Agenda packet — Santee City Council, January 22, 2025 (part 4 of 5)

Further, the Safety-EJ Element would build on existing flood policies and incorporate the following new policies addressing flood hazards in Santee:

Objective 1: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from flood hazards. • Policy 1.1: Encourage the use of innovative site design strategies within the floodplain, which ensure the minimization of flood hazards and maintenance of the natural character of waterways.
d. Would the project, in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation?
Less Than Significant Impact. A tsunami is a very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption. Tsunamis can cause flooding to coastlines and inland areas less than 50 feet above sea level and within 1 mile of the shoreline. The City is approximately 18 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and would not be susceptible to inundation or flooding due to a tsunami.

Seiches are defined as wave-like oscillatory movements in enclosed or semi-enclosed bodies of water, such as lakes or reservoirs, and are most typically associated with seismic activity. The City is not subject to inundation by seiche. The City’s lakes, including the Santee Recreation Lakes, are in areas that would make it difficult for the City to be inundated. The Santee Municipal Code contains provisions to protect against the overflow of floodwaters in Title 13, Chapter 36, Article 5, Flood Damage Prevention. Project developments associated with the Safety-EJ Element would be subject to flooding, damage, and public safety issues, where applicable. Further, the City is primarily in Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Zone X, which is outside the 100- and 500-year flood hazard areas. Therefore, implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element would not result in release of pollutants due to inundation caused by a flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche.

The City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance contains provisions to safeguard the public and structures from flood hazards, including restrictions on uses that are dangerous to health, safety, and property; controls on alterations of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural flood barriers; and prohibition of development within 100- year flood zone areas as identified by Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Maps and on Santee land use and zoning maps. Santee Municipal Code, Title 13, Chapter 36, Article 5, Flood Damage Prevention, contains methods of preventing and reducing flood hazards. In the Santee General Plan Conservation Element and existing Safety Element, objectives and policies are provided to protect the community from flooding hazards. The objectives and policies reinforce the Santee Municipal Code by ensuring that development proposals are outside designated floodways and development in the 100-year floodplain is consistent with the City’s Flood Damage Protection Ordinance. With implementation of the Santee General Plan objectives and policies and Santee Municipal Code, impacts would be less than significant.

Further, the Safety-EJ Element would build on existing flood policies and incorporate the following new policies addressing flood hazards in Santee:

Objective 1: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from flood hazards. e Policy 1.1: Encourage the use of innovative site design strategies within the floodplain, which ensure the minimization of flood hazards and maintenance of the natural character of waterways.

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• Policy 1.2: Require that developments proposed within a floodplain area use design and site planning techniques to ensure that structures are elevated at least 1 foot above the 100-year flood level.
• Policy 1.3: Ensure that proposed projects that would modify the configuration of any of the three main waterways in Santee (San Diego River and Sycamore and Forester Creeks) are required to submit a report prepared by a registered hydrologist that analyzes potential effects of the project downstream and within the local vicinity. • Policy 1.4: Actively pursue the improvement of drainage ways and flood control facilities to lessen recurrent flood problems and include such public improvements in the Capital Improvements Program for Santee.
• Policy 1.5: Pursue the identification of flood hazard areas along Fanita and Big Rock Creeks and apply protective measures where necessary.
• Policy 1.6: Require a hydrologic study, including the analysis of effects on downstream and upstream properties and on the flood-carrying characteristics of the stream, for development proposed in the floodplain.
• Policy 1.7: Ensure that critical emergency uses (hospitals, fire stations, police stations, the Emergency Operations Center, public administration buildings, and schools) are not in flood hazard areas or in areas that would affect their ability to function in the event of a disaster.
• Policy 1.8: Prohibit development within the 100-year floodway, subject to the provisions of the City of Santee’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. • Policy 1.9: E Ensure that floodway areas are not included in the calculation of net area for the purpose of land division.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to flooding in Santee.
e. Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan?
Less Than Significant Impact. The City is under the jurisdiction of the San Diego RWQCB. Water quality standards and control measures for surface and ground waters of the San Diego region are contained in the Basin Plan for the San Diego region. The plan designates beneficial uses for water bodies and establishes water quality objectives, waste discharge prohibitions, and other implementation measures to protect those beneficial uses.

Future projects associated with the Safety-EJ Element would comply with the requirements under the NPDES Permit program, the Phase I MS4 General Permit in the San Diego River Watershed, the San Diego RWQCB Basin Plan. Future project would also require implementation of associated BMPs and other requirements of the SWPPP, as well as a City-approved Stormwater Quality e Policy 1.2: Require that developments proposed within a floodplain area use design and site planning techniques to ensure that structures are elevated at least 1 foot above the 100-year flood level.
e Policy 1.3: Ensure that proposed projects that would modify the configuration of any of the three main waterways in Santee (San Diego River and Sycamore and Forester Creeks) are required to submit a report prepared by a registered hydrologist that analyzes potential effects of the project downstream and within the local vicinity. e Policy 1.4: Actively pursue the improvement of drainage ways and flood control facilities to lessen recurrent flood problems and include such public improvements in the Capital Improvements Program for Santee.
e Policy 1.5: Pursue the identification of flood hazard areas along Fanita and Big Rock Creeks and apply protective measures where necessary.
e Policy 1.6: Require a hydrologic study, including the analysis of effects on downstream and upstream properties and on the flood-carrying characteristics of the stream, for development proposed in the floodplain.
e Policy 1.7: Ensure that critical emergency uses (hospitals, fire stations, police stations, the Emergency Operations Center, public administration buildings, and schools) are not in flood hazard areas or in areas that would affect their ability to function in the event of a disaster.
e Policy 1.8: Prohibit development within the 100-year floodway, subject to the provisions of the City of Santee’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. e Policy 1.9: E Ensure that floodway areas are not included in the calculation of net area for the purpose of land division.

Management Plan, which would ensure that stormwater discharges associated with construction and use of future development projects comply with regulatory requirements in Santee and would not conflict with a Water Quality Control Plan or Groundwater Management Plan. Compliance with state and local requirements for avoiding and minimizing construction and operational impacts to prevent conflicts with or obstruction of implementation of a Water Quality Control Plan or sustainable Groundwater Management Plan, including the Basin Plan for the San Diego RWQCB, and with federal, state, and City regulations would reduce impacts to less than significant.

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2.4.11 Land Use and Planning
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Physically divide an established community? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Cause a significant environmental impact due to a
conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
Physical development in Santee is currently governed by the existing Santee General Plan adopted in August 2003. The Santee General Plan identifies land use designations in Santee and its sphere of influence, with residential being the predominant existing land use.

Proposed Policies
The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to land use and planning:

Policy 5.4: Ensure that industrial uses are compatible with adjacent land uses, ensure that natural and human-induced hazards are adequately addressed in the location and intensity of development in Santee, and minimize land use conflicts between land uses in adjacent areas and existing and planned land uses in Santee.

Policy 10.1: Encourage the establishment and operation of additional farmers markets, farm stands, ethnic markets, mobile health food markets, and convenience/corner stores that sell healthy foods, including fresh produce where feasible and appropriate.

Policy 10.4: Prioritize healthy food supplies in economic development efforts, especially in areas where a healthy food supply, farmers market, or community garden is not within a half mile of residential areas.

Policy 10.6: Provide healthy food options at all municipal buildings and at City of Santee event where food is made available by the City.

2.4.11 Land Use and Planning
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Physically divide an established community? L] LJ LJ b. Cause a significant environmental impact due to a LJ LJ LJ conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
Environmental Setting
Physical development in Santee is currently governed by the existing Santee General Plan adopted in August 2003. The Santee General Plan identifies land use designations in Santee and its sphere of influence, with residential being the predominant existing land use.

Proposed Policies
The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to land use and planning:

Policy 10.6: Provide healthy food options at all municipal buildings and at City of Santee event where food is made available by the City.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project physically divide an established community? Less Than Significant Impact. Projects that divide an established community can involve large scale linear infrastructure, such as freeways, highways, and railroads, that bisect an established community or create barriers to movement within that community. “Locally undesirable land IS/ND 72 October 2024
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uses,” such as prisons or landfills, sited within economically depressed areas can also divide an established community. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

Development that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element would primarily consist of transit and utilities infrastructure construction and repairs, healthcare facilities, and recreational space/community centers (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element). Implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not facilitate large scale linear infrastructure, such as freeways, highways, and railroads, or locally undesirable land uses. Future development facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the Santee General Plan land use designations and would not physically divide the community. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. b. Would the project cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element would be a component of the Santee General Plan that improves the capacity of the City to respond to natural and human-caused changes in the environment. In addition, the Safety-EJ Element would define the goals, objectives, and policies that would guide the City’s approach to increasing its resiliency and would recommend a set of programs that would implement policies over the next several years. The Safety-EJ Element would be concerned with identifying ways in which the needs of existing and future residents can be met.

Specifically, the Safety-EJ Element would establish specific policies that align with the San Diego County’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, including the City’s chapter in this plan, and Sustainable Santee Plan to bring policies into compliance with current state laws and to allow for increased adaptability in the light of a changing climate. The Safety-EJ Element would not increase residential density and intensify land use designations in the City and therefore, is not subject to Measure N.

Future projects consistent with the Safety-EJ Element would be subject to the Santee General Plan, updates to the Santee General Plan (once approved) and Santee Municipal Code. These documents and ordinances include standards to protect aesthetic quality and scenic viewsheds, biological resources, cultural resources, and public health and safety. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. uses,” such as prisons or landfills, sited within economically depressed areas can also divide an established community. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

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2.4.12 Mineral Resources
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and
the residents of the state?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locallyimportant mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land
use plan?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 requires the classification of land into mineral resource zones (MRZs) according to known or inferred mineral resource potential. The process is based solely on geology without regard to existing land use or land ownership. According to the Santee General Plan Conservation Element, the City has land designated in two categories: MRZ2 and MRZ-3. MRZ-2 designates “areas where adequate information exists to indicate that significant mineral deposits are present or where it was judged that a high likelihood for their presence exists,” while MRZ-3 includes “areas containing mineral deposits whose significance cannot be evaluated from available data” (City of Santee 2003). According to the Santee General Plan Land Use Element, areas in Santee that contain valuable mineral resources are along the floodplain of the San Diego River and on the surrounding hills underlain by granite. The remainder of the City is designated MRZ-3 (City of Santee 2003).

Three aggregate mining operations are in Santee—RCP Pit 1, RCP Pit 2, and RCP Pit 3—in the San Diego River east of Magnolia Avenue. These three mining operations have been active since the 1970s and are approaching completion. Despite the potential for mineral recovery from any MRZ, economics, land use compatibility, and environmental protection, including regional habitat protection efforts, must be considered when deciding on the appropriateness of mining in a particular area (City of Santee 2003).

Impact Analysis
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state?
Less Than Significant Impact. Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the Santee General Plan land use designations and would not substantially limit the future availability of known mineral resources; therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

2.4.12 Mineral Resources
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral CO CO CO resource that would be of value to the region and
the residents of the state?
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally- LJ CJ L] important mineral resource recovery site delineated
on a local general plan, specific plan or other land
use plan?
Environmental Setting
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 requires the classification of land into mineral resource zones (MRZs) according to known or inferred mineral resource potential. The process is based solely on geology without regard to existing land use or land ownership. According to the Santee General Plan Conservation Element, the City has land designated in two categories: MRZ2 and MRZ-3. MRZ-2 designates “areas where adequate information exists to indicate that significant mineral deposits are present or where it was judged that a high likelihood for their presence exists,” while MRZ-3 includes “areas containing mineral deposits whose significance cannot be evaluated from available data” (City of Santee 2003). According to the Santee General Plan Land Use Element, areas in Santee that contain valuable mineral resources are along the floodplain of the San Diego River and on the surrounding hills underlain by granite. The remainder of the City is designated MRZ-3 (City of Santee 2003).

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b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? Less Than Significant Impact. According to the Santee General Plan Conservation Element, the portion of the upper San Diego River that flows through the City and Lakeside to the east of the City contains a significant share of the available construction sand reserves of the metropolitan San Diego market area. San Diego River sand is of high enough quality to be competitive with other sources in San Diego County. The sand and gravel mining used in Santee’s aggregate mining operations (i.e., RCP Pit 1, RCP Pit 2, and RCP Pit 3) meets the definition of a mineral resource as any form of natural rock materials that have commercial value. However, these sand deposits are not classified by the California Division of Mines and Geology as important mineral resources.

Further, implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element would not facilitate development in the San Diego River where sand and gravel mining could occur. In fact, the Safety-EJ Element would incorporate restrictions on development and limitations for development types in the San Diego River flood hazard areas (refer to Policies 1.2 through 1.9 listed in Section 2.4.10, Hydrology and Water Quality). Therefore, implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element would not facilitate development in the San Diego River that would result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recover site, and impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? Less Than Significant Impact. According to the Santee General Plan Conservation Element, the portion of the upper San Diego River that flows through the City and Lakeside to the east of the City contains a significant share of the available construction sand reserves of the metropolitan San Diego market area. San Diego River sand is of high enough quality to be competitive with other sources in San Diego County. The sand and gravel mining used in Santee’s aggregate mining operations (i.e., RCP Pit 1, RCP Pit 2, and RCP Pit 3) meets the definition of a mineral resource as any form of natural rock materials that have commercial value. However, these sand deposits are not classified by the California Division of Mines and Geology as important mineral resources.

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2.4.13 Noise
Would the project result in:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Generation of a substantial temporary or permanent
increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the
local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Generation of excessive groundborne vibration or
groundborne noise levels?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
c. For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a
plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a
public airport or public use airport, expose people
residing or working in the project area to excessive
noise levels?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
Noise is usually defined as unwanted or excessive sound. Noise consists of any sound that may produce physiological or psychological damage and/or interfere with communication, work, rest, recreation, and sleep. The primary sources of noise in Santee are freeways and roadways, rapid transit (San Diego Trolley), aircraft operations from Gillespie Field and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and stationary sources (e.g., commercial/industrial, construction, community).

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project result in 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? Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development, but may facilitate minor development and infrastructure projects, such as new or renovated fire stations, healthcare facilities, and recreational spaces/community centers (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element). Development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would have the potential to generate both short-term and long-term noise impacts. Short-term noise impacts could occur during grading and construction. Construction activities have the potential to expose adjacent land uses to noise levels that could temporarily exceed the City’s Noise Standards.

2.4.13 Noise
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project result in: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Generation of a substantial temporary or permanent CL] CL] CO increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the
local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
b. Generation of excessive groundborne vibration or CO CJ CJ groundborne noise levels?
c. Fora project located within the vicinity of a private CX CJ 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, expose people
residing or working in the project area to excessive
noise levels?
Environmental Setting
Noise is usually defined as unwanted or excessive sound. Noise consists of any sound that may produce physiological or psychological damage and/or interfere with communication, work, rest, recreation, and sleep. The primary sources of noise in Santee are freeways and roadways, rapid transit (San Diego Trolley), aircraft operations from Gillespie Field and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and stationary sources (e.g., commercial/industrial, construction, community).

The degree of noise impact would depend on the distance between the construction activity and the noise sensitive receptor. Long-term noise impacts would be associated with vehicular traffic to/from the site (including residents and visitors), outdoor activities, and stationary mechanical IS/ND 76 October 2024
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equipment on site. Traffic associated with future developments consistent with Santee General Plan land use designations would result in long-term increases in ambient noise levels. However, depending on the size of each development, this increase may be noticeable for some people but may not significantly impact surrounding sensitive uses and may not generate a substantial increase in ambient noise levels.

However, the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety Element would require subsequent projectspecific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts to noise. Individual projects would also be subject to existing local noise policies. For example, Santee General Plan Noise Element provisions, particularly Policy 1.1, would reduce harmful and annoying noise: “The City shall support a coordinated program to protect and improve the acoustical environment of the City including development review for new public and private development and code compliance for existing development.” The City’s Noise Ordinance (Santee Municipal Code, Chapter 5.04) establishes the City’s noise regulation, generally prohibits nuisance noise, and states that it is unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued within the City limits any disturbing, excessive, or offensive noise that causes discomfort or annoyance to reasonable persons of normal sensitivity residing in the area. For example, Section 5.04.090 prohibits construction activities outside the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturday, unless expressly approved by the City’s Director of Development Services. Section 5.04.040 details several specific sources of nuisance noise and outlines how it may be determined that the noise is in violation of the code. Specific sources of nuisance noise include but are not limited to devices for producing or reproducing sound, drums, and other musical instruments, yelling, and animals. Compliance with the Santee General Plan Noise Element policies and the City’s Noise Ordinance standards would reduce potential temporary and permanent noise impacts as a result of future development under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
b. Would the project result in the generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?
Less Than Significant Impact. Construction activities from developments facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element could generate varying degrees of groundborne vibration, depending on the construction procedure and the construction equipment used.

