Rancho Cordova City Council
April 21, 2025

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
June 2024 Page 5.6-3
event likely to result in a need for federal assistance or in response to an actual event requiring federal assistance under a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency.

Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires state and local governments to prepare mitigation plans that identify hazards, potential losses, mitigation needs, goals, and strategies. It is intended to facilitate cooperation between state and local governments.

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002
The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act mandates that the DOT, Department of Energy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology in the Department of Commerce carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and standardization to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities (US DOT 2002). The purpose of the Research and Design Program is to identify safety and integrity issues and develop methodologies and technologies to characterize, detect, and manage risks associated with natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.

Pipeline Inspection, Enforcement, and Protection Act of 2006 The Pipeline Inspection, Enforcement, and Protection Act confirms the commitment to the Integrity Management Program and other programs enacted in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. The 2006 legislation includes provisions on:
 Preventing excavation damage to pipelines through the enhanced use and improved enforcement of State “One-Call” laws that preclude excavators from digging until they contact the State One-Call system to locate the underground pipelines.
 Minimum standards for Integrity Management Programs for distribution pipelines (including installation of excess flow valves on single-family residential service lines based on feasibility and risk).  Standards for managing gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to reduce risks associated with human factors (e.g., fatigue).
 Authority for the Secretary to waive safety standards in emergencies.  Authority for the Secretary to assist in restoration of disrupted pipeline operations.  Review and update incident reporting requirements.
 Requirements for senior executive officers to certify operator integrity management performance reports.  Clarification of jurisdiction between states and Pipeline and Hazard Safety Administration for short laterals that feed industrial and electric generator consumers from interstate natural gas pipelines (US Congress 2006).

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

State Regulations
California Hazardous Waste Control Act
Under the California Hazardous Waste Control Act, California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter

6.5, Article 2, Section 25100, et seq., the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste in California. The hazardous waste regulations establish criteria for identifying, packaging, and labeling hazardous wastes; dictate the management of hazardous waste; establish permit requirements for hazardous waste treatment, storage, disposal, and transportation; and identify hazardous wastes that cannot be disposed of in landfills. DTSC is also the administering agency for the California Hazardous Substance Account Act. California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.8, Sections 25300 et seq., also known as the State Superfund law, provides for the investigation and remediation of hazardous substances pursuant to State law.

California Health and Safety Code and Code of Regulations California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 and California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Section 2729 describe the minimum requirements for business emergency plans and chemical inventory reporting.

These regulations require businesses to provide emergency response plans and procedures, training program information, and a hazardous material inventory disclosing hazardous materials stored, used, or handled onsite. A business that uses hazardous materials, or mixtures containing them, in certain quantities must establish and implement a business plan.

CCR Title 8 provides standards for workers dealing with hazardous materials (including hazardous wastes). The DTSC and Cal/OSHA are the agencies that are responsible for overseeing that appropriate measures are taken to protect workers from exposure to potential groundwater contaminants. At sites known or suspected to have soil or groundwater contamination, a site Health and Safety Plan (HASP) must be prepared. The HASP establishes policies and procedures to protect workers and the public from exposure to potential hazards at the contaminated site.

Tanner Act (Assembly Bill 2948)
Although numerous State policies deal with hazardous waste, the most comprehensive is the Tanner Act (California Civil Code Section 1793.22), which was adopted in 1986. The Tanner Act governs the preparation of hazardous waste management plans and the siting of hazardous waste facilities in California. To comply with the Tanner Act, local or regional hazardous waste management plans need to include provisions that define: (1) the planning process for waste management, (2) the permit process for new and expanded facilities, and (3) the appeals process to the State available for certain local decisions.

California Building Code
The State of California provides a minimum standard for building design through the California Building Code (CBC) (24 CCR Part 2). The most recent CBC is the 2022 edition and is adopted by reference in Chapter

16.02.050, Amendments to the 2022 California Building Code, of the Rancho Cordova Municipal Code. It is generally adopted on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, subject to further modification based on local ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
June 2024 Page 5.6-5
conditions. Commercial and residential buildings are plan-checked by local city and county building officials for compliance with the CBC. Typical fire safety requirements of the CBC include the installation of sprinklers in all high-rise buildings; the establishment of fire resistance standards for fire doors, building materials, and particular types of construction; and the clearance of debris and vegetation within a prescribed distance from occupied structures in wildlife hazard areas.

California Fire Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also known as the California Building Standards Code, contains the California Fire Code (CFC), included as Part 9 of that title. Updated every three years, the CFC includes provisions and standards for emergency planning and preparedness, fire service features, fire protection systems, hazardous materials, fire flow requirements, and fire hydrant locations and distribution. The CFC is adopted by reference in Chapter 17.04, Fire Code, of the Rancho Cordova Municipal Code.

Underground Storage Tank Program
Releases of petroleum and other products from underground storage tanks (UST) are the leading source of groundwater contamination in the United States. RCRA, Subtitle I establishes regulations governing the storage of petroleum products and hazardous substances in USTs and the prevention and cleanup of leaks. In EPA Region 9, which covers California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and over 140 tribal nations, the UST program operates primarily through state agency programs with EPA oversight. In California, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), under the umbrella of CalEPA, assists local agencies in enforcing UST requirements. The purpose of the UST program is to protect public health and safety and the environment from releases of petroleum and other hazardous substances. The program consists of four elements: leak prevention, cleanup, enforcement, and tank tester licensing. In September 2004, the SWRCB adopted regulations that require electronic submittal of information for groundwater cleanup programs, including groundwater analytical data, the surveyed locations of monitoring wells, and other data. The SWRCB’s GeoTracker system currently has information submitted by responsible parties for over 10,000 leaking UST (LUST) sites statewide and has been extended to include all SWRCB groundwater cleanup programs, including the LUST, non-LUST (i.e., Spill, Leaks, Investigation, and Cleanup), Department of Defense, and landfill programs.

Hazardous Materials Disclosure Programs
Both the federal government (Code of Federal Regulations, EPA, SARA, and Title III) and the State (Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Section 2500-25520; 19 CCR, Chapter 2, Subchapter 3, Article 4, Sections 2729–2734) require all businesses that handle more than specified amount of hazardous materials or extremely hazardous materials, termed a “reporting quantity,” to submit a hazardous materials emergency/contingency plan (also known as a “hazardous materials business plan”) to their local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). The responsible CUPA for Rancho Cordova is Sacramento County’s Environmental Management Department which is responsible for conducting compliance inspections of regulated facilities in the county and its incorporated cities (Sacramento 2024a).

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Senate Bill 673: Hazardous Waste
Senate Bill (SB) 673 made updates to the California Health and Safety Code Section 25200.21 to improve DTSC’s permitting process for hazardous waste facilities and increase community protection through stronger permit criteria. Specifically, this Bill directed DTSC to update its criteria to consider “the vulnerability of, and existing health risks to, nearby populations” when deciding whether to issue new or modified permits or permit renewals of hazardous waste facilities. SB 673 also authorizes the DTSC to consider the use of “minimum setback distances from sensitive receptors” in making a permitting decision (DTSC 2021). As part of its implementation framework, DTSC identified seven key elements for addressing community vulnerability and impacts during the permitting process for hazardous waste uses, which are described in the SB 673, Cumulative Impacts and Community Vulnerability Regulatory Framework (DTSC 2021).

Regional Regulations
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
The Site Cleanup Program (SCP) regulates and oversees the investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites that are polluting, or threaten to pollute surface and/or groundwater. In the Central Valley Region, there are over 29 technical and administrative staff overseeing investigation and cleanup actions at sites that have been impacted by releases of pollutants to soil, soil gas, groundwater, surface water, sediments and indoor air. SCP sites include pollution from recent or historical surface and subsurface releases at large industrial facilities, military bases, railyards, and oil refineries. SCP sites also include smaller facilities such as dry cleaners, plating shops, pesticide distribution facilities, and equipment repair facilities (CVRWQCB 2024).

The Sacramento Operational Area Plan
The Sacramento Operational Area Plan addresses planned methods for managing information, resources, and priorities during a multi-jurisdiction response in the operational area to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural and human-caused disasters. This plan is an adjunct to local jurisdiction emergency and disaster plans and does not apply to normal day-to-day emergencies or the established procedures used to cope with such emergencies (SCES 2019).

Mather Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
This airport land use compatibility plan (ALUCP or Compatibility Plan) has been prepared by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), in its capacity as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for Sacramento County, as required under the State Aeronautics Act (Pub. Util. Code, § 21670 et seq.). The policies contained in this document are designed to promote compatibility between Mather Airport and surrounding land uses “to the extent that these areas are not already devoted to incompatible uses” (Pub. Util. Code, § 21674(a)(2)). As adopted by SACOG, these policies provide the foundation through which the ALUC can execute its duty to review land use development in areas around the Airport (SACOG 2022).

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
June 2024 Page 5.6-7
Local Regulations
City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code
Chapter 17.04: Fire Code
This chapter states that the City has adopted the latest California Fire Code and standards are hereby incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, unamended, and collectively shall be known as the fire code of the city of Rancho Cordova.

City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
The General Plan’s Land Use, Safety, and Natural Resources Elements include policies that relate to hazards and hazardous materials, fire, and airport safety.

Land Use Element
 Policy LU.3.9: Ensure that land uses adjacent to or near Mather Airport are subject to the location, use, and height restrictions of the most recently adopted CLUP/ALUP at the time of development consideration, except when the CLUP/ALUP is under an update process. In the circumstance of a CLUP/ALUP update, coordinate with the County in the review of development projects to determine the most appropriate development restrictions for the continued operation of the airport.

Natural Resources Element
 Policy NR.5.3: Protect surface and ground water from major sources of pollution, including hazardous materials contamination and urban runoff.

Safety Element
 Policy S.1.1: Maintain acceptable levels of risk of injury, death, and property damage resulting from reasonably foreseeable safety hazards in Rancho Cordova.  Policy S.1.5: The City shall require written confirmation from applicable local, regional, state, and federal agencies that known contaminated sites have been deemed remediated to a level appropriate for land uses proposed prior to the City approving site development or provide an approved remediation plan that demonstrates how contamination will be remediated prior to site occupancy. This documentation will specify the extent of development allowed on the remediated site as well as any special conditions and/or restrictions on future land uses.
 Policy S.5.1: Work with public agencies and private companies to identify and work towards elimination of potential hazardous releases through compliance with State and Federal law.  Policy S.5.2: Consider the potential impact of hazardous facilities on the public and/or adjacent or nearby properties posed by reasonably foreseeable events. The City considers an event to be “reasonably foreseeable” when the probability of the event occurring is greater than one in one million per year.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

 Policy S.5.3: Regulate the storage of hazardous materials and waste consistent with State and Federal law.  Policy S.5.5: Separate hazardous or toxic materials from the public.  Policy S.5.6: Ensure that procedures are in place to reduce the chance of accidents in the transport of hazardous materials.
 Policy S.6.1: Promote safe air operations at Mather Airport through cooperative implementation of the Mather Airport CLUP and similar plans and programs.
 Policy S.9.1: Cooperate with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (SMFD) to reduce fire hazards, assist in fire suppression, and ensure efficient emergency medical response.

5.6.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Materials Sites
An environmental database search was conducted for the project site. Table 5.6-1, Hazardous Materials Within

0.25-Mile of the Project Site, summarizes database listings within a 0.25-mile radius of the project site. The search area uses online environmental databases, including SWRCB’s GeoTracker and DTSC’s EnviroStor.

Table 5.6-1 Hazardous Materials within a 0.25-mile of the Project Site Site Name Site Type Status
GeoTracker
7-Eleven Store #14098 LUST Cleanup Site Case Closed as of 6/8/2007 Beacon #3603 LUST Cleanup Site Case Closed as of 9/7/2012 Exxon #7-0244 LUST Cleanup Site Case Closed as of 10/30/2006 Jiffy Lube LUST Cleanup Site Case Closed as of 12/20/1988 Lili Company Cleanup Program Site Open- Remediation as of 7/10/2012 Shell Lust Cleanup Site Case Closed as of 1/7/1992
EnviroStor
Mills Station Crossing Evaluation Inactive-Needs Evaluation as of 10/4/2010 Veteran Martinizing Cleaners Evaluation Refer to the SWRCB 2024b Source: DTSC 2024a; SWRCB 2024a.

As shown in Table 5.6-1, DTSC and SWRCB report on the same site requiring further evaluation (DTSC 2024a; SWRCB 2024b). Additional information on the site is detailed below.

Historical Hazards in the Project Site
A former dry-cleaning site was located on the northwest corner of the project site and operated from 1971 through 2003, as shown on Figure 5.6-1, Project Site Remediation Map. Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was stored and dispensed from a 45-gallon container near the former dry cleaning site, and in an above-ground tank and drums ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
June 2024 Page 5.6-9
near the facility's back, near four surface drains. These drains flow to the sewer line at the rear of the former facility. Figure 5.6-1 shows the approximate sewer line locations. This sewer line is being removed as part of the remediation work detailed in Appendix 5.6-3.

The City of Rancho Cordova intends to remediate the project site for mixed-use and primarily support new residential construction. The most recent soil vapor sampling data suggest that in the former dry cleaner area and the former parking lot area (see Figure 5.6-1), the PCE concentrations exceed the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Environmental Screening Levels (ESL)1 for vapor intrusion consideration, which corresponds to a carcinogenic risk of 10-6. As a result, the City intends to conduct additional site remediation to address the residual PCE in the vadose zone, which is believed to be the source of PCE exceedances in the soil vapor (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 6).

Previous Site Investigations
The presence of PCE in the subsurface at the project site was first identified in 2008 during a Phase II environmental site assessment (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 2). Subsequent investigations included soil gas sampling to 46 feet ground below-ground surface (bgs) in 2008, a soil vapor extraction (SVE) pilot test in 2010, and remedial investigations in 2010 (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 2). The project site underwent remedial activities, including SVE and groundwater extraction, and from 2019 to 2022, additional soil gas sampling was conducted due to rebounded concentrations (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 2).

Previous Remediation Activities
Previous remediation activities at the project site included SVE and groundwater extraction from 2010 to 2017.

The extracted groundwater was piped to a nearby sewer cleanout and conveyed to the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District for treatment through the sewer line system in the Sacramento area. The concentrations of PCE in groundwater fell below the Sanitation District discharge limits, and therefore it was discharged without onsite treatment. Groundwater extraction was subsequently discontinued at the project site after the power supply was damaged by vandalism (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 3).

Current Site Conditions
Soil
Soil impact was found within the footprint of a former dry cleaner and near the sewer line section downstream, at the northwest corner of the project site. The 2008 Phase II ESA detected PCE at four locations with concentrations ranging from 5.0 to 34 micrograms/kilogram (μg/kg). In 2021, PCE was detected at five locations along the sewer line with concentrations ranging from 1.4 to 54 μg/kg. Low concentrations of PCE were detected in all five locations evaluated. These soil detections were below the ESLs for human health under residential and commercial land use scenarios (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 50). 1 ESLs are environmental safety measures developed to identify and evaluate potential environmental concerns at contaminated sites. They have been developed for over 100 commonly detected constituents and are designed to protect human health, water quality, and the environment. ESLs provide thresholds for commercial and residential use, focusing on human inhalation and toxicity, and address attenuation factors for other media like soil, groundwater, and indoor air (SFB RWQCB 2024).

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Soil impact was observed along the sewer line section downstream of the former dry cleaner area. The depth of impact was identified to be up to 14 feet bgs. One other soil sample was collected at a deeper depth (up to 37 feet bgs); however, PCE was not detected in this deeper soil sample (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 4). The technical reports state that, based on the available data, the known soil impact historically was within the footprint of the former dry cleaner and near the sewer line section downstream of the former dry cleaner at the northwest corner of the project site (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 4).

Soil Vapor
The 2019-2021 soil vapor samples were collected after remediation work and site closure. The 2019 event showed a rebound in PCE concentrations after the 2016 confirmation sampling for the SVE system shutdown, which triggered subsequent sampling events. At the time the SVE system was shut down, the average SVE system-influent PCE concentration in 2016 was 230 microgram per cubic meter (μg/m3), suggesting there was still residual PCE in the vadose zone (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 6). The vadose zone is Earth's terrestrial subsurface, extending from the surface to the regional groundwater table, containing surface soil, unsaturated subsurface materials, and a transiently inundated capillary fringe, including partially weathered soils and unweathered parent material (Holden and Fierer 2005). The 2021 soil vapor data show that PCE concentrations in soil vapor exceed the San Francisco Bay RWQCB ESLs of 15 μg/m3 for vapor intrusion consideration at 54 μg/m3 in the former dry cleaner (Appendix 5.6-1, pg.50). The former dry cleaner area's elevated soil vapor concentrations are likely due to residual PCE in the vadose zone. The PCE concentrations exceeded the residential ESL for vapor intrusion consideration, which corresponds to a carcinogenic risk of 10-6 (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 6).

Groundwater
The project site's groundwater impact was limited to the northwest corner, with the highest PCE concentration detected before remediation at 320 micrograms per liter (μg/L) near the backdoor of a former dry cleaner in 2010. The highest PC concentration at the permanent well before remediation was 52 μg/L near the western project site boundary and the sewer line in 2010. After five years of SVE and three years of groundwater extraction, the PCE concentration near the western project site boundary and the sewer line decreased to

13.7 μg/L in 2019. PCE concentrations also decreased at other monitoring wells after site remediation (Appendix 5.6-1). Compared to the potential impact from the residual PCE in the vadose zone, the elevated soil vapor concentrations detected since 2019 are not likely to be a result of the volatilization of residual PCE in the groundwater, based on its reported PCE concentration in groundwater and the depth of the groundwater at the project site (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 6)
The most recent soil vapor sampling data suggest that in the former dry cleaner area and the former parking lot area, the PCE concentrations exceed the residential ESL for vapor intrusion consideration, which corresponds to carcinogenic risk. As a result, the City intends to conduct additional site remediation to address the residual PCE in the vadose zone, which is believed to be the source of PCE exceedances in the soil vapor (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 6). The City’s corrective actions are described in Appendices 5.6-1 through 5.6-3.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
June 2024 Page 5.6-11
Additional Site Remediation
Former Dry Cleaner and Sewer Line Area
The remediation area is approximately 1.1 acres and includes the northwest corner of the project site where PCE vapor intrusion, along with the former dry cleaner footprint and on-site sewer lines. Soil from this area will be excavated to a depth of 15 feet bgs and stockpiled and covered just east and south of the excavation area. (Additional information is provided in Section 3.5, Soil Excavation and Stockpiling, of Appendix 5.6-1). The portions of the sewer line outside of the excavation area footprint will also be removed to approximately two feet below the base of the sewer. The excavation work will be completed by a licensed excavation contractor, with oversight provided by the City of Rancho Cordova or Tetra Tech representative. The excavation contractor will employ a competent person, as defined by OSHA, to design a safe excavation, implementing soil sloping or shoring as applicable. The onsite treatment will be conducted by adding a dry chemical oxidant (potassium permanganate) to the soil as it’s returned to the excavation for backfill and compaction (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 7).

The oxidant is intended to treat any residual PCE in soil. The oxidant dosing will be determined via a benchscale test (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 7). The Bench Scale Test Laboratory Result is provided in Appendix 5.6-2.

Former Parking Area
The remediation area includes an approximately two-acre area outside the planned excavation footprint that exhibited soil vapor PCE concentrations above 15 μg/m3 (vapor intrusion risk greater than 10-6 for residential use). Since the soil vapor concentrations in the former parking lot area were determined to be relatively low and near the former dry cleaner area, the PCE in the soil vapor in the former parking area is determined to be from the migration of the soil vapor plume from the former dry cleaner area (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 8). As noted, the two-acre area is outside of the planned excavation footprint so additional study is unnecessary. However, HAZ-1 requires short-term SVE to be conducted to remove the impacted soil vapor that migrated to this area.

Up to 15 SVE wells will be installed and operated as extraction and/or venting wells to expedite the pore volume flushing of the vadose zone (Section 3.9) for an approximate duration of two months. Remediation is included in Appendix 5.6-1 for PCE if detected.

Airports
The project site is 1.35 miles north of the Sacramento Mather Airport.

Proximity to Schools
The Folsom Lake College-Rancho Cordova is 0.02 mile east of the project site. The Cordova Meadows Elementary School is 0.4 miles north of the project site, and White Rock Elementary School is one mile southeast of the project site.

Wildfires
There have been four fires that border the city limits: the Russell Fire in 1973, the Grantline Fire in 1974, the Grant Fire in 2018, and another Grant Fire in 2020 (CAL FIRE 2020). The project site is not within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone (CAL FIRE 2024).

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MATHER FIELD ROAD

PASEO DRIVE

LA LOMA DRIVE

CAPRICE DR

BETTENCOURT LANE

FOLSOM BOULEVARD
FORMER

DRY CLEANER

AND SEWER

LINE AREA

ADDITIONAL SITE REMEDIATION LOCATIONS
10153 Through 10179 Folsom Boulevard
Rancho Cordova, California
N
Source: City of Rancho Cordova 2022.

Figure 5.6-1
Project Site Remediation Map
0 Scale (Feet)
120

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

MATHER FIELD ROAD

PASEO DRIVE

LA LOMA DRIVE

CAPRICE DR

COURT LANE

FOLSOM BOULEVARD
REMOVE

ENTIRE OLD

SEWER LINE
FORMER

PARKING

LOT AREA
FORMER

DRY CLEANER

AND SEWER

LINE AREA

ADDITIONAL SITE REMEDIATION LOCATIONS
10153 Through 10179 Folsom Boulevard
Rancho Cordova, California
N
LEGEND
RISK <= 10 AND HQ <=1
10 < RISK <= 10 AND HQ <= 1
RISK > 10 OR HQ > 1

GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION WELL

GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELL

SOIL VAPOR EXTRACTION WELL

PRE-DESIGN INVESTIGATION LOCATION

SANITARY SEWER LINE LOCATION
(APPROXIMATE)

SOIL EXCAVATION EXTENT
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP1
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP2
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP3
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP4
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP5
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP6
5 15
<13
54 DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP7
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP12
5 15
<13
14 DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP13
5 15
<13
<13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
TTVP14
15 NS
5 15
2,400
1,200
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-1
5 15
78 380
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-2
5 15
56 62
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-3
5 15
15 <13
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-4
5 15
<13
46 DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-5
5 15
75 240
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-6
5 14
<13
59 DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-7
5 15
130
NS
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-8
5 15
<13
51 DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-9
5 14
44 98
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-10
5 15
140
160
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
DB-12
5 10
1,200
200
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-1
5 10
160
410
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-5
5 10
95 400
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-6
5 10
110
490
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-7
5 10
270
190
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-8
5 10
1,000
140
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-9
5 10
3,300
1,600
DEPTH
(Ft, BGS)
PCE
(µg/m3)
AVB-10
-6
-6 -4
-4
LEGEND
Project Boundary

PLACEWORKS
Risk <= 10-6 and HQ <=1
10-6 < Risk <= 10-4 and HQ <=1
Risk > 10-4 or HQ >1
Groundwater Extraction Well
Groundwater Monitoring Well
Soil Vapor Extraction Well
Pre-Design Investigation Location
Sanitary Sewer Line Location (Approximate)
Soil Excavation Extent
Former Parking Lot Area Remediation Plan
0 •
L
s
0 ◊
■---■
ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
June 2024 Page 5.6-13

5.6.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

H-1 Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials.

H-2 Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment.

H-3 Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substance, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school.

H-4 Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, create a significant hazard to the public or the environment.

H-5 For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area.

H-6 Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.

H-7 Expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires

5.6.3 Plans, Programs, and Policies
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
 Impact 4.4.1 found that the implementation of the General Plan would include the routine transportation of hazardous materials on Planning Area roadways, however with the implementation of the general plan policies and actions this impact would be less than significant. Refer to Chapter 4.4, Hazards and Human Health, in the 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report, for listed policies and actions.  Impact 4.4.2 found that the Planning Area consists of land uses having the potential to result in an increased risk of release of hazardous materials. The implementation of the general plan policies and mitigation measures would reduce the level of significance to less than significant. The mitigation measure

4.4.2 describes a policy that has been added as Policy S.1.5 in the City's Safety Element. This is not a mitigation measure proposed for the Mills Crossing project. Refer to Chapter 4.4, Hazards and Human Health, in the 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report, for listed policies and actions.

