Solvang City Council
July 8, 2024

CDFW Special Animals List
Special-status wildlife species are those species included on the CDFW “Special Animals” list. “Special Animal” is a general term that refers to all the taxa the CNDDB is interested in tracking, regardless of their legal or protection status. The CDFW considers the taxa on this list to be those of greatest conservation need. The species on this list generally fall into one or more of the following categories:
 Officially listed or proposed for listing under the CESA and/or FESA;  State or federal candidate for possible listing;
 Taxa that meet the criteria for listing, even if not currently included on any list, as described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15380;
 Taxa considered by the Department to be a Species of Special Concern;  Taxa that are biologically rare, very restricted in distribution, declining throughout their range, or have a critical vulnerable stage in their life cycle that warrants monitoring;  Populations in California that may be on the periphery of a taxon’s range but are threatened with extirpation in California.
c. Local Regulations
City of Solvang Municipal Code
Title 8, Chapter 8 of the City’s Municipal Code sets standards for city trees in public right of ways or parks, including planting, maintenance, and removal of trees. These standards include prohibiting the penetration of tree root barriers, prohibiting locating material detrimental to city trees within the area of the tree, and requiring a permit to plant, remove, transplant, injure, trim, top, cut, spray, root prune, fertilize, stake, guy rod, cable, or damage city trees. 659

4.3.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
As a programmatic document, this EIR presents an assessment of the potential for adoption and implementation of the 2045 General Plan to result in significant impacts to biological resources. As a programmatic document, this EIR presents a citywide assessment of the 2045 General Plan. Because the 2045 General Plan is a long-term document intended to guide actions for many years into the future, this analysis relies on program-level and qualitative evaluation.

The adoption of this plan does not include physical development that could directly impact biological resources. However, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would continue to allow development within the City’s Planning Area. Each proposed project under the 2045 General Plan would require subsequent analysis to evaluate project-specific impacts to biological resources, significance, need for project-specific mitigation, and any subsequent discretionary permits or coordination with resource agencies (e.g., USFWS, USACE, CDFW, RWQCB) that may be required.

Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on biological resources. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the 2045 General Plan may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Have a substantial adverse effect on State or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means;
Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites;
Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance; or
Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan. 660
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or specialstatus species in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or United States Fish and Wildlife Service? Impact BIO-1 THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN COULD HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT, EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH HABITAT MODIFICATIONS, ON SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES. IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REGULATIONS AND POLICIES, AS WELL AS MITIGATION MEASURES BIO-1 THROUGH BIO-3 WOULD ENSURE DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON CANDIDATE, SENSITIVE, OR SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED.

As discussed in Section 4.3.1.3, Special-Status Species, there are 21 special-status animal species and 31 special-status plant species with potential to occur in the Planning Area. Critical habitat for southern California steelhead occurs along Santa Ynez River, within the Planning Area, and Critical Habitat for four federally-listed species is also present within the vicinity (within five miles) of the Planning Area. Potentially significant effects on candidate, sensitive, or special-status species would occur if temporary disturbance associated with construction projects or permanent impacts due to development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would result in incremental direct loss of habitat, fragmentation of larger open areas and wildlife corridors, or disturbance to protected species or loss of suitable habitat that support protected species.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be subject to the provisions of federal and State regulations protecting biological and water resources, including, but not limited to, FESA, CESA, CWA, and the NPPA. These regulations include requirements for biological studies where potential habitat exists, identification of potential jurisdictional waters, and consultation with applicable regulatory agencies where protected biological resources may occur. In addition, the 2045 General Plan’s Environment and Sustainability Element would implement the following policies to reduce potential impacts to protected resources:
 Policy ENV-1.1: Open Space Management. The City shall manage city-owned open space designated land for the protection of sensitive biological resources primarily as a preserve.  Policy ENV-3.1: Natural Resource Protection. The City shall protect sensitive natural resources, wildlife communities and habitats within the city owned open spaces.  Policy ENV-3.3: Minimize Impacts of Development. The City shall ensure new development does not significantly deplete, damage, or alter existing critical wildlife habitat or populations such as coastal oak woodland along Alamo Pintado Creek, Alisal Creek, and Adobe Creek and riparian habitat along the Santa Ynez River.
 Policy ENV-3.4: Support Local and Regional Efforts. The City shall support and participate in local and regional efforts of local, State and federal resource agencies (e.g., Santa Barbara County, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Coast Guard, local land trusts and conservation organizations) to protect, restore and maintain viable, contiguous areas of habitat for sensitive plant and animal species along Alamo Pintado Creek, Alisal Creek, and Adobe Creek and the Santa Ynez River.  Policy ENV-3.5: Preserve Creek Corridors. The City shall preserve the ecological integrity of creek corridors that support riparian resources by preserving native riparian plants and, to the extent feasible, removing invasive nonnative plants. If preservation of the ecological integrity of 661
existing resources is found to be infeasible, adverse impacts to riparian resources shall be fully mitigated consistent with the requirements of applicable State and Federal regulations.

The policies listed above would minimize impacts to protected biological resources and provide open space that preserves habitat that may support special-status species and sensitive habitats, including nesting migratory birds.

The landscape features within the urban areas of Solvang, such as street trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and parklands, could also serve as temporary habitats for nesting migratory birds.

Construction-related activities such as vegetation removal, building demolition and/or relocation, grading, materials laydown, access, and infrastructure improvements, and building construction occurring within the urban areas, could result in the direct or indirect disturbance of nesting migratory birds. The most identifiable potential direct impact to migratory bird species would involve the removal of vegetation, particularly trees and landscaping shrubs that may serve as perching or nesting sites for migratory birds. These adverse effects on listed or special-status bird species would represent a potentially significant impact. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 (conduct pre-construction bird surveys and implement avoidance measures) would be required for future projects where mature trees and other habitat is present and construction activities are scheduled within early spring to late summer, and would be applied to future projects when applicable based on site conditions at the City’s discretion.

Special-status bats such as pallid bat and Townsend’s big-eared bat are State Species of Special Concern and have potential to occur within the Planning Area. These bats are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests, and may roost in trees, cliff faces, caves or buildings. Bats prefer open areas or areas under a tree canopy for foraging, and often roost near water. Although the Planning Area does consist largely of developed urban areas, large trees, abandoned structures, and buildings occurring throughout the city provide suitable roosting habitat for special-status bat species. Disturbance of maternity roosts by construction activities resulting in roost destruction or abandonment would be a potentially significant impact to bat species and would potentially constitute violations of the California Fish and Game Code. Such adverse effects on special-status bats would be a potentially significant impact. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2 (conduct pre-construction roosting bat surveys and implement avoidance measures) would be required for future projects where trees, abandoned structures, or other habitat for roosting bats is present and construction activities may occur during seasonal periods of bat activity, and would be applied to future projects when applicable based on site conditions at the City’s discretion.

The Crotch’s bumblebee is a candidate for State listing as an endangered species and may have the potential to occur within the Planning Area. The species inhabits grassland and scrub areas, requiring a hotter and drier habitat than many other bumble bee species. This species nests underground, often in abandoned rodent dens. This species visits a wide range of host plants and is therefore considered a dietary generalist. Disturbance of underground nesting locations by construction activities resulting in nest destruction or abandonment would be a potentially significant impact to the species and would potentially constitute violations of CESA. Such adverse effects on the species would be a potentially significant impact. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-3 (conduct pre-construction surveys and implement avoidance measures) would be required for future projects where direct ground disturbance is necessary, where suitable habitat for nesting Crotch’s bumble bee may be present, and direct ground disturbing construction activities may occur during seasonal periods of nesting bee activity, and would be applied to future projects when applicable based on site conditions at the City’s discretion. 662
Mitigation Measures
BIO-1 Conduct Pre-construction Bird Surveys and Implement Avoidance and Minimization Measures
For construction activities initiated during the bird nesting season (February 1 through September 15, and as early as January 1 for raptors), involving removal of vegetation, abandoned structures, man-made features, or other nesting bird habitat, a pre-construction nesting bird survey shall be conducted no more than 5 days prior to initiation of ground disturbance and vegetation removal.

The nesting bird pre-construction survey shall be conducted on foot and shall include an area on and around the construction site at a distance determined by a qualified biologist, including staging and storage areas. The minimum survey radii surrounding the work area shall be 500 feet. The survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist familiar with the identification of avian species known to occur in the Solvang region. If construction lapses for 5 days or longer, the qualified biologist shall conduct another focused survey before project activities are reinitiated. If nests are found, an avoidance buffer shall be determined by the biologist dependent upon the species, the proposed work activity, and existing disturbances associated with land uses outside the site. The qualified biologist shall observe the active nest to establish a behavioral baseline of the adults and nestlings, if present. The qualified biologist shall monitor the active nests, while construction activities are happening to detect signs of disturbance and behavioral change as a result of construction impacts, such as noise, vibration, odors, or worker/equipment motion. If signs of disturbance and behavioral changes are observed, the qualified biologist shall stop all construction work causing those changes and until a larger avoidance buffer is established or until it is determined that the nesting period is completed. The buffer shall be demarcated by the biologist with bright orange construction fencing, flagging, construction lathe, or other means to demarcate the boundary. All construction personnel shall be notified of the buffer zone as an “Nesting Bird Area” and to avoid entering the buffer zone until a biologist determines that the nest is no longer active. No ground-disturbing activities shall occur within the buffer until the biologist has confirmed that breeding/nesting is completed and the young have fledged the nest. A report summarizing the pre-construction survey(s) shall be prepared by a qualified biologist and shall be included on project site plans and submitted to the City prior to the commencement of construction activities.

BIO-2 Special Status Bat Species Habitat Assessment Survey and Emergence Survey(s)
For future projects where trees, abandoned structures, or other habitat for roosting bats is present and construction activities may occur during seasonal periods of bat activity, construction activities shall occur outside the maternity season, as feasible. Should construction timing not allow for it, a special-status bat habitat assessment survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist prior to any construction activities during the bat maternity season from April 1 through August 31. The survey will document any evidence of special-status bat species that may occur in proposed work areas through direct observation (e.g., roosting bats) and/or sign (e.g., bat guano). If no observance and/or sign of special-status bats are detected during these surveys, then construction-related activities may proceed. If observance or sign of special status bat species are detected during the survey, special-status bat species emergence survey(s) will need to be conducted.

If observance and/or sign of special-status bat species use is documented within the project site during implementation of BIO-2, and construction activities occur during the bat maternity season (April 1 through August 31), special-status bat species emergence survey(s) will be conducted. As part of BIO-3, a habitat assessment survey generally outlined in BIO-2 will be conducted on the first 663
night of the emergence survey(s) to document the areas of suitable bat habitat within the Project site. Emergence surveys will be conducted in areas of suitable bat habitat (e.g., near buildings or trees) during the bat maternity season to document any special-status bat species emerging from features identified during the habitat assessment survey. Multiple emergence surveys may be required depending on the size and number of suitable habitat locations. The emergence survey(s) will be conducted one hour prior to sunset and last up to a minimum of two hours after sunset.

Depending on potential species that may occur, surveys may need to be conducted until midnight.

Passive acoustic monitoring equipment will be utilized during the emergence surveys to determine identify bats to the species level. Any special-status bat species observed maternity roosting within or adjacent to the Project site should be avoided and provided a minimum buffer as determined by the qualified biologist (a 100-foot to 300-foot buffer is recommended) or in consultation with USFWS and/or CDFW prior to the commencement of construction. Should special-status bat species to only be day roosting and not maternity roosting, a bat mitigation and/or management plan should be developed for roost relocation. Mitigation and management plans would also require consultation with USFWS and/or CDFW prior to the commencement of construction.

BIO-3 Conduct Pre-construction Crotch’s Bumblebee Surveys and Implement Avoidance Measures
For construction activities located in vacant or undeveloped areas containing open grasslands, shrublands, or chaparral, a habitat assessment for Crotch’s bumblebee shall be performed. If it determined that suitable habitat for Crotch’s bumblebee is present, a focused survey shall be performed during the species active flight period for Crotch’s bumblebee and peak blooming period of nectar and pollen sources (May 1 through July 31). The survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist to determine presence of Crotch’s bumblebee no more than 5 days prior to initiation of construction activities. The Crotch’s bumblebee survey shall be conducted on foot and shall encompass the entirety of a project site and focus on areas that allow for the highest probability of detection, such as high abundance nectar or pollen sources and rodent burrows that may be used for breeding and nesting, subject to the discretion of the qualified biologist. Prior to the start of construction, the qualified biologist shall map areas with abundant nectar or pollen sources that have potential use by Crotch’s bumblebee and active nesting sites. A report summarizing the habitat assessment and pre-construction survey (if required) shall be prepared by the qualified biologist and shall be submitted to the City prior to the commencement of construction activities.

If Crotch’s bumblebee is determined to be present, the project proponent shall consult with CDFW and obtain an Incidental Take Permit in accordance with the CESA prior to initiating any ground disturbance on the site.

Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 would reduce potential impacts to nesting birds to a less-than-significant level by requiring pre-construction surveys for nesting birds and avoidance measures if nesting birds are present on a project site. Implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2 would reduce potential impacts to bat species to a less-than-significant level by requiring assessment of potential building and tree removals, and avoidance of roosting bats. Implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-3 would reduce potential impacts to Crotch’s bumblebee to a less-thansignificant level by requiring pre-construction surveys for Crotch’s bumblebee and avoidance measures if Crotch’s bumblebee is present on a project site. 664
Threshold 2: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or United States Fish and Wildlife Service?
Threshold 3: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on State or federally protected wetlands (including but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? Impact BIO-2 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ADOPTED FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL POLICIES, INCLUDING THOSE THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD

IMPLEMENT, WHICH WOULD ENSURE THAT RIPARIAN HABITAT, WETLANDS, AND OTHER SENSITIVE NATURAL COMMUNITIES WOULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIALLY DEGRADED OR REMOVED. THEREFORE, THESE IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

The Santa Ynez River, Alamo Pintado Creek, Adobe Creek, and Alisal Creek are within the Planning Area. These features support riverine, wetland, and riparian habitats. Potential impacts could occur if development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would alter or degrade these habitats.

The 2045 General Plan would promote infill development and would not result in substantial development in proximity to riparian or wetland features. Three key agencies regulate activities within inland streams, wetlands, and riparian areas in California: the USACE, RWQCB, and CDFW.

Any project that involves permanently or temporarily impacting jurisdictional water and/or wetlands through project activities would likely require permits from these State and federal agencies, before any land disturbance can commence. As described in Section 4.9, Hydrology and Water Quality, construction would occur in accordance with either a Construction General Permit or an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, both of which require the implementation of best management practices to reduce impacts to water quality during construction.

Operation of future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required to comply with Section 14-3 of the City’s Municipal Code which requires any owner or person developing real property to integrate post-construction requirements that would control the volume, rate, and potential pollutant load of runoff. In addition, projects that create or replace greater than or equal to 2,500 square feet of impervious surface must implement post-construction BMPs and submit a Stormwater Control Plan listing applicable BMPs to the City for review and approval. These measures would ensure development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not result in impaired water quality or increased erosion that could potentially affect riparian habitat, sensitive natural communities, or wetlands.

As discussed in Impact BIO-1, the 2045 General Plan would implement Policy 3.3 and Policy 3.5 to ensure development would not substantially impact riparian and creek habitats. The 2045 General Plan would also implement these additional following policies to reduce potential impacts to riparian and wetland habitats:
 Policy LU-8.1: Open Space Designations. The City shall designate riparian and publicly owned lands along the Santa Ynez River, Alisal Creek, Adobe Creek, Alamo Pintado Creek, and other appropriate locations as open space.
 Policy SAF-4.6: New Parcels. The City shall prohibit the creation of parcels upon which the presence of easements, floodplain, marsh or riparian habitat, or other features would leave insufficient land to build and operate structures. This action item shall not apply to open space 665
lots specifically created for dedication to the City or another appropriate party for habitat protection, flood control, drainage, or wetland maintenance.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be subject to applicable federal, State, and City requirements, which would minimize potential impacts to riparian habitat, sensitive natural communities, and wetlands. Through compliance with these regulations, and the fact that the 2045 General Plan envisions development in mostly developed areas of Solvang, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not have a substantial adverse impact on riparian habitat, sensitive natural communities, or wetlands. These impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold 4: Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? Impact BIO-3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPEDE THE

MOVEMENT OF NATIVE RESIDENT OR MIGRATORY FISH OR WILDLIFE SPECIES, OR CONFLICT WITH ESTABLISHED

NATIVE RESIDENT OR MIGRATORY WILDLIFE CORRIDORS WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES INCLUDED IN THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

As discussed in Section 4.3.1.7, Wildlife Corridor Habitat, vegetated areas along the Santa Ynez mountains, the Santa Ynez River, and associated tributaries, provide suitable habitat that facilitates wildlife movement due to the presence of surface water, prey, and protective cover, with limited impediment, as they travel throughout the region. However, due to the existing level of development, the urban areas of the Planning Area are not considered wildlife corridors.

The 2045 General Plan would promote infill development and would not result in substantial development in open space areas which can serve as wildlife corridors. Accordingly, the majority of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not occur within or encroach upon a designated migratory corridor (Spencer et al. 2010).

The Santa Ynez River does contain critical habitat for steelhead trout; however, development in proximity to the Santa Ynez River would comply with existing federal and City regulations described in Impact BIO-2 to control runoff and pollutant discharge. Compliance with these regulations would ensure development would minimize potential impacts to the Santa Ynez River and ensure migration patterns in the Santa Ynez River would not be substantially interrupted. Therefore, as discussed in Impact BIO-1, the 2045 General Plan would implement Policy ENV-3.5 which aims to preserve the ecological integrity of creek corridors which could be used by fish such as steelhead trout. In addition, the 2045 General Plan includes the following policy to promote the conservation of wildlife corridors:
 Policy CD-2.40: Hillside Landscaping Design. The City shall require that hillside properties be designed to minimize formal landscape planting and hardscapes and locate them close to the residence, follow the natural topography, and preserve native trees, native plant and wildlife habitats, and migration corridors.

With implementation of the policies proposed by the 2045 General Plan, and because the 2045 General Plan would promote development in existing urban areas of Solvang, development 666
facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not substantially interfere with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites.

This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 5: Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? Impact BIO-4 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CONFORM WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL POLICIES AND ORDINANCES PROTECTING BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES.

THEREFORE, THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

The majority of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be infill development in areas previously disturbed. However, some development could potentially result in tree removal.

Title 8, Chapter 8 of the City’s Municipal Code requires a permit to plant, remove, transplant, injure, trim, top, cut, spray, root prune, fertilize, stake, guy rod, cable, or damage any city tree.

Section 8-8-5 of the City’s Municipal Code requires trees planted on private property to be maintained by the property owner, and unauthorized removal or failure to maintain trees on private property is not permitted. In addition, the 2045 General Plan includes the following policies related to tree protection:
 Policy CD-1.14: Street Trees and Tree Canopy. The City shall require street trees citywide, including in medians, to create an expanded tree canopy and to reduce the urban heat island effect.
 Policy CD-1.29: Tree and Natural Feature Preservation. The City shall require the preservation of existing trees and natural features (e.g., drainage courses, rock outcrops) in the overall landscape design to the maximum extent feasible.
 Policy CD-2.22: Tree Grates. The City shall require the use of tree grates around trees in walkways.
 Policy ENV-2.2: Urban Forest. The City shall protect the urban forest created by mature trees in existing developed areas and require planting of approved trees and landscaping in new development.
 Policy SAF-10.1: Tree Maintenance. The City shall continue to maintain trees on City property to minimize hazards, and work with property owners to do the same.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would adhere to the requirements of the City’s Municipal Code and 2045 General Plan policies. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not conflict with local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant. 667
Threshold 6: Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Preservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan?
Impact BIO-5 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT CONFLICT WITH THE

PROVISION OF AN ADOPTED HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN, NATURAL COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PLAN, OR OTHER APPROVED LOCAL, REGIONAL, OR STATE HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN. NO IMPACT WOULD OCCUR.

There are no Habitat Conservation Plans, Natural Community Conservation Plans, or other approved local, regional, or State Habitat Conservation Plans applicable to the Planning Area (CDFW 2019).

Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not conflict with such plans. No impact would occur.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because no impact would occur.

4.3.4 Cumulative Impacts
Regional cumulative impacts consider the City-wide impacts together with similar impacts of future development in and around Santa Barbara County. The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting.

Cumulative development in Santa Barbara County has the potential to result in adverse effects to special-status species. Direct impacts to candidate, sensitive, or special-status species would be minimized through compliance with the federal and state Endangered Species Acts, which requires authorization for the take of a species in accordance with applicable regulations concerning the protection of such a species. However, cumulative development could indirectly impact candidate, sensitive, or special-status species, including critical habitat essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species, through habitat degradation or removal. As a result, cumulative impacts are potentially significant.

The 2045 General Plan would not facilitate substantial permanent development in riparian habitat and would implement policies designed to preserve and restore habitat for special-status species.

These include Policy ENV-3.3 and Policy ENV-3.5 which emphasize the protection of wildlife habitat.

Furthermore, Mitigation Measures BIO-1, BIO-2, and BIO-3 would ensure development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would minimize potential impacts to nesting birds, roosting and breeding bat populations, and Crotch’s bumblebee. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to cumulative impacts on candidate, sensitive, or specialstatus species.

Cumulative development in Santa Barbara County could impact natural water resources; however, cumulative development proposed in areas identified as jurisdictional waters and/or wetlands, streambed/banks, or riparian vegetation would be subject to the permit requirements of the USACE, RWQCB, and CDFW, pursuant to Section 404 and Section 401 of the CWA, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code. Applicable federal and State requirements would minimize potential impacts to riparian habitat and wetlands. As a result, cumulative development would have a less than significant impact on streams, wetlands, and riparian vegetation.

Cumulative development could result in increased development density that may alter wildlife corridors, including through habitat loss or degradation of existing wildlife corridors. The 2045 668
General Plan includes Policy CD-2.40 which requires hillside properties to be designed to preserve wildlife migration corridors. The 2045 General Plan also includes Policy ENV-3.5 which requires the City to preserve creek corridors, which could be used as migratory corridors. The 2045 General Plan would discourage development in any wildlife corridors and would implement policies to promote the preservation of wildlife corridors. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to cumulative impacts on wildlife corridors.

Cumulative development throughout Santa Barbara County would be required to adhere to applicable local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources enforced by the agencies that have jurisdiction over a project site. There is no Natural Community Conservation Plan or Habitat Conservation Plan within the Planning Area; therefore, no cumulative impacts related to conflicts local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources or a Natural Community Conservation Plan or Habitat Conservation Plan would occur. 669

4.4 Cultural Resources
This section assesses potential impacts to cultural resources. This section includes a brief summary of cultural resources background information and a review of known archaeological, built environmental, and historical resources as well as potential impacts to these resources as a result of implementation of the 2045 General Plan.

4.4.1 Setting
a. Indigenous Setting
The project lies in the Central Coast archaeological region (Jones et al. 2007; Glassow et al. 2007) which has been defined as extending from south of San Francisco Bay to the northern edge of the California Bight (Jones et al. 2007:125). Following Jones et al. (2007:137), the precontact cultural chronology for the Central Coast can be generally divided into six periods: Paleo-Indian (ca. 10000– 8000 before common era [BCE]), Millingstone/Early Archaic (8000-3500 BCE), Early (3500-600 BCE), Middle (600 BCE- 1000 common era [CE]), Middle-Late Transition (1000-1250 CE), and Late (1250 CE-contact [ca. 1769 CE]).

Paleo-Indian Period (ca. 10,000 – 8000 BCE)
When Wallace developed the Early Man horizon (referred to herein as the Paleo-Indian period) in the 1950s, little evidence of human presence along the California coast prior to 6000 BCE existed.

Archaeological work in the intervening years has identified numerous sites older than this date, and it is likely that more Paleo-Indian coastal sites are presently under water as it is estimated that 10,000 years ago sea levels were 15 – 20 meters lower than sea levels are today (Bickel 1978:7; McLaren et al. 2019).

Most of the earliest accepted dates for occupation within the Central Coast are located in San Luis Obispo County. CA-SLO-1764 (Lebow et al. 2001), Cross Creek (CA-SLO-1797; Jones et al. 2002), and CA-SLO-832 (Jones and Ferneau 2002) near Pismo Beach, have produced radiocarbon dates from approximately 9,000 years ago (Jones and Ferneau 2002). One occupation site located in the Monterey Bay area, the Scotts Valley Site (CA-SCR-177), and one occupation site located in southern Santa Clara Valley (unnamed), have produced debated radiocarbon dates more than 9,000 years ago, ranging from 7,180 to 10,080 years ago (Cartier 1989; Fitzgerald and Porcassi 1966).

Typically, artifact assemblages from the Paleo-Indian period lack groundstone implements and an abundance of faunal remains. However, assemblages at CA-SLO-1764 and CA-SLO-1797 indicate early use of millingstone technology alongside flaked stone artifacts (Lebow et al. 2001; Jones et al. 2002). Flaked stone tools are common in this period, such as the eccentric crescent, present in CASCR-177 abundantly, which is thus far exclusive to the Paleo-Indian period (Cartier 1989).

Furthermore, this period shows use of large side-notched points of the Central Coast Stemmed series which date to as early as 8,000 years ago (Justice 2002). Points of this type have been recovered at Cross Creek (CA-SLO-1797; Jones et a. 2002) and Little Pico Creek (CA-SLO-175; Jones and Waugh 1995). Additionally, a fluted point was reportedly found on the surface in Nipomo, San Luis Obispo County (Mills et al. 2005; Jones et al. 2007). 670
Millingstone/Early Archaic Period (8000 – 3500 BCE)
The Millingstone period, as defined by Wallace (1955, 1978), is characterized by an ecological adaptation to collecting suggested by the appearance and abundance of well-made milling implements. Millingstones occur in large numbers for the first time in the region’s archaeological record and are even more numerous near the end of this period. Aside from millingstones, typical artifacts during this period include crude core and cobble-core tools, flake tools, large side-notched projectile points, and pitted stones (Jones et al. 2007).

The Millingstone period within the Central Coast corresponds with King’s (1990) Early period of the Santa Barbara Channel area, although King’s Early period starts later and lasts longer (5,500 – 1,350 BCE). The Cross Creek site (CA-SLO-1797) in San Luis Obispo County is a Millingstone occupation site that returned radiocarbon dates as old as 8,350 BCE. This site represents one of the oldest expressions of the Millingstone pattern (Jones et al. 2002; Jones et al. 2007;). Within the Elkhorn Slough of the Monterey Bay Area, CA-MNT-229 produced radiocarbon dates between 6,200 and 4,000 BCE (Jones and Jones 1992), and younger examples of the pattern can be found in CA-MNT1232/H and CA-SCR-177 in the Monterey Bay area (Jones et al. 2007).

No less than 42 sites dating to this period have been identified in various settings, including rocky coasts, estuaries, and nearshore interior valleys (Jones et al. 2007). The larger sites usually contain extensive midden deposits, possible subterranean house pits, and cemeteries. Most of these sites probably reflect intermittent use over many years of local cultural habitation and resource exploitation, with an emphasis on marine resources. Evidence at Elkhorn Slough (CA-MNT-229) confirms an early preference for estuarine and lacustrine settings. A lack of shell beads and flaked obsidian tools suggests low intensity inter-regional exchange (Jones and Jones 1992).

Early Period (3500 – 600 BCE)
An extensive series of shoreline midden deposits within the Central Coast region date to the Early period, suggesting an increase in tribal settlement on the open coast (Jones and Waugh 1995, 1997; Jones et al. 2003). These include estuarine sites in San Luis Obispo County (CA-SLO-165) and opencoast sites in the Monterey Bay area (CA-MNT-73, CA-MNT-108, and CA-MNT-1228). Sites dating to this period are marked by large lithic artifact assemblages consisting of Central Coast Stemmed Series and side-notched projectile points. Square-stemmed and side-notched points have also been found in deposits at Willow Creek in Big Sur (CA-MNT-282), and Little Pico II on the San Luis Obispo coast (CA-SLO-175) (Jones and Ferneau 2002). This trend, first identified by Rogers (1929), has since become apparent at numerous sites throughout the Central Coast. In many cases, manifestations of this trend are associated with the establishment of new settlements (Jones et al. 2007).

The material culture recovered from Early period sites within the Central Coast region provides evidence for continued use of inland plant and coastal marine resources. Artifacts include milling slabs and handstones, as well as mortars and pestles, which were used for processing a variety of plant resources. Bipointed bone gorge hooks were used for fishing. Assemblages also include a suite of Olivella beads, bone tools, and pendants made from talc schist. Square abalone shell (Haliotis spp.) beads have been found in Monterey Bay, but not in the Big Sur or San Luis Obispo areas (Jones and Waugh 1997:122).

Shell beads and obsidian are hallmarks of the trade and exchange networks of the central and southern California coasts. The archaeological record indicates a substantial increase in the abundance of obsidian at Early period sites in the Monterey Bay and San Luis Obispo areas (Jones 671
and Waugh 1997:124–126). Obsidian trade continued to increase during the following the Middle period.

The Early Period shows an increase in hunting and fishing over the Millingstone Period, as evidenced by CA-SLO-165, with rabbits and fish remains present in greater concentrations (Jones et al. 2007).

Middle Period (600 BCE – 1000 CE)
The Middle Period saw a population increase as a number of new settlements spanned throughout the Central Coast. Newly established settlements of this period include CA-MNT-108, CA-MNT-391, CA-MNT-1228, CA-SCR-7, CA-SLO-165, and CA-SlO-175 (Jones et al. 2007). During this period, evidence from CA-MNT-391 shows burials in a flexed position and associated burial items, including projectile points and bone gorges. Olivella shell beads are found in abundance associated with burials dating to the Middle Period (Hildebrandt 1997; Jones et al. 2007).

The Middle-Period is generally characterized by a shift in subsistence patterns, including more abundant use of mortars and pestles as well as higher use of larger stemmed and notched projectile points. Additionally, the first appearance of circular shell and bone fishhooks and notched net sinkers were observed within sites dating to this period. Evidence shows that marine resources were still abundantly utilized, with an increase in pinniped faunal remains, such as fur seals (Jones and Ferneau 2002; Boone 2012). Faunal assemblages show that marine diets were supplemented with small mammals, such as rabbits (Jones et al. 2007). Additionally, evidence from macro botanical analysis indicates a shift from small seeds to a heavy reliance on acorns (Wohlgemuth 1996; Hildebrandt 1997).

Middle-Late Transition Period (1000 – 1250 CE)
The Middle-Late Transition period is marked by relative instability and change, with major changes in diet, settlement patterns, and interregional exchange. The relatively ubiquitous Middle period shell midden sites found along the Central Coast were abandoned by the end of the Middle-Late Transition period; therefore, most Transition period and Late period sites were first occupied at this time (Jones and Ferneau 2002:213, 219). Instead of large year-round habitation patterns, MiddleLate and Late period sites show smaller seasonal settlements (Boone 2012). CA-SLO-239 has been tentatively dated to the Middle-Late Transition Period and contains the only residential feature, a circular house floor (Jones et al. 2007).

During the Middle-Late Transition period within the Central Coast region, projectile points diagnostic of both the Middle and Late periods are found (Jones and Ferneau 2002:217). The points include large, contracting-stemmed types typical of the Middle period, as well as Late period small, leaf-shaped points, which likely reflect the introduction of the bow and arrow.

Late Period (1250 CE – Historic Contact)
Late period sites are marked by small, finely worked projectile points, such as Desert side-notched and Cottonwood points, as well as temporally diagnostic shell beads. Although shell beads were typical of coastal sites, trade brought many of these maritime artifacts to inland locations, especially during the latter part of the Late period (Jones et al. 2007).

Common artifacts identified at Late Period sites include bifacial bead drills, bedrock mortars, hopper mortars, lipped and cupped Olivella shell beads, and steatite disk beads. The presence of beads and bead drills suggests low-level bead production was widespread throughout the Central Coast region (Jones et al. 2007).
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Unlike the large Middle period shell middens, Late period sites are more frequently singlecomponent deposits. There are also more inland sites, with fewer and less visible sites along the Pacific shore during the Late period. However, one Late Period shell midden has been identified on the coast in Morro Bay (CA-SLO-23). The settlement pattern and dietary reconstructions indicate a lesser reliance on marine resources than observed for the Middle and Middle-Late Transition periods, as well as an increased preference for deer and rabbit (Jones et al. 2003). An increase in sites with bedrock mortars during the Late period further suggests that nuts and seeds began to take on a more significant dietary role (Jones et al. 2007). b. Historical Setting
Early History
Present day Solvang consists of land that was once part of the Rancho San Carolos de Jonata, a land grant given to Joaquin Carrillo and Jose Maria Covarrubias by Mexican Governor Pio Pico in 1845.

The land grant covered approximately 26,600 acres and was predominately used for agriculture and cattle. In 1872, Carrillo and Covarrubias sold the entire Rancho to Vermont native Rufus Thompson Buell, who was forced to sell approximately 11,000 acres of the Rancho due to severe drought in the late 1870s.

In 1910, three Danish immigrants (Reverend Benedict Nordentoft, Reverend J.M. Gregersen and Professor P.P. Hornsyld) established the Danish American Colony corporation in hopes of creating the first Danish-American colony on the west coast. In January 1911, the corporation purchased nearly 9,000 acres of land once owned by Buell from the Santa Ynez Development Company. The new colony was named Solvang, meaning “Sunny Fields” in Danish (City of Solvang 2021).

Early Growth, 1911-1930
Early settlers moved fast to create a strong and independent community, and by 1914, the town was developed with a hotel, multiple schools, a general store, a bank, and a vehicle repair shop.

During this period, Solvang established itself as a self-reliant agricultural community, in which many of the early settlers founded dairies. With the arrival of electricity and the automobile in the 1920s, Solvang continued to grow. To meet the needs of the growing community, more homes and businesses were constructed. This growth ultimately shaped Solvang into the city it is today. Many businesses were located on Main Street (today’s Copenhagen Drive) and Gaviota Road (today’s Alisal Road), and some residences were built along Lompoc Road, which is known today as Mission Drive/Highway 246 (City of Solvang 2021).

Danish Capital of America 1930-1960
By the 1930s, Solvang had become the largest town in the Santa Ynez Valley. Lumber yards, drugstores, feed stores, meat markets, and car dealerships were all added to serve the growing population. In 1936, the 25th anniversary of Solvang’s founding, the residents held a three-day celebration honoring their Danish heritage. The celebration (June 5-7) included a torchlight procession, plays, pageants, a parade, and folk dancing and singing. In 1937, Solvang organized another community-wide celebration tied to its Danish history and the tradition of Danish Days was created (City of Solvang 2021).

During World War II, many residents either joined the war effort or moved out of the area to find better job opportunities. By the mid to late 1940s, Solvang was losing its economic base; however, visitors traveled to Solvang after being named “Little Denmark” by the Saturday Evening Post 673
magazine in 1947 which highlighted the town’s Danish culture. Solvang decided to fully embrace the concept of tourism. Businesses remodeled their storefronts and new buildings in the downtown were constructed in Old World Danish style. Building facades were updated with half-timbering to reflect a “Danish Provincial” style, Danish street names became commonplace in the 1950s, and the first of the town’s three iconic Danish windmills was constructed (City of Solvang 2021). c. Previously Identified Cultural Resources
Due to extensive Native American settlement in the Santa Ynez Valley, archaeological resources are regularly uncovered in the vicinity of Solvang, predominately near waterways including the Santa Ynez River. Documentation on file with the City identifies four known archaeological resources within the Planning Area. Additionally, a review of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), and the California State Office of Historic Preservation Built Environment Directory (BERD), and City provided documentation identified 16 known built environment historical resources within the Planning Area. One of these, the Mission Santa Inés. is listed in the NRHP as and in the CRHR. Mission Santa Inés was established on September 17, 1804, by father Estévan Tapís as part of the expansion of the mission system by Spanish missionaries. The mission was constructed as a mid-point between Mission Santa Barbara and Mission La Purísima Concepción and is significant as one of the best-preserved Spanish mission complexes in the United States (City of Solvang 2021). The remaining 15 historical resources identified by the City include:
 Wulff’s Windmill
 Phelp’s Farm
 Russell Farm
 Merril Farm
 Bethania Lutheran Church
 Solvang Women’s Club
 Marcus Neilson Home
 Hornslyd Home
 Hayne Brother Adobe
 Rasmussen Farm
 Easter Cross
 Solvang Cemetery
 Solvang School
 Elverhoy Museum/Brandt-Ericksen House
 Milk Bottle
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4.4.2 Regulatory Setting
d. Federal Regulations
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as “an authoritative guide to be used by federal, State, and local governments, private groups and citizens to identify the Nation’s cultural resources and to indicate what properties should be considered for protection from destruction or impairment” (36 Code of Federal Regulations 60.2). The NRHP recognizes properties that are significant at the national, state, and local levels. To be eligible for listing in the NRHP, a resource must be significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects of potential significance must also possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. A property is eligible for the NRHP if it meets any one of the following criteria:
 Criterion A: Are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history
 Criterion B: Are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past  Criterion C: Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of installation, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction  Criterion D: Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history
In addition to meeting at least one of the above designation criteria, resources must also retain integrity. The National Park Service recognizes seven aspects or qualities that, considered together, define historic integrity. To retain integrity, a property must possess several, if not all, of these seven qualities, defined in the following manner:
 Location: The place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic event occurred
 Design: The combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of a property
 Setting: The physical environment of a historic property  Materials: The physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property  Workmanship: The physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory
 Feeling: A property’s expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time  Association: The direct link between an important historic event or person and a historic property
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e. State Regulations
California Environmental Quality Act
CEQA requires that a lead agency determine whether a project could have a significant effect on historical resources and tribal cultural resources (Public Resources Code [PRC] Section 21074 [a][1][A]-[B]). A historical resource is a resource listed in or determined to be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) (Section 21084.1), a resource included in a local register of historical resources (Section 15064.5[a][2]), or any object, building, structure, site, area, place, record, or manuscript that a lead agency determines to be historically significant (Section 15064.5[a][3]).

PRC Section 5024.1 requires an evaluation of historical resources to determine their eligibility for listing in the CRHR. The purpose of the register is to maintain listings of the state’s historical resources and to indicate which properties are to be protected from substantial adverse change.

The criteria for listing resources in the CRHR were expressly developed to be in accordance with previously established criteria developed for listing in the NRHP, as enumerated according to CEQA and quoted below.

Section 15064.5(a)(3) […] Generally, a resource shall be considered by the lead agency to be “historically significant” if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources (PRC, Section 5024.1, Title 14 California Code of Regulations, Section 4852) including the following:
(1) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California's history and cultural heritage
(2) Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past (3) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values (4) Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history Section 15064.5(a)(4) The fact that a resource is not listed in or determined to be eligible for listing in the CRHR, not included in a local register of historical resources (pursuant to Section 5020.1(k) of the PRC), or identified in an historical resources survey (meeting the criteria in Section 5024.1(g) of the PRC) does not preclude a lead agency from determining that the resource may be an historical resource as defined in PRC Sections 5020.1(j) or 5024.1.

Section 15064.5(b) A project with an effect that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment.

In addition, if a project can be demonstrated to cause damage to a unique archaeological resource, the lead agency may require reasonable efforts to permit any or all of these resources to be preserved in place or left in an undisturbed state. To the extent that resources cannot be left undisturbed, mitigation measures are required (PRC Section 21083.2[a], [b], and [c]).

PRC Section 21083.2(g) defines a unique archaeological resource as an artifact, object, or site about which it can be clearly demonstrated that, without merely adding to the current body of knowledge, there is a high probability that it does one or more of the following:
a. Contains information needed to answer important scientific research questions and that there is a demonstrable public interest in that information
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b. Has a special and particular quality such as being the oldest of its type or the best available example of its type
c. Is directly associated with a scientifically recognized important prehistoric or historic event or person
Impacts to significant cultural resources that affect the characteristics of any resource that qualify it for the NRHP or adversely alter the significance of a resource listed in or eligible for listing in the CRHR are considered a significant effect on the environment. These impacts could result from physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate surroundings such that the significance of an historical resource would be materially impaired (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 [b][1]). Material impairment is defined as demolition or alteration in an adverse manner [of] those characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its inclusion or eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5[b][2][A]).

California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5
Section 7050.5(b) of the California Health and Safety Code states that in the event of discovery or recognition of any human remains in any location other than a dedicated cemetery, there shall be no further excavation or disturbance of the site or any nearby area responsibly suspected to overlie adjacent remains until the County Coroner for the area in which the remains are discovered has determined that the remains are not subject to provisions concerning the investigation of the circumstances, manner and cause of any death, and the recommendations concerning the treatment and disposition of the human remains have been made to the person responsible for the excavation, or to his or her authorized representative. Section 7050.5(c) goes on to state if the remains are of Native American origin, the coroner must notify the NAHC within 24 hours of identification.

California Public Resources Code Section 5097.98
PRC Section 5097.98 states the NAHC, upon notification of the discovery of human remains from a county coroner pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5(c), shall immediately notify those persons it believes to be the Most Likely Descendant (MLD) from the deceased. With the permission of the landowner, the MLD may inspect the remains and any associated cultural materials and make recommendations for treatment or disposition of the remains and associated grave goods. The MLD shall provide recommendations or preferences for treatment of the remains and associated cultural materials within 48 hours of being granted access to the site. f. Local Regulations
City of Solvang Municipal Code
The Solvang Municipal Code Section 11-4-2 requires project design to avoid impacts to known archaeological and cultural sites, and where avoidance is infeasible, Section 11-4-2 requires mitigation to be implemented pursuant to State Office of Historic Preservation and the State Native American Heritage Commission. In addition, Section 11-4-2 requires Native American consultation when development proposals are submitted which could impact significant archaeological or cultural sites. The Solvang Municipal Code Section 11-4-6 states development should be prohibited 677
in all cases on lands that are existing parks and recreation sites, historic sites, and archaeological sites.

Solvang Municipal Code Chapter 4 establishes the Design Review Committee which is intended to preserve and enhance the historical Danish and northern European architectural styles and historic assets of Solvang. The Design Review Committee makes findings on all discretionary applications regarding compliance with design standards, building shapes, building layout, and harmony to adjoining development.

4.4.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
The assessment of potential impacts to historic and archaeological resources were informed based on a review of readily available information from sources including, but not limited to, the State Office of Historic Preservation website and the National Parks Service. As a programmatic document, this EIR presents a citywide assessment of the 2045 General Plan. Because the Program EIR is a long-term document intended to guide actions up to 2045, this analysis relies on programlevel evaluation.

Significance Thresholds
The following thresholds of significance are based on Appendix G to the CEQA Guidelines. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the project may have a significant adverse impact on cultural resources if it would do any of the following:

Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5;
Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5;
Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of dedicated cemeteries The significance of a cultural resource and, subsequently, the significance of any impact are determined by consideration of whether that resource can increase our knowledge of the past. The determining factors are site content and degree of preservation. A finding of archaeological significance follows the criteria established in the CEQA Guidelines.

CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 (Determining the Significance of Impacts to Archaeological Resources) states:
 (3) […] Generally, a resource shall be considered by the lead agency to be “historically significant” if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the CRHR (PRC Section 5024.1, Title 14 CCR Section 4852).
 (4) The fact that a resource is not listed in, or determined to be eligible for listing in the CRHR, not included in a local register of historical resources (pursuant to PRC Section 5020.1(k)), or identified in an historical resources survey (meeting the criteria in PRC Section 5024.1(g)) does not preclude a lead agency from determining that the resource may be an historical resource as defined in PRC Sections 5020.1(j) and 5024.1.
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 (b) A project with an effect that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment.

Historical resources are “significantly” affected if there is demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its surroundings. Generally, impacts to historical resources can be mitigated to below a level of significance by following the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings or the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (Guidelines Section 15064.6(b)). In some circumstances, documentation of a historical resource by way of historic narrative photographs or architectural drawings will not mitigate the impact of demolition below the level of significance (Guidelines Section 15126.4(b)(2)). Preservation in place is the preferred form of mitigation for archaeological resources as it retains the relationship between artifact and context, and may avoid conflicts with groups associated with the site (Guidelines Section 15126.4 (b)(3)(A)). If an archaeological resource does not meet either the historical resource or the more specific “unique archaeological resource” definition, impacts do not need to be mitigated (Guidelines Section 15064.5(e)). Where the significance of a site is unknown, it is presumed to be significant for the purpose of the EIR investigation.
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to §15064.5?
Impact CUL-1 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ADVERSE CHANGES TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES. IMPACTS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE.

As discussed in Section 4.4.1, Setting, one NRHP- and CRHR-listed resource, Mission Santa Inés, is located in the Planning Area (National Park Service 2022; State Office of Historic Preservation 2022).

In addition to these known historical and historic-period resources, there may be other yet unidentified historic resources which are eligible for inclusion in the NRHP or CRHR.

The 2045 General Plan would guide the general distribution, location, and extent of the various land uses in Solvang. Currently, there are no development plans included in the 2045 General Plan which would substantially alter the historical resource; however, the 2045 General Plan could facilitate development on parcels containing buildings that meet the age threshold (45 years or older) for potential historical resources, pursuant to CEQA.

New residential, commercial, and industrial uses would be implemented by new development and the conversion of existing properties to new land use designations. As noted in the 2045 General Plan, Solvang is primarily a built-out community, limiting new development within underutilized land or on parcels built with existing uses. Potential future development occurring under the 2045 General Plan may include site preparation, demolition, and construction activities. In addition, such changes could occur over a 22-year planning period through 2045, during which additional structures would meet the 45-year age threshold and therefore would be included in the category of potential historical resource. As such, these activities could have the potential to result in the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of potential historical resources. Policies included in the Environment and Sustainability Element of the 2045 General Plan, listed below, would reduce impacts to a historical resource.
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 ENV-5.1: Protect Significant Sites and Buildings. The City shall protect and enhance Solvang’s historically and architecturally significant sites and buildings.  ENV-5.2: Support Property Owners. The City shall encourage the efforts of property owners to preserve and renovate historic and architecturally significant structures. Where such buildings cannot be preserved intact, the City shall seek to preserve the building facades and ensure renovations are consistent with the applicable standards set forth in the Community Design Element and design guidelines.

The goals and policies included in the Environment and Sustainability Element would reduce the potential for historical resources to be adversely impacted from the development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. Future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would also be subject to the provisions of applicable federal and State cultural resource regulations, as well as Chapter 4 and Section 11-4-6 of the City’s Municipal Code. However, there would still be potential for development to impact historical resources.

As such, development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan could result in substantial alterations to or demolition of historical resources. Implementation of Mitigation Measure CUL-1 would reduce impacts to historical resources by identifying and evaluating significant historical resources and managing relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration in compliance with the Standards as applicable.

Nonetheless, even with implementation of Mitigation Measure CUL-1, existing and eligible historical resources could still be materially impaired by future development that would be carried out under the 2045 General Plan. While Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation would reduce impacts to the greatest extent feasible in cases where compliance with the Standards or avoidance is not possible, legal precedent has established that such a measure cannot mitigate impacts to a level of less than significant, because the loss of historical fabric cannot be readily compensated for by commemorative mitigation.1 Therefore, 2045 General Plan impacts related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable with mitigation.

Mitigation Measures
CUL-1 Historical Resources
Prior to project approval of a development project carried out under the 2045 General Plan, City staff shall determine the age of the structure(s) present. If a structure is determined to be greater than 45 years of age, the project applicant shall submit preliminary information (i.e., photographs) identifying any historical age features (i.e., structures over 45 years of age) proposed to be substantially altered, relocated, or demolished. If a building, structure, object, or other built environment feature that is 45 years of age or older is proposed to be substantially altered, relocated, or demolished, and after reviewing this documentation, the Planning Manager or their designee, supported by an architectural historian as needed, shall make a preliminary determination as to whether the building qualifies as a historical resource. “Historical resource” shall mean a property listed or found eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, or identified as historically and/or architecturally significant by the City pursuant to Section 15064.5(a) of the CEQA Guidelines. A property that is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources must retain its historic integrity and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
1 League For Protection of Oakland's Architectural and Historic Resources, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. City of Oakland et al., Montgomery Ward & Co., Inc., et al. No. A074348. First District, Division One. Feb 10, 1997. 680
 Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
 Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.  Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.  Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory.

If the Planning Manager or their designee determines the built environment resource may have the potential to qualify as a historical resource, then a historical resources evaluation shall be required.

The evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards (PQS) in architectural history or history. The qualified architectural historian or historian shall conduct an intensive-level evaluation in accordance with the guidelines and best practices promulgated by the State Office of Historic Preservation to identify potential historical resources within the proposed development site. All properties 45 years of age or older shall be evaluated within their historic context and documented in a report meeting the State Office of Historic Preservation guidelines. All evaluated properties shall be documented on Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms. The report will be submitted to the City for review and concurrence. If the property is already listed in the NRHP or CRHR, the historical resources evaluation described above shall not be required.

If historical resources are identified through the survey and evaluation within the development site of a proposed development, efforts shall be made to the extent feasible to ensure that impacts are mitigated. Application of mitigation shall generally be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the PQS, unless unnecessary in the circumstances (e.g., preservation in place). In conjunction with a development application that may affect the historical resource, the historical resources evaluation report shall also identify and specify the treatment of characterdefining features and construction activities.

Efforts shall be made to the greatest extent feasible to ensure that the relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration of the resource is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties (Standards). In accordance with CEQA, a project that has been determined to conform with the Standards generally would not cause a significant adverse direct or indirect impact to historical resources (14 CCR § 15126.4(b)(1)). Application of the Standards shall be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the PQS. In conjunction with any development application that may affect the historical resource, a report identifying and specifying the treatment of character-defining features and construction activities shall be provided to the City for review and concurrence. As applicable, the report shall demonstrate how the project complies with the Standards and be submitted to the City for review and approval prior to the issuance of permits.

If significant historical resources are identified on a development site and compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties and or avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be established and undertaken.

Mitigation measures may include documentation of the historical resource in the form of a Historic American Building Survey report. The report shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation and shall generally follow the Historic American Building Survey Level III requirements, including digital photographic recordation, detailed historic narrative report, and compilation of historic research. The documentation shall be 681
completed by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Professional Qualifications Standards as defined by 36 CFR Part 61 and submitted to the City prior to issuance of any permits for demolition or alteration of the historical resource.

Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of Mitigation Measure CUL-1 would reduce potential adverse impacts on historical resources to the extent feasible by requiring an identification of historic-age built environment features, an evaluation of historical resources in compliance with the State Office of Historic Preservation, and, if necessary, compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties. However, it cannot be guaranteed that historical resources would not be demolished as a result of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, therefore impacts remain significant and unavoidable.

