its Vision.
Ontario gets water from four sources: groundwater, imported water, recycled water and local precipitation. Ontario’s potable water supply comes predominantly from a combination of groundwater and imported sources. Recycled water is available for non-potable purposes in portions of the City. Some urban run-off is captured and used forrecharging the aquifer, but most travels through the City during storm events via natural and man-made systems to Prado Dam.
Protection of ground and surface water quality is important to the continued availability of the resource. Wholesale recycled water is available through the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) for distribution by the City.
The City maintains a wastewater collection system and contracts with the IEUA for wastewater treatment. IEUA also operates an industrial non-reclaimable wastewater system, which runs through Ontario and is available to our industries.
Ontario recognizes that all water sources are not of equal quality, but all water has value and the water used should match the water quality required for the use. Recycled water, for example, should be used for landscape irrigation. The City’s approach to water resources is to conserve when possible, reclaim and reuse where feasible, and ensure “the right water for the right use.” 1741
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Goal ER-1 A reliable and cost-effective system that permits the City to manage its diverse water resources and needs.
Policies
ER-1.1 Local Water Supply. We increase local water supplies to reduce our dependence on imported water. New and redevelopment projects are aligned with our available water supply and/or to enhance our available water supply.
ER-1.2 Matching Supply to Use. We match water supply and quality to the appropriate use.
ER-1.3 Conservation and Sustainable Water Supply. We work with regional water providers and users to conserve water and ensure sustainable local water supplies as more frequent droughts reduce long term local and regional water availability.
ER-1.4 Supply-Demand Balance. We require that available water supply and demands be balanced.
ER-1.5 Water Resource Management. Environmental justice areas are prioritized as we coordinate with local agencies to protect water quality, prevent pollution, address existing contamination, and remediate contaminated surface water and groundwater.
ER-1.6 Urban Run-off Quantity. We encourage the use of low impact development strategies, including green infrastructure, to intercept run-off, slow the discharge rate, increase infiltration, and ultimately reduce discharge volumes to traditional storm drain systems.
ER-1.7 Urban Run-off Quality. We require the control and management of urban run-off, consistent with Regional Water Quality Control Board regulations.
ER-1.8 Wastewater Management. We require the management of wastewater discharge and collection consistent with waste discharge requirements adopted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
ER-2 Solid Waste & Recycling
Ontario provides solid waste collection and disposal services. For solid waste materials that cannot be reduced at the source, the City must take steps to maximize recycling and composting to ensure efficient collection and safe, environmentally sound disposal. If not recycled or composted, solid waste takes up landfill space that is very limited. Waste materials cause environmental impacts at each stage of their life cycle. There are environmental and economic impacts associated with the manufacture, transport, sale, disposal, and recycling of solid waste.
The treatment and disposal of solid waste traditionally creates significant unusable by-products and energy demands. The first approach to reduce the City’s waste stream should be to reduce the generation of waste and find ways waste can be reused and recycled. New technologies and approaches can be used to reduce these impacts through recycling of construction, consumer, 1742
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green, and liquid waste and utilizing these waste products to generate renewable energy that reduce impacts on landfills. There is value in reducing the City’s waste stream to as low as possible. Waste by-products that are channeled into a revenue stream reduce the demand upon facilities and reduce the use of non-renewable materials. The City cannot achieve its growth vision without decreasing waste by-products and freeing up capacity in landfills. Natural ecosystems efficiently breakdown waste by-products and are often more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sensitive than man-made systems. While natural systems may be the optimal choice, the City recognizes the need to integrate both natural and manmade systems and processes to manage waste.
Goal ER-2 A cost effective, integrated waste management system that meets or exceeds state and federal recycling and waste diversion mandates.
Policies
ER-2.1 Waste Diversion. We shall meet or exceed AB 939 requirements.
ER-2.2 Hazardous and Electronic Wastes. We prohibit the disposal of hazardous and electronic waste into the municipal waste stream pursuant to state law.
ER-2.3 Purchase Products Made from Recycled Materials. We purchase recycled-content products where it is cost effective.
ER-3 Energy
Local conditions such as land use patterns, transportation options, and individual consumer consumption decisions impact energy use within the City. How we build neighborhoods, and construct and operate the buildings within them, can reduce per capita energy demand, increase conservation opportunities, and incorporate alternative energy sources. Finding ways to reduce the energy demands and encourage the development of renewable energy resources within the City can not only reduce our reliance upon non-renewable energy resources but can also make the City more ecologically and economically sustainable.
Goal ER-3 Cost-effective and reliable energy system sustained through a combination of low impact buildings, site and neighborhood energy conservation, and diverse sources of energy generation that collectively helps to minimize the region’s carbon footprint.
Policies
ER-3.1 Conservation Strategy. We require conservation as the first strategy to be employed to meet applicable energy-saving standards.
ER-3.2 Green Development– Communities. We encourage the use of the LEED Neighborhood Development rating system, or similar mechanism, to guide the planning and development of all new communities.
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ER-3.3 Building and Site Design. We require new construction to incorporate energy efficient building and site design strategies, which could include appropriate solar orientation, maximum use of natural daylight, passive solar, and natural ventilation.
ER-3.4 Green Development– Public Buildings. We require all new and substantially renovated City buildings in excess of 10,000 square feet achieve a LEED Silver Certification standard, as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council.
ER-3.5 Fuel-Efficient and Alternative Energy Vehicles and Equipment. We require purchase and use vehicles and equipment that are fuel efficient and meet or surpass state emissions requirements and/or use renewable sources of energy.
ER-3.6 Generation- Renewable Sources. We promote the use of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, biomass) in public and private sector development.
ER-4 Air Quality
Even though air quality is a regional issue, Ontario has the opportunity to demonstrate its leadership by striving forthe healthiest air quality possible and reducing pollution sources within the City. Better indoor and outdoor air quality for Ontario and the air basin will improve the quality of life of residents, workers and visitors, decrease health care costs and make Ontario more prosperous by making the City a more desirable place to be. Most of the air pollution within Ontario is a result of the City’s location within an inland valley where the predominant wind pattern flows from Orange and Los Angeles counties and backs up against the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains.
The City is home to major transportation goods movement infrastructure – Ontario International Airport, major interstate highways, and three railway lines – which are major sources of air pollution. This combination of geographical factors and pollution sources contribute significantly to the region’s failure to meet several federal and state standards.
The City of Ontario expects to double its population by 2050. We intend to develop strategies to minimize the air quality impacts of this growth. Of particular concern are the City’s future impacts on Global Warming which is caused by an accumulation of Greenhouse Gases (GHG).
Goal ER-4 Improved indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced locally generated pollutant emissions.
Policies
ER-4.1 Land Use. We reduce GHG and other local pollutant emissions through compact, mixed use, and transit-oriented development and development that improves the regional jobs-housing balance.
ER-4.2 Sensitive Land Uses. We prohibit the future siting of sensitive land uses within the distances defined by the California Air Resources Board for specific source categories, without sufficient mitigation.
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ER-4.3 Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Emissions Reductions. We will reduce GHG emissions in accordance with regional, state, and federal regulations.
ER-4.4 Indoor Air Quality. We will comply with State Green Building Codes relative to indoor air quality. We seek funding to improve indoor air quality for households with poor indoor air quality, with priority for lower income households in environmental justice areas.
ER-4.5 Transportation. We promote mass transit and non-motorized mobility options (walking, biking) to reduce air pollutant emissions.
ER-4.6 Particulate Matter. We support efforts to reduce particulate matter to meet State and Federal Clean Air Standards.
ER-4.7 Other Agency Collaboration. We collaborate with other agencies within the South Coast Air Basin to improve regional air quality at the emission source, with a particular focus on sources that affect environmental justice areas in Ontario.
ER-4.8 Tree Planting. We protect healthy trees within the City and plant new trees to increase carbon sequestration and help the regional/local air quality. We expand the tree canopy in environmental justice areas to enhance air quality and reduce the “heat island” effect.
ER-4.9 New Localized Air Pollution Sources Near Existing Sensitive Receptors. We require new developments to conduct a Health Risk Assessment for land uses that generate more than 100 trucks per day or 40 trucks per day by trucks operating transportation refrigeration units (TRU's) within 1,000 feet from sensitive land uses (California Health and Safety Code § 42705.5(a)(5)). If the health risk assessment determines the new development poses health hazards that increase the incremental cancer risk above the threshold established by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), we will only approve permits upon the condition that adequate mitigation measures are proposed and implemented for potential impacts on the sensitive uses around the site and along the route within Ontario taken by the trucks to and from freeways. We require new developments that must perform a health risk assessment to conduct additional public outreach by sending notifications in multiple languages to all residents living within 500 feet, and encourage hosting a public meeting.
ER-5 Biological, Mineral & Agricultural Resources
Developed as the “Model Irrigation Colony,” Ontario has a rich agricultural heritage. The northern portion of the City was farmed with grapes, citrus, olives and other fruit tree crops. The southern portion of the City has been used predominantly for dairy farms for over half a century.
Other types of agricultural uses include cultivated crops, fallow fields and plant nurseries. Until the mid-1990s, southern Ontario was part of the San Bernardino County Dairy Preserve. Some of the City’s dairy preserve properties are still under Williamson Act contracts. The City of Ontario adopted a right to farm ordinance which recognizes the right of agricultural operations to continue. However, increased environmental regulations are causing existing dairies to relocate 1745
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out of the region, resulting in a continued decline in the long-term viability of agricultural operations in southern Ontario.
Rare and/or endangered species that have the potential to occur in Ontario include the Delhi Sands Flower, the Loving Fly, and the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat. Existing habitat for these species is of poor quality and/or is limited to isolated pockets. As the City further develops, there may be opportunities to integrate suitable habitat for sensitive species into new developments and/or participate in regional efforts for the conservation of high-quality habitat, thereby expanding and creating new habitat corridors.
There are no permitted mining operations in the City. According to the Department of Conservation, significant mineral resources within Ontario are limited to construction aggregate.
Areas identified with potential mineral resources have been developed with urban uses and are not suitable for mineral resource extraction.
Goal ER-5 Protected high value habitat and farming and mineral resource extraction activities that are compatible with adjacent development.
Policies
ER-5.1 Habitat Conservation Areas. We support the protection of biological resources through the establishment, restoration, and conservation of high-quality habitat areas.
ER-5.2 Entitlement and Permitting Process. We comply with state and federal regulations regarding protected species.
ER-5.3 Right to Farm. We support the right of existing farms to continue their operations within the Ontario Ranch.
ER-5.4 Transition of Farms. We protect both existing farms and sensitive uses around them as agricultural areas transition to urban uses.
ER-5.5 Mining Operations. We prohibit future mining operations where the resource extraction activities are incompatible with existing or proposed adjacent land uses. 1746
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Exhibits: Figures
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ER-01 Environmental Justice Areas
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Community Economics Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 47
COMMUNITY ECONOMICS ELEMENT
Introduction
The City’s role is to create, maintain and grow economic value. Community shareholders, including property owners, tenants, families, and businesses have invested in Ontario and should expect a return from those investments, including financial and qualitative returns, such as:
quality of life, job opportunities, potential for business growth, sense of safety, healthy environment, responsive government, amenities, and so much more – all of which is part of the Vision of being a “complete community.”
Their investments, in turn, generate returns for the community. A business investing in expansion creates new job opportunities for residents. A developer investing in new housing attracts new consumers for Ontario’s retailers. These investments add municipal revenues, which the City reinvests in community facilities, public improvements, and services that improve the quality of life for Ontario residents, employees, and visitors.
Through the Community Economics Element policies, the City commits itself to protecting these investments. Generating better and higher returns gives Ontario a competitive advantage to attract even more investment. This new investment and reinvestment creates a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity.
Purpose
The Community Economics Element:
• Articulates our approach to developing and maintaining the community’s economy and its relationship to the City’s fiscal health.
• Creates a framework to attract investment in Ontario. • Establishes our policies for economic development.
Principles
The City believes:
• A complete community will be better positioned to compete and attract investment. • The wise and principled management of the public’s finances is a primary responsibility of our City government.
• Actions taken by the City should take into consideration immediate and long term economic and fiscal implications.
• Unique, high-quality places differentiate Ontario and thereby attract additional investment.
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Goals & Policies
CE-1 Complete Community
The concept of creating, maintaining, and growing economic value within the City underlies the Ontario Vision. While economic value is often measured in monetary terms – property values, taxable sales, and equity growth, we require decision-making that also reflects qualitative value.
We express this qualitative value as the concept of “complete community.” A complete community provides housing, jobs, education, shopping and services, culture, and recreation for people at all ages and socioeconomic levels. Most importantly, a complete community provides opportunities for those residents and businesses willing to improve themselves and create wealth and invest in the community.
This section establishes policies that incorporate this concept into land use planning, regulations, City governance, and operations.
Goal CE-1 A complete community that provides for all incomes and stages of life.
Policies
CE-1.1 Jobs-Housing Balance. We pursue improvement to the Inland Empire’s balance between jobs and housing by promoting job growth that reduces the regional economy’s reliance on out-commuting.
CE-1.2 Jobs and Workforce Skills. We use our economic development resources to:
1. attract jobs suited for the skills and education of current and future City residents;
2. work with regional partners to provide opportunities for the labor force to improve its skills and education; and
3. attract businesses that increase Ontario’s stake and participation in growing sectors of the regional and global economy.
(Link to Social Resources Policy SR-2.2)
CE-1.3 Regional Approach to Workforce Development. We work with our partners to provide workforce training and development services throughout the region, recognizing that Ontario employers rely on workers living outside of the City.
CE-1.4 Business Retention and Expansion. We continuously improve two-way communication with the Ontario business community and emphasize customer service to existing businesses as part of our competitive advantage.
CE-1.5 Business Attraction. We proactively attract new and expanding businesses to Ontario in order to increase the City’s share of growing sectors of the regional and global economy.
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CE-1.6 Diversity of Housing. We collaborate with residents, housing providers, and the development community to provide housing opportunities for every stage of life; we plan for a variety of housing types and price points to encourage the development of housing supportive of our efforts to attract business in growing sectors of the community while being respectful of existing viable uses.
CE-1.7 Retail Goods and Services. We seek to ensure a mix of retail businesses that provide the full continuum of goods and services for the community.
CE-1.8 Regional Attraction. We encourage the development and programming of regional, cultural, and entertainment destinations in Ontario.
CE-1.9 Regional Leadership. We provide leadership for public, quasi-public, and privatesector partners that help Ontario and its residents and businesses realize our goals and achieve our Vision.
CE-1.10 Life-Long Education. We work with our partners who provide life-long learning to ensure that our residents and workforce have access to education at all stages of life.
CE-1.11 Socioeconomic Trends. We continuously monitor, plan for, and respond to changing socioeconomic trends.
CE-1.12 Circulation. We continuously plan and improve public transit and non-vehicular circulation for the mobility of all, including those with limited or no access to private automobiles. (Link to Mobility Element Public Transit Section) CE-1.13 Safety and Security. We invest in public safety and communicate our successes because the perception and reality of safety and security are necessary prerequisites for private investment and economic growth.
CE-2 Placemaking
The City’s land use plans and policies seek to create distinctive and high-quality places. Such places add value and thereby attract additional investment. The City of Ontario focuses on creating a range of places where people want to live, work, and visit. This section establishes policies that acknowledge the value of place in the decision-making process.
Goal CE-2 A City of distinctive neighborhoods, districts, corridors, and centers where people choose to be.
Policies
CE-2.1 Development Projects. We require new development and redevelopment to create unique, high-quality places that add value to the community. (Link to Community Design Element)
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CE-2.2 Development Review. We require those proposing new development and redevelopment to demonstrate how their projects will create appropriately unique, functional, and sustainable places that will compete well with their competition within the region.
CE-2.3 Interim Development. We require interim development that does not reflect the long-term Vision, be limited in scale of development so that the investment can be sufficiently amortized to make Vision-compatible redevelopment financially feasible.
CE-2.4 Protection of Investment. We require that new development and redevelopment protect existing investment by providing architecture and urban design of equal or greater quality.
CE-2.5 Private Maintenance. We require adequate maintenance, upkeep, and investment in private property because proper maintenance on private property protects property values. (Link to Community Design Element Policy CD-5.1) CE-2.6 Public Maintenance. We require the establishment and operation of maintenance districts or other vehicles to fund the long-term operation and maintenance of the public realm whether on private land, in rights-of-way, or on publicly-owned property. (Link to Community Design Element Policy CD-5.1) CE-3 Fiscal Decision-making
Every Municipal decision affects the revenues and expenditures of city government. New zoning regulations, for example, can necessitate staff time to document non-conformance created by new standards. Street widening can encourage speeding, requiring increased patrolling and enforcement.
Good decision-making requires that fiscal impacts be reasonably projected and be part of the deliberative process. The City desires to continuously improve its understanding of the direct and indirect fiscal impacts of its decisions and include them in its decision-making process.
This section establishes policies that minimize negative fiscal impacts and incorporate long-term fiscal thinking into decisions.
Goal CE-3 Decision-making deliberations that incorporate the full short-term and long-term economic and fiscal implications of proposed City Council actions.
Policies
CE-3.1 Fiscal Impact Disclosure. We require requests for City Council action to disclose the full fiscal impacts, including direct and indirect costs.
CE-3.2 General Plan Amendments. We require those proposing General Plan amendments to disclose reasonably foreseeable impacts through a fiscal analysis. 1752
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CE-3.3 Long-Term Funding Disclosure. We require those requesting City support or funding for projects or programs to disclose if and how they can be continued without further City support.
CE-3.4 Improving Fiscal Decision-Making. We periodically assess the accuracy of projections for staff time and City resources and use the assessment results to improve our fiscal decision-making process.
CE-3.5 Sustainable Development. We recognize impacts to municipal finances as an element of sustainability, and we require claims of sustainability to assess fiscal impacts.
CE-3.6 Fully Funded Liability. We require long-term liabilities, such as retiree medical benefits, employee accrued leave balances, and self-insured liability claims to be fully funded to ensure sound, long-term fiscal health.
CE-3.7 Programmatically Balanced Budget. We require that the annual budget include appropriations allocated in a manner to meet the goal of the programmatically balanced budget.
CE-3.8 Budget Margins. We require that the adopted budget for revenue and expenditures reflect sufficient budget margins to minimize negative impacts to City services due to economic uncertainties.
CE-3.9 Complete Comparative Context. We require that our annual budget process provide the complete comparative context for proposed new and increased funding so decision makers can fully understand the trade-offs among budget choices.
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SAFETY ELEMENT
Introduction
The City is committed to protecting life, property, and commerce from disruptions and loss associated from human-caused and natural hazards, disasters, and other threats to public health and safety. Natural hazards that could impact Ontario include earthquakes, flooding, fire, wind, and climate-related hazards. Man-made hazards include hazardous materials, noise, and crime.
A clear management framework for emergency services is essential to adequately plan for and respond to these hazards.
Purpose
The Safety Element:
• Identifies potential hazards.
• Provides background on the history of hazards and the likelihood of future changes to these hazards.
• Provides policies that increase resilience of residents, businesses, workers, and visitors.
• Provides policies to reduce the level of property loss due to a potential disaster. • Provides a framework for emergency management.
Principles
The City believes:
• It is the role of government to minimize exposure to natural and human-caused hazards.
• A safe and healthy environment is necessary to build and maintain a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Ontario.
• Reduction in the loss of life, injury, private property damage, infrastructure damage, economic losses and social dislocation can be achieved through planning, preparedness, and response.
• Interdepartmental and inter-jurisdictional coordination and collaboration are necessary to be resilient to everyday emergencies and major disasters. 1754
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Goals & Policies
S-1 Seismic & Geologic Hazards
Ontario is susceptible to earthquakes, liquefaction, and subsidence caused by rapid withdrawal of groundwater. For the City to thrive and continue to attract investment, residents, business owners, and investors need assurance that the City is prepared for and will effectively respond to seismic and geologic hazards.
Goal S-1 Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption caused by earthquake-induced and other geologic hazards.
Policies
S-1.1 Implementation of Regulations and Standards. We require that all new habitable structures be designed in accordance with the mostrecent California Building Code adopted by the City, including provisions regarding lateral forces and grading.
S-1.2 Entitlement and Permitting Process. We follow state guidelines and the California Building Code to determine when development proposals must conduct geotechnical and geological investigations.
S-1.3 Continual Update of Technical Information. We maintain up-to-date California Geological Survey seismic hazard maps.
S-1.4 Seismically Vulnerable Structures. We conform to state law regarding unreinforced masonry structures and coordinate with not-for-profits to facilitate seismic retrofits in environmental justice areas and for low-income households.
S-2 Flood Hazards
Flood hazards to the area can be classified as flooding down natural channels and flooding due to capacity constraints of the storm drain system. A 100-year flood or larger event is anticipated to result in extensive property damage and displacement of hundreds of households.
Catastrophic failure of any water retaining structure due to storm induced flood or dam failure inundation, has the potential to cause considerable damage in Ontario.
Goal S-2 Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage and economic and social disruption caused by flooding and inundation hazards.
Policies
S-2.1 Entitlement and Permitting Process. We require hydrological studies prepared by a state-certified engineer when new development is located in a 100-year or 500- year floodplain to assess the impact that the new development will have on the flooding potential of existing development down-gradient. 1755
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S-2.2 Floodplain Mapping. We require any new development partially or entirely in 100-year flood zones to provide detailed floodplain mapping for 100- and 200-year storm events as part of the development approval process.
S-2.3 Facilities that Use Hazardous Materials. We comply with state and federal law and do not permit facilities using, storing, or otherwise involved with substantial quantities of onsite hazardous materials to be located in the 100-year flood zone or 500-year flood zone unless all standards of elevation, floodproofing, and storage have been implemented to the satisfaction of the Building Department.
S-2.4 Prohibited Land Uses. We prohibit the development of new essential and critical facilities in the 100-year floodplain and discourage the development of new essential and critical facilities in the 500-year floodplain unless all standards of elevation and flood proofing demonstrate that a facility can be safe and operational during a flood event, implemented to the satisfaction of the Building Department.
S-2.5 Stormwater Management. We maintain the storm drain system to convey a 100- year storm, when feasible, and encourage environmental site design practices to minimize flooding and increase groundwater recharge, including natural drainage, green infrastructure, and permeable ground surfaces. (Link to Environmental Resources Element)
S-2.6 Use of Flood Control Facilities. We encourage joint use of flood control facilities as open space or other types of recreational facilities.
S-2.7 Collaboration Between Agencies. Collaborate with the San Bernardino County Flood Control District and other state and federal agencies to maintain floodcontrol infrastructure to minimize flood damage.
S-3 Fire & Rescue Hazards
The City of Ontario seeks to reduce the threat of fire hazards to life, property and economic viability by providing fire, rescue, emergency medical, and specialty emergency response services. Due to the local topography and nearby Cajon Pass, Santa Ana Winds by far pose the greatest fire hazard to the City. The Santa Ana winds pose a continual fire conflagration hazard to any dense area of the City, with an increased risk to older portions of Ontario. Ontario’s commercial and industrial facilities increase the possibility of fires involving hazardous materials, which could affect nearby residential areas. Ontario is also surrounded and bisected by major transportation networks and pipeline transfer systems which add further risk.
Goal S-3 Reduced risk of death, injury, property damage and economic loss due to fires, accidents and normal everyday occurrences through prompt and capable emergency response.
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Policies
S-3.1 Prevention Services. We proactively mitigate or reduce the negative effects of fire, hazardous materials release, and structural collapse by implementing the regularly adopted California Fire Code and California Building Code.
S-3.2 Community Outreach. We provide education to local schools and community groups to promote personal and public safety.
S-3.3 Fire and Emergency Medical Services. We maintain sufficient fire stations, equipment and staffing to respond effectively to emergencies and meet the needs of the community and state requirements.
S-3.4 Special Team Services. We maintain effective special rescue services.
S-3.5 Emergency Notifications. We maintain a public alert notification system that efficiently conveys information about imminent, developing, ongoing, and concluding emergency events to residents and visitors, working with network providers that translate information into other languages.
S-3.6 Interagency Cooperation. In order to back up and supplement our capabilities to respond to emergencies, we participate in the California Fire Rescue and Mutual Aid Plan.
S-3.7 Water Supply and System Redundancy. We monitor our water system to manage and ensure adequate firefighting water supplies.
S-3.8 Fire Prevention through Environmental Design. We require new development to incorporate fire prevention consideration in the design of streetscapes, sites, open spaces, and buildings. (Link to Community Design Element) S-3.9 Resource Allocation. We analyze fire data to evaluate the effectiveness of our fire prevention and reduction strategies and allocate resources accordingly.
S-4 Noise Hazards
Physical health, psychological wellbeing, social cohesion, property values and economic productivity can all be affected by excessive amounts of noise. Ontario has many mobile and stationary sources of noise, impacts from them must be considered in development decisions.
