Wildomar City Council
December 9, 2024

Table 1-2 Summary of Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, and Levels of Significance After Mitigation Environmental Impact
Level of Significance
Before Mitigation Mitigation Measures
Level of Significance
After Mitigation

5.20 WILDFIRE
Impact 5.20-1: Buildout of the proposed project
would not substantially impair an adopted
emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan.

Potentially Significant See Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 and Mitigation Measure HAZ-2. Less Than Significant Impact 5.20-2: The proposed project would not
exacerbate wildfire risks due to slope,
prevailing winds, and other factors, thereby
exposing project occupants to elevated
particulate concentrations from a wildfire.

Potentially Significant See Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 and Mitigation Measure HAZ-2. Less Than Significant Impact 5.20-3: The proposed project would
require the installation and maintenance of
associated infrastructure in areas that are
undeveloped or vacant, which could
exacerbate fire risk or result in temporary or
ongoing impacts to the environment.

Less Than Significant No mitigation measures are required. Less Than Significant Impact 5.20-4: The proposed project would not
expose people or structures to significant risks,
including downslope or downstream flooding or
landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage changes.

Less Than Significant No mitigation measures are required. Less Than Significant 124
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2. Introduction

2.1 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that all state and local governmental agencies consider the environmental consequences of projects over which they have discretionary authority before taking action on those projects. This draft environmental impact report (DEIR) has been prepared to satisfy CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. The environmental impact report (EIR) is the public document designed to provide decision makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental effects of the proposed project, to indicate possible ways to reduce or avoid environmental damage and to identify alternatives to the project. The EIR must also disclose significant environmental impacts that cannot be avoided; growth inducing impacts; effects not found to be significant; and significant cumulative impacts of all past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects.

Under CEQA, the lead agency is “the public agency which has the principal responsibility for carrying out or approving a project which may have a significant effect upon the environment” (Public Resources Code § 21067). The City of Wildomar has the principal responsibility for approval and implementation of the City of Wildomar Proposed General Plan project. For this reason, the City of Wildomar is the CEQA lead agency for this project.

The intent of this DEIR is to provide sufficient information on the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed General Plan to allow the City of Wildomar to make an informed decision regarding approval of the project. Specific discretionary actions to be reviewed by the City are described in Section 3.4, Intended Uses of the EIR.

This DEIR has been prepared in accordance with requirements of the:
 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended (Public Resources Code, §§ 21000 et seq.)
 State Guidelines for the Implementation of the CEQA of 1970 (CEQA Guidelines), as amended (14 California Code of Regulations, §§ 15000 et seq.)
The overall purpose of this DEIR is to inform the lead agency, responsible agencies, decision makers, and the general public about the environmental effects of the development and operation of the City of Wildomar Proposed General Plan project. This DEIR addresses effects that may be significant and adverse; evaluates alternatives to the project; and identifies mitigation measures to reduce or avoid potentially significant adverse effects.
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2. Introduction

2.2 NOTICE OF PREPARATION
The City of Wildomar determined that an EIR would be required for this project and issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) on September 7, 2023 (see Appendix 2-1). Comments received during the EIR’s public review period, from September 7, 2023, to October 6, 2023, are in Appendix 2-1. Table 2-1, NOP Comment Letters, summarizes the comments received during the public comment period on the NOP.

Table 2-1 NOP Comment Letters
Agency/Organization/Individual Date Summary of Comments Section of EIR Comment is
Addressed
Native American Heritage
Commission (NAHC)
9/9/2023 • The NAHC explains CEQA and the requirement for the lead agency to determine substantial impacts to
historical resources within the project’s area.
• The NAHC explains Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) and
Senate Bill 18 (SB 18), which both have tribal
consultation requirements.
• The NAHC recommends consultation with
California Native American tribes that are
traditionally and culturally affiliated with the
geographic area of the proposed project as early
as possible.
• The NAHC summarizes the requirements for AB 52
and SB 18.
• The NAHC provides recommendations for cultural
resources assessments.

Chapter 5.18, Tribal Cultural
Resources
Riverside County Flood Control &
Water Conservation District
(RivCo)
9/18/2023 • RivCo states that since the District’s storm drain facilities would not be impacted, there would be
no need for permanent drainage, and there are
no Area Drainage Plan fees to be paid.
• RivCo has no further comments since the
proposed project does not involve construction at
this time, but changes under the proposed project
may potentially impact future District facilities.

Chapter 5.10, Hydrology and
Water Quality, and Chapter

5.19, Utilities and Service
Systems
Morongo Band of Mission Indians
(Tribe/MBMI) Tribal Historic
Preservation Office
9/21/2023 • MBMI recommends tribal participation (tribal monitors) during all ground-disturbing activities.
• MBMI requests to initiate AB 52 and SB 18
consultation and requests project information,
such as design and mass grading plans, records
search, geotechnical report, shapefiles for the
project’s area of effect, and tribal participation
during the pedestrian survey.

Chapter 5.18, Tribal Cultural
Resources
California Highway Patrol (CHP)–
Temecula Area
9/28/2023 • The CHP expresses concerns that the proposed project would significantly increase traffic volume
and result in adverse impacts on the CHPTemecula Area’s ability to provide adequate service in the area.
• The CHP states that the General Plan does not
address the impact on roadways outside of the
City and does not address the significant increase
Chapter 5.17, Transportation
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May 2024 Page 2-3
Table 2-1 NOP Comment Letters
Agency/Organization/Individual Date Summary of Comments Section of EIR Comment is
Addressed
of traffic on Interstate 15 or the county roads
leading in/out of the City.

Center for Biological Diversity
(CBD)
10/05/2023 • The CBD requested to be added to the City’s distribution list for the proposed project.

N/A
City of Menifee 10/11/2023 • Menifee notes that the Land Use Plan does not reflect any specific plans, specifically, the
proposed Wildomar Meadows Specific Plan, and
asks for clarification on the proposed land use
changes for the Wildomar Meadows Specific Plan
area.
• Menifee requests the opportunity to review and
provide comments on the Circulation/Mobility
Element.
• Menifee states that the proposed project would
have cumulative impacts on the City of Menifee
Fire Department’s ability to provide acceptable
level of service, and that future developers would
be expected to provide mitigation, and may be
required to enter into an agreement with the City
of Menifee.
• Menifee requests to be notified on all subsequent
actions for this project.

N/A
Chapter 5.15, Public
Services

2.3 SCOPE OF THIS DEIR
The scope of the DEIR was determined based on the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Checklist and comments received in response to the NOP. Pursuant to Sections 15126.2 and 15126.4 of the CEQA Guidelines, the DEIR should identify any potentially significant adverse impacts and recommend mitigation that would reduce or eliminate these impacts to levels of insignificance.

The information in Chapter 3, Project Description, establishes the basis for analyzing future, project-related environmental impacts. However, further environmental review by the City may be required as more detailed information and plans are submitted on a project-by-project basis.

2.4 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
According to Section 15150 of the CEQA Guidelines, an EIR may incorporate by reference all or portions of another document which is a matter of public record or is generally available to the public. The following documents are incorporated by reference into this DEIR, and are available for review at the City of Wildomar Community Development Department at 23873 Clinton Keith Road, Wildomar, California, and online at the address noted below.
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2. Introduction

 City of Wildomar Municipal Code (https://library.qcode.us/lib/wildomar_ca/pub/municipal_code).

The Municipal Code contains regulations that apply to new development and contain standards such as payment of impact fees, building setbacks, permit requirements, hours of operation, and types of land use that implement the General Plan. The Municipal Code also includes requirements for water and wastewater connection, refuse disposal, and subdivision standards. The standards of the Municipal Code may be referenced in this EIR as a means of addressing one or more physical impacts.

2.5 FINAL EIR CERTIFICATION
This DEIR is being circulated for public review for 45 days. Interested agencies and members of the public are invited to provide written comments on the DEIR to Matthew C. Bassi, Community Development Director, at [email protected], or mail comments to 23873 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 110, City of Wildomar, California. Upon completion of the 45-day review period, the City of Wildomar will review all written comments received and prepare written responses for each. A Final EIR (FEIR) will incorporate the received comments, responses to the comments, and any changes to the DEIR that result from comments.

The FEIR will be presented to the City of Wildomar for potential certification as the environmental document for the project. All persons who comment on the DEIR will be notified of the availability of the FEIR and the date of the public hearing before the City.

The DEIR is available to the general public for review at the following locations:
 On the City’s website: https://www.cityofwildomar.org/212/Environmental-Documents-Center  On the City’s General Plan website: https://envisionwildomar2040.com/  In person at the City of Wildomar Planning Department: 23873 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 201, Wildomar, CA 92595

2.6 MITIGATION MONITORING
Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 requires that agencies adopt a monitoring or reporting program for any project for which it has made findings pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081. Such a program is intended to ensure the implementation of all mitigation measures adopted through the preparation of an EIR.

The Mitigation Monitoring Program for the City of Wildomar will be completed as part of the Final EIR, prior to consideration of the project by the City of Wildomar City Council. 128
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3. Project Description

3.1 PROJECT LOCATION
The City of Wildomar is in southwestern Riverside County, California, and is bordered by the City of Lake Elsinore to the north and northwest, unincorporated Riverside County to the west, City of Murrieta to the south, and City of Menifee to the east. Interstate and regional access to the City is provided by Interstate 15 (I-15), which runs in a general north-south direction through the City. Figure 3-1, Regional Location, and Figure 3-2, Citywide Aerial, show the City in its regional and local contexts.

3.2 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
The adopted vision for the City is:
“The City of Wildomar will be a safe and active community with responsible growth and quality infrastructure while keeping a hometown feel.” The City understands that growth will occur and that there is a benefit to directing new growth, and different types of development, into areas best suited for mixed-use and modestly higher densities. As the City is largely comprised of existing low-density neighborhoods, vertical and horizontal mixed-use, townhomes, and higher density, has not been the tradition. Nonetheless the proposed project includes modest mixed-use areas intended to blend new compact development into the small-town character of the City without overwhelming the adjacent neighborhoods. This approach represents a measured step toward integrating nodes of mixed-use into areas where services and transportation routes converge. While the scale of development could be greater, and changes more drastic, this first change in the fabric of the City is intended to reflect the adopted vision.

Objectives for the City of Wildomar Proposed General Plan project will aid decision makers in their review of the proposed project and its potential environmental impacts:

1. Increase jobs in the City to encourage more residents to shop and work locally and reduce commuting out of the City.

2. Maintain and enhance conservation areas.

3. Focus growth along major corridors, thereby reducing change in the neighborhoods.

4. Provide for mixed use development in areas of the City where services and transportation converge, at a density and intensity that is modestly higher than the surrounding neighborhood. 129

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3. Project Description

3.3 PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
“Project,” as defined by the CEQA Guidelines, means:
... the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and that is any of the following: (1)…enactment and amendment of zoning ordinances, and the adoption and amendment of local General Plans or elements thereof pursuant to Government Code Sections 65100–65700. (14 Cal. Code of Reg. § 15378[a]).

3.3.1 Description of the Project
When the City incorporated in 2008, it adopted Riverside County’s General Plan. The project is an update to the City’s General Plan, which will be the first City-specific General Plan for Wildomar. The General Plan is a State-required land use planning document that provides guidance to decision-makers regarding the allocation of resources and the future physical form and character of development in the City. It is the City’s official and overarching policy statement regarding the location, extent, and types of development needed to achieve the community’s physical, economic, social, and environmental goals. Although the General Plan is composed of individual sections, or “elements,” that individually address a specific area of concern, the General Plan embodies a comprehensive and integrated planning approach for the jurisdiction. This section of the DEIR summarizes the Proposed General Plan’s components. More information on the Proposed General Plan is available on the City’s website: https://envisionwildomar2040.com/.

3.3.2 Proposed General Plan
The Proposed General Plan will provide the long-term planning framework for the improvements needed to accommodate the City’s growing population over the 20-year planning horizon. The proposed project is a comprehensive update of the current General Plan to conform with new State laws related to community health, environmental justice, climate adaption, resiliency, and mobility, and to bring long-term growth and fiscal projections into alignment with current economic conditions and state mandates. The Draft General Plan is included as Appendix 3-1, Draft General Plan, to this DEIR.

Proposed General Plan Elements
 Land Use Element: The land use element will address the type, distribution, intensity, and density of land uses within the City. The element will include and support the City’s design standards and address land-use-adjacency issues.
 Circulation Element: This element will include minor revisions to combine the City’s mobility plan and Active Transportation Plan (ATP) documents into a single element.  Recreation and Community Services Element: This element will make sure natural topography and features, such as Murrieta Creek, are integrated in recreational spaces where possible. This element will also address the full range of community services offered to residents in Wildomar. 130
PlaceWorks
Source: Generated using ArcMap 2022.
0 Scale (Miles)
3 City of Wildomar County of Riverside
County of
San Diego
City of Wildomar Boundary
Lake Elsinore
Pacific Ocean
Note: Unincorporated county areas are shown in white.

Figure 3-1 - Regional Location

3. Project Description

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131
PlaceWorks
Source: Generated using ArcMap 2022.
0 Scale (Miles)
1 City of Wildomar Boundary
15 WILDOMAR WILDOMAR

MURRIETA

UNINCORPORATED

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

UNINCORPORATED

RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Bundy Canyon Rd
Grand Ave
Corydon Rd
Mission Trail
Palomar St Wildomar Trl
Clinton Keith Rd
Jackson Ave
Washington Ave
E Lakeshore Dr
Canyon Hills Rd
Railroad Canyon Rd
Murrieta Rd
Ivy St
Figure 3-2 - Citywide Aerial

3. Project Description

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 Open Space and Conservation Element: Wildomar has recreational open space areas and areas of habitat conservation governed by the Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MHSCP). This element is intended to maintain and preserve natural open space in the community.  Noise Element: This element establishes standards for noise that are implemented through the City’s Noise ordinance. The element also notes areas where sensitive uses may not be appropriate because of high existing or proposed noise levels.
 Housing and Safety Elements: The 2021-2029 Housing and Safety Elements have been adopted and are not slated for revision as they comply with state law. The only change to these elements may be to reformat them to match the rest of the Proposed General Plan.  Economic Development Element: This element will establish goals and policies to ensure a balanced mix of land uses that achieve fiscal sustainability and resilience, contribute to a positive quality of life, and reduce the need for in- and out-commuting.
 Climate Action Memorandum: Rather than a stand-alone Climate Action Plan to support communitywide greenhouse gas reductions, the Climate Action Memorandum will provide an analysis of feasible mitigation measures that could be applied to future development projects.

Environmental Justice policies are embedded throughout the relevant elements of the Proposed General Plan.

Proposed General Plan Buildout
During the 20-year planning horizon (referred to as “buildout” throughout this DEIR) of the Proposed General Plan, the City could potentially grow by 8,992 dwelling units, 27,999 residents, 2,965,538 square feet of nonresidential uses, and 6,724 jobs compared to existing conditions, as shown in Table 3-1, Proposed General Plan Buildout.

Table 3-1 Proposed General Plan Buildout
Dwelling Units Population
Non-Residential
Square Footage Employment
Existing 11,988 37,326 2,992,377 5,841
Proposed General Plan 20,980 65,325 5,957,915 12,115
Net Change 8,992 27,999 2,965,538 6,274
Source: City of Wildomar and PlaceWorks 2023
Proposed General Plan Land Use Changes
Changes to the land use designations fall into three categories: Administrative Changes, Land Use Changes Reflecting Ground Conditions, and Focus Area Changes. Figure 3-3, Existing Land Use Plan, and Figure 3-4, Proposed Land Use Plan, show the existing and proposed land use designations in the City. 133

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Administrative Changes
Land use changes as a result of an administrative action were made as a result of addressing opportunities to streamline the land use designations from the Riverside County General Plan (i.e., the City’s current General Plan) to more accurately reflect Wildomar’s specific needs and to eliminate redundancy. For this purpose, the Rural Community (RC) residential designations were combined with the lowest Community Development designations (Estate Density Residential [EDR], Very Low Density Residential [VLDR], and Low Density Residential [LDR]).. Lastly, the Riverside County General Plan Overlays, such as Community Development Overlay (CDO), Community Center Overlay (CCO), Rural Village Overlay (RVO) Rural Village Study Area (RVOSA), Specific Community Development Designation Overlays, and Policy Areas will be eliminated.

Table 3-2, Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table, compares the current General Plan land use designations with the proposed land use designations. Changes to the land use designations under the Proposed General Plan are shown in underline and strikethrough.

Current densities and intensities in most land use categories were unchanged. Additional revisions to the land use designation definitions were made to clarify the guidelines for clustering residences in the Rural Mountainous (RM) designation, indicate a maximum density in the Highest Density Residential (HHDR) designation, expand the allowed uses in the Light Industrial (LI) designation to allow for complementary commercial uses, and better define the Mixed Use Planning Area (MUPA) designation by creating two new distinct mixed-use designations—Mixed Use Low (MUL) and Mixed Use High (MUH). Administrative adjustments were also made to the boundaries of some land use designations to align them with parcel boundaries and eliminate parcels with split designations. 134

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Table 3-2 Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table Current General Plan Proposed General Plan
Designation Description Density New Designation New Description Density Residential
RM: Rural
Mountainous
Single-family residential uses with a minimum lot
size of 10 acres.

Areas of at least 10 acres where a minimum of
70% of the area has slopes of 25% or greater.

Allows limited animal keeping, agriculture,
recreational uses, compatible resource
development (which may include the commercial
extraction of mineral resources with approval of a
SMP) and associated uses and governmental
uses.
10-acre
minimum
RM: Rural Mountainous Single-family residential uses with a minimum lot size of 10 acres.

Areas of at least 10 acres where a minimum of 70% of
the area has slopes of 25% or greater.

Allows limited animal keeping, agriculture, recreational uses, compatible resource development (which may
include the commercial extraction of mineral resources
with approval of a SMP) and associated uses and
governmental uses.

Provides for single-family detached residential uses
within mountainous areas of the City, with a minimum
lot size of 10 acres. Clustering of residential uses on smaller lots is allowed to minimize grading and
alteration of natural landforms, including visually
significant ridgelines, but the total number of units
cannot exceed the 1 unit per 10-acre ratio. Clustering
is also encouraged to avoid sensitive natural habitat
areas and hazardous conditions such as landslides.

Also provides for animal keeping and limited
agriculture.
10-acre minimum
1 du/10 acres
RR: Rural
Residential1
Single-family residences with a minimum lot size of
5 acres.

Allows limited animal keeping and agricultural
uses, recreational uses, compatible resource
development (not including the commercial
extraction of mineral resources) and associated
uses and governmental uses.
5-acre
minimum
RR: Rural Residential
LLR: Large Lot
Residential
Single-family detached residences with a minimum lot
size of 5 acres.

Allows limited animal keeping and agricultural uses,
recreational uses, compatible resource development
(not including the commercial extraction of mineral
resources), and associated uses and governmental
uses.
1 du/5 acres
5-acre minimum
EDR: Estate
Density
Residential
Single-family detached residences on large
parcels of 2 to 5 acres.

Limited agriculture and animal keeping is
permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is
discouraged.

0.2-0.5
du/acre
EDR: Estate Density
Residential
Single-family detached residences on large parcels of
2 to 5 acres in size.

Limited Agriculture and animal keeping is allowed
permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is
discouraged.
1 du/2–5 acres

0.2-0.5 du/acre
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Table 3-2 Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table Current General Plan Proposed General Plan
Designation Description Density New Designation New Description Density EDR-RC:

Estate
Density
ResidentialRural
Community
Single-family detached residences on large
parcels of 2 to 5 acres,
Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and
animal keeping uses are expected and
encouraged.

0.2-0.5
du/acre
EDR-RC: Estate
Density ResidentialRural Community
Single-family detached residences on large parcels of
2 to 5 acres,
Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and animal
keeping uses are expected and encouraged.

0.2-0.5 du/acre
VLDR: Very
Low Density
Residential
Single-family detached residences on large
parcels of 1 to 2 acres.

Limited agriculture and animal keeping is
permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is
discouraged.

0.5-1
du/acre
VLDR: Very Low
Density Residential
Single-family detached residences on large parcels of
1 to 2 acres in size.

Limited Agriculture and animal keeping is allowed
permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is
discouraged.
1 du/1–2 acres

0.5-1 du/acre
VLDR-RC:

Very Low
Density
ResidentialRural
Community
Single-family detached residences on large
parcels of 1 to 2 acres.

Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and
animal keeping uses are expected and
encouraged.

0.5-1
du/acre
VLDR-RC: Very Low
Density ResidentialRural Community
Single-family detached residences on large parcels of
1 to 2 acres.

Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and animal
keeping uses are expected and encouraged.

0.5-1 du/acre
LDR: Low
Density
Residential
Single-family detached residences on large
parcels of ½ to 1 acre.

Limited agriculture and animal keeping is
permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is
discouraged.
1-2 du/acre LDR: Low Density
Residential
Single-family detached residences on large parcels of
½ to 1 acre in size. Limited Agriculture and animal
keeping is allowed permitted, however, intensive
animal keeping is discouraged.
1–2 du/acre
LDR-RC:

Low Density
ResidentialRural
Community
Single-family detached residences on large
parcels of ½ to 1 acre.

Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and
animal keeping uses are expected and
encouraged.
1-2 du/acre LDR-RC: Low Density
Residential-Rural
Community
Single-family detached residences on large parcels of
½ to 1 acre.

Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and animal
keeping uses are expected and encouraged.
1-2 du/acre
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Table 3-2 Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table Current General Plan Proposed General Plan
Designation Description Density New Designation New Description Density MDR:

Medium
Density
Residential
Single-family detached and attached residences
with a density range of 2 to 5 dwelling units per
acre.

Limited agriculture and animal keeping is
permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is
discouraged.

Lot sizes range from 5,500 to 20,000 sq. ft., typical
7,200 sq. ft. lots allowed.
2-5 du/ac MDR: Medium Density
Residential
Single-family detached and attached residences with a
density range of 2 to 5 dwelling units per acre.

Limited agriculture and animal keeping is permitted,
however, intensive animal keeping is discouraged.

Lot sizes range from 5,500 to 20,000 sq. ft., typical
7,200 sq. ft. lots allowed.
2–5 du/ac
MHDR:

Medium High
Density
Residential
Single-family attached and detached residences
with a density range of 5 to 8 dwelling units per
acre.

Lot sizes range from 4,000 to 6,500 sq. ft.
5-8 du/acre MHDR: Medium High
Density Residential
Single-family attached and detached residences with a
density range of 5 to 8 dwelling units per acre.

Lot sizes range from 4,000 to 6,500 sq. ft.
5–8 du/acre
HDR: High
Density
Residential
Single-family attached and detached residences,
including townhomes, stacked flats, courtyard
homes, patio homes, townhouses, and zero lot line
homes.
8-14
du/acre
HDR: High Density
Residential
Single-family attached and detached residences,
including townhomes, stacked flats, courtyard homes,
patio homes, townhouses, and zero lot line homes.
8-14 du/acre
VHDR: Very
High Density
Residential
Single-family attached residences and multi-family
dwellings.
14-20
du/acre
VHDR: Very High
Density Residential
Single-family and multifamily attached and detached
residences, including townhouses, stacked flats,
courtyard homes, patio homes, triplexes, and zero lot
line homes with a density range of 14 to 20 dwelling
units per acre and multi-family dwellings.
14–20 du/acre
HHDR:

Highest
Density
Residential
Multi-family dwellings, includes apartments and
condominium. Multi-storied (3+) structures are
allowed.
20+ du/acre HHDR: Highest Density
Residential
Multifamily attached residences dwellings, including
stacked flats includes apartments and condominium.

Multi-storied (3+) structures are allowed.
20–40 du/acre
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Table 3-2 Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table Current General Plan Proposed General Plan
Designation Description Density New Designation New Description Density Commercial
CO:

Commercial
Office
Variety of office related uses including financial,
legal, insurance, and other office services.

0.35-1.0
FAR
CO: Commercial Office Variety of office related uses, including financial, legal, insurance, and other office services.

0.35–1.0 FAR
CR:

Commercial
Retail
Local and regional serving retail and service uses.

The amount of land designated for Commercial
Retail exceeds that amount anticipated to be
necessary to serve the County’s population at
buildout. Once buildout of Commercial Retail
reaches the 40% level within any Area Plan,
additional studies will be required before CR
development beyond the 40% will be permitted.

0.20-0.35
FAR
CR: Commercial Retail Local and regional serving commercial/retail and service uses. The amount of land designated for
Commercial Retail exceeds that amount anticipated to
be necessary to serve the County’s population at
buildout. Once buildout of Commercial Retail reaches
the 40% level within any Area Plan, additional studies
will be required before CR development beyond the
40% will be permitted.

0.20–0.35 FAR
Mixed Use
MUPA:

Mixed Use
Planning
Area
This designation is applied to areas outside of
Community Centers. The intent of the designation
is not to identify a particular mixture or intensity of land uses, but to designate areas where a mixture
of residential, commercial, office, entertainment,
educational, and/or recreational uses, or other
uses is planned.

N/A MUL: Mixed Use Low This designation provides for neighborhood-serving goods and services and residential uses in a mixeduse format (vertical to horizontal)..With a single parcel, a mix of uses or single use are permitted. No minimum
percentage of any use type is required.
5–30 du/acre for
residential portion;

1.0 FAR for nonresidential
MUH: Mixed Use High This designation is applied throughout the City with a minimum lot size of 2 acres. areas outside of
Community Centers. The intent of this designation is
not to require identify a particular mixture or intensity of land uses, but to designate areas, including
multifamily residential (30% to 50% of the site) and
commercial/office/entertainment/ educational and/or
recreational uses in a mixed-use format (i.e., master
planned).
30–40 du/acre for
multifamily portion;

2.0 FAR for nonresidential
Industrial
BP: Business
Park
Employee intensive uses, including research and
development, technology centers, corporate
offices, “clean” industry and supporting retail uses.

0.25-0.60
FAR
BP: Business Park Employee-intensive uses, including research and development, technology centers, corporate offices,
“clean” industry, and supporting retail uses.

0.25–0.60 FAR
138

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR

3. Project Description
May 2024 Page 3-11
Table 3-2 Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table Current General Plan Proposed General Plan
Designation Description Density New Designation New Description Density LI: Light
Industrial
Industrial and related uses including
warehousing/distribution, assembly and light
manufacturing, repair facilities, and supporting
retail uses.

0.25-0.60
FAR
LI: Light Industrial Industrial and related uses, including warehousing/distribution, assembly and light
manufacturing, repair facilities, and supporting retail uses. Also provides a suitable location for start-up
businesses and “maker” spaces for breweries, arts
and crafts, clothing, food, and similar small-scale
industries.

0.25–0.60 FAR
Other
OS-R: Open
Space
Recreation
Recreational uses including parks, trails, athletic
fields, and gold courses. Neighborhood parks are
permitted within residential land uses.

N/A OS-R: Open Space
Recreation
Recreational uses including but not limited to
public/private parks, trails, athletic fields, and golf courses. Neighborhood parks are permitted within
residential land uses.

N/A
OS-CH:

Open Space
Conservation
Habitat
Applies to public and private lands conserved and
managed in accordance with adopted Multi
Species Habitat and other Conservation Plans.

N/A OS-CH: Open Space
Conservation Habitat
Applies to public and private lands conserved and
managed in accordance with adopted Multispecies
Habitat and other conservation plans.

N/A
PF: Public
Facilities
Civic uses such as County administrative buildings
and schools.