Threshold 2: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5?
Impact CUL-2 GROUND DISTURBING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN COULD RESULT IN DISTURBANCE OR DAMAGE TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES.

IMPLEMENTATION OF APPLICABLE 2045 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES, STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AND THE

SOLVANG MUNICIPAL CODE WOULD MINIMIZE OR AVOID POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED.

As discussed in Section 4.4.1, Setting, there are three known archaeological resources located in the Planning Area. In addition to these known archaeological resources, there may be other yet unidentified archaeological resources which may be eligible for inclusion in the NRHP or CRHR.

Effects on archaeological resources can only be determined once a specific project has been proposed because the effects are highly dependent on both the individual project site conditions and the characteristics of the proposed ground disturbing activities. However, ground disturbing activities associated with development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan have the potential to damage or destroy previously unknown archaeological resources that may be present on or below the ground surface. Potential impacts to archaeological resources are most likely to occur in areas that have not been previously developed with urban uses, have not been studied through a cultural resource investigation, or when excavation extends to depths lower than previous disturbance.

Consequently, damage to or destruction of previously unknown subsurface cultural resources could occur as a result of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan.

Policies included in the Environment and Sustainability Element of the 2045 General Plan that are applicable to archaeological resources in Solvang include the following:

Goal ENV-4: To protect the historic and cultural resources in order to preserve the heritage of native peoples and the area’s earliest settlers.
 Policy ENV-4.1: Protect Archaeological Resources. The City shall provide for the protection of both known and potential archaeological resources citywide. To avoid significant damage to important archaeological sites, all available measures shall be explored at the time of a development proposal. Where such measures are not feasible and development would adversely affect identified archaeological or paleontological resources, mitigation shall be required in accordance with the relevant provisions of federal and State laws. 682
The goal and policy are intended to preserve and protect site-specific archaeological resources.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be subject to the provisions of applicable federal and State cultural resource regulations, as well as the requirements of Section 11-4-2 of the City’s Municipal Code. These regulations require project-specific avoidance of archaeological resources, or if an archaeological resource cannot be avoided, mitigation would be implemented in accordance with applicable federal and State law regarding data collection and preservation of archaeological resources. However, there is potential for unknown historic-aged and prehistoric archaeological resources to exist throughout the Planning Area which could be damaged or destroyed during ground-disturbing activities. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan’s impact on archaeological resources is potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
CUL-2 Archaeological Resources Assessment
Prior to approval of a project carried out under the 2045 General Plan that will involve ground disturbance activities in native or previously undisturbed soils that may include, but are not limited to, pavement removal, potholing, grubbing, tree removal, excavation or grading, an archaeological resources assessment shall be prepared under the supervision of an archaeologist that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards (PQS) in either prehistoric or historic archaeology. Assessments shall include a California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) records search at the Central Coast Information Center (CCIC) and of the Sacred Lands File Search maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). The records searches shall characterize the results of previous cultural resource surveys and disclose any cultural resources that have been recorded and/or evaluated in and around the project site. A Phase I pedestrian survey shall be undertaken in proposed project areas that are on previously undeveloped land to locate any surface cultural materials. By performing a records search, consultation with the NAHC, and a Phase I survey, a qualified archaeologist shall be able to classify the project area as having high, medium, or low sensitivity for archaeological resources.

If the Phase I archaeological survey identifies resources that may be affected by the project, the archaeological resources assessment shall also include Phase II testing and evaluation. If resources are determined significant or unique through Phase II testing and site avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be identified in the Phase II evaluation. These measures shall include, but would not be limited to, a Phase III data recovery program, avoidance, or other appropriate actions to be determined by a qualified archaeologist. If significant archaeological resources cannot be avoided, impacts may be reduced to less-than-significant levels by filling on top of the sites rather than cutting into the cultural deposits. Alternatively, and/or in addition, a data collection program may be warranted, including mapping the location of artifacts, surface collection of artifacts, or excavation of the cultural deposit to characterize the nature of the buried portions of sites. Curation of the excavated artifacts or samples would occur as specified by the archaeologist.

CUL-3 Archaeological Monitoring
For projects whose Phase I archaeological survey identifies archaeological resources that may be affected, the applicant shall retain a qualified cultural resource specialist to monitor construction activities that involve ground-disturbing activities greater than 12 inches in depth and occur within 60 feet of a potentially significant cultural resource. 683
CUL-4 Unanticipated Discoveries
In the event that archaeological resources are unexpectedly encountered during ground-disturbing activities, work within 50 feet of the find shall halt and an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology (National Park Service 1983) shall be contacted immediately to evaluate the resource. If the resource is determined by the qualified archaeologist to be prehistoric, then a Chumash representative shall also be contacted to participate in the evaluation of the resource. If the qualified archaeologist and/or Chumash representative determines it to be appropriate, archaeological testing for CRHR eligibility shall be completed. If the resource proves to be eligible for the CRHR and significant impacts to the resource cannot be avoided via project redesign, a qualified archaeologist shall prepare a data recovery plan tailored to the physical nature and characteristics of the resource, per the requirements of the CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4(b)(3)(C). The data recovery plan shall identify data recovery excavation methods, measurable objectives, and data thresholds to reduce any significant impacts to cultural resources related to the resource. Pursuant to the data recovery plan, the qualified archaeologist and Chumash representative, as appropriate, shall recover and document the scientifically consequential information that justifies the resource’s significance. The City shall review and approve the treatment plan and archaeological testing as appropriate, and the resulting documentation shall be submitted to the regional repository of the CHRIS at the CCIC, per CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4(b)(3)(C).

Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of Mitigation Measures CUL-2 through CUL-4 would reduce potential impacts to a less-than-significant level by requiring the identification and evaluation of any archaeological resources that may be present prior to construction and by providing steps for the evaluation and protection of unanticipated finds encountered during construction.

Threshold 3: Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
Impact CUL-3 GROUND DISTURBING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN COULD RESULT IN DISTURBANCE OF HUMAN REMAINS. COMPLIANCE WITH STATE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 7050.5 AND PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 5097.8 WOULD ENSURE THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN’S IMPACT TO HUMAN REMAINS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Human burials outside of formal cemeteries can occur in prehistoric archaeological contexts, and the Solvang Cemetery and the cemetery at Mission Santa Inés lie within the Planning Area.

Excavations during construction activities facilitated by the 2045 General Plan could have the potential to disturb human remains in the Planning Area which could include Native American burial sites.

Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, if human remains are found, the County Coroner must be notified immediately, and no further disturbance would occur until the County Coroner has made a determination of origin and disposition pursuant to PRC Section 5097.98. If the human remains are determined to be of Native American origin, the County Coroner will notify the NAHC, which will determine and notify an MLD. The MLD has 48 hours from being granted site access to make recommendations for the disposition of the remains. If the MLD does not make recommendations within 48 hours, the landowner shall reinter the remains in a location that would not be affected by future ground-disturbing activities. Development facilitated by the 684
2045 General Plan would comply with the provisions set forth pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and PRC Section 5097.98. Therefore, although it is possible grounddisturbing activities related to project construction could disturb human remains beneath the project site, adherence to California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 would ensure impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because impacts are less than significant.

4.4.4 Cumulative Impacts
Regional cumulative impacts consider the City-wide impacts together with similar impacts of future development in and around Santa Barbara County. The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting.

Although impacts to historical resources are generally site-specific, cumulative impacts to historical resources may occur when a project, combined with other nearby projects, substantially diminish the number of historical resources within the same or similar context or property types. In addition, a significant cumulative impact could occur if the combined effect of other projects in the vicinity of a project site would result in alterations to the setting or other impacts that would affect the integrity of historical resources within the cumulative setting.

As stated under Impact CUL-1, known historical resources exist within Solvang, and sites with potential historical resources that have not yet been evaluated and could be eligible for listing on the NRHP, CRHR, or local listing. Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan could cause a substantial adverse change to a historical resource if development were to be located on, within, or near a historical resource. Although Mitigation Measure CUL-1 would be required to reduce impacts to these resources to the maximum extent feasible, cumulative development and redevelopment could nonetheless cause the loss of built-environment historical resources. Alteration or demolition of historical resources remains a possibility throughout the Planning Area and immediate surroundings with potentially cumulative impacts. As such, the incremental effect of the 2045 General Plan would be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable.

As described in Impact CUL-2, an increase in development in previously undisturbed areas contributes to regional impacts on existing and previously undisturbed areas where archaeological resources could be present. While impacts to archaeological resources generally occur on a projectspecific basis, certain archaeological resources may have regional significance. For example, an archaeological resource that represents a last known example of its kind would constitute a regional impact if it were affected by proposed development. As such, cumulative impacts to archaeological resources would be significant. The 2045 General Plan would implement Mitigation Measures CUL-2 through CUL-4 to ensure that project-level impacts to unknown archaeological resources are adequately mitigated. These mitigation measures provide for archaeological assessment, testing, cultural resources training, and archaeological, as recommended for projects with ground disturbance. These measures also identify the steps to be taken if archaeological resources are encountered. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan’s contribution to cumulative impacts to archaeological resources would not be cumulatively considerable.

The disturbance of human remains is largely site-specific, and the disturbance of remains at one site is generally not considered additive at another site. In addition, the disturbance of human remains is 685
regulated under the California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and PRC Section 5097.98.

Together, these regulations set standard procedures for the discovery of human remains and further evaluation if the remains are determined to be of Native American origin. While cumulative development has at least the possibility of uncovering unidentified human remains, all cumulative development would be subject to the requirements set forth within California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and PRC Section 5097.98. Consequently, the cumulative disturbance of human remains would not be significant.
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4.5 Energy
This section discussed the potential energy impacts of the 2045 General Plan. This analysis follows the guidance for evaluation of energy impacts contained in Appendix E and CEQA Guidelines Appendix G. The physical environmental impacts associated with the generation of electricity and burning of fuels have been accounted for in Section 4.2, Air Quality, and Section 4.7, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The physical environmental impacts associated with the installation of electric and natural gas infrastructure have been accounted for in Section 4.16, Utilities and Service Systems.

4.5.1 Setting
Energy use relates directly to environmental quality because energy use can adversely affect air quality and can generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. Fossil fuels are burned to create electricity that powers residences, heats and cools buildings, and powers vehicles. Transportation energy use is dependent on the fuel efficiency of cars, trucks, and public transportation; the different travel modes such as auto, carpool, and public transit; and the miles traveled using these modes. Construction and routine operation and maintenance of transportation infrastructure also consume energy.
a. Energy Supply
Petroleum
California is one of the top producers of petroleum in the nation with drilling operations occurring throughout the State but concentrated primarily in Kern and Los Angeles counties. A network of crude oil pipelines connects production areas to oil refineries in the Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay area, and the Central Valley. California oil refineries also process Alaskan and foreign crude oil received at ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and the San Francisco Bay area (California Energy Commission [CEC] 2023a). According to the United States Energy Information Administration (USEIA), California’s field production of crude oil totaled 122.4 million barrels in 2022 (USEIA 2023).

No petroleum refineries are located within Solvang. According to the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), there are no wells within Solvang’s Planning Area, but there are three plugged dry hole wells adjacent to the Planning Area on Ballard Canyon Road and in agricultural fields approximately 0.50-mile west and 0.81-mile east of the city limits, respectively (CalGEM 2023a).

Alternative Fuels
A variety of alternative fuels are used to reduce petroleum-based fuel demand. Their use is encouraged through various Statewide regulations and plans, such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Senate Bill (SB) 32. Alternative vehicle fuels include hydrogen, biodiesel, and electricity.

Currently, 56 hydrogen and 33 biodiesel refueling stations are located in California, but none are located in Solvang. There are seven electric vehicle charging centers located in Solvang (United States Department of Energy 2023). Fuel yards are currently permitted in the City’s M-1 zone. 688
Electricity
In 2022, California’s in-state electricity generation totaled 194,320 megawatts (CEC 2023b). Primary fuel sources for the State’s electricity generation in 2022 included natural gas, hydroelectric, solar photovoltaic, wind, nuclear, geothermal, biomass, and solar thermal. According to the Final 2022 Integrated Energy Policy Report, California’s electricity sector is becoming increasingly reliant on solar, with more than 22,000 GWh of electricity produced by photovoltaic systems in 2021. (CEC 2023c).

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is provides transmission lines to convey electric power supply to Solvang. PG&E is one of the nation’s largest electric and gas utility companies, maintaining 106,681 circuit miles of electric distribution lines and 18,466 circuit miles of interconnected transmission lines (PG&E 2023a). In 2022, PG&E’s power mix consisted of 38.3 percent renewables,

49.3 percent nuclear generation, 4.8 percent natural gas, and 7.6 percent large hydroelectric facilities (PG&E 2023b). According to PG&E’s 2022 Integrated Resource Plan, PG&E anticipates meeting a 2030 energy load demand of 28,020 gigawatt-hours (PG&E 2022).

Central Coast Community Energy
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is a Community Choice Aggregator established by local communities to source clean and renewable electricity for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties while retaining the primary utility provider’s (i.e., PG&E) traditional role delivering power, maintaining electric infrastructure, and billing for electricity. In 2022, 3CE’s power mix consisted of 35.8 percent renewable resources, 5.9 percent large hydroelectric facilities, and 58.3 percent unspecified power (3CE 2023).

Natural Gas
According to CalGEM, California’s net natural gas production for 2020 was 149 billion cubic feet (CalGEM 2023b). The State of California relies on out-of-state imports for nearly 90 percent of its natural gas supply. The CEC estimates approximately 45 percent of the natural gas burned in California was used for electricity generation, and the remainder is consumed in the residential (21 percent), industrial (25 percent), and commercial (9 percent) sectors (CEC 2023d).

Solvang is in the natural gas service area of the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) which spans central and southern California. SoCalGas’ service area is equipped with over 101,000 miles of gas transmission, distribution, and service pipelines (SoCalGas 2013). Natural gas supplied by SoCalGas is sourced from gas fields in several sedimentary basins in the western United States and Canada including supply basins located in New Mexico (San Juan Basin), West Texas (Permian Basin), Rocky Mountains, western Canada, and local California supplies (California Gas and Electric Utilities 2022).
b. Energy Demand
The smallest scale at which energy consumption information is readily available is the county level.

Therefore, energy consumption in Santa Barbara County is used herein to characterize Solvang’s existing consumption of petroleum, electricity, and natural gas as detailed in the following subsection.
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Petroleum
Santa Barbara County consumed an estimated 170 million gallons of gasoline and an estimated 22 million gallons of diesel fuel in 2022 (CEC 2023e). Solvang consumed an estimated 2.2 million gallons of gasoline and 286,000 gallons of diesel fuel in 2022. Table 4.5-1 provides an overview of 2022 gasoline and diesel consumption in Santa Barbara County and Solvang.

Table 4.5-1 2022 Gasoline and Diesel Consumption
Fuel Type Santa Barbara County (gallons) Solvang (gallons)2 Gasoline 170,000,000 2,210,000
Diesel 22,000,000 286,000
1 Solvang’s gasoline and diesel consumption is estimated based on the population of Solvang (5,644) to the population of Santa Barbara County (440,557). For reference, the population of Solvang is approximately 1.3 percent of the population of Santa Barbara.

Sources: CEC 2023e; California Department of Finance (DOF) 2023 Electricity
Santa Barbara County consumed an estimated 2,804 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2022. Solvang consumed an estimated 36 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2022, which was less than 0.01 percent of 3CE’s total electricity consumption (CEC 2023f; 3CE 2022). Table 4.5-2 provides an overview of 2022 electricity consumption in Santa Barbara County, in Solvang, and by 3CE customers.

Table 4.5-2 2022 Electricity Consumption
Energy Type
Santa Barbara
County (GWh) 3CE (GWh) Solvang (GWh)1
Solvang Proportion of 3CE
Consumption
Electricity 2,804 4,936,845 36 0.0007
GWh = Gigawatt-hours
1 Solvang’s gasoline and diesel consumption is estimated based on the population of Solvang (5,644) to the population of Santa Barbara County (440,557). For reference, the population of Solvang is approximately 1.3 percent of the population of Santa Barbara).

Sources: CEC 2023f; DOF 2023; 3CE 2022
Natural Gas
Santa Barbara County consumed approximately 129 million therms of natural gas in 2022. Solvang consumed an estimated 1.7 million therms of natural gas in 2022 which was approximately 0.03 percent of the natural gas consumed by SoCalGas (CEC 2023g; CEC 2023h). Table 4.5-3 provides an overview of natural gas consumption in Santa Barbara County, in Solvang, and by SoCalGas customers.

Table 4.5-3 2022 Natural Gas Consumption
Energy Type
Santa Barbara
County
(millions of Therms)
SoCalGas
(millions of Therms)
Solvang
(millions of Therms) 1
Solvang Proportion of
SoCalGas Consumption1
Natural Gas 129 5,026 1.7 0.03
1 Solvang’s gasoline and diesel consumption is estimated based on the population of Solvang (5,644) to the population of Santa Barbara County (440,557). For reference, the population of Solvang is approximately 1.3 percent of the population of Santa Barbara.

Sources: CEC 2023g; CEC 2023h; DOF 2023
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4.5.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
Energy Independence and Security Act
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was designed to improve vehicle fuel economy and help reduce nationwide dependence on foreign oil. It expands the production of renewable fuels, reducing dependence on oil, and confronting global climate change. Specifically, the Act set energy efficiency standards for lighting (specifically light bulbs) and appliances. Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required to install photosensors and energy-efficient lighting fixtures consistent with the requirements of 42 United States Code Section 17001 et seq. b. State Regulations
California Energy Plan
The CEC, in collaboration with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), is responsible for preparing the California Energy Action Plan, which identifies emerging trends related to energy supply, demand, conservation, public health and safety, and maintenance of a healthy economy.

The 2003 Energy Action Plan calls for the State to assist in transformation of the transportation system to improve air quality, reduce congestion, and increase efficient use of fuel supplies with the least environmental and energy costs. The Energy Action Plan identifies strategies, such as assistance to public agencies and fleet operators in implementing incentive programs for zeroemission vehicles and addressing their infrastructure needs and encourages urban designs that reduce vehicle miles traveled and accommodate pedestrian and bicycle access. In the 2005 Energy Action Plan, the CEC and CPUC updated the energy policy vision by adding dimensions to the policy areas, such as information on the emerging importance of climate change, transportation-related energy issues, and research and development activities. The CEC adopted an update to the 2005 Energy Action Plan in 2008 that supplements the earlier Energy Action Plans and examines the State’s ongoing actions in the context of global climate change.

Assembly Bill 1493
Assembly Bill 1493 (Chapter 200, Statutes of 2002), known as the Pavley Bill, amended Health and Safety Code Sections 42823 and added 43018.5, requiring CARB to develop and adopt regulations that achieve maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction of GHG emissions from passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and other vehicles used for noncommercial personal transportation in California.

Senate Bills 350 and 100
The Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 (SB 350) requires the amount of electricity generated and sold to retail customers per year from eligible renewable energy resources to be increased to 50 percent by December 31, 2030. This act also requires doubling of the energy efficiency in existing buildings by 2030.

Adopted on September 10, 2018, SB 100 supports the reduction of GHG emissions from the electricity sector by accelerating the State’s Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, last updated by SB 350. SB 100 requires electricity providers to increase procurement from eligible renewable 691
energy resources to 33 percent of total retail sales by 2020, 44 percent by 2024, 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2045.

California Code of Regulations Title 24 (California Building Code) Updated every three years through a rigorous stakeholder process, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations requires California homes and businesses meet strong energy efficiency and sustainability measures, thereby lowering their energy consumption. Title 24 contains numerous subparts, including Part 1 (Administrative Code), Part 2 (Building Code), Part 3 (Electrical Code), Part 4 (Mechanical Code), Part 5 (Plumbing Code), Part 6 (Energy Code), Part 8 (Historical Building Code), Part 9 (Fire Code), Part 10 (Existing Building Code), Part 11 (Green Building Standards Code), Part 12 (Referenced Standards Code). The California Building Code is applicable to all development in California (Health and Safety Code Sections 17950 and 18938[b]).

The regulations receive input from members of industry, as well as the public, with the goal of “[r]educing of wasteful, uneconomic, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy” (Public Resources Code Section 25402). These regulations are scrutinized and analyzed for technological and economic feasibility (Public Resources Code Section 25402[d]) and cost effectiveness (Public Resources Code Sections 25402[b][2] and [b][3]).

Part 6 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) California Code of Regulations Title 24 Part 6 is the Building Energy Efficiency Standards. This code, originally enacted in 1978, establishes energy efficiency standards for residential and nonresidential buildings in order to reduce California’s energy demand. The Building Energy Efficiency Standards is updated periodically to incorporate and consider new energy-efficiency technologies and methodologies as they become available. New construction and major renovations must demonstrate their compliance with the current Building Energy Efficiency Standards through submission and approval of a Title 24 Compliance Report to the local building permit review authority and the California Energy Commission.

In 2021, the California Energy Commission updated Title 24 standards with more stringent requirements that became effective January 1, 2023. The building efficiency standards are enforced through the local plan check and building permit process. Local government agencies may adopt and enforce additional energy standards for new buildings as reasonably necessary due to local climatologic, geologic, or topographic conditions, provided these standards exceed those provided in Title 24.

The 2022 update to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards under Title 24 applies to buildings for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2023. The updated standards mainly established electric-ready requirements when natural gas is installed, expanded solar photovoltaic and battery storage standards, and strengthened ventilation standards to improve indoor air quality.

Part 11 California Green Building Standards
The California Green Building Standards Code, commonly referred to as “CALGreen” originally went into effect on August 1, 2009 and outlines architectural design and engineering principles that are in synergy with environmental resources and public welfare. CALGreen sets minimum standards for buildings, and since 2016, applies to new building construction and some alterations/additions within certain parameters. CALGreen establishes planning and design standards for sustainable site development, including water conservation measures and requirements that new buildings reduce 692
water consumption by 20 percent below a specified baseline. CALGreen requires installations of

1.28 gallons-per-flush toilets and 0.5-gallon-per flush urinals for all non-residential projects as part of the prescriptive method of reducing indoor water use by the required 20 percent.

CALGreen lays out the minimum requirements for newly constructed residential and non-residential buildings to reduce GHG emissions through improved efficiency and process improvements. It also includes voluntary tiers to encourage building practices that improve public health, safety, and general welfare by promoting a more sustainable design. In addition, CALGreen includes several requirements related to solid waste diversion. Importantly, new non-residential construction is required to achieve at least 65 percent construction and demolition waste diversion and provide recycling areas for paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, metal, and organic waste. The 2022 CALGreen update primarily includes new requirements for the inclusion of electric vehicle charging stations and carbon dioxide monitoring and controls in classrooms. These requirements went into effect January 1, 2023.

CARB In-Use On-Road and Off-Road Diesel Rules
The CARB In-Use On-Road and Off-Road Diesel Rules impose limits on idling, restrict the addition of older vehicles, and require the retirement or replacement of older engines depending on their fleet size category. This policy indirectly impacts energy consumption. More specifically, CARB is also charged with developing air pollution control regulations based upon the best available control measures and implementing every feasible control measure under the State and Federal Clean Air Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 39602.5, 39667, 43013[a, h], 43018, 40600, 40601, 40612[a][2] and [c][1][A]). Pursuant to these directives, stringent emission standards were adopted in 2004 for off-road construction equipment (i.e., “Tier 4” standards) (40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1039, 1065, and 1068; Title 13 California Code of Regulations Section 2025). CARB also adopted emission standards for on-road heavy duty diesel vehicles (i.e., haul trucks) (13 California Code of Regulations Section 1956.8). These haul truck regulations mandate fleet turnover to ensure that nearly all on-road diesel trucks will have 2010 model year engines or equivalent (i.e., Tier 4) by January 1, 2023.

California Advanced Clean Trucks Program
In June 2020, CARB approved the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation, which requires manufacturers who certify Class 2b-8 chassis or complete vehicles with combustion engines to sell zero-emission trucks as an increasing percentage of their annual California sales from 2024 to 2035. In addition, the regulation requires company and fleet reporting for large employers and fleet owners with 50 or more trucks. By 2045, all new trucks sold in California must be zero-emission. Implementation of this regulation would reduce consumption of nonrenewable transportation fuels as trucks transition to alternative fuel sources.

Executive Order N-79-20
Executive Order N-79-20 sets goals for the use of zero-emission vehicles in the State. Specifically, Executive Order N-79-20 sets a goal for California to ensure by 2035 100 percent of in-State sales of new passenger cars and trucks are zero-emission vehicles. Executive Order N-79-20 also sets a goal to ensure by 2045 100 percent of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the State are zero-emission vehicles. Executive Order N-79-20 also sets a goal to transition to 100 percent zero-emission offroad vehicles and equipment by 2035 where feasible. 693
c. Local Regulations
Solvang Municipal Code
In January 2023, the City adopted and incorporated CALGreen into Title 10, Chapter 1, of the Solvang Municipal Code. As discussed further above, CALGreen establishes minimum efficiency requirements for new construction in order to reduce GHG emissions.

4.5.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
Public Resources Code Section 21100(b)(3) states that an EIR shall include “mitigation measures proposed to minimize significant effects on the environment, including, but not limited to, measures to reduce the wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary consumption of energy.” The physical environmental impacts associated with the use of energy, including the generation of electricity and burning of fuels, are discussed in Section 4.2, Air Quality, and Section 4.7, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Energy consumption is analyzed herein in terms of construction and operational energy.

Construction energy demand for the 2045 General Plan is evaluated qualitatively because projectspecific information regarding construction is unavailable for individual projects proposed under the 2045 General Plan. Construction energy demand accounts for anticipated energy consumption during construction of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, such as fuel consumed by construction equipment and construction workers’ vehicles traveling to and from the construction site. These construction activities would temporarily create a higher demand for energy supplies.

The extent of energy use generated by construction equipment would depend on the quantity of equipment used and the hours of operation for each project.

The California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) version 2020.4.0 was used to approximate the operational natural gas and electricity consumption from development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. The assumptions for CalEEMod are described under Section 4.2, Air Quality, and Section 4.7, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The CalEEMod output data for the 2045 General Plan, which also reports input data of project details that were used in the model, is provided in Appendix C.

This analysis determined an estimated operational energy demand from buildout of the 2045 General Plan. Operational energy demand accounts for the anticipated energy consumption from development facilitated by 2045 General Plan, such as fuel consumed by cars, trucks, and public transit; natural gas consumed for on-site power generation and heating building spaces; and electricity consumed for building power needs, including, but not limited to, lighting, water conveyance, and air conditioning. The estimate of total daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) associated with the 2045 General Plan is based on VMT data provided in Section 4.14, Transportation.

Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on energy. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the proposed project may have a significant adverse impact if it would:
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Result in potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation; or Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation?
Threshold 2: Would the project conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency?
Impact E-1 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD RESULT IN ENERGY USAGE. ADHERENCE TO STATE REGULATIONS AND 2045 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES WOULD ENSURE THESE IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Energy use during construction activities associated with development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be in the form of fuel consumption (e.g., gasoline and diesel fuel) to operate heavy equipment, light-duty vehicles, machinery, and generators for lighting. In addition, temporary grid power may also be provided to construction trailers or electric construction equipment. Energy use during construction of individual projects would be temporary in nature, and equipment used would be typical of construction projects in the region. In addition, construction contractors would be required to demonstrate compliance with applicable CARB regulations that restrict the idling of heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles and govern the accelerated retrofitting, repowering, or replacement of heavy-duty diesel on- and off-road equipment. Furthermore, in accordance with Executive Order N-79-20 it is anticipated construction trucks would largely transition to zeroemission vehicles by 2035. Construction activities would be required to utilize fuel-efficient equipment consistent with State and federal regulations and would comply with State measures to reduce inefficient, wasteful, or unnecessary consumption of energy.

Applicable regulatory requirements such as CALGreen (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11), mandate that future infrastructure projects comply with construction waste management practices to divert a minimum of 65 percent of construction and demolition debris. These practices would result in efficient use of energy during construction of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. As such, future construction activities associated with development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy.

Long-term operation of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would result in the use of energy resources to power buildings. Table 4.5-4 shows the annual operational energy usage associated with buildout of the 2045 General Plan.
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Table 4.5-4 Projected 2045 Annual Operational Energy Usage Source Energy Consumption
Vehicle Trips
Gasoline 1,382,188 gallons 157,569.43 MMBtu
Diesel 126,351 gallons 14,404.01 MMBtu
Built Environment
Electricity 58,267,121 kWh 198,815.64 MMBtu
Natural Gas Usage 155,846,117 kBtu 155,846.117 MMBtu
See Appendices C and E for CalEEMod default values for fleet mix and average distance of travel and energy calculation sheets, respectively.

As shown in Table 4.5-4, vehicle trips related to implementation of the 2045 General Plan would require approximately 1,382,188 gallons of gasoline and 126,351 gallons of diesel fuel, or 171,973.44 MMBtu annually (see Appendix D for energy calculation sheets). Gasoline and diesel fuel demands would be met by existing gasoline stations in the Planning Area vicinity.

Development (approximately 497 units) facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would mostly be infill residential developments in proximity to goods and services, which would reduce automobile travel and associated energy use. Furthermore, vehicles driven by future residents, employees, visitors, and patrons facilitated by the facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be subject to increasingly stringent federal and State fuel efficiency standards, thereby minimizing the potential for the inefficient consumption of vehicle fuels. As a result, vehicle fuel consumption resulting from the 2045 General Plan would generally not be wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary.

As shown in Table 4.5-4, the 2045 General Plan would result in the consumption of approximately 58,267,121 kWh or 198,815.64 MMBtu per year of electricity. The 2045 General Plan would result in the consumption of approximately 155,846,117 kBtu or 155,846.117 MMBtu per year of natural gas (see Appendix C for CalEEMod results). Electricity would be supplied by 3CE and natural gas would be supplied by SoCalGas. Development would be subject to the energy conservation requirements of the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations, California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings) and CALGreen. The California Energy Code provides energy conservation standards for all new and renovated commercial and residential buildings constructed in California. The California Energy Code applies to the building envelope, space-conditioning systems, and water-heating and lighting systems of buildings and appliances and provides guidance on construction techniques to maximize energy conservation. Minimum efficiency standards are given for a variety of building elements, including appliances; water and space heating and cooling equipment; and insulation for doors, pipes, walls, and ceilings. The California Energy Code emphasizes saving energy at peak periods and seasons and improving the quality of installation of energy efficiency measures. CALGreen sets targets for energy efficiency; water consumption; dual plumbing systems for potable and recyclable water; diversion of construction waste from landfills; and use of environmentally sensitive materials in construction and design, including ecofriendly flooring, carpeting, paint, coatings, thermal insulation, and acoustical wall and ceiling panels. In addition, the 2045 General Plan includes the following policies designed to reduce energy use from transportation and promote efficient energy use in buildings:
 Policy ENV-9.3: Alternative Modes of Transportation. The City shall encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, including transit, walking, and bicycling. 696
 Policy ENV-9.4: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. The City shall encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging facilities in commercial, residential, and industrial development.
 Policy ENV-9.5: Fuel Efficient Vehicles. The City shall encourage adoption of alternative fuel vehicles including electric, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, or other fuel-efficient vehicles, for personal transportation.
 Policy ENV-9.6: City Fleet and Equipment. The City shall work toward converting 100 percent of non-emergency City vehicles to electric, hybrid, flex-fuel, or alternative fuels. In addition, the City shall replace gas-powered mowers and other equipment with electric or hybrid models and to use alternative carbon-free models where possible.
 Policy ENV-9.7: Sustainable Development Patterns. The City shall continue to promote patterns of development that minimize dependence on personal automobiles and reduce VMT and GHG.  Policy ENV-13.1: Energy Efficiency Incentives. The City shall work with energy providers and developers on voluntary incentive-based programs to encourage the use of energy efficient designs and equipment in existing buildings.
 Policy ENV-13.2: Renewable Energy for Homes. The City shall encourage installation of renewable energy sources for new homes per the new state building codes.  Policy ENV-13.3: Building Emissions Reductions Plan. The City shall consider the adoption of an ordinance for all new buildings to meet State emissions reductions targets by 2045.  Policy ENV-13.4: Energy Retrofit Program. The City shall encourage homeowners and building owners to retrofit their structures with energy efficiency improvements.  Policy ENV-13.5: Low Income Energy Efficiency. The City shall partner with community service agencies and organizations to support energy efficient projects for low-income residents.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, the installation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, lighting, water heating equipment, and insulation and weatherization.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would comply with the City’s Municipal Code, which adopts the State’s energy efficiency regulations, including the California Energy Code and CALGreen, to ensure development in Solvang promotes the State’s energy efficiency goals through project design. Implementation of 2045 General Plan policies would further promote the State’s energy efficiency goals by promoting alternative transportation, the use of energy efficient equipment, and energy retrofits. As development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would receive electricity from 3CE, development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would eventually be powered by renewable energy mandated by SB 100 and would not conflict with the requirements of SB 100. Proposed 2045 General Plan policies further promote energy efficiency. Policy ENV-9.4 encourages the City to promote and plan for the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and Policy ENV-9.5 encourages the use of alternative fuels. Policy ENV-13.2 promotes the installation of renewable energy sources in new development. Policy ENV-13.3 encourages the City to adopt an ordinance for new development to assist in meeting the state’s 2045 emissions reductions targets.

Accordingly, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not conflict with or obstruct a State or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. Furthermore, adherence to the State’s energy efficiency regulations, including the California Energy Code and CALGreen, as well as policies within the 2045 General Plan would ensure implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not result in the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources. Therefore, these impacts would be less than significant.
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Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because impacts would be less than significant.

4.5.4 Cumulative Impacts
Regional cumulative impacts consider the City-wide impacts together with similar impacts of reasonably anticipated regional projects/programs. The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR, as well as the determination of the cumulative impact analysis area, is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting, Subsection 3.3, Baseline and Cumulative Project Setting.

Cumulative development surrounding Solvang in combination with development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would use energy resources during construction and operation. However, cumulative development would be required to comply with the State’s energy efficiency regulations, including CARB regulations that restrict the idling of heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles and govern the accelerated retrofitting, repowering, or replacement of heavy-duty diesel on- and off-road equipment, the California Energy Code, and CALGreen. CARB regulations and CALGreen standards ensure energy is not consumed in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary manner during construction. Furthermore, energy use during construction is temporary and intermittent. Energy use during operation of cumulative development would be regulated by the California Energy Code and CALGreen requirements which are specifically crafted so that buildings are characterized by energy efficient performance and do not consume energy in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary manner during operation. Furthermore, the use of non-renewable energy resources are anticipated to decline through 2045 as State renewable energy requirements, including the requirements of SB 100, becoming increasingly stringent and renewable energy technology becomes more widely available. Accordingly, the construction and operation of cumulative development would not result in the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary use of energy resources, and cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
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4.6 Geology and Soils
This section analyzes the potential physical environmental effects related to seismic hazards, underlying soil characteristics, slope stability, erosion, and paleontological resources within the City of Solvang that could result from implementation of the proposed project.

4.6.1 Setting
a. Geologic Setting
Santa Barbara County is located in the Transverse Ranges geologic province. The Transverse Ranges are an east-west trending series of steep mountain ranges and valleys. The east-west structure of the Transverse Ranges is oblique to the normal northwest trend of coastal California, hence the name "Transverse." The province extends offshore to include San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz islands. Its eastern extension, the San Bernardino Mountains, has been displaced to the south along the San Andreas Fault. Intense north-south compression is squeezing the Transverse Ranges.

As a result, the ground elevation in the Transverse Ranges rises at a faster rate in comparison to other regions on earth. (California Geological Survey [CGS] 2002). b. Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Geologic and seismic hazards are caused by the movement of the earth’s surface. The most common geologic or seismic hazards are associated with earthquakes, which cause the earth’s surface to move rapidly and the ground to shake. Solvang, much like all of Santa Barbara County, is located in a high seismic activity zone where fault movement primarily occurs along the San Andreas Fault system located approximately seven miles northeast of Santa Barbara County (City of Solvang 2021). The San Andreas Fault system marks the boundary between the Pacific tectonic plate, to the west of the fault zone, and the North American tectonic plate, to the east of the fault zone (United States Geological Survey 2017). The San Andreas Fault system has historically and continues to be capable of producing magnitude 7 earthquakes or higher (United States Geological Survey 2016).

Solvang has experienced several seismic events. The most recent major earthquake in the region occurred on December 22, 2003, when a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the central California coast. The event, known as the San Simeon earthquake, occurred approximately seven miles northeast of San Simeon and approximately 95 miles northwest of Solvang. Although the San Simeon earthquake had a more substantial impact on San Luis Obispo County, the event was widely felt throughout Santa Barbara County, including Solvang (City of Solvang 2021).

There are no Alquist-Priolo earthquake fault zones1 within Solvang (CGS 2023). However, the Santa Ynez River Fault Zone bisects Solvang northeast to southwest. Other active faults within Santa Barbara County with the potential to affect Solvang include the Santa Ynez, Nacimiento, Ozena, Suey, and Little Pine Faults (City of Solvang 2021). Other faults not included in this list, as well as faults located outside of the Solvang region, may be capable of generating earthquakes that could cause damage in Solvang. In addition, there may be unknown faults in the area that could cause substantial ground shaking or fault rupture. Figure 4.6-1 shows the location of earthquake faults 1 Alquist-Priolo earthquake fault zones are regulatory zones surrounding the surface traces of active faults (ruptured in the last 11,000 years) in California. Wherever an active fault exists, if it has the potential for surface rupture, a structure for human occupancy cannot be placed over the fault and must be a minimum distance from the fault (generally fifty feet). 700
Figure 4.6-1 Earthquake Faults in Proximity to Solvang
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within one-mile of Solvang. This fault is located approximately 100 feet south of development Site D, identified in the City’s adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element.

Fault Rupture
Fault rupture is the movement of the ground surface along a fault line which breaks and displaces rocks along a fault plane during an earthquake. Depending on the type of fault, the movement may be vertical, horizontal, or both. The damage can be severe, as any building or structure that straddles the fault is effectively pulled in two directions at once. However, the damaged area from fault rupture is generally limited to locations on the fault itself. Some earthquakes can occur without causing fault rupture. Such earthquakes are usually small, but some can be much more substantial, such as the 2003 San Simeon earthquake. These events are known as “blind thrust earthquakes.” As shown in Figure 4.6-1, the Santa Ynez River Fault Zone, which bisects the city parallel to the Santa Ynez River, has the potential to result in fault rupture within Solvang.

Ground Shaking
Ground shaking occurs when seismic waves cause the ground to shake, resulting in damage to structures. Ground shaking is triggered by seismic activity on faults and is most likely to occur near regional fault lines, as shown on Figure 4.6-1. Both the Santa Ynez River Fault Zone and the Santa Ynez Fault Zone are considered potentially active and are capable of producing sizable, damaging earthquakes characterized by strong seismic ground shaking. Additionally, most of the developed areas in Solvang are located on or within close proximity to alluvial deposits and are at a greater risk for enhanced ground shaking during seismic events. Consequently, these properties have an increased risk of damage caused by ground shaking. Figure 4.6-2 shows the shaking potential of areas within Solvang.

Liquefaction
Liquefaction occurs when loose soil loses strength and behaves like a liquid during an earthquake, creating the potential for structural damage to buildings in the vicinity. The alluvial deposits typically found along the Santa Ynez River and Alamo Pintado Creek also have a high susceptibility for liquefaction (City of Solvang 2021). Properties near the Santa Ynez River are located on alluvium deposits, which have a high susceptibility for liquefaction. However, most of the developed areas in Solvang are located on or within close proximity to alluvial deposits. The potential for liquefaction can exacerbate the overall effects from local and regional seismic events.

Landslides
Landslides can be caused by earthquake shaking resulting in loose material to slide down a slope.

Landslide risk is highest adjacent to Adobe Canyon Creek, as shown in Figure 4.6-3. This area, as well as others concentrated throughout the eastern and southern portions of Solvang, are classified as a very high landslide risk. These areas are primarily comprised of open space and adjacent to residential uses. The northern portion of development Site C, identified in the City’s adopted 2023- 2031 Housing Element, is within a landslide risk area identified by the City. 702
Figure 4.6-2 Ground Shaking Potential
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Figure 4.6-3 Landslide Risk in Solvang
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Expansive Soils
Certain soils which include clay materials tend to swell when their moisture content increases and shrink when moisture decreases. As moisture content varies, the resultant shrinking and swelling of expansive soils can cause extensive damage to structures built over such material. Soils underlying Solvang have clay contents ranging from approximately two percent clay to approximately 50 percent clay (United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service 2023). In particular, soils in the Planning Area associated with the Positas, Santa Ynez, Tierra, Cropley and Diablo formations typically have a moderate to high shrink-swell potential and are considered expansive. These areas are generally north of Highway 246 in the area east and west of Alamo Pintado Road (City of Solvang 2016). Soils in Solvang are shown in Figure 4.6-4. Descriptions of the soils in Solvang are provided in Table 4.6-1.

Collapsible Soils
Collapsible soils are low density, fine-grained, dominantly granular soils. When these soils become saturated with water, they undergo a rearrangement of their grains, resulting in substantial and rapid settlement under relatively low loads. Therefore, such soils are extremely sensitive to an increase in moisture content caused either by a rise in the groundwater table or by increased surface water infiltration. According to the County of Santa Barbara Comprehensive Plan Safety Element, the only notable case of soil collapse in the County is in the town of New Cuyama (County of Santa Barbara 2015).

Soil Erosion
Erosion refers to the removal of soil from exposed bedrock surfaces by water or wind. Erosion occurs naturally but is often accelerated by human activities that disturb soil and vegetation. The rate at which erosion occurs is largely a function of climate, soil cover, slope conditions, and inherent soil properties such as texture and structure. Soil units found within the Planning Area generally have a slight to moderate potential for erosion, with erosion potential being generally higher in the hillside areas. Small areas with a severe potential for erosion occur along Adobe Canyon Creek and in the area north of Highway 246 and west of Alamo Pintado Road (City of Solvang 2016).

Lateral Spreading
Lateral spreading is the horizontal movement or spreading of soil toward an open face such as a stream bank, the open side of fill embankments, or the sides of levees. Artificial fill areas which are improperly engineered or which have steep, unstable banks are most likely to be affected by lateral spreading. The potential for lateral spreading is highest in areas where there is a high groundwater table, relatively soft and recent alluvium deposits, and where creekbanks are relatively high. In the Planning Area, these areas are located along the Santa Ynez River, Adobe Canyon Creek, Alisal Creek, and Alamo Pintado Creek (City of Solvang 2016).
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Figure 4.6-4 Soils Within Solvang
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Table 4.6-1 Soil Descriptions in Solvang
Map Unit Map Unit Name Geomorphic Description Soil Order AgA Agueda silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols AgA Agueda silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols AgA Agueda silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols AgC Agueda silty clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes alluvial fans, terraces, valleys Mollisols BaA Ballard fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaA Ballard fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaA Ballard fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaA Ballard fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BaC Ballard fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbA Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbC Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbC Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbD Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbD Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbD Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BbD Ballard gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes terraces Mollisols BtA2 Botella clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols BtA2 Botella clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols BtA2 Botella clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols BtA2 Botella clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans, valleys Mollisols BtD2 Botella clay loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes, eroded valleys Mollisols BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
707
Map Unit Map Unit Name Geomorphic Description Soil Order BtC Botella clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, benches, terraces, valleys
Mollisols
ChG2 Chamise shaly loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes, eroded terraces Mollisols CfD Chamise shaly sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes terraces Mollisols 300 Corducci and Typic Xerofluvents, 0 to 5 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, MLRA 14
alluvial fans, flood plains,
stream terraces, valleys
Entisols
300 Corducci and Typic Xerofluvents, 0 to 5 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, MLRA 14
alluvial fans, flood plains,
stream terraces, valleys
Entisols
Cv Cropley silty clay flood plains Vertisols
DaE Diablo silty clay, 15 to 30 percent slopes hills, ridges Vertisols DaD Diablo silty clay, 9 to 15 percent slopes hills, ridges Vertisols EmA Elder loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, inset fans
Mollisols
EmC Elder loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains Mollisols EdC2 Elder sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans Mollisols EdC2 Elder sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans Mollisols EdC2 Elder sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans Mollisols EdC2 Elder sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans Mollisols EdD2 Elder sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded alluvial fans Mollisols GsF Gazos clay loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols LcF Linne clay loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols LcF Linne clay loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols LcG Linne clay loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes hills Mollisols LdG Lodo loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes hills, mountains Mollisols LsE Los Osos-San Benito clay loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes hills Mollisols LsE Los Osos-San Benito clay loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes hills Mollisols LsF Los Osos-San Benito clay loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols LsF Los Osos-San Benito clay loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols LsF Los Osos-San Benito clay loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols LsF Los Osos-San Benito clay loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes hills Mollisols Ma Made Land Entisols
Mu Mocho fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial flats, alluvial plains
Mollisols
Mv Mocho loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, flood plains, terraces
Mollisols
PtC Positas fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Alfisols PtC Positas fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Alfisols PtC Positas fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Alfisols PtC Positas fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Alfisols PtC Positas fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Alfisols PtC Positas fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Alfisols PtD Positas fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes terraces Alfisols 708
Map Unit Map Unit Name Geomorphic Description Soil Order SaA Salinas loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial flats, alluvial plains, flood plains,
terraces
Mollisols
SdA Salinas silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial flats, alluvial plains, flood plains
Mollisols
SdC Salinas silty clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, flood plains, terraces
Mollisols
SdC Salinas silty clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, flood plains, terraces
Mollisols
SoC Santa Ynez clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols SoC Santa Ynez clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols SoC Santa Ynez clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes terraces Mollisols SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnC Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes
terraces Mollisols
SnD Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes
scarp slopes Mollisols
SnD Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes
scarp slopes Mollisols
SnD Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes
scarp slopes Mollisols
SnD Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes
scarp slopes Mollisols
SvA Sorrento loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial plains, flood plains Mollisols SvA Sorrento loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial plains, flood plains Mollisols SvC Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, scarp slopes, terraces
Mollisols
SvC Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, scarp slopes, terraces
Mollisols
709
Map Unit Map Unit Name Geomorphic Description Soil Order SvC Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 alluvial fans, alluvial plains, scarp slopes, terraces
Mollisols
StC Sorrento sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes alluvial fans Mollisols TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TdF Terrace escarpments, loamy escarpments Entisols
TnC Tierra sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, MLRA 14 hills, marine terraces, terraces Alfisols W Water -- Water
Source: SSURGO Soils Downloader 2023
Subsidence
Subsidence refers to the sinking of a large area of ground surface in which material is displaced vertically with little or no horizontal movement. Subsidence originates at great depths below the surface when subsurface pressure is reduced by the natural loss or human withdrawal of fluids (e.g. groundwater, natural gas, or oil), or can occur due to soil compression. Historical evidence of land subsidence in the Santa Ynez Valley is limited, and the Santa Ynez Groundwater Basin is at low risk for subsidence (Dudek 2020).

Paleontological Resources
Paleontological resources, or fossils, are the remains and/or traces of prehistoric life. Significant paleontological resources are fossils or assemblages of fossils that are unique, rare, diagnostically important, or are common but have the potential to provide valuable scientific information for evaluating evolutionary patterns and geologic processes. New or unique specimens can provide new insights into evolutionary history; however, additional specimens of well represented lineages can be equally important for studying evolutionary pattern and process, and evolutionary rates. As such, common fossils, especially vertebrates, may be scientifically important, and therefore are considered highly significant.

Fossils are typically preserved in layered sedimentary rocks and the distribution of fossils is a result of the sedimentary history of the geologic units within which they occur. Fossils occur in a noncontinuous and often unpredictable distribution within some sedimentary units, and the potential for fossils to occur within sedimentary units depends on several factors. Although it is not possible to determine whether a fossil will occur in any specific location, it is possible to evaluate the potential for geologic units to contain scientifically significant paleontological resources.

The geology of the region surrounding Solvang was mapped by Sweetkind et al. (2021), who identified 11 geologic units underlying the 2045 General Plan area. The paleontological sensitivity of 710
each of these geologic units has been evaluated according to the following Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP; 2010) paleontological sensitivity scale. The age, lithology, and paleontological sensitivity, of these geologic units are summarized in Table 4.6-2, and their geographic distribution shown in Figure 4.6-5.

Low Sensitivity
In general, the Holocene-aged geologic units (active alluvium, coded as Qac, and alluvial fan and fluvial deposits, coded as Qay) that underlie the topographically lower areas of the 2045 General Plan area (e.g., near and within the Santa Ynez River, Alisal Creek, and Alamo Pintado Creek) have low paleontological sensitivity. These geologic units are generally considered too young (i.e., less than 5,000 years old) to preserve paleontological resources (SVP 2010). Site D is completely underlain by alluvial fan and fluvial deposits, and Sites B and C are partially underlain by alluvial fan and fluvial deposits.

These Holocene-aged geologic units are likely underlain by older geologic units that may have high paleontological sensitivity (see Table 4.6-2). The depth at which these units occur depends on local conditions and development history of the site, so it is likely highly variable throughout the Planning Area.

The Tranquilon Volcanics (coded as Ttv) are an igneous geologic unit that has low paleontological sensitivity that is found in a small area near the mouth of Alisal Creek. Igneous rocks generally do not preserve paleontological resources, but the Tranquilon Volcanics consist of tuff (i.e., ashfall deposits), which are a type of igneous rock known to produce paleontological resources (SVP 2010).

However, no fossils are yet known from the Tranquilon Volcanics.

High Sensitivity
The older Cenozoic-aged sedimentary geologic units (older terrace deposits, Qto; Careaga Sandstone, Tc; Sisquoc Formation, Tsq; Monterey Formation, Tmu; Rincon Shale, Tr; Vaqueros Formation, Tv;; and Sespe Formation, Tsp that underlie the majority of the 2045 General Plan area have high paleontological sensitivity. All of these geologic units are known to have produced scientifically significant paleontological resources in Santa Barbara County and surrounding regions including mammal, bird, reptile, ray-finned fish, shark, and invertebrate fossils (Jefferson 2010; Paleobiology Database 2023; Sweetkind et al. 2021; University of California Museum of Paleontology 2023; Woodring and Bramlette 1950). Sites B and C are partially underlain by the Sisquoc Formation, and the Old Lumberyard site is entirely underlain by older terrace deposits.

The Espada Formation (KJe) is a Mesozoic-aged sedimentary geologic unit with high paleontological sensitivity found along Alisal Creek. The Espada Formation has produced numerous invertebratebearing fossil localities in Santa Barbara County (Paleobiology Database 2023; Sweetkind et al. 2021; University of California Museum of Paleontology 2023).
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Table 4.6-2 Geologic Units of Solvang
Geologic Unit Abbreviation Description Age Sensitivity
Active alluvium Qac Subrounded to rounded, moderately to wellsorted, sand- to boulder-sized sediments found within active stream and river channels.