Goal S-4 An environment where noise does not adversely affect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
Policies
S-4.1 Noise Mitigation. We utilize the City’s Noise Ordinance, building codes, and subdivision and development codes to mitigate noise impacts. 1757
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S-4.2 Coordination with Transportation Authorities. We collaborate with airport owners, FAA, Caltrans, SBCTA, SCAG, neighboring jurisdictions, and other transportation providers in the preparation and maintenance of, and updates to transportation-related plans to minimize noise impacts and provide appropriate mitigation measures.
S-4.3 Airport Noise Mitigation. We aggressively pursue funding and utilize programs to reduce effects of aircraft noise in impacted areas of our community.
S-4.4 Truck Traffic. We manage truck traffic to minimize noise impacts on sensitive land uses.
S-4.5 Roadway Design. We design streets and highways to minimize noise impacts.
S-4.6 Airport Noise Compatibility. We utilize information from Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans to prevent the construction of new noise-sensitive land uses within airport noise impact zones.
S-4.7 Rail Noise Mitigation. We require residential and mixed use development of vibration-sensitive uses in areas within 200 feet of rail to evaluate for indoor vibration levels and mitigate any exceedances of the Federal Transit Administration vibration-annoyance criteria.
S-5 Wind-Related Hazards
Severe windstorms can pose a significant risk to property and life in the region by creating conditions that disrupt essential systems such as public utilities, telecommunications, and transportation routes. High winds, including Santa Ana winds, can cause damage to homes, businesses, landscaping, public property, and utilities, as well as pose threats to public safety through the accelerated spread of a fire. The alluvial sand that underlies the majority of Ontario is very susceptible to erosion, and strong winds cause this sand to impact property, air quality, and visibility.
Goal S-5 Minimize the risk of injury, property damage, and economic loss resulting from windstorms and wind-related hazards.
Policies
S-5.1 Dust Control Measures. We require the implementation of Best Management Practices for dust control at all excavation and grading projects.
S-5.2 Grading in High Winds. We prohibit excavation and grading during strong wind conditions, as defined by the Building Code.
S-5.3 Public Safety Power Shutoffs. We coordinate with utility companies to minimize service interruptions, such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs, before, during, and after windstorms and wind-related hazards.
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S-6 Hazardous Materials & Waste
Ontario’s role as a transportation hub and manufacturing center is key to the City’s economy.
However, these uses make the city susceptible to spills of toxic materials and vulnerable to the byproducts generated in industrial areas. Earthquakes, fires, floods, and strong winds all increase the potential of a hazardous materials release, contaminating the land, air, and water. Of particular concern is exposure to airborne pollutants and groundwater contamination.
Goal S-6 Reduced potential for hazardous materials exposure and contamination.
Policies
S-6.1 Disclosure and Notification. We enforce disclosure laws that require all users, producers, and transporters of hazardous materials and wastes to clearly identify the materials that they store, use, or transport.
S-6.2 Response to Hazardous Materials Releases. We respond to hazardous materials incidents and coordinate these services with other jurisdictions.
S-6.3 Safer Alternatives. We minimize our use of pesticides and other hazardous materials by choosing non-toxic alternatives that do not pose a threat to the environment, especially when it could affect public park facilities and open spaces.
S-6.4 Safe Storage and Maintenance Practices. We require that the users of hazardous materials be adequately prepared to prevent and mitigate hazardous materials releases.
S-6.5 Location of Hazardous Material Facilities. We regulate facilities that will be involved in the production, use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials, pursuant to federal, state, county, and local regulations, so that impacts to the environment and sensitive land uses are mitigated. We prohibit new hazardous waste facilities in close proximity to sensitive land uses and environmental justice areas.
S-6.6 Location of Sensitive Land Uses. We prohibit new sensitive land uses from locating within airport safety zones and near existing sites that use, store, or generate large quantities of hazardous materials. (Link to Land Use Element) S-6.7 Household Hazardous Waste. We support the proper disposal of household hazardous substances.
S-6.8 Mitigation and Remediation of Groundwater Contamination. We actively participate in local and regional efforts directed at both mitigating environmental exposure to contaminated groundwater and taking action to clean up contaminated groundwater once exposure occurs.
S-6.9 Remediation of Methane. We require development to assess and mitigate the presence of methane, per regulatory standards and guidelines. 1759
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S-7 Law Enforcement
Maintaining health and safety in Ontario’s residential neighborhoods and commercial and industrial districts contributes to the City’s prosperity. Ontario achieves this through a proactive approach that includes prevention strategies that engage the community.
Goal S-7 Residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and industrial districts that are kept safe through a multi-faceted approach of prevention, suppression, and community involvement in public safety.
Policies
S-7.1 Police Unit Response. We respond to calls for service in a timely manner.
S-7.2 Community Oriented Problem Solving (C.O.P.S.). We support and maintain the mission of COPS to identify and resolve community problems.
S-7.3 Prevention Services. We provide crime prevention programs targeted to youth, parents, seniors, businesses, and neighborhoods.
S-7.4 Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). We require new development to incorporate CPTED in the design of streetscapes, sites, open spaces, and buildings.
S-7.5 Interdepartmental Coordination. We utilize all City departments to help reduce crime and promote public safety.
S-7.6 Partnerships. We partner with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and private security providers to enhance public safety services in Ontario.
S-7.7 Resource Allocation. We analyze crime data to evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention and reduction strategies and allocate resources accordingly.
S-7.8 Social Services. We support behavioral health and social services as part of the public safety solution.
S-8 Emergency Management
Ontario is susceptible to a variety of natural and human-caused hazards including earthquakes, floods, fires, windstorms, and hazardous materials release. While evacuation routes are located throughout the city, some neighborhoods may have evacuation constraints. Ontario seeks to reduce risks and increase resilience by building collaborative preparedness, response, and recovery programs.
Goal S-8 Disaster resilient, prepared community through effective emergency/disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
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Policies
S-8.1 State and Federal Mandates. We maintain emergency management programs that meet the requirements of the State of California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
S-8.2 Emergency Management Plans. We maintain, update, and adopt the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and incorporate, by reference the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
S-8.3 Emergency/Disaster Training Exercises. We conduct training and exercises to prepare for and evaluate emergency/disaster response and recovery procedures.
S-8.4 Interagency Collaboration. We maintain partnerships, including automatic aid agreements, with fire protection, police and sheriff departments, and emergency management agencies in San Bernardino and Riverside County to strengthen emergency response.
S-8.5 Interdepartmental Coordination. We utilize all City departments to help support emergency/disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
S-8.6 Community Outreach. We provide education to the community to promote personal, family, and community emergency preparedness to both natural and human-generated hazards.
S-8.7 Extreme Heat and Air Quality. We work to ensure that all community members are informed about and have access to community cooling centers and clean air centers during extreme heat events or wildfires, with a focus on serving environmental justice communities. We support the development of extreme heat emergency response policies and practices to address these critical health risks in the community.
S-8.8 Regional Partnerships for Climate Adaptation. We partner with local governments in San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and Inland Southern California Climate Collaborative to develop regional climate change adaptation strategies and programs.
S-8.9 Backup Power in Critical Facilities. We require backup power be maintained in critical facilities. We encourage backup power solutions that include renewable energy components.
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S-9 Energy Resiliency
Maintaining an efficient and resilient energy supply for Ontario’s residents and businesses helps ensure continuity of economic drivers and city operations. Ontario attains energy resiliency through creating local, renewable energy and battery storage systems, constructing new buildings and retrofitting existing ones to use less electricity and natural gas.
Goal S-9 Incorporate energy efficient practices and renewable energy systems to improve air quality, comfort, and energy reliability during temporary power outages.
S-9.1 Solar Energy. We support and may incentivize the installation of residential and commercial solar panels and battery storage systems that can provide electricity during power outages.
S-9.2 Renewable Energy. Renovate existing city-owned facilities and plan future facilities to include renewable energy generation capacity and battery storage as part of an effort to make public facilities and services greener and more resilient to power outages.
S-9.3 Energy Efficiency Retrofits. We support and may incentivize retrofits to residential and commercial buildings that improve energy efficiency and insulation from extreme temperatures, giving priority towards low-income applicants. 1762
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Exhibits: Figures
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S-01 Regional Faults & Fault Zones
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S-02 Subsidence Zones
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S-03 Flood Hazard Zones
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S-04 Dam Inundation Zones
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S-05 Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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S-06a Future Traffic Noise Contours
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S-06b Future Rail Noise Contours
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S-06c Airport Noise Contours
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S-07 Hazardous Materials Cleanup Sites
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S-08 Critical Facilities
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S-09 Evacuation Constrained Areas
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S-10 Evacuation Routes
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Exhibits: Documents Incorporated by Reference
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Vulnerability Assessment Report
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MOBILITY ELEMENT
Introduction
Ontario is strategically located within a regional transportation network that includes an international airport with passenger and air cargo operations, three freeways, three freight rail lines, commuter and passenger rail services, public transit and a local network of streets and multi-purpose trails. This network provides multimodal transportation options for those traveling within, to or through the City. This robust system creates unique opportunities for Ontario as a regional jobs hub and a complete community. Ontario’s Vision to concentrate growth in key locations will allow the City to capitalize on this transportation system.
Ontario’s Vision is that there will be more mobility options as the City and the region grow.
Personal vehicles will continue to provide individual mobility and flexibility for travel, though fuel systems will change, and guidance technology will become much more sophisticated. Bus travel will be a convenient and reliable option. The commuter rail system will provide service all day throughout the region and high-speed rail may be developed for longer-distance trips. Air travel will be linked through a future multimodal station in close proximity to ONT airport where access to many modes of transit will be available. Freight transportation via trucks, rail and air cargo will provide efficient movement of goods to the City, region, and beyond while minimizing negative impacts.
The mobility system will be coordinated with future land use patterns and levels of buildout.
Access and connectivity to mobility options will be integrated into neighborhoods, center, corridors and districts. The placement of housing, jobs and amenities in closer proximity to each other and design strategies focused on the pedestrian and a variety of multimodal options will make walking and other forms of active transportation a desirable alternative to driving.
Purpose
The Mobility Element:
• Provides overall guidance for the City’s responsibility to satisfy the local and subregional mobility needs of our residents, visitors, and businesses while maintaining the quality of life outlined in the Vision. • Coordinates the mobility system with future land use patterns and levels of buildout. • Addresses access and connectivity among the various neighborhoods, centers, corridors, and districts.
• Addresses the range of mobility options, including vehicular, trucking, freight and passenger rail, air, pedestrian, bicycle, other modes of active transportation, and transit.
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Principles
The City believes:
• Access to convenient local and regional mobility options is essential to the City’s growth and prosperity.
• A comprehensive multimodal mobility system is vital to providing equitable access to jobs, schools, shopping, services, parks, and other key destination points for people of all abilities and incomes.
• Transportation systems should reflect the context and desired character of the surrounding land uses.
• Well designed and maintained roadways, sidewalks, and bikeways are essential for the safe and efficient movement of goods and people.
• Transportation routes and theirrights-of-way should be planned and preserved based upon projected travel demands.
Goals & Policies
M-1 Roadway System
Ontario’s roadway system must meet multiple goals. It must provide convenient access and be safe, free flowing, visually appealing, multifunctional and in context with its surroundings. The roadway system should be designed to provide the necessary capacity to accommodate the traffic generated from the future buildout of the Land Use Plan while maintaining feasible Level of Service standards. The street rights-of-way also need to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, landscaping, traffic control devices, and infrastructure in a manner that is safe and aesthetically pleasing. Exhibit M-01, Roadway Classifications shows the hierarchy of our roadway system, consistent with the guidelines of the Federal Highway Administration.
Goal M-1 A system of roadways that meets the mobility needs of a dynamic and prosperous Ontario.
Policies
M-1.1 Roadway Design and Maintenance. We require our roadways to:
1. Comply with federal, state, and local design and safety standards;
2. Meet the needs of multiple transportation modes and users;
3. Handle the capacity envisioned in the City of Ontario Master Plan of Streets and Highways;
4. Be maintained in accordance with best practices;
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5. Be compatible with the streetscape and surrounding land uses; and
6. Promote the efficient flow of all modes of traffic through the implementation of intelligent transportation systems and travel demand management strategies.
(Link to Community Design Element Policies CD-2.5, CD-2.6, CD-2.16, CD-3.3) M-1.2 Mitigation of Impacts. We require development to mitigate its traffic impacts.
M-1.3 Agency Coordination on Roadway Improvements. We work with Caltrans, SBCTA, and others to identify, fund, and implement needed improvements to roadways when necessary. We work with neighboring jurisdictions to promote regional connectivity, access, and meet operational level of service standards at the City limits.
M-1.4 Complete Streets. We work to provide a complete, balanced, context-aware, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, seniors, movers of commercial goods, and users of public transportation. We prioritize implementation of complete streets improvements in environmental justice areas to facilitate opportunities for residents to use active transportation systems.
M-1.5 Level of Service. Maintain a peak hour Level of Service (LOS) E or better at all intersections. Maintain Level of Service D or better on arterial streets in the City.
Develop and maintain a list of locations where LOS E or LOS F are considered acceptable and would be exempt from this level of service policy. Considerations for LOS exemption include being restricted by environmental constraints, lacking available right-of-way, deterring an increase in VMT, or degrading other modes of travel (such as bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure).
M-1.6 Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled. We will strive to reduce VMT through a combination of land use, transportation projects, travel demand management strategies, and other trip reduction measures in coordination with development projects and public capital improvement projects.
M-2 Active Transportation
In Ontario, active modes of transportation, such as walking and bicycling, promote a healthy lifestyle, improve air quality and traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the road, help to provide equitable access for people of different abilities and incomes to all areas of the City, and play a key role in creating vibrant neighborhoods, centers, corridors, and districts.
Promoting development patterns and a mix of land uses that encourage active transportation combined with requiring thoughtful design of our trails, rights-of-way, buildings, and public realm to create a safe, comfortable, and convenient experience is integral to establishing a robust active transportation network.
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Goal M-2 A system of trails and corridors that facilitate and encourage active modes of transportation.
Policies
M-2.1 Active Transportation. We maintain our Active Transportation Master Plan to create a comprehensive system of on- and off-street bikeways and pedestrian facilities that are safe, comfortable, and accessible and connect residential areas, businesses, schools, parks, and other key destination points.
M-2.2 Bicycle System. We provide off-street multipurpose trails and Class II bikeways as our preferred paths of travel and use the Class III for connectivity in constrained circumstances. When truck routes and bicycle facilities share a right-of-way, we prefer Class I or Class IV bicycle facilities. We require new development to include bicycle facilities, such as bicycle parking and secure storage areas.
M-2.3 Pedestrian Walkways. We require streets to include sidewalks and visible crosswalks at major intersections where necessary to promote safe and comfortable mobility between residential areas, businesses, schools, parks,recreation areas, and other key destination points. (Link to Community Design Policy CD-3.3) M-2.4 Network Opportunities. We use public rights-of-way and easements such as, utility easements, levees, drainage corridors, road rights-of-way, medians, and other potential options to maintain and expand our bicycle and pedestrian network. In urban, mixed- use, and transit-oriented Place Types, we encourage the use of underutilized public and private spaces to expand our public realm and improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. (Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types Section) M-3 Public Transit
Public transportation plays an important role in providing an equitable and comprehensive transportation system and is essential to achieving the Vision. It provides an alternative mode of transportation for motorists and a primary mode for the transit dependent. Though the development and operation of most public transit services and facilities are outside the City’s authority, the City actively promotes transit through sound land planning, urban design, and active participation in regional transportation agencies.
Future features of the public transit system in Ontario could include a new multimodal transit center, more extensive and frequent local bus service, higher-speed bus rapid transit corridors for longer trips, more Metrolink trains that connect to other regional hubs, convenient transfer centers, light and high-speed rail connections, improved feeder systems, connections to the City's active transportation network, and future land use patterns that are designed to promote transit use.
Goal M-3 A public transit system that is a viable alternative to automobile travel and meets basic transportation needs of the transit-dependent.
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Policies
M-3.1 Transit Partners. We maintain a proactive working partnership with transit providers to ensure that adequate public transit service is available, cost-efficient, and convenient, particularly for residents in environmental justice areas.
M-3.2 Alternative Transit Facilities at New Development. We require new development adjacent to an existing or planned transit stop to contribute to the creation of transit facilities, such as bus shelters, transit bays and turnouts, and bicycle facilities, such as secure storage areas.
M-3.3 Transit-Oriented Development. We may provide additional development-related incentives to those inherent in the Land Use Plan for projects that promote transit use and reduce vehicle miles traveled.
M-3.4 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors. We work with regional transit agencies to implement BRT service and reduce vehicle miles traveled by targeting destinations and corridors with the highest number of potential riders.
M-3.5 Light Rail. We support extension of the Metro Rail Gold Line to Ontario, and will work to secure station locations at the proposed multimodal transit center.
M-3.6 Metrolink Expansion. We advocate expansion of Metrolink service to include the Downtown and the multimodal transit center.
M-3.7 High Speed Rail. We encourage the development of high-speed rail systems that would enhance regional mobility in Southern California and serve the City of Ontario.
M-3.8 Feeder Systems. We work with regional transit agencies to secure convenient feeder service from the Metrolink station and the proposed multimodal transit center to employment centers in Ontario.
M-3.9 Ontario Airport Metro Center Circulator. We will explore development of a convenient mobility system, including but not limited to shuttle service, people mover, and shared car system, for the Ontario Airport Metro Center.
M-3.10 Multimodal Transportation Center. We intend to ensure the development of a multimodal transportation center near ONT airport to serve as a transit hub with amenities for transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists transitioning to local buses, BRT, the Gold Line, high-speed rail, the proposed Ontario Airport Metro Center Circulator, and other future transit modes. We support locations for the multimodal transportation center that are north of ONT airport, between Vineyard Avenue and Interstate 15.
M-3.11 Transit and Community Facilities. We require the future development of community-wide serving facilities to be sited in transit-ready areas that can be served and made accessible by public transit. Conversely, we plan (and coordinate 1781
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with other transit agencies to plan) future transit routes to serve existing community facilities.
M-4 Goods Movement
Goods movement in Ontario is provided via trains, trucks, and airplanes. The movement of goods to and through Ontario is critical to our economy, enabling growth of industrial and transportation-related businesses in the City and region. However, planes, trucks, and trains generate noise and air pollutants and contribute to traffic congestion along flight paths and corridors and at railroad grade crossings. To mitigate these impacts, we are committed to building grade-separated rail crossings, designing and locating industrial and warehousing land uses, and developing truck routes to protect our neighborhoods from truck traffic.
Goal M-4 An efficient flow of goods through the City that maximizes economic benefits and minimizes negative impacts.
Policies
M-4.1 Truck Routes. We designate and maintain a network of City truck routes that provide for the safe and efficient transport of goods while minimizing negative impacts on local circulation and noise-sensitive land uses, as shown on Exhibit M04, Truck Routes. We will minimize conflicts on truck routes through the design and implementation of buffers between travel lanes and pedestrian and bicycle facilities on designated truck routes.
M-4.2 Regional Participation. We work with regional and subregional transportation agencies and adjacent cities to plan and implement goods movement strategies, including regional truck routes, plans and projects that improve mobility, support the efficient movement of goods, and minimize negative environmental impacts. (Link to Environmental Resources Policy ER-4.3)
M-4.3 Railroad Grade Separations. We eliminate at-grade rail crossings identified on Exhibit M-01, Roadway Classifications.
M-4.4 Environmental Considerations. We support both local and regional efforts to reduce/eliminate the negative environmental impacts of goods movement through the planning and implementation of truck routing and the development of a plan to evaluate the future needs of clean fueling/recharging and electrified truck parking.
M-4.5 Air Cargo. We support and promote a ONT airport that accommodates 1.6 million tons of cargo per year, as long as the impacts associated with that level of operations are planned for and mitigated.
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M-5 Regional Transportation
The transportation system serving Ontario, which includes three freeways, three rail mainlines and an international airport, provides our city with unparalleled regional access and is a primary reason for our tremendous potential. However, regional transportation forecasts project more congested freeways and local streets, which could limit economic development and affect quality of life. To maximize our potential and achieve our Vision, the City needs to be an active participant and leader in identifying and developing solutions to these issues through cooperative regional and subregional planning efforts.
Traditional solutions won’t be enough to solve projected future regional traffic congestion and new approaches may be needed. The City should take a leadership role at the federal, state, regional, and subregional levels to pursue the most promising strategies.
Goal M-5 A proactive leadership role in helping identify and facilitate implementation of strategies that address regional transportation challenges.
Policies
M-5.1 Regional Leadership. We maintain a leadership role to help identify and implement potential solutions to long-term regional transportation problems.
M-5.2 Land Use Compatibility with Regional Transportation Facilities. We work with ONT, railroads, Caltrans, SBCTA, and other transportation agencies to minimize impacts.
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Exhibits: Figures
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M-01 Roadway Classifications
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M-02 Multipurpose Trails & Bikeways
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M-03 Public Transit
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M-04 Truck Routes
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COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT
Introduction
All members of the community—residents, business owners, workers, visitors, and investors— need places and spaces that are both functional and appealing. Quality design of the built environment can: protect existing investments; achieve sustainable environments; create safe, comfortable, and pleasant places where people want to live, work and recreate; and add value to the community.
Purpose
The Community Design Element:
• Distinguishes Ontario as home to a unique, highly aesthetic built environment that fosters enjoyment, financial benefit, and wellbeing for the entire community. • Articulates design qualities that will create locally and regionally significant places. • Utilizes community design to help achieve the Vision in the areas of economic development, land use, housing, community health, infrastructure, and transportation.
Principles
The City believes:
• Quality design of buildings, streets, public spaces, City gateways, and open spaces is vital to prosperity and makes Ontario a place where people want to be. • Strategically located urban districts that are designed around transportation systems help define Ontario’s regional identity.
• Ontario’s unique history and heritage – expressed in its streets, landscaping and buildings – help define the community’s identity.
• Well maintained property and infrastructure are required to protect and encourage community investment.
• A diverse mix of residential and commercial neighborhoods, centers, corridors, and districts is vital to achieving the Vision.
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Goals & Policies
CD-1 Image & Identity
Ontario's Vision is to be the urban and employment center for the Inland Empire. Due to its strategic regional location, capacity for growth, and potential for intensification and urbanization of select areas, Ontario is uniquely situated to fulfill this role. However, thoughtful design choices will be required to ensure the new urban patterns and forms create distinct and complete places that complement Ontario's historic development and respects the distinct identities of the City's established viable neighborhoods.
The City’s physical form will set it apart from suburban communities in the Inland Empire by establishing new urban districts, like the Ontario Airport Metro Center, which will serve as regional employment, entertainment, and commercial hubs that are supported by a robust residential population. The planning and design of these districts should enhance the City’s image and identity within the region, state, and nation.
Existing viable neighborhoods also distinguish Ontario as a premier community with a breadth of different places for people to live, work, and play. As the City evolves, it is committed to preserving and protecting these neighborhoods, while finding ways to enhance and embrace the special character of each.
Ontario's transportation and view corridors also play an integral role in characterizing the City's image and identity. The City is traversed by three freeways, three rail lines, one state highways, and it is home to an international airport. For many visitors, the primary image of Ontario is shaped by what is seen from these transportation systems. The experience of traveling along transportation corridors should be enhanced to communicate the distinct identities of adjacent places within the City, which will entice visitors to experience more of what Ontario has to offer.
Views of the San Gabriel Mountains are visible to the north from most north-south corridors.
These views provide an important tool to orient residents, employees, and visitors within the City, and they are part of Ontario's identity.
Goal CD-1 A dynamic, progressive city containing distinct and complete places that foster a positive sense of identity and belonging among residents, visitors, and businesses.
Policies
CD-1.1 City Identity. We take actions that are consistent with the City being a leading urban center in Southern California while recognizing, enhancing, and preserving the character of our existing viable neighborhoods.
CD-1.2 Place Types. We establish Place Types in urban, mixed use, and transit-oriented areas to foster the City's identity as a premier community and require new development within each Place Type to incorporate prescribed urban patterns, forms, and placemaking priorities. (Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Types Section)
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CD-1.3 Existing Neighborhoods. We require the existing character of viable residential and non-residential neighborhoods be preserved, protected, and enhanced.
CD-1.4 Transportation Corridors. We will enhance our major transportation corridors within the City through landscape, hardscape, signage and lighting. The extent of enhancement should be appropriate to the use, type, and context of each corridor.
CD-1.5 View Corridors. We require all major north-south streets be designed and redeveloped to feature views of the San Gabriel Mountains, which are part of the City’s visual identity and a key to geographic orientation. Such views should be free of visual clutter, including billboards and may be enhanced by framing with trees.
CD-2 Design Quality
Ontario is made up of neighborhoods, commercial areas, public spaces, parks, and roadways that have developed over more than a century. This has resulted in an eclectic built environment with a rich blend of architectural styles including the historic downtown, residential neighborhoods, equestrian properties, commercial centers, and industrial and office complexes.