Operation of construction equipment generates vibrations that spread through the ground and diminish in amplitude with distance from the source. The effect on buildings in the vicinity of a construction site often varies depending on soil type, ground strata, and construction characteristics of the receiver buildings. Results from vibration can range from no perceptible effects at the lowest vibration levels to low rumbling sounds and perceptible vibration at moderate levels to slight equipment on site. Traffic associated with future developments consistent with Santee General Plan land use designations would result in long-term increases in ambient noise levels. However, depending on the size of each development, this increase may be noticeable for some people but may not significantly impact surrounding sensitive uses and may not generate a substantial increase in ambient noise levels.

Operation of construction equipment generates vibrations that spread through the ground and diminish in amplitude with distance from the source. The effect on buildings in the vicinity of a construction site often varies depending on soil type, ground strata, and construction characteristics of the receiver buildings. Results from vibration can range from no perceptible effects at the lowest vibration levels to low rumbling sounds and perceptible vibration at moderate levels to slight IS/ND 77 October 2024
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damage at the highest levels. Groundborne vibration from construction activities rarely reach levels that damage structures.

The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Future projects that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be subject to project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts to groundborne vibration and groundborne noise. Compliance with the Santee General Plan Noise Element policies would reduce groundborne noise impacts. Adherence to the Santee Municipal Code, particularly Chapter

5.04, Noise Abatement and Control, which sets limits on the time of day and days of the week that construction can occur, as well as noise limits for construction activities, would also reduce groundborne noise impacts. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. c. Would the project, for a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? Less Than Significant Impact. As stated in Section 2.4.9, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, the City has one airport, Gillespie Field, which is directly on the southern boundary of the City in the City of El Cajon. The Gillespie Field ALUCP identifies an Airport Influence Area around the airport, which is the area that could be impacted by noise levels exceeding 60 decibels (dB) Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL).

Several policies in the Santee General Plan Noise Element seek to ensure that no conflict or inconsistency between the operation of Gillespie Field and future land uses in Santee occur. For example, the Noise Element discourages any future expansion of the facilities of Gillespie Field or intensification of operation, other than what has been already planned in the airport’s Master Plan, that would result in greater noise impacts to the City (Policy 1.7); requires disclosure of airport noise impacts as a condition of all future residential development in the 65–70 dB noise contours (Policy 1.11); and requires the recordation of avigation easements for new development proposed within the 65–70 dB noise contours and the Runway Protection and Inner Approach/Departure Zones for Gillespie Field (Policy 1.12). The policies require the City to continue to monitor Gillespie Field operations and add these activities into the planning process.

Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be required to comply with both the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Gillespie Field and the Santee General Plan compatibility policies so it would not expose people residing or working in Santee to excessive noise levels. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. damage at the highest levels. Groundborne vibration from construction activities rarely reach levels that damage structures.

Several policies in the Santee General Plan Noise Element seek to ensure that no conflict or inconsistency between the operation of Gillespie Field and future land uses in Santee occur. For example, the Noise Element discourages any future expansion of the facilities of Gillespie Field or intensification of operation, other than what has been already planned in the airport’s Master Plan, that would result in greater noise impacts to the City (Policy 1.7); requires disclosure of airport noise impacts as a condition of all future residential development in the 65—70 dB noise contours (Policy 1.11); and requires the recordation of avigation easements for new development proposed within the 65-70 dB noise contours and the Runway Protection and Inner Approach/Departure Zones for Gillespie Field (Policy 1.12). The policies require the City to continue to monitor Gillespie Field operations and add these activities into the planning process.

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2.4.14 Population and Housing
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new
homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing people or
housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Environmental Setting
The City’s Sixth Cycle 2021 -2029 General Plan Housing Element was adopted on May 11, 2022.

The Housing Element of the General Plan is designed to provide the City with a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing within the community. The Housing Element is an eight-year plan for the 2021-2029 period. The Housing Element identifies strategies and programs that focus on:

1. Matching housing supply with need

2. Maximizing housing choice throughout the community

3. Assisting in the provision of affordable housing

4. Removing governmental and other constraints to housing investment

5. Promoting fair and equal housing opportunities
According to the Census, Santee’s population rose by almost nine percent from 53,413 in 2010 to 57,999 in 2020 (Table 2, City of Santee Population Growth). Population, housing, and employment are anticipated to grow in both the City and the county over the next 2 decades. Specifically, SANDAG forecasts that the Santee population will reach 63,812 by the year 2035. This represents a growth of 10 percent or 5,813 people from the 2020 population (City of Santee 2022c).

Table 2. City of Santee Population Growth
2000 2010 2020 2035 (Projected) % Change
2010-2020
Projected
% Change
2020-2035
City of Santee
53,090 53,413 57,999 63,812 8.6% 10.0%
San Diego County
2,813,833 3,095,313 3,343,355 3,853,698 8.0% 15.3%
Sources: Census 2000 and 2010; California Department of Finance, 2020; and SANDAG 2050 Series 13 Regional Growth Forecast (data extracted in July 2020).

2.4.14 Population and Housing
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. _ Induce substantial unplanned population growth in an CO CO CO area, either directly (for example, by proposing new
homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing people or CJ LJ LJ housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
Environmental Setting
The City’s Sixth Cycle 2021 -2029 General Plan Housing Element was adopted on May 11, 2022.

1. Matching housing supply with need
Maximizing housing choice throughout the community
Assisting in the provision of affordable housing
Removing governmental and other constraints to housing investment wk YS
Promoting fair and equal housing opportunities
According to the Census, Santee’s population rose by almost nine percent from 53,413 in 2010 to 57,999 in 2020 (Table 2, City of Santee Population Growth). Population, housing, and employment are anticipated to grow in both the City and the county over the next 2 decades. Specifically, SANDAG forecasts that the Santee population will reach 63,812 by the year 2035. This represents a growth of 10 percent or 5,813 people from the 2020 population (City of Santee 2022c).

Table 2. City of Santee Population Growth
% Change Projected
2000 2010 2020 2035 (Projected) 2010-2020 % Change 2020-2035 City of Santee
53090 | 93413 | srg | 63812 | 86% | — 10.0%
San Diego County
2,813,833 | 3095313 | 3343355 | 3853698 | 80% | — 15.3% Sources: Census 2000 and 2010; California Department of Finance, 2020; and SANDAG 2050 Series 13 Regional Growth Forecast (data extracted in July 2020).

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Proposed Policies
The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to population and housing:

Policy 5.3: Allow for the development of a wide range of commercial and residential building and structure types in Santee and ensure that development in Santee is consistent with the overall community character and contributes positively to Santee’s image.

Policy 11.1: Continue to support and coordinate with social service providers and regional agencies to address the housing-related needs of Santee residents, particularly those with special needs.

Continue the operation of the Residential Rehabilitation Program, which offers a limited amount of low-interest, deferred loans to income-eligible homeowners to facilitate home improvements and/or correct any health and safety or building code violations.

Policy 11.3: Continue to use HOME Investment Partnerships and other funding sources to assist residents with extremely low, very low, and low incomes with housing rehabilitation citywide.

Develop and maintain collaborative efforts among nonprofits, for-profit developers, and public agencies to encourage the development, maintenance, and improvement of affordable housing.

Policy 11.4: Continue to provide information to the public regarding resources for housing repairs for single-family homes, multi-family properties, and mobile or manufactured homes to address unsafe and unhealthy conditions in neighborhoods.

Policy 12.1: Address housing affordability through the Housing Element and Land Use Element to optimize land use for housing and to encourage affordable housing development.

Policy 12.2: Consider establishing a Community Revitalization and Investment Authority in the Santee Town Center area that would allow the City of Santee to use a portion of the property tax increment generated in that area to develop affordable housing and otherwise support Santee Town Center community revitalization projects.

Policy 12.3: Encourage both the private and public sectors to produce or assist in the production of housing, with particular emphasis on housing affordable to lower-income households, including extremely low-income households, and housing suitable for people with disabilities, older adults, large families, and female-headed household.

Policy 12.4: Ensure that all new housing development and redevelopment in Santee is properly phased in amount and geographic location so that City of Santee services and facilities can accommodate growth.

Policy 12.5: Coordinate with affordable housing developers and social service providers in Santee to provide Santee residents with education on how to qualify and apply for affordable housing and other housing-related needs.

Proposed Policies
The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to population and housing:

Policy 11.1: Continue to support and coordinate with social service providers and regional agencies to address the housing-related needs of Santee residents, particularly those with special needs.

Policy 11.3: Continue to use HOME Investment Partnerships and other funding sources to assist residents with extremely low, very low, and low incomes with housing rehabilitation citywide.

Develop and maintain collaborative efforts among nonprofits, for-profit developers, and public agencies to encourage the development, maintenance, and improvement of affordable housing.

Policy 12.1: Address housing affordability through the Housing Element and Land Use Element to optimize land use for housing and to encourage affordable housing development.

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Policy 12.6: Increase affordable homeownership opportunities for Santee’s low-income households and provide free homeownership education programs.

Policy 12.7: Collaborate with local social service providers to address the needs of Santee’s homeless population.

Policy 14.6: Prevent or limit significant increases in housing costs or essential supplies (“price gouging”) following disasters either through ordinances or other measures.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element would be a component of the Santee General Plan that would assess the needs of all economic segments of the City and would address the City’s ability to adapt to a changing climate as determined by the State of California. In addition, the Safety-EJ Element would define the goals, objectives, and policies that would guide the City’s approach to resolving those needs and recommend a set of programs that would implement policies over the next few years. The Safety-EJ Element is concerned with specifically identifying ways in which the needs of existing and future residents can be met as necessary to meet state safety- and environmental justice-related legal requirements. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development, but may facilitate minor development and infrastructure projects, such as transportation and utility improvements and recreational spaces/community centers (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element). The Safety-EJ Element would identify a series of implementing actions to improve the City’s adaptive capacity to climate change-related impacts. Given this objective and the City’s existing development patterns, it is not anticipated that future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would directly (by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (through extension of roads or other infrastructure) induce unplanned population growth.

Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be subject to subsequent project-specific CEQA review. The development of new projects holds the potential to increase the number of families and individuals in the area. However, as described above, SANDAG forecasts the City’s population to grow by 5,813 people (approximately 10 percent from the 2020 population) by the year 2035. As such, new development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not induce unplanned population growth.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Policy 12.6: Increase affordable homeownership opportunities for Santee’s low-income households and provide free homeownership education programs.

Policy 12.7: Collaborate with local social service providers to address the needs of Santee’s homeless population.

Policy 14.6: Prevent or limit significant increases in housing costs or essential supplies (“price gouging”) following disasters either through ordinances or other measures.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

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b. Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
No Impact. As described in Section 2.4.14(a), the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development plans, and new development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not induce unplanned population growth. The Safety-EJ Element would facilitate accommodating the City’s share of the regional housing needs, notably the provision of affordable housing options through Policy 12.1: “The City shall address housing affordability through the Housing Element and Land Use Element. Implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing; therefore, no impact would occur.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. b. Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
No Impact. As described in Section 2.4.14(a), the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development plans, and new development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not induce unplanned population growth. The Safety-EJ Element would facilitate accommodating the City’s share of the regional housing needs, notably the provision of affordable housing options through Policy 12.1: “The City shall address housing affordability through the Housing Element and Land Use Element. Implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing; therefore, no impact would occur.

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2.4.15 Public Services
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Result in substantial adverse physical impacts
associated with the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities, need for new or
physically altered governmental facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant
environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other
performance objectives for any of the public services:

Fire protection? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Police protection? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Schools? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Parks? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Other public facilities? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
Public services for fire protection, police protection, school, parks, and other facilities are described below.

Proposed and Existing Policies
The following Safety policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to public services (see also Section

2.4.20, Wildfire, for a detailed list of Safety policies related to fire hazards):

Policy 3.25: The Santee Fire Department shall continue be involved in the review of development applications to minimize fire hazards. Considerations shall be given to adequate emergency access, driveway widths, turning radii, fire hydrant locations, and needed fire flow requirements.

Policy 3.27: Ensure that the timing of additional fire station construction or renovation (or new services) relates to the rise of service demand in Santee and surrounding areas. Evaluate redevelopment after a large fire.

Policy 3.30: Support mutual aid agreements and communications links with the County of San Diego and the other municipalities participating in the Unified San Diego County Emergency Service Organization.

Policy 4.1: Encourage citizen participation in the Neighborhood and Kids Watch Programs and promote the establishment of new neighborhood watch programs to encourage community participation in the patrol and to promote the awareness of suspicious activity.

2.4.15 Public Services
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Result in substantial adverse physical impacts
associated with the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities, need for new or
physically altered governmental facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant
environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other
performance objectives for any of the public services:

Fire protection? L] L] L]
Police protection? CX CX CJ
Schools? CO CO LI
Parks? L] L] L]
Other public facilities? C C C
Environmental Setting
Public services for fire protection, police protection, school, parks, and other facilities are described below.

Proposed and Existing Policies
The following Safety policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to public services (see also Section

2.4.20, Wildfire, for a detailed list of Safety policies related to fire hazards):

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Policy 4.2: Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles into site planning for new developments and renovations of existing developments, considering the concepts of defensible space, surveillance, territoriality, access control, and maintenance.

Policy 4.4: Continue to involve law enforcement personnel in the review of new development applications through participation in the Development Review process.

Policy 4.5: Ensure that structures are adequately identified by street address and lighted sufficiently to deter criminal activity.

Policy 4.6: Work with the school districts in the establishment of a permanent School Resource Officer program or similar measure to provide a law enforcement presence at City schools.

The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to public services (parks and public facilities):

Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.

Policy 4.1: Prioritize seeking public funding to upgrade public facilities in disadvantaged communities, particularly the neighborhoods around Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.

Policy 4.2: Continue the City of Santee’s maintenance and operation of parks and other recreational spaces throughout Santee, especially in the regions along the river, with more frequency. Provide and maintain the highest level of service possible for all community public services and facilities.

Policy 4.3: Continue to evaluate current agreements and work to improve joint-use agreements with schools for access to indoor facilities and use of fields to adopt a more cooperative approach to providing services to the community.

Policy 4.4: Explore providing more community centers throughout Santee, especially in residential areas that lack a community center within walking distance from home, such as the southwestern areas of Santee.

Policy 4.5: Prioritize new investments in community-building facilities that will foster a sense of belonging among its residents.

Policy 6.3: Provide readily accessible meeting space and inclusive programming at the community centers to meet the needs of people of all ages, physical conditions, and socioeconomic situations, especially Santee’s diverse communities, including but not limited to the art and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

Policy 4.2: Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles into site planning for new developments and renovations of existing developments, considering the concepts of defensible space, surveillance, territoriality, access control, and maintenance.

Policy 4.4: Continue to involve law enforcement personnel in the review of new development applications through participation in the Development Review process.

Policy 4.5: Ensure that structures are adequately identified by street address and lighted sufficiently to deter criminal activity.

Policy 4.6: Work with the school districts in the establishment of a permanent School Resource Officer program or similar measure to provide a law enforcement presence at City schools.

The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to public services (parks and public facilities):

Policy 4.5: Prioritize new investments in community-building facilities that will foster a sense of belonging among its residents.

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Policy 6.5: Consider providing affordable and free educational programming in disadvantaged communities to highlight practices that can improve one’s health, such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Policy 7.5: Continue and expand the City of Santee’s community garden program and provide information on how existing community gardens operate and how residents can get involved.

Policy 7.6: Assess and, if feasible, develop open land for community gardens.

Policy 7.7: Identify and implement opportunities to incorporate open spaces suitable for community gardens into larger development projects.

Policy 15.2: Use tools and services, such as Neighborhood Watch, law enforcement, community services, rehabilitation loan programs, code compliance, and waste management services, to support and enhance neighborhoods and streetscapes in need of revitalization.

Policy 10.7: Find incentives that encourage school districts to develop a program that integrates gardening and nutrition, making the connection between healthy food choices and fresh, locally grown produce.

Policy 13.8: Continue community outreach that introduces residents to the City of Santee’s functions and services while equipping residents to get involved in their community.