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Mitigation Measures:
 MM 4.4.2: The following shall be added as a policy to the Safety Element under Goal SA.1: The City shall require written confirmation from applicable local, regional, state, and federal agencies that known contaminated sites have been deemed remediated to a level appropriate for land uses proposed prior to the City approving site development or provide an approved remediation plan that demonstrates how contamination will be remediated prior to site occupancy. This documentation will specify the extent of development allowed on the remediated site as well as any special conditions and/or restrictions on future land uses.
 Impact 4.4.3 found that the implementation of the General Plan would locate development within an airport land use plan, potentially resulting in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the area.

However, with the implementation of the general plan policies and actions this impact would be less than significant. Refer to Chapter 4.4, Hazards and Human Health, in the 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report, for listed policies and actions.
 Impact 4.4.4 found that the implementation of the proposed General Plan could impair the implementation of or physically interfere with the Sacramento County Multi-Hazard Disaster Plan (SCMDP). Impact

4.4.4 states that the proposed roadway system under the General Plan would improve city roadway connectivity, offering more escape routes and emergency access options. This impact was considered less significant as it would improve emergency vehicle access to residences and evacuation routes for area residents.  Impact 4.4.5 found that persons could be exposed to contaminated soil or groundwater during the development of previously contaminated sites or sites undergoing remediation; however, with the implementation of the general plan policies and actions this impact would be less than significant. Refer to Chapter 4.4, Hazards and Human Health, in the 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report, for listed policies and actions.

5.6.4 Environmental Impacts
Impact 5.6-1: The project could potentially create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. [Threshold HAZ-1] As indicated in the 2006 EIR, there would be minimal routine transport of hazardous materials on City roadways, and California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, US Department of Transportation, and other regulatory agencies provide standards designed to avoid releases. The proposed project would introduce a mix of uses on the project site, which is in an urbanized portion of the City. The hazardous materials handled during the remediation of the proposed project site would be temporary and the potentially hazardous materials used during operational activities would be typical of residential and commercial uses. As indicated in the 2006 EIR, the proposed project would be required to comply with the provisions set forth by the local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

The project site’s additional site remediation for the former parking lot area is expected to have low PCE concentrations in stockpiled soil, which can be treated and returned to the ground. However, if the soil is found ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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to have PCE concentrations greater than San Francisco Bay RWQCB’s ESL for residential Soil Direct Exposure Human Health Risk Screening, the soil will be disposed of offsite at an appropriately classed hazardous waste disposal facility such as Kettleman Hills Landfill, which is 226 miles south of the project site. Therefore the project’s remediation work could have potentially significant impacts regarding the transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials if PCE concentrations are found greater than San Francisco Bay RWQCB’s ESL for residential Soil Direct Exposure Human Health Risk Screening. As specified in the report, if any soil is disposed of off-site as a regulated waste (non-hazardous Class II waste or hazardous Class I waste), copies of disposal manifests and/or landfill weight tags will be included to document proper disposal and the weight of soil disposed of (Appendix 5.6-1, pg. 17). The proposed project would also need to comply with state and federal regulations such as Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in part 262.30, Packaging, which states that before transporting hazardous waste a generator must package the waste following the applicable Department of Transportation regulations on packaging.

The Central Valley RWQCB–approved Site Cleanup Plan includes a HASP that outlines site-specific health and safety provisions for drilling, sampling, soil excavation, stockpiling, backfill, oxidant treatments, and short-term soil vapor extraction. For example, to prevent spills, the following practices should be employed (Appendix 5.6- 1, 192):
 Make sure that all containers are appropriately labeled and that material safety data sheets are available.

Before handling operating and analysis materials or hazardous waste, appropriate precautions should be in place to prevent spills and exposure to individuals.
 Store chemicals in appropriate locations. Make sure that incompatible chemicals are not stored in the same area.
 When transporting chemicals, ensure that the containers are properly closed, secured, and labeled. Do not carry more than one container at a time. If this is required, place containers within totes.  Only keep the necessary quantity of each chemical on hand. For ease of use, keep chemicals in working containers that are appropriately sized for handling.

The HASP also includes an Air and Dust Monitoring Plan that addresses methods for monitoring potential fugitive dust and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission-laden dust around the perimeter of the project site during soil excavation and trenching activities for the proposed project’s remediation work. Routine realtime air and dust monitoring will be conducted during all excavation, stockpiling, and backfilling activities, with laboratory air samples collected three times during the excavation phase of the work at selected depth intervals.

The perimeter air and dust monitoring aims to protect members of the public from being exposed to elevated concentrations of dust and VOC contaminants. At the same time, soil is being excavated and stockpiled onsite. Residential development is immediately west and north of the proposed excavation (Appendix 5.6-1).

The project site would need to comply with the procedures in the reports prepared by Tetra Tech as mentioned in mitigation measure HAZ-1, which includes safe work practices that would reduce impacts from the transport and disposal of hazardous materials from the project site. In addition, the RWQCB must confirm that remediation has reduced PCE concentrations to levels the RWQCB deems satisfactory before the City can ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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begin construction on the remediation site. RWQCB may also require ongoing mitigation measures, which have been agreed upon by the City and RWQCB and can be referenced in Appendices 5.6-1 through 5.6-3, before the City can begin construction. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant with mitigation measures.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-1 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
HAZ-1 Implement Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board-approved Site Cleanup Plan. Prior to the issuance of construction permits, the project applicant shall complete all recommendations from the Site Cleanup Plan and Addendum to the Site Cleanup Plan prepared by Tetra Tech (Appendix 5.6-1, dated March 16, 2022, and Appendix 5.6-2, August 30, 2023) for the proposed project into the project’s construction plans. Short-term soil vapor extraction (SVE) will be conducted to remove the impacted soil vapor that migrated to this area. Up to 15 SVE wells will be installed and operated as extraction and/or venting wells to expedite the pore volume flushing of the vadose zone (Section 3.9) for an approximate duration of two months. The City Engineer will transmit testing results to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for review and concurrence before issuing construction permits. The City will also ensure that the project’s construction plans incorporate all applicable recommendations of the Site Cleanup Plan and comply with all applicable requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The City inspectors will ensure that the procedures and requirements included in the construction plans are followed and documented. Documentation will be part of the mitigation monitoring and reporting program.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.6-2: The proposed project could potentially create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. [HAZ-2] The proposed project’s additional remediation efforts would include the potential to store, use, and transport hazardous materials. Since the project site needs additional remedial efforts to address hazardous materials presently onsite, there is a potential for the accidental release of hazardous materials into the environment. The handling of hazardous materials during remediation activities could expose nearby sensitive receptors to toxic emissions. As the remediation is currently ongoing as a distinct process, the outcomes cannot be determined until its completion. Therefore, the priority is to prevent any ground disturbance until the remediation concludes. Therefore the proposed project would need to comply with the hazard safety plan and safe work practices detailed in mitigation measure HAZ-1.

The HASP and safe work practices include precautions and procedures that would reduce the potential for hazardous materials to be released into the environment. For example, Tetra Tech is implementing site-specific training for all personnel and site visitors working at the site. This training covers emergency response procedures, site and operation hazards, personal protective equipment requirements, and other contents within ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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the HASP. The training covers evacuation and assembly points, site and operation hazards, personal protective equipment requirements, and the Safety Data Sheet contents.

In addition, the proposed project would also result in residential and commercial uses which typically use small amounts of hazardous materials for cleaning and maintenance purposes, such as cleaners, solvents, paints, degreasers, pesticides, fertilizers, and other custodial products. With compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing hazardous materials during construction and operation, impacts would be less than significant, and the proposed project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-2 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Implement Mitigation Measure HAZ-1.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-2 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.6-3: The proposed project could potentially emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school. [HAZ-3]
The Folsom Lake College-Rancho Cordova is directly east of the project site, less than 0.25 miles from the site.

The proposed project involves handling, storing, and transporting hazardous materials, which could expose the school to hazardous materials. Mitigation measure HAZ-1 would implement precautions for the safe handling of hazardous materials, decreasing the likelihood of releasing hazardous materials to the public, including students.

CEQA mandates consultation with school districts within a quarter-mile radius of projects that may emit hazardous air emissions or handle extremely hazardous substances posing risks to individuals at the school (Pub. Res. Code § 21151.4; Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14 [“Guidelines”] § 15186). While CEQA does not specify a formal consultation process, it requires discussions concerning the project's potential impact on the school (Guidelines § 15186(b)(1)). Additionally, the lead agency must notify the school district in writing at least 30 days before EIR approval, which, if fulfilled, deems the EIR compliant (Guidelines §§ 15186(b)(2), (d)). The City of Rancho Cordova has informally consulted the Folsom Lake College and Los Rios Community College District regarding the proposed project, as well as the remediation work being carried out independently of the project.

The City held regular weekly or biweekly meetings with the school district between July 23, 2021, and September 15, 2022, to coordinate City and District activities and, starting in 2022, the City’s plans for remediation activities. In an informal consultation with the Los Rios Community College District, the City discussed the soil remediation challenge and the proposed Equitable Communities Revitalization Grant (ECRG) facilitated by DTSC. In addition, Folsom Lake College provided a letter of support to the City on April 1, 2022, endorsing the City’s ECRG application. Subsequently, in 2023, the City engaged in further consultations with Los Rios staff, specifically concerning the timing of remediation work. This discussion aimed to align the remediation ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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schedule with the anticipated soil stockpiles and construction lay-down space for the planned Los Rios Phase 2 building construction, which ultimately did not proceed. This informal consultation, together with the City’s compliance with the 30-day notice requirement, satisfies the CEQA Guidelines Section 15186 consultation requirements.

In addition, Tetra Tech is implementing site-specific training for all personnel and visitors working at the site, covering emergency response procedures, site and operation hazards, personal protective equipment requirements, and other contents within the HASP. The training covers evacuation and assembly points, site and operation hazards, personal protective equipment requirements, and the Safety Data Sheet contents. As mentioned in Impact 5.6-1, the RWQCB must confirm that remediation has reduced PCE concentrations to levels deemed satisfactory by the RWQCB before the City can begin construction on the remediation site.

RWQCB may also require ongoing measures, which have been agreed upon by the City and RWQCB and can be referenced within Appendices 5.6-1 through 5.6-3 before the City can begin construction. Compliance with the hazard safety plan and safe work practices detailed in mitigation measure HAZ-1 would reduce this impact to less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-3 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Implement Mitigation Measure HAZ-1.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-3 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.6-4: The proposed project would be located on a site that is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled under Government Code Section 65962.5, and, as a result, would create a significant hazard to the public or the environment. [HAZ-4] The required lists of hazardous material release sites are commonly referred to as the “Cortese List”. Because the statute was enacted more than 20 years ago, some of the provisions refer to agency activities that were conducted many years ago and are no longer being implemented and, in some cases, the information required in the Cortese List does not exist. Those requesting a copy of the Cortese Lists are now referred directly to the appropriate information resources contained on websites hosted by the boards or departments referenced in the statute, including DTSC’s online EnviroStor database and the SWRCB’s online GeoTracker database. These two databases include hazardous material release sites, along with other categories of sites or facilities specific to each agency’s jurisdiction (Cal EPA 2024).

As shown in Table 5.6-1, DTSC and SWRCB report on the same site, which is the former dry cleaner site in the northwest portion of the project site. The former dry cleaner had a release of PCE into the soil, soil gas, and groundwater. The project site would include additional remediation activities to remove hazardous materials. The proposed project would be required to comply with Mitigation Measure HAZ-1, which includes the approved Central Valley RWQCB’s site cleanup plan to remove hazardous materials from the project site.

Once the materials are removed, the project applicant must adhere to the post-excavation effectiveness sampling and reporting detailed in the site cleanup plan (Appendix 5.6-1, 16). The results of the samples will ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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need to be determined by the CVRWQCB, ensuring compliance with both state and federal regulations during disposal.

The City’s General Plan also includes the following policies to which the proposed project would need to adhere:
 Policy S.1.1: Maintain acceptable levels of risk of injury, death, and property damage resulting from reasonably foreseeable safety hazards in Rancho Cordova.  Policy S.1.5: The City shall require written confirmation from applicable local, regional, state, and federal agencies that known contaminated sites have been deemed remediated to a level appropriate for land uses proposed prior to the City approving site development or provide an approved remediation plan that demonstrates how contamination will be remediated prior to site occupancy. This documentation will specify the extent of development allowed on the remediated site as well as any special conditions and/or restrictions on future land uses.
 Policy S.5.1: Work with public agencies and private companies to identify and work towards elimination of potential hazardous releases through compliance with State and Federal law.  Policy S.5.3: Regulate the storage of hazardous materials and waste consistent with State and Federal law.  Policy S.5.5: Separate hazardous or toxic materials from the public.

The policies and mitigation measures would ensure that the proposed project would remediate hazardous materials from the project site and thus not create a significant hazard or the environment. Adhering to the mitigation measures HAZ-1 and policies in the General Plan would reduce impacts to less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-4 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Implement Mitigation Measure HAZ-1.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-4 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.6-5: The proposed project would not conflict with an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area. [HAZ-5]
The project site is approximately 1.35 miles north of the Sacramento Mather Airport. The project site is within Review Area 2, according to the Mather Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Update (SACOG 2022). Sites within Review Area 2 are composed of airspace protection and overflight notification areas. The Mather Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Update states that under Review Area 2, Subpart C of 14 CFR Part 77, Obstruction Standards, establishes standards for determining obstructions to air navigation (SACOG 2022).

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The five types of imaginary surfaces for civil airports defined by 14 CFR Part 77 are primary surface, approach surface, transitional surface, horizontal surface, and conical surface (SACOG 2022). The project site is within a conical surface which has a height limit for the surface range from 150 feet above the airport elevation at the inner edge to 350 feet at the outer edge (SACOG 2022). In addition, Subpart B of the 14 CFR Part 77 regulations mandates notification of any proposed construction or alteration of objects within 20,000 feet of a runway and height exceeding a 100:1 imaginary surface (SACOG 2022). The project is not within the runway and does not exceed the height for notification to be required. Also objects over 200 feet in height, regardless of proximity to an airport, also require notification (SACOG 2022).

As the proposed project’s zoning designation has a height limit of 65 feet, the proposed project would not obstruct air navigation and would not conflict with a land use compatibility plan.

The 2006 EIR indicated that adherence to federal regulations, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Mather Airport Planning Area provisions, and implementation of policies from the General Plan would reduce impacts.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant, and the proposed project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-5 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-5 would be less than significant Impact 5.6-6: The proposed project could potentially impair the implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. [HAZ-6] The Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services’ Sacramento County Evacuation Plan is the emergency evacuation plan for the City of Rancho Cordova. The Sacramento County Evacuation Plan states that any management of evacuation is coordinated by the City of Rancho Cordova (SCES 2022). The proposed project would include construction closures for trenching and utility extension, which could physically interfere with the Sacramento County Evacuation Plan. Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 states before the initiation of any site work, evacuation procedures will be discussed, with evacuation routes based on the work location and the circumstances necessitating evacuation. Therefore, the proposed project would be reviewed by the City to ensure proper emergency response and evacuation plans.

The operation of the proposed project would introduce up to 120 housing units to the project site and generate approximately 322 residents in the area. In addition, the proposed project would introduce up to 140,000 square feet of commercial uses, thus attracting approximately 280 employees and people to the area. Development of the proposed project would not impact the functionality of public safety access routes because it will not block roadways, nor would the development of the proposed project introduce any roadways or infrastructure that would bisect or transect surrounding uses. In addition, the City of Rancho Cordova has not designated any evacuation routes. Therefore, project temporary road closures during construction would not impact existing ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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evacuation routes. The permitted residential uses under the proposed project also do not have any characteristics that would physically impair or otherwise interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.

Therefore, development accommodated by the proposed project would not impair the implementation of or physically interfere with the City’s emergency response plan or any other emergency response plan.

Therefore impacts would be less than significant with mitigation measure HAZ-1.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-6 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Implement Mitigation Measure HAZ-1.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-6 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.6-7: The proposed project would not expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires. [HAZ-7] The entire city, including the project site, is not within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (CAL FIRE 2024). The project site is within an urbanized portion of the city. The proposed project would be required to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to fire safety, such as compliance with the 2022 CBC and CFC. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant, and the proposed project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.6-7 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.6-7 would be less than significant

5.6.5 Cumulative Impacts
As part of the proposed project, the project applicant would need to remediate the site of existing hazardous materials to build future uses. The proposed project does not combine with other projects to create a cumulatively significant impact regarding these potential hazards. As shown in Table 5.6-1, there are no other hazardous sites within a 0.25-mile radius of the project site. In addition, the project site is located within residential and other public land uses that do not typically have high use of hazardous materials. Therefore, the proposed project's contribution to cumulative impacts related to hazardous materials and waste, as well as any health hazards, remains less than significant and less than cumulatively considerable.

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5.6.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, Impacts 5.6-5 and 5.6-7 would be less than significant.

Without mitigation, these impacts would be potentially significant:
 Impact 5.6-1: The project could potentially create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials  Impact 5.6-2: The proposed project could potentially create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment  Impact 5.6-3: The proposed project could potentially emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school
 Impact 5.6-4: The proposed project would be located on a site that is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled under Government Code Section 65962.5; which could create a significant hazard to the public or the environment.
 Impact 5.6-6: The proposed project could potentially impair the implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.

5.6.7 Mitigation Measures
HAZ-1 Implement Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board approved Site Cleanup Plan. Prior to the issuance of construction permits, the project applicant shall complete all recommendations from the Site Cleanup Plan and Addendum to the Site Cleanup Plan prepared by Tetra Tech (Appendix 5.6-1, dated March 16, 2022, and Appendix 5.6-2, August 30, 2023) for the proposed project into the project’s construction plans. Short-term soil vapor extraction (SVE) will be conducted to remove the impacted soil vapor that migrated to this area. Up to 15 SVE wells will be installed and operated as extraction and/or venting wells to expedite the pore volume flushing of the vadose zone (Section 3.9) for an approximate duration of two months. The City Engineer will transmit testing results to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for review and concurrence before issuing construction permits. The City Engineer will also ensure that the project’s construction plans incorporate all applicable recommendations of the Site Cleanup Plan and comply with all applicable requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The City inspectors will ensure that the procedures and requirements included in the construction plans are followed and documented.

Documentation will be part of the mitigation monitoring and reporting program.

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5.6.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Upon implementation of mitigation measures, impacts would be less than significant:

5.6.9 References
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2020. California Wildfire History Map. https://projects.capradio.org/california-fire-history/#6/38.58/-121.49.

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). 2024 (accessed). Cortese List Background and History. https://calepa.ca.gov/sitecleanup/corteselist/background/.

Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB). 2024 (accessed). Site Assessment and Cleanup. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/water_issues/site_cleanup/.

Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). 2021, May. SB 673 Cumulative Impacts and Community Vulnerability Draft Regulatory Framework. https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/ 07/2021MAY-DRAFT-CI-Regulatory-Framework_Accessible.pdf. ———. 2024a (accessed). EnviroStor Database.
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?global_id=34720121. ———. 2024b (accessed). Veterans Martinizing Cleaners (34720121). https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/profile_report?global_id=34720121.

Holden, P.A., and N. Fierer. 2005. Vadose Zone. https://www.sciencedirect.com/sdfe/pdf/download/eid/3 -s2.0-B0123485304001727/first-page-pdf.

US Congress. 2006. The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006. https://www.congress.gov/109/plaws/publ468/PLAW-109publ468.pdf.

Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). 2022. Mather Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. https://www.sacog.org/home/showpublisheddocument/312/638218237413630000.

Sacramento, County of. 2024a (accessed). CUPA Program.
https://emd.saccounty.gov/EC/CUPA/Pages/default.aspx.
———. 2024b (accessed). OES Evacuation Zones. https://data.saccounty.gov/datasets/35e3408315e742d89 a81ffd7189847b8/explore?location=38.551898%2C-121.335429%2C11.89.

Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services (SCES). 2022. Operational Area Plan. https://sacoes.saccounty.gov/Documents/EOP%20Plan%20-%20Sacramento%20County %20-%20Final%204-22-2022.pdf.
———. 2021. Evacuation Functional Annex. https://sacoes.saccounty.gov/EmergencyManagement/ Documents/Evac%20Annex%20All%20Combined%20-%20Aug%202021.pdf.

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San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFB RWQCB ). 2024 (accessed). Site Cleanup. https://waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/water_issues/programs/sitecleanup.shtml.

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 2024a (accessed). GeoTracker. https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/.
———. 2024b (accessed). Lily Company (T10000000403).
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/profile_report.asp?global_id=T10000000403.

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). 2002. Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/3609.

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5.7 LAND USE AND PLANNING
This section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) evaluates the potential impacts on land use in the City of Rancho Cordova from the implementation of the proposed Mills Crossing project. Land use impacts can be either direct or indirect. Direct impacts are those that result in land use incompatibilities, division of neighborhoods or communities, or interference with other land use plans, including habitat for wildlife conservation plans. This section focuses on direct land use impacts. Indirect impacts are secondary effects resulting from land use policy implementation, such as an increase in demand for public utilities or services, or increased traffic on roadways. Indirect impacts are addressed in other sections of this DEIR.

5.7.1 Environmental Setting

5.7.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Regional Regulations
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is an association of local governments in the sixcounty Sacramento region. Its members include the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba, and the 22 cities within. SACOG provides transportation planning and funding for the region and serves as a forum for the study and resolution of regional issues. In addition to pertaining to the region’s long-range transportation plan, SACOG is responsible for developing the methodology for allocating the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) housing units to each city and county in the region. SACOG also assists in planning for transit, bicycle networks, clean air, and airport land uses. 2020 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS) The 2020 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS) for the Sacramento region proactively links land use, air quality, and transportation needs. The MTP/SCS is federally required to be updated every four years. SACOG adopted the 2020 MTP/SCS and accompanying documents at a special board meeting on November 18, 2019.

Local Regulations
Rancho Cordova General Plan
The Land Use Element of the Rancho Cordova General Plan includes goals and policies to guide future development in the City of Rancho Cordova. The following policies and actions are relevant to land use:
 Policy LU.1.3: Maintain a strong jobs-housing ratio, with a diverse job base and corresponding housing stock, within the Planning Area. Improve the relationship and proximity of jobs to housing and commercial services.

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 Action LU.1.3.2: Designate new and existing office developments as mixed-use to encourage the compatible integration of residential and commercial retail and service uses in proximity to jobs.  Policy LU.1.5: Maintain consistency between the land use categories of this General Plan and the City Zoning Code.
 Policy LU.1.7: Promote higher density and intensity land uses that support transit within one-half mile of major transit stations. Development should be pedestrian- and transit friendly with direct connections to transit. Large, expansive parking fields that separate the retail from the station are prohibited.  Policy LU.5.4: Give priority to residential and mixed-use development on vacant or underutilized sites within existing urban areas that have infrastructure capacity available. Currently targeted areas are some portions of Folsom Boulevard, Olsen Drive, Sunrise Boulevard, Bradshaw Road, and Coloma Road.  Policy LU.6.4: Revitalize Folsom Boulevard consistent with the Folsom Boulevard Planning Area.

5.7.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Existing Land Use Designations and Zoning
The 9.85-acre project site currently includes paved areas with patches of vegetation areas and trees. The project site is in the Folsom Specific Plan area, specifically in the Mather opportunity site. The 2006 Rancho Cordova General Plan identified the Folsom Boulevard planning area with a total of 1,629 acres, with the potential to contain 10,476 dwelling units. Based on the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan (FBSP), the project site has a land use designation of Residential Mixed Use (FB-RMU). This designation permits medium- and high-density housing (between 6.1 and 40 dwelling units per acre) that may incorporate office and/or commercial services.

The Mills Mathers opportunity site has additional development standards, as seen in Table 5.7-1, Mather Mills Opportunity Site: Additional Development Standards; remaining standards are provided in Table 5-2 of the FBSP.

Table 5.7-1 Mather Mills Opportunity Site: Additional Development Standards Standard FB-RMU
Density 6.1–40 dwelling unit/acre
Floor-Area Ratio No Minimum
No Maximum
Front Setback Standards
Along the north side of Folsom Boulevard and along Paseo Drive, there is no minimum front setback.

The maximum shall be no more than 10 feet, except where there is outdoor dining, a plaza, a building entry, or a courtyard between the building and the street. Exceptions can be granted for building façades with garage access.

Primary Building Height 65 feet /4 stories maximum1
Source: Rancho Cordova 2013. 1 No maximum height or number of stories for vertical mixed-use integration where residential use is above nonresidential. Defer to Transit-Oriented Development Overlay if applicable.