Intense urban, mixed use, and transit-oriented districts are envisioned to be added in strategic areas of the City, and agricultural areas of the City are expected to redevelop as part of Ontario's complete community. Designs for new urban districts, residential communities, sites, and buildings, will help to realize the City's Vision, improve connectivity, help to realize active transportation and public transit goals, and reflect its intended or existing role within the City by melding appropriate and high quality design, with attention to detail that would be expected in a preeminent Southern California city.
High quality design will be applied citywide to achieve distinct neighborhoods, centers, corridors, and districts. Buildings and places shall respect the site context and further the City’s Vision. This approach ensures all physical improvements, including the layout of new communities and urban districts, overall site design, landscaping, building design and orientation, architectural details, site furniture and building materials, coordinate help achieve vibrant places and enhance value and livability throughout the City.
Goal CD-2 A high level of design quality resulting in neighborhoods, commercial areas, public spaces, parks, and streetscapes that are attractive, safe, functional, human- scale, and distinct.
CD-2.1 Quality Building Design and Architecture. We encourage all development projects to convey visual interest and character through:
1. Building volume, massing, and height to provide context-appropriate scale and proportion;
2. A true architectural style which is carried out in plan, section, and elevation through all aspects of the building and site design and appropriate for its setting; and
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3. Exterior building materials that are articulated, high quality, durable, and appropriate for the architectural style.
CD-2.2 Neighborhood Design. We create distinct residential neighborhoods that promote a sense of community and identity by emphasizing access, connectivity, livability, and social interaction through such elements as:
1. A pattern of smaller, walkable blocks that promote activity, safety, and access to nearby amenities and services;
2. Varied parcel sizes and lot configurations to accommodate a diversity of housing types;
3. Traffic calming measures to slow traffic and promote walkability while maintaining acceptable traffic flows and emergency evacuation access;
4. Floor plans that encourage views onto the street and de-emphasize the visual and physical dominance of garages (introducing the front porch as the “outdoor living room”), as appropriate; and
5. Landscaped parkways, with sidewalks separated from the curb and designed to maximize safety, comfort, and aesthetics for all users.
CD-2.3 Commercial Areas. We desire commercial areas and centers to be distinctive, pedestrian friendly, functional, and vibrant with a range of businesses, places to gather, and connectivity to the neighborhoods they serve.
CD-2.4 Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Areas. We establish Place Types to require mixed use, urban, and transit-oriented areas to be designed and developed as pedestrian oriented areas that are integrated with adjacent neighborhoods and promote a vibrant, comfortable, and functional environment, as defined for each Place Type. (Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transitoriented Place Types Section) CD-2.5 Streetscapes. We design new and, when necessary, retrofit existing streets to improve walkability, bicycling and transit integration, strengthen connectivity, and enhance community identity through improvements to the public right-of-way such as sidewalks, street trees, parkways, curbs, street lighting and street furniture.
CD-2.6 Connectivity. We promote development of local street patterns, multimodal networks, and connected public spaces that create and unify neighborhoods, rather than divide them, and create cohesive and continuous corridors, rather than independent “islands” through the following means:
1. Local street networks that provide access both between subdivisions and within neighborhoods and discourage through traffic;
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internal neighborhood areas and adjacent arterials and to provide adequate emergency and evacuation access; and
3. Pedestrian and bicycle networks that provide convenient access to neighborhoods and nearby destinations, such as schools, parks, other public spaces, commercial areas, and transit stops.
CD-2.7 Sustainability. We collaborate with the development community to design and build neighborhoods, streetscapes, sites, outdoor spaces, landscaping, and buildings to reduce energy demand through solar orientation, maximum use of natural daylight, passive solar and natural ventilation, building form, mechanical and structural systems, building materials, and construction techniques.
CD-2.8 Safe Design. We incorporate defensible space design into new and existing developments to ensure the maximum safe travel and visibility on pathways, corridors, and open space and at building entrances and parking areas by avoiding physically and visually isolated spaces, maintaining visibility and accessibility, and using lighting.
CD-2.9 Landscape Design. We encourage durable, sustainable, and drought-tolerant landscaping materials and designs that enhance the aesthetics of structures, create and define public and private spaces, and provide shade and environmental benefits.
CD-2.10 Parking Areas. We require all development, including single-family residential, to minimize the visual impact of surface, structured, and garage parking areas visible from the public realm in an aesthetically pleasing, safe and environmentally sensitive manner. Examples include:
1. Surface parking: Shade trees, pervious surfaces, urban run-off capture and infiltration, and pedestrian paths to guide users through the parking field.
2. Structured parking: facade articulation, screening, appropriate lighting, and landscaping.
3. Garage parking: providing access to single-family residential garages through alley access, recessing garages from the frontage to emphasize front doors or active living spaces.
CD-2.11 Entry Statements. We encourage the inclusion of amenities, signage, and landscaping at the entry to neighborhoods, commercial centers, mixed use areas, industrial developments, and public places that reinforce them as uniquely identifiable places.
CD-2.12 Site and Building Signage. We encourage the use of sign programs that utilize complementary materials, colors, and themes. Project signage should be designed to effectively communicate and direct users to various aspects of the development and complement the character of the structures.
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CD-2.13 Entitlement Process. We work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure a high degree of certainty in the efficient review and timely processing of all development plans and permits.
CD-2.14 Availability of Information. We provide easy access to information for developers, builders and the public about design quality, construction quality, and sustainable building practices.
CD-2.15 Leverage Professional and Trade Organizations. We support excellence in design and construction quality through collaboration with trade and professional organizations that provide expertise, resources and programs for developers, builders, and the public.
CD-2.16 Transit Stops. We require transit stops be conveniently located, well lit, safe, and clearly accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and people of all abilities.
CD-3 Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-Oriented Place Types The development of urban, mixed use, and transit-oriented environments place new demands on the design and quality of buildings, open spaces, and public spaces. These areas, as shown on Exhibit CD-01, Place Types, are distributed throughout the city and are generally centered around areas designed as mixed use. They include a range of scales that are intended to fulfill different roles within city. However, all of the identified urban, mixed use, and transit oriented Place Type areas are envisioned as walkable environments with a safe, comfortable, and inviting public realm that encourages people to spend time.
Goal CD-3 Vibrant urban environments that are organized around intense buildings, pedestrian and transit areas, public plazas, and linkages between and within developments that are conveniently located, visually appealing and safe during all hours.
Policies
CD-3.1 Unique Identity. We promote development that heightens the unique character and identity of each Place Type by requiring compatible land uses and land planning, site design, and building design that promotes an active public realm.
CD-3.2 Comfortable, Human-Scale Public Realm. We require that public spaces, including streets, parks, and plazas on both public and private property be designed to maximize safety, comfort and aesthetics and connect to the citywide pedestrian, vehicular, and bicycle networks.
CD-3.3 Complete and Connected Network. We require that pedestrian, vehicular, and bicycle circulation on both public and private property be coordinated to provide connections internally and externally to adjacent neighborhoods and properties (existing and planned) through a system of local roads and trails that promote walking and biking to nearby destinations (including existing and planned parks, commercial areas, and transit stops) and are designed to maximize safety, comfort, and aesthetics.
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CD-3.4 Context-Aware and Appropriate Design. We require appropriate building and site design that complements existing development, respects the intent and identity of the Place Type, and provides appropriate transitions and connections between adjacent uses to ensure compatibility of scale, maintain an appropriate level of privacy for each use, and minimize potential conflicts.
CD-3.5 Active Frontages. We create lively pedestrian streetscapes by requiring primary building, business, and residential entrances, outdoor dining, and storefronts be located on ground floors adjacent to sidewalks or public spaces and designed to maximize safety, comfort, aesthetics, and the intended functionality (as defined by the Place Type).
CD-3.6 Managed Infrastructure. We collaborate with developers and property owners to facilitate development that realizes the envisioned character and functionality of the Place Type through the use of green and shared infrastructure within each Place Type.
CD-4 Historic Preservation
Ontario’s history remains one of its greatest assets. Its historic districts and resources, physical layout and the legacy of its people, businesses, social and community organizations, and industries contribute to the City’s identity. Beyond having been declared the “Model Colony,” by an act of Congress, Ontario’s history includes citrus farming, viniculture in Guasti, and dairy farming. With some of the most authentic historically distinct residential neighborhoods in Southern California, Ontario is among a handful of communities whose creative and proactive approach to historic preservation serves as a model for others. The Ontario Museum of History and Art and the City's Historic Preservation program have long recognized that the story of its businesses, industries, and people are as important as the history of its neighborhoods, buildings, streets, and landscapes.
Goal CD-4 Historic buildings, streets, landscapes, and neighborhoods, as well as the story of Ontario’s people, businesses, and social and community organizations, have been preserved and serve as a focal point for civic pride and identity.
Policies
CD-4.1 Cultural Resource Management. We update and maintain an inventory of historic sites and buildings, professional collections, artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, documents, maps, and other archives.
CD-4.2 Collaboration with Property Owners and Developers. We educate and collaborate with property owners and developers to implement strategies and best practices that preserve the character of our historic buildings, streetscapes, and unique neighborhoods.
CD-4.3 Collaboration with Outside Agencies. We pursue opportunities to team with other agencies, local organizations, and nonprofits in order to preserve and promote Ontario’s heritage.
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CD-4.4 Incentives. We use the Mills Act and other federal, state, regional and local programs to assist property owners with the preservation of select properties and structures.
CD-4.5 Adaptive Reuse. We actively promote and support the adaptive reuse of historic sites and buildings to preserve and maintain their viability.
CD-4.6 Promotion of Public Involvement in Preservation. We engage in programs to publicize and promote the City’s and the public’s involvement in preservation efforts.
CD-4.7 Public Outreach. We provide opportunities for our residents to research and learn about the history of Ontario through the Planning Department, the Ontario Museum of History and Art, and the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room.
CD-5 Protection of Investment
Communities that are well maintained, safe and visually appealing are more desirable places to live and conduct business. Properties that are continually maintained retain their value and encourage others to invest.
Goal CD-5 A sustained level of maintenance and improvement of properties, buildings, and infrastructure that protects the property values and encourages additional public and private investments.
Policies
CD-5.1 Maintenance of Buildings and Property. We require all public and privatelyowned buildings and property (including trails and easements) to be properly and consistently maintained.
CD-5.2 Maintenance of Infrastructure. We require the continual maintenance of infrastructure.
CD-5.3 Improvements to Property & Infrastructure. We provide programs to improve property and infrastructure.
CD-5.4 Neighborhood Involvement. We encourage active community involvement to implement programs aimed at the beautification and improvement of neighborhoods.
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Exhibits: Tables and Figures
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CD-01 Place Types
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CD-02 Place Type Categories
Place Types
Districts – Districts are geographically large, culturally unique, and regionally significant areas of the city that fulfill different but complementary roles in creating a complete community. As regional destinations, districts serve as the “face of the city.” Each district has a distinct identity that reflects its role within the city context and establishes a defined sense of place through the creation of an amenity-rich, transit-accessible, mixed-use environments where people can live, work, shop, dine, and have many of their daily needs met within a comfortable and convenient walk or bike ride from their residence, transit stop, or parked vehicle. 1 Downtown District
The historic center of Ontario, the Downtown District, is envisioned as the placed-based, people-focused, commercial, and cultural "heart" of the City and features several designated historic districts and landmark. Downtown will support a variety of businesses, housing opportunities for residents with a variety of income levels, creative spaces, entertainment options, and institutional and civic uses, while preserving its historic character, buildings, neighborhoods, and places. Complementing the wide mix of uses are designs, layouts and public spaces that give residents, visitors, and businesses a strong sense of connection and creates a place where people want to spend time.
2 Airport / Metro Entertainment District
The Airport / Metro Entertainment District is envisioned as a largescale regional entertainment hub, leveraging attractions, such as the Toyota Arena and Ontario Mills, supported by a variety of retail and dining options integrated alongside high-intensity office and residential development. This area will evolve into a walkable urban center through the addition of mixed use infill development, a pedestrian-oriented road and trail network, key public realm improvements, and multiple transit options.
3 Guasti District
The historic Guasti (winery) Village sets the theme and backdrop to the Guasti District. The district is envisioned to preserve and enhance the historic buildings as the focal point of a vibrant mixed use area that leverages its proximity to the Ontario International Airport, Ontario Convention Center, and the potential future development of a multimodal transit center. The district will include intensive office, commercial, and lodging uses along the I-10 corridor, and appropriately scaled residential, office, commercial, and lodging near the Guasti Village historic core. The multimodal mixed use area within the Guasti District is intended to leverage proximity to the future multimodal transportation center and link the Convention Center, Guasti compound, and airport through strong physical and visual design.
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CD-02 Place Type Categories
Place Types
4 South Euclid District
Lying at the southwest corner of the City, the South Euclid District is envisioned to develop as a vertically- and horizontally- mixed use area to serve the populations of newly developing Ontario Ranch and adjoining communities. The district will include a range of housing types integrated within and alongside retail, commercial, and office uses, as well as public spaces and trails that connect the “Great Park” to Euclid Avenue. The area is intended to be highly walkable with pedestrian-oriented site design and road network and amenitized transit stops that leverage the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) investments. 5 South Employment District
The South Employment District is envisioned to foster employeeintensive office, entertainment facilities, live/work, and supporting retail uses in a campus environment designed to leverage proximity to the “Great Park” and maintain compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Outside of the Chino Airport safety zone, higher density stand-alone and mixed use residential neighborhoods are intended to orient toward the “Great Park” and incorporate transition areas from the surrounding business park uses.
Corridors – Corridors are important components of the vehicular circulation system, moving traffic through the city and connecting to the greater region. While this remains an important role of the city's corridors, they are envisioned as vibrant and sustainable places, with a mix of uses, a variety of transportation options, and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle access to surrounding neighborhoods.
6 East Holt Boulevard Corridor
Holt Boulevard is an important east-west corridor connecting Ontario to the greater region, with improved connectivity options through the addition of BRT service. This corridor is envisioned to gradually build out over time through infill development that ultimately yields vibrant neighborhood-serving commercial areas, a variety of housing options, and employment opportunities that are clustered around BRT stops that can be easily accessed by pedestrians and bicyclists. 1800
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CD-02 Place Type Categories
Place Types
7 Inland Empire Boulevard Corridor
The Inland Empire Boulevard Corridor connects Vineyard Avenue and the Convention Center directly to the heart of the Airport / Metro Entertainment District and future BRT. Near- to mid-term improvements include the addition of significant rows of large street trees to provide shade, spatial definition, and a better pedestrian environment; the addition of new bicycle facilities, infill buildings oriented to the street, and reorientation of existing building entrances toward the street where possible. Over the longer term, this corridor has the potential to become a westward extension of the Airport / Metro Entertainment District environment.
Neighborhood Centers – Neighborhood Centers serve as local gathering places, allow for convenient access to amenities, and help to establish identity for the surrounding neighborhoods. They typically consist of locally serving commercial uses and/or other community-serving uses, and intended to be accessible by foot, bike, transit, or car for those visiting the site or residing in the surrounding area. This place type is generally applied to the area within a short walk of a single or cluster of mixed use parcels along a larger street and/or around an intersection. Neighborhood Centers can be found throughout the existing city fabric (infill) and in areas planned for future growth and development (south of Riverside Drive).
8 (a-e)
Neighborhood Center - Infill
Neighborhood Centers located in areas where the commercial and residential parcels were largely developed in an incremental manner prior to 2020, are north of Riverside Drive, and are categorized as “infill” centers. These centers will range in size, complexity, and relationship to the surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Some are very small centers that may only include a horizontal mix of uses fronting onto a wide sidewalk while others may involve a vertically integrated mix of higher density residential and nonresidential uses oriented around a public plaza or other form of open space. All of these centers are envisioned to incorporate site design that prioritizes safe, and attractive, and well-shaded pedestrian access onsite, from the public rights-of-way, and from the adjacent neighborhoods. 1801
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Place Types
8 (f-j)
Neighborhood Center – South of Riverside Drive
Neighborhood Centers identified south of Riverside Drive are generally underutilized or vacant as of 2022. These Neighborhood Centers are envisioned to bring new vitality and involve some level of master planning, with the roadway, pathways, open spaces, public realm designs, and site designs coordinated prior to the development of all of the parcels. These centers will range in size, complexity, and relationship to the surrounding streets and neighborhoods.
Some of these centers will involve a small node of mixed use development that is connected to the “Great Park” while others will involve larger clusters of mixed use areas that serve as a focus point for the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The largest of these centers are intended to serve not only as a local focal point but also as a major citywide landmark that also connects directly to the “Great Park”. All but the smallest of these centers are envisioned to consist of some amount of vertically integrated and higher intensity residential, office, and retail buildings oriented toward the “Great Park”, large public plazas, and/or large trail systems.
All of these centers are envisioned to incorporate site design that prioritizes safe, attractive, and well-shaded pedestrian access onsite, from the public rights-of-way, and from the adjacent neighborhoods.
Parking areas are to be located next to and behind buildings to provide a variety of frontages along streets.
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CD-03 Downtown District Place Type
1. Downtown District
VISION
As the historic center of Ontario, the Downtown District, is envisioned as the placed-based, people-focused, commercial, and cultural "heart" of the City and features several designated historic districts and landmarks. Downtown will support a variety of businesses, housing opportunities for residents with a variety of income levels, creative spaces, entertainment options, and institutional and civic uses while preserving its historic character, buildings, neighborhoods, and places.
Complementing the wide mix of uses are designs, layouts and public spaces that give residents, visitors, and businesses a strong sense of connection and creates a place where people want to spend time.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Low Density 2.1 to 5.0 dwelling units per
acre Single-family detached residences.
Low-Medium
Density
5.1 to11.0 dwelling units per
acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences, including small lot subdivisions, townhouses, and courtyard homes.
Medium
Density
11.1 to 25.0 dwelling units
per acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences including townhouses, courtyard homes, stacked flats, and small lot single-family subdivisions.
High Density 25.1 to 45.0 dwelling units
per acre
Multi-family dwellings including stacked flats and mid-rise and high-rise residential complexes.
Mixed Use -
Downtown
25.0 to 75.0 dwelling units per
acre
2.0 FAR for retail and office uses
Envisioned as an intensive vertical and horizontal mixture of retail, office, and residential uses in a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The historic character is enhanced. The most intensive uses are envisioned along Euclid and Holt Avenues.
Neighborhood
Commercial 0.40 FAR Local serving retail, personal service, office, and dining uses, typically located within a predominantly residential neighborhood.
Office
Commercial 0.75 FAR
An intense mixture of professional office, supported by regional serving retail, service, tourist-serving, entertainment, dining, and supporting service uses that capitalize on strategic locations in Ontario. This designation also allows for professional offices such as financial, legal, insurance, medical, and other similar uses in a neighborhood setting and/or as adaptive reuse.
Industrial 0.55 FAR
Variety of light industrial uses, including warehousing / distribution, assembly, light manufacturing, research and development, storage, repair facilities, and supporting retail and professional office uses. This designation also accommodates activities that could potentially generate impacts, such as noise, dust, and other nuisances.
Open Space -
Recreation Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Public Facility Not applicable Public facilities including civic centers, governmental institutions, police and fire stations, transportation facilities, museums, and public libraries.
Public School Not applicable Public schools (K-12) and universities.
Conceptual reconfiguration of Euclid Ave
(within existing curb-to-curb dimension)
adding a Class IV bikeway, parking lane
planters, and “off-peak” parking along the
median to maintain three travel lanes
during peak traffic volume times.
1803
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-03 Downtown District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 102
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT INTENDED OUTCOMES
This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
Downtown Ontario is the historic
economic, cultural, and civic hub
of Ontario, organized by a simple,
walkable network of treelined
streets, laid out as a new “Model
Colony” in the 1880s.
The District’s history, historic
buildings, and distinct urban
form define downtown’s unique
identity. These aspects should be
preserved, celebrated, and
enhanced to reinforce the area’s
existing identity.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
The Downtown’s public realm is a
traditional network of streets and
public open spaces that are lined
with a rich variety of buildings
built since the 1880s.
Downtown’s streets, parks, and
plazas should be enhanced as
“outdoor rooms of community,”
providing an attractive,
comfortable, safe, and lively
environment within which to
walk, explore, shop, dine, meet
friends and neighbors, and
participate in community events.
Each new public and private
improvement in this area should
reinforce a “pedestrians first”
atmosphere.
Complete and Connected
Network
Downtown Ontario’s robust grid
pattern network connects the
retail core seamlessly to
surrounding neighborhoods, Holt
Boulevard, and the Ontario
Amtrak station. The layout of
street system provides each
person with a wide range of
choices including travel route and
travel mode for each trip.
Downtown’s simple, open
network of pedestrian-friendly
streets and blocks - with
perimeters typically less than
1,600 feet – is the ideal public
realm framework for any urban,
mixed use, or transit-oriented
area, the existing block structure
should be maintained and
completed.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
Within the Euclid Avenue retail
core, buildings from various time
periods comfortably mix with
newer buildings, unified by a
number of important shared
characteristics including, 1) tall,
clear glass ground floor
shopfronts, 2) welcoming entries
along the sidewalk that reflect
original 25-foot wide lots,
3) upper floor windows that
relate to ground floor articulation
consistent with a historic main
street pattern.
Future infill development and
renovations should respect and
reflect established facade patterns
to preserve Downtown’s historic
character. The architecture of new
buildings should reflect the time
in which they are built, while
harmonizing with the scale,
rhythm, and character of their
historic predecessors.
Active Frontages
Within the retail core, the large
clear glass shopfronts built right
up to the sidewalk “blur the line”
between the outdoor public realm
and the indoor private businesses,
prominently displaying wares
and activities to passerby and in
many cases allowing those
activities – dining in particular –
to spill out onto the sidewalks and
into plazas and parks.
On side streets as one moves
toward surrounding
neighborhoods, ground floor
offices and residences require
some degree of privacy from
passersby, buildings are set back
from the sidewalk, reducing
visibility into the residence or
office, while offering views
outward to the street and other
public spaces, improving public
safety and pedestrian comfort.
Managed Infrastructure
Successful downtowns require
active and coordinated
management of parking, public
realm maintenance, special
events, business recruitment, and
on-going promotional activities to
remain competitive with other
downtown areas, lifestyle
shopping centers, and
“experience retail” destinations.
Downtown Ontario and other
regional downtowns must
compete for customers, visitors,
tenants, and events with
successful, managed districts, so
active, coordinated, management
of the Downtown District is
necessary to compete.
1804
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-04 Airport Metro / Entertainment District Place Type Public Review Draft (May 2022) 103
CD-04 Airport Metro / Entertainment District Place Type
2. Airport Metro / Entertainment District
VISION
The Airport / Metro Entertainment District is envisioned as a large-scale regional entertainment hub, leveraging attractions, such as the Toyota Arena and Ontario Mills, supported by a variety of retail and dining options integrated alongside high-intensity office and residential development. This area will evolve into a walkable urban center through the addition of mixed use infill development, a pedestrian-oriented road and trail network, key public realm improvements, and multiple transit options.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Medium
Density
11.1 to 25.0 dwelling units
per acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences including townhouses, courtyard homes, stacked flats, and small lot single-family subdivisions.
High Density 25.1 to 45.0 dwelling units
per acre
Multi-family dwellings including stacked flats and mid-rise and high-rise residential complexes.
Mixed Use -
Ontario Center
20.0 to 125.0 dwelling units per
acre
2.0 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
This area is one of the most intensive developments in Ontario and is characterized by lowrise (3-5 stories) and mid-rise (5-10 stories), mixed use buildings, iconic architecture, and regionally significant uses, such as the City owned arena and other cultural and entertainment uses. This area accommodates a vertical and horizontal mixture of entertainment, retail, office, and residential uses in an active, pedestrian oriented atmosphere. In this area, the Haven Corridor is envisioned as an elegant, landscaped boulevard lined multi-story office uses near the I-10 and mixed and residential uses closer to the City's northern boundary along 4th Street. There is an approved Specific Plan on this site that may require amendment to align with TOP.
Mixed Use -
Ontario Mills
25.0 to 85.0 dwelling units per
acre
1.5 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
This area will continue to be our regional retail center. We envision intensification of the area to include additional retail and entertainment, office, and multi-family (3-5 story) residential uses. New development is envisioned to occur along the interior loop road and the perimeter of the area. There is an approved Specific Plan on this site that may require amendment to align with TOP.
Office
Commercial 0.75 FAR
An intense mixture of professional office, supported by regional serving retail, service, tourist-serving, entertainment, dining, and supporting service uses that capitalize on strategic locations in Ontario. This designation also allows for professional offices such as financial, legal, insurance, medical, and other similar uses in a neighborhood setting and/or as adaptive reuse.
Open Space -
Recreation Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Public Facility Not applicable Public facilities including civic centers, governmental institutions, police and fire stations, transportation facilities, museums, and public libraries.
