dtsc.ca.gov
SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
July 18, 2025
Brandon Smith
Principal Planner
City of Visalia
315 East Acequia Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291
[email protected]
RE: NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 202502 AND CHANGE OF ZONE NO. 202503 DATED JULY 17, 2025, STATE CLEARINGHOUSE # 2025070724
Dear Brandon Smith,
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) reviewed the Negative Declaration (ND) for General Plan Amendment No. 202502 and Change of Zone No. 202503 (Project). The proposed Project will establish a new General Plan land use design
ation and zoning designation of Commercial Mixed Use on approximately 16 acres, on portions of the property facing the frontages of Akers Street and Riggin Avenue. The Project site occupies 20.88 gross acres of undeveloped land, which is seasonally improved for agricultural uses (i.e., row crops). Currently, the Project only affects the land use and zoning designations. No development is proposed in correlation with the Project.
DTSC recommends and requests consideration of the following comment:
When agricultural crops and/or land uses are proposed or rezoned for residential use, several contaminants of concern (COCs) can be present. The Lead Agency shall identify the amounts of Pesticides and Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) historically used on the property. If present, OCPs requiring further analysis are dichlorodiphenyl Brandon Smith
July 18, 2025
trichloroethane, toxaphene, and dieldrin. Additionally, any level of arsenic present would require further analysis and sampling and must meet approved local area baselines or thresholds. If they do not, remedial action must take place to mitigate them below those thresholds. Additional COCs may be found in mixing/loading/storage areas, drainage ditches, farmhouses, or any other outbuildings and should be sampled and analyzed. If smudge pots had been routinely utilized, additional sampling for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and/or T otal Petroleum Hydrocarbons may be required. Please refer to the DTSC’s Human and Ecological Risk Office (HERO) webpage for the most recent guidance and screening levels.
DTSC would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on the ND for General Plan Amendment No. 202502 and Change of Zone No. 202503 Project. Thank you for your assistance in protecting California’s people and environment from the harmful effects of toxic substances. If you have any questions or would like clarification on DTSC’s comments, please respond to this letter or via our CEQA Review email for additional guidance.
Sincerely,
Dave Kereazis
Associate Environmental Planner
HWMPPermitting Division – CEQA Unit
Department of Toxic Substances Control
[email protected]
Brandon Smith
July 18, 2025
cc: (via email)
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
State Clearinghouse
[email protected]
Tamara Purvis
Associate Environmental Planner
HWMP Permitting Division – CEQA Unit
Department of Toxic Substances Control
T [email protected]
Scott Wiley
Associate Governmental Program Analyst
HWMP Permitting Division – CEQA Unit
Department of Toxic Substances Control
[email protected]