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Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District
The FBSP Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone applies to properties within one-quarter mile of an existing or planned light rail station or bus transit station. Properties in the FBSP TOD have the opportunity to choose the additional development standards, identified in Table 5.7-2, Transit-Oriented Development Overlay Zoning District Development Standards (Rancho Cordova 2013, 2006).

Table 5.7-2 Transit-Oriented Development Overlay Zoning District Development Standards Standard Local TOD Regional TOD
Density
Minimum 18.0 du/ac
Maximum 80.0 du/ac
Floor-Area Ratio
Minimum 0.50 0.65
Maximum 2.5 3.0
Height (maximum) 80 feet No Maximum1
Source: Rancho Cordova 2006. 1 While the Land Use Element does not establish height limitations for uses in the downtown, the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration limit the height of structures to between 150 and 350 feet based on location. See the Safety Element for more information. Outside of the Downtown District, the maximum height shall be limited to 80 feet.
du/ac = dwelling unit per acre
Surrounding Land Uses and Zoning
The project site is in and surrounded by the Mather Mills opportunity site, with residential uses to the north, residential uses and Folsom Lake College/Rancho Cordova Center to the east, light industrial uses to the south, and commercial and residential uses to the west (see Figure 3-2, Aerial Photograph). The area is in close proximity to the Mather Mills Light Rail Station.

The zoning designations of the properties surrounding the project site include residential (RD-20, RD-10) to the north, residential (RD-20) and commercial mixed-use district (FB-CMU) to the east, office industrial mixeduse district (FB-OIMU) and transit (FB-T) to the south, and commercial mixed use (FB-CMU) and residential (RD-20) zoning designations to the west (Rancho Cordova 2023).

5.7.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

LU-1 Physically divide an established community.

LU-2 Cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.

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5.7.3 Plans, Programs, and Policies
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
The 2006 General Plan EIR of Rancho Cordova was prepared to evaluate and provide the public information about the potential environmental effects of the general plan, in accordance with CEQA. The Land Use Element provides the central framework for the General Plan and serves as a compass to guide planners, the general public, and decision makers on the desired pattern of development in Rancho Cordova. It describes both existing and future land use activity, the latter of which was designed to achieve the City’s long-range goals for physical development. The Land Use Element also identifies the distribution, location, and intensity of all land use types in the city.

Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan
The FBSP would guide and establish the long-term redevelopment of the Folsom Boulevard Planning Area.

The FBSP is approximately four miles long from Sunrise Boulevard to Bradshaw Road, encompassing areas to the north and south of Folsom Boulevard. The FBSP would follow the General Plan’s goals and policies of increasing mixed-use density and TOD. The Specific Plan identifies four opportunity sites for concentrated commercial activity, new residential mixed-use development, and employment uses. Opportunity sites include the Kassis opportunity site, Mather Mills opportunity site, Olson Island opportunity site, and the Sunrise opportunity site. Each opportunity site has a vision and set of standards.

5.7.4 Environmental Impacts
The following analyzes impacts of the proposed project on land use and planning.

Impact 5.7-1: Project implementation would not divide an established community. [Threshold LU-1] The closest established residential communities are the adjacent condominium neighborhoods and single-family homes north of the site. As shown in Figure 3-2, Aerial Photograph, these neighborhoods are physically separated from the project site by a roadway for the condominium neighborhood and a downhill slope covered with vegetation and large trees. Folsom Lake College, as identified by Figure 3-3, Conceptual Site Plan, would remain.

The remaining sides of the project boundary are bounded by Folsom Boulevard and La Loma Drive. Currently, the project site does not have any built structures on-site and is occupied by paved areas with patches of vegetated areas. The proposed project would be considered infill development and would not divide any established communities. Thus, impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.7-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

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Impact 5.7-2: Project implementation would not cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. [Threshold LU-2]
The proposed project is under the jurisdiction of the City of Rancho Cordova and its land use plans and policies. The Rancho Cordova General Plan land use map identifies the project site is in the Folsom Boulevard Planning Area, a 1,629-acre high-intensity development center for TOD and regional town centers.

The FBSP, adopted on December 26, 2013, is the leading planning document for the Folsom Boulevard Planning Area. The 9.85-acre project site is currently zoned FB-RMU and is in the Mather Mills Opportunity Site, which includes additional development standards, as seen in Table 5.7-1, Mather Mills Opportunity Site:

Additional Development Standards. In addition, the project site is in the FBSP TOD Overlay Zone, which applies to properties in a quarter mile of a light rail or bus transit station, allowing the proposed project to select additional development standards from Table 5.7-2.

The proposed project would require the site to be rezoned as Commercial Mixed-Use (CMU), Medium Density Residential (MDR), and High-Density Residential (HDR) with the remaining RMU areas dedicated as a public right-of-way (see Figure 3-4, Zoning Option 1, and Figure 3-5, Zoning Option 2, which show the potential new configuration for the project site). Table 5.7-3, Proposed Rezone Development Standards for the Project Site, shows the development standards for the proposed rezones for the project site.

Table 5.7-3 Proposed Rezone Development Standards for the Project Site Development Standards CMU MDR HDR
Density 10-18 du/acre 6.1-18 du/acre 20.01-40.0 du/acre Floor-Area Ratio 0.25-1.5 N/A N/A
Front Setback Standards
Lots less than 15 acres in size, at least 50% of the lot width is occupied by primary building frontage and/or pedestrian features between 0 and 30 feet from the front property line. 18 feet 18 feet
Primary Building Height 50 feet maximum 60 feet 30 feet du/acre = dwelling unit per acre
As shown in Table 5.7-3, the proposed rezones have either similar standards or non-conflicting development standards as the existing FB-RMU zone and TOD Overlay District, as shown in Table 5.7-1 and Table 5.7-2, respectively. The purpose of the rezones is to make the proposed uses (community-commercial buildings and housing) more conducive to the zoning.

The existing FB-RMU zone’s development standards indicate that there is no minimum or maximum floorarea ratio (FAR) for the project site. The proposed CMU zone would require a 0.25 minimum and 1.5 maximum FAR; however, this would still allow the proposed project to develop the approximately 140,000-square-foot community-commercial buildings. In addition, the FB-RMU zone has a height limit of 65 feet and four stories; the proposed project rezones would not exceed the height limit set for the FB-RMU zone. The proposed project community-commercial buildings, parking structure, and affordable multifamily development would adhere to the Mather Mills opportunity site height limit, even with the new rezones. As seen in Figure 3-3, Conceptual Site ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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Plan, the majority of development would not exceed three stories, and the affordable multifamily development would be four stories and not exceed the height limit of 65 feet.

The proposed project would comply with City General Plan policies that seek high-density residential and mixed-use development within 0.25 miles of a transit stop and for a strong job-housing ratio. Additionally, the proposed project would be consistent with the goals and policies of the SACOG 2020 MTP/SCS, which include supporting new housing and employment opportunities in existing urban communities, TODs, infill development, and job/housing balance (SACOG 2020). The proposed project would not conflict with applicable plans adopted to avoid or mitigate an environmental effect. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.7-2 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.7.5 Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.7.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

5.7.7 Cumulative Impacts
A cumulative impact would be considered significant if the project, taken together with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects in the identified area, would conflict with applicable land use plans, policies, or regulations. The proposed project includes the development of mixed-use community-commercial buildings.

As discussed previously in this section, the development of the proposed project would not physically divide an existing community. Further, the proposed project would be consistent with existing land uses and zoning and would not change any land use designation or zoning. The proposed project does not cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. Therefore, the proposed project would not contribute to a cumulative land use and planning impact, and the impact would be less than significant.

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5.7.8 References
Rancho Cordova. 2023, July 25 (accessed). City of Rancho Cordova – Zoning Viewer. https://ranchocordova.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f08b409f526741b0a55 71e1fa90a6842.
———.2013, December 16. Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan.
https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/18717/63809030264750000

0. ———.2006, June 26. Rancho Cordova General Plan.
https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/14279/63682035042627000

0. Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). 2020. Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS). https://www.sacog.org/2020-metropolitan-transportationplansustainable-communities-strategy.

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5.8 MINERAL RESOURCES
This section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is focused on mineral resources, which are defined as any naturally occurring chemical elements or compounds, formed from inorganic processes and organic substances. Minable minerals or an “ore deposit” is defined as a deposit of ore or mineral having a value materially in excess of the cost of developing, mining, and processing the mineral and reclaiming the project area.

5.8.1 Environmental Setting

5.8.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
This section summarizes key federal, State, and local regulations and programs related to the proposed project.

Federal Regulations
Mining and Mineral Policy Act of 1970
The Mining and Mineral Policy Act of 1970 is intended to promote and expand the development of a domestic mineral industry. This statute established a federal policy regarding mineral resources across the United States, covered hard rock mining and oil and gas production, and established modern federal policy in regard to mineral resources nationally. The act applies to all minerals, including aggregate (sand and gravel), coal, geothermal, and oil and gas, that are subject to federal jurisdiction, including the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 30, Section 21).

State Regulations
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, referred to as SMARA, was enacted to address the need for a continuing supply of mineral resources, and to prevent or minimize the negative impacts of surface mining to public health, property, and the environment. Requirements for SMARA are codified under Public Resource Code Section 2710 et. seq. Under State law, all mining operations are required to obtain permits prior to commencing operations and abide by local and State operating requirements. Mining operations are also required to have appropriate reclamation plans in place, provide financial assurances, and abide by State and local environmental laws.

Classification
The California Geological Survey (CGS) Mineral Resources Project provides information about California’s non-fuel mineral resources. The Mineral Resources Project classifies lands throughout the state that contain regionally significant mineral resources per SMARA. Non-fuel mineral resources include metals such as gold, silver, iron, and copper; industrial metals such as boron compounds, rare-earth elements, clays, limestone, gypsum, salt and dimension stone; and construction aggregate, including sand, gravel, and crushed stone.

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of prime deposits and conflicts between mining and other uses throughout California led to passage of SMARA, which requires all cities and counties to incorporate in their General Plans the mapped designations approved by the State Mining and Geology Board.

The classification of mineral resources is a joint effort of State and local governments. It is based on geologic factors and requires that the State Geologist classify the mineral resources area as one of the four Mineral Resource Zones (MRZs), described below.
 MRZ-1: A Mineral Resource Zone where adequate information indicates that no significant mineral deposits are present or likely to be present.
 MRZ-2: A Mineral Resource Zone where adequate information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present, or a likelihood of their presence and development should be controlled.  MRZ-3: A Mineral Resource Zone where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be determined from the available data.
 MRZ-4: A Mineral Resource Zone where there is insufficient data to assign any other MRZ designation.

As part of the classification process, an analysis of site-specific conditions is used to calculate the total volume of aggregates in individually identified Resource Sectors. Resource Sectors are those MRZ-2 areas identified as having regional or statewide significance. The CGS separates regions of the state into Product-Consumption (P-C) Regions and the anticipated aggregate demand in the P-C Regions for the next 50 years is then estimated and compared to the total volume of aggregate reserves identified in the P-C Region.

Designation
Once a classification report has been completed, the State Mining and Geology Board, may choose, based on recommendations from the State Geologist, to proceed with the second step in SMARA’s mineral land identification process, designation of those mineral deposits that are of regional or statewide significance. In contrast to classifications, which inventories mineral deposits without regard to land use or land ownership, the purpose of a designation is to identify those deposits that are potentially available from a land-use perspective and are of prime importance in meeting future needs of the region or state.

California Department of Conservation Geologic Energy Management Division California Department of Conservation Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) is responsible for monitoring the drilling, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of oil, gas, and geothermal wells with the intention of environmental protection, protecting public health and safety, and general environmental conservation. CalGEM is also responsible for collecting groundwater, oil, gas, and geothermal resource data for maintaining a record of all drilled and abandoned well locations.

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California State Mining and Geology Board
The California State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) operates within the California Department of Conservation. The SMGB serves as the regulatory, policy, and appeals body to represent the State’s interest in the reclamation of mined lands, geology, geologic and seismologic hazards, and the conservation of mineral resources.

Local Regulations
Rancho Cordova General Plan
Development in the City of Rancho Cordova is guided by goals, policies, standards, and actions of the 2006 General Plan. The City of Rancho Cordova General Plan includes the following goal and policies on minerals:

Goal NR.6: Support the environmentally sensitive extraction of minerals and the subsequent reclamation of mined areas.
 Policy NR.61: Ensure that the environmental effects of mining and reclamation on aquifers, streams, scenic views, and surrounding residential uses are prevented or minimized.  Policy NR.6.2: Eliminate residual hazards to the public health and safety.

City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code
Chapter 20.04 – Surface Mining and Reclamation
Section 20.04.170, Mineral Resource Protection, states the objectives of Mineral Resources Overlay District are:
 Mine development is encouraged in compatible areas before encroachment of conflicting uses. Except mineral resource areas classified by the state Department of Conservation’s Division of Mines and Geology, State Mining and Geology Board or an existing surface mining operation shall be protected by incompatible land uses.
 Land use decisions within the city would be guided by identifiable mineral resources of regional significance.
 Recordation on property titles of the presence of important mineral resources within the identified mineral resource areas may be encouraged as a condition of approval of any development project in the impacted area.
 Prior to approving a use that would otherwise be incompatible with mineral resource protection, conditions of approval may be applied to encroaching development projects to minimize potential conflicts.

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5.8.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The MRZ classification areas in Rancho Cordova are shown in the CGS resources map, “Mineral Land Classification of Cement Aggregate in the Greater Sacramento Area Production-consumption Region,” which shows that the City falls in MRZ-1 Zone, MRZ-2 Zone, MRZ-3 Zone, and MRZ-4 Zone (CGS 2018).

The proposed project is classified as MRZ-3 and MRZ-4. As indicated previously, MRZ-3 zones are zones where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be determined from the available data and MRZ-4 zones are where there is insufficient data to assign any other MRZ designation. Additionally, areas directly west and south of the project site are classified as MRZ-2, an MRZ where adequate information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present, or a likelihood of their presence and development should be controlled.

5.8.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

M-1 Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state.

M-2 Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan.

5.8.3 Plans, Programs, and Policies
2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
Impact 4.8.5 concluded that development of the 2006 General Plan would result in the loss of availability of aggregate resources and would be considered a significant impact. Due to the expected growth under the General Plan, the demand for the aggregate products is expected to increase. Approximately, 6,076 acres in the City of Rancho Cordova and 8,229 acres of the Planning Area outside the city limits are identified as MRZ-2; a mineral resource zone where significant mineral deposits are present, or a likelihood of their presence and development should be controlled. In addition, the 2006 General Plan conflicts with the Sacramento County General Plan Mineral Overlay Designations. Implementation of the General Plan could cause additional resources to become unavailable and create land use conflicts between urban and mining operations, thus resulting in the closing of mining operations (Rancho Cordova 2006, pg. 4.8-27). The EIR includes General Plan policies as well as Mitigation Measure 4.8.5, which states that the City will introduce a new policy under Goal NR.8 that acknowledges the right of mining activities to continue, requiring setbacks, buffers, screening, and other measures to ensure the continued operation of these activities. The implementation of General Plan policies and Mitigation Measure 4.8.5 can reduce the loss of crucial mineral resources in the Planning Area.

However, the proposed General Plan's buildout will still result in the ultimate loss of these resources, making this impact significant and unavoidable.

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5.8.4 Environmental Impacts
This section analyzes impacts of the proposed project on mineral resources.

Impact 5.8-1: The proposed project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource nor the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan. [Thresholds M-1 and M-2] The CGS produces Mineral Land Classification studies that identify areas with potentially important mineral resources that should be considered in local and regional planning (CDC 2024). These classifications include MRZ-1, MRZ-2, MRZ-3, and MRZ-4. The City of Rancho Cordova has a significant amount of land in the MRZ-2 zone, where adequate information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present, or a likelihood of their presence and development should be controlled. As indicated in Figure 4.8-1, Mineral Resource Zones and Aggregate Operations within the General Plan Planning Area, of the City’s General Plan EIR, the proposed project is in the MRZ-2 zone (Rancho Cordova 2006, pg. 4.8-12). However, updated mineral resource maps indicate the project site is in MRZ-3 (CGS 2018). MRZ-3 zones are zones where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be determined from the available data.

Considering the previous urban uses (commercial and retail properties) of the project site, it is unlikely the proposed project would contribute to the loss of availability of a known mineral resource of value that was not discovered from previous ground-disturbing activities in the project site. In addition, the project site is in an urban area with residential uses to the north, residential uses and Folsom Lake College/Rancho Cordova Center to the east, light industrial uses and the Mather Field Mills Light Rail station to the south, and commercial and residential uses to the west. Although the project site is in an MRZ-2 zone, the proposed project’s development is more compatible with the surrounding environment than if a mineral operation such as a quarry were proposed. Furthermore, since the project site did not reveal any mineral resources from previous development and the proposed project would be compatible with the surrounding environment, the impact on mineral resources would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.8-1 would be less than significant.

5.8.5 Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative context for mineral resources is the City of Rancho Cordova and the Sacramento region as Rancho Cordova provides mineral resources to areas outside the city. The City of Rancho Cordova’s development is guided by the 2006 General Plan, which includes goals and policies regarding mineral resources.

Goal NR.6 supports environmentally sensitive extraction and reclamation of mined areas; Policy NR.61 prevents or minimizes environmental effects on aquifers, streams, scenic views, and residential uses; and Policy NR.6.2 aims to eliminate residual hazards to public health and safety. While the General Plan EIR found that the impact on mineral resources would be significant and unavoidable, the proposed project site would not result in a significant impact on mineral resources. Further, project demand would not contribute substantially to the demand for mineral resources such that availability would be substantially reduced. Therefore, the ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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proposed project’s contribution to cumulative impacts on mineral resource availability would be less than cumulatively considerable.

5.8.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
After implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, Impact 5.8-1 would be less than significant.

5.8.7 Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.8.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
All impacts would be less than significant. Since all impacts would be less than significant, there are no mitigation measures that have been incorporated.

5.8.9 References
Rancho Cordova. 2006. Rancho Cordova General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/11097/635900974765170000 California Geological Survey (CGS). 2018. Mineral Land Classification Mapper, Mineral Land Classification of Cement Aggregate in the Greater Sacramento Area Production-consumption Region. O’Neal, Matt D. and Gius, Fredw. (Map SR245 Plate 1).
https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/informationwarehouse/index.html?map=regulatorymaps.

California Department of Conservation (CDC). 2024, accessed. Mineral and Mineral Resources. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/mineralresources/.

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5.9 NOISE
This section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) evaluates the potential for implementation of the Mills Crossing Project (proposed project) to result in noise impacts in the City of Rancho Cordova. The analysis in this section is based in part on the following technical report:
 Noise Impact Assessment, prepared by ECORP Consulting, Inc., June 2023 A complete copy of this report is included in the technical appendices to this DEIR (Appendix 5.9-1).

5.9.1 Environmental Setting

5.9.1.1 NOISE AND VIBRATION FUNDAMENTALS
Noise is defined as unwanted sound and, when overexposed, is known to have several adverse effects on people, including hearing loss, speech and sleep interference, physiological responses, and annoyance. Although sound can be easily measured, the perception of noise and the physical response to sound complicate the analysis of its impact on people. People judge the relative magnitude of sound sensation in subjective terms, such as “noisiness” or “loudness.” Following are brief definitions of terminology used in this section.

Glossary
 Sound. A disturbance created by a vibrating object, which when transmitted by pressure waves through a medium such as air, is capable of being detected by the human ear or a microphone.  Noise. Sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or otherwise undesirable.  Decibel (dB). A unitless measure of sound on a logarithmic scale.  A-Weighted Decibel (dBA). An overall frequency-weighted sound level in decibels that approximates the frequency response of the human ear.
 Equivalent Continuous Noise Level (Leq). The mean of the noise level and energy averaged over the measurement period.
 Lmax. The maximum root-mean-square noise level during a measurement period.  Statistical Sound Level (Ln). The sound level that is exceeded “n” percent of time during a given sample period. For example, the L50 level is the statistical indicator of the time-varying noise signal that is exceeded 50 percent of the time (during each sampling period), which is half of the sampling time, the changing noise levels are above this value and half of the time they are below it. This is called the “median sound level.” The L10 level, likewise, is the value that is exceeded 10 percent of the time (i.e., near the maximum) and this is often known as the “intrusive sound level.” The L90 is the sound level exceeded 90 percent of the time and is often considered the “effective background level” or “residual noise level.” ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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 Day-Night Sound Level (Ldn or DNL). The energy-average of the A-weighted sound levels occurring during a 24-hour period, with 10 dB added to the sound levels occurring during the period from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
 Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL). The energy-average of the A-weighted sound levels occurring during a 24-hour period, with 5 dB added to the levels occurring during the period from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 10 dB added to the sound levels occurring during the period from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Note: For general community/environmental noise, CNEL and Ldn values rarely differ by more than 1 dB.

As a matter of practice, Ldn and CNEL values are considered to be equivalent/interchangeable and are treated therefore in this assessment.
 Peak Particle Velocity (PPV). The peak rate of speed at which soil particles move (e.g., inches per second) due to ground vibration.
 Sensitive Receptor. Noise- and vibration-sensitive receptors include 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.  Vibration Decibel (VdB). A unitless measure of vibration, expressed on a logarithmic scale and with respect to a defined reference vibration velocity. In the U.S., the standard reference velocity is 1 micro-inch per second (1x10-6 in/sec).

Sound Fundamentals
Sound is a pressure wave transmitted through the air. It is described in terms of loudness or amplitude (measured in decibels), frequency or pitch (measured in Hertz [Hz] or cycles per second), and duration (measured in seconds or minutes). The standard unit of measurement of the loudness of sound is the decibel.

The human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies. Sound waves below 16 Hz are not heard at all and are “felt” more like a vibration. Similarly, while people with extremely sensitive hearing can hear sounds as high as 20,000 Hz, most people cannot hear above 15,000 Hz. In all cases, hearing acuity falls off rapidly above about 10,000 Hz and below about 200 Hz. Since the human ear is not equally sensitive to sound at all frequencies, a special frequency dependent rating scale is usually used to relate noise to human sensitivity. The A-weighted decibel scale performs this compensation by weighting frequencies in a manner approximating the sensitivity of the human ear.

Changes of 1 to 3 dBA are detectable under quiet, controlled conditions and changes of less than 1 dBA are usually indiscernible. A 3 dBA change in noise levels is considered the minimum change that is detectable with human hearing in outside environments. A change of 5 dBA is readily discernable to most people in an exterior environment whereas a 10 dBA change is perceived as a doubling (or halving) of the sound.

Noise is defined as unwanted sound, and, when overexposed, is known to have several adverse effects on people, including hearing loss, speech and sleep interference, physiological responses, and annoyance. Based on these known adverse effects of noise, the federal government, the State of California, and many local ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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governments have established criteria to protect public health and safety and to prevent disruption of certain human activities.

Sound Measurement
Sound pressure is measured through the A-weighted measure to correct for the relative frequency response of the human ear. That is, an A-weighted noise level de-emphasizes low and very high frequencies of sound similar to the human ear’s de-emphasis of these frequencies.

Unlike linear units such as inches or pounds, decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, representing points on a sharply rising curve. On a logarithmic scale, an increase of 10 dBA is 10 times more intense than 1 dBA, 20 dBA is 100 times more intense, and 30 dBA is 1,000 times more intense. A sound as soft as human breathing is about 10 times greater than 0 dBA. The decibel system of measuring sound gives a rough connection between the physical intensity of sound and its perceived loudness to the human ear. Ambient sounds generally range from 30 dBA (very quiet) to 100 dBA (very loud).

Sound levels are generated from a source and their decibel level decreases as the distance from that source increases. Sound dissipates exponentially with distance from the noise source. This phenomenon is known as “spreading loss.” For a single point source, sound levels decrease by approximately 6 dBA for each doubling of distance from the source. This drop-off rate is appropriate for noise generated by on-site operations from stationary equipment or activity at a project site. If noise is produced by a line source, such as highway traffic, the sound decreases by 3 dBA for each doubling of distance in a hard-site environment. Line source noise in a relatively flat environment with absorptive vegetation decreases by 4.5 dBA for each doubling of distance.