Public School Not applicable Public schools (K-12) and universities. 3 Conceptual illustration showing mixed
use infill development, streetscaping, and
public realm improvements on Concourse
Steet, near the Toyota Arena.
1805
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-04 Airport Metro / Entertainment District Place Type Public Review Draft (May 2022) 104
AIRPORT METRO / ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT INTENDED OUTCOMES This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
The Airport Metro/
Entertainment District is
envisioned as a major urban hub
with a significant concentration of
jobs, retail, entertainment, and
housing, organized around a
pedestrian-oriented street pattern
that provides a uniquely urban
experience and a rich public
realm.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
A walkable, urban-scale public
realm that includes the street
network and a series of connected
public spaces is envisioned to
create comfortable, human-scale,
pedestrian-oriented public
spaces.
To achieve this, as new infill
development occurs, surface
parking lots should be
reorganized into smaller blocks
by introducing new public and
private streets that extend
through parking areas to establish
a walkable network.
New streets should include
generous sidewalks, large shade
trees, and new buildings should
be sited and designed to form a
strong “streetwall” of urban
buildings that define the public
spaces.
Complete and Connected
Network
The existing street network
should be reorganized by adding
additional local roads (public and
private) that incorporate linkages
through existing parking lots to
create a walkable block pattern
with high-quality pedestrian,
bicycle, and transit facilities.
In addition to adding more local
streets, modifications to existing
streets, such as new bicycle
facilities, new curbside parking,
new bus stops, and new shade
trees should be considered to
ensure multimodal connectivity,
and create walkable, enjoyable
urban spaces.
The District’s multimodal network
of streets, trails, and transit
options should link to nearby
destinations, including the Ontario
International Airport (ONT),
Downtown and Guasti Districts,
the multimodal transit center, and
nearby Metrolink stations.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
Just as existing major streets can
be updated to radically improve
walkability and urban character,
many existing buildings can be
updated to provide better streetfacing frontages. New infill development, on the other hand,
should be sited and designed to
front sidewalk and other public
spaces to establish “outdoor
rooms” where people want to
spend time.
The scale of buildings in this
District is envisioned to range
from 2 and 3 stories up to 10.
Taller buildings should be sited
and designed to shape the
adjacent public spaces, and
providing views of the San
Bernardino Mountains and
surrounding city from the
windows, balconies and roof
terraces.
Active Frontages
Commercial frontages in this
District should be characterized
by tall, clear glass ground floors
filled with restaurants and bars,
nightclubs and music venues,
retail shops, restaurants, and
offices. Many of the District’s
streets – as well as other open
spaces such as plazas, squares,
courtyards, balconies, and roof
terraces – will be activated by
outdoor dining and other interior
uses that spill into the street,
creating a lively street life and
blurring the line between outdoor
and indoor uses.
Residential and office uses should
overlook the public realm from
upper floors, and on some local
streets ground floor.
Managed Infrastructure
Active and coordinated management
of the public realm will be critical
to the success of the
Entertainment District as it
becomes an increasingly vibrant,
active, and intense urban
environment.
Shared parking, should be
prioritized to efficiently utilize
parking throughout the day, limit
the amount of land needed to
accommodate parking, encourage
people to park once and walk to a
variety of destinations within the
District, and promote transit
ridership.
In addition to shared infrastructure,
shared maintenance and
management of public open
spaces throughout the District
would ensure a cohesive,
efficient, and coordinated series
of public spaces.
1806
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-05 Guasti District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 105
CD-05 Guasti District Place Type
3. Guasti District
VISION
The historic Guasti (winery) Village sets the theme and backdrop for the Guasti District. The district is envisioned to preserve and enhance the historic buildings as the focal point of a vibrant mixed use area that leverages its proximity to the Ontario International Airport, Ontario Convention Center, and the potential future development of a multimodal transit center. The district will include intense office, commercial, and lodging uses along the I-10 corridor, and — appropriately-scaled residential, office, commercial, and lodging near the Guasti Village historic district core. The multimodal mixed use area within the Guasti District is intended to leverage proximity to the future multimodal transportation center and link the Convention Center, Guasti compound, and airport through strong physical and visual design. .
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Mixed Use -
Guasti
25.0 to 65.0 dwelling units
per acre
1.0 FAR for office and retail
uses
This site includes the Guasti Winery, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. This area is envisioned as a mixture of high-quality office, lodging, retail and residential uses that incorporate the Guasti Winery. More intensive office and commercial uses are envisioned along I-10 while office, commercial, and lodging uses are envisioned in and around the historic structures; the southern portion of the area is being considered as potential site for the multimodal transit center. There is an approved Specific Plan on this site that may require amendment to align with TOP.
Mixed Use -
Multimodal
20.0 to 80.0 dwelling units
per acre
1.0 FAR for office and retail
uses
The Multimodal Mixed Use Area is under consideration for our future multimodal transit station that links rail, regional, local, and Airport transit. Intensive office, retail, and residential uses are envisioned to be integrated with the transit station, which is expected to be within the area or in close proximity. The transit center is envisioned as an iconic, convenient, and intuitively designed multimodal transportation center that serves the City of Ontario and the region at-large.
Open Space -
Non-Rec Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Guasti Village will be the heart of a
unique retail/entertainment district and
destination that is unlike any-thing else in
the city or broader region.
1807
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-05 Guasti District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 106
GUASTI DISTRICT INTENDED OUTCOMES
This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
The remaining historic buildings,
structures, landscape, and spatial
relationships that represent the
viticulture company town of
Guasti Village establish a clear
and unique identity that will be
preserved and celebrated as the
area evolves into a unique urban
hub that blends modern mixed
use development, hospitality,
jobs, housing, and transit access
with the historic agrarian scale,
character, and landscapes of the
original Guasti (winery) Village.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
A new network of comfortable,
human-scale, pedestrian-oriented
public spaces that preserve and
enhance the historic site is
envisioned within this District.
To achieve this, a new network of
pedestrian-oriented, shaded,
treelined streets, and other public
open spaces should be
established. The design of the
overall District should celebrate
and connect the historic site to
other points of interest such as the
Ontario Convention Center,
Ontario International Airport
(ONT), and a planned
multimodal transit center.
Existing heritage trees should be
utilized to offer shade, define the
boundaries of public spaces, and
provide wind-protection.
Complete and Connected
Network
A walkable block structure, similar
in scale to the Downtown District,
is envisioned to create connections
between the Ontario International
Airport (ONT), the Ontario
Convention Center, the Guasti site,
higher intensity uses along the I-10
corridor, and the District’s
multimodal transit options including
BRT service, Ontario Airport Loop,
and creation of the city’s
multimodal transit center.
The street pattern should be
augmented by a network of public
spaces that blend the District’s
historical roots with more urban
forms of land use.
Within this walkable block structure,
some variation may occur. For
example, some blocks may be
dedicated entirely to surface or
structured parking to accommodate
the needs of regional-serving retail
uses and businesses.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
This District is located between
the I-10 freeway, and ONT
airport, with limited transitions
between this area and other uses.
As a result, context aware design
should focus on providing
appropriate transitions between
the historic site within the
District, the more intense uses
along the I-10 corridor, and the
hospitality uses near the Ontario
Convention Center.
Buildings of all scales should be
sited and designed to spatially
define the network of local streets
and open spaces.
Active Frontages
The array of uses envisioned for
this District requires a flexible
palette of frontage activation
strategies.
Streetscapes and open spaces
adjacent to office and employment
uses should be activated by large
main entries, lobbies, bike parking
areas and employee break rooms
and yards. Retail, restaurant, and
entertainment uses should
incorporate large windows that
encourages uses to spill out into the
street. Hotels or other hospitality
uses should face the public realm
with lobbies and restaurants, and
housing should serve to activate
some of the smaller streets, green
spaces, and paseos by orienting
lobbies, community rooms, terraces,
courtyards, and balconies towards
public spaces in a way that
provides residents with both
privacy and views of the streets
and other public open spaces.
Managed Infrastructure
To reduce the land area devoted
to parking cars to the practical
minimum, it will be important
that good transit service is
provided to the District by the
several lines currently in the
planning stages, and that shared
parking facilities are provided
and actively managed.
Coordinated maintenance and
management of public and
common area landscaping and
lighting within cohesive areas of
the District should also be
required.
1808
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-06 South Euclid District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 107
CD-06 South Euclid District Place Type
4. South Euclid District
VISION
Lying at the southwest corner of the city, the South Euclid District is envisioned to develop as a vertically- and horizontally mixed use area to serve the populations of newly developing Ontario Ranch and adjoining communities. The district will include a range of housing types integrated within and alongside retail, commercial, and office uses, as well as public spaces and trails that connect the "Great Park" to Euclid Avenue.
The area is intended to be highly walkable with pedestrian-oriented site design and road network and amenitized transit stops that leverage the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) investments.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Medium
Density
20.1 to 25.0 dwelling units
per acre1
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences including townhouses, courtyard homes, stacked flats, and small lot single-family subdivisions.
Mixed Use -
Great Park
14.01 to 65.0 dwelling units per
acre
1.5 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to Specific Plan1
The Great Park Mixed Use Areas are envisioned as the southwestern activity centers for citizens of Ontario. These areas accommodate a vertical and horizontal mixture of commercial, office, entertainment, and residential uses all connecting to the Great Park with a pedestrian oriented atmosphere. It is envisioned that the major roads through these Mixed Use areas are couplets, which are a series of one-way streets that disperse traffic and allow reduced street widths, maximize the sense of community, and emphasize pedestrian accessibility. These Mixed Use areas are envisioned as low-rise (3-5 stories) with some mid-rise (5-10 stories) near the intersection of Euclid and Edison/Ontario Ranch Road.
Open Space -
Non-Rec Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Note:
1. All medium density and mixed use parcels within the South Euclid District are within the affordable housing overlay zoning district. The overlay, 1) sets a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre; 2) waives the specific plan requirement if there is no existing specific plan and the proposed project includes 20 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 1 requirements outlined in the development code; and 3) allows a maximum density of 30 dwelling units per acre in the medium density land use category if the project includes 25 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 2 requirements outlined in the development code.
A new mixed use and lifestyle center
within the South Euclid District would
create a destination and amenity for
neighborhoods in south Ontario - as well
as surrounding neighborhoods in Chino,
Eastvale, and beyond.
1809
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-06 South Euclid District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 108
SOUTH EUCLID DISTRICT INTENDED OUTCOMES
This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
The design character of the South
Euclid District is envisioned to be
varied, with a retail and civic core
near Euclid Avenue that acts as a
high-quality lifestyle center, with
a highly walkable system of local
roads, building and site design
that enhance the pedestrian
experience, and a connected
network of outdoor spaces that
link the larger open spaces of the
“Great Park” and provide access
to transit stops. The District will
include a variety of attached and
multifamily housing types in a
very walkable, sustainable, and
urban neighborhood setting.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
The public realm in the South Euclid
District is envisioned as a walkable
local street pattern that links a
network of other public spaces, like
plazas and parks, together,
ultimately connecting to the “Great
Park.” The public realm is defined
by thoughtfully designed adjacent
buildings and appropriate landscaping.
To achieve this, buildings should be
sited to create inviting outdoor
spaces, and facades should be
articulated at regular intervals.
Indoor uses should engage adjacent
public spaces. Retail shops and
restaurants should face wide,
shaded sidewalks that provide
opportunities for indoor uses, such
as dining, to spill out into the street.
Whenever possible, commercial
parking should be located in shared
parking lots or structures within
blocks behind shops and buildings,
while residential parking should be
alley-loaded.
Complete and Connected
Network
The South Euclid District is
envisioned to be organized around
a simple connective block structure
that is similar in scale to the
Downtown District, with typical
blocks that are approximately 1,600
feet in perimeter, a size that
facilitates pedestrian activity.
The street pattern should logically
and conveniently link to
neighborhoods within and next to
the District, and the public space
network within the District should
establish a strong connection to the
“Great Park”, linking it to the
District, Euclid Avenue, and transit
stops along Ontario Ranch Road.
Some variation in the pattern may
occur. Streets may be closed to
vehicular access, with buildings
fronting public spaces. Alternatively,
blocks may be dedicated to surface
or structured parking to serve retail
and business uses. Maintaining safe
and convenient pedestrian access
should be prioritized.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
Buildings should be designed and
scaled relative to the spaces they
front.
In commercial areas, buildings may
include vertically mixed use
projects with commercial on the
ground floor, and housing or
offices on the upper floors, standalone multifamily housing, or stand-alone office buildings. Less
intense development is envisioned
to the east along the “Great Park”
frontage with, one- to three-story
commercial, residential, and office
uses that provide a strong presence
and enhance the pedestrian
environment.
Housing should reflect the scale,
massing, and character of nearby
buildings, with higher density
apartments near the commercial
core and around transit stops,
transitioning to smaller scale
multifamily and attached homes
near adjacent neighborhoods.
Active Frontages
Within the commercial areas,
ground floor building design
should incorporate tall, clear
shopfronts that blur the line
between outdoor and indoor
environments and allow for
activities like outdoor dining to
occupy adjacent sidewalks or
other public spaces.
Residential buildings should be
sited and designed to engage the
street while maintaining privacy.
Front doors and stoops should
front the street and outdoor living
spaces should overlook
residential street and spaces.
Managed Infrastructure
Coordinated management of
District-wide facilities and
infrastructure will play an
integral role in fostering a robust
pedestrian atmosphere.
Shared parking strategies in the
commercial core should be
established to encourage visitors
to park once and enjoy the area on
foot, fully utilize available
parking at all times of day, and
provide flexibility to better adapt
to changes in land use as well as
changing trends in how people
travel.
Shared maintenance should also
be established to provide efficient,
consistent, and sustainable
maintenance and management of
public spaces.
1810
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-07 South Employment District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 109
CD-07 South Employment District Place Type
5. South Employment District
VISION
The South Employment District is envisioned to foster employee-intensive office, entertainment facilities, live/work, and supporting retail uses in a campus environment designed to leverage proximity to the Great Park and maintain compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Outside of the Chino Airport safety zone, higher density stand-alone and mixed use residential neighborhoods are intended to orient toward the Great Park and incorporate transition areas from the surrounding business park uses.
.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Mixed Use -
Eucalyptus /
Chino Airport
Overlay
25.0 to 45.0 dwelling units per
acre (outside of airport safety
zone)
2.0 FAR for office and verticallymixed uses
0.60 FAR for business park and
retail uses
Subject to Specific Plan1
Envisioned to primarily accommodate employee-intensive office, entertainment facilities, live/work, and supporting retail uses in a campus environment designed to leverage proximity to the park and maintain compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Stand-alone and mixed use residential is permitted outside of the Chino Airport safety zone, primarily centered on Grove. Business park uses, such as research and development and “clean” industrial are also permitted provided they do not involve the frequent use of trucks (Class 4 or higher) as part of its primary activities.
Open Space -
Recreation Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Note:
1. All mixed use parcels within the South Employment District are within the affordable housing overlay zoning district. The overlay, 1) sets a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre; 2) waives the specific plan requirement if there is no existing specific plan and the proposed project includes 20 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 1 requirements outlined in the development code; and 3) allows a maximum density of 30 dwelling units per acre in the medium density land use category if the project includes 25 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 2 requirements outlined in the development code.
The Great Park-inspired, campus-like
setting of the South Employment District
will attract a variety of employment
generating uses.
1811
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-07 South Employment District Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 110
SOUTH EMPLOYMENT DISTRICT INTENDED OUTCOMES
This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
The South Employment District is
envisioned as an employment
hub with integrated residential
uses concentrated around Grove
Avenue, and supporting
commercial uses, set in a campuslike environment. Proximity to the “Great Park,” higher-density
housing, and transit
opportunities along Ontario
Ranch Road will drive the success
of this District as a pedestrianfirst, transit-oriented campus.
A roadway between the mixed
use area and the southern park
boundary will provide public
access to the “Great Park” from
within the District, and attract
visitors to the area outside of
office hours.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
A complete network of complete
streets will combine with Great
Park access to form the
foundation for establishing a
comfortable, human-scale public
realm in this District.
The “Great Park” will bring broad
open spaces and citywide trail
connections into this area, which
should connect to the new
network of streets.
The planned roadways in this
area provide the foundation for a
walkable network of streets and
sidewalks, but an interconnected
system of secondary local streets
that link public spaces to the
Great Park should be established.
Complete and Connected
Network
The South Employment District is
envisioned to be organized
around a connective multimodal
network in a campus-like
environment.
Portions of the network will
provide vehicular accesses, but
circulation within the District will
focus on providing pedestrian
and bicycle connections between
residences, employment centers,
the “Great Park,” and transit
stops along Ontario Ranch Road
through a network of
interconnected pedestrian malls,
local streets, and other public
spaces.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
Buildings in this District are expected
to range from 2 to 4-stories in height,
with simple massing, and modern
design.
Uses may include office, apartments,
attached residential, vertically mixed
use projects, buildings that mix offices
with and supporting retail and
commercial uses. “Clean industrial”
and business park uses like R&D and
maker spaces should be clustered near
Eucalyptus Avenue, and buildings
should have minimal dock doors.
To ensure compatibility within and
adjacent to the District, housingshould
be located near the "Great Park.”
oriented toward quieter local streets
and open spaces, and screened from
parking, loading areas, and noises
produced by nearby uses.
Commercial uses should be
concentrated at strategic locations
where they are convenient to workers,
residents, and visitors, accessible by all
travel modes, and located between
major destinations and transit stops.
Active Frontages
Buildings in this District are
envisioned to have large
footprints and simple massing.
They should be designed to
activate the public spaces by
locating primary entrances, main
lobbies, bike parking areas,
employee lunchrooms, outdoor
break areas, and other active uses
along those frontages. Long walls
should be articulated using
appropriately placed windows,
architectural details, and humanscale landscaping. Uses that benefit from limited fenestration
should be located toward the rear
of the building, while commercial,
office, and residential uses should
overlook adjacent public spaces.
Service areas like, trash
enclosures, loading docks, and
utility service entrances should be
located to the rear of the
buildings, along alleys, loading
areas, and parking area.
Managed Infrastructure
Coordinated management of
facilities and infrastructure will
play an integral role in
maintaining a robust district
where people want to spend time.
Shared parking strategies should
be established to encourage
visitors to park once and enjoy the
area on foot, fully utilize available
parking at all times of day, and
provide flexibility to better adapt
to changes in land use as well as
changing trends in how people
travel.
Shared maintenance should also
be established to provide efficient,
consistent, and sustainable
maintenance and management of
public spaces.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-08 Corridors Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 111
CD-08 Corridor Place Types
6. East Holt Boulevard Corridor
VISION
Holt Boulevard is an important east-west corridor connecting Ontario to the greater region, with improved connectivity options through the addition of BRT service. This corridor is envisioned to gradually build out over time through infill development that ultimately yields vibrant neighborhood-serving commercial areas, a variety of housing options, and employment opportunities that are clustered around BRT stops that can be easily accessed by pedestrians and bicyclists.
.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Low Density 2.1 to 5.0 dwelling units per
acre Single-family detached residences.
Medium
Density
11.1 to 25.0 dwelling units
per acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences including townhouses, courtyard homes, stacked flats, and small lot single-family subdivisions.
Mixed Use -
Downtown1
25.0 to 75.0 dwelling units per
acre
2.0 FAR for retail and office uses
Envisioned as an intensive vertical and horizontal mixture of retail, office, and residential uses in a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The historic character is enhanced. The most intensive uses are envisioned along Euclid and Holt Avenues.
Mixed Use -
Holt Blvd1
14.02 to 40.0 dwelling units per
acre
2.0 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
This area is envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories) intensification of the Holt Corridor.
The intent is to create identity and place along the Holt Corridor, connect the corridor to Downtown, and connect the Downtown to the Ontario Airport Metro Center.
Neighborhood
Commercial 0.40 FAR Local serving retail, personal service, office, and dining uses, typically located within a predominantly residential neighborhood.
Business Park 0.60 FAR
Employee-intensive office uses including corporate offices, technology centers, research and development, “clean” industry, light manufacturing, and supporting retail within a business park setting.
Industrial 0.55 FAR
Variety of light industrial uses, including warehousing / distribution, assembly, light manufacturing, research and development, storage, repair facilities, and supporting retail and professional office uses. This designation also accommodates activities that could potentially generate impacts, such as noise, dust, and other nuisances.
Open Space -
Non-Rec Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Public Facility Not applicable Public facilities including civic centers, governmental institutions, police and fire stations, transportation facilities, museums, and public libraries.
Notes:
1. Subject to PUD at City’s discretion.
2. Some mixed use parcels within the Holt Boulevard Corridor are within the affordable housing overlay zoning district. The overlay sets a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
Conceptual rendering showing how mixed
use and business park infill development
could create active frontages, a lively
pedestrian experience, and new public
spaces along Holt Boulevard.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-08 Corridors Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 112
7. Inland Empire Boulevard Corridor
VISION
The Inland Empire Boulevard Corridor connects Vineyard Avenue and the Convention Center directly to the heart of the Airport / Metro Entertainment District and future BRT. Near- to mid-term improvements include the addition of significant rows of large street trees to provide shade, spatial definition, and a better pedestrian environment; the addition of new bicycle facilities, infill buildings oriented to the street, and reorientation of existing building entrances toward the street where possible. Over the longer term, this corridor has the potential to become a westward extension of the Airport / Metro Entertainment District environment.
.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Mixed Use -
Meredith
14.0 to 125.0 dwelling units per
acre
3.0 FAR for office and retail uses
This area is envisioned as a mixture of mid-rise buildings, regional-serving retail and office centers, and stand-alone high density residential projects.
Mixed Use -
Inland Empire
Corridor
14.0 to 30.0 dwelling units per
acre
2.0 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
Located along Inland Empire Boulevard, this area is primarily residential with a retail center at the corner of Inland Empire Boulevard and Archibald. Commercial uses that relate to the park are envisioned for the area West of the regional park.
Office
Commercial 0.75 FAR
An intense mixture of professional office, supported by regional serving retail, service, tourist-serving, entertainment, dining, and supporting service uses that capitalize on strategic locations in Ontario. This designation also allows for professional offices such as financial, legal, insurance, medical, and other similar uses in a neighborhood setting and/or as adaptive reuse.
Industrial 0.55 FAR
Variety of light industrial uses, including warehousing / distribution, assembly, light manufacturing, research and development, storage, repair facilities, and supporting retail and professional office uses. This designation also accommodates activities that could potentially generate impacts, such as noise, dust, and other nuisances.
Open Space -
Non-Rec Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels. We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Aerial image of Inland Empire Boulevard
Corridor looking East from Vineyard
Avenue.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-08 Corridors Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 113
CORRIDOR INTENDED OUTCOMES (ALL CORRIDORS)
This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
Corridors present the opportunity
to transform an underutilized
transportation corridor into a
distinctive urban place, with infill
development including new
housing, transit-accessible job
centers, and inviting commercial
areas.
Public spaces along the
transportation corridors should
be designed to allow for widened
sidewalks, framed by street trees,
and multi-story housing, offices,
or mixed use buildings.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
The primary street, and important
cross streets within a corridor
should be designed to allow for
wide, walkable sidewalks that
provide access to new housing,
offices shops and restaurants, and
create a pedestrian experience
that is attractive, enjoyable, and
meets the daily needs of local
residents, transit riders, workers
and visitors.
The tree-lined corridor and
landscaped cross streets should
be augmented by a network of
small plazas and public spaces
that provide neighborhood
gathering points, and ideal
locations for transit stops.
Complete and Connected
Network
Access to corridor parcels and
flanking uses should be organized
as regularly spaced multimodal
streets, or access points. These
intersections should be designed
to ensure safe, comfortable, and
convenient pedestrian and bicycle
travel, with for low-speed vehicular
access at limited intervals.
Vacant, underdeveloped, and
underutilized parcels should be
organized into new walkable
blocks that link destinations
within the corridor, such as
commercial areas and transit
stops to adjacent neighborhoods
and employment centers.
Large blocks (greater than 500
feet) on corridors adjacent to
residential neighborhoods or
employment centers should
establish mid-block pedestrian
paseos to encourage people to
walk and bike to destinations
along the primary corridor street.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
The linear nature of corridors
focuses development and
investments in relatively shallow
infill sites, leaving little room to
transition from an active mixed use
environment to a quieter
neighborhood. Parcels adjacent to
residential uses should provide
seamless transitions from more
intense corridor development to
less intense neighborhoods. Types
of transitions will vary based on the
type of adjacent uses, scale of
buildings, and lot depth.
Appropriate transitions may
include, but are not limited to,
“step down” building massing that
reduces height as it approached
residential neighborhoods, landscaped
setbacks, scaled down development
overall, and interior green or public
spaces that provide a buffer
between uses.
Active Frontages
Frontages within corridors should
enable and promote human
activity in the public realm.
Retail and restaurant frontages
should have tall shopfronts that
face and wide shaded sidewalks.