0.60 FAR PF: Public Facilities Civic uses such as County City administrative buildings and schools.

0.60 FAR
FAR = Floor Area Ratio, du = Dwelling Unit, N/A = Not Applicable 1 The RR: Rural Residential Land Use Designation is different than the R-R (Rural Residential) Zoning Designation. 139
o!
c"
¨!
^
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 MURRIETA

LAKE ELSINORE

WILDOMAR
OVERLAY: CCO
OVERLAY:

MUPAO

LAKE ELSINORE

PALOMAR ST
I 15 S

BUNDY CANYON RD
ITH RD

PALOMAR ST

WILDOMAR RD

CLINTON KEITH RD

GRAND AVE

WILDOMAR TRL

GRAND AVE

WILDOMAR

ELEMENTARY

ELSINORE HIGH
HAYMAN
(JEAN)

ELEMENTARY

REAGAN (RONALD)

ELEMENTARY

COLLIER
(WILLIAM C)

ELEMENTARY
BROWN
(DAVID A)
MIDDLE
GRAHAM
(DONALD)

ELEMENTARY

SCALES WAY

FALCONER DR

DANNY LN

ARBOLADO LN

CORYDON RD

GILL LN

ROBERT ST

BEAR CREEK DR S

GARBANI RD

THE FARM RD

SAINT RAPHAEL DR

MALAGA RD

VIA MORENO

GREER RD

CATT RD

JACKSON AVE

CHERRYWOOD DR

WICKERD RD

ORANGE ST

VIA MALAGAS

LINE DR

ONTARIO WAY

SCOTT RD

HARVEST WAY E

DARCY ST

PALM AVE

BRYANT ST

LORING RD

PASADENA ST

JAN AVE

CHARLES ST

VIA CEDRO

SILVER FOX CT

DOHENY CIR

VIA OLIVIA

CHACO CANYON RD

LAGUNA RD

LEXI LN

COUNTRY PARK DR

GAFFORD RD

MORNING DOVE LN

ARNETT RD

PLOWSHARE RD

ALMOND ST

DOROF CT

LA ESTRELLA RD

VALLEY VISTA CIR

LAFAYETTE DR

GINGERBREAD DR

ALEXIS LN

BRILLANTE DR

CARNATION LN

ABELIA ST

ALBERT ST

UNION ST

RAYMOND ST

POPLAR CREST RD

TWINFLOWER AVE

DELCA LN
AVE

NAVUT AVE

DAVID LN

MESA DR

PENROSE ST

PALM AVE
N

CERVERA RD

TAMERRON WAY

AVENIDA FLORITA

HORSETAIL ST

VIA SARAH

COTTONWOOD CANYON RD

VIA BAYA

BEVERLY ST

ROSITA DR

EDWARD AVE

MCVICAR ST

FOX DEN RD

MADISON AVE

MADORA DR

VIA BARLETTA
HO

MOUNTAIN PRIDE DR

TEMET ST

VIA DE GEMA LINDA

SPINNING WHEEL DR

MURRIETA RD

IRIS LN

WAITE ST

VIA SEGOVIA

SHERI LN

SUGARBUSH LN

SHOAL CREEK DR

TRILLIUM DR

MELIDO ST

BYERS ST

BALSAM ST

ELIZABETH LN

CANNERY RD

YUCCA ST

VIEW CREST DR

DURANGO CT

GIERSON AVE

TINDERBOX WAY

VILLAGE PKWY

MONTE VISTA DR

GOLDEN PHEASANT LN

OLD COACH RD

CADENZA DR

SHEILA LN

CORKTREE RD
I 15 S

MILL POND DR

EL DIAMANTE DR

VINE ST

BILLIE ANN RD

GROVE ST

MUSTANG SPIRIT LN

ADAMS AVE

BEAR CREEK DR N

CAMEO LN

SENNA DR
CIR

SUSAN DR

WALDON RD GEARY ST
DGE DR
TROYE

WINDING WAY

ROOSTER RD

WING ELM CIR

FIVE TRIBES TRL

PRAIRIE RD

BOUVIER CT

SPRUCE AVE

BUTCHART ST
WHITE

PASEO MONTANA

OLIVE ST

RAYNOR LN

SARATOGA SPRINGS PL

CHWOOD DR

WESLEY ST

PABESU RD

PENROSE ST

ENGLEMANN OAK ST

SAUER RD

LEWIS ST

ALAMEDA DEL MONTE

UNION ST

RUTH AVE
ELM ST

VIA HUERTA

PRIELIPP RD

CRYSTAL WAY

CERT ST

BEECHER ST

MORNING GLORY DR

WAITE ST

LESLIE ST

WOODEN HORSE TRL

MESA DR

CLAREMONT ST

MAJOR LEAGUE

ALMOND ST

WOSHKA LN

GRUWELL ST

LOST RD

TRAILWOOD CT

LA ESTRELLA RD

HIDDEN SPRINGS RD

CORAL ROCK LN

PASHAL PL

BUTTERCHURN RD

BETHEL ST

SKYLARK DR

CHERT LN

DIAMOND DR

NIKKI LN

LAKEVIEW TER

COLONY DR

PUMICE LN

ORANGE ST

EVANS RD

VILLA DEL SOL
CALLE

CASHEW ST

CANYON DR

NICE AVE

TUCKER RD

OLIVE ST

WICKERD RD

VIA MAJORCA

TEIL GLEN RD

WOODCREEK LN

MANZANITA RD

MURANO ST

CALIFORNIA OAKS RD

BATTERS CIR

BRECKENRIDGE TRL

SPRING MEADOW DR

WALNUT ST

ORCHARD ST

STABLE LANES RD

SPINDLE WAY

GRIZZLY RIDGE DR

SONATA DR

WINDTREE AVE

NUTMEG ST

CHERRY ST

OAK CIRCLE DR

ELBERTA RD

DAILY RD

PEGGY LN

WINDMILL RD

IODINE SPRINGS RD

WHEELER ST

RAYMOND ST ORTIZ PL SUNSET AVE

KAGEL ST

LOQUAT ST

ACACIA ST

ENNIS ST

WYMAN RD
FIR ST

DARBY ST

CHERRY ST

PECAN ST

ORANGE ST

DEBON ST

DUNN ST

CARL ST

MAPLE ST

KELLER RD

HAYDEN LN
TRL

WILDOMAR RD

JEFFERSON AVE

ILLINOIS ST

FRONT ST

GRAND VIEW DR

CROOKED ARROW DR

UPTON DR

ROBARDS WAY

ARRON CT

NWOOD CANYON RD

SYCAMORE CREE

DEPASQUALLE RD

MEDINA CT

IONE LN

NAVAJO SPRINGS RD BLONDON CT

HARVEST WAY

WANKI AVE

JEROME LN

HAYDEN RD

WILSON ST

GRAPE ST

VIA ESTRADA

JANA LN

WRIGHT RD

SELLERS RD

SUSAN DR

PASADENA ST

KETTLE RD

HIDDEN TRL

SUMMERLY PL

GREAT FALLS RD

ORCHARD ST

CORTE ALBARA

LOQUAT ST

MOMAT AVE

TRIG RD

CHIVE ST

KELLER RD

WILDOMAR TRL
L

AMADO LN

CELESTE WAY

CORAZZA

COMO ST

SEDCO HEIGHTS DR

ALAMEDA DEL MONTE

OKUMA RD
KYLE

STOCK ST

CANYON RANCH RD

CORINTH DR

DAYTON AVE

VIRGO WAY

VIA AMAPOLA

ASTER DR

ENDERLEIN ST

ELROY RD

LA ESTRELLA RD

VISTA DEL AGUA

GLEN LN

NUTMEG ST

EVIEW DR
MASCOT

COLONY DR

LINNY CT

VILLAGE PKWY

FREDERICK ST

MISSION TRL

MISSION TRL

BOVARD ST

CLUB VIEW DR
KATH

BANBURY CT

SHADY LN

KYLE CT

ORLEANS LN

WALDON RD

DELOS CT

JENNIFER DR

MATADOR WAY

BAXTER RD ONRP

SNELLEN RD

VIA PAMILLA

LEMON ST

WRIGHT RD

ADJER ST

BARNES LN

COMO ST

VIA TONADA

KILARNEY LN
I 15 S

WOODS LN

DIAL RD

BUNNY TRL

YAMAS DR
EVANS

CORYDON ST

HELEM LN

HIGHLAND ST

BATSON LN

RIDGE OAK RD

VIA MARISA

PENCIN RD

GARDEN ST

ARNOLD LN

HIDDEN TRL

REFA ST

CRESCENT AVE

CHATENAY LN

VIA VISTA GRANDE

OSA AVE

VALLE VISTA RD

BUNDY CANYON RD ONRP

HICKORY LN

BUNDY CANYON RD ONRP

DIANTHUS LN
BAXTER RD ONRP TO I 15 N

TOOLE RD

VIA ASTUTO

COLMAR LN

SALIDA DEL SOL

VERDUN LN

KEVIN RD

CIELO VISTA WAY

CITRUS HILL RD

SUNSET AVE

BAYLESS RD

BOUDREAU LN

MAPLES RD

RACITI RD

STORY RD

SKYLARK AIRPORT RD

LYNX RD

SHAUNA CHARMAIN LN

ELSINORE HEIGHTS
NO DR

CRAB HOLLOW CIR

EVANDEL RD

O NEAL RD

ARCADIA LN

CALLE DE LOBO

FREDERICK ST
I 15 N

WILDOMAR TRUCK TRL
I 15 N
I 15 S

CLEVELAND

NATIONAL
FOREST
LAKE

ELSINORE MX
PARK

ANTIGUA PARK
COPPER

CANYON PARK

CRYSTAL

AIRE PARK
ECHO
CANYON
PARK

MURRIETA YOUTH

SOCCER FIELDS

GLEN ARBOR
PARK

MOUNTAIN

PRIDE PARK
PARK 28B
PARK 35

SYCAMORE
PARK
VALLEY

VISTA PARK

GRIZZLY
RIDGE
PARK

BLACKMORE

RANCH PARK
MARNA
OBRIEN
PARK

WINDSONG PARK

REGENCY

HERITAGE
PARK
CR
EDR

CR OS-CH
VHDR
VLDR
LDR
RM
LDR
LDR
CR
LDR
MDR
OS-R
MDR
MDR
CR
LDR
RR
MUPA
LDR
CO
VLDR
MHDR
CR
CR
MHDR
VHDR
VLDR
VHDR
MDR
OS-R
MDR
MDR
MDR
MDR
LDR

MDR MHDR
CR

MDR OS-R

MDR MDR
MDR
MDR
BP
RM
VHDR

CR BP MDR
MHDR
VLDR
RM
MDR
MDR
LDR-RC
MDR
RM
VLDR
MUPA
MHDR

LDR VHDR
VLDR
EDR-RC
CR
LI
LI
MDR
OS-R
OS-R
MDR
OS-R

LDR RM OS-R LI
MHDR
MDR
RM
RR
EDR
MDR

LDR MDR
MDR
MDR
BP
MHDR
MHDR
MDR
RR
OS-R
CR

LDR OS-R
EDR-RC
MHDR
BP
MDR
CR
MDR
VLDR
RR
OS-R
MDR
MDR
MHDR
MDR
CR
CR
CR
LDR-RC
LDR-RC

LDR-RC RR

VLDR-RC
MDR
CR

OS-R MDR
EDR
LDR
MDR
MDR
RM
MDR
MDR
MDR
LDR
PF
MDR
MHDR
LI
EDR-RC
MDR
MDR LI
LDR
RM
RM
FWY
MDR
OS-R
MDR
RM
MHDR
PF
RR
CR
CR LDR
LDR
MDR
MHDR
LDR
CR
EDR
MDR
LI
MDR
PF
EDR-RC
CR
MUPA
LDR
MDR
CR RM
MDR
CR
CR
MDR
VLDR
RM
MDR
MDR
MHDR
CR
MDR
CR
CR
BP
LI
CR
MDR
CR
BP
PF
CR
CR
VLDR
MDR
MDR
PF
LDR
VLDR
MDR
MHDR
MHDR
BP
LI CR
CO
CR
CR
MUPA
MUPA
MHDR
MHDR

LI OS-CH
EDR-RC
EDR-RC
CR
EDR-RC
VHDR
MDR
CR
MDR
HHDR
HHDR
MHDR
HHDR
CR
HHDR
VHDR
HDR
CR
MUPA
MUPA
VHDR
CR
VHDR
MUPA
BP
HHDR
HDR

INLAND VALLEY

REGIONAL

MEDICAL CENTER

MISSION
TRAIL

LIBRARY

WILDOMAR FS

WILDOMAR

CITY HALL

WILDOMAR

CEMETERY

US POST
OFFICE
Source: City of Wildomar 2022.

PlaceWorks
0 Scale (Miles)
1 15
City of Wildomar Boundary
Figure 3-3 - Existing Land Use Plan

3. Project Description

VIA HUERTA

VIA MAJORCA
ESTA

KYLE CT

AVENIDA DE ARBOLES

GENERAL PLAN OVERLAY

COMMUNITY CENTER

MIXED USE PLANNING AREA

LAND USE
Rural Mountainous
Estate Density Residential
EDR-RC
Very Low Density Residential

VLDR-RC
OTHER
5 SCHOOLS
^ CITYHALL
¨! FIRESTATION
o! HOSPITAL
c" LIBRARY
PARKS
CLINTO

BEAR CRE

SHOAL CREEK DR

QUAIL RIDGE DR

SKY HIGH DR
Commercial Office
Light Industrial
Business Park
Public Facilities
Mixed Use Planning Area
Conservation Habitat
Open Space Recreation
Freeway

CALLE NINAS
VIA V
Rural Residential
Low Density Residential
LDR-RC
Medium Density Residential
Medium High Density Residential
High Density Residential
Very High Density Residential
Highest Density Residential
Commercial Retail
Other
General Plan Overlay
Land Use
Community Center
Mixed Use Planning Area
Schools
Cityhall
Firestation
Hospital
Library
Parks

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR
140
Source: City of Wildomar 2020.

PlaceWorks
0 Scale (Miles)
1 City of Wildomar Boundary
Figure 3-4 - Proposed Land Use Plan

3. Project Description

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR
LLR
EDR
VLDR
LDR
MDR
MHDR
HDR
HHDR
VHDR
Large Lot Residential
Estate Density Residential
Very Low Density Residential
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
Medium High Density Residential
High Density Residential
Very High Density Residential
Highest Density Residential
MUL
MUH
Mixed Use Low
Mixed Use High
PF Public Facilities
BP
CO
CR
LI
Business Park
Commercial Office
Commercial Retail
Light Industrial
OS-R
OS-CH Conservation Habitat
Open Space Recreation
RM Rural Mountainous
Other Jurisdictions
Parcels
15 141

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR

3. Project Description

Land Use Changes Reflecting Conditions on the Ground
The second category of revisions comprises changes made to land use designations to reflect existing “on the ground” conditions. This includes areas of the City where residential designations were adjusted to reflect current, lower densities; address community desires for maintaining large-lot properties; and prevent smaller subdivisions. Changes were also made to apply the Public Facilities (PF) designation more consistently throughout the City.

Focus Area Changes
The final category of revisions includes revisions meant to guide future change in nine focus areas and along key corridors. Figure 5.1-1, Proposed Focus Areas, in Section 5.1, Aesthetics, of this DEIR, shows the locations of the focus areas. The changes recommended for each focus area are:
 Focus Area 1, Sedco Neighborhood: Maximum residential densities are reduced to better align with current densities. The Mixed Use Low (MUL) designation, with a density range of 5 to 30 dwelling units per acre and maximum FAR of 1.0, is applied to properties along Mission Trail to reflect the existing mixture of lower density residential and commercial uses and to allow for flexibility in future uses.  Focus Area 2, Corydon Corridor: The Mixed Use High (MUH) designation, with a density range of 30 to 40 dwelling units per acre and maximum FAR of 2.0, is applied to the large parcel at the corner of Corydon Road and Grand Avenue, across from the existing commercial center. The Commercial Retail (CR) designation is applied to the large parcel at the corner of Corydon Road and Palomar Street at the request of a property owner and because of limitations on future usage related to seismic hazards. The Mixed Use Low (MUL) designation is applied to the rest of the area to provide flexibility in future uses at a scale that is sensitive to adjacent residential areas.  Focus Area 3, Bundy Canyon Commercial Center: Commercial use is retained in this area to protect it as a future retail center. On the west side of the area, adjacent to Elsinore High School and existing residential neighborhoods, low density residential and mixed use designations are applied to respect and maximize those adjacencies.
 Focus Area 4, “Old Town:” At the intersection of Palomar Street and Wildomar Trail, commercial use is retained, with the possibility for event and community spaces with a unique character befitting this “heart” of the City. The Mixed Use Low (MUL) designation was applied along Wildomar Trail to allow for flexible uses in this important corridor connecting two of the City’s future centers of activity.

However, the Planning Commission has recommended that those parcels previously identified as Mixed Use Low between Palomar Street and Cervera Road be changed to Commercial Retail (CR). A parcel east of Cervera Road is recommended for change from Light Industrial (LI) to Mixed Use High (MUH) to allow flexibility to integrate with the adjacent mixed use development.  Focus Area 5, Wildomar Trail Activity Center: Across from the Baxter Village Mixed-Use Project, the Mixed Use High (MUH) designation is applied to maximize the opportunity to create a center of commercial and residential activity oriented around prime freeway access and visibility. 142

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR

3. Project Description
May 2024 Page 3-15
 Focus Area 6, Clinton Keith Neighborhood Center: At the western terminus of the City’s primary commercial thoroughfare, a low density mix of uses is allowed along Clinton Keith Road. To the south, residential designations are standardized at a density consistent with existing development to the east.  Focus Area 7, Hidden Springs Development District: Mixed Use High (MUH) is applied to allow for maximum flexibility for this large vacant property adjacent to the City’s commercial heart. A future Specific Plan for this area will allow for consideration of a more fine-grained distribution of uses.  Focus Area 8, Re-dustrial Village: The updated Light Industrial (LI) designation is applied to allow for small-scale manufacturing and complementary commercial services, like a micro-brewery, etc., that could leverage the regenerative agricultural uses envisioned for the future college site and fulfill the area’s potential as an economic engine for the City.
 Focus Area 9, Palomar/Wesley Neighborhood: Existing commercial uses are preserved, while allowing for medium density residential uses on vacant land.

3.3.3 Proposed Zone Changes
The Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map will also be updated to reflect the changes in the Proposed General Plan and will be adopted with, or soon after adoption of, the Proposed General Plan.

As part of the proposed project a comprehensive update to the zoning code will be completed to implement the Proposed General Plan and to better represent the City. If the revisions are completed in time, the revised zoning code will be adopted with the Proposed General Plan, otherwise the new zoning code will be adopted soon after. While the complete text of the zoning code is not available at this time, key elements of the update include:

1. Renaming Zone Titles. The current zone district titles are linked to Riverside County’s zone districts.

To clearly differentiate between County and City zoning, the titles of some zone districts are going to be changed. Table 3-3, Existing and New Zone District Titles, reflects the existing and proposed name changes.

The existing land use standards for the renamed zones will remain unchanged. 143

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR

3. Project Description

Table 3-3 Existing and New Zone District Titles
Previous (Existing) Zone Name New Zone
R-A: Residential Agriculture R-A: Residential Agriculture R-R: Rural Residential R-R: Rural Residential
N/A R-M: Residential Mountainous
R-1: One Family Dwelling R-1: Residential Low
R-2: Multiple-Family Dwelling R-2: Residential Medium
R-3: General Residential R-3: Residential Medium High
R-T: Mobile Home Subdivision/Park R-T: Mobile Home Subdivision/Park C-1/C-P: General Commercial C-G: Commercial General
C-P-S: Scenic Highway Commercial C-H: Commercial Highway I-P: Industrial Park M-I: Manufacturing/Industrial
R-5: Open Space Residential O-S: Open Space
N/A MUL: Mixed Use – Low
N/A MUH: Mixed Use-High

2. Removal of 23 Unnecessary Zone Districts. Table 3-4, Disposition of Existing Zone Districts, shows zone districts that were removed as they do not apply to the City of Wildomar or were combined with other zone districts. One intent of the update to the zoning code is to make it more reflective of the City and less of the entire Riverside County.

Table 3-4 Disposition of Existing Zone Districts
Current Zone Name Action
A-D Agriculture – Dairy Delete
A-1 Light Agriculture Delete
A-2 Heavy Agriculture Delete
A-P Light Agriculture with Poultry Delete
Residential Zones
R-1 One-Family Dwelling N/A
R-1A One-Family Dwelling Mountain Resort Delete
R-2 Multiple-Family Dwelling N/A
R-2A Limited Multiple-Family Dwelling Delete
R-3 General Residential N/A
R-3A Village Tourist Residential Delete
R-4 Planned Residential N/A
R-5 Open Space Combing Zone, Residential
Developments
Change to O-S, Open Space
144

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR

3. Project Description
May 2024 Page 3-17
Table 3-4 Disposition of Existing Zone Districts
Current Zone Name Action
R-6 Residential Incentive Delete
R-A Residential Agriculture N/A
R-R Rural Residential N/A
R-T Mobile Home Subdivisions and Mobile Home Parks N/A
R-T-R Mobile Home
Subdivision Rural
Delete
R-R-O Rural Residential, Outdoor Advertising Delete
Commercial Zones
C-1 and C-P General Commercial Change to C-G, Commercial General C-P-S Scenic Highway Commercial Change to C-H, Commercial Highway C-R Rural Commercial Delete
C-O Commercial Office Change to C-G, Commercial General Industrial, Manufacturing, Other Zones
I-P Industrial Park Change to M-I, Manufacturing/Industrial M-SC Manufacturing-Service Commercial Delete
M-M Manufactured- Medium Delete
M-H Manufactured- Heavy Delete
M-R Mineral Resources Delete
M-R-A Mineral Resources and Related Manufacturing Delete S-P Specific Plan Delete
C-V Citrus/Vinyard Delete
C-C/V Commercial Citrus/Vinyard Delete
W-1 Watercourse, Watershed, and Conservation Areas Delete W-2 Controlled Development Ares with Mobile Home Delete W-E Wind Energy Resource Delete
R-D Regulated Development Areas Delete
N-A Natural Assets Delete

3. Three New Zone Districts. The Proposed General Plan has a Mixed Use Low and Mixed Use High zone that allow for a mix of non-residential and residential uses either vertically (in the same building) or horizontally (on the same site but not necessarily in the same building). Additionally, while there are steep slopes and resource conservation areas where development will likely never occur, the City does not have an open space zone district to limit or prohibit development that does not also allow housing. The revised zoning code will have an Open Space zone that will reflect the need of the land. 145

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR

3. Project Description

4. Zone Intensities and Densities. Apart from the Mixed Use zone districts, the densities and intensities of the zones will remain consistent with the existing zoning code. The Mixed Use zone districts will match the General Plan Land Use Designations. See Table 3-5, Zone District and Land Use Designation.

Table 3-5 Zone District and Land Use Designation
Zone District Name Implementing General Plan Land Use Designation R-M Residential Mountainous RM Rural Mountainous
R-A Residential Agricultural LLR Large Lot Residential
R-R Rural Residential EDR,
VLDR,
LDR
Estate Density Residential
Very Low Density Residential
Low Density Residential
R-1 Residential Low MDR Medium Density Residential
R-2 Residential Medium MHDR
HDR
Medium High Density Residential
High Density Residential
R-3 Residential Medium High VHDR Very High Density Residential R-4 Residential High HHDR Highest Density Residential
R-T Mobilehome Subdivisions and Mobilehome Park Any Residential Designation C-G Commercial General CO,
CR
Commercial General or Commercial Highway
C-H Commercial Highway CO,
CR
Commercial General or Commercial Highway
M-I Manufacturing/Industrial BP, LI Business Park or
Light Industrial
O-S Open Area Combining Zone OS-R, OSCHOpen Space Recreation Open Space Conservation Habitat
MUL Mixed Use Low MUL Mixed Use Low
MUH Mixed Use High MUH Mixed Use High

5. Implementing State Law for Housing. The zoning code will include revisions to the density bonus law, low barrier navigation centers, and supportive and transitional housing consistent with state law and the policies of the City’s Housing Element. In all instances the changes reflect existing state law.

6. Clarifying Permit and Entitlement Process. Consideration and approval of projects will be streamlined following the CEQA statutory and categorical exemptions. If a project qualifies for an exemption, consideration will generally be at the Director level.

7. Commercial Zone Uses. To encourage micro businesses and experiential commercial, both the commercial land uses and design standards will be revised to encourage more outdoor dining, sales, and farmer’s markets.

8. Home Occupations. Changes to the requirements to allow for better regulation of home occupations including the types of home occupations, when customers can visit the home, or how many employees is acceptable.
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9. Recreational Vehicle Parking and Usage. Update of requirements of where and how long recreational vehicles can be parked and occupied on property.

10. Short Term Rentals. Changes include how and if properties qualify for short-term rentals, management expectations and contact information.

11. Accessory Structures. Modification of the location and sizing of accessory structures.

12. Consolidate Definitions into Single Location. Currently definitions are spread throughout the zoning code text in individual sections. This revision will consolidate all of the definitions into a single chapter.

13. Change from Text to Table Based Regulations. Many of the current regulations require reading of text to determine development standards. The revised code relies on tables to clearly express the standards and make everything more accessible for the public.

14. Map Changes to Reflect Land Use Diagram. Following adoption of General Plan and the land use diagram, the zoning map for the City will be revised to both match the newly adopted General Plan, and reconcile conflicts between existing land uses that are already developed and the zone district.

Additionally, a Climate Action Memorandum will be prepared that will include an analysis of feasible mitigation measures that could be applied to future development projects.

3.4 INTENDED USES OF THE EIR
This DEIR addresses various actions by the City and others to adopt and implement the General Plan. It is the intent of the DEIR to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed project, thereby enabling the City of Wildomar, other responsible agencies, and interested parties to make informed decisions with respect to the requested entitlements. The anticipated approvals required for this project are listed here.

Lead Agency Action
City of Wildomar City Council
 Certification of the Program EIR
 Adoption of the Wildomar General Plan and corresponding Consistency Zone Changes
 Adoption of the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations (if required)
 Adoption of the Mitigation Monitoring Program
 Adoption of any ordinances, guidelines, programs, actions, or other mechanisms that implement the Wildomar Proposed General Plan  Adoption of the updated Zoning Code
Trustee Agency Action
California Department of Fish and Wildlife and
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
 Approval of take permits
 Overseeing implementation of MSHCP
South Coast AQMD  Issuance of permits
Riverside County Flood Control District  Discretionary actions needed to comply with the Proposed General Plan 147
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4.1 INTRODUCTION
This section provides a “description of the physical environmental conditions in the vicinity of the project, as they exist at the time the notice of preparation is published, ... from both a local and a regional perspective” (CEQA Guidelines § 15125[a]), pursuant to provisions of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines The environmental setting provides the baseline physical conditions from which the lead agency will determine the significance of environmental impacts resulting from the proposed project.

4.2 REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

4.2.1 Regional Location
The City of Wildomar is in southwestern Riverside County, California, and is bordered by the City of Lake Elsinore to the north and northwest, unincorporated Riverside County to the west, City of Murrieta to the south, and City of Menifee to the east. Interstate and regional access to the City is provided by Interstate 15 (I-15), which runs in a general north-south direction through the City. Figure 1-1, Regional Location, and Figure 1-2, Citywide Aerial, show the City in its regional and local contexts.

4.2.2 Regional Planning Considerations
Southern California Association of Governments
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is a council of governments representing Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. SCAG is the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization for this region, which encompasses over 380,000 square miles.