Time variation in noise exposure is typically expressed in terms of a steady-state energy level equal to the energy content of the time varying period (called Leq), or alternately, as a statistical description of the sound level that is exceeded over some fraction of a given observation period. These “Ln” values are typically used to demonstrate compliance for stationary noise sources with a city’s or county’s noise ordinance, as discussed below. Other values typically noted during a noise survey are the Lmin and Lmax. These values represent the minimum and maximum root-mean-square noise levels obtained over the measurement period.

Because community receptors are more sensitive to unwanted noise intrusion during the evening and at night, state law, cities, and counties require that, for planning purposes, an artificial dBA increment be added to quiet time noise levels in a 24-hour noise descriptor called the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) or DayNight Noise Level (DNL or Ldn).

Psychological and Physiological Effects of Noise
Physical damage to human hearing begins at prolonged exposure to noise levels higher than 85 dBA. Exposure to high noise levels affects our entire system, with prolonged noise exposure in excess of 75 dBA increasing body tensions, thereby affecting blood pressure, functions of the heart, and the nervous system. Extended periods of noise exposure above 90 dBA can result in permanent hearing damage. When the noise level reaches 120 dBA, even short-term exposure causes a tickling sensation in the ear, called the threshold of feeling. As the ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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sound reaches 140 dBA, the tickling sensation becomes painful, called the threshold of pain. Table 5.9-1, Typical Noise Levels, shows typical noise levels from familiar noise sources.

Table 5.9-1 Typical Noise Levels
Common Outdoor Activities
Noise Level
(dBA) Common Indoor Activities
110 Rock Band (near amplification system)
Jet Flyover at 1,000 feet
100
Gas Lawn Mower at 3 feet
90 Diesel Truck at 50 feet, at 50 mph Food Blender at 3 feet 80 Garbage Disposal at 3 feet
Noisy Urban Area, Daytime
70 Vacuum Cleaner at 10 feet
Commercial Area Normal speech at 3 feet
Heavy Traffic at 300 feet 60
Large Business Office
Quiet Urban Daytime 50 Dishwasher Next Room
Quiet Urban Nighttime 40 Theater, Large Conference Room (background) Quiet Suburban Nighttime
30 Library
Quiet Rural Nighttime Bedroom at Night, Concert Hall (background) 20 Broadcast/Recording Studio
10 Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing 0 Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

Vibration Fundamentals
Vibration is an oscillating motion in the earth. Like noise, vibration is transmitted in waves, but through the earth or solid objects. Unlike noise, vibration is typically of a frequency that is felt rather than heard.

Vibration can be natural—such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides—or human-made, such as explosions, heavy machinery, or trains. Both natural and human-made vibration may be continuous, such as from operating machinery, or impulsive, as from an explosion.

As with noise, vibration can be described by both its amplitude and frequency. Amplitude can be characterized in three ways—displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Particle displacement is a measure of the distance that a vibrated particle travels from its original position; for the purposes of soil displacement, is typically measured ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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in inches or millimeters. Particle velocity is the rate of speed at which soil particles move in inches per second or millimeters per second. Table 5.9-2, Human Reaction to Typical Vibration Levels, presents the human reaction to various levels of peak particle velocity.

Table 5.9-2 Human Reaction to Typical Vibration Levels
Vibration Level
Peak Particle Velocity
(in/sec) Human Reaction Effect on Buildings

0.006–0.019 Threshold of perception, possibility of intrusion Vibrations unlikely to cause damage of any type

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

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

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

0.4–0.6
Vibrations considered unpleasant by people
subjected to continuous vibrations and
unacceptable to some people walking on bridges
Vibrations at a greater level than normally expected from traffic, but would cause “architectural” damage and possibly minor structural damage
Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).
in/sec = inches per second
Vibrations also vary in frequency, and this affects perception. Typical construction vibrations fall in the 10 to 30 Hz range and usually occur around 15 Hz. Traffic vibrations exhibit a similar range of frequencies; however, due to their suspension systems, buses often generate frequencies around 3 Hz at high vehicle speeds. It is less common, but possible, to measure traffic frequencies above 30 Hz.

The way in which vibration is transmitted through the earth is called propagation. As vibration waves propagate from a source, the energy is spread over an ever-increasing area such that the energy level striking a given point is reduced with the distance from the energy source. This geometric spreading loss is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. Wave energy is also reduced with distance as a result of material damping in the form of internal friction, soil layering, and void spaces. The amount of attenuation provided by material damping varies with soil type and condition as well as the frequency of the wave.

5.9.1.2 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Federal Regulations
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates on-site noise levels and protects workers from occupational noise exposure. To protect hearing, worker noise exposure is limited to 90 decibels with Aweighting (dBA) over an eight-hour work shift (29 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1910.95). Employers are required to develop a hearing conservation program when employees are exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA. These programs include provision of hearing protection devices and testing employees for hearing loss on a periodic basis.

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National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
A division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established a construction-related noise level threshold as identified in the Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure prepared in 1998. NIOSH identifies a noise level threshold based on the duration of exposure to the source. The NIOSH construction-related noise level threshold starts at 85 dBA for more than 8 hours per day; for every 3 dBA increase, the exposure time is cut in half. This reduction results in noise level thresholds of 88 dBA for more than 4 hours per day, 92 dBA for more than 1 hour per day, 96 dBA for more than 30 minutes per day, and up to 100 dBA for more than 15 minutes per day. The intention of these thresholds is to protect people from hearing losses resulting from occupational noise exposure.

Federal Interagency Committee on Noise
The Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) thresholds of significance assist in the evaluation of increased traffic noise. The 2000 FICON findings provide guidance as to the significance of changes in ambient noise levels due to transportation noise sources. FICON recommendations are based on studies that relate aircraft and traffic noise levels to the percentage of people highly annoyed by the noise. FICON’s measure of substantial increase for transportation noise exposure is as follows:
 If the existing ambient noise levels at existing and future noise-sensitive land uses (e.g., residential) are less than 60 dBA Ldn and the project creates a readily perceptible 5 dBA Ldn or greater noise level increase and the resulting noise level would exceed acceptable exterior noise standards; or  If the existing noise levels range from 60 to 65 dBA Ldn and the project creates a barely perceptible 3 dBA Ldn or greater noise level increase and the resulting noise level would exceed acceptable exterior noise standards; or
 If the existing noise levels already exceed 65 dBA Ldn and the project creates a community noise level increase of greater than 1.5 dBA Ldn.

State Regulations
State of California General Plan Guidelines
The State of California regulates vehicular and freeway noise affecting classrooms, sets standards for sound transmission and occupational noise control, and identifies noise insulation standards and airport noise/landuse compatibility criteria. The State of California General Plan Guidelines, published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), also provides guidance for the acceptability of projects within specific CNEL/Ldn contours. The guidelines also present adjustment factors that may be used to arrive at noise acceptability standards that reflect the noise control goals of the community, the community’s sensitivity to noise, and the community’s assessment of the relative importance of noise pollution.

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State Office of Planning and Research Noise Element Guidelines The State OPR Noise Element Guidelines include recommended exterior and interior noise level standards for local jurisdictions to identify and prevent the creation of incompatible land uses due to noise. The Noise Element Guidelines contain a land use compatibility table that describes the compatibility of various land uses with a range of environmental noise levels in terms of the CNEL.

California Department of Transportation
In 2020, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) published the Transportation and Construction Vibration Manual. The manual provides general guidance on vibration issues associated with the construction and operation of projects concerning human perception and structural damage. Table 2 of the manual presents recommendations for levels of vibration that could result in damage to structures exposed to continuous vibration.

Local
City of Rancho Cordova General Plan Noise Element
The Noise Element of the General Plan provides policy direction to protect its citizens and community from noise disturbances. By quantifying existing noise sources and identifying noise policies and actions, the City ensures comfortable and safe noise levels throughout the community. The main goals of the document are to improve the noise environment for its residents, employees, visitors, and other people. The City’s existing noise ordinance establishes allowable exterior and interior noise levels for affected land uses. The Noise Element notes that activities that are generally considered to be exempt from the noise standards include construction activities (provided that they occur within the daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday), school athletic and entertainment events, activities conducted on public parks and playgrounds, and transportation noise.  Policy N 1.2: Ensure that the indoor and outdoor areas of new projects will be located, constructed, and/or shielded from noise sources in compliance with the City’s noise standards to the maximum extent feasible (reproduced in Table 5.9-3, City of Rancho Cordova Noise Standards).

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Table 5.9-3 City of Rancho Cordova Noise Standards
Land Use Category OutdoorActivity Areas Ldn1, dB Interior Ldn dB Residential 603 45
Transportation Residential2 603 405
Transient lodging 604 45
Hospitals, nursing homes 603 45
Theaters, auditoriums, music halls -- --
Churches, meeting halls 603 --
Office buildings -- --
Schools, libraries, museums -- --
Playgrounds, neighborhood parks 70 --
Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

Notes:
1 Where the location of outdoor activity areas is unknown; the exterior noise level standard shall be applied to the property line of the receiving land use. Where it is not practical to mitigate exterior noise levels at patio or balconies of apartment complexes, a common area such as a pool or recreation area may be designated as the outdoor activity area. 2 Transportation Residential applies to residences that are subject to noise from railroad tracks, aircraft overflights, or similar noise sources which produce clearly identifiable, discrete noise events (e.g., the passing of a single train). 3 Where it is not possible to reduce noise in outdoor activity areas to 60 dB Ldn or less using a practical application of the best-available noise reduction measures, an exterior noise level of up to 65 dB Ldnmay be allowed provided that available exterior noise level reduction measures have been implemented and interior noise levels comply with this table. 4 In the case of hotel/motel facilities or other transient lodging, outdoor activity areas such as pool areas may not be included in the project design. In these cases, only the interior noise level criterion will apply. 5 The intent of this noise standard is to provide increased protection against sleep disturbance for residences located near railroad tracks.  Policy N 1.3: Ensure that proposed non-residential land uses likely to exceed the City’s standards do not create noise disturbances in existing noise-sensitive areas.  Policy N.1.4: Mitigate noise created by proposed non-transportation noise sourcesto complywith the City’s noise standards to the maximum extent feasible.
 Action N.1.4.1 - Limit construction activity to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekends when construction is conducted in proximity to residential uses.  Policy N.1.7: To the extent feasible and appropriate, the City shall require the use of temporary construction noise control measures for public and private project that may include the use of temporary noise barriers, temporary relocation of noise-sensitive land uses or other appropriate measures.

5.9.1.3 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Noise-Sensitive Land Uses
Noise-sensitive land uses are generally considered to include those uses where noise exposure could result in health-related risks to individuals, as well as places where quiet is an essential element of their intended purpose.

Residential dwellings are of primary concern because of the potential for increased and prolonged exposure of individuals to both interior and exterior noise levels. Additional land uses such as hospitals, historic sites, cemeteries, and certain recreation areas are considered sensitive to increases in exterior noise levels. Schools, ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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churches, hotels, libraries, and other places where low interior noise levels are essential are also considered noise-sensitive land uses.

The nearest existing noise-sensitive receptors to the project site are single-family residences approximately 49 feet from the proposed project’s northeastern boundary, fronting El Caprice Drive. Furthermore, there are several residential apartments on Bettencourt Lane and La Loma Drive that are along the project site’s north and western boundaries, with the closest location being 56 feet away.

Existing Ambient Noise Measurements
The project site is currently undeveloped land surrounded mainly by residential and commercial land uses. To quantify existing ambient noise levels in vicinity of the project site, ECORP Consulting, Inc. conducted three short-term noise measurements (15 minutes) in the surrounding areas and one long-term noise measurement (24 hours) on the project site on April 11, 2023. The 15-minute measurements were taken between 10:54 a.m. and 11:54 a.m. on April 11, 2023, and are representative of typical existing noise exposure within and immediately adjacent to the project site during the daytime. The long-term measurement was taken from 12:28 p.m. on April 11 to 12:28 p.m. on April 12, 2023. This 24-hour noise measurement is representative of typical existing noise exposure on the project site during a typical 24-hour day. The average noise levels measured at each location are listed in Table 5.9-4, Existing (Baseline) Noise Measurements.

Table 5.9-4 Existing (Baseline) Noise Measurements
Location
Number Location Leq dBA
Ldn
dBA
Lmin
dBA
Lmax
dBA Time
Short-Term Measurements
1 End of cul-de-sac of White Rock Road adjacent to Aspen GroveMobile Home Park 54.0 N/A 50.3 68.2 10:54 a.m. –11:09 a.m. 2 On La Verta Court adjacent to the Ashbury Court
Apartments 47.9 N/A 39.7 62.9 11:39 a.m. –11:54 a.m.
3 On La Loma Drive behind the project site adjacent to the Meadows Apartments 61.8 N/A 44.9 74.4 11:16 a.m. –11:31 a.m. 4 North end of project site 57.1 60.9 38.3 83.2 12:28 p.m. – 12:28 p.m.

Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

Notes:

Leq is the average acoustic energy content of noise for a stated period of time. Thus, the Leq of a time-varying noise and that of a steady noise are the same if they deliver the same acoustic energy to the ear during exposure. Lmin is the minimum noise level during the measurement period and Lmax is the maximum noise level during the measurement period.

As shown in Table 5.9-4, the ambient recorded noise levels range from 47.9 to 61.8 dBA Leq over the course of the three short-term noise measurements taken in the proposed project vicinity. The ambient noise levels recorded by the long-term measurement indicate that the project site currently experiences a noise level of 60.9 dBA Ldn. The most common noise in the project site vicinity is produced by automotive vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles) on Folsom Boulevard, noise from light rail train activity, and noises from residential activity.

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Existing Roadway Noise Levels
Existing roadway noise levels were calculated for the roadway segments in the project site vicinity. This task was accomplished using the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWARD-77-108) (see Appendix 5.9-1) and traffic volumes from the Mills Crossing Local Traffic Analysis. The model calculates the average noise level at specific locations based on traffic volumes, average speeds, roadway geometry, and site environmental conditions. The average vehicle noise rates (energy rates) used in the FHWA model have been modified to reflect average vehicle noise ratesidentified for California by Caltrans. The Caltrans data shows that California automobile noise is 0.8 to 1.0 dBA higher than national levels and that medium and heavy truck noise is 0.3 to 3.0 dBA lower than national levels. The average daily noise levels along these roadway segments are presented in Table 5.9-5, Existing Roadway Noise Levels.

Table 5.9-5 Existing Roadway Noise Levels
Roadway Segment Surrounding Uses Ldn at 100 feet from Centerline of Roadway Folsom Boulevard
West of Mather Field Road Commercial 64.1
East of Mather Field Road Commercial 65.7
Between La Loma Drive and Paseo Drive Commercial 64.1
Routier Road
South of Folsom Boulevard Residential 59.1
La Loma Drive
North of Folsom Boulevard Commercial and Residential 51.9 Paseo Drive
North of Folsom Boulevard Commercial and Residential 50.7 Mather Field Road
South of Folsom Boulevard Commercial and Residential 65.5 Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

Notes:

Traffic noise levels were calculated by ECORP using the FHWA roadway noise prediction model in conjunction with the trip generation rate identified by DKS Associates (2023). The most relevant roadway segments were chosen by DKS Associates. Refer to Appendix 5.9-1 for traffic noise modeling assumptions and results.

As shown in Table 5.9-5, the existing traffic-generated noise level on roadways in the proposed project vicinity currently ranges from 50.7 to 65.7 dBA Ldn at a distance of 100 feet from the centerline. As previously described, Ldn is a 24-hour average Leq with a 10-dBA “weighting” added to noise during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to account for noise sensitivity at night. The logarithmic effect of these additions is that a 60 dBA 24-hour Leq would result in a measurement of 66.4 dBA Ldn. It should be noted that the modeled noise levels depicted in Table 5.9-5 may differ from measured levels in Table 5.9-4 because the measurements represent noise levels at different locations around the project site vicinity and are also reported in different noise metrics (e.g., noise measurements are the Leq values and traffic noise levels are reported in Ldn).

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5.9.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would result in:

N-1 Generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies.

N-2 Generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels.

N-3 For a project in the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, if the project would expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels.

5.9.3 Plans, Programs, and Policies
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
 Impact 4.7.1 of the 2006 General Plan EIR states that implementation of the General Plan would result in construction noise levels that would exceed the noise standards established by the City of Rancho Cordova. Despite the proposed General Plan policies, action items, and goals that aim to reduce noise levels, the impact was determined to be significant and unavoidable. The General Plan EIR Impact 4.7.2 states that implementation of the General Plan would result in traffic noise levels that would exceed the noise standards established by the City of Rancho Cordova; therefore, this impact was determined significant and unavoidable.
 The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the General Plan would result in future stationary noise levels that would exceed the noise standards for non-transportation-related noise sources.

Even with the inclusion of mitigation measures, some stationary noise impacts cannot be mitigated to less than significant; therefore, this impact was determined significant and unavoidable.  The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the General Plan would result in the creation of new noise-sensitive land uses within an over-flight area, which presents the potential for annoyance from a single noise event would be considered a significant impact. The implementation of mitigation measures and action items would not fully mitigate the single-event aircraft noises; therefore, this impact was determined significant and unavoidable.
 The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the General Plan could expose future land uses and residents to light rail and public transit-related noises. With the implementation of the General Plan action items, this impact was determined to be less than significant.

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 The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the General Plan in combination with regional growth and traffic conditions (passthrough traffic) would increase transportation noise along area roadways; therefore, this impact was determined significant and unavoidable.  The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the General Plan, in combination with regional growth in surrounding communities outside of the Planning Area, would increase stationary noise; therefore, this impact was determined significant and unavoidable.  The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the General Plan, in combination with regional growth in the Planning Area and surrounding communities, would subject more noise-sensitive land uses to airport noise; therefore, this impact was determined to be cumulatively considerable.

Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan
The Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan (FBSP) does not include any noise level standards that future development under this plan is required to follow.

5.9.4 Environmental Impacts

5.9.4.1 METHODOLOGY
This analysis of the existing and future noise environments is based on noise-prediction modeling. To estimate the worst-case construction noise levels that may occur at the nearest noise-sensitive receptors in the project site vicinity, predicted construction noise levels were calculated using the FHWA’s Roadway Construction Noise Model (2006). Groundborne vibration levels associated with construction-related activities for the proposed project were evaluated using typical groundborne vibration levels associated with construction equipment.

Potential groundborne vibration impacts related to structural damage and human annoyance were evaluated, considering the distance from construction activities to nearby structures and typically applied criteria for structural damage and human annoyance.

Transportation-source noise levels associated with the proposed project were calculated using the FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108) with trip-generation rates from the Mills Crossing Local Traffic Analysis. On-site stationary source noise levels associated with the proposed project have been calculated with the SoundPLAN 3D noise model, which predicts noise propagation from a noise source based on the location, noise level, and frequency spectra of the noise sources as well as the geometry and reflective properties of the local terrain, buildings, and barriers.

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5.9.4.2 IMPACT ANALYSIS
Impact 5.9-1: Construction activities would result in temporary noise increases in the vicinity of the proposed project. [Threshold N-1]
On-Site Construction Noise
Construction noise associated with the proposed project would be temporary and would vary depending on the nature of the activities being performed. Noise generated would primarily be associated with the operation of off-road equipment for on-site construction activities as well as construction vehicle traffic on area roadways.

Construction noise typically occurs intermittently and varies depending on the nature or phase of construction (e.g., land clearing, grading, excavation, building construction, paving). Noise generated by construction equipment, including earth movers, material handlers, and portable generators, can reach high levels. Typical operating cycles for these types of construction equipment may involve one or two minutes of full-power operation followed by three to four minutes at lower-power settings. Other primary sources of acoustical disturbance would be random incidents, which would last lessthan one minute (such as dropping large pieces of equipment or the hydraulic movement of machinery lifts). During construction, exterior noise levels could negatively affect sensitive land uses in the vicinity of the construction site.

The nearest existing noise-sensitive receptors to the project site are several residences on the northern boundary of the project site, approximately 49 feet away. As previously mentioned, construction is exempt from the noise standards, provided that the construction occurs between the daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Outside of the provided times when construction is exempt, construction activities are subject to the City’s noise standards. Furthermore, City General Plan Noise Element Action N.1.4.1 limits construction activity to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekends when construction is conducted in proximity to residential uses. The project site is in proximity to existing residential land uses and is therefore required to adhere to the construction timing limitations established by Noise Element Action N.1.4.1 (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekends). However, in order to be considered exempt from City noise standards, the proposed project’s construction must be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Outside of the provided times when construction is exempt, construction activities are subject to the City’s noise standards. As shown in Table 5.9-6, Construction Average (dBA) Noise Levels at Nearest Receptors, the proposed project’s construction noise would surpass the City’s protective standard of 60 dBA and therefore must be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday in order to be considered a less-than-significant impact.

To estimate the worst-case on-site construction noise levels that may occur at the nearest noise-sensitive receptor and to evaluate the potential health-related effects (physical damage to the ear, psychological effects) from construction noise, the construction equipment noise levels were calculated using the Roadway Noise Construction Model and compared against the construction-related noise level threshold established in the Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure prepared in 1998 by NIOSH. A division ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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NOISE

of the US Department of Health and Human Services, NIOSH identifies a noise level threshold based on the duration of exposure to the source. The NIOSH construction-related noise level threshold starts at 85 dBA for more than 8 hours per day; for every 3-dBA increase, the exposure time is cut in half. This reduction results in noise-level thresholds of 88 dBA for more than 4 hours per day, 92 dBA for more than 1 hour per day, 96 dBA for more than 30 minutes per day, and up to 100 dBA for more than 15 minutes per day. For the purposes of this analysis, the lowest, more conservative threshold of 85 dBA Leq is used as an acceptable threshold for construction noise at the nearby sensitive receptors.

It is acknowledged that the majority of construction equipment is not situated at any one location during construction activities, but rather spread throughout the project site and at various distances from sensitive receptors. Therefore, this analysis employs the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidance for calculating construction noise, which recommends measuring construction noise produced by all construction equipment from the center of the project site, which in this case is approximately 341 feet from the closest residence on Bettencourt Lane. The anticipated short-term construction noise levels generated for the necessary equipment for each phase of construction are presented in Table 5.9-6, Construction Average (dBA) Noise Levels at Nearest Receptors.

Table 5.9-6 Construction Average (dBA) Noise Levels at Nearest Receptors Construction Phase
Estimated Exterior Construction Noise
Level at Nearest
Sensitive Receptor
(dBA Leq)
Construction Noise
Standards (dBA Leq)
Exceeds
Standards?
Pavement Excavation 69.8 85 No
Site Preparation 70.9 85 No
Grading 70.1 85 No
Building Construction, Paving and Painting 73.8 85 No
Source: Appendix 5.9-1.

Notes: Construction equipment used during construction derived from the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) version 2022.1. CalEEMod is designed to calculate air pollutant emissions from construction activity and contains default construction equipment and usage parameters for typical construction projects based on several construction surveys conducted to identify such parameters. Consistent with FTA recommendations for calculating construction noise, construction noise was measured from the center of the project site (Appendix 5.9-1), which is 341 feet from the nearest residence. Construction, paving, and painting are assumed to occur simultaneously.

Leq = The equivalent energy noise level, is the average acoustic energy content of noise for a stated period of time. Thus, the Leq of a time-varying noise and that of a steady noise are the same if they deliver the same acoustic energy to the ear during exposure. For evaluating community impacts, this rating scale does not vary, regardless of whether the noise occurs during the day or the night.

As shown in Table 5.9-6, construction activities would not exceed the 85 dBA NIOSH construction noise threshold during any phase of construction at the nearby noise-sensitive receptors. It is noted that construction noise was modeled on a worst-case basis. Project site construction would not result in a doubling of traffic, and therefore its contribution to existing traffic noise would not be perceptible. Additionally, it is noted that construction is temporary, and these trips would cease upon completion of the proposed project.