Residential frontages should raise
the ground floor units above the
street to provide adequate
privacy, but not so high that
pedestrians must walk past a
blank ground floor.
All buildings should also provide
“eyes on the street” from both
ground floor and upper floor
windows, terraces, and balconies,
to improve safety for transit riders
and pedestrians.
Policy CD-3.6 Managed
Infrastructure
Segments of Urban Corridors
with significant amounts of nonresidential use are prime candidates for shared parking
districts and maintenance
districts.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-09 Neighborhood Centers Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 114
CD-09 Neighborhood Center Place Types
8 (a-e) Neighborhood Center - Infill
VISION
Neighborhood Centers located in areas where the commercial and residential parcels were largely developed in an incremental manner prior to 2020, are north of Riverside Drive, and are categorized as “infill” centers. These centers will range in size, complexity, and relationship to the surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Some are very small centers that may only include a horizontal mix of uses fronting onto a wide sidewalk while others may involve a vertically integrated mix of higher density residential and nonresidential uses oriented around a public plaza or other form of open space. All of these centers are envisioned to incorporate site design that prioritizes safe, and attractive, and wellshaded pedestrian access onsite, from the public rights-of-way, and from the adjacent neighborhoods.
.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential Intensity
Intention
Low Density 2.1 to 5.0 dwelling units per acre Single-family detached residences.
Low-Medium
Density 5.1 to 11.0 dwelling units per acre Single/multi-family attached and detached residences, including small lot subdivisions, townhouses, and courtyard homes.
Medium
Density 11.1 to 25.0 dwelling units per acre Single/multi-family attached and detached residences including townhouses, courtyard homes, stacked flats, and small lot single-family subdivisions.
High Density 25.1 to 45.0 dwelling units per acre Multi-family dwellings including stacked flats and mid-rise and high-rise residential complexes.
Mixed Use -
Neighborhood
Activity Hubs
20.0 to 75.0 dwelling units per acre
1.0 FAR for retail and office
Subject to PUD at City’s discretion
Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place along the corridor and serve the surrounding residents. [Link to Community Design Element Urban, Mixed Use, and Transitoriented Place Types Section, Community Design Element Exhibits CD-01, CD02, and CD-09] Neighborhood
Commercial 0.40 FAR Local serving retail, personal service, office, and dining uses, typically located within a predominantly residential neighborhood.
General
Commercial 0.40 FAR Local and regional serving retail, personal service, entertainment, dining, office, tourist-serving, and related commercial uses.
Office
Commercial 0.75 FAR
An intense mixture of professional office, supported by regional serving retail, service, tourist-serving, entertainment, dining, and supporting service uses that capitalize on strategic locations in Ontario. This designation also allows for professional offices such as financial, legal, insurance, medical, and other similar uses in a neighborhood setting and/or as adaptive reuse.
Business Park 0.60 FAR
Employee-intensive office uses including corporate offices, technology centers, research and development, “clean” industry, light manufacturing, and supporting retail within a business park setting.
Mixed use Neighborhood Centers are
intended to bring many daily needs and
community amenities within easy reach
of most residents.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-09 Neighborhood Centers Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 115
8 (f-j) Neighborhood Center – South of Riverside Drive
VISION
Neighborhood Centers identified south
of Riverside Drive are generally
underutilized or vacant as of 2022. These
Neighborhood Centers are envisioned to
bring new vitality and involve some level
of master planning, with the roadway,
pathways, open spaces, public realm
designs, and site designs coordinated
prior to the development of all of the
parcels. These centers will range in size,
complexity, and relationship to the
surrounding streets and neighborhoods.
Some of these centers will involve a small
node of mixed use development that is
connected to the “Great Park” while
others will involve larger clusters of
mixed use areas that serve as a focus
point for the surrounding residential
neighborhoods. The largest of these
centers are intended to serve not only as a
local focal point but also as a major
citywide landmark that also connects
directly to the “Great Park”. All but the
smallest of these centers are envisioned to
consist of some amount of vertically
integrated and higher intensity
residential, office, and retail buildings
oriented toward the “Great Park”, large
public plazas, and/or large trail systems.
All of these centers are envisioned to
incorporate site design that prioritizes
safe, attractive, and well-shaded
pedestrian access onsite, from the public
rights-of-way, and from the adjacent
neighborhoods. Parking areas are to be
located next to and behind buildings to
provide a variety of frontages along
streets.
LAND USE
Land Use
Designation
Residential Density &
Non-Residential
Intensity
Intention
Low-Medium
Density 5.1 to 11.0 dwelling units per acre Single/multi -family attached and detached residences, including small lot subdivisions, townhouses, and courtyard homes.
Medium Density 11.1
1 to 25.0dwelling units per acre
Single/multi-family attached and detached residences including townhouses, courtyard homes, stacked flats, and small lot single- family subdivisions.
Mixed Use -
Great Park
14.0 1 to 65.0 dwelling units per
acre
1.5 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to Specific Plan
1 The Great Park Mixed Use Areas are envisioned as the southwestern activity centers for citizens of Ontario. These areas accommodate a vertical and horizontal mixture of commercial, office, entertainment, and residential uses all connecting to the Great Park with a pedestrian oriented atmosphere. It is envisioned that the major roads through these Mixed Use areas are couplets, which are a series of one-way streets that disperse traffic and allow reduced street widths, maximize the sense of community, and emphasize pedestrian accessibility.
These Mixed Use areas are envisioned as low-rise (3-5 stories) with some mid-rise (5-10 stories) near the intersection of Euclid and Edison/Ontario Ranch Road.
Mixed Use -
Grove
14.0 1 to 65.0 dwelling units per
acre
1.5 FAR for office uses
1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to Specific Plan
1 Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place along the corridor and serve the surrounding residents.
Mixed Use -
Parkside
25.0 to 45.0 dwelling units per acre
1.0 FAR for retail uses
Subject to approved Specific Plan
Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place and serve the surrounding residents.
Mixed Use
Neighborhood
Activity Hubs
20.0 to 75.0 dwelling units per acre
1.0 FAR for retail and office
Subject to Specific Plan
1 Envisioned as a low-rise (3-5 stories), mixture of retail and residential uses that will create identity and place along the corridor and serve the surrounding residents.
Neighborhood
Commercial 0.40 FAR Local serving retail, personal service, office, and dining uses, typically located within a predominantly residential neighborhood.
General
Commercial 0.40 FAR Local and regional serving retail, personal service, entertainment, dining, office, tourist-serving, and related commercial uses.
Open Space -
Recreation Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels.
We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Open Space -
Non-Rec Not applicable
Open space that includes utility easements, and drainage channels.
We desire to realize multiple uses from these open spaces, such as trails, greenways, joint-use recreational amenities, landscaped parkways/medians, parking lots, and nurseries.
Public Facility Not applicable Public facilities including civic centers, governmental institutions, police and fire stations, transportation facilities, museums, and public libraries.
Note:
1. Some medium density and mixed use parcels in the Neighborhood Centers South of Riverside Drive are within the affordable housing overlay zoning district. The overlay, 1) sets a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre; 2) waives the specific plan requirement if there is no existing specific plan and the proposed project includes 20 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 1 requirements outlined in the development code; and 3) allows a maximum density of 30 dwelling units per acre in the medium density land use category if the project includes 25 percent of units affordable to lower incomes, consistent with Tier 2 requirements outlined in the development code. If not covered by a specific plan, projects are still subject to a PUD at the City’s discretion.
Conceptual
illustration showing
a potential
Neighborhood
Center – South of
Riverside Drive with
wide sidewalks,
buildings oriented
toward the streets,
and a variety of
transportation
options.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Community Design Element
CD-09 Neighborhood Centers Place Type
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 116
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INTENDED OUTCOMES (ALL CENTERS)
This section describes the intended result, or outcome, of applying Urban, Mixed Use, and Transit-oriented Place Type Policies (CD-3.1 to CD-3.6) to this Place Type.
Unique Identity
Neighborhood Centers are
organized by a pattern of
walkable blocks, tree-lined streets
and varied architecture within a
compact area. Each building,
business, and use contributes to
the Center’s unique character
adding value to the Center and
surrounding neighborhoods by
its proximity and accessibility to
them. These centers are
connected to adjoining
neighborhoods by a network of
neighborhood streets and
pedestrian connections, not
separated from them by loading
zones, trash enclosures and tall
walls. Appropriate transitions
from the busy environment of the
commercial core of the center to
the quiet neighborhood
environments is achieved by
gradual transitions in building
scale and level of activity.
Comfortable, Safe, Human
Scale Public Realm
The public realm of
Neighborhood Centers includes
streets connecting to neighborhoods,
and parking lots and other
publicly accessible open spaces.
These interwoven open spaces
meet the functional requirements
for vehicular access and parking
that are met in conventional
shopping centers by large parking
lots connected to large streets
with auto-only driveways, and
provide a comfortable retail
experience for residents and
visitors to shop, dine, and spend
time with friends and family.
Complete and Connected
Network
Centers are organized around a
network of local streets, both
public and private, that form
walkable blocks. Neighborhood
centers should be connected to
larger cross-town streets and
corridors by local cross-streets.
To encourage walking and to
provide equitable access to goods
and services for residents who are
unable to drive, additional paseos
and other “pedestrian shortcuts”
should be provided when lots or
blocks exceed approximately 500
feet in width.
Context Aware and Appropriate
Building Design
Most Neighborhood Centers face
on crosstown avenues and
Neighborhood Corridors. They
should front these streets with
larger buildings and high levels of
commercial activity. The height,
size, and scale of buildings and
levels of activity should
systematically step downward
toward adjoining neighborhoods.
Building masses near singlefamily neighborhoods should be reduced in height, width and
bulk, and activities should
transition for very busy and active
retail and restaurant uses to
quieter office and residential uses.
Active Frontages
The ground floors of buildings -
and the public spaces they front -
should be designed to balance the
needs of interior uses with the
active public realm.
Retail and restaurant businesses
near the main avenue and within
the retail core of the center, should
be adjacent to wide sidewalks,
and building facades should
include with tall, transparent
shopfronts providing clear views
of merchandise and activity
within each business.
As uses transitions from the retail
core to adjacent neighborhoods
streetscape improvements and
sidewalks should change with
landscape pallet giving way to
sidewalks behind green parkway
strips. Similarly, deeper setbacks
should mark the transition from
Center to neighborhood.
Managed Infrastructure
Coordinated management of
facilities and infrastructure will
play an integral role in
maintaining a successful
Neighborhood Center where
people want to spend time.
Shared parking strategies should
be established to encourage
visitors to park once and enjoy the
area on foot, fully utilize available
parking at all times of day, and
provide flexibility to better adapt
to changes in land use as well as
changing trends in how people
travel.
Shared maintenance should also
be established to provide efficient,
consistent, and sustainable
maintenance and management of
public spaces.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Social Resources Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 117
SOCIAL RESOURCES ELEMENT
Access to healthcare, nutrition, and healthy environments, quality education, diverse community services and facilities, and cultural opportunities are essential to a prosperous and complete community. All are critical to individual and community well-being and Ontario’s ability to attract residents and investors. However, direct control over delivery of healthcare, education, social services, and cultural opportunities is in the hands of outside organizations. Therefore, the City must leverage the efforts of service providers within the region.
Purpose
The Social Resources Element:
• Identifies quality and accessible health care, education, community services, and cultural activities as critical components to achieving Ontario’s Vision. • Provides guidance on addressing community issues that by their nature require extensive coordination and collaboration with outside agencies. • Addresses critical community issues that are not typically included in City policy plans.
Principles
The City believes:
• The health, wellbeing, education, and enrichment of its citizens are key components to making Ontario prosperous and a desirable place to live. • Access to healthcare, education, community services, and cultural resources encourages community engagement and healthy lifestyle choices. • Coordination and collaboration with service providers is essential to a comprehensive system of high quality health, education, cultural activities, and community services in Ontario.
• A diverse range of community and cultural resources, programs, and facilities help make Ontario a more complete and prosperous community.
Goals & Policies
SR-1 Health
Ontario recognizes that there is a strong link between health and individual and community prosperity. The City is committed to strengthening this critical link through collaboration with health-related public, private and nonprofit organizations. The City can have a positive impact 1819
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Social Resources Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 118
on the health of residents by providing information on and access to, resources for healthcare, fitness and good nutrition.
While the policy foundation for improving residents’ health is found throughout the Policy Plan, this section focuses on the issues of access to healthcare providers and facilities, prevention and wellness, safe neighborhoods, and monitoring health in Ontario.
GOAL SR-1 Residents have access to information, services and goods that improve their health and wellbeing.
Policies
SR-1.1 Partnering for Healthcare. We work with healthcare providers, and local, regional, state, and federal agencies to attract and retain a diversity of affordable, quality healthcare and facilities for the entire community.
SR-1.2 Nutrition Choices. We support the promotion of equitable access to affordable healthy food choices in the community, including community gardens, farmers markets, and cooking classes.
SR-1.3 Health Education. We promote equitable access to health education, including disease prevention, mental health, nutrition, and physical fitness.
SR-1.4 Physical Activity. We encourage activities and community design that improve the physical fitness of our community members, with an emphasis on the provision of activities and facilities in environmental justice areas.
SR-2 Education
Ontario’s prosperity is determined, to a great extent, by its ability to provide a skilled and educated workforce capable of meeting the requirements of business. A key factor for businesses and residents deciding whether or not to locate in Ontario is the availability of quality preschool, elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, and vocational training. Ontario fosters lifelong learning so that its citizens can lead more fulfilling and productive lives by providing access to libraries, culture, community events, and activities.
GOAL SR-2 A range of educational and training opportunities for residents and workers of all ages and abilities that improves their life choices and provides a skilled workforce for our businesses.
Policies
SR-2.1 Educational Partners. We partner with educational institutions throughout the region in order to expand the range and quality of educational offerings available to the community.
SR-2.2 Workforce Training. We will work with industrial organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to create opportunities for workforce training. 1820
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Social Resources Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 119
SR-2.3 Joint Use of Facilities. We partner with public and private educational institutions to jointly use facilities for both City and educational purposes.
SR-2.4 Access to Schools. We work with local and regional partners to improve the safety in and around schools and to improve access for citizens of all ages and abilities to schools and community services, such as after school and other programs.
SR-2.5 School Facilities. We plan and coordinate with school districts for designing and locating school facilities to meet the City’s goals, such as for health, walkability, and safety and to minimize impacts to existing neighborhoods.
SR-2.6 Language. We promote broad outreach in languages used by the community for proposed projects that could negatively affect environmental justice areas.
SR-2.7 Community Engagement. We promote targeted outreach and education to historically underrepresented groups to encourage meaningful participation in decision-making process for projects whose outcomes will affect land use in environmental justice areas.
SR-3 Community & Leisure Activities
Ontario takes pride in having an excellent choice of classes, excursions, events, and special programs for its citizens to learn, recreate, and socialize with friends, family, neighbors, and others in their community. In addition, there are a variety of nonprofit community-based organizations and religious institutions that provide services and activities to members of the Ontario community. Community and leisure activities play an important role in linking Ontarians to their community, neighborhoods, and commercial areas.
Goal SR-3 A range of community and leisure programs and activities provided by public, private, and nonprofit organizations that meet the needs of the community’s varied interests, age groups and abilities.
Policies
SR-3.1 Partnerships. We partner with local and regional agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to provide a comprehensive range of community activities and events to citizens.
SR-3.2 Needs Assessment. We track the needs and priorities for community services and look for ways to meet demands and avoid duplication of offerings.
SR-3.3 Program Outreach. We promote information about leisure activities, classes, special events, and other services and activities to our community.
SR-3.4 Community Events. We plan and actively participate in regularly scheduled community events and seasonal or yearly citywide events. 1821
City of Ontario Policy Plan
Social Resources Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 120
SR-3.5 Community Activities as Crime Deterrents. We promote and participate in community activities as part of our crime prevention efforts. (Link to Safety Element Policy S-7.3)
SR-4 Library
Information and knowledge resources are fundamental forthe residents of Ontario to live healthy and prosperous lives. Ontario’s libraries offer free access to collections of books and other media, computers and the Internet, and a range of programs and resources, making them key focal points in the community. Ontario has an ambitious, well-established, and functional library program that addresses a broad range of ages, abilities, interests, cultural backgrounds, and income levels.
Goal SR-4 City libraries that connect community members of all ages and abilities to a broad range of programs, communication, and informational resources.
Policies
SR-4.1 Community Needs. We identify and monitor community needs for library services, technology, and facilities, and tailor them to effectively meet those needs.
SR-4.2 Interagency Coordination. We leverage relationships with outside agencies, educational institutions, and neighboring jurisdictions to share library resources to the benefit of Ontario residents.
SR-4.3 Library Outreach. We outreach to the community to increase the patronage of the library.
SR-4.4 Coordination with Other Community Services. We coordinate library programs with other recreational and community programs and facilities.
SR-4.5 Focal Points of the Community. We design and program Ontario’s libraries as focal points of community engagement, including public outreach and community events.
SR-4.6 Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room. We work with the Ontario Museum of History and Art in order to collect, preserve, and display artifacts and images from Ontario’s heritage and connect the City’s past to the present through the History Room.
SR-5 Entertainment & Culture
The availability of entertainment and culture helps define and promote the City’s image locally, regionally, and internationally. These social resources are necessary to become a complete community and are essential to attracting residents and investment. Ontario is committed to making entertainment, arts, and culture readily available to citizens of all ages. These resources promote opportunities for community engagement, personal inspiration, learning, and enjoyment.
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City of Ontario Policy Plan
Social Resources Element
Public Review Draft (May 2022) 121
Goal SR-5 Local heritage, entertainment, and cultural experiences that enrich the lives of Ontario’s residents, workers, and visitors and serve to attract residents and businesses to the City.
Policies
SR-5.1 Provision of Entertainment and Culture. We support equitable access to a range of entertainment and cultural experiences such as public art, exhibitions, and performances.
SR-5.2 Local Heritage Education. We partner with educational providers to promote culture and heritage. (Link to Community Design Element, Historic Preservation Section).
SR-5.3 Public Art. We encourage public art in buildings, parks, open spaces, and other public and private spaces.
SR-5.4 Private-Public Sector Events. We partner with private and nonprofit sectors to provide and promote participation in cultural activities including fairs, festivals, and other events geared to neighborhoods, the City as a whole, and the region.
SR-5.5 Promotion of Ontario Artists and Musicians. We promote awareness of entertainment and culture produced in Ontario.
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APPENDIX A. IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCY
Purpose
The Policy Plan primarily contains long-term principles, goals, and policies for achieving Ontario’s Vision through nine elements: land use, housing, parks and recreation, environmental resources, community economics, safety, mobility, community design, and social resources.
Through these nine elements, the City addresses all the topics required by state law and some additional topics that are important to our community.
The City added the topics of environmental justice and climate adaptation and resiliency to the Policy Plan in accordance with state law (introduced through Senate Bills 1000 and 379, respectively). The City has opted to address these topics throughout multiple elements of the Policy Plan to ensure the topics are presented alongside the multitude of issues and topics that affect our residents and resources.
The City will begin to implement the updated Policy Plan immediately upon adoption, working within the municipal organization, with residents and other community stakeholders, and other agencies and service entities. A number of actions will be started immediately following the Policy Plan’s adoption, with some completed and/or replaced by new actions in as little as a few months. As state law currently limits the frequency of updating the Policy Plan to four update cycles per year, the City opts to maintain a separate Implementation Plan so that it can update its list of short-term activities on an as-needed basis without affecting the City’s Policy Plan update cycle.
However, state law requires that the implementation actions related to environmental justice and climate adaptation and resiliency be incorporated into the City’s Policy Plan. Accordingly, this appendix contains those actions from the Implementation Plan that must also be part of the Policy Plan.
The Implementation Plan reflects new activities that the City should conduct in order to implement the new aspects of the updated Policy Plan. The Implementation Plan does not include actions that the City already undertakes based on regulations, programs, or procedures that are already in place. As the majority of updates to the Policy Plan relate to the topics of environmental justice and climate adaptation and resiliency, the majority of the Implementation Plan also reflects actions related to these two topics.
Updates
Future updates to the Implementation Plan will gradually incorporate and identify new activities related to other topics of the Policy Plan, based on changes in socioeconomic conditions, the physical environment, and other factors. Changes to actions listed in the Implementation Plan related to environmental justice or climate adaptation and resiliency will also trigger an update to this appendix, which should be processed during the City’s next appropriate Policy Plan update cycle.
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Structure
The following actions are presented based on the most directly relevant element and goal. For example, Action LU-2.1 is the first action related to Goal 2 of the Land Use Element. It should be noted that actions may also relate to more than one element and may help implement more than one goal and/or policy.
After each action, in parentheses, are indicators that identify whether the action relates to environmental justice (EJ) or climate adaptation and resiliency (CAR). Actions related to environmental justice are distributed throughout all elements of the Policy Plan, with additional indicators in parentheses to identify the subtopic enumerated in state law.
Environmental justice indicators:
• Reduce exposure to pollution (EP) • Promotion of public facilities (PF) • Promotion of food access (FA) • Promotion of safe and sanitary housing (H) • Promotion of physical activity (PA) • Promotion of civil engagement (CE) All of the climate adaptation and resiliency actions are associated with are associated with the Safety Element. Some actions related to climate adaptation and resiliency may address environmental justice topics and help those who are disadvantaged, but are not identified as environmental justice actions. For example, S-9.3 Weatherization Program, seeks to expand funding resources to conduct weatherization and structural retrofits that will increase community resilience. This action can help create safe and sanitary housing for those who are disadvantaged, but the action is not targeted toward improving an existing environmental justice problem or prioritized for those who live in environmental justice areas.
Actions
Land Use Element
LU-2.1 Development standards. Review existing development and design standards and update as necessary to provide appropriate mitigation or buffers between existing uses, with a focus on additional buffering when new uses could negatively impact environmental justice areas. (EJ: EP)
Housing Element
(Note that actions listed as programs in the Housing Element, full text available in the Housing Element Technical Report):
Program 6 Neighborhood Stabilization. Implements the City’s Neighborhood Preservation Strategy Plan, which identifies revitalization strategies in key neighborhoods in northwest Ontario. (EJ: H)
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Program 11 Ontario Ranch. Encourages development of affordable housing in future developments in Ontario Ranch, the high resource area in the city. (EJ: H, PF) Program 23 Public Housing. Commits to expanding the use of Housing Choice Vouchers (aka Section 8 Vouchers) in high and moderate resource areas. (EJ: H, PF) Program 24 Homeownership Program. Provide resources in multiple languages to reduce language barriers. (EJ: H, CE)
Program 27 Fair Housing Implementation. Provide resources in multiple languages to reduce language barriers. (EJ: H, CE)
Parks and Recreation Element
PR-1.1 Recreation and Parks Master Plan. Implement recommendations as outlined in the 2021 Master Plan, with a priority on addressing the needs in environmental justice areas. This includes recommendations such as new and/or expanded facilities, new and expanded programs and services, community and agency partnerships, and fee structures. (EJ: PF, PA)
Environmental Resources Element
ER-4.1 Citywide and regional air quality planning. Review existing and monitor the development of new air monitoring and emissions reduction plans prepared by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Gather and evaluate measures and strategies in such plans for their applicability to and feasibility for Ontario. (EJ: EP) ER-4.2 Citywide emissions monitoring. Coordinate with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to monitor existing air measurements and recommend new air measurements and locations, with a specific focus on evaluating new measurements and locations in environmental justice areas.
Coordinate with SCAQMD to provide monitoring information online to the public, including historical data and an explanation of trends, thresholds, and ongoing monitoring results. (EJ: EP)
ER-4.3 Community air quality planning. Engage with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and local stakeholders to evaluate the next steps in pursuing a priority community designation and/or community air protection program incentives for eligible environmental justice areas of the city, with focus on areas with unique needs and highest pollution burden as identified in the latest available CalEnviroScreen tool. If such a designation or incentives are not awarded or available, seek grant funds for activities such as local air quality monitoring.
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ER-4.4 Health risk assessments. Draft and adopt ordinance to implement new requirements (Policy ER-4.9) for health risk assessments when considering specific uses near existing sensitive receptors. (EJ: EP)
ER-4.5 Trucks and cargo handling equipment. Evaluate and implement strategies to reduce emissions associated with truck idling and cargo handling equipment near areas with existing and planned sensitive receptors, with a priority placed on facilities that have not yet finalized building permits and for those facilities in or adjacent to environmental justice areas. (EJ: EP)
ER-4.6 Healthy indoor options. Explore options to incentivize or require the provision of indoor recreation space, particularly in environmental justice areas that experience high levels of exposure to air pollution. (EJ: PA, PF, EP) ER-4.7 Proactive engagement. Collaborate with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and local stakeholders in environmental justice areas experiencing local air pollutions issues to outline objectives and strategies for monitoring air pollution.