Policy 14.1: Invest in census tracts in the areas of Santee that are more exposed to extreme heat events to build community resilience to and minimize impacts from climate change-induced phenomena.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services:

Fire protection
Less Than Significant Impact. Fire protection and emergency medical services for the City are provided by the Santee Fire Department. Within the City limits, two fire stations and one fire administration building are staffed and operated by fire staff at the Santee Fire Department (City of Santee 2022a). The Santee Fire Department also operates the following emergency services on a daily basis: three paramedic assessment engine companies, paramedic assessment truck company, and two paramedic transport ambulances (24-hour units). The mission of the Santee Fire Department is “to protect life and property in our community through aggressive fire suppression, Policy 6.5: Consider providing affordable and free educational programming in disadvantaged communities to highlight practices that can improve one’s health, such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Policy 7.5: Continue and expand the City of Santee’s community garden program and provide information on how existing community gardens operate and how residents can get involved.

Policy 7.6: Assess and, if feasible, develop open land for community gardens.

Policy 7.7: Identify and implement opportunities to incorporate open spaces suitable for community gardens into larger development projects.

Policy 13.8: Continue community outreach that introduces residents to the City of Santee’s functions and services while equipping residents to get involved in their community.

Policy 14.1: Invest in census tracts in the areas of Santee that are more exposed to extreme heat events to build community resilience to and minimize impacts from climate change-induced phenomena.

Fire protection
Less Than Significant Impact. Fire protection and emergency medical services for the City are provided by the Santee Fire Department. Within the City limits, two fire stations and one fire administration building are staffed and operated by fire staff at the Santee Fire Department (City of Santee 2022a). The Santee Fire Department also operates the following emergency services on a daily basis: three paramedic assessment engine companies, paramedic assessment truck company, and two paramedic transport ambulances (24-hour units). The mission of the Santee Fire Department is “to protect life and property in our community through aggressive fire suppression, IS/ND 85 October 2024
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public education, and emergency medical services, with leadership and professionalism” (City of Santee 2022a).

The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development, but may facilitate minor development and infrastructure projects, such as new or renovated fire stations, healthcare facilities, and recreational spaces/community centers (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element). As described in Section 2.4.14, Population and Housing, future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element could generate planned population growth in alignment with SANDAG’s population forecasts for the City, which could incrementally increase the demand for fire services. Future development would be subject to subsequent project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts related to fire protection.

Additionally, future development would be required to comply with CBC standards, which include site access requirements and fire safety standards, and with Santee Municipal Code, Title 12, Chapter 30, Article 4, Development Impact Fees, which would offset impacts of new development on Santee Fire Department resources. Additionally, future development would be subject to Santee Fire Department review through the Site Plan Review process to ensure that adequate emergency access and fire safety features are provided as part of the project. With incorporation of development fees and adherence to local and state regulations, impacts would be less than significant.

Additionally, the Safety-EJ Element would incorporate several new goals, policies, and actions intended to reduce impacts from fire hazards in Santee (see Section 2.4.20[b]). As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to fire protection in Santee.

Police protection
Less Than Significant Impact. Police protection for the City is provided by the Santee Sheriff Station, which is contracted with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The Santee Sheriff Station is located at 8811 Cuyamaca Street. The Santee Sheriff Station serves as the City’s police department and provides a full range of law enforcement services including patrol, traffic, investigations, parking enforcement, emergency services, crime prevention programs, crime analysis, and narcotics enforcement. The Santee Sheriff’s Station has more than 60 employees providing patrol and traffic services, criminal investigations, juvenile intervention, crime analysis, and crime prevention education. A Sheriff’s storefront is operated in the Santee Town Center near the San Diego Trolley line and San Diego Christian College.

Police protection
Less Than Significant Impact. Police protection for the City is provided by the Santee Sheriff Station, which is contracted with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The Santee Sheriff Station is located at 8811 Cuyamaca Street. The Santee Sheriff Station serves as the City’s police department and provides a full range of law enforcement services including patrol, traffic, investigations, parking enforcement, emergency services, crime prevention programs, crime analysis, and narcotics enforcement. The Santee Sheriff’s Station has more than 60 employees providing patrol and traffic services, criminal investigations, juvenile intervention, crime analysis, and crime prevention education. A Sheriff’s storefront is operated in the Santee Town Center near the San Diego Trolley line and San Diego Christian College.

The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would generate planned population growth, which could incrementally increase the demand for police services. Future development IS/ND 86 October 2024
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would be subject to subsequent project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts to the Santee Police Department.

Additionally, the Safety-EJ Element would retain all existing Santee General Plan goals, policies, and actions addressing public safety and would incorporate one new policy:

Policy 4.8: Ensure that critical facilities, hazardous facilities, and special occupancy structures are located and designed to be functional in an event of a disaster. These facilities and structures include fire and police stations, hospitals, communication centers, schools, churches, and other high occupancy structures.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to public safety in Santee.

Schools
Less Than Significant Impact. The City is served by the Santee School District (for elementary schools) and the Grossmont Union High School District. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element could generate planned population growth in alignment with SANDAG’s population forecasts for the City, which could incrementally increase the demand for school facilities and services. However, future development would be subject to the requirements of AB 2926 and SB 50, which allow school districts to collect development impact fees to minimize potential impacts to school districts as a result of new development. Thus, upon payment of development fees consistent with existing state requirements, impacts would be less than significant.

Parks
Less Than Significant Impact. Outdoor recreation resources in Santee include public parks, public access lakes, bicycle paths, pedestrian trails, and ground-level linkages between recreation areas and urbanized places. Per the Santee General Plan Recreation Element, the City operates one mini-park, four neighborhood parks, and two community parks:
• Mini-parks are small areas, no larger than 2 acres, and serve a population of approximately 500 to 1,000 people.
• Neighborhood parks are adjacent to elementary schools and should provide three types of recreation: open areas for passive recreation and relaxation, active sports areas, and a neighborhood center; neighborhood parks serve a larger population, from 2,000 to 5,000 people, and generally range in size from 2 to 20 acres. • Community parks supplement neighborhood parks by providing activities that require more space and specialized functions that serve a larger population of up to 25,000 people. They range in size from 20 to 200 acres and include school playgrounds, would be subject to subsequent project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts to the Santee Police Department.

Additionally, the Safety-EJ Element would retain all existing Santee General Plan goals, policies, and actions addressing public safety and would incorporate one new policy:

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to public safety in Santee.

Parks
Less Than Significant Impact. Outdoor recreation resources in Santee include public parks, public access lakes, bicycle paths, pedestrian trails, and ground-level linkages between recreation areas and urbanized places. Per the Santee General Plan Recreation Element, the City operates one mini-park, four neighborhood parks, and two community parks:
e Mini-parks are small areas, no larger than 2 acres, and serve a population of approximately 500 to 1,000 people.
e Neighborhood parks are adjacent to elementary schools and should provide three types of recreation: open areas for passive recreation and relaxation, active sports areas, and a neighborhood center; neighborhood parks serve a larger population, from 2,000 to 5,000 people, and generally range in size from 2 to 20 acres. e Community parks supplement neighborhood parks by providing activities that require more space and specialized functions that serve a larger population of up to 25,000 people. They range in size from 20 to 200 acres and include school playgrounds, IS/ND 87 October 2024
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ballfields, and the Santee Lakes Recreation Area, in addition to approximately 200 acres of Mission Trails Regional Park.

The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. However, new development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element could incrementally increase the volume of residents that may use public parks. Future development would be required to comply with Santee Municipal Code, Title 12, Chapter 30, Article 4, Development Impact Fees, which would offset impacts of new development on the City’s parks and recreation resources.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Additionally, the Safety-EJ Element would incorporate several new policies for the improvement and expansion of park systems in Santee:

Policy 1.2: Increase maintenance of public spaces, such as parks and trails, to protect natural resources from pollution.

Objective 3: Promote access to public transit by increasing frequency of buses and trolleys, decreasing travel duration for commuters, and updating system networks to connect riders to priority areas, such as shopping centers, schools, and parks and recreation facilities. • Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.
• Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.
• Policy 4.2: Continue the City of Santee’s maintenance and operation of parks and other recreational spaces throughout Santee, especially in the regions along the river, with more frequency. Provide and maintain the highest level of service possible for all community public services and facilities.

Objective 6: Improve access to and connectivity between community services, including group meetings, recreation programs, and health classes.
• Policy 6.2: Continue to consider alternative recreation programs, such as providing basketball equipment to private groups, using church and commercial center facilities, and closing streets to through-traffic, in neighborhoods with park deficiencies. ballfields, and the Santee Lakes Recreation Area, in addition to approximately 200 acres of Mission Trails Regional Park.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Additionally, the Safety-EJ Element would incorporate several new policies for the improvement and expansion of park systems in Santee:

Policy 1.2: Increase maintenance of public spaces, such as parks and trails, to protect natural resources from pollution.

Objective 3: Promote access to public transit by increasing frequency of buses and trolleys, decreasing travel duration for commuters, and updating system networks to connect riders to priority areas, such as shopping centers, schools, and parks and recreation facilities. e Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.
e Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.
e Policy 4.2: Continue the City of Santee’s maintenance and operation of parks and other recreational spaces throughout Santee, especially in the regions along the river, with more frequency. Provide and maintain the highest level of service possible for all community public services and facilities.

Objective 6: Improve access to and connectivity between community services, including group meetings, recreation programs, and health classes.
e Policy 6.2: Continue to consider alternative recreation programs, such as providing basketball equipment to private groups, using church and commercial center facilities, and closing streets to through-traffic, in neighborhoods with park deficiencies.

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Objective 7: Continue to create green spaces, such as community gardens, open spaces, and public parks, that support food education, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster community building. • Policy 7.1: Continue to create safe, attractive spaces for recreation, including well-lit parks and pedestrian paths, through implementation of the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is a roadmap used to address the need for additional trails for activities such as biking and hiking to improve connectivity throughout the Santee and to provide a system of public parks and recreation facilities that serve the residents of Santee. • Policy 7.2: Continue to provide adequate recreational acreage and facilities in all areas of Santee by identifying vacant lots and underused public land that can be turned into neighborhood-run community gardens. Provide additional park and recreational facilities for Santee residents, which could include a combination of local parks, trails, school playgrounds, and other public facilities that meet part of the need for local recreational facilities.
• Policy 7.3: Encourage the development of a San Diego River Park with passive recreation uses throughout Santee as part of an overall master plan concept for the entire San Diego River. Encourage the inclusion of recreational facilities in all mixed land use developments, especially in the Santee Trolley Square Town Center.
• Policy 7.4: Locate mini-parks in the built-up areas of Santee where recreational facilities are needed and where available land is limited. Pursue the development of additional publicly owned parks and recreation facilities that are distributed throughout Santee to meet the needs of all residents.

Objective 13: Increase community involvement and participation in defining community needs, establishing local priorities, and creating programs to meet these needs. • Policy 13.3: Continue to encourage the use of climate-smart landscaped surfaces (e.g., permeable pavement, stormwater parks, green streets) in new and existing development.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to parks.

Other public facilities
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

However, future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element could increase the volume of residents that may use other public facilities, including the Santee Civic Center and the Santee Public Library. Future development would require subsequent project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts to public facilities. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Objective 7: Continue to create green spaces, such as community gardens, open spaces, and public parks, that support food education, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster community building. e Policy 7.1: Continue to create safe, attractive spaces for recreation, including well-lit parks and pedestrian paths, through implementation of the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is a roadmap used to address the need for additional trails for activities such as biking and hiking to improve connectivity throughout the Santee and to provide a system of public parks and recreation facilities that serve the residents of Santee. e Policy 7.2: Continue to provide adequate recreational acreage and facilities in all areas of Santee by identifying vacant lots and underused public land that can be turned into neighborhood-run community gardens. Provide additional park and recreational facilities for Santee residents, which could include a combination of local parks, trails, school playgrounds, and other public facilities that meet part of the need for local recreational facilities.
e Policy 7.3: Encourage the development of a San Diego River Park with passive recreation uses throughout Santee as part of an overall master plan concept for the entire San Diego River. Encourage the inclusion of recreational facilities in all mixed land use developments, especially in the Santee Trolley Square Town Center.
e Policy 7.4: Locate mini-parks in the built-up areas of Santee where recreational facilities are needed and where available land is limited. Pursue the development of additional publicly owned parks and recreation facilities that are distributed throughout Santee to meet the needs of all residents.

Objective 13: Increase community involvement and participation in defining community needs, establishing local priorities, and creating programs to meet these needs. e Policy 13.3: Continue to encourage the use of climate-smart landscaped surfaces (e.g., permeable pavement, stormwater parks, green streets) in new and existing development.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to parks.

Other public facilities
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

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Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required.

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2.4.16 Recreation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse physical effect
on the environment?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
Outdoor recreation resources in Santee include public parks, public access lakes, bicycle paths, pedestrian trails, and ground-level linkages between recreation areas and urbanized places.

Proposed Policies
The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to recreation:

Policy 6.1: Continue to provide a comprehensive program of recreational services for all ages, with an emphasis on programs for children and youth.

Policy 6.2: Continue to consider alternative recreation programs, such as providing basketball equipment to private groups, using church and commercial center facilities, and closing streets to through-traffic, in neighborhoods with park deficiencies.

Policy 6.4: Encourage service clubs, civic groups, individual donors, and others to help develop recreational facilities. Encourage private employee recreation in business and industrial areas to provide recreational opportunities for employees.

Policy 6.6: Actively seek public and private funding sources to support recreation development, programs, and operation in the process of reviewing recreation programming to ensure that recreation programs reach all segments of the community.

2.4.16 Recreation
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact
a. Would the project increase the use of existing CJ LJ LJ neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
b. Does the project include recreational facilities or CL] CL] L] require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse physical effect
on the environment?
Environmental Setting
Outdoor recreation resources in Santee include public parks, public access lakes, bicycle paths, pedestrian trails, and ground-level linkages between recreation areas and urbanized places.

Proposed Policies
The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to recreation:

Policy 6.1: Continue to provide a comprehensive program of recreational services for all ages, with an emphasis on programs for children and youth.

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Policy 7.1: Continue to create safe, attractive spaces for recreation, including well-lit parks and pedestrian paths, through implementation of the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is a roadmap used to address the need for additional trails for activities such as biking and hiking to improve connectivity throughout the Santee and to provide a system of public parks and recreation facilities that serve the residents of Santee.

Policy 7.2: Continue to provide adequate recreational acreage and facilities in all areas of Santee by identifying vacant lots and underused public land that can be turned into neighborhood-run community gardens. Provide additional park and recreational facilities for Santee residents, which could include a combination of local parks, trails, school playgrounds, and other public facilities that meet part of the need for local recreational facilities.

Policy 7.3: Encourage the development of a San Diego River Park with passive recreation uses throughout Santee as part of an overall master plan concept for the entire San Diego River.

Encourage the inclusion of recreational facilities in all mixed land use developments, especially in the Santee Trolley Square Town Center.

Policy 7.4: Locate mini-parks in the built-up areas of Santee where recreational facilities are needed and where available land is limited. Pursue the development of additional publicly owned parks and recreation facilities that are distributed throughout Santee to meet the needs of all residents.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development, but may facilitate minor development and infrastructure projects, such as transportation and utility improvements, healthcare facilities, and recreational spaces/community centers (refer to Section

1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element). Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with existing Santee General Plan land use designations; nevertheless, future development could result in an increase in the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks and recreation facilities. Santee Municipal Code, Title 12, Chapter 30, Article 4, Development Impact Fees, requires that new development pay a fee to ensure that the parkland and recreational facility standards established by the City are met with respect to the additional needs created by such development, if applicable. Future development would be required to pay the fee before the issuance of building permits. The Safety-EJ Element, in its implementation, could result in an increase in the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities, but it is unlikely this increase would result in or accelerate substantial physical deterioration of the facilities. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Policy 7.1: Continue to create safe, attractive spaces for recreation, including well-lit parks and pedestrian paths, through implementation of the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is a roadmap used to address the need for additional trails for activities such as biking and hiking to improve connectivity throughout the Santee and to provide a system of public parks and recreation facilities that serve the residents of Santee.

Policy 7.3: Encourage the development of a San Diego River Park with passive recreation uses throughout Santee as part of an overall master plan concept for the entire San Diego River.

Encourage the inclusion of recreational facilities in all mixed land use developments, especially in the Santee Trolley Square Town Center.