Off-Site Construction Worker Traffic Noise
Project site construction would result in additional traffic on adjacent roadways over the period that construction occurs. According to the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod), which is used to predict the maximum number of construction related vehicle trips traveling to and from the project site, the ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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NOISE
June 2024 Page 5.9-15
maximum number of construction related trips traveling to and from the project site during a single construction phase would not exceed 298 trips in total (241 construction worker commute trips and 57 vendor trips).According to Caltrans’ Technical Noise Supplement tothe Traffic Noise Analysis Protocol (Caltrans 2013), doubling of traffic on a roadway is likely to result in an increase of 3 dB (outside of the laboratory, a 3 dBA change is considered a just-perceivable difference). During construction, the project site would be accessible from Folsom Boulevard. According to analysis done in conjunction with the proposed project’s Traffic Report from Appendix 5.9-1, the portion of Folsom Boulevard between Mather Field Road and La Loma Drive, which includes the project site, currently accommodates approximately 19,136 average daily trips (ADT). Thus, the project site construction would not result in a doubling of traffic, and therefore its contribution to existing traffic noise would not be perceptible. Additionally, it is noted that construction is temporary, and these trips would cease upon completion of the proposed project.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.9-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.9-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.9-2: The proposed project would not result in a substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in excess of City standards during the project’s operation phase. [Threshold N-1] As previously described, noise-sensitive land uses are locations where people reside or where the presence of unwanted sound could adversely affect the use of the land. Residences, schools, hospitals, guest lodging, libraries, and some passive recreation areas would each be considered noise-sensitive and may warrant unique measures for protection from intruding noise. The nearest existing noise-sensitive receptors to the project site are several residences on the northern boundary of the project site, approximately 49 feet away.

The proposed project would include the construction of a community center with a health and wellness center, a parking structure, arts center and theater, a multifamily and single-family housing development, commercial and retail businesses, and community and event centers. Operational noise sources associated with the proposed project include mobile and stationary (i.e., people talking, car door opening and closing, parking garage noise, park activities, the unloading of trucks, typical neighborhood noise, and internal circulation) sources.

Project Land Use Compatibility
The City’s General Plan establishes the use of exterior and interior noise standards as seen in Table 5.9-1. The City’s noise level standards are applicable to new projects and act as a tool to gauge the compatibility of new land uses relative to existing noise levels. Table 5.9-1 identifies the exterior noise level standards for various land uses, including residential, meeting hall, and community park uses such as those associated with the proposed project. In the case that the noise levels identified at the proposed project site fall below the protective noise limits presented in the General Plan, the proposed project is considered compatible with the existing noise environment. As previously stated, the proposed project is proposing the construction of a community center ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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NOISE

with a health and wellness center, a parking structure, arts center and theater, a multifamily and single-family housing development, commercial and retail businesses, and community and event centers.

The long-term noise measurement taken by ECORP Consulting Inc. on April 11 and April 12, 2023, can be used to quantify existing ambient noise levels in the project area. The ambient noise levels recorded by the longterm measurement indicate that the project site currently experiences a noise level of 60.9 dBA Ldn. According to the City’s noise level standards table, presented in Table 5.9-1, this noise level falls above the exterior noise standard for residential and meeting hall land uses (60 dBA). However, as noted in the General Plan, where it is not possible to reduce noise in outdoor activity areas to 60 dBA Ldn or less using a practical application of the best-available noise reduction measures, an exterior noise level of up to 65 dBA Ldn may be allowed provided that available exterior noise level reduction measures have been implemented and interior noise levels follow the standards identified in Table 5.9-1. As such, the project site currently experiences an ambient noise level of

60.9 dBA Ldn, which is just over the exterior noise standard of 60 dBA Ldn for residential and meeting hall land uses, yet below the maximum standard of 65 dBA Ldn when the application of the best-available noise reduction measures is implemented.

The maximum standard of 65 dBA Ldn, to be applied to proposed projects that employ the best-available noise reduction measures, is appropriate for the proposed project. According to the proposed project’s site plans, the proposed project’s design and layout would reduce off-site transportation noise sources at the proposed noisesensitive residential land uses. Specifically, the community commercial, art center, event center, and health and wellness buildings would be on the southern portion of the project site directly frontingFolsom Boulevard, while the northern portion of the site, farthest from Folsom Boulevard, would accommodate the residential component. As such, the layout of the proposed project’s nonresidential buildings would effectively shield the residential receptors from off-site traffic noise occurring on Folsom Boulevard. According to the FHWA (2006), when a receiver is shielded from a noise source with a barrier (such as a building) with some gaps, it experiences a 5 dBAnoise reduction from the source. Thus, the residents on the northern portion of the project site would have an approximate 5 dBA reduction from the traffic noise on Folsom Boulevard due to the positioning of the other proposed nonresidential buildings on site. This would result in an exterior ambient noise level of approximately 55.9 dBA Ldn, which would be under the City’s exterior standard for residences.

Thus, the project site design of placing the proposed nonresidential buildings between the predominate source of noise in the project site area, Folsom Boulevard, and the proposed noise-sensitive residential buildings, represents the best-available noise reduction measure to reduce noise on the project site. Furthermore, the exterior-to-interior reduction of newer residential units is generally 30 dBA or more. With this reduction, the exterior to interior noise environment would be reduced so that interior noise levels would be maintained below the City’s protective interior standards of 45 dBA. For these reasons, the proposed project complies with the City’s noise/land use compatibility standards.

Operational Off-Site Traffic Noise
Future traffic noise levels throughout the project site vicinity for the proposed project were modeled based on the traffic volumes identified by DKS Associates (refer to Appendix 5.9-1) to determine the noise levels along project site’s vicinity roadways. Table 5.9-7, Proposed Project Predicted Traffic Noise Levels, shows the calculated offsite roadway noise levels with traffic at existing levels and the projected levels after project site buildout. The ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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June 2024 Page 5.9-17
City of Rancho Cordova does not regulate noise from transportation sources and does not have noise standards for such sources. As such, the thresholds recommended by FICON will be used in this analysis.  If the existing ambient noise levels at existing and future noise-sensitive land uses (e.g., residential, etc.) are less than 60 dBA Ldn and the proposed project creates a readily perceptible 5 dBA Ldn or greater noise level increase and the resulting noise level would exceed acceptable exterior noise standards; or  If the existing noise levels range from 60 to 65 dBA Ldn and the proposed project creates a barely perceptible 3 dBA Ldn or greater noise level increase and the resulting noise level would exceed acceptable exterior noise standards; or
 If the existing noise levels already exceed 65 dBA Ldn and the proposed project creates a community noise level increase of greater than 1.5 dBA Ldn.

Table 5.9-7 Proposed Project Predicted Traffic Noise Levels Roadway Segment Surrounding Uses
Ldn at 100 feet from the Centerline
Roadway
Change
FICON’s
Standard?
Exceeds
Existing Existing + Project Standard?
Folsom Boulevard
West of Mather Field Road Commercial 64.1 64.5 +0.4 >3 No East of Mather Field Road Commercial 65.7 65.9 +0.2 >1.5 No Between La Loma Drive and
Paseo Drive Commercial 64.1 64.5 +0.4 >3 No
Routier Road
South of Folsom Boulevard Commercial & Residential 59.1 59.4 +0.3 >5 No La Loma Drive
North of Folsom Boulevard Commercial & Residential 51.9 54.7 +2.8 >5 No Paseo Drive
North of Folsom Boulevard Commercial & Residential 50.7 52.6 +1.9 >5 No Mather Field Road
South of Folsom Boulevard Commercial & Residential 65.5 65.8 +0.3 >1.5 No Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

As shown in Table 5.9-7, none of the proposed project’s vicinity roadway segments would experience an increase of traffic noise in excess of the FICON standards.

Operational On-Site Stationary Noise
The proposed project includes the construction of a community center with a health and wellness center, a parking structure, arts center and theater, a multifamily and single-family housing development, commercial and retail businesses, and community and event centers. The main stationary operational noise associated with the proposed project would include internal circulation/parking lot activity at the commercial buildings (i.e., people talking, car door opening and closing, and car stereos). Noise associated with residential neighborhoods ,______________I I I
I I I
ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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NOISE

is quieter than commercial uses and includes activities such as internal circulation, dogs barking, lawnmowers, and other mechanical equipment). On-site proposed project operations have been calculated using the SoundPLAN 3D noise model. The modeling scenario includes the features of the proposed project, namely the parking lots, community commercial and art center buildings, residential units, and recreational/park plaza.

The City has established noise exterior standards for various land uses, shown in Table 5.9-3, City of Rancho Cordova Noise Standards. The standard for residential receptors is under 60 dBA. Table 5.9-8, Operational Noise Levels, shows the predicted project site’s noise levels at nine locations in the project site vicinity, as predicted by SoundPLAN. These locations represent the closest residential and commercial land uses to the project site.

Figure 5.9-1, SoundPlan Noise Contour for Mills Crossing, provides a visual depiction of the predicted noise levels in the project site vicinity from project site operations.

Table 5.9-8 Operational Noise Levels
Location Operational Noise (dBA)
City Exterior Noise Standard
(dBA)
Exceeds
Standard?
#1 Apartments on Bettencourt Lane 40.4 60 No
#2 Apartments on La Loma Drive 39.6 60 No
#3 Apartments on La Loma Drive 36.0 60 No
#4 Auto Repair Shop on La Loma Drive 47.3 60 No
#5 Folsom Lake College 39.4 60 No
#6 Medical Clinic 47.5 60 No
#7 Residence on El Caprice Drive 44.1 60 No
#8 Residence on El Caprice Drive 32.6 60 No
#9 Residence on El Caprice Drive 33.9 60 No
Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

As shown in Table 5.9-8, Operational Noise Levels, the operational noise levels from operational activities on the project site would not exceed the City’s noise standards (shown in Table 5.9-3) for the existing residential uses west and south of the project site. Furthermore, it is noted that the modeled noise levels identified are a worst-case scenario. All noise-producing sources on the project site were modeled for noise as if occurring at the same time and at the highest activity level to produce noise levels at the level as those predicted. Not all activities taking place on the project site would generate as much noise as predicted.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.9-2 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.9-2 would be less than significant.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

2023-009 Mills Crossing Project
p Date: 6/27/2023
to (or Base) Source: SoundPLAN
Figure 5-1 SoundPLAN Noise Contour

39.6 dBA

33.9 dBA

32.6 dBA

36.0 dBA

47.5 dBA

47.3 dBA

44.1 dBA

39.6 dBA

46.8 dBA
Wellness
Center
Cafe
Flex
Theater
and
Studios Flex Community Center

36.9 dBA
Single-Family
Residences
Multi-Family
Residences
Flex Community Center
Source: ECROP Consulting, Inc. 2023.

Figure 5.9-1
SoundPlan Noise Contour for Mills Crossing
0 Scale (Feet)
200

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

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PLACEWORKS

39.6 dBA

33.9 dBA

32.6 dBA

36.0 dBA

47.5 dBA

47.3 dBA

44.1 dBA

39.6 dBA

46.8 dBA
Wellness
Center
Cafe
Flex
Theater
and
Studios Flex Community Center

36.9 dBA
Single-Family
Residences
Multi-Family
Residences
Flex Community Center
Area Sources
Proposed Buildings
Folsom Blvd
La Loma Dr
El Caprice Dr
Bettencourt Ln
Bettencourt Ln
Paseo Dr
Mills Station Rd
Mather Field Rd
Receiver
Project Noise
in dB(A)
- >= 64
[:=:] 61 - 64
- 58 - 61
c=J 55 - 58
- 52 - 55
- 49 - 52
c=J 46 - 49
c=J 43 - 46
c=J 40 - 43
c=J < 40
I//I
-
•
ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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5. Environmental Analysis
NOISE

Impact 5.9-3: The proposed project would not generate excessive groundborne vibration during construction or operation. [Threshold N-2]
Excessive groundborne vibration impacts result from continuously occurring vibration levels. Increases in groundborne vibration levels attributable to the proposed project would be primarily associated with shortterm construction-related activities. Construction on the project site would have the potential to result in varying degrees of temporary groundborne vibration, depending on the specific construction equipment used and the operations involved. Ground vibration generated by construction equipment spreads through the ground and diminishes in magnitude with increases in distance.

Construction-related ground vibration is normally associated with impact equipment, such as pile drivers, jackhammers, and the operation of some heavy-duty construction equipment, such as dozers and trucks.

Vibration decreases rapidly with distance, and it is acknowledged that construction activities would occur throughout the project site and would not be concentrated at the point closest to sensitive receptors.

Groundborne vibration levels associated with standard construction equipment at 25 feet are summarized in Table 5.9-9, Representative Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment.

Table 5.9-9 Representative Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment Equipment Type Peak Particle Velocity at 25 Feet (inches per second) Vibratory Roller 0.210
Impact Pile Driver 0.170
Large Bulldozer 0.089
Caisson Drilling 0.089
Hoe Ram 0.089
Loaded Trucks 0.076
Jackhammer 0.035
Small Bulldozer/Tractor 0.003
Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

The City does not have a numeric threshold associated with construction vibrations. However, a discussion of construction vibration is included for full disclosure purposes. For comparison purposes, the Caltrans recommended standard of 0.2 inches per second PPV with respect to the prevention of structural damage for older residential buildings is used as a threshold. This is also the level at which vibrations may begin to annoy people in buildings. Consistent with FTA recommendations for calculating vibration generated from construction equipment, construction vibration was measured from the center of the project site. The nearest structure of concern to the construction site are residences 341 feet from the center of the project site.

Based on the representative vibration levels presented for various construction equipment types in Table 5.9- 10, On-Site Construction Vibration Levels at 341 Feet, and the construction vibration assessment methodology published by the FTA (refer to Appendix 5.9-1), it is possible to estimate the potential project site construction vibration levels. The FTA provides the following equation:

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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NOISE
June 2024 Page 5.9-21
[PPVequip = PPVref x (25/D)1.5]
Table 5.9-10 presents the expected project site related vibration levels at a distance of 341 feet.

Table 5.9-10 On-Site Construction Vibration Levels at 341 Feet Receiver PPV Levels (in/sec)
Peak
Vibration Threshold
Exceed
Threshold
Impact Pile
Driver
Vibratory
Roller
Large Bulldozer,
Caisson Drilling,
& Hoe Ram
Loaded
Trucks Jack- hammer
Small
Bulldozer

0.003 0.004 0.002 0.001 0.001 0.000 0.004 0.2 No
Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.9-1).

Table 5.9-10 showcases that on-site construction peak vibration levels would not exceed the threshold. The proposed project would not include the use of any stationary equipment that would result in excessive vibration levels. Therefore, the proposed project would not result in groundborne vibration impacts during operations.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.9-3 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.9-3 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.9-4: The proximity of the project site to an airport would not result in exposure of future residents or workers to airport-related noise. [Threshold N-3]
The project site is approximately 2.1 miles northwest of Mather Airport. According to the Sacramento County Department of Airports, the project site is not within the Mather Airport planning noise contours. Therefore, the proposed project would not expose people residing or working on the project site to excessive airport noise levels.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.9-4 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.9-4 would be less than significant.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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5. Environmental Analysis
NOISE

5.9.5 Cumulative Impacts
As noted previously, the General Plan EIR determined that impacts associated with buildout of the General Plan would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to generation of noise. The proposed project would contribute to the noise environment in the project vicinity due to construction of the project and transportation-related noise. However, as discussed, the proposed project’s noise generation would not exceed City thresholds. Therefore, while the project would contribute to noise in the project vicinity, the project’s contribution to the cumulative noise environment would not be cumulatively considerable.

5.9.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
After implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, noise impacts would be less than significant.

5.9.7 Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.9.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
All noise impacts would have a less-than-significant impact. Since all noise impacts would be less than significant, there are no mitigation measures that have been incorporated into any of the noise impacts.

5.9.9 References
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). 2013. Technical Noise Supplement to the Traffic Noise Analysis Protocol.

ECORP Consulting Inc. (ECORP). 2023, June. Noise Impact Assessment- Mills Crossing, Rancho Cordova, California. Appendix 5.9-1 to this DEIR.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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5. Environmental Analysis
June 2024 Page 5.10-1

5.10 POPULATION AND HOUSING
This section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) examines the potential impacts of the proposed Mills Crossing project (proposed project) on the City of Rancho Cordova, specifically changes in population, employment, and demand for housing, particularly housing cost/rent ranges defined as “affordable.”1

5.10.1 Environmental Setting

5.10.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
State Regulations
California Housing Element Law
California planning and zoning law requires each city and county to adopt a General Plan for future growth (California Government Code Section 65300). This plan must include a housing element that identifies housing needs for all economic segments and provides opportunities for housing development to meet that need. At the state level, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) estimates the relative share of California’s projected population growth that would occur in each county based on California Department of Finance (DOF) population projections and historical growth trends. These figures are compiled by HCD in a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for each region of California. Where there is a regional council of governments, HCD provides the RHNA to the council. The council then assigns a share of the regional housing need to each of its cities and counties. The process of assigning shares allows cities and counties to comment on the proposed allocations. HCD oversees the process to ensure that the council of governments distributes its share of the state’s projected housing needs.

California housing element laws (California Government Code Sections 65580 to 65589) require that each city and county identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs in its jurisdiction and prepare goals, policies, and programs to further the development, improvement, and preservation of housing for all economic segments of the community, commensurate with local housing needs.

Housing Accountability Act
The Housing Accountability Act (HAA) requires that cities approve applications for residential development that are consistent with a city’s general plan and zoning code development standards without reducing the proposed density. Under the HAA, an applicant is entitled to the full density allowed by the zoning and/or general plan, provided the project complies with all objective general plan, zoning, and subdivision standards and provided that the full density proposed does not result in a specific, adverse impact on public health and 1 Per CEQA Guidelines Section 15131, while “economic or social information may be included in an EIR or may be presented in whatever form the agency desires…“economic or social effects of a project shall not be treated as significant effects on the environment.” Where an EIR does include economic or social impacts, the “focus of the analysis shall be on the physical changes.” Although this chapter discusses affordable housing laws and RHNA requirements, this is done for informational purposes only. As currently drafted, the impact discussions of affordable housing requirements does not appear to have any bearing on the discussion of physical impacts on the environment under the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G thresholds.

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POPULATION AND HOUSING

safety that cannot be mitigated in any other way. Objective standards are measurable and have clear criteria that are determined in advance, such as a numerical setback, height limit, universal design requirement, lot coverage requirement, or parking requirement.

Amendment to the Housing Accountability Act
Assembly Bill (AB) 678 amends the HAA by increasing the documentation and standard of proof required for a local agency to legally defend its denial of low- to moderate-income housing development projects. If the local agency considers the housing development project to be inconsistent, not in compliance, or not in conformity with objective, written applicable standards, ordinances, plans, policies, or programs, AB 678 requires that, within a specific time period, the local agency provide the applicant with written documentation of its reasons. If the local agency fails to provide this, AB 678 deems the housing development project consistent, compliant, and in conformity with the applicable plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or other provision.

AB 1515, Reasonable Person Standard
AB 1515 added additional findings related to the HAA. It specifies that a housing development project is deemed consistent, compliant, and in conformity with an applicable plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or similar provision if there is substantial evidence that would allow a reasonable person to conclude that the housing development project or emergency shelter is consistent, compliant, or in conformity.

Senate Bill 330, Housing Crisis Act of 2019
Among other changes that promote housing, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 strengthened the HAA, which states that a housing development project that complies with the objective standards of the general plan and zoning ordinance must be approved by the City unless the City can make written findings based on the preponderance of evidence in the record that either: (1) the City has already met its RHNA requirement, (2) there is an impact to the public health and safety and this impact cannot be mitigated, (3) the property is agricultural land, (4) approval of the project would violate State federal law and this violation cannot be mitigated, or (5) the project is inconsistent with the zoning and land use designation and not identified in the General Plan Housing Element RHNA inventory.

Regional Regulations
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
The Sacramento Area Councill of Governments (SACOG) is an association of local governments in the sixcounty Sacramento region. Its members include the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba, and the 22 cities therein. SACOG provides transportation planning and funding for the region and serves as a forum for the study and resolution of regional issues. In addition to preparing the region’s long-range transportation plan, SACOG is responsible for developing the methodology for allocating the RHNA housing units to each city and county in the region. SACOG also assists in planning for transit, bicycle networks, clean air, and airport land uses.

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SACOG plays a key role in the RHNA process. Every eight years, HCD provides SACOG with a determination of the regional housing needs, which represents the number of housing units the region must plan for. The total allocation is divided into four categories, and the lower two income categories––Low Income and Very Low Income––must be accommodated on sites zoned for higher densities. SACOG is responsible for developing a methodology for allocating these units by income category to each city and county in the region.

Once jurisdictions have their RHNA, they must adopt a housing element that demonstrates how there is adequate land zoned for housing to accommodate the RHNA at each income level. 2020 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy The 2020 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS) for the Sacramento region proactively links land use, air quality, and transportation needs. The MTP/SCS is federally required to be updated every four years. The SACOG board adopted the 2020 MTP/SCS and accompanying documents at a special board meeting on November 18, 2019.

Local Regulations
City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
Development of housing in the City of Rancho Cordova is guided by goals, policies, standards, and actions of the 2021-2029 Housing Element. The City of Rancho Cordova General Plan includes the following policies on population and housing:
 Policy H.1.1: Improve the City’s jobs-housing balance by ensuring that housing development in Rancho Cordova provides opportunities for all income levels to serve the full range of available and projected jobs in the City.
 Policy H.1.2: Maintain adequate sites that support a range of housing types appropriate for the City’s housing needs, considering employment projections, household growth, and the City’s share of regional housing needs.
 Policy H.1.4: Promote higher density housing in close proximity to transit, employment and appropriate services, such as transit-oriented development.
 Policy H1.1.5: Developers of new residential projects within the newly developing areas of the City (generally in the large, vacant areas south of Highway 50) shall prepare an Affordable Housing Plan (Plan) for the project for City review and approval that identifies the project’s plan for providing affordable housing. These areas are typically high resource and promote inclusion of affordable housing in high opportunity areas.
 Policy H.1.6: Allow housing developments with at least 20 percent affordable housing by-right on lowerincome housing sites that have been counted in previous housing element cycles, consistent with AB 1397.  Policy H.2.1: Provide neighborhood revitalization in existing areas through housing rehabilitation (ownerand renter-occupied units).

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 Policy H.2.2: Continue to implement the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan.  Policy H.2.3: Ensure that existing housing stock within the City is maintained and remains habitable in order to assist in meeting the housing needs of the community.  Policy H.3.1: Ensure that neighborhoods are developed in a balanced, sustainable manner, avoiding overconcentration of affordable housing or oversized rental complexes, and providing a range of housing prices and rents.
 Policy H.3.3: Provide housing for the special needs populations, including housing accessible for persons with disabilities (including veterans as a primary target group), persons with developmental disabilities, large households, people experiencing homelessness, farmworkers, and single-parent households.  Policy H.3.4: The City will continue to promote equal housing opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, disability, familial status, source of income, or sexual orientation.
 Policy H.5.4: Require non-residential development to provide for the affordable housing needs generated or contributed to by their development.

5.10.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Population
According to the DOF, Rancho Cordova’s population as of May 2022 is estimated to be 80,359. Table 5.10-1, Population Trends in the City of Rancho Cordova, shows the population trends and percentages in the City of Rancho Cordova from 2011 to 2022. The General Plan EIR of Rancho Cordova has anticipated substantial growth in population with an expected population of 183,362 under buildout conditions by 2030.

Table 5.10-1 Population Trends in the City of Rancho Cordova Year City of Rancho Cordova
Population Percentage Change
2011 65,542 0%
2012 66,555 .02%
2013 68,376 2.74%
2014 69,635 1.84%
2015 71,059 2.04%
2016 72,674 2.27%
2017 74,394 2.36%
2018 75,815 1.91%
2019 77,259 1.90%
2020 78,139 1.13%
2021 79,536 1.78%
2022 80,359 1.03%
Sources: DOF 2021, 2022.

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Housing
Housing Growth Trends
Table 5.10-2, Housing Growth Trends in the City of Rancho Cordova, shows the growth trends from 2011 to 2022 in the City.

Table 5.10-2 Housing Growth Trends in the City of Rancho Cordova Year
City of Rancho Cordova
Total Housing Units Percentage Change
2011 25,635 0%
2012 25,781 0.57%
2013 25,992 0.82%
2014 26,288 1.14%
2015 26,598 1.18%
2016 26,861 0.98%
2017 27,293 1.61%
2018 27,584 1.06%
2019 28,021 1.58%
2020 28,340 1.14%
2021 29,033 2.44%
2022 29,695 2.23%
Sources: US Census 2021; DOF 2021, 2022.

Regional Housing Needs Assessment
As shown in Table 5.10-3, City of Rancho Cordova 2021-2019 RHNA, Rancho Cordova’s RHNA allocation for the 2021-2029 planning period is 9,067 units.

Table 5.10-3 City of Rancho Cordova 2021-2029 RHNA
Household Income Category Definition of Income Category 2021-2029 RHNA
Number of Housing Units Percentage of Housing Units
Extremely Low 30% or less MFI 1,057 12%
Very Low1 31-50% of MFI 1,058 12%
Low 51-80% of MFI 1,274 14%
Moderate 81-120% of MFI 1,684 18%
Above Moderate Above 120% of MFI 3,994 44%
Total 9,067 100%
Source: Rancho Cordova 2021.