Augment existing outreach programs to improve public awareness of state, regional and local agencies’ roles, and resources to identify, monitor, and address air quality and other environmental hazards in the community. (EJ: CE, EP) Community Economics Element
CE-1.1 Small Business Assistance. Collaborate with the County Economic Development Agency and California District of the Small Business Administration to expand and promote resources and assistance for small businesses, with a specific focus on those in environmental justice areas. (EJ: PF)
Safety Element
S-1.1 Seismic Retrofits. Identify potential funding sources to facilitate seismic retrofits in environmental justice areas and for low-income households. (CAR, EJ: H) S-2.1 Entitlement and Permitting. Update the City’s entitlement and permitting process to require hydrological studies that assess the 100-year and 500-year flood zones to assess the impact that the new development will have on the flooding potential of existing development down-gradient. Additionally update the entitlement and permitting process to require mapping for 200-year floodplains. (CAR) S-2.2 Floodplain Mapping. Seek grant funds to map the 200-year floodplain in Ontario outside of the entitlement process. (CAR)
S-2.3 Public Outreach. Augment the City’s public outreach efforts to disseminate information on flooding, flood control on private property, floodplains, and flood preparedness to the community through the City website, social media, and at City offices. (CAR)
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S-2.4 Floodproofing Existing Buildings. Seek grant funds to encourage property owners in 200-year (when mapped) or 500-year flood zones to floodproof existing structures. (CAR)
S-2.5 Open space in 200-year floodplains. Coordinate with developers to encourage passive recreation or parkland in 200-year floodplains or floodways (when mapped). (CAR)
S-2.6 Green and Natural Infrastructure. Coordinate with developers to incorporate the use of existing (or restoration of) natural features and ecosystem processes and low impact development techniques to increase permeable surfaces and promote sustainable management of open space and parks. This may include, but is not limited to, aquatic or terrestrial vegetated open space, systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes, and other engineered systems, to provide clean water, conserve ecosystem values and functions, promote drainage, and provide a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife. (CAR)
S-3.1 Firefighting services and water supply. Collaborate with regional water providers and surrounding fire protection agencies to ensure adequate water supply, equipment, and personnel for firefighting in the region given future projections regarding prolonged drought and the potential increase in the number and severity of wildfires in the surrounding area (in line with automatic and mutual aid agreements). (CAR)
S-3.2 Public Outreach. Coordinate with network providers to ensure that residents and visitors, especially those in environmental justice communities, have access to emergency notifications. Information should be provided in multiple languages and formats appropriate for people with access and functional needs. (CAR, EJ:
CE)
S-4.1 Vibration studies. Update development regulations to require vibration-sensitive uses in areas within 200 feet of rail to evaluate for indoor vibration levels and mitigate any exceedances of the Federal Transit Administration vibrationannoyance criteria. (EJ: H) S-8.1 Evacuation Assessment Plan. Prior to or concurrently with the update of the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, conduct an evacuation time assessment to comply with state law (enacted through Assembly Bill 747), accounting for natural and humangenerated hazards, existing and proposed traffic evacuation volumes at buildout. (CAR)
S-8.2 Evacuation Routes. Review and update, as necessary, standards so that new development has at least two egress/ingress options, key signage that is visible to emergency responders during extreme weather events, signage that identifies evacuation routes, and adequate water supply for structural suppression. (CAR) 1828
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S-8.3 Evacuation assistance program. Coordinate with Omnitrans, Metrolink, and other transit providers to develop an evacuation assistance program for those with little mobility and those without a vehicle. (CAR)
S-8.4 Extreme Heat Response Plan. Develop an extreme heat response plan that includes establishment of community cooling centers and temperature triggers for when they will open, weatherization of City buildings, and cooling strategies for persons engaged in outdoor work and persons experiencing homelessness. (CAR) S-8.5 Resilience Hub and Cooling Centers. Establish a network of equitably located resilience hubs and cooling centers throughout the City. Ensure that such facilities are located outside of areas at risk of hazards (to the extent possible), offer refuge from extreme heat and poor air quality, and are equipped with renewable energy generation, backup power, and backup water supplies. Such facilities should be in easily accessible locations and be available to all community members. (CAR) S-8.6 Cooling Transit Areas. Coordinate with Omnitrans, Metrolink, and Amtrak to increase shading and heat-mitigating materials on pedestrian walkways, outdoor waiting areas, and transit stops/stations. (CAR)
S-8.7 Critical Facilities. Review procedures and update as necessary, to ensure that future critical facilitates are located outside of hazards zones. If not feasible, ensure new critical facilities are designed to remain functional during hazardous events and identify funding sources to harden and improve existing facilities to remain functional during hazardous events. (CAR)
S-8.8 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Increase participation in CERT through program by expanding promotion efforts and course offerings, encouraging CERT participation for City employees, and exploring partnerships (e.g., partner with school districts to offer CERT training to high school students). (CAR)
S-9.1 Energy independence. Coordinate with developers to encourage the integration of battery storage systems that can provide backup electrical service during temporary power outages. (CAR)
S-9.2 Renewable Energy. Renovate existing city-owned assets and design future city facilities to incorporate renewable energy generation systems, battery storage systems, and energy-efficient design and features, as feasible. (CAR) S-9.3 Weatherization Program. Expand funding resources through partnerships and grant programs for low-income households and businesses to conduct weatherization and structural retrofits that will increase community resilience. (CAR)
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Mobility Element
M-2.1 Priority Improvements. Refine the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and implementation recommendations of the Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) to elevate the priority of improvements proposed in (or serving) environmental justice areas. Continue to identify additional improvements that should be added to complete networks, remove barriers, and create buffers for pedestrians and bicyclists along truck routes, with priority given to those in environmental justice areas. (EJ: PF, PA)
M-3.1 Expanded Bus and Light Rail Service. Coordinate with Omnitrans and Metrolink to implement and update the agencies’ strategic plans and long range transportation plans to prioritize improvements in and expansion of service in Ontario’s environmental justice areas. In the next update of these plans, encourage each agency to increase the weighting of environmental justice factors in the prioritization of improvements and service expansion. (EJ: PF) M-4.1 Clean Energy Plan for Trucks and Cargo Handling Equipment. Develop and implement a plan to evaluate the future needs of clean fueling/recharging and electrified truck parking and onsite cargo handling equipment. Promote the creation of centralized truck parking areas that provide clean energy refueling stations and other support facilities while ensuring adjacent residential neighborhoods are not negatively impacted by trucking activities. Target locations that serve both the northern and southern industrial parts of the city, and coordinate to provide truck parking and charging areas in neighboring jurisdictions that serve regional truck travel. Require proposed truck-intensive uses to provide robust onsite clean energy fueling and/or electric charging stations for trucks and onsite cargo handling equipment. For existing and proposed uses, to contribute toward centralized parking solutions (for larger facilities, which will overlap with their compliance with the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Indirect Source Rule). (EJ: EP)
Community Design Element
CD-2.1 Objective Development and Design Standards. Prepare objective development and design standards to help streamline the approval and production of new housing, while creating a more walkable, vibrant, and unified community. (EJ: H) CD-2.2 Transit Stops. Coordinate with Omnitrans to implement and update the agency’s Bus Stop Safety Improvement Plan, prioritizing improvements in Ontario’s environmental justice areas. In the next update, encourage Omnitrans to increase the weighting of environmental justice factors in the evaluation, identification, and prioritization of improvements. (EJ: PF, PA)
CD-2.3 Bus Rapid Transit. Coordinate with Omnitrans on street cross section designs for BRT corridors to influence street designs to maximize walkability and bicycle access/safety of the transit riders. (EJ: PF)
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Social Resources Element
SR-1.1 Healthy Ontario. Continue to pursue programs, incentives, grants, and partnerships to fund and conduct the activities and achieve the objectives of the Healthy Ontario Initiative, including those on prevention and wellness, healthcare access and utilization, education and lifelong learning, and safe and complete neighborhoods. Augment the initiative to prioritize activities and objectives to address neighborhoods in environmental justice areas. (EJ: FA, PF, PA) SR-1.2 Collaboration. Develop active, strategic partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit entities, such as the Community Healthy Improvement Association of Ontario (CHIA) and Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), to improve health outcomes by leveraging capacity, resources, and programs around mutually beneficial initiatives that promote health, equity, and civil engagement for residents, with a priority on those living in environmental justice area areas. (EJ: CE, PA)
SR. 1.3 Resident Satisfaction Survey. Augment the City’s resident satisfaction survey (conducted in English and Spanish) to address issues related to community health, pollution, parks, community engagement, and community services, with focused outreach for environment justice concerns and priority areas. Report findings of survey through the City’s various media platforms and utilize input to update the Implementation Plan and Policy Plan, as necessary. (EJ: PA, PF) SR-1.4 Community Centers. Continue to implement the City’s 2021 Recreation and Parks Master Plan and emphasize the creation of new community centers in environmental justice areas where residents are more than one-half mile from an existing community center. (EJ: PF)
SR-1.5 Expanded Representation. Expand representation of residents concerned about environmental justice issues by extending invitations to such residents/groups (focused especially on those who also live in environmental justice areas within the City) to participate in civic government activities. (EJ: CE) 1831
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APPENDIX B. GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Purpose
The following is a glossary of terms and abbreviations to help users read and understand the Policy Plan and the meaning and intent of its goals and policies. Please note that this glossary is not intended to be comprehensive or define terms, acronyms, or abbreviations that are generally well understood or easily looked up using other resources. Additionally, some terms listed in this glossary are not used in the text of Policy Plan. The focus is on terms that have multiple potential meanings (either in or out of the Policy Plan context), and to define the intended meaning of such terms to ensure the correct interpretation and implementation of the Policy Plan.
A-C
Accommodate: To make room for or provisions for something that is specifically intended to occur.
Action: A specific, measurable step that needs to be taken to meet stated objectives. An action is not mere compliance with the law or a commonly adopted or accepted practice or protocol. An action is short in duration and is meant to be updated and replaced once action has been taken.
In the context of the Implementation Plan, the activity is typically to be undertaken by the City or another public entity.
Adaptive Reuse: The conversion of obsolescent or historic buildings from their original or most recent use to a new use.
Advocate: To openly support and promote an action, objective, or goal; also, to speak on behalf of an individual or group.
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP): The ALUCP provides for the orderly growth of the areas within an airports noise contour, runway protection zones, approach zones, and Part 77 zones and describes appropriate land uses, maximum population density, maximum site coverage, height restrictions, and required notification/disclosure areas.
Airport Master Plan (AMP): An AMP provides for the maintenance, development, and operation of the airport itself and includes operational forecasts, fleet mixes and the ultimate runway configuration and airport plan.
Allow: To be open to something occurring but without any particular effort to make it happen.
Always: The action will apply to future decisions without exception.
Analyze: To methodically examine the desirability or feasibility of something, with a view toward letting the evidence determine the appropriate level of commitment.
Aspire: To direct one’s ambitions toward achieving something. 1832
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Augment: To add to something that is already in place to make it more desirable, functional, or beneficial.
Avoid: To not enable something that will lead to an undesirable outcome.
Best Management Practices (BMPs): Methods or techniques found to be the most effective and practical means in achieving an objective (such as preventing or minimizing pollution) while making the optimum use of resources.
Buffer / buffer zone: An area of land, structure, feature, or design treatment separating two uses that acts to soften or mitigate the effects of one use on the other.
Building Density and Intensity: Building density and intensity includes both residential density, expressed as units per acre, and non-residential intensity, expressed as floor area ratio, which is the amount of building square feet in relation to the size of the lot.
Buildout: Build-out is an urban planners estimate of the amount and location of potential development for an area. Buildout for The Ontario Plan can be found in Exhibit LU-03.
Built Environment: Human-made buildings and structures, as opposed to natural features.
Carbon Footprint: A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
Carbon Sequestration: The removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks (such as oceans, forests, or soils) through physical or biological processes, such as photosynthesis.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): A grant program administered by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides federal grants directly to larger urban cities and counties for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income individuals, eliminate blight, or address a serious and immediate threat to public health and welfare. States distribute CDBG funds to smaller cities and towns. Grant amounts are determined by a formula based upon need.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): A state law requiring state and local agencies to assess the environmental impacts of public or private projects they undertake or permit.
Agencies must mitigate adverse impacts of the project to the extent feasible. If a proposed activity has the potential for significant adverse environmental impacts, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared and certified as legally adequate by the public agency before taking action on the proposed project.
Class I Trail: Known as a Shared-use Path, is a completely separated facility for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflow by motor vehicles minimized.
Class II Trail: Known as a Bike lane and a Buffered Bike lane, is a portion of the roadway that is designated by striping, signaling, and/or pavement markings for the exclusive use of bicyclists established along streets and corridors where there is significant demand and distinct needs. Bike lanes can be paired with a designated buffer space composed of painted striped and pavement markings adjacent bike lane, known as a Buffered Bike Lane. 1833
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Class III Trail: Known as a Bike Boulevard, is a special type of bike route where a street is designed to accommodate bicyclists with a wide variety of skill levels.
Class IV: Known as a Separated Bikeway and Raised Separated Bikeway, also known as a cycle track or protected bike lane, is a one- or two-way bike way for the exclusive use of bicycles that includes a physical, vertical barrier between bicyclists and motor vehicle traffic within the roadway. They can be designed to be either at the same grade as the adjacent sidewalk or set as an intermediate level mountable curb between the roadway and sidewalk, known as a Raised Separated Bikeway.
“Clean” Industry: “Clean” industries include industrial type uses whose operations produce lower quantities of hazardous substances and air emissions than traditional industrial uses.
Operations of such facilities should have minor adverse effects on neighboring land uses and are therefore more compatible in proximity to sensitive uses, like residential development, schools, and childcare facilities than traditional industry. Examples of “clean” industry include incubator space for small start-up and creative businesses, clean/green technology, biomedical device manufacturing, digital arts, furniture and apparel design, etc.
Collaborate: To intentionally, willingly work together toward a common objective or goal.
Compatible: In relation to use, the ability for two or more uses to coexist without conflict, with minimal conflict that can be mitigated, or in a beneficial manner. When used in relation to a structure, indicates that the structure is built so that its appearance is similar to that of the principal unit to which the structure is accessory or to the general character of the neighborhood or community with regards to color, materials, construction, lighting, signs, or the emission of sounds, noises and vibrations. See also incompatible.
Complete streets network: A system of on- and off-street facilities (e.g., sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails), that enable all users of all ages and abilities to navigate within or through a community area, with an emphasis on mobility focus areas. The system can consist of one or more facility type based on the intended users and access requirements. Individual facilities may overlap or not, serve all or just some users, and be contiguous or disconnected. Complete streets facilities and improvements are subject to physical constraints presented by the local context and financial feasibility limitations.
Comply with: To follow specified existing ordinances, regulations, or procedures.
Complement / complementary: Combining or coexisting (e.g., two buildings or land uses) in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other.
Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS): A plan prepared by state or local agencies as a prerequisite for receiving assistance under certain U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs.
Concurrent: Services, facilities, activities, or other things that are provided or are occurring at the same time as something else.
Consider: To remain open to and evaluate a range of possible actions or outcomes as part of a decision.
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Consistent: To be or act in harmony or aligned with something; see also inconsistent.
Consolidate: To bring together aspects, features, or components of a system or locale that can serve better in a consolidated form, compared to existing or provided separately.
Construct: To build something: buildings, roads, channels, etc. Context. Local or regional environmental, social, and economic conditions.
Continue: To maintain and/or resume an action.
Cooperate: To work in a positive effort with another entity toward a mutually beneficial end. Such work may take the form of direct action, passive support, or even inaction.
Coordinate: To work in a positive effort with another entity in the process of conducting individual actions or initiatives that relate to each other and that can benefit from concurrent or cooperative activity.
Council of Governments (COG): A single or multi-county entity created by a joint power agreement. COGs are responsible for determining the share of the regional need for housing for each of the counties and cities within the COG’s region. In most cases, the COG also serves as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) responsible for preparing regional transportation plans and expenditure programs.
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL): A 24-hour energy equivalent level derived from a variety of single-noise events, with weighting factors of 5 and 10 dBA applied to the evening (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) periods to allow for greater sensitivity to noise during these hours.
Connect SoCal: The Connect SoCal plan (also known as the 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy or RTP/SCS) represents the vision for Southern California’s future, including policies, strategies, and projects for advancing the region’s mobility, economy, and sustainability through 2045. The plan details how the region will address its transportation and land use challenges and opportunities in order to achieve its regional emissions standards and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.
The components of Connect SoCal are required by federal and state legislation and is an important planning document for the region, allowing project sponsors to qualify for federal funding. SCAG is required to update this long-range planning document every four years.
Complete Community: A diversity of housing choices and educational opportunities; jobs for a variety of skills and education; recreation and culture; a full-range of shopping, entertainment and services; and the opportunity to improve individual quality of life.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is the proper design and effective use of the built environment which may lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement of the quality of life.” – National Crime Prevention Institute. 1835
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Critical Facilities: Facilities housing or serving many people, and are necessary in the event of an earthquake or flood, such as hospitals, fire, police, and emergency service facilities, utility lifeline facilities, such as water, electricity, and gas supply. Critical Facilities within Ontario are mapped in the Safety Element.
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Dedicate: To offer or set aside for a specific program, action, or use; when in the context of land dedication, the land is generally set aside for public ownership, use, and/or operation or maintenance.
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD): A state agency that administers state housing programs. HCD also administers the federal HOME and CDBG programs on behalf of jurisdictions that are not directly assisted by HUD.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): A federal, cabinet level department responsible for overseeing, implementing, and administering U.S. government housing and urban development programs.
Design: To conceive in advance the size, shape, qualities, appearance, open space, and other attributes of a proposed development, building and related improvements, generally rendered in graphic forms that communicate the anticipated outcome.
Determine: To calculate in advance the nature or outcome of an anticipated action, situation, or proposal.
Discourage: To openly deter (or attempt to deter) an individual, group, or organization from doing something.
Discretionary: An action taken by a governmental agency that calls for the exercise of judgment in deciding whether to approve and/or how to carry out a project.
Emergency Communication & Dispatch Center: The Dispatch center provides daily dispatch services for the Fire & Police Departments and contract fire agencies. The dispatch Center is also a designated facility as part of California’s Fire Rescue Mutual Aid System.
Encourage: To promote, support, or champion a concept or action; such support may be in terms of political support and coordination, staff resources, and/or financial resources.
Endangered Species: A native California bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant (species, subspecies, or variety) is endangered when it is in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all, or a significant portion of its range due to one or more causes, including loss of habitat, change of habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition or disease (Section 2062, Fish and Game Code).
Enhance: To improve existing conditions in quality, value, or characteristic.
Equitable: A condition or treatment that is fair and impartial. 1836
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Establish: To bring something into being that does not currently exist.
Explore: To search for or examine the nature of a possibility before a commitment is made. See also analyze.
Expand: To increase in detail, extent, number, volume, or scope.
Environmental Justice Areas: Disadvantaged communities that face the highest risk of exposure to pollution and are also burdened by socioeconomic and health issue. Determined using the latest version of CalEnviroScreen, a screening tool developed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) used to help identify communities disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution and with population characteristics that make them more sensitive to pollution.
Environmental Infrastructure: The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of key systems such as the sewerage network, drainage systems as well as improvements made to water courses and habitats.
Feasible: Capable of being done, executed, or managed successfully taking into consideration social, physical, environmental, and/or economic factors.
Facilitate: To make an action or process easier or to help bring about.
Fair share: An allocation of resources, costs, or fees considered equitable and proportional to the needs, impacts, or activity of an existing or proposed project.
Feasible, technically: Capable of being implemented because the industrial, mechanical, or application technology exists.
Feature: A noticeable or important characteristic, attribute, or aspect of something.
Finding(s): The result(s) of an investigation and the basis upon which decisions are made.
Findings are used by government agents and bodies to justify action taken or a decision made by the entity.
Fire Conflagration: An uncontrolled burning that threatens human life, health, property, or ecology that may produce a firestorm, in which the central column of rising heated air induces strong inward winds, which supply oxygen to the fire.
Flash Flood: A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas – washes, rivers, and streams. It is caused by heavy rain associated with a thunderstorm, hurricane, or tropical storm. Flash floods can also occur after the collapse of an ice dam, or a human structure.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): For each community, the official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to that community.
Floodplain: The area, adjacent to a watercourse or other body of water, subject to recurring floods. Floodplains may change over time as a result of natural processes, the characteristics of a 1837
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watershed, or the construction of bridges or channels. Floodplain can also serve as a reference to areas subject to flooding and mapped under FEMA’s NFIP.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR): The gross floor area permitted on a site divided by the total net area of the site, expressed in decimals to one or two places.
Food insecurity: The state of being without reliable access to sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Fund: To make money available for a prescribed purpose; may be a one-time, periodic, or ongoing commitment.
Global Gateway: Ontario is increasingly identified for the competitive advantages it provides to businesses that want to succeed in the global marketplace and for its growing importance to the state, national and international economies. Ontario’s distinction as a Global Gateway is due to its strategic Southern California location at the center of a rapidly developing freight movement system that includes LA-Ontario International Airport (ONT), two railroads, four major freeways and an expanding network of freight forwarders. ONT is one of the fastest growing and ambitious cargo airports outside the booming Asia-Pacific market and home to United Parcel Services Western Regional Hub providing daily direct flights to China. The Ontario Foreign Trade Zone is also significant to businesses involved in international trade. This envied transportation network links Ontario-based companies to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as well as western, national, and international markets.
Global Warming: An increase in the earth’s atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution.
Goal: A statement of desired future conditions regarding a particular topic; a goal paints a picture of how something will be in the future. A goal in and of itself is not sufficient to understand its intent, extent, or context. A goal itself is kept simple, with policies, objectives, and implementation actions providing further definition.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG): A Greenhouse gas is one that contributes to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere by reflecting radiation from the Earth’s surface. (e.g., carbon dioxide, ozone, or water vapor).
Green Infrastructure: Green infrastructure is strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, working landscapes and other open spaces that conserve ecosystem values and functions and provide associated benefits to human populations.
Harden: The use of site design and materials to make a building or site able to withstand the onset or severity of damage from an event such as a fire, earthquake, flood, or other similar event Hazard Mitigation Plan: The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is a comprehensive resource document that serves many purposes, including enhancing public awareness and understanding, creating a decision tool for management, promoting compliance with State and Federal program requirements, enhancing local policies for hazard mitigation capability, and providing interjurisdictional coordination. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all local 1838
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governments to create such a disaster plan in order to qualify for funding in the future. The City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is incorporated by reference into the Policy Plan.
Hazardous Material: Any substance that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. The term includes, but is not limited to, hazardous substances and hazardous wastes.
HOME (HOME Investment Partnership Program): A federal housing program that provides formula grants to states and localities. Communities use the grants (often in partnership with local nonprofit groups) to fund a wide range of activities. These include building, buying, or rehabilitating affordable housing for renters and homeowners, and providing direct rental.
Impact: Generally, the result of an action or inaction; when the term is used in the context of an environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the term “impact” refers to how a proposed project may directly or indirectly effect specific environmental, infrastructure, and public service factors; a negative impact damages those environmental factors or increases burdens on selected facilities and services).
Impervious Surface: A surface through which water cannot penetrate, such as a roof, road, sidewalk, or paved parking lot. The amount of impervious surface increases with development and establishes the need for drainage facilities to carry the increased runoff.
Identify: To determine characteristics or facts without any predetermination regarding future commitments; gather information only.
Include: To make a part of a consideration or issue under public scrutiny.
Incompatible: To be so opposed in character as to be incapable of existing together without causing conflicts or harm upon one or all parts; conflicting; see also compatible.
Incorporate: The same as include.
Inconsistent: Varying to the point of conflict or contradiction; see also consistent.
Innovative: Methods or approaches that are new and original, often (but not always) more advanced.
Install: To put in place at a specified time or place or in a particular sequence.
Integrate: To blend new and existing projects or activities together in a compatible fashion.
Investigate: To examine the accuracy of information provided in support of a proposed project, process, or program.
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J-Q
Jobs-Housing Balance: The jobs/housing ratio divides the number of jobs in an area by the number of households. A ratio greater than 1.0 indicates a net in-commute (job-rich community); less than 1.0 indicates a net out-commute (housing-rich community).
ONT: Ontario International Airport.
[no terms that begin with the letter “K”]
Land Use Designation Boundary: Where a boundary line is indicated as following a street or alley, the boundary line shall be construed as following the centerline of the right-of way. Where a street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the area within vacated street or alley on each side of the centerline shall be classified in the same land use designation as the adjoining property.
Level of Service (Traffic): A scale that measures the amount of traffic that a roadway or intersection can accommodate, based on such factors as maneuverability, driver dissatisfaction, and delay.
Limit: To confine a project or activity within prescribed specifications or performance criteria.
Link: To connect a project, area, function, or activity to another feature or features that would be mutually beneficial and reinforce desired functions.
Locate: To place an improvement, function, or use in a particular locale, on property with certain characteristics, or in proximity to specified features to bring about benefits and/or efficiency.