SCAG is a regional planning agency and a forum for addressing regional issues concerning transportation, the economy, community development, and the environment. SCAG is also the regional clearinghouse for projects requiring environmental documentation under federal and state law. In this role, SCAG reviews proposed development and infrastructure projects to analyze their impacts on regional planning programs.

The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) was adopted by SCAG in September 2020. Major themes in the 2020 RTP/SCS include integrating strategies for land use and transportation; striving for sustainability; protecting and preserving existing transportation infrastructure; increasing capacity through improved systems management; providing more transportation choices; leveraging technology; responding to demographic and housing market changes; supporting commerce, economic growth, and opportunity; promoting the links between public health, environmental protection, and economic opportunity; and incorporating the principles of social equity and environmental justice. 148

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The RTP/SCS outlines a development pattern for the region, which, when integrated with the transportation network and other transportation measures and policies, would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation (excluding goods movement). The RTP/SCS is meant to provide growth strategies that will achieve the regional GHG emissions reduction targets identified by the California Air Resources Board.

However, the RTP/SCS does not require that local general plans, specific plans, or zoning be consistent with the RTP/SCS; instead, it provides incentives to government and developers for consistency.

Western Riverside Council of Governments
The purpose of the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) is to unify Western Riverside County and create a collective voice on important issues that affect its members. Representatives from 18 cities, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and the Eastern and Western Municipal Water Districts have seats on the WRCOG Executive Committee, the group that sets policy for the organization. The Riverside County Superintendent of Schools is an ex officio member.

WRCOG implements two transportation plans––the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) program, which ensures that new development pays its fair share for the increased traffic that it creates on regional infrastructure, and the Western Riverside County Active Transportation Plan (ATP), which aims to improve transportation choices in the subregion and benefit all residents, employees, and visitors by identifying regional facilities to provide more transportation options.

Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan The Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) is a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional plan focusing on the conservation of species and their associated habitats in Western Riverside County. Its overall goal is to maintain biological and ecological diversity in a rapidly urbanizing region. The MSHCP allows Riverside County and its cities to better control local land use decisions and maintain a strong economic climate in the region while addressing the requirements of the state and federal Endangered Species Acts.

South Coast Air Basin Air Quality Management Plan
The City is in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) which is managed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Pollutants emitted into the ambient air by stationary and mobile sources are regulated by federal and state law, and standards are detailed in the SoCAB Air Quality Management Plan. Air pollutants for which ambient air quality standards (AAQS) have been developed are known as criteria air pollutants, including ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide, coarse inhalable particulate matter (PM10), fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5), and lead. VOC and NOx are criteria pollutant precursors and go on to form secondary criteria pollutants, such as O3, through chemical and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Air basins are classified as attainment/nonattainment areas for particular pollutants, depending on whether they meet AAQS for that pollutant. Based on the SoCAB’s air quality management plan, the SoCAB is designated nonattainment for O3, PM2.5, PM10, and lead (Los Angeles County only) under the California and National AAQS and nonattainment for NO2 under the California AAQS.
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Legislation
Current State of California guidance and goals for reductions in GHG emissions are generally embodied in Executive Order S-03-05; Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act (2006); Executive Order B-15-30 and Senate Bill (SB) 32; SB 375; and Executive Order B-5518 and SB 100. Executive Order S-03-05, signed June 1, 2005, set the following GHG reduction goals for the State of California:
 2000 levels by 2010
 1990 levels by 2020
 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050
AB 32 was passed by the state legislature on August 31, 2006, to place the state on a course to reduce its contribution of GHG emissions. AB 32 established a legislative target for the year 2020 goal outlined in Executive Order S-03-05. CARB prepared its first Scoping Plan in 2008 outlining the state’s plan for achieving the 2020 targets of AB 32.

In 2008, SB 375 was adopted to connect passenger-vehicle GHG emissions reduction targets for the transportation sector to local land use decisions that affect travel behavior. Its intent is to reduce GHG emissions from light-duty trucks and automobiles by aligning regional long-range transportation plans, investments, and housing allocations to local land use planning to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and vehicle trips.

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed SB 32, making the Executive Order B-15-30 goal for year 2030 of a 40 percent reduction below 1990 levels into a statewide-mandated legislative target. CARB issued an update to its Scoping Plan in 2017, which sets forth programs for meeting the SB 32 reduction target.

Executive Order B-55-18 sets a goal for the state to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045 and to achieve and maintain net negative emissions thereafter. SB 100 would help the state reach the goal set by Executive Order B-55-18 by requiring that the state’s electricity suppliers have a source mix that consists of at least 60 percent renewable/zero carbon sources in 2030 and 100 renewable/zero carbon sources in 2045.

Senate Bill 743
On September 27, 2013, SB 743 was signed into law. SB 743 started a process that could fundamentally change transportation impact analysis under CEQA. The legislature found that with the adoption of SB 375, the state had signaled its commitment to encourage land use and transportation planning decisions and investments that reduce VMT and thereby contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions, as required by the California Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32).

SB 743 generally eliminates auto delay, level of service, and similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion as the sole basis for determining significant impacts under CEQA. Pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines which were amended to implement SB 743, the new criteria “shall promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land 150

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uses” (Public Resources Code § 21099[b][1]). The City of Wildomar adopted VMT standards on June 10, 2020.

Regional Water Quality Control Boards: Santa Ana River Basin and San Diego Basin Under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act, California’s water quality control law, the State Water Resources Control Board has ultimate control over water quality policy and allocation of state water resources. Through its nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the State Water Resources Control Board carries out the regulation, protection, and administration of water quality in each region. Each regional board is required to adopt a water quality control plan or basin plan. Although Wildomar is within the boundaries of two Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), the Santa Ana RWQCB (Region 8) and San Diego RWQCB (Region 9), an agreement has been reached between the City and the two RWQCBs that the San Diego RWQCB (Region 9) will have primary jurisdiction within the City for all stormwater and water quality issues.

4.3 LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
The City is bisected by I-15, which runs in a north-south direction, and surrounded by mountain ranges in the distance. Murrieta Creek traverses through the western portion of the City, and runs through the cities of Murrieta and Temecula. The City overlaps with all or portions of 33 criteria cells identified in the MSHCP, which are used to identify areas where development may be restricted or mitigated to protect covered species and their habitat. The City is characterized by its desert climate with hot dry summers, and mild, wet winters.

The average maximum temperature of 98.1 degrees Fahrenheit occurs in July and August and the average minimum temperature of 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit occurs in January (WRCC 2024). Ground surface elevations in the City range from over 1,900 feet above mean sea level (amsl) in the northeastern portions of Wildomar to approximately 1,200 feet amsl in the southern portions near Clinton Keith Road. The terrain is relatively flat with steeper areas on the east and west (Wildomar 2019). The City experiences Santa Ana winds, typically between October and April, which can be strong and extremely dry downslope winds that can blow over 40 miles per hour (mph). The City of Wildomar does not have a Sphere of Influence because it is bordered by the City of Lake Elsinore to the north and northwest, unincorporated Riverside County area and Cleveland National Forest to the west, City of Murrieta to the east and south, and City of Menifee to the east, and therefore, the City does not have opportunities to expand beyond its boundary.

The City encompasses approximately 15,170 acres; Figure 1-3, Existing Land Use Plan, shows the existing land uses in the City, which are as follows:
 Residential. Residential uses range from Very Low Density Residential to Highest Density Residential, as well as Estate Density Residential and Rural Density Residential.  Commercial and Industrial. A range of nonresidential uses primarily oriented to commerce—including commercial, office, business park, and light industrial.  Public Facility. Essential amenities that contribute to quality of life—including educational facilities, religious organizations, and civic facilities.
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 Mixed Use. A mix of uses grouped together in a development (residential, office, commercial, etc.).  Open Space. Open space amenities include recreation and habitat conservation.

Table 4-1, Land Use Designations in the City Under Current General Plan, shows the permitted uses under each current land use designation.

Table 4-1 Land Use Designations in the City Under Current General Plan Current General Plan
Land Use Designation Permitted Uses
Rural Mountainous (10 ac
min.)
• Single-family residential uses within a minimum lot size of 10 acres. • Areas of at least 10 acres where a minimum of 70% of the area has slopes of 25% or greater. • Allows limited animal keeping, agriculture, recreational uses, compatible resource development (which may include the commercial extraction of mineral resources with approval of a SMP) and associated uses and governmental uses.

Estate Density Residential
(2 ac min.)
• Single-family detached residences on large parcels of 2 to 5 acres. • Limited agriculture and animal keeping is permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is discouraged.

Estate Density ResidentialRural Community (2 ac min.)
• Single-family detached residences on large parcels of 2 to 5 acres. • Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and animal keeping uses are expected and encouraged.

Very Low Density Residential
(1 ac min.)
• Single-family detached residences on large parcels of 1 to 2 acres. • Limited agriculture and animal keeping is permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is discouraged.

Very Low Density ResidentialRural Community (1 ac min.) • Single-family detached residences on large parcels of 1 to 2 acres. • Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and animal keeping uses are expected and encouraged.

Rural Residential (5 ac min.) • Single-family residences with a minimum lot size of 5 acres. • Allows limited animal keeping and agricultural uses, recreational uses, compatible resource development (not including the commercial extraction of mineral resources) and associated uses and governmental uses.

Low Density Residential (½ ac
min.)
• Single-family detached residences on large parcels of ½ to 1 acre. • Limited agriculture and animal keeping is permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is discouraged.

Low Density Residential-Rural
Community (½ ac min.)
• Single-family detached residences on large parcels of ½ to 1 acre. • Limited agriculture, intensive equestrian and animal keeping uses are expected and encouraged.

Medium Density Residential (2-
5 du/ac)
• Single-family detached and attached residences with a density range of 2 to 5 dwelling units per acre. • Limited agriculture and animal keeping is permitted, however, intensive animal keeping is discouraged. • Lot sizes range from 5,500 to 20,000 sq. ft., typical 7,200 sq. ft. lots allowed.

Medium High Density
Residential (5-8 du/ac)
• Single-family attached and detached residences with a density range of 5 to 8 dwelling units per acre. • Lot sizes range from 4,000 to 6,500 sq. ft.

High Density Residential (8-14
du/ac)
• Single-family attached and detached residences, including townhomes, stacked flats, courtyard homes, patio homes, townhouses, and zero lot line homes.

Very High Density Residential
(14-20 du/ac)
• Single-family attached residences and multi-family dwellings.

Highest Density Residential
(20+ du/ac)
• Multi-family dwellings, includes apartments and condominium. • Multi-storied (3+) structures are allowed.

Commercial Retail (0.20-0.35
FAR)
• Local and regional serving retail and service uses. The amount of land designated for Commercial Retail exceeds that amount anticipated to be necessary to serve the County’s population at build out. Once build out of Commercial Retail reaches the 40% level within any Area Plan, additional studies will be required before Commercial Retail development beyond the 40% will be permitted.

Commercial Office (0.35-1.0
FAR)
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Table 4-1 Land Use Designations in the City Under Current General Plan Current General Plan
Land Use Designation Permitted Uses
Light Industrial (0.25-0.60
FAR)
• Industrial and related uses including warehousing/distribution, assembly and light manufacturing, repair facilities, and supporting retail uses.

Business Park (0.25-0.60 FAR) • Employee intensive uses, including research and development, technology centers, corporate offices, “clean” industry and supporting retail uses.

Public Facilities (< 0.60 FAR) • Civic uses such as County administrative buildings and schools.

Mixed Use Planning Area • This designation is applied to areas outside of Community Centers. The intent of the designation is not to identify a particular mixture or intensity of land uses, but to designate areas where a mixture of residential, commercial, office, entertainment, education, and/or recreational uses, or other uses is planned Conservation Habitat • Applies to public and private lands conserved and managed in accordance with adopted Multi Species Habitat and other Conservation Plans.

Open Space Recreation • Recreational uses including parks, trails, athletic fields, and golf courses. • Neighborhood parks are permitted within residential land uses. du – dwelling unit
FAR – Floor Area Ratio

4.4 ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 states that cumulative impacts shall be discussed when the project’s incremental effect is cumulatively considerable. It further states that this discussion shall reflect the level and severity of the impact and the likelihood of occurrence, but not in as great a level of detail as that necessary for the project alone. CEQA Guidelines Section 15355 defines cumulative impacts as “…two or more individual effects which, when considered together, as considerable or which compound or increase other environmental impacts.” Cumulative impacts represent the changes caused by the incremental impact of a project when added to the other proposed or committed projects in the vicinity.

CEQA Guidelines Section 15130(b)(1) states that the information used in an analysis of cumulative impacts should come from one of two sources:

1. A list of past, present, and probable future projects producing related cumulative impacts, including, if necessary, projects outside the control of the agency. The City maintains a list of their cumulative projects, which can be viewed at: https://www.cityofwildomar.org/207/City-ApprovedDevelopment-Project-Plans. This list does not include projects from other agencies that could affect the City; or

2. A summary of projections in an adopted general plan or related planning document designed to evaluate regional or area-wide conditions.

Depending on the environmental category, the cumulative impact analysis may use either method. The cumulative impacts analyses in this DEIR use method No. 2, the summary of projections approach. The proposed project consists of the Wildomar Proposed General Plan. Consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15130(b)(1)(B), this DEIR analyzes the environmental impacts of development in accordance with buildout of the proposed land use plan. As a result, this DEIR addresses the cumulative impacts of 153

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development in the City of Wildomar and the region surrounding it, as appropriate. In most cases, the potential for cumulative impacts is contiguous with the City boundaries. Potential cumulative impacts that have the potential for impacts beyond the City boundaries (e.g., traffic, air quality, noise) have been addressed through cumulative growth in the City and region. Regional growth outside Wildomar is accounted for in traffic, air quality, and noise impacts through use of the Riverside County Congestion Management Program, which is a model that uses regional growth projections to calculate future traffic volumes. The growth projections adopted by the City and surrounding area are used for the cumulative impact analyses of this DEIR. Refer to Chapter 5, Environmental Analysis, for a discussion of the cumulative impacts associated with development and growth in the City and region for each environmental resource topic. The following list summarizes the geographic scope of cumulative impacts by environmental topic.  Aesthetics: Coterminous with the City boundary.
 Agricultural and Forestry Resources: Within Riverside County.  Air Quality: Based on the regional boundaries of the South Coast Air Basin.  Biological Resources: Coterminous with the City boundary but considers habitat loss in the southern California region based on the range of the protected species.  Cultural Resources: Coterminous with the City boundary and surrounding region.  Energy: Based on energy use within the Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas service areas.
 Geology and Soils: Within the City boundary.
 Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Worldwide impacts based on the emissions sectors in the Scoping Plan in California (boundary).
 Hazards and Hazardous Materials: Within the City boundaries.  Hydrology and Water Quality: Hydrology and water quality impacts would be within the Santa Ana River and Santa Margarita River Watersheds, and flood impacts would be within the City boundary.  Land Use and Planning: Within Riverside County.
 Mineral Resources: Within the City boundary.
 Noise: Within the City boundary.
 Population and Housing: Within the Southern California Association of Government (SCAG)’s region.  Public Services: Within the service area boundaries of the Wildomar Fire Department, Wildomar Police Department, Lake Elsinore Unified School District, and Wildomar Library. 154

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 Recreation: Within the City boundary.
 Transportation: Considers transportation improvements identified in the WRCOG subregional transportation model and regional growth projections identified by SCAG.  Tribal Cultural Resources: Within the City boundary.
 Utilities and Service Systems: Wastewater services impacts would be within the service area of the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. water supply and distribution systems would be within Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Farm Mutual Water Company; stormwater drainage impacts would be within the Santa Ana River and Santa Margarita River watersheds; and solid waste impacts would be within the service area of the El Sobrante Landfill.
 Wildfire: Coterminous with the City boundary and surrounding areas.

4.5 REFERENCES
Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC). 2024. Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary. Accessed January 2, 2024. https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca2805.

Wildomar, City of. 2019, December 11. Master Drainage Plan. 155
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5. Environmental Analysis
Chapter 5 examines the environmental setting of the proposed project, analyzes its effects and the significance of its impacts, and recommends mitigation measures to reduce or avoid impacts. This chapter has a separate section for each environmental issue area that was determined to need further study in the EIR. The City determined the scope for this EIR based on review of the proposed General Plan, agency consultation, the Notice of Preparation (NOP), and comments in response to the NOP. Environmental issues and their corresponding sections are:

5.1 Aesthetics

5.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources

5.3 Air Quality

5.4 Biological Resources

5.5 Cultural Resources

5.6 Energy

5.7 Geology and Soils

5.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

5.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials

5.10 Hydrology and Water Quality

5.11 Land Use and Planning

5.12 Mineral Resources

5.13 Noise

5.14 Population and Housing

5.15 Public Services

5.16 Recreation

5.17 Transportation

5.18 Tribal Cultural Resources

5.19 Utilities and Services Systems

5.20 Wildfire
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Sections 5.1 through 5.20 provide a detailed discussion of the environmental setting, impacts associated with the proposed project, and mitigation measures designed to reduce significant impacts where required and when feasible. The residual impacts following the implementation of any mitigation measure are also discussed.

Organization of Environmental Analysis
To assist the reader with comparing information between environmental issues, each section is organized under 10 major headings:
 Focal Point
 Environmental Setting
 Thresholds of Significance
 Proposed General Plan Goals and Policies
 Environmental Impacts
 Cumulative Impacts
 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
 Mitigation Measures
 Level of Significance After Mitigation
 References
In addition, Chapter 1, Executive Summary, has a table that summarizes all impacts by environmental issue.

Terminology Used in This Draft EIR
The level of significance is identified for each impact in this DEIR. Although the criteria for determining significance are different for each topic area, the environmental analysis applies a uniform classification of the impacts based on definitions consistent with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines:
 No Impact. The project would not change the environment.  Less Than Significant. The project would not cause any substantial, adverse change in the environment.  Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. The EIR includes mitigation measures that avoid substantial adverse impacts on the environment.
 Significant and Unavoidable. The project would cause a substantial adverse effect on the environment, and no feasible mitigation measures are available to reduce the impact to a less than significant level. 157

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5.1 AESTHETICS
This section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) discusses the potential impacts to the visual character and scenic resources in the City from future development envisioned under the proposed project.

FOCAL POINT
This section includes a discussion of the qualitative aesthetic characteristics of the existing environment that would potentially be altered by the proposed project’s implementation. Cumulative impacts related to aesthetics would be within the City boundaries.

The Proposed General Plan would result in an increase in development in the City, which would change how the City looks. Even with design standards, the act of clearing ground for construction and the act of building improvements above ground will modify the existing views of the City. While some larger buildings are anticipated, most of the construction in Wildomar is expected to be low enough that views of the mountain ridges surrounding the City will remain. Overall, impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant upon compliance with the Proposed General Plan policies, municipal code, development standards, and design guidelines.

5.1.1 Environmental Setting

5.1.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
State Regulations
Caltrans Scenic Highway Program
In 1963, California’s Scenic Highway Program was created to preserve and protect the natural scenic beauty of California highways and adjacent corridors through special conservation treatment. The state laws governing this program are in the Streets and Highways Code, Sections 260 to 263, and Caltrans oversees the program. Caltrans defines a scenic highway as any freeway, highway, road, or other public right-of-way that traverses an area of exceptional scenic quality. Suitability for designation as a State Scenic Highway is based on three criteria described in Caltrans’ Guidelines for Official Designation of Scenic Highways (2008):
 Vividness. The extent to which the landscape is memorable. This is associated with the distinctiveness, diversity, and contrast of visual elements.
 Intactness. The integrity of visual order and the extent to which the natural landscape is free from visual intrusions (e.g., buildings, structures, equipment, grading).  Unity. The extent to which development is sensitive to and visually harmonious with the natural landscape.
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Local Regulations
City of Wildomar Municipal Code
Title 17, Zoning, of the Wildomar Municipal Code identifies the types of permitted land uses on all parcels throughout the various assigned zoning districts. The zoning code identifies development standards and requirements per zoning district, such as building height limit, setback requirements, landscaping, parking, and yard requirements.

Chapter 8.64, Light Pollution, of the Wildomar Municipal Code regulates outdoor lighting by preserving the access to the dark night sky enjoyed by Wildomar residents and residents of surrounding communities; reducing light pollution to protect the viability of the Palomar Observatory and support star-gazing activity; minimizing adverse off-site impacts of lighting such as light trespass, an obstructive light, particularly in residential neighborhoods; conserving energy and resources to the greatest extent possible; and ensuring adequate lighting for the safety, security, and well-being of persons engaged in outdoor nighttime activities.

As indicated in Chapter 8.64, reducing light pollution can be achieved through restricting the amount of lumens per land use type, prohibiting certain lighting types (e.g., bottom-mounted sign lighting, laser source light), and shielding light fixtures.

Design Standards
The City has adopted objective design standards for commercial and residential (single- and multifamily) uses (Wildomar 2019, Wildomar 2018, Wildomar 2023). The purpose of the design standards is to provide developers, builders, and architects with a clear statement of the desired architectural and site design characteristics for commercial and residential development in the City that enhances the area’s unique character and raises the quality of design in the City.

5.1.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The aesthetic resources in a suburban area, such as Wildomar, consist of buildings, streets, parks, key vegetation, views of mountain ranges and open spaces, and important view corridors that contribute to the community identity. Views and view corridors in the City often extend along streets and may include foreground views of street trees and buildings and distant backdrop views of mountains, mountain ridges, parks, and open spaces.

Visual Character and Quality
Wildomar is in an urbanizing portion of Riverside County. The City is characterized by primarily suburban and rural residential, commercial, and industrial development served by local roadways and the I-15 travel corridor. Neighborhoods, generally, are visually separated by roads, vegetation, and masonry walls, and portions of the City are vacant and undeveloped, which allow for natural forms of vegetation and wetlands.

The City is in a suburban area and can experience high levels of nighttime illumination. Sources of light and glare include building lighting (interior and exterior), security lighting, sign illumination, parking area lighting, 159

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and window illumination. Other sources of nighttime light and glare include streetlights and vehicular traffic along major thoroughfares and surrounding roadways.

Scenic Vistas and Highways
Vistas provide access or panoramic views to a large geographic area. Views of the Elsinore Mountains and Temescal Mountains are visible throughout portions of the City; these ridgelines are approximately 4,000 feet above mean sea level. Both mountain ranges are typical of desert regions—with sparse trees but ample scrub, sage, grasses, and rocky outcroppings. The ridgelines are sharp and provide contrast to the sky and variation of the views of the horizon. The City is relatively developed and consists of a mix of old and new urban land uses at various densities and intensities, with a majority of its remaining vacant land designated for development. The City’s primary arterial corridor is I-15, which runs generally north-south. There are no scenic highways within the City; however, I-15 is designated an “Eligible Scenic Highway” (Caltrans 2019).

The nearest officially designated scenic highway is State Route 74 (SR-74), approximately 23 miles northeast of the City.

5.1.2 Thresholds of Significance
Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines states that, “except as provided in Public Resources Code Section 21099,” a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

AE-1 Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista.

AE-2 Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway.

AE-3 In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality.

AE-4 Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area.

5.1.3 Proposed General Plan Goals and Policies
Land Use Element
GOAL LU 1 Administration: The General Plan is utilized as the guiding planning document for the City and as the basis for regional collaboration.
 Policy LU-1.3 Development Clustering and Density Transfers. Allow development clustering and/or density transfers to preserve open space, natural resources, cultural and/or biologically sensitive resources.
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GOAL LU 3 Focus Areas: Unique areas of the City are enhanced to meet residents’ needs.  Policy LU-3.3 Old Town. Recognize Old Town as the traditional heart of Wildomar and explore opportunities to enhance the area as a center of activity reflecting the City’s heritage. Seek to leverage vacant and underutilized sites and publicly-owned parcels to activate the area with an events and community space reflecting a unique character and identity.  Policy LU-3.4 Hidden Springs/Wyman Road Specific Plan Area. Prior to any development within this 160 +/- acre area, require preparation of a Specific Plan and ac-companying EIR for the redevelopment area generally south of Clinton Keith Road, west of I-15 freeway, and east of Palomar Street that accommodates a mixed-use development reflecting a high quality of design that enhances the City’s visibility and identity, provides housing opportunities in close proximity to resources, and contributes to the City’s economic development goals. Light industrial/business park uses are permitted as long as they occupy not more than 35 percent of the area and are located and designed to be compatible with other uses.
 Policy LU-3.5 Wildomar Trail/I-15 Project Area. The area bounded by the I-15 freeway, Wildomar Trail, Susan Drive and La Estrella Street is recognized as a unique economic development opportunity zone in the City and warrants a coordinated planning and development approach (such as a Specific Plan, Area Plan or Vision Plan) to maximize the potential to establish a mixed-use community that enhances the City’s visibility and identity.
 Policy LU-3.6 Clinton Keith Corridor. Engage in an advance planning process (such as a Specific Plan, Corridor Plan or Vision Plan) to identify goals and actions to improve the economic and community development qualities of the Clinton Keith Road Corridor and ensure that uses that meet the community’s objectives are developed.
 Policy LU-3.7 Mission Trial Corridor. Engage in an advance planning process (such as a Specific Plan, Corridor Plan or Vision Plan) to identify goals and actions to improve the economic and community development qualities of the Mission Trail Corridor.

GOAL LU 4 Urban Form: A City of distinct centers and corridors surrounded by neighborhoods and connected to a network of parks and open spaces.
 Policy LU-4.1 Patterns and Distribution of Uses and Density. Accommodate land use development in accordance with the patterns and distribution of use and density depicted on the General Plan Land Use Plan (Figure LU-1) to promote efficient development; reduce automobile dependence and greenhouse gas emissions; ensure compatibility among uses; enhance community livability and health; and sustain economic vitality.

GOAL LU 5 Design: Well-designed communities contributing to the City’s distinct identity and quality of life of residents.
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 Policy LU-5.1 Sense of Place and Quality of Design. Require new developments to exhibit quality design and contribute to Wildomar’s unique sense of place.  Policy LU-5.2 Enhance the Character of Surrounding Areas. Require that new developments be located and designed to visually enhance, not degrade the character of the surrounding area.  Policy LU-5.3 Maintain Design Standards. Enhance Wildomar’s unique character and raise the quality of design within the City by maintaining and implementing the City’s design standards.  Policy LU-5.4 Entryways and Branding. Encourage the development of identifiable entryways for the overall community, and branding for unique or principal business/commercial districts of the City, by establishing design standards for these areas that include landscape setbacks, sign monumentation and other special design treatments.

GOAL LU 6 Maintenance and Compatibility With Other Uses: Development is located and designed to maintain the qualities that distinguish Wildomar and to ensure effective transitions between neighborhoods and districts.
 Policy LU-6.1 Protect from Adverse Impacts. Retain and enhance the integrity of existing residential, employment, and open space areas by protecting them from encroachment of land uses that would result in impacts from noise, noxious fumes, glare, shadowing, and traffic.  Policy LU-6.3 Property Maintenance. Maintain structures and properties to prevent deteriorating conditions through enforcement of State laws and local ordinances and expand access to conservation and rehabilitation programs.

GOAL 7 Compatibility with the Natural Environment: Land uses and development intensities are compatible with scenic and natural resources and encourage environmental preservation.  Policy LU-7.1 Design to Respect Natural Settings. Require that new development conform building massing to topographic forms and minimize alteration of natural landforms and vegetation, incorporating natural drainage systems, allowing development clustering to maintain slopes, restricting grading of steep slopes, and encouraging the preservation of significant hillsides, canyon edges and hilltops as prominent visual features.