MFI: Median Family Income
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Employment
Employment Trends
According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the average employment rate in Rancho Cordova has increased from 2011 to 2021. The average annual employment rate and percentage changes are shown in Table 5.10-4, City of Rancho Cordova Average Employment Trends.

Table 5.10-4 City of Rancho Cordova Average Employment Trends Year
City of Rancho Cordova
Employment (persons) Percentage Change
2011 28,100 0%
2012 28,800 2.49%
2013 29,400 2.08%
2014 30,300 3.06%
2015 31,200 2.97%
2016 32,100 2.88%
2017 32,700 1.87%
2018 33,600 2.75%
2019 34,000 1.19%
2020 32,200 -5.29%
2021 33,300 3.416%
Source: EDD 2021.

Growth Projections
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
SACOG undertakes comprehensive regional planning with an emphasis on transportation. The 2020 MTP/SCS provides projections of total households, total jobs for the City of Rancho Cordova, and a projected jobshousing ratio. The jobs-housing ratio is a general measure of number of jobs versus housing in a defined geographic area, without regard to economic constraints or individual preferences. The jobs-housing ratio, as well as the type of jobs versus the price of housing, has implications for mobility, air quality, and distribution of tax revenues. A project’s effect on the jobs-housing ratio is one indicator of how it will affect growth and quality of life in the project area. SACOG’s regional planning efforts and goals are to create balanced communities. SACOG projected the job-housing ratio of Rancho Cordova (SACOG 2019). These projections are summarized in Table 5.10-5, SACOG Growth Projections for the City of Rancho Cordova.

Table 5.10-5 SACOG Growth Projections for the City of Rancho Cordova 2016 2040
Housing Units 26,860 42,740
Total Jobs 59,410 78,890
Jobs-Housing Ratio 2.2 1.8
Source: SACOG 2019
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5.10.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if it would:

P-1 Induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses), or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure).

P-2 Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.

5.10.3 Plans, Programs, and Policies
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
The 2006 General Plan EIR of Rancho Cordova was prepared to evaluate and provide the public with information about the potential environmental effects of proposed future development under the general plan, in accordance with CEQA. The population/housing/employment section was prepared using SACOG existing and projected demographics. The EIR evaluated the General Plan planning for areas within existing city limits at buildout of 75,923 residential units, an expected population of 183,459, and employment of approximately 102,878 people; an increase of 238 percent, 233 percent, and 116 percent, respectively. The General Plan EIR concluded that implementation of the General Plan land use map would increase population, housing, and employment, which would result in a significant and unavoidable impact. Additionally, impacts related to displacement of housing and/or persons were found to be less than significant, due to potential displacement being minor as developments would mostly avoid developed areas. Furthermore, the General Plan EIR concluded that buildout of the Planning Area would induce substantial population, housing units, and employment increases that would cumulatively be considerable$and result in a significant and unavoidable impact. General Plan policies and actions in the housing element and land use element were provided to mitigate the effect on the environment. As indicated in the 2006 EIR, the project site is in the Folsom Boulevard Planning Area, and a Specific Plan would be prepared for this Planning Area after the adoption of the 2006 General Plan.

Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan
The Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan (FBSP) would guide and establish the long-term redevelopment of the Folsom Boulevard Planning Area. The FBSP area is approximately four miles long from Sunrise Boulevard to Bradshaw Road, encompassing areas to the north and south of Folsom Boulevard. The FBSP would follow the General Plan goals and policies of increasing mixed-use density and transit-oriented development (Policies LU10, LU-11, LU-12, LU-14, and LU-17). The Specific Plan identifies four opportunity sites for concentrated commercial activity, new residential mixed-use development, and employment uses. Opportunity sites include the Kassis opportunity site, Mather Mills opportunity site, Olson Island opportunity site, and the Sunrise opportunity site. The Mills Crossing project falls within the Mather Mills opportunity site. The Mather Mills opportunity site is envisioned to support transit-oriented uses, such as a mix of educational, residential, retail, ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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and service activities, both vertically and horizontally. Each opportunity site has its own vision and set of standards.

5.10.4 Environmental Impacts
This section analyzes impacts of the proposed project on population and housing in Rancho Cordova. Impact

5.10-1: The Mills Crossing project would not induce unplanned population growth either directly or indirectly in the project area. [Threshold P-1] Housing
The Mills Crossing project is in the FBSP area, which is zoned for Residential Mixed Use (RMU) and allows between 6.1 and 40 dwelling units per acre, which would allow between 61 and 394 units. The proposed project would require a rezone from RMU to be a Commercial Mixed-Use (CMU), Medium Density Residential (MDR), and High-Density Residential (HDR) zone. CMU allows a density between 10 and 18 dwelling units per acre, MDR allows a density range between 6.1 and 18.0 dwelling units per acre, and HDR allows a density between

20.1 and 40.0 dwelling units per acre. Figure 3-4, Zoning Option 1, shown in Chapter 3, Project Description, would be the more conservative option for the proposed project and would allow between 88 and 183 units on the project site.

The General Plan EIR analyzed the buildout of 75,923 residential units in the General Plan Planning Area (areas within existing city limits). The proposed project would provide up to 120 dwelling units, 0.15 percent of the permitted housing units under the 2006 General Plan EIR. Based on the average household size of 2.68 persons per household from the General Plan EIR, the proposed project would generate approximately 322 residents. The General Plan EIR buildout is estimated to generate approximately 183,459 residents, specifically a residential population of 22,936 people for the Folsom Boulevard planning area (Rancho Cordova 2006, pg.

4.1-22). The project would generate 1.4 percent of the proposed residential population in the Folsom Boulevard planning area. Since the level of residential development would be within the projected buildout of the 2006 General Plan EIR, the direct impact of population growth would be less than significant.

Employment
The Mills Crossing project would also introduce employment opportunities. The project site is currently zoned for RMU; however, the proposed project would rezone the site to CMU, MDR, and HDR zones. Since the RMU zone is primarily intended for medium- and high-density housing but can also include office and/or commercial uses, the rezone would not change the intended use of the site but make it more conducive for the proposed uses. The FBSP and General Plan EIR are silent on expected job growth in the Folsom Boulevard planning area, while the General Plan EIR projected buildout expects approximately 11,529 commercial jobs within the city and 5,764,627 square feet of commercial development at buildout (General Plan EIR, Table 3.0- 1). This results in approximately 2 employees per 1,000 square feet. Thus, the community commercial buildings on-site are projected to generate approximately 280 jobs. It is expected a portion of employees generated by the Mills Crossing project would live in the City of Rancho Cordova. The approximately 280 total employees would be a minimal portion of the projected 102,878 jobs anticipated in the city at buildout with the implementation of the 2006 General Plan EIR. These new jobs, therefore, would not be anticipated to generate ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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unplanned new population growth in comparison to the levels considered in the 2006 General Plan EIR, and impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.10-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.10-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.10-2: Project implementation would not result in substantial displacement of existing people and/or the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. [Threshold P-2] Currently, the project is occupied by paved areas with patches of vegetation. No housing units or structures exist on-site; therefore, the construction of replacement housing would not be required. The Mills Crossing project would provide approximately 120 dwelling units at buildout, as permitted by the General Plan EIR.

Therefore, the proposed project would not result in any significant impacts related to the potential displacement of housing and/or people in comparison to the General Plan EIR Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.10-2 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.10-2 would be less than significant.

5.10.5 Cumulative Impacts
Impact 4.3.3 in the 2006 General Plan EIR states that the General Plan Land Use Policy Map shows a slightly larger development in terms of residential units and jobs, but a smaller population than the Sacramento County General Plan, Cordova Community Plan, and SACOG’s Sacramento Region Blueprint. The General Plan’s entire Planning Area is projected to have 126,241 housing units at buildout (2050), with a slightly smaller population under buildout conditions than the projected Blueprint population. However, the General Plan’s entire Planning Area has a greater employment rate, with 195,021 jobs. Buildout projections under the entire Planning Area include the city as well as other planning areas considered.

The geographic area considered for cumulative impacts is the City of Rancho Cordova. Population growth anticipated for implementation of the Mills Crossing project would be within the analyzed scope of the 2006 General Plan EIR. The General Plan EIR analyzed the construction of 75,923 residential units in the General Plan planning area (areas within existing city limits). The proposed project would provide 120 dwelling units,

0.15 percent of the permitted housing units under the 2006 General Plan EIR. The project, based on an average household size of 2.68, is estimated to generate 322 residents and a residential population of 22,936 in the Folsom Boulevard planning area, accounting for 1.4 percent of the expected population under the 2006 General ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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Plan EIR. In addition, the Mills Crossing project is expected to generate 280 employees, which is 0.27 percent of the projected 102,878 jobs in city limits. Potential indirect population growth would be negligible since it is anticipated that the majority of those employees would already live within the city’s boundaries. The Mills Crossing project, therefore, would not result in impacts that could combine with other projects to be cumulatively considerable. Cumulative population and housing impacts, therefore, would be less than significant.

5.10.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
After implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, impacts related to population and housing would be less than significant.

5.10.7 Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.10.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Project impacts associated with population and housing would be less than significant; therefore, no mitigation measures are required.

5.10.9 References
Department of Finance (DOF). 2021, May. Table E-5: Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, January 1, 2011-2020, with 2010 Benchmark. https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/Demographics/estimates/estimates-e5-2010-2020/ ______.2022, May Table E-5: Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, January 1, 2021-2023, with 2020 Benchmark. https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/e-5- population-and-housing-estimates-for-cities-counties-and-the-state-2020-2023/ Employment Development Department (EDD). 2021. Cities and Census Designated Places by Individual County. https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/labor-force-and-unemployment-for-cities-andcensus-areas.html#CCD.

Rancho Cordova, City of. 2006. City of Rancho Cordova General Plan. https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/14279/63682035042627000

0. Rancho Cordova, City of. 2021. City of Rancho Cordova 2021-2029 Housing Element. https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/17793/637686169221070000 Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). 2019. 2020 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS).
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United States Census Bureau (US Census). 2021. Table B01003 – Total Population. https://data.census.gov/table?q=Population+Total&g=1600000US0659444&tid=ACSDT5Y2020.B 01003
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5.11 PUBLIC SERVICES
This section addresses the proposed project’s impacts to public services providing fire protection and emergency services, police protection, school services, and library services. Park services are addressed in Section 5.11, Recreation. Public and private utilities and service systems, including water, wastewater, and solid waste services and systems, are addressed in Section 5.14, Utilities and Service Systems.

5.11.1 Fire Protection and Emergency Services

5.11.1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
International Fire Code
The International Fire Code (IFC) is a model code for regulating minimum fire-safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage, and processes. The IFC includes general and specialized technical fireand life-safety regulations, which topic addressing fire department access, fire hydrants, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire, and explosion hazards safety, use and storage of hazardous materials, protection of emergency responders, industrial processes, and various other topics. The IFC is issued by the International Code Council, which is an international organization of building officials.

State
California Fire Code
The California Fire Code (CFC) (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9) is based on the 2015 IFC and includes amendments from the State of California fully integrated into the code. The CFC contains fire safety-related building standards that are referenced in other parts of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. The CFC is updated once every three years; the 2022 CFC became effective on January 1, 2023 (ICC 2022).

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

Local
City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code
Chapter 17.04: Fire Code
This chapter prescribes regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion and incorporates the CFC.

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Chapter 17.12: Weed Control
This chapter of the Municipal Code finds and declares that the uncontrolled growth and or accumulation of weeds near neighboring property of residents is considered a nuisance and can lead to fire hazards therefore the chapter sets enforcement, firebreak, and removal requirements to decrease potential impacts.

City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
The following General Plan policies relate to the fire protection and emergency medical services:
 Policy ISF 2.1: Ensure the development of public infrastructure that meet the long-term needs of residents and ensure infrastructure is available at the time such facilities are needed.  Policy ISF.2.2: Coordinate with independent public service providers, including schools, parks and recreation, utility, transit, and other service districts, in developing service and financial planning strategies.  Policy ISF.2.3: Ensure that adequate funding is available for all infrastructure and public facilities and make certain that the cost of improvements is equitably distributed.  Policy ISF.2.4: Ensure that water supply and delivery systems are available in time to meet the demand created by new development or are guaranteed to be built by bonds or sureties.  Policy ISF.2.5: Ensure that water flow and pressure are provided at sufficient levels to meet domestic, commercial, industrial, and firefighting needs.
 Policy S.9.1: Cooperate with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department (SMFD) to reduce fire hazards, assist in fire suppression, and ensure efficient emergency medical response.  Policy S.9.2: Provide infill development with adequate off-site improvements to meet onsite fire flow requirements.
 Policy S.9.3: Consider establishing mitigation fees to fund adequate fire protection and emergency medical response facilities if such fees are critical and necessary to meet the facility funding needs of SMFD and existing methods of financing are inadequate.

Existing Conditions
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, or "Metro Fire," serves a population of over 738,000 in a 358- square-mile service area. Metro Fire is the seventh largest fire agency in California. Metro Fire is a combination of 16 smaller fire departments that, over the years, merged to create this California Special District. On any given day, there are 155 on-duty personnel to serve the District's communities. Routine and emergency operations are managed with five battalion chiefs with oversight by an assistant chief assigned a 24-hour shift.

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Metro Fire provides fire protection services, fire suppression, inspection, plan checking, emergency transportation and medical services, public education, advanced life support, and rescue services to the City of Rancho Cordova (Rancho Cordova 2006). Metro Fire’s response goal is a four-minute travel time to at least 90 percent of all major emergencies (in addition to a 1-minute dispatch and 1-minute turnout time) (SMFD 2022b).

It currently has eight fire stations in Rancho Cordova. Table 5.11-1, Fire Stations Serving Rancho Cordova, lists the Metro Fire stations and their location serving the City of Rancho Cordova. Metro Fire’s Capital Improvement Program Plan (CIP) states planned expenditures for the fiscal years 2023 through 2026/2027, one of which is to secure a three-acre property for a station in Rancho Cordova (SMFD 2022a). The nearest fire station to the proposed project site is fire station 61, approximately 1.13 miles from the project site.

Table 5.11-1 Fire Stations Serving Rancho Cordova
Name of Facility Address Location
Station 54 8990 Frederick Avenue Planning Area1
Station 61 10595 Folsom Blvd City
Station 62 3646 Bradshaw Road City
Station 63 12395 Folsom Blvd City
Station 64 9116 Vancouver Drive Planning Area1
Station 65 11201 Coloma Road City
Station 66 3180 Kilgore Road City
Station 682 12065 Cobble Brook Drive City
Source: Rancho Cordova 2006.

The Planning Area for the City of Rancho Cordova General Plan consists of the existing incorporated City and a larger study area, approximately 58,190 acres (Refer to City’s General Plan for more information on the Planning Area). 2 Metro Fire Station 68 inaugurated on May 27, 2022 (SMFD 2022a).

The project site is not within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) Fire and Resource Assessment Program (CAL FIRE 2023).

5.11.1.2 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

FP-1 Result in a substantial adverse physical impact associated with the provisions of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for fire protection services.

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5.11.1.3 PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
 Impact 4.12.1.1 focuses on the implementation of the General Plan which would result in the need for additional fire protection and emergency medical equipment and facilities that could result in physical environmental impacts. The EIR includes General Plan policies and action items to reduce impacts from fire protection and emergency medical services. Impact 4.12.1.1 was determined to be less than significant.  Impact 4.12.1.2 focuses on the implementation of the General Plan could result in safety hazards associated with wildland fires in residential areas adjacent to open space and natural areas. The General Plan policies and action items SA.1.37 and SA.1.37.1 through SA.1.37.7 require Metro Fire to review new developments and install essential fire safety infrastructure for protection in potential wildfire areas. These policies aim to minimize impacts on residential areas and consider safety hazards as less than significant.  Impact 4.12.1.2 focuses on the implementation of the General Plan in combination with other reasonably foreseeable development (based on Sacramento County, and the cities of Folsom, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Galt, Lodi, and Sacramento General Plans land use projections), would increase the population within the Metro Fire service area, requiring additional fire and emergency medical services and related facilities. The EIR includes General Plan policies and action items to reduce impacts from fire protection and emergency medical services. Impact 4.12.1.2 was determined to be less than significant

5.11.1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Impact 5.11-1: The proposed project would introduce new structures, residents, and workers into the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District service boundaries; however, this increase would not require the need for additional fire protection facilities. [Threshold FP-1] Currently, there are no built structures on the project site. The proposed project would introduce up to 120 housing units to the project site. The introduction of these units would generate approximately 322 residents to the area, according to the average 2.68 persons per household from the City’s General Plan EIR. In addition, the proposed project would introduce up to 140,000 square feet of commercial uses, thus attracting employees and people to the area. Overall, the proposed project would introduce new structures and people to the area which would increase the demand for fire protection and emergency services which could potentially result in the construction of new fire facilities such as a new fire station. As noted above, the project site is not within a CAL FIRE Very High FHSZ.

Metro Fire Station #61 is the primary fire station providing service to the project site and is approximately 1.13 miles east of the project site. While the proposed project would likely increase the number of service calls and demand for fire protection services, the proposed project would be required to comply with the California Fire and Building Codes and City ordinances. The Metro Fire response goal is a four-minute travel time to at least 90 percent of all major emergencies (in addition to a 1-minuite dispatch and 1-minute turnout time) (SMFD 2022b). As the fire station is approximately 1.13 miles from the project site, the response time is anticipated to be within the standard. Compliance with the California Building Code as well as the location of the project site ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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to the existing fire station would allow Metro Fire to meet future service demands; therefore it is unlikely the proposed project would need to construct new fire facilities.

The City of Rancho Cordova General Plan includes Policy ISF 2.5, which would require that sufficient and adequate water flows and pressure are maintained to meet all domestic, commercial, and industrial firefighting and protection requirements. Policy ISF 2.1 requires the City to ensure sufficient capacity in fire protection and emergency medical services and that the facilities are available on time to maintain the desired service levels, avoid capacity shortages, and protect the citizens’ quality of life and safety. In addition, Policy ISF 2.5 requires that new development fund its fair share portion of its impacts to all fire related services and facilities. All future development would be required to comply with Chapter 17.04 of the Rancho Cordova Municipal Code, which adopts the California Fire Code standards. Operation of future development would also need to comply with Chapter 17.12, Weed Control, of the City’s Municipal Code which would reduce fire impacts and thus the need for new or altered fire protection facilities. Compliance with local regulations such as the policies in the General Plan and requirements from the City’s Municipal Code would ensure that the proposed project would not overwhelm Metro Fire; therefore it is unlikely the proposed project would result in the construction of fire facilities to meet future demand.

The proposed project is not expected to result in activities that create unusual fire protection needs. Refer to Section 5.14, Wildfire, for specific analysis related to fire hazards. As such, any impacts are considered less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.11-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.11-1 would be less than significant.

5.11.1.5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Growth within the City would increase demands for fire protection and emergency services which could potentially result in the construction of new fire facilities. Other projects that are found by the City to require increases in public safety equipment, facilities, and staffing would also be required to pay fair-share payments for increased resources. Projects within the city would also be required to comply the City of Rancho Cordova's General Plan policies, such as Policy ISF 2.5, which mandates adequate water flows and pressure for firefighting and protection; Policy ISF 2.1, which ensures sufficient capacity in fire protection and emergency medical services, ensuring timely availability to maintain service levels and protect citizens' quality of life; and Policy ISF 2.5, which also mandates that new development fund its fair share of fire-related services and facilities. In addition, future development in Rancho Cordova must adhere to Chapter 17.04 of the Municipal Code, adopting California Fire Code standards, and Chapter 17.12, Weed Control, to reduce fire impacts and the need for fire protection services, including new or altered facilities. Therefore, cumulative impacts would be less than significant and impacts of the proposed project would not be cumulatively considerable.

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5.11.1.6 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE BEFORE MITIGATION
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, all impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.1.7 MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation measures are required.

5.11.1.8 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
Impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.2 Police Protection

5.11.2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
State
Emergency Response/Evacuation Plans
Government Code Section 8607(a) directs the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to prepare a Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS) program, which sets forth measures by which a jurisdiction should handle emergency disasters. The program is intended to provide effective management of multiagency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies in California. SEMS consists of five organizational levels, which are activated as necessary: (1) Field Response, (2) Local Government, (3) Operational Area, (4) Regional, and (5) State. Local governments must use SEMS to be eligible for funding of their response-related personnel costs under state disaster assistance programs. The City of Rancho Cordova is generally responsible for emergencies that occur within city boundaries and has adopted an Emergency Operations Plan that is consistent with the SEMS.

California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) provides traffic regulation enforcement, emergency management, and assistance on State roadways and other major roadways in unincorporated portions of the southern Sacramento Valley area. The CHP is responsible for providing patrols on all interstates and state highways within California.

The Sacramento Communications Center (SCC) is located at 3165 Gold Valley Drive in Rancho Cordova (Rancho Cordova 2006). The SCC is co-located with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), forming the Sacramento Regional Traffic Management Center. This cooperative effort allows for real time information to be relayed to CHP patrol personnel and appropriate resources and action to be taken without delay to mitigate traffic-related and emergency incidents (CHP 2023).

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Regional
Sacramento County General Plan
On November 9, 2011, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted an updated General Plan. The updated General Plan’s planning horizon looks out to 2030. The City of Rancho Cordova is covered under the County’s General Plan. The Public Facilities Element contains law enforcement related policies applicable including:
 Policy PCF-51: Plan and develop law enforcement facilities in keeping with overall needs and the distribution of growth.

Local
Cordova Community Plan
Adopted by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on May 21, 2003, this document is an extension of the Sacramento County General Plan but is much more specific in terms of the objectives and implementation strategies and is intended to address issues that are most important to this community. The Plan area covers the project site. The Plan includes objectives which further help police services such as:
 Objective PS-12: Encourage the concept of neighborhood policing, and the formation of “Neighborhood Watch” programs.
 Objective PS-13: Promote a method or system for community communication for the Sheriff.  Objective PS-14: Promote coordination between the Sheriff and local school districts City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code
Chapter 4.10: Special Business Licenses and Employee Permits The purposes of this chapter are to establish special regulations applicable to the types of enterprises regulated hereunder, and to regulate such enterprises through a special business licensing procedure in order to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens in the city of Rancho Cordova.

Chapter 9.96: Emergency Alarms
This chapter sets an alarm permit requirement on all alarm system users in order to improve the ability of the chief of police to effectively respond to law enforcement needs and to encourage alarm system users, lessors, sellers, and manufacturers to better construct and maintain alarm systems in the city of Rancho Cordova.

City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
The following General Plan policies are identified in the General Plan relating to law enforcement services and the safety of the citizens of Rancho Cordova:

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 Policy ISF 2.1: Ensure the development of public infrastructure that meets the long-term needs of residents and ensure infrastructure is available at the time such facilities are needed.  Policy ISF.2.3: Ensure that adequate funding is available for all infrastructure and public facilities and make certain that the cost of improvements is equitably distributed.  Policy S.7.1: Encourage the use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in the design of projects and buildings.
 Policy S.8.1: Monitor and review the level of police staffing provided in the City, and ensure that sufficient staffing and resources are available to serve local needs  Policy S.8.2: Develop law enforcement programs through community partnerships, which reduce, as well as prevent, crime.
 Policy S.8.3: Plan and develop law enforcement facilities according to overall need and the distribution of growth within the City.

Existing Conditions
The City of Rancho Cordova established a law enforcement services contract with the Sacramento County Sheriff ’s Office and formed the Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD). RCPD consists of 55 sworn officers and 7 non-sworn staff who are dedicated to serving the City of Rancho Cordova. Calls for service occurring outside of the city’s boundaries but within the unincorporated area of Sacramento County are handled by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Traffic complaints, concerns or collisions occurring outside the city’s boundaries but within the unincorporated area of Sacramento County are handled by the California Highway Patrol. The Rancho Cordova Police Station is at 2897 Kilgore Road in the City of Rancho Cordova (RCPD 2023a). The police station is approximately 2.45 miles northeast of the project site.

The RCPD includes a Crime Analysis and Prevention Unit, Crime Suppression Unit, Homeless Outreach Team, Investigations Unit, Mobile Crisis Support Team, Patrol Operations Bureau, Problem Oriented Policing Units, Service Center, Traffic Unit, and Youth Services Unit (RCPD 2023b).