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b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Less Than Significant Impact. An increase in demand for existing recreational resources is anticipated with new development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. The Safety-EJ Element would include policies aimed at the expansion of recreation facilities, as identified in Section 2.4.15(a).

Individual development projects, including future recreational facilities, would be subject to project-specific CEQA review, including an assessment of potential physical effects on the environment. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Less Than Significant Impact. An increase in demand for existing recreational resources is anticipated with new development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. The Safety-EJ Element would include policies aimed at the expansion of recreation facilities, as identified in Section 2.4.15(a).

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2.4.17 Transportation
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy
addressing the circulation system, including transit,
roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines
section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
c. Substantially increase hazards due to a
geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses
(e.g., farm equipment)?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
d. Result in inadequate emergency access? ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
The City’s circulation system is composed of freeways and their interchanges; arterial, collector, and local streets; public transportation; and non-motorized transportation. In addition to these facilities and services, implementation and management of the circulation system include parking policies and goods and freight movement.

The City’s roadway network is composed of regional facilities, such as SR‐52, SR‐67, and SR‐ 125, as well as numerous arterials and local streets. North–south travel through the City is primarily provided by Magnolia Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, SR‐67, and SR‐125, while east–west travel is provided for mainly by Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Prospect Avenue, and SR‐ 52 (City of Santee 2017).

Proposed and Existing Policies
The following Safety policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to transportation:

Policy 5.1: Continue to review traffic safety problems annually and enforcement of parking regulations.

Policy 5.2: Promote the use of traffic control devices such as signals, medians, and other street design measures along busy roadways to regulate, warn, and guide traffic, thereby diminishing traffic hazards.

Policy 5.3: Encourage ridesharing and the use of transit and other transportation systems management programs to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled and traffic congestion.

2.4.17 Transportation
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy CJ LJ L] addressing the circulation system, including transit,
roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
b. Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines OC CO LJ section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
c. Substantially increase hazards due to a
geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses
(e.g., farm equipment)?
d. Result in inadequate emergency access? CJ CJ L]
Environmental Setting
The City’s circulation system is composed of freeways and their interchanges; arterial, collector, and local streets; public transportation; and non-motorized transportation. In addition to these facilities and services, implementation and management of the circulation system include parking policies and goods and freight movement.

The City’s roadway network is composed of regional facilities, such as SR-52, SR-67, and SR125, as well as numerous arterials and local streets. North—south travel through the City is primarily provided by Magnolia Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, SR-67, and SR-125, while east-west travel is provided for mainly by Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Prospect Avenue, and SR52 (City of Santee 2017).

Proposed and Existing Policies
The following Safety policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to transportation:

Policy 5.1: Continue to review traffic safety problems annually and enforcement of parking regulations.

Policy 5.3: Encourage ridesharing and the use of transit and other transportation systems management programs to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled and traffic congestion.

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Policy 5.4: Preclude through-city truck traffic on local roadways and limit truck routes through Santee to principal and major arterial roadways.

Policy 5.5: Promote the establishment of shared driveways and reciprocal access between adjoining properties to reduce the number of curb cuts and conflicting traffic movements on major roads.

Policy 6.1: Consider methods of improving service safety along and across the trolley line in coordination with San Diego Association of Governments, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, and other relevant agencies.

Policy 6.2: Coordinate with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to encourage transit stops in areas serving vulnerable populations, such as near senior housing projects, medical facilities, major employment centers, and mixed-use areas.

Policy 10.6: Coordinate with transportation agencies to identify local and regional transportation corridors that are at risk from climate change effects while using the best available science and resilient design features to improve resiliency to extreme climate events.

Policy 10.7: Coordinate with regional transit providers to identify alternative routes, stops, and modes of transit if normal infrastructure is damaged or closed as a result of extreme events.

The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to transportation:

Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.

Policy 3.3: Promote and support the continued expansion of the San Diego Trolley system that benefits residents of Santee, especially in higher-density areas. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to ensure that public transportation is provided from disadvantaged communities to commercial and recreational facilities. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to increase frequency of the Green Line, particularly during weekends, which provides access to and from the City of Santee and the City of San Diego.

Policy 3.4: Encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Maintain and implement the policies and recommendations of the Active Santee Plan and the San Diego Association of Governments San Diego Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to major destinations.

Policy 3.5: Coordinate with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Association of Governments to provide efficient, cost-effective, and responsive systems; multimodal support Policy 5.4: Preclude through-city truck traffic on local roadways and limit truck routes through Santee to principal and major arterial roadways.

Policy 5.5: Promote the establishment of shared driveways and reciprocal access between adjoining properties to reduce the number of curb cuts and conflicting traffic movements on major roads.

Policy 10.7: Coordinate with regional transit providers to identify alternative routes, stops, and modes of transit if normal infrastructure is damaged or closed as a result of extreme events.

The following EJ policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to transportation:

Policy 3.5: Coordinate with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Association of Governments to provide efficient, cost-effective, and responsive systems; multimodal support IS/ND 95 October 2024
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facilities; and adequate access near and to and from transit stops for bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Policy 3.6: Encourage and provide ridesharing, park and ride, and other similar commuter programs that eliminate vehicles from freeways and arterial roadways. Encourage businesses to provide flexible work schedules for employees and employers to offer shared commute programs and/or incentives for employees to use public transit.

Policy 3.7: Work to increase public transit ridership among transit-dependent populations by providing greater access to public transit throughout Santee.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities? Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose any programs, policies, or ordinances that are inconsistent with current provisions of the 2017 Santee General Plan Mobility Element (City of Santee 2017). The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development, but may facilitate minor development and infrastructure projects, such as transportation improvements to encourage biking and walking (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element). Future development would be required to comply with all goals, policies, and objectives addressing the City’s circulation system, including alternative transportation. These include but are not limited to working with other agencies in the region to develop traffic and congestion management programs to improve commute times and improve air quality (Policy 2.9); implementing the recommendations of the Active Santee Plan to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to major destinations (Policy 9.4); and encouraging complete streets and the expansion of multimodal transportation (Policy 1.1). Future development would be required to be consistent with City standards, including the Santee Municipal Code, Title 11, Buildings and Construction, which adopts the CBC standards and regulations related to access and circulation. Future development would be subject to review by the City during final design to ensure adherence to local requirements for internal site circulation and site access. Due to the conceptual nature of future development, future development proposals would require project-specific CEQA review, including an assessment of potential impacts to City plans, programs, or policies supporting alternative transportation. Compliance with the Santee General Plan Mobility Element goals and policies and the Santee Municipal Code would ensure impacts are less than significant. facilities; and adequate access near and to and from transit stops for bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Policy 3.7: Work to increase public transit ridership among transit-dependent populations by providing greater access to public transit throughout Santee.

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City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
In addition, the Safety-EJ Element would contain several new policies that would encourage opportunities for transit and active transportation:

Policy 2.2: Remove particulate matter from mobile source emissions through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan’s public transit, active transportation, and electrification strategies.

Policy 2.6: Create land use patterns that encourage people to bicycle, walk, or use public transit to reduce emissions from mobile sources, such as plans that (1) require vegetative barriers to be included in industrial developments near residential areas in Santee and/or (2) improve tree canopy and promote green infrastructure development in disadvantaged communities, particularly the neighborhoods that do not already have access to green space.

Objective 3: Promote access to public transit by increasing frequency of buses and trolleys, decreasing travel duration for commuters, and updating system networks to connect riders to priority areas, such as shopping centers, schools, and parks and recreation facilities. • Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.
• Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.
• Policy 3.3: Promote and support the continued expansion of the San Diego Trolley system that benefits residents of Santee, especially in higher-density areas. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to ensure that public transportation is provided from disadvantaged communities to commercial and recreational facilities.

Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to increase frequency of the Green Line, particularly during weekends, which provides access to and from the City of Santee and the City of San Diego.
• Policy 3.4: Encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Maintain and implement the policies and recommendations of the Active Santee Plan and the San Diego Association of Governments San Diego Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to major destinations.
• Policy 3.5: Coordinate with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Association of Governments to provide efficient, cost-effective, and responsive systems; multimodal support facilities; and adequate access near and to and from transit In addition, the Safety-EJ Element would contain several new policies that would encourage opportunities for transit and active transportation:

Policy 2.2: Remove particulate matter from mobile source emissions through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan’s public transit, active transportation, and electrification strategies.

Objective 3: Promote access to public transit by increasing frequency of buses and trolleys, decreasing travel duration for commuters, and updating system networks to connect riders to priority areas, such as shopping centers, schools, and parks and recreation facilities. e Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.
e Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.
e Policy 3.3: Promote and support the continued expansion of the San Diego Trolley system that benefits residents of Santee, especially in higher-density areas. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to ensure that public transportation is provided from disadvantaged communities to commercial and recreational facilities.

Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to increase frequency of the Green Line, particularly during weekends, which provides access to and from the City of Santee and the City of San Diego.
e Policy 3.4: Encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Maintain and implement the policies and recommendations of the Active Santee Plan and the San Diego Association of Governments San Diego Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to major destinations.
e Policy 3.5: Coordinate with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Association of Governments to provide efficient, cost-effective, and responsive systems; multimodal support facilities; and adequate access near and to and from transit IS/ND 97 October 2024
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stops for bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.
• Policy 3.6: Encourage and provide ridesharing, park and ride, and other similar commuter programs that eliminate vehicles from freeways and arterial roadways.

Encourage businesses to provide flexible work schedules for employees and employers to offer shared commute programs and/or incentives for employees to use public transit. • Policy 3.7: Work to increase public transit ridership among transit-dependent populations by providing greater access to public transit throughout Santee.

Objective 5: Continue to create a “livable community” by offering supportive community programs and services, providing alternative transportation choices, and promoting equitable, affordable housing. • Policy 5.1: Create a vibrant town center by developing a connected system of multimodal corridors that encourages walking, biking, and riding public transit. A mobility hub should be considered at the existing Santee Trolley Square to provide features such as bike-share, bike parking, car-share, neighborhood electric vehicles, real-time traveler information, demand‐based shuttle services, wayfinding signage, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and urban design enhancements. Continue to implement the Santee Town Center Specific Plan, which provides retail commercial, office, recreational, and other appropriate uses to establish a focal point for Santee. • Policy 5.10: Coordinate with local school districts and nonprofit organizations to improve access and resources to engage in active forms of transportation (e.g., bicycles, skates, helmets, and related equipment) for disadvantaged communities.

Objective 6: Improve access to and connectivity between community services, including group meetings, recreation programs, and health classes.
• Policy 6.7: Collaborate with organizations like California Walks to improve active transportation in Santee through policy, project, and program development and implementation; grant writing; and neighborhood needs assessments.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities in Santee. b. Would the project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)? Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

However, future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element may result in an increase in vehicle miles that would have the potential to impact the circulation system. Future development would be consistent with the Santee General Plan land use designations. Additionally, future development in Santee would be subject to the City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines during project-specific CEQA environmental review (City of Santee stops for bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.
e Policy 3.6: Encourage and provide ridesharing, park and ride, and other similar commuter programs that eliminate vehicles from freeways and arterial roadways.

Encourage businesses to provide flexible work schedules for employees and employers to offer shared commute programs and/or incentives for employees to use public transit. e Policy 3.7: Work to increase public transit ridership among transit-dependent populations by providing greater access to public transit throughout Santee.

Objective 5: Continue to create a “livable community” by offering supportive community programs and services, providing alternative transportation choices, and promoting equitable, affordable housing. e Policy 5.1: Create a vibrant town center by developing a connected system of multimodal corridors that encourages walking, biking, and riding public transit. A mobility hub should be considered at the existing Santee Trolley Square to provide features such as bike-share, bike parking, car-share, neighborhood electric vehicles, real-time traveler information, demand-based shuttle services, wayfinding signage, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and urban design enhancements. Continue to implement the Santee Town Center Specific Plan, which provides retail commercial, office, recreational, and other appropriate uses to establish a focal point for Santee. e Policy 5.10: Coordinate with local school districts and nonprofit organizations to improve access and resources to engage in active forms of transportation (e.g., bicycles, skates, helmets, and related equipment) for disadvantaged communities.

Objective 6: Improve access to and connectivity between community services, including group meetings, recreation programs, and health classes.
e Policy 6.7: Collaborate with organizations like California Walks to improve active transportation in Santee through policy, project, and program development and implementation; grant writing; and neighborhood needs assessments.

However, future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element may result in an increase in vehicle miles that would have the potential to impact the circulation system. Future development would be consistent with the Santee General Plan land use designations. Additionally, future development in Santee would be subject to the City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines during project-specific CEQA environmental review (City of Santee IS/ND 98 October 2024
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2022). The City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines include screening criteria and thresholds of significance to assess an individual project’s impact on VMT during CEQA environmental review.

Screening criteria for development projects that are presumed to have less-than-significant impacts to the transportation system, and therefore would not be required to conduct a VMT analysis, include the following: projects in a transit-accessible area, small projects, projects in a VMTefficient area, local serving retail projects and public facilities, and infill affordable housing (City of Santee 2022d).

Therefore, future development projects in Santee would be required to adhere to the City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines, assess VMT impacts, and require project-specific mitigation measures as applicable. Therefore, impacts related to VMT would be less than significant.

Additionally, the proposed Safety-EJ Element would incorporate new policies that would support reduction in VMT citywide and regionally, as described in Section 2.4.17(a). As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to VMT reduction in Santee.
c. Would the project substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

Design features of future development would need to be consistent with road design standards in the Santee Municipal Code and San Diego County’s Public Roads Standards (County of San Diego 2012). Through the City’s environmental review process, future development projects would be evaluated for potential safety impacts due to a geometric design feature or incompatible use.

The existing Santee General Plan Safety Element includes several policies to address public safetyrelated roadway designs, including promoting the use of traffic control devices such as signals, medians, and other street design measures along busy roadways to regulate, warn, and guide traffic, thereby diminishing traffic hazards (Policy 5.2); precluding through-city truck traffic on local roadways and limiting truck routes through the City to principal and major arterial roadways (Policy 5.4); and promoting the establishment of shared driveways and reciprocal access between adjoining properties to reduce the number of curb cuts and conflicting traffic movements on major roads (Policy 5.5). The Safety-EJ Element would retain these policies and would incorporate new related policies:

Policy 5.6: Implement the Complete Streets Policy in the Santee General Plan Mobility Element.

Policy 5.7: Continue to plan for and implement a comprehensive network of safe pedestrian facilities to promote pedestrian travel.
2022). The City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines include screening criteria and thresholds of significance to assess an individual project’s impact on VMT during CEQA environmental review.

Policy 5.6: Implement the Complete Streets Policy in the Santee General Plan Mobility Element.

Policy 5.7: Continue to plan for and implement a comprehensive network of safe pedestrian facilities to promote pedestrian travel.

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As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to roadway design features in Santee.
d. Would the project result in inadequate emergency access? Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed in Section 2.4.9, the City has prepared its own Emergency Operations Plan (City of San Diego 2010) in compliance with the State Office of Emergency Services and the Santee Municipal Code that identifies responses and actions depending on the nature and the scope of the disaster. The Safety-EJ Element would identify hazards present in Santee and would focus on assessing the scope of risk associated with the hazards and emergency preparedness procedures and fire, police, and medical facilities and/or staffing.

Construction activities associated with future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would have the potential to interfere with emergency access and procedures if authorities are not properly notified or multiple projects are constructed during the same time and multiple roadways used for emergency routes are concurrently blocked.

Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the current Santee General Plan land use designations. Therefore, the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific changes in Santee’s existing circulation network. However, the proposed Safety-EJ Element includes an Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis to determine the vulnerability of the City’s evacuation routes to potential hazards and to identify areas of the City that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households within a hazard area that have limited accessibility) in accordance with AB 747 and SB 99. Refer to Section 2.4.9(f) for a description of the analysis results.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to roadway design features in Santee.
d. Would the project result in inadequate emergency access? Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed in Section 2.4.9, the City has prepared its own Emergency Operations Plan (City of San Diego 2010) in compliance with the State Office of Emergency Services and the Santee Municipal Code that identifies responses and actions depending on the nature and the scope of the disaster. The Safety-EJ Element would identify hazards present in Santee and would focus on assessing the scope of risk associated with the hazards and emergency preparedness procedures and fire, police, and medical facilities and/or staffing.

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2.4.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. 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 Resources
Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall
consider the significance of the resource to a
California Native American tribe?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
Tribal Cultural Resources are sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, 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 CRHR or included in a local register of historical resources, as defined in subdivision (k) of California Public Resources Code, Section 5020.1, or determined to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in California Public Resources Code, Section 5024.1.