Maintain: To keep a system, facility, area, or activity in continuously sound condition, as defined by approved standards.
May: To offer the possibility but not the probability or promise of a certain commitment of resources or support; associated with action or activity that is often desirable and allowed, but implementation of such action or activity is often conditional.
Minimize: To reduce something to the smallest amount or degree feasible.
Monitor: To track the performance of a particular physical condition, activity accomplishment or aspect of change, with a view toward using the results to inform City determination of its appropriate commitments.
Multipurpose Trail: Also called a Shared-use Path (per the ATMP), is an off-street trail that accommodates pedestrian and bicycle travel. These trails typically double as Class I bikeways.
National Flood Insurance Program: A federal program that authorizes the sale of federally subsidized flood insurance in communities where such flood insurance is not available privately.
The areas of high risk are mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
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Natural Ecosystem: Natural ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals, and microorganisms in an area functioning together with all the non-living physical of the environment. That or, a place where plants and animals are dependent upon one another—and their particular surroundings—for survival.
Never: Something (e.g., action or land use) will not take place or occur under any circumstance.
Noise-Sensitive Uses: Land uses where quiet environments are necessary for enjoyment and public health and safety. Residences, schools, motels and hotels, libraries, religious institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes are examples. Such uses are also considered vibration-sensitive uses.
Notify: To advise a specified party or parties regarding an event or change for which there is an obligation to inform or need to know.
Ontario Ranch: An area that spans over 8,000 acres and 13 square miles, offering master-planned neighborhoods, commercial centers, and recreation spaces. A visionary model for California Growth, Ontario Ranch is the first gigabit community in Southern California and will feature ultra-high bandwidth home-data services, plus an expansive park and trail system, new schools, and independent sources of water. (Generally, the area south of Riverside Drive) Parkland: Land used for public recreational and open space purposes. Such spaces and facilities can be public or private.
Particulate Matter: “Particulate matter,” also known as particle pollution or PM, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles.
Partner: To join with another entity in conducting an activity or building a facility that would be mutually beneficial and add value more efficiently than if pursued independently; does not necessarily require financial commitments. See also cooperate.
Periodically: The action will take place or apply to future decisions at specified intervals or times.
Places: Functional and appealing places where people want to live, work, and visit.
Place Types: Distributed throughout Ontario and are generally centered around areas designed as mixed use. They include a range of scales that are intended to fulfill different roles within city.
Such areas are envisioned as walkable and transit-friendly environments with a safe, comfortable, and inviting public realm that encourages people to spend time, whether living, working, or visiting.
Policy: A statement that guides decision-making and specifies public commitment. A policy defines and directs how the City intends to achieve goals.
Potable Water: Water of sufficient quality to serve as drinking water, whether it is used for drinking or not.
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Premier Community: A community with a distinct identity or character such as historic development, viable neighborhoods, design, and image.
Preserve: To maintain something in its original or existing state (verb). An area dedicated to the protection and conservation of biological resources and/or landscapes (noun).
Prevent: To keep a particular use, condition, activity, or circumstance from occurring; it does not imply complete (100 percent) avoidance or elimination.
Prioritize: To intentionally direct discretionary investments or actions to one area ahead of other areas. The act of prioritizing is an ad-hoc process that considers a variety of relevant factors. State and federal law and agency requirements, court orders, and City/county-declared emergencies take precedent over the prioritization direction in the Policy Plan.
Principle: An assumption, fundamental rule, or doctrine that guides Policy Plan policies, proposals, standards, and implementation measures.
Prohibit: To absolutely disallow something from happening or being built.
Promote: To actively stimulate the likelihood and desirability of something happening; does not require investing public resources in its direct development.
Protect: To shield from damage to people or property.
Provide: To make something available, typically to a community, organization, or business; it does not imply that the thing is being made available at no cost.
Public (noun): Residents, businesses, visitors, and travelers.
Public realm: Framework for an urban, mixed use, or transit-oriented area that is vibrant, active, and intense urban environment.
Pursue: To strive to obtain or to seek to accomplish something, often through direct actions, partnerships, or indirect assistance. See also support. [no terms that begin with the letter “Q”]
R-Z
Rare Species: A native California plant (species, subspecies, or variety) is rare when, although not presently threatened with extinction, it is in such small numbers throughout its range that it may become endangered if its present environment worsens (Section1901, Fish and Game Code).
Since 1985, this designation applies to plants only.
Recycled Water: Former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated to remove solids and certain impurities, and then allowed to recharge the aquifer or used for non-potable purposes rather than being discharged to surface water.
Reflect: To embody or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way. 1842
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Renewable Energy: Energy that is virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. Renewable energy includes biomass, hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action.
Report: To provide public information on a subject or condition.
Require: To absolutely impose an obligation or standard.
Resilience / Resiliency: The capacity of any entity to prepare for disruptions, to recover from shocks and stresses, and to adapt and grow from a disruptive experience. Adaptation actions contribute to increasing resilience.
Respect: To give due regard for something or to hold something in high regard.
SBCTA / SBCOG: San Bernardino County Transportation Authority / San Bernardino Council of Governments.
SCAG: Southern California Association of Governments.
Sensitive Land Uses: Uses that by their nature and characteristics can be significantly impacted by the noise, odor, vibration, air quality and inherent hazards associated with other uses near it.
Sensitive uses include, but are not limited: single and multiple family residences, schools, churches, hospitals, day care facilities and nursing homes.
Sensitive Species: “Sensitive” refers to naturally-reproducing fish and wildlife species, subspecies, or populations that are facing one or more threats to their populations and/or habitats.
Shall: Will always be carried out or required; no exceptions.
Should: Will be carried out or required most of the time, unless a very good reason is identified why an exception is acceptable.
Solar Access: The provision of direct sunlight to an area specified for solar energy collection when the suns azimuth is within 45 degrees of true south.
Solid Waste: Any unwanted or discarded material that is not a liquid or gas. Includes organic wastes, paper products, metals, glass, plastics, cloth, brick, rock, soil, leather, rubber, yard wastes, and wood, but does not include sewage and hazardous materials. Organic wastes and paper products comprise about 75 percent of typical urban solid waste.
Sometimes: Will apply to future decisions under specified conditions or circumstances.
Specify: To establish distinct requirements.
Strive: To make great efforts or devote serious effort to achieve or obtain something.
Support: To provide assistance or promotion; see encourage. 1843
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Sustainability: A process in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development, and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspiration; sustainability integrates the political, social, economic, and environmental. A more common and concise definition of sustainability is a system that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Sustainable development: Development that maintains or enhances equity, economic opportunity, and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environment upon which people and economies depend. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Trucking-intensive Business or Use: In the context of defining a trucking-intensive business, a truck is a vehicle identified by the Federal Highway Administration vehicle as Class 4 or higher, with the exception of dually trucks and recreational vehicles. A trucking-intensive business is a permitted use that includes the frequent use of trucks as part of its primary activities including, logistics facilities, warehousing, fulfillment centers, distribution centers, truck yards, hazardous materials or waste facilities, container storage, and container parking.
Urban Run-off: Surface runoff of rainwater over impervious surfaces. During rainstorms and other precipitation events (including run-off from overwatering landscape areas), these surfaces (built from materials such as asphalt, cement, and concrete), along with rooftops, carry polluted stormwater to storm drains, instead of allowing the water to percolate through soil. This causes lowering of the water table (because groundwater recharge is lessened) and flooding since the amount of water that remains on the surface is greater.
Vibration-Sensitive Uses: Land uses where quiet environments are necessary for enjoyment and public health and safety. Residences, schools, motels and hotels, libraries, religious institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes are examples. Such uses are also considered noise-sensitive uses.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT): The total amount of driving over a given area. In 2013, the State of California passed Senate Bill 743, which mandates that jurisdictions can no longer use automobile delay – commonly measured by Level of Service – in transportation analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act. The State issued guidelines that direct jurisdictions to use of a broader measure called VMT, with the intent to reduce overall VMT and per capita VMT.
Vulnerability Assessment: An analysis of the vulnerability of various City asset types and people to climate change hazards. A vulnerability assessment is required by state law as part of a jurisdiction’s Safety Element and is used to generate policies and actions that will lead to greater safety, climate adaptation, and resiliency. The City’s Vulnerability Assessment is incorporated by reference into its Safety Element.
Vulnerable Population or Community: Populations or communities that experience heightened risk and increased sensitivity to natural disasters, emergencies, or severe weather events or conditions; and have less capacity and fewer resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from such events or conditions.
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Waste Diversion: The act of preventing garbage from being disposed of in landfills or incinerators by reducing the amount of materials that you use or buy, reusing products, recycling or composting.
Wastewater: Spent or used water with dissolved or suspended solids, discharged from homes, commercial establishments, farms, and industries.
Williamson Act: Known formally as the California Land Conservation Act of 1965, it was designed as an incentive to retain prime agricultural land and open-space in agricultural use, thereby slowing its conversion to urban and suburban development. The program entails a tenyear contract between a jurisdiction and an owner of land whereby the land is taxed on the basis of its agricultural use rather than its market value. The land becomes subject to certain enforceable restrictions, and certain conditions need to be met prior to approval of an agreement. Contracts may be exited at the option of the landowner or local government by initiating the process of term nonrenewal. Other circumstances and processes may also apply. [no terms that begin with the letter “X”]
[no terms that begin with the letter “Y”]
Zoning: The division of a jurisdiction by legislative regulations into areas (aka land use zoning districts), which specify allowable uses for real property and size restrictions for buildings within these areas; a program that implements policies and the land use categories of the Policy Plan. 1845
April 2022
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR
THE ONTARIO PLAN 2050 UPDATE
City of Ontario
Prepared for:
City of Ontario
Contact: Kimberly Ruddins
Principal Planner
303 East B Street
Ontario, California 91764
909.395.2169
Prepared by:
PlaceWorks
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 1100
Santa Ana, California 92707
714.966.9220
Contact: Colin Drukker, Principal
[email protected]
www.placeworks.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Community Profile .................................................................................................................................... 1 Regulatory Framework.............................................................................................................................. 3 Climate Science Overview......................................................................................................................... 4 Vulnerability Assessment Method................................................................................................................ 5 Step 1: Identify Exposure .......................................................................................................................... 5 Step 2. Identify Sensitivities and Potential Impacts.................................................................................. 7 Step 3. Assess Adaptive Capacity.............................................................................................................. 8 Step 4. Prioritize Vulnerability Scoring ..................................................................................................... 9 Hazards of Concern..................................................................................................................................... 10 Climate Change Hazards ......................................................................................................................... 10 Agriculture Pests and Diseases........................................................................................................... 10 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Drought............................................................................................................................................... 11 Extreme Heat and Warm Nights......................................................................................................... 11 Flooding............................................................................................................................................... 13 Human Health Hazards....................................................................................................................... 15 Severe Weather .................................................................................................................................. 15 Wildfire and Smoke............................................................................................................................. 15 Natural Hazards Not Evaluated in the Vulnerability Assessment........................................................... 16 Seismic Hazards................................................................................................................................... 16 Geologic Hazards................................................................................................................................. 17 Populations and Assets............................................................................................................................... 18 Vulnerability Assessment Results ............................................................................................................... 20 Population and Asset Considerations..................................................................................................... 20 Populations............................................................................................................................................. 21 Built Systems and Services...................................................................................................................... 22 Economic Drivers .................................................................................................................................... 25 Implications for TOP 2050........................................................................................................................... 27 Emergency Preparedness and Response ................................................................................................ 27 Mutual-Aid Agreements...................................................................................................................... 28 Evacuation Needs................................................................................................................................ 28 1848
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Equity and Uncertainty ........................................................................................................................... 28 Adaptation and Resilience Opportunities............................................................................................... 29 Resilience in Other Planning Mechanisms.............................................................................................. 31 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 32 Printed References.................................................................................................................................. 32 Websites ................................................................................................................................................. 33 List of Preparers.......................................................................................................................................... 35 Lead Agency ............................................................................................................................................ 35 PlaceWorks, Consultant to the City of Ontario....................................................................................... 35 Appendices
Appendix A: list of Populations and Assets................................................................................................. 36 Appendix B: Vulnerability Assessment Results Matrix ............................................................................... 42 List of Tables
Table 1. Rubric for Impact Scoring................................................................................................................ 8 Table 2. Rubric for Adaptive Capacity Scoring .............................................................................................. 9 Table 3. Populations and Assets Included in the Vulnerability Assessment...............................................18 List of Figures
Figure 1. Community Overview Map ............................................................................................................ 2 Figure 2. California Adaptation Planning Guide Recommended Method .................................................... 5 Figure 3. Vulnerability Scoring Matrix........................................................................................................... 9 Figure 4. Projected Extreme Heat Days in Ontario ..................................................................................... 12 Figure 5. Project Warm Nights in Ontario................................................................................................... 12 Figure 6. FEMA Flood Hazard Zones ........................................................................................................... 14 1849
1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Ontario (City) prepared a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment in conformance with State of California requirements to assess climate change vulnerability and address climate change adaptation and resilience as part of The Ontario Plan 2050 Update (TOP 2050). California Government Code Section 65302(g) requires communities to address climate adaptation and resilience in their general plans. The goal of this requirement is to enable the community to prepare for, respond to, withstand, and recover from disruptions created or caused by climate change. The vulnerability assessment acts as a foundation for integrating adaptation and resilience policies into the Safety Element and The Ontario Plan by identifying a set of priority vulnerabilities in the City of Ontario. This report presents the results of the City’s Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and includes an overview of the regulatory framework and method for preparing a vulnerability assessment and incorporating adaptation and resilience into TOP 2050, a summary of the climate change hazards affecting the resilience of Ontario, and characterizes specific populations and assets included in the assessment Community Profile
The City of Ontario is in the valley portion of San Bernardino County, surrounded by the cities of Rancho Cucamonga and Upland to the north, the cities of Fontana and Jurupa Valley to the east, the City of Eastvale to the south, and City of Chino to the west. The Los Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains rise nearly 10,064 feet above sea level, and the city sits just south of this mountain range at 1,004 feet above sea level. According to American Community Survey 2019, 5-year estimates, Ontario is home to approximately 176,760 residents, over 37 percent of which are 24 years old or younger and 31 percent of which are between 25 and 44 years old.
The City of Ontario covers approximately 50 square miles, as shown in Figure 1, which was originally home to the Tongva (Gabrielino) and Kizh (Gabrielino) tribal nations. The city is developed with residential, commercial, office, public facility, industrial, and agricultural land uses. Residential, commercial, public facility, and office land uses are distributed throughout the city. Industrial land uses are concentrated in the central portion of the city, surrounding the Ontario International Airport, as well as in the eastern and southern portions of the city. Agricultural land uses comprise most of the land use in the southern portion of Ontario; however, this use will likely transition to residential, mixed-use, and commercial land uses by 2050. Major economic sectors include education services, Ontario International Airport, retail centers, and warehouses and logistics centers.
The city has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters with rain. On average, annual high temperatures in Ontario range from 65 degrees Fahrenheit ( o
F) in January to 94 in August. Low
temperatures range from 43 o
F in December to 65oF in August. The city receives an average of approximately 15.04 inches of precipitation per year, with all precipitation falling as rain. Most precipitation falls during the winter months with rare occurrences of summer storms. The Southern California inland valley climate was historically famous for growing citrus because of the hot summers and winters without frost. The Santa Ana winds flow through this area of San Bernardino County from October to April, with the strongest Santa Anas occurring in December and January. 1850
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2 Figure 1. Community Overview Map
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3 Ontario’s primary transportation access is from Interstate (I-) 10, I-15, State Route (SR-) 60, and SR-83. I10 runs west through San Bernardino County to downtown Los Angeles and east through the southern United States to the east coast. I-15 runs south through San Bernardino County to downtown San Diego and north through the western United States to Canada. SR-60 runs east to west, and SR-83 runs north to south through Ontario, connecting the valley region of San Bernardino County to the mountains to the north and San Gabriel Valley to the east. Other major roadways include Mission Boulevard, 4th Street, Airport Drive, Haven Avenue, and Miliken Avenue. Ontario International Airport is in the north-central portion of the city. Omnitrans operates six public bus routes, including one express route, through Ontario, which residents can use to travel to key destinations in Ontario and other areas of San Bernardino County. Metrolink, via the Union Pacific Railroad, provides long-distance train service via Ontario to Los Angeles, which connects with other train services to major cities such as Seattle, Chicago, and New Orleans. The City also maintains bike routes along Riverside Drive, Deer Creek Loop, Lytle Creek Loop, and Inland Empire Boulevard.
Regulatory Framework
In 2015, the State adopted Senate Bill (SB) 379, amending Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code to require cities and counties to update the Safety Element of their general plan to include more information about wildfire hazards, flooding risks, and other short-term and long-term threats posed by climate change. SB 379 is the foundation for adaptation and resiliency in general plan safety elements, as it requires local governments to conduct vulnerability assessments as part of their long-range public safety planning efforts and to prepare adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and implementation measures that respond to the findings of the vulnerability assessment and protect against harm caused by climate change.
Other important updates to Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code related to Safety Elements include SB 1035, SB 99, and Assembly Bill (AB) 747/1409. SB 1035, which established Section 65302(g)(6) of the California Government Code, builds on previous legislation and requires local governments to review and update as needed their Safety Element during an update to their Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) (or no less than every eight years). Any revisions should include updated information related to flood hazards, fire hazards, and climate adaptation and resilience.
SB 99 established Section 65302(g)(5) of the California Government Code and requires jurisdictions to review and update the Safety Element to include information identifying residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes. AB 747 added Section 65302.15 to the California Government Code (amended by AB 1409), which became effective in January 2022, requires local governments to identify the capacity, safety, and viability of evacuation routes and locations in the Safety Element or LHMP on or before the next update of their LHMP. This Vulnerability Assessment, along with the update to the Safety Element of TOP 2050, supports the City of Ontario to meet these requirements.
The State of California prepared a guidance document, the California Adaptation Planning Guide, to assist communities in addressing climate adaptation and resilience, and complying with Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code. This guide presents a step-by-step process for gathering the best-available climate change science, completing a climate change vulnerability assessment, creating adaptation strategies, and integrating those strategies into general plans and other policy documents. The City’s 1852
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4 vulnerability assessment is consistent with the guidance and recommended methods provided in the California Adaptation Planning Guide and the Resilient IE.
Climate Science Overview
Climate change is a long-term change in the average meteorological conditions in an area. Currently, the global climate is changing due to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that trap heat near the Earth’s surface. While some levels of these gases are necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature on Earth, an increased concentration of these gases due to human activity traps additional heat, changing Earth’s climate system in several ways. According to the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment, these effects cause primary climate stressors, which include warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns, which can cause and exacerbate secondary climate stressors. These secondary climate stressors, also known as climate change hazards, can include flooding, severe weather, poor air quality, and drought conditions, among others. According to the California Adaptation Planning Guide, these hazards have the potential to cause fatalities, injuries, property and infrastructure damage, interruption of business, and other types of harm or loss. This Vulnerability Assessment Report presents the local and regional impacts created by climate change hazards and the ability of Ontario’s populations and community to resist these hazards, to assess which aspects of the community are most vulnerable to climate change.
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5 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT METHOD
The Vulnerability Assessment analyzes how a changing climate may harm the City of Ontario, and which aspects of the community – including people, buildings and infrastructure, services, and economic drivers – are most vulnerable to its effects. The vulnerability assessment primarily follows the recommended process published in the California Adaptation Planning Guide in 2020 by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. This includes a four-step process: (1) characterizing the community’s exposure to current and projected climate hazards; (2) identifying potential sensitivities and potential impacts to community populations and assets; (3) evaluating the current ability of the populations and assets to cope with climate impacts, also referred to as its adaptive capacity; and (4) identifying priority vulnerabilities based on systematic scoring. Figure 2 shows these steps.
Figure 2. California Adaptation Planning Guide Recommended Method
Step 1: Identify Exposure
The goal of this step is to characterize the community’s exposure to current and projected climate change hazards. Many projections of climate change hazards rely on multiple scenarios that reflect different levels of how global GHG emissions and atmospheric GHG concentrations may change over time. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organization that represents the global scientific consensus about climate change, has identified four climate scenarios, also called Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), that can be used to project future conditions. RCPs are labeled with different numbers (e.g., RCP 2.6, RCP 6) that refer to the increase in the amount of energy that reaches each square meter of Earth’s surface under that scenario. The four RCPs are:
• RCP 2.6: Under this scenario, global GHG emissions peak around 2020 and then decline quickly. • RCP 4.5: Under this scenario, global GHG emissions peak around 2040 and then decline. • RCP 6: Global emissions continue to rise until the middle of the century. • RCP 8.5: Global emissions continue to increase at least until the end of the century.
Step 1. Identify Exposure
Step 2. Identify Sensitivities and Potential Impacts
Step 3. Assess Adaptive Capacity
Step 4. Prioritize Vulnerability Scoring
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6 The Cal-Adapt database, which provides California-specific climate change hazard projections, uses RCP 4.5 for a low emissions scenario and RCP 8.5 for a high emissions scenario.
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Planning and Investing for a Resilient California document and the
Adaptation Planning Guide recommend using RCP 8.5 for
analyses considering impacts through 2050, as there are minimal differences between emission scenarios for the first half of the century. This guide also recommends using RCP 8.5 for late-century projections, for a more conservative and risk-adverse approach. The City used the RCP 8.5 GHG emission scenario to input into global climate models on the Cal-Adapt database and other resources.i The first step of this vulnerability assessment was to confirm which climate change hazards are expected to affect Ontario. The City identified eight climate change hazards for this assessment, listed here and discussed in more detail in the Climate Change Hazards section.
1. Agriculture Pests and Diseases
2. Air Quality
3. Drought
4. Extreme Heat and Warm Nights
5. Flooding
6. Human Health Hazards
7. Severe Weather
8. Wildfire and Smoke
The City derived the climate change hazard data from up-to-date information, including the state CalAdapt database, the California Adaptation Planning Guide, the California 4th Climate Change Assessment, the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the San Bernardino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the San Bernardino County Vulnerability Assessment conducted as part of Resilient Inland Empire (IE). i The IPCC recently released “The Physical Science Basis” of the Sixth Assessment Report that updates global climate change projections for the near-term, mid-term, and long-term based on greenhouse gas emission trends from the past decade. It moves away from using RCPs, instead using five different scenarios called “shared socioeconomic pathways”, which consider socioeconomic trends underlying each scenario. This Vulnerability Assessment does not use these updated projections because at time of writing they are not available at a local scale. However, the IPCC report does reaffirm the use of projections comparable to RCP 8.5 as the suggested emission scenario to use for Cal-Adapt data.
Exposure: The presence of people,
infrastructure, natural systems, and
economic, cultural, and social
resources in areas that are subject to
harm.
Source: California Adaptation Planning Guide
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7 Step 2. Identify Sensitivities and Potential Impacts
This step included evaluating past and potential future climate change impacts to community populations and
assets. The City first identified a list of populations and assets to include in the assessment with the following five categories:
1. Populations: People that experience a heightened
risk or increased sensitivity to climate change or
have a lower capacity or fewer resources to adapt
to or recover from climate impacts.
2. Infrastructure: Structures that provide essential
services to Ontario community members and visitors.
3. Buildings: Homes, nonresidential buildings, and other building types.
4. Important Economic Assets: Properties and activities that make significant contributions to the Ontario economy.
5. Key Community Services: Important and essential functions to community members provided by government agencies and private companies.
This list included 17 populations, 17 infrastructure types, 9 building types, 7 economic drivers, and 9 key community services. After confirmation of this list, the City looked at which hazards are applicable in Ontario, or likely to affect which populations and assets, because not all hazards affect all populations or assets. For example, human health hazards are likely to impact most populations, but would not physically affect community parks or school buildings.
The outcome of this step was a matrix that identified whether a population or asset is likely to be exposed to a hazard. If a population or asset has the potential to be affected directly or indirectly by a hazard, a “yes” was indicated in the appropriate box. Direct impacts affect buildings and infrastructure, health or populations, or immediate operations of economic drivers or community services, and they can lead to indirect impacts on the broader system or community, including populations or asset types in a different category. For example, severe weather can directly damage electrical transmission lines causing power outages, which can indirectly impact persons with chronic illnesses who depend on the electricity for life support systems. Therefore, the City marked both electrical transmission lines and persons with chronic illnesses as “yes” for being affected by severe weather and would be evaluated in the assessment.
After the applicability review, the City evaluated potential impacts to the applicable populations and community assets. To identify how great the impacts of each relevant hazard are on the populations and community assets, the City considered a number of different questions that helped ensure the assessment broadly covered a range of potential harm. Examples of these questions include:
• Could the hazards cause injury or damage? Is there a risk of behavioral or mental harm, loss of economic activity, or other nonphysical effects?
• How many people or community assets could be harmed both directly and indirectly? • How long would the impacts persist?