5.11.2.2 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

PP-1 Result in a substantial adverse physical impact associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for police protection services.

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5.11.2.3 PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
Among the EIR’s police related impacts, Impact 4.12.2.1 focuses on the implementation of the General Plan which would increase the Planning Area population and would result in additional commercial, industrial and recreational uses in the Planning Area uses, which may result in additional law enforcement protection facilities that could result in physical environmental impacts. Impact 4.12.2.2 focuses on the neighborhood design, home design, street design, and other features associated with implementation of the General Plan could reduce the ability of the City of Rancho Cordova Police Department to enforce the law and respond to crime and other emergencies in the project area. Impact 4.12.2.3 focuses on the implementation of the General Plan and other reasonably foreseeable development in southeastern Sacramento County (based on Sacramento County land use projections) which would increase the population within the Planning Area and surrounding area and would require additional law enforcement services and related facilities under cumulative conditions.

5.11.2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Impact 5.11-2: The proposed project would introduce new structures, residents, and workers into the Rancho Cordova Police Department service boundaries; however, this increase would not require the need for additional police protection facilities or personnel. [Threshold PP-1] The proposed project would develop up to 120 housing units which is expected to result in approximately 322 new residents coming to the project site, which would increase the demand for police services. The proposed project would also develop up to 140,000 square feet of commercial uses resulting in 280 employees,1 which would further increase the demand for service of RCPD, which could result in the need for more police protection facilities.

The General Plan EIR states that based on the SCSD standard of one officer per 1,000 residents, an estimated total of 404 officers and 283 new officers would be required to maintain adequate service levels (Rancho Cordova 2006b, p. 4.0-13). The proposed project is not expected to result in impacts to performance objectives indicating the need for new or altered police facilities. Nonetheless, the General Plan includes policies to reduce significant impacts on police services, such as Policy ISF.2.3, “Ensure that adequate funding is available for all infrastructure and public facilities and make certain that the cost of improvements is equitably distributed.” In addition, future residents and businesses would need to comply with the City’s Municipal Code, Chapter 4.10, Special Business License and Employee Permits, and Chapter 9.96, Emergency Alarms, which would help reduce demand on police services. Compliance with local regulations such as the policies in the City’s General Plan and requirements from the City’s Municipal Code would ensure that the proposed project would not overwhelm the RCPD; therefore it is unlikely the proposed project would result in the construction of police protection facilities to meet future demand. As such, impacts would be less than significant. 1 The FBSP and General Plan EIR is silent on expected job growth within the Folsom Boulevard planning area, while the General Plan EIR projected buildout expects approximately 11,529 commercial jobs within the city and 5,764,627 square feet of commercial development at buildout (General Plan EIR Table 3.-1). This results in approximately 2 employees per 1,000 square feet. Thus, the community commercial buildings on-site are projected to generate approximately 280 jobs.

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Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.11-2 would be less than significant Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.11-2 would be less than significant.

5.11.2.5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Growth in population within the City would increase demand for police protection services, which could, in turn, increase the need for new or altered police facilities. However as mentioned in Impact 5.11-2, compliance with existing regulations such as the polices and the General Plan and regulations in the Municipal Code would ensure the proposed project would not result in impacts to performance objectives indicating the need for new or altered police facilities. Cumulative impacts would be less than significant and impacts of the proposed projects would not be cumulatively considerable.

5.11.2.6 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE BEFORE MITIGATION
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, all impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.2.7 MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation measures are required.

5.11.2.8 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
Impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.3 School Services

5.11.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
State
California State Assembly Bill 2926: School Facilities Act of 1986 To assist in providing school facilities to serve students generated by new development, Assembly Bill (AB) 2926 was enacted in 1986 and authorizes a levy of impact fees on new residential and commercial/industrial development. The bill was expanded and revised in 1987 through the passage of AB 1600, which added Sections 66000 et seq. to the Government Code. Under this statute, payment of impact fees by developers serves as CEQA mitigation to satisfy the impact of development of school facilities.

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California Senate Bill 50
Senate Bill (SB) 50, passed in 1998, provides a comprehensive school facilities financing and reform program and enables a statewide bond issue to be placed on the ballot. Under the provisions of SB 50, school districts are authorized to collect fees to offset the costs associated with increasing school capacity as a result of development and related population increases. The funding goes to acquiring school sites, constructing new school facilities, and modernizing existing school facilities. SB 50 establishes a process for determining the amount of fees developers would be charged to mitigate the impact of development on school districts from increased enrollment. According to Section 65996 of the California Government Code, development fees authorized by SB 50 are deemed to be “full and complete school facilities mitigation.” Under the legislation, there are three levels of developer fees that may be imposed upon new development by the governing school district. Level I fees are assessed based upon the proposed square footage of residential, commercial/industrial, and/or parking structure uses. Level II fees require the developer to provide one-half of the costs of accommodating students in new schools, and the state provides the remaining half. To qualify for Level II fees, the governing board of the school district must adopt a School Facilities Needs Analysis and meet other prerequisites in accordance with Section 65995.6 of the California Government Code. Level III fees apply if the state runs out of bond funds, allowing the governing school district to impose 100 percent of the cost of school facility or mitigation minus any local dedicated school monies on the developer.

Local
City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
The City of Rancho Cordova General Plan contains policies that support the City’s schools:
 Policy ISF.2.2: Coordinate with independent public providers, including schools, parks, and recreation, utility, transit, and other service districts, in developing service and financial planning strategies)  Policy ISF.2.3: Ensure that adequate funding is available for all infrastructure and public facilities, and make certain that the cost of improvements is equitably distributed Development Impact Fees
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65995, on April 28, 2022, the FCUSD increased development fee rates as follows: $6.64 per square foot for residential construction and $0.78 per square foot for commercial/industrial construction (FCUSD 2023a).

Existing Conditions
The City of Rancho Cordova is served by the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD), Elk Grove Unified School District, San Juan Unified, and the Sacramento City Unified. However, according to the City’s General Plan DEIR, the project site is within the service boundary of FCUSD (Rancho Cordova 2006).

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As shown in Table 5.11-2, FCUSD Schools, FCUSD is made up of 37 public schools, with one preschool, 22 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools, plus continuation high schools, adult education and other alternative centers. The current capacity of the FCUSD is 22,762 K-12 students (FCUSD 2022).

Table 5.11-2 FCUSD Schools
School Name/Location 2021-2022 Enrollment
Preschool/Elementary Schools
Blanche Sprentz
249 Flower Dr. 362
Carl H. Sundahl
9932 Inwood Rd. 324
Cordova Gardens
2400 Dawes St. 262
Cordova Meadows
2550 La Loma Dr. 350
Cordova Villa
10359 South White Rock Rd. 443
Empire Oaks
1830 Bonhill Dr. 394
Folsom Cordova K-8 Community Charter
4420 Monhegan Way 256
Folsom Hills
106 Manseau Dr. 489
Golden Ridge
735 Halidon Way 508
Mangini Ranch
4640 Sparrow Dr. 316
Mather Heights
4370 Mather School Rd. 328
Natoma Station
500 Turnpike Dr. 471
Navigator
10679 Bear Hollow Dr. 379
Oak Chan Elementary
101 Prewett Dr. 454
Peter J. Shields
10434 Georgetown Dr. 315
Rancho Cordova Elementary
2562 Chassella Way 434
Riverview STEM
10700 Ambassador Dr. 337
Russell Ranch
375 Dry Creek Rd. 625
Sandra J. Gallardo
775 Russi Rd. 363
Theodore Judah
101 Dean Way 593
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Table 5.11-2 FCUSD Schools
School Name/Location 2021-2022 Enrollment
White Rock
10487 White Rock Rd. 415
Williamson
2275 Benita Dr. 473
Middle Schools
Folsom
500 Blue Ravine Rd. 1,308
Mills
10439 Coloma Rd. 745
Sutter
715 Riley St. 1,482
W.E. Mitchell
2100 Zinfandel Dr. 803
High Schools
Cordova
2239 Chase Dr. 1,973
Folsom
1655 Iron Point Rd. 2,675
Folsom Lake
1655 Iron Point Rd. 66
Vista del Lago High
1970 Broadstone Pkwy. 1,785
Adult/Alternative/Continuation
Folsom-Cordova Adult
10850 Gadsten Way 9751
Innovations Academy
10886 Gadsten Way 294
Kinney (Continuation)
2710 Kilgore Rd. 74
Prospect Community Day
2710 Kilgore Rd 13
Reymouth Special Education Center
1965 Birkmont Dr. N/A
Walnutwood High (Independent Study)
10848 Gadsten Way 185
Total 19,417
Source: CDE 2022, 2023.
1FCUSD 2023b.

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5.11.3.2 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

SS-1 Result in a substantial adverse physical impact associated with the provisions of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for school services.

5.11.3.3 PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
Among the EIR’s School facilities’ related impacts, impact 4.12.6.1 focuses on the implementation of the project which would increase student enrollment in the Planning Area and require the construction of new schools and related facilities to serve the anticipated demand. Impact 4.12.6.2 focuses on the implementation of the General Plan in combination with other reasonably foreseeable development (based on General Plan land use projections for Sacramento County, Folsom, and Elk Grove) proposed in eastern Sacramento County would result in a cumulative increase in student enrollment and require additional schools and related facilities to accommodate the growth.

5.11.3.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Methodology
Evaluation of potential school facility impacts was based on information from FCUSD’s April 2022 School Facility Needs Analysis. The impact analysis focuses on whether those impacts would have a significant effect on the physical environment.

Impact 5.11-3: The proposed project would generate 57 new students into the FCUSD which would impact the school enrollment capacities of area schools.

The proposed project would develop up to 60 multifamily affordable apartments and 60 townhouse-style homes, which would result in approximately 322 new residents into the project site and increase the demand for school facilities. Table 5.11-3, FCUSD Student Generation Rates and Student Generation, shows the generation rates and the expected number of students to be generated as a result of the implementation of the proposed project.

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Table 5.11-3 FCUSD Student Generation Rates and Student Generation Grade Level Generation Factor Additional Units Students Generated Single-Family Attached
K-5 0.35
60 21
6-8 0.15 9
9-12 0.14 8.4
Multifamily
K-5 0.19
60 11.4
6-8 0.05 3
9-12 0.07 4.2
Total 57
Source: FCUSD 2022.

As shown in Table 5.11-3, the proposed project would result in 57 new students in the FCUSD. Currently, the City establishes development impact fees for a building permit, and the applicant works with the school district to determine the precise amount of school impact fees. Once the fee has been paid in full, FCUSD prepares and provides a certificate to the City demonstrating payment of the fee (FCUSD 2023a). Payment of fees in compliance with Government Code Section 65996 fully mitigates all impacts to school facilities. Payment of impact fees in compliance with SB 50 would reduce potential impacts to an acceptable level.

The proposed project would not increase the number of residences beyond what was analyzed in the 2006 General Plan EIR. As stated previously, a maximum of 120 residential units would be developed. As a result, it is not anticipated that the number of students would change under the proposed project. The proposed project would not increase the number of residential units above what has already been accounted for in the 2006 General Plan EIR, so it would not increase the number of students potentially enrolling at FCUSD past what has already been analyzed. Therefore it is unlikely the proposed project would require the need for the construction of a new school or altered school to meet future demand. In addition, as a standard condition of approval, developers will be required to pay impact fees to help offset any costs associated with an increase in student enrollment. Therefore, impacts on school services would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.11-3 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.11-3 would be less than significant.

5.11.3.5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Growth in population in the city would increase demand for school services, which could result in the need for new or altered school facilities. The project is not proposing to increase the number of residential units above what was already accounted for in the 2006 General Plan. As a result, the number of students enrolling at FCUSD, which includes all of the elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools in the city, would I
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not increase beyond what has been anticipated in the general plan. As with the proposed project, other projects would have to pay impact fees in compliance with Government Code Section 65996, which would be available for FCUSD’s operations and construction of new and/or expanded school facilities. Other projects that are found by the City to require increases in school facilities and staffing would also be required to make fair-share payments for increased resources. Cumulative impacts would be less than significant after the payment of impact fees by other projects and impacts of the proposed project would not be cumulatively considerable.

5.11.3.6 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE BEFORE MITIGATION
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, all impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.3.7 MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation measures are required.

5.11.3.8 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
Impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.4 Library Services

5.11.4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
Local
City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
 Policy ISF.3.2: Support enhanced library services for existing and future residents and employees that exceed regional and national standards.

City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code
Chapter 16.83: Development Impact Fees to Finance Cost of Public Facilities Section 16.83.065, Sunrise Douglas Community Plan Library Fund: Elimination and Transfer to CFF Library Fund, states the Sunrise Douglas Community Plan Library Fund is eliminated and required collected library development fees to be transferred to the Capital Facilities Fund and under the authority of the Sacramento Public Library. Section 16.83.100, Payment of development fees, states that development fees imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be paid by the property owner to the Rancho Cordova public works department in an amount calculated under this chapter and the fees shall be calculated upon the approval of subdivision maps and shall be paid upon issuance of building permits.

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Existing Conditions
The Rancho Cordova Branch Library is part of the Sacramento Public Library community library network.

The Rancho Cordova Branch Library is at 9845 Folsom Blvd, approximately a mile west of the project site.

The Library provides amenities such as a book drop in the main entrance, assistive communication devices, 18 internet and Microsoft Office workstations, one early learning workstation, an internet printing station, document station including fax machine, photocopier/scanner, and a meeting room with a capacity of 94 people (SPL 2023a).

5.11.4.2 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

LS-1 Result in a substantial adverse physical impact associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for library services.

5.11.4.3 PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES
No Impacts related to Library facilities were mentioned in the City of Rancho Cordova General Plan EIR 2006.

5.11.4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Impact 5.11-4: The proposed project would introduce new residents into the Sacramento Public Library System/Rancho Cordova Library service boundaries, thereby increasing the requirement for library facilities and personnel. [Threshold LS-1]
The Rancho Cordova Branch Library is approximately a mile west of the project site. The proposed project would result in the addition of 322 new residents to the project site, thus increasing the demand for library services which could increase the demand for library facilities and personnel.

It should be noted that the Sacramento Public Library System also provides a wide range of electronic and digitized resources that do not require physical library space, including eBooks and audiobooks (SPL 2023b).

The proposed project would not warrant the construction of a new library or the expansion of the Rancho Cordova Branch Library as the proposed demand for library services could be accommodated through the use of electronic and digitized resources. Funding would be required to provide the additional books to meet the service standard. Generally, impact fees are assessed on new development to help pay for public infrastructure required to accommodate the new development. As mentioned in Chapter 16.83.100, Payment of development fees, of the City’s Municipal Code, property owners must pay development fees, and fees are due upon subdivision map approval and building permit issuance. Funding for library services comes primarily from property tax revenue, as well as library fines and fees collected from patrons, and state, federal, or government aid. As development occurs, property tax revenue would grow proportionally with the new property tax collections. Although the proposed project could increase the demand for library services and thus potentially ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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require the need for expanded library facilities, the City’s Municipal Code includes a provision and process that would allow additional library facilities to be constructed with impact fees from the project applicant of the proposed project. Therefore, the proposed project would not have a substantial impact associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities; the impacts of the proposed project would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.11-4 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.11-4 would be less than significant.

5.11.4.5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Growth in population within the city would increase demand for library services which may result in altered or new library facilities in order to meet the increased demand. As with the proposed project, other projects would have to pay fees and property taxes which would be available for the operations and development of new and/or expanded library facilities. Other projects that are found by the City to require increases in library facilities and staffing would also be required to make fair-share payments to the City for increased resources.

Cumulative impacts would be less than significant after the payment of impact fees and property taxes by other projects and impacts of the proposed project would not be cumulatively considerable.

5.11.4.6 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE BEFORE MITIGATION
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, all impacts would be less than significant.

5.11.4.7 MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation measures are required.

5.11.4.8 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
Impacts would be less than significant.

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5.11.5 References
California Department of Education (CDE). 2022. 2021-2022 Enrollment by Grade, Folsom-Cordova Unified Report (34-67330). https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqcensus/EnrGrdLevels.aspx?cds= 3467330&agglevel=district&year=2021-22.
———. 2023 (accessed). School Directory Search Results. https://www.cde.ca.gov/SchoolDirectory/ Results?title=California%20School%20Directory&search=1&counties=34&districts=773&status= 1%2C2&types=0&nps=0&multilingual=0&charter=0&magnet=0&yearround=0&qdc=0&qsc=0&t ab=1&order=0&page=0&items=100&hidecriteria=False&isstaticreport=False.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 2023 (accessed). FHSZ Viewer. https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ.

California Highway Patrol (CHP). 2023 (accessed). California Highway Patrol. https://www.chp.ca.gov/ find-an-office/valley-division/offices/(214)-sacramento-communications-center.

Folsom-Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD). 2022, April. 2022 School facility Needs Analysis. https://www.fcusd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10600&dataid=143316 &FileName=School%20Facilities%20Needs%20Analysis%202022%20Final.pdf. ———. 2023a. Development Impact Fees. https://www.fcusd.org/Page/2291. ———. 2023b (accessed). Folsom Cordova Adult Education – FAQs. https://www.fcusd.org/domain/4089.

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (SMFD). 2022a, June 9. Capital Improvement Program Plan Fiscal Year 2022/23. https://metrofire.ca.gov/files/85c50e1f1/13169.pdf. ———. 2022b, June 30. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. https://metrofire.ca.gov/files/15ae0ecdf/Metro+Fire+FY2021-22+ACFR.pdf.

Sacramento Public Library (SPL). 2023a (accessed). Rancho Cordova Library Branch. https://www.saclibrary.org/Locations/Rancho-Cordova.
———. 2023b (accessed). eBooks and Audiobooks.
https://www.saclibrary.org/Books/Digital-Media/Ebooks.

Rancho Cordova, City of. 2006a. General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/11097/ 635900974765170000.
———. 2006b. General Plan Final Environmental Impact Report. https://www.cityofranchocordova.org/home/showpublisheddocument/707/635895080495700000.

Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) 2023a (accessed). About Us. https://www.ranchocordovapd.com/about-us.
———. 2023b. Our Teams. https://www.ranchocordovapd.com/our-teams.

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5.12 RECREATION
This section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) evaluates the potential for implementation of the Mills Crossing project to result in impacts to recreation facilities and parks in the City of Rancho Cordova and its sphere of influence (SOI).

5.12.1 Environmental Setting

5.12.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
State
California Public Park Preservation Act
The primary instrument for protecting and preserving parkland is California’s Public Park Preservation Act of 1971. Under the Public Resources Code, cities and counties may not acquire any real property that is in use as a public park for any nonpark use unless compensation, land, or both are provided to replace the parkland acquired. This provides for no net loss of parkland and facilities.

Quimby Act
The goal of the 1975 Quimby Act (California Government Code Section 66477) was to require developers to help mitigate the impacts of property improvements by requiring them to set aside land, donate conservation easements, or pay fees for park improvements. The act gave authority for passage of land dedication ordinances only to cities and counties, thus requiring special districts to work with cities and/or counties to receive parkland dedication and/or in-lieu fees. The fees must be paid, and land conveyed directly to the local public agencies that provide parks and recreation services community-wide. Revenues generated through the Quimby Act cannot be used for the operation and maintenance of park facilities (Westrup 2002).

Originally, the Quimby Act was designed to ensure “adequate” open space acreage in jurisdictions adopting Quimby Act standards (e.g., 3–5 acres per 1,000 residents). In some California communities, the acreage fee was very high where property values were high, and many local governments did not differentiate on their Quimby fees between infill projects and greenbelt developments.

In 1982, the act was substantially amended via Assembly Bill (AB) 1600. The amendments further defined acceptable uses of or restrictions on Quimby funds, provided acreage/population standards and formulas for determining the exaction, and indicated that the exactions must be closely tied (nexus) to a project’s impacts as identified through traffic studies required by CEQA. In other words, AB 1600 requires agencies to clearly show a reasonable relationship between the public need for the recreation facility or park land and the type of development project upon which the fee is imposed (Westrup 2002).

Cities or counties with a high ratio of parkland to inhabitants can set a standard of 5 acres per 1,000 residents for new development. Cities or counties with a lower ratio can only require the provision of up to 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. The calculation of a city’s or county’s parkland-to-population ratio is based on a ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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comparison of the population count of the last federal census to the amount of city- or county-owned parkland.

Local
City of Rancho Cordova General Plan
The Parks and Trails Elements of the City’s General Plan provides the following policies and actions intended to achieve the City’s vision for open spaces that are accessible to the community.  Goal OSPT.1: Create a premier system of public parks and recreation programs that meet the needs of all residents.
 Policy OSPT.1.1: Review all proposals for new residential development to ensure each project complies with the City’s minimum standards for parkland dedication and is consistent with Cordova Recreation and Park District goals.
- Action OSPT.1.1.1: Require developers of all new residential development to dedicate parkland at a rate of five acres of land per 1,000 population. When necessary, provide an in-lieu payment option, which allows the developer to fund the acquisition of acceptable land equal to the dedication requirement. Calculate required parkland dedication exclusive of required open space.  Policy OSPT.1.2: Coordinate with the Cordova Recreation and Park District to ensure that parks are provided, developed, and operated in a way that ensures that the City’s parks goals are achieved throughout the community.
 Goal OSPT.2: Establish A System Of Open Space Areas That Connect All Parts Of The Community And Provide Opportunities For Passive And Neighborhood-Based Recreation.  Policy OSPT.2.1: Review all proposals for new residential development to ensure compliance with the City’s minimum open space standards.
- Action OSPT.2.1.2: Require developers of all new residential development to dedicate parkland at a rate of 1.75 acres of land per 1,000 population, generally comprised of:
o Open Turf, Tree Canopy and Dog Parks;
o Neighborhood Greens; and
o Communitywide Open Space
City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code
Chapter 22.40: Park and Recreation Dedication and Fees
This chapter sets requirements for paying a fee in lieu of dedication, or a combination of dedication and inlieu fees for park and recreation dedications. Municipal Code Section 22.40.035, “Calculating area of land dedication,” states that if land dedication is required for a neighborhood and community park, the owner shall ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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dedicate land by multiplying the number of dwelling units to the factors determined from an analysis of population trends and studies of Rancho Cordova which, when multiplied by the number of dwelling units permitted in the subject area, will produce five acres per 1,000 population to be devoted to neighborhood or community park facilities.

Cordova Recreation and Park District Master Plan
Cordova Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) prepares the Cordova Recreation and Park District Facilities Master Plan (Master Plan), which outlines the district’s projected needs for a period of ten years and strategies for fulfilling those needs. The current 2014 Master Plan focuses on development in incorporated areas.

5.12.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The CRPD has the primary responsibility for providing and maintaining recreation facilities and services. Table

5.12-1, CRPD’s Parks and Recreation Facilities shows the locations, acreages, and amenities of these facilities. As shown in Table 5.12-1, there are a total of 32 park and recreational facilities with a total of 295.5 acres (CRPD 2012, 2023b). CRPD also anticipates future park development of Exploration Park, Goldrush Park, Gantline 208/Arista Del Sol Community Park, Hummingbird Park, W. H. Williamson Park, Federspiel Park Walkway Improvement, and Rosemont Community Park Sports Courts (CRPD 2023c). CRPD is currently working on a districtwide Optimized Parks, Facilities and Recreation Plan that provides guidance over the next 10 years and began public review in fall of 2022 (CRPD 2023a). CRPD’s standard for dedication of parkland is 5 acres per 1,000 residents within the city to be devoted to neighborhood and community parks. Table 5.12-1 shows there are currently 295.5 acres of available recreation facilities. According to the Department of Finance’s estimates, the current population in Rancho Cordova is 80,359 (DOF 2023). Based on existing population and parkland, the City needs approximately 401.8 acres1 of parkland to accommodate its current population.