The people who traditionally occupied the region along the Pacific coast from the central part of San Diego County southward into Baja California and eastward into the County of Imperial were originally referred to by Europeans as the “Diegueño” or “Diegueno” because they lived on the lands granted to Mission San Diego de Alcalá by the Spanish crown. Today, the Native Americans dubbed Diegueño generally refer to themselves as the “Kumeyaay.” Linguistic studies support the division of the Kumeyaay people into northern (Ipai) and southern (Tipai) dialect groups while often identifying the Desert Kumeyaay of the eastern county, portions of northeastern Baja California, and the majority of the western portion of the County of Imperial as Kamia. Prior to European contact, the boundary between the Kumeyaay groups was not rigid and the distinction between them likely existed as a gradient rather than a clear division of cultural and political units. These groups shared closely related Yuman languages, as well as customs, beliefs, and material culture.

2.4.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Less Than
Potentially Significant Less Than
Significant | with Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. 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 LJ CJ L] 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 LJ CJ LI 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 Resources
Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall
consider the significance of the resource to a
California Native American tribe?
Environmental Setting
Tribal Cultural Resources are sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, 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 CRHR or included in a local register of historical resources, as defined in subdivision (k) of California Public Resources Code, Section 5020.1, or determined to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in California Public Resources Code, Section 5024.1.

The people who traditionally occupied the region along the Pacific coast from the central part of San Diego County southward into Baja California and eastward into the County of Imperial were originally referred to by Europeans as the “Dieguefio” or “Diegueno” because they lived on the lands granted to Mission San Diego de Alcala by the Spanish crown. Today, the Native Americans dubbed Dieguefio generally refer to themselves as the “Kumeyaay.” Linguistic studies support the division of the Kumeyaay people into northern (Ipai) and southern (Tipai) dialect groups while often identifying the Desert Kumeyaay of the eastern county, portions of northeastern Baja California, and the majority of the western portion of the County of Imperial as Kamia. Prior to European contact, the boundary between the Kumeyaay groups was not rigid and the distinction between them likely existed as a gradient rather than a clear division of cultural and political units. These groups shared closely related Yuman languages, as well as customs, beliefs, and material culture.

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Impact Analysis
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
i. Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k), 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 Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.

Less than Significant Impact. Tribal outreach pursuant to AB 52 and SB 18 was initiated on November 17, 2022, with the following Tribes: Barona Band of Mission Indians, Jamul Tribe, Kumeyaay Tribe, and Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians. The Native American Heritage Commission provided a list of Tribes who should be contacted for information related to Tribal Cultural Resources. The additional Tribes and individuals identified by the Native American Heritage Commission were contacted on January 4, 2023.

Two requests for consultation were received by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and the Campo Band of Mission Indians. Staff held a meeting with each tribal representative and explained that the project is an update to a planning-level document and future site-specific development would be subject to additional environmental review. The tribal representative from the Campo Band of Mission Indians requested a copy of the completed Negative Declaration for their records.

No additional questions or requests were received by any of the tribes within the 30 and 90-day consultation period. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
i. Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k), 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 Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.

No additional questions or requests were received by any of the tribes within the 30 and 90-day consultation period. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

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2.4.19 Utilities and Service Systems
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or
storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas,
or telecommunications facilities, the construction or
relocation of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development
during normal, dry and multiple dry years?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
c. Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project’s projected demand in addition to the
provider’s existing commitments?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
d. Generate solid waste in excess of State or local
standards, or in excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of
solid waste reduction goals?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
e. Comply with federal, state, and local management
and reduction statutes and regulations related to
solid waste?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
Water Supply
The City, along with parts of El Cajon and Lakeside, is included in the Western Service Area for Padre Dam. The source of drinking water supply for Padre Dam is from the San Diego County Water Authority. The San Diego County Water Authority receives the majority of its supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). The tap water customers receive from Padre Dam is blended water from the Colorado River System, the California State Water Project, ocean water from the desalination plant, and local watersheds in San Diego County (Padre Dam 2022). Water travels through over 600 miles of aqueducts and 1,100 miles of pipeline to get to the county. Padre Dam has a large infrastructure of its own, including over 300 miles of water mains, to provide water to residents of the City. The water is treated at Metropolitan’s Skinner Treatment Plant near Temecula, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Twin Oaks Valley Treatment Plant in San Marcos, Aberdeen Standard Investments’ Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, and the Helix Water District’s Levy Treatment Plant in Lakeside (Padre Dam 2022).

2.4.19 Utilities and Service Systems
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Require or result in the relocation or construction of CL] CL] CO new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or
storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas,
or telecommunications facilities, the construction or
relocation of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
b. Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the LJ CJ LI project and reasonably foreseeable future development
during normal, dry and multiple dry years?
c. Result in a determination by the wastewater LJ LJ LO treatment provider which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project’s projected demand in addition to the
provider's existing commitments?
d. Generate solid waste in excess of State or local CJ LJ L] standards, or in excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of
solid waste reduction goals?
e. Comply with federal, state, and local management CJ CJ LJ and reduction statutes and regulations related to
solid waste?
Environmental Setting
Water Supply
The City, along with parts of El Cajon and Lakeside, is included in the Western Service Area for Padre Dam. The source of drinking water supply for Padre Dam is from the San Diego County Water Authority. The San Diego County Water Authority receives the majority of its supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). The tap water customers receive from Padre Dam is blended water from the Colorado River System, the California State Water Project, ocean water from the desalination plant, and local watersheds in San Diego County (Padre Dam 2022). Water travels through over 600 miles of aqueducts and 1,100 miles of pipeline to get to the county. Padre Dam has a large infrastructure of its own, including over 300 miles of water mains, to provide water to residents of the City. The water is treated at Metropolitan’s Skinner Treatment Plant near Temecula, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Twin Oaks Valley Treatment Plant in San Marcos, Aberdeen Standard Investments’ Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, and the Helix Water District’s Levy Treatment Plant in Lakeside (Padre Dam 2022).

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Padre Dam produces 2 million gallons per day of recycled water at their Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility. The recycled water provides irrigation water throughout the City and provides the water that fills the Santee Recreation Lakes (Padre Dam 2022).

Wastewater
The City, through Padre Dam, provides sewer service to residents and businesses in the Western Service Area. Approximately 40 percent of the wastewater (sewer) is sent to the Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility where it is treated and becomes part of Padre Dam’s recycled water supply. The remaining 60 percent of the wastewater collected travels from Padre Dam’s wastewater system into the City of San Diego’s Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Facility in Point Loma (Padre Dam 2022).

Stormwater
City-maintained storm draining systems include drain pipes, catch basins, and drainage channels.

The City’s Public Services Division of the Community Services Department is responsible for maintaining the City’s streets, storm drains, and curbs and gutters in addition to the City’s parks, landscape, and public buildings.

Solid Waste
Commercial and residential trash hauling, as well as industrial solid waste and recycling collection and disposal services, are provided by Waste Management, Inc., under an exclusive franchise agreement with the City (City of Santee 2022).

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development, but may facilitate minor development and infrastructure projects, such as transportation and utility improvements and recreational spaces/community centers (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element).

Stormwater
City-maintained storm draining systems include drain pipes, catch basins, and drainage channels.

Future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be expected to be connected to the existing domestic water supply system, wastewater infrastructure, and existing stormwater infrastructure. Given the programmatic nature of the Safety-EJ Element, specific development projects are unknown at this time. Potential impacts to utility infrastructure would be location- and project-specific and cannot be assessed in a meaningful way until the location of the project site and nature of the project is known. Overall, future development construction and operation would result in increased water, wastewater treatment, electric power, IS/ND 104 October 2024
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natural gas, and telecommunications demands and wastewater and solid waste generation, which would require the expansion or construction of utility infrastructure. However, future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with SANDAG’s planned population growth in its Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). Individual development projects would require subsequent project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts related to utilities infrastructure. Future development would be required to comply with Santee Municipal Code, Title 12, Chapter 30, Article 4, Development Impact Fees, which would offset impacts of new development on the City’s utilities infrastructure. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. b. Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years? Less Than Significant Impact. Padre Dam would provide water services to future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. Padre Dam’s Urban Water Management Plan addresses the District’s water system and includes a description of the water supply sources, magnitudes of historical and projected water use, and a comparison of water supply and water demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years (Padre Dam 2020).

No specific development is proposed as part of the Safety-EJ Element. Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would rely on existing Santee General Plan land use designations and would be consistent with SANDAG’s planned population growth in its RTP/SCS. According to Padre Dam’s Urban Water Management Plan, the City is projected to have an adequate supply of water to meet the increase in demand. In addition, the City is projected to have enough water to meet demand during single-dry year and multiple-dry year scenarios, primarily through the implementation of the East County Water Purification Program (Padre Dam 2020). The East County Water Purification Program is a collaborative effort between Padre Dam, the City of El Cajon, the County of San Diego, and Helix Water District. Notably, the East County Water Purification Program will create “a new, local, sustainable, and drought-proof drinking water supply by using state-of-the-art technology to produce up to 30 percent of East County’s drinking water supply” (East County Advanced Water Purification 2022).

All new development is required to comply with applicable state and local laws and regulations governing conservation of water supply resources. New development would be required to undergo subsequent project-specific CEQA review, including an analysis of water supply impacts. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
natural gas, and telecommunications demands and wastewater and solid waste generation, which would require the expansion or construction of utility infrastructure. However, future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with SANDAG’s planned population growth in its Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). Individual development projects would require subsequent project-specific CEQA review to identify the potential for significant impacts related to utilities infrastructure. Future development would be required to comply with Santee Municipal Code, Title 12, Chapter 30, Article 4, Development Impact Fees, which would offset impacts of new development on the City’s utilities infrastructure. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. b. Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years? Less Than Significant Impact. Padre Dam would provide water services to future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. Padre Dam’s Urban Water Management Plan addresses the District’s water system and includes a description of the water supply sources, magnitudes of historical and projected water use, and a comparison of water supply and water demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years (Padre Dam 2020).

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c. Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?
Less Than Significant Impact. As described previously, Padre Dam operates a 2-million-gallonsper-day wastewater treatment plant through its Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility. The remainder of the City’s wastewater flows into the City of San Diego’s Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Facility in Point Loma. Development facilitated by the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the adopted Santee General Plan and land use designations and would be consistent with SANDAG’s planned population growth in its RTP/SCS. Based on Padre Dam’s Urban Water Management Plan, the City’s wastewater treatment facility has adequate capacity to serve additional planned growth in the region, including development facilitated by the Safety-EJ Element. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. d. Would the project generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals? Less Than Significant Impact. According to the Santee General Plan, non-hazardous solid and liquid waste generated in Santee is currently deposited in the Sycamore Landfill, which is in the northwestern region of the City at 8514 Mast Boulevard. Based on information provided by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), the Sycamore Landfill has a maximum daily throughput of 5,000 tons per day and a remaining capacity of 113,972,637 cubic yards (CalRecycle 2019). It is anticipated that this landfill will have sufficient permitted capacity to service solid waste generated by future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. e. Would the project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

However, construction activities for future development would be subject to conformance with relevant federal, state, and local requirements related to solid waste disposal. Specifically, future projects would be required to demonstrate compliance with the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939), which requires all California cities to “reduce, recycle, and reuse solid waste generated in the state to the maximum extent feasible.” AB 939 requires that at least 50 percent of waste produced be recycled, reduced, or composted. Local jurisdictions, including the City, are monitored by the state (CalRecycle) to verify if waste disposal rates set by CalRecycle that comply with the intent of AB 939 are being met. Future projects would also be required to demonstrate compliance with CALGreen, which includes design and construction measures that act to reduce construction-related waste though material conservation measures and other constructionrelated efficiency measures. Compliance would be verified by the City through review of project plans and specifications. Lastly, the future projects would be subject to compliance with all c. Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?
Less Than Significant Impact. As described previously, Padre Dam operates a 2-million-gallonsper-day wastewater treatment plant through its Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility. The remainder of the City’s wastewater flows into the City of San Diego’s Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Facility in Point Loma. Development facilitated by the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the adopted Santee General Plan and land use designations and would be consistent with SANDAG’s planned population growth in its RTP/SCS. Based on Padre Dam’s Urban Water Management Plan, the City’s wastewater treatment facility has adequate capacity to serve additional planned growth in the region, including development facilitated by the Safety-EJ Element. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. d. Would the project generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals? Less Than Significant Impact. According to the Santee General Plan, non-hazardous solid and liquid waste generated in Santee is currently deposited in the Sycamore Landfill, which is in the northwestern region of the City at 8514 Mast Boulevard. Based on information provided by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), the Sycamore Landfill has a maximum daily throughput of 5,000 tons per day and a remaining capacity of 113,972,637 cubic yards (CalRecycle 2019). It is anticipated that this landfill will have sufficient permitted capacity to service solid waste generated by future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. e. Would the project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. applicable solid waste handling, processing, and disposal requirements stipulated in Title 9, Chapter 2, Article 120, Solid Waste Management, of the Santee Municipal Code. Therefore, future projects would be required to comply with the City’s efforts in reducing solid waste and with solid waste regulations at the state level. As such, impacts would be less than significant.

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2.4.20 Wildfire
If located in or near state responsibility areas or
lands classified as very high fire hazard severity
zones, would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Substantially impair an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors,
exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose
project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from
a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
c. Require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency
water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
d. Expose people or structures to significant risks,
including downslope or downstream flooding or
landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage changes?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Environmental Setting
According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Viewer (CAL FIRE 2022), the City is designated as a moderate to high, unzoned Local Responsibility Area. CAL FIRE also maps fire threat for the state. Fire threat is a combination of two factors: (1) fire probability, or the likelihood of a given area burning, and (2) potential fire behavior (hazard). These two factors are combined to create five threat classes ranging from low to extreme. The mapping shows that portions of the City are within high, very high, and extreme fire threat areas, although small portions of the City are not mapped for fire threat (CAL FIRE 2019).

Proposed Policies
The following Safety policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to fire hazards:

New Development
Policy 3.1: Mandate that a proposed development in State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Severity Zone be approved only after it is determined that a Fire Protection Plan is in place that includes measures to avoid or minimize fire hazards, such as adequate water pressure to maintain the required fire flow at the time of development.

2.4.20 Wildfire
Less Than
If located in or near state responsibility areas or Potentially | Significant with | Less Than lands classified as very high fire hazard severity Significant Mitigation Significant zones, would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact a. Substantially impair an adopted emergency CO CO CO
response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
b. Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, LJ CJ LI exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose
project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from
a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
c. Require the installation or maintenance of associated LJ CJ LI infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency
water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
d. Expose people or structures to significant risks, LJ CJ L] including downslope or downstream flooding or
landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage changes?
Environmental Setting
According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Viewer (CAL FIRE 2022), the City is designated as a moderate to high, unzoned Local Responsibility Area. CAL FIRE also maps fire threat for the state. Fire threat is a combination of two factors: (1) fire probability, or the likelihood of a given area burning, and (2) potential fire behavior (hazard). These two factors are combined to create five threat classes ranging from low to extreme. The mapping shows that portions of the City are within high, very high, and extreme fire threat areas, although small portions of the City are not mapped for fire threat (CAL FIRE 2019).

Proposed Policies
The following Safety policies in the Safety-EJ Element apply to fire hazards:

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Policy 3.2: Ensure that all new development meets established response time standards for fire and life safety services and that all new development in State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones requires fuel modification around homes and subdivisions.

Policy 3.3: Avoid expanding new residential development, essential public facilities, and critical infrastructure in areas subject to extreme threat or high risk, such as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, or areas classified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as having an Extreme Threat classification on Fire Threat Maps unless all feasible risk reduction measures have been incorporated into project designs or conditions of approval.

Policy 3.4: Prohibit land uses that could exacerbate the risk of ignitions in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, such as outdoor storage of hazardous or highly flammable materials, automobile service or gas stations, or temporary fireworks sales.

Policy 3.5: Prohibit land uses that could place occupants at unreasonable risk in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, such as areas with large events or assembly of people and healthcare facilities.

Policy 3.6: Encourage the use of conservation easements or establish a Transfer of Development Rights Program in undeveloped wildland areas within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Policy 3.7: Require the installation of fire hydrants and establishment of emergency vehicle access, notably before construction with combustible materials can begin on an approved project.

Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.

Policy 3.9: Mandate that proposed development satisfy the minimum structural fire protection standards in the adopted edition of the California Building Standards Code and California Fire Code; however, where deemed appropriate, the City of Santee shall enhance the minimum standards to provide optimum protection.