Late Holocene Low
Alluvial fan and
alluvial deposits
Qay Unconsolidated valley, floodplain, fluvial, and
alluvial fan deposits. Sediments range in size
from clay- to cobble-sized with varying degrees
of rounding and sorting.

Holocene Low
Older terrace
deposits
Qto Moderately well-bedded, sandy conglomerate
that represent uplifted stream channel and
alluvial deposits.

Pleistocene High
Careaga Sandstone Tc Gray, buff, or white; fine- to coarse-grained sandstone or conglomerate.

Pliocene High
Sisquoc Formation Tsq Brown, laminated or massively bedded, mudstone with occasional diatomite or
sandstone beds.

Miocene to
Pliocene
High
Monterey
Formation
Tmu Laminated to thin-bedded, chert, shale, and
mudstone.

Miocene High
Tranquilon
Volcanics
Ttv Grayish white or pinkish white rhyolitic tuff
that is likely less than 6 feet thick in the 2045
General Plan area.

Miocene Low
Rincon Shale Tr Brown, gray, or buff; poorly to massively bedded, mudstone with orange-weathering
dolomite concretions and occasional
sandstone beds.

Miocene High
Vaqueros
Formation
Tv Gray or buff, fine- to medium-grained
sandstone with light brown, thin-bedded
siltstone interbeds and occasional
conglomerate or coquina interbeds.

Oligocene High
Sespe Formation Tsp Pinkish-gray to buff, laminated sandstone with red or green shale and siltstone interbeds.

Locally, contains conglomerate or red to green
sandstone.

Eocene High
Espada Formation KJe Greenish-brown, well-bedded, shale and finegrained sandstone with locally occurring lenses of pebble to cobble conglomerate.

Jurassic to
Cretaceous
High
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Figure 4.6-5 Geolgoic Map and Palaeontolgical Sensitivity of Solvang 713

4.6.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 provided a new set of mitigation plan requirements for State and local jurisdictions that encourage them to coordinate disaster mitigation planning and implementation. States are encouraged to complete a “Standard” or an “Enhanced” Natural Mitigation Plan. Enhanced plans demonstrate increased coordination of mitigation activities at the State level and, if completed and approved, increase the amount of funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act was enacted in 1977 to “reduce the risks to life and property from future earthquakes in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards and reduction program.” To accomplish this, the act established the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program. This program was substantially amended in November 1990 by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Act, which refined the description of agency responsibilities, program goals, and objectives to focus on minimizing loss from earthquakes after they occur. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program promotes the adoption of earthquake hazard reduction activities by all scales of government and works to develop national building standards and model codes for use by engineers, architects, and all others involved in the planning and construction of buildings and infrastructure.

Clean Water Act Section 402
Section 402 of the Clean Water Act requires that all construction sites on an acre or greater of land, as well as municipal, industrial and commercial facilities discharging wastewater or stormwater directly from a point source (e.g., pipe, ditch, or channel) into a surface water of the United States must obtain permission under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

All NPDES permits are written to ensure that the surface water receiving discharges will achieve specified water quality standards.

According to federal regulations, NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges associated with construction activity can be obtained through individual state permits or general permits. Individual permitting involves the submittal of specific data on a single construction project to the appropriate permitting agency that will issue a site-specific NPDES permit to the project. NPDES coverage under a general permit involves the submittal of a Notice of Intent by the regulated construction project that they intend to comply with a general permit to be developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or a state with delegated permitting authority. In California, the NPDES program is administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) through the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Further discussion of the NPDES program and permits in California relevant to the proposed project is provided in discussion of State regulations, below.

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b. State Regulations
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act of 1972 (Alquist-Priolo Act; California Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 2621 through 2630) was passed into law following the destructive magnitude of 6.6 San Fernando earthquake on February 9, 1971. The Alquist-Priolo Act provides a mechanism for reducing losses from surface fault rupture on a statewide basis. The intent of the Alquist-Priolo Act is to ensure public safety by prohibiting the siting of most structures for human occupancy across traces of active faults that constitute a potential hazard to structures from surface faulting or fault creep. Generally, structures for human occupancy must be set back from active faults by approximately 50 feet. Therefore, if a project site is in an active earthquake fault zone, the local agency must withhold development permits until geologic investigations demonstrate that the site is not threatened by surface displacement from future faulting.

Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act of 1990 was enacted, in part, to address seismic hazards not included in the Alquist-Priolo Act, including strong ground shaking, landslides, and liquefaction.

Under this Act, the State Geologist is assigned the responsibility of identifying and mapping seismic hazards. CGS Special Publication 117, adopted in 1997 by the State Mining and Geology Board, contains guidelines for evaluating seismic hazards other than surface faulting and for recommending mitigation measures under PRC Section 2695(a). In accordance with the mapping criteria, the CGS seismic hazard zone maps identify areas with the potential for a ground shaking event that corresponds to 10 percent probability of exceedance in 50 years.

General Construction Activity Stormwater Permit
The General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities, Order No. 2022-0057-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000002 (Construction General Permit), adopted by the SWRCB, regulates construction activity that includes clearing, grading, and excavation resulting in soil disturbance of at least one acre of total land area. The Construction General Permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater to surface waters from construction activities. The Construction General Permit requires that all developers of land where construction activities will occur over more than one acre do the following:
 Complete a Risk Assessment to determine pollution prevention requirements pursuant to the three risk levels established in the Construction General Permit;  Eliminate or reduce non-stormwater discharges to storm sewer systems and other waters of the United States;
 Develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that specifies Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will reduce pollution in stormwater discharges to the Best Available Technology/Economically Achievable/Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology standards;
 Perform inspections and maintenance of all BMPs; and
 Conduct stormwater sampling, if required based on risk level. 715
To obtain coverage in accordance with the Construction General Permit, a project applicant must electronically file all permit registration documents with the SWRCB prior to the start of construction. Permit registration documents must include:
 Notice of Intent, including Risk Level determination;  Site Drawings and Maps;
 SWPPP;
 Applicable plans, calculations, and other supporting documentation for compliance with existing permitted Phase I or Phase II municipal separate storm sewer system post-construction requirements or the post-construction standards of the Construction General Permit;  Annual fee per the current 23 California Code of Regulations Chapter 9 fee schedule for NPDES stormwater permits; and
 All applicable additional Permit Registration Document information.

Typical BMPs included in in SWPPPs are designed to minimize erosion during construction, stabilize construction areas, control sediment, control pollutants from construction materials, and control the volume and velocity of dewatering discharges.

California Building Code
The California Building Code (CBC) Title 24, Part 2, provides building codes and standards for the design and construction of structures in California. The purpose of the CBC is to establish minimum standards to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, and general stability by controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location, and maintenance of building and structures.

The CBC contains specific requirements for seismic safety, excavation, foundations, retaining walls, and site demolition. It also regulates grading activities, including drainage and erosion control.

Chapter 16 of the CBC contains definitions of seismic sources and the procedure used to calculate seismic forces on structures. In addition, the CBC contains necessary California amendments, which are based on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Minimum Design Standards 7-05. ASCE 7-05 provides requirements for general structural design and includes means for determining earthquake loads as well as other loads (e.g., flood, wind) for inclusion into building codes. The provisions of the CBC apply to the construction, alteration, movement, replacement, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures throughout California. The CBC also provides standards for various aspects of construction, including, but not limited to, excavation, grading, and earthwork construction; preparation of the site prior to fill placement; specification on fill materials and fill compaction and field testing; retaining wall design and construction; foundation design and construction; and seismic requirements. It includes provisions to address issues such as, but not limited to, construction on expansive soils and soil strength loss.

The CBC is updated every three years by order of the legislature, with supplements published in intervening years. State law mandates that local governments enforce the CBC. In addition, a city and/or county may establish more restrictive building standards reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. The 2022 CBC, which took effect on January 1, 2023, adds regulations for the use of tall wood and mass timber, accessibility of public buildings, interior environment design, and structural design.
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California Public Resources Code
Section 5097.5 of the Public Resources Code states:

No person shall knowingly and willfully excavate upon, or remove, destroy, injure or deface any historic or prehistoric ruins, burial grounds, archaeological or vertebrate paleontological site, including fossilized footprints, inscriptions made by human agency, or any other archaeological, paleontological or historical feature, situated on public lands, except with the express permission of the public agency having jurisdiction over such lands. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

Here “public lands” means those owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the state or any city, county, district, authority, or public corporation, or any agency thereof. Consequently, public agencies are required to comply with Public Resources Code Section 5097.5 for their own activities, including construction and maintenance, and for permit actions (e.g., encroachment permits) undertaken by others.
c. Local Regulations
Solvang Municipal Code
Title 10, Chapter 1
Title 10, Chapter 1 of the City’s Municipal Code incorporates the most current CBC into the City’s development standards.

Title 11, Chapter 16
Title 11, Chapter 16 of the City’s Municipal Code establishes procedures for issuing land use permits that are required by the City planning division for new developments and land uses. This chapter states that a land use permit shall not be required for grading that involves less than 1,500 cubic yards of cut and fill on slopes less than 30 percent grade unless that grading “would adversely impact paleontological, archaeological or uniquely important cultural resources” among other stipulations.

Title 12, Chapter 7
Title 12, Chapter 7 of the City’s Municipal Code includes special grading provisions related to the development of subdivisions which are intended to prevent the creation of unsightly raw earth areas, prevent erosion and stability problems, and to promote a natural appearance. These provisions are intended to keep graded areas and cuts and fills to a minimum. Limitations may be placed on the size of areas to be graded or to be used for building pads, as well as on the size, height, and angles of cut slopes and fill slopes.

Title 14, Chapter 3
Title 14, Chapter 3 of the City’s Municipal Code requires BMPs to be installed, implemented, and mandated throughout the duration of construction of a new or redeveloped project and at industrial and commercial facilities to minimize the discharge of pollutants to the storm drain system. These requirements may include a combination of structural and non-structural BMPs that are consistent with the California Storm Water Quality Association (CASQA) Best Management Practice Handbooks or equivalent and shall include requirements to ensure the proper long-term 717
operation and maintenance of these BMPs. This Chapter also provides erosion management requirements based on an individual project’s size.

4.6.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
Geology and Soils
The impact analysis is based on existing geological conditions in Solvang, including topography, soil conditions, and seismic hazards, as described in Section 4.6.1, Setting. This analysis identifies potential impacts based on the predicted interaction between the affected environment and construction, operation, and maintenance activities related to the 2045 General Plan.

Paleontological Resources
In the absence of other sensitivity criteria required by certain federal, state, or local regulatory agencies, the paleontological sensitivity scale explained in the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s (SVP) Standard Procedures for the Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to Paleontological Resources is generally used (SVP 2010). According to this system, geologic units can be assigned a high, low, undetermined, or no potential for containing scientifically significant nonrenewable paleontological resources. Following the literature review, a paleontological sensitivity classification was assigned to each geologic unit mapped within the project site. This criterion is based on rock units within which vertebrate or significant invertebrate fossils have been determined by previous studies to be present or likely to be present. The potential for impacts to significant paleontological resources is based on the potential for ground disturbance to directly impact paleontologically sensitive geologic units.

In general, for geologic units with high sensitivity, full-time monitoring is recommended during any project-related ground disturbance. For geologic units with low or no sensitivity, protection or salvage efforts are not required. For geologic units with undetermined sensitivity, field surveys by a qualified paleontologist are usually recommended to specifically determine the paleontological potential of the rock units present within the study area.

Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on geology and soils. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the proposed project may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

1. Directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
a. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault;
b. Strong seismic ground shaking;
c. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction; d. Landslides;
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2. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil;

3. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse;

4. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property;

5. Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater; or

6. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature.

This section does not analyze the exposure of new structures to geologic hazards because it is an impact of the environment on the project. The California Supreme Court held in a December 2015 opinion (California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District) that an analysis of impacts of the environment on a project is not required for CEQA compliance. b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1a: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault?
Threshold 1b: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving strong seismic ground shaking? Threshold 1c: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction?
Threshold 1d: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving landslides? Threshold 3: Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse? Threshold 4: Would the project be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property?
Impact GEO-1 CONSTRUCTION OF NEW DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN MAY EXACERBATE SEISMIC HAZARDS RISK, SUCH AS LIQUEFACTION OR LANDSLIDES. ADHERENCE TO REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 2045 GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES

WOULD MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS, INJURY, OR DEATH FOLLOWING A SEISMIC EVENT, LANDSLIDE, LIQUEFACTION, OR OTHER GEOLOGIC HAZARDS. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

As discussed in Section 4.6.1b, Geologic and Seismic Hazards, there is one active fault which runs along the Santa Ynez River. There are other active faults within Santa Barbara County with the 719
potential to affect Solvang, including the Santa Ynez, Nacimiento, Ozena, Suey, and Little Pine Faults.

Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would facilitate future residential development in Solvang. While additional residents, employees, and new structures would be exposed to the effects of existing seismic hazards, including fault rupture, seismic ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, lateral spreading, subsidence, and collapse from local and regional earthquakes, the project itself would not exacerbate the risk of seismic hazards occurring. The 2045 General Plan would encourage infill development and redevelopment of existing underutilized land uses, which could replace older buildings subject to seismic damage with newer structures built to current seismic standards that would better withstand the adverse effects of strong ground shaking. The CBC regulates the design and construction of excavations, foundations, building frames, retaining walls, and other building elements to mitigate the effects of seismic shaking. Foundations and other structural support features are required to be designed to resist or absorb damaging forces from strong ground shaking and liquefaction.

Structures built on steep slopes could be exposed to an existing risk of landslide, or if improperly constructed, could exacerbate existing landslide conditions through improper weight distribution.

Potential structural damage and exposure of people to the risk of injury or death from structural failure would be minimized through required compliance with the CBC which provides earthquake design requirements, including earthquake loading specifications for design and construction to resist effects of earthquake motions in accordance with the American Society of Civil Engineers Standard 7-05.

In addition to mandatory compliance with CBC requirements, implementation of the following 2045 General Plan Safety Element policies would further reduce the potential for loss, injury, or death from seismic hazards by requiring geotechnical reports for development, requiring development to avoid and/or mitigate potential impacts to slope instability, and prohibiting new or expanded development in areas of landslide activity:
 Policy SAF-2.1: Earthquake Resistant Design. The City shall continue to require earthquake resistant designs for all structures and utilities.
 Policy SAF-2.2: Critical Facilities Placement. New critical structures such as hospitals, police substations, fire stations, emergency communication centers, schools, high occupancy buildings and bridges shall be located away from high-risk earthquake, landslide, and liquefaction zones.  Policy SAF-2.3: Geotechnical Reports. The City shall continue to require the preparation of geotechnical reports and impose appropriate mitigation measures for new development in areas of potential seismic or geologic hazards to ensure, within the limits of technical and economic feasibility, that new structures are able to withstand the effects of seismic activity, including liquefaction, slope instability, expansive soils or other geologic hazards.  Policy SAF-2.4: Underground Utilities. The City shall continue to require the design of underground utilities, particularly water and natural gas mains, to resist seismic forces in accordance with state requirements.
 Policy SAF-2.5: Identification and Abatement of Risk for Existing Structures. The City shall identify and encourage risk abatement for existing structures that will be hazardous during an earthquake event, especially high occupancy structures that have the greatest potential effect on public safety.
 Policy SAF-2.6: Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act. The City shall continue to enforce the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act that requires geologic studies to be performed so 720
that habitable structures and essential facilities will be sited away from active and potentially active faults.
 Policy SAF-3.1: Landslide and Slope Instability Hazard Mitigation. The City shall continue to require development to avoid and/or mitigate any potential impacts a project contributes to landslides and slope instability hazards on neighboring property, appurtenant structures, utilities, and roads.
 Policy SAF-3.2: Expansion of Development in Areas of Landslide Activity. The City shall prohibit the expansion of existing structures or developments in areas of known landslide activity except when the project will incorporate measures to reduce the potential for loss of life and property.  Policy SAF-3.3: New Development in Areas of Landslide Activity. The City shall prohibit new development in areas of known landslide activity unless development plans indicate that the hazard can be reduced to a less than significant level prior to beginning development.

Implementation of 2045 General Plan Safety Element policies would minimize risks associated with potential fault rupture, seismic shaking, and other geologic hazards in Solvang. Pursuant to Policy SAF-2.3, a detailed review of design and construction plans and incorporation of additional structural safety features would be required on a project-by-project basis, as necessary, for structures that would be located in areas of potential seismic or geologic hazards, including expansive soils. Implementation of these policies, in addition to compliance with the CBC, would minimize the potential for loss, injury, or death following a seismic event. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 2: Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? Impact GEO-2 CONSTRUCTION OF DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD

INCLUDE GROUND DISTURBANCE THAT WOULD RESULT IN LOOSE OR EXPOSED SOIL THAT COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF TOPSOIL. COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PERMIT, THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING

CODE, AND CITY MUNICIPAL CODE WOULD MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR EROSION AND LOSS OF TOPSOIL AND WOULD ENSURE THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would involve construction activities such as stockpiling, grading, excavation, paving and other earth disturbing activities. These construction activities may result in loose and disturbed soils in Solvang, which can increase the potential for erosion and loss of topsoil.

Construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land are subject to the NPDES General Construction Permit process, which would require development of a SWPPP that outlines projectspecific BMPs to control erosion, sediment release, and otherwise reduce the potential for discharge of pollutants from construction into stormwater. Typical erosion control and sediment control BMPs include, but are not limited to, installation of silt fences, erosion control blankets, and anti-tracking pads at site exits to prevent off-site transport of soil material. Construction activities would also be required to comply with CBC Chapter 70 standards, which are designed to ensure implementation of appropriate measures during grading and construction to control erosion and storm water pollution.
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As required by the City’s Municipal Code, if a project would disturb less than one acre of land, the applicant would be required to prepare and obtain City approval of a project-specific Erosion and Sediment Control Plan which is required to include BMPs that would be implemented during project construction and operation. Therefore, erosion from ground-disturbing activities associated with development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be controlled through implementation of the requirements and BMPs contained in existing regulations, including the General Construction Permit and City Municipal Code. In addition, the City would require implementation of projectspecific post-construction BMPs as necessary to ensure pollutant loads in runoff are minimized.

Compliance with the regulations discussed above would reduce the risk of soil erosion from construction activities such that there would be minimal change in risk compared to current conditions with existing development, and this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 5: Would the project have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater?
Impact GEO-3 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD OCCUR WHERE EXISTING SEWER SYSTEMS ARE PRESENT. THEREFORE, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD

NOT RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO SOILS THAT ARE INCAPABLE OF SUPPORTING SEPTIC TANKS OR ALTERNATIVE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEMS. NO IMPACT WOULD OCCUR.

The 2045 General Plan encourages growth management and development within Solvang with existing wastewater infrastructure. In general, development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan is not anticipated to include the use of septic systems because new development would occur where existing sewer systems are in place. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not result in a significant impact associated with soils that are incapable of supporting septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems and no impact would occur.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because no impact would occur.

Threshold 6: Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?
Impact GEO-4 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES. IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED.

Adverse effects to paleontological resources can only be determined once a specific project has been proposed because the effects are highly dependent on both the individual project site conditions (e.g., local environment, level of disturbance) and the characteristics of the proposed ground‐disturbing activity (maximum depth, total volume, nature of ground disturbance). However, ground-disturbing activities associated with construction facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, particularly in areas that have not previously been developed with urban uses, have the potential to encounter and damage or destroy paleontological resources that may be present on or below the 722
ground surface in areas of high paleontological sensitivity. Consequently, damage to or destruction of fossils could occur due to development under the 2045 General Plan and impacts would be potentially significant.

Sites B and C and the Old Lumberyard site are partially or entirely underlain by geologic units with high paleontological sensitivity (i.e., Qto and Tsq; Figure 4.6-5). Development of these sites has the potential to significantly impact paleontological resources. Site D is underlain by low-sensitivity alluvial fan and fluvial deposits. Therefore, development of site D is not expected to significantly impact paleontological resources.

The following 2045 General Plan goal and policy is applicable paleontological resources in Solvang:
 Goal ENV-4: To protect the historic and cultural resources in order to preserve the heritage of native peoples and the area’s earliest settlers.
 Policy ENV-4.1: Protect Archaeological Resources. The City shall provide for the protection of both known and potential archaeological resources citywide. To avoid significant damage to important archaeological sites, all available measures shall be explored at the time of a development proposal. Where such measures are not feasible and development would adversely affect identified archaeological or paleontological resources, mitigation shall be required in accordance with the relevant provisions of federal and State laws.

Policy ENV-4.1 requires development projects that have the potential to adversely affect identified paleontological resources to follow federal and State laws to mitigate those effects. However, damage to or destruction of previously unidentified paleontological resources still constitutes a significant impact under CEQA or adverse effect under federal environmental laws. Therefore, the impact would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
GEO-1 Protection of Paleontological Resources
The City of Solvang shall add the following policies providing for the protection of paleontological resources to the 2045 General Plan prior to its adoption. These policies shall include the following stipulations:
 A Qualified Professional Paleontologist, as defined by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP), must be retained to conduct a paleontological resources analysis prior to the initiation of projects that may impact sediments with high paleontological sensitivity to determine whether there is a potential for the project to significantly impact paleontological resources.  If potential impacts to paleontological resources are found to be significant, then a Qualified Professional Paleontologist shall be retained to develop and implement a Paleontological Resources Mitigation Program (PRMP) to ensure that impacts to paleontological resources are mitigated. This PRMP may include:
 Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) training;  Pre-construction surveys;
 Paleontological construction monitoring;
 Retention of an on-call Qualified Professional Paleontologist;  Salvage, laboratory preparation, and curation of paleontological resources; and/or  Reporting to regulatory agencies.
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 Should paleontological resources be encountered during any construction activity, all activity that could damage or destroy the resources shall be suspended until a Qualified Professional Paleontologist has examined the site. Construction shall not resume until the resource is properly evaluated and, if necessary, mitigation actions are carried out to address the impacts of the project on these resources.

Significance After Mitigation
Mitigation Measure GEO-1 would require paleontological resources protected, if applicable, which would reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level.

4.6.4 Cumulative Impacts
Geology, soils, and seismicity impacts may be related to exacerbation of seismic hazards and increased erosion and/or loss of topsoil. These effects occur independently of one another, and result from site-specific and project-specific characteristics and conditions. Therefore, no cumulative impacts related to geology, soils, and seismicity would occur within the cumulative impact analysis area.

Cumulative development under the 2045 General Plan could disturb areas that may potentially contain paleontological resources. The potential for impacts from individual developments are sitespecific and depend on the location and extent of ground disturbance associated with each individual development proposal. All future development projects would continue to be subject to existing state and local requirements, and discretionary projects may be subject to project-specific mitigation requirements under CEQA. In addition, future development in the City would comply with 2045 General Plan policies and goals to ensure that paleontological resources encountered during construction would be properly recovered and curated. Therefore, the proposed project’s contribution to cumulative impacts related to the destruction, damage, or loss of undiscovered scientifically important paleontological resources would be less than significant. Cumulative impacts related to geology, paleontology, soils, and seismicity would be less than significant, and the 2045 General Plan would not result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to cumulative paleontological impacts.
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4.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This section summarizes greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and GHG emissions inventory and analyzes the impacts related to GHG emissions and climate change due to the 2045 General Plan.

4.7.1 Setting
Gases that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation in the atmosphere are called GHGs. Gases that are widely seen as the principal contributors to human-induced climate change include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), fluorinated gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) and perfluorocarbons (PFC), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Water vapor is excluded from the list of GHGs, because it is short-lived in the atmosphere, and its atmospheric concentrations are largely determined by natural processes, such as oceanic evaporation.

Different GHGs have varying global warming potentials (GWP). The GWP of a GHG is the potential of a gas or aerosol to trap heat in the atmosphere over a specified timescale (generally, 100 years).

Because GHGs absorb different amounts of heat, a common reference gas (CO2) is used to relate the amount of heat absorbed to the amount of the gas, referred to as “carbon dioxide equivalent” (CO2e), which is the amount of GHG multiplied by its GWP. CO2 has a 100-year GWP of 1. By contrast, methane has a 100-year GWP of 30, meaning its global warming effect is 30 times greater than CO2 on a molecule-per-molecule basis (United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] 2021).1
GHGs are emitted by natural processes and human activities. Of these gases, CO2 and CH4 are emitted in the greatest quantities from human activities. Emissions of CO2 are usually by-products of fossil fuel combustion, and CH4 results from off-gassing associated with leakage from natural gas pipelines and processes, agricultural practices and landfills. Human-made GHGs, which have greater heat-absorption potential than CO2, include fluorinated gases and SF6 (United States Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA] 2023a).

Climate change is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, land and oceans along with other substantial changes in climate (such as wind patterns, precipitation, and storms) over an extended period. The term “climate change” is often used interchangeably with the term “global warming,” but climate change is preferred, because it conveys that other changes are happening in addition to rising temperatures. The baseline against which these changes are measured originates from historical records that identify temperature changes that occurred in the past, such as during previous ice ages. The global climate is changing continuously, as evidenced in the geologic record, which indicates repeated episodes of substantial warming and cooling. The rate of change has typically been incremental, with warming or cooling trends occurring over the course of thousands of years. The past 10,000 years have been marked by a period of incremental warming, as glaciers have steadily retreated across the globe. However, scientists have observed acceleration in the rate of warming over the past 150 years. The IPCC expressed in their Sixth Assessment Report that the rise and continued growth of atmospheric CO2 concentrations is unequivocally due to human activities (IPCC 2021). Human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land and has led the climate to warm at an unprecedented rate in the last 2,000 years. It is estimated that between the period of 1850 through 2019, a total of 2,390 gigatons of 1 The IPCC’s (2021) Sixth Assessment Report determined that methane has a GWP of 30. However, the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan published by CARB uses a GWP of 25 for CH4, consistent with the IPCC’s (2007) Fourth Assessment Report. Therefore, this analysis utilizes a GWP of 25.
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anthropogenic CO2 was emitted. It is likely that anthropogenic activities have increased the global surface temperature by approximately 1.07 degrees Celsius between the years 2010 through 2019 (IPCC 2021).

GHGs in the atmosphere regulate the earth’s temperature. Without the natural heat-trapping effect of GHGs, the earth’s surface would be approximately 33 degrees Celsius cooler (World Meteorological Organization 2013). However, since 1750, estimated concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O in the atmosphere have increased by 47 percent, 156 percent, and 23 percent, respectively, primarily due to human activity (IPCC 2021). GHG emissions from human activities, particularly the consumption of fossil fuels for electricity production and transportation are believed to have elevated the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere far beyond the level of concentrations that occur naturally.
a. GHG Emissions Inventory
Global GHG Emissions Inventory
Worldwide anthropogenic GHG emissions totaled 47,000 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2e in 2015, a 43 percent increase from 1990 GHG levels. Specifically, 34,522 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2e of CO2, 8,241 MMT of CO2e of CH4, 2,997 MMT of CO2e of N2O, and 1,001 MMT of CO2e of fluorinated gases were emitted in 2015. The largest source of GHG emissions were energy production and fuel use from vehicles and buildings, which accounted for 75 percent of the global GHG emissions. Agriculture uses and industrial processes contributed 12 percent and six percent, respectively. Waste sources contributed three percent and international transportation sources contributed two percent. These sources account for approximately 98 percent because there was a net sink of two percent from land-use change (including afforestation/reforestation and emissions removals by other land use activities) (USEPA 2023a).

National GHG Emissions Inventory
United States GHG emissions were 6,347.7 MT of CO2e in 2021 or 5,593.5 MT CO2e after accounting for sequestration. Emissions increased by 6.8 percent from 2020 to 2021. The increase from 2020 to 2021 was driven by an increase in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion which increased 7 percent relative to previous years and is primarily due to the economy rebounding after the COVID19 Pandemic. In 2020, the energy sector (including transportation) accounted for 81 percent of nationwide GHG emissions while agriculture, industrial and waste accounted for approximately 10 percent, 6 percent, and 3 percent respectively (USEPA 2023b).

State GHG Emissions Inventory
Based on the California Air Resource Board (CARB) California Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 2000- 2020, California produced 369.2 MT of CO2e in 2020, which is 35.3 MT of CO2e lower than 2019 levels and 14 percent below 1990 levels. The 2019 to 2020 decrease in emissions is likely due in large part to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The major source of GHG emissions in California is the transportation sector, which comprises 37 percent of the state’s total GHG emissions. The industrial sector is the second largest source, comprising 20 percent of the state’s GHG emissions while electric power accounts for approximately 16 percent. The magnitude of California’s total GHG emissions is due in part to its large size and large population compared to other states. However, a factor that reduces California’s per capita fuel use and GHG emissions as compared to other states is its relatively mild climate. In 2016, the state of California achieved its 727
2020 GHG emission reduction target of reducing emissions to 1990 levels as emissions fell below 431 MT of CO2e (CARB 2022). The annual 2030 statewide target emissions level is 260 MT of CO2e (CARB 2017).

Potential Effects of Climate Change
Globally, climate change has the potential to affect numerous environmental resources though potential impacts related to future air temperatures and precipitation patterns. Scientific modeling predicts that continued GHG emissions at or above current rates would induce more extreme climate changes during the 21st century than were observed during the 20th century. The year 2022 was the sixth warmest year since global records began in 1880 at 0.86°C (1.55°F) above the 20th century average of 13.9°C (57.0°F). This value is 0.13°C (0.23°F) less than the record set in 2016 and it is only 0.02°C (0.04°F) higher than the last year's (2021) value, which now ranks as the seventh highest (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2023). Furthermore, several independently analyzed data records of global and regional Land-Surface Air Temperature obtained from station observations jointly indicate that Land Surface Air Temperature and sea surface temperatures have increased. Due to past and current activities, anthropogenic GHG emissions are increasing global mean surface temperature at a rate of 0.2°C per decade. In addition to these findings, there are identifiable signs that global warming is currently taking place, including substantial ice loss in the Arctic over the past two decades (IPCC 2014, 2018).

Potential impacts of climate change in California may include reduced water supply from snowpack, sea level rise, more extreme heat days per year, more large forest fires, and more drought years.

California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment (California Natural Resource Agency 2019) includes regional reports that summarize climate impacts and adaptation solutions for nine regions of the state and regionally specific climate change case studies. However, while there is growing scientific consensus about the possible effects of climate change at a global and statewide level, current scientific modeling tools are unable to predict what local impacts may occur with a similar degree of accuracy. A summary follows of some of the potential effects that climate change could generate in California.

Air Quality
Scientists project that the annual average maximum daily temperatures in California could rise by

2.4 to 3.2°C in the next 50 years and by 3.1 to 4.9°C in the next century. Higher temperatures are conducive to air pollution formation and rising temperatures could therefore result in worsened air quality in California. As a result, climate change may increase the concentration of ground-level ozone, but the magnitude of the effect, and therefore its indirect effects, are uncertain. In addition, as temperatures have increased in recent years, the area burned by wildfires throughout the state has increased, and wildfires have occurred at higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California Natural Resource Agency 2019). If higher temperatures continue to be accompanied by an increase in the incidence and extent of large wildfires, air quality could worsen. Severe heat accompanied by drier conditions and poor air quality could increase the number of heat-related deaths, illnesses, and asthma attacks throughout the state. With increasing temperatures, shifting weather patterns, longer dry seasons, and more dry fuel loads, the frequency of large wildfires and area burned is expected to increase (California Natural Resources Agency 2021). 728
Water Supply
Analysis of paleoclimatic data (such as tree-ring reconstructions of stream flow and precipitation) indicates a history of naturally and widely varying hydrologic conditions in California and the west, including a pattern of recurring and extended droughts. Uncertainty remains with respect to the overall impact of climate change on future precipitation trends and water supplies in California.

Year-to-year variability in statewide precipitation levels has increased since 1980, meaning that wet and dry precipitation extremes have become more common (California Department of Water Resources 2018). For example, the winter of 2022-2023 had severe storms and flooding from increased rainfall and snowmelt, which the California Department of Water Resources identified as “the latest example that California’s climate is becoming more extreme” (California Department of Wate Resources 2023). This uncertainty regarding future precipitation trends complicates the analysis of future water demand, especially where the relationship between climate change and its potential effect on water demand is not well understood. The average early spring snowpack in the western United States, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains, decreased by about 10 percent during the last century. During the same period, sea level rose over 0.15 meter along the central and southern California coasts. The Sierra snowpack provides most of California's water supply as snow that accumulates during wet winters is released slowly during the dry months of spring and summer. A warmer climate is predicted to reduce the fraction of precipitation that falls as snow and the amount of snowfall at lower elevations, thereby reducing the total snowpack. Projections indicate that the average spring snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and other mountain catchments in central and northern California will decline by approximately 66 percent from its historical average by 2050 (California Natural Resource Agency 2019).

Hydrology and Sea Level Rise
Climate change could affect the intensity and frequency of storms and flooding (California Natural Resource Agency 2019). Furthermore, climate change could induce substantial sea level rise in the coming century. Rising sea level increases the likelihood of and risk from flooding. The rate of increase of global mean sea levels between 1993 to 2022, observed by satellites, is approximately

3.4 millimeters per year, double the twentieth century trend of 1.6 millimeters per year (World Meteorological Organization 2013; National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2023). Global mean sea levels in 2013 were about 0.23 meter higher than those of 1880 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2022). Sea levels are rising faster now than in the previous two millennia, and the rise will probably accelerate, even with robust GHG emission control measures.

The most recent IPCC report predicts a mean sea level rise ranging between 0.25 to 1.01 meters by 2100 with the sea level ranges dependent on a low, intermediate, or high GHG emissions scenario (IPCC 2021). A rise in sea levels could erode 31 to 67 percent of southern California beaches and cause flooding of approximately 370 miles of coastal highways during 100-year storm events. This would also jeopardize California’s water supply due to saltwater intrusion and induce groundwater flooding and/or exposure of buried infrastructure (California Natural Resource Agency 2019).

Furthermore, increased storm intensity and frequency could affect the ability of flood-control facilities, including levees, to handle storm events.

Agriculture
California has an over $51 billion annual agricultural industry that produces over a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts (California Department of Food and Agriculture 2022). Higher CO2 levels can stimulate plant production and increase plant water-use efficiency. However, if temperatures rise and drier conditions prevail, certain regions of 729
agricultural production could experience water shortages of up to 16 percent, which would increase water demand as hotter conditions lead to the loss of soil moisture. In addition, crop yield could be threatened by water-induced stress and extreme heat waves, and plants may be susceptible to new and changing pest and disease outbreaks (California Natural Resource Agency 2019). Temperature increases could also change the time of year that certain crops, such as wine grapes, bloom or ripen, and thereby affect their quality (California Climate Change Center 2006).

Ecosystems
Climate change and the potential resultant changes in weather patterns could have ecological effects on the global and local scales. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions due to higher temperatures, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more frequent. Rising temperatures could have four major impacts on plants and animals: timing of ecological events; geographic distribution and range of species; species composition and the incidence of nonnative species within communities; and ecosystem processes, such as carbon cycling and storage (Parmesan 2006; California Natural Resource Agency 2019).

4.7.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
Federal Clean Air Act
The U.S. Supreme Court determined in Massachusetts et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency et al. ([2007] 549 U.S. 05-1120) that the USEPA has the authority to regulate motor vehicle GHG emissions under the federal Clean Air Act. The USEPA issued a Final Rule for mandatory reporting of GHG emissions in October 2009. This Final Rule applies to fossil fuel suppliers, industrial gas suppliers, direct GHG emitters, and manufacturers of heavy-duty and off-road vehicles and vehicle engines and requires annual reporting of emissions. In 2012, the USEPA issued a Final Rule that established the GHG permitting thresholds that determine when Clean Air Act permits under the New Source Review Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Operating Permit programs are required for new and existing industrial facilities.

In Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency (134 Supreme Court 2427 [2014]), the Supreme Court held the USEPA may not treat GHGs as an air pollutant for purposes of determining whether a source can be considered a major source required to obtain a Prevention of Significant Deterioration or Title V permit. The Supreme Court also held that Prevention of Significant Deterioration permits otherwise required based on emissions of other pollutants may continue to require limitations on GHG emissions based on the application of Best Available Control Technology.

Federal Fuel Efficiency Standards (CAFE)Under the CAA, corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards have been set for passenger cars and light trucks. The State of California has traditionally had a waiver to set its own more stringent fuel efficiency standards. In 2020, the NHTSA and USEPA implemented the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule (SAFE Rule). Part One of the SAFE Rule revoked a waiver granted by USEPA to the State of California to enforce more stringent emission standards for motor vehicles those required by USEPA for the explicit purpose of GHG reduction. However, in 2021 the federal government formally proposed to roll back portions of the SAFE Rule, restoring California’s right to enforce more stringent fuel efficiency standards (NHTSA 730
2022). Most recently, in December 2021, the NHTSA finalized rules to repeal the SAFE I Rule established in 2020.

Construction Equipment Fuel-Efficiency Standard
USEPA sets emission standards for construction equipment. The first federal standards (Tier 1) were adopted in 1994 for all off-road engines over 50 horsepower (hp) and were phased in by 2000. A new standard was adopted in 1998 that introduced Tier 1 for all equipment below 50 hp and established the Tier 2 and Tier 3 standards. The Tier 2 and Tier 3 standards were phased in by 2008 for all equipment. The current iteration of emissions standards for construction equipment are the Tier 4 efficiency requirements, which are contained in 40 CFR Parts 1039, 1065, and 1068 (originally adopted in 69 Federal Register 38958 [June 29, 2004] and most recently updated in 2014 [79 Federal Register 46356]). Emissions requirements for new off-road Tier 4 vehicles were completely phased in by the end of 2015.
b. State Regulations
CARB is responsible for the coordination and oversight of state and local air pollution control programs in California. There are numerous regulations aimed at reducing the state’s GHG emissions. These initiatives are summarized below.

Executive Order S-3-05
In 2005, the governor issued Executive Order (EO) S-3-05, which identifies statewide GHG emission reduction targets to achieve long-term climate stabilization as follows:
 Reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels (431 MT of CO2e) by 20202 .
 Reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

In response to EO S-3-05, CalEPA created the Climate Action Team (CAT), which in March 2006 published the Climate Action Team Report (the “2006 CAT Report”). The 2006 CAT Report identified a recommended list of strategies that the state could pursue to reduce GHG emissions. These are strategies that could be implemented by various state agencies to ensure that the emission reduction targets in EO S-3-05 are met and can be met with existing authority of the state agencies.

The strategies include the reduction of passenger and light duty truck emissions, the reduction of idling times for diesel trucks, an overhaul of shipping technology/infrastructure, increased use of alternative fuels, increased recycling, and landfill methane capture, etc.

California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32 and Senate Bill 32) The “California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006,” (Assembly Bill [AB] 32), outlines California’s major legislative initiative for reducing GHG emissions. AB 32 codifies the statewide goal of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and requires CARB to prepare a Scoping Plan that outlines the main state strategies for reducing GHG emissions to meet the 2020 deadline. In addition, AB 32 requires CARB to adopt regulations to require reporting and verification of statewide GHG emissions. Based on this guidance, CARB approved a 2020 target of 431 MMT CO2e, which was achieved in 2016. CARB approved the Scoping Plan on December 11, 2008, which included GHG emission reduction strategies related to energy efficiency, water use, and recycling and solid waste, among others (CARB 2008). Many of the GHG reduction measures included in the Scoping Plan (e.g., 2 In 2016, the state of California achieved its 2020 GHG emission reduction target of reducing emissions to 1990 levels. 731
Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Advanced Clean Car standards, and Cap-and-Trade) have been adopted since the Scoping Plan’s approval.

The CARB approved the 2013 Scoping Plan update in May 2014. The update defined the CARB’s climate change priorities for the next five years, set the groundwork to reach post-2020 statewide goals, and highlighted California’s progress toward meeting the “near-term” 2020 GHG emission reduction goals defined in the original Scoping Plan. It also evaluated how to align the state’s longer term GHG reduction strategies with other state policy priorities, including those for water, waste, natural resources, clean energy, transportation, and land use (CARB 2014).

On September 8, 2016, the governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 32 into law, extending the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 by requiring the state to further reduce GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (the other provisions of AB 32 remain unchanged). On December 14, 2017, the CARB adopted the 2017 Scoping Plan, which provides a framework for achieving the 2030 target. The 2017 Scoping Plan relies on the continuation and expansion of existing policies and regulations, such as the Cap-and-Trade Program, and implementation of recently adopted policies and legislation, such as SB 1383 and SB 100 (discussed later). The 2017 Scoping Plan also puts an increased emphasis on innovation, adoption of existing technology, and strategic investment to support its strategies. As with the 2013 Scoping Plan update, the 2017 Scoping Plan does not provide project-level thresholds for land use development. Instead, it recommends that local governments adopt policies and locally appropriate quantitative thresholds consistent with statewide per capita goals of six MT CO2e by 2030 and two MT CO2e by 2050 (CARB 2017). As stated in the 2017 Scoping Plan, these goals may be appropriate for plan-level analyses (City, county, sub-regional, or regional level), but not for specific individual projects because they include all emissions sectors in the state (CARB 2017).

Senate Bill 375
The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375), signed in August 2008, enhances the state’s ability to reach AB 32 goals by directing the CARB to develop regional GHG emission reduction targets to be achieved from passenger vehicles by 2020 and 2035. SB 375 aligns regional transportation planning efforts, regional GHG reduction targets, and affordable housing allocations. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are required to adopt a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), which allocates land uses in the MPO’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Qualified projects consistent with an approved SCS or Alternative Planning Strategy (categorized as “transit priority projects”) can receive incentives to streamline CEQA processing.

On March 22, 2018, CARB adopted updated regional targets for reducing GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2020 and 2035. The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) was assigned targets of an 13 percent reduction in per capita GHG emissions from passenger vehicles by 2020 and a 17 percent reduction in per capita GHG emissions from passenger vehicles by 2035. In the SBCAG region, SB 375 also provides the option for the coordinated development of subregional plans by the subregional councils of governments and the county transportation commissions to meet SB 375 requirements.

Senate Bill 350
Adopted on October 7, 2015, SB 350 supports the reduction of GHG emissions from the electricity sector through a number of measures, including requiring electricity providers to achieve a 50 percent renewables portfolio standard by 2030, a cumulative doubling of statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas by retail customers by 2030. Future residents 732
generated from the 2045 General Plan would be provided with energy from the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), which is on a pathway to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 (3CE 2024).

Senate Bill 1383
Adopted in September 2016, SB 1383 requires CARB to approve and begin implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. The bill requires the strategy to achieve the following reduction targets by 2030:
 Methane – 40 percent below 2013 levels
 Hydrofluorocarbons – 40 percent below 2013 levels
 Anthropogenic black carbon – 50 percent below 2013 levels The bill also requires the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), in consultation with the State board, to adopt regulations that achieve specified targets for reducing organic waste in landfills.

Senate Bill 100
Adopted on September 10, 2018, SB 100 supports the reduction of GHG emissions from the electricity sector by accelerating the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, which was last updated by SB 350 in 2015. SB 100 requires electricity providers to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 33 percent of total retail sales by 2020, 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2045. Residents generated from the 2045 General Plan would be supplied with 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 60 percent by 2025 (3CE 2024).

Executive Order B-55-18
On September 10, 2018, former Governor Brown issued Executive Order (EO) B-55-18, which established a new statewide goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and maintaining net negative emissions thereafter. This goal is in addition to the existing statewide GHG reduction targets established by SB 375, SB 32, SB 1383, and SB 100.

California Building Standards Codes
CCR Title 24 is referred to as the California Building Standards Code. It consists of a compilation of several distinct standards and codes related to building construction including plumbing, electrical, interior acoustics, energy efficiency, and handicap accessibility for persons with physical and sensory disabilities. The current iteration is the 2022 Title 24 standards. The California Building Standards Code’s energy-efficiency and green building standards are outlined below.

PART 6 – BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS/ENERGY CODE CCR Title 24, Part 6 is the Building Energy Efficiency Standards or California Energy Code. This code, originally enacted in 1978, establishes energy-efficiency standards for residential and nonresidential buildings to reduce California’s energy demand. New construction and major renovations must demonstrate their compliance with the current Energy Code through submittal and approval of a Title 24 Compliance Report to the local building permit review authority and the California Energy Commission (CEC). The 2022 Title 24 standards are the applicable building energy efficiency standards for the 2045 General Plan because they became effective on January 1, 2023; 733
additionally, these standards have been adopted by ordinance into the City’s municipal code in 2023.

PART 11 – CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
The California Green Building Standards Code, referred to as CALGreen, was added to Title 24 as Part 11, first in 2009 as a voluntary code, which then became mandatory effective January 1, 2011 (as part of the 2010 California Building Standards Code). The 2022 CALGreen includes mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground-up new construction of residential and non-residential structures. It also includes voluntary tiers with stricter environmental performance standards for these same categories of residential and non-residential buildings. Local jurisdictions must enforce the minimum mandatory CALGreen standards and may adopt additional amendments for stricter requirements.

The mandatory standards applicable to the project are located at https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/CAGBC2022P1
California Integrated Waste Management Act (Assembly Bill 341) The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, as modified by AB 341 in 2011, requires each jurisdiction’s source reduction and recycling element to include an implementation schedule that shows: (1) diversion of 25 percent of all solid waste by January 1, 1995, through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities and (2) diversion of 50 percent of all solid waste on and after January 1, 2000.

Executive Order N-79-20
On September 23, 2020, Governor Newsom issued EO N-79-20, which established the following new statewide goals:
 All new passenger cars and trucks sold in-state to be zero-emission by 2035.  All medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the state to be zero-emission by 2045 for all operations where feasible and by 2035 for drayage trucks.
 All off-road vehicles and equipment to be zero-emission by 2035 where feasible.

EO N-79-20 directs CARB, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the CEC, the California Department of Transportation, and other state agencies to take steps toward drafting regulations and strategies and leveraging agency resources toward achieving these goals.

Assembly Bill 1279
AB 1279, “The California Climate Crisis Act,” was passed on September 16, 2022. It declares the State will achieve net zero GHG emissions as soon as possible, but no later than 2045, and achieve and maintain net negative GHG emissions thereafter. In addition, the bill states that the State will reduce GHG emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels no later than 2045.

In response to the passage of AB 1279 and the identification of the 2045 GHG reduction target, CARB published the Final 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan in November 2022 (CARB 2022). The 2022 Update builds upon the framework established by the 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan and previous updates while identifying a new, technologically feasible, cost-effective, and equityfocused path to achieve California’s climate target. The 2022 Update includes policies to achieve a significant reduction in fossil fuel combustion, further reductions in short-lived climate pollutants, 734
support for sustainable development, increased action on natural and working lands (NWL) to reduce emissions and sequester carbon, and the capture and storage of carbon.

The 2022 Update assesses the progress California is making toward reducing its GHG emissions by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels (431 MT of CO2e) by 2030, as called for in SB 32 and laid out in the 2017 Scoping Plan, addresses recent legislation and direction from Governor Newsom, extends and expands upon these earlier plans, and implements a target of reducing anthropogenic emissions to 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045, as well as taking an additional step of adding carbon neutrality as a science-based guide for California’s climate work. As stated in the 2022 Update, “The plan outlines how carbon neutrality can be achieved by taking bold steps to reduce GHGs to meet the anthropogenic emissions target and by expanding actions to capture and store carbon through the state’s NWL and using a variety of mechanical approaches” (CARB 2022). Specifically, the 2022 Update:
 Identifies a path to keep California on track to meet its SB 32 GHG reduction target of at least 40 percent below 1990 emissions by 2030.
 Identifies a technologically feasible, cost-effective path to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and a reduction in anthropogenic emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels.  Focuses on strategies for reducing California’s dependency on petroleum to provide consumers with clean energy options that address climate change, improve air quality, and support economic growth and clean sector jobs.
 Integrates equity and protecting California’s most impacted communities as driving principles throughout the document.
 Incorporates the contribution of NWL to the state’s GHG emissions, as well as their role in achieving carbon neutrality.
 Relies on the most up-to-date science, including the need to deploy all viable tools to address the existential threat that climate change presents, including carbon capture and sequestration, as well as direct air capture.
 Evaluates the substantial health and economic benefits of taking action.  Identifies key implementation actions to ensure success.

In addition to reducing emissions from transportation, energy, and industrial sectors, the 2022 Update includes emissions and carbon sequestration in NWL and explores how NWL contributes to long-term climate goals. Under the Scoping Plan Scenario, California’s 2030 emissions are anticipated to be 48 percent below 1990 levels, representing an acceleration of the current SB 32 target. Cap-and-Trade regulation continues to play a large factor in the reduction of near-term emissions for meeting the accelerated 2030 reduction target. Every sector of the economy will need to begin to transition in this decade to meet our GHG reduction goals and achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045. The 2022 Update approaches decarbonization from two perspectives, managing a phasedown of existing energy sources and technologies, as well as increasing, developing, and deploying alternative clean energy sources and technology.

Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 1020) Adopted on September 16, 2022, SB 1020 creates clean electricity targets for eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources to supply 90 percent of retail sale electricity by 2035, 95 percent by 2040, 100 percent by 2045, and 100 percent of electricity procured to serve all state 735
agencies by 2035. This bill shall not increase carbon emissions elsewhere in the western grid and shall not allow resource shuffling3
.
c. Local Regulations
SBCAG Connected 2050 RTP/SCS
The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS was adopted by SBCAG in 2021, and it builds upon the goals, policies, and forecasts of preceding plans. The City of Solvang is projected to increase by 500 residents from baseline year 2017 to year 2050. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS demonstrates that the SBCAG region would achieve emissions reductions consistent with targets set forth by SB 375. GHG reductions achieved through the Connected 2050 RTP/SCS would result in corresponding reductions in energy consumption in the region. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS sets forth goals and objectives related to mixed‐use development and the jobs‐housing balance by allotting more housing to the southern portion of Santa Barbara County, as well as incorporating region-specific analysis of environmental justice indicators. Policies in the Connected 2050 RTP/SCS applicable to the 2045 General Plan include meeting SB 375 requirements, promoting renewable energy, and promoting alternative transportation (SBCAG 2021).

4.7.3 Impact Analysis
a. Significance Thresholds and Methodology
Significance Thresholds
Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines states that a project may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment; and/or
Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases.

The issue of climate change typically involves an analysis of whether or not a project’s contribution towards an impact is cumulatively considerable. Regional cumulative impacts consider the City-wide impacts together with similar impacts of future development in and around Santa Barbara County.

The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting. Cumulatively considerable means that the incremental effects of an individual project are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of cumulative projects.