Currently, the project is occupied by paved areas with patches of vegetation. No parks or recreation facilities exist on site.
1 5 acres/1,000 persons = 0.005 acre/person

0.005 acre/person x 80,359 (population DOF 2023) = 401.8 acres needed ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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Table 5.12-1 CRPD’s Parks and Recreation Facilities
Facility Name Acres Location Amenities
1 Ahlstrom Park 7 2425 Zinfandel Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA baseball field, BBQ, drinking fountain, 4 picnic areas, playground 2 Argonaut Park (N) 6 11825 Herodian Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA baseball field, basketball court, 2 BBQ, climbing wall, drinking fountain, pavilion, 2 picnic areas, playground 3 Cobblestone Park (N) 1.6 10900 Barden Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Drinking fountain, fitness station, multiuse field, open grass area, 3 picnic areas, playground 4 Countryside Park (N) 2 3240 Glenmoor Drive
Sacramento, CA 3 BBQ, drinking fountain, multiuse field, 3 picnic areas, playground 5 Cypress Grove Park (N) 1.1 4047 Cypress Grove Drive multiuse field, open grass, 2 picnic areas 6 Dave Roberts Community
Park 13 10805 Mapola WayRancho Cordova, CA baseball field, 3 BBQ, drinking fountain, lighting, multiuse field, parking lot, playground 7 Eagle's Nest Park (N) 4 11810 Chrysanthy Boulevard
Rancho Cordova, CA basketball court, drinking fountain, lighting, multiuse field, pavilion, playground, 2 tennis courts 8 Federspiel Park (N) 5 2549 Chassella Way
Rancho Cordova, CA 2 BBQ, drinking fountain, open grass area, 3 picnic areas, playground, rental available, soccer field 9 Hagan Community Dog Park 2.5 2197 Chase Dr.

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 dog park, drinking fountain, open grass area, parking lot 10 Hagan Community Park 80 2197 Chase Dr.

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
athletic field, 3 baseball fields, 15 BBQ, dog park, drinking fountain, 2 horseshoe courts, multiuse field, open grass area, parking lot, pavilions, 24 picnic areas, 3 playgrounds, rental available, restrooms, 2 soccer field, 4 tennis courts, The HYDE Out Teen Center, Hagan Community Center, Hagan Community Barn, Cordova Community Pool
11 Heron Landing Community
Park 20
Justinian Drive and Sunrise
Boulevard
Rancho Cordova, CA
athletic field, 2 baseball fields, basketball court, BBQ, drinking fountain, lighting, multiuse field, open grass area, parking lot, 2 pavilions, 5 picnic areas, 2 playgrounds, rental available, restrooms, showers, soccer field, 2 soft ball fields, spray park, tennis court
12 Hillside Park (N) 8 3566 Rockdale Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 basketball court, drinking fountain, multiuse field, open grass area, 2 pavilions, 2 playgrounds, trail access 13 Kavala Ranch Park 4.8 5100 Azalea Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA basketball court, 2 BBQ, drinking fountain, multiuse field, open grass area, pavilion, playground, restrooms 14 Labyrinth Community Park 7 12770 Glass Beach Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
2 BBQ, drinking fountain, fitness station, multiuse field, open grass area, pavilion, playground, rental available, restrooms
15 Larchmont-Rossmoor Park
(N) 3 10708 Ambassador DriveRancho Cordova, CA BBQ, drinking fountain, multiuse field, open grass area,2 picnic area, playground, rental available ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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Table 5.12-1 CRPD’s Parks and Recreation Facilities
Facility Name Acres Location Amenities
16 Lincoln Village Community
Park 17 3480 Routier RoadSacramento, CA
baseball field, basketball court, climbing wall, fitness station, 2 horseshoe courts, lighting, multiuse field, open grass area, parking lot, picnic area, playground, rental available, Lincoln Village Community Pool 17 Mather Sports Complex 32.1 3755 Schriever Ave.

Mather, CA 95655
administrative offices, athletic field, baseball field, 4 basketball courts, drinking fountain, fitness station, 3 multiuse fields, parking lot, recreation center, rental available, restrooms, showers, skate park, 2 soccer fields, sports center
18 Prospect Hill Park 7 11840 Prospect Hill Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA basketball court, 3 BBQs, multiuse field, 4 picnic areas, playground, rental available, soccer field 19 Pyramid Peak Park 2 4053 Red Blush Way
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 BBQ and picnic area
20 Renaissance Park 1.7 3125 Mowbray Way
Rancho Cordova, CA basketball court, drinking fountain, pavilion, playground 21 Sandpiper Park 5 11830 Appolon Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA
2 BBQs, drinking fountain, multiuse field, open grass area, pavilion, 2 playgrounds, rental available, trail access
22 Sonoma Park 4 10750 Agria Court
Rancho Cordova, CA multiuse field, open grass area, pavilion, 5 picnic areas, 2 playgrounds 23 Sparrow Park 2.5 11938 Montron Way
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 multiuse field, pavilion, playground 24 Stone Creek Community
Park 21 3625 Spot DriveRancho Cordova, CA
baseball field, basketball court, 2 BBQs, drinking fountain, 4 multiuse fields, open grass area, outdoor amphitheater, parking lot, 2 pavilions, 14 picnic areas, 2 playgrounds, rental available, restrooms, showers, skate park, 3 soccer fields
25 Sunridge Park 7 4041 Borderlands Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA
basketball court, BBQ, multiuse field, open grass area, pavilion, 2 picnic areas, playground, showers, spray park, trail access
26 Sunriver Park 5 11120 Moose River Court
Rancho Cordova, CA
2 basketball courts, 3 multiuse fields, open grass area, 2 picnic areas, playground, rental available, trail access
27 Taylor Park 3 2238 West La Loma Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 3 BBQs, drinking fountain, multiuse field, open grass area, 3 picnic areas, playground 28 Village Green 3.6 3141 Bridgeway Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA
drinking fountain, multiuse field, open grass area, outdoor amphitheater, 10 picnic areas, rental available, restrooms, showers, spray park
29 Tuscany Park 5 3460 Corvina Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 2 BBQs, multiuse field, open grass area, pavilion, 8 picnic areas, playground, rental available, soccer field 30 Waterbrook Park 0.1 10849 Waterbrook Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA drinking fountain and playground
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Table 5.12-1 CRPD’s Parks and Recreation Facilities
Facility Name Acres Location Amenities
31 White Rock Community Park 14 10488 White Rock Rd.

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
2 basketball courts, 2 BBQs, multiuse fields, open grass area, pavilion, 4 picnic areas, playground, rental available, restrooms, soccer field, tennis court
32 White Rock Splash Park 0.53 10488 White Rock Rd.

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
drinking fountain, open grass area, parking lot, 2 picnic areas, restrooms, showers, spray park, 2 water slides
Total 295.5
Sources: CRPD 2012, 2023b.

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5.12.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project:

R-1 Would increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated.

R-2 Includes recreational facilities or requires the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.

5.12.3 Plans, Programs, and Policies
The 2006 General Plan Environmental Impact Report
The 2006 General Plan EIR found that implementation of the 2006 General Plan would increase demand for existing facilities and require additional parks and recreational facilities to accommodate growth; however, this impact was considered to be less significant impact.

5.12.4 Environmental Impacts

5.12.4.1 IMPACT ANALYSIS
Impact 5.12-1: The proposed project would increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks and other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated [Threshold R-1]
The proposed project would add up to 120 housing units, which would add approximately 322 residents to the area, according to the average 2.68 persons per household from the General Plan EIR. The proposed project would require 1.6 acres2 of parkland. Although the proposed project would introduce up to 2.5 acres of public open space with 1.3 to 1.5 acres of Neighborhood and Community Greens and 0.75 to 1.0 acres of Plaza and Green Space, as mentioned in the General Plan EIR, additional community amenities such as landscaped corridors, parkways, paseos, multiuse trails, and accessible open space are considered critical for defining a community and should not be used to fulfill the parkland standard (Rancho Cordova 2006, p. 4.12-87).

Therefore, the proposed project would remain deficient in meeting the required parkland standard.

However, the proposed project would need to comply with the City’s General Plan Policy OSPT.1.1 and Policy OSPT.2.1, which require review of all new residential development to ensure compliance with the City’s parkland and open space standards. Municipal Code Chapter 22.40, Park and Recreation Dedication Fees, would require the subdivider to provide either the dedication of land or fees to ensure adequate parkland. 2 0.005 acre/person x 322 persons (proposed project) = 1.6 acres (project need).

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These policies would aid in attaining the necessary funding for the acquisition, development and maintenance of new parkland and existing park and recreational facilities. Implementation of the General Plan policies and the City’s Municipal Code discussed above would ensure that the proposed project’s generation of new residents such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would not occur or be accelerated.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.12-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.12-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.12-2: Project implementation would require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment. [Threshold R-2] The proposed project would introduce up to 2.5 acres of public open space with 1.3 to 1.5 acres of Neighborhood and Community Greens and 0.75 to 1.0 acre of Plaza and Green Space. However, as noted in Impact 5.12-1, the proposed project would need to comply with the City’s General Plan Policy OSPT.1.1 and Policy OSPT.2.1, which require review of all new residential development to ensure compliance with the City’s parkland and open space standards. The project would comply with the City’s Municipal Code, Chapter 22.40, Park and Recreation Dedication Fees, which would require the developer to pay the park development fees or dedicate parkland. Although the proposed project would require the construction or expansion of recreation facilities, the proposed project would comply with the City’s Municipal Code and goals in the General Plan; therefore no adverse physical effect would occur.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.12-2 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.12-2 would be less than significant.

5.12.5 Cumulative Impacts
The geographic context for the analysis of cumulative recreation impacts is the City of Rancho Cordova. The proposed project, in combination with other proposed, approved, and reasonably foreseeable development in the City, would contribute to a cumulative increase in the demand for parks and recreational facilities. The proposed project would provide parkland and associated facilities to its residents. The proposed project would be required to pay fees pursuant to Chapter 22.40 of the City’s Municipal Code. In addition, projects would need to comply with the goals and policies established in the City’s General Plan, such as Policy OSPT.1.1, which mandates a review of all residential development proposals to ensure they meet the City's parkland dedication standards and align with Cordova Recreation and Park District objectives; Action OSPT.1.1.1 requires developers of new residential developments to dedicate five acres of land per 1,000 population, with ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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an in-lieu payment option provided when needed; and Policy OSPT.2.1 mandates the review of all residential development proposals to ensure adherence to the City's minimum open space standards. Therefore, compliance with the stated regulations in the Municipal Code and General Plan would provide sufficient resources for the design, construction, and maintenance of new parks and associated facilities needed to accommodate future growth in the city. Therefore, the proposed project’s contribution to this impact would be less than cumulatively considerable.

5.12.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, the following impacts would be less than significant.

5.12.7 Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.12.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

5.12.9 References
Cordova Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD). 2012. District Inventory & Assessment Plan: Final Draft. https://crpd.com/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-Cordova-RPD-Inventory-Assessment -Plan.pdf
———. 2023a (accessed). Optimized Plan. https://crpd.com/optimizedplan/. ———. 2023b (accessed). Parks and Facilities. https://crpd.com/parks-facilities/. ———. 2023c, April 4 (accessed). Construction and Projects. https://crpd.com/park-planning -development/construction-projects/.

Department of Finance (DOF). 2023, April 4 (accessed). Table E-5. https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/ Demographics/estimates/e-5-population-and-housing-estimates-for-cities-counties-and-the-state -2020-2022/.

Westrup, Laura. 2002. Quimby Act 101: An Abbreviated Overview. Planning Division, California Department of Parks and Recreation.

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5.13 TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
This section describes the potential impacts on tribal cultural resources associated with the adoption and implementation of the proposed project. This section describes the regulatory framework and existing conditions in the project site related to tribal cultural resources and the potential impacts of the project on tribal resources.

The analysis in this section is based in part on the following information:
 Archaeological Resources Inventory Report for the Mills Crossing Project, ECORP Consulting Inc., March 2023 A complete copy of this report is included as Appendix 5.3-1 to this Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).

5.13.1 Environmental Setting

5.13.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
This section summarizes key federal, state, and local regulations, plans, and programs that provide protection and management of tribal cultural resources to the City of Rancho Cordova and the project site.

Federal
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 regulates the protection of archaeological resources and sites that are on federal and Native American lands.

National Historic Preservation Act
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) coordinates public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect the nation’s historic and archaeological resources. The act authorized the National Register of Historic Places, which lists districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.

Section 106, Protection of Historic Properties, of the NHPA requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. Section 106 ensures that historic properties are considered during federal project planning and implementation. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, an independent federal agency, administers the review process with assistance from state historic preservation offices.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (United States Code, Title 25, Sections 3001 et seq.) is a federal law passed in 1990 that mandates museums and federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items—such as human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony—to lineal descendants or culturally affiliated Native American tribes.

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State Regulations
California Public Resources Code
Archaeological, paleontological, and historical sites are protected under a wide variety of State policies and regulations in the California Public Resources Code (PRC). In addition, cultural and paleontological resources are recognized as nonrenewable resources and receive protection under the PRC and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

PRC Sections 5020 to 5029.5 continued the former Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee as the State Historical Resources Commission. The commission oversees the administration of the California Register of Historical Resources and is responsible for designating State Historical Landmarks and Historical Points of Interest.

PRC Sections 5079 to 5079.65 define the functions and duties of the Office of Historic Preservation, which administers federal- and State-mandated historic preservation programs in California as well as the California Heritage Fund.

PRC Sections 5097.9 to 5097.991 provide protection to Native American historical and cultural resources and sacred sites; identify the powers and duties of the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC); require that descendants be notified when Native American human remains are discovered; and provide for treatment and disposition of human remains and associated grave goods.

California Health and Safety Code
The discovery of human remains is regulated per California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, which states that:

In the event of discovery or recognition of any human remains in any location other than a dedicated cemetery, there shall be no further excavation…until the coroner…has determined…that the remains are not subject to…provisions of law concerning investigation of the circumstances, manner and cause of any death, and the recommendations concerning the treatment and disposition of the human remains have been made to the person responsible…. The coroner shall make his or her determination within two working days from the time the person responsible for the excavation, or his or her authorized representative, notifies the coroner of the discovery or recognition of the human remains.

If the coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his or her authority and…has reason to believe that they are those of a Native American, he or she shall contact, by telephone within 24 hours, the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC).

California Register of Historical Resources
The California Register of Historical Resources (California Register) is the State version of the National Register of Historic Resources program (see also Chapter 5.3, Cultural Resources). It was enacted in 1992 and became official January 1, 1993. The California Register was established to serve as an authoritative guide to the state’s significant historical and archaeological resources. Resources that may be eligible for listing include ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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buildings, sites, structures, objects, and historic districts. According to PRC Section 5024.1(c), a resource may be listed as a historical resource in the California Register if it meets any of the four National Register criteria:
 Criterion 1: Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States.  Criterion 2: Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history.  Criterion 3: Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values.  Criterion 4: Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation.

California Senate Bill 18
Senate Bill (SB) 18 on Traditional Tribal Cultural Places was signed into law in September 2004 and went into effect on March 1, 2005. SB 18 places requirements on local governments for developments in or near traditional tribal cultural places (TTCP) (Burton, Chapter 905, Statutes of 2004). SB 18 requires local jurisdictions to provide opportunities for involvement of California Native Americans tribes in the land planning process for the purpose of preserving TTCPs. SB 18 goes into effect with a proposed amendment or adoption of a general plan or a specific plan, or the designation of open space. The local government sends proposal information to the NAHC and requests contact information for tribes with traditional lands or places located in a geographic area affected by proposed changes. The Final Tribal Guidelines recommend that the NAHC provide written information as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after receiving notice of the project to inform the lead agency if the proposed project is determined to be in proximity to a TTCP and another 90 days for tribes to respond to a local government if they want to consult with the local government to determine whether the project would have an adverse impact on the TTCP. There is no statutory limit on the consultation duration. Forty-five days before the action is publicly considered by the local government council, the local government refers action to agencies, following the CEQA public review time frame. The CEQA public distribution list may include tribes listed by the NAHC who have requested consultation, or it may not. If consultation occurs and the NAHC, the tribe, and interested parties agree on the mitigation measures necessary for the proposed project, it would be included in the project’s EIR. If both the City and the tribe agree that adequate mitigation or preservation measures cannot be taken, then neither party is obligated to take action.

Per SB 18, the law requires a City or County to consult with the NAHC and any appropriate Native American tribe for the purpose of preserving relevant TTCP prior to the adoption, revision, amendment, or update of a city’s or county’s general plan. Although SB 18 does not specifically mention consultation or notice requirements for adoption or amendment of specific plans, the Final Tribal Guidelines advise that SB 18 requirements extend to specific plans as well, since State planning law requires local governments to use the same process for amendment or adoption of specific plans as general plans (defined in Government Code Section 65453). In addition, SB 18 provides a new definition of TTCP, requiring a traditional association of the site with Native American traditional beliefs, cultural practices, or ceremonies or the site must be shown to ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

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actually have been used for activities related to traditional beliefs, cultural practices, or ceremonies. Previously, the site was defined to require only an association with traditional beliefs, practices, lifeways, and ceremonial activities. In addition, SB 18 also amended Civil Code Section 815.3 and added California Native American tribes to the list of entities that can acquire and hold conservation easements for the purpose of protecting their cultural places.

Assembly Bill 52
The Native American Historic Resource Protection Act (AB 52) took effect July 1, 2015, and incorporates tribal consultation and analysis of impacts to tribal cultural resources into the CEQA process (Gatto 2014). AB 52 required an update to Appendix G (Initial Study Checklist) of the CEQA Guidelines to include questions related to impacts to tribal cultural resources. It requires tribal cultural resources to be analyzed like any other CEQA topic and establishes a consultation process for lead agencies and California tribes. Projects that require a Notice of Preparation of an EIR or Notice of Intent to adopt a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration on or after July 1, 2015, are subject to AB 52. A significant impact on a tribal cultural resource is considered a significant environmental impact, requiring feasible mitigation measures.

Tribal cultural resources must have certain characteristics:
1) Sites, features, places, cultural landscapes (must be geographically defined), sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American tribe that are either included or determined to be eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historic Resources or included in a local register of historical resources. (PRC Section 21074(a)(1)) 2) The lead agency, supported by substantial evidence, chooses to treat the resource as a tribal cultural resource. (PRC Section 21074(a)(2))
The first category requires that the tribal cultural resource qualify as a historical resource according to PRC Section 5024.1, which states that the California Register is an authoritative guide in California to be used by State and local agencies, private groups, and citizens to identify the state’s historical resources and to indicate what properties are to be protected, to the extent prudent and feasible, from substantial adverse change. The second category gives the lead agency discretion to qualify that resource—under the conditions that it supports its determination with substantial evidence and considers the resource’s significance to a California tribe. The following is a brief outline of the process (PRC Sections 21080.3.1 to 3.3). 1) A California Native American tribe asks agencies in the geographic area with which it is traditionally and culturally affiliated to be notified about projects. Tribes must ask in writing. 2) Within 14 days of deciding to undertake a project or determining that a project application is complete, the lead agency must provide formal written notification to all tribes who have requested it.
3) A tribe must respond within 30 days of receiving the notification if it wishes to engage in consultation.
4) The lead agency must initiate consultation within 30 days of receiving the request from the tribe.

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5) Consultation concludes when both parties have agreed on measures to mitigate or avoid a significant effect to a tribal cultural resource, OR a party, after a reasonable effort in good faith, decides that mutual agreement cannot be reached.
6) Regardless of the outcome of consultation, the CEQA document must disclose significant impacts on tribal cultural resources and discuss feasible alternatives or mitigation that avoid or lessen the impact.

Local Regulations
The Cultural and Historical Resources Element of the City of Rancho Cordova 2006 General Plan seeks to identify and protect locally important sites, buildings, and cultural/tribal resources. The following policies are relevant to tribal cultural resources:
 Policy CHR 1.1. Establish, support, and fund programs that enhance Rancho Cordova’s sense of community and identity, such as the collection of oral histories; genealogical research; and the acquisition of collections of historic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, or other information relevant to the history of the City.
 Policy CHR 1.2. Establish and promote programs that identify, maintain, and protect buildings, sites, or other features of the landscape possessing historic or cultural significance.  Policy CHR 1.3. Establish review procedures for development projects that recognize the history of the area in conjunction with State and federal laws.

5.13.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Existing law provides limited protection for Native American prehistoric, archaeological, cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial places. These places may include sanctified cemeteries, religioussites, ceremonial sites, shrines, burial grounds, prehistoric ruins, archaeological or historic sites, Native American rock art inscriptions, or features of Native American historic, cultural, and sacred sites. Refer to Chapter 5.3, Cultural Resources, of this EIR for further discussion of the tribal cultural resources environmental setting.

Natural Setting
The project site is in northern Sacramento County in the Great Valley geographic province of Northern California. The Great Valley is bound by the Coast Ranges to the west and the Sierra Nevada to the east. The American River, approximately 4,000 feet west of the project site, flows northeast to southwest connecting to the Sacramento River. The Cordova Creek is approximately 0.5 miles north of the project site.

The project site is relatively flat with elevation ranges from approximately 77 to 75 feet above mean sea level.

The geology of the project site and vicinity consists of sedimentary deposits of the Pleistocene-Holocene marine and nonmarine sedimentary rocks and includes alluvium, lake, playa, and terrace deposits.

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Cultural Setting
The Sacramento region includes the current project site that was inhabited by the Nisenan or Southern Maidu.

Nisenan inhabited the drainages of the Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers, and the lower reaches of the Feather River, extending from the east banks of the Sacramento River on the west to the mid to high elevations of the western flank of the Sierra Nevada to the east. The territory extended from the area surrounding the current City of Oroville on the north to a few miles south of the American River in the south, the Sacramento River on the west, and in the east it extended to a general area within a few miles of Lake Tahoe.

Records Search Methods
ECORP requested a records search for the Project Area at the North Central Information Center (NCIC) of the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) at California State University, Sacramento, on January 17, 2023. The search aimed to determine the extent of previous surveys within an 800-meter radius of the proposed project location and whether pre-contact or historic archaeological sites, architectural resources, or traditional cultural properties exist in the area. The study reviewed official records, maps, and historic references for archaeological sites and surveys in Sacramento County. Additional references and literature are included in Appendix 5.3-1 of the DEIR.

Sacred Lands File
ECORP contacted the California NAHC on January 17, 2023, to request a search of the Sacred Lands File for the project site. This search determines whether the California Native American tribes within the project site have recorded Sacred Lands because the Sacred Lands File is populated by members of the Native American community with knowledge about the locations of tribal resources. The NAHC completed a record search and the results were positive.

Archaeological Resources
The records search consisted of a review of previous research and literature, records on file with the NCIC for previously recorded resources, and historical aerial photographs and maps of the vicinity. The records search revealed that six previously recorded pre-contact and historic-era cultural resources are within 0.5 mile of the project site, as shown in Table 5.13-1, Previously Recorded Archaeological Resources within a 0.5-mile Radius of the Project Site. Of the sites listed, two are believed to be associated with Native American occupation of the vicinity and four are historic-era sites associated with mining activities. The records search results indicate that the project site is within the boundaries of the previously recorded American River Placer Mining District (P-34-335).

However, the field surveys did not identify any features or artifacts associated with the district.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3

MILLS CROSSING PROJECT DRAFT EIR

CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

5. Environmental Analysis

TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
June 2024 Page 5.13-7
Table 5.13-1 Previously Recorded Archaeological Resources within a 0.5-Mile Radius of the Project Site
Site Number
Primary
Number Recorder and Year Site Description Age/Period
Within
Project Area?
CA-SAC-157 P-34-184 A.R. Pilling, 1949; S. Flink, J. Johnson, Dames and Moore, 1995 Habitation and Burials Pre-contact No
CA-SAC-233 P-34-260 Boloyan and Payen, 1958 Other Pre-contact No CA-SAC-308H P-34-335 K.G.S, 1969; Coleman, Talcott, and Wolpert, Solano Archaeological Services, 2020 Folsom Mining District Historic Yes CA-SAC-428H P-34-455 J. Arbuckle, 1979; M. Maniery, Par, 2009 Southern Pacific Railroad Historic No
- P-34-2435 S. D. Mikesell, JRP Historical Consulting
Services, 1993 Mills Station Historic No
CA-SAC-1275H P-34-53698 L. Furnis, Cogstone Resources Management, Inc Mather Sur Historic No
Source: ECORP 2023 (Appendix 5.3-1).

The American River Placer Mining District (P-34-335) is considered a Super District that includes smaller districts, such as the Alder Creek Corridor Mining District, Prairie Diggings Mining District, and others, which were grouped arbitrarily on paper decades ago to ensure proper consideration during a surge in development in the region. The American River Placer Mining District includes thousands of acres of land that were subjected to placer mining by manual and mechanical methods, using water from the South Fork of the American River following the discovery of gold in California in 1848.

5.13.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

TCR-1 Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code Section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5020.1(k), or
ii) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resource Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.

ITEM 11.1. ATTACHMENT 3