• Is there a substantial chance of death or widespread destruction? Sensitivity: The level to which a species,
natural system, or community,
government, etc., would be affected by
changing climate conditions.
Impact: The effects (especially the
negative effects) of a hazard or other
conditions associated with climate
change.
Source: California Adaptation Planning Guide
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8 Based on the results of the impact assessment, the City ranked each sensitivity as low, medium, or high impact for each relevant exposure. Impact is considered a negative quality, and therefore a higher impact score means that there is a higher potential for harm to a population or asset. A lower impact score means that there is a lower potential for harm to a population or asset. Table 1 provides more detail about what each score means.
Table 1. Rubric for Impact Scoring
Impact Score Meaning (People and Ecosystems) Meaning (Buildings, Infrastructure, Services, and Economic Drivers)
Low Impact
Community members may not notice any
change. If noticed, effect would be minor with
only occasional disruptions.
Damage, interruption in service, or impacts on
the local economy is small or intermittent
enough to mostly go unnoticed. If noticed,
effects are only minor.
Medium
Impact
There is a marked impact to the community.
Quality of life may decline. Impacts may be
chronic, and at times substantial.
Damage, service interruptions, and other
impacts are clearly evident. Impacts may be
chronic and occasionally substantial.
High Impact
The well-being of the community declines
significantly. The community’s current lifestyle
and behavior may no longer be possible. There
is a severe risk of widespread injury or death
to people, or of significant or total ecosystem
loss.
Buildings, infrastructure, and services may be
often or always cannot function as intended or
needed to meet community demand. Large
sections of the economy experience major
hardships or are not feasible.
Step 3. Assess Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity is the ability of populations and community assets to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impacts of climate change. The City evaluated each population and assets for adaptive capacity by considering the following questions:
1. Are there existing programs, policies, or funding to provide assistance?
2. Are there barriers that limit response or recovery? Are these barriers, financial limitations, political
challenges, lack of access to technology or other
resources, or others?
3. Do alternatives exist in or near Ontario that community members can use? Based on the results of the adaptive capacity assessment, the City ranked each population or asset as low, medium, or high adaptive capacity. Adaptive capacity is considered a positive attribute, so a higher adaptive capacity score will mean that a population or asset may be more adaptable to the hazard. A lower adaptive capacity score means that a population or asset may have a harder time adjusting to the changing conditions. Table 2 provides more detail about what each score means.
Adaptive Capacity: The “combination
of the strengths, attributes, and
resources available to an individual,
community, society, or organization
that can be used to prepare for and
undertake actions to reduce adverse
impacts, moderate harm, or exploit
beneficial opportunities”.
Source: California Adaptation Planning Guide
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9 Table 2. Rubric for Adaptive Capacity Scoring
Step 4. Prioritize Vulnerability Scoring
The City used the impact and adaptive capacity scores for each population and asset for each relevant hazard to determine the vulnerability score. The vulnerability (V) score reflects how susceptible the population or asset is to harm from a particular hazard. Vulnerability is assessed on a scale as low, medium, or high. The Vulnerability Scoring Matrix (Figure 3) shows how impact and adaptive capacity scores combine and translate into a vulnerability score. For example, extreme heat would create a high impact on energy delivery because mechanical failures, heat damage, and high demand for electricity from cooling equipment can disrupt this service. Adaptive capacity is low because many community members need to use more electricity on extreme heat days to keep cool, especially since over half of homes were built prior to 1980 and may not be well insulated and retrofitting electrical equipment can be expensive. Therefore, energy delivery services are highly vulnerable to extreme heat.
Figure 3. Vulnerability Scoring Matrix
Impact Score
Low Medium High
Adaptive
Capacity Score
Low Medium High High
Medium Low Medium High
High Low Low Medium
Adaptive Capacity Score Meaning
Low Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive solutions are available, but they are expensive, technologically difficult, and/or politically unpopular. Alternatives may not exist that can provide similar services. Some assets may not have feasible means to adapt.
Medium Adaptive Capacity
Some adaptation methods are available, but not always feasible. Adapting may create significant challenges for some sensitivities. Some alternatives exist within the jurisdiction area that can provide similar services.
High Adaptive Capacity
Adaptation solutions are feasible for most or all sensitivities. There may be occasional or small-scale challenges to implementing adaptation methods, but populations and assets can adapt with little or no effort. Many alternatives exist in the area that can provide similar services.
Vulnerability: The degree to
which natural, built, and human
systems are susceptible “…to
harm from exposure to stresses
associated with environmental
and social change and from the
absence of capacity to adapt”.
Source: California Adaptation Planning
Guide
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10 HAZARDS OF CONCERN
As described in the California Adaptation Planning Guide, hazards are events or physical conditions that have the potential to cause fatalities, injuries, property and infrastructure damage, interruption of business, and other types of harm or loss. Some natural hazards, such as earthquakes, do not have a known connection with climate change, but have been included in this report to provide an overview of those hazards for TOP 2050.
Climate Change Hazards
Climate change hazards focus on natural hazards that can change in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The Vulnerability Assessment assesses the climate change hazards that are most relevant to the City of Ontario, as stated previously. This section discusses the climate change hazards based on projections provided by Cal-Adapt, the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment, the Resilient IE Toolkit, the San Bernardino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, FEMA, and scholarly research.
AGRICULTURE PESTS AND DISEASES
According to the 2020 San Bernardino County Crop Report, agriculture and livestock had total gross production of over $420 billion in 2020, with milk, milk products, and cattle being the largest-grossing crop. Agricultural pests and diseases can affect livestock and crops supporting the livestock in the Ontario Ranch area of the city. This hazard is measured by the number of pests and disease incidents, which are likely to increase as higher temperatures allow insects to reproduce more rapidly. In 2020, the San Bernardino County Agriculture/Weights & Measures inspected 406 samples of incoming plant materials from other states and countries, of which, 44 samples contained pests or diseases and 69 samples were rejected.
These pests and diseases, such as the scales, mealybugs, whitefly, Asian Citrus Psyllid, and European Pine Shoot Moth, can slow the growth of plants and animals, damage them so that their products are less appealing and harder to sell, or even kill them. Though there are treatment options for many agricultural pests and diseases, some have no cure. Many pests and organisms that carry diseases are most active during warmer months, so the threat of infection or infestation is higher during that time of year.
Projection trends show temperatures getting warmer earlier in the year and remaining warmer until later in the year due to increases in air temperature, which creates a wider activity window for pests and diseases. However, agriculture production within the City of Ontario is projected to transition to residential, mixed-use, and commercial land uses by 2050.
AIR QUALITY
The dominant sources of air pollution in the City of Ontario are ozone pollution from vehicle exhaust and agricultural soils, fine particulate matter and diesel particulate matter from vehicles and stationary sources, and smoke from wildfires in the region. According to the California Office of Health Hazard Assessment, in 2016, ozone levels in Ontario were higher than 83 percent of census tracts in California and fine particulate matter concentrations were higher that 97 percent of census tracts in California.
Higher future temperatures will likely increase the production of ground-level ozone, especially in 1859
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11 Southern California valley cities like Ontario, which are already experiencing high levels of this pollutant.
Ground-level ozone is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes, including reduced lung function, pneumonia, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and premature death. Smoke from wildfires in the region can also increase air pollution levels and create a significant health risk in the region.
DROUGHT
A drought occurs when conditions are drier than normal for an extended period, making less water available for people and ecosystems. Droughts are a regular occurrence in California; however, according to the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment, it is expected that climate change will lead to more frequent and more intense droughts statewide. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, San Bernardino County and Ontario are in severe drought conditions and much of California is in Extreme or Exceptional Drought conditions. Based on the Infrastructure Report for Hydrology, Sewer, Water, and Water Quality prepared for TOP 2050, the City of Ontario receives water from three primary sources: (1) local groundwater sources; (2) imported water, primarily from the State Water Project, treated and distributed by the Water Facilities Authority, Chino Basin Desalter Authority, and the San Antonio Water Company; and (3) recycled water from the Inland Empire Utility Agency. Of these sources, most of the community’s water supply is from the Chino Groundwater Basin (52 percent) and the State Water Project via the Rialto feeder and Agua de Lejos Treatment Plant in Upland (28 percent).
Snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada, which feed the State Water Project, dropped by 25 percent during the 2011 to 2016 drought, and average springtime snowpack is expected to drop 64 percent by 2100. In 2021, the snowpack in the Northern Sierra was 70 percent of the average, but the rain was less than 50 percent of the annual average, making it the third-driest year on record. During drought conditions, water stored in the State Water Project’s primary reservoirs could decrease due to lack of rainfall and reduction in snowpack due to higher temperatures. This can cause water shortages for water agencies relying on the State Water Project and heavier reliance on groundwater supplies to meet the needs of Ontario residents and businesses. The City of Ontario and Cucamonga Valley Water District directly provide water to residents and businesses, and both agencies have Water Shortage Contingency Plans as part of their 2020 Urban Water Management Plans. The Water Shortage Contingency Plans provide specific demand reduction actions to conserve water and ensure reliable supplies, including water restrictions for nonessential uses, increased use of recycled water, and penalties for violating water shortage provisions.
EXTREME HEAT AND WARM NIGHTS
Extreme heat occurs when temperatures rise significantly above normal levels. In Ontario, an extreme heat day occurs when temperatures reach above 103.2 o
F. As shown in Figure 4, the number of extreme
heat days in Ontario is projected to increase from a historic annual average (1961 to 1990) of 4 days per year to an average of 25 extreme heat days per year by mid-century and an average of 41 extreme heat days per year by end of century.
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12 Figure 4. Projected Extreme Heat Days in Ontario
Extreme heat can also occur in the form of warmer nights, as temperatures do not cool down overnight and provide relief from the heat. In Ontario, a warm night occurs when the temperature remains above
68.6 o
F. As shown in Figure 5ii, the number of warm nights in Ontario is projected to increase from a historic annual average (1961 to 1990) of 5 days per year to an average of 41 warm nights per year by mid-century and an average of 74 warm nights per year by the end of the century.
Figure 5. Project Warm Nights in Ontario
ii The visual change from 2020 and 2021 is due to using a combination of sources to fill in gaps from 2005 to 2020.
The data from 1950 to 2005 and 2020 to 2100 is derived from Cal-Adapt. The data from 2006 to 2020 is from the National Weather Service. Therefore, the observed extreme heat days/warm nights differ slightly from the projections. This is showing that the observations exceed what the average projections are showing. 0 10
20 30
40 50
60 70
1950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025203020352040204520502055206020652070207520802085209020952100 Number of Extreme Heat Days
Year
Observed Projected
Sources: Cal-Adapt, 2021; National Weather Service, 2021 Historic Future
0 20
40 60
80 100
120
1950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025203020352040204520502055206020652070207520802085209020952100 Number of Warm Nights
Year
Observed Projected
Sources: Cal-Adapt, 2021; National Weather Service, 2021 Historic Future
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13 Extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, in addition to exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Some homes in Ontario may lack air conditioning, and as a result, people living in these homes may be more susceptible to harm from extreme heat events. If homes have air conditioning, residents may find increased use cost prohibitive, especially for older or less-efficient systems, typically found in buildings built prior to 1990. Some types of infrastructure, including power lines and roadways, face greater stresses during high temperatures that make failure more likely.
FLOODING
Flooding can cause significant harm to buildings, people, and infrastructure. Floodwater can be deep enough to drown people and may move fast enough to carry people or heavy objects (such as cars) away.
Flooding can be caused by heavy rainfall, extended periods of moderate rainfall, or clogged drains during periods of rainfall. In rare instances, a break in a dam, water pipe, or water tank can also cause flooding.
Flash floods are floods that develop very quickly, and they can be especially dangerous because they give little or no warning. Persons experiencing homelessness and others who may be outdoors in the path of a flood can face particularly high risks from these events.
Figure 6 shows the current 100-year and 500-year flood hazard areas within Ontario. FEMA defines a 100- year floodplain as areas with a one in 100-year chance, or 1 percent, annual chance of flooding in any given year and a 500-year floodplain as an area with a one in 500-year, or 0.2 percent, annual chance of flooding in any given year. According to the City of Ontario 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan, approximately 580 acres, or 1.8 percent, of land within the city is within the FEMA-designated 100-year flood zone, and 26,526 acres, or 83 percent, of land is within the FEMA-designated 500-year flood zone, with 2,260 acres, or 7 percent, of land within the FEMA 500-year floodplain protected by a levee.
According to the City of Ontario 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan, historic flooding has occurred periodically within Ontario, primarily consisting of urban street flooding due to the storm drain system exceeding capacity. According to the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment, Los Angeles Regional Report, storm drainage systems throughout the city collect stormwater runoff and convey water to prevent flooding, although these systems are typically designed based on winter storms recorded in the past and may not be designed to accommodate more extreme storms.
According to the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment, climate change will likely increase the frequency and intensity of floods within Ontario, although total annual precipitation levels are only expected to increase slightly. Up to half of California’s precipitation comes from a relatively small number of intense winter storms, which are expected to become more intense with climate change. For example, what is currently a 100-year flood, or a flood that has a 1-percent chance of occurring annually, may occur every 20 or 50 years.
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14 Figure 6. FEMA Flood Hazard Zones
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15 HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS
There are several diseases, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and influenza, which are linked to climate change and can be debilitating or fatal for some of the population.
Pests, such as mice, rats, ticks, and mosquitos carry these diseases. Climate change can increase the rates of infections because many of the animals that carry diseases are more active during warmer weather and may expand in population size due to higher levels of rainfall during storm events and stagnant water after flooding, increasing the time for disease transmittal.
Some diseases and illnesses have the potential to become epidemics or pandemics if they spread within communities, regions, or over multiple countries. Epidemics and pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can worsen existing health conditions as well as cause economic disruptions within the city and region. Additionally, following natural disasters, such as flooding or severe weather events, mental health and stress-related disorders can make people even more vulnerable. The City evaluated health hazards from air pollutants as part of the air quality hazard discussion.
SEVERE WEATHER
Severe weather can include high winds, hail, and lightning, which are usually caused by intense storm systems, although types of high winds and sandstorms can occur without a storm. Severe winds, such as the Santa Ana winds, tend to be most frequent during October to April and can have average speeds of 40 miles per hour. These winds can destroy buildings, knock over trees, damage power lines and electrical equipment, and fan small sparks into large wildfires in the region. Severe weather can also include heavy rainfall, which can cause flash floods and ponding in areas not protected by a levee in the city. While less common in the city, hail and lightning can damage the buildings and infrastructure supporting economic sectors and key services within the city. As described in the Los Angeles Summary Report from the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment, the connection between climate change and severe weather is not as well established as other hazards, but new evidence suggests that these forms of severe weather may occur more often than in the past.
WILDFIRE AND SMOKE
Wildfires are a regular feature of the landscape in much of California. They can be sparked by lightning, malfunctioning equipment, vehicle crashes, or many other causes. Warmer temperatures, an increase in drought conditions, and extreme wind events, are likely to create more fuel for fires in natural and rural areas, leading to a greater chance that a spark will grow into a potentially dangerous blaze. Climate change is also expected to extend the fire season throughout much (or even all) of the year.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, there are no fire hazard severity zones within or surrounding the City of Ontario and the city is not located within the Wildland-Urban Interface. The nearest Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are located in Upland and Rancho Cucamonga to the north, Fontana and Jurupa Valley to the east, and Norco and Chino Hills the south. According to the City of Ontario 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan, there have been two major wildfires in the City of Ontario, including the 1958 Pole Line Fire in northeast Ontario, and the 2007 Walker Fire in southern Ontario. 1864
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16 While there are no fire hazard severity zones within the city limits, the smoke from wildfires increases air pollution levels, creating a significant health risk in the region. Most of the populations within Ontario have a high or medium vulnerability to wildfire and smoke conditions. In addition, planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which occur during red flag days when wind speeds are high and humidity is low, to prevent wildfires in the region have already impacted persons who depend on electricity for air conditioning or their medically necessary equipment. Public Safety Power Shutoffs can last for hours or days depending on the severity of the wind event and the wildfire conditions.
Natural Hazards Not Evaluated in the Vulnerability Assessment Seismic and geologic hazards are caused by the movement of different parts of the Earth’s crust, or surface. Seismic hazards include earthquakes and hazardous events caused by them. Geologic hazards are other hazards involving land movements that are not linked to seismic activity and are capable of inflicting harm to people or property. While climate change is unlikely to increase earthquake frequency or strength, the threats from seismic and geologic hazards are expected to continue in the future. The Safety Element of TOP 2050 contains mapping related to seismic and geologic hazards. However, these hazards were not included in the Vulnerability Assessment evaluation.
SEISMIC HAZARDS
Seismic activity occurs along boundaries in the Earth’s crust, called faults. Pressure along the faults builds over time and is ultimately released, resulting in ground shaking that we refer to as an earthquake.
Earthquakes can also trigger other hazards in Ontario, including surface rupture (cracks in the ground surface) and liquefaction (causing loose soil to lose its integrity). Earthquakes and other seismic hazards often damage or destroy property and public infrastructure, including roadways and utility lines.
Additionally, falling objects or structures due to earthquakes pose a risk of injury or death. In Southern California, earthquakes have the greatest potential for loss of life and/or property and economic damage compared to other hazards, especially when they trigger secondary effects that overwhelm the ability of local jurisdictions to respond. Earthquakes can also cause human-caused hazards, such as urban fires, dam failures, and toxic chemical releases.
Earthquake risk is very high in Ontario due to the presence of several active faults in the region. Major fault zones in the region include the San Andreas Fault approximately 14 miles northeast of the city, the San Jacinto Fault approximately 7 miles northeast of the city, the Elsinore Fault approximately 3 miles southeast of the city, and the Sierra Madre Fault approximately 5 miles north of the city. These faults are all capable of producing earthquakes of magnitude 6.7 or greater. A major earthquake along any of these four faults could result in substantial casualties and damage resulting from collapsed buildings, damaged roads and bridges, fires, flooding, and other threats to life and property.
In the event of an earthquake, the location of the epicenter, as well as the time of day and season of the year, would have a profound effect on the number of deaths, injuries, and property damage. There are a number of small-scale earthquakes that happen weekly, but larger scale or catastrophic shaking is less likely. Property and human life in Ontario are at risk from a significant earthquake causing catastrophic damage and strains on response and recovery resources. Most of the loss of life and injuries from earthquakes are from damage and collapse of buildings and structures. The California Building Standards Code, adopted by reference into Ontario Municipal Code Title 8, Building Regulations, provides more 1865
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17 stringent requirements for new construction intended to protect life safety and prevent collapse of structures. However, in Ontario, structures built prior to the enactment of these improved building codes may not have been upgraded to current standards and could be vulnerable to earthquakes.
Comprehensive hazard mitigation programs that include the identification and mapping of hazards, prudent planning and enforcement of building codes, and expedient retrofitting and rehabilitation of weak structures can significantly reduce the scope of an earthquake disaster.
Liquefaction is a potentially destructive secondary effect of strong seismic shaking. Liquefaction occurs when the force of an earthquake causes loosely packed sediment and saturated layers to lose strength and integrity and behave like a fluid. In addition to the composition of the soil—sand and gravel are more porous and hold more water—the liquefaction risk also depends on the height of the groundwater table.
Areas with a shallow groundwater table, such as areas near water bodies, are at more risk of liquefaction.
During an earthquake, highly saturated soil can lose much or all its stability, which can damage any structure built on it. In some cases of liquefaction, structures built on the soil may collapse completely.
Liquefied soils may also damage or destroy underground utility lines. This can cause flooding if water lines are broken or create a risk of fire if there is damage to natural gas lines.
Liquefaction-related effects include loss of bearing strength, ground oscillations, lateral spreading, and flow failures or slumping. Site-specific geotechnical studies are the only practical and reliable way of determining the specific liquefaction potential of a site; however, a determination of general risk potential can be provided based on soil type and depth of groundwater. Ontario has delineated areas of known and potential liquefaction hazards in the New Model Colony in the Policy Plan of TOP 2050. Areas that contain loosely packed sandy or silty materials saturated with water, includes areas with a high groundwater table, are also vulnerable to liquefaction.
In most cases, proper design and construction of subgrade soils and building foundations provide a mechanism to mitigate the risk of seismic hazards to an acceptable level in conformance with the California Building Code. The representation of areas having a liquefaction potential is only intended as notification to seek further site-specific information and analysis of this potential hazard as part of future site development. It should not be solely relied upon, without site-specific information and analysis, for design or decision-making purposes.
GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Subsidence is the major geologic hazard in Ontario. Subsidence refers to the sudden sinking or gradual downward settling and compaction of soil and other surface material with little or no horizontal motion.
It may be caused by a variety of human and natural activities, including underground mining, groundwater extraction, sinkholes, or drainage and decomposition of organic soils. Most of the early documented cases of subsidence affected only agricultural land or open space. As urban areas have expanded, so too have the impacts of subsidence on structures for human occupancy. Although there is no data currently available documenting the precise areas where subsidence could occur, it is most likely to occur near active groundwater wells as a result of seismic shaking or changes in subsurface conditions. 1866
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18 POPULATIONS AND ASSETS
Populations and assets are the people, infrastructure, services, and economic drivers in the City of Ontario that can be affected by climate change. The Vulnerability Assessment looks at how each population and community asset may be affected by each of the climate change hazards discussed previously. The California Adaptation Planning Guide provides a general list of populations and assets, which the City of Ontario refined and used to develop five distinct asset categories: (1) populations, (2) buildings, (3) infrastructure, (4) economic drivers, and (5) key services. In total, Ontario identified 59 distinct populations and assets, as shown in Table 3. Appendix A provides additional details on the populations and assets selected for the Vulnerability Assessment. Figure 1 shows the location of key community and critical facilities for the Vulnerability Assessment.
Table 3. Populations and Assets Included in the Vulnerability Assessment
CATEGORY POPULATION OR ASSET
Populations
Children (under 10)
Cost-burdened households
Households in poverty
Immigrants and refugees
Linguistically isolated populations
Low-income households
Outdoor workers
Overcrowded households
Persons experiencing homelessness
Person living in mobile homes
Persons with chronic illnesses
Persons with disabilities
Persons without access to lifelines
Renters
Seniors (65+)
Seniors living alone
Undocumented persons
Infrastructure
Airports
Bike routes
Bridges
Communication facilities
Electrical substations and transmission lines
Electric vehicle charging stations
Evacuation routes
Flood control infrastructure
Hazardous materials sites
Major roads and highways
Natural gas pipelines
Parks and open space
Power plants
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19 CATEGORY POPULATION OR ASSET
Railways
Solid waste facilities and landfills
Transit stops
Water and wastewater infrastructure
Buildings
Community centers
Commercial business, shopping, and entertainment centers Homeless shelters
Government buildings
Homes and residential structures
Libraries
Medical and care facilities
Public safety buildings
Schools
Economic Drivers
Agriculture
Education services
Major employers
Ontario International Airport
Outdoor recreation
Retail centers
Warehouses and logistics centers
Key Services
Communication services
Emergency medical response
Energy delivery
Freight and shipping
Government administration & community services
Public safety response
Public transit access
Solid waste removal
Water and wastewater treatment, delivery, and collection
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20 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT RESULTS
The Vulnerability Assessment evaluates the impact and adaptive capacity of each population and asset for each relevant hazard to assess vulnerability. As discussed in Section 2, Vulnerability Assessment Method, the City assigned vulnerability scores of low, medium, or high to reflect how susceptible the population or asset is to harm posed by the hazard. Out of the 472 possible hazard and asset pairing, the City assessed 302 different pairings for vulnerability. This section provides a summary of the key vulnerabilities within the city. For a complete list of vulnerability scores for all populations and assets, refer to Appendix B.
Population and Asset Considerations
While selecting and assessing various populations and assets to include in the Vulnerability Assessment, the City considered the differences in the population sample pool between datasets and how some populations and asset categories may appear to refer to the same thing.
Statistics, especially statistics related to population, use the concept of a “sample pool”. In the context of this Vulnerability Assessment, the sample pool draws from the overall group of people that are being measured or studied. For example, in a political poll among registered voters, the sample pool only includes registered voters, since unregistered voters do not fall into this category.
This concept is important because some of the demographics used in the Vulnerability Assessment have different sample pools. Most of the demographic data come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and most of these data have a sample pool of either all residents or all households in the city. However, a few are different, such as:
• Data on linguistically isolated populations only count people who are at least 14 years old instead of the total population, since young children generally are not proficient in any language. • Statistics that only count the noninstitutionalized population (e.g., people not in prisons or longterm care homes).
This does not affect the outcome of the Vulnerability Assessment, but it creates slight differences in the number of people counted as part of each population.
Of the 59 populations and assets in the Vulnerability Assessment, a few may appear redundant. For example, the Vulnerability Assessment looked at both public safety buildings (as a Buildings asset) and at public safety response (as a Key Service asset). In the same way, the Vulnerability Assessment looks at frontline or underserved populations separately from the homes they live in or the industries where they work.