In relation to GHG emissions, the effects of projects refer to the global accumulation of GHG emissions in the atmosphere.

Section 15064.4 of the CEQA Guidelines recommends that lead agencies quantify GHG emissions and consider several other factors that may be used in the determination of significance of GHG emissions from a project, including the extent to which the project may increase or reduce GHG emissions; whether a project exceeds an applicable significance threshold; and the extent to which 3 Resource Shuffling is defined as a plan to substitute lower GHG emission power for higher GHG emission power to reduce a compliance obligation for GHG emissions from imported electricity in the Cap-and-Trade Program. 736
the project complies with regulations or requirements adopted to implement a plan for the reduction or mitigation of GHG emissions.

CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4 does not establish a threshold of significance. Lead agencies have the discretion to establish significance thresholds for their respective jurisdictions, and in establishing those thresholds, a lead agency may appropriately look to thresholds developed by other public agencies, or suggested by other experts, as long as any threshold chosen is supported by substantial evidence (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7[c]).

According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5, projects can tier off a qualified GHG reduction plan, which allows for project-level evaluation of GHG emissions through comparison of the project’s consistency with the GHG reduction policies included in a qualified GHG reduction plan, such as the CAP. The City of Solvang does not have a qualified CAP or has not adopted quantitative GHG emissions threshold for land use projects. The County of Santa Barbara adopted new Interim GHG Emissions Thresholds of Significance (referred to herein as “Interim GHG Thresholds”), which are recommended for use until completion of the County’s 2030 Climate Action Plan.4 The Interim GHG Thresholds recommend that land use projects be first assessed against a screening criterion of 300 MT CO2e. For projects that exceed the screening threshold, a service population threshold of 3.8 MT CO2e is recommended. However, the quantitative threshold is intended to be used for the evaluation of project-level impacts and would not be applicable to programmatic review of planlevel documentation such as the 2045 General Plan. Therefore, this approach is not feasible for this analysis. Instead, GHG emissions associated with project implementation is discussed qualitatively by comparing the 2045 General Plan to statewide emission reduction targets established in CARB’s 2022 Scoping Plan and SBCAG 2050 RTP/SCS. Project-related GHG emissions are described below for informational purposes only.

Methodology
GHG emissions result from both direct and indirect sources. Direct emissions include emissions from fuel combustion in vehicles and natural gas combustion from stationary sources. Indirect sources include off-site emissions occurring as a result of electricity and water consumption and solid waste.

In addition, construction activities would result in direct and indirect emissions.

As GHGs are evaluated on a regional basis, the following analysis addresses the 2045 General Plan as it pertains to the region. Mobile source emissions were estimated using VMT data presented in Section 4.14, Transportation.

Area source emissions related to existing and future demand for water, wastewater treatment and conveyance, solid waste disposal, and energy were obtained using the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod). GHG emissions result from the energy use to supply, distribute, and treat water and wastewater, as well as from solid waste disposal by landfilling, recycling, or composting as methane and CO2 gas is emitted in the process.

The energy use estimates generated in the CalEEMod version 2022.1 utilizes the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24). This is a conservative assumption since the energy use estimates do not account for potential energy efficiency measures required by subsequent Title 24 updates in 2022, 2025, and 2028. Individual projects generated by 2045 General Plan would be enrolled to 3CE’s 100 percent renewable energy mix by 2030. CalEEMod does not contain carbon intensity factors for 3CE; therefore, the analysis uses a carbon intensity factor for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) from reporting year 2019, which would produce conservative results since 3CE 4 The 2030 Climate Action Plan is planned for adoption in 2023. 737
supplies an energy mix with a higher proportion of renewable energy than PG&E (California Air Pollution Control Officer Association 2022).

GHG emissions would also be generated by construction activity. No specific development projects have been proposed as part of the 2045 General Plan, and an annualized quantification of construction emissions would be speculative. Operational emissions are based on estimated VMT data for existing conditions (2015) and proposed project (2045). Details for mobile source, energy source, and area source inputs included in the modeling of GHG emissions are provided in Section

4.2, Air Quality.
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project generate GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment?
Threshold 2: Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Impact GHG-1 ALTHOUGH CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF PROJECTS CARRIED OUT UNDER THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD GENERATE GHG EMISSIONS, THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN INCLUDES POLICIES

AND ACTIONS THAT REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS AND ALIGN WITH THE GOALS OF APPLICABLE PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO GHG EMISSIONS. THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD THEREFORE NOT

CONFLICT WITH APPLICABLE PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING GHG EMISSIONS. IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

As discussed under Section 4.7.3, Significance Thresholds and Methodology, plans and policies have been adopted to reduce GHG emissions in the Southern California region, including the State’s 2022 Scoping Plan and SBCAG 2050 RTP/SCS. The 2045 General Plan’s consistency with these plans and applicable policies is discussed in the following subsections. As discussed herein, the 2045 General Plan would not conflict with plans and policies aimed at reducing GHG emissions. Estimated GHG emissions for development expected to be carried out under the 2045 General Plan are provided for informational purposes following the consistency analysis. 2022 Scoping Plan
The latest iteration of the Scoping Plan is the 2022 Scoping Plan, which focuses on outcomes needed to achieve carbon neutrality by assessing paths for clean technology, energy deployment, natural and working lands, and others, and is designed to meet the state’s long-term climate objectives and support a range of economic, environmental, energy security, environmental justice, and public health priorities. The 2022 Scoping Plan's strategies that apply to the 2045 General Plan include the following:
 Reducing fossil fuel use, energy demand and vehicle miles traveled (VMT)  Building decarbonization
 Maximizing recycling and diversion from landfills
Implementation of individual projects carried out under the 2045 General Plan would be consistent with the latest Title 24 Standards, which would require EV charging spaces for residential and nonresidential land uses and a photovoltaic system consistent with the provisions of the latest California 738
Building Energy Efficiency Standards. In addition, the 2045 General Plan includes the following General Plan policies to promote green infrastructure:
 Policy ENV-9.3: Alternative Modes of Transportation. The City shall encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, including transit, walking, and bicycling.  Policy ENV-9.4: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. The City shall encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging facilities in commercial, residential, and industrial development.
 Policy ENV-9.5: Fuel Efficient Vehicles. The City shall encourage adoption of alternative fuel vehicles including electric, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, or other fuel-efficient vehicles, for personal transportation.
 Policy ENV-9.7: Sustainable Development Patterns. The City shall continue to promote patterns of development that minimize dependence on personal automobiles and reduce VMT and GHG.  Policy ENV-12.1: Green Building Code. The City shall require through the State Building Code energy efficient construction and sustainable building practices by continuing to implement the Green Building Code.
 Policy ENV-12.2: Green Building Practices. The City shall support the use of green building practices in the planning, design, construction, management, renovation, operations, and demolition of all public and private buildings and projects, including:
 Land planning and design techniques that preserve the natural environment and minimize disturbance of the land.
 Site development to reduce erosion, minimize paved surfaces and runoff and protect vegetation, especially trees.
 Water conservation indoors and outdoors.
 Energy efficiency in heating/cooling systems, appliances, lighting and the building envelope.  Selection of materials based on recyclability, durability and the amount of energy used to create the material.
 Waste reduction, reuse and recycling during construction and throughout the life of the project.
 Other new aspects of green design and construction included in LEED™ or other certification programs.
 Control nighttime lighting to lower energy use, reduce glare, and prevent illumination of the night sky.
 Policy ENV-12.3: LEED Certified City Buildings. The City shall design and construct all new or renovated City buildings to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating requirements.
 Policy ENV-13.2: Renewable Energy for Homes. The City shall encourage installation of renewable energy sources for new homes per the new state building codes.  Policy ENV-13.5: Low-Income Energy Efficiency. The City shall partner with community service agencies and organizations to support energy efficient projects for low-income residents.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, the installation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, lighting, water heating equipment, and insulation and weatherization. 739
Electricity would be served by 3CE, which is required to increase its renewable energy procurement in accordance with SB 100 targets. The 2045 General Plan would result in additional residential and commercial density, which would increase multimodal trips (vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit) onto the circulation network. The City of Solvang is served by Santa Ynez Valley Transit that connects to Buellton, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos. The Express Route and Los Olivos Loop share common stops between Solvang and Santa Ynez along Sagunto Street, Edison Street, Pine Street, and along Mission Drive to Solvang Park. The proposed 2045 General Plan Update includes the following policies to promote alternative modes of transportation:
 Policy MOB-2.1: Bicycle Master Plan. The City shall adopt a master plan of bikeways on public property and shall develop bikeways as needed and feasible.5  Policy MOB-2.1: Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes on New Roadways. The City shall incorporate bicycle routes or trails into the design of new or expanded roadways when feasible.  Policy MOB-4.1: Complete Streets. The City shall create guidelines to facilitate the installation of non-automobile serving infrastructure along its streets, including sidewalks and bike trails.  Policy MOB-5.2: TDM. The City shall encourage employers to promote carpooling, public transportation, and allow telecommuting.
 Policy MOB-6.2: Regional Transit Network. The City shall work with SBCAG and other nearby cities and jurisdictions to ensure that the regional transit network offers access for those with limited mobility options.

In addition, the 2045 General Plan policies would promote a zero waste community through responsible procurement, waste diversion, and innovated strategies The following policy from the 2045 General Plan would maximizing recycling and diversion from landfills:
 Policy ENV-14.1: Zero Waste. The City shall promote activities that reduce waste and increase waste diversion, including sourcing products with reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging; establishing food diversion programs; and promoting and educating on waste diversion and its importance.

With implementation of the policies included in the proposed Environmental and Sustainability Element and Mobility Element, the 2045 General Plan would encourage green infrastructure, waste diversion, alternative travel, equitable access, and a reduction in vehicle trips. The 2045 General Plan emphasizes infill and reuse development within City limits, encourages high-density and mixeduse projects where appropriate, and supports development that compliments the existing natural and built environment. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not conflict with the 2022 Scoping Plan.

SBCAG 2050 RTP/SCS
The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS demonstrates that the SBCAG region would achieve emissions reductions consistent with targets set forth by SB 375. GHG reductions achieved through the Connected 2050 RTP/SCS would result in corresponding reductions in energy consumption in the region. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS includes goals and objectives related to mixed‐use development and balancing jobs and housing by allotting more housing to the southern portion of Santa Barbara County, as well as incorporating region-specific analysis of environmental justice 5 Active Transportation Plan for Solvang should be adopted early 2024. 740
indicators. As shown in Table 4.7-1, the 2045 General Plan would be consistent with SBCAG’s GHG emission reduction strategies established in the Connected 2050 RTP/SCS.

Table 4.7-1 2045 General Plan Update Consistency with Applicable SBCAG 2050 RTP/SCS Strategies
Policy Project Consistency
Land Use.
 Make land use decisions that adequately address regional transportation issues and are consistent with the RTP-SCS.  Promote better balance of jobs and housing to reduce
long-distance commuting by means of traditional land use zoning, infill development, and other, unconventional
land use tools, such as employer-sponsored housing
programs, economic development programs, commercial
growth management ordinances, average unit size
ordinances and parking pricing policies.
 Identify, minimize and mitigate adverse environmental impacts and, in particular, require mitigation of traffic impacts of new land development through onsite and
related off-site improvements for all modes of
transportation, including incentives to encourage the use of alternative transportation modes.

Consistent. The programs and policies within the 2045
General Plan prioritize housing production on vacant
and underutilized sites. The proposed Land Use
Element would support and promote infill
development that is compact, mixed-use, and
pedestrian friendly. In addition, encourage highdensity residential development, such as multi-family residents and accessory dwelling units located in areas close to services and transit are encouraged.

Alternative Fuels and Energy.
 Encourage the use of alternative fuels, and the application of advanced transportation and energy technologies to
reduce vehicular emission production and energy
consumption.
 Promote renewable energy and energy conservation,
consistent with applicable federal, State, and local energy programs, goals, and objectives.

Consistent. Residential development projects
facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required
to comply with State and local regulations, including
the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen, specifically related to the provision of
electric vehicle supply equipment for parking spaces
and the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on
commercial and residential buildings. In addition,
residential development project generated by the
2045 General Plan would automatically enroll in 3CE,
which would supply 100 percent renewable energy to
residents by 2030. The 2045 General Plan’s new
Environment and Sustainability Element includes Policy
ENV-9.4, which encourages the installation of solar
photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging
facilities in commercial, residential, and industrial
development. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would
facilitate the use of alternative fuels and energy.

Alternative Transportation Modes.
 Encourage alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips and the use alternative transportation modes to reduce
vehicle miles traveled and increase bike, walk and transit mode share.
 Provide for a variety of transportation modes and ensure connectivity within and between transportation modes
both within and outside the Santa Barbara region.

Alternative mode planning and projects shall be
compatible with neighboring regions’ transportation
systems.
 Promote local and inter-city transit.

Consistent. The 2045 General Plan includes goals and
policies that encourage compact development and
alternative modes of transportation, such as Policy
ENV-9.3. In addition, the new Mobility Element
includes goals and policies to provide safe and
increased access to sidewalks, bicycle routes, and
wheelchair ramps to existing commercial and
residential development. Therefore, the 2045 General
Plan would encourage alternatives to single-occupancy
vehicle trips and would facilitate an increase in bike, walk, and transit mode share.

Source: SBCAG 2021
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Plan Consistency Conclusion
The plan consistency analysis provided above demonstrates that the project complies with the plans, policies, regulations and GHG reduction actions/strategies outlined in 2022 Scoping Plan and SBCAG’s 2050 RTP/SCS. Consistency with the above plans, policies, and GHG reduction measures would ensure that the project’s incremental contribution of GHG emissions would not inhibit the ability of the state to meet its GHG reduction goals. In addition, the 2045 General Plan policies in the Environment and Sustainability Element and Mobility Element promote green infrastructure and alternative modes of transportation. Therefore, the project would not conflict with any applicable plans, policies, and measures an agency adopted for the purpose of reducing emissions of GHG emissions. Impacts would be less than significant.

GHG Emissions for Informational Purposes
GHG emissions would be generated by construction activity from development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. Although development projects are envisioned by the 2045 General Plan, including the Old Lumberyard and Alamo Pintado projects, an annualized quantification of construction emissions would be speculative because specific project details, including construction schedule, equipment, and grading activities, are unknown at this time. In addition, construction related GHG emissions would be a negligible percentage of total regional emissions when considering the emissions generated by mobile sources; therefore, construction emissions were excluded in the analysis.

Development carried out under the 2045 General Plan would generate operational GHG emissions, which include mobile source emissions, energy emissions, area emissions, refrigerant emissions, water and waste emissions. As mentioned in Section 4.7.4, Significance Thresholds and Methodology, there is no adopted numerical threshold applicable to the 2045 General Plan; therefore, quantified GHG emissions are provided for informational purposes only. As shown in Table 4.7-2, the buildout of the 2045 General Plan would reduce GHG emissions per service population by 0.17 MT of CO2e per year compared to the existing scenario. The reduction for the 2045 General Plan compared to the existing scenario mostly occurs due to an increased service population and reduced mobile emissions.

Table 4.7-2 Estimated Existing and Proposed Project Emissions Emission Source Annual Emissions (MT CO2e)
Exis�ng (2015)
Opera�onal
Mobile 9,951
Area 60
Energy 12,020
Water 588
Waste 1,128
Refrigerant 6
Total GHG Emissions 22,753
Service Popula�on1 9,360
GHG emissions per Service Popula�on (MT of CO2e) 2.43
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Emission Source Annual Emissions (MT CO2e)
Proposed Project (2045)
Opera�onal
Mobile 8,503
Area 69
Energy 13,737
Water 655
Waste 1,284
Refrigerant 26
Total GHG Emissions 24,273
Service Popula�on1 10,759
GHG emissions per Service Popula�on (MT of CO2e) 2.26
County of Santa Barbara Interim Service Popula�on
Threshold (MT of CO2e)

3.80 MT CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent 1 Residen�al and job buildout in Sec�on 2, Project Description. Solvang average household size is 2.39 persons per unit.

Notes: Parenthe�cal values are nega�ve numbers and are subtracted from the total emissions rather than added.

Source: See Appendix C for the CalEEMod worksheets
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant.

4.7.4 Cumulative Impacts
GHG and climate change are, by definition, cumulative impacts. The geographic scope for considering cumulative impacts related to GHG emissions is the state of California. Although GHG emissions have worldwide repercussions, the contribution of the project to the impact is addressed in light of the goals for reducing statewide emissions.

Statewide GHG emissions are an existing significant cumulative impact. As such, the State has established the following statewide emissions reductions targets:
 By 2020, reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels (431 MT of CO2e).  By 2030, reduce GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels (259 MT of CO2e).  By 2045, reduce GHG emissions to 85 percent below 1990 levels (65 MT of CO2e).

GHG impacts are assessed in a cumulative context since no single project can cause a discernible change to the climate. Therefore, cumulative significance is based on the same thresholds as the 2045 General Plan. In the absence of an adopted numeric threshold for the City of Solvang, the significance of the project’s GHG emissions is based on project compliance with State reduction targets. In addition, consistency with applicable plans, policies, regulations, and requirements adopted to implement a statewide, regional, or local plan for the reduction or mitigation of GHG emissions. GHG emissions from the operation of the 2045 General Plan are provided for informational purposes.
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As discussed in Impact GHG-1, the 2045 General Plan would implement energy and water conservation measures consistent with the latest Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Part 6) and Green Building Standards (Part 11), aligned with statewide, regional, and local plans. The 2045 General Plan’s objectives include meeting State targets for GHG emissions, infill and mixed-use development that would improve connectivity of land uses and promote the use of alternative modes of transportation. In addition, the project would implement bicycle and EV charging parking spaces consistent with the latest iterations of the CALGreen Standards, which would potentially reduce the reliance of single motor vehicles. However, the 2045 General Plan itself is cumulative in nature as it represents growth through Solvang over approximately the next 20 years.

The 2045 General Plan is not one individual project, but a number of as yet undefined future projects that may occur under the 2045 General Plan. New development carried out by the 2045 General Plan would contribute to GHG impacts regionally and globally, since GHG traps heat in the atmosphere over approximately 100 years but, as discussed in this section, the 2045 General Plan would be consistent with plans and regulations adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions and their cumulative impacts on the environment. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not make a substantial contribution to cumulative GHG impacts. 744
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4.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
This section addresses impacts associated with the 2045 General Plan related to the use and transportation of hazardous materials, the accidental release of hazardous materials, new development or re-development on contaminated sites, air traffic hazards, interference with emergency response and evacuation plans, and the risk of exposure to wildland fires.

4.8.1 Setting
a. Definition of Hazardous Materials
A material is considered hazardous if it appears on a list of hazardous materials prepared by a federal, state, or local agency, or if it has characteristics defined as hazardous by such an agency. A hazardous material is defined in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) as follows:
“A substance or combination of substances which, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may either (1) cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or (2) pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of or otherwise managed (California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 66261.10).”
Chemical and physical properties cause a substance to be considered hazardous. Such properties include toxicity, ignitability, corrosiveness, and reactivity. CCR Title 22, Sections 66261.20 through 66261.24 defines the aforementioned properties. The release of hazardous materials into the environment can contaminate soils, surface water, and groundwater supplies. b. Land Use Patterns
Past and present land use patterns are good predictors of the potential for past contamination by hazardous materials and the current use and storage of hazardous materials. Military, industrial, and certain commercial land uses, such as dry cleaners and auto service, are more likely to use and store large quantities of hazardous materials than residential land uses. Small quantities of hazardous materials are also routinely used and stored in other commercial and retail businesses, educational facilities, medical facilities, and households. Commercial land uses in Solvang are primarily concentrated adjacent to State Route (SR) 246. Light industrial uses are located adjacent to SR 246 at Solvang’s western city limits. Furthermore, land uses that allow for development of electric vehicle infrastructure, transformers, battery storage, hydrogen fueling, or other energy infrastructure have a higher potential of risk involving hazardous materials due to the use of materials such as batteries, fuel storage tanks, and other infrastructure.

Land use patterns are also useful for identifying the location of sensitive receptors, such as schools, day-care facilities, hospitals, and senior living facilities. Solvang Elementary School is located on Atterdag Road adjacent to existing residential and commercial land uses. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is located in the eastern portion of Solvang on Viborg Road and surrounded by existing residential and institutional uses. Atterdag Village of Solvang, a senior living facility, is located adjacent to the Solvang Elementary School.
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c. Existing Hazardous Material Contamination
The following databases were searched in July 2023 for records related to any known hazardous materials contamination within Solvang:
 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Superfund Enterprise Management System database (USEPA 2023a).
 California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) GeoTracker database, which includes data from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) (SWRCB 2023a).  SWRCB’s list of solid waste disposal sites (SWRCB 2023b).  California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Active Cease and Desist Orders (CDOs) and Cleanup Abatement Orders (CAOs) (CalEPA 2023a).

Solvang does not contain any active CDOs or CAOs or military cleanup sites. Based on a review of the databases listed above, there are 11 leaking underground storage tank (UST) cleanup sites and one cleanup site for volatile organic compounds. All 12 of these sites are designated as “Completed – Case Closed,” meaning remedial action has been undertaken, and following the remedial action the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services Division issued a closure letter or other formal closure decision document stating the site does not pose a substantial risk. d. Airports and Airport Hazards
Airport-related hazards can occur if departing or landing aircraft pose a safety risk to nearby development, or vice versa. The nearest public airport to Solvang is the Santa Ynez Airport, located approximately five miles east of the City limits. Private aircraft regularly take off, land, refuel, and are stored at the Santa Ynez Airport. Emergency response aircraft are also stored at the airport which serves as a staging ground for the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit. The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) updated the Airport Land Use Plan (ALUP) in 2023 establishing safety zones around the airport to protect the public from potential noise and safety impacts associated with aircraft operations. The ALUP also designates allowable and conditionally allowable land uses for the different safety zones. The currently adopted safety zones shown in the Safety Compatibility Policy Map of the ALUP do not overlap the Planning Area1 . The City’s Sphere of
Influence (SOI) northeast of Solvang encroach upon the imaginary airspace surfaces boundary, overflight notification zone, and Review Area 22
, but the City limits do not currently overlap these
areas (SBCAG 2023).
1 1 The Planning Area covered by the 2045 General Plan consists of the corporate limits of the City as well as lands within the City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI). The term “sphere of influence” applies to the area designated by Santa Barbara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) as the probable, future physical boundary or service area of the City. 2 Review Area 2 consists of an overflight and airspace protection zone for the Santa Ynez Airport but excludes noise contours and safety zones that apply to land adjacent to the airport.
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4.8.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 gives the USEPA the authority to control hazardous waste from “cradle-to-grave.” This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA also sets forth a framework for the management of non-hazardous solid wastes. The 1986 amendments to RCRA enabled USEPA to address environmental problems that could result from underground tanks storing petroleum and other hazardous substances.

Toxic Substances Control Act
Congress enacted the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976, codified in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), to give USEPA the ability to track the 75,000 industrial chemicals currently produced or imported into the United States. USEPA repeatedly screens these chemicals and can require reporting or testing of those that may pose an environmental or human-health hazard. USEPA can ban the manufacture and import of those chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk. More specifically, in California, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are regulated by both State (RCRA and Title 22 of the CCR) and federal (TSCA) rules. TSCA has banned the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of PCBs. TSCA gives USEPA the authority to develop, implement and enforce regulations concerning the use, manufacture, cleanup, and disposal of PCBs.

TSCA also establishes USEPA’s Lead Abatement Program regulations, which provide a framework for lead abatement, risk assessment, and inspections. Those performing these services are required to be trained and certified by USEPA.
3 Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created to assure safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. OSHA provides standards for general industry and construction industry on hazardous waste operations and emergency response. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, which is implemented by OSHA, contains provisions with respect to hazardous materials handling. Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act requirements, as set forth in Title 29 of the CFR Section 1910, et. seq., are designed to promote worker safety, worker training, and a worker’s right-to-know. OSHA has delegated the authority to administer OSHA regulations to the State of California.

Title 49 of the CFR, which contains the regulations set forth by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1975, specifies additional requirements and regulations with respect to the transport of hazardous materials. Title 49 of the CFR requires that every employee who transports hazardous materials receive training to recognize and identify hazardous materials and become familiar with hazardous materials requirements. Drivers are also required to be trained in function and commodity specific requirements.
3 USEPA, 40 CFR Park 745, Rules 402 and 404, August 29, 1996. 748
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 provided a new set of mitigation plan requirements for State and local jurisdictions that encourage them to coordinate disaster mitigation planning and implementation. States are encouraged to complete a “Standard” or an “Enhanced” Natural Mitigation Plan. Enhanced plans demonstrate increased coordination of mitigation activities at the State level and, if completed and approved, increase the amount of funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP), as discussed below, complies with this act.
b. State Regulations
Jurisdiction Over Hazardous Materials Management
The primary State agencies with jurisdiction over hazardous chemical materials management are the DTSC and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). Other State agencies involved in hazardous materials management include California OSHA (CalOSHA) and the State Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).

Authority for statewide administration and enforcement of RCRA rests with DTSC. While DTSC has primary State responsibility in regulating the generation, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, DTSC may further delegate enforcement authority to local jurisdictions. In addition, DTSC is responsible and/or provides oversight for contamination cleanup and administers statewide hazardous waste reduction programs. DTSC operates programs to accomplish the following: (1) manage the aftermath of improper hazardous waste management by overseeing site cleanups; (2) prevent releases of hazardous waste by ensuring that those who generate, handle, transport, store, and dispose of wastes do so properly; and (3) evaluate soil, water, and air samples taken at sites.

The storage of hazardous materials in USTs is regulated by the SWRCB, which delegates authority to the Central Coast RWQCB on the regional level, and typically to the local fire department on the local level.

The CalOSHA program is administered and enforced by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. CalOSHA is similar to the federal OSHA program. Both programs contain rules and procedures related to exposure to hazardous materials during demolition and construction activities. In addition, CalOSHA requires employers to implement a comprehensive, written Injury and Illness Prevention Program, which is an employee safety program for potential workplace hazards, including those associated with hazardous materials.

The CalOES Hazardous Materials section under the Fire and Rescue Division coordinates statewide implementation of hazardous materials accident prevention and emergency response programs for all types of hazardous materials incidents and threats. In response to any hazardous materials emergency, staff are called upon to provide State and local emergency managers with emergency coordination and technical assistance.

California Occupational Safety and Health Act – California Labor Code, Section 6300 et seq.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 addresses California employee working conditions, enables the enforcement of workplace standards, and provides for advancements in the field of occupational health and safety. The California Occupational Safety and Health Act also 749
created CalOSHA, the primary agency responsible for worker safety in the handling and use of chemicals in the workplace. CalOSHA’s standards are generally more stringent than federal regulations. Under the former, the employer is required to monitor worker exposure to listed hazardous substances and notify workers of exposure. The regulations specify requirements for employee training, availability of safety equipment, accident-prevention programs, and hazardous substance exposure warnings. At sites known or suspected to be contaminated by hazardous materials, workers must have training in hazardous materials operations and a Site Health and Safety Plan must be prepared, which establishes policies and procedures to protect workers and the public from exposure to potential hazards at the contaminated site.

California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Hazardous Waste Management At the State level, under Title 22, Division 4.5 of the CCR, DTSC regulates hazardous waste in California primarily under the authority of the Federal RCRA and the California Health and Safety Code. The Hazardous Waste Control Law, under CCR 22, Chapter 30, establishes regulations that are similar to RCRA but more stringent in their application and empowers the DTSC to administer the State’s hazardous waste program and implement the federal program in California. The DTSC is responsible for permitting, inspecting, ensuring compliance, and imposing corrective action programs to ensure that entities that generate, store, transport, treat, or dispose of potentially hazardous materials and waste comply with federal and State laws. The DTSC defines hazardous waste as waste with a chemical composition or other properties that make it capable of causing illness, death, or some other harm to humans and other life forms when mismanaged or released into the environment.

The DTSC shares responsibility for enforcement and implementation of hazardous waste control laws with the SWRCB and, at the local level, the Central Coast RWQCB, and city and county governments.

California Code of Regulations Title 23, Chapter 15 Discharges of Hazardous Waste to Land Section 2511(b)
CCR 23, Chapter 15, Discharges of Hazardous Waste to Land, Section 2511(b) pertains to water quality aspects of waste discharge to land. The regulation establishes waste and site classifications as well as waste management requirements for waste treatment, storage, or disposal in landfills, surface impoundments, waste piles, and land treatment facilities. Requirements are minimum standards for proper management of each waste category, which allows regional water boards to impose more stringent requirements to accommodate regional and site-specific conditions. In addition, the requirements of CCR 23, Chapter 15 applies to cleanup and abatement actions for unregulated hazardous waste discharges to land (e.g., spills).

California Fire Code
The California Fire Code (CFC) is Chapter 9 of CCR Title 24 and is a fully integrated code based on the International Fire Code. The CFC establishes the minimum requirements consistent with nationally recognized good practices to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare from the hazards of fire, explosion, or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structure, and premises, and to provide safety and assistance to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations. The CFC uses a hazard classification system to determine what protective measures are required to ensure fire safety and protect lives. These measures may include construction 750
standards, separations from property lines, and specialized equipment. To ensure that these safety measures are met, the CFC employs a permit system based on hazard classification.

More specifically, CFC Chapter 8 addresses fire related Interior finishes; CFC Chapter 9 addresses fire protection systems; and CFC Chapter 10 addresses fire-related means of egress. CFC Chapter 49 also contains regulations for vegetation and fuel management to maintain clearances around structures.

These requirements establish minimum standards to protect buildings in Fire Hazards Severity Zones (FHSZ) in State Responsibility Areas, Local Responsibility Areas, and wildland-urban interface fire areas.

California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) prepares the SHMP, which identifies hazard risks and includes a vulnerability analysis and a hazard mitigation strategy (CalOES 2018). The SHMP is required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 for the State to receive federal funding. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires a SHMP as a condition of disaster assistance. The SHMP represents the State’s primary hazard mitigation guidance document, providing an updated analysis of the state’s historical and current hazards, hazard mitigation goals and objectives, and hazard mitigation strategies and actions. The SHMP represents the State’s overall commitment to supporting a comprehensive mitigation strategy to reduce or eliminate potential risks and impacts of disasters in order to promote faster recovery after disasters and, overall, a more resilient state.

SHMPs are required to meet the elements outlined in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) State Mitigation Plan Review Guide (revised March 2015, effective March 2016).

CalOES is responsible for the development and maintenance of the State’s plan for hazard mitigation. The State’s SHMP was last approved by FEMA as an Enhanced State Mitigation Plan in 2018. The plan is designed to reduce the effects of disasters caused by natural, technological, accidental, and adversarial/human-caused hazards. The SHMP sets the mitigation priorities, strategies, and actions for the state. The plan also describes how risk assessment and mitigation strategy information is coordinated and linked from local mitigation plans into the SHMP and provides a resource for local planners of risk information that may affect their planning area. The State of California is required to review and revise its mitigation plan and resubmit for FEMA approval at least every 5 years to ensure continued funding eligibility for certain federal grant programs.

State Emergency Plan
The foundation of California’s emergency planning and response is a statewide mutual aid system, designed to ensure that adequate resources, facilities, and other support is provided to jurisdictions whenever their own resources prove to be inadequate to cope with an emergency situation.

The California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement (California Government Code Sections 8555–8561) requires signatories to the agreement to prepare operational plans to use in their jurisdiction and outside their area. These operational plans include fire and non-fire emergencies related to natural, technological, and war contingencies. The State of California, all State agencies, all political subdivisions, and all fire districts signed this agreement in 1950.

Section 8568 of the California Government Code, the California Emergency Services Act, states that “the State Emergency Plan shall be in effect in each political subdivision of the state, and the governing body of each political subdivision shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out the provisions thereof.” The act provides the basic authorities for conducting emergency operations 751
following the proclamations of emergencies by the Governor or appropriate local authority, such as a City Manager. The provisions of the act are further reflected and expanded on by appropriate local emergency ordinances. The act further describes the function and operations of government at all levels during extraordinary emergencies, including war.

All local emergency plans are extensions of the State of California Emergency Plan. The State Emergency Plan conforms to the requirements of California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), which is the system required by Government Code 8607(a) for managing emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies. The SEMS incorporates the functions and principles of the Incident Command System (ICS), the Master Mutual Aid Agreement, existing mutual aid systems, the operational area concept, and multi-agency or inter-agency coordination.

Local governments must use SEMS to be eligible for funding of their response-related personnel costs under State disaster assistance programs. The SEMS consists of five organizational levels that are activated as necessary, including: field response, local government, operational area, regional, and State. CalOES divides the state into several mutual aid regions (CalOES 2017).

California Public Utilities Commission General Orders
General Order 165
General Order 165 establishes requirements for the inspection of electric distribution and transmission facilities that are not contained in a substation. Utilities must perform “Patrol” inspections, defined as a simple visual inspection of utility equipment and structures and designed to identify obvious structural problems and hazards, at least once per year for each piece of equipment and structure. “Detailed” inspections, where individual pieces of equipment and structures are carefully examined, are required every 5 years for all overhead conductor and cables, transformers, switching/protective devices, and regulators/capacitors. By July 1 of each year, each utility subject to this General Order must submit an annual report of its inspections for the previous year under penalty of perjury (CPUC 2017a).
c. Local Regulations
Santa Barbara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan The Santa Barbara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) contains goals and objectives that are intended to reduce loss of life and property from natural disasters. The HMP was comprehensively updated in 2023, and the City is a participating agency. During the planning process, this plan used FEMA tools to determine the most likely possible threats would be wildfire, earthquakes, drought and water shortage, pandemic/public health emergency, energy shortage and resiliency, extreme heat and freeze, and flooding. The HMP identifies mitigation action items that aim to meet objectives and reduce the impacts of these hazards. The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management leads the responsibility for overseeing the Plan implementation and maintenance strategy. Plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all planning partnership members and agencies identified as lead agencies in the mitigation action plans.

City of Solvang Emergency Management Plan
The City’s Emergency Management Plan (EMP) addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological and intentional incidents, and 752
national security emergencies in or affecting the City. The EMP addresses emergency management coordination, procedures required to protect the health and safety of the residents and property within Solvang, and emergency management organization required to respond to and mitigate emergencies or disasters within Solvang. The EMP integrates with Santa Barbara County’s Operational Area response for area wide emergencies such as fire (City of Solvang 2013a).

4.8.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
This section describes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project relevant to hazards and hazardous materials. The impact analysis is based on an assessment of baseline conditions in Solvang, including locations of hazardous materials use and storage, existing contaminated sites, air traffic hazards, emergency response and evacuation plan requirements, and the risk of exposure to wildland fires. This analysis identifies potential impacts based on the predicted interaction between the affected environment and construction, operation, and maintenance activities related to the predicted development that would occur under the proposed project. This section describes hazards and hazardous materials impacts in terms of location, context, duration, and intensity.

Significance Thresholds
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on hazards and hazardous materials. For the purposes of this Environmental Impact Report (EIR), implementation of the proposed project may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials;
Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment;
Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school; Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment;
For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area; Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan; or
Expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires.
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This section does not analyze the exposure of future development within the City to hazards because it is an impact of the environment on the project. The California Supreme Court held in a December 2015 opinion (California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District) that an analysis of impacts of the environment on a project is not required for CEQA compliance.
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? Threshold 2: Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment?
Impact HAZ-1 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN COULD RESULT IN AN INCREMENTAL INCREASE OF THE OVERALL ROUTINE TRANSPORT, USE, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE HANDLING, TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, AND STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND ADHERENCE TO 2045 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES WOULD MINIMIZE THE RISK OF SPILLS AND THE PUBLIC’S POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO THESE SUBSTANCES AND REDUCE THE RISK OF ADVERSE IMPACTS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Transport, Use, and Disposal of Hazardous Materials
Development facilitated by the proposed project would involve the use of potentially hazardous materials, such as vehicle fuels and fluids, which would be released should a spill or leak occur.

Typically, small fuel or oil spills would not have a substantial impact on public health. Contractors of individual development projects would be required to implement standard construction best management practices (BMPs) for the use or handling of such materials to avoid or reduce the potential for such conditions to occur. Any transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials would be carried out in accordance with applicable local, State, and federal regulations regarding the handling of potentially hazardous materials. These include the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the California Hazardous Materials Management Act, and CCR Title 22. Hazardous materials transported on highways, such as State Route 243, would be subject to California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) requirements, as described in Title 49 of the CFR. In addition to these State and federal requirements, the City has protocols to remedy the accidental release of hazardous materials, set forth in the City’s EMP. These protocols include response from the City’s Fire and Rescue branch to control the accidental release of hazardous materials (City of Solvang 2013a). These regulatory safeguards minimize exposure of the public and environment to a potential release of hazardous materials.

The proposed project would include the following policies to minimize the potential for hazardous materials exposure:
 Policy SAF-7.1: Hazardous Material Storage and Disposal. The City shall require proper storage and disposal of hazardous materials, including medical waste, to prevent leakage, potential explosions, fires, or the escape of harmful gases, and to prevent individually innocuous materials from combining to form hazardous substances, especially at the time of disposal. 754
 Policy SAF-7.2: Designated Routes for Transport of Hazardous Materials. The City shall designate and continue to enforce safe routes through the City for the transport of hazardous materials.

Asbestos Exposure
Future development facilitated by the proposed project that requires demolition or redevelopment of existing structures, particularly old structures, has the potential to expose workers and the public to asbestos. The California Health and Safety Code Section 19827.5 requires that local agencies not issue a demolition or alteration permits until an applicant has assessed the potential for a structure to contain asbestos and demonstrated compliance with notification requirements under federal regulations involving hazardous air pollutants, including asbestos. CCR Section 1532.1 requires testing, monitoring, containment, and disposal of lead-based materials, such that exposure levels do not exceed California Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Similarly, CCR Section 1529 sets requirements for asbestos exposure assessments and monitoring, methods of complying with exposure requirements, safety wear, communication of hazards, and medical examination of workers. The control of asbestos-containing material during demolition or renovation activities is regulated under the Federal Clean Air Act, which requires thorough inspection for asbestos where demolition would occur and specifies work practices to control emissions, such as removing all asbestos-containing materials, adequately wetting all regulated asbestos-containing materials, sealing the material in leak-tight containers, and disposing of the asbestos-containing waste material as expediently as practicable (USEPA 2023).

Upset and Accident Conditions
Future development facilitated by the proposed project would involve the use, storage, disposal, or transportation of hazardous materials. Some potential commercial, residential, and visitor-serving uses do not generally involve the use, storage, disposal, or transportation of significant quantities of hazardous materials. Hazardous material use and storage would primarily consist of common household hazardous materials such as solvents, paints, and chemicals used for cleaning and building maintenance, and landscaping supplies. These materials would not be different from household hazardous materials currently in use throughout Solvang. Residents and workers would use limited quantities of products that contain hazardous materials routinely for periodic cleaning, repair, and maintenance, or for landscaping and pest control. The disposal of household hazardous materials would be conducted at the Health Sanitation Service located in Buellton (City of Solvang 2023).

Future development facilitated by the proposed project may include industrial uses that would sell, use, store, transport, or release substantial quantities of hazardous materials. Businesses that handle certain chemicals over threshold quantities are required to abide by State programs, such as preparation of a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP). An HMBP consists of basic information on the location, type, quantity, and health risks of hazardous materials, and emergency response and training plans (CalEPA 2023b). Hazardous materials must be reported in an HMBP if they are handled in quantities equal or greater than 55 gallons of a liquid, 200 standard cubic feet of a compressed gas, or 500 pounds of a solid. Mandatory reporting in HMBPs would reduce potential hazards to workers and the general public near industrial development from reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. 755
Conclusion
Overall, applicable federal, State, and local regulations and proposed 2045 General Plan policies would minimize the potential for future development facilitated by the proposed project to create a significant hazard to the public or environment through the transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials, or reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. Therefore, these impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 3: Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within 0.25 mile of an existing or proposed school?
Impact HAZ-2 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN COULD RESULT IN AN

INCREMENTAL INCREASE OF USE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN PROXIMITY TO SOLVANG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SANTA YNEZ VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL. ADHERENCE TO REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS WOULD ENSURE IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Future development facilitated by the proposed project could include facilities which handle hazardous materials, substances, or waste. Solvang Elementary School is the only public school within Solvang and the SOI. Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, while not within the City’s SOI, is located approximately 0.2-mile east of the SOI. Existing land use designations surrounding Solvang Elementary School include residential, recreational and open space, commercial, and office uses.

The 2045 General Plan would not introduce or modify land use designations surrounding Solvang Elementary School to include industrial uses which typically emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste. Any future development that would emit hazardous air emissions or would handle a hazardous substance within 0.25 mile of an existing school would be required to notify the affected school district, pursuant to PRC Section 21151.4. Compliance with existing regulations would reduce the potential for a school and its occupants to be exposed to hazardous materials.

Future schools that may be developed to accommodate forecasted population increases in Solvang would be subject to California Education Code Section 17213, which requires the City to ensure the chosen site for a proposed school is not built on current or hazardous waste disposal sites, is not on a hazardous substance release site identified by the DTSC, and does not contain pipelines that carry hazardous substances. Assessment of any contamination is conducted in coordination with the DTSC’s Brownfields Restoration and School Evaluation Branch, which is responsible for assessing, investigating, and cleaning up proposed school sites (DTSC 2023). The DTSC ensures that selected sites are free of hazardous materials, or if the sites were previously contaminated, have been remediated to a level that protects future students and staff. Therefore, the proposed project would not result in the handling of hazardous or acutely hazardous materials substances or waste within

0.25 mile of an existing or proposed school. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant. 756
Threshold 4: Would the project be located on a site that is included on a list of hazardous material sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? Impact HAZ-3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE

REGULATIONS AND WOULD INCLUDE A POLICY TO MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT TO BE LOCATED ON A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITE. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

As stated in Section 4.8.1, Setting, Solvang does not contain any active CDOs, CAOs, or military cleanup sites. All 12 cleanup sites identified in the City are designated as “Completed – Case Closed,” meaning remedial action has been undertaken and the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services Division issued a closure letter or other formal closure decision document stating the site no longer poses a substantial risk.

Previously unidentified USTs that are encountered during construction activity can result in the contamination of soil and groundwater at a project site. In the event that a previously unidentified UST is uncovered or disturbed during construction activities of future development facilitated by the proposed project, it would be closed and abandoned in place or removed, consistent with applicable regulations. Tank removal activities could pose both health and safety risks, such as the exposure of workers, tank handling personnel, and the public to tank contents or vapors. Potential risks, if any, posed by USTs would be minimized by managing the tank according to existing standards contained in Division 20, Chapters 6.7 and 6.75 (Underground Storage Tank Program) of the California Health and Safety Code as enforced and monitored by the Environmental Programs Division. In addition to these State regulations, the proposed project includes the following policy requiring testing and remediation for contaminated sites:
 Policy SAF-7.3: Testing and Remediation of Contaminated Sites. The City shall require testing for contamination in areas suspected as potentially hazardous and shall require that the remediation of hazardous areas takes place prior to development in cooperation with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

Existing federal and State regulatory requirements, as well as implementation of the proposed 2045 General Plan policy requiring testing and remediation of hazardous areas prior to new development, would minimize the potential for the proposed project to facilitate development on a hazardous materials site. New development on documented hazardous materials sites in Solvang would be preceded by remediation under the supervision of applicable regulatory agencies. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant. 757
Threshold 5: For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area?
Impact HAZ-4 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN COULD OCCUR WITHIN THE CITY’S CURRENT SPHERE OF INFLUENCE WHICH PARTIALLY OVERLAPS CONTOURS ESTABLISHED BY THE SANTA YNEZ AIRPORT LAND USE PLAN. ADHERENCE TO REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 2045

GENERAL PLAN POLICES WOULD REDUCE POTENTIAL IMPACTS RELATED TO AIRPORT HAZARDS TO A LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT LEVEL.

The Santa Ynez Airport, located approximately five miles east of the City limits, is the nearest public airport to Solvang. While the City limits are not within an area under the jurisdiction of the ALUP, the City’s SOI northeast of Solvang encroach upon the imaginary airspace surfaces boundary, overflight notification zone, and Review Area 2 (SBCAG 2023). If the City incorporates its northeastern SOI into its City limits , development facilitated by the proposed project could occur within the contours delineated in the ALUP. In accordance with California Public Utilities Code 21676, SBCAG would review the 2045 General Plan for consistency with the ALUP prior to the adoption of the 2045 General Plan, including height restrictions and noise compatibility exposure. In addition to these requirements, the proposed project includes the following policies to minimize potential safety hazards or excessive noise resulting from development in proximity to aircraft operations:
 Policy SAF-9.1: Coordinate with the ALUC. The City shall coordinate with the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) on land use planning around the Santa Ynez Airport and the City’s Plan Area.
 Policy SAF-9.2: Airport Area of Influence. The City shall submit development proposals for land within the airport area of influence for review by the ALUC for consistency with the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
 Policy SAF-9.3: Airport Land Use Consistency. The City shall work to achieve consistency between General Plan land uses and the ALUP, when and where it is appropriate. Measures may include restrictions on permitted land uses and development criteria, including height restrictions.

Compliance with the ALUP, review of the General Plan by SBCAG, and implementation of proposed 2045 General Plan policies, would ensure the proposed project would not result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant. 758
Threshold 6: Would the project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
Impact HAZ-5 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD ADHERE TO

APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH ADOPTED EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Construction activities associated future development facilitated by the proposed project would potentially interfere with adopted emergency response or evacuation plans as a result of temporary construction activities within rights-of-way, temporary construction barricades, or other obstructions that would potentially impede emergency access. Temporary construction barricades or other obstructions that would be potential obstructions to emergency access on State Highway System/routes would be subject to the standards set forth in the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Caltrans 2023). The California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices requires the creation and approval of temporary traffic control plans to facilitate the movement of road users through a work zone (Caltrans 2023). Construction within a public easement or right-ofway would be required to obtain an encroachment permit from the City’s Public Works Department.

In order to obtain an encroachment permit, a traffic and/or pedestrian control plan is required to be submitted to the City’s Public Works Department if the normal flow and safety of vehicle and pedestrian traffic would be affected (City of Solvang 2013b). These regulations would ensure construction activities associated with development facilitated by the proposed project would not impair emergency evacuation or emergency response plans.

Future development facilitated by the proposed project would result in additional traffic. The City’s EMP and the County’s HMP provide guidance during situations requiring an unusual or extraordinary response, including traffic control and management. Implementation of these plans involve coordination with all facilities and personnel of City and County government, along with the jurisdictional resources in the County, to effectively respond to an emergency (City of Solvang 2013a; County of Santa Barbara 2023). Furthermore, development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to comply with road standards and would be reviewed by the Solvang Emergency Services Coordinator and Fire Marshal to ensure new development would not interfere with evacuation routes or impede the effectiveness of evacuation plans. The 2045 General Plan would not introduce new features or policies that would preclude implementation of or alter these plans or procedures. Therefore, the proposed project would not impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant. 759
Threshold 7: Would the project expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires? Impact HAZ-6 THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN INCLUDES POLICIES TO MINIMIZE WILDLAND FIRE RISK.

DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT WOULD ADHERE TO THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND

BE REVIEWED BY THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT TO ENSURE PEOPLE OR STRUCTURES WOULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO SIGNIFICANT RISK OF LOSS, INJURY, OR DEATH INVOLVING WILDLAND FIRES. THEREFORE, THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Solvang, due to its rural surroundings, is a wildland-urban interface, which includes areas where homes or other structures are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire. The majority of Solvang is within a FHSZ, including the portion of the city south of the Santa Ynez River, as well as the perimeter of the City limits. In addition, Solvang’s SOI is within a FHSZ. The central portion of Solvang with concentrated development, as shown in Figure 4.8-1, is not designated as a FHSZ.

Development within a FHSZ is unsafe when fire suppression activities would be impeded by lack of water, rugged terrain, or delayed response times. One SBCFD fire station, Station 30, serves Solvang and portions of unincorporated Santa Ynez Valley. In Solvang, the average response times from SBCFD are between three to five minutes (City of Solvang 2021).

SBCFD enforces fire and building codes related to development in FHSZs. Development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to comply with SBCFD development standards that reduce wildfire risk. Standards include, but are not limited to, implementation of a 100-foot minimum defensible space barriers around all buildings or structures, removal of combustible vegetation within 30 feet of a building or structure, prohibition of trees located within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe, and removal of combustible vegetation at a minimum of 10 feet from both shoulders of a roadway or driveway. (SBCFD 2010).

Development facilitated by the proposed project would also be required to adhere to State and federal regulations related to reducing wildfire risk. This includes approval of site-specific design plans to verify compliance with applicable codes including, but not limited to, the following:
 Title 24, CCR, Building Regulations
 Uniform Fire Code
 National Fire Codes of the National Fire Protection Association  Title 19, CCR, Public Safety
 Title 8, CCR, Occupational Safety
 California Health and Safety Code
The CFC includes safety measures that minimize the threat of fire, including ignition-resistant construction with exterior walls of noncombustible or ignition resistant material from the surface of the ground to the roof system and sealing any gaps around doors, windows, eaves and vents to prevent intrusion by flame or embers. Development would also be required to meet California Building Code requirements, including CCR Title 24, Part 2, which includes specific requirements related to exterior wildfire exposure. CCR Title 14 sets forth the minimum development standards for emergency access, fuel modification, setback, signage, and water supply, which help prevent loss of structures or life by reducing wildfire hazards risk. Additionally, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would include policies intended to minimize potential wildfire risks. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.
760
Figure 4.8-1 Fire Hzard Severity Zones and Proposed Development 761
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

4.8.4 Cumulative Impacts
The analysis in this section examines cumulative impacts on hazards and hazardous materials throughout the cumulative impact analysis area, and the 2045 General Plan’s potential contribution to cumulative hazards.

Some types of hazards and hazardous materials impacts are related to site-and project-specific characteristics and conditions and would not be substantially affected by cumulative development.

There are existing federal, State, and local regulations that effectively reduce the inherent hazard associated with routine transport, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. Regulations and oversight, as outlined in the impacts analysis above, would also effectively reduce the potential for individual projects to create a hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions, as well as reduce the potential for individual projects to impact schools or cause impacts associated with hazardous materials sites. Thus, cumulative impacts related to the transport, use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials, upset conditions, hazardous emissions near schools, and project locations on known or unknown hazardous materials sites, would be less than significant.

As part of project approval for the cumulative projects, SBCFD would assess project design for compliance with emergency access requirements. Cumulative projects are not reasonably anticipated to result in permanent road closures, impede an established emergency or evacuation access route, or interfere with emergency response requirements established by the City or County’s emergency management plans. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to emergency response and evacuation plans consistency would be less than significant.