GOAL LU 10 Mixed-Use Districts and Corridors: Well-designed districts and corridors contain an integrated mix of commercial, office, and/or housing that enable Wildomar’s residents to live close to businesses and employment, reduce automobile use, and actively engage and enhance pedestrian activity.  Policy LU-10.1 Mixed Use Design and Development. Encourage mixed use development, as designated in the Land Use Plan, that is designed appropriately for Wildomar.

GOAL LU 12 Public Facilities: Governmental, utility, institutional, educational, recreational, cultural, religious, and social facilities and services are located and designed to complement Wildomar’s neighborhoods, centers, and corridors.
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 Policy LU-12.4 Maintenance and Enhancement. Coordinate, partner with, and encourage school and utility districts and other government and independent agencies that may be exempt from City land use control to plan and improve their properties and design improvements to achieve a high level of visual and architectural quality that maintains the character of the neighborhood or district in which they are located.
 Policy LU-12.5 Design of Utility Facilities. Minimize the visual impacts of above-grade utility structures, such as water storage tanks, water check valves, electric and telephone boxes, etc. through use of landscaping, screening materials, and colors that blend with the environment to the extent feasible.

GOAL LU 13 Open Spaces: Open space lands are preserved as natural resources, utilized to buffer land uses and enhance community aesthetics, and protected from adverse impacts of new development.

Open Space and Conservation Element
 Policy OS-1.4 Rewilding and Habitat Restoration. Pursue opportunities for rewilding and restoring critical habitats for sensitive species that include, but are not limited to the following: preserving, enhancing, restoring, and expanding an integrated network of open space to support beneficial uses, such as habitat, recreation, natural resources, historic and tribal resources, water management, and aesthetics.  Policy OS-1.6 Natural Vegetation Conservation. Maintain and conserve mature and historic examples of native trees, natural vegetation, stands of established trees, and other features for ecosystem, aesthetic, and water conservation purposes.
 Policy OS-1.7 Project Siting. Require that new development projects respect, integrate with, and complement the natural features of the land including conforming building massing to topographic forms, restricting grading of steep slopes, and encouraging the preservation of visual horizon lines and significant hillsides as prominent visual features.
 Policy OS-1.8:Protect Ridgelines. Protect ridgelines from incompatible development that diminishes their scenic value, and ensure their conservation, preservation, and management.

Recreation and Community Services Element
 Policy 2.1 Siting and Design. Design new parkland and recreational facilities that are compatible with the surrounding built and natural environments, utilize sustainable best practices, and when feasible, incorporate features that reflect Wildomar’s unique attributes.

5.1.4 Environmental Impacts
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement. 163

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Impact 5.1-1: Development in accordance with the Proposed General Plan would not substantially alter or damage scenic vistas. [Threshold AE-1]
The Proposed General Plan would allow for development of currently undeveloped parcels, redevelopment of currently developed parcels, and intensification of land uses in some areas of the City. Scenic resources in the City include parks, open spaces, vacant land, and views of the Elsinore Mountains and Temescal Mountains. Open space and park lands that provide views of scenic vistas would continue to be preserved under the Proposed General Plan. The existing low-density residential uses in or adjacent to scenic vistas and resources would also remain unchanged, thereby preserving views of these features. Most of the higherdensity development would be focused along primary corridors in the City, such as Clinton Keith Road, Bundy Canyon Road, Mission Trail, and I-15. The existing and proposed scale and design of the City, along with its existing and future land uses, complement rather than detract from the backdrop scenery of the ridgelines and suburban environment. As shown in Figure 3-4, Proposed Land Use Plan, the majority of land uses along the periphery of the City boundary would be RM (Rural Mountainous), EDR (Estate Density Residential), VLDR (Very Low Density Residential), LDR (Low Density Residential), MDR (Medium Density Residential), and OS-CH (Conservation Habitat); according to the Wildomar Housing Element (Table HNA28, Residential Zoning Criteria), the tallest structure would be up to 50 feet tall and permitted in the MDR land use designation (Wildomar 2021).

The Elsinore Mountains and Temescal Mountains would continue to provide a scenic backdrop for the City without interference from future development accommodated under the Proposed General Plan.

Although new development could alter the appearance of the existing conditions, especially in areas where lands are vacant and undeveloped, future development consistent with the Proposed General Plan would not create a substantial adverse impact on scenic vistas or degrade the City’s visual character or quality due to the City’s urbanizing character. Additionally, the development standards under the City’s municipal code, such as height and setback requirements, as well as the City’s commercial and residential design guidelines, would guide future development characteristics and ensure consistency and compatibility. Development standards and design guidelines would ensure that scenic resources in the City, such as views of mountain ridgelines, are not adversely affected.

The Proposed General Plan includes policies that would protect scenic resources, such as Policy LU-13.1, which calls for the permanent preservation of open space that contains scenic value and Policy OS-1.8, which aims to protect ridgelines from incompatible development that diminishes scenic value.

Therefore, the proposed project would not substantially impact scenic resources in the City, and impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.1-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.
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Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.1-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.1-2: The proposed project would not alter scenic resources within a state scenic highway. [Threshold AE-2]
There are no scenic highways within the City. The nearest officially designated scenic highway is State Route 74 (SR-74), approximately 23 miles northeast of the City. Due to the distance and varying topography, no impact to scenic resources would occur on SR-74, an officially designated scenic highway.

I-15, which runs in a north-south direction within the City limits, is designated an eligible scenic highway (Caltrans 2019). Future development along and proximate to I-15 could impact scenic resources; however, all development in the City must comply with the City’s development standards and design guidelines to ensure that future development would not substantially impact scenic resources. Additionally, the following policies of the Proposed General Plan would reduce impacts to scenic resources: Policy LU-13.1, which calls for the permanent preservation of open space that contains scenic value and Policy OS-1.8, which aims to protect ridgelines from incompatible development that diminishes scenic value.

As such, impacts to scenic resources within a state scenic highway would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.1-2 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.1-2 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.1-3: Buildout in accordance with the proposed land use plan would alter the existing visual appearance of the City but would not substantially degrade its existing visual character or quality and would not conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality. [Threshold AE-3]
Wildomar is characterized by its suburban and rural residential neighborhoods, where older neighborhoods have larger lot sizes, and newer neighborhoods have smaller lot sizes. Future development and redevelopment allowed by the Proposed General Plan would result in the development of currently undeveloped parcels and intensification of already developed areas of the City. Although new development would alter the visual appearance of the City, because the City is largely already developed with urban and suburban uses, new development would not substantially degrade the City’s visual character or quality. The proposed land use plan would focus more intensive growth within the nine focus areas, where structures would be up to 50 feet tall, as shown in Figure 5.1-1, Proposed Focus Areas; focusing intensive growth in these areas would allow the existing neighborhoods to retain a similar visual character compared to existing conditions. Title 17, Zoning, of the Wildomar Municipal Code establishes development standards, including building height and setbacks.

Additionally, future development would be required to comply with the commercial and residential design standards to ensure compatibility with existing uses and retain the City’s existing visual character and quality.

Buildout under the proposed project would occur in areas where development already exists or areas where 165

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development is planned. Under the implementation of the Proposed General Plan, areas designated as open space and parks would remain undeveloped.

The Proposed General Plan policies ensure that future development and redevelopment would enhance Wildomar’s sense of place and character, such as Policy LU-5.1, which requires new development to exhibit quality design; Policy LU-5.2, which requires new development to be located and designed to visually enhance the character of the surrounding areas; and Policy LU-5.3, which aims to enhance the City’s unique character and quality of design by maintaining and implementing development standards.

Development under the Proposed General Plan would be required to comply with existing regulations that maintain the City’s character, such as the City’s objective development standards for commercial and residential projects. The development standards would ensure that development under the proposed project would continue to be maintained and be compatible with the City’s visual character. As such, impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.1-3 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.1-3 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.1-4: The proposed project would not generate additional light and glare. [Threshold AE-4] The two major causes of light pollution are glare and spill light. Spill light is caused by misdirected light that illuminates outside the intended area. Glare is light that shines directly or is reflected from a surface into a viewer’s eyes. Spill light and glare impacts are effects of a project’s exterior lighting on adjoining uses and areas.

Sources of light in the City include building lighting (interior and exterior), security lighting, sign illumination, and parking area lighting. These sources of light and glare are mostly associated with residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Other sources of nighttime light and glare include streetlights, vehicular traffic along surrounding roadways, and ambient lighting from surrounding communities.

Future development in accordance with the Proposed General Plan would occur in areas designated for development and would allow for development of currently undeveloped parcels and intensification and redevelopment of existing land uses, which could increase nighttime light and glare in Wildomar. For instance, the conversion of underutilized or vacant areas into residential or commercial uses would introduce new sources of light; however, the Proposed General Plan would maintain land use designations in most of the City.
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Wildomar 2040 General Plan
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Figure 2-3: Focus Areas
PlaceWorks
Source: City of Wildomar 2024.
0 Scale (Miles)
1 City of Wildomar Boundary
Figure 5.1-1 - Proposed Focus Areas

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Development and redevelopment projects in the City would be required to comply with the design guidelines for residential and commercial uses, as well as Chapter 8.64, Light Pollution, of the Wildomar Municipal Code, which establishes limits on the types of fixtures and size of bulbs used in all aspects of development.

All projects are required to comply with Chapter 8.64, which is verified as part of the building permit application process and again during building and site inspections of a site to ensure that a project’s lighting would not create significant impacts. Consistent with the City’s lighting standards (municipal code section

8.64.090), all proposed exterior light fixtures must have full cutoff so that there is no light pollution created above the 90-degree plane of the light fixtures. Additionally, the Proposed General Plan includes Policy LU-6.1, which aims to retain and enhance the integrity of existing uses by protecting them from glare.

Therefore, the proposed project would not adversely affect day or nighttime views and would not contribute to night sky pollution. Impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.1-4 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.1-4 would be less than significant.

5.1.5 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative aesthetic impacts are based on potential changes to the visual quality in the City and surrounding area. More intense urban development in Wildomar and the adjacent cities is expected with development on vacant land or redevelopment of older structures, which would alter the visual landscape. However, future development and redevelopment proposed under the Proposed General Plan would remain consistent with the City’s design guidelines and development standards and would be subject to discretionary review by the Planning Commission and/or City Council. As all development in the City would be required to adhere to the Proposed General Plan goals and policies, municipal code, design standards and guidelines, and development standards, changes to the visual character of the City would less than would result in less than cumulatively considerable. Additionally, because the City is surrounded by other cities, criteria cells which are conserved lands, and the Cleveland National Forest, the City is unable to expand or annex additional land into its boundaries. Therefore, the future growth would result in more intensity within the City boundaries but would not spread impacts outside of its boundaries.

New sources of light and glare, as well as an overall increase in lighting levels, would be introduced with new development and redevelopment in the City. Glass and glazing in new structures would potentially create additional sources of glare in the area. Compliance with the Proposed General Plan goals and policies and Chapter 8.64, Light Pollution, of the Wildomar Municipal code would prevent light spillover and adverse impacts on adjacent light-sensitive uses when combined with past and future development in the City and adjacent cities, and the proposed project’s contribution would be less than cumulatively considerable. 168

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5.1.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, all impacts would be less than significant: 5.1-1, 5.1-2, 5.1-3, and 5.1-4.

5.1.7 Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

5.1.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
All impacts would be less than significant.

5.1.9 References
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). 2019. Scenic Highways: California State Scenic Highway.

Accessed March 3, 2022. https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/lap-landscape-architecture-and -community-livability/lap-liv-i-scenic-highways.

Wildomar, City of. 2019, May 8. Commercial Design Standards and Guidelines. https://www.cityofwildomar.org/DocumentCenter/View/388/Wildomar-Commercial-DesignStandards-PDF ____. 2018, November 14. City of Wildomar Single Family Residential Design Standards and Guidelines. https://www.cityofwildomar.org/DocumentCenter/View/392/Wildomar-Single-Family-ResidentialDesign-Guidelines-PDF _____. 2021, October 13. City of Wildomar 2021-2029 Housing Element. https://www.cityofwildomar.org/DocumentCenter/View/400/2021-to-2029-Housing-ElementAdopted-October-13-2021-PDF ______. 2023, August 9. Multi-Family Residential Objective Design Standards. https://www.cityofwildomar.org/DocumentCenter/View/1911/Wildomar-Multi-Family-DesignGuidelines_updated-Aug-2023-PDF 169

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5.2 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES
This section of the DEIR evaluates the potential for implementation of the proposed project to impact agriculture and forestry resources in the City of Wildomar.

FOCAL POINT
No forestlands or timberlands exist in Wildomar because of the City’s arid climate and urbanizing landscape.

CEQA considers impacts to three categories of farmland—Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland. The City has approximately 69.4 acres of Prime Farmland and Unique Farmland and no Farmland of Statewide Importance. Also, there are no Williamson Act contracts in effect in the City. Future development in the City has the potential to result in the loss of Prime Farmland and Unique Farmland, and there is no feasible mitigation to reduce this impact. The loss of these farmland types would be permanent, and therefore, would be significant and unavoidable.

5.2.1 Environmental Setting

5.2.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
State Regulations
California General Plan Law
The California Government Code (§ 65302(d)) requires the general plan to include an open space and conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources—including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. The conservation element must consider the effect of development on natural resources that are on public lands. The element must also cover:
 The reclamation of land and waters.
 Prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters.  Regulation of the use of land for the accomplishment of the conservation plan.  Prevention, control, and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches, and shores.  Protection of watersheds.
 Location, quantity, and quality of the rock, sand, and gravel resources.  Waterways, flood corridors, riparian habitats, and land that may accommodate floodwater for groundwater recharge and stormwater management.

In October 2017, the state legislature passed SB 732, which authorizes a city to develop an agricultural land component of the open space element or a separate agricultural element in its general plan. For local 170

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governments that choose this option, the bill authorizes the Department of Conservation to award grants, bond proceeds, and other assistance provided the element meets certain requirements.

Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program
The California Natural Resources Agency is charged with restoring, protecting, and maintaining the state’s natural, cultural, and historical resources. Within the agency, the State Department of Conservation provides technical services and information to promote informed land use decisions and sound management of the State’s natural resources. The Department of Conservation manages the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP), which supports agriculture throughout California by developing maps and statistical data for analyzing land use impacts to farmland. Every two years, FMMP publishes a field report for each county in the state. The field report categorizes land by agricultural production potential, according to the following classifications:
 Prime Farmland has the best combination of physical and chemical features able to sustain long-term agricultural production. Prime Farmland has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields. Land must have been used for irrigated agriculture production at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
 Farmland of Statewide Importance is similar to Prime Farmland, but with minor shortcomings, such as steeper slopes or less ability to store moisture. Land must have been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.  Unique Farmland consists of lesser quality soils used for the production of the state’s leading agricultural crops. This land is usually irrigated, but may include nonirrigated orchards or vineyards as found in some climatic zones in California. Land must have been farmed at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
 Farmland of Local Importance includes all farmable land within the County not meeting the definitions of “prime farmland,” “farmland of statewide importance,” and “unique farmland” and not irrigated. This includes land that is not covered by above categories but is of high economic importance to the community. These farmlands include dryland grains of wheat, barley, oats, and dryland pasture.  Grazing Land is the land on which the existing vegetation is suited to the grazing of livestock.  Confined Animal Agriculture lands include poultry facilities, feedlots, dairy facilities, and fish farms. In some counties, confined animal agriculture is a component of the farmland of local importance category.  Nonagricultural and Natural Vegetation includes heavily wooded, rocky, or barren areas; riparian and wetland areas; grassland areas that do not qualify for grazing land due to their size or land management restrictions; small water bodies; and recreational water ski lakes. Constructed wetlands are also included in this category.
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 Semi-agricultural and Rural Commercial Land includes farmstead, agricultural storage and packing sheds, unpaved parking areas, composting facilities, equine facilities, firewood lots, and campgrounds.  Vacant or Disturbed Land includes open field areas that do not qualify for an agricultural category, mineral and oil extraction areas, off-road vehicle areas, electrical substations, channelized canals, and rural freeway interchanges.
 Rural Residential Land includes residential areas of one to five structures per 10 acres.  Urban and Built-Up Land is occupied by structures with a building density of at least one unit per 1.5 acres, or approximately six structures to a 10-acre parcel. Common examples include residential structures, industrial structures, commercial structures, institutional facilities, cemeteries, airports, golf courses, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment structures, and water control structures.  Water is used to describe perennial water bodies with an extent of at least 40 acres.

California Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act)
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, better known as the Williamson Act, conserves agricultural and open space lands through property tax incentives and voluntary restrictive land use contracts administered by local governments under State regulations. Private landowners voluntarily restrict their land to agricultural and compatible open space uses under minimum 10-year rolling term contracts, with counties and cities also acting voluntarily. In return, restricted parcels are assessed for property tax purposes at a rate consistent with their actual use, rather than potential market value.

Nonrenewal status is applied to Williamson Act contracts that are within the nine-year termination process, during which the annual tax assessment for the property gradually increases.

Forestland and Timberland Protection
State regulations such as the Forest Taxation Reform Act of 1976 and the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (California Forest Practice Act) provide for the preservation of forest lands from encroachment by other, incompatible land uses and for oversight of the management of forest practices and forest resources.

Public Resources Code Section 12220(g) defines “forest land” for the purposes of CEQA as land that can support 10 percent native tree cover of any species, including hardwoods, under natural conditions, and that allows for management of one or more forest resources, including timber, aesthetics, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, water-quality, recreation, and other public benefits.

The California Timberland Productivity Act of 1982, like the Williamson Act, was passed to encourage the production of timber resources. Government Code Section 51104(g) defines “Timber,” “Timberland,” and “Timberland Production Zone” for the purposes of CEQA and “Timberland Preserve Zone,” which may be used in city and county general plans, as follows:
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 “Timber” means trees of any species maintained for eventual harvest for forest production purposes, whether planted or of natural growth, standing or down, on privately or publicly owned land, including Christmas trees, but does not mean nursery stock.
 “Timberland” means privately owned land, or land acquired for State forest purposes, which is devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and compatible uses, and which is capable of growing an average annual volume of wood fiber of at least 15 cubic feet per acre.
 “Timberland Production Zone” or “TPZ” means an area which has been zoned pursuant to Section 51112 or 51113 and is devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and compatible uses, as defined in subdivision (h). With respect to the general plans of cities and counties, “Timberland Preserve Zone” means “Timberland Production Zone.” County boards of supervisors may designate areas of timberland preserve, referred to as Timberland Production Zones, which restrict the land’s use to the production of timber for an initial 10-year term in return for lower property taxes.

Local Regulations
City of Wildomar Municipal Code: Title 17, Zoning
According to Title 17, Zoning, of the Wildomar Municipal Code, several zoning designations permit agricultural uses.

5.2.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The City occupies approximately 24 square miles, the majority of which is developed with established residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, and institutional uses. Portions of the City include vacant and undeveloped land. Agriculture and animal keeping, including equestrian uses, are permitted in several of the existing land use designations, such as RM (Rural Mountainous), RR (Rural Residential), EDR (Estate Density Residential), EDR-RC (Estate Density Residential-Rural Community), VLDR (Very Low Density Residential), VLDR-RC (Very Low Density Residential-Rural Community), LDR (Low Density Residential), LDR-RC (Low Density Residential-Rural Community), and MDR (Medium Density Residential).

Mapped Farmland
As shown in Figure 5.2-1, Farmland Designations, the City includes the existing farmland types: Urban and Built-Up Land, Grazing Land, Farmland of Local Importance, Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, Unique Farmland, and Other Land. There are no Williamson Act lands in the City (CDC 2023).

Table 5.2-1, Farmland Designations, shows the acreages for the existing farmland types in the City. 173

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Table 5.2-1 Farmland Designations
Farmland Designation1 Acreages2 Percentage
Urban and Built-Up Land 5,331.4 35.15
Grazing Land 124.9 0.80
Farmland of Local Importance 1,538.7 10.14
Prime Farmland 11.6 0.08
Farmland of Statewide Importance 0.0 0.00
Unique Farmland 57.8 0.38
Other Land 8,103.7 53.43
Total 15,168 100%
Source: CDC 2018.
1 CEQA considers impacts to three categories of farmland: Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland. 2 Farmland acreages were determined using GIS data.

Forestland and Timberland
There are no forestlands or timberlands in Wildomar (CDFW 2023).

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

AG-1 Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency to non-agricultural use.

AG-2 Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract.

AG-3 Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g)).

AG-4 Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use.

AG-5 Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to nonforest use.

5.2.3 Proposed General Plan Goals and Policies
There are no applicable policies pertaining to agricultural and forestry resources. 174

CANYON LAKE

MENIFEE

LAKE ELSINORE

CANYON LAKE
0 1
Scale (Miles) Source: ESRI, 2015
Figure XX - Figure Title Here

1. Introduction

PROJECT NAME HERE

CITY OF PROJECT HERE

FARMLAND DESIGNATIONS
Prime Farmland
Farmland of Statewide Importance
Unique Farmland
Grazing Land
Farmland of Local Importance
Other Land
Urban and Built-Up Land
Water Area
PlaceWorks
Source: Generated using ArcMap 2023; Conservation.Ca.Gov 2023. 0 Scale (Miles)
1 City of Wildomar Boundary
15 WILDOMAR WILDOMAR

MURRIETA
Bundy Canyon Rd
Grand Ave
Corydon Rd
Mission Trail
Palomar St Wildomar Trl
Clinton Keith Rd
Jackson Ave
Washington Ave
E Lakeshore Dr
Canyon Hills Rd
Railroad Canyon Rd
Murrieta Rd
Figure 5.2-1 - Farmland Designations

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5.2.4 Environmental Impacts
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.2-1: The proposed project would convert farmland to nonagricultural uses. [Thresholds AG-1 and AG-5 (part)]
CEQA considers impacts to three categories of farmland—Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland. Prime Farmland is defined by the California Department of Conservation (CDC) as farmland with the best combination of physical and chemical features to sustain long-term agricultural production, Farmland of Statewide Importance is farmland similar to Prime Farmland but with minor shortcomings such as greater slopes or less ability to store soil moisture, and Unique Farmland is farmland of lesser quality soils used for the production of the state’s leading agricultural crops.

Development of these lands would convert the land to nonagricultural uses, which is considered a significant impact. Although agricultural uses would be allowed until building occurs, the eventual development of the land would result in the loss of the resource.

The Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) Model is a point-based approach for rating the relative importance of agricultural land resources based upon specific measurable features. The California LESA Model was developed to provide lead agencies with an optional methodology to ensure that potentially significant effects on the environment of agricultural land conversions are quantitatively and consistently considered in the environmental review process (Public Resources Code Section 21095), including in CEQA analysis. The California Agricultural LESA Model evaluates measures of soil resource quality, a given project’s size, water resource availability, surrounding agricultural lands, and surrounding protected resource lands. For a given project, the factors are rated, weighted, and combined, resulting in a single numeric score. The project score becomes the basis for making a determination of a project’s potential significance. The LESA model is used as part of a development application as there is information regarding the site that is needed from the property owner.

The model was not run for this EIR as there is a lack of site-specific information, and because as a long-term document it is likely that site conditions regarding the 11.6 acres of Prime Farmland will change and need to be reflected in the model at the time of development application. As shown in Table 5.2-2, California LESA Model Scoring CEQA Thresholds, the model provides a single result weighted on a number of factors that can determine the level of significance for CEQA. While it is possible that the LESA model results for the 11.6 acres would show that conversion of this land is not significant, this EIR assumes that the property is designated Prime Farmland and would be eventually converted to non-agricultural uses through implementation of the proposed project.
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Table 5.2-2 California LESA Model Scoring CEQA Thresholds Total LESA Score Scoring Decision
0 to 39 Points NotConsidered Significant
40 to 59 Points ConsideredSignificant only if LE and SA subscores are each greater than or equal to 20 points 60 to 79 Points Considered Significant unless either LEor SA subscore is less than 20 points 80 to 100 Points Considered Significant
Source: CDC 1997
Wildomar is mostly developed and is therefore characterized by its urbanizing landscape with areas of vacant and undeveloped parcels. The Proposed General Plan would allow for development of currently undeveloped parcels, redevelopment of currently developed parcels, and intensification of land uses in some areas of the City. Of the 1,733 acres of farmland in the City, approximately 69.4 acres are designated Prime Farmland and Unique Farmland. There are no lands in the City designated as Farmland of Statewide Importance.

Of the 69.4 acres, 57.8 acres is considered Unique Farmland with a Rural Mountainous (RM) land use designation. The RM land use designation allows for agricultural uses and the proposed project does not recommend a change to this land use designation. The remaining 11.6 acres is the only Prime Farmland within the City as mapped by the CDC (see Figure 5.2-1). This site, on the northeast corner of Corydon Road and Grand Avenue is currently designated Commercial Retail in the General Plan, and is proposed to change to Mixed Use High under the proposed project. The site is not actively farmed, and historical photographs show a previous orchard as shown in an aerial photograph dated May 1994, though the trees are not visible in an April 2023 aerial photograph from Google Earth. As shown in Figure 5.2-2, Aerial Photograph of Prime Farmland, the property is surrounded by residential and commercial development.

The proposed land use plan (see Figure 3-4, Proposed Land Use Plan) does not include an agricultural designation. However, the following land use designations would allow for agricultural uses: RM (Rural Mountainous), LLR (Large Lot Residential), EDR (Estate Density Residential), VLDR (Very Low Density Residential), and LDR (Low Density Residential). While agricultural uses would be allowed to continue under the proposed project, no agricultural lands designated by the FMMP as Prime Farmland and Unique Farmland would be preserved under the Proposed General Plan. Therefore, the proposed project could convert approximately 1,733 acres of farmland to nonagricultural uses, including 11.6 acres of Prime Farmland and 57.8 acres of Unique Farmland, which is a significant impact. 177
PlaceWorks
Source: Nearmap 2024.
0 Scale (Feet)
375
City of Wildomar Boundary
Figure 5.2-2 - Aerial Photograph of Prime Farmland

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Grand Ave
Corydon Rd
Trailwood Ct
Mayhall Dr
Mapleleaf Ct
Alderbrook Rd
Ross Rd
Union St
Robert St
Grand Ave
Gill Ln
Brechtel St
San Jose
San
Lucas
Almond Tree Ln
Wildomar
Lake Elsinore
Residential
Commercial
Residential
Residential
William
Collier
Elementary
School
Prime Farmland
Residential
Residential
178

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In general, mitigation measures should consider the following five possibilities.

1. Avoidance. The 11.6 acres of Prime Farmland is surrounded by urban development and is unlikely to support commercial scale agriculture. The adjacency of sensitive receptors makes the use of many agricultural uses more difficult. Factors such as noise, dust, odor, vibration, and the use of insecticides/pesticides is made more complex by the adjacency of people. The property is on a busy intersection and has been labeled for development for over 20 years, and is surrounded by urban development; avoidance is not feasible. While the small size might not provide for conventional agriculture, specialty agriculture such as strawberries or other high-value crops could be farmed at this site.

2. Minimizing the Impact. As there are no other Prime Farmlands within the City, minimizing the impact to this one site is not feasible. The 11.6-acre site is completely surrounded by urban uses so any setback would need to be on the site itself, (or remove existing buildings) essentially defeating the purpose of minimizing the impact by further reducing the amount of agricultural land.

3. Rectifying through Repair, Rehabilitation, or Restoration. While the site is not currently farmed, it is possible that the site could be farmed in the future. The property is not within an irrigation district so water for farming would need to come from the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD).