Policy 3.10: Mandate that all new development in the Very High Fire Severity Zones comply with the most current version of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code.

Policy 3.11: Mandate that all new development shall meet or exceed Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Articles 1-5 (commencing with section 1270) (SRA Fire Safe Regulations) and Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Article 3 (commencing with Section 1299.01) (Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures Regulations) for State Responsibility Areas and/or Very High Fire Severity Zones.

Policy 3.2: Ensure that all new development meets established response time standards for fire and life safety services and that all new development in State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones requires fuel modification around homes and subdivisions.

Policy 3.6: Encourage the use of conservation easements or establish a Transfer of Development Rights Program in undeveloped wildland areas within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Policy 3.7: Require the installation of fire hydrants and establishment of emergency vehicle access, notably before construction with combustible materials can begin on an approved project.

Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.

Policy 3.10: Mandate that all new development in the Very High Fire Severity Zones comply with the most current version of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code.

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Existing Development
Policy 3.12: Increase resilience of existing development in high-risk areas built prior to modern fire safety codes or wildfire hazard mitigation guidance.

Policy 3.13: Mandate that public and private landowners for all existing land uses comply with all applicable state and local requirements and implement site-specific safety measures that mitigate to a low-risk condition around or near public facilities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Policy 3.14: Provide information regarding defensible space and building retrofits to achieve a lowrisk condition.

Policy 3.15: Require public and private landowners to minimize the risk of wildfire moving from wildland areas to developed properties or from property to property by increasing structural hardening measures (e.g., fire-rated roofing and fire-resistant construction materials and techniques), maintaining and improving defensible space on site, and supporting vegetation management in adjacent undeveloped areas.

Policy 3.16: Require structures with fire protection sprinkler systems to provide for outside alarm notification.

Policy 3.17: Mitigate existing non-conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards (e.g., road standards, vegetative hazards). Support state legislation that would provide tax incentives to encourage the repair or demolition of structures that could be considered fire hazards.

Infill Development
Policy 3.18: Prioritize infill development within the existing developed footprint to reduce vehicle miles traveled; improve access to jobs, services, and education; increase active transportation choices; avoid future unfunded infrastructure repair and maintenance liabilities; and avoid hazardous or environmentally sensitive open space areas.

Policy 3.19: Ensure that all infill development projects within State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are required to comply with applicable state or local fire safety and defensible space regulations or standards and any applicable fire protection or risk reduction measures identified in locally adopted plans.

Policy 3.20: Ensure that discretionary infill projects may be required to prepare a project-specific fire hazard and risk assessment and incorporate project-specific risk reduction measures, subject to the determination and approval of the Fire Marshal.

Existing Development
Policy 3.12: Increase resilience of existing development in high-risk areas built prior to modern fire safety codes or wildfire hazard mitigation guidance.

Policy 3.14: Provide information regarding defensible space and building retrofits to achieve a lowrisk condition.

Policy 3.16: Require structures with fire protection sprinkler systems to provide for outside alarm notification.

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All Development
Policy 3.21: Support the continuation of long-term maintenance of fire hazard reduction projects, such as a weed abatement program (existing), community fire breaks, and private and public road clearance.

Policy 3.22: Ensure that the distribution of fire hydrants and capacity of water lines is adequate through periodic review. Collaborate with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District to ensure the City’s water supply location and long-term integrity are sufficient and future water supply needs are met.

Policy 3.23: Encourage and support the delivery of a high level of emergency services through cooperation with other agencies and use of available financial opportunities.

Policy 3.24: Encourage the continued development, implementation, and public awareness of fire prevention programs.

Policy 3.25: The Santee Fire Department shall continue be involved in the review of development applications to minimize fire hazards. Considerations shall be given to adequate emergency access, driveway widths, turning radii, future water supply needs, fire hydrant locations, needed fire flow requirements, street addressing, and signage.

Policy 3.26: Coordinate with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District on future water supply needs and existing water infrastructure constraints and deficiencies that could affect their ability to meet fire flow requirements.

Policy 3.27: Ensure that the timing of additional fire station construction or renovation (or new services) relates to the rise of service demand in Santee and surrounding areas.

Policy 3.28: Ensure that re-development after a large fire complies with the requirements for construction in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for fire safety.

Policy 3.29: Ensure that the planning and design of re-development in very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones minimizes the risks of wildfire and includes adequate provisions for vegetation management, emergency access, and firefighting while also complying with current fire codes.

Policy 3.31: Provide adequate staffing, equipment, technology, training, and funding for the Santee Fire Department to meet the existing and projected service demands and response times.

All Development
Policy 3.21: Support the continuation of long-term maintenance of fire hazard reduction projects, such as a weed abatement program (existing), community fire breaks, and private and public road clearance.

Policy 3.23: Encourage and support the delivery of a high level of emergency services through cooperation with other agencies and use of available financial opportunities.

Policy 3.24: Encourage the continued development, implementation, and public awareness of fire prevention programs.

Policy 3.25: The Santee Fire Department shall continue be involved in the review of development applications to minimize fire hazards. Considerations shall be given to adequate emergency access, driveway widths, turning radii, future water supply needs, fire hydrant locations, needed fire flow requirements, street addressing, and signage.

Policy 3.27: Ensure that the timing of additional fire station construction or renovation (or new services) relates to the rise of service demand in Santee and surrounding areas.

Policy 3.28: Ensure that re-development after a large fire complies with the requirements for construction in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for fire safety.

Policy 3.31: Provide adequate staffing, equipment, technology, training, and funding for the Santee Fire Department to meet the existing and projected service demands and response times.

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Policy 10.5: Provide information on the benefits of the resiliency of existing residential and commercial development through structural strengthening, fire safe landscaping, and energy efficiency upgrades.

Policy 12.1: Continue to require fire prevention planning and defensible space in all new development within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones or wildland-urban interface.

Policy 12.2: Review development proposals and coordinate with regional transportation agencies, as needed, to ensure that multiple evacuation routes are available under a range of scenarios and to identify alternative routes that are accessible to people without life-supporting resources.

Policy 12.3: Continue to educate the public on the importance of fire safety with information on topics including but not limited to defensible space, evacuation routes, and road clearance, with a focus on reaching at-risk, vulnerable populations.

Policy 12.4: Identify fire-prone habitats to plan for increased risk of larger and more frequent wildfires.

Impact Analysis
a. Would the project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed in Section 2.4.9, the City has prepared its own Emergency Operations Plan (City of Santee 2020) in compliance with the State Office of Emergency Services and the Santee Municipal Code, which identifies responses and actions depending on the nature and the scope of the disaster. The Safety-EJ Element would identify hazards present in Santee and would focus on assessing the scope of risk associated with the hazards and emergency preparedness procedures and fire, police, and medical facilities and/or staffing.

Construction activities associated with future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would have the potential to interfere with emergency plans and procedures if authorities are not properly notified or multiple projects are constructed during the same time and multiple roadways used for emergency routes are concurrently blocked.

Future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would potentially increase the extent of development, such as healthcare facilities and recreational space/community centers, in Santee, which could result in development in areas of the City adjacent to or in fire hazard areas. In the case of a wildfire evacuation, an increase in development, such as healthcare facilities and recreational space/community centers, would incrementally increase vehicular traffic on evacuation routes. Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the current Santee General Plan land use designations, and therefore, the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific changes in Santee’s existing circulation network. However, the proposed Safety-EJ Element includes an Emergency Policy 10.5: Provide information on the benefits of the resiliency of existing residential and commercial development through structural strengthening, fire safe landscaping, and energy efficiency upgrades.

Policy 12.1: Continue to require fire prevention planning and defensible space in all new development within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones or wildland-urban interface.

Policy 12.4: Identify fire-prone habitats to plan for increased risk of larger and more frequent wildfires.

Construction activities associated with future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would have the potential to interfere with emergency plans and procedures if authorities are not properly notified or multiple projects are constructed during the same time and multiple roadways used for emergency routes are concurrently blocked.

Future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would potentially increase the extent of development, such as healthcare facilities and recreational space/community centers, in Santee, which could result in development in areas of the City adjacent to or in fire hazard areas. In the case of a wildfire evacuation, an increase in development, such as healthcare facilities and recreational space/community centers, would incrementally increase vehicular traffic on evacuation routes. Future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be consistent with the current Santee General Plan land use designations, and therefore, the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific changes in Santee’s existing circulation network. However, the proposed Safety-EJ Element includes an Emergency IS/ND 112 October 2024
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Evacuation Route Analysis to determine the vulnerability of the City’s evacuation routes to potential hazards and to identify areas of the City that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households in a hazard area that have limited accessibility) in accordance with AB 747 and SB 99. Refer to Section 2.4.9(f) for a description of the analysis results.

Future projects would be subject to site-specific review and City regulations regarding street design, site access, and internal emergency access. Compliance would prevent multiple roadways used for emergency routes from being concurrently blocked. Therefore, impacts associated with the physical interference of an Emergency Response or Evacuation Plan would be less than significant.

Policy 4.4 of the City’s existing General Plan Safety Element requires emergency access routes in all developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles.

The Safety-EJ Element would retain and update this policy and incorporate several new policies related to evacuation routes:

Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.

Policy 10.7: Coordinate with regional transit providers to identify alternative routes, stops, and modes of transit if normal infrastructure is damaged or closed as a result of extreme events.

As such, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would result in beneficial impacts related to evacuation routes and implementation of an adopted Emergency Response Plan or Emergency Evacuation Plan.
b. Would the project, due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

However, the goals and policies incorporated into the proposed Safety-EJ Element may facilitate development of transit and utilities infrastructure construction and repairs, healthcare facilities, and recreational space/community centers (refer to Section 1.4, Proposed Element, for further discussion of the types of projects that may be facilitated under the Safety-EJ Element).

Evacuation Route Analysis to determine the vulnerability of the City’s evacuation routes to potential hazards and to identify areas of the City that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households in a hazard area that have limited accessibility) in accordance with AB 747 and SB 99. Refer to Section 2.4.9(f) for a description of the analysis results.

Policy 4.4 of the City’s existing General Plan Safety Element requires emergency access routes in all developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles.

The Safety-EJ Element would retain and update this policy and incorporate several new policies related to evacuation routes:

Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.

Policy 10.7: Coordinate with regional transit providers to identify alternative routes, stops, and modes of transit if normal infrastructure is damaged or closed as a result of extreme events.

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Development of facilities in high, very high, and extreme fire threat areas are subject to wildfire hazards due to slope and prevailing winds based on location, which would consequently result in higher fire-related risks to people and structures. Through the City’s environmental review process, future development projects associated with the Safety-EJ Element would be required to abide by the 2022 (or most current) California Fire Code and the CBC, which contains measures to reduce fire hazards in structures, including the use of materials, fire separation walls, building separation, and fire sprinklers. In addition to existing policies addressing wildfire in the Santee General Plan Safety Element, the Safety-EJ Element would build upon these policies and include several new policies intended to reduce the exposure of people and the environment to wildland fire risks:

Policy 3.1: Mandate that a proposed development in SRA or Vey High Fire Hazard Severity Zone be approved only after it is determined that a Fire Protection Plan is in place that includes measures to avoid or minimize fire hazards, such as adequate water pressure to maintain the required fire flow at the time of development.

Policy 3.6: Encourage the use of conservation easements or establish a Transfer of Development Rights Program in undeveloped wildland areas within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Policy 3.7: Require the installation of fire hydrants and establishment of emergency vehicle access, notably before construction with combustible materials can begin on an approved project.

Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.

Development of facilities in high, very high, and extreme fire threat areas are subject to wildfire hazards due to slope and prevailing winds based on location, which would consequently result in higher fire-related risks to people and structures. Through the City’s environmental review process, future development projects associated with the Safety-EJ Element would be required to abide by the 2022 (or most current) California Fire Code and the CBC, which contains measures to reduce fire hazards in structures, including the use of materials, fire separation walls, building separation, and fire sprinklers. In addition to existing policies addressing wildfire in the Santee General Plan Safety Element, the Safety-EJ Element would build upon these policies and include several new policies intended to reduce the exposure of people and the environment to wildland fire risks:

Policy 3.6: Encourage the use of conservation easements or establish a Transfer of Development Rights Program in undeveloped wildland areas within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Policy 3.7: Require the installation of fire hydrants and establishment of emergency vehicle access, notably before construction with combustible materials can begin on an approved project.

Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.

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Policy 3.9: Mandate that proposed development satisfy the minimum structural fire protection standards in the adopted edition of the Uniform Fire and Building Codes; however, where deemed appropriate, the City of Santee shall enhance the minimum standards to provide optimum protection.

Policy 3.10: Increase resilience of existing development in high-risk areas built prior to modern fire safety codes or wildfire hazard mitigation guidance.

Policy 3.11: Mandate that public and private landowners for all existing land uses comply with all applicable state and local requirements and implement site-specific safety measures that mitigate to a low-risk condition around or near public facilities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Policy 3.12: Provide information regarding defensible space and building retrofits to achieve a lowrisk condition.

Policy 3.13: Require public and private landowners to minimize the risk of wildfire moving from wildland areas to developed properties or from property to property by increasing structural hardening measures (e.g., fire-rated roofing and fire-resistant construction materials and techniques), maintaining and improving defensible space on site, and supporting vegetation management in adjacent undeveloped areas.

Policy 3.14: Require structures with fire protection sprinkler systems to provide for outside alarm notification.

Policy 3.15: Mitigate existing non-conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards (e.g., road standards, vegetative hazards). Support state legislation that would provide tax incentives to encourage the repair or demolition of structures that could be considered fire hazards.

Policy 3.16: Prioritize infill development within the existing developed footprint to reduce vehicle miles traveled; improve access to jobs, services, and education; increase active transportation choices; avoid future unfunded infrastructure repair and maintenance liabilities; and avoid hazardous or environmentally sensitive open space areas.

Policy 3.17: Ensure that all infill development projects within State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are required to comply with applicable state or local fire safety and defensible space regulations or standards and any applicable fire protection or risk reduction measures identified in locally adopted plans.

Policy 3.18: Ensure that discretionary infill projects may be required to prepare a project-specific fire hazard and risk assessment and incorporate project-specific risk reduction measures, subject to the determination and approval of the Fire Marshal.

Policy 3.19: Support the continuation of long-term maintenance of fire hazard reduction projects, such as a weed abatement program (existing), community fire breaks, and private and public road clearance.

Policy 3.9: Mandate that proposed development satisfy the minimum structural fire protection standards in the adopted edition of the Uniform Fire and Building Codes; however, where deemed appropriate, the City of Santee shall enhance the minimum standards to provide optimum protection.

Policy 3.10: Increase resilience of existing development in high-risk areas built prior to modern fire safety codes or wildfire hazard mitigation guidance.

Policy 3.12: Provide information regarding defensible space and building retrofits to achieve a lowrisk condition.

Policy 3.14: Require structures with fire protection sprinkler systems to provide for outside alarm notification.

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Policy 3.20: Ensure that the distribution of fire hydrants and capacity of water lines is adequate through periodic review.

Policy 3.21: Encourage and support the delivery of a high level of emergency services through cooperation with other agencies and use of available financial opportunities.

Policy 3.22: Encourage the continued development, implementation, and public awareness of fire prevention programs.

Policy 3.23: The Santee Fire Department shall continue be involved in the review of development applications to minimize fire hazards. Considerations shall be given to adequate emergency access, driveway widths, turning radii, fire hydrant locations, and needed fire flow requirements.

Policy 3.24: Ensure that the timing of additional fire station construction or renovation (or new services) relates to the rise of service demand in Santee and surrounding areas. Evaluate redevelopment after a large fire.

Policy 3.25: Support mutual aid agreements and communications links with the County of San Diego and the other municipalities participating in the Unified San Diego County Emergency Service Organization.

Compliance with existing regulations and proposed Safety-EJ Element policies would ensure that impacts related to wildfire risk are below significant. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. c. Would the project require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment? Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

However, future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element may require the installation of new water, emergency water, wastewater, stormwater, and natural gas infrastructure and connections to City infrastructure. Any new infrastructure components would be required to comply with applicable CBC and California Fire Code regulations. Therefore, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not exacerbate fire risk or result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. d. Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Any future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be required to adhere to the CBC and other standards and regulations for building designs, which would minimize any potential risks associated with landslides. In addition, future development Policy 3.20: Ensure that the distribution of fire hydrants and capacity of water lines is adequate through periodic review.