Compliance with the requirements of the airport land use plans within Santa Barbara County, including building height limitations and development limitations in noise contours, would reduce potential cumulative projects impacts related to aviation related hazards. Existing requirements for airports and existing local, State, and Federal regulations would also reduce the noise impacts of airport activity on residents and workers in the plan area. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to aviation-related hazards and excessive noise exposure would be less than significant.

A combination of federal, State, and local regulations limit or minimize the potential for exposure to wildland fires by reducing the amount of development in wildland urban interface areas, ensuring new development is developed according to California Building Code and California Fire Code, and incorporating requirements for fire-safe construction into the land use planning. Cumulative development may occur in designated FHSZs; however, project construction would adhere to respective SBCFD fire codes designed to provide minimum standards to increase fire-resiliency in buildings, prevent the occurrence of fires, and to provide adequate fire-protection facilities to control the spread of fire which might be caused by recreational, residential, commercial, industrial or other activities conducted in a wildland urban interface area. Adherence to the SBCFD regulations would ensure that California Fire Code standards including automatic sprinkler systems are incorporated into project design and permit requirements. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to wildland fire exposure risk would be less than significant.

For the reasons stated above, potential impacts associated with hazards and hazardous materials would not be cumulatively considerable, and cumulative impacts would be less than significant. 762
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4.9 Hydrology and Water Quality
This section evaluates the potential environmental effects of the 2045 General Plan related to water quality, drainage, groundwater, and flooding. The analysis includes a review of surface water, groundwater, inundation zones, and water quality. Water supply is discussed in Section 4.16, Utilities and Service Systems. Issues regarding wetlands and waters of the United States are discussed in Section 4.3, Biological Resources.

4.9.1 Setting
Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley in central Santa Barbara County, approximately 25 miles northwest of Santa Barbara and 6 miles north of the Pacific Ocean. The weather in Solvang is characterized by a typical Mediterranean coastal climate, which is generally dry in the summer with mild, wet winters. Rainfall in the area is concentrated in the winter months with the wettest months being January, February, and March, which have average monthly rainfall totals of 4.9, 5.2, and 3.9 inches, respectively (U.S. Climate Data 2023).
a. Surface Water
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) divides surface watersheds in California into 10 hydrologic regions. Solvang lies within the Central Coast hydrologic region, a large coastal region in central California that consists of approximately 11,300 square miles and includes all of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties, most of San Benito County, and portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Ventura counties (DWR 2015).

The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) subdivides the Central Coast hydrologic region into hydrologic units for planning purposes. Solvang is located entirely in the Santa Ynez hydrologic unit (RWQCB 2019). The Santa Ynez Hydrologic unit stretches approximately 70 miles east to west between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara County line (RWQCB 2019).

Within the Santa Ynez Hydrologic unit, Solvang is located within one watershed: the Santa Ynez River Watershed. The Santa Ynez River Watershed drains approximately 900 square miles (United States Geological Survey 2023). The Santa Ynez River originates in Los Padres National Forest and flows west, continuing to its terminus at the Pacific Ocean near Vandenberg Space Force Base. In addition to the Santa Ynez River, the Alamo Pintado Creek, Adobe Creek, Alisal Creek, and Fredensborg Canyon Road Creek run through Solvang.
b. Groundwater
Portions of Solvang overlie the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin, while areas in east Solvang and south of the Santa Ynez River do not overlie a designated groundwater basin (DWR 2023a). The Santa Ynez River Valley Basin is an approximately 319 square-mile basin that underlies the Santa Ynez Valley.

Three Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) actively manage the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin: the Western Management Area (WMA) GSA, the Central Management Area (CMA) GSA, and the Eastern Management Area (EMA) GSA. Solvang is located within the EMA. The EMA makes up approximately 150 square miles of the total basin and includes the Santa Ynez Uplands and Santa Ynez River areas (EMA GSA 2023). The northern and eastern boundary of the EMA is defined by outcropping of impermeable bedrock of the San Rafael Mountains. The Santa Ynez Mountains form the southern boundary of the EMA south of the Santa Ynez River. The boundary to the northwest is defined as the shared border with the San Antonio Groundwater Basin, which as a topographic 764
watershed divide west of Zaca Creek Canyon. The EMA’s western boundary is formed in the Purisima Hills by impermeable consolidated bedrock (EMA GSA 2023).

Based on historical groundwater inflow and outflow data from 1982 to 2018, the EMA has an average annual inflow of approximately 18,770 acre-feet per year (AFY) and an average annual outflow of 20,600 AFY, which results in an annual reduction in storage of approximately 1,830 AFY.

The sustainable groundwater yield in the EMA was estimated by adding the average change of groundwater in storage (negative 1,830 AFY) to the estimated total average amount of groundwater pumping (14,700 AFY) from 1982 to 2018. The sustainable groundwater yield in the EMA is estimated to be approximately 12,870 AFY (EMA GSA 2023). c. Water Quality
Surface Waters
Water quality in Solvang is governed by the RWQCB which sets water quality standards in the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Basin (Basin Plan; RWQCB 2019). The Basin Plan identifies beneficial uses for surface water and groundwater and establishes water quality objectives to attain those beneficial uses. The identified beneficial uses and water quality objectives to maintain or achieve those uses are together known as water quality standards. The RWQCB designates beneficial uses for some individual water bodies in the Central Coast Basin. All other water bodies not designated individually are assigned the designated uses of municipal and domestic water supply and protection of recreation and aquatic life. Table 4.9-1 presents the designated beneficial uses listed in the Basin Plan for surface water in Solvang.

Table 4.9-1 Beneficial Uses for Surface Waters in Solvang Water Body Beneficial Uses1
Alamo Pintado Creek Municipal and Domestic Supply; Agricultural Supply; Industrial Service Supply; Groundwater Recharge; Water Contact Recreation; Non-Contact Water Recreation; Wildlife Habitat; Warm Fresh Water Habitat; Commercial and Sport Fishing Santa Ynez River Municipal and Domestic Supply; Agricultural Supply; Industrial Process Supply; Industrial Service Supply; Groundwater Recharge; Water Contact Recreation; Non-Contact Water Recreation; Wildlife Habitat; Cold Fresh Water Habitat; Warm Fresh Water Habitat; Migration of Aquatic Organisms; Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development; Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species; Fresh Water Replenishment; Commercial and Sport Fishing
1 Surface waters not designated individually by the RWQCB are assigned the designated uses of municipal and domestic water supply and protection of recreation and aquatic life.

Source: RWQCB 2019
In Solvang, stormwater runoff transports pollutants from urban development, streets, parking lots, and other sources to the Santa Ynez River and its tributaries. Activities such as land clearing, excavation and filling, illegal dumping, municipal operations, improper disposal of pet waste, and use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides can generate stormwater pollution. When designated beneficial uses of a particular water body are compromised by poor water quality, Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify and list that water body as impaired. Once a water body has been deemed impaired, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) must be developed for each impairing water quality constituent. A TMDL is an estimate of the total load of pollutants from point, nonpoint, and natural sources that a water body can receive without exceeding applicable water quality standards (often with a “factor of safety” included, which limits the total load of pollutants 765
to a level well below that which could cause the standard to be exceeded). Once established, the TMDL is allocated among current and future dischargers into the water body. The portion of the Santa Ynez River which crosses Solvang is listed on the 2018 303(d) list as impaired for sedimentation/siltation, sodium, total dissolved solids, temperature, and toxicity (State Water Resources Control Board [SWRCB] 2018).

Groundwater Beneficial uses of groundwater in the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin include municipal and domestic water supply and agricultural water supply. The primary constituents of concern in groundwater in the EMA, as well as the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin as a whole, are total dissolved solids (TDS) (RWQCB 2019). While there are some wells that currently have constituent concentrations that exceed Basin Water Quality Objectives set by the RWQCB, it is possible that some of these exceedances are a result of natural conditions and not caused by land use or other anthropogenic activities. Elevated boron concentrations are naturally occurring in many central coast basins, and elevated TDS, chloride, and sodium are often associated with rocks of marine origin that are present in the EMA. EMA agricultural stakeholders have not indicated that these concentrations are impacting agricultural production or drinking water quality (EMA GSA 2023). d. Flooding
Flooding during storm events occurs when the amount of rainfall exceeds the infiltration capacity of the surrounding landscape or the conveyance capacity of the storm water drainage system. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delineates regional flooding hazards on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) as part of the National Flood Insurance Program. Higher flood risk zones are called Special Flood Hazard Areas; these areas have a 1 percent chance or greater of flooding in any given year (also called the 100-year floodplain). Areas with a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year are called the 500-year floodplain. There are several flood-prone areas in Solvang, which are generally located adjacent to the Santa Ynez River, Alamo Pintado Creek, Alisal Creek, and Adobe Creek (City of Solvang 2021). Figure 4.9-1 shows the portions of Solvang that are located within the 100-year and 500-year FEMA designated flood hazard zones.

In 2023, a series of rainstorms resulted in flooding and mudslides within and adjacent to Solvang, including at Alisal Ranch and Alamo Pintado Creek (Noozhawk 2023). This flooding also led to multiple evacuation orders throughout Santa Barbara County (Noozhawk 2023). During this flooding, Alisal Road and State Route 246 were closed due to unsafe road conditions, including debris and boulders (Santa Ynez Valley News 2023; Santa Ynez Valley Star 2023).

Solvang is approximately 8.9 miles west of Cachuma Lake and approximately 6.1 miles north of the Pacific Ocean, and is not subject to inundation from tsunami or seiche. Dam inundation zones are present in Solvang, which are defined as areas that could be affected by flooding as a result of dam failure. These areas could inundate portions of Solvang as a result of failure of Bradbury Dam and Alisal Creek Dam, located approximately 9.0 miles east and 3.3 miles south of Solvang, respectively (City of Solvang 2021). Figure 4.9-2 shows the dam inundation zones within Solvang. 766
Figure 4.9-1 Flood Hazards in Solvang
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Figure 4.9-2 Dam Inundation Zones in Solvang
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4.9.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
Clean Water Act
The federal Clean Water Act, enacted by Congress in 1972 and amended several times since, is the primary federal law regulating water quality in the United States and forms the basis for several State and local laws throughout the country. The Clean Water Act established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. The Clean Water Act gave the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the authority to implement federal pollution control programs, such as setting water quality standards for contaminants in surface water, establishing wastewater and effluent discharge limits for various industry contaminants in surface water, establishing wastewater and effluent discharge limits for various industry categories, and imposing requirements for controlling nonpoint-source pollution. At the federal level, the Clean Water Act is administered by the USEPA and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). At the state and regional levels in California, the Clean Water Act is enforced by the SWRCB and the nine RWQCBs.

Clean Water Act Section 303(d)
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify water bodies that do not meet water quality objectives and are not supporting their beneficial uses. Each state must submit an updated biennial list, called the 303(d) list, to the USEPA. In addition to identifying the water bodies that are not supporting beneficial uses, the list also identifies the pollutant or stressor causing impairment and establishes a priority for developing a control plan to address the impairment. If a water body is designated as “impaired,” then a TMDL is developed and identified for the affected water body. A TMDL establishes the maximum daily amount of a pollutant allowed in an identified water body and is used as a planning tool in addressing water quality impairments and improving water quality.

Clean Water Act Section 401
Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, the RWQCBs have regulatory authority over actions in waters of the United States and/or the State of California through the issuance of water quality certifications, which are issued in conjunction with any federal permit (e.g., permits issued by the USACE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, described below). Section 401 of the Clean Water Act provides the SWRCB and the RWQCBs with the regulatory authority to waive, certify, or deny any proposed activity that could result in a discharge to surface waters of the State. To waive or certify an activity, these agencies must find that the proposed discharge would comply with State water quality standards, including those protecting beneficial uses and water quality. If these agencies deny the proposed activity, the federal permit cannot be issued. This water quality certification is generally required for projects involving the discharge of dredge or fill material to wetlands or other bodies.

Clean Water Act Section 402
Section 402 of the Clean Water Act requires that all construction sites on an acre or greater of land, as well as municipal, industrial and commercial facilities discharging wastewater or stormwater directly from a point source (e.g., pipe, ditch, or channel) into a surface water of the United States 769
must obtain permission under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

All NPDES permits are written to ensure that the surface water receiving discharges will achieve specified water quality standards.

According to federal regulations, NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges associated with construction activity can be obtained through individual state permits or general permits. Individual permitting involves the submittal of specific data on a single construction project to the appropriate permitting agency that will issue a site-specific NPDES permit to the project. NPDES coverage under a general permit involves the submittal of a Notice of Intent by the regulated construction project that they intend to comply with a general permit to be developed by the USEPA or a state with delegated permitting authority. In California, the NPDES program is administered by the SWRCB through the nine RWQCBs. Further discussion of the NPDES program and permits in California relevant to the proposed project is provided in discussion of State regulations, below.

Clean Water Act Section 404
Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, proposed discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States require USACE authorization. Waters of the United States generally include tidal waters, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), and wetlands (with the exception of isolated wetlands).

National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program is a program administered by FEMA to provide subsidized flood insurance for property owners in communities. The National Flood Insurance Program established regulations that limit development in flood-prone areas. The boundaries of flood-prone areas are delineated on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rates Maps, which provide flood information and identify the flood hazard in the community. In certain high-risk areas, federally regulated or insured lenders require property owners to have flood insurance before issuing a mortgage. b. State Regulations
Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act of 1970
The federal Clean Water Act places the primary responsibility for the control of water pollution and planning the development and use of water resources with the states, although it does establish certain guidelines for the states to follow in developing their programs. California’s primary statute governing water quality and water pollution is the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act of 1970 (Porter-Cologne Act). The Porter-Cologne Act grants the SWRCB and the nine RWQCBs broad powers to protect water quality and is the primary vehicle for the implementation of California’s responsibility under the federal Clean Water Act. The Porter-Cologne Act grants the SWRCB and RWQCBs the authority and responsibility to adopt plans and policies, to regulate discharges to surface water and groundwater, to regulate waste disposal sites, and to require cleanup of discharges of hazardous materials and other pollutants. The Porter-Cologne Act also establishes reporting requirements for unintended discharges of any hazardous substance, sewage, oil, or petroleum product. Each RWQCB must formulate and adopt a water quality control plan for its region. The regional plans are to conform to the policies set forth in the Porter-Cologne Act and established by the SWRCB in its State water policy. The Porter-Cologne Act also provides that a RWQCB may include in its region a regional plan with water discharge prohibitions applicable to 770
particular conditions, areas, or types of waste. The City is within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Central Coast RWQCB (Region 3).

Phase II Municipal Storm Water Permit
The Municipal Storm Water Permitting Program regulates storm water discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The NPDES MS4 permits in California are issued in two phases by the SWRCB and RWQCBs. Phase I MS4 permits are issued by the RWQCBs to medium (i.e., serving between 100,000 and 250,000 people) and large (i.e., serving more than 250,000 people) municipalities. Most of these permits are issued to a group of co-permittees encompassing an entire metropolitan area. The Phase II MS4 Permit is issued by the SWRCB and is applicable to smaller municipalities (i.e., populations of less than 100,000 people) and nontraditional small MS4s (e.g., military bases, public campuses, and prison and hospital complexes). The Phase II MS4 Permit (Waste Discharge Requirements [WDRs] for Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems [MS4s] General Permit], Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000004) became effective on July 1, 2013 and covers Phase II permittees statewide, including the City of Solvang. The Phase I and Phase II MS4 Permits require the permittees to develop a storm water management program and individual dischargers to develop and implement Storm Water Management Plans (SWMP) to manage discharges to municipal storm drain systems.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014 is a comprehensive three-bill package that California Governor Jerry Brown signed into State law in September 2014. The SGMA provides a framework for sustainable management of groundwater supplies by local authorities, with a limited role for State intervention if necessary to protect the resource. The plan is intended to ensure a reliable groundwater supply for California for years to come. The SGMA requires governments and water agencies of high- and medium-priority basins to halt overdrafts of groundwater basins. The SGMA requires the formation of local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) that are required to adopt Groundwater Sustainability Plans to manage the sustainability of the groundwater basins. DWR has designated the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin as a medium priority basin (DWR 2023a).

The Santa Ynez River Valley Basin is under the jurisdiction of the WMA GSA, the CMA GSA, and the EMA GSA, each of which have prepared a groundwater sustainability plan for their respective jurisdiction over the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin. The WMA GSA includes the City of Lompoc, the Mission Hills Community Services District, the Vandenberg Village Community Services District, the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, and unincorporated County of Santa Barbara (Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin 2023a). The CMA GSA includes the City of Buellton, the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, and unincorporated County of Santa Barbara (Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin 2023b). The EMA GSA includes the City of Solvang, Irrigation District No. 1, the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, and unincorporated County of Santa Barbara (Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin 2023c).

General Construction Activity Stormwater Permit
The General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities, Order No. 2022-0057-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000002 (Construction General Permit), adopted by the SWRCB, regulates construction activity that includes clearing, grading, and excavation resulting in soil disturbance of at least one acre of total land area. The Construction 771
General Permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater to surface waters from construction activities. The Construction General Permit requires that all developers of land where construction activities will occur over more than one acre do the following:
 Complete a Risk Assessment to determine pollution prevention requirements pursuant to the three risk levels established in the Construction General Permit;  Eliminate or reduce non-stormwater discharges to storm sewer systems and other waters of the United States;
 Develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that specifies Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will reduce pollution in stormwater discharges to the Best Available Technology/Economically Achievable/Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology standards;
 Perform inspections and maintenance of all BMPs; and
 Conduct stormwater sampling, if required based on risk level.

To obtain coverage in accordance with the Construction General Permit, a project applicant must electronically file all permit registration documents with the SWRCB prior to the start of construction. Permit registration documents must include:
 Notice of Intent, including Risk Level determination;  Site Drawings and Maps;
 SWPPP;
 Applicable plans, calculations, and other supporting documentation for compliance with existing permitted Phase I or Phase II municipal separate storm sewer system post-construction requirements or the post-construction standards of the Construction General Permit;  Annual fee per the current 23 California Code of Regulations Chapter 9 fee schedule for NPDES stormwater permits; and
 All applicable additional Permit Registration Document information.

Typical BMPs included in in SWPPPs are designed to minimize erosion during construction, stabilize construction areas, control sediment, and control pollutants from construction materials.

Industrial General Permit
The Industrial General Permit is a regulatory framework issued by SWRCB under the NPDES program. The Industrial General Permit applies to various types of industrial facilities in California identified within the SWRCB’s List of Potentially Regulated Standard Industrial Classification Codes.

These facilities include manufacturing plants, commercial printing, air courier services, refuse systems, and others, which have the potential to discharge stormwater runoff into water bodies. To comply with the Industrial General Permit, the operators of these regulated industrial facilities must implement a SWPPP that outlines measures and BMPs the operator of an industrial facility must implement to prevent stormwater pollution. Operators of facilities regulated by the Industrial General Permit are also required to conduct stormwater monitoring of pollutants including, but not limited to, sediment, metals, oils, and total suspended solids. In addition, the Industrial General Permit requires industrial discharge to comply with TMDL implementation requirements for impaired water bodies.
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c. Local Regulations
Water Quality Control Plan
The Central Coast RWQCB has adopted the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Basin (the Basin Plan), which delineates water resource area boundaries based on hydrological features. For the purposes of achieving and maintaining water quality protection, specific beneficial uses have been identified for each of the surface waters and groundwater management zones described in the Basin Plan. Once beneficial uses are designated, appropriate water quality objectives are established, and programs that maintain or enhance water quality are implemented to ensure the protection of beneficial uses.

The Basin Plan also established implementation programs to achieve water quality objectives to protect beneficial uses and require monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs. These objectives must comply with the State antidegradation policy (SWRCB Resolution No. 68-16), which is designed to maintain high-quality waters while allowing some flexibility if beneficial uses are not unreasonably affected.

Groundwater Sustainability Plan
SGMA requires that GSAs prepare Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) for high and medium priority basins. A GSP provides a roadmap for how groundwater basins will reach long-term sustainability. GSPs are required to include management actions and projects to achieve sustainable use of groundwater, with growth projections considered. DWR has designated the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin as a medium priority basin, meaning the basin is subject to the requirements of SGMA.

To comply with SGMA, the EMA GSP developed the Santa Ynez Valley Groundwater Basin – Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Plan (ESA 2022). The EMA GSP adopted the GSP on January 6, 2022. GSPs are required to be approved by DWR; the GSP is currently being reviewed by DWR.

Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements
The Central Coast RWQCB adopted the Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements for Development Projects in the Central Coast Region (Resolution R3-2013-0032) in July 2013, which outlines runoff reduction and treatment requirements. Specifically, Resolution R3-2013-0032 outlines post-construction requirements for development projects in the Central Coast Region. The post-construction requirements mandate that development projects use Low Impact Development (LID) to detain, retain, and treat runoff. LID incorporates and conserves on-site natural features, together with constructed hydrologic controls to more closely mimic pre-development hydrology and watershed processes.

To assist project applicants in meeting the requirements of Resolution R3-2013-0032, the City uses the County of Santa Barbara’s Stormwater Technical Guide for Low Impact Development which is designed to ensure compliance with postconstruction requirements, facilitate review of applications, and promote integrated LID design. The guide interprets, clarifies, and adds to the post-construction requirements (County of Santa Barbara 2017).

Low Threat Discharge Permit
The Central Coast RWQCB has a general permit for discharges that pose a low threat to water quality (Waste Discharge Requirements National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 773
General Permit for Discharges with Limited Threat to Water Quality; Order No. R3-2022-0035, NPDES No. CAG99304). The permit’s provisions cover discharges that contain minimal amounts of pollutants and pose little or no threat to water quality and the environment, including discharges of highly treated groundwater generated during aquifer pumping tests, dual-phase extraction or other remedial pilot tests, excavation dewatering, and pumping to contain groundwater plumes.

Solvang Municipal Code
Title 14, Chapter 3 of the City’s Municipal Code states development in Solvang must regulate stormwater flows during construction of a new development or redevelopment project or at an industrial or commercial facility. These requirements may include a combination of structural and non-structural BMPs that are consistent with the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) Best Management Practice Handbooks or equivalent and shall include requirements to ensure the proper long-term operation and maintenance of these BMPs. Title 14, Chapter 3 of the City’s Municipal Code also adopts and implements a Construction Industry’s Guide to BMPs that provides a list of typical BMPs that are used in the construction industry that owners or developers are required to include within a project’s Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and/or SWPPP. The BMP guide also outlines the City’s stormwater requirements which are based on project size (total square feet of soil disturbance) and/or creation or replacement of impervious surfaces.

Chapter 13 of the Municipal Code is designed to minimize flood hazards. Chapter 13 includes requirements for development in a flood hazard zone, such as development permits, construction standards, and development in floodways.

4.9.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
The impact analysis is based on an assessment of baseline conditions for Solvang, including watersheds and surface waters, groundwater, and inundation areas as described in Section 4.9.1, Setting. This analysis identifies potential impacts related to hydrology and water quality resulting from construction, operation, and maintenance activities of future development that could occur under the proposed project. Potential impacts to hydrology and water quality are evaluated based on the adherence to local, State, and federal standards and implementation of BMPs for control of surface runoff and reduction of pollutants in stormwater runoff.

Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on hydrology and water quality. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the proposed project may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or groundwater quality;
Substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin; 774
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would:
i. Result in a substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site; ii. Substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site;
iii. Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff; or
iv. impede or redirect flood flows;
In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation; or Conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan.
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or ground water quality? Impact HYD-1 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD BE REQUIRED TO

ADHERE TO EXISTING PERMITTING AND MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIREMENTS WHICH WOULD MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT TO DEGRADE WATER QUALITY. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Construction
Future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would result in construction activities which may contribute to soil erosion and degraded water quality. Construction activities that would disturb one or more acres of land are subject to the NPDES Construction General Permit, which requires the development of a SWPPP developed by a certified Qualified SWPPP Developer. The SWPPP would include project-specific BMPs to control erosion, sediment release, and otherwise reduce the potential for discharge of pollutants from construction into stormwater. Typical BMPs include, but are not limited to, installation of silt fences, erosion control blankets, anti-tracking pads at site exits to prevent off-site transport of soil materials, and good-housekeeping BMPs to prevent leaks and spills. As required by the City’s Municipal Code, if a project would disturb less than one acre of land, the applicant would be required to prepare and obtain City approval of a projectspecific Erosion and Sediment Control Plan which is required to include BMPs that would be implemented during project construction. Compliance with the NPDES Construction General Permit and the City’s Municipal Code would ensure BMPs are implemented during construction to minimize potential impacts to water quality. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Operation
Operation of future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required to comply with the provisions of California’s Phase II MS4 Permit. Section 14-3 of the City’s Municipal Code requires any owner or person developing real property to integrate post-construction requirements that would control the volume, rate, and potential pollutant load of runoff. In addition, projects that create or replace greater than or equal to 2,500 square feet of impervious surface must implement 775
post-construction BMPs and submit a Stormwater Control Plan listing applicable BMPs to the City for review and approval. Pursuant to the Municipal Code, post construction requirements must comply with the RWQCB Central Coast Region Resolution No. R3-2013-0032. In addition, the Municipal Code requires industrial and commercial facilities and other new development, as applicable, to minimize the discharge of pollutants through the implementation of BMPs that are consistent with the CASQA BMP Handbooks or equivalent, such as the County’s Stormwater Technical Guide for Low Impact Development.

The City enforces project-specific operational BMP requirements by incorporating these as conditions of approval into land use entitlements and building permits specific to a project, and requires applicants to ensure the proper long-term operation and maintenance of selected BMPs.

Any future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan that would be categorized under Standard Industrial Classification codes would be subject to the Industrial General Permit, which requires development of a site-specific operational SWPPP. Implementation of the operational SWPPP would reduce the risk of water degradation on-site and off-site from soil erosion and other pollutants related to project operation, because an operational SWPPP requires the design, installation, and maintenance of post-construction stormwater controls. The operational SWPPP identifies the site-specific sources of pollutants and describes the BMPs implemented at the facility to prevent dry weather runoff and to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges. Adherence to permit and Municipal Code requirements would minimize impacts related to water quality and ensure development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not violate water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or groundwater quality.

Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 2: Would the project substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin?
Impact HYD-2 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA AND INCREASE GROUNDWATER DEMAND IN SOLVANG.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CENTRAL COAST RWQCB, MUNICIPAL CODE, AND 2045 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES WOULD ENSURE THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT SUBSTANTIALLY DECREASE GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES OR INTERFERE SUBSTANTIALLY WITH GROUNDWATER RECHARGE. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would incrementally increase the amount of impervious surface area overlying the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin within Solvang which could reduce the potential for groundwater recharge from infiltration. As discussed in Impact HYD-1 , compliance with the City’s Municipal Code, as well as the Central Coast RWQCB post-construction requirements for stormwater management would maximize the on-site infiltration capacity for new development and redevelopment projects within Solvang. This would reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff that enters the storm drainage system and discharges to surface waters and the Santa Ynez River.

For the existing conditions of the City’s groundwater supply, and the expected effects of increased water demand from development facilitated by the proposed project, refer to Section 4.16, Utilities and Service Systems. Although development within Solvang would increase demand for water by 776
approximately 29 percent, groundwater that would be provided to Solvang is under the management of the EMA GSA which would ensure Solvang’s increased demand would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies. Furthermore, as discussed in Section 4.16, Utilities and Service Systems, local groundwater supply is only used as a backup source of water in Solvang. The 2045 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element and Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element includes the following polices for groundwater management:
 Policy PFS-1.3: Water Supply and Infrastructure. The City shall ensure there is adequate water supply and infrastructure in place or that will be available in place and prior to approving any new development. The City will consider existing and future water supply and demand prior to project approval.
 Policy ENV-7.1: Adequate Water Supply. The City shall continue to work with water providers to ensure adequate water supply is available to the community. Further, the City shall impose limitations or moratoriums on new development or redevelopment when the water supply of existing customers will be adversely impacted.
 Policy ENV-7.2: Diverse Water Supply. The City shall pursue a water supply program consisting of the development of multiple sources of water, water conservation, and groundwater management to accommodate projected water demand and provide as best possible for water supply security.

Because groundwater provided to Solvang would be managed by the EMA GSA, and 2045 General Plan policies prohibit development unless an adequate water supply is available, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 3: Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would:
i) Result in a substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site; ii) Substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site;
iii) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff; or
iv) impede or redirect flood flows.

Impact HYD-3 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD BE REQUIRED TO

ADHERE TO EXISTING PERMITTING AND MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIREMENTS WHICH WOULD ENSURE DEVELOPMENT WOULD NOT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER EXISTING DRAINAGE PATTERNS. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Construction facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would alter the existing drainage patterns of individual project sites which has the potential to cause erosion and flooding, exceed stormwater 777
drainage capacity, provide additional sources of polluted runoff, or alter flood flows. As described in Impact HYD-1, projects subject to the NPDES Construction General Permit would be required to prepare a SWPPP which includes project-specific BMPs to control erosion, sediment release, and otherwise reduce the potential for discharge of pollutants from construction into stormwater.

Projects not subject to the NPDES Construction General Permit would be required to implement a project-specific Erosion and Sediment Control Plan which must include BMPs to minimize adverse impacts associated with the alteration of drainage patterns. As described in Impact HYD-4 below, Chapter 13 of the City’s Municipal Code requires flood control measures to be implemented during construction for projects in flood hazard areas, including development to be elevated above the base flood elevation.

Runoff during operation of development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be regulated under the Phase II MS4 Permit. Projects that create or replace greater than or equal to 2,500 square feet of impervious surface must implement post-construction BMPs and submit a Stormwater Control Plan listing applicable BMPs to the City for review and approval. Pursuant to the Municipal Code, post construction requirements must comply with the RWQCB Central Coast Region Resolution No. R3-2013-0032. Compliance with existing regulations would ensure development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of a site or area such that substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site, flooding on- or off-site, exceedance of the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provision of additional sources of polluted runoff, or impediment or redirection of flood flows would occur.

Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 4: In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, would the project risk release of pollutants due to project inundation?
Impact HYD-4 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN MAY OCCUR IN FLOOD HAZARD AREAS. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIREMENTS AND PROPOSED SAFETY

ELEMENT POLICIES WOULD ENSURE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AREAS SUBJECT TO INUNDATION WOULD BE SITED,

DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTED AS TO NOT EXACERBATE RISKS FROM RELEASE OF POLLUTANTS FROM INUNDATION. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Solvang is approximately 6.1 miles north of the Pacific Ocean and approximately 8.9 miles west of Cachuma Lake. Due to the distance between Solvang and these features, Solvang is not subject to inundation from tsunami or seiche. Portions of Solvang are within the dam inundation zones of the Bradbury Dam and Alisal Creek Dam, as shown in Figure 4.9-2. The potential for dam failure is low as these dams have been constructed to the State and federal specifications. DWR inspects dams on an annual basis to identify any issues and ensure the continued safety of a dam’s operation (DWR 2023b). The 2045 General Plan would not introduce development that would compromise the safety of the Bradbury Dam and Alisal Creek Dam and therefore would not risk pollutant release due to dam inundation.

Portions of Solvang are within a 100-year or 500-year floodplain. Future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan in a flood hazard zone would risk pollutant release due to inundation. The California Building Code provides guidelines for development within flood hazard areas, including requirements that new development be elevated above the base flood elevations. Section 13-1-8 of 778
the Municipal Code requires project applicants to obtain a development permit prior to construction in a flood hazard area. Section 13-1-9 of the Municipal Code sets forth requirements for construction in areas of flood hazards. These include, but are not limited to, standards for anchoring, required use of specific construction materials, required elevation and floodproofing, and utility installments designed to minimize discharge into flood waters. Section 13-1-10 of the Municipal Code prohibits encroachments in a floodway unless a registered professional engineer or architect demonstrates the encroachment shall not result in any increase in the base flood elevation.

In addition to existing Municipal Code requirements, the 2045 General Plan Safety Element would implement the following policies to minimize potential adverse impacts due to inundation:
 Policy SAF-4.1: Development in Floodplains. The City shall not approve new development in areas subject to a 100-year flood event, based on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapping or on other updated mapping acceptable to the City, unless and until the flood hazard has been mitigated.
 Policy SAF-4.2: Mitigate Flooding. The City shall require new development and redevelopment to incorporate flood reduction measures into the project design in areas known to be prone to flooding.
 Policy SAF-4.3: Dam Inundation. The City shall update and maintain the Emergency Management Plan to minimize the risk to life and property due to dam failure.  Policy SAF-4.4: Reducing Flood Impacts. The City shall require mitigation to less than significant levels for new development with the potential to increase flooding impacts.  Policy SAF-4.5: 100-Year Flood Plains. The City shall require development on land subject to a 100- year flood event, based on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapping or on other updated mapping acceptable to the City, to conform to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standards.
 Policy SAF-4.6: New Parcels. The City shall prohibit the creation of parcels upon which the presence of easements, floodplain, marsh or riparian habitat, or other features would leave insufficient land to build and operate structures. This action item shall not apply to open space lots specifically created for dedication to the City or another appropriate party for habitat protection, flood control, drainage, or wetland maintenance.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan within flood hazard zones would be required to adhere to the requirements of the City’s Municipal Code and policies included in the 2045 General Plan Safety Element. With adherence to these regulations and policies, the 2045 General Plan would not risk the release of pollutants due to inundation. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant. 779
Threshold 5: Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan?
Impact HYD-5 DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD USE GROUNDWATER IN

COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES SET FORTH BY THE EASTERN MANAGEMENT AREA GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REGULATIONS TO MINIMIZE WATER QUALITY IMPACTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BASIN PLAN. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

DWR has designated the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin as a medium priority basin, meaning the basin is subject to the management requirements established by SGMA (DWR 2023a). The portion of the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin underlying Solvang is under the jurisdiction of the EMA GSA, which has prepared a GSP for its respective jurisdiction over the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin. The primary regulatory tool available to GSAs under SGMA is the ability to set and enforce area-specific mandatory groundwater pumping limitations through regular updates to GSPs for medium- and high-priority groundwater basins. Between 2012-2022, the City pumped an average of 536 AFY groundwater from the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin (van der Linden 2023). DWR-approved GSPs are required to provide mechanisms that allow the sustainable use of groundwater, with growth projections considered. As discussed in Impact HYD-2, groundwater provided to development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be under the management of the EMA GSA which describes sustainable yields and programs to limit groundwater extractions based on groundwater conditions within its jurisdiction (EMA GSA 2022). Furthermore, Policy PFS-1.3 and Policy ENV-7.1 require the City to ensure adequate water supply is available for new development and impose development limitations or moratoriums when inadequate water supply exists. Accordingly, the 2045 General Plan would utilize groundwater consistent with the groundwater management strategies of the GSP and would not exceed groundwater use such that sustainable yields identified by the EMA GSA are exceeded. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of a sustainable groundwater management plan.

Solvang is in the jurisdiction of the RWQCB Central Coast Region. The RWQCB Central Coast Region’s Basin Plan functions as the master water quality control planning document for the region. The Basin Plan includes implementation programs to achieve water quality objectives (RWQCB 2019). As a result, future development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to implement State and local regulatory requirements, including the provisions of the Construction General Permit, the Industrial General Permit, and the City’s Municipal Code. Operations of future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would comply with the MS4 Permit and City Municipal Code requirements for post-construction stormwater control. These regulatory requirements support the goal of the Basin Plan to minimize adverse impacts to water quality.

Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with or obstruct the implementation of a water quality control plan. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

4.9.4 Cumulative Impacts
The analysis in this section examines impacts of the 2045 General Plan on hydrology and water quality throughout the Santa Ynez River Watershed and Santa Ynez River Valley Basin. Cumulative development throughout the cumulative impact analysis area, in combination with the proposed 780
2045 General Plan, would gradually increase development and population growth and would therefore gradually increase the potential for impacts to hydrology and water quality, including increased stormwater runoff, erosion, pollutant discharge to waterbodies, increased risk of release of pollutants from inundation, and decreased groundwater infiltration capacity.

Some types of impacts to hydrology and water quality that may be additive in nature, and thus cumulative, include violation of water quality standards, interference with groundwater recharge, increased erosion, increased non-point source pollution, and increased runoff. Cumulative development would increase erosion and sedimentation resulting from grading and construction, as well as changes in drainage patterns which could degrade surface and ground water quality.

Cumulative development overlying the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin would increase the amount of impervious surfaces and could combine with the effects of the development within Solvang to potentially reducing groundwater recharge to the basin. Cumulative development relying on groundwater as a source of water supply could also combine with increased development within Solvang to decrease available water supplies in the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin. In addition, new development would increase the generation of urban pollutants that may adversely affect water quality in the long term.

Development of individual projects in the cumulative impact analysis area would be required to comply with applicable water quality regulations, as discussed in Impact HYD-1. Compliance with these existing requirements would require implementation of BMPs to reduce impacts associated with stormwater and pollutant discharge during construction and operation of projects and reduce adverse changes to hydrology water quality throughout the cumulative impact area. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to water quality and drainage patterns would be less than significant.

Development of individual projects through cumulative impact area would increase impervious surfaces and reduce groundwater recharge, but, as described in Impact HYD-2, compliance with applicable policies related to impervious surfaces, such as the Central Coast RWQCB postconstruction requirements for stormwater management, would reduce impacts throughout the cumulative impact area. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to groundwater recharge would be less than significant. Although cumulative development would increase demand for groundwater, the agencies managing groundwater in the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin are responsible for ensuring the basin is sustainably managed. Groundwater management takes into consideration increased demand from anticipated development to ensure groundwater is not over drafted.

Therefore, cumulative impacts related to groundwater supplies would be less than significant.

As discussed in Impact HYD-4, compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as the California Building Code would regulate development in flood prone areas and minimize the potential for release of pollutants from inundation. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to risk of release of pollutants would be less than significant.

For the reasons stated above, potential impacts associated with hydrology and water quality would not be cumulatively considerable, and cumulative impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant.
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4.10 Land Use and Planning
This section summarizes Solvang’s land use characteristics and analyzes the 2045 General Plan’s consistency with applicable local, regional, and State land use policies to determine the potential environmental effects of the 2045 General Plan related to land use and planning. Consistency with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBAPCD) Clean Air Plan for the Santa Barbara County region is discussed in Section 4.2, Air Quality. Land use compatibility conflicts associated with growth facilitated by the 2045 General Plan are discussed in other sections of this EIR, including Sections 4.1, Aesthetics, 4.2, Air Quality, 4.8, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, 4.11, Noise, and 4.17, Wildfire.

4.10.1 Setting
a. Existing Land Use Patterns
Solvang’s existing land use form is shaped by its topography, natural resources, and circulation patterns. Solvang is served by State Route (SR) 246, which runs east to west through Solvang and connects to SR 154 to the east and United States Route 101 (U.S. 101) to the west. Commercial uses are primarily concentrated adjacent to SR 246 and are interspersed with office and public/quasipublic land uses. Residential uses are the dominant land use throughout the city and are interspersed with open space and recreational uses including the Alisal Ranch Golf Course in the southern portion of Solvang. Industrial land uses are concentrated in the western portion of Solvang south of SR 246.

The City’s adopted Sphere of Influence (SOI) includes approximately 404 acres outside of the City limits and the land uses are governed by the County of Santa Barbara. The SOI primarily includes land east of the City limits adjacent to SR 246 extending east from Hill Haven Road to Deer Tail Lane.

This area is designated residential and is mostly built out. There is a portion of land west of the City limits bounded to the north by SR 246 and to the south by the Santa Ynez River and is currently designated light industrial in the county. The SOI defines the area to which the City intends to provide municipal services.

The Planning Area is the area encompassing both the City limits and the SOI. The current General Plan Land Use Element guides the future development of Solvang by establishing the allowable distribution, location, and extent of development across Solvang for residential, commercial, open space, public and quasi-public facilities, and other uses. In 2020, the city of Solvang adopted an ordinance limiting future annexations (referred to as the Urban Growth Boundary Ordinance and inserted into the Solvang General Plan Land Use Element as Policy 6.2). Figure 2-3 in Chapter 2, Project Description, shows the Solvang City limits, SOI, and existing land uses in Solvang.

4.10.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal
No existing federal regulations pertain to land use in the City. 782
b. State
General Plan Law (California Government Code Section 65300) California Government Code Section 65300 regulates the substantive and topical requirements of general plans. State law requires that each city and county adopt a general plan “for the physical development of the county or city, and any land outside its boundaries which bears relation to its planning.” The California Supreme Court has called the general plan the “constitution for future development.” The general plan expresses the community’s development goals and embodies public policy relative to the distribution of future land uses, both public and private.

California Government Code Section 65301
Section 65301 of the California Government Code requires a general plan to address the geographic territory of the local jurisdiction and any other territory outside its boundaries that bears relation to the planning of the jurisdiction. The jurisdiction may exercise their own judgment in determining what areas outside of its boundaries to include in the planning area. The State of California General Plan Guidelines denotes that the planning area for a city should include (at minimum) all land within the city’s limits and all land within the city’s SOI.

California Government Code Section 65860
In charter cities with a population of more than two million, counties, and general law cities, zoning provisions must be consistent with the general plan. Charter cities with a population of under two million are exempt from the zoning consistency requirement unless their charters provide otherwise. The City of Solvang is a charter city and has a population of less than 2 million. Therefore, the City is not required to have zoning consistency with its general plan. However, the General Plan Update analyzed in this environmental document will include the concurrent rezoning of sites, such that they are consistent with the updated General Plan.

Cortese Knox Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 The Cortese Knox Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act (CKH Act) established procedures for local agency changes of organization, including city incorporation, annexation to a city or special district, and consolidation of cities or special districts (Section 56000, et seq.). Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) have numerous powers under the CKH Act, but the most important is the power to act on local agency boundary changes and to adopt SOIs for local agencies. The law states that to update a SOI, LAFCOs must first review the municipal services provided by the local agency. The CKH Act requires LAFCOs to update SOIs for every city and special district every five years. The original deadline was January 2006, five years after the CHK Act became State law. That deadline was extended by two years to January 2008. Every SOI update must be accompanied by an update of the municipal services review. Santa Barbara County LAFCO completed a municipal services review for fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater services for Santa Barbara County (including Solvang) in 2021 and 2022 (Santa Barbara County LAFCO 2021; 2023). 783
c. Regional and Local
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is required by State and federal law to prepare, update, and adopt a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) every four years. Senate Bill (SB) 375, California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, was enacted in 2008, requiring all RTPs to include a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. The most recent RTP/SCS, titled Connected 2050, was completed by SBCAG in 2021. Connected 2050 builds on prior plans adopted in 2013 and 2017 and serves as the blueprint for the region’s transportation system through 2050. Connected 2050 identifies active transportation projects in Solvang.

Connected 2050 includes the following goals:
 Environment: Foster patterns of growth, development and transportation that protect natural resources and lead to a healthy environment.
 Mobility & System Reliability: Optimize the transportation system to improve accessibility jobs, schools, and services, allow the unimpeded movement of people and goods, and ensure the reliability of travel by all modes.
 Equity: Ensure that the transportation and housing needs of all socio-economic groups are adequately served.
 Health & Safety: Improve public health and ensure the safety of the regional transportation system.
 A Prosperous Economy: Achieve economically efficient transportation patterns and promote regional prosperity and economic growth.

Solvang General Plan
California Government Code Section 65300 describes the scope and authority of local jurisdictions to prepare, adopt, and amend general plans. Communities prepare general plans to guide the longterm physical development of the jurisdiction, and any land within the jurisdiction’s Sphere of Influence. At a minimum, the California Government Code requires general plans to address land use, circulation, housing, noise, conservation, open space, and safety issues. The City’s current General Plan includes the Community Design Element (adopted in 1988), Land Use Element and Circulation Element (adopted in 2008), Parks and Recreation Element (adopted in 2009), Noise Element (adopted in 2013), Housing Element (adopted in 2023), and the Safety Element and Conservation and Open Space Element (adopted in 2016). The General Plan is currently undergoing a comprehensive update, which is evaluated throughout this EIR. Please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components, for more information related to the 2045 General Plan update.

Solvang Municipal Code
The City’s Zoning Regulations (Title 11 of the Municipal Code) is the primary tool used by the City to carry out the goals, policies, and actions of the Solvang General Plan by classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the City, consistent with the General Plan. Zoning is the instrument that implements the land use designations of a general plan. In addition to establishing 784
permitted uses, zoning may also establish development standards relating to issues such as intensity, setbacks, height, and parking. Projects submitted to the City for review and approval are evaluated for consistency with the zoning designations. The City’s zoning regulations are intended to achieve the following:

A. Provide a guide for orderly growth and development of the city.

B. Encourage the most appropriate uses of land.

C. Maintain and protect the value of property.

D. Conserve and protect the natural resources of the city.

E. Prevent overcrowding of land and avoid undue concentration of population.

F. Protect the character and stability (social and economic) of agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

G. Create a comprehensive and stable pattern of land uses upon which to plan transportation, water supply, sewerage and other facilities and public utilities.

The City’s Subdivision Regulations (Title 12 of the Municipal Code) provides standards for the processing of subdivision requests, including new tract maps, parcel maps, and lot line adjustments.

4.10.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
The analysis in this section focuses on the 2045 General Plan’s impact regarding the division of established communities, as well as consistency with any applicable land use plans, policies, or regulations.

Significance Thresholds
Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines provides the following thresholds of significance to determine if a project would have a significant impact on land use and planning. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the 2045 General Plan may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

1. Physically divide an established community; and/or

2. Cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: Would the project physically divide an established community? Impact LU-1 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD PROVIDE FOR ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT IN THE PLANNING AREA AND WOULD NOT PHYSICALLY DIVIDE AN ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY.

IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

The 2045 General Plan does not include substantial land use or circulation changes that would physically divide an established community, residential, or otherwise. The 2045 General Plan would provide the framework for developing up to 497 net new residential units, resulting in 2,145 single785 family residences and 918 multi-family residential units in Solvang. The 2045 General Plan would provide the framework for adding about 211 employees to Solvang, spread across the tourist commercial, professional/office, retail commercial, general commercial, and public/institutional sectors. The 2045 General Plan would encourage growth at infill and redevelopment sites throughout the city (See Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6.1, Land Use Allowance). No major roads or other facilities would be constructed that would physically divide an established community. Several goals and policies from the proposed 2045 General Plan Mobility Element would encourage the enhancement of the City’s multimodal circulation and incorporate complete streets practices that would enhance connectivity of City’s circulation network, including the following:
 Policy MOB-2.4: Pedestrian Facilities. The City shall provide a system of sidewalks or pathways that provides a safe environment for pedestrians.
 Policy MOB-2.7: New Facilities in Existing Neighborhoods. The City shall encourage the installation of sidewalks, pedestrian paths, bikeways, and wheelchair ramps in existing neighborhoods, where appropriate and support Safe Routes to Schools funding.  Policy MOB-4.1: Complete Streets. The City shall create guidelines to facilitate the installation of non-automobile serving infrastructure along its streets, including sidewalks and bike trails.

Policies MOB-2.4 and MOB-2.7 would require the City to provide a pedestrian circulation system throughout the City. Policy MOB-4.1 would require the City to provide guidelines for the incorporation of Complete Streets practices in the planning, design, and operation of the City’s circulation network. Implementation of these policies would increase connectivity in the City in a manner that would promote access to all communities within Solvang.

As stated in Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.5, 2045 General Plan Objectives, project objectives include supporting strategic land uses, improving mobility, conserving open space, and creating infill development. To achieve these objectives, 2045 General Plan goals and policies would create more efficient and cost-effective infrastructure, maximize the use of underutilized parcels within the City, and minimize the loss of open space and agricultural lands. The 2045 General Plan would promote infill strategies for new development and encourage clustering of development to achieve environmental goals and attain densities within the range of land use designations. Under the 2045 General Plan, future development would occur where existing roads, water, and sewer are in place and minimizes the impact of development on existing infrastructure and services.

The 2045 General Plan includes many growth management strategies that are intended to do the following: 1) direct new growth within the City’s established SOI; 2) encourage new development at infill sites to minimize the need for expansion of the SOI; and 3) support intergovernmental cooperation to achieve the City’s growth management goals and policies. The proposed 2045 General Plan Land Use Element and Community Design Element include policies that encourage these growth strategies through the promotion of compact growth, infill development, and the provision of a connected transportation network, including the following:
 Policy LU-1.1: Compact Urban Form. The City shall maintain a compact urban form.  Policy LU-1.2: Infill Development. The City shall support and promote infill development that is compact, mixed-use, and pedestrian friendly.
 Policy LU-2.3: Neighborhood Infill. The City shall allow infill development as required by State Law including ADU’s, JADU and density bonus.
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 Policy LU-8.3: Compact Development Pattern. The City shall maintain a compact development pattern by promoting infill development that minimizes urban sprawl and is compact, mixeduse, and pedestrian friendly.  Policy CD-1.12: Multi-Modal Streetscapes. The City shall require new development to create and/or upgrade streetscapes to be multimodal, thus creating streetscapes that are walkable, pedestrian-oriented, tree-shaded, and bike-friendly.
 Policy CD-1.25: Linkages through Open Space. The City shall promote citywide linkages using open spaces areas, parks, trails, and paths to connect activity centers, residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and the Village Area.  Policy CD-1.36: Clustering of Development. The City shall encourage cluster style development to maximize open space preservation and density for diversity of housing types.

Policies LU-1.1, LU-1.2, LU-1.3, LU-8.3, and CD-1.36 would encourage infill development in Solvang, allowing it to maintain its compact form. Policies CD-1.12 and CD-1.25 would require the City to expand the existing transportation network to facilitate multiple modes of transportation.

Implementation of these policies would provide for orderly development in the City and would not physically divide any established communities in Solvang.

Overall, the 2045 General Plan would promote orderly development in the Planning Area by encouraging growth at infill sites and by incorporating Complete Streets practices in planning, design, and operation of the City’s circulation network. Therefore, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not physically divide the City of Solvang. Impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 2: 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?
Impact LU-2 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE REGIONAL LAND USE PLANS, POLICIES, OR REGULATIONS SUCH AS SBCAG’S CONNECTED 2050.

IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Several regionally and locally adopted land use plans, policies, and regulations apply to the 2045 General Plan. These include Connected 2050 (SBCAG 2021) and SBAPCD’s 2022 Ozone Plan. The most recent 2022 Ozone Plan was adopted by SBCAPCD in December 2022 and was the seventh update to the 2001 Clean Air Plan. Consistency of the 2045 General Plan with the 2022 Ozone Plan is discussed in Section 4.2, Air Quality.

Connected 2050 is a long-range land use and transportation plan for Santa Barbara County. The plan contains five goals with policies to meet these goals that seek to promote healthy and safe communities by reducing impacts from air pollution, protecting open space and agriculture, and increasing active transportation.