With water, the site could be used as mitigation for agricultural land conversion elsewhere in the City, however, as noted there are no other lands requiring mitigation in the City. Rehabilitating the land for agricultural use would result in the same adjacency difficulties outlined in Possibility 1. Avoidance, above.

4. Reducing or Eliminating the Impact Over Time by Preservation and Maintenance. Review of the aerial photographs of the site dating to the mid-1990s shows that the orchard was allowed to die off and eventually all the trees were removed. The site looks to be regularly disced for weed abatement and fire control. While this can continue to occur, it is not an agricultural use. The preservation of the land in its current form would eliminate the potential impact, as the land would not be converted to nonagricultural uses. However, it seems unlikely that a vacant site of this size surrounded by urban uses in the City would remain a disced field in perpetuity. Therefore, reduction or eliminating the impact through preservation and maintenance is not feasible mitigation.

5. Compensating for the Impact Through Replacement or Substitute Resources. Compensatory mitigation is where a project would offset an impact through recreation of the resource (e.g., creating wetlands), or by purchasing credits in a form of a mitigation bank where the resource has already been created. Purchase of an easement that protects an existing resource is also a form of mitigation but comes with the obvious drawback that it is not a replacement of the affected resource, only a means of reducing further loss of the resource in the future.

As the proposed project cannot avoid, minimize, rectify, or eliminate the impact over time, the only potential mitigation available is that of an agricultural easement on existing agricultural land. Under this method, an easement is purchased that covers land that is already farmed and that would preclude future urban development in perpetuity. For some cities, this method is an effective means of providing a greenbelt or buffer between the built environment and agricultural use, preventing future conversion of agricultural land 179

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to urban uses. The City of Wildomar has no greenbelt and there is no adjacent agricultural land to protect as the boundaries of the City are either another urban city or mountains. An agricultural easement would prevent future conversion but does not address the actual loss of the farmland resource.

The City is Wildomar is surrounded by the incorporated cities of Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and Murietta. The City does not have a sphere of influence and is unlikely to annex land because of the surrounding cities and the mountains to the west. There is no other agricultural land in the surrounding area, so any form of easement would need to be outside of the surrounding area, and in unincorporated Riverside County.

Creating an agricultural easement is difficult for small agricultural land conversions unless there is an easement program in place by a conservation district or other agency, because of the cost of starting and maintaining the easement. The easement approach also assumes that there is agricultural land nearby with owners willing to accept an easement. There are two conservation districts near the City, Temecula-Elsinore Anza, Murietta (TEAM) and the Riverside-Corona Conservation District, however neither of them currently advertise agricultural easements as a service they offer. While this can change over time, this EIR assumes there are no existing agricultural easement programs in, or adjacent to, the City.

Another method would be to convert land that is not currently Prime or Unique Farmland into a new agricultural use such as through the addition of irrigation. Given the City’s dry climate, the cost of pumping water, and limitations on the types of crops that can withstand heat, this method is more expensive than other types of agriculture and would likely be limited to only high value crops.

Though cannabis is an agricultural crop, cultivation must occur indoors per Section 17.315.080, Conditions of Approval, of the City’s Municipal Code, and is therefore considered an industrial use. In this context, the construction of buildings to allow the cultivation of cannabis still results in the loss of farmland.

As shown in Table 5.2-1, the 11.6 acres of Prime Farmland represent approximately 0.08 percent of the entire City. Most of the City (approximately 53.4 percent) is designated as Other Land. As shown on Figure 3-3, Existing Land Use Plan, and Figure 5.2-1, lands that are designated Prime and Unique Farmland are currently designated CR (Commercial Retail) and RM (Rural Mountainous). As such, Prime and Unique Farmland in the City are already considered converted to nonagricultural uses.

While the amount of Prime and Unique Farmland in the City is statistically small in comparison to the City, the proposed project could result in the conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses without adequate mitigation to reduce the impact to less than significant. This impact is considered potentially significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.2-1 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
The only mitigation measure that would prevent the conversion of the 11.6 acres of Prime Farmland to urban uses would be to deny development of nonagricultural uses on the land. This is impractical as the land is not currently farmed and is surrounded by urban uses. 180

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The establishment of agricultural conservation easements would not affect the amount of farmland lost, nor would the payment of fees into a mitigation bank avoid or reduce the conversion of farmland. However, an agricultural easement would address future conversion of farmland and is considered to be feasible mitigation for purposes of CEQA.

Lastly, at the time of development application, the LESA model (or future version of the model) can be prepared to determine whether the conversion of the 11.6 acres is significant from an agricultural production perspective. If the LESA model run demonstrates that the land is significant then an easement, or creation of similar land, can be made part of the development requirements. If the LESA model demonstrates that the property is not a significant agricultural resource, then no further mitigation would be required.

AG-1 Prior approval of any development permit on land considered prime, of statewide significance, or unique, the City shall require the following:

1. Completion of the California Department of Conservation Land Evaluation & Site Assessment Model. If the model score is 39 points or less, conversion of the land is not significant, and no further mitigation is required. If the model score is between 40 and 79 points, conversion of the land to urban uses may be significant but will depend on the results of the model. A LESA model score of 80 or greater identifies the conversion as significant and will require mitigation.

2. If the LESA model results determine that conversion of the land to urban uses is a significant impact, the development shall be conditioned to provide either an agricultural easement on existing farmland with a similar or greater LESA model score, or the creation of new agricultural land and easement at a 1:1 ratio.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.2-1 would be significant and unavoidable.

Impact 5.2-2: The proposed project would not conflict with zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act Contract. [Threshold AG-2]
There are no Williamson Act contracts within the City limits (CDC 2023). Therefore, no impact would occur.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.2-2 would not be significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.2-2 would not be significant. 181

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Impact 5.2-3: The proposed project would not conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forestland and timberland, and would not result in the loss or conversion of forestland to non-forest uses. [Thresholds AG-3, AG-4, and AG-5 (part)] Public Resources Code Section 12220(g) defines “forest land” as “land that can support 10 percent native tree cover of any species, including hardwoods, under natural conditions, and that allows for management of one or more forest resources, including timber, aesthetics, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, water quality, recreation, and other public benefits.”
Government Code Section 51104(g) defines “timberland” as “privately owned land, or land acquired for state forest purposes, which is devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and compatible uses, and which is capable of growing an average annual volume of wood fiber of at least 15 cubic feet per acre.”
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City does not contain public forestlands or private timberlands (CDFW 2023). Therefore, implementation of the proposed project would not conflict with the zoning of forestlands or timberlands, nor would it result in the loss or conversion of forestlands to non-forest uses. As such, no impacts would occur.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.2-3 would not be significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.2-3 would not be significant.

5.2.5 Cumulative Impacts
The area considered for cumulative impacts to agricultural resources is Riverside County. Future development in Wildomar and the rest of the county is expected to lead to a cumulative decrease in important farmland acreage over time. The decreasing area of important farmland and agricultural crop production value is considered a significant adverse impact, and the contribution to a cumulative impact due to the conversion of Prime and Unique Farmland in the City represents a cumulatively considerable impact.

5.2.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, some impacts would be less than significant: 5.2-2 and 5.2-3.

Without mitigation, these impacts would be potentially significant:
 Impact 5.2-1 The proposed project would convert farmland to nonagricultural uses. 182

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5.2.7 Mitigation Measures
Impact 5.2-1
AG-1 Prior approval of any development permit on land considered prime, of statewide significance, or unique, the City shall require the following:

3. Completion of the California Department of Conservation Land Evaluation & Site Assessment Model. If the model score is 39 points or less, conversion of the land is not significant, and no further mitigation is required. If the model score is between 40 and 79 points, conversion of the land to urban uses may be significant but will depend on the results of the model. A LESA model score of 80 or greater identifies the conversion as significant and will require mitigation.

4. If the LESA model results determine that conversion of the land to urban uses is a significant impact, the development shall be conditioned to provide either an agricultural easement on existing farmland with a similar or greater LESA model score, or the creation of new agricultural land and easement at a 1:1 ratio.

5.2.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Impact 5.2-1
Even with the implementation of Mitigation Measure AG-1, the 11.6-acre site will be converted to non-agricultural uses. The easement, or creation of new agricultural land at a 1:1 ratio will diminish, but not reduce to a less than significant level, the impact of the proposed project. Therefore, impacts would be significant and unavoidable.

5.2.9 References
California Department of Conservation (CDC). 2018. Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program. https://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/fmmp.
———. 2023. California Williamson Act Enrollment Finder. https://gis.conservation.ca.gov/portal/apps/ webappviewer/index.html?id=180acf4745ff40a5a764c65a4a8278eb. ———. 1997. California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model: Instruction Manual California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2023, September 21 (accessed). California Forests and Timberlands in California Department of Fish and Wildlife Regions. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=109919. 183

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5.3 AIR QUALITY
This section of the DEIR evaluates the potential air quality impacts of the City of Wildomar Proposed General Plan (Proposed General Plan) in a local and regional context. The analysis in this section is based on land uses associated with the proposed project, vehicle miles traveled provided by Chen Ryan Associates (Appendix 5.17-1), and natural gas use data provided by the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas).

The air quality model output sheets are included in Appendix 5.3-1.

FOCAL POINT
Construction activities accommodated by the Proposed General Plan would likely exceed the relevant South Coast Air Quality Management District's (AQMD) thresholds for some development projects and have the potential to expose people to substantial pollutant concentrations. The increase in industrial uses could expose people to substantial toxic air contaminant concentrations. Consequently, Mitigation Measure AQ-3 would require certain industrial or warehousing development projects to submit a health risk assessment (HRA) to demonstrate that the project applicant can reduce cancer and noncancer risks from the project to an acceptable level. However, the net increase in industrial land use allowed under the Proposed General Plan would contribute to higher levels of cancer risk in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) and result in a cumulative contribution to health risk. Construction and operation of the proposed project would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the air basins, and cumulative impacts would be considered significant.

Buildout of the Proposed General Plan would provide a more efficient land use plan than existing conditions; however, long-term growth associated with the proposed project would cumulatively contribute to exceedance of the South Coast AQMD's regional and localized thresholds. The increase in emissions would be a result of the increase in mobile sources, offroad equipment emissions, and residential uses. Despite the policies in the Proposed General Plan and Mitigation Measure AQ-2 that would contribute to reducing operational emissions, the proposed project would still exceed the South Coast AQMD's regional significance thresholds and would contribute to the nonattainment designation of the SoCAB.

5.3.1 Environmental Setting

5.3.1.1 AIR QUALITY BACKGROUND
Terminology
 AAQS. Ambient Air Quality Standards
 CES. CalEnviroScreen. CES is a mapping tool that helps identify the California communities most affected by sources of pollution and where people are often especially vulnerable to pollution’s effects.  Concentrations. The amount of pollutant material per volumetric unit of air. Concentrations are measured in parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), or micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). 184

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 Criteria Air Pollutants. Air pollutants specifically identified for control under the Federal and California Clean Air Act(currently seven—carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, sulfur oxides, ozone, and coarse and fine particulates).
 DPM. Diesel particulate matter.
 Emissions. The actual quantity of a pollutant, measured in pounds per day or tons per year.  ppm. Parts per million.
 Sensitive receptor. Land uses that are considered more sensitive to air pollution than others due to the types of population groups or activities involved. These land uses include residential, retirement facilities, hospitals, and schools.
 TAC. Toxic air contaminant.
 µg/m3. Micrograms per cubic meter.
 VMT. Vehicle miles traveled.

Criteria Air Pollutants
The pollutants emitted into the ambient air by stationary and mobile sources are categorized as primary and/or secondary pollutants. Primary air pollutants are emitted directly from sources. Carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2), coarse inhalable particulate matter (PM10), fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5), and lead (Pb) are primary air pollutants. Of these, CO, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 are “criteria air pollutants,” which means that AAQS have been established for them. VOC and NOX are criteria pollutant precursors that form secondary criteria air pollutants through chemical and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the principal secondary pollutants.

A description of each of the primary and secondary criteria air pollutants and its known health effects is presented below:
 Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon substances, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. CO is a primary criteria air pollutant. CO concentrations tend to be the highest during winter mornings with little to no wind, when surface-based inversions trap the pollutant at ground levels. The highest ambient CO concentrations are generally found near trafficcongested corridors and intersections. The primary adverse health effect associated with CO is interference with normal oxygen transfer to the blood, which may result in tissue oxygen deprivation (South Coast AQMD 2005; US EPA 2023a). The South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) is designated under the California and National AAQS as being in attainment of CO criteria levels (CARB 2023a).  Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) are a by-product of fuel combustion and contribute to the formation of ground-level O3, PM10, and PM2.5. The two major forms of NOx are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO is a colorless, odorless gas formed from atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen when 185

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combustion takes place under high temperature and/or high pressure. The principal form of NOx produced by combustion is NO, but NO reacts quickly with oxygen to form NO2, creating the mixture of NO and NO2 commonly called NOx. NO2 is an acute irritant and more injurious than NO in equal concentrations. At atmospheric concentrations, however, NO2 is only potentially irritating. NO2 absorbs blue light; the result is a brownish-red cast to the atmosphere and reduced visibility. NO2 exposure concentrations near roadways are of particular concern for susceptible individuals, including asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Current scientific evidence links short-term NO2 exposures, ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours, with adverse respiratory effects, including airway inflammation in healthy people and increased respiratory symptoms in people with asthma. Also, studies show a connection between elevated short-term NO2 concentrations and increased visits to emergency departments and hospital admissions for respiratory issues, especially asthma (South Coast AQMD 2005; US EPA 2023a) The SoCAB is designated an attainment area for NO2 under the National and California AAQS (CARB 2023a).  Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a colorless, pungent, irritating gas formed by the combustion of sulfurous fossil fuels. It enters the atmosphere as a result of burning high-sulfur-content fuel oils and coal and chemical processes at plants and refineries. Gasoline and natural gas have very low sulfur content and do not release significant quantities of SO2. When sulfur dioxide forms sulfates (SO4) in the atmosphere, together these pollutants are referred to as sulfur oxides (SOx). Thus, SO2 is both a primary and secondary criteria air pollutant. At sufficiently high concentrations, SO2 may irritate the upper respiratory tract. Current scientific evidence links short-term exposures to SO2, ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours, with an array of adverse respiratory effects, including bronchoconstriction and increased asthma symptoms. These effects are particularly adverse for asthmatics at elevated ventilation rates (e.g., while exercising or playing) at lower concentrations and when combined with particulates, SO2 may do greater harm by injuring lung tissue. Studies also show a connection between short-term exposure and increased visits to emergency facilities and hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses, particularly in at-risk populations such as children, the elderly and asthmatics (South Coast AQMD 2005; US EPA 2023a). The SoCAB is designated attainment under the California and National AAQS (CARB 2023a).  Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) consists of finely divided solids or liquids such as soot, dust, aerosols, fumes, and mists. Two forms of fine particulates are now recognized and regulated.

Inhalable coarse particulates, or PM10, include particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or less (i.e., < 10 millionths of a meter or 0.0004 inch). Inhalable fine particulates, or PM2.5, have an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less (i.e., < 2.5 millionths of a meter or 0.0001 inch).

Particulate discharge into the atmosphere results primarily from industrial, agricultural, construction, and transportation activities. Both PM10 and PM2.5 may adversely affect the human respiratory system, especially in people who are naturally sensitive or susceptible or breathing problems. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) scientific review concluded that PM2.5, which penetrates deeply into the lungs, is more likely than PM10 to contribute to health effects and at far lower concentrations. These health effects include premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms (e.g., irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing) (South Coast AQMD 2005). There has been emerging evidence that ultrafine particulates, which are even smaller 186

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particulates with an aerodynamic diameter of 0.1 microns or less (i.e., <0.1 millionths of a meter or <0.000004 inch), have human health implications because their toxic components may initiate or facilitate biological processes that may lead to adverse effects to the heart, lungs, and other organs (South Coast AQMD 2013). However, the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have not adopted AAQS to regulate these particulates. Diesel particulate matter is classified by CARB as a carcinogen (CARB 2023d). Particulate matter can also cause environmental effects such as visibility impairment,1 environmental damage,2 and aesthetic damage3
(South Coast AQMD 2005; US EPA 2023a). The SoCAB
is a nonattainment area for PM2.5 under California and National AAQS and a nonattainment area for PM10 under the California AAQS (CARB 2023a).4
 Ozone (O3) is a key ingredient of “smog” and is a gas that is formed when VOCs and NOx, both byproducts of internal combustion engine exhaust, undergo photochemical reactions in sunlight. O3 is a secondary criteria air pollutant. O3 concentrations are generally highest during the summer months when direct sunlight, light winds, and warm temperatures create favorable conditions for its formation. O3 poses a health threat to those who already suffer from respiratory diseases as well as to healthy people.

Breathing O3 can trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground-level O3 also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue. O3 also affects sensitive vegetation and ecosystems, including forests, parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. In particular, O3 harm sensitive vegetation during the growing season (South Coast AQMD 2005; US EPA 2023a). The SoCAB is designated extreme nonattainment under the California AAQS (1-hour and 8-hour) and National AAQS (8-hour) (CARB 2023a).
 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Internal combustion associated with motor vehicle usage is the major source of VOCs. Other sources include evaporate emissions from paints and solvents, asphalt paving, and household consumer products such as aerosols (South Coast AQMD 2005). There are no AAQS for VOCs. However, because they contribute to the formation of O3, South Coast AQMD has established a significance threshold. The health effects for ozone are described above.
 Lead (Pb) is a metal found naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products. Once taken into the body, lead distributes throughout the body in the blood and accumulates in the bones.

Depending on the level of exposure, lead can adversely affect the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system. Lead exposure 1 PM2.5 is the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States. 2 Particulate matter can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground or water, making lakes and streams acidic; changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins; depleting the nutrients in soil; damaging sensitive forests and farm crops; and affecting the diversity of ecosystems. 3 Particulate matter can stain and damage stone and other materials, including culturally important objects such as statues and monuments. 4 CARB approved the South Coast AQMD’s request to redesignate the SoCAB from serious nonattainment for PM10 to attainment for PM10 under the National AAQS on March 25, 2010, because the SoCAB did not violate federal 24-hour PM10 standards from 2004 to 2007. The EPA approved the State of California’s request to redesignate the South Coast PM10 nonattainment area to attainment of the PM10 National AAQS, effective on July 26, 2013. 187

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also affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The effects of lead most commonly encountered in current populations are neurological effects in children and cardiovascular effects in adults (e.g., high blood pressure and heart disease). Infants and young children are especially sensitive to even low levels of lead, which may contribute to behavioral problems, learning deficits, and lowered IQ (South Coast AQMD 2005; US EPA 2023a). The major sources of lead emissions have historically been mobile and industrial sources. As a result of the EPA’s regulatory efforts to remove lead from gasoline, emissions of lead from the transportation sector dramatically declined by 95 percent between 1980 and 1999, and levels of lead in the air decreased by 94 percent between 1980 and 1999.

Today, the highest levels of lead in the air are usually found near lead smelters. The major sources of lead emissions today are ore and metals processing and piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation gasoline. However, in 2008 the EPA and CARB adopted stricter lead standards, and special monitoring sites immediately downwind of lead sources recorded very localized violations of the new state and federal standards.5 As a result of these violations, the Los Angeles County portion of the SoCAB is designated nonattainment under the National AAQS for lead (South Coast AQMD 2012; CARB 2023a).

However, lead concentrations in this nonattainment area have been below the level of the federal standard since December 2011 (South Coast AQMD 2012). CARB’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision was submitted to the EPA for approval. Because emissions of lead are found only in projects that are permitted by South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), lead is not a pollutant of concern for the proposed project.

Table 5.3-1, Criteria Air Pollutants Health Effects Summary, summarizes the potential health effects associated with the criteria air pollutants.

Table 5.3-1 Criteria Air Pollutants Health Effects Summary Pollutant Health Effects Examples of Sources
Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Chest pain in heart patients
• Headaches, nausea
• Reduced mental alertness
• Death at very high levels
Any source that burns fuel such as cars, trucks, construction and farming equipment, and residential heaters and stoves Ozone (O3) • Cough, chest tightness
• Difficulty taking a deep breath
• Worsened asthma symptoms
• Lung inflammation
Atmospheric reaction of organic gases with nitrogen oxides in sunlight
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) • Increased response to allergens • Aggravation of respiratory illness
Same as carbon monoxide sources
Particulate Matter (PM10
& PM2.5)
• Hospitalizations for worsened heart
diseases
• Emergency room visits for asthma
• Premature death
Cars and trucks (particularly diesels)
Fireplaces and woodstoves
Windblown dust from overlays, agriculture, and construction 5 Source-oriented monitors record concentrations of lead at lead-related industrial facilities in the SoCAB, which include Exide Technologies in the City of Commerce; Quemetco, Inc. in the City of Industry; Trojan Battery Company in Santa Fe Springs; and Exide Technologies in Vernon. Monitoring conducted between 2004 through 2007 showed that the Trojan Battery Company and Exide Technologies exceed the federal standards (South Coast AQMD 2012). 188

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Table 5.3-1 Criteria Air Pollutants Health Effects Summary Pollutant Health Effects Examples of Sources
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) • Aggravation of respiratory disease (e.g., asthma and emphysema)
• Reduced lung function
Combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, smelting of sulfur-bearing metal ores, and industrial processes
Lead (Pb) • Behavioral and learning disabilities in
children
• Nervous system impairment
Contaminated soil
Source: CARB 2023b.

Toxic Air Contaminants
People exposed to TACs at sufficient concentrations and duration may have an increased chance of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health effects. These health effects can include damage to the immune system as well as neurological, reproductive (e.g., reduced fertility), developmental, respiratory, and other health problems (US EPA 2023b). By the last update to the TAC list in December 1999, CARB had designated 244 compounds as TACs (CARB 1999). Additionally, CARB has implemented control measures for a number of compounds that pose high risks and show potential for effective control. There are no air quality standards for TACs. Instead, TAC impacts are evaluated by calculating the health risks associated with a given exposure. The majority of the estimated health risks from TACs can be attributed to relatively few compounds, the most relevant to the proposed project being particulate matter from diesel-fueled engines.

Diesel Particulate Matter
In 1998, CARB identified diesel particulate matter (DPM) as a TAC. Previously, the individual chemical compounds in diesel exhaust were considered TACs. Almost all diesel exhaust particles are 10 microns or less in diameter. Because of their extremely small size, these particles can be inhaled and eventually trapped in the bronchial and alveolar regions of the lungs. Long-term (chronic) inhalation of DPM is likely a lung cancer risk. Short-term (i.e., acute) exposure can cause irritation and inflammatory systems and may exacerbate existing allergies and asthma systems (US EPA 2002).

Community Risk
To reduce exposure to TACs, CARB developed and approved the Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective (2005) to provide guidance regarding the siting of sensitive land uses in the vicinity of freeways, distribution centers, rail yards, ports, refineries, chrome-plating facilities, dry cleaners, and gasoline-dispensing facilities. This guidance document was developed to assess compatibility and associated health risks when siting sensitive receptors near existing pollution sources. CARB’s recommendations were based on a compilation of studies that evaluated data on the adverse health effects from proximity to air pollution sources. The key observation in these studies was that proximity substantially increases exposure and the potential for adverse health effects. Three carcinogenic TACs constitute the majority of the known health risks from motor vehicle traffic—DPM from trucks and benzene and 1,3 butadiene from passenger 189

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vehicles. CARB recommendations are based on data that show that localized air pollution exposures can be reduced by as much as 80 percent by following CARB minimum distance separations.

In 2017, CARB provided a supplemental technical advisory to the handbook for near-roadway air pollution exposure, “Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution Exposure Near High-Volume Roadways” (CARB 2017).

Strategies include practices and technologies that reduce traffic emissions, increase dispersion of traffic pollution (or the dilution of pollution in the air), or remove pollution from the air.

5.3.1.2 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Ambient air quality standards have been adopted at the state and federal levels for criteria air pollutants. In addition, both the state and federal government regulate the release of TACs. Wildomar is in the SoCAB and is subject to the rules and regulations imposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) as well as the California AAQS adopted by CARB and National AAQS adopted by the EPA. Federal, state, and regional laws, regulations, plans, or guidelines that are potentially applicable to the proposed project are summarized in this section.

Federal and State Regulations
Ambient Air Quality Standards
The Clean Air Act was passed in 1963 by the US Congress and has been amended several times. The 1970 Clean Air Act amendments strengthened previous legislation and laid the foundation for the regulatory scheme of 1970s and 1980s. In 1977, Congress again added several provisions, including nonattainment requirements for areas not meeting National AAQS and the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program.

The 1990 amendments represent the latest in a series of federal efforts to regulate the protection of air quality in the United States. The Clean Air Act allows states to adopt more stringent standards or to include other pollution species. The California Clean Air Act, signed into 1988, requires all areas of the state to achieve and maintain the California AAQS by the earliest practical date. The California AAQS tend to be more restrictive than the National AAQS.

The National and California AAQS are the levels of air quality considered to provide a margin of safety in the protection of the public health and welfare. They are designed to protect “sensitive receptors” most susceptible to further respiratory distress, such as asthmatics, the elderly, very young children, people already weakened by other disease or illness, and persons engaged in strenuous work or exercise. Healthy adults can tolerate occasional exposure to air pollutant concentrations considerably above these minimum standards before adverse effects are observed.

Both California and the federal government have established health-based AAQS for seven air pollutants, which are shown in Table 5.3-2, Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Air Pollutants. These pollutants are ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon dioxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), coarse inhalable particulate matter (PM10), fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5), and lead (Pb). In addition, the state has set standards for sulfates, hydrogen sulfide, vinyl chloride, and visibility-reducing particles. These standards are designed to protect the health and welfare of the populace with a reasonable margin of safety. 190

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Table 5.3-2 Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Air Pollutants Pollutant Averaging Time
California
Standard1
Federal Primary
Standard2 Major Pollutant Sources
Ozone (O3)
3 1 hour 0.09 ppm * Motor vehicles, paints, coatings, and solvents. 8 hours 0.070 ppm 0.070 ppm
Carbon Monoxide (CO) 1 hour 20 ppm 35 ppm Internal combustion engines, primarily gasoline-powered motor vehicles.
8 hours 9.0 ppm 9 ppm
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Annual Arithmetic
Mean

0.030 ppm 0.053 ppm Motor vehicles, petroleum-refining
operations, industrial sources, aircraft, ships,
and railroads.
1 hour 0.18 ppm 0.100 ppm
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Annual Arithmetic
Mean
* 0.030 ppm Fuel combustion, chemical plants, sulfur
recovery plants, and metal processing.
1 hour 0.25 ppm 0.075 ppm
24 hours 0.04 ppm 0.14 ppm
Respirable Coarse
Particulate Matter
(PM10)
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
20 µg/m3 * Dust and fume-producing construction,
industrial, and agricultural operations,
combustion, atmospheric photochemical
reactions, and natural activities (e.g., windraised dust and ocean sprays). 24 hours 50 µg/m3 150 µg/m3
Respirable Fine
Particulate Matter
(PM2.5)
4 Annual Arithmetic
Mean
12 µg/m3 12 µg/m3 Dust and fume-producing construction, industrial, and agricultural operations,
combustion, atmospheric photochemical
reactions, and natural activities (e.g., windraised dust and ocean sprays). 24 hours * 35 µg/m3
Lead (Pb) 30-Day Average 1.5 µg/m3 * Present source: lead smelters, battery manufacturing & recycling facilities. Past
Calendar Quarter * 1.5 µg/m source: combustion of leaded gasoline. 3 Rolling 3-Month
Average
* 0.15 µg/m3
Sulfates (SO4)
5 24 hours 25 µg/m3 * Industrial processes.