Policy 3.21: Encourage and support the delivery of a high level of emergency services through cooperation with other agencies and use of available financial opportunities.

Policy 3.22: Encourage the continued development, implementation, and public awareness of fire prevention programs.

However, future development facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element may require the installation of new water, emergency water, wastewater, stormwater, and natural gas infrastructure and connections to City infrastructure. Any new infrastructure components would be required to comply with applicable CBC and California Fire Code regulations. Therefore, implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not exacerbate fire risk or result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. d. Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Any future development that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would be required to adhere to the CBC and other standards and regulations for building designs, which would minimize any potential risks associated with landslides. In addition, future development IS/ND 116 October 2024
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would be subject to City and state drainage and stormwater quality requirements that are designed to reduce stormwater runoff from individual projects sites by promoting infiltration, minimizing impervious surfaces, and requiring LID measures. Therefore, future development would not expose people or structures to significant risk associated with post-fire landslides, mudflows, and flooding.

Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required. would be subject to City and state drainage and stormwater quality requirements that are designed to reduce stormwater runoff from individual projects sites by promoting infiltration, minimizing impervious surfaces, and requiring LID measures. Therefore, future development would not expose people or structures to significant risk associated with post-fire landslides, mudflows, and flooding.

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2.4.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance
Does the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Have the potential to substantially degrade the
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or
wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, substantially reduce the number or
restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or
animal or eliminate important examples of the
major periods of California history or prehistory?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
b. Have impacts that are individually limited, but
cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively
considerable” means that the incremental effects of
a project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects, the
effects of other current projects, and the effects of
probable future projects)?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
c. Have environmental effects which will cause
substantial adverse effects on human beings,
either directly or indirectly?
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Note: Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21083.05, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 65088.4, Gov. Code; Sections 21080(c), 21080.1, 21080.3, 21083, 21083.05, 21083.3, 21093, 21094, 21095, and 21151, Public Resources Code; Sundstrom v.

County of Mendocino,(1988) 202 Cal.App.3d 296; Leonoff v. Monterey Board of Supervisors, (1990) 222 Cal.App.3d 1337; Eureka Citizens for Responsible Govt. v. City of Eureka (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 357; Protect the Historic Amador Waterways v. Amador Water Agency (2004) 116 Cal.App.4th at 1109; San Franciscans Upholding the Downtown Plan v. City and County of San Francisco (2002) 102 Cal.App.4th 656.

Impact Analysis
a. Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development.

2.4.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance
Less Than
Potentially | Significant with | Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
Does the project: Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact
a. Have the potential to substantially degrade the CJ LJ L] quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or
wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, substantially reduce the number or
restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or
animal or eliminate important examples of the
major periods of California history or prehistory?
b. Have impacts that are individually limited, but LJ LJ L] cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively
considerable” means that the incremental effects of
a project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects, the
effects of other current projects, and the effects of
probable future projects)?
c. Have environmental effects which will cause CJ CJ L] substantial adverse effects on human beings,
either directly or indirectly?
Note: Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21083.05, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 65088.4, Gov. Code; Sections 21080(c), 21080.1, 21080.3, 21083, 21083.05, 21083.3, 21093, 21094, 21095, and 21151, Public Resources Code; Sundstrom v.

Instead, the Safety-EJ Element would identify action programs that could be implemented to provide additional capacity for the City to adapt to hazard- and climate-related changes in the environment. Implementation of the Safety-EJ Element would not directly remove sensitive vegetation communities or species or eliminate cultural resources because the Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development projects. Development facilitated by the Safety-EJ Element would be subject to compliance with the regulations and guidelines set forth in the Santee General Plan, the update to the General Plan (once approved), Santee Municipal Code, and development review process. Due to the conceptual nature of future development, proposals would require IS/ND 118 October 2024
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project-specific CEQA review, including an assessment of potential impacts to biological and cultural resources. If necessary, additional mitigation would be required to reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level.

Adoption of the proposed Safety-EJ Element would not significantly degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. Therefore, the proposed Safety-EJ Element’s contribution to adverse impacts on wildlife resources, individually or cumulatively, would be less than significant.
b. Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element would be a policy document designed to assist the City in future planning. Cumulative impacts associated with development consistent that may be facilitated under implementation of the Safety-EJ Element have been evaluated at a program or policy level. In addition, future development would be required to be consistent with Santee General Plan policies aimed at reducing cumulative impacts. Furthermore, through the City’s environmental review process, future development projects would be evaluated for potential cumulative impacts. Where needed, appropriate mitigation measures would be required to reduce potential impacts. Therefore, the Safety-EJ Element’s contribution to cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
c. Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Safety-EJ Element would consist of an updated determination of public safety and environmental justice needs in Santee and revisions to policies and procedures the City uses in addressing those needs. The Safety-EJ Element would be a policy document designed to assist the City in future planning. The Safety-EJ Element does not propose specific development. Environmental impacts with the potential to adversely affect people that may result from development have been evaluated at a program or policy level. Due to the conceptual nature of future development, future development proposals would require project-specific CEQA review, including an assessment of potential impacts to hazards and hazardous materials, noise, and other environmental topics that would directly or indirectly affect people. Where needed, appropriate mitigation measures would be required to reduce potential impacts. Therefore, impacts associated with adoption of the Safety-EJ Element would be less than significant. project-specific CEQA review, including an assessment of potential impacts to biological and cultural resources. If necessary, additional mitigation would be required to reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level.

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Mitigation Measures
The analysis completed for this section indicates that no significant impacts would result from implementation of the proposed Safety-EJ Element. As a result, no mitigation measures are required.

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Section 3 List of Preparers

3.1 Lead Agency
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California 92071
Christina Rios, Senior Planner

3.2 Consultants
Harris & Associates
600 B Street, Suite 2000
San Diego, California 92101
Diane Sandman, AICP, Principal in Charge
Darin Neufeld, AICP, Project Manager
Kelsey Hawkins, Deputy Project Manager
Michael Rupic, Environmental Analyst
Sydnie Margallo, Environmental Analyst
Randy Deodat, GIS Analyst
Lindsey Messner, Technical Editor
Eija Blocker, Technical Editor
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Section 4 References
CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection). 2019. Fire Threat. Accessed July 2023. https://frap.fire.ca.gov/media/10315/firethreat_19_ada.pdf.

CAL FIRE. 2022. FHSZ Viewer. Accessed July 2023. https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/.

California Department of Finance. 2021. “E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2011–2020 with 2010 Census Benchmark.” Accessed July 2023. https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/estimates-e5-2010-2020/.

California Water Boards. 2021. Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin. Accessed July 2023. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/.

CalRecycle. 2019. SWIS Facility/Site Activity Details, Sycamore Landfill (37-AA-0023). Accessed July 2023. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/SiteActivity/Details/484?siteID=2871.

Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). 2011. California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook. Accessed July 2023. https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dotmedia/programs/aeronautics/documents/californiaairportlanduseplanninghandbook-a11y.pdf.

California Air Resources Board. 2018. California Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory - 2018 Edition. Accessed July 2023. https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data.htm City of El Cajon, City of La Mesa, City of San Diego, City of Santee, County of San Diego, California Department of Transportation. 2016. San Diego River Watershed Management Area Water Quality Improvement Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://projectcleanwater. org/download/san-diego-river-sdr-water-quality-improvement-plan-wqip/.

City of Santee. 2003. Santee General Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/services/development-services/planning-and-zoningservices/general-plan.

City of Santee. 2020. City of Santee Emergency Operations Plan.

City of Santee. 2015. City of Santee Guidelines for Surface Water Pollution Prevention. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/17964/ 637024042748900000.

City of Santee. 2016. City of Santee BMP Design Manual. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8700/636366824217170000.

City of Santee. 2017. City of Santee Mobility Element. Accessed July 2023. https://www .cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11054/636446327420070000.

City of Santee. 2018. Draft Santee Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Subarea Plan.

Wildlife Agency Review Draft available December 2018.

Section4 References
CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection). 2019. Fire Threat. Accessed July 2023. https://frap.fire.ca.gov/media/10315/firethreat_19 ada.pdf.

CAL FIRE. 2022. FHSZ Viewer. Accessed July 2023. https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/.

California Department of Finance. 2021. ““E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 201 1—2020 with 2010 Census Benchmark.” Accessed July 2023. https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/estimates-e5-2010-2020/.

California Water Boards. 2021. Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin. Accessed July 2023. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/.

CalRecycle. 2019. SWIS Facility/Site Activity Details, Sycamore Landfill (37-AA-0023). Accessed July 2023. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/SiteA ctivity/Details/484?siteID=2871.

City of Santee. 2003. Santee General Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/services/development-services/planning-and-zoningservices/general-plan.

City of Santee. 2020. City of Santee Emergency Operations Plan.

City of Santee. 2015. City of Santee Guidelines for Surface Water Pollution Prevention. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/17964/ 637024042748900000.

City of Santee. 2016. City of Santee BMP Design Manual. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8700/6363668242 17170000.

City of Santee. 2017. City of Santee Mobility Element. Accessed July 2023. https://www .cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/1 1054/636446327420070000.

City of Santee. 2018. Draft Santee Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Subarea Plan.

Wildlife Agency Review Draft available December 2018.

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City of Santee. 2019. Sustainable Santee Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showdocument?id=18422.

City of Santee. 2021. Jurisdictional Urban Runoff Management Program. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8379/637751838225770000.

City of Santee. 2022a. “Department Overview.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/government/fire-department/department-overview.

City of Santee. 2022b. “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/services/solid-waste-recycling-services.

City of Santee. 2022c. “City of Santee Housing Element Sixth Cycle 2021 -2029.” May 11, 2022.

Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/ 8551/638066250344200000.

City of Santee. 2022d. City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines. April 13, 2022.

County of San Diego. 2009. County of San Diego Guidelines for Determining Significance of Paleontological Resources. Land Use and Environment Group, Department of Planning and Land Use, Department of Public Works.

County of San Diego. 2012. Public Roads Standards. Accessed July 2023. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/ceqa/Soitec-Documents/Final-EIRFiles/references/rtcref/ch3.1.8/2014-12- 19_CountyofSanDiego2012_PublicRoadStandards.pdf.

County of San Diego. 2014. Low Impact Development Handbook: Stormwater Management Strategies. Accessed July 2023.
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/dpw/WATERSHED_PROTECTION_PR OGRAM/susmppdf/lid_chapters_1-4.pdf.

County of San Diego. 2022. Transportation Study Guidelines. Accessed July 2023. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/SB743/Transportation%20Study%20 Guide%20-%20FINAL%20-%20September%202022.pdf.

DOC (California Department of Conservation). 2016. California Important Farmland Finder.

Accessed July 2023. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/.

DTSC (California Department of Toxic Substances Control). 2022. EnviroStor. Accessed July 2023. https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/search?CMD=search&ocieerp=& HWMP=False&business_name=&main_street_name=&city=santee&zip=&county=&censustr act=&case_number=&apn=&Search=Get+Report.

DWR (California Department of Water Resources). 2022. SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard.

Accessed July 2023. https://gis.water.ca.gov/app/bp-dashboard/final/.

East County Advanced Water Purification. 2022. “Welcome.” Accessed July 2023. https://eastcountyawp.com/.

City of Santee. 2019. Sustainable Santee Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showdocument?id=18422.

City of Santee. 2021. Jurisdictional Urban Runoff Management Program. Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8379/63775 1838225770000.

City of Santee. 2022a. “Department Overview.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/government/fire-department/department-overview.

City of Santee. 2022b. “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/services/solid-waste-recycling-services.

City of Santee. 2022c. “City of Santee Housing Element Sixth Cycle 2021 -2029.” May 11, 2022.

Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/ 855 1/638066250344200000.

City of Santee. 2022d. City of Santee VMT Analysis Guidelines. April 13, 2022.

County of San Diego. 2014. Low Impact Development Handbook: Stormwater Management Strategies. Accessed July 2023.
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/dpw/WATERSHED PROTECTION PR OGRAM/susmppdf/lid_chapters_1-4.pdf.

DOC (California Department of Conservation). 2016. California Important Farmland Finder.

Accessed July 2023. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/.

DTSC (California Department of Toxic Substances Control). 2022. EnviroStor. Accessed July 2023. https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/search?CMD=search&ocieerp=& HWMpP-=False&business name=&main_street_name=&city=santee&zip=&county=&censustr act=&case_number=&apn=&Search=Get+Report.

DWR (California Department of Water Resources). 2022. SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard.

Accessed July 2023. https://gis.water.ca.gov/app/bp-dashboard/final/.

East County Advanced Water Purification. 2022. “Welcome.” Accessed July 2023. https://eastcountyawp.com/.

IS/ND 125 October 2024
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
IS/ND 126 October 2024
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Geocon, Inc. 2021. Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study for the Safety Element of the Santee General Plan. Prepared for the City of Santee. March 29.

IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change). 2014. Fifth Assessment – Climate Change Synthesis Report. Accessed July 2023. https://archive.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ Padre Dam (Padre Dam Municipal Water District). 2020. Urban Water Management Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www.padredam.org/397/5035/Urban-Water-ManagementPlan#:~:text=Padre%20Dam’s%20Urban%20Water%20Management,%2C%20and%20mult iple%2Ddry%20years.

Padre Dam. 2021. 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www. padredam.org/DocumentCenter/View/5620/2020-Urban-Water-Management-Plan.

Padre Dam. 2022. “Your Water.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.padredam.org/35/Your-Water.

San Diego County Airport Land Use Commission. 2010. Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. Accessed July 2023.
http://sntbberry.cityofsanteeca.gov/sites/FanitaRanch/Public/Remainder%20of%20the%20R ecord/(2)%20Reference%20Documents%20from%20EIR%20&%20Technical%20Reports/ Tab%20302%20-%202010-12-20%20SDCRAA%202010_Gillespie%20Field %20Airport%20Land%20Use%20Compatibility%20Plan.pdf.

SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments). 2021. 2050 Regional Growth Forecast.

Accessed July 2023. https://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050RTPTA2.pdf.

SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board). 2021. “2018 Integrated Report Map.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ water_quality_assessment/2018_integrated_report/2018IR_map.html.

Geocon, Inc. 2021. Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study for the Safety Element of the Santee General Plan. Prepared for the City of Santee. March 29.

IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change). 2014. Fifth Assessment — Climate Change Synthesis Report. Accessed July 2023. https://archive.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ Padre Dam (Padre Dam Municipal Water District). 2020. Urban Water Management Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www.padredam.org/397/5035/Urban-Water-ManagementPlan#:~:text=Padre%20Dam’s%20Urban%20Water%20Management,%2C%20and%20mult iple%2Ddry%o20years.

Padre Dam. 2021. 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. Accessed July 2023. https://www. padredam.org/DocumentCenter/View/5620/2020-Urban- Water-Management-Plan.

Padre Dam. 2022. “Your Water.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.padredam.org/35/Y our-Water.

San Diego County Airport Land Use Commission. 2010. Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. Accessed July 2023.
http://sntbberry.cityofsanteeca. gov/sites/FanitaRanch/Public/Remainder™200f%20the%20R ecord/(2)%20Reference%20Documents%20from%20EIR%20&%20Technical%20Reports/ Tab%20302%20-%202010-12-20%20SDCRAA%202010_ Gillespie%20Field %20Airport%20Land%20Use%20Compatibility%20Plan.pdf.

SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments). 2021. 2050 Regional Growth Forecast.

Accessed July 2023. https://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050RTPTA2.pdf.

SWRCEB (State Water Resources Control Board). 2021. “2018 Integrated Report Map.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ water quality _assessment/2018 integrated_report/2018IR_map.html.

IS/ND 126 October 2024
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
IS/ND 127 October 2024
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
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IS/ND 127 October 2024
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Leters of Comment and Responses
RTC-1
Ini�al Study/Environmental Checklist Form
for the Safety & Environmental Jus�ce Element
Santee, California
GPA2019-4/AEIS2019-8
Leters of Comment and Responses
The following leter of comment was received from the California Department of Transporta�on during the public review period (October 25, 2024 to November 25, 2024) of the Dra� IS/ND. A copy of the comment leter along with corresponding staff responses is included here. Some of the comments did not address the adequacy of the environmental document.

The comments received did not affect the conclusions of the document, and no changes to the text of the Dra� IS/ND were required.

Leter Author Page Number
A California Department of Transporta�on RTC-2

LETTER RESPONSE
A-1 These comments are informa�onal in nature and do not raise a significant environmental issue for which a response is required.