Table 4.10-1 includes the five Connected 2050 goals and their related policies as well as whether the 2045 General Plan would be consistent with the goal.
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Table 4.10-1 Project Consistency with Connected 2050 Goals Connected 2050 Goals 2045 General Plan Consistency
Goal 1: Environment
Policy 1.1 Land Use. The planning, construction, and operation of transportation facilities shall be coordinated with local land use planning and should encourage local agencies to:

1. Make land use decisions that adequately address regional transportation issues and are consistent with the RTP-SCS.

2. Promote better balance of jobs and housing to reduce long-distance commuting by means of traditional land use zoning, infill development, and other, unconventional land use tools, such as employer-sponsored housing programs, economic development programs, commercial growth management ordinances, average unit size ordinances and parking pricing policies.

3. Plan for transit-oriented development consistent with the RTP-SCS by:
a. Concentrating residences and commercial centers in urban areas near rail stations, transit centers and along transit development corridors. b. Designing and building “complete streets” serving all transportation modes that connect high-usage origins and destinations.

4. Preserve open space, agricultural land, and sensitive biological areas.

5. Identify, minimize, and mitigate adverse environmental impacts and, in particular, require mitigation of traffic impacts of new land development through onsite and related off-site improvements for all modes of transportation, including incentives to encourage the use of alternative transportation modes.

6. Dissuade siting of new development in high-fire risk areas by means such as ensuring insurability and redundancy of ingress and egress.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage the City to make land use decisions to address regional transportation issues, promote a better balance of jobs and housing, plan for transit-oriented development, preserve open space, agricultural land, and biological areas, minimize adverse environmental impacts, and dissuade siting new development in high fire-risk areas.

Policy MOB-6.2 would require the City to work with SBCAG and other nearby cities and jurisdictions to ensure that the regional transit network offers access for those with limited mobility options.

Policy LU-10.1 would require the City to conduct a review of the General Plan every eight years to assure compliance with State law and responsiveness to current City needs, including a jobs/housing balance.

Policy LU-1.5 would require the City to encourage a mix of land uses in close proximity to each other in the Village Area, including transit services.

Policy LU-2.4 would require the City to encourage new high-density residential development located in areas close to services and transit.

Policy ENV-10.5 would require the City to support new development that is compact, mixed-use, and transit oriented.

Policy ENV-1.3 would require the City to support Santa Barbara County to retain the Agriculture designation in viable farming units on lands surrounding the City.

Policy ENV-3.1 would require the City to protect sensitive natural resources, wildlife communities and habitats within open spaces.

Policy SAF-1.7 would require the City to expand critical facilities outside of flood, seismic, and high fire hazard zones whenever feasible.

Policy SAF-5.1 would require new development in the City to be designed to protect life and property from the effects of wildfires and structural fires relative to the identified level of risk.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.
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Connected 2050 Goals 2045 General Plan Consistency
Policy 1.2 Air Quality. Transportation planning and projects shall be designed to:

1. Lead to reductions in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions, consistent with the air quality goals of the region, including targets for greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles in 2020 and 2035 as required by Senate Bill 375 (SB 375).

2. Be in conformity with the Air Pollution Control District Ozone Plan and the State Implementation Plan (SIP) and meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as required by the federal Clean Air Act.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage City transportation to reduce greenhouse gases and criteria pollutant emissions.

Goal ENV-10 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Solvang.

Policy MOB-1.12 would require the City to reduce the air quality impacts of motor vehicle use by reducing traffic congestion and promoting efforts to reduce fossil fuel-based motor vehicle use, including support for a citywide network of all electric charging station types.

Policy ENV-10.4 would require the City to establish and maintain GHG thresholds to evaluate non-exempt discretionary projects consistent with CEQA.

Policy ENV-10.5 would require the City to support new development that is compact, mixed-use, and transit oriented, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. Additionally, as discussed in Section 4.2, Air Quality, and Section 4.7, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the 2045 General Plan would reduce criteria air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions throughout Solvang. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 1.3 Alternative Fuels and Energy. Transportation planning and projects shall:

1. Encourage the use of alternative fuels, and the application of advanced transportation and energy technologies to reduce vehicular emission production and energy consumption.

2. Promote renewable energy and energy conservation, consistent with applicable federal, State, and local energy programs, goals, and objectives.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage transportation planning that considers the use of alternative fuels and promotes renewable energy.

Policy ENV-9.4 would require the City to encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging facilities in commercial, residential, and industrial development.

Policy ENV-9.5 would require the City to encourage adoption of alternative fuel vehicles including electric, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, or other fuel-efficient vehicles, for personal transportation.

Policy ENV-9.6 would require the City to work toward converting 100 percent of non-emergency City vehicles to electric, hybrid, flex-fuel, or alternative fuels; replace gas-powered mowers and other equipment with electric or hybrid models; and use alternative carbon-free models where possible.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.
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Connected 2050 Goals 2045 General Plan Consistency
Policy 1.4 Aesthetics and Community Character. Transportation planning and projects shall:

1. Consider aesthetics and preserve and enhance historic and local community character.

2. Preserve and maintain the historic character of existing highway structures and mature plant material unless demonstrated to be infeasible.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage planning, including for transportation projects, that considers aesthetics and preserves existing highway structures and mature plant material.

Policy ENV 2.3 would require the City to support efforts by Santa Barbara County to protect the scenic qualities of transportation corridors serving the City and region.

Policy ENV 2.4 would require the City to work with the County of Santa Barbara, the City of Buellton, and other jurisdictions and agencies, to preserve the scenic character of the greenbelts and buffers surrounding Solvang, and enhance the gateways to the City.

Goal ENV-3 aims to protect natural open space areas, sensitive native vegetation, and wildlife communities and habitat.

Policy ENV-3.3 would require the City to ensure new development does not significantly deplete, damage, or alter existing critical wildlife habitat or populations.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 1.5 Regional Greenprint. SBCAG shall pursue development of a coordinated regional approach to mitigate impacts from transportation projects on sensitive biological areas, in collaboration with local governments and federal and State agencies. This approach may include designation of priority conservation areas within the region where mitigation should be targeted.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage planning, including for transportation projects, that would mitigate impacts on sensitive biological areas.

Goal ENV-3 aims to protect natural open space areas, sensitive native vegetation, and wildlife communities and habitat.

Policy ENV-3.1 would require the City to protect sensitive natural resources, wildlife communities and habitats within open spaces.

Policy ENV-3.3 would require the City to ensure new development does not significantly deplete, damage, or alter existing critical wildlife habitat or populations.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy. 790
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Goal 2: Mobility and System Reliability
Policy 2.1 Access, Circulation and Congestion. The planning, construction, and operation of transportation facilities shall strive to:

1. Enhance access, circulation, and mobility throughout the Santa Barbara region and between neighboring regions.

2. Reduce congestion, especially on highways and arterials and in neighborhoods surrounding schools in cooperation with schools and school districts.

3. Reduce travel times for all transportation modes, with equal or better travel times for transit and rail in key corridors.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would enhance access, circulation, and mobility, reduce congestion, and reduce transportation travel times.

Policy CD-2.15 would require that vehicular parking is accessed from an alley, easement, or secondary street, and not the primary street, to limit interference with the pedestrian experience.

Policy ED-3.3 would require the City to support efforts to improve local and regional transit options to increase worker accessibility to job opportunities in Solvang and the broader region.

Policy MOB-1.5 would require new development to be served by roads of adequate capacity and design standards to provide reasonable access.

Policy MOB-2.5 would require new development to provide adequate pedestrian access.

Policy MOB-2.6 would require the installation of wheelchair ramps on all new sidewalks.

Goal MOB-5 aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle trips through more efficient infrastructure and support for trip reduction programs.

Policy MOB-5.1 would require the City to work with SBCAG and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution District to identify trip and VMT reduction opportunities.

Policy MOB-5.2 would require the City to encourage employers to promote carpooling, public transportation, and allow telecommuting.

Policy MOB-1.12 would require the City to reduce the air quality impacts of motor vehicle use by reducing traffic congestion and promoting efforts to reduce fossil fuel-based motor vehicle use, including support for a citywide network of all electric charging station types.

Policy ENV-9.1 would require the City to support expansion of workforce housing opportunities in Solvang to reduce the volume and distance of home-to-work commute trips by motor vehicle.

Policy ENV-9.2 would require the City to support regional transportation programs that reduce single-rider commuter related vehicle trips.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy. 791
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Policy 2.2 System Maintenance, Expansion and Efficiency. Transportation planning and projects shall:

1. Promote the maintenance and enhancement of the existing highway and roadway system as a high priority.

2. Strive to increase the operational efficiency of vehicle usage through appropriate operational improvements (e.g., signal timing, left turn lane channelization, and ramp metering).

3. Preserve existing investments in the system by emphasizing life cycle cost principles in investment decisions (i.e., account for capital and annual maintenance costs) in order to reduce overall costs of transportation facilities.

4. Promote transportation demand management (TDM), e.g., through appropriate commute incentive programs, to reduce demand and improve efficiency.

5. Increase the capacity of the existing highway and roadway system through the provision of additional traffic lanes only when (1) an existing facility is projected in the near term to no longer provide an acceptable level of service as determined by the standards established in the Congestion Management Plan (CMP), and (2) alternative means of capacity enhancement and measures to increase efficiency of usage have been explored.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would promote transportation system maintenance and enhancement, increase operational efficiency of vehicle usage through appropriate operational improvements, preserve existing transportation investments, promote transportation demand management, and increase the existing transportation system capacity when appropriate.

Policy MOB-1.2 would require the City to use its discretionary authority over land use development to ensure that development levels do not exceed the capacity of the City’s transportation systems.

Goal MOB-5 aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle trips through more efficient infrastructure and support for trip reduction programs. All of the policies under Goal MOB-5 would reduce traffic congestion and vehicle trips.

Policy MOB-6.1 would require the City to support the use of the public transportation system as well as the expansion of transit operations when demand levels are sufficient to warrant increased service.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 2.3 Alternative Transportation Modes. Transportation planning and projects shall:

1. Encourage alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips and the use alternative transportation modes to reduce vehicle miles traveled and increase bike, walk and transit mode share.

2. Provide for a variety of transportation modes and ensure connectivity within and between transportation modes both within and outside the Santa Barbara region. Alternative mode planning and projects shall be compatible with neighboring regions’ transportation systems.

3. Plan and provide for ancillary support facilities for alternative transportation, such as bicycle parking.

4. Promote inter-regional commuter transit and rail service.

5. Promote local and inter-city transit.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would promote alternative transportation modes (including pedestrian trails), ensure connectivity within and between transportation modes, provide support facilities for alternative transportation, promote inter-regional transit and rail service, and promote local and inter-city transit.

Goal MOB-2 would require the City to promote safe alternatives to motorized transportation that meet the needs of all city residents. All of the policies under Goal MOB-2 aim to promote safe alternatives to motorized transport, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Goal MOB-4 would require the City to provide a safe network of streets that reduce automobile dependence without sacrificing mobility and that are safe for all users.

All of the policies under Goal MOB-4 would reduce automobile dependence and promote connectivity.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project 792
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6. Work to complete the California Coastal Trail through provision and implementation of trail segments and connections in coordination with the California State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, and other agencies.

Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 2.4 Freight and Goods Movement. Transportation planning and projects shall facilitate secure and efficient movement of goods and freight in a manner consistent with the general mobility needs of the region by:

1. Making efficient use of existing transportation systems.

2. Identifying and constructing projects to improve freight movement, including rail and highway projects and projects to improve ground access to airports and rail terminals in the region.

3. Regularly collecting and updating information on freight and goods movement and facility needs.

4. Addressing freight and goods movement facility improvement needs as a high priority, including needs identified in the Central Coast Coalition Commercial Flows Study, with special focus on the critical US 101 corridor.

5. Considering freight and goods movement in the design and planning of all projects.

6. Planning for intermodal connectivity (airport, rail, and highway) in freight and goods movement.

Consistent. The 2045 General Plan would facilitate the secure and efficient movement of goods and freight by making use of the existing transportation system, identifying projects to improve regional access, regularly collecting information on movement and facility needs, considering freight and goods movement in project planning and design, and planning for intermodal connectivity. A main objective of the 2045 General Plan is to improve the mobility of people and goods within and through Solvang.

Goal MOB-1 would require the City to provide a street network to move people and goods safely and efficiently.

Policy ED-4.2 would require the City to support regional efforts to establish futureoriented infrastructure systems and human capital resources that can benefit Solvang, such as expanded transportation options.

For a more detailed analysis regarding the 2045 General Plan’s impact to secure and efficient movement of goods and freight, please refer to Section 4.14, Transportation. For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 2.5 Transportation System Management Technologies. Transportation planning and projects shall:

1. In concert with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Highway Patrol, and local public transit and public works agencies, encourage the deployment and use of the best available transportation system management (TSM) and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies to make travel reliable and convenient, increase transportation system efficiency, and reduce travel demand through the implementation of system and demand management strategies.

2. Promote a jointly maintained and enhanced regional ITS architecture consistent with the Central Coast ITS Strategic Deployment Plan.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage the deployment and use of the best available transportation system management and ITS technologies, as well as promote a jointly maintained and enhanced regional ITS architecture.

Goal MOB-5 aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle trips through more efficient infrastructure and support for trip reduction programs. All of the policies under Goal MOB-5 would reduce traffic congestion and vehicle trips.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy. 793
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Policy 2.6 Consistency with Other Plans. The planning, construction, and operation of transportation facilities shall be consistent with relevant plans, including, but not limited to: (1) the California Transportation Plan, (2) SBCAG’s Transportation Connections: The Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for Santa Barbara County, (3) adopted local General Plans, (4) short-range transit plans, and (5) other regional policies.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would ensure transportation planning is consistent with relevant State and regional plans.

Policy MOB-1.11 would require the City to coordinate with SBCAG, the City of Buellton, the Chumash Tribe, Santa Barbara County, the California Department of Transportation, and other jurisdictions in the planning and funding of regional transportation alternatives.

Policy MOB-6.2 would require the City to work with SBCAG and other nearby cities and jurisdictions to ensure that the regional transit network offers access for those with limited mobility options.

Policy ENV-9.2 would require the City to support regional transportation programs that reduce single-rider commuter related vehicle trips.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Goal 3: Equity
Policy 3.1 Access. The planning, construction, and operation of transportation facilities and of the system as a whole shall:

1. Encourage safe and convenient travel for all transportation system users, including the disabled, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and other vehicles.

2. Ensure that the transportation needs of all groups, in particular disadvantaged, low-income, and minority groups, are adequately served and that all groups have equal access to transportation facilities and services.

3. Give special attention to the needs of elderly and disabled individuals for improved transportation accessibility and removal of physical barriers, including provisions required under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would ensure safe and convenient travel for all transportation system users, ensure that transportation needs of all groups are adequately served, and give special attention to the needs of elderly or disabled individuals.

Goal MOB-2 would require the City to promote safe alternatives to motorized transportation that meet the needs of all city residents.

Policy MOB-2.7 would require the City to encourage the installation of sidewalks, pedestrian paths, bikeways, and wheelchair ramps in existing neighborhoods, where appropriate.

Policy MOB-6.2 would require the City to work with SBCAG and other nearby cities and jurisdictions to ensure that the regional transit network offers access for those with limited mobility options.

Policy MOB-6.3 would require the City to support the public transportation system to accommodate the mobility needs of residents, especially of transit dependent persons such as the elderly and disabled.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy. 794
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Policy 3.2 Affordable Housing. SBCAG shall encourage local agencies to:

1. Address and plan for forecast regional housing needs for all economic segments of the population.

2. Plan for adequate affordable and workforce housing within existing urbanized areas near jobs and public transit.

3. Consider transit availability and accessibility as an integral element of land use planning and project permitting, with special emphasis on serving the disabled, elderly, and other transit-dependent communities.

4. Recognize that housing provided by colleges and universities is an important component in addressing the region’s overall housing needs, which should be taken into account in local agencies’ own housing planning.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would address and plan for affordable housing, plan housing within existing urbanized areas, and consider transit availability as an integral element of land use planning. There are no colleges or universities in Solvang, therefore, criterion (4) of this Connected 2050 policy would not apply to the 2045 General Plan.

Policy H-1.4 would require the City to maintain the city’s existing stock of affordable housing, including mobile homes, through a review of City regulations including zoning and other forms of assistance.

Goal H-2 would require the City to facilitate the development of a range of housing types, densities, and affordability levels to meet the diverse needs of the community.

Policy H-2.3 would require the City to continue to facilitate the provision of affordable housing for the city’s growing senior population, including senior housing with supportive services, assisted living facilities, and second units.

Goal H-4 would require the City to mitigate or remove potential governmental constraints to housing production, homeless facilities, and affordability.

Policy H-4.1 would require the City to follow state law and provide density bonuses with flexibility in site development standards to encourage new construction of housing to accommodate the City’s share of regional housing needs.

Policy H-4.3 would require the City to maintain adequate public services and infrastructure to facilitate the City’s share of regional housing needs.

Policy LU-10.3 would require the City to update and implement a Housing Element every eight years that provides policy and programs to encourage the provision of safe, well-designed, accessible, sanitary, and affordable residential areas where people of all ages can live, work, and play.

Policy ED-3.2 would require the City to encourage housing designed and priced to be affordable to workers employed in Solvang, particularly in new mixed-use developments.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy. 795
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Policy 3.3 Environmental Justice. The planning process shall be consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, SBCAG’s 2015 Public Participation Plan, and SBCAG’s SB 375 Public Participation Plan (2015).

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would ensure planning in Solvang is consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, SBCAG’s 2015 Public Participation Plan, and SBCAG’s SB 375 Public Participation Plan.

Policy LU-10.3 would require the City to update and implement a Housing Element every eight years that provides policy and programs to encourage the provision of safe, well-designed, accessible, sanitary, and affordable residential areas where people of all ages can live, work, and play.

Policy PFS-6.3 would require the City to address health inequities in Solvang by striving to remove barriers to healthy living, avoiding disproportionate exposure to unhealthy living environments, and providing a high quality of life for all residents, regardless of income, age, or ethnicity.

Policy H-5.3 would require the City to ensure public investments are equitably distributed throughout the community.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Goal 4: Health and Safety
Policy 4.1 Safe Roads and Highways. The planning, construction, and operation of transportation facilities and of the system as a whole shall:

1. Enhance safety of all facilities.

2. Ensure design of highways and roads safe and convenient for travel by all users including the disabled, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit buses, and vehicles.

3. Incorporate night sky-friendly lighting, where appropriate, to enhance safety of transportation facilities.

4. Encourage the completion of emergency preparedness plans, which include agency coordination, system security, and safe and efficient mobility— particularly for the elderly and disabled—in times of natural or man-made disasters.

5. Maintain consistency with the State Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP).

6. Address the resiliency of new projects to possible future impacts resulting from climate change (e.g., sea level rise and inundation of low-lying areas).

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would require the City to plan, construct, and operate transportation facilities such that safety is enhanced and roadways are safe and convenient; lighting is night-sky friendly; emergency preparedness plans are complete; new facilities are consistent with the SHSP; and new development is resilient to climate change.

Policy MOB-1.9 would require the City to enforce speed limits and consider lower posted speeds as warranted.

Policy MOB-2.3 would require the City to allocate resources to maintain a safe bikeway system by ensuring pavement is of good quality, mode separation is implemented where feasible, and signs and markings are maintained.

Policy MOB-4.3 would require the City to pursue and enact traffic calming measures as appropriate to meet the policy objectives, as conditions warrant.

Policy CD-2.6 would require street and structure lighting that uses Dark Skies standards to minimize visual and ecological impacts by preventing glare, limiting the amount of light that falls on neighboring properties, and avoiding light pollution of the night sky.

Goal ENV-11 would require the City to encourage community action to mitigate and 796
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adapt to climate change.

Policy ENV-12.2 would require the City to support the use of green building practices in the planning, design, construction, management, renovation, operations, and demolition of all public and private buildings and projects.

Goal SAF-1 would require the City to ensure that City emergency response procedures are appropriate and coordinated with the County in the event of natural or human-made disasters.

Policy SAF-13.6 would require the City to continue to evaluate and plan for climate change impacts and coordinate planning efforts with Santa Barbara County and other jurisdictions and agencies.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 4.2 Public Health. The RTP-SCS shall promote integrated transportation and land use planning that encourages:

1. Active transportation to promote alternative modes of transportation and physical activity (transit, biking and walking).

2. Development of “complete streets” which safely and conveniently accommodate all transportation modes, including active transportation.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would promote active transportation and development of Complete Streets.

Goal MOB-2 would require the City to promote safe alternatives to motorized transportation that meet the needs of all city residents. All of the policies under Goal MOB-2 aim to promote safe alternatives to motorized transport, including active transportation, such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Goal MOB-4 would require the City to provide a safe network of streets that reduce automobile dependence without sacrificing mobility and that are safe for all users.

All of the policies under Goal MOB-4 would reduce automobile dependence and promote Complete Streets.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Goal 5: Prosperous Economy
Policy 5.1 Commuter Savings. The RTP-SCS shall strive to reduce average commute time and cost by encouraging measures that bring worker housing closer to job sites.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage the City to develop in a manner that reduced average commute time and cost.

Policy MOB-5.1 would require the City to work with SBCAG and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution District to identify trip and VMT reduction opportunities.

Policy MOB-5.2 would require the City to encourage employers to promote carpooling, public transportation, and allow telecommuting. 797
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Policy ENV-9.1 would require the City to support expansion of workforce housing opportunities in Solvang to reduce the volume and distance of home-to-work commute trips by motor vehicle.

Policy ENV-9.2 would require the City to support regional transportation programs that reduce single-rider commuter related vehicle trips.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 5.2 Support Business and Local Investment. The RTP-SCS shall:

1. Promote a mix of land uses responsive to the needs of businesses, including agriculture and tourism.

2. Support investment by businesses in local communities.

3. Encourage the creation of high-paying jobs, especially in areas with an imbalance of housing relative to jobs.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage the City to promote a mix of land uses responsive to economic needs (including agriculture and tourism), to support investment, and to encourage the creation of high-paying jobs.

Goal ED-2 would require the City to encourage a vibrant mix of businesses that supports the tourism economy while also providing essential services for residents and living wage job opportunities. All of the policies under Goal ED-2 would support businesses, including the tourism industry.

Policy ED-4.1 would require the City to coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce, event planners, vintner organizations and REACH to encourage businesses to expand in Solvang and not in the surrounding communities.

Policy ED-4.2 would require the City to support regional efforts to establish futureoriented infrastructure systems and human capital resources that can benefit Solvang, such as sustainable energy, improved broadband, expanded transportation options, workforce housing and workforce training.

Policy ED-5.1 would require the City to continue to support local and regional tourism promotional funding efforts.

Policy LU-6.1 would require the City to encourage and support new development of industrial uses that provide jobs for city residents, increase the tax base, and are designed and operated in a way that is compatible with surrounding uses.

For the full text of the above goals and policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy. 798
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Policy 5.3 Public-Private Partnerships. Promote inter-jurisdictional and public/private partnerships that:

1. Encourage the provision of transportation services and transportation infrastructure where common goals are served.

2. Help public transit agencies to secure private funding for transportation improvements in exchange for advertising on transit vehicles, bus shelters, benches, and other transportation-related public use items.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would require the City to engage in partnerships that encourage provision of transportation services and help public transit agencies secure private funding for transportation improvements.

Policy MOB-1.11 would require the City to coordinate with SBCAG, the City of Buellton, the Chumash Tribe, Santa Barbara County, the California Department of Transportation, and other jurisdictions in the planning and funding of regional transportation alternatives.

Policy MOB-1.13 would require the City to work with Caltrans and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that City streets are designed and striped to safely accommodate connected and autonomous vehicles.

Policy MOB-3.3 would require the City to consider all parking alternatives such as valet parking, the construction of a parking structure, remote parking lots, or engaging in a public private partnership as alternative parking measures to address demand.

Policy MOB-5.1 would require the City to work with SBCAG and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution District to identify trip and VMT reduction opportunities.

Policy PFS-9.5 would require the City to explore funding arrangements and partnerships with other regional agencies.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Policy 5.4 Transportation Funding. SBCAG and its member agencies should:

1. Aggressively seek funding necessary to implement the Plan.

2. Support protection of State and federal transportation funding and efforts to increase these revenues for the region.

3. Require that new development contribute its fair share of the costs of new transportation infrastructure and system improvements for all modes necessary for such new development, as allowed for by law.

4. Make efficient use of funding by maintaining, preserving, or enhancing existing infrastructure for all modes, using low-cost operational improvements, and using performance-based outcomes as the basis for prioritizing and funding projects, where feasible.

Consistent. Multiple goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan would encourage the City to seek funding to implement Connected 2050, support protection of State and federal transportation funding, require that new development contribute its fair share of the costs of new transportation infrastructure, and make efficient use of funding by maintaining, preserving, or enhancing existing infrastructure for all modes.

Policy MOB-1.1 would require the City to identify roadway needs and identify and evaluate potential revenue sources for financing roadway system development and improvement projects and pursue viable revenue sources to meet the roadway system funding needs. This includes coordinating with SBCAG to pursue competitive Federal/State grant funding opportunities.

Policy MOB-1.2 would require the City to use its discretionary authority over land use development to ensure that development levels do not exceed the capacity of the City’s transportation systems.

Policy PFS-9.5 would require the City to explore funding arrangements and 799
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partnerships with other regional agencies.

For the full text of the above policies, please refer to Section 2, Project Description, Subsection 2.6, 2045 General Plan Components. The City’s proposed 2045 General Plan would be consistent with this Connected 2050 policy.

Source: SBCAG 2021
800
As shown in Table 4.10-1, the 2045 General Plan would be consistent with the goals and policies contained in SBCAG’s Connected 2050.

Adoption of the 2045 General Plan will include concurrent adaptation of the new Zoning Map to ensure consistency with the 2045 General Plan. The proposed Land Use Element and Zoning Map will remove the Agriculture land use designation included in the current General Plan, and thus would have one less land use designation. The description and standards for various land use designations will be updated in the City Zoning Ordnance to reflect the vision of the 2045 General Plan.

For the reasons stated above, implementation of the 2045 General Plan will be consistent with applicable adopted plans, regulations, or policies, and impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant.

4.10.4 Cumulative Impacts
Regional cumulative impacts consider the City-wide impacts together with similar impacts of reasonably anticipated regional projects and programs. The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting, Subsection 3.3, Baseline and Cumulative Project Setting. The cumulative impact setting includes the cumulative impact area.

Planned growth in the cumulative impact area, in combination with development proposed under the 2045 General Plan, may have significant cumulative land use impacts related to either physical division of communities or conflicts with land use goals, policies, and plans adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating environment effects. To achieve the growth management policies established in the 2045 General Plan, the City would coordinate closely with other agencies, particularly Santa Barbara County and the City of Buellton. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to this potentially significant impact involving the physical division of any established communities.

Cities and communities surrounding the City are subject to respective City or County zoning standards. Additionally, the goals and policies in SBCAG’s Connected 2050 apply to surrounding communities in the same manner as they apply to Solvang, thereby avoiding potential for cumulative considerable conflict between land use and planning for the City and these communities.

Therefore, cumulative impacts related to conflict with plans, policies and regulations would be less than significant and would not be cumulatively considerable. 801

4.11 Noise
This section analyzes noise impacts from buildout of the 2045 General Plan. Impacts related to construction, traffic, on-site equipment, aircraft, and vibration are addressed.

4.11.1 Setting
a. Overview of Noise and Vibration
Noise
Sound is a vibratory disturbance created by a moving or vibrating source, which is capable of being detected by hearing organs (e.g., the human ear). Noise is defined as sound, which is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired and may therefore be classified as a more specific group of sounds. The effects of noise on people can include general annoyance, interference with speech communication, sleep disturbance, and, in the extreme, hearing impairment (Caltrans 2013).

Noise levels are commonly measured in decibels (dB) using the A-weighted sound pressure level (dBA). The A-weighting scale is an adjustment to the actual sound pressure levels to be consistent with the human hearing response, which is most sensitive to frequencies around 4,000 Hertz (Hz) and less sensitive to frequencies around and below 100 Hz (Kinsler et al. 1999). Decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, which quantifies sound intensity in a manner similar to the Richter scale used to measure earthquake magnitudes. A doubling of the energy of a noise source, such as a doubling of traffic volume, would increase the noise level by 3 dBA; similarly, dividing the energy in half would result in a decrease of 3 dBA (Crocker 2007).

Human perception of noise has no simple correlation with sound energy; the perception of sound is not linear in terms of dBA or in terms of sound energy. Two sources do not “sound twice as loud” as one source. It is widely accepted the average healthy ear can barely perceive an increase (or decrease) of up to 3 dBA in noise levels (i.e., twice [or half] the sound energy); a change of 5 dBA is readily perceptible; and an increase (or decrease) of 10 dBA sounds twice (or half) as loud (Crocker 2007).

Sound changes in both level and frequency spectrum as it travels from the source to the receiver.

The most obvious change is the decrease in sound level as the distance from the source increases.

The manner by which noise reduces with distance depends on factors such as the type of noise source (e.g., point or line), the path the sound will travel, site conditions, and obstructions. Noise levels from a point source (e.g., construction, industrial machinery, ventilation units) typically attenuate, or drop off, at a rate of 6 dBA per doubling of distance. Noise from a line source (e.g., roadway, pipeline, railroad) typically attenuates at about 3 dBA per doubling of distance (Caltrans 2013). Noise levels may also be reduced by intervening structures; the amount of attenuation provided by this “shielding” depends on the size of the object and the frequencies of the noise levels. Natural terrain features, such as hills and dense woods, and man-made features, such as buildings and walls, can substantially alter noise levels. Generally, any large structure blocking line of sight will provide at least a 5-dBA reduction in source noise levels at the receiver (Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] 2011). Structures can substantially reduce occupants’ exposure to noise as well. The FHWA’s guidelines indicate modern building construction generally provides an exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of 20 to 35 dBA with closed windows. 802
The time of day when noise occurs and the duration of the noise are also important. Most noise lasting for more than a few seconds is variable in its intensity. Consequently, a variety of noise descriptors have been developed. One of the most frequently used noise metrics is the equivalent noise level (Leq), which considers both duration and sound power level. Leq is defined as the single steady A-weighted level equivalent to the same amount of energy contained in the actual fluctuating levels over a period of time (essentially, the average noise level). Typically, Leq is summed over a one-hour period (1H). Lmax is the highest root mean squared (RMS) sound pressure level within the sampling period, and Lmin is the lowest RMS sound pressure level within the measuring period (Crocker 2007). Normal conversational levels are in the 60 to 65 dBA Leq range; ambient noise levels greater than 65 dBA Leq can interrupt conversations (Federal Transit Administration [FTA] 2018).

Noise occurring at night tends to be more disturbing than noise occurring during the day.

Community noise is usually measured using Day-Night Average Level (Ldn), which is the 24-hour average noise level with a +10 dBA penalty for noise occurring during nighttime hours (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Community noise can also be measured using Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL), which is the 24-hour average noise level with a +5 dBA penalty for noise occurring from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and a +10 dBA penalty for noise occurring from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Caltrans 2013).

Noise levels described by Ldn and CNEL usually differ by about 1 dBA. Quiet suburban areas typically have CNEL noise levels in the range of 40 to 50 CNEL, while areas near arterial streets are in the 50 to 60+ CNEL range.

Vibration
Groundborne vibration of concern in environmental analysis consists of the oscillatory waves that move from a source through the ground to adjacent structures. The number of cycles per second of oscillation makes up the vibration frequency, described in terms of Hz. The frequency of a vibrating object describes how rapidly it oscillates. The normal frequency range of most groundborne vibration that can be felt by the human body starts from a low frequency of less than 1 Hz and goes to a high of about 200 Hz (Crocker 2007).

While people have varying sensitivities to vibrations at different frequencies, in general they are most sensitive to low-frequency vibration. Vibration in buildings, such as from nearby construction activities, may cause windows, items on shelves, and pictures on walls to rattle. Vibration of building components can also take the form of an audible low-frequency rumbling noise, referred to as groundborne noise. Groundborne noise is usually only a problem when the originating vibration spectrum is dominated by frequencies in the upper end of the range (60 to 200 Hz), or when foundations or utilities, such as sewer and water pipes, physically connect the structure and the vibration source (FTA 2018). Although groundborne vibration is sometimes noticeable in outdoor environments, it is almost never annoying to people who are outdoors. The primary concern of vibration is that it can be intrusive and annoying to building occupants and vibration-sensitive land uses.

Vibration energy spreads out as it travels through the ground, causing the vibration level to diminish with distance away from the source. High-frequency vibrations diminish much more rapidly than low frequencies, so low frequencies tend to dominate the spectrum at large distances from the source. Discontinuities in the soil strata can also cause diffractions or channeling effects that affect the propagation of vibration over long distances (Caltrans 2020). When a building is impacted by vibration, a ground-to-foundation coupling loss will usually reduce the overall vibration level. 803
However, under rare circumstances, the ground-to-foundation coupling may actually amplify the vibration level due to structural resonances of the floors and walls.

Vibration amplitudes are usually expressed in peak particle velocity (PPV) or RMS vibration velocity.

The PPV and RMS velocity are normally described in inches per second. PPV is defined as the maximum instantaneous positive or negative peak of a vibration signal (Caltrans 2020). Table 4.11-1 summarizes the vibration damage criteria recommended by the FTA for evaluating the potential for architectural damage to buildings.

Table 4.11-1 Criteria for Vibration Damage Potential
Building Category PPV (in/sec)
I. Reinforced concrete, steel, or timber (no plaster) 0.5 II. Engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster) 0.3
III. Non-engineered timber and masonry buildings 0.2
IV. Buildings extremely susceptible to vibration damage 0.12 in/sec = inches per second; PPV = peak particle velocity Source: Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 2018.
b. Noise-Sensitive Land Uses/Sensitive Receivers
Noise-sensitive land uses are generally defined as locations where people reside or where the presence of unwanted sound could adversely affect the use of the land. Places where people live, sleep, recreate, worship, and study generally are considered to be sensitive to noise because intrusive noise can be disruptive to these activities. When community noise interferes with human activities or contributes to stress, public annoyance with the noise sources increases, and the acceptability of the environment for people decreases. The City defines noise-sensitive land uses as including the following:
 Residential uses
 Visitor lodging – hotels, motels, inns
 Schools
 Libraries
 Places of religious worship
 Hospitals
 Assisted living facilities
 Public parks
Noise-sensitive land uses are located throughout Solvang and its Sphere of Influence (defined as the Planning Area), as it is a predominantly residential city. The Planning Area also includes noisesensitive land uses such as hotels and motels; group homes; churches; schools and other learning institutions; and libraries.

Vibration-sensitive receivers, which are similar to noise-sensitive receivers, include residences and institutional uses, such as schools, churches, and hospitals. However, vibration-sensitive receivers also include fragile/historic-era buildings and buildings where vibrations may interfere with sensitive equipment that is affected by vibration levels that may be well below those associated with human annoyance (e.g., recording studies or medical facilities with sensitive equipment). 804
c. Existing Noise Conditions and Major Noise Sources in the Community Transportation Noise Sources
Roadways
The City’s primary source of noise is traffic traffic-related from on-road vehicles and trucks.

Vehicular noise has three main component sources: engine/ transmission noise, exhaust noise, and tire noise. State Highway 246, Alisal Road, Atterdag Road, and Alamo Pintado Road are the main roadways of concern related to noise because they carry high traffic volumes. Since State Highway 246 roughly bisects Solvang in the central portions of the City, it produces traffic noise that affects much of the area within the City. Table 4.11-2 provides existing (2015) roadway vehicle noise along roadways in the Planning Area. Additionally, Figure 4.11-1 shows the locations of major roadway noise sources in the City.

Aviation
The Santa Ynez Airport is a general aviation airport located approximately 5 miles east of the city; there are no commercial air services using the airport. The airport is primarily used to allow private aircraft owners to store and refuel their planes, for gliding, and serves as a staging ground for the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit. The Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) adopted an Airport Land Use Plan (ALUP) in 1993 and updated the Plan in 2022 establishing safety zones around the airport to protect the public from potential noise and safety impacts associated with aircraft operations. The ALUP also designates allowable and conditionally allowable land uses for the different safety zones. The currently adopted safety zones overlap a portion of the city’s sphere of influence northwest of the city but do not overlap with city limits.

Industrial-Commercial Noise Sources
Industrial Sites
Industrial operations often involve the use of mechanical equipment, generators, and vehicles that contribute to noise levels at industrial sites, particularly if operations occur outdoors. Solvang has one area designated for industrial uses; the area is situated south of State Highway 246, generally located west of Adobe Canyon Creek. Currently this area consists of several light industrial operations, such as sale of building materials, home improvement services, landscaping, and aggregate mining.

Commercial Sites
Most of the commercial businesses in Solvang are aligned along State Highway 246, Alisal Road, and the southern portions of Atterdag Road and Alamo Pintado Road. Commercial uses typically generate noise from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, on-site truck deliveries, trash hauling, and parking lot activity.
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Table 4.11-2 Existing (2015) Traffic Noise Levels Along Roadway Segments Roadway Segment
2015 Existing
ADT
Existing Traffic Noise Level
at 50 feet (dBA CNEL)
SR 246 5th Street to Nykobing 15,621 68.8
SR 246 4th Street to 5th Street 12,467 67.8
SR 246 Alisal Road to 1st Street 12,667 68.0
SR 246 Old Mill Road to Alisal Road 12,393 67.9
SR 246 Alamo Pintado Road to Old Mill Road 14,292 68.5
Alisal Road Viborg Road to Eucalyptus Drive 1,231 56.2
Alisal Road Laurel Avenue to Maple Avenue 1,483 56.9
Alisal Road Maple Avenue to SR 246 1,515 57.0
Alisal Road SR 246 to Copenhagen Drive 1,240 53.4
Alisal Road Molle Way to Oak Street 606 50.2
Alisal Road Oak Street to Elverhoy Way 634 50.5
Alisal Road Fijord Drive to Rancho Alisal Drive 27 36.3 Squire Lane Viborg Road to Chalk Hill Road 2,033 58.3
Atterdag Road Chalk Hill Road to Laurel Avenue 2,004 55.4 Atterdag Road Laurel Avenue to Elm Avenue 336 47.4
Atterdag Road Elm Avenue to SR 246 681 50.6
Atterdag Road SR 246 to Copenhagen Drive 2,162 58.4
Atterdag Road Copenhagen Drive to Copenhagen Drive 807 53.5 Atterdag Road Copenhagen Drive Molle Way 838 53.7
5th Street Elm Avenue to SR 246 3,090 60.3
5th Street SR 246 to Copenhagen Drive 3,120 60.5
5th Street Copenhagen Drive to Oak Street 3,152 60.6
Copenhagen Drive Atterdag Road to 1st Street 1,465 57.0 Viborg Road Alisal Road to Squire Lane 687 53.5
Molle Way 2nd Street to 1st Street 724 53.0
Molle Way 1st Street to Alisal Road 36 41.3
Oak Street 2nd Street to 1st Street 2,784 59.8
Oak Street 1st Street to Alisal Road 572 52.7
Oak Street 2nd Street to 5th Street 2,669 59.7
Elverhoy Way 1st Street to Alisal Road 29 39.7
ADT = average daily traffic; dBA = decibel using A-weighted sound pressure level; CNEL = Community Noise Equivalent Level Source: Data provided by DKS Associates, 2023.
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Figure 4.11-1 Existing Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 1 807
Figure 4.11-2 Existing Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 2 808
Figure 4.11-3 Existing Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 3 809
Figure 4.11-4 Existing Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 4 810

4.11.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
There are no federal noise requirements or regulations that apply directly to the implementation of the GP Update. However, there are federal regulations that influence the audible landscape, especially for projects where federal funding is involved. For example, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires abatement of highway traffic noise for highway projects through rules in the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR Part 772), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Each agency recommends thorough noise and vibration assessments through comprehensive guidelines for any highway, mass transit, or high-speed railroad projects that would pass by residential areas.

Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets environmental criteria and standards in Title 24 of CFR, Part 51. New construction proposed in areas that exceed 65 dBA Ldn must incorporate noise attenuation features to maintain interior noise levels at 45 dBA Ldn.

Development in areas exceeding 65 dBA Ldn requires further attenuation features. In general, the HUD regulations match the California state regulations discussed below.

Federal Transit Administration
The FTA provides reasonable criteria for assessing construction noise impacts based on the potential for adverse community reaction in their Transit and Noise Vibration Impact Assessment Manual (FTA 2018). For residential uses, the daytime noise threshold is 80 dBA Leq for an 8-hour period.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration
The federal government regulates occupational noise exposure common in the workplace through the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) under the EPA. Noise limitations would apply to the operation of construction equipment and could also apply to any proposed industrial land uses. Noise exposure of this type is dependent on work conditions and is addressed through a facility’s Health and Safety Plan, as required under OSHA, and is not addressed further in this analysis.
b. State Regulations
California General Plan Guidelines
State law requires general plans to include a Noise Element under Government Code Section 65302(f). The California General Plan Guidelines, published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, indicate acceptable, specific land use types in areas with specific noise exposure. The guidelines also offer adjustment factors that may be used to arrive at noise acceptability standards that reflect the noise control goals of the community, the community’s sensitivity to noise, and the community’s assessment of the relative importance of noise pollution. These Guidelines are advisory, and local jurisdictions have the authority to set specific noise standards based on local conditions.
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California Building Code
CCR Title 24, Building Standards Administrative Code, Part 2, Chapter 12, and the California Building Code codify the State noise insulation standards. These noise standards apply to new construction in California to control interior noise levels as they are affected by exterior noise sources and interior noise sources from separate areas. The regulations specify that interior noise levels shall not exceed 45 dB CNEL/Ldn in any habitable room, as well as specifying sound transmission class requirements for walls, floors, and ceilings around sleeping units.

California Green Building Code
CALGreen (2022) Section 5.507.4, Acoustical Control, regulates construction of non-residential uses within the 65 dBA CNEL/Ldn contour of an airport, freeway, expressway, railroad, industrial noise source, or other fixed source. According to Section 5.507.4.1.1 “buildings exposed to a noise level of 65 dB Leq (1-hr) during any hour of operation shall employ sound-resistant assemblies as determined by a prescriptive method (CALGreen Section 5.507.4.1) or performance method (CALGreen Section

5.507.4.2).

Projects may demonstrate compliance through the prescriptive method if wall and roof-ceiling assemblies exposed to the noise source meet a composite sound transmission class (STC) rating of at least 50 or a composite outdoor/indoor transmission class (OITC) rating of no less than 40, with exterior windows of a minimum STC of 40 or OITC of 30. Projects may demonstrate compliance through the performance method if wall and roof-ceiling assemblies exposed to the noise source are constructed to provide an interior noise environment that does not exceed 50 dB Leq-1-hr in occupied areas during hours of operations.
c. Local Regulations
City of Solvang General Plan Noise Element
The current City of Solvang General Plan Noise Element (2012) is intended to reduce the exposure of people to excessive noise through proactive long-range planning. It sets standards for the compatibility of land uses with ambient noise from transportation sources (identified as “community noise”). Under Policy 1.a of the current Noise Element, the City requires that all new development meet the noise compatibility guidelines shown in Table 4.11-3. These guidelines describe the ranges of community noise exposure that are acceptable, conditionally acceptable, or unacceptable for various noise-sensitive land uses in the City. For areas where the noise environment is conditionally acceptable for a particular land use, the City only allows development after noise mitigation has been incorporated into the project’s design to reduce noise to acceptable levels.

The current Solvang General Plan contains land use compatibility noise standards and policies related to noise, but the current policies would be replaced by the 2045 General Plan. However, there are no proposed changes to the noise compatibility standards, shown in Table 4.11-3. 812
Table 4.11-3 Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Environments Community Noise Exposure (Ldn or DNL, dBA)
Land Use Category
Normally
Acceptable
Conditionally
Acceptable
Normally
Unacceptable
Clearly
Unacceptable
Residential – Low Density Single Family, Duplex,
Mobile Homes
50-60 55-70 70-75 >75
Residential – Multi-Family 50-65 60-70 70-75 >75
Transient Lodging – Motels, Hotels 50-65 60-70 70-80 >80 Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing
Homes
50-70 60-70 70-80 >80
Auditoriums, Concerts, Halls, Amphitheaters - 50-70 - >65 Sports Area, Outdoor Spectator Sports - 50-75 - >70
Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks 50-70 - 67.5-75 >72.5
Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation,
Cemeteries
50-75 - 67.5-77.5 >80
Office Buildings, Businesses Commercial and
Professional
50-70 67.5-77.5 >75 -
Industrial, Manufacturing Utilities, Agriculture 50-75 70-80 >75 - Normally Acceptable: Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction, without any special noise insulation requirements.

Conditionally Acceptable: New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning will normally suffice.

Normally Unacceptable: New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

Clearly Unacceptable: New construction or development should not be undertaken. dBA = A-weighted sound pressure level; DNL = Day-Night Average Level Source: City of Solvang 2045 General Plan, April 2023.

Solvang Municipal Code
Chapter 11 of the Solvang Municipal Code contains additional noise level standards. Relevant sections in the noise ordinance include the following:
 Chapter 11-8-3: Performance Standards – Institutional District  The Municipal Code Section 11-9-3 requires the volume of sound, measured during calm air conditions, generated by or resulting from any use, other than motor vehicles, operated in any lot shall not exceed sixty-five (65) decibels at any point along the boundary of or outside of the lot upon which such use is located.
 The ground vibration inherently and recurrently generated by or resulting from any use, other than motor vehicles, operated on any lot shall not be perceptible without instruments at any point along the boundary of or outside of the lot upon which such use is located.  Chapter 11-9-3: Performance Standards – M Light Industrial District  The Municipal Code Section 11-9-3 requires that volume of sound measured outside during calm air conditions, generated by any use on a property shall not exceed 75 dB(A) at or beyond any point along the property boundary upon which such use is located. However, in 813
no case shall the volume of sound exceed 65 CNEL at the location of any nearby noise sensitive uses, as defined in the noise element of the City's general plan.  The ground vibration inherently and recurrently generated by or resulting from any use, other than motor vehicles, operated on any lot shall not be perceptible without instruments at any point along the boundary of or outside of the lot upon which such use is located.  Chapter 11-12-21.: Hours of Construction:
 Hours of construction shall be limited to seven-thirty (7:30) a.m. to five-thirty (5:30) p.m. weekdays. No construction shall be allowed on Saturday, Sunday, state or national holidays except as approved in writing by the public works director, or designee, or in the case of an emergency for the immediate preservation of life, health, or property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an individual property owner or tenant solely (not including any volunteer or paid construction crew) in addition to the above permissible hours of construction may also construct, repair, or remodel his or her real property or any structure on such property, pursuant to obtaining the required permits, during the hours of five-thirty (5:30) p.m. to eight (8:00) p.m. on weekdays and eight (8:00) a.m. to eight (8:00) p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and national legal holidays. All noise or sounds associated with the construction, gardening and/or maintenance activities of said property shall not create any inconvenience or annoyance to the general public beyond the boundary lines of the property.

4.11.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
Short-Term Construction Noise
Short-term construction noise levels that could occur with implementation of the proposed project are based on reference noise levels published by the FTA.

Stationary On-Site Operational Noise
Stationary noise sources (i.e., on-site operational noise) were analyzed in context of typical mechanical equipment on commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use development such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.

Mobile Off-site Operational Noise
Roadway vehicle noise levels for the 2045 General Plan were estimated using the FHWA roadway vehicle noise prediction model methodology. Roadway vehicle noise impacts are analyzed based on average daily trip (ADT) roadway volume for existing conditions and the amount of growth expected under the 2045 General Plan, as well as data regarding speeds and number of lanes. The FHWA model predicts noise levels through a series of adjustments to a reference sound level. These adjustments account for distances from the roadway, roadway vehicle volumes, vehicle speeds, car/truck mix, number of lanes, and road width.
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Groundborne Vibration
Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not include substantial vibration sources associated with operation. Construction activities have the greatest potential to generate groundborne vibration affecting nearby noise-sensitive receptors. Construction vibration levels that could occur due to development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan are based on reference vibration levels published by the FTA.

Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on noise and vibration. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the 2045 General Plan may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

1. Generate 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?

2. Generate excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?

3. If 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? Specific Thresholds of Significance
For the purposes of this analysis, the following thresholds of significance are used to evaluate the significance of noise and vibration resulting from implementation of the 2045 General Plan.

Short-term Construction Noise
Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan could have a significant impact if temporary construction noise during permitted daytime hours exposed noise-sensitive receivers to significantly adverse noise levels, or if construction noise occurred outside the hours detailed in Municipal Code Section 11-12-21. As the City does not define a quantitative construction noise threshold, for purposes of analyzing impacts from short-term construction projects facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, the City has determined that the FTA construction criteria are applicable to the 2045 General Plan. The FTA provides reasonable criteria for assessing construction noise impacts based on the potential for adverse community reaction in their Transit and Noise Vibration Impact Assessment Manual (FTA 2018). For residential uses, the daytime noise threshold is 80 dBA Leq(8hr) for an 8-hour period. Short-term construction noise would be significant if it exceeds this threshold.

Stationary On-site Operational Noise
Stationary on-site operational noise impacts were analyzed using Chapter 11 of the City’s Municipal Code above.

Mobile Off-site Operational Noise
A project normally has a significant effect on the environment related to noise if it substantially increases the ambient noise levels for adjoining areas. Changes of less than 1 dBA are usually indiscernible. Changes of 1 to 3 dBA are detectable under quiet, controlled conditions. Most people can detect changes in sound levels of approximately 3 dBA under normal, quiet conditions. A change of 5 dBA is readily discernible to most people in an exterior environment. Typically, a CNEL of 60 815
dBA and below is considered an acceptable noise level for noise sensitive uses and an area with a CNEL above 65 dBA is considered a degraded noise environment for noise sensitive uses. Therefore, less of an increase from roadway noise is allowed. Based on similar criteria from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the following thresholds of significance are used to assess roadway vehicle noise impacts at sensitive receiver locations:
 Greater than 1.5 dBA CNEL increase for ambient noise environments of 65 dBA CNEL and higher;  Greater than 3 dBA CNEL increase for ambient noise environments of 60-64 dBA CNEL;  Greater than 5 dBA CNEL increase for ambient noise environments of less than 60 dBA CNEL and where the resulting future noise level would exceed 60 dBA CNEL.

Exposure to Aircraft Noise
For a plan or 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, if the plan or project exposes people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels such as noise levels exceeding normally acceptable noise levels in the General Plan.

Vibration
The City has not adopted a significance threshold to assess vibration impacts during construction and operation. Therefore, criteria from the FTA are used to evaluate potential construction vibration impacts related to potential building damage from construction (FTA 2018). Construction vibration impacts from development would be significant if vibration levels exceed the FTA criteria shown in Table 4.11-1 above.