Visibility Reducing
Particles
8 hours ExCo = 0.23/km
visibility of 10≥
miles
* Visibility-reducing particles consist of
suspended particulate matter, which is a
complex mixture of tiny particles that consists
of dry solid fragments, solid cores with liquid
coatings, and small droplets of liquid. These
particles vary greatly in shape, size and
chemical composition, and can be made up
of many different materials such as metals,
soot, soil, dust, and salt.
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Table 5.3-2 Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Air Pollutants Pollutant Averaging Time
California
Standard1
Federal Primary
Standard2 Major Pollutant Sources
Hydrogen Sulfide 1 hour 0.03 ppm * Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless gas with the odor of rotten eggs. It is formed during
bacterial decomposition of sulfur-containing
organic substances. Also, it can be present in
sewer gas and some natural gas, and can be
emitted as the result of geothermal energy
exploitation.

Vinyl Chloride 24 hours 0.01 ppm * Vinyl chloride (chloroethene), a chlorinated hydrocarbon, is a colorless gas with a mild,
sweet odor. Most vinyl chloride is used to
make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and
vinyl products. Vinyl chloride has been
detected near landfills, sewage plants, and
hazardous waste sites, due to microbial
breakdown of chlorinated solvents.

Source: CARB 2016.

Notes: ppm: parts per million; μg/m3: micrograms per cubic meter * Standard has not been established for this pollutant/duration by this entity. 1 California standards for O3, CO (except 8-hour Lake Tahoe), SO2 (1 and 24 hour), NO2, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and visibility reducing particles), are values that are not to be exceeded. All others are not to be equaled or exceeded. California ambient air quality standards are listed in the Table of Standards in Section 70200 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. 2 National standards (other than O3, PM, and those based on annual arithmetic mean) are not to be exceeded more than once a year. The O3 standard is attained when the fourth highest 8-hour concentration measured at each site in a year, averaged over three years, is equal to or less than the standard. For PM10, the 24-hour standard is attained when the expected number of days per calendar year with a 24-hour average concentration above 150 µg/m3 is equal to or less than one. For PM2.5, the 24-hour standard is attained when 98 percent of the daily concentrations, averaged over three years, are equal to or less than the standard. 3 On October 1, 2015, the national 8-hour ozone primary and secondary standards were lowered from 0.075 to 0.070 ppm. 4 On December 14, 2012, the national annual PM2.5 primary standard was lowered from 15 μg/m3 to 12.0 µg/m3. The existing national 24-hour PM2.5 standards (primary and secondary) were retained at 35 µg/m3, as was the annual secondary standard of 15 µg/m3. The existing 24-hour PM10 standards (primary and secondary) of 150 µg/m3 also were retained. The form of the annual primary and secondary standards is the annual mean, averaged over 3 years. 5 On June 2, 2010, a new 1-hour SO2 standard was established and the existing 24-hour and annual primary standards were revoked. The 1-hour national standard is in units of parts per billion (ppb). California standards are in units of parts per million (ppm). To directly compare the 1-hour national standard to the California standard the units can be converted to ppm. In this case, the national standard of 75 ppb is identical to 0.075 ppm.

California has also adopted a host of other regulations that reduce criteria pollutant emissions as follows:
 AB 1493: Pavley Fuel Efficiency Standards. Pavley I is a clean-car standard that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new passenger vehicles (light-duty auto to medium-duty vehicles) from 2009 through 2016. In January 2012, CARB approved the Advanced Clean Cars program (formerly known as Pavley II) for model years 2017 through 2025.
 Heavy-Duty (Tractor-Trailer) GHG Regulation. The tractors and trailers subject to this regulation must either use EPA SmartWay-certified tractors and trailers or retrofit their existing fleet with SmartWay-verified technologies. The regulation applies primarily to owners of 53-foot or longer box-type trailers, including both dry-van and refrigerated-van trailers, and owners of the heavy-duty tractors that pull them on California highways. These owners are responsible for replacing or retrofitting their affected vehicles with compliant aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires. Sleeper cab tractors model year 2011 and later must be SmartWay certified. All other tractors must use SmartWay-verified 192

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low-rolling-resistance tires. There are also requirements for trailers to have low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic devices.

Senate Bill (SB) 1078, SB 107, SB 350, and SB 100: Renewables Portfolio Standards. A major component of California’s Renewable Energy Program is the renewables portfolio standard (RPS) established under Senate Bills 1078 (Sher) and 107 (Simitian). Under the RPS, certain retail sellers of electricity were required to increase the amount of renewable energy each year by at least 1 percent in order to reach at least 20 percent by December 30, 2010. In October 2015, SB 350 increases California's renewable electricity procurement goal from 33 percent RPS target by 2020 to 50 percent RPS target by 2030. SB 350 also requires the state to double statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas end uses by 2030. In September 2018, SB 100 sets a 2045 goal of powering all retail electricity solid in California and state agency electricity needs with renewable and zero-carbon resources. SB 100 updates the RPS to ensure that by 2030 at least 50 percent of California's electricity is renewable.  California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 20: Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards. The 2006 Appliance Efficiency Regulations (20 CCR §§ 1601–1608) were adopted by the CEC on October 11, 2006, and approved by the California Office of Administrative Law on December 14, 2006.

The regulations include standards for both federally regulated appliances and non–federally regulated appliances. There have been numerous amendments to the Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations adopted on December 9, 2020 and made effective in 2021 (CEC 2024).  24 CCR, Part 6: Building and Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code). Energy conservation standards for new residential and non-residential buildings adopted by the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (now the CEC) in June 1977. On August 11, 2021, the CEC adopted the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which were subsequently approved by the California Building Standards Commission in December 2021. The 2022 standards went into effect on January 1, 2023, replacing the 2019 standards. The 2022 standards require mixed-fuel single-family homes to be electric-ready to accommodate replacement of gas appliances with electric appliances. In addition, the new standards also include prescriptive photovoltaic system and battery requirements for high-rise, multifamily buildings (i.e., more than three stories) and noncommercial buildings such as hotels, offices, medical offices, restaurants, retail stores, schools, warehouses, theaters, and convention centers (CEC 2021).
 24 CCR, Part 11: Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). Establishes planning and design standards for sustainable site development, energy efficiency (in excess of the California Energy Code requirements), water conservation, material conservation, and internal air contaminants.6 The mandatory provisions of CALGreen became effective January 1, 2011, and were last updated in 2022. The 2022 CALGreen update, which was approved as part of the 2022 Energy Code, became effective on January 1, 2023, and provides updates to the residential and non-residential voluntary measures. 6 The green building standards became mandatory in the 2010 edition of the code. 193

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Tanner Air Toxics Act and Air Toxics Hot Spot Information and Assessment Act Public exposure to TACs is a significant environmental health issue in California. In 1983, the California legislature enacted a program to identify the health effects of TACs and reduce exposure to them. The California Health and Safety Code defines a TAC as “an air pollutant which may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or in serious illness, or which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health” (17 CCR § 93000). A substance that is listed as a hazardous air pollutant pursuant to Section 112(b) of the federal Clean Air Act (42 US Code § 7412[b]) is a toxic air contaminant. Under state law, the California Environmental Protection Agency, acting through CARB, is authorized to identify a substance as a TAC if it is an air pollutant that may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or serious illness, or may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.

California regulates TACs primarily through Assembly Bill (AB) 1807 (Tanner Air Toxics Act) and AB 2588 (Air Toxics “Hot Spot” Information and Assessment Act of 1987). The Tanner Air Toxics Act set up a formal procedure for CARB to designate substances as TACs. Once a TAC is identified, CARB adopts an “airborne toxics control measure” for sources that emit that TAC. If there is a safe threshold for a substance (i.e., a point below which there is no toxic effect), the control measure must reduce exposure to below that threshold. If there is no safe threshold, the measure must incorporate “toxics best available control technology” to minimize emissions. To date, CARB has established formal control measures for 11 TACs that are identified as having no safe threshold.

Under AB 2588, TAC emissions from individual facilities are quantified and prioritized by the applicable air quality management district or air pollution control district. High-priority facilities are required to perform a health risk assessment, and if specific thresholds are exceeded, are required to communicate the results to the public through notices and public meetings.

CARB has promulgated the following specific rules to limit TAC emissions:
 13 CCR Chapter 10 § 2485: Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling. Generally restricts on-road diesel-powered commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 10,000 pounds from idling more than five minutes.  13 CCR Chapter 10 § 2480: Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit School Bus Idling and Idling at Schools. Generally restricts a school bus or transit bus from idling for more than five minutes when within 100 feet of a school.
 13 CCR § 2477 and Article 8: Airborne Toxic Control Measure for In-Use Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRU) and TRU Generator Sets and Facilities Where TRUs Operate. Regulations established to control emissions associated with diesel-powered TRUs.

Regional Regulations
Additional regional regulations pertaining to air quality impacts can also be found in Section 5.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, of this DEIR.
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Air Quality Management Planning
South Coast AQMD is the agency responsible for improving air quality in the SoCAB and ensuring that the National and California AAQS are attained and maintained. South Coast AQMD is responsible for preparing the air quality management plan (AQMP) for the SoCAB in coordination with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The AQMP is a regional strategy plan to achieve air quality standards by examining emissions, looking at regional growth projections, and the impact of existing and proposed control measures to provide healthful air in the long-term. Since 1979, a number of AQMPs have been prepared.
2022 AQMP
South Coast AQMD adopted the 2022 AQMP on December 2, 2022, as an update to the 2017 AQMP. On October 1, 2015, the EPA strengthened the National AAQS for ground-level ozone, lowering the primary and secondary ozone standard levels to 70 parts per billion (ppb) (2015 Ozone National AAQS.). The SoCAB is currently classified as an “extreme” nonattainment area for the 2015 Ozone National AAQS. Meeting the 2015 federal ozone standard requires reducing NOX emissions, the key pollutant that creates ozone, by 67 percent more than is required by adopted rules and regulations in 2037. The only way to achieve the required NOx reductions is through extensive use of zero emission (ZE) technologies across all stationary and mobile sources. South Coast AQMD’s primary authority is over stationary sources which account for approximately 20 percent of NOx emissions. The overwhelming majority of NOx emissions are from heavy-duty trucks, ships and other State and federally regulated mobile sources that are mostly beyond the South Coast AQMD’s control. The region will not meet the standard absent significant federal action. In addition to federal action, the 2022 AQMP requires substantial reliance on future deployment of advanced technologies to meet the standard. The control strategy for the 2022 AQMP includes aggressive new regulations and the development of incentive programs to support early deployment of advanced technologies. The two key areas for incentive programs are (1) promoting widespread deployment of available ZE and low-NOx technologies and (2) developing new ZE and ultra-low NOx technologies for use in cases where the technology is not currently available. South Coast AQMD is prioritizing distribution of incentive funding in Environmental Justice areas and seeking opportunities to focus benefits on the most disadvantaged communities (South Coast AQMD 2022).

South Coast AQMD PM2.5 Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan In 1997, the EPA adopted the 24-hour fine PM2.5 standard of 65 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). In 2006, this standard was lowered to a more health-protective level of 35 µg/m3. The SoCAB is designated nonattainment for both the 65 and 35 µg/m3 24-hour PM2.5 standards (24-hour PM2.5 standards). In 2020, monitored data demonstrated that the SoCAB attained both 24-hour PM2.5 standards. The South Coast AQMD has developed the “2021 Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for the 1997 and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 Standards" for the SoCAB, demonstrating that the SoCAB has met the requirements to be redesignated to attainment for the 24-hour PM2.5 standards (South Coast AQMD 2021a). 195

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AB 617, Community Air Protection Program
AB 617 (C. Garcia, Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017) requires local air districts to monitor and implement air pollution control strategies that reduce localized air pollution in communities that bear the greatest burdens.

In response to AB 617, CARB has established the Community Air Protection Program.

Air districts are required to host workshops to help identify disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately affected by poor air quality. Once the criteria for identifying the highest priority locations have been identified and the communities have been selected, new community monitoring systems would be installed to track and monitor community-specific air pollution goals. In 2018 CARB prepared an air monitoring plan, the Community Air Protection Blueprint (Blueprint) that evaluates the availability and effectiveness of air monitoring technologies and existing community air monitoring networks. Under AB 617, the Blueprint is required to be updated every five years.

Under AB 617, CARB is also required to prepare a statewide strategy to reduce TACs and criteria pollutants in impacted communities; provide a statewide clearinghouse for best available retrofit control technology; adopt new rules requiring the latest best available retrofit control technology for all criteria pollutants for which an area has not achieved attainment of California AAQS; and provide uniform, statewide reporting of emissions inventories. Air districts are required to adopt a community emissions reduction program to achieve reductions for the communities impacted by air pollution that CARB identifies.

Lead Implementation Plan
In 2008, the EPA designated the Los Angeles County portion of the SoCAB as a nonattainment area under the federal lead classification due to the addition of source-specific monitoring under the new federal regulation. This designation was based on two source-specific monitors in the City of Vernon and the City of Industry that exceeded the new standard in the 2007-to-2009 period. The remainder of the SoCAB, outside the Los Angeles County nonattainment area, remains in attainment of the new 2008 lead standard. On May 24, 2012, CARB approved the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the federal lead standard, which EPA revised in 2008. Lead concentrations in this nonattainment area have been below the level of the federal standard since December 2011. The SIP revision was submitted to the EPA for approval.

South Coast AQMD Rules and Regulations
All projects are subject to South Coast AQMD rules and regulations in effect at the time of activity, including:
 Rule 401, Visible Emissions. This rule is intended to prevent the discharge of pollutant emissions from an emissions source that results in visible emissions. Specifically, the rule prohibits the discharge of any air contaminant into the atmosphere by a person from any single source of emission for a period or periods aggregating more than three minutes in any one hour that is as dark as or darker than designated No. 1 on the Ringelmann Chart, as published by the US Bureau of Mines.  Rule 402, Nuisance. This is intended to prevent the discharge of pollutant emissions from an emissions source that results in a public nuisance. Specifically, this rule prohibits any person from discharging 196

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quantities of air contaminants or other material from any source such that it would result in an injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public. Additionally, the discharge of air contaminants would also be prohibited where it would endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of any number of persons to the public, or that cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property. This rule does not apply to odors emanating from agricultural operations necessary for the growing of crops or the raising of fowl animals.  Rule 403, Fugitive Dust. This rule is intended to reduce the amount of particulate matter entrained in the ambient air because of anthropogenic (human-made) fugitive dust sources by requiring actions to prevent, reduce, or mitigate fugitive dust emissions. Rule 403 applies to any activity or human-made condition capable of generating fugitive dust and requires best available control measures to be applied to earth moving and grading activities. In general, the rule prohibits new developments from the installation of wood-burning devices.
 Rule 445, Wood Burning Devices. This rule is intended to reduce the emission of particulate matter from wood-burning devices and applies to manufacturers and sellers of wood-burning devices, commercial sellers of firewood, and property owners and tenants that operate a wood-burning device.  Rule 113, Architectural Coatings. This rule serves to limit the VOC content of architectural coatings used on projects in the South Coast AQMD. Any person who supplies, sells, offers for sale, or manufactures any architectural coating for use on projects in the South Coast AQMD must comply with the current VOC standards set in this rule.
 Rule 1403, Asbestos Emissions from Demolition/Renovation Activities. The purpose of this rule is to specify work practice requirements to limit asbestos emissions from building demolition and renovation activities, including the removal and associated disturbance of asbestos-containing materials (ACM). The requirements for demolition and renovation activities include asbestos surveying, notification, ACM removal procedures and time schedules, ACM handling and clean-up procedures, and storage disposal, and landfilling requirements for asbestos-containing waste materials. All operators are required to maintain records, including waste shipment records, and a required to use appropriate warning labels, signs, and markings.
 Rule 2305, Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program. Rule 2305 applies to both the operators and owners of warehouses greater than or equal to 100,000 square feet in size, although most requirements apply to warehouse operators. The rule is being phased in over a three-year period based on warehouse size. Under Rule 2305, warehouse operations over 100,000 square feet are required to earn a specified number of WAIRE points using any combination of items from the WAIRE menu, implementation of a custom WAIRE plan, or payment of a mitigation fee. The amount of points every warehouse operator must earn annually depends on the number of truck trips to their warehouse during the 12-month compliance period. The WAIRE menu includes acquisition of or visits from near-zero-emissions (NZE) and zero-emissions (ZE) on-road trucks, acquiring or using ZE yard trucks, installing or using ZE charging/fueling infrastructure, installing or using solar panels, or installing 197

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particulate filters for nearby sensitive land uses. Alternatively, an operator may choose to apply for a sitespecific custom WAIRE plan that incorporates actions that are not on the WAIRE menu.

Local Regulations
City of Wildomar Municipal Code
 Chapter 8.104, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, prohibits burning of solid waste, unless a permit has been issued and is in compliance with all applicable permit and other regulations of air pollution control authorities.
 Chapter 10.36, Transportation Demand Management Program, establishes policies to encourage and promote the use of alternative transportation modes through project design and facility planning.

The City is currently working with the Western Riverside Council of Governments to develop detailed implementation strategies for congestion management and air quality in order to identify impacted areas within western Riverside County where these strategies should be enforced.  Chapter 12.08, Excavations and Encroachments on City Streets, prohibits removal or severely trimming any tree planted in the right-of-way of any City street without first obtaining a permit from the Transportation Director.
 Title 17, Zoning, identifies the types of permitted land uses and development standards on all parcels throughout the various assigned zoning districts. Development standards can help reduce odor nuisances, obnoxious dust or fumes to adjacent properties.

5.3.1.3 EXISTING CONDITIONS
South Coast Air Basin Meteorology
The City of Wildomar is in the SoCAB, which includes all of Orange County and the nondesert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. The SoCAB is in a coastal plain with connecting broad valleys and low hills and is bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the southwest quadrant, with high mountains forming the remainder of the perimeter. The general region lies in the semipermanent high-pressure zone of the eastern Pacific. As a result, the climate is mild, tempered by cool sea breezes. This usually mild weather pattern is interrupted infrequently by periods of extremely hot weather, winter storms, and Santa Ana winds (South Coast AQMD 2005).

Temperature and Precipitation
The annual average temperature varies little throughout the SoCAB, ranging from the low to middle 60s in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). With a more pronounced oceanic influence, coastal areas show less variability in annual minimum and maximum temperatures than inland areas. In contrast to a very steady pattern of temperature, rainfall is seasonally and annually highly variable. Almost all rain falls from November to April. 198

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Humidity
Although the SoCAB has a semiarid climate, the air near the earth’s surface is typically moist because of a shallow marine layer. This “ocean effect” is dominant except for infrequent periods when dry, continental air is brought into the SoCAB by offshore winds. Periods of heavy fog are frequent, especially along the coast.

Low clouds, often referred to as high fog, are a characteristic climatic feature. Annual average humidity is 70 percent at the coast and 57 percent in the eastern portions of the SoCAB (South Coast AQMD 1993).

Wind
Wind patterns across the southern coastal region are characterized by westerly or southwesterly onshore winds during the day and easterly or northeasterly breezes at night. Wind speed is somewhat greater during the dry summer months than during the rainy winter season.

Between periods of wind, periods of air stagnation may occur in the morning and evening hours. Air stagnation is one of the critical determinants of air quality conditions on any given day. During the winter and fall months, surface high-pressure systems over the SoCAB, combined with other meteorological conditions, can result in very strong, downslope Santa Ana winds. These winds normally continue a few days before predominant meteorological conditions are reestablished.

The mountain ranges to the east inhibit the eastward transport and diffusion of pollutants. Air quality in the SoCAB generally ranges from fair to poor and is similar to air quality in most of coastal Southern California.

The entire region experiences heavy concentrations of air pollutants during prolonged periods of stable atmospheric conditions (South Coast AQMD 2005).

Inversions
In conjunction with the two characteristic wind patterns that affect the rate and orientation of horizontal pollutant transport, two distinct types of temperature inversions control the vertical depth through which pollutants are mixed. These inversions are the marine/subsidence inversion and the radiation inversion. The height of the base of the inversion at any given time is known as the “mixing height.” The combination of winds and inversions are critical determinants in the highly degraded air quality in summer and the generally good air quality in the winter in the project area (South Coast AQMD 2005).

SoCAB Nonattainment Areas
The AQMP provides the framework for air quality basins to achieve attainment of the State and federal ambient air quality standards through the SIP. Areas are classified as attainment or nonattainment areas for particular pollutants depending on whether they meet the ambient air quality standards. Severity classifications for ozone nonattainment range from marginal, moderate, and serious to severe and extreme.  Unclassified. A pollutant is designated unclassified if the data are incomplete and do not support a designation of attainment or nonattainment.
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 Attainment. A pollutant is in attainment if the AAQS for that pollutant was not violated at any site in the area during a three-year period.
 Nonattainment. A pollutant is in nonattainment if there was at least one violation of an AAQS for that pollutant in the area.
 Nonattainment/Transitional. A subcategory of the nonattainment designation. An area is designated nonattainment/transitional to signify that the area is close to attaining the AAQS for that pollutant.

The attainment status for the SoCAB is shown in Table 5.3-3, Attainment Status of Criteria Pollutants in the South Coast Air Basin.

Table 5.3-3 Attainment Status of Criteria Air Pollutants in the South Coast Air Basin Pollutant State Federal
Ozone – 1-hour Extreme Nonattainment No Federal Standard Ozone – 8-hour Extreme Nonattainment Extreme Nonattainment PM10 Serious Nonattainment Attainment
PM2.5 Nonattainment Nonattainment1
CO Attainment Attainment
NO2 Attainment Attainment/Maintenance
SO2 Attainment Attainment
Lead Attainment Nonattainment (Los Angeles County only ) 2 All others Attainment/Unclassified Attainment/Unclassified Source: CARB 2023a. 1 The SoCAB is pending a redesignation request from nonattainment to attainment for the 24-hour federal PM2.5 standards. The 2021 PM2.5 Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan demonstrates that the South Coast meets the requirements of the CAA to allow the EPA to redesignate the SoCAB to attainment for the 65 µg/m3 and 35 µg/m3 24-hour PM2.5 standards. CARB will submit the 2021 PM2.5 Redesignation Request to the US EPA as a revision to the California SIP (CARB 2021a). 2 In 2010, the Los Angeles portion of the SoCAB was designated nonattainment for lead under the new 2008 federal AAQS as a result of large industrial emitters.

Remaining areas for lead in the SoCAB are unclassified. However, lead concentrations in this nonattainment area have been below the level of the federal standard since December 2011 (South Coast AQMD 2012). CARB’s SIP revision was submitted to the EPA for approval.

Existing Ambient Air Quality
Existing levels of ambient air quality and historical trends and projections in Wildomar are best documented by measurements taken by the South Coast AQMD. The City is in Source Receptor Area (SRA) 25, 7,8 and the
Lake Elsinore-W Flint Street Monitoring Station best represents the ambient air quality. As shown in Table 5.3-4, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Summary, the area regularly exceeds the State and federal one-hour and eight-hour O3 standards and occasionally exceeds the federal PM10 in the last three recorded years. 7 Locations of the SRAs and monitoring stations are shown here: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/default-documentlibrary/map-of-monitoring-areas.pdf. 8 South Coast AQMD Rule 701 defines an SRA as: “A source area is that area in which contaminants are discharged and a receptor area is that area in which the contaminants accumulate and are measured. Any of the areas can be a source area, a receptor area, or both a source and receptor area.” There are 37 SRAs within the South Coast AQMD’s jurisdiction. 200

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Table 5.3-4 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Summary
Pollutant/Standard
Number of Days Thresholds Were Exceeded and
Maximum Levels
2020 2021 2022
Ozone (O3)
State 1-Hour ≥ 0.09 ppm (days exceed threshold)
State & Federal 8-hour ≥ 0.070 ppm (days exceed threshold) Max. 1-Hour Conc. (ppm)
Max. 8-Hour Conc. (ppm)
18 54

0.130

0.100
18 44

0.118

0.097
17 37

0.121

0.091
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
1 State 1-Hour ≥ 0.18 ppm (days exceed threshold)
Federal 1-Hour ≥ 0.100 ppm (days exceed threshold)
Max. 1-Hour Conc. (ppm)
0 0

0.0436
0 0

0.0437
0 0

0.0372
Coarse Particulates (PM10)
State 24-Hour > 50 µg/m3 (days exceed threshold)
Federal 24-Hour > 150 µg/m3 (days exceed threshold)
Max. 24-Hour Conc. (µg/m3)
*
1 192.4
*
0 90.0
*
0 91.8
Fine Particulates (PM2.5)
Federal 24-Hour > 35 µg/m3 (days exceed threshold)
Max. 24-Hour Conc. (µg/m3)
*

41.6 *

28.8 *

16.2 Source: CARB 2023c.
ppm = parts per million; parts per billion, µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter, * = not provided Data for O3, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 obtained from the Lake Elsinore-W Flint Monitoring Station. Data may include exceptional events, like wildfires.

Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study
The Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study (MATES) is a monitoring and evaluation study on existing ambient concentrations of TACs and the potential health risks from air toxics in the SoCAB. In April 2021 South Coast AQMD released the latest update to the MATES study, MATES V. The first MATES analysis began in 1986 but was limited due to the technology available at the time. Conducted in 1998, MATES II was the first MATES iteration to include a comprehensive monitoring program, an air toxics emissions inventory, and a modeling component. MATES III was conducted from 2004 to 2006, with MATES IV following in 2012 to 2013.

MATES V used measurements taken during 2018 and 2019, with a comprehensive modeling analysis and emissions inventory based on 2018 data. The previous MATES studies quantified the cancer risks based on the inhalation pathway only. MATES V includes information on the chronic noncancer risks from inhalation and non-inhalation pathways for the first time. Cancer risks and chronic noncancer risks from MATES II through IV measurements have been re-examined using current Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment and California Environmental Protection Agency risk assessment methodologies and modern statistical methods to examine the trends over time. Figure 5.3-1, South Coast AQMD MATES V Cancer Risk, shows the results of the multi-pathway cancer risk from the MATES V study. The potential cancer risk is expressed as the incremental number of potential cancer cases that could be developed per million people, assuming that the population is exposed to the substance at a constant annual average concentration over a presumed 70-year lifetime.
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8 Figure 5.3-1 - South Coast AQMD Mates V Cancer Risk

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Residential Air Toxics Cancer
Risk at MATES Monitoring
Sites
0-100
101-250
251-400
401-550
551-700
701-850
851-1000
1001-1150
1151-1300
1301-1450
1451-1600
1601-4800
MATES V Cancer Risk
Pacific Ocean
County of Orange
County of Riverside
County of San Diego
Lake
Elsinore
Lake
Mathews
Lake
Perris
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The MATES V study showed that cancer risk in the SoCAB decreased to 454 in a million from the MATES IV study risk of 997 in a million. Overall, air toxic cancer risk in the SoCAB decreased by 54 percent since 2012 when MATES IV was conducted. MATES V showed the highest risk locations near the Los Angeles International Airport and Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. DPM continues to be the major contributor to air toxics cancer risk. Goods movement and transportation corridors have the highest cancer risk.

Transportation sources account for 88 percent of carcinogenic air toxics emissions, and the remainder is from stationary sources, which include large industrial operations such as refineries and power plants and smaller businesses such as gas stations and chrome-plating facilities. (South Coast AQMD 2021b).