Leter A
A-1
A-1
A-1
A-1

LETTER RESPONSE
A-2 These comments are informa�onal in nature and specific to new development.

The Safety Element is a planning document and not site specific. Therefore, a response is not required.

A-2
A-2
A-2

LETTER RESPONSE
A-3 These comments are informa�onal in nature and specific to new development. The Safety Element is a planning document and not site specific.

Therefore, a response is not required.

A-3
A-3
A-3
RESOLUTION NO.

Page 1 of 5 ends

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTEE,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA2019-4 TO

AMEND THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE SANTEE GENERAL PLAN AND ADOPTION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION (AEIS2019-8) UNDER THE

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
WHEREAS, the Santee General Plan includes a Safety Element with an overall goal “to minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damages resulting from natural and human-induced safety hazards;” and
WHEREAS, the Safety Element is a planning and policy document that does not approve, permit, or entitle any development project; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill (SB) 1035 requires the update of the Safety Element upon adoption or revision of the Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to identify new information not available during the previous revision relating to flood and fire hazards and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies; and WHEREAS, SB 1000 requires local governments to identify environmental justice communities (called “disadvantaged communities”) in their jurisdictions and address environmental justice to mitigate existing and potential hazards, reduce health risks, and prioritize improvements that address the needs of disadvantaged communities; and WHEREAS, environmental justice will be integrated with the Safety Element, therefore, renamed to the Safety and Environmental Justice Element; and WHEREAS, SB 1241 requires local governments to address the risk of fire for land classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code; and
WHEREAS, SB 99 requires the City to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households within a hazard area that have limited accessibility); and WHEREAS, Assembly Bill (AB) 747 requires the City to update the Safety Element of its General Plan to identify evacuation routes and assess the capacity, safety, and viability of those routes under a range of emergency scenarios; and WHEREAS, SB 379 requires the City to address climate change and adaption and resiliency through the preparation of a vulnerability assessment and comprehensive hazard mitigation and emergency response strategy; and
RESOLUTION NO.

Page 2 of 5 ends

WHEREAS, the Safety and Environmental Justice Element required review by the California Geological Survey of the Department of Conservation and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection; and
WHEREAS, on December 8, 2023 ,the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the Safety and Environmental Justice Element; and WHEREAS, on December 19, 2024, the California Geological Survey of the Department of Conservation provided “no comment on the project”; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), an Initial Study (AEIS 2019-8) was prepared for the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, which determined that the Safety and Environmental Justice Element would not result in a significant environmental effect; and WHEREAS, a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse Number 2024101127) with the Initial Study was prepared and advertised for public and agency review, which included postings at the San Diego County Clerk/Recorder’s Office, on the website of the Office of Planning and Research and on the City’s website from October 25, 2024 to November 25, 2024; and WHEREAS, on January 22, 2025, the City Council held a duly advertised public hearing on the General Plan Amendment (GPA2019-4); and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the Staff Report, considered all recommendations by staff and public testimony, and all other information available, and finds that the General Plan Amendment (GPA2019-4) is in the best interest of the public because the updated Safety Element: 1) Incorporates environmental justice; 2) Incorporates an existing conditions assessment to identify areas with greater pollution exposure and reduced access to public goods and services that improve quality of life for residents; 3) Addresses a variety of changes in State law such as wildfire planning, evacuation routes, and climate resiliency; 4) Updates accomplishments, objectives and policies to reflect progress; 5) Includes the City’s updated Geotechnical / Seismic Hazard Study; and 6) Incorporates the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

WHEREAS, as contained herein, the City Council has endeavored in good faith to set forth the basis for its decision on the Safety and Environmental Justice Element; and WHEREAS, all of the findings and conclusion made by the City Council pursuant to this Resolution are based upon the oral and written evidence presented to it as a whole and the entirety of the administrative record for the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, which are incorporated herein by this reference, and not based solely on the information provided in this Resolution; and
RESOLUTION NO.

Page 3 of 5 ends

WHEREAS, prior to taking action, the City Council had heard, been presented with, reviewed and considered all of the information and data in the administrative record; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the Staff Report, all recommendations by staff, and public testimony; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santee, California, does resolve as follows:

SECTION 1: The City Council hereby finds that the recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein as substantive findings of this Resolution.

SECTION 2: The General Plan Amendment (GPA2019-4) to adopt the Safety and Environmental Justice Element is in the best interest of the public because it is consistent with the provisions of Government Code Section 65350 et seq. pertaining to amendments to mandatory elements of the Santee General Plan, provides an assessment of both current and future housing needs, identifies constraints and opportunities for meeting those needs, provides a comprehensive strategy with goals, policies and programs to provide housing for all economic segments of the community, and contains all of the components required under Government Code Section 65583.

SECTION 3: The Amendment promotes the goals and objectives of the General Plan and leaves the General Plan a compatible, integrated, and internally consistent statement of policies for the following reasons:

1. The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes diagrams and text setting forth the objectives, strategies, standards, and plans for the City.

2. The Safety and Environmental Justice Element is integrated and compatible with all other elements of the General Plan, in that it will not conflict with, not affect the implementation of, existing policies and programs therein.

3. The Safety and Environmental Justice Element is in the public interest and protects the health, safety and welfare of the public, because it is integral to guiding future development in Santee as it addresses public safety concerns and provides goals and policies to minimize public safety hazards.

SECTION 4: The proposed amendment includes modifications to the Safety Element that would bring the Safety and Environmental Justice Element into compliance with state law.

None of these modifications would result in any additional physical changes to the environment than those previously analyzed and found to be less than significant under the adopted Initial Study/Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse Number RESOLUTION NO.

Page 4 of 5 ends

2024101127) (IS/ND). In considering the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, the City Council has considered the IS/ND, along with all oral and written comments received and the administrative record. The City Council hereby finds and determines that the record contains a complete and accurate reporting that Safety and Environmental Justice Element could not have a significant effect on the environment as addressed in the IS/ND.

SECTION 5: Based on the substantial evidence set forth in the record, the City Council finds that none of the conditions under State CEQA Guidelines section 15162 requiring the need for further subsequent environmental review have occurred because:
a) Substantial changes are not being proposed in the Safety and Environmental Justice Element that will require major revisions of the IS/ND due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; and b) Substantial changes have not occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the Safety and Environmental Justice Element will be undertaken that will require major revisions of the IS/ND due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; and
c) There is no new information of substantial importance, which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the IS/ND was adopted, showing any of the following: (i) the Safety and Environmental Justice Element would have one or more significant effects not discussed in the IS/ND; (ii) significant effects previously examined would be substantially more severe than shown in the IS/MND; (iii) mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects, but the City Council declined to adopt such measures; or (iv) mitigation measures or alternatives considerably different from those analyzed in the IS/ND would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but which the City Council declined to adopt.

SECTION 6: The Safety and Environmental Justice Element is hereby adopted, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

SECTION 7: The City Council directs staff to file a Notice of Determination with the San Diego County Clerk and the Office of Planning and Research within five (5) working days of approval of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element.

SECTION 8: The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings have been based are located with the City Clerk at the City of Santee City Clerk’s office at 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Building #3, Santee CA 92071.

RESOLUTION NO.

Page 5 of 5 ends

ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Santee, California, at a regular meeting thereof held this 22nd day of January 2025, by the following roll call vote to wit:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

APPROVED:

JOHN W. MINTO, MAYOR
ATTEST:

JAMES JEFFRIES, CITY CLERK
Attachment: Exhibit A – Safety and Environmental Justice Element

ORDINANCE NO. ____
1 AMENDMENT TO AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTEE,

CALIFORNIA ENACTING AN ESSENTIAL HOUSING PROGRAM TO BOOST

HOUSING PRODUCTION AND IMPROVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS SET FORTH IN THE CITY’S HOUSING ELEMENT (SIXTH CYCLE: 2-21-2029) AND DETERMINING THE AMENDMENT EXEMPT FROM THE

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
WHEREAS, on August 25, 2021, the City Council of the City of Santee (“City”) unanimously voted to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 592 enacting an “Essential Housing Program” in the City; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted and has repeatedly strengthened Government Code section 65915, known as the “Density Bonus Law” or “DBL”, to incentivize the production of affordable housing and increase the supply of housing stock available to all income levels; and
WHEREAS, Density Bonus Law and numerous other state housing laws have been enacted to incentivize and streamline the production of market rate and affordable housing in order to improve housing affordability. (Gov. Code, §§ 65915, 65589.5, 66300, 65920 et seq.); and
WHEREAS, Density Bonus Law includes the acknowledgement that, if authorized by local ordinance, a city may grant a density bonus in excess of that provided by section 65915 or to projects that do not meet its requirements, pursuant to subsection (n) thereof, and may include an increase in gross residential density or no increase in density, and grants housing projects other advantages, including “incentives and concessions”; “waivers or reductions” of “development standards”; and prescribed “parking ratios.” (Gov.

Code, § 65915 (b)(1), (f), (n).); and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has declared that Density Bonus Law is to be interpreted liberally in favor of producing the maximum number of total housing units. (Gov. Code, § 65915 (r)); and
WHEREAS, this Amendment to Urgency Ordinance No. 592 is intended to clarify an identified ambiguity surrounding the authority, intent, and implementation of previously adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 592 and its Essential Housing Program, and does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law; and WHEREAS, a purpose of this Amendment is to establish procedures and standards for streamlining housing projects and permitting concessions, waivers, and density bonuses for housing projects that further City housing objectives but that may not meet the strict requirements of State Density Bonus Law in accordance with Government Code § 65915 (n); and
WHEREAS, this Amendment is a “local ordinance” within the meaning of State Density Bonus Law in accordance with Government Code § 65915 (n); and ORDINANCE NO. ____
2 WHEREAS, the City of Santee (“City”) is a California charter city; and WHEREAS, the City Council is authorized to adopt this Amendment by state law and the City Council hereby declares its intent to utilize its authority, however and wherever derived, to adopt this Amendment and amend Urgency Ordinance 592.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santee does ordain as follows:

SECTION 1. Recitals Incorporated. The above recitals are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council.

SECTION 2. Amendment to Ordinance 592. Urgency Ordinance 592 enacting the City’s Essential Housing Program is amended as follows:

A. Section 4. Essential Housing Program, Paragraph D (Essential Housing Project Determination), subparagraph (1) is amended to read as follows:

1. Notwithstanding any goal, policy, term, provision,
requirement, or mandate contained in the General Plan and its various Elements, a Housing Development Project certified as an Essential Housing Project, as described in Section G below, including any approved density bonus, waivers, concessions and/or incentives, as applicable, shall be deemed both in compliance and consistent with the General Plan Land Use Element and Housing Element and shall not require an
amendment to the General Plan, an amendment to a Specific Plan, a rezone, or other legislative act.

B. Section 4. Essential Housing Program, Paragraph L
(Definitions) is amended to add new subparagraph 11, which reads as follows:

11. “Waivers, Concessions and Incentives” shall have
the meaning given those terms in Government Code section 65915.

C. Section 5. Findings Related to State Housing Law is amended to add a new final sentence to the paragraph, which reads as follows:

Moreover, the City Council finds that the Essential Housing Program is a local ordinance authorized by Density Bonus Law, Government Code section 65915 subdivision (n), as a method to increase housing supply and combat the declared housing crisis.

D. Ordinance 592 Exhibit A, Essential Housing Project Application, Paragraph 17 is amended as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. ____
3 17. RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT COUNT:

Indicate the number of dwelling units proposed. , including a breakdown of levels by affordability*, set by each income category. For projects that do not meet the minimum
affordability requirements for eligibility under the State Density Bonus Law, the Checklist (Attachment 2) should indicate how the project meets minimum housing affordability credit
standards identified by the City’s Essential Housing Program, to satisfy the proportionality requirements under State Density Bonus Law, Government Code section 65915(n), in order to benefit from the market rate density bonus units, incentives and concessions, and waivers offered by the City’s Program.

Pursuant to Government Code section 65915(f), the applicant is not obligated to accept density bonus market rate units.

E. Ordinance 592 Exhibit A, Essential Housing Project Application, Paragraph 18 is amended as follows:

18. Affordable Housing Incentives, Waivers, Concessions, and Parking Reductions – Will the project proponent seek any incentives, waivers, concessions, or parking reductions pursuant to California Government Code section 65915? If so, provide details on separate page. The Essential Housing Program provides for the use of waivers, concessions, and/or incentives pursuant to State Density Bonus Law (Gov. Code sections 65915(d), (e), (n), and (p).) Requests for incentives, concessions and waivers must be provided on a separate page attached to this form or as part of the development application submittal.

SECTION 3. CEQA. The City Council finds that a determination under this Amendment to Urgency Ordinance 592 is not subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the Director’s determination contemplated by this Amendment is a ministerial action not subject to CEQA under Public Resources Code § 21080(a) and (b)(1). Further, the Director’s determination is exempt under CEQA Guidelines § 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the determination may have a significant effect on the environment. A proposed Housing Development Project that is certified as an Essential Housing Project shall be required to comply with CEQA and other state laws prior to project approval or denial.

Further, the Director’s determination will enhance, rather than degrade, existing environmental conditions by ensuring that a certified Essential Housing Project meets stringent environmental standards.

SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this Amendment or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity has no effect on the other provisions or applications of the Amendment that can be given effect without the invalid ORDINANCE NO. ____
4 provision or application, and to this extent, the provisions of this Amendment are severable. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Amendment irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.

SECTION 5. Publication and Effective Date. Notice of the January 22, 2025, public hearing was published in a newspaper of general circulation on January 10, 2025.

In addition, a summary of this Ordinance was published on February 7, 2025, five days prior to its adoption and this date, and will be published again within 15 days after adoption. The Amendment will take effect thirty (30) days after passage.

INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Santee California on the 22nd day of January 2025, and thereafter ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting thereof held 12th day of February 2025, by the following roll call vote to wit:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

APPROVED:

JOHN W. MINTO, MAYOR
ATTEST:

JAMES JEFFRIES, CITY CLERK

STAFF REPORT

CITY COUNCIL POLICY ON ANNEXATION POLICY DIRECTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: JANUARY 22, 2025
A. BACKGROUND
At the City of Santee (Santee) City Council Retreat on January 30, 2023, the City Council (Council) established a priority to “consider annexation of West Hills Parkway and surrounding parcels” in response to a desire to control the City of San Diego (San Diego) owned intersection at West Hills Parkway and Mast Boulevard. At that time and currently, residents experience traffic delays at this intersection that are beyond Santee’s ability to control. This priority was confirmed by the City Council at their meeting on February 22, 2023.

Historically, and currently, Santee’s western border with San Diego has presented short- and long-term planning and service provision challenges for Santee. As reflected in the attached maps, the portions of San Diego adjacent to Santee are very far from the developed areas of San Diego. At times, this lack of integration with the developed portion of San Diego has resulted in less-than-optimal maintenance of this area, which negatively impacts Santee while having little impact on San Diego. Similarly, San Diego has permitted uses in this area (such as the Sycamore Canyon Landfill or new development), which have significant impacts on Santee but generate revenue primarily for San Diego. Currently, there is at least one proposed new development project in San Diego of a similar nature, and legal challenges from property owners located in San Diego have also arisen in the past and recently. Due to these persistent issues, Council direction on this specific policy priority, especially as it relates to areas in San Diego other than the West Hills Parkway (that is, the “surrounding parcels” as used in the Council’s priority) is desired so that Staff may work to implement the Council’s intent in this area.

B. HISTORY
When Santee incorporated in 1980 as an independent city separate from the County of San Diego (County), the approved border between Santee and San Diego was jagged and there was a noticeable portion of the Carlton Oaks Golf Course and adjacent properties in San Diego. These jurisdictional lines have presented challenges to Santee.

Over the decades since Santee’s incorporation, there have been several projects and events located in these areas that remained in San Diego which have had direct impact to the western portion of Santee. To address these challenges, Santee has had to take action to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents.

First, one of the largest challenges has been the Sycamore Canyon Landfill, located in San Diego but immediately adjacent to Santee. The Landfill is situated in such a location that it has little to no impact on San Diego, but has immediate and significant impacts to Santee including traffic, odor, noise, and visual impacts. To mitigate these impacts, Santee was forced to challenge the expansion of the Landfill in 2008. This successful challenge ultimately resulted in a Landfill Settlement Agreement on September 11, 2011, which includes specific Staff Report – Annexation Policy
January 22, 2025

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Santee City CouncilJanuary 22, 2025

Santee City Council
January 22, 2025