Impact of the Environment on the Project
As a result of the Supreme Court decision regarding the assessment of the environment’s impacts on projects (California Building Industry Association (CBIA) v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), 62 Cal. 4th 369 (No. S 213478) issued December 17, 2015), it is generally no longer the purview of the CEQA process to evaluate the impact of existing environmental conditions on a 2045 General Plan. Therefore, this environmental analysis does not consider the potential impacts of the environment (i.e., existing noise) on the project. 816
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold: 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?
Impact NOI-1 CONSTRUCTION OF INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD TEMPORARILY INCREASE NOISE LEVELS, POTENTIALLY AFFECTING NEARBY NOISE-SENSITIVE LAND USES.

DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD ALSO INTRODUCE NEW NOISE SOURCES AND CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASES IN OPERATIONAL NOISE. IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION MEASURE NOI-1 AND

THE CONTINUED REGULATION OF NOISE, CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY CODE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES FROM THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD MINIMIZE DISTURBANCE TO ADJACENT LAND USES. STATIONARY OPERATIONAL AND MOBILE NOISE WOULD NOT EXCEED STANDARDS. HOWEVER, SHORT-TERM CONSTRUCTION NOISE IMPACTS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE EVEN WITH MITIGATION.

Short-term Construction
Noise from individual short-term construction projects facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would temporarily increase noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive receptors. Since project-level details are not currently available for future projects that would be facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, it is not possible to determine exact noise levels, locations, or time periods for construction of such projects, or construction noise at adjacent properties. However, noise estimates for typical shortterm construction activities have been provided below.

Short-term construction activities would generate noise from phases such as demolition, site preparation, grading, building construction, and paving activities. Each phase of construction has a specific equipment mix and associated noise characteristics, depending on the equipment used during that phase. Short-term construction noise would typically be higher during the more equipment-intensive phases of initial construction (i.e., demolition, site preparation, and grading work) and would be lower during the later construction phases (i.e., building construction and paving). Table 4.11-4 illustrates typical noise levels associated with construction equipment at a distance of 50 feet and 100 feet from the noise source.

Neither the Solvang Municipal Code nor the 2045 General Plan contain quantitative limits for shortterm construction noise. In lieu of City-specific standards, the FTA criteria for assessing short-term construction noise impacts are used. For residential uses, the FTA daytime noise threshold is 80 dBA Leq for an 8-hour period. Although, due to the dynamic nature of construction, noise levels would typically be lower during times of construction activity.

Noise would typically drop off at a rate of about 6 dBA per doubling of distance. Therefore, noise levels would be about 6 dBA lower than shown in Table 4.11-4 at 200 feet from the noise source and 12 dBA lower at a distance of 400 feet from the noise source. The construction noise levels shown in Table 4.11-4 may exceed the FTA’s daytime noise threshold of 80 dBA Leq for an 8-hour period, depending on the equipment used and the distance in which the equipment is operating compared to noise-sensitive receptors.

The following goals, policy, and action item from the 2045 General Plan would minimize potential adverse noise-related impacts from construction sources. 817
 Goal SAF-11: To reduce, minimize and manage noise and vibration to the greatest extent feasible.
 Goal 3: Establish measures to control non-transportation noise impacts.  Policy 3.2: The City shall evaluate noise generated by construction activities and subject them to the requirements of the Community Noise Ordinance.
 Action Item A: Require construction activity to comply with limits established in the Community Noise Ordinance.

Table 4.11-4 Typical Noise Levels for Construction Equipment Equipment
Estimated Noise Levels at Nearest
Sensitive Receptors (dBA Leq)
50 feet 100 feet
Air Compressor 80 74
Backhoe 80 74
Concrete Mixer 85 79
Dozer 85 79
Grader 85 79
Jack Hammer 88 82
Loader 80 74
Paver 85 79
Pile-drive (Impact) 101 95
Pile-driver (Sonic) 95 89
Roller 85 79
Saw 76 70
Scarified 83 77
Scraper 85 79
Truck 84 78
Source: Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 2018. Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. November.

As discussed above, project-level details are not currently available for future development that would be facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, it is not possible to determine exact noise levels, locations, or time periods for construction of such projects, or construction noise at adjacent properties. Therefore, short-term construction noise levels associated with future projects may exceed the FTA’s daytime construction noise limits, and impacts would be potentially significant.

Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1 would reduce short-term construction noise impacts associated with future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. However, as exact details of future project-specific construction activities are unknown at this time, short-term construction noise could still exceed the daytime significance threshold or potentially need to occur during the more sensitive nighttime hours for concrete pours or pumps that need to run overnight for water resources projects. Consequently, implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1, while it would reduce short-term construction noise impacts, would not ensure that short-term construction noise impacts would be reduced to below the significance threshold of 80 dBA Leq during the daytime at residential uses and other sensitive receptors in all cases. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan’s short818 term construction noise impacts would remain significant and unavoidable. It should be noted that the identification of this program-level impact does not preclude the finding of less-than-significant impacts for subsequent projects analyzed at the project level.

Operation

STATIONARY OPERATIONAL NOISE
Stationary operational sources of noise are expected to include air conditioning units, loading dock activities, outdoor restaurant dining and music activities, and parking lot vehicle movements. Special noise sources such as music (live or otherwise), sound amplification devices, and tenant-specific noise sources would require a site-specific noise analysis prior to building permit approval.

The following policies and actions from the 2045 General Plan would minimize potential adverse noise-related impacts from stationary sources.
 Updated Goal SAF-11: To reduce, minimize and manage noise and vibration to the greatest extent feasible.
 Updated SAF-11.2: Noise Mitigation in Design. The City shall require the use noise mitigation measures where appropriate in the design of new development and redevelopment, especially for residential or other noise-sensitive land uses adjacent to major roads or noise-generating commercial or industrial areas to ensure internal noise levels of the receiving noise-sensitive uses remain at acceptable levels.
 New Policy SAF-11.3: Sensitive Areas. The City shall ensure acceptable noise levels are maintained near schools, hospitals and other noise sensitive areas through proper land use decisions and site plan review.
 Goal 1: Incorporate noise considerations into land use planning decisions.  Policy 1.1: In order to maintain acceptable limits of noise for various land uses throughout the community, the City will continue to utilize its current Noise/Land Use Compatibility Matrix contained in Table 4.11-3 of the Noise Element, which specify the maximum noise levels allowable for new developments impacted by transportation noise sources operating on public and quasi-public property. Sources on private property would be subject to the City’s Noise Ordinance requirements, as described in Policy 3.1 of this Noise Element.  Action Item B: Incorporate noise reduction features into new development during site planning to mitigate anticipated noise impacts on affected noise-sensitive land uses. The noise referral zones identified in this Noise Element, which show areas that are currently and in the future potentially exposed to noise levels greater than 55 dBA (CNEL) or greater, can be used to identify locations of potential conflict. New development will be permitted only if appropriate mitigation measures are included such that the standards contained in this Element and the City’s Noise Ordinance are met.
 Action Item C: Enforce the State of California Uniform Building Code that specifies that the indoor noise levels for residential living spaces not exceed 45 dB Ldn/CNEL due to the combined effect of all noise sources. The State requires implementation of this standard when the outdoor noise levels exceed 60 dB Ldn /CNEL. The Noise Referral Zones (60 CNEL) can be used to determine when this standard needs to be addressed. The Uniform Building Code (specifically, the California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 6, Division T25, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Article 4, Sections T25-28) requires that “Interior community noise levels (CNEL/ Ldn) with windows closed, attributable to exterior sources shall not exceed an annual CNEL or Ldn of 45 dB in any habitable room.” The Code requires that this standard be applied to all new hotels, motels, 819
apartment houses and dwellings other than detached single-family dwellings. Additionally, the standard should be applied to single family homes.
 Goal 3: Establish measures to control non-transportation noise impacts.  Policy 3.1: The City shall continue to enforce its Community Noise Ordinance to mitigate noise conflicts between adjacent land uses. The Noise Ordinance establishes noise limits that cannot be exceeded at the property line. The Noise Ordinance, because it is a City statute, can only control noise generated on private property. Therefore, the primary function of the Noise Ordinance is to control stationary noise sources and construction noise.  Action Item A: Enforce the Community Noise Ordinance, which is the most effective method to control community noise impacts from non-transportation noise sources.

Implementation of these policies and actions would ensure that noise from new developments is analyzed and mitigated to acceptable levels prior to approval of these projects. Noise impacts from operational use of residential-scale HVAC units, industrial equipment, and other stationary noise sources would be reduced by policies and actions in the 2045 General Plan. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan’s stationary operational noise impact would be less than significant.

MOBILE OPERATIONAL NOISE
Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would allow additional development to occur in the Planning Area, which would generate new vehicle trips that could incrementally increase the exposure of land uses along roadways to operational roadway vehicle noise. Figure 4.11-5 shows the 60, 65, and 70 dBA CNEL noise contours from roadways and highways for future (year 2045) roadway vehicle scenarios. The complete distances to the 60, 65, and 70 dBA CNEL noise contours for roadway segments are included in Appendix F. Using ADT data provided by DKS Associates (DKS Associates 2023), Table 4.11-5 shows the estimated increase in roadway vehicle noise on study roadway segments compared to existing.

The following policies and actions in the 2045 General Plan would reduce roadway vehicle noise:
 Goal SAF-11: To reduce, minimize and manage noise and vibration to the greatest extent feasible.
 SAF11.1 – Roadway Project Noise Mitigation: The City shall work with Caltrans to require the inclusion of noise mitigation measures along Highway 246 near residential units in the design of new roadway projects where necessary to maintain acceptable noise levels for adjacent uses.  Policy SAF-11.3: Sensitive Areas. The City shall ensure acceptable noise levels are maintained near schools, hospitals and other noise sensitive areas through proper land use decisions and site plan review.
 Goal 2: Establish measures to reduce noise impacts from traffic noise sources.  Policy 2.1: The City shall require the construction of barriers to mitigate sound emissions where necessary or where feasible.
 Action Item A: Encourage the use of walls and berms in the design of residential or other noisesensitive land uses adjacent to major roads or commercial or industrial areas.  Policy 2.2: The City shall require the inclusion of noise mitigation measures in the design of new roadway projects in Solvang. This may include, but not be limited to, the new or extended roadways included in Section 3.0 of the City’s 2008 Circulation Element, including the extension of Maple Avenue east to Pine Street, the extension of Fjord Drive from Alisal Road west along the Santa Ynez River then north to Mission Drive, and the regional bypass road that would be 820
created by extending Santa Rosa Road from Highway 101 to State Route 154 along the south side of the Santa Ynez River.

In addition, the 2045 General Plan includes policies in the Mobility Element that support facilitating development to promote regional transportation goals included in Connected 2050 to improve access to transit, improve access to alternative transportation, and mitigate adverse environmental effects. These policies include:
 Policy MOB-1.11: Regional Coordination for Roadway Management. The City shall coordinate with SBCAG, the City of Buellton, the Chumash Tribe, Santa Barbara County, the California Department of Transportation, and other jurisdictions in the planning and funding of regional transportation alternatives. Mission Drive (SR 246) shall not be widened to four lanes through the Village Area instead, emphasis shall be placed on developing regional transportation alternatives.
 Policy MOB-2.7: New Facilities in Existing Neighborhoods. The City shall encourage the installation of sidewalks, pedestrian paths, bikeways, and wheelchair ramps in existing neighborhoods, where appropriate and support Safe Routes to Schools funding.  Policy MOB-4.1: Complete Streets. The City shall create guidelines to facilitate the installation of non-automobile serving infrastructure along its streets, including sidewalks and bike trails.  Policy MOB-5.1: VMT Management. The City shall work with SBCAG and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution District to identify trip and VMT reduction opportunities.  Policy MOB-5.2: TDM. The City shall encourage employers to promote carpooling, public transportation, and allow telecommuting.

With implementation of the policies included in the proposed Mobility Element, the 2045 General Plan would encourage alternative travel, equitable access, and a reduction in vehicle trips, consistent with the regional transportation goals of Connected 2050.

As shown in Table 4.11-5, a greater than 5 dBA CNEL traffic noise increase is estimated along the road extension on Alisal Road between Fijord Drive to Rancho Alisal Drive. However, the resulting traffic noise level along this roadway extension would be 53.9 dBA CNEL, which is considered by the City to be Normally Acceptable for all land use types (Table 4.11-3). Along all other roadway study segments, traffic noise increases would be less than significant. 821
Figure 4.11-5 Future 2045 Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 1 822
Figure 4.11-6 Future 2045 Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 2 823
Figure 4.11-7 Future 2045 Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 3 824
Figure 4.11-8 Future 2045 Roadway Vehicle Noise Contours – Section 4 825
Table 4.11-5 Existing and Future Traffic Volumes
Roadway Segment
2015 Existing
ADT
2045 GP - With
Project ADT
Existing Roadway
Vehicle Noise
Level at 50 feet
(dBA CNEL)
2045 Roadway
Vehicle Noise
Level at 50 feet
(dBA CNEL)
Roadway
Vehicle Noise
Increase
(dBA CNEL)
Significance
Threshold
dBA
Significant?
Y/N
SR246 - 5th Street to Nykobing 15,621 18,989 68.8 69.6 0.8 1.5 N SR246 - 4th Street to 5th Street 12,467 15,338 67.8 68.6 0.8 1.5 N SR246 - Alisal Road to 1st Street 12,667 15,532 68.0 68.7 0.7 1.5 N SR246 - Old Mill Road to Alisal Road 12,393 15,387 67.9 68.6 0.7 1.5 N SR246 - Alamo Pintado Road to Old Mill
Road 14,292 18,014 68.5 69.3 0.8 1.5 N
Alisal Road - Viborg Road to Eucalyptus
Drive
1,231 1,595 56.2 57.2 1.0 5.0 N
Alisal Road - Laurel Avenue to Maple
Avenue
1,483 2,028 56.9 58.5 1.5 5.0 N
Alisal Road - Maple Avenue to SR 246 1,515 2,017 57.0 58.5 1.4 5.0 N Alisal Road - SR 246 to Copenhagen Drive 1,240 1,872 53.4 55.1 1.6 5.0 N Alisal Road - Molle Way to Oak Street 606 1,191 50.2 53.1 2.9 5.0 N Alisal Road - Oak Street to Elverhoy Way 634 1,913 50.5 55.2 4.8 5.0 N Alisal Road - Fijord Drive to Rancho Alisal
Drive 27 1,425 36.3 53.9 17.5 5.0 N1
Squire Lane - Viborg Road to Chalk Hill
Road 2,033 3,005 58.3 59.7 1.4 5.0 N
Atterdag Road - Chalk Hill Road to Laurel
Avenue 2,004 2,666 55.4 56.5 1.0 5.0 N
Atterdag Road - Laurel Avenue to Elm
Avenue 336 391 47.4 48.1 0.7 5.0 N
Atterdag Road - Elm Avenue to SR 246 681 856 50.6 51.6 1.0 5.0 N Atterdag Road - SR 246 to Copenhagen
Drive 2,162 2,084 58.4 58.3 -0.1 5.0 N
Atterdag Road - Copenhagen Drive to
Copenhagen Drive 807 623 53.5 53.0 -0.6 5.0 N
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Roadway Segment
2015 Existing
ADT
2045 GP - With
Project ADT
Existing Roadway
Vehicle Noise
Level at 50 feet
(dBA CNEL)
2045 Roadway
Vehicle Noise
Level at 50 feet
(dBA CNEL)
Roadway
Vehicle Noise
Increase
(dBA CNEL)
Significance
Threshold
dBA
Significant?
Y/N
Atterdag Road - Copenhagen Drive Molle
Way 838 664 53.7 53.2 -0.5 5.0 N
5th Street - Elm Avenue to SR 246 3,090 4,360 60.3 61.6 1.3 3.0 N 5th Street - SR 246 to Copenhagen Drive 3,120 3,563 60.5 61.6 1.0 3.0 N 5th Street - Copenhagen Drive to Oak
Street
3,152 3,608 60.6 61.6 1.0 3.0 N
Copenhagen Drive - Atterdag Road to 1st
Street
1,465 1,596 57.0 57.3 0.2 5.0 N
Viborg Road - Alisal Road to Squire Lane 687 1,344 53.5 55.7 2.2 5.0 N Molle Way - 2nd Street to 1st Street 724 499 53.0 52.1 -0.9 5.0 N Molle Way - 1st Street to Alisal Road 36 40 41.3 41.7 0.4 5.0 N Oak Street - 2nd Street to 1st Street 2,784 4,052 59.8 61.3 1.5 5.0 N Oak Street - 1st Street to Alisal Road 572 1,324 52.7 56.5 3.7 5.0 N Oak Street - 2nd Street to 5th Street 2,669 3,887 59.7 61.2 1.5 5.0 N Elverhoy Way - 1st Street to Alisal Road 29 42 39.7 41.3 1.6 5.0 N Notes:

ADT = average daily traffic.
1 While a greater than 5 dBA CNEL traffic noise increase is estimated along the road extension on Alisal Road between Fijord Drive to Rancho Alisal Drive, the resulting traffic noise level along this roadway extension would be 53.9 dBA CNEL, which is considered by the City to be Normally Acceptable for all land use types.

Source: DKS Associates, 2023.
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Mitigation Measures
NOI-1 Adopt and Implement Construction Noise Reduction Measures To minimize noise during construction, the City shall adopt a policy to include the following:
 Construction contractors shall implement the following measures for construction activities conducted within the City. Construction plans submitted to the City shall identify the following minimum measures on demolition, grading, and construction plans submitted to the City. The City Building Department shall verify that grading, demolition, and/or construction plans submitted to the City include these notations prior to issuance of demolition, grading and/or building permits.
 Mufflers. During excavation and grading construction phases, all construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be operated with closed engine doors and shall be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers consistent with manufacturers’ standards.  Stationary Equipment. All stationary construction equipment shall be placed so that emitted noise is directed away from the nearest sensitive receivers.  Equipment Staging Areas. Equipment staging shall be located in areas that will create the greatest distance feasible between construction-related noise sources and noise-sensitive receivers.
 Smart Back-up Alarms. Mobile construction equipment shall have smart back-up alarms that automatically adjust the sound level of the alarm in response to ambient noise levels.

Alternatively, back-up alarms shall be disabled and replaced with human spotters to ensure safety when mobile construction equipment is moving in the reverse direction in compliance with applicable safety laws and regulations.  Electrically-Powered Tools and Facilities. Electrical power shall be used to run air compressors and similar power tools and to power any temporary structures, such as construction trailers or caretaker facilities, where feasible.  Noise Disturbance Coordinator. The project applicant shall designate a “noise disturbance coordinator” responsible for responding to any local complaints about construction noise.

The disturbance coordinator shall determine the cause of any noise complaint and shall require that reasonable measures be implemented to correct the problem. A telephone number for the disturbance coordinator and the City shall be posted at the construction site.
 Temporary Noise Barriers. Erect temporary noise barriers, where feasible, when construction noise is predicted to exceed the acceptable standards (e.g., 80 dBA Leq at residential receivers, schools or other sensitive receptors during the daytime) or when the anticipated construction duration is greater than is typical (e.g., two years or greater) and there are sensitive receptors within 500 feet of the construction site. Temporary noise barriers shall be constructed with solid materials (e.g., wood) with a density of at least 1.5 pounds per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier. If a sound blanket is used, barriers shall be constructed with solid material with a density of at least 1 pound per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier and be lined on the construction side with acoustical blanket, curtain or equivalent absorptive material rated sound transmission class (STC) 32 or higher.
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Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1 would reduce potential impacts from noise during short-term construction and operation to less than significant levels by reducing noise source impacts, however, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

Threshold: Would the project result in generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?
Impact NOI-2 CONSTRUCTION OF DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD TEMPORARILY GENERATE GROUNDBORNE VIBRATION, POTENTIALLY AFFECTING NEARBY LAND USES.

OPERATION OF DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED BY THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL GROUNDBORNE VIBRATION. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION.

Construction of future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan could intermittently generate groundborne vibration affecting nearby properties. Table 4.11-6 lists groundborne vibration levels from various types of construction equipment at various distances.

Table 4.11-6 Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment Approximate Vibration Level (in/sec PPV)
Equipment
25 feet
from Source
50 feet
from Source
100 feet
from Source
200 feet
from Source
Caisson Drilling 0.089 0.031 0.011 0.004
Jackhammer 0.035 0.012 0.004 0.002
Large Bulldozer 0.089 0.031 0.011 0.004
Loaded Truck 0.076 0.027 0.010 0.003
Pile Driver (impact) Upper range 1.519 0.537 0.190 0.067 Typical 0.644 0.228 0.081 0.028
Pile Driver (sonic) Upper range 0.734 0.260 0.092 0.032 Typical 0.170 0.060 0.021 0.008
Small Bulldozer 0.003 0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Vibratory Roller 0.21 0.074 0.026 0.009
Source: Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 2018. Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. November.

As shown in Table 4.11-6, buildings and structures could experience the strongest vibration during the use of pile-drivers and vibratory rollers. Vibration levels from pile-drivers could approach 1.519 in/sec PPV at a distance of 25 feet from the source and 0.190 in/sec at 100 feet, and vibration levels from vibratory rollers could approach 0.21 in/sec PPV at a distance of 25 feet and 0.026 at 100 feet.

The threshold for historic structures is 0.12 in/sec PPV; the threshold is higher for residential buildings at 0.2 in/sec PPV.

Vibration levels from typical equipment such as bulldozers and jackhammers would not exceed FTA thresholds for historic structures and residential buildings at a distance of 25 feet or greater.

However, vibration levels from pile driving equipment and vibratory rollers may exceed FTA thresholds.

The following goal and policy in the 2045 General Plan would reduce construction vibration noise:
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 Goal SAF-11: To reduce, minimize and manage noise and vibration to the greatest extent feasible.
 Policy SAF-11.4: Vibration Impacts. For projects involving the use of major vibration generating equipment (e.g. pile drivers, vibratory rollers) that could generate groundborne vibration levels in excess of 0.2 in/sec PPV, the City may require a project-specific vibration impact assessment to analyze potential groundborne vibrational impacts and may require measures to reduce ground vibration levels.

Because project-level details are not currently available for individual development projects that would be facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, it is not possible to determine which projects may use pile driving or vibratory rollers and their exact vibration levels, locations, or time periods for construction of such projects. Therefore, construction vibration levels may exceed FTA vibration levels for preventing architectural building damage, and impacts would be potentially significant.

However, implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2 would reduce construction groundborne vibration impacts from future development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan to a level of less than significant.

Operation
New residential, commercial, industrial, and retail development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not involve substantial operational vibration sources such as railroads and subways.

Therefore, the 2045 General Plan’s operational groundborne vibration and noise impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
NOI-2 Adopt and Implement Vibration Control Measures and Screening Distances To reduce potential construction vibration impacts, the City shall adopt the following 2045 General Plan policy:
 Prior to issuance of a building permit for a project requiring pile driving during construction a) within 135 feet of fragile structures (historical resources, 100 feet of non-engineered timber and masonry buildings [e.g., most residential buildings], b) within 75 feet of engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster); c) a vibratory roller within 40 feet of fragile historical resources or 25 feet of any other structure; and/or d) a dozer or other large earthmoving equipment within 20 feet for a fragile historical structure or 15 feet of any other structure, the project applicant shall prepare a groundborne vibration analysis to assess and mitigate potential vibration impacts related to these construction activities. This vibration analysis shall be conducted by a qualified and experienced acoustical consultant or engineer. The vibration levels shall not exceed FTA architectural damage thresholds (e.g., 0.12 in/sec PPV for fragile or historical resources, 0.2 in/sec PPV for non-engineered timber and masonry buildings, and 0.3 in/sec PPV for engineered concrete and masonry). If vibration levels would exceed these thresholds, alternative uses such as drilling piles as opposed to pile driving, static rollers as opposed to vibratory rollers, and lower horsepower earthmoving equipment shall be used. If necessary, construction vibration monitoring shall be conducted to ensure FTA vibration thresholds are not exceeded. 830
Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2 would reduce potential impacts from groundborne vibration to less than significant levels by providing screening distances, within which vibration analysis and vibration reductions measures may be required to reduce project vibration impacts to less than significant levels.

Threshold: For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
Impact NOI-3 THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT EXPOSE PEOPLE RESIDING OR WORKING IN THE PLANNING AREA TO EXCESSIVE NOISE LEVELS FROM AIRPORT LAND USE. THERE WOULD BE NO IMPACT.

The closest airport to the Planning Area is the Santa Ynez Airport/Kunkle Field, which is approximately 2.3 miles east of the Planning Area. The Santa Ynez Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (Santa Ynez ALUCP 2023) shows that the Planning Area is not in the Santa Ynez Airport/Kunkle Field’s 65 CNEL noise contour. Because the Planning Area is not in a 65 CNEL or higher noise contour of any nearby airport, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not expose people residing or working in the Planning Area to excessive noise levels. There would be no impact.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because there would be no impact.

4.11.4 Cumulative Impacts
Construction Noise
Short-term construction noise generated by projects facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, in combination with construction activities for other cumulative projects that may be constructed simultaneously could, without mitigation, substantially increase noise levels in the vicinity of future projects. Mitigation measures have been identified to reduce short-term construction noise from future projects facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. Therefore, unless construction of cumulative projects, including those facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, occur in close proximity to each other and simultaneously, noise from individual construction projects has a small chance of combining to create significant cumulative impacts. Although this scenario is unlikely, and mitigation measures would be implemented to the extent feasible, the potential remains for a cumulatively considerable increase in short-term construction noise from projects facilitated by the 2045 General Plan. The 2045 General Plan could make a substantial contribution to this cumulatively significant impact.

Therefore, the cumulative impact related to short-term construction noise would be significant and unavoidable.

Operational Stationary Noise
Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would introduce new stationary noise sources to the ambient noise environment in and around the Planning Area, including new mechanical ventilation equipment. These sources may combine with noise from other nearby cumulative projects to result in higher noise levels. However, operational noise from these sources is localized 831
and rapidly attenuates within an urbanized setting due to the effects of intervening structures and topography that block the line of sight, and due to other noise sources closer to receptors that obscure project-related noise. Implementation of Solvang Municipal Code noise standards would ensure that noise from new stationary sources as part of cumulative development would be within acceptable levels. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to operational stationary noise would be less than significant.

Operational Mobile Noise
As discussed in Impact NOI-1, roadway vehicle noise increases from development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not contribute to noise level increases that exceed impact criteria and would not be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, in combination with mobile noise for other cumulative development, the cumulative impact related to operational mobile (roadway vehicle) noise would be less than significant.

Groundborne Vibration and Noise
Although there could be other cumulative projects simultaneously under construction near a development project facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, the potential for construction groundborne vibration and noise impacts exists within a limited area (e.g., within approximately 25 feet for a vibratory roller). Since no two construction cumulative projects would both be within 25 feet of a given sensitive structure, cumulative groundborne vibration and noise impacts would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Cumulative noise impacts would be significant and unavoidable due to short-term construction noise.
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4.12 Population and Housing
This section evaluates the potential impacts from population growth and displacement of housing from implementation of the 2045 General Plan.

4.12.1 Setting
a. Population
As shown in Table 4.12-1, the City of Solvang had an estimated population of 5,644 in 2020 (United States Census Bureau [Census] 2020a). In addition, Table 4.12-1 shows population growth in Santa Barbara County and California. From 2010 to 2020, Solvang’s population grew 8.2 percent, which is higher than the 6.9 and 7.4 percent growth experienced in Santa Barbara County and California, respectively.

Table 4.12-1 Population Growth in the City, County, and State Year1 Solvang Santa Barbara County California
2010 5,218 416,051 36,637,290
2020 5,644 444,895 39,346,023
Percent Change From 2010-2020 8.2% 6.9% 7.4%
1 Population estimates presented for Solvang and Santa Barbara County are consistent with population estimates stated in the adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element. The adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element does not contain population estimates for California.

Source: Census 2020a; Census 2010a
b. Housing
A household is defined as a group of people who occupy a housing unit (Census 2021). A household differs from a dwelling unit because the number of dwelling units includes both occupied and vacant dwelling units. Typically, not all the population in a given area lives in households. A portion of the population lives in group quarters, such as board and care facilities, while others are homeless.

Housing Units
Table 4.12-2 shows the growth in number of housing units in Solvang, Santa Barbara County, and California between 2010 and 2020. As shown in Table 4.12-2, between 2010 and 2020 Solvang’s housing inventory increased by 315 housing units resulting in a 14.3 percent growth during this period. Most of the increase in housing resulted from the development of the Skytt Mesa project (169 units) and the affordable Solvang Senior Apartments (45 units). 834
Table 4.12-2 Housing Inventory
Solvang Santa Barbara County California
2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020
Total Housing Units1 2,207 2,5662 152,381 159,317 13,552,624 14,210,945 Occupied1 2,136 2,392 141,793 148,309 12,392,852 13,103,114 Vacancy Rate1 2.5% 5.2% 5.2% 3.4% 7.2% 4.8%
Growth in Total Housing
Units from 2010-2020

14.3% 4.6% 4.9%
1 Housing estimates presented for Solvang are consistent with housing estimates stated in the adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element.

The adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element does not contain housing estimates for Santa Barbara County or California. 2 2,566 existing housing units reflect 2019 buildout data (Mintier Harnish 2023), which was used in the table to maintain consistency throughout the EIR analyses.

Sources: Census 2020b; Census 2010b
Household Size
Small households (one to two persons per household [pph]) traditionally occupy units with zero to two bedrooms; family households (three to four pph) normally occupy units with three to four bedrooms. Large households (five or more pph) typically occupy units with four or more bedrooms.

The number of units in relation to the household size may reflect preference and economics. Many small households obtain larger units, and some large households live in small units, for economic reasons. Table 4.12-3 compares the size of households in Solvang, Santa Barbara County, and California. As shown in Table 4.12-3 the average household size in Solvang remained at 2.39 pph between 2010 and 2020. Over the same period, the average household size in Santa Barbara County decreased from 2.86 to 2.85 pph, and the average household size in California increased from 2.91 to 2.93 pph.

Table 4.12-3 Household Size in the City, County, and State Solvang Santa Barbara County California
Year 2010 2020 2010 2020 2010 2020
Household Size (pph) 2.39 2.39 2.86 2.85 2.91 2.93
Growth in Household Size
from 2010-2020

0.0% -3.5% 0.7%
Source: California Department of Finance (DOF) 2021
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4.12.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
There are no federal regulations regarding population and housing that are applicable to the proposed project.
b. State Regulations
State Housing Element Statute
State housing element statutes (Government Code Sections 65580-65589.9) mandate that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. The law recognizes that in order for the private market to adequately address housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land use plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development. As a result, State housing policy rests upon the effective implementation of local general plans and in particular, housing elements. Additionally, Government Code Section 65588 dictates that housing elements must be updated at least once every eight years.

Regional Housing Needs Assessment
California’s Housing Element law requires that each county and city develop local housing programs to meet their “fair share” of existing and future housing growth needs for all income groups, as determined by the Department of Finance (DOF). The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is tasked with distributing the projected housing need within the County Santa Barbara among SBCAG’s eight cities and the unincorporated communities using four income categories (extremely low and very low, low, moderate, and above moderate). This fair share allocation is referred to as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process. RHNA allocation represents the minimum number of housing units by income level each community is required to plan for through a combination of: 1) zoning “adequate sites” at suitable densities that foster affordability and 2) housing programs to support retention, rehabilitation, and production of lower income units with a reasonable degree of entitlement certainty. In addition, Government Code 65863 requires all jurisdictions to provide an additional 20 percent buffer to ensure housing capacity is maintained in the event a potential housing site becomes unavailable. Solvang’s allocation for 2023 to 2031 from the SBCAG Regional Housing Needs Plan (RHNP) plus a 20 percent buffer is shown in Table 4.12-4 below.

Table 4.12-4 Regional Housing Needs Assessment 2023-2031 Income Group
RHNA Allocation with Required 20
Percent Buffer (units)
Percent of Total RHNA Allocation
with Required 20 Percent Buffer
Very Low 66 30%
Low 47 22%
Moderate 27 13%
Above Moderate 75 35%
Total 215 100%
Source: SBCAG 2021a
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c. Local Regulations
Santa Barbara Council of Governments
The City of Solvang is located within the SBCAG planning area. SBCAG functions as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Santa Barbara County and the communities and cities therein, and is responsible for preparing and implementing the region’s RHNA and the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The RTP/SCS is a long-term (20-year or more) blueprint of the region’s transportation system and is updated every four years. The plan identifies transportation needs of the metropolitan region and creates a framework for project priorities.

SBCAG adopted an updated RTP/SCS in August 2021 (SBCAG 2021b). SBCAG projections for Santa Barbara County consider regional, state, and national economic trends and planning policies.

City of Solvang Housing Element
The Housing Element is one of the seven State-mandated elements of the General Plan (Government Code Sections 65300 through 65303.4). The Housing Element serves as a tool to identify and provide for the housing needs of the community. It identifies recent demographic and employment trends that may affect existing and future housing demand and supply. California law requires the Housing Element to include policies and programs that will support the provision of an adequate housing supply for citizens of all income levels. The Housing Element is the only element that requires review by the State. The element addresses the City’s ability to meet the regional housing needs as determined by the State.

The City’s General Plan is currently undergoing a comprehensive update, which is evaluated throughout this Environmental Impact Report (EIR). As part of a separate project, the City updated its Housing Element for the 2023-2031 planning period (6th cycle) in compliance with updated RHNA allocations and new housing laws. The updated Housing Element, which was adopted in December 2023, includes a detailed analysis of housing needs, resources, and constraints; an analysis and identification of any areas that may perpetuate housing inequities in the community; and policies and programs with the goal of achieving more equitable housing practices.

4.12.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
Methodology
Population and housing trends in Solvang were evaluated by reviewing the most current data available from the Census Bureau, DOF, SBCAG’s Regional Growth Forecast, and the City’s adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element. Population and housing data are available on a city, county, regional, and state level. For this analysis, data provided at the city level is compared to County and State trends.

Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on population and housing. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the proposed project may have a significant adverse impact if it would:
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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); or
Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.
b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1: 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)? Impact POP-1 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD ACCOMMODATE GROWTH WHICH EXCEEDS THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS’ REGIONAL GROWTH FORECAST. HOWEVER, GROWTH RESULTING FROM THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN IS ANTICIPATED AND WOULD NOT CONSTITUTE SUBSTANTIAL UNPLANNED POPULATION GROWTH. FURTHER, THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS WOULD UPDATE THEIR GROWTH PROJECTIONS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN DURING THE NEXT PLANNING CYCLE. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would result in housing growth in Solvang. As stated in Table 2-1 of Section 2, Project Description, 2045 General Plan buildout would enable development in the Planning Area through the year 2045 that could result in an increase of 497 residential units in Solvang, which would result in a total of 3,063 housing units in 2045. This would exceed SBCAG’s 2045 housing unit projections of 2,700 housing units (a difference of 363 housing units or approximately 12.6 percent) (SBCAG 2019). However, the State requires that all local governments adequately plan to meet the housing needs of their communities (HCD 2023). Given that the State is currently in an ongoing housing crisis due to an insufficient housing supply, the additional units under the 2045 General Plan would further assist in addressing the existing crisis and meeting the housing needs of Solvang.

The adopted Housing Element was recently updated in December 2023 to meet projected population and housing growth. SBCAG’s RHNA allocation for Solvang is 191 housing units, split among extremely low, very low, low, moderate, and above moderate-income categories, shown in Table 2-10 of Section 2, Project Description. The adopted Housing Element is designed to accommodate regional growth anticipated by SBCAG’s RHNA allocation, which requires the City to plan for 191 new housing units by 2031. The increase in 497 housing units resulting from the 2045 General Plan would help the City meet their RHNA as required by the State. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not result in unplanned housing growth because it would be consistent with the City’s RHNA and is being planned for and analyzed in this EIR.

Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would also result in population growth in Solvang. Based on Solvang’s approximate average household size of 2.39 pph, it is anticipated that an increase in 497 residential units would result in an additional 1,187 residents in Solvang. As such, the total population in Solvang, with the additional 1,187 residents and 211 employees (for a total of 1,398 people) as shown in Table 2-1 of Section 2, Project Description, is anticipated to increase to a total population of 7,042 in 2045 which is greater than SBCAG’s 2045 population forecast of 6,300 residents in Solvang (a difference of 747 people or approximately 11.1 percent) (SBCAG 2019).

Although implementation of the 2045 General Plan would facilitate housing and population growth in the area, the purpose of the 2045 General Plan is to provide a framework to adequately 838
accommodate this increase. The 2045 General Plan provides the following policies that would ensure growth is managed and occurs in a manner consistent with that envisioned in the 2045 General Plan by promoting infill development, a diverse mix of land uses, and a variety of residential densities:
 Policy LU-1.2: Infill Development. The City shall support and promote infill development that is compact, mixed-use, and pedestrian-friendly.
 Policy LU-1.3: Residential Land Use. Although most of the city is built out, the City shall designate a full range of residential land uses that provide for a variety of housing types, locations, and densities, including accessory dwelling units.  Policy LU-1.4: Commercial Land Use. The City shall designate a mix of commercial uses, including retail, general, and tourist commercial, to promote both the tourist economy and the needs of residents of Solvang and the Santa Ynez valley.  Policy LU-1.6: Mixed-use. The City shall encourage mixed-use developments with a residential component to further enhance the range of housing opportunities provided to residents.  Policy LU-2.3: Neighborhood Infill. The City shall allow infill development as required by State Law including ADU’s, JADU and density bonus.
 Policy LU-2.4: High-density Residential Development. The City shall encourage new highdensity residential development located in areas close to services and transit with appropriate site planning, and comply with objective design standards, and landscape criteria.  Policy LU-5.3: Pedestrian Orientation. The City shall require new mixed-use development to include amenities that create a comfortable environment for walking, sitting, and socializing.  Policy H-1.2: Residential Rehabilitation. The City shall encourage homeowners and landlords to maintain properties in sound condition through code enforcement efforts and by implementing a residential rehabilitation assistance program.
 Policy H-2.1: Housing for All Residents. The City shall encourage the production of housing that meets the needs of all economic segments, including homeless and extremely low, lower, moderate, and above moderate-income households, to achieve a balanced community.  Policy H-2.2: Expanding Workforce Housing. The City shall encourage housing opportunities for the city’s workforce, including seasonal and part-time workers in the tourism sector and public service employees. The City will encourage housing opportunities and assistance to address the needs of local workers.
 Policy H-2.3: Affordable Senior Housing. The City shall continue to facilitate the provision of affordable housing for the city’s growing senior population, including senior housing with supportive services, assisted living facilities, and second units.  Policy H-2.4: Support Special Housing Needs. The City shall support, as feasible, non-profit, and for-profit agencies who provide supportive services and alternative housing options for the homeless and other persons with special housing needs in Solvang.  Policy H-2.6: Home Ownership Assistance. The City shall work with local organizations that identify and pursue State, Federal, and other funding sources to enable home ownership for low- and moderate-income households.
 Policy H-2.7: Home Ownership Education. The City shall work with local organizations to encourage first time homebuyers from low- and moderate- income households to participate in home ownership assistance programs available from public agencies and in the private market. 839
 Policy H-2.8: Encouraging Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)/Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). The City shall allow ADUs and JADUs as a means of providing additional housing opportunities in existing neighborhoods as provided by state law.  Policy H-2.9: Rental Assistance. The City shall continue to support local organizations that provide rental assistance to extremely low and lower-income households and encourage property-owners to list units with the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority.  Policy H-2.10: Special Needs Housing. The City shall support the development and conservation of housing that meets the special needs of large families, families with children, seasonal workers, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, homeless, and agricultural workers.

Growth in Solvang would occur regardless of implementation of the 2045 General Plan. While the growth anticipated by the 2045 General Plan would be substantial, the growth would not be unplanned since it is contemplated by the 2045 General Plan. As described in the 2045 General Plan, the proposed project’s vision for Solvang was developed with extensive community input and in recognition of the State’s planning priorities. The 2045 General Plan identifies major strategies and physical improvements for Solvang through 2045, including, but not limited to, use of mixed-use areas, strengthening locally-owned business and community-supported tourism, enhancing existing neighborhoods, and maintaining adequate public facilities and services for anticipated growth.

These strategies would support existing and future employees, businesses, and residents, the potential environmental impacts of which are analyzed throughout this EIR. Although projected housing and population growth in Solvang in 2045 exceeds SBCAG’s 2045 forecasts, SBCAG would update their growth projections to be consistent with the 2045 General Plan during the next planning cycle. Therefore, because the 2045 General Plan is designed for planned and orderly growth, as mandated by the State, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 2: Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? Impact POP-2 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD NOT DISPLACE SUBSTANTIAL

NUMBERS OF EXISTING HOUSING OR PEOPLE, NECESSITATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF REPLACEMENT HOUSING ELSEWHERE. IMPACTS WOULD BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not involve any land use changes or rezoning of properties from residential use to another non-residential land use type. However, displacement would occur in one instance as a result of implementation of the 2045 General Plan. One area of potential growth considered by the 2045 General Plan is the Old Lumberyard site, located at 1783 and 1793 Mission Drive and 533 Pine Street and comprised of Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 139-150-012, 139-150-017, and 139-150-027. There are two single-family residences on-site: one at 533 Pine Street and one at 1793 Mission Drive. The project would demolish most existing on-site uses, including the single-family residence located at 533 Pine Street. The existing single-family residence at 1793 Mission Drive would not be demolished but would be relocated. As shown in Table 4.12-3, above, the average household size in Solvang remained at 2.39 pph between 2010 and 2020. As such, although the number of persons currently living in the residence at 533 Pine Street is unknown, demolition of the residence would result in an estimated reduction of population by three 840
people (conservatively rounded up from 2.39 pph). These two units would be replaced with a proposed mixed-use project consisting of a proposed hotel and 51 micro apartment units.

As stated in Table 2-1 of Section 2, Project Description, 2045 General Plan buildout would enable development in the Planning Area through the year 2045 that could result in an increase of 497 residential units. The maximum possible number of residential units is determined by the maximum densities allowed for each land use designation and the amount of land area within that designation. However, the maximum number of units is unlikely to be reached because every residential parcel in Solvang would need to be developed to its maximum potential to reach the maximum number of units. Although implementation of the 2045 General Plan would result in the loss of one housing unit, it is anticipated there would be sufficient available replacement housing available for the residents at 533 Pine Street because 2045 General Plan buildout could result in an increase of 497 residential units. Additionally, as of August 2023, there are 32 housing units listed for sale and 10 housing units listed for rent in Solvang (Zillow 2023). As such, there is sufficient housing available in the existing condition to accommodate the loss of one housing unit. Therefore, implementation of the 2045 General Plan would not displace substantial numbers of existing people that would necessitate construction of housing elsewhere.

The 2045 General Plan includes policies which focus on providing housing options for residents at different stages of life and abilities. The 2045 General Plan would preserve and expand affordable housing and diversify housing types within the Planning Area. The 2045 General Plan includes the following policies intended to ensure housing is available in Solvang:
 Policy LU-2.4: High-density Residential Development. The City shall encourage new highdensity residential development located in areas close to services and transit with appropriate site planning, and comply with objective design standards, and landscape criteria.  Policy H-1.2: Residential Rehabilitation. The City shall encourage homeowners and landlords to maintain properties in sound condition through code enforcement efforts and by implementing a residential rehabilitation assistance program.
 Policy H-2.1: Housing for All Residents. The City shall encourage the production of housing that meets the needs of all economic segments, including homeless and extremely low, lower, moderate, and above moderate-income households, to achieve a balanced community.  Policy H-2.2: Expanding Workforce Housing. The City shall encourage housing opportunities for the city's workforce, including seasonal and part-time workers in the tourism sector and public service employees. The City will encourage housing opportunities and assistance to address the needs of local workers.
 Policy H-2.3: Affordable Senior Housing. The City shall continue to facilitate the provision of affordable housing for the city's growing senior population, including senior housing with supportive services, assisted living facilities, and second units.  Policy H-2.4: Support Special Housing Needs. The City shall support, as feasible, non-profit, and for-profit agencies who provide supportive services and alternative housing options for the homeless and other persons with special housing needs in Solvang.  H-2.6: Home Ownership Assistance. The City shall work with local organizations that identify and pursue State, Federal, and other funding sources to enable home ownership for low- and moderate-income households.
 Policy H-2.7: Home Ownership Education. The City shall work with local organizations to encourage first time homebuyers from low- and moderate- income households to participate in home ownership assistance programs available from public agencies and in the private market. 841
 Policy H-2.9: Rental Assistance. The City shall continue to support local organizations that provide rental assistance to extremely low and lower-income households and encourage property-owners to list units with the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority.  Policy H-2.10: Special Needs Housing. The City shall support the development and conservation of housing that meets the special needs of large families, families with children, seasonal workers, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, homeless, and agricultural workers.

With incorporation of these goals and policies, the 2045 General Plan would result in a net increase in housing availability in Solvang and would provide housing to accommodate future growth. The adopted Housing Element serves as a tool to identify and provide for the housing needs of the community. It identifies recent demographic and employment trends that may affect existing and future housing demand and supply. California law requires the Housing Element to establish policies and programs that support the provision of an adequate housing supply for citizens of all income levels. The adopted Housing Element addresses the City’s ability to meet the regional housing needs as determined by the State of California. Any development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required to be consistent with applicable policies in the adopted Housing Element.

It is not known when or where displacement or construction of housing from redevelopment in the City would occur. Therefore, it cannot be determined what project-specific environmental impacts would result from the construction and operation of replacement housing. As potential residential development or redevelopment projects are identified, additional project-specific environmental analysis, as needed, would be completed to evaluate project-specific impacts to displacement of existing residences. Because the 2045 General Plan include goals and policies to increase overall housing in the Planning Area, and there are no current plans for displacement of substantial numbers of housing, impacts related to displacement of existing residences from the 2045 General Plan would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required because this impact would be less than significant.

4.12.4 Cumulative Impacts
Regional cumulative impacts consider the City-wide impacts together with similar impacts of reasonably anticipated regional projects/programs. The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR, as well as the determination of the cumulative impact analysis area, is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting, Subsection 3.3, Baseline and Cumulative Project Setting.

Cumulative development surrounding Solvang in combination with development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan could result in an increase of population, jobs, and housing. Growth facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would occur within the bounds of the Planning Area. Although projected housing and population growth in Solvang in 2045 exceeds SBCAG’s 2045 forecasts, SBCAG would update their growth projections to be consistent with the 2045 General Plan during the next planning cycle. In addition, the 2045 General Plan would result in an overall increase of housing.

Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not contribute to cumulative impacts related to displacement of substantial numbers of people or housing in the cumulative impact analysis area (Santa Barbara County) and would not result in significant cumulative population growth impacts beyond the Planning Area. The incremental population impacts of the proposed 2045 General Plan would not be cumulatively considerable.
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4.13 Public Services and Recreation
This section assesses potential impacts to public services including fire and police protection, public schools, libraries, and parks and recreation, from the 2045 General Plan. Impacts to water, wastewater, and solid waste services are discussed in Section 4.16, Utilities and Service Systems.

4.13.1 Setting
a. Fire Protection
Fire protection services in Solvang are provided under contract by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD). SBCFD provides a wide range of programs, which include fire suppression, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness training, fire prevention, search and rescue, inspections, development review, and hazardous materials response. The SBCFD has personnel of over 270 staff members. Station 30, located at 1644 Oak Street, serves Solvang and portions of unincorporated Santa Ynez Valley. Station 30 is staffed by one Captain, one Engineer, one Firefighter/Paramedic, and one Firefighter (SBCFD 2023). In Solvang, the average response time from the SBCFD is between three to five minutes (City of Solvang 2021).

Santa Barbara County is a “contract county” with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Under this agreement, contract counties are responsible for providing initial response to fires on State Responsibility Areas within their counties. CAL FIRE provides funding to the six counties for prevention and suppression of wildland fire in the State Responsibility Area. This funding provides fire protection services including salary and wages of suppression crews, maintenance of firefighting facilities, pre-fire management positions, special repairs, and administrative services.
b. Police Protection
The City contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) for law enforcement services. The Sheriff’s Office provides services including patrol operations, criminal investigations, judicial services, and special units such as behavioral sciences, hostage negotiation, and K-9 (Sheriff’s Office 2023). The Solvang Sheriff Substation is located at 1745 Mission Drive behind the Veterans Memorial Hall. The Sheriff’s Office’s field deputies, supported by administrative staff, are responsible for providing police protection services for approximately 400 square miles.

Within Solvang, patrol operations include traffic enforcement and accident investigations (City of Solvang 2021). The Sheriff’s Office has one full-time deputy serving Solvang. c. Schools
Solvang Elementary School is the only public school within Solvang and is the only school within the Solvang School District. Solvang Elementary School serves kindergarten through eighth grade students and maintains a staff comprised of 34 teachers, 15 special education specialists, 2 special programs managers, 21 classified employees, 1 principal, and 1 superintendent (Solvang School District 2023a). In the 2021-2022 school year, 595 students were enrolled in Solvang Elementary 844
School (Education Data Partnership 2023). The Solvang Elementary School has a current capacity of 7001
. Table 4.13-1 shows enrollment trends for Solvang Elementary School.

Table 4.13-1 Solvang Elementary School Enrollment Trends 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 Percent
Change 2017-
2018 to 2021-
2022
Solvang
Elementary
School
600 605 635 607 595 593 -0.8%
Source: Education Data Partnership 2023a
As shown in Table 4.13-1, enrollment at Solvang Elementary School has decreased slightly between the 2017-2018 school year and the 2021-2022 school year.

Solvang does not contain a public high school. The nearest public high school to Solvang is Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, while not within the City limits, is located approximately 1.2-mile east of Solvang. The school is part of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District and serves ninth through twelfth grade students. In the 2021-2022 school year, 895 students were enrolled, and the school maintained a staff of 44 full-time teachers (U.S. News and World Report 2023). The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has a current capacity of 1,800 students. Table 4.13-2 shows enrollment trends for Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

Table 4.13-2 Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Enrollment Trends 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 Percent
Change 2017-
2018 to 2021-
2022
Santa Ynez
Valley
Union High
School
953 938 909 887 876 847 -8%
Source: Education Data Partnership 2023b
As shown in Table 4.13-2, enrollment at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has decreased between the 2017-2018 school year and the 2021-2022 school year. d. Library Facilities
The Solvang Library is located at 1745 Mission Drive. On July 1, 2019, the City of Goleta began to manage libraries in the Santa Ynez Valley, including the Solvang Library. All libraries managed by Goleta are part of the Black Gold Cooperative Library System. At the end of July 2020, Solvang Library had 18,375 circulating items including books, audiobooks, digital video discs (DVDs), and magazines. During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the library circulated these items 61,724 times (City of Solvang 2021). The Solvang Library currently hosts in-person events, such as weekly Storytimes at the library (Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries 2023). 1 Solvang Elementary School capacity provided by Dawn Stewart, Chief Business Official, via email correspondence dated January 24, 2024 (Solvang School District 2024).
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e. Open Space, Parks, and Recreation
The City of Solvang operates approximately 205 acres of parkland, recreational areas, and city facilities that function as community gathering places, in addition to two open space parcels.