Existing Emissions
The City consists of commercial, recreational, industrial, institutional, and residential land uses. These uses currently generate criteria air pollutant emissions from natural gas use for energy, heating, and cooking; vehicle trips associated with each land use; and area sources such as landscaping equipment and consumer cleaning products.9 Table 5.3-5, City of Wildomar Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory, shows the average daily emissions inventory currently associated with the existing land uses in the City.

Table 5.3-5 City of Wildomar Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Sector
Existing Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions
(pounds per day)
VOC NOX CO SO2 PM10 PM2.5
Transportation1 70 780 2,559 8 61 28
Energy2 7 127 61 1 10 10
Area –Off-Road Equipment3 115 219 1,793 <1 11 10
Area – Consumer Products4 496 ― ― ― ― ―
Tota 688 1,125 4,413 10 82 48
Sources: 1 EMFAC2021 Version 1.0.2. Based on daily VMT provided by Chen Ryan Associates (see Appendix 5.17-1). 2 Based on natural gas use provided by SoCalGas. 3 OFFROAD2021 V.1.0.5. 4 Based on CalEEMod 2022 User’s Guide methodology to calculate VOC emissions from use of household consumer cleaning products.

Permitted Sources of Emissions
South Coast AQMD regulates stationary sources of emissions through source-specific rules that have been adopted to reduce criteria air pollutant emissions and TACs. South Coast AQMD maintains the Facility Information Detail (FIND) database of permitted facilities in its region. Permitted sources include smaller sources such as gas stations and chrome-plating facilities as well as large sources such as refineries and power stations. Figure 5.3-2, South Coast AQMD Permitted Stationary Sources, identifies permitted sources of emissions in Wildomar that are regulated directly by South Coast AQMD. Permitted sources of emissions are generally clustered in industrial areas of the City.
9 Emissions from permitted sources are excluded from the existing emissions inventory because the reductions associated with the Industrial sector are regulated separately by South Coast AQMD and are not under the jurisdiction of the City of Wildomar. 203
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1 Figure 5.3-2 - South Coast AQMD Permitted Stationary Sources

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
AQMD Permitted
Stationary Sources
Source: SCAQMD 2023.
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Sensitive Receptors
Some land uses are considered more sensitive to air pollution than others due to the types of population groups or activities involved. Sensitive population groups include children, the elderly, the acutely ill, and the chronically ill, especially those with cardiorespiratory diseases.

Residential areas are considered sensitive to air pollution because residents (including children and the elderly) tend to be at home for extended periods of time, resulting in sustained exposure to any pollutants present.

Other sensitive receptors are retirement facilities, hospitals, and schools. Recreational land uses are considered moderately sensitive to air pollution. Although exposure periods are generally short, exercise places a high demand on respiratory functions, which can be impaired by air pollution. In addition, noticeable air pollution can detract from the enjoyment of recreation. Industrial, commercial, retail, and office areas are considered the least sensitive to air pollution. Exposure periods are relatively short and intermittent, because the majority of the workers tend to stay indoors most of the time. In addition, the workforce is generally the healthiest segment of the population.

Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities
The South Coast AQMD region has the worst levels of ground-level ozone (smog) and among the highest levels of PM2.5 in the nation. The air pollution levels in the region exceed National and California AAQS for both of these air pollutants. The health impacts associated with the high levels of air pollution cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease, exacerbate asthma, and can lead to premature death. EJ communities experience the brunt of the health effects from air pollution. In the 2022 AQMP, EJ communities are defined as census tracts in the top 25 percent in the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s (OEEHA) California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool, or CalEnviroScreen (CES).

Approximately 37 percent of the SoCAB residents and 8 percent of Coachella Valley residents live in EJ communities (South Coast AQMD 2022).

CalEnviroScreen (CES) Air Quality Indicators
CES is a mapping tool the helps identify the California communities most affected by sources of pollution and where people are especially vulnerable to pollution’s effects. People in EJ areas identified by CES may be disproportionately affected by and vulnerable to poor air quality. CES’s “pollution burden” map identifies communities that are exposed to pollution from human activities, such as air pollution (ozone, PM2.5, DPM), water pollution (drinking water contaminants), hazardous materials (pesticide use, children’s lead exposure, toxic releases), and traffic density.

Figure 5.3-3, CES4 Indicator: Pollution Score by Percentile, shows the pollution burden for Wildomar relative to California. In CalEnviroScreen, the pollution burden scope considers the disproportionate effect of pollution on EJ communities, because the score weighs socioeconomic factors (e.g., educational attainment and poverty) and sensitivity of the population (e.g., asthma rates and cardiovascular disease). 205
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1 Figure 5.3-3 - CES4 Indicator – Pollution Score by Percentile

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Source: SCAQMD 2023.

Pollution Percentile
by Census Tract
<= (Lowest Score)
10-20
20-30
30-40
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-80
80-90
90-100 (Highest Score)
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Figure 5.3-4, CES4 Indicator: Diesel Particulate Score by Percentile, and Figure 5.3-5, CES4 Indicator: Ozone Score by Percentile, provide an estimate of the percentile of DPM and O3 in Wildomar compared to the rest of the state (OEHHA 2023). The DPM percentile is based on spatial distribution of gridded DPM emissions from onroad and nonroad sources in 2016 (tons/year). Exposure to DPM has been shown to have numerous adverse health effects, including irritation to the eyes, throat, and nose; cardiovascular and pulmonary disease; and lung cancer. California regulations enacted since 1990 have led to a steady decline in diesel emissions.

Particulate matter pollution, and fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in particular, has been shown to cause numerous adverse health effects, including heart and lung disease (OEHHA 2021). The O3 percentile displays the mean concentration of the summer months (May through October) of the daily maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations (ppm) over three years (2017 to 2019). Prolonged exposure to ozone has caused respiratory irritation, worsening of asthma, and exacerbation of lung disease (OEHHA 2021).

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

AQ-1 Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan.

AQ-2 Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard.

AQ-3 Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations.

AQ-4 Result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people.

5.3.2.1 SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT THRESHOLDS The analysis of the proposed project’s air quality impacts follows the guidance and methodologies recommended in the South Coast AQMD’s CEQA Air Quality Handbook (Handbook) and the significance thresholds on South Coast AQMD’s website (South Coast AQMD 1993, 2019). CEQA allows the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district to be used to assess impacts of a project on air quality. South Coast AQMD has established regional thresholds of significance. In addition to the regional thresholds, projects are subject to the AAQS. 207
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1 Figure 5.3-4 - CES4 Indicator – Diesel Particulate Score by Percentile

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Source: SCAQMD 2023.

Diesel Particulate
Percentile by Census Tract
<= (Lowest Score)
10-20
20-30
30-40
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-80
80-90
90-100 (Highest Score)
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1 Figure 5.3-5 - CES4 Indicator – Ozone Score by Percentile

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Source: SCAQMD 2023.

Ozone Percentile
by Census Tract
<= (Lowest Score)
10-20
20-30
30-40
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-80
80-90
90-100 (Highest Score)
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Regional Significance Thresholds
South Coast AQMD has adopted regional construction and operational emissions thresholds to determine a project’s cumulative impact on air quality in the SoCAB, shown in Table 5.3-6, South Coast AQMD Significance Thresholds. The table lists thresholds that are applicable for all projects uniformly, regardless of size or scope.

There is growing evidence that although ultrafine particulate matter contributes a very small portion of the overall atmospheric mass concentration, it represents a greater proportion of the health risk from PM.

However, the EPA and CARB have not adopted AAQS to regulate ultrafine particulate matter; therefore, South Coast AQMD has not developed thresholds for them.

Table 5.3-6 SCAQMD Significance Thresholds
Air Pollutant Construction Phase Operational Phase
Reactive Organic Gases (ROG) 75 lbs/day 55 lbs/day
Carbon Monoxide (CO) 550 lbs/day 550 lbs/day
Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) 100 lbs/day 55 lbs/day
Sulfur Oxides (SOX) 150 lbs/day 150 lbs/day
Particulates (PM10) 150 lbs/day 150 lbs/day
Source: South Coast AQMD 2023.

In addition to the daily thresholds listed above, projects are also subject to the ambient air quality standards.

These are addressed though an analysis of localized CO impacts. The California 1-hour and 8-hour CO standards are:
 1-hour = 20 parts per million
 8-hour = 9 parts per million
The significance of localized project impacts depends on whether ambient CO levels in the vicinity of the project are above or below state and federal CO standards. If ambient levels are below the standards, a project is considered to have significant impacts if project emissions result in an exceedance of one or more of these standards. If ambient levels already exceed a state or federal standard, then project emissions are considered significant if they increase ambient concentrations by a measurable amount. The South Coast AQMD defines a measurable amount as 1.0 ppm or more for the 1-hour CO concentration or 0.45 ppm or more for the 8-hour CO concentration.

Projects that exceed the regional significance threshold contribute to the nonattainment designation of the SoCAB. The attainment designations are based on the AAQS, which are set at levels of exposure that are determined to not result in adverse health effects. Exposure to fine particulate pollution and ozone causes myriad health impacts, particularly to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.  Increases cancer risk (PM2.5, TACs)
 Aggravates respiratory disease (O3, PM2.5)
 Increases bronchitis (O3, PM2.5)
 Causes chest discomfort, throat irritation, and increased effort to take a deep breath (O3) 210

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 Reduces resistance to infections and increases fatigue (O3)  Reduces lung growth in children (PM2.5)
 Contributes to heart disease and heart attacks (PM2.5)  Contributes to premature death (O3, PM2.5)
 Contributes to lower birth weight in newborns (PM2.5) (South Coast AQMD 2015a) Exposure to fine particulates and ozone aggravates asthma attacks and can amplify other lung ailments such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Exposure to current levels of PM2.5 is responsible for an estimated 4,300 cardiopulmonary-related deaths per year in the SoCAB. In addition, University of Southern California scientists, in a landmark children’s health study, found that lung growth improved as air pollution declined for children aged 11 to 15 in five communities in the SoCAB (South Coast AQMD 2015b).

South Coast AQMD is the primary agency responsible for ensuring the health and welfare of sensitive individuals exposed to elevated concentrations of air pollutants in the SoCAB and has established thresholds that would be protective of these individuals. To achieve the health-based standards established by the EPA, South Coast AQMD prepares an AQMP that details regional programs to attain the AAQS.

Mass emissions in Table 5.3-6 are not correlated with concentrations of air pollutants but contribute to the cumulative air quality impacts in the SoCAB. The thresholds are based on the trigger levels for the federal New Source Review Program, which was created to ensure projects are consistent with attainment of healthbased federal AAQS. Regional emissions from a single project do not single-handedly trigger a regional health impact, and it is speculative to identify how many more individuals in the air basin would be affected by the health effects listed above. Projects that do not exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds in Table 5.3-6 would not violate any air quality standards or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation.

If projects exceed the emissions in Table 5.3-6, emissions would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment status and would contribute to elevating the associated health effects. Known health effects related to ozone include worsening of bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema and a decrease in lung function.

Health effects associated with particulate matter include premature death of people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, decreased lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms. Reducing emissions would further contribute to reducing possible health effects related to criteria air pollutants. However, for projects that exceed the emissions in Table 5.3-6, it is speculative to determine how this would affect the number of days the region is in nonattainment—since mass emissions are not correlated with concentrations of emissions—or how many additional individuals in the air basin would be affected.

South Coast AQMD has not provided methodology to assess the specific correlation between mass emissions generated and the effect on health that is needed to address the issue raised in Sierra Club v. County of Fresno (2018) 6 Cal.5th 502, Case No. S21978 (known as “Friant Ranch”). Ozone concentrations depend on a variety of complex factors, including the presence of sunlight and precursor pollutants, natural topography, nearby structures that cause building downwash, atmospheric stability, and wind patterns. Because of the complexities of predicting ground-level ozone concentrations in relation to the National AAQS and 211

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California AAQS, it is not possible to link health risks to the magnitude of emissions exceeding the significance thresholds. However, if a project in the SoCAB exceeds the regional significance thresholds, the project could contribute to an increase in health effects in the basin until the attainment standard is met in the SoCAB.

Localized Significance Thresholds
South Coast AQMD identifies localized significance thresholds (LST), shown in Table 5.3-7, South Coast AQMD Localized Significance Thresholds. Emissions of NO2, CO, PM10, and PM2.5 generated at a project site could expose sensitive receptors to substantial concentrations of criteria air pollutants. Off-site mobile-source emissions are not included in the LST analysis. A project would generate a significant impact if it generates emissions that would violate the AAQS when added to the local background concentrations.

Table 5.3-7 South Coast AQMD Localized Significance Thresholds Air Pollutant (Relevant AAQS) Concentration
1-Hour CO Standard (CAAQS) 20 ppm
8-Hour CO Standard (CAAQS) 9.0 ppm
1-Hour NO2 Standard (CAAQS) 0.18 ppm
Annual NO2 Standard (CAAQS) 0.03 ppm
24-Hour PM10 Standard – Construction (South Coast AQMD) 1 10.4 µg/m3
24-Hour PM2.5 Standard – Construction (South Coast AQMD) 1 10.4 µg/m3
24-Hour PM10 Standard – Operation (South Coast AQMD)
1 2.5 µg/m3
24-Hour PM2.5 Standard – Operation (South Coast AQMD)
1 2.5 µg/m3
Annual Average PM10 Standard (South Coast AQMD)
1 1.0 µg/m3
Source: South Coast AQMD 2023.
ppm: parts per million; µg/m3: micrograms per cubic meter 1 Threshold is based on South Coast AQMD Rule 403. Since the SoCAB is in nonattainment for PM10 and PM2.5, the threshold is established as an allowable change in concentration. Therefore, background concentration is irrelevant.

CO Hotspots
Areas of vehicle congestion have the potential to create pockets of CO called hotspots. These pockets have the potential to exceed the State one-hour standard of 20 parts per million (ppm) or the eight-hour standard of 9 ppm. Because CO is produced in greatest quantities from vehicle combustion and does not readily disperse into the atmosphere, adherence to ambient air quality standards is typically demonstrated through an analysis of localized CO concentrations. Hotspots are typically produced at intersections, where traffic congestion is highest because vehicles queue for longer periods and are subject to reduced speeds. With the turnover of older vehicles and introduction of cleaner fuels as well as implementation of control technology at industrial facilities, CO concentrations in the SoCAB and the state have steadily declined.

In 2007, the SoCAB was designated in attainment for CO under both the California AAQS and National AAQS. The CO hotspot analysis conducted for the attainment by South Coast AQMD did not predict a violation of CO standards at the busiest intersections in Los Angeles during the peak morning and afternoon 212

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periods.10 As identified in South Coast AQMD’s 2003 AQMP and the 1992 Federal Attainment Plan for Carbon Monoxide, peak carbon monoxide concentrations in the SoCAB in the years before redesignation were a result of unusual meteorological and topographical conditions and not of congestion at a particular intersection. Under existing and future vehicle emission rates, a project would have to increase traffic volumes at a single intersection to more than 44,000 vehicles per hour—or 24,000 vehicles per hour where vertical and/or horizontal air does not mix—in order to generate a significant CO impact (BAAQMD 2023).11 Health Risk Thresholds
Whenever a project would require use of chemical compounds that have been identified in South Coast AQMD Rule 1401, placed on CARB’s air toxics list pursuant to AB 1807, or placed on the EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, a health risk assessment is required by the South Coast AQMD. Table 5.3-8, South Coast AQMD Incremental Risk Thresholds for TACs, lists the TAC incremental risk thresholds for operation of a project. The purpose of this environmental evaluation is to identify the significant effects of the proposed project on the environment, not the significant effects of the environment on the proposed project. See California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (2015) 62 Cal.4th 369 (Case No. S213478). CEQA does not require an analysis of the environmental effects of attracting development and people to an area. However, the environmental document must analyze the impacts of environmental hazards on future users when a proposed project exacerbates an existing environmental hazard or condition. Residential, commercial, and office uses do not use substantial quantities of TACs and typically do not exacerbate existing hazards, so these thresholds are typically applied to new industrial projects.

Table 5.3-8 South Coast AQMD Incremental Risk Thresholds for TACs Maximum Incremental Cancer Risk ≥ 10 in 1 million
Hazard Index (project increment) ≥ 1.0
Cancer Burden in areas ≥ 1 in 1 million > 0.5 excess cancer cases Source: South Coast AQMD 2023.
10 The four intersections were: Long Beach Boulevard and Imperial Highway; Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue; Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue; and La Cienega Boulevard and Century Boulevard. The busiest intersection evaluated (Wilshire and Veteran) had a daily traffic volume of approximately 100,000 vehicles per day with LOS E in the morning peak hour and LOS F in the evening peak hour. 11 The CO hotspot analysis refers to the modeling conducted by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) for its CEQA Guidelines because it is based on newer data and considers the improvement in mobile-source CO emissions. Although meteorological conditions in the Bay Area differ from those in the Southern California region, the modeling conducted by BAAQMD demonstrates that the net increase in peak hour traffic volumes at an intersection in a single hour would need to be substantial. This finding is consistent with the CO hotspot analysis South Coast AQMD prepared as part of its 2003 AQMP to provide support in seeking CO attainment for the SoCAB. Based on the analysis prepared by South Coast AQMD, no CO hotspots were predicted for the SoCAB. As noted in the preceding footnote, the analysis included some of Los Angeles’ busiest intersections, with daily traffic volumes of 100,000 or more peak hour vehicle trips operating at LOS E and F. 213

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5.3.3 Proposed General Plan Goals and Policies
Open Space and Conservation Element
GOAL OS 1: Biological resources are protected from development, conserved, restored, and enhanced.  Policy OS-1.6 Natural Vegetation Conservation. Maintain and conserve mature and historic examples of native trees, natural vegetation, stands of established trees, and other features for ecosystem, aesthetic, and water conservation purposes.

GOAL OS 2 Air quality is protected from adverse environmental factors that contribute to poor air quality.  Policy OS-2.1 Air Quality Coordination. Collaborate with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in the preparation and application of regional air quality management plans, programs, enforcement measures, and mitigation measures designed to reduce and/or minimize the amount of primary and secondary air pollutants.  Policy OS-2.2 New Construction. Require compliance with South Coast AQMD regulations and support appropriate future measures to reduce fugitive dust emanating from new project construction sites.
 Policy OS-2.3 Compatible Development Siting. Require that siting for new developments is compatible with the existing land uses and ensure that land uses for sensitive receptors such as daycares, schools, hospitals, and elderly housing are separated and protected from polluting point sources using pollution control measures such as distance, barriers, and landscaping.  Policy OS-2.4 Landscaping and Construction Equipment. Encourage the reduction of gasoline- or diesel-powered landscaping and construction equipment and increased use of electric equipment.  Policy OS-2.5 Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. Work with utility providers to expand EV charging infrastructure throughout the community to accelerate the use of zero emission vehicles, prioritizing multifamily, commercial, office, and municipal properties.  Policy OS-2.6 City Vehicles. Purchase City vehicles consistent with the state’s Advanced Clean Fleet regulations as feasible.

GOAL OS 6: Energy is used efficiently and sourced from resilient, low carbon, and renewable energy supplies.
 Policy OS-6.1 Energy Conservation. Encourage energy audits and energy-efficient retrofitting of existing buildings throughout the City.
 Policy OS-6.2 Energy Transition. Work with local energy providers and contractors to support residents and business owners transitioning to all-electric appliances and renewable energy. 214

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 Policy OS-6.4 Energy Independence. Increase the installation of on-site renewable energy systems in new and existing developments with the capacity to support these systems, enforcing the renewable energy requirements of the California Building Standards Code and encouraging buildings not covered by State requirements to install renewable energy systems.  Policy OS-6.5 Energy Storage. Encourage new and existing buildings to include battery storage systems, especially at buildings with solar energy installations and municipal buildings that provide essential community services.
 Policy OS-6.6 Municipal Energy Transition. Transition municipal operations to renewable energy sources and electric building operations as feasible.
 Policy OS-6.7 Tree Canopy. Maintain and expand the tree canopy in residential and commercial neighborhoods to provide shade, improve air and water quality, reduce the heat island effect, and create habitat for birds and pollinators.
 Policy OS-6.8 Urban Cooling. Promote the construction of cool roofs, green roofs, and rooftop gardens, as feasible, to support decreased energy demand and urban cooling. Rooftop gardens also cool the surrounding area through moisture retention and surface reflectivity. The construction of rooftop gardens would reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions in the building energy sector.  Policy OS-6.9 Cooling Elements. Encourage site and building design that avoids unwanted heat gain from solar exposure and considers passive solar and wind design. Features that provide shading at suitable times of the day and year and generally should be “passive” or automatic, avoiding the need for occupants to regularly monitor or adjust them. Examples of passive and active solar and wind design include orienting buildings to maximize exposure to cooling effects of prevailing winds, daylighting design, natural ventilation, space planning, thermal massing, and locating landscaping and landscape structures to shade buildings.

Land Use Element
GOAL LU 4 Urban Form: A City of distinct centers and corridors surrounded by neighborhoods and connected to a network of parks and open spaces.
 Policy LU-4.1 Patterns and Distribution of Uses and Density. Accommodate land use development in accordance with the patterns and distribution of use and density depicted on the General Plan Land Use Plan (Figure LU-1) to promote efficient development; reduce automobile dependence and greenhouse gas emissions; ensure compatibility among uses; enhance community livability and health; and sustain economic vitality.
 Policy LU-4.2 Multi-modal Linkages. Incorporate appropriate linkages for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and other non-vehicular travel modes in the design and development of projects. 215

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GOAL LU 6 Maintenance and Compatibility With Other Uses: Development is located and designed to maintain the qualities that distinguish Wildomar and to ensure effective transitions between neighborhoods and districts.
 Policy LU-6.1 Protect from Adverse Impacts. Retain and enhance the integrity of existing residential, employment, and open space areas by protecting them from encroachment of land uses that would result in impacts from noise, noxious fumes, glare, shadowing, and traffic.

GOAL LU 8 Residential Neighborhoods. A City composed of neighborhoods with a variety of housing types that are desirable places to live, contribute to the quality of life, and are well maintained.  Policy LU-8.2 Connections and Linkages. Integrate networks of parks, plazas, public squares, bicycle trails and pedestrian paths into new residential development to provide both connections in neighborhoods as well as linkages with surrounding features and neighborhoods.

GOAL LU 9 Commercial Areas. Vital, active, prosperous, and well-designed commercial centers and corridors offer a diversity of goods, services, and entertainment and contribute a positive experience for Wildomar’s residents and visitors.
 Policy LU-9.1 Commercial Uses and Variety. Provide for and encourage the development of a broad range of uses in Wildomar’s commercial centers and corridors that reduce the need to travel to adjoining communities for goods and services and capture a greater share of local spending.  Policy LU-9.2 Concentrate Commercial Uses. Concentrate commercial uses near transportation facilities and higher-density residential areas and require the incorporation of facilities to promote the use of public transit, such as bus turnouts.
 Policy LU-9.4:Internal and External Connections. Encourage the provision of non-vehicular access between commercial uses and adjoining neighborhoods and the development of internal crossconnections between commercial uses so as to reduce the number of curb cuts and number of vehicle trips on adjacent roadways.

GOAL LU 10 Mixed-Use Districts and Corridors: Well-designed districts and corridors contain an integrated mix of commercial, office, and/or housing that enable Wildomar’s residents to live close to businesses and employment, reduce automobile use, and actively engage and enhance pedestrian activity.  Policy LU-10.1 Mixed Use Design and Development. Encourage mixed use development, as designated in the Land Use Plan, that is designed appropriately for Wildomar.

GOAL LU 11: Industrial Uses: Light industrial uses are accommodated to enhance economic activity and are located and designed in a compatible manner with surrounding land uses.  Policy LU-11.1 Protect from Incompatible Uses. Protect industrial lands from encroachment of incompatible or sensitive uses, such as residential or schools, that could be impacted by industrial activity. 216

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 Policy LU-11.2 Concentrate Near Transportation and Utilities. Concentrate industrial and business park uses in proximity to transportation facilities and utilities.

Circulation Element
GOAL CI 1: A well-connected transportation network that is safe, comfortable, efficient, and accessible by users of all ages, abilities, and modes of travel, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, equestrians, transit users, and movers of commercial goods.
 Policy CI-1.1 Complete Streets. Plan, design, operate, and maintain City streets using Complete Streets principles for all types of transportation projects within the City including new, retrofit/reconstruction, maintenance, and ongoing projects. Repurposing unneeded roadway pavement to implement bicycle and pedestrian improvements, for example lane or road diets, should be considered as one of the tools to implement Complete Streets.
 Policy CI-1.4 Walkable Town Center. Create a walkable town center, anchored around the Old Town core, with gathering places and trails that reflect the City of Wildomar’s unique qualities and history.

Comfortable walking and bicycling connections will enhance access to the Old Town area from communities throughout the City.
 Policy CI-1.8 Enhance Connectivity. When feasible, require developments to incorporate short block spacing and a strong street grid network as a means to enhance connectivity for all travel modes.

Encourage the inclusion of non-motorized transportation corridors, such as paseos, promenades, and multi-use paths to improve connectivity along blocks or non-continuous streets.

GOAL CI 2: Pedestrian infrastructure that is safe, connected, and comfortable for users of all ages and abilities, inclusive of accessible curb ramps and sidewalks, marked crosswalks, trail connections, lighting, and pedestrian crossing features.
 Policy CI-2.1 Pedestrian Network. Improve pedestrian safety, comfort, and connectivity throughout the City, with an emphasis on implementing the various pedestrian route types (shown in Figure 3-1), and connections serving schools, parks, and commercial/retail centers.  Policy CI-2.2 Close Connectivity Gaps. Improve pedestrian network connectivity by requiring development projects to close connectivity gaps by extending project frontage improvements to the nearest connecting sidewalk/trail, where feasible and/or where fee credit/reimbursement programs exist.

Factors to be considered may include, but are not limited to, the proposed project’s land use, destinations created by the project, or destinations that could be reached by occupants of the new development, the length of the gap, etc.
 Policy CI-2.7 Connections to Trailheads. Provide pedestrian connections to recreational trailheads, where feasible.
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 Policy CI-2.9 Walking to School. Encourage walking as a preferred transportation mode for trips to and from elementary, middle, and high schools and nearby destinations.

GOAL CI 3: A safe and connected bicycle network composed of context-appropriate bicycle facilities and supporting amenities that serve the needs of recreational and utilitarian bicyclists of all ages and abilities.  Policy CI-3.1 Bicycle Network. Improve bicycle safety, comfort, and connectivity throughout the City, with an emphasis on implementing the planned bicycle network (shown on Figure 3-2).  Policy CI-3.2 Close Connectivity Gaps. Improve bicycle network connectivity by requiring development projects to close connectivity gaps by extending project frontage improvements to the nearest connecting bicycle facility, where feasible and/or where fee credit/reimbursement programs exist.

Factors to be considered may include, but are not limited to, the proposed project’s land use(s), destinations created by the project, or destinations that could be reached by occupants of the new development, the length of the gap, etc.
 Policy CI-3.4 Include Bicycle Facilities in Projects. Coordinate street resurfacing and restriping efforts, capital improvements projects, and development projects to include bicycle facilities identified in the planned bicycle network, where applicable.
 Policy CI-3.5 Connect with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions to provide continuous and uniform bicycle connections to and from neighboring communities, where feasible.  Policy CI-3.8 Biking to Schools. Pursue collaborative opportunities with local schools to implement programs that promote bicycle education and safety and encourage usage among students.  Policy CI-3.10 Bicycle Racks. Encourage existing retailers, shops, and shopping centers to install bicycle racks. Permit the reallocation of vehicular parking space(s) to bicycle parking spaces, if supported by a parking utilization study and/or if the remaining spaces are consistent with the minimum required for the respective land use as identified in Section 17.188.030 of Wildomar’s Municipal Code.  Policy CI-3.11 Employer-Provided Amenities. Encourage employers to install end-of-trip amenities for bicycle riders, such as bicycle parking, maintenance stations, lockers, and/or showers.  Policy CI-3.13 Freeway Crossings. As properties adjacent to I-15 develop, consider the feasibility of, and potential demand for, incorporating additional freeway crossings that prioritize pedestrian and bicycle mobility.

GOAL CI 4: A public transportation network that allows for convenient access to major destinations, both within Wildomar and the region.
 Policy CI-4.3 First-Mile/Last-Mile Connectivity. Encourage convenient and safe pedestrian and bicycle linkages to and from bus stops to provide better first-mile/last-mile connectivity. This includes connectivity to/from existing and new development and along streets providing access to the bus stops. 218

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GOAL CI 5: Convenient and efficient vehicle circulation with minimal congestion that does not degrade pedestrian and bicycle safety, mobility, and access.
 Policy CI-5.2 Connect with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Work with adjacent jurisdictions to provide continuous vehicular connections to and from neighboring communities.  Policy CI-5.4 Level of Service Threshold. Although Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) will be utilized as the traffic impact metric for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process, Level of Service (LOS) is still a critical measure and indicator of traffic operations. LOS D shall be the threshold for all Circulation Element roadways and intersections, consistent with Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines adopted by the City Council, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.  Policy CI-5.5 Vehicle Miles Travelled Threshold. All projects in the City shall be in compliance with Resolution No. 2020-40, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) CEQA Threshold Policy Guidelines. Efforts should be made to reduce VMT by prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle travel and/or incorporating active transportation enhancements, to the extent feasible. Efforts to reduce VMT may not necessarily have to be implemented on-site, but rather, in coordination with City staff, off-site projects that would offset the VMT increase caused by a particular project can be identified. Applicants/Developers would have the option to either construct the project/improvement or calculate the costs associated with the construction of the project/improvement and pay that as an in-lieu fee.  Policy CI-5.7 Evaluate Roadway Network. As development occurs, evaluate the need to designate additional roads as Circulation Element roadways, or amend existing designations, to help enhance vehicle circulation, reduce congestion, and increase connectivity throughout the City. Measures shall not come at the expense of pedestrian and/or bicycle safety, mobility, and access, unless approved by the City Engineer.
 Policy CI-5.9 Connect Lake Elsinore to Interstate 15. Continue to coordinate with the City of Lake Elsinore and respective property owners in Wildomar to identify a preferred connection between Lake Elsinore and Interstate 15 via Bundy Canyon Road, or alternatives. This connection could help reduce cut-through traffic on local or Collector streets in Wildomar and capitalize on the region’s investment in Bundy Canyon Road.
 Policy CI-5.12Utilize Transportation Demand Management. Regularly update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ordinance to include best management practices for reducing VMT.

Updates to the ordinance should include consideration of private shuttle bus services, work from home programs, vanpool programs, and parking strategies that would incentivize use of public or private transportation for key development projects.

GOAL CI 7: A comprehensive trail network that provides for equestrian mobility and alternate recreational options.
 Policy CI-7.2 Close Connectivity Gaps. Analyze gaps in the trail system and develop an approach for closing gaps, including property acquisition and/or dedicated easements, where necessary and feasible. 219

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 Policy CI-7.3 Connect with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Leverage trails within other jurisdictions to provide connectivity from Wildomar to points beyond.
 Policy CI-7.4 Equestrian Trails. Preserve and enhance equestrian trails where they currently exist.

5.3.4 Environmental Impacts

5.3.4.1 METHODOLOGY
The air quality evaluation was prepared in accordance with the requirements of CEQA to determine if significant air quality impacts are likely to occur in conjunction with future development that would be accommodated by the proposed project. The published South Coast AQMD’s CEQA Air Quality Handbook and its updates on the South Coast AQMD website are intended to provide local governments with guidance for analyzing and mitigating project-specific air quality impacts. It provides standards, methodologies, and procedures for conducting air quality analyses in EIRs that were used in this analysis. The following is a summary by sector of the assumptions used for the City’s criteria air pollutant emissions inventory and forecast included in Appendix 5.3-1.
 Building Energy. Emissions associated with natural gas use for residential and nonresidential land uses in the City were modeled based on data provided by the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) for years 2018 through 2022 (Appendix 5.3-1). Forecasts are adjusted for increases in population for natural gas use and non-residential square footage for non-residential natural gas use in the City.  Transportation. Transportation emissions forecasts were modeled using emissions data from CARB’s EMFAC2021 V1.0.2 web database. Model runs were based on internal and external origin-destination (O-D) VMT data provided by Chen Ryan Associates (see Appendix 5.17-1) for calendar year 2019 (existing) and 2045 emission rates.
12 The VMT is based on the O-D using the Riverside County Transportation Model and includes the full trip length for land uses in the City and a 50 percent reduction in the trip length for external-internal/internal-external trips based on the recommendations of CARB’s Regional Targets Advisory Committee under SB 375. 13 Consistent with CARB’s methodology
within the Climate Change Scoping Plan Measure Documentation Supplement, daily VMT was multiplied by 347 days per year to account for reduced traffic on weekends and holidays to determine annual emissions.
12 The Year 2045 inventory represents the projected emissions that the existing land uses would generate in the future, using year 2045 emission factors for on-road vehicles. To isolate the impacts related to the change in land uses proposed under the Proposed General Plan, emissions related to the update will be based on the difference in emissions generated by the existing and proposed land uses under year 2045 conditions. This approach is taken because existing land uses would be subject to regulations that come into effect in the future that reduce mobile-source emissions. Thus, the level of emissions the existing land uses generate today would not be generated in perpetuity, but would be affected by these state regulations. 13 For accounting purposes, there are two types of trips:

Internal OD VMT: Vehicle miles associated with vehicle trips that both originate and terminate within the city boundary.

External OD VMT: Vehicle miles associated with vehicle trips that either originate or terminate (but not both) within the city boundary.
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 Off-Road Equipment. OFFROAD is a database of equipment use and associated emissions for each county compiled by CARB. Off-road equipment in the City is based on year 2019 emission rates for Riverside County obtained from CARB’s OFFROAD V1.0.5 web database. OFFROAD was used to estimate criteria air pollutant emissions from lawn and garden, light commercial, construction equipment, and agriculture in the City. To determine the percentage of emissions attributable to the city, light commercial equipment is estimated based on employment for Wildomar as a percentage of Riverside County and forecasted based on the change in employment in the City. Construction equipment use is estimated based on building permit data for Wildomar and County of Riverside from data compiled by the US Census and assumes that construction emissions for the forecast year would be similar to historical levels. Lawn and garden equipment is based on the percentage of population in Wildomar compared to Riverside County and forecasted based on the change in population in the City. Agricultural equipment is based on the percentage of farmland in the City compared to the County of Riverside.  Area Sources. Area sources are based on CalEEMod defaults for emissions generated from use of consumer products and cleaning supplies (CAPCOA 2022).

Impacts of the Environment on a Project
In 2016, the California Legislature passed SB 1000, Planning for Healthy Communities Act, to incorporate EJ into the local land use planning process. SB 1000 requires local governments to address pollution and other hazards that disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color in their jurisdictions. SB 1000 mandates that general plans address EJ but does not require CEQA analyses to address EJ issues. The proposed project addresses air quality and health risk impacts of implementing the proposed project to sensitive land uses.

Buildout of the proposed land use plan under the proposed project could result in siting sensitive uses (e.g., residential) near sources of emissions (e.g., freeways, industrial uses, etc.). Developing new sensitive land uses near sources of emissions could expose persons that inhabit these sensitive land uses to potential air qualityrelated impacts. However, the purpose of this environmental evaluation is to identify the significant effects of the proposed project on the environment, not the significant effects of the environment on the proposed project. California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (2015) 62 Cal.4th 369 (Case No. S213478). Thus, CEQA does not require analysis of the potential environmental effects from siting sensitive receptors near existing sources, and this type of analysis is not provided in Section 5.3.4.2. However, the proposed project includes policies (Open Space and Conservation Element Policies OS-2.1, OS-2.2, and OS-2.3 and Land Use Element Policies LU-4.2 and LU-11.1) that would require design features to minimize air quality impacts and to achieve appropriate health standards.

5.3.4.2 IMPACT ANALYSIS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement. 221

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Impact 5.3-1: Buildout of the Proposed General Plan, and associated emissions, would exceed the assumptions of the South Coast AQMD’s AQMP. [Threshold AQ-1] The South Coast AQMD is directly responsible for reducing emissions from area, stationary, and mobile sources in the SoCAB to achieve the National and California AAQS and has responded to this requirement by preparing an AQMP. The South Coast AQMD Governing Board adopted the 2022 AQMP, which is a regional and multiagency effort (South Coast AQMD, CARB, SCAG, and EPA).

A consistency determination with the AQMP plays an important role in local agency project review by linking local planning and individual projects to the AQMP. It fulfills the CEQA goal of informing decision makers of the environmental efforts of the project under consideration early enough to ensure that air quality concerns are fully addressed. It also provides the local agency with ongoing information as to whether they are contributing to the clean air goals in the AQMP.

The two principal criteria for conformance with an AQMP are:

1. Whether the project would exceed the assumptions in the AQMP.

2. Whether the project would result in an increase in the frequency or severity of existing air quality violations, cause or contribute to new violations, or delay timeline attainment of air quality standards.

SCAG is South Coast AQMD’s partner in the preparation of the AQMP, providing the latest economic and demographic forecasts and developing transportation measures. Regional population, housing, and employment projects developed by SCAG are based, in part, on general plan land use designations. These projections form the foundation for the emissions inventory of the AQMP.

Criterion 1
Table 5.3-9, Comparison of Population and Employment Forecast, compares the population and employment growth forecast under the proposed project to the existing conditions. Table 5.3-9 shows that the proposed project would result in more VMT as a result of an increase in population; however, VMT per service population would decrease from the existing conditions as well as from the current General Plan. As a result, the proposed project provides a more efficient land use than existing conditions and a more efficient land use plan that reduces VMT per resident and employee. Therefore, the proposed project would be consistent with the AQMP under the first criterion.
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Table 5.3-9 Comparison of Population and Employment Forecast Scenario Existing
Current
General Plan
Proposed
General Plan
Change from Existing
Change from the Current
General Plan
Change % Change %
Population 37,326 60,045 65,325 27,999 75% 5,280 9%
Employment 5,841 9,516 12,115 6,274 107% 2,599 27%
Service Population (SP)1 43,167 69,561 77,440 34,273 79% 7,879 11% Daily VMT2 904,100 1,321,564 1,451,849 547,749 61% 130,285 10% VMT/SP 20.9 19.0 18.7 -2.2 -10% -0.3 -1%
1 Service population (SP) consists of the aggregate of total employees and population within the study area. 2 Source: Chen Ryan Associates 2023 (Appendix 5.17-1).

Criterion 2
The SoCAB is designated nonattainment for O3 and PM2.5 under the California and National AAQS, 14 nonattainment for PM10 under the California AAQS, and nonattainment for lead (Los Angeles County only) under the National AAQS (CARB 2023a). Because the proposed project involves long-term growth associated with buildout of the City, cumulative emissions generated from operation of individual development projects would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional and localized thresholds (see Impact

5.3-3). Consequently, emissions generated by development projects in addition to existing sources in the City are considered to cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SoCAB. Buildout of the proposed land use plan associated with the proposed project could contribute to an increase in frequency or severity of air quality violations and delay attainment of the AAQS or interim emission reductions in the AQMP, and emissions generated from buildout would result in a significant air quality impact. Therefore, the proposed project would be inconsistent with the AQMP. As identified in Impact 5.3-3, the proposed project would result in a substantial increase in VOC, NOX, and CO compared to existing conditions.

Summary
Buildout of the Proposed General Plan would be consistent with the AQMP under the first criterion.

However, air pollutant emissions associated with buildout of the proposed project would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations in the SoCAB. Therefore, the proposed project would be inconsistent with the AQMP.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.3-1 would be potentially significant. 14 The SoCAB is pending a resignation request from nonattainment to attainment for the 24-hour federal PM2.5 standards. The 2021 PM2.5 Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan demonstrates that the South Coast meets the requirements of the CAA to allow the EPA to redesignate the SoCAB to attainment for the 65 µg/m3 and 35 µg/m3 24-hour PM2.5 standards. CARB will submit the 2021 PM2.5 Redesignation Request to the EPA as a revision to the California SIP (CARB 2021a). 223

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Mitigation Measures
AQ-1 Prior to discretionary approval by the City of Wildomar for development projects subject to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review (i.e., nonexempt projects), project applicants shall prepare and submit a technical assessment evaluating potential project construction-related air quality impacts to the City of Wildomar Planning Department for review and approval. The evaluation shall be prepared in conformance with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) methodology for assessing air quality impacts. If construction-related criteria air pollutants are determined to have the potential to exceed the South Coast AQMD–adopted thresholds of significance, the City of Wildomar Building & Safety department shall require feasible mitigation measures to reduce air quality emissions. Potential measures shall be incorporated as conditions of approval for a project and may include but are not limited to the following:
 Require fugitive dust control measures that exceed South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Rule 403, such as:
 Requiring use of nontoxic soil stabilizers to reduce wind erosion.  Applying water every four hours to active soil disturbing activities.  Tarping and/or maintaining a minimum of 24 inches of freeboard on trucks hauling dirt, sand, soil, or other loose materials.
 Using construction equipment rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as having Tier 4 interim or higher exhaust emission limits.  Ensuring construction equipment is properly serviced and maintained to the manufacturer’s standards.
 Limiting nonessential idling of construction equipment to no more than five consecutive minutes.
 Using Super-Compliant VOC paints for coating of architectural surfaces whenever possible. A list of Super-Compliant architectural coating manufactures can be found on the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s website at:
https://www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/compliance/vocs/architecturalcoatings/super-compliant-coatings.

These identified measures shall be incorporated into all appropriate construction documents (e.g., construction management plans) submitted to the City and shall be verified by the City’s Planning Department.

AQ-2 Prior to discretionary approval by the City of Wildomar for development projects subject to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review (i.e., nonexempt projects), project applicants shall prepare and submit a technical assessment evaluating potential project operation-phase-related air quality impacts to the City of Wildomar Planning Department 224

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for review and approval. The evaluation shall be prepared in conformance with South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) methodology in assessing air quality impacts. If operation-related air pollutants are determined to have the potential to exceed the South Coast AQMD–adopted thresholds of significance, the City of Wildomar Planning Department shall require that applicants for new development projects incorporate mitigation measures to reduce air pollutant emissions during operational activities. The identified measures shall be included as part of the conditions of approval.

Possible mitigation measures to reduce long-term emissions could include, but are not limited to the following:
 For site-specific development that requires refrigerated vehicles, the construction documents shall demonstrate an adequate number of electrical service connections at loading docks for plug-in of the anticipated number of refrigerated trailers to reduce idling time and emissions.
 Applicants for manufacturing and light industrial uses shall consider energy storage and combined heat and power in appropriate applications to optimize renewable energy generation systems and avoid peak energy use.
 Site-specific developments with truck delivery and loading areas and truck parking spaces shall include signage as a reminder to limit idling of vehicles while parked for loading/unloading in accordance with California Air Resources Board Rule 2845 (13 CCR Chapter 10 § 2485).
 Provide bicycle parking facilities per the Nonresidential Voluntary Measures and Residential Voluntary Measures of CALGreen.
 Provide facilities to support electric charging infrastructure per the Nonresidential Voluntary Measures and Residential Voluntary Measures of CALGreen.  Applicant-provided appliances shall be Energy Star–certified appliances or appliances of equivalent energy efficiency (e.g., dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers).

Installation of Energy Star–certified or equivalent appliances shall be verified by the City during plan check.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.3-1 would be significant and unavoidable.

Impact 5.3-2: Construction activities associated with future development that would be accommodated under the Proposed General Plan could generate short-term emissions in exceedance of the South Coast AQMD’s threshold criteria. [Threshold AQ-2 and AQ-3] Construction activities under the proposed project would also temporarily increase PM10, PM2.5, VOC, NOX, SOX, and CO regional emissions in the SoCAB. The primary source of NOX, CO, and SOX emissions is the operation of construction equipment. The primary sources of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) emissions are activities that disturb the soil, such as grading and excavation, road construction, and building demolition 225

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and construction. The primary sources of VOC emissions are the application of architectural coating and off-gas emissions associated with asphalt paving. A discussion of health impacts associated with air pollutant emissions generated by construction activities is included under “Air Pollutants of Concern” in Section

5.3.1.2, Regulatory Framework.

Construction activities associated with the proposed project would occur over the buildout horizon of the plan, causing short-term emissions of criteria air pollutants. However, information regarding specific development projects, soil types, and the locations of receptors would be needed to quantify the level of impact associated with construction activity. Due to the scale of development activity associated with buildout of the proposed project, emissions would likely exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds. In accordance with the South Coast AQMD methodology, emissions that exceed the regional significance thresholds would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SoCAB.

Air quality emissions related to construction must be addressed on a project-by-project basis. For the proposed project, which is a broad-based policy plan, it is not possible to determine whether the scale and phasing of individual projects would exceed the South Coast AQMD's short-term regional or localized construction emissions thresholds. In addition to regulatory measures—e.g., South Coast AQMD Rule 403 for fugitive dust control, Rule 1113 for architectural coatings, and CARB’s Airborne Toxic Control Measures— mitigation imposed at the project level may include extension of construction schedules and/or use of special equipment. Policy OS-2.2 in Open Space and Conservation Element would also require compliance with South Coast AQMD regulations and support appropriate future measures to reduce fugitive dust emanating from new project construction sites.

While individual projects under the proposed project may not exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds, the likely scale and extent of construction activities associated with future development projects under the Proposed General Plan would likely continue to exceed the relevant South Coast AQMD thresholds for some projects. Construction-related regional air quality impacts of developments that would be accommodated by the proposed project would be potentially significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.3-2 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Implement Mitigation Measure AQ-1.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.3-2 would be significant and unavoidable.

Impact 5.3-3: Implementation of the proposed project would generate additional, long-term emissions in exceedance of South Coast AQMD’s threshold criteria and cumulatively contribute to the South Coast Air Basin’s nonattainment designations. [Threshold AQ-2] The Proposed General Plan guides growth and development in the City by designating allowed land uses by parcel and through implementation of its goals and policies. New development would increase air pollutant emissions in the City and contribute to the overall emissions in the SoCAB. A discussion of health impacts 226

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associated with air pollutant emissions generated by operational activities is included under “Air Pollutants of Concern” in Section 5.3.1.2, Regulatory Framework. The proposed project sets up the framework for growth and development, but does not directly result in development. Before development can occur, it must be analyzed for conformance with the general plan, zoning requirements, and other applicable local and State requirements; comply with the requirements of CEQA; and obtain all necessary clearances and permits.

Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Forecast
The emissions forecast for Wildomar is shown in Table 5.3-10, City of Wildomar Regional Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Forecast. As shown in Table 5.3-10, buildout of the proposed project would result in an increase in long-term emissions that exceed the daily South Coast AQMD thresholds for VOC, NOX, and CO.

Emissions of SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 would slightly increase compared to the existing land uses in the City in 2045, but would not exceed the South Coast AQMD thresholds.

The increase in VOC emissions compared to the existing land uses is a result of the increase in residential uses, which result in an increase in consumer product use. Emissions of VOC that exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds would contribute to the O3 nonattainment designation of the SoCAB. The increase in NOX and CO emissions is a result of the increase in mobile source and offroad equipment emissions. Emissions of NOX that exceed South Coast AQMD’s regional significance thresholds would cumulatively contribute to the O3 and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) nonattainment designations of the SoCAB.

Table 5.3-10 City of Wildomar Regional Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Forecast Sector
Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions
(pounds per day)
VOC NOX CO SO2 PM10 PM2.5
Existing – 2045 Emission Rates1
Transportation 11 167 930 6 51 18
Energy 7 127 61 1 10 10
Area –Offroad Equipment 115 219 1,793 <1 11 10
Area – Consumer Products 496 ― ― ― ― ―
Existing Total 629 512 2,784 7 72 38
Proposed Project
Transportation 18 268 1,493 9 82 29
Energy 13 227 109 1 18 18
Area –Offroad Equipment 185 225 3,205 <1 11 10
Area – Consumer Products 931 ― ― ― ― ―
Proposed Project Total 1,148 719 4,808 11 111 57
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Table 5.3-10 City of Wildomar Regional Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Forecast Sector
Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions
(pounds per day)
VOC NOX CO SO2 PM10 PM2.5
Change
Transportation 7 101 563 3 31 11
Energy 6 99 49 1 8 8
Area –Offroad Equipment 71 7 1,412 <1 <1 <1
Area – Consumer Products 436 ― ― ― ― ―
Total 519 207 2,024 4 39 19
South Coast AQMD Regional
Significance Threshold 55 55 550 150 150 55
Significant? Yes Yes Yes No No No
Source. Appendix 5.3-1. 1 Existing land uses modeled using 2045 emission rates in order to isolate the effect of the land use changes associated with the proposed project.

Furthermore, the proposed project includes policies that would contribute to reducing operational emissions associated with development projects. Policies OS-2.5, OS-6.1, OS-6.2, OS-6.5, and OS-6.8 in Open Space and Conservation Element and Policies LU-4.2, LU-9.4, and LU-10.1 in the Land Use Element would reduce GHG emissions and energy demand and therefore have air quality co-benefits. In addition, Policies CI-5.5, CI-5.7, and CI-5.12 in the Circulation Element would help reduce VMT and vehicle congestion to improve air quality. Despite the policies in the Proposed General Plan, the proposed project would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds and would contribute to the nonattainment designation of the SoCAB.

Environmental Justice
South Coast AQMD is taking steps to address localized impacts and exposures within EJ communities. EJ communities are disproportionally impacted by various types of pollution and experience health, social, and economic inequalities. These inequities can also make residents of EJ communities more vulnerable to the effects of environmental pollution. These communities are often located near multiple air pollution sources including both mobile sources and commercial and industrial facilities (South Coast AQMD 2022). The most critical air pollutant affecting health in the SoCAB is PM2.5, which includes DPM. Policy OS-2.3 in Open Space and Conservation Element and Policy LU-11.1 in Land Use Element would ensure development to be compatible with surrounding land uses to reduce environmental effects on sensitive receptors.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.3-3 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Implement Mitigation Measure AQ-2.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.3-3 would be significant and unavoidable. 228

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Impact 5.3-4: The proposed project would expose sensitive receptors to substantial toxic air contaminant concentrations. [Threshold AQ-3]
Development and operation of new land uses accommodated under the proposed project's proposed land use plan could generate new sources of localized criteria air pollutant and TACs in the City from area/stationary sources and mobile sources.

CO Hotspots
Under existing and future vehicle emission rates, a project would have to increase traffic volumes at a single intersection to more than 44,000 vehicles per hour—or 24,000 vehicles per hour where vertical and/or horizontal air does not mix—in order to generate a significant CO impact (BAAQMD 2023). Implementation of the proposed project under horizon year conditions would add vehicle trips but is not anticipated to produce the volume of traffic required to generate a CO hotspot. According to traffic volume data provided by Chen Ryan Associates, the intersection that would experience the greatest traffic volumes in 2045 would be the I-15 NB Ramps to Wildomar Trail on Clinton Keith Road, with an estimated 49,300 average daily trips (ADT). As an industry standard, the ADT are divided by 10 to identify the estimated peak hour traffic volumes at this intersection. Based on this, the intersection the I-15 NB Ramps to Wildomar Trail on Clinton Keith Road would experience an estimated 4,930 peak hour vehicle trips. Thus, implementation of the proposed project would not produce the volume of traffic required to generate a CO hotspot, and CO hotspots impacts would be less than significant.

Localized Significance Thresholds (LSTs)
Implementation of the Proposed General Plan could expose sensitive receptors to elevated pollutant concentrations during construction activities if it would cause or contribute significantly to elevating those levels. Unlike regional emissions as shown in Table 5.3-10, localized concentrations refer to an amount of pollutant in a volume of air (ppm or µg/m3) and can be correlated to potential health effects. LSTs are the amount of project-related emissions at which localized concentrations (ppm or µg/m3) would exceed the ambient air quality standards for criteria air pollutants for which the SoCAB is designated a nonattainment area.

Construction LSTs
Buildout of the Proposed General Plan would occur over the buildout horizon of the plan via several smaller projects, each with its own construction time frame and equipment. Because an LST analysis can only be conducted at a project-level, quantification of LSTs is not applicable for the program-level environmental analysis of the Proposed General Plan. Because potential development and redevelopment could occur close to existing sensitive receptors, future development projects that would be accommodated by the Proposed General Plan have the potential to expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations.

Construction equipment exhaust combined with fugitive particulate matter emissions has the potential to expose sensitive receptors to substantial concentrations of criteria air pollutant emissions and result in potentially significant impacts.
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Operational LSTs
The types of land uses that could generate substantial amounts of stationary source emissions include industrial land uses, which is a land use accommodated under the Proposed General Plan (see Table 3-2, Proposed General Plan Land Use Conversion Table). Implementation of the Proposed General Plan policies could contribute to reducing criteria air pollutant emissions to nearby sensitive receptors.

Policy OS-2.3 in the Open Space and Conservation Element and Policy LU-11.1 in the Land Use Element would ensure proposed industrial development would be compatible with surrounding land uses to reduce environmental effects on sensitive receptors. Policy OS-2.4 through Policy OS-2.6 in the Open Space and Conservation Element would promote protection of air quality and minimize operation-related emissions in the City. The aforementioned policies of the Proposed General Plan would contribute to minimizing localized operation-related emissions from individual land use development projects accommodated in the Proposed General Plan to the extent possible.

However, per the LST methodology, information regarding specific development projects and the locations of receptors would be needed in order to quantify the levels of localized operation and construction-related impacts associated with future development projects. Thus, because the Proposed General Plan is a broadbased policy plan and does not itself propose specific development projects, it is not possible to calculate individual project-related operation emissions at this time.

Overall, because of the likely scale of future development and the inclusion of industrial uses that would be accommodated by the Proposed General Plan, some development projects could likely exceed the LSTs.

Therefore, localized operation-related air quality impacts associated with implementation of the Proposed General Plan are considered potentially significant impacts.

Health Risk: Toxic Air Contaminants
The allowed development under the Proposed General Plan could elevate concentrations of TACs (e.g., DPM) in the vicinity of sensitive land uses during temporary construction activities that would use offroad equipment operating on-site, and at different levels depending on the type of activity (for example, limited to none during installation of utilities, and more during grading activities). Operation of the development allowed under the Proposed General Plan would also generate DPM emissions from diesel truck activity (truck maneuvering and idling), TRUs, and diesel-fueled off-road equipment (i.e., forklifts and yard trucks) in proximity to nearby sensitive receptors.

Permitted Stationary Sources
Various industrial and commercial processes (e.g., manufacturing, dry cleaning) allowed under the proposed land use plan would be expected to release TACs. Industrial land uses, such as chemical processing facilities, chrome-plating facilities, dry cleaners, and gasoline-dispensing facilities, have the potential to be substantial stationary sources that would require a permit from South Coast AQMD. Policy OS-2.3 in the Open Space and Conservation Element would ensure development to be compatible with surrounding land uses to reduce environmental effects on sensitive receptors. Additionally, emissions of TACs would be controlled by South 230

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