Open Space
Solvang contains two open space parcels. The first is a 2.7-acre parcel located south of State Route 246 near its intersection with Nykobing, opposite the southern tip of Hans Christian Andersen Park.

The second is a nine-acre parcel behind the homes along Aarhus Drive, east of Oster Sted Court. This area is owned by the Nyborg Estates Homeowners Association and contains a steep canyon with some walking trails. Other important open space areas for the city include the two local golf courses: the River Course at Alisal and the Alisal Golf Course. Although only a few parcels are designated as open space, some residential subdivisions within the Solvang incorporate open space areas, particularly between neighborhoods. Figure 4.13-1 shows open space areas within Solvang.

Parks
Solvang contains three active and two passive parks, as shown in Figure 4.13-2. An active park contains specialized infrastructure such as recreational sports fields or playground equipment and requires specialized maintenance while a passive park is an undeveloped space that requires minimal maintenance. Solvang’s parks are described below (City of Solvang 2021):
 Hans Christian Anderson Park (Active): Hans Christian Anderson Park is a 51.3-acre park located at 633 Chalk Hill Road in the northeast portion of the city. The park stretches from Fredensburg Canyon Road north of Chalk Hill Road to State Route 246 near its intersection with Nykobing and includes hiking trails, equestrian trails, open spaces, a horseshoe pit, a skate park, tennis courts, picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms, four reservable picnic areas (one sheltered), and the Atterdag, a reservable outdoor amphitheater. Hans Christian Anderson Park offers a unique interaction with the natural landscape through distinct topography and riparian habitat of Adobe Creek consisting of oak woodland and coastal scrub communities. Approximately 48 percent of the city is within half a mile walking radius from Hans Christian Andersen Park.  Solvang Park (Active): Solvang Park is a 0.6-acre park located at 1st Street and Park Way. Solvang Park features open lawn areas, picnic tables, restrooms, a gazebo that serves as a covered stage or dance floor, and various statues. Solvang Park hosts the local Farmer’s Market and serves as a central gathering place for residents.
 Sunny Fields Park (Active): Sunny Fields Park is a 6.7-acre park located at 900 Alamo Pintado Road, between Coyote Creek Road and Lark Hill. Sunny Fields Park features two playgrounds, a softball field, four tennis courts, picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms, horseshoe pit, walking trails, and two reservable sheltered picnic areas.
 Creekside Place Park (Passive): Creekside Place Park is a 6.8-acre open space area located along Rebild Drive in an area south of Coyote Creek Road and backing onto State Route 246. Creekside Place Park includes a shaded creek area, informal trails, and a portion of a paved public trail that connects the commercial area near Old Mission Drive and Santa Ynez High School.  Alisal Commons Park (Passive): Alisal Commons Park is a 1.0-acre open space area located at the north end of Glen Way near Alisal Road, just north of the Alisal Golf Course. Alisal Commons Park includes informal trails and is used for light recreation and as a pedestrian connection between neighboring areas.
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Figure 4.13-1 Open Space in Solvang
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Figure 4.13-2 Parks2
2 (A) denotes an active park while (P) denotes a passive park. 848
Recreational Facilities
Solvang contains two recreational facilities: the Solvang Veterans’ Memorial Building and the Solvang Festival Theater. The Solvang Veterans’ Memorial Building, a community facility owned by the City of Solvang, is located at 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang’s Village Area. A local landmark, built in 1937, the Veterans Memorial Building is available to rent for weddings, ceremonies, meetings, fundraisers, and other community events. The Solvang Festival Theater, an outdoor 700-seat amphitheater, provides a venue for many community events supporting local organizations and businesses. Solvang Theaterfest, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation, owns, maintains, and operates the Solvang Theater.

Mission Santa Inés, located at 1760 Mission Drive in Solvang, was founded in 1804 as part of the Spanish Missions of California. The Mission serves as a parish church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and incorporates a historical museum and burial ground. Although the Mission is not listed as a recreational facility within the City’s General Plan, both the historical museum and burial ground are major tourist attractions and serve recreational purposes.

4.13.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Fire Protection
Disaster Mitigation Act (2000-Present)
Section 104 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) requires a state mitigation plan as a condition of disaster assistance. There are two distinct levels of state disaster plans:
“Standard” and “Enhanced.” States that develop an approved Enhanced State Plan can increase the amount of funding available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Disaster Mitigation Act has also established new requirements for local mitigation plans, such as requiring a collaborative planning process, comprehensive risk assessment, strategies to mitigate risks, and implementation timeline.

National Fire Plan (2000)
The National Fire Plan was developed under Executive Order 11246 in August 2000, following a landmark wildland fire season. Its intent is to actively respond to severe wildland fires and their impacts on communities while ensuring sufficient firefighting capacity for the future. The National Fire Plan addresses firefighting, rehabilitation, hazardous fuels reduction, community assistance, and accountability.

California Fire Plan
The Strategic Fire Plan for California is the State’s roadmap for reducing the risk of wildfire. The plan directs each CAL FIRE unit to prepare a locally specific Fire Management Plan. In compliance with the California Fire Plan, individual CAL FIRE units are required to develop Fire Management Plans for their areas of responsibility. These documents assess the fire situation within each of CAL FIRE’s 21 units and 6 contract counties, including Santa Barbara County. The plans include stakeholder contributions and priorities and identify strategic areas for pre-fire planning and fuel treatment as defined by the people who live and work with the local fire problem. The plans are required to be updated annually.
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State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2018)
The State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) represents the state’s primary hazard mitigation guidance document and is implemented in order to reduce or eliminate potential risks and impacts of natural and human-caused disasters to help communities with their mitigation and disaster resiliency efforts. The SHMP provides an updated statewide risk assessment, disaster history, and statistics; recent mitigation progress, success stories, and best practices; updated state hazard mitigation goals, objectives, and strategies; and updated climate mitigation progress and adaptation strategies.

The California Office of Emergency Services prepares the SHMP. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the State’s 2018 SHMP on September 28, 2018.

California Fire Code, Title 24, Part 9
The California Fire Code, written by the California Building Standards Commission, is based on the International Fire Code. The International Fire Code is a model code that regulates minimum fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage, and processes. The International Fire Code addresses fire prevention, fire protection, life safety, and safe storage and use of hazardous materials in new and existing buildings, facilities, and processes. Provisions of the California Fire Code would apply to new development and redevelopment under the 2045 General Plan, to minimize potential fire risks.

California Building Code
The California Building Code Title 24, Part 2, provides building codes and standards for the design and construction of structures in California. The purpose of the California Building Code is to establish minimum standards to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, and general stability by controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location, and maintenance of building and structures. Provisions of the California Building Code would apply to new development and redevelopment under the 2045 General Plan, to minimize potential public safety risks.

California Government Code Section 65302.5
Government Code Section 65302.5 requires the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to provide recommendations to a local jurisdiction’s General Plan safety element, as it pertains to fire protection, at the time that the General Plan is amended. While not a direct and binding fire prevention requirement for individuals, General Plans that adopt the Board's recommendations will include goals and policies that provide for contemporary fire prevention standards for the jurisdiction.

County of Santa Barbara Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan The County’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies hazards present throughout Santa Barbara County and assesses risk posed by wildfire and develops a mitigation strategy for minimizing adverse impacts from hazards, including wildfire. The Hazard Mitigation Plan was comprehensively updated in 2023, and the City is a participating agency.

City of Solvang Emergency Management Plan
The City’s Emergency Management Plan addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological and intentional incidents, and 850
national security emergencies in or affecting the City. The Emergency Management Plan is intended to explain how emergency management is coordinated, identify procedures required to protect the health and safety of the residents and property within Solvang, and establishes emergency management organization required to respond to and mitigate emergencies or disasters within Solvang. The Emergency Management Plan integrates with Santa Barbara County’s Operational Area response for area wide emergencies such as fire.
b. Police Protection
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training advocates for, exchanges information with, sets selection and training standards for, and works with law enforcement and other public and private entities. This commission was established by the Legislature in 1959 to identify common needs that are shared by representatives of law enforcement. c. Schools
California Code of Regulations
The California Code of Regulations, Title 5 Education Code, governs all aspects of education within the State.

California State Assembly Bill 2926 (AB 2926), the School Facilities Act of 1986, was enacted by the State of California in 1986 and added to the California Code of Regulations (Section 65995). It authorizes school districts to collect development fees, based on demonstrated need, and generate revenue for school districts for capital acquisitions and improvements. It also established that the maximum fees which may be collected under this, and any other school fee authorization are $1.50 per square foot (sf) for residential development and $0.25 per sf for commercial and industrial development.

AB 2926 was expanded and revised in 1987 through the passage of AB 1600, which added Section 66000 of the California Code of Regulations. Under this statute, payment of statutory fees by developers serves as total mitigation under CEQA to satisfy the impact of development on school facilities. Subsequent legislative actions have alternatively expanded and contracted the limits placed on school fees by AB 2926.

California Senate Bill 50
The Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998 (Senate Bill 50 [SB 50]), enacted in 1998, is a program for funding school facilities based on matching funds. For new school construction, grants provide funding on a 50/50 State and local match basis. For school modernization, grants provide funding on a 60/40 State and local match basis. Districts that are unable to provide some, or all, of the local match requirement and meet the financial hardship provisions may be eligible for additional State funding.

SB 50 permits the local district to levy a fee, charge, dedication, or other requirement against any development project within its boundaries, to fund the construction or reconstruction of school facilities. SB 50 also sets a maximum level of fees a developer may be required to pay. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65996, the payment of these fees by a developer serves to mitigate all 851
potential impacts on school facilities that may result from implementation of a project to a lessthan-significant level3 .

The Solvang School District has set developer fees of $2.090 per sf of single-family residential, $2.620 of multi-family residential, $0.422 per sf of senior residential, $0.422 per sf of commercial industrial, and $0.029 per sf of commercial self-storage (Solvang School District 2023b). The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District has set developer fees of $1.47 per sf of residential, $0.240 per sf of retail and services, office, research and development, hospital, and industrial/warehouse/manufacturing, $0.125 per sf of hotel/motel, and $0.007 per sf of self-storage (Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District 2023).
d. Parks and Recreation
Quimby Act
The Quimby Act was established by the California legislature in 1965 to provide parks for growing communities in California. The Quimby Act authorizes cities to adopt ordinances addressing park land and/or fees for residential subdivisions to provide and preserve open space and recreational facilities and improvements. The Quimby Act requires the provision of a minimum of three acres of park area per 1,000 persons residing within a subdivision. The Quimby Act also specifies acceptable uses and expenditures of such funds.

State Public Park Preservation Act
This primary instrument for protecting and preserving parkland is the State Public Park Preservation Act. Under the Public Resource code, cities and counties may not acquire any real property that is in use as a public park for any non-park use unless compensation or land, or both, is provided to replace the parkland acquired. This provides no net loss of parkland and facilities.

State Street and Highway Code
The State Street and Highway Code assists in providing equestrian and hiking trails within the rightof-way of county and city roads, streets, and highways.

4.13.3 Impact Analysis
a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on public services. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the 2045 General Plan may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered government 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 objectives for any of the public services:

Fire protection
Police protection
Schools
3 California Government Code Section 65996.
852
Parks
Other public facilities
CEQA Guidelines Appendix G provides the following significance thresholds to determine if a project would have a potentially significant impact on recreation. For the purposes of this EIR, implementation of the 2045 General Plan may have a significant adverse impact if it would:

Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated; or Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.

Fire, police, and schools are addressed under Threshold 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) below. In terms of Threshold 1(e) regarding impacts on “other public facilities,” such facilities would include libraries. Impacts to parks and recreational facilities are discussed under Threshold 1(d), and Thresholds 2 and 3. b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold 1a: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered fire protection facilities, or the need for new or physically altered fire protection facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives?
Impact PS-1 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE CITY’S POPULATION AND POTENTIALLY INCREASE DEMAND FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES.

ADHERENCE TO PROPOSED 2045 GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES WOULD REDUCE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISION OF FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES TO LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

With implementation of the 2045 General Plan, an estimated 1,187 new residents and 211 new employees (a total of 1,398 people) would be added to the Planning Area (See Section 4.12, Population and Housing). This increase in development and population generated by the proposed land uses would increase demand for fire protection services. Station 30, located at 1644 Oak Street, serves Solvang.

Several goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element and Safety Element aim to reduce impacts related to the provision of fire service in the Planning Area, including the following:
 Goal PFS-5: The City shall work to reduce fire risk to structures, property, and residents.  Policy PFS-5.1: Fire Safety Information. The City shall coordinate with County Fire Department to inform homeowners of the risk of fire and ways to prevent loss, including information about methods for fire protection at the urban/wildland interface.  Policy PFS-5.2: Defensible Space. The City shall coordinate with the County Fire Department to work with residents and businesses to provide “defensible space” around structures to provide fire fighters with sufficient room to defend structures and maneuver.  Policy PFS-5.3: Fire Flows. The City shall ensure that adequate peak load water fire-flows are maintained throughout the city and shall regularly monitor fire-flows to ensure adequacy. 853
 Policy SAF-1.4: Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services. The City shall continue to work with Santa Barbara County to maintain local law enforcement and fire protection services in a state of readiness to ensure adequate protection for the citizens of Solvang.  Goal SAF-5: To prevent and/or reduce loss of life, injury, and property damage due to wildland and structural fires.
 Policy SAF-5.1: Protect New Development. The City shall require new development to be designed to protect life and property from the effects of wildfires and structural fires relative to the identified level of risk.
 Policy SAF-5.2: Fire Equipment Access and Resources. The City shall require that new development provides for adequate fire equipment access and fire suppression resources.  Policy SAF-5.3: Road and Building Identification. The City shall require that all roads and buildings are properly identified by name or number with clearly visible signs in order to promote faster response times.
 Policy SAF-5.4: Work with Homeowners on Fire Safety. The City shall work with and educate homeowners to improve fire safety and defensibility.
 Policy SAF-5.5: Fire Safety Improvements. The City shall encourage fire safety improvements for existing homes and commercial buildings.
 Goal SAF-6: To coordinate with fire protection and emergency service providers to ensure adequate fire facilities, equipment, and services are available to protect city residents and property from fire.
 Policy SAF-6.1: County Fire Department Staffing. The City shall work with Santa Barbara County Fire Department to maintain fire department staffing levels and response times consistent with National Fire Protection Association standards.
 Policy SAF-6.2: Mutual Aid Agreements. The City shall continue to maintain mutual aid agreements among fire protection and emergency service providers to ensure residents and property are adequately served and to facilitate the efficient use of available resources.  Policy SAF-6.3: Peak Fire-Flow. The City shall continue to ensure that adequate peak load water fire-flows are maintained throughout the city and shall regularly monitor fire-flows to ensure adequacy.
 Policy SAF-6.4: Homeowner Resources. The City shall continue to work with local agencies to inform homeowners of the dangers and appropriate responses to fire and ways to prevent loss.

Goal PFS-5 calls for the City to reduce fire risk to structures, property, and residents; this goal would be implemented through Policies PFS-5.1 through 5.3, which require informing residents with fire safety information, creating defensible space around structures, and ensuring maintenance and monitoring of fire-flows. Policy SAF-1.4 requires the City to work with Santa Barbara County to maintain fire protection services in a “state of readiness” to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency. Goal SAF-5 aims to prevent and reduce loss of life, injury, and property damage due to fires; this goal would be implemented through Policies SAF-5.1 through 5.5, which require protection of new development, provision of fire equipment access and fire suppression resources, road and building identification, homeowner education on fire safety, and fire safety improvements to existing structures. Goal SAF-6 aims to ensure adequate fire facilities, equipment, and services; this goal would be implemented through Policies SAF-6.1 through 6.4, which would maintain fire department staffing levels, maintain mutual aid agreements among fire protection and emergency 854
service providers, maintain peak fire-flow, and provide educational fire prevention resources to homeowners.

Implementation of the above goals and policies would ensure that all new development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan is adequately served by fire protection and emergency services, reducing the need for additional facilities through proper maintenance and improvement of existing facilities.

Additionally, development impact fees, as required under AB 1600, would fund the provision of fire protection services in Solvang so that the city may accommodate increased development without a subsequent decrease in fire protection services. AB 1600 development fees would apply to new development proposed under the 2045 General Plan.

The 2045 General Plan does not include plans for the construction of new fire protection facilities or physical alteration of an existing fire protection facility. Therefore, the project would not result in the construction of new or expanded fire protection facilities that would have a substantial adverse impact on the environment. Through implementation of 2045 General Plan goals and policies, as described above, the project would maintain acceptable service ratios and response times for fire protection services. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 1b: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered police protection facilities, or the need for new or physically altered police protection facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives? Impact PS-2 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE CITY’S POPULATION AND POTENTIALLY INCREASE DEMAND FOR POLICE PROTECTION SERVICES. ADHERENCE TO PROPOSED 2045 GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES WOULD REDUCE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISION OF POLICE PROTECTION SERVICES TO LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

The City contracts with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services. Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would lead to an increase in development and population in the Planning Area, which may result in the need for additional police protection services. To serve the additional 1,187 residents and 211 new employees (a total of 1,398 people) added to the Planning Area and maintain existing service ratios, the Sheriff’s Office may need to assign additional officers to the Solvang Sheriff Substation. However, it is not anticipated that the number of new officers would require construction of new police facilities.

Several goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element and Safety Element aim to reduce impacts related to the provision of police protection in the Planning Area, including the following:
 Goal PFS-4: To coordinate with law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency service providers to ensure a safe community and protect city residents and property.  Policy PFS-4.1: Police Staffing. The City shall coordinate with the county to ensure adequate staffing and facilities to achieve desired levels of public safety. 855
 Policy PFS-4.2: Community Policing Strategies. The City shall promote community policing strategies that support community partnerships and problem-solving techniques that build public trust and proactively address public safety issues.  Policy SAF-1.4: Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services. The City shall continue to work with Santa Barbara County to maintain local law enforcement and fire protection services in a state of readiness to ensure adequate protection for the citizens of Solvang.

Goal PFS-4 calls for law enforcement to appropriately coordinate to ensure a safe community and protect city residents and property; this goal would be implemented through Policies PFS-4.1 and

4.2, which require adequate police staffing and facilities to achieve desired public safety, as well as the promotion of community policing strategies that support partnership and build public trust.

Policy SAF-1.4 requires the City to work with Santa Barbara County to maintain police protection services in a “state of readiness” to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency.

Implementation of the above goals and policies would ensure that all new development is adequately served by police protection services, reducing the need for additional facilities through proper maintenance and improvement of existing facilities. Additionally, development impact fees, as required under AB 1600, would fund the provision of police protection services in Solvang so that the city may accommodate increased development without a subsequent decrease in police protection services. AB 1600 development fees would apply to new development proposed under the 2045 General Plan.

Therefore, the project would not result in the construction of new or expanded police protection facilities that would have a substantial adverse impact on the environment. Through implementation of 2045 General Plan goals and policies, as described above, the project would maintain acceptable service ratios and response times for police protection services. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant.

Threshold 1c: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered schools, or the need for new or physically altered schools, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives?
Impact PS-3 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD ADD SCHOOLAGED CHILDREN TO SOLVANG. HOWEVER, FACILITIES HAVE ADEQUATE CAPACITY AND NEW DEVELOPMENT

WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY IMPACT FEES, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS WITH REGARDS TO THE PROVISION OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.

As discussed in Section 4.12, Population and Housing, the 2045 General Plan would add an estimated 1,187 new residents and 211 new employees (a total of 1,398 people) to the Planning Area. This city-wide change in population and demographics would result in an increased demand for public services, such as schools. The Solvang School District maintains one school—Solvang Elementary School—which is the only public school within Solvang and serves kindergarten through eighth grade students. The nearest public high school to Solvang is Santa Ynez Valley High School, approximately 1.1-mile east of the City limits, and is part of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School 856
District. The City maintains communication and cooperation with education provider agencies, including the Solvang School District and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District.

Several goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element aim to reduce impacts related to school capacity in the Planning Area, including the following:
 Goal PFS-10: To provide Solvang with distinguished schools, programs, and learning opportunities.
 Policy PFS-10.1: Solvang School District Partnership. The City shall continue to confer with and work jointly with the Solvang School District on issues of mutual interest, including new school sites or facilities.
 Policy PFS-10.2: School District Facility Planning. The City shall continue to forward all residential development proposals to the Solvang School District and the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District for review with regard to school capacity and potential school sites.

Goal PFS-10 from 2045 General Plan aims to provide Solvang with distinguished schools, programs, and learning opportunities; this goal would be implemented through Policy PFS-10.1, which requires the City to confer with the Solvang School District on issues of mutual interest (such as school site planning), and Policy PFS-10.2, which requires the City to forward residential development proposals to both the Solvang School District and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District with regard to school capacity.

According to population estimates released by the United States Census Bureau, in July 2022, approximately 22.3 percent of the population of Solvang was under 18 and of school-age (United States Census Bureau 2022). Assuming that 22.3 percent of the 1,398 new people would be schoolage children, the project would result in the addition of approximately 216 students in the K-8 range, and 96 students in the 9th to 12th grade range (for a total of approximately 312 students), to the city. Considering student rates in Solvang have declined in recent years (See Section 4.13.1[c]), as well as the Solvang Elementary School’s current capacity of 700, this increase in student population would be accommodated by the City’s existing school system. Similarly, the anticipated increase of approximately 96 students would be accommodated by Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, given the current capacity of 1,800 students and that student rates at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School have declined in recent years (See Section 4.13.1[c]).

Furthermore, future residential development projects would be required to pay school impact fees (as quantified under Section 4.13.2[c], California Senate Bill 50) to both districts which, pursuant to Section 65995 (3) (h) of the California Government Code (SB 50, chaptered August 27, 1998), are “deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts of any legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or development of real property, or any change in governmental organization or reorganization.” With payment of mandatory school impact fees by developers in the city, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant. 857
Threshold 1e: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered public facilities, or the need for new or physically altered public facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives?
Impact PS-4 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE CITY’S POPULATION AND POTENTIALLY INCREASE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, INCLUDING LIBRARIES. ADHERENCE TO PROPOSED 2045 GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES WOULD REDUCE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

As discussed in Section 4.12, Population and Housing, the 2045 General Plan would add an estimated 1,187 new residents and 211 new employees (for a total of 1,398 people) to the Planning Area. This increase in population would result in increased demand for public services, such as libraries. The Solvang Library is managed by the City of Goleta, which is part of the Black Gold Cooperative Library System.

There are no specific projects, policies, or implementation actions in the 2045 General Plan to develop a new library within the Planning Area. However, several goals and policies from the 2045 General Plan aim to maintain the provision of library services in the Planning Area, including the following:
 Policy LU-7.4: Library. The City shall support a conveniently located public library facility with appropriate services, public access, and participation.  Policy PFS-10.3: Solvang Library. The City shall continue to support the Solvang Library to improve the library facilities and expand their service to the community.

Policy LU-7.4 requires the City to support a public library facility with appropriate services, public access, and participation. Policy PFS-10.3 requires the City to support the Solvang Library, improve library facilities, and expand the library’s service to the community. Implementation of the above goals and policies would ensure that all new development is adequately served by libraries, reducing the need for additional facilities through proper maintenance and improvement of existing facilities.

Additionally, development impact fees, as required under AB 1600, would fund the provision of library services in Solvang so that the city may accommodate increased development without a subsequent decrease in library services. AB 1600 development fees would apply to new development proposed under the 2045 General Plan.

Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not result in the construction of new or expanded public service facilities, including libraries, that would have a substantial adverse impact on the environment. Through implementation of 2045 General Plan goals and policies, as described above, the 2045 General Plan would maintain acceptable service ratios for public services, including libraries. This impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant. 858
Threshold 1d: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered parks, or the need for new or physically altered parks, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives? Threshold 2: 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?
Threshold 3: 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?
Impact REC-1 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE CITY’S POPULATION AND POTENTIALLY INCREASE DEMAND FOR PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. HOWEVER, COMPLIANCE WITH PROPOSED 2045 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES AND PAYMENT OF

MANDATORY PARKLAND DEDICATION FEES WOULD REDUCE IMPACTS RELATED TO PARKS AND RECREATION TO LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT.

One of the objectives of the 2045 General Plan is to ensure the provision of adequate public facilities, including parks and recreational facilities. According to 2045 General Plan Policy PFS-9.3, park dedication in Solvang is implemented at the ratio of one acre of parkland per 1,000 residents.

The City currently operates approximately 205 acres of parkland, recreational areas, and city facilities that function as community gathering places.

With a current population of 5,644, the city has a ratio of approximately 36 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, which is consistent with the proposed park dedication ordinance. Implementation of the 2045 General Plan would add an estimated 1,187 new residents and 211 new employees (a total of 1,398 people) to the Planning Area, which would increase demand for parks and recreational facilities. Following implementation of the 2045 General Plan and the population increase, the City’s post-project population would be 7,042 and the ratio would be approximately 29 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Thus, despite the anticipated population increase that would result from implementation of the 2045 General Plan, the park dedication ordinance of one acre of parkland per 1,000 residents would be maintained.

The purpose of several goals and policies included in the 2045 General Plan Public Services, and Recreation Element is to ensure the adequate provision of parks and recreational facilities, including the following:
 Goal PFS-7: To provide and maintain park facilities with a range of recreational opportunities for City residents of all ages and abilities.
 Policy PFS-7.1: Recreation Services. The City shall continue to provide and facilitate quality recreational services, including programs, classes, special events, and facilities to all members of the community in a courteous and efficient manner.
 Policy PFS-7.2: Parks and Recreation System. The City shall continue to operate and maintain a parks and recreation system which provides important environmental, social, personal, and economic benefits to meet the needs of the City’s residents.  Policy PFS-7.10 Public Awareness. The City shall increase resident awareness of available park and recreational facilities and opportunities by periodically providing public information and 859
activity guides and maintaining cooperative relationships with local media outlets and local organizations.
 Goal PFS-8: To provide high-quality, cost-effective park operation and maintenance.  Policy PFS-8.1: ADA Compliant Parks and Facilities. The City shall design park and recreation facilities that are ADA accessible and energy and resource efficient.  Policy PFS-8.2: Energy Efficient Parks and Facilities. When creating new, or updating existing park and facility plans, the city should incorporate energy and resource efficient concepts to the extent feasible.
 Policy PFS-8.3: Water Efficient Parks. The City shall use drip irrigation and other water efficient methods in parks to the extent feasible.
 Policy PFS-8.4: Drought Tolerant Landscaping. The City shall use drought tolerant landscaping, solar oriented structures, and structures with natural lighting during daylight hours, where feasible.
 Policy PFS-8.5: Park Facility Maintenance. The City shall reduce City Park facility maintenance costs wherever feasible including use of durable materials.  Policy PFS-8.6: Long-term Park Maintenance and Operating Cost Estimate. The City shall estimate the long-term maintenance and operating costs associated with a proposed project in conjunction with accepting or developing a new park.
 Policy PFS-8.7: Park Net Benefit. The City shall ensure that it receives a net benefit to the City park and recreation system when an existing or proposed park is impacted by private or quasipublic infrastructure and other easements.  Policy PFS-9.3: Quimby Act. The City shall adopt a Quimby Act Park dedication ordinance at the ratio of one acre of parkland for each 1,000 in population added by proposed subdivisions, or payment of park in lieu fees.
 Policy PFS-9.4: Park Grant and Bond Funding. The City shall continue to pursue grants and park bond funding for construction of new parks, major park maintenance projects, or to upgrade or add new facilities to existing parks.

Goal PFS-7 aims to provide and maintain park facilities with a range of recreational opportunities for City residents of all ages and abilities. This goal would be implemented through Policies PFS-7.1, PFS-7.2, and PFS-7.10. Specifically, Policy PFS-7.1 pertains to providing quality recreation services; Policy PFS-7.2 pertains to ensuring the parks and recreation system provides important environmental, social, personal, and economic benefits; and Policy PFS-7.10 aims to increase resident awareness of available park and recreational facilities and opportunities. Goal PFS-8 aims to provide high-quality park operation and maintenance and would be implemented through Policies PFS-8.1 through 8.7. Finally, Policy PFS-9.4 encourages the City to pursue grants and park bond funding for construction of new parks, major park maintenance projects, or to upgrade or add new facilities to existing parks.

Furthermore, per the Quimby Act park dedication ordinance included as Policy PFS-9.3, future residential development projects would be required to pay parkland dedication fees which, pursuant to Section 65995 (3) (h) of the California Government Code (SB 50, chaptered August 27, 1998), are “deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts of any legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or development of real property, or any change in governmental organization or reorganization.” 860
Implementation of the above goals and policies, as well as payment of mandatory parkland dedication fees by developers in the City, would ensure that all new development is adequately served by parks and recreational facilities, reducing the need for additional facilities through proper maintenance and improvement of existing facilities. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not result in the construction of new or expanded parks or recreational facilities that would have a substantial adverse impact on the environment. Considering the anticipated population increase would not result in violation of the proposed park dedication ordinance and service ratio, the 2045 General Plan would not increase the use of existing parks and recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration would occur or be accelerated. Impacts involving parks and recreational facilities would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required because this impact would be less than significant.

4.13.4 Cumulative Impacts
The analysis in this section examines impacts of the 2045 General Plan to the provision of public services throughout the respective service areas for fire services, police services, schools, libraries, and recreational facilities. Cumulative development throughout the cumulative impact analysis area, in combination with the proposed 2045 General Plan, would gradually increase development and population growth and would therefore gradually increase the need for additional public services. The general approach to cumulative impact analysis used in this EIR, as well as the cumulative impact analysis area, is discussed in Section 3, Environmental Setting, Subsection 3.3, Baseline and Cumulative Project Setting.

Fire Protection Services. A cumulative impact to fire services would occur if growth in the service area requires physical expansion of facilities, such as construction of new fire facilities that would result in adverse physical impacts. Station 30, located at 1644 Oak Street, serves Solvang and portions of unincorporated Santa Ynez Valley. Cumulative development within the Station 30 service area, including development within Solvang, would lead to additional demand for fire protection services, resulting in a potentially significant cumulative impact. However, the 2045 General Plan would include goals and policies to reduce the demand for new or expanded fire protection facilities. While development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would generate additional demand, the payment of development fees, as required by AB 1600, for all development under the 2045 General Plan would provide fire department funding to serve new developments.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would have an incremental contribution to cumulative impacts associated with fire protection services, but the contribution would not be cumulatively considerable.

Police Protection Services. Cumulative impacts to police protection services would occur if growth in the service area requires physical expansion of facilities, such as construction of new police facilities that would result in adverse physical impacts. The Solvang Sheriff Substation is located at 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang, and the city has one full-time deputy that serves Solvang. Cumulative development within the City of Buellton and unincorporated Santa Barbara County would not be served by the substation. Because the substation only serves Solvang, cumulative development within Solvang would lead to additional demand for Sheriff services. The 2045 General Plan envisions the future development and growth within Solvang; therefore, the project analysis in Impact PS-2 is, by its nature, a cumulative analysis. Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required to pay development fees, as required by AB 1600, to fund the provision of 861
public services, including police protection services. Therefore, development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to a cumulative impact related to police protection services.

Schools. Cumulative impacts to school facilities would occur if growth within a school district would result in significant adverse physical impacts with the provisions for, or the need for, new or physically altered school facilities. Schools that serve Solvang include the Solvang Elementary School and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. It is likely that nearby, non-Solvang residents would attend these schools. Therefore, the service area for these schools includes Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as Buellton and the surrounding, unincorporated Santa Barbara County. Cumulative development within this service area, including development within Solvang, would lead to additional demand for schools and result in a potentially significant cumulative impact. Cumulative development, including development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, would be required to pay school impact fees at the time building permits are issued. These fees are used by the local school district to maintain existing facilities and expand capacity to accommodate increased enrollment resulting from cumulative development within the school districts’ service boundaries. However, as described under Impact PS-3, these schools would be able to accommodate new and incoming students from new development in Solvang resulting from implementation of the 2045 General Plan, given the current capacity of 700 for the Solvang Elementary School and 1,800 students for the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Because the Solvang School District and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School have adequate capacity to serve development resulting from the 2045 General Plan, the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to a significant cumulative impact regarding school services.

Library Services. Cumulative impacts to libraries would occur if growth in the service area requires physical expansion of facilities, such as construction of new libraries that would result in adverse physical impacts. The Solvang Library is located at 1745 Mission Drive, and is managed by the City of Goleta. It is likely that library services are used by nearby non-Solvang residents. Therefore, the service area for the Solvang Library includes Solvang, as well as Buellton and the surrounding, unincorporated Santa Barbara County. Cumulative development within the Solvang Library’s service area, including development within Solvang, would lead to additional demand for library services and result in a potentially significant cumulative impact. However, library services are maintained and expanded through collection of property taxes from developments within the service area.

Collection of property taxes from all new developments would ensure that libraries are adequately funded to serve new development. In addition, implementation of the 2045 General Plan goals and policies would ensure that all new development is adequately served by libraries, reducing the need for additional facilities through proper maintenance and improvement of existing facilities.

Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not result in the construction of new or expanded public service facilities, including libraries, that would have a substantial adverse impact on the environment. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to a significant cumulative impact regarding library services.

Parks, Open Space, and Recreation. Cumulative impacts to parks and recreational facilities would occur if development and related population growth increase the use of existing facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of those facilities would occur, or if new facilities would need to be constructed or existing facilities expanded that would have an adverse effect on the environment. The service area for the City’s parks and recreational facilities includes Solvang, as well as Buellton and the surrounding, unincorporated Santa Barbara County, as it is likely that parks and recreational facilities are used by nearby non-Solvang residents. However, even with 862
implementation of the 2045 General Plan, there would be 29 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, which is well above the required 1 acre per 1,000 residents. Therefore, cumulative development would not result in significant cumulative impacts to parks. Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan, which would result in additional population growth, would be required to comply with the Quimby Act, which may require parkland dedication or an in-lieu fee and to provide on-site space and recreational amenities. Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would increase the use of existing recreational facilities, but the payment of parkland fees would ensure cumulative projects are served by adequate park and recreational facilities. Therefore, the 2045 General Plan would not have a cumulatively considerable contribution to a significant cumulative impact to park and recreation facilities.

In summary, although the 2045 General Plan would have an incremental contribution to cumulative impacts associated with public services and recreation, the contribution would not be cumulatively considerable. Cumulative impacts would be less than significant. 863

4.14 Transportation
This section evaluates the 2045 General Plan’s potential impact on the local and regional transportation system in Solvang, including potential impacts to vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The regulatory setting in this section is based, in part, on the City’s Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook (City of Solvang 2021a). The analysis in this section is based, in part, on the Traffic Analysis Data Memorandum prepared by DKS Associates in December 2023 (Appendix G).

4.14.1 Setting
a. Roadway Network and Functional Classifications
Solvang is served by a system of streets and paths that enable connections in the city and to the regional transportation system. They are classified by their function with different characteristics and accommodations for modes of travel and access to adjacent land uses. The system supports multiple modes of travel and contains network elements that support vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit travel. The roadway classifications serve as the City’s policy guidance for the development of multi-modal streets and balance all network elements. Descriptions of roadway classifications and their characteristics in Solvang are described below. The location of existing roadways and their classifications are shown in Figure 4.14-1.

State Highways
State highways provide regional access to and from Solvang. One state highway, State Route (SR) 246 runs through Solvang, east-west and provides regional access to Solvang. SR 246 connects with other major transportation routes in the area, including SR 154 located approximately 3.9 miles east of Solvang and United States Route 101 (U.S. 101) located approximately 2.1 miles west of Solvang.

Primary and Secondary Arterials
Primary Arterials serve major activity centers, as well as neighboring areas, and the highest traffic volume corridors to provide a network of continuous routes and facilitate both local and interregional travel.  Mission Drive (SR 246) is the major east-west route through the city that has two travel lanes with intermittent center turn lanes. Mission Drive acts as the city’s main street where many local businesses, restaurants, and hotels are located. Pedestrians commonly use Mission Drive within the Solvang city limits.
 Alisal Road is one of the main north-south arterials in Solvang, classified as a Primary Arterial south of Mission Drive. South of Solvang bridge and Alisal Ranch, Alisal Road transitions into a rural road in the county for 6.5 miles and terminates approximately at U.S. 101 and Old Coast Highway.
 Alamo Pintado Road, at the east end of Solvang, is a two-lane north-south Primary Arterial that starts in Solvang at Mission Drive and terminates at SR 154 in Los Olivos.

Secondary Arterials serve as activity centers and experience less traffic than Primary Arterial.  Alisal Road north of Mission Drive is considered a Secondary Arterial. 864
Figure 4.14-1 Roadway Functional Classification
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Major and Minor Collectors
Collectors provide local access to the overall roadway network, channeling traffic from local roadways into the arterial network. Fredensborg Canyon Road, Chalk Hill Road, Laurel Avenue, Oak Street, Viborg Road, and Fjord Drive are all examples of Collectors in Solvang. Chalk Hill Road is a two-lane local Collector that connects to Ballard Canyon Road. Ballard Canyon Road is another Collector in Solvang that provides a connection from SR 246 west of Solvang to the north at SR 154 in Los Olivos.

Local Roadways
Local roads provide direct access to neighboring land and primarily facilitate local travel. Examples of Local Roads include Skytt Mesa Drive, Old Mission Drive, Maple Avenue, and Elm Avenue. b. Vehicle Miles Traveled
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is a measure used in transportation planning. VMT measures the amount of travel for all vehicles in a geographic region over a given period of time, typically a oneyear period. VMT is calculated by adding up all the miles driven by all the cars and trucks on all the roadways in a region. Since 2005, daily miles traveled within Solvang has increased by 13 percent.

VMT on local roads within Solvang has seen a net increase of nearly 28 percent since 2005.

Approximately 55 percent of the city’s total VMT is on SR 246, with the remaining 45 percent on local roads. As shown in Table 4.14-1, the SBCAG region’s existing VMT per capita is 21.74 and VMT per employee is 25.07.

Table 4.14-1 Existing Vehicle Miles Traveled Summary
Area Scenario VMT 15 Percent Below Existing VMT
SBCAG Region Existing Per Capita (2015) 21.74 18.48
Existing Per Employee (2015) 25.07 21.31
Source: Appendix G
c. Pedestrian and Bicycle Network
Pedestrian Network
Walking as a means of transport has become increasingly popular in Solvang, increasing from 2 percent of commuters in 2014 to 15 percent in 2018. The City’s pedestrian facilities consist of a network of sidewalks and sidewalk ramps which are primarily concentrated in the downtown area and along SR 246 but are also present in proximity to residential neighborhoods. In the downtown area, the City uses pedestrian signage to direct people to common locations. Figure 4.14-2 shows the locations of City-maintained pedestrian facilities.

Bicycle Network
The City’s bicycle network design is guided by the 2019 Santa Ynez Bicycle Master Plan and the City’s Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The Bicycle Master Plan identifies projects and responsibilities to improve the bicycle mobility within Solvang, as well as provide connections to existing bicycle networks with other jurisdictions. Existing bicycle facilities within and surrounding Solvang are 866
shown in Figure 4.14-3. Bikeways are designated in accordance with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) classifications, which are described below:
 Class I Bikeway. Class I Bikeway (Bike Path) is a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians, with crossflows by motorists minimized. City of Solvang bicycle facilities with a Class I classification include SR-246 (north side) between Alamo Pintado Road and Refugio Road.
 Class II Bikeway. Class II Bikeway (Bike Lane) provide a restricted right-of-way designated for the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of bicycles with through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and crossflows by pedestrians and motorist.

Regional facilities and their classifications within Solvang include Alamo Pintado Road from Solvang to Los Olivos (Dan Henry Bike Route).
 Class III Bikeway. Class III Bikeway (Bike Route) provide a right-of-way on-street or off-street, designated by signs or permanent markings and shared with pedestrians and motorists. A Class III bikeway is planned along Viborg Road.
 Class IV Bikeway. Class IV Cycle Tracks or Separated Bikeways promote active transportation and provide a right-of-way designated exclusively for bicycle travel adjacent to a roadway and which are protected from vehicular traffic. No Class IV bikeways currently exist in or are planned for Solvang.
d. Transit
The transit system that provides transit service to Solvang is made up of bus services provided by Santa Ynez Valley Transit (SYVT), City of Lompoc Transit (COLT), and Clean Air Express (CAE). Transit routes and services that are provided within Solvang include the following:
 SYVT Express Route: Route runs between Buellton, Solvang, and Santa Ynez.  SYVT Los Olivos Loop: The Los Olivos Loop runs between Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos.  SYVT: Provides curb-to-curb dial-a-ride service for seniors, ADA certified patrons, and the general public on Sundays.
 COLT Wine County Express: The Wine County Express runs between Lompoc, Buellton, and Solvang.
 CAE Santa Ynez Valley to Goleta: Route runs from Goleta to Buellton and Solvang. The route serves residents of the Santa Ynez Valley commuting to their jobs in Goleta.  CAE Santa Ynez Valley to Santa Barbara: Route runs from the city of Santa Barbara to Buellton.

The route serves residents of the Valley commuting to the city of Santa Barbara.  SMART Breeze 200 Bus: Route runs from Santa Maria to Buellton and Solvang. 867
Figure 4.14-2 City Maintained Pedestrian Facilities
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Figure 4.14-3 Existing Class I, Class II, and Class III Facilities in the Santa Ynez Valley 869

4.14.2 Regulatory Setting
a. Federal Regulations
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation provides a number of grant programs, primarily for the construction and upgrading of major highways and transit facilities. Many of these grants are administered by the State and regional governments. Use of federal grant funding also invokes the National Environmental Protection Act in some cases.
b. State Regulations
Caltrans Authority over the State Highway System
Caltrans is responsible for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of all interstate freeways and state routes. It builds, maintains, and operates the State Highway System in California with a goal to facilitate the safe and efficient use of the state transportation system for all users.

Standards established in Caltrans’ 2020 Transportation Impact Study Guide focus on the VMT metric. The document is intended to be a reference and informational document that aligns with the standards and thresholds established in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research’s (OPR) Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA. This document is available to be used by local governments to uniformly review transportation analysis and assess the operational standards of Caltrans-maintained facilities. The 2020 Transportation Impact Study Guide acts as a replacement for the 2002 Guide for the Preparation of Traffic Impact Studies but is only intended to be used with local land use projects and plans, not to be used for transportation projects on the State Highway System.

AB 32 and SB 375
With the passage of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the State committed itself to reducing statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. CARB is coordinating the response to comply with AB 32.

On December 11, 2008, CARB adopted its Scoping Plan for AB 32, which was subsequently updated in 2013, 2017, and 2022. This scoping plan included the approval of SB 375 as the means for achieving regional transportation related GHG targets. SB 375 provides guidance on how curbing emissions from cars and light trucks can help the State comply with AB 32.

There are five major components to SB 375.

First, regional GHG emissions targets: CARB’s Regional Targets Advisory Committee guides the adoption of targets to be met by 2020 and 2035 for each Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the state. These targets, which MPOs may propose themselves, are updated every 8 years in conjunction with the revision schedule of housing and transportation elements. The MPO for the Santa Barbara County region, including Solvang, is the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

Second, MPOs are required to prepare a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that provides a plan for meeting regional targets. The SCS and Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) must be consistent with each other, including action items and financing decisions. If the SCS does not meet 870
the regional target, the MPO must produce an Alternative Planning Strategy that details an alternative plan to meet the target. The RTP and SCS are further described below.

Third, SB 375 requires that regional housing elements and transportation plans be synchronized on 8-year schedules. In addition, Regional Housing Needs Allocation numbers must conform to the SCS.

Fourth, SB 375 provides California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining incentives for preferred development types. Certain residential or mixed-use projects qualify if they conform to the SCS. Transit-oriented developments also qualify if they: (1) are at least 50 percent residential, (2) meet density requirements, and (3) are within 0.5 mile of a transit stop. The degree of CEQA streamlining is based on the degree of compliance with these development preferences.

Finally, MPOs must use transportation and air emissions modeling techniques consistent with guidelines prepared by the California Transportation Commission. Regional transportation planning agencies, cities, and counties are encouraged, but not required, to use travel demand models consistent with California Transportation Commission guidelines.

SB 743
SB 743, which was signed into law in 2013, directed OPR to develop revisions to the CEQA Guidelines by July 1, 2014 to establish new criteria for determining the significance of transportation impacts and define alternative metrics instead of traffic level of service. SB 743 requires the new criteria to “promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses.” It also states that alternative measures of transportation impacts may include “vehicle miles traveled, vehicle miles traveled per capita, automobile trip generation rates, or automobile trips generated.” SB 743 changes the way that public agencies evaluate the transportation impacts of projects under CEQA by recognizing that roadway congestion, while an inconvenience to drivers, is not itself an environmental impact (PRC Section 21099, subdivision [b][2]).

Office of Planning and Research Screening Thresholds for VMT In accordance with the provisions of SB 743, OPR published the Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (Technical Advisory) in December 2018 to assist local agencies in evaluating potential VMT impacts of a project. The Technical Advisory provides methodologies and thresholds of significance that may be used for project-level analysis of VMT impacts. The Technical Advisory also includes suggested screening thresholds to identify when a project should be expected to cause a less than significant impact without conducting a detailed study. The Technical Advisory suggests lead agencies may screen out of VMT impacts using project size, maps, and transit availability, each of which are briefly discussed below.

Project Size
Absent substantial evidence indicating that a project would generate a potentially significant level of VMT, or inconsistency with an SCS or general plan, projects that generate or attract fewer than 110 trips per day generally may be assumed to cause a less than significant transportation impact.

Map-Based Screening
Residential and office projects that are located in areas with low VMT, and that incorporate similar features (i.e., density, mix of uses, transit accessibility), will tend to exhibit similarly low VMT. Maps created with VMT data can identify areas currently below threshold VMT. Because new 871
development in such locations would likely result in a similar level of VMT, such maps can be used to screen out residential and office projects from needing to prepare a detailed VMT analysis.

Transit Availability
Lead agencies generally should presume that certain projects (including residential, retail, and office projects, as well as projects that are a mix of these uses) proposed within ½ mile of an existing major transit stop1 or an existing stop along a high quality transit corridor2 will have a less-thansignificant impact on VMT. This presumption would not apply, however, if project-specific or location-specific information indicates that the project will still generate significant levels of VMT. c. Local Regulations
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Connected 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy SBCAG is required by State and federal law to prepare, update, and adopt a RTP every four years.

The most recent update to the RTP was completed by SBCAG in 2021 (Connected 2050 RTP/SCS) and sets forth the long-range transportation planning goal describing how the region will meet its transportation needs for the 30-year period from 2020 to 2050. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS provides a collective vision for the region's future that balances transportation and housing needs with social, economic, and environmental goals. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS helps guide future planning efforts and policy decisions that affect transportation, including its relationship with housing and land use, with the goal to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS is based, in part, on SBCAG’s Regional Growth Forecast which projects population and employment data to 2050. SBCAG designates Regional Housing Needs Allocation to jurisdictions based on the Regional Growth Forecast.

The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS includes five goal areas – Environment, Mobility & System Reliability, Equity, Health & Safety, and Prosperous Economy – with respective policies to meet each goal areas, which are expected to result in significant benefits to the region, not only with respect to transportation and mobility, but also economic activity, safety, and social equity (SBCAG 2021).

Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan
The Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan is a component of the County’s Comprehensive Plan which focuses on long-range planning efforts in the Santa Ynez Valley, including transportation improvements. The Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan includes goals, policies, and development standards for transportation facilities in the Santa Ynez Valley, including policies promoting alternative transportation, bicycle facilities, land use patterns that slow roadway degradation, among other policies.
1 Pub. Resources Code, § 21064.3 (“‘Major transit stop’ means a site containing an existing rail transit station, a ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service, or the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.”). 2 Pub. Resources Code, § 21155 (“For purposes of this section, a high-quality transit corridor means a corridor with fixed route bus service with service intervals no longer than 15 minutes during peak commute hours.”). 872
Santa Ynez Valley Bicycle Master Plan
The purpose of this plan is to create a cohesive vision for recreational and utilitarian bicycle travel in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Santa Ynez Valley is governed by four jurisdictions: the County of Santa Barbara, the City of Buellton, the City of Solvang, and the Chumash Nation. Additionally, Caltrans is the owner and operator of three state highways in the study area: SR 154, SR 246, and US 101. Each of these jurisdictions has their own goals and vision for bicycling, yet a cohesive vision is lacking.

Travel by bicycle frequently involves crossing a political boundary and without a cohesive vision, a disjointed and uncoordinated bicycle network can be expected. This plan is intended to fill the subregional gap in bicycle planning (SBCAG 2019).

Santa Ynez River Trail Alignment Study
The Santa Ynez River Trail Alignment Study provides potential routing options for a multimodal trail connecting the cities of Buellton and Solvang. The need for this study is driven by community input, which identified a multimodal connection between the two cities as a desired project in several recent planning documents, most recently the 2019 Santa Ynez Valley Bicycle Master Plan (SBCAG 2020).

Solvang Local Roadway Safety Plan
The City’s Local Roadway Safety Plan addresses traffic safety needs and strategies and provides a framework to improve traffic safety in Solvang. The Local Roadway Safety Plan provides traffic incident analyses, determines high risk locations, establishes goals for traffic safety in Solvang, provides a list of measures to address safety issues at high-risk locations, and identifies safety partners (City of Solvang 2021b).

Solvang Active Transportation Plan
The City is in the process of developing an Active Transportation Plan, anticipated to be adopted in February or March of 2024. Once adopted, the Active Transportation Plan would serve as a guidance document intended to support the provision of a connected bicycle and pedestrian network to provide safe, affordable, and accessible transportation choices in Solvang. The Active Transportation Plan would update Solvang’s existing bicycle network, update the City’s bicycle facility design guidelines, revise the City’s bicycle capital improvement program, establish a future bicycle network, establishes planning level cost opinions to inform capital improvement cost-effectiveness, and establishes a data source to facilitate the development of future bicycle improvements in Solvang. Although subject to change prior its adoption, the draft Active Transportation Plan includes a map of existing and planned bicycle facilities in Solvang, which is provided for informational purposes as Figure 4.14-4 below.
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Figure 4.14-4 Draft Active Transporation Plan Bicycle Facilities 874